JPH07281264A - Camera system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a camera system capable of easily switching a format switching operation member and a variable power operation member by providing both operation members in a lens part. CONSTITUTION:In a camera main body 1, a format switching button is provided on the peripheral surface of an interchangeable lens 2 together with a zoom ring. The format switching button constitutes a format switching operation part 21 and functions as the format switching operation member supporting the switching of a format to a finder visual field frame switching part 7. The zoom ring constitutes a zoom operation part 23 and functions as the variable power operation member instructing the change of a focal distance to a lens driving part 24. By providing the zoom ring and the format switching button on the interchangeable lens 2 in such a way, the format switching operation member and the variable power operation member are easily switched, and a camera with good operability is obtained.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera system, and more particularly to a camera system having a format switching function and a magnification changing function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A format switching function and a scaling function are examples of functions provided in a conventional camera for determining composition. Various formats (high-definition, standard, panorama, etc.) with different aspect ratios are known as print sizes. The format switching function is a function for switching the corresponding format on the camera side. The variable magnification function is a function for changing the focal length, and examples thereof include a zooming function and a focal length switching function in a multifocal camera.

FIG. 12 shows a conventional example of a single-lens reflex camera having a variable magnification function and a format switching function. This single-lens reflex camera is composed of a camera body 1J and an interchangeable lens 2J forming a lens portion. The camera body 1J is
The interchangeable lens 2J has a format switching mechanism (not shown) for switching the format therein, and the interchangeable lens 2J has a photographing lens (not shown) and a magnification changing mechanism (not shown) for zooming the photographing lens therein. There is.

The camera body 1J has a release button 6 on the upper surface thereof, a finder eyepiece 7 on the upper rear surface, and a format switching lever 8 on the lower rear surface. Format switching is performed by sliding the format switching lever 8. The interchangeable lens 2J has a zoom ring 3 on its peripheral surface. Zooming is
This is performed by rotating the zoom ring 3.

FIG. 9 shows a film 50 that can be used in the camera of FIG. HF is an image forming area in a high-definition format (hereinafter referred to as “H format”),
LF is an image forming area in a standard format (hereinafter referred to as “L format”), and PF is a panoramic format.
An image forming area in (hereinafter referred to as “P format”). The aspect ratio of the image forming area is 2: 3 in the L format, 1: 3 in the P format, and 9:16 in the H format.

An image corresponding to these image forming regions HF, LF and PF is formed on the film 50 by exposing while exposing a part of the film surface with an image frame (not shown) in the camera body 1. It In addition, the film 50 has 1
Two perforations 53 per image forming area
Are formed. The perforations 53 are provided at both upper ends of each image forming area and are used for detecting the film feed amount.

The viewfinder field when the camera of FIG. 12 shoots is shown in FIGS. FIG. 10 shows the finder field in each format when the format is switched while keeping the focal length state constant (middle). The figure (a) is a viewfinder field in H format, the figure (b) is a viewfinder field in L format, the figure (c)
Is a viewfinder field in P format. Figure 11
Shows the viewfinder field in each focal length state when the format is fixed (H format) and the focal length is changed. The figure (a) is a viewfinder field in the middle, the figure (b) is a viewfinder field in tele, and the figure (c) is a wide viewfinder field.

[0008]

As can be seen from FIG. 12, in the conventional camera, the zoom ring 3 has the interchangeable lens 2
It is arranged on the J side, and the format switching lever 8 is arranged on the camera body 1J side. Therefore, in order to determine the composition (FIGS. 11 and 12), when both the zooming operation and the format switching operation are frequently performed, the position of the hand operating the camera is changed significantly each time, or the camera is changed. There was a problem that the operability was poor, because it was necessary to change the way of holding.

The present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a camera system having a good operability, which can easily perform a scaling operation and a format switching operation. .

[0010]

To achieve the above object, a camera system according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a camera body having a format switching mechanism for switching formats, a photographing lens, and a focal length of the photographing lens. In a camera system consisting of a lens section having a variable magnification mechanism for changing the number, a format changeover operation member for instructing the format changeover mechanism to change the format and a change in focal length for the variable magnification mechanism. A variable power operation member for instructing is provided on the lens portion.

In order to achieve the above object, a camera system according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a camera body having a format switching mechanism for switching the format, a taking lens and a variable magnification for changing the focal length of the taking lens. In a camera system including a lens unit having a mechanism, a format switching operation member for instructing the format switching mechanism to switch a format, and a zooming operation member for instructing the zooming mechanism to change a focal length. And are provided at the position of the camera body that can be operated with one hand.

To achieve the above object, a camera system according to a third aspect of the present invention includes a camera body having a format switching mechanism for switching the format, a taking lens, and a magnification changing mechanism for changing the focal length of the taking lens. A remote control transmitter including a lens unit having a mechanism, a format switching operation member for instructing the format switching mechanism to switch the format, and a scaling operation member for instructing the scaling mechanism to change the focal length. It consists of and.

[0013]

According to the structure of the first aspect of the invention, since the format switching operation member and the magnification changing operation member are both provided on the lens portion, even if both the magnification changing operation and the format changing operation are performed frequently, Without changing the position of the hand to be operated each time or changing the way to hold the camera,
You can decide the composition.

According to the structure of the second aspect of the invention, since the format switching operation member and the magnification changing operation member are both provided at the camera body position which can be operated by one hand, the magnification changing operation and the format changing operation can be performed. Even if you do both frequently, you can determine the composition without having to change the position of the hand you operate each time or change the way you hold the camera.

According to the third aspect of the invention, since the format switching operation member and the scaling operation member are both provided in the remote control transmitter, both the scaling operation and the format switching operation are frequently performed by the remote control transmitter. Even if you go to, you can decide the composition without changing the position of the hand to be operated each time or changing the way to hold the remote control transmitter.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A camera system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The same parts as those of the conventional example described above with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12 and corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external construction of a camera to which the first embodiment is applied, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the overall construction thereof. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the camera comprises a camera body 1 and an interchangeable lens 2.
Each unit of the camera body 1 and the interchangeable lens 2 is controlled by the control unit 11 (FIG. 2) in the camera body 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, the camera body 1 includes a control unit 11, a release operation unit 12, a storage unit 13, an information recording unit 14, a film feeding unit 15, a shutter 16 and a viewfinder field frame switching unit 17. It is provided. The release operation unit 12 is composed of the release button 6 shown in FIG. As will be described later, when the release button 6 is pressed halfway, the switch
When (S ₁ ) is in the ON state, focusing (movement of the photographing lens 5 by the lens driving unit 24 described later) is performed, and further when the release button 6 is fully pressed, the switch (S ₂ ) is turned off.
Release operation (shutter 16, aperture 22)
Drive) is performed.

The storage unit 13 stores the format information that has been switched and set. The information recording unit 14 includes a magnetic recording unit 54 of a film 51 (FIG. 7) or a film 52 (FIG. 8) described later.
In the data exposure area 55, the format information and the like stored in the storage unit 13 are recorded. Film feeding section 15
Is composed of a motor and the like for film winding and film rewinding. The finder field frame switching unit 17 operates a liquid crystal field frame (not shown) in the finder to
The viewfinder field (FIGS. 10 and 11) is switched and formed. In this way, the storage unit 13, the information recording unit 14, and the finder visual field frame switching unit 17 function as a format switching mechanism for switching the format.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the interchangeable lens 2 constituting the lens section is provided with a photographing lens 5, a format switching operation section 21, a diaphragm 22, a zoom operation section 23 and a lens driving section 24. . The lens driving unit 24 moves the taking lens 5 along its optical axis,
It functions as an AF (autofocus) mechanism for performing the focusing and a zooming mechanism for changing the focal length (that is, zooming), and is composed of a motor and the like.

The camera body 1 is not provided with the format switching lever 8 (FIG. 12). Instead of this, a format switching button 4 having the same function as the format switching lever 8 is provided on the peripheral surface of the interchangeable lens 2 together with the zoom ring 3 as shown in FIG. The format switching button 4 constitutes the format switching operation unit 21 in FIG. 2 and functions as a format switching operation member for instructing the format switching mechanism such as the viewfinder field frame switching unit 17 to switch the format. The format is "... → L" each time the format switch button 4 is pressed.
Format → P format → H format → L format → ... ”.
The order of this switching may be “... → L format → H format → P format → L format → ...”. On the other hand, the zoom ring 3 constitutes the zoom operation section 23 in FIG. 2, and functions as a zooming operation member for instructing the lens drive section 24 to change the focal length, as in the conventional example (FIG. 12). .

As described above, the first embodiment is the interchangeable lens 2
The present invention is characterized in that the zoom ring 3 and the format switching button 4 are provided in the camera. This makes it possible to realize a camera system with good operability that can easily perform a zoom operation and a format switching operation. Therefore, even if both the scaling operation and the format switching operation are frequently performed, the scaling operation and the format switching operation can be performed without significantly changing the position of the hand operating the camera or changing the camera holding method each time. The composition can be determined easily by performing operations. In particular, since the format switch button 4 is arranged in the vicinity of the zoom ring 3 (and at the fingertip position when operating the zoom ring 3), the format switch button 4 can be operated without releasing the hand from the zoom ring 3. It is possible to do, and it has become more excellent in operability.

Films 51 (FIG. 7) and 52 (FIG. 8) that can be preferably used in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. Like the film 50 (FIG. 7), the films 51 and 52 are provided with two perforations 53 for each frame (one image is formed in one frame) at both upper ends of each frame.
Is used to detect film feed.

Image forming areas HF, LF of the film 51,
A magnetic recording portion 54 (hatched portion) corresponding to the PF is provided below the PF. Data (format information, number of prints, shutter speed, aperture value, etc.) relating to shooting is recorded in the magnetic recording unit 54 as magnetic information. As described above, there are three types of format information: L format, P format, and H format. The magnetic information can be written by a magnetic head (not shown) constituting the information recording unit 14.

In the laboratory, printing is performed in a size corresponding to each format (corresponding to the image forming area HF, LF or PF on the film 51) based on the format information recorded in the magnetic recording section 54. . Therefore,
The image forming area of the image formed on the film 51 is the image forming area HF of the H format for all formats.
May be That is, when the format is the L format, the L format print is obtained by trimming so as to exclude the left and right portions of the H format print range. When the format is the P format, the P format print is obtained by trimming the upper and lower parts of the H format print range. Of course, as in the case of the film 50 (FIG. 9), the film frame 51 (not shown) is switched and set.
The image forming areas HF and LF corresponding to the format to be printed by performing exposure while shielding a part of the
Alternatively, an image may be formed on the film 51 by PF.

In the film 52 shown in FIG. 8, instead of the magnetic recording portion 54, a non-image forming area below the image forming areas HF, LF and PF is used as a data exposure area 55 for information recording, It has the same structure as the film 51. Data related to shooting (format information, etc.)
The data is recorded by exposing the data exposure area 55 with a light emitting portion (not shown) such as an LED.

The number of printed dots 57 represents format information. For example, H format without dots, P format with one dot, dot 2
When the number is L, it represents the L format. The number of dots 57 is optically read by a photo reflector or the like, and based on this, an image forming area H corresponding to the format is formed.
Printing is performed in F, LF or PF. Note that the format may be represented by the dot burning position.

Next, the control operation of the first embodiment will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. When the main switch (not shown) is turned on, it is first determined in step # 10 whether or not a zoom operation has been performed. If the zoom operation is performed, after zooming (# 20), the process proceeds to step # 30. If the zoom operation is not performed, the process proceeds to step # 30. For zooming, the zoom operation unit 23 (Fig. 2)
Is performed, that is, according to the amount of rotation of the zoom ring 3 (FIG. 1). For example, in the case of manual zoom, the taking lens 5 is moved in association with the rotation of the zoom ring 3, and in the case of power zoom, the taking lens 5 is moved by the lens driving unit 24 (FIG. 2).
Zooming is performed by driving.

At step # 30, it is determined whether or not the format has been switched. If the format is switched, the process proceeds to step # 40, and if the format is not switched, the process proceeds to step # 60. In step # 40, the viewfinder field frame switching unit 17 (FIG. 2) is operated according to the operation of the format switching operation unit 21 (FIG. 2), that is, the switching setting of the format switching button 4 (FIG. 1) to operate the viewfinder field frame. Switch. Then, after the format information at that time is stored in the storage unit 13 in the camera body 1 (#
50), and proceeds to step # 60.

At step # 60, the switch S ₁ is turned on.
It is determined whether it has been done. If turned on, step # 70
If it is OFF, the process returns to step # 10. Operation of the release operation unit 12 (Fig. 2) (that is, half-press of the release button 6)
When the switch S ₁ is turned on by the lens drive unit 24
Focusing is performed by driving the photographic lens 5 at (# 70). Next, in step # 80, it is determined whether or not the switch S ₂ is turned on. If turned on, step #
If it is OFF, the process returns to step # 60. When the switch S ₂ is turned on by the operation of the release operation unit 12 (that is, the release button 6 is fully pressed), the diaphragm 22 and the shutter 16 are driven to perform film exposure (# 9
0).

Finally, the film feeding section 15 (FIG. 2) is operated to feed the film, and the information recording section 14
Information recording is performed by operating (FIG. 2) (# 10
0). Information recording is performed while the film is being fed, or before or after the film is fed, by the film 51,
52. For information to be recorded, see Step #
Information (including format information) stored in the storage unit 13 at 50, and the recording method is as described above.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the external structure of a camera to which the second embodiment is applied. The second embodiment has the same configuration as the first embodiment except that a zooming / format switching ring 3A having both functions is provided instead of the zoom ring 3 and the format switching button 4 in the first embodiment described above. Has been done. When the zooming / format switching ring 3A is operated straight in the direction of arrow S, zooming is performed, and the zooming / format switching ring 3A functions as a zooming operation member for instructing the lens drive unit 24 to change the focal length. The format switching is performed, and the finder visual field frame switching unit 17 functions as a format switching operation member for instructing the format switching. In addition,
On the contrary, the configuration may be such that the format switching is performed by the straight-ahead operation (arrow S) and the zooming is performed by the rotation operation (arrow R).

As described above, the zooming / format switching ring 3A is used both as the format switching operation member and the zooming operation member, so that the zooming operation and the format switching operation can be easily performed as in the first embodiment. It is possible to realize a camera system with good operability that can be performed without any problems. Therefore, even if both the scaling operation and the format switching operation are frequently performed, the scaling operation and the format switching operation can be performed without significantly changing the position of the hand operating the camera or changing the camera holding method each time. The composition can be determined easily by performing operations. Moreover, since the zooming / format switching ring 3A performs both the format switching and zooming functions only by the difference in the operation direction, the zooming / format switching ring 3A
It is possible to perform format switching and zooming without ever having to let go. As described above, the present embodiment is not only excellent in operability but also excellent in design.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a usage state of the camera body 31, the lens unit 32 and the remote control transmitter 33 to which the third and fourth embodiments are applied. The third embodiment is applied to a camera including a camera body 31 and a lens section 32, and the fourth embodiment is applied to a system including a camera according to the third embodiment and a remote control transmitter 40.

Similar to the camera body 1 in the first embodiment, the camera body 31 has a format switching mechanism for switching the format (the viewfinder field frame switching section 17 in FIG. 2).
And so on. ), The lens unit 32 has a built-in taking lens 35 as in the interchangeable lens 2 in the first embodiment, and a zooming mechanism (lens drive in FIG. 2) for changing (zooming) the focal length of the taking lens 35. Corresponding to the section 24).

As can be seen from FIG. 5, in the third embodiment, the camera body 31 has a zoom button 33A and a format switch button 34.
The feature is that A and A are provided. That is, unlike the first embodiment, the lens portion 32 is not provided with the zoom ring 3 and the format switching button 4 (FIG. 1), and instead, the zoom button 33A which plays the same role as the zoom ring 3 does.
And the format switching button 34A that plays the same role as the format switching button 4 are both on the upper surface of the camera body 31.
The format switch button 34A and the zoom button 33 are provided on the right shoulder when viewed from the side of the photographer holding the camera body 31.
A can be operated with the same finger.

If the format switch button 34A and the zoom button 33A are provided at the position of the camera body 31 where the format switch operation and the zoom operation can be performed with one hand,
The arrangement is not limited to that shown in FIG. For example, in FIG.
As shown in, the zoom button 33A and the format switching button 34
A and A may be arranged on the back surface of the camera body 31 so that they can be operated by the thumb of one hand, and as shown in FIG. 14, the zoom button 33A is arranged on the upper surface of the camera body 31 and the format switch button 34A is arranged. It may be arranged on the back surface of the camera body 31. Of course, the zoom button 33A may be arranged on the back surface of the camera body 31, and the format switching button 34A may be arranged on the upper surface of the camera body 31. A lever may be used as the variable power operation member instead of the button.

The format switching button 34A constitutes the format switching operation section 21 (FIG. 2) and functions as a format switching operation member for instructing the format switching mechanism such as the viewfinder frame switching section 17 to switch the format. . By pressing the format switching button 34A, the format can be cyclically switched, like the format switching button 4. on the other hand,
The zoom button 33A constitutes the zoom operation section 23 (FIG. 2), and is similar to the first embodiment (FIG. 1) in the focal length with respect to the lens driving section 24 (FIG. 2) constituting the zooming mechanism. It functions as a variable magnification operation member for instructing changes.

As can be seen from FIG. 5, in the fourth embodiment, the camera body 31 and the lens unit 32 are combined with the remote control transmitter 40 to form a camera system capable of remote control photography. The feature is that the remote control transmitter 40 is provided with a zoom button 33B and a format switching button 34B. The remote control transmitter 40 has a release button 36A,
A release button 36B and a zoom button 33B, which have the same functions as the zoom button 33A and the format switching button 34A, respectively.
And a format switching button 34B. Therefore, also when performing remote control photography, it is possible to perform zooming operation and format switching operation, as in the case of operating the zoom button 33A or the like from the camera body 31 side.

The remote control transmitter 40 uses an infrared method. When the buttons 33B, 34B, 36B are pressed,
Infrared light corresponding to the operated button is emitted from the remote control light emitting unit 41 as shown in FIG. The infrared ray is received by the remote control light receiving section 39, and the remote control light receiving section 39 sends a signal corresponding to the received infrared ray to the control section (corresponding to 11 in FIG. 2). For example, when the control unit receives a format switching signal, the warning lamp 37 and the warning buzzer 38 are received.
Is operated to notify the photographer of the format switching by the light of the warning lamp 37 and the sound of the warning buzzer 38.

Further, after receiving the format switching signal, until the predetermined time elapses or until the release, a format state notification signal indicating a format state (that is, L format, P format or H format) by light or sound is issued. The warning lamp 37 and the warning buzzer 38 may be operated. For example, as shown in the time chart of FIG. 6, the format status notification signal is turned on / off.
By making the OFF pattern correspond to the format, the photographer can be notified of the current format state from the blinking pattern of the light of the warning lamp 37 and the sound of the warning buzzer 38.

As in the third embodiment, the camera body 31 is provided with the zoom button 33A and the format switching button 34A, and as in the fourth embodiment, the remote control transmitter 40 is provided with the zoom button 33B and the format switching button 34B. By doing so, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to realize a camera system having a good operability that can easily perform the scaling operation and the format switching operation. Therefore, even if both the scaling operation and the format switching operation are frequently performed,
Each time, without changing the position of the hand to be operated or holding the camera body 31 or the remote control transmitter 40, it is possible to easily determine the composition by performing the scaling operation and the format switching operation. Moreover, the release operation can be performed.

Particularly, the release button 36A and the zoom button 33A
And the format switching button 34A are provided close to each other, and the release button 36B, the zoom button 33B, and the format switching button 34B are provided close to each other. It can be operated and is more operable.

[0044]

As described above, the format switching operation member for instructing the format switching mechanism to switch the format and the zooming operation member for instructing the zooming mechanism to change the focal length are provided as follows. According to the camera system of the first aspect of the present invention, by providing the lens unit in the second
According to the camera system of the present invention, the zoom control operation and the format switching operation can be performed by providing the camera main body position that can be operated by one hand, and by providing the remote control transmitter according to the third invention. It is possible to easily and. Therefore, in either case, a camera system with good operability can be realized. That is, when changing the focal length or changing the format to determine the composition, it is not necessary to greatly change the position of the hand or change the way of holding the camera, so that there is an effect that the operability is good.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a camera to which a first embodiment of the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control operation in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a camera to which a second embodiment of the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an external configuration and a usage state of a camera and a remote control transmitter to which the third and fourth embodiments of the present invention are applied.

FIG. 6 is a time chart showing an ON / OFF pattern of a format status notification signal according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a film usable in an example of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing another film usable in an example of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a film usable in a conventional example and an example of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a viewfinder field in each format (constant focal length state) in the conventional example and the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a finder field in each focal length state (constant format) in the conventional example and the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a camera to which a conventional example is applied.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a camera for explaining a variation in arrangement of zoom buttons and format switching buttons in the third embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a camera for explaining a variation in arrangement of zoom buttons and format switching buttons in the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ... Camera body 2 ... Interchangeable lens 3 ... Zoom ring 4 ... Format switching button 5 ... Shooting lens 6 ... Release button 11 ... Control section 12 ... Release operation section 13 ... Storage section 14 ... Information recording section 15 ... Film feeding section 16 ... Shutter 17 ... Viewfinder frame switching unit 21 ... Format switching operation unit 22 ... Aperture 23 ... Zoom operation unit 24 ... Lens drive unit 1A ... Camera body 2A ... Interchangeable lens 3A ... Zooming / format switching ring 31 ... Camera body 32 ... Lens Parts 33A, 33B ... Zoom buttons 34A, 34B ... Format switching buttons 36A, 36B ... Release button 40 ... Remote control transmitter

Front page continued (72) Inventor Yoshito Konishi 2-3-13 Azuchi-cho, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Osaka International Building Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. (72) Yoshio Nakagawa 2-3-3 Azuchi-cho, Chuo-ku, Osaka Osaka International Building Minolta Camera Co., Ltd.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A camera system comprising: a camera body having a format switching mechanism for switching formats; and a lens section having a taking lens and a zooming mechanism for changing the focal length of the taking lens. A camera characterized in that a format switching operation member for instructing a switching mechanism to switch formats and a zooming operation member for instructing the zooming mechanism to change a focal length are provided in the lens section. system. 2. A camera system comprising a camera body having a format switching mechanism for switching formats, and a lens section having a taking lens and a zooming mechanism for changing the focal length of the taking lens. A format switching operation member for instructing the switching mechanism to switch the format, and a zooming operation member for instructing the zooming mechanism to change the focal length are provided at the camera body position that can be operated by one hand. A camera system characterized by that. 3. A camera body having a format switching mechanism for switching the format, a lens section having a photographing lens and a magnification changing mechanism for changing the focal length of the photographing lens, and the format switching mechanism. A camera system comprising: a format switching operation member for instructing a format changeover; and a remote control transmitter provided with a variable power operation member for instructing the variable power mechanism to change a focal length.