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). A single cam plate (53) is provided to move the finder assembly and the strobe assembly. The photographic aperture (22b) can be selectively closed by barrier plates (31a) when the zoom lens is moved into its fully collapsed position. A light intercepting assembly (210) is provided for preventing light from entering the photographic optical assembly via cam grooves (20 and 21). This intercepting assembly includes a flexible code plate (90) which surrounds a peripheral portion of the cam ring (14) and which provides positional information relating to the position of the zoom lens.

Lens shutter camera including zoom lens

The present invention is directed to perform fine low-voltage control without largely increasing the circuit layout area in a low-power consumption structure. In the case of shifting a region to a low-speed mode, a system controller outputs a request signal and an enable signal to a power switch controller and a low-power drive circuit, respectively, to turn off a power switch and to perform a control so that the voltage level of a virtual reference potential becomes about 0.2 V to about 0.3V. The region operates on voltages between a power supply voltage and a virtual reference potential, so that it is controlled in the low-speed mode.

Semiconductor Integrated Circuit Device

A zoom lens barrel is disclosed with includes a stationary barrel. A rotatable cam ring is supported by the stationary barrel and is adapted to move along an optical axis direction in association with rotation of the rotatable cam ring. A lens guide ring is adapted to move together with the cam ring along the optical axis direction, and the cam ring is adapted to rotate relative to the lens guide ring, in association with axial movement of the cam ring. Cam grooves are provided for guiding the movement of at least two movable front and rear lens groups, with at least one groove being formed on the cam ring. Lens guide grooves are formed on the lens guide ring and are adapted to correspond to the cam grooves of the cam ring. At least one guide pin is provided which is adapted to extend through an associated cam groove and an associated lens guide groove. The cam grooves and lens guide grooves are shaped such that the movable lens groups can be moved along a predetermined track by the movement which results from axial movement and relative rotation of the cam ring and the lens guide ring.

Zoom lens barrel and camera incorporating such barrel

A dual-aperture zoom digital camera operable in both still and video modes. The camera includes Wide and Tele imaging sections with respective lens/sensor combinations and image signal processors and a camera controller operatively coupled to the Wide and Tele imaging sections. The Wide and Tele imaging sections provide respective image data. The controller is configured to combine in still mode at least some of the Wide and Tele image data to provide a fused output image from a particular point of view, and to provide without fusion continuous zoom video mode output images, each output image having a given output resolution, wherein the video mode output images are provided with a smooth transition when switching between a lower zoom factor (ZF) value and a higher ZF value or vice versa, and wherein at the lower ZF the output resolution is determined by the Wide sensor while at the higher ZF value the output resolution is determined by the Tele sensor.

Dual aperture zoom digital camera

A flash photographing system includes a camera body, a flash controller connected to the camera body and three flash devices: the first flash device is directly mounted on the camera body; the second flash device is mounted on the flash controller; and the third flash device is connected through a suitable cord to the flash controller. A microcomputer is provided in the camera body and also in each of the flash devices so as to control the three flash devices in various different modes of operations, such as simultaneous flash mode, sequence flash mode, and yet providing an appropriate amount of light for the proper exposure.

Flash photographing system

The present invention provides a bifocal camera capable of changing focal length of a photographic lens system and having lens drive means operable by a motor to switch the photographic lens system between a first focal length state wherein a main lens component is located at a rear position and a second focal length state wherein the main lens component is located at a front position and an auxiliary lens component is located at an operative position. This camera comprises a device for automatically stopping the motor when shifting of the main lens component is interrupted by force, and a device for restricting the shifting of the main lens component between the front position and the rear position. The auxiliary lens component is moved and a lens barrier is opened and closed in interlocked relationship with the shifting of the main lens component.

Variable focal length camera

In a photographic system for flash photography, the firing current of an electronic flash tube is selectively restricted in accordance with the detection of whether or not the flash light amount necessary for a flash photograph is below a predetermined level prior to the firing of the flash tube for a photographic exposure. A selection is made between a first mode of flash firing with flash tube current flowing through a switching element and a second mode of flash firing with a flash tube current flowing through an impedance device serially connected with the flash tube. Alternatively, a selection can be made between higher or lower voltage levels to which the main flash firing capacitor is charged. The amount of light required from a flash device can be preparatorily identified and when less than a predetermined light output the flash device is caused to select the second mode of flash firing, or alternatively to select the lower level of the voltage charged by the main capacitor. The operation of the flash tube is controlled such that the flash light emission therefrom substantially corresponds to the necessary flash light amount such that a reduction is obtained in the ratio of excessive amount of flash light to the necessary amount of flash light.

Photographic devices for controlling flash photography

An exposure system for a camera includes a light emitting apparatus for emitting an artificial light toward an object. The light emitting apparatus is capable of selectively emitting a first type of light which flashes instantaneously, and a second type of light which flashes for a prolonged period of time. The intensity is maintained constant during the prolonged period of time. A camera produces a mode signal for switching the light emitting apparatus between a first mode in which the instantaneous flash light is emitted and a second mode in which the prolonged flash light is emitted.

Exposure system for a camera

A camera capable of functioning in accordance with informations received from a roll of film, and is provided with circuitry for generating first and second electric signals each changing in response to respective passages of the sprocket holes with a time lag provided between the changes in the first and second electric signals, with the sprocket hole signal indicative of the passage of sprocket holes being formed in response to the first and second electric signa

Camera capable of functioning in accordance with informations received from a roll of film

PURPOSE:To execute a correct exposure by switching a flat light emission or flash light emission mode in accordance with whether a signal corresponding to a set shutter speed is large or small, monitoring the film exposure quantity and controlling the exposure of a focal plane shutter. CONSTITUTION:When a value of a set shutter speed Tvs5 is larger than a value of a fixed shutter speed Tvc1 7, a signal is sent to a light emitting device 1 through a gate circuit 15 and a D/A converter 35, and a discriminating circuit 43 discriminates a fact that the device is in a flat light emission mode and defines light emission time control circuit 45 and a light emission intensity control circuit 47, as an active status and a flash light emission circuit 49 and a dimming circuit 51 as a non-operating status. When the speed Tvs is below the speed Tvc1, it is discriminated that the device is in a flash mode, and the circuits 49, 51 and the circuits 45, 47 are set to an operating state, and a non- operating state, respectively. By switching automatically the light emission mode in accordance with the shutter speed calculated in such a way, a correct exposure quantity can be given.

Matsumoto Toshiaki

Papers

Variable focal length camera

Photographic devices for controlling flash photography

Exposure system for a camera

Camera capable of functioning in accordance with informations received from a roll of film

Photographing device using auxiliary light