Abstract: A camera has a rangefinder device having an optical system constituted by a plurality of optical elements and a diopter adjustment mechanism capable of adjusting the observation diopter of the rangefinder device by operation by the user from outside the camera. In addition, there are provided an operating member that operates the diopter adjustment mechanism and an adjustment mechanism that effects adjustment such that the observation diopter of the rangefinder device is at a predetermined value when the operating member is in a prescribed position. By this means, a camera having a diopter adjustment mechanism whereby the relative positional relationship of the operating member and driven member can always be ensured such that the observation diopter gets equal to the predetermined observation diopter that is to be set when the operating member is arranged in the prescribed position. This can be realized by a straightforward construction.

Abstract: A camera of the present invention comprises a sensor unit for measuring a distance to a subject. Moreover, the sensor unit includes a photoelectric conversion element, a housing with which the photoelectric conversion element is covered and in which a first through hole is formed in a predetermined position, and an electric substrate which is electrically connected to the photoelectric conversion element and in which a second through hole is formed in the predetermined position. Furthermore, the second through hole formed in the electric substrate is disposed opposite to the first through hole formed in the housing in a state in which the electric substrate is electrically connected to the photoelectric conversion element.

Abstract: In a camera having a camera body unit constituted by combining a plurality of units, the camera configuration is realized so as to allow to easily remove only a lens frame unit from the camera body unit before the other units (for example, a strobe unit, a finder unit, a film feed unit and the like) when the camera is disassembled to repair or replace the lens frame unit by constituting so that the lens frame unit having a photographing optical system can be mounted independently.

Abstract: A finder unit includes an objective optical system for forming a viewing image, an inverting optical system for making the viewing image formed by the objective optical system an erecting normal image, an eyepiece optical system for viewing the viewing image, a first optical component deployed closer to the objective optical system than the viewing image formation position, and a second optical component deployed closer to the eyepiece optical system than the viewing image formation position; and satisfies the condition 8<1000×(D1+D2)/f2(1/m) when the focal length of the eyepiece optical system is represented as f (mm), the distance from the viewing image formation position to the first optical component as D1 (mm), and the distance from the viewing image formation position to the second optical component as D2 (mm).

Abstract: An improved camera includes a photographing optical system and a finder optical system, existing independently from each other. In order that a finder observation image will not be obstructed by a camera lens, the camera comprises a driving circuit for respectively driving the photographing optical system and the finder optical system, and an optical system control circuit for controlling the photographing optical system in a manner such that the finder optical system will not be obstructed by the photographing optical system.

Abstract: A specification-variable camera comprises a plurality of switches. A specification-change member renders a predetermined combination of the plurality of switches conductive. An operation member is used to select a mode of the camera. A detection switch serves to detect an operation on the operation member. A control means is compatible with a plurality of specifications. The control means sets a mode of the camera in correspondence with conducting states of the switches, when an output is supplied from the detection switch. The specification of the camera is changed by changing the combination of the conducting states of the switches.

Abstract: A camera is provided which enables the selection of a plurality of specifications in a simple structure and by a simple method. A first contact pattern, a second contact pattern, and a third contact pattern are provided at different positions, respectively. The mode of the camera can be optionally selected out of a derivative mode switch having a first mode setting button which enables conduction of the first contact pattern and the second contact pattern, and a derivative mode switch having a first mode setting button which enables conduction of the first contact pattern and the third contact pattern.

Abstract: This finder unit is configured such that [it comprises] an objective optical system for forming a viewing image, an inverting optical system for making the viewing image formed by the objective optical system an erecting normal image, an eyepiece optical system for viewing the viewing image, a first optical component deployed closer to the objective optical system than the viewing image formation position is, and a second optical component deployed closer to the eyepiece optical system than the viewing image formation position is; and satisfies the condition

Abstract: A camera of this invention incorporates a finder unit capable of changing its magnification corresponding to any one of plural zoom lens barrels (first, second lens barrels) each having different zoom range. When installing the finder unit, first, a positioning pin is inserted into a positioning hole in a rotary frame so as to hold the lens barrel in standard zoom condition. Then, a finder positioning pin is inserted into a cam gear positioning hole and main body positioning hole in finder cam shaft so as to hold a finder lens at a variable magnification position corresponding to the standard zoom condition. With that condition, a zoom driving gear arrangement is meshed with a driving gear portion and cam gear in a rotary frame so that the lens barrel and finder are assembled with each other. This camera realizes reduction of product development term and production cost.

Abstract: A finder unit includes an objective optical system for forming a viewing image, an inverting optical system for making the viewing image formed by the objective optical system an erecting normal image, an eyepiece optical system for viewing the viewing image, a first optical component deployed closer to the objective optical system than the viewing image formation position and a second optical component deployed closer to the eyepiece optical system than the viewing image formation position and satisfies the condition 8<1000×(D1+D2)/f2(1/m) when the focal length of the eyepiece optical system is represented as f (mm), the distance from the viewing image formation position to the first optical component as D1(mm), and the distance from the viewing image formation position to the second optical component as D2 (mm).

Abstract: A driving force transmission switching apparatus for a camera in accordance with the present invention includes: a drive source that generates a driving force; a worm gear that receives the driving force to rotate; a driving force transmission gear device that includes a driving gear and meshes the driving gear with the worm gear to move the driving gear in parallel to an axial direction of the worm gear as the worm gear rotates so as to shift the driving gear to a plurality of transmission positions for applying a driving force of the drive source and a non-transmission position for not applying the driving force of the drive source; a plurality of driven gears which are disposed in positions for meshing with the driving gear, respectively corresponding to the plural transmission positions where the driving gear is to be set, and which receive a driving force of the drive source via the driving gear; and a position control device for conducting control by meshing the driving force transmission gear device wi

Abstract: In a camera having a camera body unit constituted by combining a plurality of units, the camera configuration is realized so as to allow to easily remove only a lens frame unit from the camera body unit before the other units (for example, a strobe unit, a finder unit, a film feed unit and the like) when the camera is disassembled to repair or replace the lens frame unit by constituting so that the lens frame unit having a photographing optical system can be mounted independently.

Abstract: A camera has a rangefinder device having an optical system constituted by a plurality of optical elements and a diopter adjustment mechanism capable of adjusting the observation diopter of the rangefinder device by operation by the user from outside the camera. In addition, there are provided an operating member that operates the diopter adjustment mechanism and an adjustment mechanism that effects adjustment such that the observation diopter of the rangefinder device is at a predetermined value when the operating member is in a prescribed position. By this means, a camera having a diopter adjustment mechanism whereby the relative positional relationship of the operating member and driven member can always be ensured such that the observation diopter gets equal to the predetermined observation diopter that is to be set when the operating member is arranged in the prescribed position. This can be realized by a straightforward construction.

Abstract: A clutch unit according to the present invention includes a driving sleeve fixed to a driving shaft and a driven sleeve fixed to a driven shaft. A coil-like clutch spring is received on the driven sleeve, and a clutch sleeve is received on the driving sleeve. When the driving shaft is rotated normally or reversely, the driving sleeve abuts one of the arm portions of the clutch spring. Consequently, the clutch spring engages the driven sleeve. Torque producing rotation in either direction is transmitted to the driven shaft. The clutch unit also can operate as an overrunning clutch. When the clutch unit is adapted to a film feeding and driving system in a camera, the clutch unit can be positioned to utilize what had been dead spaces in a camera body, thus promoting compact camera design.

Abstract: A film drive mechanism for a camera, in which a drive force of a motor is transmitted through a differential gear mechanism to a wind shaft and a rewind shaft and is also transmitted through a screw gear to a spool shaft or a fork shaft whereby, operations of winding and rewinding film are performed. The rewind shaft is placed in such a manner as to be inclined to the drive shaft of the differential gear mechanism. Also, a pair of engaging gears in the drive force transmission device are aligned so that their axes of rotation are oblique to one another. This film drive mechanism requires small space than conventional designs and is small in weight and is advantageous for the cost thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a power transmission mechanism characterized in that two-directional rotations of a driving shaft can be transmitted to a driven-side shaft, it shows a high degree of freedom in arrangement even when it is applied to a driving force transmission system, the driving force of a driving-side input shaft can be transmitted to a driven-side ring via a roller in each of opposite directions, and when the rotational speed of the driven-side ring is higher than that of the driving-side input shaft, no driving force is transmitted from the driving-side input shaft to the driven-side ring in either of the opposite directions.

Abstract: A film cartridge loader for a camera includes a film cartridge chamber having an opening into which a film cartridge can be loaded, a film cartridge chamber lid, a lid locking unit, a lid close detecting unit, an ejecting unit, a film cartridge interceptive door opening/closing unit, a moving unit, a movement detecting unit, a driving source, and a driving control unit. The film cartridge chamber lid is movable for opening or closing the cartridge chamber opening. The lid locking unit locks the film cartridge chamber lid in a closed state. The lid close detecting unit detects that the film cartridge chamber lid is locked by the lid locking unit. The ejecting unit ejects the film cartridge from the film cartridge chamber. The film cartridge interceptive door opening/closing unit opens or closes the interceptive door of the film cartridge. The moving unit moves the ejecting unit responsively to opening actions performed by the film cartridge interceptive door opening/closing unit.

Abstract: This finder unit is configured such that an objective optical system for forming a viewing image, an inverting optical system for making the viewing image formed by the objective optical system an erecting normal image, an eyepiece optical system for viewing the viewing image, a first optical component deployed closer to the objective optical system than the viewing image formation position is, and a second optical component deployed closer to the eyepiece optical system than the viewing image formation position is; and satisfies the condition

Abstract: A camera having a camera body unit including mainly a photographic lens frame, a front cover unit and back cover unit that are housing members for covering the outer circumference of camera body unit, a back lid unit to be opened or closed for loading film, and a battery lid for opening or closing a battery stowage chamber. The battery stowage chamber is formed inside the flank of a front cover that is an integral part of the front cover unit, and the battery lid is supported by a back cover that is an integral part of the back cover unit so that the battery lid can pivot freely. According to the camera having these components, a camera having any of various contours can be produced readily without loss of freedom in design.

Abstract: A visual field of finder change-over apparatus for changing over a size and shape of a visual field of finder of a camera in a plurality of stages, includes a pair of first visual-field frame members which are movable relative to the visual field of finder in two opposite directions and each of which has an approximately arc-shaped cam slot, a pair of second visual-field frame members which are movable relative to the visual field of finder, and in further two opposite directions, the further two opposite directions crossing the two opposite directions, and each of which has an approximate arc-shaped cam slot, and a rotation member which is rotatable and has a plurality of pins fitted in the cam slots of the first and second visual-field frame members, the rotation member selectively moving the first and second visual-field frame members by a movement of the moving pins when the rotation member rotates, wherein at least one of the pairs of the first and second visual-field frame members is moved in accordance