Abstract: A driving mechanism is disclosed for photographic lens having a stationary lens barrel, a first driving lens barrel adapted to be rotated and moved back and forth relative to the stationary lens barrel, a second driving lens barrel operatively associated with the first driving lens barrel by the aid of a rotation transmitting structure so as to be rotated and moved back and forth relative to the first driving lens barrel, and a movable lens barrel holding a front lens group and being movable back and forth relative to the second driving lens barrel. With this arrangement, power varying or focusing is achieved with a relatively small-sized lens barrel assembly by moving a rear lens group back and forth under a regulating action of the second driving lens barrel. The first driving lens barrel is rotatably received by and operatively associated with the stationary lens barrel through helicoids formed on these two lens barrels.

Abstract: A variable-focus photographic camera is described having a photographic lens adapted to be driven by an electric motor disposed at a location as remote as possible from the photographic lens so that a group of elements serving to transmit a driving force from a drive source to the photographic lens can be arranged substantially in a common plane and thereby a thickness or depth, as viewed in the direction of the optical axis of a space destined to be occupied by the above-mentioned group of elements, can be reduced. Such an arrangement also positively contributes to realization of a thin and compact camera. A dry battery and a main capacitor for powering a strobe device are disposed on the same lateral side of a camera body. The electric motor is disposed below on the dry battery and an output shaft of the electric motor is oriented in parallel to the optical axis of the photographic lens.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for adjusting the spacing between first and second lens groups spaced apart from each other along the optical axis of a lens barrel of an optical device. The lens barrel is movable between a collapsed position inside the body of the optical device, a wide angle position and a telephoto angle position. The drive mechanism includes a member having a cam groove, and a guide member fit into the cam groove and connected to the second lens group for adjusting the spacing between the first and second lens groups.

Abstract: A lens barrel has first, second and third barrels concentrically arranged in this order from an optical axis. The lens barrel includes at least one cam slot formed on the second barrel and extending oblique to a direction of the optical axis, at least one guide groove formed on an inner periphery of the third barrel, at least one follower formed on an outer periphery of the first barrel and engaging with the at least one guide groove through the at least one cam slot, and at least one member integrally formed on an outer periphery of the second barrel adjacent to an end of the at least one cam slot. The at least one member includes a surface formed thereon to contact the at least one follower when the at least one follower moves to the end of the at least one cam slot.

Abstract: A focus detection device and method permits the shooting lens to follow the movement of the photographic object without a focussing delay due to the calculation time and the movement of the object. The system includes a camera, a shooting lens, a focus detection device for detecting a desired focussing position of the shooting lens for an object, and a communications circuit. The lens includes a shooting lens driving circuit moving the shooting lens to focus, a shooting lens driving control circuit that controls the shooting lens driving circuit, a monitoring circuit that monitors the shooting lens movement by the shooting lens driving circuit, and a shooting lens data memory circuit that stores camera data.

Abstract: A lens barrel constructed of a cam slot, a lens cylinder, a memory means, a detecting means, a motor driving means and a control means. The cam slot has a discontinuous area formed in a portion corresponding to a parting line of a molding die used for molding. The lens cylinder ass a cam follower engaging with this cam slot. The memory means stores information indicating where the discontinuous area exists in the cam slot. The detecting means detects where the cam follower is positioned in the cam slot. The motor driving means makes the lens cylinder progress and retreat in the optical-axis direction by relatively driving the cam slot and the lens cylinder. The control means controls the motor driving means to drive the lens cylinder up to a position deviating from the discontinuous area when the cam follower is in the discontinuous area by comparing memory information of the memory mens with detection information of the detecting means.

Abstract: A zoom lens camera having a built-in strobe includes a light source, a strobe unit which is provided with a reflector to reflect flash light emitted from the light source in front of the camera, and a zoom lens which is driven by a motor. The motor is located behind the strobe unit and has a drive shaft whose axis extends in a plane substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of the zoom lens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical camera having a zoom function in which a focal length can be varied or the variation is actuated by a focal length changing member, and in particular to a camera in which a focal length is varied through a motor.The optical camera has a zoom lens operable by a rotatable zoom ring for changing the focal length thereof. An automatic focusing operation is effected by a control means when the focal length is changed so that an image of an object viewed through a viewfinder remains in focus. The zoom lens can include a motor and an in-exposure zoom control means can be provided for controlling zooming movement of the lens during an exposure operation.

Abstract: A zoom optical system (25) is associated with an image sensor (46), which is disposed behind the zoom optical system for picking up an object (6). The zoom optical system is focussed by use of a photoelectric signal from the image sensor. In a setup mode, the zoom optical system is zoomed from a first magnification to a preset magnification. The zoom optical system has been set at the first magnification. The preset magnification is adapted to focussing. The zoom optical system is focussed in accordance with the photoelectric signal generated while the zoom optical system has the preset magnification. The zoom optical system is zoomed back from the preset magnification to the first magnification, while keeping the zoom optical system in-focus. The zoom optical system becomes in-focus at the first magnification in a manner in which the zoom optical system is in-focus at the preset magnification.

Abstract: A camera includes a plurality of camera operation mechanisms, a sun gear which rotates by means of a motor, a planetary gear which revolves around the sun gear, a plurality of output gears each capable of meshing with the planetary gear by means of a revolution of the planetary gear. The plurality of output gears transmit power to the plurality of camera operation mechanisms, respectively. A holding member switchable from a first state in which the planetary gear is allowed to revolve freely to a second state in which the planetary gear is held at a revolution position where the planetary gear is in mesh with one of the plurality of output gears. The holding member includes a moving member rotatable in interlocked relation to the revolution of the planetary gear. The holding member switches from the first state to the second state by means of a movement of the moving member in a direction different from a direction of rotation of the moving member.

Abstract: A control method of a zoom lens camera comprising a lens system having a movable front lens group and a movable rear lens group, a first motor for moving the front lens group, a second motor for moving the rear lens group, a first pulse encoder which is adapted to control the angular position of the first motor and a second pulse encoder which is adapted to control the angular position of the second motor. In such a zoom lens camera. the difference in the image plane position between the wide-angle position and the telephoto position is measured to obtain the necessary number of drive pulses for the motors, so that the zoom adjustment and the fB adjustment can be carried out without need of a mechanical zoom adjustment or a mechanical fB adjustment.

Abstract: A lens drive mechanism is disclosed that includes: a shutter block which supports a lens shutter including a plurality of shutter blades; a lens group guided along an optical axis thereof relative to the shutter block; a first motor secured to the shutter block for opening or closing the lens shutter; a second motor secured to the shutter block for moving the lens group along the optical axis; a first encoder for detecting a size of a diaphragm formed by the lens shutter; a second encoder for detecting an axial position of the lens group; a shutter driving gear train which connects the lens shutter with the first motor; a first encoder gear train which connects the first encoder with the first motor, the shutter driving gear train and the first encoder gear train being supported on the shutter block and arranged along a circumferential direction of the shutter block with a driving pinion of the first motor being positioned between the shutter driving gear train and the first encoder gear train; a lens driving

Abstract: A lens drive mechanism includes first and second members positioned adjacent to each other where the second member supports a lens group and is movable relative to the first member along an optical axis of the lens group, and a first guide shaft extending in a direction of the optical axis which is supported by the first member to be guided in the direction of the optical axis, where one end of the first guide shaft is secured to the second member. The lens drive mechanism also includes a gear rotatably supported on the first member, which does not move in the direction of the optical axis relative to the first member and has a hole at an axial center on an inner periphery of which is formed a first thread.

Abstract: A camera with a vibration correction function provided with a continuous shot mode for carrying out continuous photographing, has a vibration detecting device for detecting vibration of the camer, a vibration correcting device for correcting the vibration of the camera at the time of photographing based on a signal from the vibration detecting device, a film feeding device for feeding a photographic film loaded in the camera, a film end detecting device for detecting an end of the photographic film, and a control device for stopping the operation of the vibration detecting device and making the film feeding device start rewinding the photographic film when receiving a film end detection signal from the film end detecting device during photographing under the continuous shot mode.

Abstract: A camera comprising a mode setting portion in which either mode is set out of a first focusing mode and a second focusing mode. The camera includes: a mode switch, detecting means, focusing means, and focusing mode controlling means for performing such a control. After completion of focusing when the period detected by the detecting means is longer than a predetermined period and the second focusing mode is set or when the first focusing mode is set the mode is switched to the first focusing mode. The present invention provides a camera which permits the user to select either the operation in which the mode change is performed every shot or the operation in which a same mode is continuously maintained, by the period in which the mode switch is kept on.

Abstract: A camera capable of trimming photographing has an electric-powered zoom lens, an operating device for zooming the electric-powered zoom lens, a trimming photographing device for obtaining a pseudo zoomed-up photography by partially trimming a photographed picture at a trimming magnification .beta. which can be previously set, and a control device which sets the trimming magnification .beta. of the trimming photographing device to a maximum trimming magnification .beta.max if the operating device is moved to the zoom-up side when the electric-powered zoom lens is at the position of a maximum focal length FT, which zooms down the electric-powered zoom lens while maintaining the maximum trimming magnification .beta.max if the operating device is thereafter operated to the zoom-down side, and which changes the trimming magnification .beta. of the trimming photographing device from the maximum trimming magnification .beta.

Abstract: A device for varying the focal length of a phototaking optical system comprises a cam member having a cam portion, a guide member having a guide portion, a driven member provided in a part of the phototaking optical system and maintained in contact with the cam portion and the guide portion, and a drive unit for moving the driven member in response to a relative movement of the cam member and the guide member, thereby continuously varying the total length of the phototaking optical system between a telephoto end position and a wide angle end position, wherein the cam member is formed by molding of a resinous material in such a manner that a parting line formed in the cam portion is not contacted by the driven member at the telephoto end position and at the wide angle end position.

Abstract: A zoom lens barrel is provided having a plurality of lens groups which are moved with respect to one another along a predetermined path. The zoom lens barrel comprises a driving barrel which rotates about an optical axis of the plurality of lens groups and at least three telescoping barrels which are moved in the direction of the optical axis by rotation of the driving barrel. Each telescoping barrel which is mounted on an inner periphery of another telescoping barrel of the telescoping barrels, travels a greater distance along the optical axis direction than the another telescoping barrel. A lens group driving mechanism is provided for moving the plurality of lens groups in the optical axis direction by movement of the at least three telescoping barrels in the optical axis direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical camera having a zoom function in which a focal length can be varied or the variation is actuated by a focal length changing member, and in particular to a camera in which a focal length is varied through a motor.The optical camera has a zoom lens operable by a rotatable zoom ring for changing the focal length thereof. An automatic focusing operation is effected by a control means when the focal length is changed so that an image of an object viewed through a viewfinder remains in focus. The zoom lens can include a motor and an in-exposure zoom control means can be provided for controlling zooming movement of the lens during an exposure operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lens driving device, such as an automatic focusing device, which is arranged to detect a difference (the amount of overrun) between a given target amount of driving of a lens and an amount in which the lens is actually driven in a lens driving cycle, correct the next target amount of driving of the lens according to data formed by the accumulation of difference information on the detected difference, and drive the lens by the target amount corrected in this manner, thereby effecting lens driving which takes the past amount of overrun into account.

Abstract: An optical apparatus comprising a movable optical member, a driving part for causing the optical member to move, a manual operation member capable of being operated to be moved, a first detecting part for detecting at least an operating speed of the manual operation member, a second detecting part for detecting a focal length of the optical apparatus and a control part for causing the driving part to act on the basis of an output of the first detecting part and being arranged to receive an output of the second detecting part and to vary an action of the driving part according to a change of the focal length.

Abstract: A camera having a lens barrel and a compartment for holding one of a spool and a cartridge. A motor in the camera is coupled to a reduction gear train which transmits a drive force of the motor to the lens barrel. A rotary shaft, positioned between the compartment and the lens barrel, is geared to and branches from the reduction gear train so as to receive a drive force from the reduction gear train. A zoom finder device, positioned between the compartment and the lens barrel is driven by the rotary shaft. This arrangement allows the motor to transmit a drive force to a driven device placed adjacent to a drive source, without making the drive device large, and without unnecessarily increasing the number of required components.

Abstract: A camera capable of trimming photographing has an electric-powered zoom lens, an operating device for zooming the electric-powered zoom lens, a trimming photographing device for obtaining a pseudo zoomed-up photography by partially trimming a photographed picture at a trimming magnification .beta. which can be previously set, and a control device which sets the trimming magnification .beta. of the trimming photographing device to a maximum trimming magnification .beta.max if the operating device is moved to the zoom-up side when the electric-powered zoom lens is at the position of a maximum focal length FT, which zooms down the electric-powered zoom lens while maintaining the maximum trimming magnification .beta.max if the operating device is thereafter operated to the zoom-down side, and which changes the trimming magnification .beta. of the trimming photographing device from the maximum trimming magnification .beta.

Abstract: A camera includes a body drive motor for driving forwardly or backwardly, a first planetary gear mechanism for selecting whether the output from the motor should be transmitted to a zooming device, a prohibition device for prohibiting the rotation of the planetary gear mechanism after the first planetary gear mechanism has completed the selection, a second planetary gear mechanism for selecting whether the output from the first planetary gear mechanism, which was not transmitted to the zooming device, should be transmitted to a winding device, and a third planetary gear mechanism for transmitting the output from the second planetary gear mechanism, which was not transmitted to the winding device, should be transmitted to either the rewinding device or a photographic image-plane size switching device.

Abstract: There is disclosed an electric camera which comprises a switch for switching a state of the camera between a state out of use and a state in use, a driving member for shifting the position of a member to be driven to change its state between a state out of use and a state in use in accordance with the state switched by the switch, detection unit for detecting whether the member to be driven is shifted during an operation of the driving member, counter unit for starting counting when the driving member is started to operate upon switching by the switch, change-over unit for changing over a driving speed of the driving member from a first speed to a second speed which is lower than the first speed, and control unit for stopping the drive of the driving member when the counter unit counts a predetermined time, so that the camera can be used continuously when the photographing lens or the barrier is stopped due to external forces, etc.

Abstract: A photographing device includes a driving mechanism provided in a photographing optical system, a driving source located outside the photographing optical system, a rotational shaft located parallel with an optical axis of the photographing optical system, and in the photographing optical system, and connecting the driving source and the driving mechanism, an electro-magnetic clutch mechanism located around the optical axis of the photographing optical system, and arranged to connect/disconnect the driving mechanism and the driving source.

Abstract: A photographed picture size switchable camera of the present invention can switch photographing optical systems and picture masks through a zoom driving mechanism by means of a switch input from zooming operation and can switch a photographed picture size from a normal size to a panoramic size or half size which is smaller than the normal size. Thus, a good picture can be taken even in a wide angle or telephotographic area which is wider or further than an ordinary zooming region.

Abstract: A lens shutter type of camera is disclosed in which a zoom lens is positioned in a lens block (1) which has a sector gear (15) rotatably associated with the lens block and with a rotatable cam ring (14). The cam ring and sector gear are rotatable in a substantially constant axial position. A movable finder optical assembly (8) and a movable strobe assembly (9) are movable in association with movement of the zoom lens. The zoom lens is movable between an extreme telephoto position and an extreme wide angle position, as well a into a fully collapsed lens position beyond the extreme wide angle position and a macro or close-up photographing position beyond the extreme telephoto position. When the camera is in its macro mode, a prism (P1) is inserted into the finder optical assembly to correct for parallax; the strobe assembly is moved to change its illumination angle; and an optical wedge (4e) is pivoted into the path between a light receiver (4) and a light emitter (3e).

Abstract: A lens barrel constructed of a cam slot, a lens cylinder, a memory, a detector, a motor drive and a controller. The cam slot has a discontinuous area formed in a portion corresponding to a parting line of a molding die used for molding. The lens cylinder has a cam follower slidably engaging the cam slot. The memory stores information indicating where the discontinuous area exists in the cam slot. The detector detects where the cam follower is positioned in the cam slot. The motor drive makes the lens cylinder progress and retreat in the optical-axis direction by driving one of the cam slot and the lens cylinder relative to the other. The controller controls the motor drive to drive the lens cylinder up to a position deviating from the discontinuous area when the cam follower is in the discontinuous area by comparing memory information of the memory with detection information of the detector.

Abstract: A lens barrel of a camera has a stationary cylinder and a rotary cylinder which is advanced and retracted relative to the stationary cylinder while it is rotated.A plurality of helical gears as well as a helicoid are formed, along the helicoid, on an outer periphery of the rotary cylinder which is helicoid-coupled to the stationary cylinder and advanced and retracted along the optical axis while it is rotated. A plurality of drive gears which are gear-coupled to the helical gears are formed on the stationary cylinder. At least one of the plurality of drive gears is gear-coupled to the helical gears in a rotation range of the rotary cylinder.

Abstract: A camera incorporating an auto-zoom function made operative when a photographer holds both a camera body and a lens barrel.

Abstract: A camera having a photographic optical system contained in a lens barrel including a zoom cam tube and a collapsible mount cam tube. The zoom cam tube is movable in a focal length adjustment region between a Tele position and a Wide position, while the collapsible mount cam tube is movable in a collapsible mount movement region between the Wide position and a fully collapsed position. During focal length adjustment action, a gear which transmits a drive force of a motor is in engagement with a first rack on the zoom cam tube, and only the zoom cam tube rotates. Due to this rotation, a cam portion is rotated via other gears meshed with the first rack, and a pair of viewfinder lenses and a light generating unit, are made movable. During collapsible mount action, the gear is in engagement with a second rack, only the collapsible mount cam tube is rotated, and the drive force of the motor is not transmitted to the cam portion.

Abstract: A photographing apparatus includes two moving members and an intermediate member contacting both of the two moving members. The intermediate member is selectively linked and non-linked to the two moving members to change an operation resistance to the movement of the moving members.