Reflex shutter

In a photographic camera having a housing bearing an objective lens, a view finder and a film plane within the housing disposed on the optical path through the lens:

• shutter means for momentarily exposing the film plane to a light image from the lens and comprising;
• an arcuate, stationary shutter plate having an aperture therethrough aligned with the optical path, the arcuate shutter plate having a generally concave surface confronting the film plane and a generally convex surface confronting the objective lens;
• a mirror support bearing a mirror and mounted to the housing and swingable along but spaced from the generally concave surface of the arcuate shutter plate between cocked and uncocked positions, the mirror support in its cocked position positioning the mirror between the aperture and the film plane to mask the film plane from the lens, and the mirror in its uncocked position exposing the film plane to a light image through the aperture;
• an arcuate masking plate mounted to the housing and having an inner, generally concave surface confronting the exterior, generally convex surface of the shutter plate, the masking plate being swingable between a cocked position out of alignment with the optical path and an uncocked position masking the aperture from the lens;
• and
• means for sequentially releasing the mirror support and masking plate from their cocked positions to their uncocked positions, respectively, said movement of the mirror support exposing the film plane to a light image to initiate a film exposure, such subsequent movement of the masking plate masking the aperture from the lens to complete such exposure.