JPH0396933A - Zoom camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily set and confirm photographic composition before taking a photograph by varying the size of the visual field frame in a finder to a desired size. CONSTITUTION:A visual field frame control circuit 11 controls the size of the visual field frame 61 according to a signal from a visual field frame varying means 251 to obtain visual field frames 60, 62, and 63. A central control part 25 controls the visual field frame control circuit 11, a shutter control circuit 13, and motors 15, 16, and 17 according to signals from a range finding circuit 12, a film sensitivity detecting circuit 14, a light receiving element 18, and switches 20 - 23. The central control part 25 is equipped with the visual field frame varying means 251 and a power varying means 252. The visual field frame varying means 251 varies the visual field frame 61 to the size corresponding to a photographic range st with a zoom switch 20 and further varies the visual field frame to a visual field frame 61 showing a normal photographic range.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a zoom camera having an optical zoom function or an electronic zoom function, or both of the above functions, in which the photographing magnification can be changed.

[Conventional technology]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, cameras are known that have an optical zoom function that changes the focal length of a photographic lens to enlarge a desired photographic range for telephoto shooting. On the other hand, a zoom camera has been proposed that has an electronic zoom function as a zoom function other than the above-mentioned optical zoom function (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 54-26721).

In other words, the zoom camera photographs the subject within the normal photographing range without changing the focal length of the photographic lens, and at the same time, the zoom camera takes pictures at the time of photographing so that the predetermined photographing range (cropping range) is expanded when printing negative film. The above-mentioned trimming range is indicated. As a result, it becomes possible to change the imaging magnification in a pseudo manner.

In the zoom camera having the above-mentioned optical zoom function, the magnification of the finder is also changed in order to confirm the photographing range, that is, the photographic composition through the finder. On the other hand, even with the zoom camera with the electronic zoom function mentioned above, the shooting range
That is, in order to confirm the trimming range (photographing composition), which is the range to be printed, before photographing, the magnification of the finder is changed or the size of the field frame of the finder is changed depending on the trimming range.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, in a zoom camera, when the magnification of the finder is changed, only the subject within the enlarged photographic range can be seen in the viewfinder's field of view, making it difficult to determine the photographic composition. Especially for zoom cameras with electronic zoom function,
Only the trimming range can be seen in the viewfinder's field of view, and it is not possible to confirm at the time of shooting which part of the photographic lens' design angle (the entire range exposed to the film) will be printed. In addition, with a camera that changes the size of the viewfinder's field of view, when the magnification is set to high, the range of the subject that can be seen through the finder becomes narrower, making it difficult to decide on the photographic composition.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a zoom camera that allows easy determination and confirmation of a photographic composition.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a zoom camera having a viewfinder, a field frame display means for displaying a field frame in the finder, and a size of the field frame. and a field frame changing means for changing the focal length of the objective lens of the finder to change the magnification of the finder with respect to a reference magnification (the size of the maximum field frame of the finder).
/(The size of the displayed field frame) magnification changing means.

However, the M semi-magnification referred to here refers to the magnification when the focal length of the finder is the shortest, and in this case, the maximum field of view frame of the finder almost matches the field of view through the eyepiece.

[Effect]

According to the above-mentioned zoom camera, when the size of the field frame displayed in the viewfinder is changed to a desired or predetermined size by the photographer, the focal length of the viewfinder's objective lens is changed, The magnification is changed to (the size of the maximum field of view frame of the finder)/(the size of the displayed field of view frame) times the reference magnification.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an optical system of a first embodiment of a zoom camera according to the present invention. Note that the zoom camera of the first embodiment has an electronism function in which the magnification of the finder is changed independently of the magnification of the photographic lens system.

The optical system includes a virtual image finder and a withdrawal lens system. The virtual image finder, as shown in Figure 2,
It consists of an objective lens 3, a beam splitter 4, an eyepiece 5, a field frame 6, and a convex lens 7.

The objective lens 3 of the finder includes a convex lens 301 and concave lenses 302, 303, and the magnification of the finder 1 is varied by moving the concave lens 302 in the direction of the optical axis L to extend or contract the focal length. The change magnification of the finder is expressed as the ratio of (normal photographing range, ie, the entire range exposed on the film)/(photographing range instructed to be trimmed, ie, the range to be printed).

The beam splitter 4 is used to display a field frame 61 of a field frame section 6 to be described later superimposed on the light image from the objective lens 3 (1! Optical bright frame method).
.

The field frame section 6 consists of a liquid crystal display (LCD), an electro-optical device (ECD), etc., and a beam splinter 4.
It is provided perpendicularly to the optical axis ``at the top of the finder.
is superimposed on the light image from the objective lens 3 through the convex lens 7 and the beam splinter 4, and then passes through the eyepiece lens 5 and enters the photographer's eye.

The photographing lens system 2 includes one or more convex lenses and concave lenses, and is configured to expose the film.

Next, the field frame 61 of the field frame section 6 and the objective lens 3
The configuration of the control section that performs the control will be explained using FIG. 3.

The control section includes a field frame control circuit 11, a distance measuring circuit 12, a shutter control circuit 13, a film sensitivity detection circuit 14, a film winding motor 5, a focus motor 16, a 6 motor 17 for driving the objective lens of the finder, and a light receiving element. 18, a zoom switch 20, a photographing preparation switch 21, a shutter switch 22, a main switch 23, a storage control section 24, and a central control section 25.

The visual field frame control circuit 11 controls the size of the visual field frame 61 based on a signal from a visual field frame changing means 251, which will be described later.

The distance measuring circuit 12 measures the distance to the subject and outputs a distance signal. The shutter control circuit 13 controls an aperture/shutter (not shown) of the photographic lens system 2 in response to an optical position signal from the light receiving element 18.

The film sensitivity detection circuit 14 reads film sensitivity data displayed in a code on the outer surface of a film container (not shown).

The film winding motor 15 is for winding the film one frame at a time. The focus motor 16 drives the photographing lens system 2 to a focusing position in response to a distance signal from the distance measuring circuit 12.

mode for driving the finder objective lens? Reference numeral 17 drives the objective lens 3 of the finder based on a signal from a magnification changing means 252, which will be described later. The light receiving element 18 outputs a light amount signal corresponding to the amount of light received from the subject.

The zoom switch 20 is used to change the shooting range. That is, each time the contact of the zoom switch 20 is pushed upward, the photographing range becomes narrower (the photographing magnification becomes larger), and each time the contact is turned downward, the photographing range becomes wider (the magnification becomes smaller). Photographing preparation switch 21 The shutter switch 22 is used to start driving the focus motor 16 and focus the photographing lens system 2 on the subject.The shutter switch 22 is used to drive the shutter and expose the film.

The main switch 23 is for starting the camera.

The storage control unit 24 is for storing the trimming magnification, that is, the above-mentioned ratio of (normal shooting range)/(shooting range instructed for trimming), in a memory built into a film container, for example.

In place of the storage control section 24, a means for exposing the film to a code corresponding to the above-mentioned magnification may be provided.

The central control unit 25 controls the field frame control circuit 11 and the shutter control circuit 1 in response to signals from the distance measuring circuit 12, the film sensitivity detection circuit 14, the light receiving element 18, and the switches 20 to 23.
3 and motors 5 to 17.

Further, the central control unit 25 is provided with a field frame changing means 251 and a magnification changing means 252. The field frame changing means 251 changes the size of the field frame 61 according to the photographing range set by the zoom switch 20, and furthermore, when the magnification of the finder 1 is changed,
The field of view frame 61 is changed to indicate the normal photographing range. The magnification changing means 252 has a viewfinder magnification of (shooting range before changing the field of view frame 61)/(field of view frame 61).
The motor 7 is driven and controlled so that the photographing range after change of 1) is changed. By changing the magnification of the viewfinder, the photographic range (range to be printed) is always displayed in the viewfinder 1 with the same thickness.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be explained using the flowchart of FIG. 4. In the first embodiment, the magnification changing means 252 changes the field of view frame 6 by the field of view frame changing means 251.
After the size of 1 is changed, change the magnification of finder 1 to (
(Normal shooting range)/(Photography range with trimming instruction)
When the magnification change is completed, the field frame changing unit 251 changes the field frame to indicate the photographing range to be printed.

First, when the main switch 23 is turned on and started, the 7-lag PZ is reset (PZ=O) at step $1.
In step S2, the objective lens 3 of the finder is driven and the optical system of the finder 1 is reset. In this state, the magnification of the finder 1 is the smallest (the magnification at this time is taken as the reference magnification), and the entire field frame portion 6 substantially matches the field of view through the eyepiece 5.

Next, in step $3, use the zoom switch 20 to select (
The magnification set as (normal shooting range)/(shooting range with trimming instruction) is
is input, and it is determined in step S4 whether the flag PZ has been reset. Now, since the flag PZ has been reset in step S1, the process moves to step S5.

In step S5, the size of the visual field frame 61 is changed in accordance with the set magnification. Then, until the image transfer preparation switch 21 is turned on (step S6), step S3
The processes from step S5 to step S5 are repeated.

On the other hand, when the photographing preparation switch 21 is turned on in step S6, the magnification of the finder 1 is adjusted in step S7 so that the magnification of the finder 1 corresponds to the set magnification, that is, the magnification of the finder 1 with respect to the reference magnification matches the set magnification. Objective lens 3 is driven. Thereafter, in step S8, the field of view frame 61 is changed to match the range to be printed.

In step S9, the subject i degree is calculated according to the light amount signal from the light receiving element 18, and the subject distance is calculated 11 according to the distance signal from the distance measuring circuit 12.

Next, it is determined in step S1o whether the shutter switch 22 is turned on, and if it remains off, a flag PZ is set (PZ=1) in step S11. Thereafter, the process returns to step S6, and if the image transfer preparation switch 21 is turned on in step S6, the process proceeds to step S7. On the other hand, if the image transfer preparation switch 21 is off, the process returns to step S3. At this time, since the flag PZ has been set in step S11 above, the process moves from step S4 to step S12, and the objective lens 3 of the finder is driven so that the magnification of the finder 1 becomes the reference magnification, and the flag PZ is set. is reset. After that, the process moves to step S5.

That is, if the photographing preparation switch 21 is off, the magnification of the finder 1 is fixed to the reference magnification, and the field frame 6 corresponding to the photographing range set by the zoom switch 20 is fixed.
1 is displayed in finder 1. Then, when the photographing preparation switch 21 is turned on, the set photographing range is enlarged and displayed to cover the entire field of view through the eyepiece lens 512.

Here, the appearance when looking through the finder 1 will be explained using FIG. 5. Note that the field of view of the finder 1 shown in FIG. 5(a) shows how the planning angle looks when the magnification of the finder 1 is the reference magnification. Further, the field frame 60, which is the largest among the field frames 61, indicates the photographing range when photographing at all angles of view. Furthermore, the field of view frame 62 indicates the photographing range when the photographing magnification is set to 1.5 times with reference to the magnification during full-angle photographing, and the field of view frame 63 indicates the photographing range based on the magnification during full-angle photographing. The photographing range is shown when the shadow magnification is set to 2.0 times.

That is, if the zoom switch 20 is used to set the magnification based on the magnification at the time of planning angle photography to, for example, 1.5 times,
As shown in FIG. 5(b), a field frame 62 is displayed within the finder 1. As shown in FIG. Next, when the photographing preparation switch 21 is turned on, the objective lens 3 of the finder is driven (zooming) so that the magnification of the finder 1 is 1.5 times the reference magnification, as shown in FIG. 5(C). be done. Furthermore, this 1
3. During zooming, the field of view frame 62 continues to be displayed.

When the zooming is completed, the field frame 61 is switched from the field frame 62 to the field frame 60, as shown in FIG. 5(d), and the viewfinder 1 shows the photographing range after zooming.

From the state of FIG. 5(b), as shown in FIG. 5(C'), after switching the field of view frame 61 from the field of view frame 62 to the field of view frame 60, the objective lens 3 of the finder is zoomed. You can. Note that this process can be executed by replacing the process in step S7 and the process in step S8 in the flowchart of FIG. Further, the field of view frame 62 and the field of view frame 60 may be displayed in the state shown in FIG. 5(b), and the field of view frame 62 may be erased when zooming is completed.

Furthermore, if the zoom switch 20 is used to set the magnification based on the magnification during full-angle photography to, for example, 2.0 times,
As shown in FIG. 5(e), a field frame 63 is displayed within the finder 1. As shown in FIG. When the photographing preparation switch 21 is turned on, as shown in FIG.
is zoomed, and during zooming, the field of view frame 6
3 continues to be displayed. When the above-mentioned zooming is completed, the field of view frame 63 is switched to the field of view frame 60, as shown in FIG.

Next, returning to the flowchart of FIG. 4, step S13
The following processing will be explained. That is, if the shutter switch 22 is turned on in the above step S1o, the process moves to step S13, and the magnification (trimming magnification) set in the above step S3 is stored in the memory built in the film container by the storage control section 24. be done. Subsequently, the focus motor 16 is driven according to the subject distance calculated in step S9, and the subject is focused (step S14). In step S15, the film is exposed and one frame of film is wound up. Thereafter, the process returns to step S2 15 and the objective lens 3 of the finder is driven so that the magnification of the finder 1 becomes the reference magnification again.

In the first embodiment, it is determined whether or not the shirt cover switch 22 is turned on after the zooming of the objective lens 3 of the finder is completed. Even during zooming, when the shutter switch 22 is turned on, the process may immediately proceed to step S13. In this case, when the shirt switch 22 is turned on,
It is possible to quickly shift to the exposure operation, and even when the objective lens 3 of the finder is zooming, it is possible to take pictures without missing a photo opportunity.

Furthermore, in the first embodiment, once the photographing preparation switch 21 was turned on, the photographing range could not be changed, but after the process of step S11 is completed, step 83. 85
Processing similar to that described above may be performed so that the photographing range can be changed even if the photographing preparation switch 21 is on.

Next, the optical system of the second embodiment of the zoom camera according to the present invention will be explained using FIGS. 6 and 7. Note that the zoom camera of the second embodiment also has an electronic zoom function. Also, the field frame 4 of the field frame section 40, which will be described later,
The structure and operation of the control section that controls the control section 01 and the objective lens 33 are the same as those of the first embodiment (FIG. 3), so the explanation thereof will be omitted.

The above optical system includes a real image finder 31 and a photographic lens system 32.
Consisting of

The real image finder 31 includes an objective lens 33 and a Porro mirror 3.
4.35.36.37, it consists of an eyepiece lens 38, a condenser lens 39, and a field frame section 40.

The objective lens 33 of the finder includes a plurality of lenses 331, 332 . . . including at least one convex lens and one concave lens.
333, and forms an inverted real image on the field frame section 40. In addition, the concave lens 331 and the convex lens 3
The magnification of the finder 31 is changed by moving the lens 32 in the direction of the optical axis L' by the motor 17 to expand or contract the focal length. Boromirror 34.35,36,3
Numeral 7 is for guiding the light image from the subject to the eyepiece lens 38 and for converting the inverted real image formed by the objective lens 33 into an erect normal image. condenser lens 3
9 is for brightening the entire field of view of the finder 31.

The field frame section 40 is a liquid crystal display device (LC) as in the first embodiment.
D), etc., and is arranged near the imaging plane of the objective lens 33. Further, the visual field frame section 40 includes an opaque visual field frame 401.
(The shaded area in FIG. 8(a)) and field frames 402 and 403 (see FIG. 8) indicating the photographing range are formed.

Note that the change magnification of the finder 31 is expressed as (normal photographing range>/(photographing range instructed for trimming)).

The image carrying lens system 32 is made up of one or more convex lenses and concave lenses as in the first embodiment, and is adapted to expose the film.

Note that, in place of the Boro mirrors 34, 35, 36, and 37, a Boro prism, an Achhe prism, a reflecting mirror and a penta-Dach prism, a Petzchamp 18 rhythm, or the like may be used.

Next, the appearance when looking through the finder 31 will be explained using FIG. 8. The field of view of the finder 31 shown in FIG. It becomes a field of view.

Note that the visual field frame 401 is not shown in FIGS. 8(b) to 8(Q). In addition, the field of view frame 402 indicates the shooting range when the shooting magnification is set to 1.5 times based on the magnification during full-angle shooting, and the field of view frame 403 shows the shooting range when the shooting magnification is set to 1.5 times based on the magnification during full-angle shooting. The photographing range is shown when the magnification is set to 2.0 times.

That is, if the zoom switch 20 sets the magnification based on the magnification during full-angle projection to 1.5 times, for example,
As shown in FIG. 8(b), a field frame 402 is displayed within the finder 31. Next, when the photographing preparation switch 21 is turned on, the viewfinder 3 is opened as shown in FIG. 8(C).
The objective lens 33 of the finder 19 is driven (zoomed) so that the magnification of 1 is 1.5 times the reference magnification, and the field frame 402 is displayed during zooming. When zooming is completed, the field of view frame 402 is erased, and the photographing range after zooming is shown on the finder 31, as shown in FIG. 8(d).

Note that, as shown in FIG. 8(C'), after the field frame 402 is erased, the objective lens 33 of the finder may be zoomed.

Furthermore, if the zoom switch 20 sets the magnification based on the magnification at the time of full-field-angle removal to, for example, 2.0 times, the eighth
As shown in Figure (e), the viewfinder 31 has a field frame 4.
03 is displayed. Next, when the photographing preparation switch 21 is turned on, the viewfinder 31 is opened as shown in FIG. 8(f).
The objective lens 33 of the finder is zoomed so that the magnification is 2.0 times the reference magnification, and a field frame 403 is displayed during zooming. When zooming is completed, as shown in FIG. 8(g), the field of view frame 40
3 is erased, and 20 is shown in the finder 31 as the shooting range after zooming.

In this way, in the first and second embodiments, the field frame is shaped to match the initially set I#I shadow angle of view, so the photographer can select the shooting range, In other words, the area to be printed can be confirmed through the field of view of the finder, and the photographing area can be accurately set. Furthermore, since the field frame section is constituted by a liquid crystal display device or the like, the field frame can be changed in a short time, and the photographing range can be quickly confirmed.

Furthermore, when the photographing preparation switch 21 is turned on, the image in the finder can be enlarged to a size equivalent to the planning angle using the objective lens of the finder. This eliminates the problem of narrowing the shooting range and making it difficult to see the subject within the shooting range.

The present invention also provides a zoom camera having an optical zoom function,
That is, the invention can also be applied to a zoom camera equipped with a zoom lens that changes the photographing magnification by changing the focal length of the photographic lens, a bifocal camera, and the like. Furthermore, by changing the focal length of the Shikage lens,
The present invention can also be applied to a camera in which the photographing magnification is changed by specifying a trimming range, for example, a camera disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 136630/1983.

For cameras with an optical zoom function, if you set the viewfinder magnification to the standard magnification, the power camera (lens)
The widest angle of view that can be photographed with can be seen through the viewfinder. Furthermore, in the camera having only the electronic zoom function, the "full angle of view photographing" is the time of photographing the widest angle of view in the camera having the optical zoom function.

Here, one embodiment of a zoom camera having the above-mentioned optical zoom function will be described. Note that in this zoom camera, the optical system of the finder is independent from the optical system of the photographic lens. That is, in the zoom camera, when the zoom switch is turned on to change the angle of view, a field frame is displayed in the finder in accordance with the change in the angle of view. When the shooting preparation switch 22 is turned on, the magnification of the viewfinder is changed to show the range to be printed (shooting angle of view) over the entire field of view of the finder, and a field frame is displayed to indicate the range to be printed. Thereafter, when the shutter switch is turned on, the photographic lens is zoomed to the set magnification and the film is exposed.

Note that zooming of the photographing lens may be performed simultaneously with the operation of changing the angle of view.

Next, an example of a single-lens reflex camera equipped with a zoom lens will be described. Note that in the case of a single-lens reflex camera, the photographing lens also serves as the objective lens of the finder. That is, the magnification is changed using a zoom switch, and a field frame is displayed in the finder in accordance with the change in magnification. Then, when the photographing preparation switch is turned on, the photographing lens is zoomed and the magnification of the finder is changed, so that the range to be printed is shown in the entire field of view of the finder. A viewing frame is then displayed to indicate the area to be printed. Thereafter, when the shutter switch is turned on, the film is exposed.

23 In this way, even with the zoom camera having the above-mentioned optical zoom function, the photographer can check the shooting range after zooming the photographic lens for the widest angle of view using the field of view frame before shooting, and can set the shooting range accurately. can do. Furthermore, when the photographing preparation switch is turned on, the photographing range is expanded and the subject within the photographing range can be confirmed, so even if the magnification is increased, it will not be difficult to see the subject within the shadow transport range.

〔Effect of the invention〕

The present invention makes it possible to change the size of the field frame in the viewfinder as desired, so it is easy to set and confirm the photographic composition using the field frame before shooting, and furthermore, the magnification of the finder can be changed relative to the standard magnification ( The size of the maximum field of view frame of the finder)/(the size of the displayed field of view frame) is changed so that the subject in the photographing range can be enlarged and confirmed.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of the optical system of the first embodiment of the zoom camera according to the present invention, Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the finder of the first embodiment, and Fig. 3 is a field frame and objective lens. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control section, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing how the finder of the first embodiment looks, and FIG. 6 is a diagram of the zoom camera according to the present invention. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the finder of the second embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a diagram showing how the finder of the second embodiment looks. 1...Virtual image finder, 2, 32...Transportation lens system, 3.31...Finder objective lens, 5, 38
...Eyepiece, 6,40...Field frame, 17...
・Finder objective lens driving motor, 20...Zoom switch, 21...Transportation preparation switch, 25...
・Central control unit, 31...Real image finder, 60-6
3. 401 to 403... Field of view frame, 251... Field of view frame changing means, 252... Magnification changing means.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In a zoom camera having a finder, a field frame display means for displaying a field frame in the finder, a field frame changing means for changing the size of the field frame, and a focal length of the objective lens of the finder. and a magnification changing means for changing the magnification of the finder to (the size of the maximum field of view frame of the finder)/(the size of the displayed field of view frame) times the reference magnification. zoom camera.