A single oscillator synchronizer system and method that automatically switches from a wireless receive mode of the oscillator to a wireless transmit mode of the oscillator upon the detection of a synchronization (synch) signal of a camera body (224, 325). In one example, a method of wirelessly communicating a camera synchronization from a camera body (225, 325) to a remote device with a wireless camera flash synchronizer (200, 300) connected to a synchronization connector (230, 330, 330') of the camera body, the wireless camera flash synchronizer including a transceiver (205, 305) having an oscillator element (210, 310) with a wireless receive mode and a wireless transmit mode, the oscillator element configured to be in only one of the wireless receive mode and wireless transmit mode at a time is provided. In another example, a wireless camera flash synchronizer (200, 300) that automatically switches from a wireless receive mode to a wireless transmit mode upon detection of a synch signal of a camera body (225, 325) is provided.

Wireless camera flash synchronizer system and method

A control system for communicating with a controlled device, such as a lighting device, a special effects device and an in-scene device, in a photographic image-acquisition setting using a camera body. The control system is configured to detect a preset pattern of actuation of one or more camera body controls by a user. In response to detecting of the preset pattern, the control system either communicates a power state change signal to the controlled device or causes the camera body to enter into a controlled device control mode that changes the functionality of one or more camera body controls from a camera body functionality to a controlled device control functionality, or both. Such a system can allow a photographer to control a controlled device while remaining at the camera body.

Systems and methods for communicating with a device using one or more camera body controls

A multi-spectral variable focus illuminator. The illuminator includes a plurality of first light sources arranged in a first array, each of the first light sources capable of emitting light in a first wavelength band, and a plurality of second light sources arranged in a second array, each of the second light sources capable of emitting light in a second wavelength band different from the first wavelength band. The illuminator includes an array of lenses positioned in front of the light sources. The relative positions of the lens array and the first and second light sources are changeable such that the field illuminated by the first light sources varies in size with the relative positions of the lens array and the first light sources, and the field illuminated by the second light sources varies in size with the relative positions of the lens array and the second light sources.

Multi-spectral variable focus illuminator

A system and method for controlling one or more remote photographic flash devices from a camera body. Wireless functionality within a camera body provides wireless communication of a signal from within the camera body to one or more remote devices. In one example, a flash synchronization signal of the camera body may be wirelessly communicated using a wireless communication functionality within the camera body and an external antenna to one or more remote flash devices for triggering the one or more remote flash devices.

Wireless communication system and method for photographic flash synchronization

An image-taking apparatus includes: a CCD having an imaging surface; and an image-taking optical system having an objective lens. The apparatus further includes: a shake detector that detects a shake of the image-taking apparatus; and a correction lens disposed between the objective lens and the CCD and moving in parallel with the imaging surface to correct a blur in an image formed on the imaging surface caused by the shake of the image-taking apparatus. The apparatus further includes: an electromagnet disposed behind the CCD and driving the correction lens; a power transmission system that moves the correction lens by transmitting power from the electromagnet to the correction lens; and a correction-lens controller that causes, based on a detection result from the shake detector, the electromagnet to drive the correction lens such that an image whose blur due to the shake is corrected is formed on the imaging surface.

Image-taking apparatus

An emission angle variable flash apparatus of the invention alters an angular aperture to be formed by side reflection plates disposed oppositely to both side surfaces of a reflector in linkage with a change of a distance between a Xe tube and a reflector on their optical axis, thereby enhancing the efficiency of utilization of flash from a light source and expanding a variable range of an emission angle in the horizontal direction. As a result, the emission angle variable flash apparatus of the invention is made smaller in size than in the prior art.

Emission angle variable flash apparatus

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an irradiation angle variable flashing device capable of highly accurately controlling the movement of a light source, accurately positioning the light source and obtaining an irradiation angle suitable to an object in accordance with a photographing angle. SOLUTION: When a motor 2 is rotated in accordance with a control signal from a drive control part K2, a lead screw-worked driving shaft 1 is rotated, and a cam plate 6 attached to a driving mold 5 screwed on to the lead screw part is linearly moved, then, a discharge tube holding member 4 coming into contact with the cam plate 6 is rocked in an optical axis K direction by taking a rotary shaft 7 as a fulcrum, simultaneously, the flash discharge tube 10 is moved on the optical axis K, then, the irradiation angle for the object by the flash discharge tube 10 is changed. When the discharge tube holding member 4 is rocked, the discharge tube holding member 4 is energized by a coil spring 8 so that the member 4 and the cam plate 6 may be always in a contact state, then, the occurrence of a backlash between the discharge tube holding member 4 and the cam plate 6 is eliminated at a contact point.

Variable irradiating angle flashing device

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to obtain a light source holding structure adequate for developing a structure for varying a light emission irradiation angle by holding both ends of the glass tube part of the light source by a light source holding section via heat shrinkable tubes. SOLUTION: An Xe tube holding member 2 is formed of polyether imide and both ends of the glass tube part of the Xe tube 3 in this holding part are held by the holding section by holding both ends via the heat shrinkable tubes 4. Namely, this flash device has the light source holding section 2 for changing the distance between the light source (Xe tube) 3 and a reflection umbrella by moving the light source in an optical axis direction in the state of holding the light source. The light source 3 is constituted by covering the parts outer than the effective light emission length Ls of the glass tube part thereof and the electrode 3a, 3b parts with the heat shrinkable tubes 4 and is so constituted as to have the light source holding structure holding the glass tube by the light source section holding member 2 on the heat shrinkable tubes 4 of the light source 3. Then, the holding of the Xe tube 3 without receiving the influence of the eccentricity of the electrodes 3a, 3b with respect to the glass tube is made possible and the position accuracy between the Xe tube 3 and the reflection tube is improved.

Irradiation angle variable flashing device

The flash light contains a light source (20) for emitting a flash and a reflector which reflects the flash onto the object to be illuminated. The radiation angle of direct light from the source and the reflected light are adjusted using lateral reflection devices opposite both sides of the reflector to reflect light from the source in the horizontal direction. The distance between the light source and reflector is adjusted on their common axis. The angular opening of the lateral reflection devices is adjusted. A radiation angle control device controls the change in distance between the light source and reflector and the angular opening formed by the lateral reflector.

Shinji Ando

Papers

Emission angle variable flash apparatus

Variable irradiating angle flashing device

Irradiation angle variable flashing device

Flash unit with adjustable radiation angle