Abstract: An auto-focus camera for performing focusing adjustment of a focusing lens group to actualize an in-focus state, that includes an auto-focusing adjustment unit to move the focusing lens group along an optical axis based on a detection signal, and an in-focus state detection unit to detect the in-focus state and output a corresponding output signal. The auto-focusing adjustment unit performs the focus adjustment using the output signal of the in-focus state detection unit as the detection signal. The auto-focus camera also includes a displacement detection unit to detect displacement of the photographic optical system along the optical axis and to output a corresponding output signal. The auto-focusing adjustment unit switches the detection signal from the output signal of the in-focus state detection unit to the output signal of the displacement detection unit to enable continued focusing adjustment throughout the photographic operation, including during an exposure process.

Abstract: An image shifting apparatus includes a frame for holding at least a portion of a photographing optical system, and a holding mechanism for holding the frame within a plane substantially perpendicular to an optical axis of the photographing optical system, and causing a force corresponding to a distance between the optical axis and a center of the optical system to act on the frame. At least two drive mechanisms drive the frame within a plane perpendicular to the optical axis in at least two directions which are not parallel to each other with forces corresponding to supplied power.

Abstract: A vibration compensation device for use in an optical imaging system, such as a camera, having a vibration detection unit to detect vibrations in the camera and a vibration compensation unit to drive a vibration compensation optical lens perpendicular to an optical axis to correct for the vibrations detected by the vibration detection unit. A display unit, preferably a lamp, is provided to indicate the detection of vibrations by the vibration detection unit. Further, the vibration detection device is provided with a switch to allow the user to select whether the vibration compensation device is to be enabled or disabled. When the vibration detection device is enabled, upon the halfpress of a shutter release button, the vibration detection unit is initialized to determine the point at which the angular velocity of the vibration compensation optical lens equals 0.

Abstract: An anti-vibration device for an optical imaging system which cancels or mitigates forces arising when the anti-vibration device is driven in a first or second direction. The anti-vibration device is held in a lens frame which is driven in a first or second direction by a drive force generating device. The drive generating device includes first and second motors, the force of which is transmitted to the lens frame via respective transmission gear trains and drive shafts which move a movable member and thus move the lens frame. The position of action of the force on the lens frame due to the respective shafts is set to a position which divides the lens frame in a specified ratio, and the positions of action of the respective shafts are close to each other.

Abstract: A camera having a lens which is shiftable to suppress image blur, and which controls a centering operation of the lens. The camera is settable to be in a serial photo mode for taking a series of continuous photographs, and in a non-serial photo mode for taking individual photographs. The lens has an initial position, typically a centered position. The camera includes a control mechanism for controlling the lens. When the camera is set in the non-serial photo mode, the control mechanism suppresses image blur by, for each individual photograph to be taken, positioning the lens at the initial position before the photograph is taken and shifting the lens from the initial position. When the camera is set in the serial photo mode, the control mechanism suppresses image blur by, for photographs taken subsequent to a first photograph of a series of continuous photographs, shifting the lens from the final lens position of the previous photograph, without repositioning the lens at the initial position.

Abstract: There is provided a vibration reduction camera which includes an operation portion that operates based on electric power, and a vibration reduction driving portion, and can reduce consumption power even when the operation portion and the vibration reduction driving portion are operated simultaneously.

Abstract: Disclosed is a Ti alloy which can provide a high strength and achieve a high ductility only with an annealing treatment without being provided a solution treating and aging process by adding O, C and Fe in a good balance to a basic chemical composition system such as Al and V in a Ti-6Al-4V alloy or a chemical composition system obtained by increasing Al in the above chemical component system and further adding thereto a suitable amount of N according to the addition amounts of Al, O, C, and Fe.

Abstract: A vibration reducing apparatus comprises a holding unit for holding a vibration reducing optical system, a vibration reducing drive unit for reducing vibrations of an object image by moving the holding unit, a lock unit for locking the holding unit in a predetermined position, a control unit for controlling the vibration reducing drive unit and the locking unit, and a determining unit for determining whether or not the holding unit should be locked in the predetermined position. The determining unit outputs a first predetermined signal to the control unit so as to lock the holding unit in the predetermined position at least once before operating the vibration reducing drive unit after switching ON an electricity supply. The control unit, upon receiving the first predetermined signal from the determining unit, controls the lock unit to lock the holding unit in the predetermined position.

Abstract: A vibration reducing camera comprises a vibration reducing optical system, a vibration reducing drive unit for reducing vibrations by changing a state of the vibration reducing optical system, a state detecting unit for detecting a state of the vibration reducing optical system, a fixing unit for fixing the vibration reduction optical system in a predetermined initial state, a photographic condition changing unit for performing a predetermined number of photographing operations while stepwise changing a part of photographic conditions, a photographic condition setting unit for setting at least a number of exposures in the photographic condition changing unit, and a control unit for controlling the vibration reducing drive unit, the state detecting unit, the fixing unit and the photographic condition changing unit.

Abstract: A motion compensation device includes a detection unit detecting an amount of motion about a camera, a photographic preparatory operation commencement instruction unit generating a first instruction to commence photographic preparatory operations including the commencement of the detection unit, and a photographic operation commencement instruction unit generating a second instruction to commence photographic operations, a motion compensation unit to drive a photographic optical system of the camera to inhibit image blurring on a focal plane based on the amount of motion detected by the detection unit, and a stabilization time determination unit determining whether the photographic preparatory time from when the photographic preparatory operation instruction unit generates the first instruction until the photographic operation commencement instruction unit generates the second instruction is longer or shorter than a predetermined amount of time.

Abstract: A motion compensation device includes a detection unit detecting an amount of motion about a camera, a photographic preparatory operation commencement instruction unit generating a first instruction to commence photographic preparatory operations including the commencement of the detection unit, and a photographic operation commencement instruction unit generating a second instruction to commence photographic operations, a motion compensation unit to drive a photographic optical system of the camera to inhibit image blurring on a focal plane based on the amount of motion detected by the detection unit, and a stabilization time determination unit determining whether the photographic preparatory time from when the photographic preparatory operation instruction unit generates the first instruction until the photographic operation commencement instruction unit generates the second instruction is longer or shorter than a predetermined amount of time.

Abstract: A camera, which detects and compensates for vibrations affecting the camera, has improved positioning of vibration detection sensors. The camera includes a camera body having an outer cover and a lens barrel. The lens barrel has a substantially cylindrical outer portion and is positioned on the camera body to divide the camera body into a first portion and a second portion with the lens barrel therebetween. A rangefinding unit is positioned in the camera body and is covered by the outer cover of the camera body. The rangefinding unit has a surface which has a portion opposing the circumference of the outer portion of the lens barrel. A first space exists in the first portion of the camera body and has borders defined by the circumference of the outer portion of the lens barrel, the surface of the rangefinding unit and the outer cover of the camera body. A flash generation device is positioned in the second portion of the camera body and a vibration detection sensor positioned in the first space.

Abstract: A vibration preventing device comprises a vibration preventing optical system movable for the prevention of vibration, a vibration preventing mechanism portion, a holding member for fixedly holding the vibration preventing optical system, and a frame member for mounting the holding member on the vibration preventing mechanism portion. The frame member and the holding member are separably coupled together.

Abstract: A vibration-preventing device for a main optical system which prevents the occurrence of image shake due to vibration. A vibration-preventing optical system is held by a lens frame and moves in a direction at a right angle with respect to an optical axis of the main optical system to prevent the occurrence of image shake due to vibration. Moving members are joined to the lens frame and are driven in a direction which is at a right angle with respect to the optical axis. A guide determines a direction in which the moving members are driven and an energization device is attached to the lens frame and energizes the lens frame to contact the moving members.