Patent ID: RE44278

Claim:
An image taking apparatus comprising: (i) a charge accumulation type image sensing element on which an optical image of an object image is formed; (ii) a shutter which adjusts an exposure time of said image sensing element; (iii) a quick return mirror which operates to an up state where input light is guided to said image sensing element and down state where input light is guided to a finder; and (iv) a controller which controls (a) when image sensing in a case where an image sensing process is started, said quick return mirror is placed in moved to the up state and the a stop is driven; subsequently, said image sensing element is cleared of electric charge and charge accumulation in said image sensing element is started; the then , said shutter is opened and exposure of said image sensing element begins is begun , and (b) when image sensing is complete in a case where the image sensing process is completed , said shutter is closed; subsequently, the stop is opened and said quick return mirror is placed in moved to the down state; then, it is determined whether or not a predetermined amount of charge accumulation time by said image sensing element has elapsed; subsequently, if it is determined that the predetermined amount of time has elapsed, charge accumulation of said image sensing element is completed and then a readout operation of electric charge signals from said image sensing element is carried out.