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: 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: An electronic flash device for a camera includes a flash emitting component, substantially quadrilateral, having vertical and horizontal side lines, for emitting flash light. A light reducing plate is disposed in front of the flash emitting component, extended in a vertical direction, and has a predetermined width in a horizontal direction. The predetermined width is shorter than the horizontal side lines. The light reducing plate intercepts a central portion of the flash emitting component. First and second lateral portions of the flash emitting component remain uncovered for illumination with a restricted amount of the flash light.

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: An image pick-up apparatus includes: an image pick-up device for picking up an object image by converting the object image to an electric image signal; an image pick-up optical system having a variable aperture capable of changing an aperture value when an incident light beam on the image pick-up device is stopped down; a range-finder for measuring a distance to an object; an electronic flash mechanism for illuminating the object; and controller for determining an aperture value from the distance to the object measured by the range-finder and from a light emission capability of the electronic flash mechanism, and then for setting the variable aperture to the determined aperture value, when the controller makes the electronic flash mechanism to emit light so that the image pick-up device picks up the object image.

Abstract: A flash control device for a camera includes a light emission unit which emits light to illuminate a subject to be imaged by the camera, a preliminary light emission control unit which causes the light emission unit to emit light during a preliminary light emission operation prior to a main exposure operation to be performed by the camera and until a predetermined amount of light is received by the camera during the preliminary light emission operation, a range computing unit which computes a distance from the camera to the subject, an exposure calculation unit which computes an aperture value for the camera during the preliminary light emission operation, a main light emission calculation unit which calculates a length of time that the light emission unit is to emit light during a main light emission operation based on the preliminary light emission operation, the computed distance to the subject, and the aperture value, and a main light emission control unit which controls the emission of light by the light

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 method and apparatus are disclosed whereby generally matched exposures for at least first and second photoresponsive materials generally concurrently can be obtained, wherein the first photoresponsive material is more photoresponsive than the second.

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 photometric operation system of a camera includes a photographing lens with a variable focal length. A plurality of photometering devices independently receive and detect rays of object light within a plurality of photometering areas of different sizes. A calculator determines the brightness of an object in accordance with the photometric data supplied from the photometering devices. A smaller photometering area is contained in the larger photometering area. The photometric data is weighted in accordance with the focal length of the photographing lens in the calculation of the object brightness by the calculator devices.

Abstract: A camera interlocking mechanism adjusts a visual field angle of a finder and/or an irradiation angle of a strobe in synchronization with a lens barrel being further extended from a photographable position upon telephoto photographing. A driving gear and a driven gear are provided with a thin tooth to temporarily keep a driving force of the driving gear from being transmitted to the driven gear, thus allowing the driving gear to idle. Consequently, a finder lens and a strobe flash bulb do not move more than necessary, whereby the space for installing the finder and strobe can be minimized, thus allowing the camera to have a smaller size.

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: An ever-flash exposure control system for a built-in flash camera controls a shutter to open and close so as to provide a standard exposure for scene brightness which are higher than standard scene brightness for which the shutter provides a full aperture to complete the standard exposure and triggers an electronic flash to provide illumination light at a time at which the shutter reaches an aperture according to a subject distance during exposure.

Abstract: An image deflection preventing device for a camera, such as a still camera which is used to drive a deflection preventing optical system in accordance with readings from angular velocity sensors and other circuitry. Moreover, an exposure mode selection device is included to select strobe photography according to the focusing distance from a distance measuring unit maintained in the camera to a subject to be photographed. The selection device can select strobe photography when the focusing distance is closer than a predetermined distance or when photographic magnification from a focal length detection unit to a subject to be photographed is greater than a predetermined value. The selection of strobe photography is done using results from a photometric unit in conjunction with the determination of a brightness level. In particular, if a given brightness level is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, strobe photography is selected, otherwise, exterior light photography is selected.

Abstract: A strobe device including a preparatory light radiator for generating a fixed amount of preparatory light a plurality of times to set an amount of actual light to be generated when radiating supplementary light onto a subject during photographing; an image pickup element for receiving a fixed amount of preparatory light, generated a plurality of times by the preparatory light radiator, and photoelectrically converting light reflected from the subject; an amplifier for amplifying the photoelectrically converted signal during the plurality of times of generating preparatory light, by an amplification factor which differs for each generation of preparatory light; a detector for detecting whether the average level of signals being output from the amplifier, for each generation of preparatory light, is within a predetermined range; and a calculator for calculating an amount of actual light to be generated based on signals output from the amplifier when the detector has determined that the average level of signals

Abstract: An electronic flash includes a primary emission unit for emitting flash light for illuminating an object, an auxiliary emission unit for emitting light having a different color temperature from the flash light; and a controller for controlling emission of the auxiliary emission unit to adjust the color temperature of illumination light to the object. This electronic flash makes it possible to change the color temperature of illumination light to an object quickly and easily.

Abstract: A flash-assisted photographing system including a camera having a taking lens capable of varying the focal length and a flash is provided with a light receiving unit having a plurality of receiving areas operable to separately receive light reflected by different areas of a photographic view, a detector operable to detect a focal length of the taking lens, and a controller operable to set weights for the receiving areas based on a detected focal length. Proper weights are set for the receiving areas even in the case of close-up photography which is highly influenced by camera shake. A main subject can be reliably exposed at a proper light emission.

Abstract: A camera system includes a camera device and a flash device. The camera device has a first mode where a control aperture value and a control shutter speed are automatically determined; and a second mode where the operator is allowed to determine either a control aperture value or a control shutter speed. The flash device is capable of emitting an instantaneous flash light and a prolonged flash light. The camera device includes a distance calculator operable to calculate a distance to an object and a light intensity calculator operable to calculate an intensity of a prolonged flash light for flash photography based on the calculated distance, a focal plane shutter having a front blind and a rear blind, and a controller operable to render the flash device emit a prolonged flash light at the calculated intensity from the start of travel of the front blind to the finish of travel of the rear blind.

Abstract: The camera has an enlarged macro photographic range and the control method for the camera controls the diaphragm, enlarges the photographic range and takes the photograph of the object a the flash, so that a photograph having a suitable exposure can be obtained. The camera includes a switch block, a motor driving circuit, a micro controller, an automatic distance measuring circuit, a brightness measuring circuit and a strobo.

Abstract: A built-in flash camera includes a strobe which is flashed regularly, a photometry part for measuring a brightness within a shot visual field and an automatic exposure mechanism. A changeover brightness is set to be lower than a limitation brightness (reference external light brightness) in which an AE control can be performed. When the brightness measured by the photometry part is lower than the changeover brightness, the strobe is flashed so that the exposure of the strobe can be standard (100%). When the brightness measured by the photometry part is higher than the changeover brightness, the exposure of the strobe light is decreased to be 75% of the standard exposure. As a result, the exposure of the strobe can be prevented from being excessively large when the external light is in a proximity of the reference external light brightness.

Abstract: Different exposures of an electronically represented, pictorial scene are combined into a final image having expanded dynamic range yet still capturing subtle differences in exposure. The final image provides increased shadow, midtone and highlight detail notwithstanding the limited response of the system (electronic or photographic) that produced the component images. The invention features automatic identification of optimally exposed regions (on a pixel-by-pixel basis) from the component images, as well as automatic combination into a final image. The invention may also be used to make a camera, of possibly unknown response function, behave as an array of photometric measurement instruments (e.g., an array of light meters) to within a constant scale factor.

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 is judged 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 flash-assisted photographing system including a camera having a taking lens capable of varying the focal length and a flash is provided with a light receiving unit having a plurality of receiving areas operable to separately receive light reflected by different areas of a photographic view, a detector operable to detect a focal length of the taking lens, and a controller operable to set weights for the receiving areas based on a detected focal length. Proper weights are set for the receiving areas even in the case of close-up photography which is highly influenced by camera shake. A main subject can be reliably exposed at a proper light emission.

Abstract: An exposure control method and apparatus for a camera having a two-area divided brightness measurement system. A central light value is determined based on a central area brightness of a photographic scene, and a peripheral light value is determined based on a peripheral area brightness of the scene. After determining by comparison between the central and peripheral light values whether the scene is back-lighted or front-lighted, a correction coefficient specific to back-lighted scenes or that specific to front-lighted scenes is read from a memory. An exposure value suitable for a main subject is calculated according to the following equation:Es=log.sub.2 {1-(1-.alpha.).sub.2.sup.LVb-LVa }-log.sub.2 .alpha.+LVawherein Es represents the exposure value and .alpha. represents the correction coefficient.

Abstract: An active type focusing part, including a projector and a light acceptor, is capable of measuring a reflectance of the main subject. When a distance measured by the focusing part is smaller than a predetermined distance, the reflectance is measured. A strobe light control part controls a strobe light in accordance with the measured distance, the measured reflectance, and a brightness measured by a photometry part. The strobe light control part decreases an exposure of the strobe light as the measured reflectance increases, so that the exposure of the strobe light is set appropriately.

Abstract: A camera equipped with a date imprinting circuit capable of setting multiple imprinting modes and a photographic mode setting circuit capable of setting multiple photographic modes. The camera includes an operational circuit to set and modify the previously mentioned imprinting modes and photographic modes. A detection circuit detects whether or not the camera is in a first state or a second state. A selection circuit modifies the imprinting mode by operating the operational circuit when the detection circuit detects that the camera is in the first state and modifies the photographic mode by operating the operation circuit when the detection circuit detects that the camera is in the second state.

Abstract: A photometry part measures a brightness within a shot visual field. A focusing part measures a distance up to a main subject. A focal length measuring part measures a focal length of a taking lens. A strobe light control part directs a strobe to flash regularly and decreases a strobe exposure gradually from a standard exposure in accordance with the measured parameters. The measured distance at which the exposure of the strobe is decreased, is defined as the strobe changeover distance. The strobe light control part sets the strobe changeover distance to be long as the focal length at photographing becomes long, so that the exposure of the main subject on the image surface can be kept proper.

Abstract: A camera having a built-in first flash light emitting unit located directly above a photographic lens on the front surface of the camera body, and a second flash light emitting unit located at an upper corner of the front face of the camera body. The camera has autofocus capabilities, and reduces shadows created during close-up photography and reduces the "red eye" phenomenon created during far away photography through the control of each of the two flash light emitting units.

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: A camera includes a distance detecting device arranged to detect a distance from the camera to an object to be photographed and to output distance information, a flash amount deciding part arranged to decide an amount of flash emission on the basis of the distance information from the distance detecting device, and an aperture value deciding part arranged to decide an aperture value to be used at the time of starting flash emission on the basis of the amount of flash emission.

Abstract: An automatic focusing camera is equipped with an automatic subject distance detecting device for detecting which of a plurality of predetermined distances is nearest to that at which the subject lies. A lens positioning member adjusts an objective lens to a suitable focusing position in which the objective lens has a depth of field straddling that nearest predetermined distance detected by the automatic subject distance detecting device. Another lens positioning member adjusts the objective lens to a focusing position in which the objective lens will be focused on a subject, such as a landscape, at infinity, independently of the distances detected by the automatic subject distance detecting device. The latter objective lens positioning member is externally operable when it is intended to photograph a subject at infinity, before depressing the shutter button.