JP2769512B2 - Electric zoom camera - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electric zoom camera having a zoom lens driven by a motor, and more particularly, to an electric zoom camera that can set an arbitrary focal length of a zoom lens in advance and shoot an image. Related to zoom cameras.

[Conventional technology]

In the conventional electric zoom camera, a reversible motor for changing the focal length of the zoom lens is controlled by manual operation of a seesaw switch provided on the camera body,
When the subject image becomes an appropriate size while observing the viewfinder field of view, the seesaw switch is turned off to terminate the zooming operation.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

However, in the above-described conventional electric zoom camera, it is necessary to perform zooming while observing a change in the size of the subject image and confirm the composition. Therefore, it takes time to set the focal length of the lens to a desired imaging magnification, so that a shutter chance is missed, and there is a risk of taking a photograph contrary to the photographer's intention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an electric zoom camera that can set a photographing magnification in advance according to a subject, change the photographing magnification as intended by a photographer, and leave a photograph to a camera.

[Means for solving the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, in an electric zoom camera according to the present invention, a driving unit that drives an electric zoom mechanism; a detecting unit that can detect focal length information that changes according to a displacement of a zoom lens; Focal length selecting means for arbitrarily selecting the focal length information detected by;
A memory means for storing a plurality of pieces of focal length information selected by the focal length selecting means; an input means for inputting the focal length information to the memory means; and a memory input mode capable of inputting the focal length information to the memory means. Mode switching means; when the mode switching means is switched to the memory input mode, when the input means is operated, the focal length information is input to the memory means, and when the mode is not switched to the memory input mode, the input means is operated. A mode control unit for performing an operation related to a photographing operation; and stopping the operation of the drive receiving stage when the focal length information stored by the memory unit matches the focal length information of the zoom lens detected by the detection unit. And control means for automatic control. The input means includes an electric switch that is linked to the operation of the release button.

[Action]

When the electric zoom mechanism is driven by the driving means, the focal length of the zoom lens changes and the shooting magnification is changed,
The smooth lens barrel is displaced in accordance with the change in the focal length. The position of the lens barrel is detected by the detecting means and output as focal length information of the zoom lens. The focal length information is arbitrarily selected by the focal length selecting means in accordance with the photographing intention, and is stored in the memory means in advance. In photographing, the control unit stops the zoom lens when driven by the driving unit until the focal length information of the zoom lens detected by the detection unit matches the focal length information stored in the memory unit. Is controlled by

In this case, when the control unit is set to the zoom continuous shooting mode, a plurality of photographs having different photographing magnifications can be continuously performed by a single pressing operation of the release button. In addition, when the step zoom mode is set, a plurality of photographs with different photographing magnifications can be taken each time the release button is pressed once.

Only the focal length information selected by the input means is stored in the memory means. Further, the input means also serves as a release button, and by operating the release button, focal length information is sent to the memory means.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an operation control device of a camera showing an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a camera incorporating the operation control device of FIG. 1, and FIG. It is a perspective view.

1 to 3, a distance measuring circuit 2, a photometric circuit 3, an exposure control circuit 4, a motor driving circuit 5, and a focal length detecting circuit 6 are provided for a CPU 1 for controlling the sequence of the entire camera. It is connected. The motor drive circuit 5
Are connected to a focusing motor 7 for focus adjustment, a zooming motor 8 for power zoom, and a motor 9 for film winding. Further, a display circuit 12 that drives a memory circuit 10 and a liquid crystal display (LCD) 11 is connected to the CPU 1.

The distance measurement circuit 2 computes and outputs distance measurement information on the distance to the subject, and the photometry circuit 3 computes and outputs luminance information on the brightness of the subject. Further, the CPU 1 calculates a lens movement amount for focusing based on the distance measurement information from the distance measurement circuit 2, and controls the photographing lens 13 by focusing 7 via the motor drive circuit 5 according to the lens movement amount. Drive and perform focusing. Further, the CPU 1 drives and controls an exposure control member (not shown) via the exposure control circuit 4 based on the luminance information from the photometry circuit 3 to perform photographing, and winds up the film by the film winding motor 9 after exposure.

Also, the CPU 1 has a release button 14 of a shutter operation member.
First release switch linked to the operation of (see Fig. 2)
SW1 and the second release switch SW2 are connected. The first release switch SW1 is turned on when the release button 14 is half-pressed, and the second release switch SW2 is turned on when the release button 14 is fully pressed. The CPU 1 operates the distance measurement circuit 2 and the photometry circuit 3 by turning on the first release switch SW1.
Is operated, and the exposure control circuit 4 and the motor drive circuit 5 are operated in response to a release signal output when the second release switch SW2 is turned on.

Further, the CPU 1 has a zoom continuous shooting mode setting switch SW3.
Is connected. This zoom continuous shooting mode setting switch
SW3 is turned on in conjunction with the operation of the zoom continuous shooting mode setting button 15 shown in FIG. 2, and by turning on the zoom continuous shooting mode setting switch SW3, the CPU 1 sets the zoom continuous shooting mode and displays the display circuit 12 Is displayed on the liquid crystal display (LCD) 11 via the. When the first release switch SW1 and the second release switch SW2 are turned on after the zoom continuous shooting mode is set, the CPU 1 alternately performs the zoom driving of the photographing lens 13 and the photographing by the zooming motor 8 via the motor driving circuit 5. , So-called zoom continuous shooting in which images are sequentially taken at a plurality of predetermined focal lengths.

When the second release switch SW2 is turned off during the zoom continuous shooting, the CPU 1 stops the zoom continuous shooting mode. If the first release switch SW1 is turned off during zoom continuous shooting, the zoom continuous shooting mode is canceled if shooting of one frame has been completed.

The CPU 1 is further connected to a zoom-up switch SW4, a zoom-down switch SW5, and a memory switch SW6. Of these switches, switches SW4 and SW5
Turns on in conjunction with the operation of the seesaw-type theme operation button 16 (see FIG. 3) in which the neutral position of the zoom operation means is OFF, whereby the CPU 1 controls the zooming motor 8 via the motor driving circuit 5. Drive and shoot lens 13
Is zoomed up and down to an arbitrary predetermined focal length. The position of the taking lens 13 driven by the zoom motor 8 is detected by the focal length detection circuit 6. The memory switch SW6 is turned on in conjunction with the memory setting button 17 shown in FIG.

CPU1 is ON when memory switch SW6 is in continuous zoom mode
Then, the current focal length can be displayed on the liquid crystal display window 18 via the display circuit 12 and the liquid crystal display device 11 and all the memories in the memory circuit 10 can be cleared. Any predetermined focal length can be stored in memory. In this state, the CPU 1 turns on the zoom-up switch SW4 and the zoom-down switch SW5.
, The zooming motor 8 is driven via the motor driving circuit 5 to zoom up and down the photographing lens 13 to an arbitrary predetermined focal length. Further, by turning off the zoom-up switch SW4 and the zoom-down switch SW5 at the focal length desired by the photographer,
Stop zoom down drive. The CPU 1 can cause the memory circuit 10 to store the current focal length by turning on the first release switch SW1 via the release button 14. This operation is performed by the memory switch SW6
Can be operated in the same way until is turned on and the memory enabled state is canceled, and memories can be stored in the order of inputting multiple focal lengths.

Further, a step zoom mode switch SW7 is connected to the CPU1. The switch SW7 is turned on in conjunction with the step zoom mode setting button 19 shown in FIG. 2, and when the zoom up switch SW4 and the zoom down switch SWT5 are turned on in the step zoom mode state, the CPU 1 is set in a manner described later. The photographing lens 13 is gradually zoomed up and down to the set focal length position.

When the slide power switch 20 provided adjacent to the release button 14 is operated and turned off, the taking lens 13 sinks to a position slightly retracted from the wide (W) end, and also protects the front surface of the lens. The lens barrier (not shown) is closed.

Next, using the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 to 6, the CP
The control procedure of the normal shooting mode by U1 will be described.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the control means of the CPU 1 according to the operation of the release button in the normal photographing mode. In FIG. 4, when the first release switch SW1 is first turned on by half-pressing the release button 14, the photometric information from the photometric circuit 3 and the ranging information from the ranging circuit 2 are read (step S1). Next, it is determined whether or not the second release switch SW2 has been turned ON by the full-press operation of the release button 14 (step S2). If the answer in step S2 is negative, it is determined again whether the first release switch SW1 is ON (step S3). If the answer is affirmative in step S3, the process returns to step S2. It ends.
If the result of the determination in step S2 is affirmative, that is, it is determined that the release button 14 has been fully pressed, the process proceeds to step S4, where focusing is performed based on the read distance measurement information, and photometric information, film sensitivity information, and the set focal length are set. An exposure control member (not shown) is driven via the exposure control circuit 4 on the basis of the brightness information (F value information) of the photographing lens 13 in response to the photographing.

Thereafter, the film winding motor 9 is driven to wind the film by one frame (step S5), and the process ends.

—Zoom Operation in Normal Shooting Mode— FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control procedure when the zoom-up switch SW4 is turned on by operating the zoom operation button 16. In FIG. 5, when the zoom-up switch SW4 is turned on by operating the zoom operation button 16, the zoom-up driving of the photographing lens 13, that is, the wide end (for example, a focal length of 35 mm
), The zoom drive is started from the telephoto end (corresponding to a focal length of 80 mm, for example) (step S11). Then, it is determined whether or not the zoom-up switch SW4 is continuously turned on, that is, whether or not the operation of the zoom operation button 16 is continued (step S12). If affirmative in step S12,
It is determined whether or not the photographing lens 13 is at the telephoto end (step S13). If the result is negative in step S13, the process returns to step S12. If the result is affirmative, the driving of the photographing lens 13 is stopped (step S14). When the result in step S12 is negative, that is, when the operation of the zoom operation button 16 is interrupted and the zoom-up switch SW4 is not turned on, the process proceeds to step S14, in which the driving of the photographing lens 13 is stopped.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control procedure when the zoom down switch SW5 is turned ON by operating the zoom operation button 16. The control means is the same as that of FIG. 5, and the zoom down switch SW5 is
When N, the photographing lens 13 is telephoto (for example, a focal length of 80 mm
) Is started from the wide end (corresponding to a focal length of 35 mm, for example) (step S21). Then, whether or not the zoom down step SW5 is continuously turned on,
That is, it is determined whether or not the operation of the zoom operation button 16 is continued (step S22). If affirmative in step S22, it is determined whether or not the taking lens 13 is at the wide end (step S23). If negative in step S23, the process returns to step S22, and if negative, driving of the taking lens 13 is stopped. (Step S24). If the result in step S22 is negative, that is, if the operation of the zoom operation button 16 is interrupted and the zoom-down switch SW5 is not turned on, the process proceeds to step S24, and the driving of the photographing lens 13 is stopped.

As described above, the zoom operation button 16 arbitrarily drives the photographing lens 13 between the tele end and the wide end when the normal photographing mode is set, but when the operation is released halfway,
At that time, the zoom drive of the photographing lens 13 stops. Therefore, in order to zoom the photographing lens 13 to the telephoto end or the wide end, it is necessary to continue the operation without canceling the operation on the way.

-Zoom Transfer Mode- -Operation in Zoom Transfer Mode- Hereinafter, a control procedure of the CPU 1 when the zoom continuous shooting mode is set will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 11.

In FIG. 7, when the zoom continuous shooting mode is set by operating the zoom continuous shooting mode setting button 15, the zoom switch flag is first reset (step S111). The zoom switch flag is for determining whether or not the zoom operation button 16 has been operated, and is set when the zoom operation button 16 is operated. If the zoom switch flag is reset in step S111, it is next determined whether or not the zoom-up switch SW4 has been turned on (step S112).
It is determined whether SW5 has been turned on (step S113). If negative in step S113, it is determined whether the first release switch SW1 is ON, that is, whether the release button 14 is half-pressed (step S114), and if positive, the process proceeds to step S115. .

In step S115, the set number m of the set focal length (f mm) at the time of zoom transfer is read from the memory circuit 10. Next, the counter reading value n is set to 0 (step S11).
6). Further, the set number m of the focal length in step S115 is compared with the read value n of the counter to determine whether or not the two are equal (step S117), and if they are equal, the zoom continuous shooting ends (step S118). If the determination in step S117 is negative, the counter is incremented by 1 (step S11).
9), n-th (first n = 1) set focal length (fm
m) is read from the memory circuit 10 (step S120), and it is determined whether or not this value is wider (W) than the current focal length f mm (step S121). This step S1
In 21, if the n-th set focal length (f mm) value is on the W side of the current focal length f mm, the next photographing focal length f mm
Zoom down to (Step S122), and if it is on the telephoto (T) side, zoom up to the next imaging focal length f mm (Step S123).

When the zooming is completed in step S122 or step S123, the distance measurement information from the distance measurement circuit 2 and the photometry circuit 3
Is read (step S124), and subsequently, it is determined whether or not the second release switch SW2 is ON, that is, whether or not the release button 14 is fully pressed (step S125). If step S125 is denied, it is further determined whether or not the first release switch SW1 is ON, that is, whether or not the release button 14 is half-pressed (step S126). If step S126 is denied, the process ends, and if affirmed, the process returns to step S125.

If an affirmative determination is made in step S125, focusing is performed based on the read distance measurement information, and photometry information / film sensitivity information and brightness information (F value information) of the photographing lens 13 corresponding to the set focal length are set. Then, an exposure control member (not shown) is driven via the exposure control circuit 4 to perform photographing (step S127). Thereafter, the film winding motor 9 is driven to wind the film by one frame (step S1).
28), and then return to step S117.

On the other hand, if the result in step S114 is NO, the process proceeds to step S129, and it is determined whether the memory switch SW6 is ON (step S129). If the result is NO, that is, if the memory switch SW6 is OFF, the process proceeds to step S112. Return.

-Focal length setting operation in zoom continuous shooting mode-If affirmative in step S129, as shown in FIG.
The focal length (zoom value) of the zoom step for performing the zoom continuous shooting currently stored in the memory circuit 10, for example, memory storing data of "35mm", "60mm", "71mm", "74mm", "80mm" Clear all (step S130),
Further, the current focal length is displayed on the liquid crystal display (LCD) 11 via the display circuit 12 (step S131). Next, it is determined whether or not the memory switch SW6 is operating (ON) (step S132).
If 6 is OFF, steps S133, S134, S135, S1
It becomes a loop waiting for input of 36 switches.

In step S133, it is determined whether or not the zoom-up switch SW4 is ON.
In step S137, the process proceeds to step S137, in which the lens barrel of the photographing lens 13 is extended and driven, the focal length is changed to a longer one, the process returns to step S133, and steps S133, S134, S135, and 13 are performed.
Enter the four loops of 6. If step S133 is negative, that is, if the zoom-up switch SW4 is OFF, it is determined whether the zoom-down switch SW5 is ON (step S134).
When the zoom down switch SW5 is turned on, step S138
Then, the lens barrel of the photographing lens 13 is subjected to retraction drive processing, the focal length is changed to a shorter one, the process returns to step S133, and the process again enters the four loops of steps S133, S134, S135, and S136. If step S134 is negative, that is, if the zoom down switch SW5 is OFF, it is determined whether the memory switch SW6 is ON (step S135). If step S135 is negative, that is, if the memory switch SW6 is OFF, It is determined whether the first release switch SW1 is ON (step S13).
6) If the switch SW1 is OFF in step S136, step S
The flow shifts to 133, and again enters the four loops of steps S133, S134, S135, and S136. If step S136 is affirmative, that is, if the switch SW1 is turned on, the photographing lens 13
The current focal length value f mm is read from the focal length detection circuit 6 that detects a focal length signal from the lens barrel position (step S1).
39) Further, the focal length value (zoom value) f mm is stored in the memory circuit 10 (step S140). Then, wait until the first release switch SW1 turns off (step
S141) When the switch SW1 is turned off, the process returns to step S133, and enters the four loops of steps S133, S134, S135, and S136.

As described above, by repeating the procedure from step S133 to step S141, different focal lengths for performing continuous shooting can be set by an arbitrary number (that is, the set number m) and sequentially stored in the memory circuit 10. . Of course, the set number m is limited by the capacity of the memory circuit 10.

On the other hand, if step S135 is affirmative, that is, if the memory switch SW6 is ON, the focal length display displayed on the liquid crystal display (LCD) 11 is reset (step S142).
The current focal length display turns off. Furthermore, the process waits while the memory switch SW6 is ON (step S143), and returns to step S114 when the memory switch SW6 is turned OFF.

On the other hand, when shifting from step S133 to step S137, the lens barrel of the photographing lens 13 starts to be extended as shown in FIG. 9 (step S151), and the focus of the lens is continuously displayed on the liquid crystal display (LCD) 11. The distance is displayed (step S152). Next, set the zoom-up switch SW4 to O
It is determined whether or not N (step S153), and if affirmative (ON), it is determined whether or not the lens barrel has reached the telephoto end (step S154). If the lens barrel does not reach the telephoto end, step S152
When the telephoto end is reached, the driving of the lens barrel is stopped, and the lens barrel extension is terminated (step S155). Further, the apparatus stands by while the zoom-up switch SW4 is ON (step S15).
6), when zoom up switch SW4 is turned off, step S13
Return to 3.

Further, when shifting from the step S134 to the retraction drive in the step S138, the retraction of the lens barrel of the photographing lens 13 is started as shown in FIG. 10 (step S161), and the focus of the lens is subsequently transferred to the liquid crystal display (LCD) 11. The distance is displayed (step S162). Next, it is determined whether or not the zoom-down switch SW5 is ON (step S163), and if affirmative (ON), it is determined whether or not the lens barrel has reached the wide end (step S16).
Four). When the lens barrel does not reach the wide end, the process returns to step S162. When the lens barrel reaches the wide end, the driving of the lens barrel is stopped, and the retraction of the lens barrel ends (step S165). Further, the apparatus stands by while the zoom down switch SW5 is ON (step S16).
6), when zoom down switch SW5 is turned off, step S13
Return to 3.

-Step zoom mode-Figs. 7 to 10 show the procedure of an embodiment in which continuous photographing is sequentially performed at a plurality of arbitrarily set focal lengths. Fig. 11 shows the zoom continuous mode. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of an embodiment in which a shooting setting focal length value is applied to an intermittent manual zoom (hereinafter, referred to as “step zoom”) operation.

-Operation for setting the focal length in the step zoom mode-In FIG.
To turn on the step zoom mode switch SW7, the process starts from step S210 and proceeds to step S2.
The process proceeds from step 10 to step S211.

The loop of steps S211 / S212 / S213 / S214 / S215 is
There are five switch input waiting loops including a zoom up switch SW4, a zoom down switch SW5, a first release switch SW1, a step zoom mode switch SW7, and a memory switch SW6. In step S211, step S212, step S213, and step S214, the switch
Step when SW4, SW5, SW1, SW7 are OFF
Proceed to S215. In this step S215, the memory switch SW
If 6 is ON, the process proceeds to step S230, and enters a block from step S230 to step S244 for storing the step value of the step zoom. The memory operation from step S230 to step S243 corresponds to step S1 shown in FIG.
Since it is the same as the memory operation from step 30 to step S143,
Detailed description is omitted. In step S244, the set zoom values are compared in magnitude and arranged in ascending order. When this memory operation ends, the process returns from the step S244 to the step S211 and returns to the steps S211, S212, S213,
Go around the loop of S214 / S215.

-Step zoom mode operation-In the above-mentioned block for the memory, the step of the step zoom is, for example, the focal length (zoom value) "35mm""60m
If the zoom-up switch SW4 is turned on in step S211 and the zoom-up switch SW4 is turned on, the process proceeds to step S250, where the current lens barrel position is set to "m""71mm""74mm""80mm". Is read via the focal length detection circuit 6, and then the driving destination of the lens barrel is set.In this case, if the current lens barrel position is 35 mm or more and less than 60 mm, the lens barrel driving destination is 60 mm, and the lens barrel position is 60 mm or more. If the lens barrel is less than 71 mm, the driving destination of the lens barrel is 71 mm. If the lens barrel position is 71 mm or more and less than 74 mm, the lens barrel driving destination is 74 mm. If the lens barrel position is 74 mm or more and less than 80 mm, the lens barrel driving destination is 80 mm.

After setting the drive destination, the lens barrel starts to be extended (step S251), and waits for the lens barrel to arrive at the drive destination (step S251).
(S252), when it arrives at the drive destination, the extension of the lens barrel ends (step S253). Then, zoom up switch SW
The CPU waits while the switch 4 is ON (step S254), confirms that the zoom-up switch SW4 is OFF, returns to step S211, and repeats the loop of steps S211, S212, S213, S214, and S215.

In step S212, the zoom down switch SW5 is turned on.
In the case of, the process proceeds to step S260. Also in step S260, after reading the current lens barrel position via the focal length detection circuit 6, the drive destination of the lens barrel is set. In this case, if the current lens barrel position is 80 mm or less and larger than 74 mm, the driving destination of the lens barrel is 74
mm, if the lens barrel position is 74 mm or less and greater than 71 mm, the lens barrel drive destination is 71 mm.If the lens barrel position is 71 mm or less and greater than 60 mm, the lens barrel drive destination is 60 mm.If the lens barrel position is 60 mm or less, it is greater than 35 mm. In this case, the drive of the lens barrel is 35 mm. If the driving destination of the lens barrel is set in step S260, retraction of the lens barrel is started (step S261), and the lens barrel waits until the lens barrel arrives at the driving destination (step S262). Is completed (step S263). Thereafter, the control waits while the zoom-down switch SW5 is ON (step S264). After confirming that the zoom-up switch SW4 is OFF, the process returns to step S211. After that, until the next operation is input, step S211
The loop of S212 / S213 / S214 / S215 is repeated.

On the other hand, in step S213, the first release switch SW
If 1 is ON, the process proceeds from step S213 to step S271, and shooting is performed. The processing for photographing from step S271 to step S275 is the same as the processing from step S1 to step S5 shown in FIG. 4 described above, and a description thereof will be omitted. When the photographing process ends, the process proceeds from step S273 or step S275 to step S211.
Return to step S211 ・ step S212 ・ step S213 ・
It goes around the loop of step S214 and step S215. While turning around the loop, the step zoom mode switch SW in which the step zoom mode is set in step S214
When 7 is turned on, the process proceeds from step S214 to step S276,
The step zoom mode ends.

In the above embodiment, the order of the zoom transfer is based on the input order. However, the order may be arbitrarily changed depending on the shooting state. Also, the number of frames to be photographed can be arbitrarily selected within the range of the set number of focal lengths. Furthermore, it goes without saying that, when the film reaches the final end, the transfer mode ends even during the shooting.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, according to the present invention, the focal length of the zoom lens is arbitrarily set a plurality of times, the focal length information is stored in the memory circuit in advance, and the zoom lens is configured to sequentially shoot at the stored focal length. The photographer can change the photographing magnification step by step and can photograph in a short time in the case of continuous photographing as well as in the case of single photographing, and there is no risk of missing a photo opportunity. Further, the focal length information is configured to be stored in the memory circuit by operating an input unit, for example, a release button, so that the structure is simple and the setting operation of the focal length is easy. In particular, when the input means is not switched to the memory input mode, the photographing operation is performed. Therefore, the memory operation of the focal length information can be easily performed while looking through the viewfinder, and the photographer does not feel uncomfortable.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a camera operation control device showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the camera of the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view, and FIG. In mode
5 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of the CPU, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of the CPU when the zoom-up switch is turned on, FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of the CPU when the zoom-down switch is turned on, and FIG.
8 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of the CPU in the zoom continuous shooting mode, FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a memory procedure when the memory switch in FIG. 7 is turned on, and FIG. 9 is a lens barrel extension driving process in FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the lens barrel retraction drive processing in FIG. 8, and FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the control procedure of the CPU in the step zoom mode. [Description of Signs of Main Parts] 1 CPU 5 Motor drive circuit 8 Zooming motor 10 Memory circuit 11 Liquid crystal display device 12 Display circuit 13 Shooting lens 14 Release button 15 …… Zoom continuous shooting mode setting button 16 …… Zoom operation button 17 …… Memory setting button 18 …… LCD display window 19 …… Step zoom mode setting button

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Toshiyuki Nakamura 1-6-3 Nishioi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Nikon Oi Works Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-58-125005 (JP, A) JP-A-61-252517 (JP, A) JP-A-58-103273 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G02B 7/08 G03B 5/00

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A camera comprising a zoom lens and an electric zoom mechanism for changing a focal length of the zoom lens, a driving means for driving the electric zoom mechanism; Detecting means capable of detecting focal length information; focal length selecting means capable of arbitrarily selecting focal length information detected by the detecting means; storing a plurality of focal length information selected by the focal length selecting means Memory means; input means for inputting the focal length information to the memory means; mode switching means for switching to a memory input mode capable of inputting the focal length information to the memory means; memory switching mode by the mode switching means When the mode is switched, the focal length information is input to the memory means when the input means is operated. A mode control means for performing an operation related to a photographing operation when the input means is operated when the mode is not switched to the memory input mode; and a detection means for detecting the focal length information stored by the memory means and the detection means. Control means for automatically controlling the operation of the drive receiving stage to stop when the focal length information of the zoom lens coincides with the focal length information. 2. An electric zoom camera according to claim 1, wherein said input means is an electric switch which is linked with an operation of a release button.