a focal - plane shutter for a camera has a base plate having a shutter opening and which is connectable to a body of the camera having a rear cover which can be opened and closed during a film replacement operation . the focal - plane shutter has an opening sector group having sectors for undergoing opening movement in an operational state to open the shutter opening during a shutter release operation , and a closing sector group having sectors for undergoing closing movement in an operational state to close the shutter opening during the shutter release operation . a control device controls the opening sector group and the closing sector group to open and close the shutter opening , respectively . a holding device holds the closing sector group at a nonoperational position during an opening state of the rear cover of the camera and releases the hold of the closing sector group in the nonoperational position during a closing state of the rear cover of the camera . a locking lever prevents opening of the rear cover before setting of the shutter .