Abstract: A mechanism enabling an electronic dial to operate without generating a click noise. The dial includes a rotational operation member that is turnable. A rotary plate is rigidly secured to the operation member. The rotary plate is formed of a conductive material and has a plurality of detecting portions circumferentially formed thereon. A printed circuit board is disposed between the operation member and the rotary plate. The printed circuit board has a first detection electrode group formed on a surface thereof opposed to the operation member and a second detection electrode group formed on a surface thereof opposed to the rotary plate. A detection circuit detects a touch operation onto the operation member based on an output from the first detection electrode group and detects a turning operation of the operation member based on an output from the second detection electrode group.

Abstract: Disclosed are an unmanned monitoring system and a monitoring method for performing 360° unmanned monitoring work in equipment having a low storage capacity, such as a robot, by using one omni-directional camera. When an image is input through the omni-directional camera, a movement of an object is detected from the image. Then, the movement region is sampled by tracing the object and the image for the movement region is rotated into a frontal image while compensating for inclination of the image in order to allow a user to easily view the image. Thus, the frontal image is transmitted to a mobile communication terminal of a user, such as a mobile phone or a PDA.

Abstract: The automatic system makes it possible to reduce the probability of error when identifying the vehicle of an offender, increases the length of a speed limit monitoring zone to several hundreds/thousands of meters, and makes it possible to cut expenditure on the construction and maintenance of gantries for the installation of speed limit monitoring devices. A method for the combined processing of signals from a radar and a panoramic video camera is proposed, in which data flows from the video camera and the radar are independently obtained, after which they are compared and data about the speed and coordinates are obtained with little probability of error in identifying the vehicle of an offender. The device for realizing the method comprises a radar with a signal processing module to calculate the speed and distance of all vehicles on a chosen section of road, and a panoramic video camera.

Abstract: A mirror assembly adapted for use in a panoramic imaging system for capturing a panoramic image includes a mirror for optically coupling to a fisheye lens having a first field of view, the mirror configured for reflecting an image of a second field of view through the fisheye lens. A housing has a first end and a second end, the mirror being secured proximate to the first end, and the second end having an engagement portion for securing the mirror assembly to the panoramic imaging system. When the mirror assembly is secured to the panoramic imaging system, the mirror is optically coupled to the fisheye lens and a detector for capturing a first portion of the panoramic image and a second portion of the panoramic image, the first portion of the panoramic image having a portion overlapping the second portion of the panoramic image.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for panoramic imaging are disclosed herein. Systems for capturing a panoramic image of a panoramic field of view include a fisheye lens having a first field of view, a mirror optically coupled to the fisheye lens for reflecting an image of the a second field of view through the fisheye lens, the second field of view having a portion overlapping the first field of view, and a detector, optically coupled to the fisheye lens and the mirror, for capturing a first portion of the panoramic image corresponding to the first field of view and a second portion of the panoramic image corresponding to the second field of view.

Abstract: A camera adjusts the aspect ratio of a viewfinder image. The camera has a body and a capture unit mounted in the body. The capture unit has an imager and storage media operatively connected to the imager. The capture unit selectively captures an electronic image of a scene. A viewfinder of the camera displays a light image of the scene. A cropper is disposed in the body. The cropper is switchable among a plurality of settings. Each setting defines a different rectangular cross-sectioned window in the viewfinder. A cropping control is operatively connected to the capture unit and cropper. The cropping control has a cropping input element that is accessible external to the body. The cropping input element is movable between first and second opposed cropping control positions to change the settings. The cropping control positions define a cropping control axis perpendicular to an optical axis of the capture unit.

Abstract: The digital camera 1, when a length-direction range expanding button 14 or a breadth-direction range expanding button 15 is operated, changes the length-direction and breadth-direction image pickup effective ranges of a solid state image pickup device 40 using an image pickup effective range setting table 41. Due to this, there can be obtained picked-up images with a length-to-breadth ratio changed without rotating the main body of the digital camera 1. Also, since the length-direction and breadth-direction image pickup effective ranges are adjusted such that the area of the image pickup effective ranges of the solid state image pickup device 40 can provide a substantially constant value, there can be always obtained an image of good quality.

Abstract: A camera adjusts the aspect ratio of a viewfinder image. The camera has a body and a capture unit mounted in the body. The capture unit has an imager and storage media operatively connected to the imager. The capture unit selectively captures an electronic image of a scene. A viewfinder of the camera displays a light image of the scene. A cropper is disposed in the body. The cropper is switchable among a plurality of settings. Each setting defines a different rectangular cross-sectioned window in the viewfinder. A cropping control is operatively connected to the capture unit and cropper. The cropping control has a cropping input element that is accessible external to the body. The cropping input element is movable between first and second opposed cropping control positions to change the settings. The cropping control positions define a cropping control axis perpendicular to an optical axis of the capture unit.

Abstract: A camera and method provide image cropping. The camera has a body and a capture unit mounted in the body. The capture unit has an imager and storage media operatively connected to the imager. The capture unit selectively captures an electronic image of a scene. A viewfinder optical system is aligned with the capture unit. The viewfinder optical system defines a viewfinder light path. A cropper is disposed in the body. The cropper has a pair of vanes. The vanes are selectively movable, relative to each other, between first and second positions and through a continuous sequence of intermediate positions between the first and second positions. The vanes, in each of the positions, delimits a rectangular cross-sectioned window in the viewfinder light path. A control unit is operatively connected to the capture unit and cropper. The control unit crops the electronic image to match the window.

Abstract: A picture size switching mechanism for a variable picture size camera includes a stationary standard picture plane forming member and a pair of light interception frames having light interception portions which can obstruct upper and lower edges of the standard picture frame and are movable in the upward and downward direction to selectively define a standard picture plane or a laterally elongated picture plane. A light interception frame association mechanism moves one of the light interception frames symmetrically with the other light interception frame with respect to the center of the picture plane when the other light interception frame is moved in the upward and downward direction. A follower pin is provided on one of the light interception frames and a rotatable cam member is supported by the camera body to rotate about an axis substantially perpendicular to the picture plane.

Abstract: A view frame changing apparatus of the present invention is constructed in which cam grooves formed at view frame pieces are arched by the predetermined curvature; thus the cam pins can smoothly slide over the entire area of the sliding area of the cam grooves without being caught in the cam grooves. Moreover, the cam grooves are formed in areas of acute angles in between the two diagonal lines of the image frame; therefore, the frame changing apparatus can be compact in size.

Abstract: A pair of integration-type light-receiving sensors receive the light from subjects via a taking optical system and produce a subject image signal. A light projecting section projects light onto the subjects. A steady-state light removing section obtains an image signal by removing the steady-state light component from the subject image signal the pair of integration-type light-receiving sensors produces, while the light projecting section is projecting light onto the subjects. A first distance-measuring section measures a subject distance on the basis of the image signal obtained by causing the steady-state light removing section to remove the steady-state light component from the subject image signal. A subject select section causes the first distance-measuring section to make distance measurements for a specific time, performs operation on the resulting image signal using a specific correction function, and thereby selects a subject whose distance is to be measured.

Abstract: A camera has a finder device. A liquid crystal element is arranged in the finder device and has an image area and at least one of an index area indicating an image range and an index area indicating information relating to photographing. A control circuit switches modes between a first mode in which the image area is set into a light transmitting state and a second mode in which the image area is set into a light shielding state according to a voltage applied to the liquid crystal element. The index areas always provide index display irrespective of application of the voltage to the liquid crystal element.

Abstract: A camera capable of taking pictures selectively in a standard or full size frame and a panorama frame having a reduced vertical dimension. This camera includes vertically movable light-shielding members for partly light-shielding an exposure range of the standard frame to set an exposure range of the panorama frame. When the panorama frame is selected, a warning is given on a display provided on the camera body to the effect that a date and other photographic information cannot be recorded on pictures taken in the panorama frame. The shutter of the camera includes an electronic device for detecting an amount of light traveling from a photographic object to which light is flashed. Output of this device is used for suitably controlling exposure for photography in the standard and panorama frames.

Abstract: A photographic camera system includes a photographic camera that can successively expose a photographic film in different frame sizes and an automatic printer for automatically printing the processed photographic film exposed with those different frame sizes. The camera varies the aspect of an exposure opening in the camera body and the film is fed for a length corresponding to the selected aspect by detecting a hole located in a marginal area of the film. The photographic camera magnetically or optically records at a location away from the hole an aspect information signal indicative of the selected aspect of the exposed frame on the photographic film, and the automatic printer automatically prints the photographic film using the magnetically or optically recorded aspect information signal detected from the photographic film.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device and method for enabling the writing of a print format and a trimming magnification onto a film surface using a simple construction. Film information comprising a print format set using a format setting switch 10 and a trimming magnification set using a trimming setting switch 11 is converted into three-bit data by a data conversion circuit 26 inside a controller 25. This information is input to an LED light emission controller 27. Photoemitter elements 17 and 18 are located in the feeding path for the top and bottom edge areas of the film F, and a LED light emission controller 27 causes the photoemitter elements 17 and 18 to emit light during a series of image recording operations, whereby the film information is written onto the top and bottom edge areas of the film F. By optically writing the print format information and the trimming information onto the film F, both items of information can be easily written onto the film surface without making the device complex.

Abstract: A field-of-view frame switching device has a rectangular fixed field-of-view frame and a plurality of light-shielding members for covering portions of the rectangular fixed field-of-view frame so as to vary the size of the actual field-of-view frame. The light-shielding members are composed of a first pair of oppositely arranged light-shielding members and a second pair of oppositely arranged light-shielding members. The field-of-view frame switching device also has a coupling member for coupling the light-shielding members together in such relation that, when the first pair of light-shielding members are positioned closer to each other to narrow the actual field-of-view frame, the second pair of light-shielding members are positioned wide apart from each other and that, when the first pair of light-shielding members are positioned wide apart from each other, the second pair of light-shielding members are positioned closer to each other to narrow the actual field-of-view frame.

Abstract: A photographic camera system includes a photographic camera that can successively expose a photographic film in different frame sizes and an automatic printer for automatically printing the processed photographic film exposed with those different frame sizes. The camera varies the width of an exposure opening in the camera body in the film-feed direction and the film is fed a length corresponding to the width of the exposure opening. The photographic camera records an exposure opening position signal indicative of the size of the exposure opening on the photographic film, and the automatic printer automatically prints the photographic film using the exposure opening position signal detected from the photographic film.

Abstract: A photographic camera system includes a photographic camera that can successively expose a photographic film in different frame sizes and an automatic printer for automatically printing the processed photographic film exposed with those different frame sizes. The camera varies the aspect of an exposure opening in the camera body and the film is fed for a length corresponding to the selected aspect by detecting a hole located in a marginal area of the film. The photographic camera magnetically or optically records at a location away from the hole an aspect information signal indicative of the selected aspect of the exposed frame on the photographic film, and the automatic printer automatically prints the photographic film using the magnetically or optically recorded aspect information signal detected from the photographic film.

Abstract: When a switching lever is positioned for horizontal photographing, an exposure frame composed of two switching frames is switched to a horizontal photographing exposure frame. When the switching lever is positioned for vertical photographing, a wheel ring starts rotating about a photographic optical axis, and the switching frames start moving by the operation of elongated holes. When the switching lever is positioned for vertical photographing, the exposure frame composed of two switching frames is switched to a vertical photographing exposure frame.

Abstract: A compact camera has a built-in light-emitting display device which displays, as print information, a specific code. The specific code includes alphabetical characters when a print information set switch is operated. The device is alternatively allowed to display a six digit number. The alphabetical characters or number represents date information pertaining to exposure of a film frame, including a year, a month and a date. The print information appears as a visible image on developed film and is optically read by a photographic printer so as to automatically set the photographic printer to a printing condition determined by the print information.

Abstract: A photographic camera system includes a photographic camera that can successively expose a photographic film in different frame sizes and an automatic printer for automatically printing the processed photographic film exposed with those different frame sizes. The camera varies the width of an exposure opening in the camera body in the film-feed direction and the film is fed a length corresponding to the width of the exposure opening. The photographic camera records an exposure opening position signal indicative of the size of the exposure opening on the photographic film, and the automatic printer automatically prints the photographic film using the exposure opening position signal detected from the photographic film.

Abstract: A light shielding member is composed of plural light shielding plates which increase and decrease an opening area by shielding an exposure opening at least partially, and at least two light shielding plates overlap each other to move from the exposure opening. The film is positioned in such a way that the film is transported in the same direction (feeding direction) when the normal size is switched to the panoramic size and vice versa. Even if the number of residual frames in the panoramic size is 0, the photography in the normal size is allowed when the photography is possible in the normal size. A display shows that the photography can be performed in the normal size, or the panoramic size is automatically switched to the normal size.

Abstract: A field frame switching apparatus for a finder in which an elongated standard visual field, a narrow-width visual field and a laterally-elongated visual field can be selected. A pair of narrow-width visual-field-forming light-interception frames are provided with vertical light-interception walls which are adapted to block out the right and left ends of the standard visual field. A pair of laterally-elongated visual-field-forming light-interception frames are provided with lateral-light-interception walls are adapted to block out the upper and lower ends of the standard visual field. An operation member is adapted to move the narrow-width visual-field-forming light-interception frames in a first direction toward a narrow-width field-frame-forming position in which the vertical light-interception walls are located within the standard visual field frame and in a second direction toward a laterally-elongated field-frame-forming position.

Abstract: In a camera equipped with a zoom lens for forming an image of an object onto a film surface, the camera is equipped with a front lens group composed of a first lens group, adjustable aperture blades, a second lens group, and a second lens group-holding member; a back lens group provided; and an actuator to drive the adjustable aperture blade. The actuator is provided on the object-side from a space between the second lens group and the back lens group.

Abstract: A still camera is provided with an area image sensor for obtaining digital image data, an LCD viewfinder, components for photographing image frames on a photo filmstrip in response to a shutter release operation, and a memory for storing the image data. The image data of one frame is written in the memory synchronously with each shutter release operation. In association with the image data of one frame, an ID code of the filmstrip and a frame number of the photographed image frame corresponding to the image data are written in the memory. Based on the data written in the memory, the display device can display a still image of the image frame photographed on the filmstrip, accompanied with the frame number of the photographed image frame.

Abstract: In an imaging field changing apparatus capable of changing three or more imaging fields having different aspect ratios, a changing order can be set such that one of two imaging fields having largest rate of change in aspect ratios during imaging field changing is changed to the other of the two imaging fields. The imaging fields are exemplified as a standard size, a panorama size, and a high-vision size. Aspect ratio changing is performed such that the standard size is changed to the panorama size. A change in imaging field can be easily recognized. For example, when a change is to be made between the standard size and the panorama size, the upper and lower portions are cut or trimmed and the right and left portions are widened to emphasize wideness.

Abstract: A zoom lens camera includes an image size varying frame to switch the image size between a standard image plane and a laterally elongated image plane, a linear movement barrel, an FPC board which connects a shutter unit and a controller, and a light-interception plate which is secured to a rear end of the linear movement barrel. The light-interception plate is provided with a rearwardly projecting planar portion which at least partly overlaps the image size varying frame as viewed in an optical axis direction, regardless of the position of the image size varying frame. Further the planar portion is provided with an FPC board receiving portion which supports the FPC board along the cylindrical surface of the linear movement barrel.

Abstract: In an Albada type finder 10 applied to a camera capable of photographing either the full size or the panoramic size, when the panoramic size is specified with a change-over switch 24, a lever 58 rotates clockwise around a pin 70, and then a lever 60 is pushed by the opening 74 and moves downward. And, rod 84 pushes a lever 62, whereby the rod 84 rotates counterclockwise around pin 86, therefore, axis 40 rotates clockwise against the biasing force of a spring 41 and axis 42 rotates counterclockwise against the biasing force of the biasing spring 43. With this arrangement, a pair of mask plates 16 and 18 enter the optical path between a half mirror 32 and an eye piece 24 in the vicinity of the half mirror 32 in the Albada type finder 10. Therefore, a light reflected outside of a panoramic size field frame of the eye piece 34 is absorbed by the mask plates 16 and 18, so that the outside of the field frame of the panoramic size can be blackened during the panoramic size shot.

Abstract: A voltage control device provided in an electro-developing type camera using an electro-developing recording medium by which an image is electronically developed. A first control electrode is provided on a portion corresponding to a first surface of the electro-developing recording medium. A second control electrode is provided on a portion corresponding to a second surface of the electro-developing recording medium. The second control electrode has rectangular first and second divided electrodes. The first divided electrode traverses the center portion of the electro-developing recording medium. The second divided electrode is positioned along a long side of the rectangle of the first divided electrode adjacent to the first divided electrode. An electric voltage is applied to the electro-developing recording medium through the first and/or second divided electrode.

Abstract: An aperture size changing apparatus for a camera includes a camera body, a photographing lens to be mounted to the camera body, and a pair of light intercepting blades for defining an aperture through which light is incident on a recording medium and which are movably positioned on a predetermined portion in the camera body. An aperture size changing device moves the light intercepting blades between a standard aperture size position and a panoramic aperture size position, and a predetermined member, is independent of, and is assembled into the camera body are provided. The predetermined member is arranged to be functionally associated with the camera body and the photographing lens. The aperture size changing device is mounted on the predetermined member so that the aperture size changing device is substantially within an orthogonal projection of an entire perimeter of the pair of light intercepting blades.

Abstract: A camera includes a photographic recording device which records an image of an object on a photosensitive recording medium; an image pick-up device which picks up an image of the object to generate an image signal; a display device which displays a monitor image based on the image signal generated by the image pick-up device; a photographing information setting device which sets photographing information for an image to be recorded on the photosensitive recording medium; and a display controller which controls the display device to display a monitor image in accordance with the set photographing information.

Abstract: A photographic camera system includes a photographic camera that can successively expose a photographic film in different frame sizes and an automatic printer for automatically printing the processed photographic film exposed with those different frame sizes. The camera varies the width of an exposure opening in the camera body in the film-feed direction and the film is fed a length corresponding to the width of the exposure opening. The photographic camera magnetically or optically records an exposure opening position signal indicative of the size of the exposure opening on the photographic film, and the automatic printer automatically prints the photographic film using the magnetically or optically recorded exposure opening position signal detected from the photographic film.

Abstract: A camera capable of taking pictures selectively in a standard or full size frame and a panorama frame having a reduced vertical dimension. This camera includes vertically movable light-shielding members for partly light-shielding an exposure range of the standard frame to set an exposure range of the panorama frame. When the panorama frame is selected, a warning is given on a display provided on the camera body to the effect that a date and other photographic information cannot be recorded on pictures taken in the panorama frame. The shutter of the camera includes an electronic device for detecting an amount of light traveling from a photographic object to which light is flashed. Output of this device is used for suitably controlling exposure for photography in the standard and panorama frames.

Abstract: A camera includes a cartridge mounting chamber, a film take-up chamber, a photographing unit provided between the cartridge mounting chamber and the film take-up chamber. The photographing unit includes a lens housing having a front housing portion holding a lens and a rear housing portion defining a diverging light passage, and a screen adjustment frame having an opening and a frame part confining the opening. The frame part is movable rearward and forward along a direction of the light passing through the diverging light passage for confining the light to pass through the opening. The camera has a device for moving the screen adjustment frame responsive to loading of a film cartridge in the cartridge mounting chamber.

Abstract: A camera arranged to permit photographing by taking full advantage of a spurious telephoto shooting function irrespective of the current state of facilities of photofinishing laboratories is provided with an image plane frame change-over mechanism which acts in response to mode selection made by a mode change-over switch to effect change-over of the size of an image plane frame between a normal image plane frame having a normal image plane frame size and a spurious telephoto image plane frame having a size not exceeding 1/2 of the normal image plane frame size and a restricting member which causes a shooting image plane set by the spurious telephoto image plane frame to become containable within a range of film usable in taking a panorama shot. Therefore, in the spurious telephoto mode, a spurious telephoto shot is taken within the range of film for a panorama shot.

Abstract: A photographic camera successively exposes a photographic film in different frame sizes, so that the processed photographic film exposed with those different frame sizes can be automatically printed. The camera varies the length and width of an exposure opening in the camera body in the film-feed direction and film width direction. The photographic camera magnetically or optically records an exposure opening signal indicative of the size of the exposure opening on the photographic film.

Abstract: A camera for setting the aspect ratio of a photographic image plane and recording information of the set aspect ratio has a full-size frame defining a full-size finder image plane corresponding to a photographing image plane, a vertical mask for vertical trimming of the finder image plane, a lateral mask for lateral trimming of the finder image plane, a shaft supporting the masks, and a camshaft with a cam groove engaged by each of the masks. The masks are moved along the shaft by rotating the camshaft. The visual field range of the finder image plane is changed among a plurality of states corresponding to different aspect ratios.

Abstract: A camera is capable of forming different photographic image plane frames by causing a light blocking member which is movable in at least a photographic optical path to block part of a photographic light flux. The camera is provided with an urging member for imparting an urging force to the light blocking member, the direction of the urging force being changed when the light block member is located at a particular position in its movement course, a switching member arranged to switch its state at a point in a process in which the light blocking member moves from its maximum retracted position where the smallest amount of light flux is blocked to the particular position, and a display member for visually displaying the state of movement of the light blocking member, i.e., which of the photographic image plane frames has been formed, in accordance with the state of the switching member.

Abstract: A camera having: a viewfinder optical system including a stationary objective lens, first and second prisms, a stationary eyepiece lens, and first and second variable-power lenses, that advance or withdraw in the optical-axis direction responsive to zooming movement of a photographing lens array, a viewfinder structure member for retaining the viewfinder optical system, an eyepiece variable-power lens inserted into the optical path of the viewfinder optical system, a viewfinder panoramic field mask united with an eyepiece variable-power lens frame for retaining the eyepiece variable-power lens, a lens constraining spring that, when the viewfinder panoramic field mask is inserted into the optical path of the viewfinder optical system, constrains the eyepiece variable-power lens to abut against the viewfinder structure member for accurate positioning, upper and lower interceptive masks for changing picture size, a first rack extending in a direction in which the interceptive masks move, a second rack extending

Abstract: A camera includes a display that displays in the viewfinder a photographic screen size even when the low consumption power supply mode is in use. The camera includes a power source, a controller, a film winding motor, a panorama frame driving motor, a CPU, an EEPROM, a viewfinder LCD and a timer. When the power switch is turned on, the CPU causes the panorama frame to move and changes the transmissivity of the viewfinder LCD to match the photographic screen size selected the largest number of times. When a new photographic screen size is selected using the photographic screen size switch, the number of times the photographic screen size has been selected is calculated and stored in the EEPROM. In addition, the time that has elapsed after the power switch has been turned on is measured by the timer, and when the time exceeds a predetermined value, the camera moves into the low consumption power supply mode with power still being supplied to the viewfinder LCD.

Abstract: A camera having: a substantially cylindrical-shaped, rotatable cam, limited to rotate unidirectionally. A drive belt conveys rotation of the rotary member, which rotates due to zooming of lens array, to drive the cam. A viewfinder optical system including a stationary objective lens, two prisms, a stationary eyepiece lens, and two variable-power lenses, when coupled with the cam member, advances or withdraws along the optical-axis during movement. An eyepiece variable-power lens is inserted into the optical path of the viewfinder optical system. A viewfinder panoramic field mask is united with an eyepiece variable-power lens. Upper and lower masks change picture size. A first rack extends in a moving direction of the masks. A second rack extends in a moving direction of the viewfinder panoramic field mask. A panoramic-mode setting gear engages the two racks. A plurality of panoramic-mode parallax compensation marks appear at a trimmed range position within the viewfinder field mask.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a mounting structure for dousers allowing a photographic camera to be selectively operated in a PANORAMA MODE, characterized in that an aperture frame is provided separately of a camera body so as to be mounted on the camera body from behind and to pivotally carry the dousers. The structure, according to the invention, facilitates operation of mounting the dousers and, in addition, makes a telescopic lens barrel retractable into the camera body as deeply as possible. The dousers are pivotally supported by fork-shaped support means provided on the front side of the aperture frame so that the dousers may be pivotally moved toward or away from upper and lower zones of the aperture. The aperture frame is detachably mounted on the rear side of the camera body from behind so that output means of a drive mechanism for the dousers are operatively associated with the dousers as the aperture frame is thus mounted on the camera body.

Abstract: A variable field size shooting camera includes a mechanism for varying the size of the shooting field between at least two sizes. The switching between sizes is accomplished by providing a pair of light shielding members that enable a change of field size. The light shielding members are positioned between a shutter having a cover plate and the body having the exposure aperture unit. Moving of the light shielding members is achieved by a switching mechanism. The light shielding members are attached to a support member on the front surface of the body to support the light shielding members so the light shielding members move freely. A clear image is obtained by having a space between the body having an exposure aperture unit and the light shielding member virtually non-existent. This minimizes the blurring of subjects in the surrounding area of the field during a large size shooting.

Abstract: A camera with a data imprinting device includes a generally triangular space adjacent a film spool. A roller, used to conform the film to the film spool is urged into the triangular space when the film diameter on the roller approaches a maximum diameter. A portion of an optical system for the data imprinting device is also located in the triangular space. The periods of film drive pulses are averaged to establish periods of data imprinting pulses. A plurality of the data imprinting pulses are generated for each film drive pulse. In a full size mode of operation, a first set of the data imprinting pulses are used to record imprinting data. In a panorama mode of operation, a second set of the data imprinting pulses are used to record the imprinting data. The second set of data imprinting pulses contains more data imprinting pulses than the first set of data imprinting pulses, whereby the data imprinted in panorama mode occupies a shorter length of the film than does the data imprinted in full size mode.

Abstract: A variable-exposure-size camera has an aperture member which defines an aperture through which a photographic film positioned behind the aperture member is exposed to light passing through a taking lens, and a pair of mask members which are disposed between the aperture member and the taking lens and are moved up and down toward and away from each other to change the effective upper and lower edges of the aperture, thereby narrowing the effective opening area of the aperture. The lower edge portion of the upper mask member and the upper edge portion of the lower mask member are bent toward the film surface so that the extreme edges of the edge portions which respectively define the upper and lower edges of the effective opening area of the aperture are positioned near the film surface.

Abstract: A still camera viewfinder comprising a reticle lens having more than one frame thereon and which is selectively positionable in the viewing area, and viewing area masking plate arms which are coupled to said reticle lens to open or selectively mask portions of the viewing area dependent upon the film format or lens in use.

Abstract: When a switching control on an outer wall of a camera is operated and stopped at a click groove corresponding to a desired aspect ratio (for example, C), a CHP lever moves up together with the switching control, and the displacement of the CHP lever is transmitted to an axis rotating lever via a spring. A rotational stroke of the axis rotating lever is smaller than a moving stroke of the CHP lever. A displacement of the CHP lever exceeding the rotational stroke of the axis rotating lever is absorbed by the deformation of the spring. The axis rotating lever is positioned steadily at one of ends of the stroke by the elastic force induced by the deformation of the spring. As a result, the ends of stroke holes in visual field frame pieces can abut against positioning pins without fail.

Abstract: In a single-lens reflex camera having a quick-return mirror and a built-in mechanism for change-over between different photographic image plane frames, a light blocking member is arranged to be movable into or out of a photo-taking optical path by swinging around the same or approximately the same rotation axis of the quick-return mirror and to block a part of a photographing light flux to prevent the part of the light flux from reaching the photographic image plane when it is within the photo-taking optical path, so that a photographic image plane frame which differs from a normal photographic image plane frame can be formed by this light blocking member.

Abstract: A camera with a data imprinting device includes a generally triangular space adjacent a film spool. A roller, used to conform the film to the film spool is urged into the triangular space when the film diameter on the roller approaches a maximum diameter. A portion of an optical system for the data imprinting device is also located in the triangular space. The periods of film drive pulses are averaged to establish periods of data imprinting pulses. A plurality of the data imprinting pulses are generated for each film drive pulse. In a full size mode of operation, a first set of the data imprinting pulses are used to record imprinting data. In a panorama mode of operation, a second set of the data imprinting pulses are used to record the imprinting data. The second set of data imprinting pulses contains more data imprinting pulses than the first set of data imprinting pulses, whereby the data imprinted in panorama mode occupies a shorter length of the film than does the data imprinted in full size mode.