JP2000047315A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily execute focusing on a liquid crystal display. SOLUTION: This camera is provided with a finder optical system as well as a photographing lens executing exposure on photographic film. A CCD image sensor is arranged on the image formation surface of the finder optical system, so that a subject image is picked up and is displayed on the liquid crystal display. Target marks 51 showing a range-finding range by an AF(autofocus) device and distance information 52 representing the distance to an object for which range-finding is executed are displayed on the finder screen 50 of the liquid crystal display.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera having a liquid crystal display for displaying a finder image and an autofocus device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A photographic camera in which a subject image is captured by an image sensor such as a CCD image sensor incorporated in a camera body and the captured subject image is displayed as a finder image on a liquid crystal display, or a finder image is displayed on a liquid crystal display. 2. Description of the Related Art A digital camera that displays a digital image and converts a subject image into a digital image and writes the digital image in a memory is known. Such a camera has an advantage that a finder image can be easily observed with both eyes as compared with a conventional photographic camera in which a finder image is observed by looking through one eye with a finder eyepiece. .

Some of such cameras have a built-in autofocus device. When a shutter button is pressed, a predetermined distance measurement range of a photographing range, for example, a distance to a subject in a central portion of the photographing range is measured. The focusing distance of the taking lens, that is, focusing is automatically performed based on the distance measurement data.

[0004]

However, since the liquid crystal display has a wide screen, it is difficult to quickly and accurately determine the center of the screen even if the distance measurement range is set at the center of the screen. In addition, the liquid crystal display displays the finder image as a large number of dots, but since the dot pitch at this time is relatively coarse, it has the same effect as increasing the depth of field, and is displayed. It is difficult to confirm whether the finder image is in focus or not. Furthermore, an optical system for capturing a finder image and an optical system for exposing a photographic film are separately provided, and when the former optical system is used as a pan focus, the photographic film is exposed to light. It cannot be determined on the liquid crystal display whether or not the subject image is in focus. Therefore, even if the part of the subject you want to focus on is out of range and out of focus,
The illusion that the image is in focus on the liquid crystal display causes a problem that the image is out of focus when the image is read from the memory and displayed on a large monitor, or when printed from a photographic film.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a camera which can easily focus on a liquid crystal display.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a subject image picked up by an image sensor is superimposed on a subject image displayed on a liquid crystal display which is displayed as a finder image. Display control means for displaying information about auto focus. According to a second aspect of the present invention, the information relating to the autofocus is a distance to a subject. According to the third aspect of the present invention, the information relating to the autofocus is a target indicating a distance measurement range by the autofocus device. It is a mark.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGS. 2 and 3 show appearances of a front side and a back side of a camera embodying the present invention. This camera is
It has both functions of a photo camera and a digital camera. On the front of the camera body 2, a taking lens 3 is incorporated, and a finder objective window 4, a strobe light emission window 5, a photometry window 6 are provided.
Is provided. On both sides of the finder objective window 4, there are provided a light projecting window 7 and a light receiving window 8 for auto-focusing. Focusing of the taking lens 3 is performed.

A shutter button 10 is provided on the upper surface of the body on the side of the grip portion 9. By half-pressing the shutter button 10, photometry of subject brightness is performed through the photometry window 6.
The distance to the subject via the light receiving window 8 is measured, and the photographing lens 3 is driven in accordance with the obtained distance measurement data to perform focusing. When the shutter button 10 is further depressed from the half-pressed state and fully depressed, the photographic film 11a
, And image data of a subject image picked up by a CCD image sensor described later is written into a built-in memory or the like. Exposure to the photo film 11a is performed using the shutter button 1
This is performed based on the photometric result when 0 is half-pressed.

[0009] Photo film cartridge 1 on the bottom of the body
An opening / closing lid 12 for loading and unloading 1 is provided. The photo film cartridge 11 is of the IX-240 type used in the advanced photo system. When not used or taken out of the camera, the photo film 11a is entirely wound in the cartridge 11b. The film feed port is light-tightly closed by a light-shielding lid, and when the photographic film cartridge 11 is loaded in the camera, the camera-side mechanism opens the light-shielding lid. After opening the light shielding cover inside the camera body 2, the photographic film 11 a is rotated by rotating the spool of the cartridge 11 b so that the cartridge 1
It is sent out of 1b.

A label 13 is attached to the cartridge 11, and a bar code 13a and a numeral string 13b are printed on the label. These respectively represent an ID code unique to the photo film cartridge 11, a bar code 13a is used for mechanical reading of the ID code, and a numeric string 13b is used for visual reading. The same photo film 11a is stored in the photo film 11a.
A bar code representing the D code and a numeric string are recorded as a latent image, and these are made obvious by film development.

At the developing station, the photographic film 11a is taken out of the photographic film cartridge 11 which has been photographed and collected, subjected to a film developing process and a printing process, and then the developed photographic film 11a is stored again in the same cartridge 11b. To the customer. Therefore, the ID code of the photo film 11a and the ID code of the cartridge 11b are maintained even after the development processing.

A liquid crystal display 15 is mounted on the back side of the camera body 2. This liquid crystal display 1
Reference numeral 5 denotes a configuration in which, for example, a color liquid crystal display panel is illuminated from the back with a fluorescent lamp, and a finder image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 15. For this reason, the image plane of the finder optical system provided at the back of the finder
A D image sensor is incorporated, and this CCD image sensor captures a subject image to display a finder image.

The liquid crystal display 15 is rotatable under appropriate friction between a folded position shown in FIG. 2 and an upright position shown in FIG. Therefore, the liquid crystal display 15 can be set and used at a position easy to observe according to the shooting posture. On the back of the camera body 2, a power operation member 1 for turning on and off the power of the camera
When the liquid crystal display 15 is set in the folded position, the power is turned off by pressing the power operation member 16 by the liquid crystal display 15.
When it is rotated from the folded position, the pressing is released and the power is turned on.

A key input unit 17 is provided on the back of the camera body 2.
And a mode selection member 18, which can be operated by raising the liquid crystal display 15.
By operating the key input unit 17, it is possible to instruct execution of various operations such as selecting an image stored in a built-in memory or the like and displaying the image on the liquid crystal display 15.

The mode selection member 18 can select the type and form of information related to autofocus displayed on the liquid crystal display 15 by operating the mode selection member. In this example, as the information on the autofocus, a target mark indicating the distance measurement range in which the autofocus device measures the distance, and distance information indicating the distance to the measured object are set. The image is superimposed on the subject image displayed above.

By matching the mode selection member 18 to the characters "1" to "4" written on the camera body 2,
By selecting any one of the modes 1 to 4, the information on the autofocus is switched in a type and a form corresponding to the selected mode. In the mode 1, the liquid crystal display 15 does not display information on autofocus. That is, only the subject image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 15 as a finder image. In the mode 2, only the target mark is displayed on the liquid crystal display 15. In this camera, since the distance measurement range is set at the center of the shooting range, the target mark is displayed at the center of the screen of the liquid crystal display 15.

In mode 3, distance information representing the shooting distance to the measured subject is displayed at the lower right of the screen on the liquid crystal display 15. Further, in mode 4, a target mark similar to that in mode 2 is displayed, and distance information is displayed inside the target mark. In this example, since the distance measurement is performed when the shutter button 10 is half-pressed, the distance information is displayed while the shutter button 10 is half-pressed.

As shown in FIG. 2, a connector 19 is incorporated on one side of the camera body 2, and can be used as an image data input / output terminal by opening the cover as shown. By using this connector 19, this camera and other digital devices,
For example, an electrical connection with a printer or a computer becomes possible, and image data and the like can be transmitted and received between the two.
Further, a battery loading chamber and a memory card slot are provided inside the grip portion 9, and these are exposed by opening a door 9a provided on the back side of the grip portion 9. In the battery loading chamber, a power battery is loaded,
A memory card (external memory) can be inserted into the memory card slot.

FIG. 4 shows an electrical configuration of a main part of the camera. This camera is roughly divided into a photographic camera system and a digital camera system, and the operation of each camera system is controlled by the microcomputer 20. A ROM 20a and a RAM 20b are connected to the microcomputer 20, and the microcomputer 20 captures a subject image by the CCD image sensor 21 according to a sequence of operations necessary for photographing according to a sequence program written in the ROM 20a. Operation control at the time. RAM 20b
Is used as a work memory in which data necessary for controlling the operation is temporarily written. In addition, RAM
20b is configured so that even when the power is turned off, data is not lost by being supplied with power from a backup power supply (not shown).

A half-press signal is sent to the microcomputer 20 when the shutter button 10 is half-pressed, and a full-press signal is sent when the shutter button 10 is fully pressed. The microcomputer 20
When a half-press signal is input, the photographic camera system is controlled to perform distance measurement, photometry, and focusing, and when a full-press signal is input, exposure to the photographic film 11b and photographic film 11 are performed.
a is fed. At the same time as the exposure to the photo film 11b, the digital camera system is controlled and the CCD is controlled.
The image data of the subject image picked up by the image sensor 21 is fetched and stored in a predetermined storage medium.

The photographic camera system comprises a photographic lens 3, an exposure control circuit 22, a film feeding mechanism 23, a magnetic recording / reproducing circuit 24, a photometric device, an AF (autofocus) device, and the like. The photometric device is composed of a light receiving element 25 and an A / D converter 26 arranged behind the photometric window 6. The light receiving element 25 measures the luminance of the subject, and the photometric data based on the photometric result is A The signal is output from the / D converter 26 to the microcomputer 20. The microcomputer 20 calculates a predetermined exposure value based on the photometric data and the film sensitivity of the photographic film 11b, and calculates a shutter speed,
Exposure value data representing the aperture value is obtained. Exposure control circuit 2
2 is a program shutter 27 based on the exposure value data.
Control the opening and closing of When the subject brightness is low,
When the program shutter 27 is opened and closed, strobe light is emitted from the strobe light emission window 5 toward the subject.

The film feeding mechanism 23 feeds one frame of the photographic film 11a every time the photographing is completed. IX-24
The photographic film 11a used in the 0-type photographic film cartridge 11 has two perforations formed per frame. Therefore, the PF sensor 28 detects the passage of the perforations and feeds one frame. Can be detected. By counting the detection signals obtained for each frame feed, the number of frames to be shot can be determined. The number of shot frames is sequentially updated in the RAM 20b, and is used as information for a frame number counter, and is also used as frame number information when writing image data described later.

A transparent magnetic recording layer is applied to the entire back surface of the photographic film 11a.
Numeral 4 supplies a recording signal to the magnetic head 29 during the period of one frame feeding after the photographing is completed. As a result, data is written by the magnetic head 29 to the outside of the shooting screen of the shooting frame. The data written by the magnetic head 29 includes exposure data such as shutter speed, aperture value, and whether or not strobe light is emitted, and shooting date and time data.

The magnetic head 29 is also used for reproduction. At the head of the photo film 11a, an ID code attached to the photo film cartridge 11a is magnetically recorded in advance. After the photographic film cartridge 11 is loaded into the camera, the ID code is read when automatic film feeding is performed to set the first frame on the exposure aperture, and is written into the RAM 20b. Note that a photoelectric bar code reader may be provided in the loading chamber of the photo film cartridge 11 to read the ID code from the bar code 13a.

The AF device is of, for example, an infrared active type, and includes a light projector 30, a light receiver 31, a distance measuring I / F (interface) 32, and a focusing mechanism 3.
3 is comprised. When the shutter button 10 is half-pressed, the light projector 30 is controlled by the distance measurement I / F 32 and emits an infrared beam toward the subject. Receiver 3
1 receives the infrared beam light from the projector 40 reflected by the subject and outputs a photoelectric signal based on the incident angle of the reflected light to the distance measurement I / F 32. The distance measurement I / F 32 sends distance measurement data to the microcomputer 20 based on the level of the photoelectric signal. Thus, the distance to the subject within the distance measurement range is measured, and distance measurement data corresponding to the distance is sent to the microcomputer 20.

The microcomputer 20 sends lens position data indicating the extension position of the photographing lens 3 based on the distance measurement data to the focusing mechanism 33. The focusing mechanism 33 includes a motor, a circuit, a cam, and the like that move the focusing lens of the photographing lens 3 in a direction along the optical axis, and extends the photographing lens 3 to the lens position indicated by the lens position data. As a result, focusing of the photographing lens 3 is performed so as to focus on the subject in the distance measurement range. When displaying the distance information on the liquid crystal display 15, the microcomputer 20 calculates the distance to the subject based on the distance measurement data.

The digital camera system includes a CCD image sensor 21, a finder optical system 35, a sensor driver 36,
It comprises an imaging signal processing circuit 37, an A / D converter 38, an image data processing circuit 39, a built-in memory 40, and the like.
The CCD image sensor 21 is arranged on the image forming surface of the finder optical system 35. Since the finder optical system 35 has a short focal length and the CCD image sensor 21 has a resolution of about 200,000 to 400,000 pixels, the finder optical system 35 is not focused. However, it is possible to capture a substantially satisfactory subject image within the depth of focus. CCD
The driving of the image sensor 21 is performed by the sensor driver 36. The charge storage time of the CCD image sensor 21, that is, the shutter speed of the electronic shutter is feedback-controlled based on a signal from an auto gain controller of the image signal processing circuit 37, and is automatically adjusted in accordance with the luminance of the subject. For this purpose, photometric data from a photometric device can be used.

An imaging signal from the image sensor 21 is input to an imaging signal processing circuit 37. Image signal processing circuit 37
Performs an R, G, B color separation after amplifying an image pickup signal to an appropriate level by an automatic gain controller or the like.
The image signal for each color is digitally converted by the A / D converter 38 to be image data, and then the image data processing circuit 3
9 is input. The image data processing circuit 39 performs correction processing such as white balance adjustment, γ correction, and matrix operation on the image data of each color. The corrected image data is sequentially sent to the LCD driver 43 via the image synthesizing circuit 42 so that the liquid crystal display 15
Then, the subject image within the shooting range of the shooting lens 3 is displayed as a moving image finder image.

The image data processing circuit 39 stores the image data for one screen in the buffer memory 45 at the time when the photograph was taken by operating the shutter button 10. The image data thus stored is transmitted to the image data processing circuit 3
By 9, the data is written to the built-in memory 40 built in the camera or the memory card 47 inserted in the memory card slot in advance via the microcomputer 20 and the I / O port 46 for input / output control. At the time of writing the image data, the microcomputer 20 stores the I / O of the photo film cartridge 11 from the RAM 20b.
The D code and the frame number are read, and the information is written into the built-in memory 40 or the memory card 47 together with the image data as an identification code.

When the mode selection member 18 is operated, the mode switch 48 is switched in conjunction therewith, whereby a mode signal corresponding to the mode selected by the mode selection member 18 is sent to the microcomputer 20. The microcomputer 20 determines the selected mode based on the mode signal, and sends mode data corresponding to the determined mode to the image composition circuit 42. This instruction data
It indicates whether or not the target mark is displayed, the distance to the subject, the display form (position) of the distance information, and the like.

An image synthesizing circuit 42 as display control means for displaying information relating to auto-focus on a subject image displayed on the liquid crystal display 15 includes:
A character ROM 49 is connected. The character ROM 49 stores character data such as target marks and distance information characters to be displayed on the liquid crystal display 15. Upon receiving the instruction data from the microcomputer 20, the image synthesizing circuit 42 reads necessary character data from the character ROM 55, and combines the character data with the image data from the image synthesizing processing circuit 39 to obtain an LCD driver 43.
To supply. Thereby, the target mark and the distance information are displayed on the liquid crystal display 15 in a manner superimposed on the subject image in accordance with the selected mode.

The operation of the microcomputer 20 can also be controlled by operating the key input unit 17 or a key input operation of a computer connected via the connector 19 irrespective of photographing. Therefore, image data can be transferred bidirectionally between the built-in memory 40 and the memory card 47, or the developed photographic film 11a can be transferred.
Only when is loaded, the film can be fed to an appropriate frame position, and the information recorded on the magnetic recording layer at an arbitrary frame position can be read. Further, an image based on image data read from the built-in memory 40 or the memory card 47 can be displayed on the liquid crystal display 15.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. The photographic film cartridge 11 is loaded into the cartridge loading chamber in the camera body 2 with the opening / closing 12 opened. Thereafter, when the cover 12 is locked in the closed position, the power supply
Regardless of N or OFF, the light-shielding lid opening / closing mechanism built in the camera operates to open the light-shielding lid that closes the film outlet of the cartridge 11b. Subsequently, the film feeding mechanism 23 operates to drive the spool of the cartridge 11b in the film feeding direction, and sends out the photographic film 11a from the cartridge 11b.

When the PF sensor 28 detects that the perforation of the first frame has moved to a predetermined position, the operation of the film feeding mechanism 23 is stopped, whereby the first frame is positioned behind the aperture. Set. During the initial feeding period of the film, the magnetic head 29 moves the magnetic film layer of the photographic film 11a from the photographic film 11a.
The ID number commonly assigned to the cartridge a and the cartridge 11b, the type of the photo film 11a, the number of recordable images, and the like are read.

The read information is stored in the microcomputer 20
And written into the RAM 20b. Information on the type of the photo film 11a and the number of shots can be used for controlling the exposure of the camera and setting the upper limit of the frame number counter. The ID number is used when recording image data in a memory as described later.

When taking a picture, first, the liquid crystal display 15 is turned from the folded position to the upright position. Thereby, the pressing of the power supply operation member 16 is released, and the power switch is turned on. When the power switch is turned on,
As shown in FIG. 5, the sensor driver 36 operates in response to a signal from the microcomputer 20, and the imaging of the subject image by the CCD image sensor 21 via the finder optical system 35 is started.

An image signal from the CCD image sensor 21 is converted into image data through an image signal processing circuit 37 and an A / D converter 38, and then input to an image data processing circuit 39, where various types of image data are converted into image data. Correction processing is performed. The corrected image data is sent to the LCD driver 43 via the image synthesizing circuit 42, and the LCD driver 43
Accordingly, the liquid crystal display 15 is driven based on the image data. As a result, the subject image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 15 as a finder image. Under the control of the microcomputer 20, imaging and display of the subject image are performed sequentially.

After the display of the subject image on the liquid crystal display 15 is started as described above, the microcomputer 20 determines the mode selected by the mode selection member 18 based on the mode signal from the mode switch 48. I do.

For example, when the photographer operates the mode selection member 18 to select the mode 4, a mode signal corresponding to the mode 4 is transmitted from the mode switch 48 to the microcomputer 20. And the microcomputer 20
Determines that mode 4 is selected based on this mode signal. The microcomputer 20 sends, to the image synthesizing circuit 42, instruction data for instructing a target mark for mode 4 on the liquid crystal display 15 in order to display the target mark.

Upon receiving the above instruction data, the image synthesizing circuit 42 reads out the character data of the target mark for mode 4 from the character ROM 49, and reads it out of the image data for one image from the image data processing circuit 39. It fits in the center part and synthesizes. Then, the combined image data is sent to the LCD driver 43. The inset synthesis of the character data is continuously performed. As a result, as shown in FIG.
5 is displayed on the viewfinder screen 50 with the “AF
Target mark 51 for mode 4 with the character “=”
Are superimposed. The target mark 51 is displayed at the center of the finder screen 50 in the range of the subject image measured by the AF device, that is, at the position of the range of the distance measurement.

The photographer can know the range in which the AF device can focus on the target mark 51 displayed on the liquid crystal display 15. Then, while observing the moving image object displayed on the liquid crystal display 15, framing is performed so that the object image to be focused is included in the target mark 51, and then the shutter button 10 is half-pressed. Press down and press down fully to shoot.

When the shutter button 10 is half-pressed, the light receiving element 25 of the photometric device is actuated to measure the subject luminance, and photometric data corresponding to the subject luminance is input from the A / D converter 26 to the microcomputer 20. You. The microcomputer 20 calculates exposure value data based on the photometric data and the film sensitivity of the photographic film 11a.

Further, the infrared beam light is projected from the projector 30 of the AF device toward the subject portion within the distance measurement range, and the infrared beam light reflected by the subject is received by the light receiver 31. The light receiver 31 outputs a photoelectric signal corresponding to the distance to the subject portion within the distance measurement range to the distance measurement I / F 32. As a result, distance measurement data corresponding to the distance from the distance measurement I / F 32 to the subject portion within the distance measurement range is sent to the microcomputer 20. The microcomputer 20 calculates lens position data indicating the extension position of the focusing lens of the photographing lens 3 based on the obtained distance measurement data, sends the calculated lens position data to the focusing mechanism 33, and operates the same. Thereby, the photographing lens 3 is focused so as to focus on the subject at the measured distance. Note that focusing may be performed when the shutter button 10 is fully pressed.

Further, since the mode 4 is selected, the microcomputer 20 calculates the distance to the subject from the distance measurement data, and obtains the instruction data for displaying this distance in the target mark 51 as distance information. It is sent to the synthesis circuit 42. The image synthesizing circuit 42 reads the character data corresponding to the distance indicated by the instruction data from the character ROM 49, and displays the distance information in the target mark 51 currently being displayed. The image data is embedded and synthesized.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 1B, the target mark 51 is displayed on the finder screen 50 of the liquid crystal finder 15 and the distance information 52 is superimposed on the subject image in the target mark 51. The displayed distance information 51 indicates the distance to the subject whose distance has been measured, and the value changes depending on the distance to the subject. For example, in FIG. 1B, the distance to the subject is 1.
5 m.

When the shutter button 10 is continuously pressed halfway down, the AF lock is applied. Therefore, even if the composition is changed and the distance of the subject within the range is changed, the position of the focusing lens of the photographing lens 3 and the liquid crystal display are changed. Fifteen
Does not change. Therefore, for example, the target button 51 is set to the subject to be focused, and the shutter button 1
It is also possible to change the composition while 0 is half-pressed and the half-press is maintained. At this time, since the target mark 51 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 15 so as to be superimposed on the subject image, it is possible to accurately and quickly set the distance measurement range to a position where the user wants to focus, and half-press the shutter button 10. it can.

If the distance measurement range includes subjects at different distances, the distance information 52 displayed in the target mark 51 is compared with the measured distance to the subject to determine which subject is different. It is possible to determine whether the object is in focus. And shutter button 1
It is possible to shift the composition and focus on a desired subject while performing the half-pressing operation of 0 and its release. Furthermore, by referring to the distance information, it is possible to determine whether or not flash photography is effectively performed, whether or not photography can be performed even closer, and the like.

After the shutter button 10 is half-pressed,
When a full-press operation is further performed by pressing, a program shutter 27 is opened and closed by the exposure control circuit 22 based on the photometric data obtained at the half-press time, and a photograph is taken. Also, at this time, if it is determined that the subject brightness is low based on the photometric data, the strobe light is emitted from the strobe light emission window 5 and irradiated to the subject.

Further, the microcomputer 20 sends a predetermined signal to the image data processing circuit 39 in response to the full-pressing of the shutter button 10, so that one screen image picked up by the CCD image sensor 21 at this time is output. The image data is written in the buffer memory 45. Since the imaging at this time is performed in synchronization with the flash emission timing, if the flash emission is performed, the imaging by the CCD image sensor 21 also uses the flash light. It will be.

After the operation of the program shutter 27 is completed, the microcomputer 20 operates the film feeding mechanism 23 to feed the film, and feeds the photographic film 11a one frame. During this one-frame feed, the magnetic head 29 is driven by the magnetic recording / reproducing circuit 24 to record data outside the photographic screen of the first frame. The information recorded here includes frame number data in addition to data on exposure, shooting date and time data, print size designation data, and the like. The frame number data corresponds to a frame number count that is updated on the RAM 20b for each photographing.

When the data recording on the magnetic recording layer is completed by the magnetic recording / reproducing device 24 and the one-frame feed is completed, the microcomputer 20 sets the image data processing circuit 3
9 to send an image data recording instruction. Thus, the image data for one screen stored in the buffer memory 45 is transferred to the built-in memory 40 via the microcomputer 20 and the I / O port 46, and is written therein.

At the time of this image data recording processing, the microcomputer 20 reads out the ID number and frame number data written in the RAM 20b, and writes these in the built-in memory 40 together with the image data. Needless to say, the memory card 47 can be set in a memory card slot so that image data, an ID number, a frame number, and the like are written in the memory card 47.

In the same manner, framing is performed while observing the finder image on the liquid crystal display 15, and photographing is sequentially performed.

If the mode 2 is selected by operating the mode selection member 18 during photographing as described above, the finder screen 50 of the liquid crystal display 15 is displayed as shown in FIG. Similarly, the target mark 53 for mode 2 containing the character "AF" is displayed. Of course, the target mark 52 is displayed over the subject image at a position corresponding to the distance measurement range of the AF device as in the case of the mode 4. In this mode 2, the distance information is not displayed even if the shutter button 10 is half-pressed.
Therefore, this is effective when it is desired to know only the distance measurement range.

When mode 3 is selected, before the shutter button 10 is half-pressed, only the subject image is displayed on the finder screen 50 as shown in FIG. 7A. When the shutter button 10 is half-pressed to measure the distance by the AF device, while the shutter button 10 is half-pressed, as shown in FIG.
4 is displayed at the lower right. By comparing the distance information 54 with the measured distance to the subject, as in the case of the mode 4, whether the flash photography is effectively performed or whether the photography can be performed even closer can be performed. Can be determined. In the case of the mode 1, as shown in FIG. 8, only the subject image is displayed on the finder screen 50, and the target mark and the distance information are not displayed.

The image data written in the built-in memory 40 or the memory card 47 as described above is used for reproducing the index image, and the photograph film 1 is used.
The photographic image on 1b can be used at any time as a master image when high-quality image data is captured by a film scanner.

In the above embodiment, the distance to the subject is displayed when the shutter button is half-pressed. However, the distance to the subject is displayed even when the shutter button is not half-pressed. be able to. FIGS. 9 and 10 show examples in which the distance to the subject is displayed without pressing the shutter button halfway as described above. Except as described below, the configuration is the same as that of the above embodiment.

In this example, as shown in FIG. 9, the AF device continuously measures the distance immediately after the start of the display of the subject image, and the display control processing shown in FIG. 10 controls the display of information relating to autofocus. You. By this display control processing, when mode 3 is selected, the distance information is displayed at the lower right of the finder screen, and when mode 4 is selected, the distance information is displayed inside the target mark together with the target mark. In any of Mode 3 and Mode 4, the distance information to the subject is displayed even if the shutter button is not half-pressed. If the distance to the subject changes, the value of the distance information follows. Also change. Then, when the shutter button is half-pressed, the distance is fixed to the distance-measured subject at that time and the distance information is displayed.

It is to be noted that the distance to the subject at the time when the shutter button is half-pressed is displayed, the distance measurement is continuously performed thereafter, and the distance to the subject according to the distance measurement is simultaneously displayed. Can also.

In each of the above embodiments, the infrared active system was used to measure the distance to the subject. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a passive autofocus device, a contrast detection system, a phase difference detection system, etc. It may be a device. In the contrast detection method and the phase difference detection method, since distance measurement is not performed, if the distance to the subject is obtained from the amount of movement of the focusing lens or the like, information on the distance to the subject can be displayed in these methods. . In the camera, focusing is not performed on the finder optical system. Needless to say, focusing may be performed on the finder optical system. Further, instead of a CCD image sensor, various devices such as a MOS image sensor that can be incorporated in a camera can be used.

In each of the above embodiments, a camera having both functions of a photographic camera and a digital camera has been described. However, any camera that displays a subject image on a liquid crystal display may be a photographic camera, a digital camera, or a video camera. There may be.

Further, a target mark indicating a range to be measured and distance information indicating a distance to a subject are displayed as information relating to autofocus. In addition to these, the shortest photographing in which the distance to the subject can be focused is performed. A warning display when the distance is shorter than the distance, a warning display indicating that the distance measurement cannot be performed, and the like can be used as the information regarding the autofocus. Further, it is also possible to display a target mark of a photometric point for measuring the subject luminance, a shutter speed, an aperture value, and whether or not it is necessary to use strobe light.

[0063]

As described above, according to the camera of the present invention, the distance to the subject and the distance measurement range by the autofocus device are displayed on the liquid crystal display which displays the subject image picked up by the image sensor as a finder image. Information on autofocus such as target marks is superimposed and displayed on the subject image, so that the user can quickly and accurately know the distance measurement range and whether the desired subject is in focus. , The focus can be easily adjusted on the liquid crystal display, and photographing without failure can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a finder screen when a target mark indicating a distance measurement range and information on a distance to a subject are displayed on a liquid crystal display.

FIG. 2 is a front external view of a camera embodying the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the camera shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the camera.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing from the start of imaging of a subject image to the photographing thereof.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a finder screen when a target mark indicating a distance measurement range is displayed on a liquid crystal display.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a finder screen when displaying distance information on a liquid crystal display.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a finder screen when a target mark and distance information are not displayed on a liquid crystal display.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing in an example in which distance information is displayed from the start of imaging of a subject image.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a display control process in the example of FIG. 9;

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Camera Body 3 Shooting Lens 15 Liquid Crystal Display 18 Mode Selection Member 20 Microcomputer 21 CCD Image Sensor 35 Finder Optical System 30 Projector 31 Receiver 42 Image Synthesis Circuit 49 Character ROM

Claims (3)

[Claims] An image sensor for capturing an image of a subject;
A liquid crystal display that displays a subject image captured by this image sensor as a finder image, and an autofocus device that performs focusing of a taking lens based on the distance to the subject are displayed on the liquid crystal display in a camera. A camera comprising: display control means for displaying information about autofocus on a subject image. 2. The information on the auto focus,
The camera according to claim 1, wherein the distance is a distance to a subject. 3. The information on the auto focus,
2. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the target mark is a target mark indicating a range to be measured by the autofocus device.