Focal-Plane Shutter for Camera and Digital Camera equipped therewith

A focal plane shutter for a camera having driving means for a leading blade, structured from a first driving member for the leading blade for driving a leading blade group in the direction of closing an exposure opening, through rotation by a biasing force of a set spring, and a second driving member for the leading blade, for driving the leading blade group in the direction of opening the exposure opening, through pushing the first driving member for the leading blade against the biasing force of the set spring through rotation through a biasing force of a driving spring for the leading blade, and comprising a switching mechanism for switching between imaging in a normally open system wherein the image frame is open during standby after an exposing operation or to a normally closed system wherein the image frame is closed during standby after an exposing operation, through switching between stopping, or releasing the stop, of rotation in the direction of closing the exposure opening by the leading blade through the first driving member for the leading blade wherein:

• the switching mechanism comprises:
• an electromagnet wherein an electric current is applied in only a single direction;
• and a stopping member having an engaging portion able to lock an engaged portion that is provided in the first driving member for the leading edge, and an operating portion wherein the direction of a force, in relation to an electromagnet, switches, in accordance with the switching of the application or removal of an electric current in the single direction to the electromagnet, so as to move the engaging portion to a position wherein it is able to release locking of the engaged portion when the electric current is applied and to move the engaging portion to a position wherein it can lock the engaged portion when the electric current is removed, wherein:
• after an exposing operation and prior to a standby operation, the rotation of the first driving member for the leading blade in the direction wherein the leading blade closes the exposure opening is switched between being stopped, and the stop being released, depending on the locking, or the release of the locking, of the engaged portion by the engaging portion.