Abstract: A variable focal length camera having at least one auxiliary lens system which is inserted into or withdrawn from the optical axis of a main lens system. A lens holder holding the auxiliary lens system is swingably mounted on a shaft extending in the direction of the optical axis, and moves forward and rearward along the shaft for focus adjustment. In order to cancel the component of a force in the direction of the optical axis exerted by a tool by which a focus adjusting device is operated, the shaft is arranged to be motionless in the direction of the optical axis. According to a preferred embodiment, on the intermediate portion of the shaft, there is formed a thread meshing with a base portion of the lens holder so that the position of the lens holder is adjusted through rotation of the shaft, and after this lens position adjustment the base portion is fixed to the shaft.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for a zoom lens system consisting of first and second lens groups has a movable lens barrel fixedly holding the first lens and cam structure consisting of a cam member provided on the second lens group and a cam follower member on the movable lens barrel. The movable lens barrel moves forward or rearward to shift the second lens group forward or rearward relative to the first lens group along the optical axis of the zoom lens system via the cam member so as to continuously change the focal length of the zoom lens system. The cam member is mounted on the movable lens barrel to change the curve of the cam surface relative to the cam follower member only in a middle focal length range.

Abstract: A camera with a zoom lens system having at least front and rear lens groups each comprising at least one lens, comprises a movable lens barrel holding the front lens group and being axially movable rearwardly and forwardly relative to a camera body and a moving mechanism for causing the axial movement of the movable lens barrel.

Abstract: A controller recognizes the requirement for taking a scenic picture when a scenic picture-taking button is operated to indicate that a scene to be photographed is at infinity rather than at the longest focusable distance of an automatic focusing device, and then sets a taking lens system at an infinity focusing lens position, overriding the automatic focusing device. At the same time, when the scene at infinity is darker than a predetermined brightness level, the controller sets a shutter to open for a predetermined night photography exposure time which is greater than the maximum exposure time that could be set by an automatic exposure control device. When taking a night photograph, light emission from a strobe is prevented.

Abstract: In a camera of the drop-in loading type having a film insertion opening formed at the bottom of the camera body, a device is provided for restricting a back lid, supported for pivotal opening and closing movement on the camera, to a partially opened position where the insertion opening is exposed and a guide slot is defined between the camera body and the back lid for allowing a film container with a film leader previously drawn out to be inserted therethrough. The restricting device can be released for full opening in order that the back lid is full opened to a position where the rear of the camera body is exposed to allow repairing an interior mechanism.

Abstract: A mode change-over device for a mode change-over device for a pre-winding type camera in which, after a loading of a film patrone in the camera and before the shooting, a pre-winding of the film is conducted to fully pre-wind the film on a spool and, when the pre-winding is finished, a mode retaining member is unlocked so as to release a mode change-over member thereby operating a mode change-over switch for a shooting mode, such as to allow an unwinding of the film in a frame-by-frame fashion for each shooting exposure, while the mode change-over member is charged by an opening of a back lid of the camera, the mode change-over device comprising; a counter adapted to operate in response to winding and rewinding of the camera; a retaining member for locking the mode retaining member when the back lid has been opened erroneously or accidentally; and a counter engaging member which prevents the retaining member from locking the mode change-over member when the counter is in the initial position, whereas, when th

Abstract: A pre-winding type photographic camera is provided with a mode changing mechanism for changing its operational mode between a pre-winding mode in which film is drawn out from a film magazine loaded in the camera and is taken up around the spool of the camera prior to photographing, and photographing mode in which the film is rewound into the film magazine by one frame each time the film is exposed.

Abstract: In a camera of the type having a film supply chamber opening at the bottom of the camera into which a container including a coiled strip film with its leader previously drawn out is inserted for film loading, a film supporting apparatus for holding the loaded film flat in film plane comprises a pressure plate and a holding frame for resiliently holding the pressure plate in cantilever fashion. The pressure plate can be displaced in the direction parallel to optical axis of the camera for assured advancement of the film to a film take-up chamber.