Abstract: A charging device for cameras which is usable for a charging apparatus as a driving source for various operations within a camera.The charging device has a linear actuator of a shape memory alloy which extends and contract by the shape restoring action thereof, and a current supplier for applying a predetermined current to the actuator of a shape memory alloy for heating it. The extending and contracting operation of the actuator of a shape memory alloy is utilized for charging a shutter charging apparatus, charging and releasing a shutter charging apparatus or charging the driving force for a focusing lens. The charging device can simplify the structure of various charging apparatuses, reduce the weight thereof and realize a silent-operation camera.

Abstract: A camera shake detecting device includes a filter circuit, a variable gain amplifier and a camera shake detection/warning circuit. The filter circuit inputs a receiving output corresponding to a field luminance from a light receiving unit of an active type distance measuring device when the distance measuring device is not conducting a distance measurement, and gives an output, of which higher frequency components than frequency components due to camera shake are attenuated, to the variable gain amplifier. The variable gain amplifier of the gain is controlled corresponding to a mean light volume level of the field so that an amplitude of frequency components due to camera shake is not affected by the field luminance. The camera shake detection/warning circuit inputs an output of the variable gain amplifier, and issues a camera shake warning when the amplitude of frequency components due to camera shake is detected at least while a shutter is opened.

Abstract: An automatic focusing adjusting device for use in a camera is disclosed in which an operation processing on the phase difference detection to be executed when the focusing of an image pickup optical system is detected can be performed by means of an analog signal processing. In the automatic focusing adjusting device, when the distance measurement ranges in a light receiving part of sensor means are specified by operation means, then control means controls charge input preventive means in such a manner that only the signal electric charges that are stored in photoelectric conversion elements forming the light receiving part but belonging to the other distance measurement ranges that the ranges specified by the operation means are prevented from flowing into a readout part in the sensor means, whereby the distance measurement ranges in the light receiving part of the sensor means can be changed.

Abstract: A shutter mechanism for a camera comprises at least one shutter blade, an electromagnet for holding the shutter blade in a blocking position where an exposure aperture is concealed and another electromagnet for returning the shutter blade to the initial and blocking position. The holding electromagnet is energized in association with the shutter actuating operation to permit the shutter blade to move, initiating exposure. The shutter blade in the course of movement to an unblocking position is forced to be returned to the initial and blocking position by the returning electromagnet when the latter is energized and the held therein by the holding electromagnet which has been deenergized, terminating exposure.

Abstract: A zone-type range-detecting device for a camera, detects in which one of a plurality of zones an object to be photographed is located, these zones being spaced from the camera different distances along an axis which can be the optical axis of the picture-taking lens of the camera, or another axis. In one embodiment, a light-sensing device located on that axis senses the luminosity of all objects located on that axis regardless of the zone in which the object is located, and a plurality of individual light-sensing devices is also provided, each of which senses the luminosity of an object within only a respective one of those zones. A plurality of differential amplifiers calculates the differences between the outputs from the common light-sensing device and each one of the plurality of individual light-sensing devices, and the minimum output among the outputs from the plurality of differential amplifiers is detected, thereby to locate the zone in which the object to be photographed is located.

Abstract: In an auto-focusing camera, a light beam projecting device is provided for projecting a light spot on the object to be photographed. The light spot is projected on the object to be photographed in response to depression of the shutter release button or actuation of the automatic focus adjusting device incorporated in the camera.