Abstract: An imaging apparatus comprising an imaging device; a photometry device; first to third exposure factors; first and second operation members for setting the first and second exposure factors; a first-to-third-exposure-factors-calculating-and-setting exposure mode for calculating and setting the first to third exposure factors to the calculated and set ones; a first-exposure-factor-manually-setting exposure mode for manually setting the first exposure factor, and calculating and setting the second and third exposure factors; a second-exposure-factor-manually-setting exposure mode for manually setting the second exposure factor, and calculating and setting the first and third exposure factors; and a first/second-exposure-factors-manually-setting exposure mode for manually setting the first and second exposure factors, and calculating and setting the third exposure factor; the operation of the second operation member changing the first-exposure-factor-manually-setting exposure mode to the first/second-exposure-fa

Abstract: A photographic apparatus infers a user's photographic intent and accordingly switches between a manual shoot mode and an automatic shoot mode. In the manual shoot mode, processing to save photographic image data is timed in accordance with the user operating a user-operable shutter element, while in the automatic shoot mode, such processing is conducted independently of shutter element operations. A photographic unit photographs a scene, acquires photographic image data of a subject, and then executes processing for saving the photographic image data. An intention judgment information detector detects intention judgment information used to judge the photographic intent of the user. A controller makes an intention judgment using the intention judgment information from the intention judgment information detector, and according to the intention judgment result, causes the photographic unit to selectively execute the operations for one of the modes.

Abstract: A photographic apparatus infers a user's photographic intent and accordingly switches between a manual shoot mode and an automatic shoot mode. In the manual shoot mode, processing to save photographic image data is timed in accordance with the user operating a user-operable shutter element, while in the automatic shoot mode, such processing is conducted independently of shutter element operations. A photographic unit photographs a scene, acquires photographic image data of a subject, and then executes processing for saving the photographic image data. An intention judgment information detector detects intention judgment information used to judge the photographic intent of the user. A controller makes an intention judgment using the intention judgment information from the intention judgment information detector, and according to the intention judgment result, causes the photographic unit to selectively execute the operations for one of the modes.

Abstract: In a digital camera, a focus lens is moved at a low speed between a timing at which a shutter key is half pressed and a timing at which the shutter key is fully pressed to detect a focused position. When the shutter key is fully pressed by a user before the focus lens reaches a focused position, the focus lens is moved at a higher speed than that of a case in which the shutter key is half pressed, and a focused position is detected. Thereby, even when the shutter key is fully pressed by a user before the focus lens reaches the focused position, the digital camera can realize focusing with less delay in capturing.

Abstract: A lens aperture-adjustment device of a closed circuit television camera for capable of switching between automatic and manual adjustments of lens aperture is provided. The device includes a geared motor for driving aperture blades of a lens aperture mechanism; a drive circuit for driving the geared motor in response to a first drive signal for automatic adjustment or a second drive signal for manual adjustment; a comparison circuit for making a comparison between a lightness information signal responsive to the imaging environment and a first reference signal and outputting the first drive signal; a differential amplifier to which a manual adjustment signal entered by an operator and a second reference signal for defining the limit value of the drive amount of the geared motor are input, the differential amplifier for outputting the second drive signal; and a selection circuit for connecting the first drive signal or the second drive.

Abstract: An optical apparatus, such as an image pickup apparatus, includes a detector configured to detect whether a manual aperture operation unit is operated by an amount greater than or equal to a predetermined amount during automatic aperture control. When an aperture fixing switch is operated or when the detector detects that the manual aperture operation unit is operated by an amount greater than or equal to the predetermined amount, automatic aperture control is disabled and manual aperture control is enabled.

Abstract: Methods for evaluating a pixel signal produced during scanning of a chemical array are provided. In general, the subject methods involve identifying a set of conformant digital signals for a pixel, and integrating those signals. Also provided are systems and programming for performing the subject methods, and an array scanner containing these systems and programming.

Abstract: A photographic apparatus infers a user's photographic intent and accordingly switches between a manual shoot mode and an automatic shoot mode. In the manual shoot mode, processing to save photographic image data is timed in accordance with the user operating a user-operable shutter element, while in the automatic shoot mode, such processing is conducted independently of shutter element operations. A photographic unit photographs a scene, acquires photographic image data of a subject, and then executes processing for saving the photographic image data. An intention judgment information detector detects intention judgment information used to judge the photographic intent of the user. A controller makes an intention judgment using the intention judgment information from the intention judgment information detector, and according to the intention judgment result, causes the photographic unit to selectively execute the operations for one of the modes.

Abstract: An exposure-condition setting device for a camera includes an Xv dial for setting an exposure compensation value, having a plurality of exposure compensation value indicia, the exposure compensation value indicia representing exposure compensation values; and an AEB dial provided coaxial to the Xv dial and relatively rotatable thereto, for setting an automatic exposure bracketing mode having at least one pair of range marks in the circumferential direction thereof, the pair of range marks representing an exposure compensation range in the automatic exposure bracketing mode when the automatic exposure bracketing mode is set by the AEB dial. An interval of the pair of range marks in the circumferential direction is determined so that the pair of range marks registers with a pair of exposure compensation value indicia on the Xv dial so as to indicate the exposure compensation range for the automatic exposure mode.

Abstract: An exposure compensation device for an automatic exposure camera which is able to easily perform exposure compensation setting regardless of an exposure control mode setting. A first setting unit sets the lens aperture. A second setting means sets the shutter speed of the camera. The camera CPU controls the aperture value and the shutter speed to the appropriate photometric values based on photometric values output by a photometric unit. An exposure compensation amount setting unit changes the shutter speed and the aperture value during picture taking according to an exposure compensation operation. The exposure compensation amount setting unit also sets an exposure compensation amount when exposure is to be compensated. It is possible to set the exposure compensation amount using the second setting unit during an automatic exposure mode in which a first setting mode is given priority.

Abstract: A setting apparatus for a camera includes a first switch having a plurality of stop positions; a second switch; and a shutter speed setting device which can select a desired shutter speed from a plurality of shutter speeds set at predetermined steps in accordance with the stop positions of the first switch. The shutter speed setting device can modify the shutter speed (which has been selected via the stop positions of the first switch) by a step smaller than the predetermined steps via the operation of the second switch.

Abstract: A setting of control information changing apparatus having first and second operational components, a setting change device, and a switching device. The setting change device changes the setting of the first control information, for example, in response to the independent operation of the first operational component, and changes the setting of the second control information in response to simultaneous operation of both of the first and the second operational components. The switching device switches the operation of the setting change device between a possible condition in which the setting change of the first control information is possible and an impossible condition in which the setting change of the first control information is not possible.

Abstract: A camera includes an operation device having a plurality of operation modes for executing an operation, a mode changing device for changing over operation modes, a designation device for designating a desired operation mode as an initial mode, and a reset device for resetting the operation device to the designated initial mode.

Abstract: A camera comprises a lens optical system including a zooming lens, a photographic mode setting circuit capable of selectively setting a plurality of kinds of photographic modes, exposure conditions being individually set for the respective photographic modes, a driving circuit for causing the zooming lens to move, a focus adjusting circuit for performing focus adjustment of the lens optical system, and a controlling circuit for controlling the driving circuit in accordance with a particular photographic mode set by the photographic mode setting circuit and forcedly moving the zooming lens to a position corresponding to a predetermined focal length, the controlling circuit moving the zooming lens before an operation of the focus adjusting circuit.

Abstract: An information setting device for a camera which, according to various photographic modes of the camera, automatically sets either a valid mode in which changing of set information is permitted or an invalid mode in which changing of set information is not permitted.