Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha

Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kaisha

Fumio Urano

Masahiro Kawasaki

Tetsuji Shono

Naoyuki Uno

Akihiro Arai

Junji Umetsu

Takumi Kobayashi

Zenichi Okura

Hiroshi Kurei

Katsuhiko Nomura

Harumi Aoki

Tahei Morisawa

Yasumasa Tomori

Katsuhiko Miyata

Eiji Yamamori

Norimichi Takahashi

Keisuke Haraguchi

Shigeo Enomoto

Eiichi Tano

Sadao Okudaira

Yoshio Sawada

Kunio Mita

Chiharu Mori

Nayuki Uno

A camera comprises a camera body and first and second lens assemblies interchangeably insertable into the camera body. Each lens assembly has a displaceable actuator, a diaphragm adjustable between a maximum aperture and a minimum aperture value responsive to displacement of the actuator and a transducer for generating a first signal representative of the displacement of the actuator. In the camera body, there is generated a second signal representative of the desired aperture value of the diaphragm for correct exposure. The first and second signals are compared and the actuator of the lens assembly inserted in the camera body is displaced responsive to the comparison to stop down the diaphragm from the maximum aperture value toward the minimum aperture value until the first and second signals assume a predetermined relationship. The diaphragm of the second lens assembly is maintained at the maximum aperture value during an initial portion of the displacement of the actuator. Preferably, the initial portion of the actuator displacement is sufficient to compensate for the deviation in aperture value, maximum aperture value, and minimum aperture between the first and second lens assemblies.

Compensation for diaphragm control in SLR camera

An adapter for connecting an interchangeable lens, such as a lens which is ordinarily intended for use with a single-lens reflex camera, for which the distance from the rear surface on the lens to a focal plane is relatively great, to a camera body, such as a video camera body, for which the distance from the front surface of the lens mount to a focal plane is relatively small. The adapter includes a diaphragm, which is used in place of the diaphragm of the interchangeable lens, and an electric motor for controlling the aperture value provided by the diaphragm. The aperture data supplied by the interchangeable lens is transmitted to the camera body as electrical data, which is preferably produced with a variable resistor or the like. Contacts are provided on the casing of the adapter for transmitting data to the camera body and receiving an operating signal for the motor from the camera body.

Adapter for connecting single-lens reflex camera lens to video camera

A camera has a displaceable actuator in a diaphragm adjustable between a maximum aperture value and a minimum aperture value responsive to displacement of the actuator. A first signal representative of the displacement of the actuator is generated. A second signal representative of a fraction of an exposure quantity dependant on film sensitivity and subject light is generated. Responsive to the second signal, the exposure time of the camera is set. At least partially responsive to the second signal, a third signal representative of the desired aperture value of the diaphragm for correct exposure is generated. The first and third signals are compared. Upon shutter release, the actuator is displaced and the diaphragm is maintained at the maximum aperture value during an initial portion of the displacement of the actuator to compensate for the characteristics of the particular interchangeable lens connected to the camera body. Responsive to the comparison, displacement of the actuator is arrested when the first and second signals assume a predetermined relationship, which establishes the desired diaphragm aperture value for correct exposure. The desired diaphragm value and shutter speed are also displayed.

Photographic camera having a diaphragm actuator with preliminary

A stop control apparatus for an electronic camera capable of performing both still picture photographing and motion picture (video) photographing operations. A video exposure control circuit and a still exposure control circuit produce first and second operating signals during motion picture and still picture photographing operations, respectively. A selected one of the signals is applied to operate an electromagnetic diaphragm control mechanism composed of an electronic drive device mechanically coupled to operate the aperture blades of the camera. An aperture opening regulator determines the aperture opening amount in accordance with a selected aperture value, with the regulating means operating by producing a force which acts against the force produced by the electromagnetic drive device.

Stop control apparatus for electronic camera

A compensator system for diaphragm control in a single-lens reflex camera of interchangeable type having an exposure control circuit responsive to the position of a lever that is operatively coupled to the diaphragm according to a preset position of a diaphragm preset ring. The exposure control circuit is regulated for compensating any errors in illumination intensity in a film plane provided by individual interchangeable lenses and errors in illumination intensity provided by photometric operation through respective lenses mounted on a camera in relation with a specific position of a light receiving element contained in a photometric circuit. A diaphragm preset ring has on the periphery thereof an indication for the automatic diaphragm control at a predetermined angular distance from an indication for the fully closed diaphragm value of an associated lens. An arithmetic factor is provided for exposure control comprising an electric adjustment factor such as a resistance value or binary signal that is selected by the lever when the diaphragm preset ring has been rotated to the automatic diaphragm control position. A signal is provided for detecting a fully closed diaphragm and a fully opened diaphragm. Compensation is provided for a deviation from the signal representing the fully opened diaphragm value not represented by any of the specific series of a multiple of a first displacement provided by a diaphragm blade actuator system.

Compensator system for diaphragm control in a single-lens reflex camera

Eccentricity between an external knob and camera casing is accommodated by providing a flexible rubber ring between the two which will bend during a change in their relative positions so that a good seal is continuously maintained. Sealing can also be enhanced by extending the rubber gripping ring around the circumference of the knob down to the camera casing so that the sealing and operating rings are integral.

Drop-proof and dust-proof device in rotary operation section of camera

In a camera having a displaceable actuator and a diaphragm adjustable between a maximum aperture value and a minimum aperture value responsive to displacement of the actuator, displacement of the actuator is arrested responsive to first, second, and third signals when the diaphragm is adjusted to the desired aperture value. The first signal is representative of the displacement of the actuator. The second signal is representative of the desired aperture value of the diaphragm for correct exposure. The third signal is representative of the difference between the minimum aperture value and the maximum aperture value. Preferably, the first, second, and third signals are applied to a microcomputer which controls the arresting of the actuator displacement.

Compensation for diaphragm control for SLR camera

A camera has first and second displaceable actuators and a diaphragm adjustable between a maximum aperture value and a minimum aperture value responsive to displacement of the second actuator. A first signal is generated that is representative of the displacement of the first actuator. A second signal is generated that is representative of a desired aperture value of the diaphragm for correct exposure. A first and second signal are compared. The first actuator is displaced upon shutter release, but the second actuator remains stationary during an initial portion of the displacement of the first actuator and is displaced as a unit with the first actuator during the remainder of the displacement of the first actuator. When the first and second signals assume a predetermined relationship as indicated by the comparison, displacement of the actuators is arrested and the proper aperture value is provided. In a camera having interchangeable lenses, the first actuator is disposed in the camera body so that none of the parts of the first signal generator need to be placed in the lens.

A light indicating the readiness of an electric flash unit is provided in the camera view finder at the same location as the other exposure value indicators. The flash readiness indicator light is preferably an LED and is located either among or immediately adjacent an LED array for indicating the shutter speed setting.

Indication device in the finder of a single-lens reflex camera

A film rewinding device in a camera in which depression of a sprocket shaft causes a clutch mechanism between a winding mechanism and a sprocket to be disengaged. This action causes a locking member to lock the sprocket shaft, to maintain the sprocket in rewinding state. The film rewinding device comprises a winding button linked to the sprocket shaft and appearing in a recess formed in an outer housing member of said camera. A bearing member is provided for the rewinding button and has a groove in the upper surface thereof. Hence, depression of said rewinding button to the depth of the groove in said bearing member will cause the sprocket shaft to be depressed to the disengagement position of the clutch mechanism provided between the winding mechanism and the sprocket. This maintains the clutch mechanism in a disengagement state by means of the locking member thereby to permit the film to be rewound.

Camera film rewinding device

In a camera having both a mechanical release and a motor drive release, the motor drive unit is provided with a cam which, when the motor drive unit is actuated, limits the movement of the mechanical release member to an amount sufficient only to trip a motor energizing switch without mechanically releasing the curtains. In this way, the same release lever can be used for both the mechanical and motor drive release operations.

Release device in a camera having a motor drive unit

A camera having an interchangeable finder with rails or rail grooves that is detachably mounted on a camera body by being moved back and forth. The camera body has rail grooves (or rails) engaging the interchangeable finder. A viscoelastic member and a resin member or a metal member are secured in combination to the interchangeable finder of the drawing type or the camera body. When the interchangeable finder of drawing type is mounted on the body, the resin member or the metal member abuts against the camera body or the interchangeable finder of drawing type to thereby establish an environmental seal.

Environmentally protected camera with an interchangeable drawing type

A continuous viscoelastic gasket 2 is compressively sandwiched between mating grooves and surfaces of a camera body 1 and a hinged rear cover 3 to tightly seal the film compartment against moisture and dust when the cover is closed. The interlocking pin 10 of the automatic film counter restoring mechanism is protectively disposed within the gasket perimeter and is engaged by a tab 9b extending inwardly from a reinforcing plate 9 mounted on the rear cover.

Moisture and dust proof sealing arrangement for camera body rear cover

A locking device is provided for preventing the mirror release until the completion of the winding operation. In its preferred embodiment, the locking device comprises a locking lever pivotally mounted on the end of the lower curtain release lever and engaging a cut in the mirror release pin to prevent the movement thereof until the lower curtain release lever pivots at the end of the winding operation.

Shutter release security device in motor drive camera

Full and minimum aperture information is transmitted to a camera body from an interchangeable lens by coding possible combinations of the two values into various discrete single values and transmitting the single value to a decoder in the camera body. For instance, a projection may be provided on the lens barrel having a height corresponding to a particular combination of full and minimum aperture values.

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Omiya, Japan

Fumio Urano