Abstract: In a flash device, a control method for the flash device, an image pickup apparatus using the flash device, and a control apparatus for the flash device, when causing a light emitting portion to make light emission n times (n being a predetermined integer not less than 2), an amount of light emission of the light emitting portion for each of the n times is controlled so as to be set to an amount of light emission corresponding to a voltage level which is one (n−1)-th of a result obtained by subtracting a light-emission enabling reference voltage level of the light emitting portion from a charging voltage level of a capacitor which supplies light-emission energy to the light emitting portion.

Abstract: A lens-fitted photo film unit is pre-loaded with photo film, and is a flash built-in type. A booster circuit boosts power source voltage to obtain high voltage. A main capacitor stores charge at the high voltage. A flash discharge tube is connected with the main capacitor, and emits flash light by discharge at the high voltage. A trigger circuit triggers the discharge of the flash discharge tube in response to an exposing operation. A main circuit board has the booster circuit and the trigger circuit mounted thereon. A subsidiary circuit board is connected with the main circuit board, and has a flash quenching circuit mounted thereon. The flash quenching circuit operates in an auxiliary manner, and automatically adjusts the amount of the flash light.

Abstract: In a lens-fitted photo film unit, a flash device has a booster circuit including primary and secondary windings, the secondary winding generating high voltage when power source voltage is applied to the primary winding. A main capacitor is charged by the high voltage in the secondary winding. A flash discharge tube is connected in parallel with the main capacitor, for emitting flash light upon discharge with electric energy from the main capacitor. A trigger circuit discharges the flash discharge tube upon a switching operation. A photo transistor measures reflected light from an object illuminated by the flash light, to output a light amount signal. A light amount control circuit quenches discharge of the flash discharge tube when an integration value of the light amount signal comes up to a predetermined value.

Abstract: An electronic flash device of an automatic light adjusting type includes a main capacitor for storing charge at a high voltage. A flash discharge tube generates flash light upon discharging the main capacitor therewith. A light adjusting circuit adjusts a light amount of the flash light by feedback. The light adjusting circuit includes a reflected light measuring unit for outputting an integration voltage for representing a light amount of reflected light from a photographic field illuminated with the flash light. A thyristor as non-contact switch short-circuits terminals of the main capacitor upon being turned on, to quench emission of the flash light in the flash discharge tube. A turn-on capacitor is charged by a current of discharge in response to the emission of the flash light, and is discharged when the integration voltage comes up to a prescribed level, to turn on the thyristor responsively.

Abstract: In a camera having an automatic flash light control system, a quantity of flash light illuminating an object is restricted by a value as an upper limit or a lower limit which is calculated by a distance to the object and an aperture value of a taking lens. When there is any factor for affecting the calculation of the value such as a high reflectance of the object, a specific lens system of the taking lens and a position of the flashing unit with respect to the camera, the limit value is compensated or the restriction by the value is release. When the flash light control has completed, the flash light control mode is distinguished by indication manner corresponding to the result of the actual flash light control.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic flash device capable of dimming control, particularly with the objective of enhancing the dimming precision in weak light emissions. The electronic flash device of the present invention thus predicts the quantity of overrun light after stopping of the emission based on the target quantity of emission, and performs correction to advance emission stop timing in accordance with the quantity of overrun light. Here, the rate between the target quantity of emission and the quantity of full emission by the emission means (the rate of emission) is preferably obtained so that the quantity of overrun light after stopping of the emission is predicted based on the rate of emission. In split emission, the emission stop timing is preferably corrected on each chopper emission.

Abstract: An electronic flash device includes: a flash light emission circuit that performs a flash light emission; a light emission control circuit that supplies power for light emission to the flash light emission circuit in response to an input of a light emission start signal and cuts off the power to the flash light emission circuit in response to an input of a light emission stop signal; and a protective circuit that detects a state that will induce power supply to the flash light emission circuit in response to an anomalous signal based upon a circuit operation of the light emission control circuit and prevents the power supply to the flash light emission circuit.

Abstract: A camera with a built-in electronic flash device, includes: a photographing lens; an aperture stop; an electronic flash emitting portion; a light receiving element for receiving light reflected on a photographic object which has been emitted by the flash emitting portion; and an electronic flash circuit for making the flash emitting portion emit light, the flash circuit having an automatic emission control circuit which stops emission of the flash emitting portion when an amount of the reflected light received by the light receiving element reaches a specified value. With respect to the automatic emission control circuit, A min satisfies the following conditional expression, (A−1) EV≦A min≦(A+0.

Abstract: A method of controlling exposure of a scene image comprising the following steps: sensing a scene for image data; deriving values representative of a brightness map of the scene; sensing the scene for image data; deriving values representative of a range map; comparing the range map with the scene brightness map; and controlling the exposure by controlling artificial illumination upon the scene. In an alternate aspect, a system is provided for controlling exposure of a scene image comprising the following elements: at least one sensor assembly; a source of artificial illumination; and a processing means.

Abstract: A strobe control device for a camera is provided with a light amount measuring system that measures amount of light emitted by a strobe and reflected by an object, a comparing system that compares the measured light amount with a reference exposure light amount. The reference exposure light amount is determined in accordance with a reference control level, the strobe is controlled to stop emitting light when the measured light amount has reached the reference exposure light amount. The strobe control device is further provided with a colorimetry system that determines a color of the object, a reflection compensation value determining system that determines a compensation value for compensating for errors depending on a reflectivity of an object, and a compensation system that compensates for the reference control level in accordance with the reflection compensation value.

Abstract: A flash photography system includes a first photometering device including a multi-segment photometering sensor having a plurality of zone sensors for measuring a pre-flash emission; a second photometering device including a single-segment direct photometering sensor for measuring a main flash emission; a weighting device which assigns a weighting factor to an output of each of the plurality of zone sensors; a calculation device which calculates a correction value based on each photometering value and the weighting factor of each zone sensor of the first photometering device, wherein an appropriate receiving light amount of the second photometering device is calculated in order to attain a compensation exposure for the main flash emission based on the correction value; and a controller which terminates the main flash emission after the light amount measured by the second photometering device reaches the appropriate receiving light amount.

Abstract: A lens-fitted photo film unit is pre-loaded with photo film, and is a flash built-in type. A booster circuit boosts power source voltage to obtain high voltage. A main capacitor stores charge at the high voltage. A flash discharge tube is connected with the main capacitor, and emits flash light by discharge at the high voltage. A trigger circuit triggers the discharge of the flash discharge tube in response to an exposing operation. A main circuit board has the booster circuit and the trigger circuit mounted thereon. A subsidiary circuit board is connected with the main circuit board, and has a flash quenching circuit mounted thereon. The flash quenching circuit operates in an auxiliary manner, and automatically adjusts the amount of the flash light.

Abstract: To record images by a film recording system and an electronic recording system with one light-emission of a flashing device, the flashing device is controlled according to set values of photo film recording conditions since the sensitivity of a silver halide film is different from that of an imaging device. Information about exposure control of the electronic recording system is transmitted from a CPU that is equivalent to a controlling device of the film recording system to a CPU of the electronic recording system, and the electronic recording system sets a CCD aperture, a CCD gain and so on according to the information.

Abstract: A lens drive device that is located inside a camera main body and can drive lenses that are interchangeably mounted to the camera main body, said lens drive device having a coupler that transmits the drive force to the lenses, a drive motor that rotates and drives the coupler, a clutch mechanism that connects and disconnects the coupler and the drive motor, and an encoder that detects the amount of rotation of the coupler while the coupler and the drive motor are disconnected by means of the clutch mechanism.

Abstract: A light-emission control apparatus comprising a light-receiving element 2, an A/D converting section 6, an integrating section 7, a comparing section 8, and a control section 9. The light-receiving element 2 outputs a light-reception signal corresponding to an amount of light it has received. The A/D converting section 6 converts the light-reception signal to digital data. The integrating section 7 integrates the digital data, generating an integrated value. The comparing section 8 compares the integrated value with a predetermined threshold value. The control means outputs a light-emission stop request to a light-emitting device 11, thereby causing the device 11 to stop emitting light, when the integrated value reaches the predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A camera with a built-in electronic flash device, includes: a photographing lens; an aperture stop; an electronic flash emitting portion; a light receiving element for receiving light reflected on a photographic object which has been emitted by the flash emitting portion; and an electronic flash circuit for making the flash emitting portion emit light, the flash circuit having an automatic emission control circuit which stops emission of the flash emitting portion when an amount of the reflected light received by the light receiving element reaches a specified value. With respect to the automatic emission control circuit, Amin satisfies the following conditional expression, (A−1) EV≦Amin≦(A+0.

Abstract: There is disclosed a distance measuring equipment capable of enhancing an accuracy of focusing, and a camera capable of enhancing an accuracy of focusing and/or reducing a cost with a small scale of circuit. In the event that a photography is performed at the relatively short distance, first and second switches of an SPD are switched by an MPU to turn off and turn on, respectively. An AF-dedicated photo detector circuit determines a distance up to a subject in accordance with both the photo-currents I1 and I2 obtained through two signal electrodes. On the other hand, in case of the relatively long distance, the MPU switches the first and second switches of the SPD are switched to turn off and turn on, respectively, so that another AF-dedicated photo detector circuit determines a distance up to the subject in accordance with photo-current I3 obtained from one of the signal electrodes.

Abstract: A strobe control device for a camera is provided with a light amount measuring system that measures amount of light emitted by a strobe and reflected by an object, a comparing system that compares the measured light amount with a reference exposure light amount. The reference exposure light amount is determined in accordance with a reference control level, the strobe is controlled to stop emitting light when the measured light amount has reached the reference exposure light amount. The strobe control device is further provided with a colorimetry system that determines a color of the object, a reflection compensation value determining system that determines a compensation value for compensating for errors depending on a reflectivity of an object, and a compensation system that compensates for the reference control level in accordance with the reflection compensation value.

Abstract: An instant camera is used with a photo film pack, which includes plural photo film units of a self-processing type. Each of the photo film units includes a processing solution pod for containing processing solution. There is an exposure surface which is exposed by photographic subject light and on which the processing solution is spread for processing. A case contains a stack of the plural photo film units. A photo film outlet causes the photo film units to exit. The instant camera has a pack chamber loaded with the photo film pack. An exposure aperture is formed to open in one face of the pack chamber, and sets the exposure surface of the photo film units inside the photo film pack. A set of first and second spreader rollers press and convey an exposed one of the photo film units advanced from the pack chamber, and squeeze the solution pod to spread the processing solution on the exposure surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic flash device capable of dimming control, particularly with the objective of enhancing the dimming precision in weak light emissions. The electronic flash device of the present invention thus predicts the quantity of overrun light after stopping of the emission based on the target quantity of emission, and performs correction to advance emission stop timing in accordance with the quantity of overrun light. Here, the rate between the target quantity of emission and the quantity of full emission by the emission means (the rate of emission) is preferably obtained so that the quantity of overrun light after stopping of the emission is predicted based on the rate of emission. In split emission, the emission stop timing is preferably corrected on each chopper emission.

Abstract: An automatic-focusing camera is provided with a multiple-point distance-measurement device having a plurality of distance-measurement areas, a multiple-division photometry device having a plurality of photometry areas, and a multiple-division light-amount-control device having a plurality of light-amount-control areas. Part of the photometry areas and part of the light-amount-control areas correspond to the distance-measurement areas. When a taking lens is focused on a subject, its focus is locked. Out of the information obtained from the multiple-point distance-measurement device, a set of information obtained when the focus of the taking lens is locked is compared with a set of information obtained immediately before a shot is taken, and thereby a change in picture composition after the locking of the taking lens focus is detected. This makes it possible to achieve exposure control in ambient-light shooting and light amount control in flash shooting in accordance with a change in picture composition.

Abstract: A camera is provided with a distance measurement device having a plurality of distance measurement regions and outputting distance measurement information of each distance measurement region, a light adjustment device having a plurality of light adjustment regions including regions substantially coinciding with the distance measurement regions, and an auxiliary light emitting device for emitting auxiliary light in distance measurement. The auxiliary light emitting device emits auxiliary light when low contrast is detected in at least one of the plurality of distance measurement regions. When auxiliary light is emitted, the flash light emission quantity is controlled based on the distance measurement information in auxiliary light emission and an output from the light adjustment device.

Abstract: A mechanism, of a camera, to let a light adjustment operation for a flash light be performed with a higher precision in a shorter time. The mechanism includes: a first device for taking an image of a region to be photographed and for outputting image process information; a second device for detecting a main subject region and for detecting a background region on the basis of the image process information, in which the second device outputs main subject information upon the main subject region thus detected and outputs background information upon the background region thus detected; a third device for calculating a compensation value for light adjustment on the basis of the main subject information and on the basis of the background information; and a fourth device for controlling an amount of flash light emission at time of taking a photograph with an emission of the flash light on the basis of the compensation value for light adjustment.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for regulating and controlling the amount of light emitted by a flash unit for use with an imaging device. The apparatus and method include and involve a light source configured to illuminate a subject to imaged by an imaging device, a light receiving element configured to receive light emitted by the light source and reflected by the subject, and to generate a signal based on the reflected light, a light amount determination unit coupled to the light receiving element and configured to determine an amount of reflected light received by the light receiving element based on the signal, a light amount comparison unit coupled to the light amount determination unit and configured to compare the amount of reflected light determined by the light amount determination unit with a threshold value to generate a corresponding control signal, and a light source regulator coupled to the light amount comparison unit.

Abstract: A camera system includes a plurality of flash devices for performing flash light emission toward an object during an exposure, a preliminary light emission control circuit for causing the plurality of flash devices to sequentially make preliminary light emission toward the object prior to the flash light emission to be performed by the plurality of flash devices during the exposure, a compression-type light measuring sensor for compressing a photoelectric current obtained by converting light from the object and for outputting the compressed photoelectric current as a voltage, and a light emission amount control circuit for controlling amounts of light emission of the plurality of flash devices during the exposure on the basis of light measurement outputs during the preliminary light emission obtained by the compression-type light measuring sensor by measuring reflected light from the object caused by the preliminary light emission control circuit.

Abstract: A D/A converter performs a D/A conversion on digital light quantity indication data outputted from a CPU to generate an analog light quantity indication signal. The analog light quantity indication signal thus generated is supplied to both a power supply circuit and a light quantity control circuit comprising a photometric sensor, an integration circuit, and a comparison circuit. The light quantity control circuit outputs to a flash light emission circuit a light emission stop signal at the time point when the integrated quantity of light reaches a threshold according to the light quantity indication signal.

Abstract: In a camera capable of setting a flash bracketing photo-taking mode in which an amount of light emission by a flash device is increased or decreased by a desired amount with respect to a predetermined value for every shot to be taken using the flash device, a photo-taking operation of the camera is inhibited if a charge voltage of the flash device is lower than a predetermined voltage when the camera is set in the flash bracketing photo-taking mode.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus having or capable of connecting to a flash device. First, an object is illuminated in predetermined radiant by controlling the flash device, and light reflected by the object is converted into an electric image signal and outputted. A plurality of photometric values are obtained by a plurality of photometry circuits, which use different photometry methods, on the basis of the image signal. Then, property of the object is determined on the basis of the image signal and the photometric values, and one of the plurality of photometry circuits is selected on the basis of the determined property of the object. Finally, radiant quantities of the flash device is controlled on the basis of a photometric value outputted from the photometry circuit, and an image of the object is sensed.

Abstract: In a camera in which a sensor receives reflected light from a subject during flash emission to control the amount of flash light emission on the basis of the output of the sensor, a plurality of focus detecting areas are provided within a light-receiving area of the sensor, and when one of the plurality of focus detecting areas is selected for focus adjustment, the camera sets an evaluation criterion for the output of the sensor in accordance with a position of the selected focus detecting area.

Abstract: A control device for a flash device used for a camera, or a camera adapted to use a flash device, includes an object luminance detecting sensor part for making preliminary light emission before exposure and measuring object luminance obtained during the preliminary light emission, an aperture value determining circuit for determining a full-open aperture value of a photo-taking lens used for the camera, a deciding circuit for deciding an amount of light emission to be made by the flash device during exposure by the camera, in accordance with a detection result of the object luminance detecting sensor part and a determination result of the aperture value determining circuit, and a restraining circuit for finding whether the camera is in such a state as to have the full-open aperture value correctly determined by the aperture value determining circuit and, if the camera is found to be not in such a state as to have the full-open aperture value correctly determined by the aperture value determining circuit, rest

Abstract: In a flash light amount control device capable of operating according to multiple methods, the flash light control method alternates according to the detected AF mode setting, the camera panning status, or the reliability of the detected object distance. For example, if AF lock is on, control is performed by flash light adjustment, but if AF lock is not on, control is performed by flashmatic. If panning is performed after AF lock, the method of control alternates between flash light adjustment and flashmatic in response to the amount of panning movement.

Abstract: An electronic flash device includes a first DC--DC converter circuit of separately-excited type, a second DC--DC converter circuit of separately-excited type, a capacitor to be charged by the first DC--DC converter circuit and the second DC--DC converter circuit, and a discharge tube which converts charging energy charged to the capacitor into light energy. The first DC--DC converter circuit includes a first switching element having a first control electrode, and an a first oscillation transformer to which energization is controlled by the first switching element. A first control pulse signal is supplied to the first control electrode. The second DC--DC converter circuit includes a second switching element having a second control electrode, and an a second oscillation transformer to which energization is controlled by the second switching element. A second control pulse signal is supplied to the second control electrode.

Abstract: In a flash device arranged to perform flat emission by detecting the intensity of light emission of a discharge tube during process of the light emission and by controlling the intensity of light emission to become almost constant during process of the light emission, the flat emission is adequately performed by varying a detection level for the intensity of light emission.

Abstract: In a flash photographing system having a light receiving circuit arranged to receive a reflected light from an object caused by a light flux emitted from a flash tube and controlling the amount of flash light emission according to the amount of light thus received, the output of the light receiving circuit is inputted to an analog-to-digital conversion circuit to be converted into digital values at intervals of a predetermined period, and an adding process on the digital values is performed to detect the amount of received light, so that the amount of flash light emission is controlled.

Abstract: A flashlight control apparatus having a device for emitting flashlight towards a subject and a device for receiving the light reflected from the subject through a photographing lens. An output is generated which corresponds to the received light which is time-integrated in order to calculate the amount of light received. An optimum integration level is calculated which is to be integrated. This optimum integration level corresponds to an optimum quantity of flashlight to be emitted by the emitting means, based on film speed information. A time limit is also calculated, which is shorter, by a predetermined length of time, than an optimum emission time of the emitting device. This optimum emission time is based on aperture value information and object distance information. The emitting device is controlled to stop emitting flashlight when the time limit elapses, in the case where a quantity of light received by the light receiving devices has reached an optimum quantity before the time limit elapses.

Abstract: A single-use instant camera includes a main body, having the taking lens and the shutter mechanism. A film unit containing chamber is formed in the main body, and contains a plurality of instant the film units stacked on one another. The containing chamber is opened toward a rear and has a front wall. An exposure aperture is formed in the front wall, and receives the image-recording portion of the film units, to provide the film units with exposure to light a entered through the taking lens from an object to be photographed. A front cover is disposed in front of the main body to cover the main body. An advancing claw mechanism is disposed between the front cover and the main body, and advances an exposed one of the film units to be exited. A flash device is disposed between the front cover and the main body, and applies illuminating light to the object. A back lid is disposed behind the containing chamber, is engaged with the main body, and closes the containing chamber.

Abstract: A camera is provided with silver halide film, a CCD for shooting, a display device, a magnetic tape and a flash device, and shooting by the silver halide film is performed while shooting by the CCD is being performed. Pictures taken by the CCD are displayed in the display device and recorded on the magnetic tape. When shooting is accompanied with a flash, exposure of the silver halide film is synchronized with a predetermined cycle of photoelectric conversion of the CCD, or the photoelectric conversion of the CCD is synchronized with the exposure of the silver halide film by varying the cycle. The picture taken by the CCD with a flash is displayed for a while just after shooting as a release-view, and can be displayed later as an after-view.

Abstract: An electronic flashing device includes a booster circuit for boosting a power supply voltage to a predetermined voltage, a main capacitor charged via the booster circuit, a light emission tube for emitting light according to a charge charged on the main capacitor, a semiconductor element connected in series with the light emission tube, and including a thyristor element and a MOSFET which are cascade-connected to each other, and are formed on a single chip, a trigger circuit for applying a trigger voltage to the light emission tube in response to a light emission start signal for causing the light emission tube to start light emission, a gate voltage applying circuit for applying a voltage to the gate of the semiconductor element in response to the light emission start signal, and a gate voltage disappearing circuit for causing the voltage at the gate of the semiconductor element to disappear in response to a light emission stop signal for causing the light emission tube to stop light emission.

Abstract: In a flash light amount control device capable of operating according to multiple methods, the flash light control method alternates according to the detected AF mode setting, the camera panning status, or the reliability of the detected object distance. For example, if AF lock is on, control is performed by flash light adjustment, but if AF lock is not on, control is performed by flashmatic. If panning is performed after AF lock, the method of control alternates between flash light adjustment and flashmatic in response to the amount of panning movement.

Abstract: A flashlight control apparatus having a device for emitting flashlight towards a subject and a device for receiving the light reflected from the subject through a photographing lens. An output is generated which corresponds to the received light which is time-integrated in order to calculate the amount of light received. An optimum integration level is calculated which is to be integrated. This optimum integration level corresponds to an optimum quantity of flashlight to be emitted by the emitting means, based on film speed information. A time limit is also calculated, which is shorter, by a predetermined length of time, than an optimum emission time of the emitting device. This optimum emission time is based on aperture value information and object distance information. The emitting device is controlled to stop emitting flashlight when the time limit elapses, in the case where a quantity of light received by the light receiving devices has reached an optimum quantity before the time limit elapses.

Abstract: A camera capable of operating in a red-eye prevention mode. The camera has an electronic flash device which is activated by a drive circuit in synchronization with the exposure. The electronic flash device also serve as a pre-light-emission device capable of performing pre-light-emission for the purpose of preventing red-eye effect. When it is judged from the photographing condition that red-eye effect may occur, a controller activates the electronic flash device to effect a pre-light-emission for reducing the size of pupils of eyes of a person to be photographed, before the main flashing which is executed in synchronization with the exposure.

Abstract: A power supply circuit includes a booster circuit for boosting an output voltage from a power supply battery to predetermined positive and negative voltages, respectively. A main capacitor is charged by the predetermined positive or negative voltage boosted by the power supply circuit. In a discharge tube, a discharge current flows on the basis of the charge built up on the main capacitor, so that flash light emission is performed. A MOS controlled thyristor (MCT) is inserted in the loop of the discharge current from the main capacitor. A control circuit ON/OFF-controls the MCT by selectively applying the predetermined positive or negative voltage from the power supply circuit to the gate terminal of the MCT.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flash photographing system for, in a case where the same subject of the photographing operation is repeatedly flash-photographed, performing an automatic bracket photographing operation such that the quantity of flash light to be emitted at each operation is sequentially shifted by a predetermined quantity. According to the present invention, there is provided a system of the foregoing type having a structure such that previous light emission is performed to receive light reflected from an object, and the quantity of emitted light received until the quantity of reflected light reaches a predetermined value is stored as a reference light quantity. When the quantity of light to be emitted in each main light emission operation is controlled, the quantity of light in each main light emission operation is monitored so as to subject the monitored quantity of light and the reference data to a comparison.

Abstract: A flash photographing system includes a first firing device operable to fire a first flash light effective for photography of the camera device; a second firing device operable to fire a second flash light ineffective for photography of the camera device, the second firing device having two different emission modes; and a changer operable to change over the two emission modes of the second firing device. The emission modes are changed over in accordance with selection of macro or portrait photography mode. The second flash light consists of intermittently emitted flash lights. The emission modes of the second flash light are different from each other in aspect of the light amount, emitting frequency, number of emitting times, or emitting time.

Abstract: A flash quench controller for a camera having a flash unit includes a light detector for producing a signal, an integrator for integrating the signal from the detector and producing an integrated signal, a comparator for comparing the integrated signal to a reference value, and means for quenching the flash unit when the integrated signal reaches the reference value. By using a pulse signal having a variable pulse width to programmably set the reference value, many different quench time values can be easily established. The flash unit may also be quenched by setting a maximum flash time value. The flash is automatically quenched if this flash time value is reached before the integrated signal level reaches the programmed reference value.

Abstract: A camera having an automatic flash function according to a charge amount and a method includes a microcontroller for flashing a strobe and carrying out a photograph when a photograph with a suitable exposure can be obtained with a presently charged voltage. A transient, spontaneous image can be obtained after the microcontroller determines a relationship between a measured distance from an object to be photographed and the charged voltage of the strobe when a release switch for the photograph is operated even while the strobe is being charged. The camera includes a power switch, a first step release switch, a second step release switch, an automatic distance measuring circuit, a brightness measuring circuit, the strobe, the shutter and a motor driving circuit which are all connected to the microcontroller.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a camera having a light-source determining function for determining the kind of light source. According to the present invention, the light-source determining function of the camera is realized by using the output of a light receiving part of a remote control processing part of the camera.

Abstract: A charging control device for a flash device is arranged to detect ambient temperature in controlling a flash device charging voltage and to perform the charging control up to a level corresponding to the temperature detected, so that the flash device can be allowed to flash at a constant guide number irrespective of any changes in temperature.

Abstract: A light adjusting circuit for a flash lamp of a camera includes a current converting circuit for converting the current output from a photodetector into a voltage modulated signal suitable for a counter circuit. The current converting circuit uses a capacitor to convert the current output by the photodiode into a voltage. The capacitor voltage is compared to a base or reference voltage. The output of the comparator is used to mask a clock signal output from a high frequency oscillator. When the clock signal is unmasked, the pulse output from the current converting circuit is counted by the counter circuit to turn the flash lamp on and off. The output from the comparator is also used to controllably discharge the capacitor when the capacitor voltage exceeds the reference voltage.

Abstract: A photographing light quantity controller for an endoscope, which is used to control the quantity of illuminating light when a photograph is to be taken through the endoscope. The photographing light quantity controller comprises a device for supplying light for illuminating an object to the endoscope, a device for detecting a quantity of light that is reflected from the object and for outputting a signal in accordance with the detected quantity of light, and a device for amplifying the signal, with the amplifying device having a plurality of amplification factors which can be selected as desired. A photographing light quantity control device is provided for controlling the quantity of illuminating light that is supplied to the endoscope when a photographing operation is conducted, on the basis of the output signal from the amplifying device.