JP2005326451A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus in which parallax between the optical axis of an imaging optical system and the flashing direction of a stroboscope is corrected, then, the flash light of the stroboscope is always emitted toward the center of an object. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus is provided with: the imaging optical system for image-forming the optical image of the object in an imaging device; a light emitting part for emitting the flash light in a direction nearly orthogonal to the direction of the object; and a reflecting member for reflecting the flash light and projecting the light toward the object, and the reflecting member is freely turnably journaled and is turned in accordance with the focusing operation of the imaging optical system, and when reflecting the flash light emitted from the light emitting part by the reflecting member, the reflection angle of the flash light emitted from the light emitting part is made variable. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus including a light emitting unit that emits flash light in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction of a subject, and a reflection member that reflects the flash light and irradiates the subject.

  In cameras and digital cameras using conventional silver salt films, the optical axis of the imaging optical system that reaches the imaging plane from the subject is formed in a straight line. For this reason, a lens barrel provided with an imaging optical system protrudes from the camera body at the time of shooting, and is inconvenient at the time of carrying when not shooting, so that the type of retracting the lens barrel is common. Further, when the imaging optical system is a zoom lens, a multistage lens barrel is used to reduce the lens barrel.

  In addition, the optical axis of the imaging optical system is arranged in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the subject, and the recording medium is arranged in accordance with this, and the optical path is reflected at right angles by a prism or a reflecting mirror, thereby reducing the thickness. The illustrated imaging device is disclosed in Patent Literature (see Patent Literature 1, Patent Literature 2, and Patent Literature 3).

Furthermore, an image pickup apparatus in which a strobe light emitting unit (hereinafter referred to as a light emitting unit) is arranged in the same posture as the image pickup optical system, and flash light emitted from the light emitting unit is reflected at a right angle by a reflecting mirror to irradiate the subject. It is disclosed in Patent Literature (see Patent Literature 1).
JP 2000-19614 A JP 9-2111287 A JP 2003-262907 A

  In conventional cameras in which the optical axes of imaging optical systems are formed in a straight line, the light emitting unit pops up during flash photography, but after the pop-up, the light emitting unit is stationary without moving. Also in Patent Document 1, the reflecting mirror is rotated to stand up and fall, but the light emitting portion is stationary while facing upward.

  On the other hand, since the light emitting unit is arranged as far as possible from the imaging optical system to prevent red-eye, the center of the irradiation light from the light emitting unit is shifted from the optical axis of the imaging optical system when the shooting distance is short. A so-called parallax occurs. As a result, there arises a problem that when the shooting distance is a short distance, the light distribution differs between the top and bottom of the shooting screen. Therefore, it is desirable to change the irradiation direction from the light emitting unit according to the shooting distance and always irradiate in the direction of the subject. However, the light is emitted so as to emit a flash in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction of the subject. It was found that the parallax can be easily corrected by various methods by arranging the portions.

  In addition, when the imaging optical system is a zoom lens, it is desirable that the light emitting unit is also a zoom strobe whose irradiation angle varies according to the focal length. However, like the conventional light emitting unit, the light emitting unit is always directed toward the subject. On the other hand, the thickness of the image pickup apparatus is increased by the zoom strobe, which hinders carrying. However, if the light emitting unit is arranged so as to emit a flash in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the subject, it becomes easy to incorporate a zoom strobe while keeping the thickness of the imaging device thin.

  Similarly, if a reflecting mirror is provided and the reflectivity of the reflecting mirror is made variable, an auto strobe that achieves proper exposure regardless of the shooting distance can be realized with the aperture kept constant. If it is moved away from the imaging optical system, it will be more useful for preventing red eyes.

  As described above, the light emitting unit that emits the flash is arranged in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction of the subject, and the reflection member that reflects the flash and irradiates the subject is provided. An imaging apparatus having a new configuration and effect that are not provided in the imaging apparatus can be realized.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and includes an imaging unit including a light emitting unit that emits a flash in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction of the subject, and a reflecting member that reflects the flash and irradiates the subject. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image pickup apparatus that can easily perform parallax correction, zoom strobe, auto strobe, and red-eye countermeasure at a short distance.

The above object is achieved by the following means.
(1) An imaging optical system that forms an optical image of a subject on an imaging device, a light emitting unit that emits flash light in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction of the subject, and a reflecting member that reflects the flash light and irradiates the subject The reflection member is pivotally supported, and the reflection member is rotated in accordance with the focusing operation of the imaging optical system, and flash light emitted from the light emitting unit is reflected by the reflection member. An imaging apparatus characterized by varying a reflection angle at the time.
(2) An imaging optical system that forms an optical image of a subject on an imaging device, a light emitting unit that emits flash light in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction of the subject, and a reflecting member that reflects the flash light and irradiates the subject The light emitting unit is pivotally supported so that the light emitting unit is rotated according to the focusing operation of the imaging optical system, and the flash emitted from the light emitting unit is reflected by the reflecting member. An imaging apparatus characterized by varying a reflection angle at the time.
(3) An imaging optical system that forms an optical image of a subject on an imaging device, a light emitting unit that emits flash light in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction of the subject, and a reflective member that reflects the flash light and irradiates the subject And a prism that deflects flash light emitted from the light emitting unit is detachably provided between the light emitting unit and the reflecting member, and the prism is inserted and removed according to the focusing operation of the imaging optical system. An imaging apparatus characterized by that.
(4) An imaging optical system that includes a zoom lens and forms an optical image of a subject on an imaging device, a light emitting unit that emits flash light in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the subject, and reflects the flash light toward the subject. A reflecting member that irradiates, an optical member is disposed between the light emitting unit and the reflecting member, and at least one of the light emitting unit or the optical member is disposed in accordance with a zooming operation of the imaging optical system. An image pickup apparatus that is moved to vary a distance between the light emitting unit and the optical member.
(5) An imaging optical system that includes a zoom lens and forms an optical image of a subject on an imaging device, a light emitting unit that emits flash in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the subject, and reflects the flash toward the subject. A reflecting member that irradiates, the reflecting surface of the reflecting member is formed into a curved surface, the light emitting unit is moved in accordance with a zooming operation of the imaging optical system, and an interval between the light emitting unit and the reflecting member is set. An imaging apparatus characterized by being variable.
(6) An imaging optical system that forms an optical image of a subject on an imaging device, a light emitting unit that emits flash light in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the subject, and a reflecting member that reflects the flash light and irradiates the subject. An imaging apparatus, wherein the reflectance of the reflecting member is variably configured, and the reflectance of the reflecting member is varied according to a focusing operation of the imaging optical system.
(7) An imaging optical system that forms an optical image of a subject on an imaging device, a light emitting unit that emits flash light in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction of the subject, and a reflective member that reflects the flash light and irradiates the subject And an imaging apparatus wherein the reflecting member can be moved away from the imaging optical system when performing flash photography.

  According to the imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, 14 and 15, since the flashing direction of the strobe is made variable according to the focusing operation of the imaging optical system, the optical axis of the imaging optical system and the flashing direction of the strobe The parallax is corrected, and the flash of the strobe is always directed toward the center of the subject. In particular, the effect is large because the parallax is large during macro photography.

  According to the image pickup apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 9, 14, and 15, the zooming operation of the image pickup optical system, that is, the irradiation angle of the flash light from the light emitting unit is made variable according to the change in the angle of view of the image pickup optical system. As a result, the flash from the light emitting unit is not unnecessarily irradiated outside the photographing screen, and as a result, the total light amount does not decrease.

  According to the imaging device of the tenth, eleventh, fourteenth and fifteenth aspects, since the flash quantity of the stroboscope to be irradiated is made variable in accordance with the focusing operation of the imaging optical system, the flash quantity emitted from the light emitting unit. Even if the aperture value is constant and the aperture value of the aperture provided in the imaging optical system is constant, the exposure is always appropriate regardless of the shooting distance.

  According to the imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 15, since the center of the flash light applied to the subject is further away from the optical axis of the imaging optical system when the red-eye reduction mode is set, the person is placed in a dark place or a short distance. Red eyes are less likely to occur when shooting with.

  Hereinafter, seven embodiments relating to the imaging apparatus of the present invention will be described.

[First Embodiment]
A first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a flash emission unit and the like when flash photography is not performed, FIG. 2A is a longitudinal sectional view of a flash emission unit and the like when performing flash photography at a long distance, and FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a strobe light emitting unit or the like when performing flash photography at a distance.

  1 and 2, the imaging optical system L is held by a lens barrel T, and a light image of a subject located on the left side of the figure is formed on an imaging element C composed of a CCD or the like by the imaging optical system L. The lens barrel T is retracted as shown in FIG. 1 during non-photographing, and is extended as shown in FIG. 2 during photographing.

  Reference numeral 11 denotes a strobe light emitting unit (hereinafter referred to as a light emitting unit), which includes a light emitting tube 11a and a reflector 11b, and a direction orthogonal to the direction of the subject (the figure is upward, but it may be lateral). Facing. Reference numeral 12 denotes a reflecting member, which is rotatable about the support shaft 13, but is lying substantially horizontally as shown in FIG. The reflecting member 12 has a reflecting surface 12a, and the reflecting member 12 may be a two-part mounted with a reflecting mirror having the reflecting surface 12a, or a single part in which the reflecting surface 12a is directly formed by vapor deposition or the like. It may be.

  When the flash photography is not performed, the reflecting member 12 is lying down substantially horizontally as shown in FIG. 1 to cover and protect the internal light emitting portion 11 and the like.

  On the other hand, when performing flash photography, the reflecting member 12 is held by hand and is raised in a state inclined at an angle of about 45 degrees as shown in FIG.

  When the reflecting member 12 is tilted, a tumbler spring is provided to urge the reflecting member 12 in both the lying direction and the standing direction, although there is a dead point between the lying state and the standing state. desirable. However, the reflecting member 12 is urged only in the lying direction by a spring and locked by a click spring or the like in the standing state, or conversely, the reflecting member 12 is urged only in the standing direction by a spring and is engaged by the click spring or the like in the lying state. You may stop it.

  Further, the reflecting member 12 may be configured to fall down and stand up electrically. In this case, it is desirable that the reflection member 12 is automatically rotated and raised when a main switch (not shown) is turned on, and the reflection member 12 is automatically rotated and collapsed when the main switch is turned off.

  In this way, after the reflecting member 12 is erected, the reflecting member 12 rotates in conjunction with the focusing of the imaging optical system L. That is, when the imaging optical system L is focused on a subject at a long distance, the reflecting member 12 is inclined at an angle of about 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction as shown in FIG. When the system L is focused on a subject at a short distance, the reflecting member 12 rotates in the inclining direction and tilts at an angle smaller than 45 degrees as shown in FIG. Thereby, the flash of the strobe emitted from the light emitting unit 11 is reflected by the reflecting surface 12a of the reflecting member 12 and irradiated toward the subject located on the left side, but is reflected by the reflecting surface 12a at the time of shooting at a long distance. The reflection angle θ1 of the flashlight is approximately 45 degrees, but the reflection angle θ2 of the flashlight reflected by the reflection surface 12a is smaller than 45 degrees when photographing at a short distance.

  Therefore, the reflecting member 12 is rotated in conjunction with the focusing operation of the lens barrel T so that the subject focused by the imaging optical system L is irradiated with the center of the flash from the light emitting unit 11, and the reflection on the reflecting surface 12a is reflected. If the angle is varied, the parallax between the optical axis of the imaging optical system L and the flash direction of the strobe is corrected, and the flash of the strobe is always directed toward the center of the subject. The problem of different light distribution is eliminated.

  In particular, parallax is very large in macro photography of close-up photography of a flower or the like, and thus a great effect can be obtained with this configuration.

  The reflecting member 12 may be rotated after the focusing of the imaging optical system L is completed.

  Although the interlocking mechanism between the lens barrel T and the reflecting member 12 is omitted, as a mechanism for rotating the reflecting member 12 by moving the lens barrel T back and forth, a link mechanism or a cam is used. Various mechanisms suitable for the form of the individual imaging device can be employed.

[Second Embodiment]
A second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3A is a longitudinal sectional view of the flash emission unit and the like when performing flash photography at a long distance, and FIG. 3B is a longitudinal sectional view of the flash emission unit and the like when performing flash photography at a short distance.

  Since the configuration in which the lens barrel T having the imaging optical system L is advanced and retracted, the configuration in which the reflecting member 22 is rotated around the support shaft 23, and the imaging device C are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted. To do. Note that the reflection member 22 stands up at an inclination of about 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction during flash photography, and does not rotate in conjunction with focusing.

  Reference numeral 21 denotes a light emitting unit, which includes a light emitting tube 21a and a reflector 21b, and faces a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction of the subject (the figure is on the upper side but may be on the side). However, the light emitting unit 21 is configured to be rotatable about a support shaft 24.

  After raising the reflecting member 22, the light emitting unit 21 rotates in conjunction with the focusing of the imaging optical system L. That is, when the imaging optical system L is focused on a subject at a long distance, the light emitting unit 21 faces directly upward as shown in FIG. 3A, but the imaging optical system L is focused on a subject at a short distance. When in-focus, the light emitting unit 21 rotates clockwise as shown in FIG. Thereby, the flash of the strobe emitted from the light emitting unit 21 is reflected by the reflecting surface 22a of the reflecting member 22 and irradiated toward the subject located on the left side, but is reflected by the reflecting member 22 at the time of photographing at a long distance. The reflection angle θ1 of the flashlight is approximately 45 degrees, but the reflection angle θ2 of the flashlight reflected by the reflecting member 22 is smaller than 45 degrees when photographing at a short distance.

  Therefore, the light emitting unit 21 is rotated in conjunction with the focusing operation of the lens barrel T so that the subject focused by the imaging optical system L is irradiated with the center of the flash from the light emitting unit 21, and the reflection surface 22a is rotated. If the reflection angle is made variable, the parallax between the optical axis of the imaging optical system L and the flash direction of the strobe is corrected, and the flash of the strobe is always directed toward the center of the subject. Problems such as the difference in light distribution between the top and bottom are eliminated.

  The light emitting unit 21 may be rotated after the focusing of the imaging optical system L is completed.

  Although the interlocking mechanism between the lens barrel T and the light emitting unit 21 is omitted, as a mechanism for rotating the light emitting unit 21 by moving the lens barrel T back and forth, a link mechanism or a cam is used. Various mechanisms suitable for the form of the individual imaging device can be employed.

[Third Embodiment]
A third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4A is a longitudinal sectional view of the flash emission unit and the like when performing flash photography at a long distance, and FIG. 4B is a longitudinal sectional view of the flash emission unit and the like when performing flash photography at a short distance.

  Since the configuration in which the lens barrel T having the imaging optical system L is advanced and retracted, the configuration in which the reflecting member 32 is rotated around the support shaft 33, and the imaging device C are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. To do. Note that the reflection member 32 stands up at an inclination of about 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction and does not rotate during flash photography.

  Reference numeral 31 denotes a light emitting unit, which includes an arc tube 31a and a reflector 31b, and faces a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the subject (the figure is on the upper side but may be on the side). Further, a prism 34 is detachably disposed at a position where the flash light path from the light emitting unit 31 is not formed between the light emitting unit 31 and the reflecting member 32.

  After the reflecting member 32 is erected, the prism 34 is inserted / removed in conjunction with the focusing of the imaging optical system L. That is, when the imaging optical system L is focused on a subject farther than a predetermined distance, the prism 34 is retracted as shown in FIG. 4A, but the imaging optical system L is closer than the predetermined distance. When focusing on a subject at a distance, the prism 34 is inserted between the light emitting unit 31 and the reflecting member 32 as shown in FIG. Accordingly, since the prism 34 is retracted at the time of photographing at a long distance, the flash of the strobe emitted from the light emitting unit 21 is reflected by the reflection surface 32a at the reflection angle θ1 of about 45 degrees, but at the time of photographing at a short distance, the prism 34 is reflected. Is inserted, the flash of the strobe emitted from the light emitting unit 21 is refracted to the right in the drawing, and the reflection angle θ2 of the flash reflected by the reflecting surface 32a is smaller than 45 degrees.

  Therefore, if the angle of the prism 34 is set so that the center of the flash from the light emitting unit 21 is irradiated at a predetermined short distance, and the prism 34 is inserted and removed in conjunction with the focusing operation of the lens barrel T. The problem is that the reflection angle at the reflecting surface 32a is variable, the parallax at a short distance is corrected, and the amount of light distribution is different between the top and bottom of the shooting screen.

  The prism 34 may be inserted / removed after the focusing of the imaging optical system L is completed.

  Although the interlocking mechanism between the lens barrel T and the prism 34 is omitted, as a mechanism for inserting and removing the light emitting unit 21 by moving the lens barrel T forward and backward, a link mechanism or a cam is used. Various mechanisms suitable for the form of each imaging device can be employed.

[Fourth Embodiment]
A fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5A is a longitudinal sectional view of a strobe light emitting unit and the like when the zoom lens is set to a wide angle and flash photography is performed, and FIG. 5B is a strobe light emission unit when the zoom lens is set to telephoto and flash photography is performed. FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the imaging optical system L is a zoom lens, which is different from the above-described embodiment. However, the configuration in which the lens barrel T having the imaging optical system L is advanced and retracted, the configuration in which the reflecting member 42 is rotated around the support shaft 43, and the imaging device C are the same as those in the first embodiment. Is omitted. Note that, during flash photography, the reflecting member 42 stands up at an inclination of approximately 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction and does not rotate.

  Reference numeral 41 denotes a light emitting unit, which includes an arc tube 41a and a reflector 41b, and faces a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction of the subject (the figure is on the upper side but may be on the side). An optical member 44 is disposed between the light emitting unit 41 and the reflecting member 42 at a position where the flash light path from the light emitting unit 41 is not formed so that the optical axis coincides with the center of the flash. The optical member 44 is preferably a convex lens and is preferably a Fresnel lens in order to be thin.

  When the imaging optical system L is zoomed to the wide-angle side as shown in FIG. 5A, the optical member 44 is positioned in the vicinity of the light emitting portion 41, and the flash of the light emitting portion 41 is not collected by the optical member 44 so much. The light is reflected by the reflecting surface 42a and irradiated toward the subject. On the other hand, when the image pickup optical system L is zoomed to the telephoto side, the optical member 44 is separated from the light emitting unit 41, and the flash light of the light emitting unit 41 is condensed by the optical member 44 and the irradiation angle is narrowed, and then the reflecting surface 42a. Is reflected toward the subject and irradiated.

  As described above, since the zooming operation of the imaging optical system, that is, the irradiation angle of the flash light from the light emitting unit 41 can be varied corresponding to the angle of view of the imaging optical system L, the flash of the light emitting unit 41 is outside the shooting screen. Therefore, even if the angle of view of the imaging optical system L changes, an appropriate irradiation angle corresponding to the angle of view can be maintained.

  Although the interlocking mechanism between the lens barrel T and the optical member 44 is omitted, as a mechanism for moving the optical member 44 forward and backward by moving the lens barrel T forward and backward, a link mechanism or a cam is used. Various mechanisms suitable for the form of each imaging device can be employed.

  In the above embodiment, the light emitting unit 41 is fixed and the optical member 44 is advanced and retracted. However, the optical member 44 may be fixed and the light emitting unit 41 may be advanced and retracted. Both of 44 may be advanced and retracted.

  With the above configuration, when the zoom ratio of the image pickup optical system L is large, the optical member 44 and the light emitting unit 41 need to be separated greatly during telephoto, but these are arranged in the vertical direction of the image pickup apparatus. Therefore, there is a sufficient margin and unlike the conventional method, there is no restriction due to the thickness of the imaging device.

[Fifth Embodiment]
A fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6A is a longitudinal sectional view of a flash light emission unit and the like when the zoom lens is set to a wide angle and flash photography is performed, and FIG. 6B is a flash light emission unit when the zoom lens is set to telephoto and flash photography is performed. FIG.

  Since this embodiment is similar to the fourth embodiment, only the differences will be described.

  In the present embodiment, the optical member 44 is not provided, and the reflective surface 52a of the reflective member 52 is formed into a curved surface, that is, a convex surface. And the light emission part 51 which has the arc_tube | light_emitting_tube 51a and the reflector 51b is advanced / retreated with respect to the reflection member 52 rotated centering on the spindle 53. FIG.

  When the imaging optical system L is zoomed to a wide angle as shown in FIG. 6A, the distance between the light emitting portion 51 and the reflecting member 52 is narrowed, and the flash of the light emitting portion 51 is collected on the reflecting surface 52a of the reflecting member 52. Light is reflected and reflected toward the subject. On the other hand, when the imaging optical system L is zoomed to the telephoto position, the distance between the light emitting unit 51 and the reflecting member 52 is increased, and the flash of the light emitting unit 51 is further condensed by the reflecting surface 52a of the reflecting member 52, and the irradiation angle is narrowed. And is reflected toward the subject.

[Sixth Embodiment]
A sixth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of a strobe light emitting unit and the like when performing flash photography.

  The structure in which the lens barrel T having the imaging optical system L is advanced and retracted, the structure of the light emitting unit 61 having the light emitting tube 61a and the reflector 61b, the structure in which the reflecting member 62 rotates around the support shaft 63, and the image sensor C are Since it is the same as that of 1st Embodiment, description is abbreviate | omitted. It should be noted that the reflecting member 62 does not stand up and rotate at an inclination of about 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction during flash photography.

  The reflective member 62 has a liquid crystal plate 64 disposed on the reflective surface 62a. The transmittance of the liquid crystal plate 64 varies according to the focusing operation of the imaging optical system L. That is, when the imaging optical system L is focused on a subject at a long distance, the transmittance of the liquid crystal plate 64 increases, and when the imaging optical system L is focused on a subject at a short distance, the liquid crystal plate 64 Transmittance decreases.

  Further, instead of the liquid crystal plate 64, an EC gel (electrochromic gel) whose reflectance is changed by controlling the voltage may be used.

  As a result, even if the amount of flash from the light emitting unit 61 is constant and the aperture value of an aperture (not shown) provided in the imaging optical system is constant, the amount of flash applied to a subject at a long distance increases. Since the amount of flash applied to a subject at a short distance is reduced, the exposure is always appropriate regardless of the shooting distance.

[Seventh Embodiment]
A seventh embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 8A is a longitudinal sectional view of the strobe light emitting unit and the like when performing normal flash photography, and FIG. 8B is a longitudinal sectional view of the strobe light emitting unit and the like when performing flash photography in the red-eye reduction mode.

  First, a configuration in which the lens barrel T having the imaging optical system L advances and retreats, a configuration of the light emitting unit 71 having the light emitting tube 71a and the reflector 71b, a configuration in which the reflecting member 72 rotates around the support shaft 73, and an imaging device Since C is the same as in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  At the time of normal flash photographing, as shown in FIG. 8A, photographing is performed with the reflecting member 72 tilted and erected at an angle of about 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction. At this time, any configuration from the first embodiment to the sixth embodiment may be taken into consideration.

  On the other hand, when a person is flash-photographed at a short distance or in a dark place and red-eye is likely to occur, an operation (not shown) is performed to set the red-eye reduction mode so that the support shaft 73 as shown in FIG. The hook of the column 74 is released, the column 74 is raised by a spring (not shown), and the reflecting member 72 is also raised. That is, the reflecting member 72 is further away from the light emitting unit 71 and the imaging optical system L.

  In addition, what is necessary is just to push the reflective member 72 by hand to return to the state of FIG. 8 (A) from the state of FIG. 8 (B). Further, the reciprocating operation between the state shown in FIG. 8A and the state shown in FIG. 8B may be performed electrically.

  As a result, the distance between the center of the flash light irradiated by the reflecting surface 72a of the reflecting member 72 and the optical axis O of the imaging optical system L is farther from FIG. 8A in FIG. Become.

  When performing flash photography, the reflecting member 72 changes from the lying state as shown in FIG. 1 to the upright state shown in FIG. 8A, and then immediately enters the state shown in FIG. 8B regardless of the photographing mode. You may comprise as follows.

  Finally, in the seven embodiments described above, in the fourth to seventh embodiments, the optical axis of the imaging optical system L is set to the light emission direction of the flash light from the light emitting units 41 to 71. The image pickup device C is arranged in parallel with the image pickup element C, and a reflection member similar to the reflection members 42 to 72 is provided to reflect the light image of the subject with the reflection member, and then the image pickup optical system. An image may be formed on the image sensor C by L.

It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a strobe light emitting unit or the like when flash photography is not performed. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a strobe light emitting unit or the like when performing flash photography at a long distance or a short distance in the first embodiment. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a strobe light emitting unit or the like when performing flash photography at a long distance or a short distance in the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a strobe light emitting unit and the like when performing flash photography at a long distance or a short distance in the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of a strobe light emitting unit and the like when performing flash photography with a wide angle or telephoto set according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a strobe light emitting unit and the like when performing flash photography with a wide angle or telephoto set according to a fifth embodiment. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a strobe light emitting unit or the like when performing flash photography in the sixth embodiment. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a strobe light emitting unit or the like when performing normal flash photography or flash photography in red-eye reduction mode in the seventh embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

L Imaging optical system T Lens barrel C Imaging element 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71 Light emitting part (strobe light emitting part)
11a, 21a, 31a, 41a, 51a, 61a, 71a Arc tube 11b, 21b, 31b, 41b, 51b, 61b, 71b Reflector 12, 22, 32, 42, 52, 62, 72 Reflective member 12a, 22a, 32a , 42a, 52a, 62a, 72a Reflecting surface 13, 23, 24, 33, 43, 53, 63, 73 Support shaft 34 Prism 44 Optical member 64 Liquid crystal plate 74 Support column

Claims (15)

An imaging optical system that forms an optical image of a subject on an imaging device;
A light emitting unit that emits a flash in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the subject;
A reflective member that reflects the flash and irradiates the subject toward the subject,
The reflection member is pivotally supported, the reflection member is rotated according to the focusing operation of the imaging optical system, and the reflection angle when the flash emitted from the light emitting unit is reflected by the reflection member is determined. An imaging apparatus characterized by being variable. An imaging optical system that forms an optical image of a subject on an imaging device;
A light emitting unit that emits a flash in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the subject;
A reflective member that reflects the flash and irradiates the subject toward the subject,
The light emitting unit is pivotally supported, the light emitting unit is rotated in accordance with the focusing operation of the imaging optical system, and the reflection angle when the flash emitted from the light emitting unit is reflected by the reflecting member is set. An imaging apparatus characterized by being variable. When the shooting distance is long, the reflection angle of the flash reflected by the reflecting member is about 45 degrees, and when the shooting distance is short, the reflection angle of the flash reflected by the reflecting member is more than 45 degrees. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the angle is set to a small angle. An imaging optical system that forms an optical image of a subject on an imaging device;
A light emitting unit that emits a flash in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the subject;
A reflective member that reflects the flash and irradiates the subject toward the subject,
A prism for deflecting flash light emitted from the light emitting unit is provided detachably between the light emitting unit and the reflecting member, and the prism is inserted and removed according to a focusing operation of the imaging optical system. Imaging device. When the shooting distance is a long distance, the prism is removed and the reflection angle of the flash reflected by the reflecting member is set to about 45 degrees. When the shooting distance is a short distance, the prism is inserted and the reflecting member is inserted. The imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a reflection angle of the flashlight reflected at is set to an angle smaller than 45 degrees. An imaging optical system comprising a zoom lens and forming an optical image of a subject on an imaging device;
A light emitting unit that emits a flash in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the subject;
A reflective member that reflects the flash and irradiates the subject toward the subject,
An optical member is disposed between the light emitting unit and the reflecting member, and at least one of the light emitting unit or the optical member is moved in accordance with a zooming operation of the imaging optical system, and the light emitting unit and the optical unit are moved. An image pickup apparatus characterized in that an interval between members is variable. When the optical member is a convex lens, the distance between the light emitting unit and the optical member is reduced when zoomed to the wide-angle side, and the gap between the light emitting unit and the optical member is expanded when zoomed to the telephoto side. The imaging apparatus according to claim 6. An imaging optical system comprising a zoom lens and forming an optical image of a subject on an imaging device;
A light emitting unit that emits a flash in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the subject;
A reflective member that reflects the flash and irradiates the subject toward the subject,
An imaging apparatus characterized in that a reflecting surface of the reflecting member is formed into a curved surface, the light emitting unit is moved according to a scaling operation of the imaging optical system, and an interval between the light emitting unit and the reflecting member is varied. . The reflecting surface of the reflecting member is formed as a convex surface, and when the magnification is changed to the wide angle side, the interval between the light emitting portion and the reflecting member is reduced, and when the magnification is changed to the telephoto side, the light emitting portion and the reflecting member The imaging apparatus according to claim 8, wherein an interval between the imaging devices is enlarged. An imaging optical system that forms an optical image of a subject on an imaging device;
A light emitting unit that emits a flash in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the subject;
A reflective member that reflects the flash and irradiates the subject toward the subject,
An imaging apparatus, wherein the reflectance of the reflecting member is variably configured, and the reflectance of the reflecting member is varied according to a focusing operation of the imaging optical system. A liquid crystal plate is disposed on the reflecting surface of the reflecting member, and the transmittance of the liquid crystal plate is increased when the shooting distance is long, and the transmittance of the liquid crystal plate is reduced when the shooting distance is short. The imaging apparatus according to claim 10. An imaging optical system that forms an optical image of a subject on an imaging device;
A light emitting unit that emits a flash in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the subject;
A reflective member that reflects the flash and irradiates the subject toward the subject,
An imaging apparatus, wherein the reflecting member can be moved away from the imaging optical system when performing flash photography. 13. The imaging apparatus according to claim 12, wherein when the red-eye reduction flash photography is set, the reflecting member is moved in a direction away from the imaging optical system than when general flash photography is performed. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reflecting member is a reflecting mirror. 15. The reflection member according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the reflecting member lies down substantially horizontally when flash photography is not performed, and rotates and stands at an angle of approximately 45 degrees when flash photography is performed. The imaging device described in 1.

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