Camera with liquid crystal aperture control means

Claim 2

A camera with a liquid crystal aperture stop means characterized by a bias means which is adapted to maintain said liquid crystal aperture stop means normally at a first position, an arresting means which is adapted to retain said liquid crystal aperture stop means at a second position against said bias means, and a control means which is adapted to control said arresting means, whereby said crystal liquid aperture stop means can be selectively retracted away from the photographic optical system.

Claim 3

A camera with a liquid crystal aperture stop means as set forth in claim 1, wherein said control means is adapted to be actuated in response to the energization of an electronic flash device so that said liquid crystal aperture stop means can be retracted away from said photographic optical system when said electronic flash device is used.

Claim 4

A camera with a liquid crystal aperture stop means as set forth in claim 1, wherein said control means is adapted to be actuated in response to the output signal from a photoelectric transducer means which is incorporated in an automatic exposure control circuit for controlling said liquid crystal aperture stop means and which is adapted to detect the brightness of an object, whereby if the brightness of an object is less than a predetermined level, said liquid crystal aperture stop means is retracted away from said photographic optical system.

Claim 5

A camera with a liquid crystal aperture stop means as set forth in claim 1, wherein said stop means is adapted to be actuated in response to the output from a detection means which is incorporated in a "Flash Matic" means for controlling the setting of said liquid crystal aperture stop means and which is adapted to co-act with a photographic lens so as to detect the distance to an object in terms of the shift of said photographic lens, whereby if the shift of said photographic lens is less than a predetermined amount; that is, if the distance to an object is beyond a predetermined distance, said liquid crystal aperture stop means is retracted away from said photographic optical system.

Claim 6

A camera with a liquid crystal aperture stop means as set forth in claim 1, wherein said liquid crystal aperture stop means is outside of said photographic optical system when the former is placed and maintained in said first position, but in said second position, said liquid crystal aperture stop means is interposed in said photographic optical system.

Claim 7

A camera with a liquid crystal aperture stop means as set forth in claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein said crystal liquid aperture stop means includes a glass plate substrate and a group of electrodes which can be mechanically made into contact with output signal terminals, respectively, of a drive means for controlling said liquid crystal aperture stop means.