Abstract: A camera having a mid-exposure zooming function, including a zoom motor driving a zoom lens, a trigger switch initiating mid-exposure zooming, and a mid-exposure zooming execution mechanism for initiating the driving of the zoom motor based on the operation of the trigger switch for initiating exposure.

Abstract: A barrier mechanism of a camera includes a cylindrical lens cover which has an aperture at its front face and which is supported to move between a photographing position and an accommodating position to the rear of the photographing position. At least one barrier is provided on the front end of the lens cover to open and close the aperture. A barrier opening and closing mechanism which opens and closes the barrier in association with the rotation of a cam ring is further provided. The barrier opening and closing mechanism includes a spring for biasing the barrier towards an open position, and an opening and closing pin which can be moved radially with respect to the lens cover. The pin closes the barrier when moved in the radial direction, and a closing lever is located at a predetermined position outside the lens cover and is biased to rotate to continuously press the opening and closing pin to close the barrier.

Abstract: A cam mechanism in a zoom lens having a stationary barrel secured to a camera body, a cam ring rotatably fitted in the stationary barrel, a front lens group frame movable in the optical axis direction in the cam ring, a front lens group integrally supported by the front lens group frame, and a rear lens group supported in the cam ring so as to move in the optical axis direction. The cam ring is provided with front lens group cam grooves and rear lens group cam grooves, so that when the cam ring rotates, the front lens group and the rear lens group are moved in the optical axis direction. The number of the front lens group cam grooves is larger than that of the rear lens group cam grooves.

Abstract: A camera has a front cover with an inner wall and an opening for a movable lens barrel. An immovable annular member is spaced from the inner wall of the front cover. A light interception member, with elastic end projections and inner lips, is disposed in the space between the inner wall of the front cover and the annular member. The end projections of the light interception member contact the inner wall of the front cover and inner lips are in slidable contact with the movable lens barrel.

Abstract: A lens shutter type of camera is disclosed in which a zoom lens is positioned in a lens block (1) which has a sector gear (15) rotatably associated with the lens block and with a rotatable cam ring (14). The cam ring and sector gear are rotatable in a substantially constant axial position. A movable finder optical assembly (8) and a movable strobe assembly (9) are movable in associated with movement of the zoom lens. The zoom lens is movable between an extreme telephoto position and an extreme wide angle position, as well as into a fully collapsed lens position beyond the extreme wide angle position and a macro or close-up photographing position beyond the extreme telephoto position. When the camera is in its macro mode, a prism (P1) is inserted into the finder optical assembly to correct for parallax; the strobe assembly is moved to change its illumination angle; and an optical wedge (4e) is pivoted into the path between a light receiver (4) and a light emitter (3e).

Abstract: A barrier mechanism of a camera is provided which includes a cylindrical lens cover which has at its front face an aperture and which is supported to move between a photographing position and an accommodating position in the rear of the photographing position. At least one barrier is provided on the front end of the lens cover to open and close the aperture; and a barrier opening and closing mechanism which opens and closes the barrier in association with the rotation of a cam ring. The barrier opening and closing mechanism includes spring means for biasing the barrier to open the same, an opening and closing pin which can be moved in the radial directions of the lens cover and which closes the barrier against the spring means when the opening and closing pin moves in one radial direction, a closing lever which is located at a predetermined position outside the lens cover and which is biased to rotate to continuously press the opening and closing pin to close the barrier.

Abstract: In a camera, a shutter unit is mounted to a movable lens system for movement therewith along an optical axis. An annular member is arranged between the shutter unit and a camera body, for moving the shutter unit. A control signal from a control unit within the camera body is supplied to the shutter unit through a flexible element. The flexible element is turned back plurality of times within a space defined by the annular member so as to have at least two first and second turned-back portions spaced away from each other along the optical axis, whereby the flexible element has at least three sections including a first section extending between the shutter unit and the first turned-back portion, a second section extending between the first and second turned-back portions, and a third section extending between the second turned-back portion and the control unit. These sections overlap with each other in a direction normal to the optical axis.

Abstract: A lens shutter type of camera is disclosed in which a zoom lens is positioned in a lens block (1) which has a sector gear (15) rotatably associated with the lens block and with a rotatable cam ring (14). The cam ring and sector gear are rotatable in a substantially constant axial position. A movable finder optical assembly (8) and a movable strobe assembly (9) are movable in association with movement of the zoom lens. The zoom lens is movable between an extreme telephoto position and an extreme wide angle position, as well as into a fully collapsed lens position beyond the extreme wide angle position and a macro or closeup photographing position beyond the extreme telephoto position. When the camera is in its macro mode, a prism (P1) is inserted into the finder optical assembly to correct for parallax; the strobe assembly is moved to change its illumination angle; and an optical wedge (4e) is pivoted into the path between a light receiver (4) and a light emitter (3e).

Abstract: A zoom lens for a camera having a between-the-lens shutter includes a motor for moving the lens along an optical axis in forward and rearward directions. A switch is operable by an operator to control operation of the motor for moving the lens from an initial position on the axis to a final stationary position that establishes the focal length of the lens. Control apparatus is responsive to the setting of the switch for operating the motor such that movement of the lens from its initial position to its final position always ends after the lens travels to its final position in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: In a zoom lens system having front and rear groups of lenses movable in an optical axis direction, an apparatus is provided for preventing internal reflection. The apparatus comprises a movable antireflection member which is located at the rear of the rear group of lenses to intercept harmfull light which would otherwise be incident upon a film plane. The antireflection member movable along the optical axis direction of the lens system, in association with the movement of the rear group of lens.

Abstract: A programmed shutter and an apparatus are provided for preventing material, such as dust, on camera lenses from being photographed. The shutter can be used alone, or can be used together with a pivotable neutral density filter which can be selectively positioned along the optical axis of a lens system having a zoom lens or at least two focal length positions.

Abstract: A zoom lens in which a stop guide is located between an operating ring and a stationary lens barrel for regulating the range of rotation of the operating ring. A macrophotography guide permits, when the operating ring is positioned at the closest photographing distance and in the focusing rotation range and at at least one of the zooming movement ends, the operating ring to further turn for a closer photographing range. The stop guide includes a stop pin fixed to the operating ring and a stop plate having stop pin rotation range regulating surfaces on both sides in the circumferential direction of the zoom lens and which is secured to the stationary lens barrel. The plate has a macrophotography guide cut formed in at least one end portion located in the direction of the optical axis with the macrophotography guide cut being arranged circumferentially of the zoom lens.

Abstract: A helicoid ring and a focusing actuation ring are movably arranged on an inner periphery and an outer periphery of a stationary lens barrel which supports a focusing movable lens assembly, respectively. The helicoid ring and the focusing actuation ring have gears which are operatively connected to each other by means of a pinion which is rotatably supported by the stationary lens barrel and which extends through an opening formed in the stationary lens barrel so that the pinion comes into engagement with the gears of the helicoid ring and the gears of the focusing actuation ring on the inside and outside, of the stationary lens barrel.

Abstract: A photographic camera has a camera body and an interchangeable lens assembly engagable with the camera body. A diaphragm having an adjustable diaphragm value in the lens assembly is adjusted upon shutter release. The diaphragm value is sensed in the lens assembly during adjustment and a first signal representative of the sensed diaphragm value is transmitted to the camera body. In the camera body the sensed diaphragm value is compared with a desired diaphragm value responsive to the first signal. Responsive to the comparison, adjustment of the diaphragm value is arrested to establish the desired diaphragm value. To sense the diaphragm value, a light transmission path is established between a light source and a light receiver. The light transmission path includes a first optical grating mounted on a movable diaphragm actuating member and a second optical grating mounted on a stationary member.

Abstract: A camera has a camera body with a lens receiving mount, an interchangeable lens having a mount removably engageable with the camera body mount, and a plurality of information transmitting elements. The plurality of information transmitting elements comprise a light source in the camera body, light receivers in the camera body corresponding to the respective elements, optical fibers in the camera body corresponding to the respective elements for coupling light from the source to the lens receiving mount and from the lens receiving mount to the receivers, and light transmitters in the lens for returning light associated with the optical fibers of selected elements to the light receivers of the selected elements. The selected elements represent information transferred from the lens to the camera body.

Abstract: A camera body having a camera body and an interchangeable lens engageable with the camera body has an improved contact arrangement between camera body and lens. A lens mount has a first flat surface, a camera mount engages a lens mount to join the lens to the camera body, and the camera mount has a second flat surface abutting the first flat surface when the lens mount engages the camera mount. One or more first electrical contacts in the lens mount are movable normal to the first surface between a retracted position approximately flush with the first surface and an extended position projecting from the first surface. A spring urges the one or more first contacts toward the extended position.

Abstract: A camera has a camera body, an interchangeable lens engageable with the camera body, and a rotatable diaphragm setting ring on the lens. A first mounting member on the camera body interlocks with a second mounting member on the lens to engage the lens with the camera body. A hole is formed in the second mounting member adjacent to the first mounting member and a slideable lock pin is disposed in the hole. The ring is rotatable between an automatic diaphragm control position and a range of diaphragm preset positions. Responsive to the diaphragm setting ring, the pin is retracted to a position approximately flush with the surface of the second mounting member when the diaphragm setting ring is within the range of diaphragm preset positions and the lock pin is extended outwardly from the surface of the second mounting member to the region occupied by the first mounting member when the diaphragm setting ring is at the automatic diaphragm control position.

Abstract: A camera body having a camera body and an interchangeable lens engageable with the camera body has an improved contact arrangement between camera body and lens. A lens mount has a first flat surface, a camera mount engages a lens mount to join the lens to the camera body, and the camera mount has a second flat surface abutting the first flat surface when the lens mount engages the camera mount. One or more first electrical contacts in the lens mount are movable normal to the first surface between a retracted position approximately flush with the first surface and an extended position projecting from the first surface. A spring urges the one or more first contacts toward the extended position.