Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha

Tatsuro Izumi

Nobuyuki Taniguchi

Tokuji Ishida

Masatoshi Itoh

Masatake Niwa

Toshiaki Matsumoto

Hiroshi Ootsuka

Akihiko Fujino

Makoto Yanai

Norio Ishikawa

Hiroshi Hosomizu

Yukio Miki

Keiji Yamazaki

Masayuki Nakasa

Mamoru Katsuragi

Tetsuro Ohya

A mounting device on a camera has a mounting member to fit with an accessory so as to mount the accessory on the camera by sliding it. The mounting member which is molded out of plastic in one piece has eaves-like portions overhanging from an upper portion thereof in opposite directions intersecting perpendicularly to a mounting direction of the accessory, thus having a generally T-shaped cross section. The mounting member has a groove running in the mounting direction at a top central portion for receiving a projecting portion of the accessory so as to determine a horizontal (lateral) position of the accessory relative to the camera. The eaves-like portions receive mating members of the accessory thereunder so as to determine a vertical position of the accessory relative to the camera. The groove is narrower at the front end than at the back end where an insertion opening for the accessory mounting is provided, where the projecting portion of the accessory is similarly narrower at the front end from which the accessory is inserted into the groove.

Mounting devices for removably mounting an accessory on a camera

Mounting member for a camera accessory

Accessory shoe for a camera

A photographic information setting device for a camera of the present invention comprises mode switches for switching a first type exposure mode to a second type exposure mode, and vice versa. The changing rate for altering values relative to exposure in the first type mode is different from that in the second type mode. The changing rate of the second type mode is smaller than that of the first type mode. Values to be set in the second type mode contain values to be set in the first type mode. This device also comprises a microcomputer which shifts a value set under the second type mode to a value set under the first type mode when the second type mode is switched to the first type mode.

Photographic information setting device for a camera

A photographic information setting device for a camera according to the present invention includes a film speed reader which reads out a film speed value provided on a film container, a micro computer and three memories. A first memory is for storing a film speed value of a film in use, a second memory is for storing a film speed value of a film used immediately before the film in use, and a third memory is for storing a film speed value to be used in deciding an exposure value for a camera. The micro computer compares the film speed values in the first and second memories and, when the two values are the same, it controls in such a manner that the film speed value in the third memory may not be altered. On the other hand, when the two values are different, the micro computer controls in such a manner that the film speed value in the first memory may be stored in the second and third memories.

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

An exposure system for use in a camera includes a light emitting apparatus which is capable of selectively projecting a first type of light which flashes instantaneously with a predetermined light quantity and a second type of light which flashes for a prolonged period of time with a predetermined constant light intensity, and a selecting circuit for selecting the first type of light when a target object to be photographed is located a predetermined distance away from the camera, and the second type of light when the target object is located closer to the camera than the predetermined distance.

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.

Growing community of inventors

Osaka, Japan

Tatsuro Izumi