Abstract: A three-motion picture camera is equipped with a shutter opening angle adjusting device capable of changing the opening angle of a shutter including a plurality of concentrically disposed shutter blades from 0.degree. to a predetermined opening angle by changing on relative position of the shutter blades. The opening angle adjusting device includes a mechanism for varying the relative position of the shutter blades, a cam mechanism for actuating said varying mechanism, and a motor for exclusively actuating the cam mechanism. The adjusting device is further provided with a control device for detecting the speed of the motor and controlling the rotational speed of the motor to a substantially constant speed, whereby the camera can perform fading photography which is assured of fading time and overlap photography having a fading effect.

Abstract: A motion picture camera is equipped with a shutter opening angle adjusting device capable of changing the opening angle of a shutter including a plurality of concentrically disposed shutter blades form 0.degree. to a predetermined opening angle by changing on relative position of the shutter blades. The opening angle adjusting device includes a mechanism for varying the relative position of the shutter blades, a cam mechanism for actuating said varying mechanism, and a motor for exclusively actuating the cam mechanism. The adjusting device is further provided with a control device for detecting the speed of the motor and controlling the rotational speed of the motor to a substantially constant speed, whereby the camera can perform fading photography which is assured of fading time and overlap photography having a fading effect.

Abstract: A modular camera system includes a basic camera having an image forming optical system, image focal plane arrangement, and predetermined imaging and camera functions. The modular camera system further includes modules that are selectively attachable and connectable to the basic camera for providing additional camera and imaging functions and controls. The module includes appropriate module control circuitry for controlling the operation of the basic camera concerning predetermined camera and imaging functions when the module is attached to the basic camera to form the modular camera system.

Abstract: A motion picture camera wherein the diaphragm is adjusted in automatic response to signals from two outputs of a digital comparator which receives a first set of signals during each revolution of the shutter at a frequency varying as a function of changes of shutter speed and of changes of scene brightness. The comparator further receives a set of reference signals from a digital selector circuit during normal operation of the camera or from a binary counter when the camera is set for making exposures with fade-in, fade-out or lap dissolve. The counter forms part of a program circuit.

Abstract: The light-sensitive negative-feedback diaphragm control system of the motion-picture camera includes a stepper-motor coupled to the diaphragm, and a control circuit generating stepper-motor drive pulses. The control circuit includes an oscillator having a time-constant circuit which establishes the repetition frequency of the drive pulses. m different repetition frequencies can be established for the drive pulses, using m semiconductor switches each connected to the time-constant circuit. A program-step counter counts program-step-change signals generated during film transport, and a "1" signal appears on successive ones of the counter outputs. The outputs include, in succession, a fade-out output group, a rewind output group, and a fade-in output group. Each such output group contains m outputs.

Abstract: The user selects a fadeover duration by selecting the number of pulses in a reference pulse packet registered by a reference counter. During film transport in either direction, a frame-pulse counter counts up a number of frame pulses equal to the number of pulses in the reference pulse packet, and then performs another frame-pulse counting cycle. Each frame-pulse counting cycle advances a program-step counter. Logic circuitry is responsive to the count on the program-step counter and, during the successive program steps, causes fade-out, film-rewind, and fade-in operations to be performed. The adjusting motor for the diaphragm operates at a speed inversely related to the number of pulses in the reference pulse packet, and the amount by which the adjusting motor changes the diaphragm setting during each frame-pulse counting cycle is always the same.

Abstract: A bridge circuit contains a photoelectric resistor positioned behind the diaphragm and thus having a resistance varying as a function of the light falling on the film. A second arm of the bridge circuit contains a resistor. The bridge circuit output is connected to the inputs of a differential amplifier whose output controls a step motor which adjusts the size of the aperture until the bridge is balanced. For fade-out, an additional resistor is inserted in the second arm by opening a short-circuiting switch, thus causing the bridge to become unbalanced and the step motor to change the aperture until it is again in balance. This balance will take place at a predetermined low illumination suitable for fade-out. Closing the switch will result in fade-in, namely an opening of the aperture until the circuit is again in balance. The output signal from the bridge circuit thus controls the aperture even during fade-in and fade-out.

Abstract: A motion picture camera capable of recording sound simultaneously with film exposure and capable of carrying out fade-out as well as fade-in operations. A control is provided for automatically reducing the audio level during a fade-out operation and for automatically increasing the audio level during a fade-in operation.