Flash synchronizing camera with mechanically and electrically timed shutter

Claim 2

In a camera having a focal plane shutter, means for controlling the shutter opening operation, first control means for electrically controlling the shutter closing operation and second control means for mechanically controlling the shutter closing operation with a predetermined delay from the shutter opening operation in place of said first control means at an inoperable condition of said first control means, the combination comprising: means changeable from a first to a second condition when a flash device is connected with said camera; switching means for causing said first controlling means to be in said inoperable condition with said changeable means in said second condition; whereby the shutter closing operation of said camera is controlled by said second control means when the cAmera is used with the flash device.

Claim 3

The camera as in claim 1, wherein said changeable means comprises a flash-synchronizing terminal socket provided on the camera and a movable member movable between first and second positions, said movable member being pushed from said first into second position by a flash-synchronizing plug of the flash device inserted into said flash-synchronizing terminal socket whereby the condition of said changeable means is changed from said first to second condition.

Claim 4

The camera as in claim 2, wherein said switching means comprises a normally closed switch connected in said first control means, said switch being opened with said movable member in said second position to render said first control means inoperable.

Claim 5

The camera as in claim 1, wherein said changeable means comprises an accessory shoe provided on the camera and a movable member movable between first and second positions, said movable member being pushed from said first into second position by the flash device mounted to said accessory shoe whereby the condition of said changeable means is changed from said first to said second condition.

Claim 6

The camera as in claim 4, wherein said switching means comprises a normally closed switch connected in said first control means, said switch being opened with said movable member in said second position to render said first control means inoperable.

Claim 7

The camera as in claim 1, wherein said changeable means comprises a flash-synchronizing terminal socket provided on the camera; an accessory shoe provided on the camera; first and second movable members movable between first and second positions respectively, said first and second movable members being pushed from first into second position by a flash-synchronizing plug of the flash device inserted into said flash-synchronizing terminal socket and the flash device mounted at said accessory shoe respectively, whereby the condition of said changeable means is changed from said first to said second condition with one of said first and second movable member in said second position.

Claim 8

The camera as in claim 6, wherein said switching means comprises a pair of terminals connected in said first control means; first and second normally closed switches connected in series with each other between said terminals, said first and second switches being opened with said first and second movable member in said second position respectively whereby an electrical circuit between said terminals is opened to render said first control means inoperable with one of said first and second switches opened.

Claim 9

A camera having a focal plane shutter; means for controlling the shutter opening operation; first control means for electrically controlling the shutter closing operation; and second control means for mechanically controlling the shutter closing operation with a predetermined delay from the shutter opening operation when detecting an inoperable condition of said first control means whereby serving as a substitute for the first control means; characterized in that: said camera further comprising: a light measuring circuit; a comparing circuit for comparing the output from said light measuring circuit and a predetermined signal level and having an effective and an ineffective condition, said comparing circuit being related to said first control means so as to cause the first control means to be in said inoperable condition with the output less than the predetermined constant level when the comparing circuit is in said effective condition; means changeable from a first to a second condition when a flash device is connected with said camera; and switching means for switching the condition of said comparing circuit from said ineffective condition into said effective condition with said changeable means in said second condition, whereby the shutter closing operation of said camera is controlled by said second control means when the camera is used with the flash device and the output from said lIght measuring circuit is less than said predetermined signal level.

Claim 10

A camera having a focal plane shutter; means for controlling the shutter opening operation; first control means for electrically controlling the shutter closing operation; and second control means for mechanically controlling the shutter closing operation with a predetermined delay from the shutter opening operation when detecting an inoperable condition of said first control means whereby serving as a substitute for the first control means; characterized in that: said camera further comprising: a light measuring circuit; a comparing circuit for comparing the output from said light measuring circuit and a predetermined signal level and having an effective and an ineffective condition, said comparing circuit being related to said first control means so as to cause the first control means to be in said inoperable condition with the output less than the predetermined constant level when the comparing circuit is in said effective condition; means changeable from a first to a second condition when a flash device is connected with said camera; and switching means for switching the condition of said comparing circuit from said ineffective condition into said effective condition with said changeable means in said second condition, whereby the shutter closing operation of said camera is controlled by said second control means when the camera is used with the flash device and the output from said lIght measuring circuit is less than said predetermined signal level.

Claim 11

The camera as in claim 8, wherein said changeable means comprises a flash-synchronizing terminal socket provided on the camera and a movable member movable between first and second positions, said movable member being pushed from said first into second position by a flash-synchronizing plug of the flash device inserted into said flash-synchronizing terminal socket whereby the condition of said changeable means is changed from said first to second position.

Claim 12

The camera as in claim 9, wherein said switching means comprises a change-over switch connected with said comparing circuit, said change-over switch being changed with said movable member in said second position to change the condition of said comparing circuit from an ineffective to an effective state.

Claim 13

The camera as in claim 8, wherein said changeable means comprises an accessory shoe provided on the camera and a movable member movable between first and second positions, said movable member being pushed from said first into said second position by the flash device mounted at said accessory shoe whereby the condition of said changeable means is changed from said first into second condition.

Claim 14

The camera as in claim 11, wherein said switching means comprises a change-over switch connected with said comparing circuit, said change-over switch being changed with said movable member in said second position to change the condition of said comparing circuit from ineffective into effective.

Claim 15

A camera having a focal plane shutter including leading and trailing screens moveable between cocked and discharged positions, light responsive electrical first timing means for releasing said trailing screen an interval following the release of said leading screen, mechanical timing means responsive to an inoperative state of said first timing means for releasing said trailing screen a predetermined interval following the release of said leading screen, means responsive to the coupling of a flash unit to said camera for disabling said first timing means so that the release of said trailing screen is controlled by said mechanical timing means when said flash unit is coupled to said camera, and means responsive to the light incident on said light responsive electrical first timing means exceeding a predetermined value for ineffectuating said disabling means.

Claim 16

A camera having a focal plane shutter including leading and trailing screens moveable between cocked and discharged positions, light responsive electrical first timing means for releasing said trailing screen an interval following the release of said leading screen, mechanical timing means responsive to an inoperative state of said first timing means for releasing said trailing screen a predetermined interval following the release of said leading screen, means responsive to the coupling of a flash unit to said camera for disabling said first timing means so that the release of said trailing screen is controlled by said mechanical timing means when said flash unit is coupled to said camera, and means responsive to the light incident on said light responsive electrical first timing means exceeding a predetermined value for ineffectuating said disabling means.

Claim 17

A camera having a focal plane shutter including leading and trailing screens moveable between cocked and discharged positions, light responsive electrical first timing means for releasing said trailing screen an interval following the release of said leading screen, mechanical timing means responsive to an inoperative state of said first timing means for releasing said trailing screen a predetermined interval following the release of said leading screen, means responsive to the coupling of a flash unit to said camera for disabling said first timing means so that the release of said trailing screen is controlled by said mechanical timing means when said flash unit is coupled to said camera, said first timing means comprising a current source and a switch connected in series between said current source and said first timing means, and said disabling means comprising means for opening said switch in response to the coupling of said flash unit to said camera.

Claim 18

A camera having a focal plane shutter including leading and trailing screens moveable between cocked and discharged positions, light responsive electrical first timing means for releasing said trailing screen an interval following the release of said leading screen, mechanical timing means responsive to an inoperative state of said first timing means for releasing said trailing screen a predetermined interval following the release of said leading screen, means responsive to the coupling of a flash unit to said camera for disabling said first timing means so that the release of said trailing screen is controlled by said mechanical timing means when said flash unit is coupled to said camera, said first timing means comprising a current source and a switch connected in series between said current source and said first timing means, and said disabling means comprising means for opening said switch in response to the coupling of said flash unit to said camera.