Abstract: An electronically controlled camera having a motor for moving a lens associated with the camera. The motor can be switched between a normal rotational direction and a reverse rotational direction. The motor is capable of being driven at a plurality of speeds. The camera is also provided with a controller for controlling the rotational direction and speed of the motor.

Abstract: An electronically controlled camera having a macro mode operating capability which is disabled in the event predetermined object-distance-information is not obtained which is required for automatically focusing the camera in the macro mode. In this event, the lens is automatically shifted from the macro position to a non-macro position to enable a properly focused photograph to be taken. The shifting of the lens is preferably performed in response to actuation of the shutter release button while the lens is in the macro position, without further actuation of the shutter release button. Further, the camera can be arranged to return the lens to a macro position after the photograph is taken.

Abstract: An indicator unit for an electronically controlled camera that is able to effectively indicate required information for operating the camera. Such information includes, for example, the frame number of the film in the camera, the focal length of the camera lens, the picture-taking mode, the status of the battery in the camera, and the status of the loading of the film. A display panel constructed according to the invention can display such information within a limited indication space while providing a legible display format. More specifically, the present invention provides an indicator unit for an electronically controlled camera that includes an indicator that is adapted to store a first piece of updatable information in a first memory and another piece of updatable information in a further memory. Display priority is given to the first piece of information stored in the first memory.

Abstract: An apparatus for rewinding a film into a patron. The apparatus has a sensor that detects the presence of the film at a predetermined position along a film advancing path. A detector determines the amount of film that has been rewound into the patron and stops the rewinding of the film into the patron leaving the leader section of the film outside of the patron if the detector determines that less than a predetermined amount of film has been exposed.

Abstract: An electronically controlled camera which is controllable by an external control unit connected to terminals provided on a camera body. The terminals are connected to signal lines arranged between more than one control unit built in the camera body. One sends a predetermined unrequired data to the other one of the control units through the predetermined signal line. This data is externatlly monitored. Furthermore, predetermined photographing data is indicated on an indicator unit of the camera under predetermined conditions.

Abstract: A film advancement control device, particularly for an automatic camera. The device detects the presence of film and further includes an external operating switch which enables at least one predetermined function which is unrelated to advancement of the film, in response to the external operating switch being actuated in a predetermined manner. The device also advances the film in a predetermined manner in response to (i) the detection of the presence of the film and (ii) the external operating switch being actuated in the predetermined manner.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a strobe which is used in a camera. The strobe control apparatus includes a charging time-limit selecting device for selecting one of plurality of charging times according to the operating conditions of the camera, and a charging voltage limit selecting device for selecting one of plurality of charge limit voltages according to the operating conditions of the camera. If the charged voltage of the strobe does not reach the selected charge limit voltage after the selected charging time has elapsed, charging is stopped. The strobe control apparatus also includes a charge prohibiting device for prohibiting charging if a predetermined charge prohibit time has not elapsed after charging is completed, so as to prevent damage to the strobe due to heat generated by frequent flashings. The predetermined prohibit time is changed, however, according to the sensed heat condition of the strobe.

Abstract: An indication control unit for an electronically controlled camera. The indication control unit includes a display for indicating photographic information; electrical power supply for the indicator unit; a film presence detecting device; a mechanism for switching the camera between an operable, picture taking state and an inoperable, non-picture taking state; and a mechanism for disabling the electrical power supply if the camera is in the inoperable, non-picture taking state and the film presence detecting device fails to detect film in the camera. With the present invention, the amount of electrical power that is consumed by the indication control unit, which can include a liquid crystal display, for example, is minimized.

Abstract: An auto strobe camera that gives a clear indication of the status of a strobe charge operation only when the photographer intends to take a picture. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the auto strobe camera includes a strobe flashing unit which emits light when a photometric switch is turned on and an exposure value is below a certain level. The invention includes an indicator unit that indicates that a charging process is going on, only when the photometric switch is turned on and the strobe is not ready to flash, even though the flash is required to obtain a properly exposed photograph. The indicator unit informs the photographer to wait until the charging operation is finished, only when the photometric switch is turned on and the strobe is not ready to flash, although the use of the strobe flash is required.

Abstract: A device for preventing erroneous shutter release in an electronic release type camera having an automatic aperture control function, a bulb function and a self-timer function. The device includes an automatic aperture controlling switch which is turned on when an automatic aperture control photographing mode is selected, a bulb photographing switch which is turned on when a bulb photographing mode is selected, and a self-timer switch which is turned on when a self-timer photographing mode is selected. An erroneous operation detecting circuit produces a warning signal when the bulb photographing switch and the automatic aperture control switch are turned on simultaneously, or when the bulb photographing switch and the self-timer switch are turned on simultaneously. The warning signal is applied to prevent a release magnet control circuit from energizing an electromagnet which effects release of the shutter of the camera when the warning signal is present.