a photographic camera having a focal plane shutter is provided with a data recording device for recording on the film the photographing date or the like . the data recording device consists of a data carrier carrying thereon data representing characters which is operable from outside of the camera to select the data to be recorded , a light source for illuminating the data carrier , and an optical system for projecting an image of the data representing characters onto the film . the optical system includes a light reflecting prism which reflects the light from the data carrier toward the film . the prism is inserted into the optical path of the objective of the camera between the focal plane shutter and the film only when the data recording device is operated . with this arrangement , the data can be recorded while the shutter is closed , and accordingly , the quality of the image of the data recorded is not affected by the shutter speed .