Patent GB-1091346-A (GB)
Title: Photographic camera or cine-camera
IPC: G03B7/00
Filed: 1965-02-04
Abstract: 1,091,346. Photographic magazine cameras with built in exposure meters. AGFA A.G. Feb.4, 1965 [Feb.12, 1964], No.4971/65. Heading G2A. In a photographic or cinematographic camera for use with film cartridges or cassettes and having a built in exposure meter, means are provided for rendering inoperative when no cartridge is present the exposure meter and/or the exposure value setting mechanism controlled thereby, and/or means are provided for indicating the absence of a cartridge to the user, the means present being rendered inoperative when a cartridge or cassette is inserted into the camera. Fig. 1 shows an embodiment provided with a warning signal only. A feeler 7 projects into a film compartment 3, the feeler being indirectly connected with a lever 13 which lever is held in contact with a stop 18 when there is no cartridge in the compartment 3. In this position, a vane 15 lies in front of an aperture 25, the vane being opaque or transparent and coloured and an image thereof appearing in the view-finder ray path A-B to indicate the absence of a cartridge. Insertion of a cartridge 2 displaces the feeler 7 which rotates the lever 13 so that neither vane 15 or 16 obscures the aperture 25 and the user can see either this aperture or a transparent coloured marker 21 which indicates insufficient light. The cartridge has a control portion 5 set to indicate the film sensitivity, which control portion causes the feeler 7 to be displaced. A sensitivity below the range of that for which the exposure metering mechanism can be corrected does not cause the vane 15 to be displaced from in front of the aperture 25. A sensitivity above the range causes the vane 16 to be displaced so as to be in front of the aperture 25, an image of which vane is seen in the view-finder. In another embodiment Fig. 2 (not shown) an index carrier (47) has two alternative coloured transparent index markers (49), (50) which can be rendered visible in the optical path (C-D). One marker, (50), indicates that it is possible to make a correct exposure and the other warns against making an exposure. When the camera is not loaded with a cartridge, an arm (59a) of a control element (52) prevents movement of a jaw (34), which may be coupled with a camera release locking device, and hence prevents pivoting of a member (39) which sets the shutter speed and/or diaphragm. A control portion may be provided on a film cartridge (55), an arm (59b) of the element (52) blocking movement of the jaw if the film sensitivity is above the range for which the camera can be adjusted. In the embodiment of Fig. 3 (not shown), absence of a cartridge causes an apertured slide (69) to block a honeycomb lens (70). Hence a photo-electric cell (71) is not energized and the exposure meter not actuated. The cartridge possesses a control portion (77) which indicates the film sensitivity, if this is too low the slide does not move when the cartridge is inserted and if this is too high the slide moves a distance equal to double the width of an aperture (72) so that the apertures (72) again coincide with bridge portions (74) of the lens (70). In the embodiments of Figs. 5, 6 (not shown) the exposure meters are rendered inoperative when no cartridge is present, or when film of inappropriate sensitivity is provided, by means of a feeler (83) which short circuits a moving coil galvanometer, or by means of a fixed contact strip (103) and a moving wiper contact (104) connected to an electrically conductive feeler (105) respectively. The embodiments of Figs.1,3-6 may be employed in cameras in which the needle of the moving coil galvanometer co-operates with an exploring device for the purpose of automatically setting the shutter speed and/or the diaphragm, or in which the moving coil galvanometer sets the diaphragm blades directly.