Abstract: An optical viewing system includes first, second and third image modifying devices together with an adaptor assembly for connecting the image modifying devices together. The adaptor assembly has first and second clamping portions. The first clamping portion is connected to the first and second image modifying devices and the second clamping portion is connected to the first clamping portion and to the first and third image modifying device so that the first image modifying device is clamped between the second and third image modifying devices. At least one of the first and second clamping portions are removably connected to the first image modifying device so that the first image modifying device can be removed from the adaptor assembly and operate as a further independent optical viewing system. Different combinations of image modifying devices can be arranged with one or more of the clamping portions.

Abstract: An auxiliary lens for a camera and the like includes a washer to be mounted to a camera and an auxiliary-lens body to be joined to the washer to thereby be mounted to the camera. The auxiliary-lens body has an adhering section made of a permanent magnet, ferromagnetic substance or a magnetic substance at the position to be mounted to the camera. The washer is made of a ferromagnetic substance, a magnetic substance or a permanent magnet that can adhere to the adhering section of the auxiliary-lens body. Thus, mounting the washer to the camera with a double-faced tape or the like allows the auxiliary lens to be mounted to the camera and the like through the washer by a magnetic force.

Abstract: A lens-fitted photo film unit includes a main body pre-loaded with photo film. A taking lens is incorporated in the main body. A front cover covers a front of the main body, has a lens opening where the taking lens is disposed. An optical adapter is secured to the front cover and used for a specific photographing mode. The optical adapter includes a cylindrical lens for passing object light to become incident on the taking lens. A rotatable lens holder connects the cylindrical lens with the front cover. The lens holder is shiftable between a standard position and a specific position, and when in the standard position, offsets the cylindrical lens from the taking lens, and when in the specific position, sets the cylindrical lens in front of the taking lens.

Abstract: A lens apparatus or optical instrument having a lens apparatus including a holding member that holds and moves a lens or a lens group in an optical axis direction, the holding member having a vent providing ventilation between the interior and the exterior of the lens apparatus, a water-repellent microporous member that covers the vent, and an appearance member disposed on the holding member, with a clearance provided between the appearance member and the holding member, so as to shield the water-repellent microporous member.

Abstract: A camera has a body having an exposure frame surrounding an exposure opening. The exposure frame has a window. A mask core is mounted in the body. The mask core has an axis of rotation extending transverse to the exposure frame. The mask core has a plurality of sectors arranged about the axis of rotation. Each sector has an active position adjoining the window. Each sector shades the window differently in the respective active position. A drive is coupled to the mask core. The drive selectively rotates the mask core between the active positions of each of the sectors.

Abstract: A digital camera has a mounting part to mount a shooting lens or other optical equipment, and includes a mode switch that changes between a mode that shoots using the shooting lens and a mode that shoots using the other equipment. The camera includes an information interface that communicates with the shooting lens or with the other equipment, and receives information from the shooting lens or from the other equipment corresponding to the set mode. A camera controller controls the camera to change a type of information received through the interface from the shooting lens or from the other equipment based upon the set mode. When changed to the mode that shoots using the other equipment, the interface receives information corresponding to a color temperature or a brightness of a light source of the other equipment, and the controller controls the camera shooting state based upon that received information.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for making parallel interface communication compatible with serial interface communication when a serial interface compatible large television lens is used for a portable television camera, thereby performing optimal communication between the television camera and lens. In the arrangement of this invention, the terminals of the television lens are connected to the terminals of the camera via an adapter device, and a changeover switch is used to connect the terminals in accordance with serial or parallel communication, thereby setting compatibility between serial and parallel communications.

Abstract: Optical adapter for adapting cine-camera objective to video camera, which includes spectral splitter of light into three spectral bands, and three receivers each associated with one spectral band, the three receivers having the same format, the distance between the entrance of spectral splitter and the sensitive surfaces of the receivers being different for three spectral bands. The objective is a single-image focal plane objective for all three spectral bands and has a second given format. The adapter includes first optical device conveying image between the image focal plane of the objective and the sensitive surfaces of the receivers, and second optical device achieving a relative axial offset of the three spectral bands so that the differences in distance are compensated for. The first and second optical devices have overall magnification changing the format of the image of the objective into the receiver common format.

Abstract: An apparatus to which an accessory is connected includes a plurality of connection terminals at which the accessory is connected. With the accessory connected to the apparatus, the apparatus first detects states of the plurality of connection terminals by setting at least one connection terminal of the plurality of connection terminals for signal outputting, and then detects states of the plurality of connection terminals by setting at least one connection terminal of the plurality of connection terminals for signal outputting, the connection terminal set for signal outputting for the second time being different from the connection terminal set for signal outputting for the first time. Then, the apparatus determines a kind of the accessory mounted to the apparatus, on the basis of results of detection obtained for the first time and for the second time.

Abstract: An adapter having a tilt and shift mechanism which is mounted between a camera body and a photographic lens to relatively tilt or shift the camera body. The photographic lens includes a body mount frame which is provided with a mount to which the camera body can be detachably mounted, a tilt frame which is connected to the body mount frame, and a shift frame which is provided with a lens mounting mount to which the photographic lens can be detachably mounted and which is connected to the tilt frame to linearly move in a direction intersecting the optical axis of the photographic lens. The tilt frame is connected to the body mount frame to move along an arc having a predetermined radius, the center of the radius being located on a center of an image surface.

Abstract: A camera comprising a taking lens, a lens support for supporting the taking lens, and a transparent lens cover for shielding the taking lens, is characterized in that the transparent lens cover has a plurality of retaining portions that constitute a single piece with the transparent lens cover and are individually connected to the lens support to hold the taking lens to the lens support, but which can be individually disconnected from the lens support to free the taking lens.

Abstract: The mounting of an interchangeable lens having a predetermined or lesser back focus and an intermediate adapter is limited by camera bodies and the intermediate adapters. A camera system has two kinds of bodies having metal backs of the same dimension and body side mounts of the same shape, a plurality of interchangeable lenses having a common lens side mount engageable with the body side mounts, and a plurality of intermediate adapters between the interchangeable lenses and the camera bodies. The first body has an escape portion in the body side mount over the mounting range of the interchangeable lenses or the intermediate adapters so that the mounting of all the interchangeable lenses and all the intermediate adapters may be possible. The second body has a flange portion in the body side mount so that the mounting of an interchangeable lens having a predetermined or greater back focus and an intermediate adapter mountable only on this interchangeable lens may be possible.

Abstract: A lens barrel for holding an assembly or group of lens elements is molded as an integral member from a thermoplastic resin material such as polycarbonate, and at least two of the lens elements have different diameters. The lens barrel includes an outer cylindrical wall portion having a uniform diameter and a uniform wall thickness, and a lens holder portion integrally extending from an inner surface of the outer cylindrical wall portion. The lens holder portion is formed in accordance with the different diameters of the lens elements such that wall thickness is substantially uniform.

Abstract: In the proposed gobo (11), the diaphragm mask (13) is placed on a stationary surface, especially of a planar member, and has an aperture (27) of the gobo substantially adjustable along the stationary surface or planar member according to the focal length used. The diaphragm mask has two curtains (15, 16), preferably adjustable in pairs in opposite directions, which limit the free aperture of the gobo depending on the focal length used. The curtains are adjusted by electromotors (M1, M2) via belts (19, 21), rollers (20, 22), and bevel gears (25, 26). The motors (M1, M2) are controlled by a controller (28) and, via potentiometer readings, receive as input signals the adjustment values of the lens for focal length and focus.