Camera

• US 4,666,275 A
• Filed: 06/11/1985
• Issued: 05/19/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/1984
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Tamamura, Hideo
• Primary Examiner(s): GRIFFIN, DONALD
• Application Number:
  US06/743,424
• Time in Patent Office: 707 Days
• Field of Search: 354/126, 354/202, 354/82, 354/145.1, 354/288, 354/410, 354/413, 354/414, 354/424, 354/434, 354/476
• US Class Current: 396/199
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/05 Combinations of cameras with electronic flash apparatus; Electronic flash units
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2215/0503 Built-in units
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 7/09908 on the camera or in the objective

Abstract

In the disclosed camera, an arrangement shifts the light detecting location of a light sensor facility from a first position offset from the camera'"'"'s optical axis to a second light detecting location offset from the axis and angularly displaced from the first position. In a specific embodiment, a mount, rotatable about an objective lens, shifts a light detector from below the lens to the side of the lens so that when the camera is turned from a horizontal to a vertical position, the light detector may still be located below the lens. Preferably, the mount also carries the flash emitter of a flash unit and a camera grip so they retain their positions when the camera is turned. Effectively, the light detector, the flash emitter, and the grip remain in position while the camera body is turned.

Claims

1. A camera comprising:

a camera body defining a light path having a phtographic optical axis;

light detecting means for detecting light striking the light detecting means; and

varying means for establishing, for said light detecting means, a first light detecting location axially offset from the photographic optical axis, and a second light detecting location offset from the photographic optical axis and angularly spaced about the photographic optical axis from the first light detecting location, wherein the varying means establishes the first light detecting location below the photographic optical axis when the camera body is held horizontally with the photographic optical axis horizontal, and establishes the second light detecting location also below the photographic optical axis when the camera body is held vertically with the photographic optical axis horizontal.

2. A camera as in claim 1, wherein the light detecting means includes a light detecting portion, and said varying means includes a mount for holding said light detecting portion and for moving said light detecting portion from one of said first and second light detecting locations to the other.

3. A camera as in claim 2, further comprising a flash unit having a flash emitter, said flash emitter being mounted on said mount for movement with said light detecting portin from a first flash position above the photographic optical axis when the photographic optical axis is horizontal and the body is horizontal, to a secodd flash position also above the photographic optical axis when the photographic optical axis is horizontal and the body is vertical.

4. A camera as in claim 3, further comprising a grip mounted on said mount for movement with the light detecting portion from a first grip position on one side of the photographic optical axis when the body is horizontal, to a second grip position on the same side of the photographic optical axis when the body is turned vertically.

5. A camera as in claim 4, wherein said mount is hollow and said light detecting means further includes connectors passing from said body to said light detecting portion through the mount.

6. A camera as in claim 5, wherein said mount is hollow, said flash unit includes a flash tube in said emitter and flash connectors, and said flash connectors pass through said mount from said body to sdid flash emitter.

7. A camera as in claim 6, when said mount is hollow, said grip includes battery circuitry and connectors, and said connectors pass through said mount from said battery circuitry to said body.

8. A camera as in claim 7, wherein said hollow mount includes a hollow ring and a plurality of hollow arms extending from the ring for holding said light detecting portion, said flash emitter and said grip, and said connectors pass through said hollow arms.

9. A camera as in claim 3, wherein said mount is hollow and said light detecting means further includes connectors passing from said body to said light detecting portion through the mount.

10. A camera as in claim 9, wherein said mount is hollow, said flash unit includes a flash tube in said emitter and flash connectors, and said flash connector pass through said mount from said body to said flash emitter.

11. A camera as in claim 10, when said mount is hollow, said grip includes battery circuitry and connectors, and said connectors pass through said mount from said battery circuitry to said body.

12. A camera as in claim 3, wherein said mount is hollow, said flash unit includes a flash tube in said emitter and flash connectors, and said flash connector pass through said mount from said body to said flash emitter.

13. A camera as in claim 12, when said mount is hollow, said grip includes battery circuitry and connectors, and said connectors pass through said mount from said battery circuitry to said body.

14. A camera as in claim 2, further comprising a grip mounted on said mount for movement with the light detecting portion from a first grip position on one side of the photographic optical axis when the body is horizontal, to a second grip position on the same side of the photographic optical axis when the body is turned vertically.

15. A camera as in claim 14, wherein said mount is hollow and said light detecting means further includes connectors passing from said body to said light detecting portion through the mount.

16. A camera as in claim 15, wherein said mount is hollow, said flash unit includes a flash tube in said emitter and flash connectors, and said flash connector pass through said mount from said body to said flash emitter.

17. A camera as in claim 16, when said mount is hollow, said grip includes battery circuitry and connectors, and said connectors pass through said mount from said battery circuitry to said body.

18. A camera as in claim 14, when said mount is hollow, said grip includes battery circuitry and connectors, and said connectors pass through said mount from said battery circuitry to said body.

19. A camera as in claim 2, wherein said mount is hollow and said light detecting means further includes connectors passing from said body to said light detecting portion through the mount.

20. A camera comprising:

(a) a photo-taking optical system;

(b) a shifting member capable of turning a camera body around said photo-taking optical system; and

(c) an attachment to said camera body arranged to be mounted on said shifting member, said attachment being arranged to have the original position thereof retained by said shifting member when said camera body is turned around said photo-taking optical system, wherein said attachment includes a photosensitive portion arranged to be allowed by said shifting member to be continuously in a position to receive light at a point below said photo-taking optical system.

21. A camera comprising:

(a) a photo-taking optical system;

(b) a shifting member capable of turning a camera body around said photo-taking optical system; and

(c) an attachment to said camera body arranged to be mounted on said shifting member, said attachment being arranged to have the original position thereof retained by said shifting member when said camera body is turned around said photo-taking optical system, wherein said shifting member is provided with a hollow part; and

said attachment includes a photosensitive portion which is allowed to have electrical connection through said hollow part.

22. A camera comprising:

(a) a photo-taking optical system;

(b) a shifting member capable of turning a camera body around said photo-taking optical system; and

(c) an attachment to said camera body arranged to be mounted on said shifting member, said attachment being arranged to have the original position thereof retained by said shifting member when said camera body is turned around said photo-taking optical system, wherein said shifting member is provided with a hollow part;

said attachment includes a grip part for holding said camera, a power supply circuit being arranged within said grip part; and

electrical connection with said power supply circuit is effected through said hollow part.