Camera utilizing additional illumination from a flash light for focus detection and exposure operation

A camera comprising:

• focus detecting means for performing a focus detection;
• auxiliary means for illuminating an object to emit light during focus detection so as to assist a focus detecting operation;
• charging means for charging an electric charge so that the auxiliary means emit light;
• judging means for judging during the focus detection whether or not light emission of the auxiliary means is necessary;
• and
• control means for controlling so that the charging means starts charging when it is necessary by said judging means.

A camera system comprising:

• focus detecting means for performing a focus detection;
• first flash light means incorporated in a camera body for illuminating an object to emit light during exposure operation;
• first auxiliary means incorporated in the camera body for illuminating an object to emit light during focus detection so as to assist a focus detecting operation;
• second flash light means provided separately from a camera body for illuminating an object to emit light during exposure operation;
• second auxiliary means provided separately from a camera body for illuminating an object to emit light during focus detection so as to assist a focus detecting operation;
• and
• control means for inhibiting light emission of the first flash light means or the first auxiliary means when the second flashlight means or the second auxiliary means is mounted on the camera body.

A camera comprising:

• a release member;
• outputting means for outputting a signal in response to an operation of the release member;
• means for carrying out a release operation in response to the output of the release signal;
• self-timer means operating in a self-timer mode, for delaying a start of the actual release operation for a predetermined time after the release signal is output;
• a flash light tube for illuminating an object to emit flash light both during the delayed time by the self-timer means and an exposure operation;
• first control means for activating the flash light tube to emit light during the delayed time in order to display that the self-timer means is operating;
• and
• second control means for activating the flash light tube to emit light when an additional illumination is needed for the exposure operation.

A camera system comprising:

• outputting means for outputting a signal to start a release operation;
• delaying means for delaying a start of actual release operation for a predetermined time after the starting signal is output;
• flash light means incorporated in a camera body for illuminating an object;
• first control means for activating the flash light means to emit light during the delayed time by the delaying means;
• second control means for activating the flash light means to emit light during an exposure operation;
• display means provided separately from a camera body for displaying that the release operation is being delayed by the delaying means;
• and
• inhibiting means for inhibiting light emission of the flash light means during the delayed time when the display means is mounted on the camera body.

A camera comprising:

• a release member;
• outputting means for outputting a release signal in response to an operation of the release member;
• means for carrying out a release operation in response to the output of the release signal;
• self-timer means, operating in a self-timer mode, for delaying a start of the release operation for a predetermined time after the release signal is output;
• light measuring means for measuring an object brightness;
• pop-up mechanism provided on a camera body;
• flash light tube provided on the pop-up mechanism for illuminating an object during an exposure operation;
• display means provided on the pop-up mechanism for displaying that the release operation is being delayed by the self-timer means;
• judging means for judging whether or not light emission of the flash light tube is necessary based on a light measurement result of the light measuring means;
• and
• control means for popping up the pop-up mechanism when the judging means judges that light emission of the flash light tube is necessary, and for activating the display means when delay of time is performed by the self-timer means.

A camera comprising:

• outputting means for outputting a signal to start a release operation;
• delaying means for delaying a start of actual release operation for a predetermined time after the starting signal is output;
• pop-up mechanism provided on a camera body;
• display means provided on the pop-up mechanism for displaying that the release operation is being delayed by the delaying means;
• mode setting means for setting two modes selectively, first mode to start release operation immediately after the starting signal is output and second mode to start release operation after the elapse of a predetermined time by the delaying means;
• and
• control means for popping up the pop-up mechanism when the second mode is set by the setting means and for activating the display means when delay of time is performed by the delaying means.

A camera comprising:

• focus detecting means for performing a focus detection;
• a release member;
• outputting means for outputting a release signal in response to an operation of the release member;
• means for carrying out a release operation in response to the output of the release signal;
• self-timer means, operating in a self-timer mode, for delaying a start of the release operation for a predetermined time after the release signal is output when a self-timer mode is selected;
• a flash light tube for illuminating an object to emit flash light during the focus detecting operation, the delayed time by the self-timer means and an exposure operation;
• first control means for activating the flash light tube to emit light when an additional illumination is needed for the focus detecting operation;
• second control means for activating the flash light tube to emit light during the delayed time in order to display that the self-timer means is operating;
• and
• third control means for activating the flash light tube to emit light when an additional illumination is needed for the exposure operation.