Abstract: An electrically-controlled shutter mechanism is provided with a pair of shutter blades, i.e., leading and trailing blades, which are to be actuated one after another within a given time interval in order to expose film to scene light through a slit formed between the blades. To ensure the formation of the slit the shutter mechanism is so constructed as to enable actuation of the trailing shutter blade after a lapse of a predetermined time period from an actuation of the leading shutter blade. The construction of the shutter mechanism also assures shutter operation with minimum exposure time when the electric shutter control is inoperable.

Abstract: A camera has a cover member for opening and closing a film cartridge-retaining chamber, and a detecting member movable to effect automatic setting of the film sensitivity or automatic change-over of a filter. The film cartridge has a signal element on its side wall of a predetermined size which may be engaged by the detecting member when the film cartridge is charged into the camera for effecting the automatic setting of the film sensitivity or of the automatic change-over of a filter. After the detecting member has engaged the signal element, and thus tends to tilt the film cartridge, the detecting member is moved in a direction away from the signal element due to a closing operation of the cover member, or the detecting member is released from a force which urges the detecting member toward the signal element, thereby eliminating the influence of the force acting to tilt the film cartridge.

Abstract: An electrical switch assembly for use in a photographic camera of a type having a plane shutter mechanism which is composed of leading and trailing shutter members cooperating to each other to define an exposure opening, through which exposure opening each frame of a photosensitive film is exposed to the incoming light carrying an image of an object to be photographed. The switch assembly comprises a pair of spaced contact members and a carrier lever carrying a pivotable switching lever. The carrier lever is moved from one position to another upon completion of travel of the leading shutter member at which time the switching lever is, if the trailing shutter member has not yet been moved in pursuit of the leading shutter member, pivoted to force one contact member to the other to complete the circuit.