Abstract: A photoflash photography system includes a camera separably housing individual film cartridges carrying indicia, physical or electrical, representing the sensitivity of the film contained in the respective cartridge. A photoflash unit is coupled to the camera and has a light output which automatically varies inversely with the film sensitivity in response to the sensitivity indicia. The light output is varied by varying the charge voltage on the flash tube storage capacitor or the capacitor capacitance value. The electrical indicia may be resistors of different values and the physical indicia may be recesses of different depths or differently disposed shoulders or fingers which are detected by movable sensing members.

Abstract: A photographic camera employing a cartridge film, has no film sensitivity setting arrangement but has been preset to a predetermined film sensitivity. The cartridge has an index member projecting from a side thereof and is notched to provide a predetermined configuration corresponding to the particular sensitivity rating of the film contained in the cartridge. Disposed within a cartridge chamber of the camera is a sensing member for detecting the sensitivity of the film contained in said cartridge from the particular configuration of the index member. The sensing member is operatively associated with control means for rendering the camera photographically inoperative.

Abstract: A camera focussing aid includes an auxiliary light projector directing a light beam forwardly of the camera and mounted in the camera body or in a separable flash unit. A mechanism is provided for deactivating the auxiliary projector during the camera exposure sequence and includes a switch network connecting the auxiliary projector lamp to a battery, the switch being opened either with the depression of the shutter release member, the initiation of the shutter opening, the closing of the flash triggering switch or a drop in voltage across the flash charge capacitor. The projector beam is advantageously of small divergence and the auxliary projector may be used with a camera having a split image range finder or a single lens reflex camera.

Abstract: A single lens reflex camera in which the drive force for returning a diaphragm to its open aperture position upon termination of an exposure operation is isolated from the force causing the return of a reflecting mirror from its picture taking position to its viewing position. The camera has a diaphragm which is normally biased in a direction for being stopped-down to a pre-adjusted diaphragm aperture. A spring mechanism when coupled to the diaphragm biases it in its open position against its normal tendency. A diaphragm drive mechanism enables the diaphragm, however, to be stopped down from its open position to its pre-adjusted diaphragm aperture upon actuation of an exposure operation. Upon completion of the exposure operation, the diaphragm drive member is disengaged from the diaphragm thereby enabling the diaphragm to return to its open aperture position under the influence of the spring mechanism.

Abstract: A pentagonal prism holder retains a pentagonal prism in a given position above a focusing glass plate in a single lens reflex camera. A printed base plate holder having a light-receptive element-holding portion, in which at least a single light-receptive element is mounted, supports a printed base plate, on which are disposed electric elements constituting at least part of an electronic shutter controlling circuit. The printed base plate holder is removably mounted on the pentagonal prism holder, such that the light-receptive elements abut respective small prisms which are fixedly mounted on the roof of the pentagonal prism, whereby the light-receptive elements may receive part of the light images from the pentagonal prism.

Abstract: An automatic focus control device has an optical system including an image scanner. The image scanner is disposed between a range-finding lens and at least one light receptor element and on the path of travel of the incoming light towards the light receptor element through the range-finding lens. A mechanism is also disclosed for simultaneously measuring the object-to-lens distance and detecting the contrast of an image of the object projected on the scanner merely by moving the scanner in a direction diverging from the optical axis while a parallel relation between the plane of the scanner and the plane perpendicular to the optical axis is retained.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a control member to be actuated in operative relation to the swing-up motion of the mirror and a mechanical latch member selectively settable in a second position for electronic exposure time control and in a first position for mechanical exposure time control, the latch member being adapted to regulate at the first position the movement of an attraction member for detecting whether an electromagnet has been energized or unenergized. If it is detected that the electromagnet is inoperative when the apparatus is set for operation under electronic exposure time control, the apparatus can be made operative under mechanical exposure time control. The apparatus further includes means for preventing return of the mirror to the observing position upon detecting the inoperativeness of the electromagnet. The mirror is returnable to the normal observing position by switching the apparatus to mechanical exposure time control.