JP2000056382A - Display device within finder for camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable many pieces of photographing information to be visually recognized by a photographer by diversifying the display states of respective indexes and changing the display states of the respective indexes. SOLUTION: This display device is provided with a finder optical system observing a picture on a focusing plate 15, plural AF(automatic focusing) frames 15a, 15b and 15c consisting of a light deflection means arranged at the plate 15 or near it and plural illumination light sources 23 illuminating the plural AF frames from the outside of the plate 15. The light deflection means constituting the respective AF frames is the aggregate of polygonal pyramid-like prisms (p) having at least three or more light deflection surfaces. The plural illumination light sources are constituted of plural light emission parts 24, 25 and 26 enabling the respective AF frames to be irradiated with the light beams of two or more different colors from in different directions.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a display device in a viewfinder of a camera.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art It is known that a single-lens reflex camera having a multi-point distance measuring function has a plurality of focus frames (AF frames) indicating a plurality of focus ranges in a finder visual field. Further, among single-lens reflex cameras having such a plurality of focus frames, there is known a single-lens reflex camera in which a currently selected focus frame is displayed by light emission so as to be visually recognized by a photographer.

As described above, in the type in which the currently selected focus frame is displayed by light emission, each focus frame is constituted by an aggregate (light deflecting means) of fine prisms formed on a focus plate, and the corresponding focus frame is provided outside the finder optical path. There is a type in which a light beam from a light emitting unit (illumination light source) is applied to a currently selected focus frame so that a photographer can visually recognize the focus frame.

As described above, in a conventional camera in which an index such as a focus frame is illuminated and displayed in a finder field of view using a corresponding illuminator provided outside a finder optical path,
Since the light-emitting unit that illuminates each indicator emits monochromatic light (for example, red light by a red LED), there are only three types of display modes of each indicator that are illuminated and displayed: on, off, and blinking. For this reason, it was not possible for the photographer to visually recognize a large amount of photographing information by changing the display mode of each index.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and has a plurality of indices such as a focus frame formed of an aggregate of fine prisms in a finder optical path.
By illuminating each of the indices with a corresponding illumination light source and displaying the indices in a viewfinder display device, the display mode of each of the indices is diversified, and the display mode of each of the indices is changed to obtain a large amount of shooting information. It is an object of the present invention to provide a display device in a viewfinder of a camera which enables a photographer to visually recognize the image.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a finder optical system for observing an image on a focus plate disposed at a position optically equivalent to an image forming plane of a photographing optical system; and a specific area within a field of view of the finder optical system. A plurality of indices comprising light deflecting means provided on or near the focus plate; and a plurality of illumination light sources for illuminating the plurality of indices from outside the focus plate. The light deflecting means constituting each index is at least three surfaces in a viewfinder display device of a camera for deflecting a light beam from a corresponding illumination light source into an observation optical path of an observer of a finder optical system. The plurality of illumination light sources include a plurality of light-emitting units that can irradiate at least two or more different colors of light to different indices from different directions with respect to each index. It is characterized in that. According to this configuration, for example, if the plurality of light-emitting units are configured by a red light-emitting unit that emits red light and a green light-emitting unit that emits green light, each index is red, green, and three colors of orange, which is a mixed color of these. The display becomes possible, and by changing the display mode of each index, a lot of photographing information can be visually recognized by the photographer.

[0007] Further, the plurality of light-emitting portions are composed of a red light-emitting portion that emits red light, a green light-emitting portion that emits green light, and a blue light-emitting portion that emits blue light.
By adopting a configuration in which each index is incident from a different direction, each index can be displayed in full color (multicolor display) by adjusting the amount of light of each color, so that more imaging information is captured by each index Can be visually recognized.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrated embodiments. FIG. 10 shows an AF single-lens reflex camera to which the present invention is applied. This single-lens reflex camera is an AF single-lens reflex camera having a multi-point distance measuring function, and has a camera body 10 and a photographing lens 40 detachably mounted on a front portion of the camera body 10.

The photographing lens 40 has a photographing optical system 41 including an AF lens group which moves forward and backward along a photographing optical axis O in a lens barrel (not shown). The AF lens group includes a gear train 30 provided in the camera body 10, the camera body 10 and the photographing lens 40.
Are driven by the rotation of an AF motor 32 provided on the camera body 10 via an AF coupler 50 provided over the camera body 10 and a gear train 43 provided in the lens barrel.
The photographing lens 40 has a built-in lens ROM 45 in which lens information is stored in advance. The lens information stored in the lens ROM 45 includes a plurality of lens information contacts provided in the camera body 10 and the photographing lens 40, respectively. 52
Through the body microcomputer 34 provided in the camera body 10.

Further, in the camera body 10, a mirror box 13 for supporting the quick return mirror 11 therein, a pentaprism 17 fixed above the mirror box 13, and an eyepiece fixed behind the pentaprism 17 A lens (Fine loupe) 19 is provided. Mirror box 13 and pentaprism 17
A focusing plate (focusing screen) 15 is fixed therebetween. In the camera body 10, a focus detection device 21 and a light emitting device 23 are provided below the mirror box 13.
Is provided.

In a photographing standby state before the release, most of the subject light flux that has entered the camera body 10 through the photographing optical system 41 is first reflected upward by the quick return mirror 11 to form an image on the focus plate 15. You. The formed subject image (laterally inverted image) is inverted right and left by the pentaprism 17, and is observed through the eyepiece 19 as an erect image whose right, left, up, and down directions are correct.

On the other hand, a part of the subject light beam entering the camera body 10 through the photographing lens 40 passes through a half mirror portion 11a provided at a substantially central portion of the quick return mirror 11, and is behind the quick return mirror 11. Incident on the sub-mirror 12 provided on the side. The light beam that has entered the sub-mirror 12 is reflected downward and enters the focus detection device 21.

As shown in FIG. 9, the camera of this embodiment automatically focuses (AF) at one of the center ranging point C, the left ranging point L and the right ranging point R in the finder visual field FV.
It employs a three-point ranging method. Focus detection device 21
Is a phase difference detection type distance measuring sensor, and incorporates three AF sensor units (not shown) corresponding to the center distance measuring point C, the left distance measuring point L, and the right distance measuring point R, respectively.

The body microcomputer 34 performs a predetermined exposure calculation based on a photometric signal obtained from a TTL photometric device (not shown) and film sensitivity information, and calculates an appropriate shutter speed and aperture value. Further, the body microcomputer 34
Photographing processing based on these proper shutter speed and aperture value, that is, the quick return mirror 11 is flipped from the standby position to the photographing position, and a shutter mechanism (not shown)
Then, an aperture mechanism (not shown) is driven to expose the film. Further, the body microcomputer 34 performs
The AF motor 32 is driven to move the AF lens group to a focusing position to focus on the subject.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the focus plate 15
The upper surface (mat surface) 15x has three light deflecting units (light deflecting units) corresponding to the center ranging point C, the left ranging point L, and the right ranging point R in the finder field of view FV shown in FIG. Means), that is, a central light deflecting section (index) 15a, a left light deflecting section (index) 15b, and a right light deflecting section (index) 15c. Each of these light deflection units 15a, 15b, 15c
Functions as a focus frame (AF frame) observed in the finder visual field via the eyepiece lens 19.

Each of the light deflecting portions 15a, 15b and 15c has a hollow rectangular frame shape, and the frame portion is formed of an aggregate of a plurality of fine square pyramid prisms p (see FIG. 2). FIG. 3 is an enlarged view showing a single quadrangular pyramid prism p included in each of the light deflection units 15a, 15b, and 15c. Each prism p has its vertex ap directed upward (toward the pentaprism 17 side), and a triangular light deflecting surface around its periphery.
Surfaces, that is, a first light deflecting surface r1, a second light deflecting surface r2, a third light deflecting surface r3, and a fourth light deflecting surface r4. The first light deflecting surface r1 of each prism p is a light deflecting surface located on the front side of the camera (lower side in FIG. 2), and the second light deflecting surface r2 is located on the rear side of the camera (upper side in FIG. 2). The light deflection surface. The third light deflecting surface r3 of each prism p is a light deflecting surface located on the left side (the left side in FIG. 2) toward the front of the camera, and the fourth light deflecting surface r4 is facing the front of the camera. The light deflecting surface is located on the right side (the right side in FIG. 2). Each of the light deflectors 15a, 15a,
Light beams emitted from the corresponding light sources of the light emitting device 23 are incident on 15b and 15c from below the focus plate 15. Hereinafter, the light emitting device 23 will be described in detail.

The light emitting device 23 is disposed below the mirror box 13 and includes three independent light emitting portions, namely, a central green light emitting portion 24, a left red light emitting portion 25, and a right blue light emitting portion 26. (See FIGS. 5 and 6). The central green light emitting unit 24, the left red light emitting unit 25, and the right blue light emitting unit 26 are
a, the left light deflecting unit 15b and the right light deflecting unit 15c, respectively. The central green light emitting unit 24 is located in the front center of the lower part of the mirror box 13, and the left red light emitting unit 25 is located on the left side of the lower part of the mirror box 13. The blue light emitting section 26 is fixed at the center and at the right center under the mirror box 13. The central green light emitting portion 24, the left red light emitting portion 25, and the right blue light emitting portion 26 pass through the central opening 13a, the left opening 13b, and the right opening 13c formed in front of the bottom plate of the mirror box 13. 13 are arranged respectively.

Each of the central green light emitting units 24 has a green LED.
And a central light deflector 15a which deflects the light beams from these three green light sources 24a,
A prism 24b for projecting light toward the left light deflecting unit 15b and the right light deflecting unit 15c, respectively. A condensing lens is integrally formed on each exit surface of the prism 24b. Further, between each light source 24a and the incident surface of the prism 24b, each light source 24 incident on the incident surface of the prism 24b is provided.
A first mask 24f that regulates the range of the incident light beam from a is fixed, and similarly, the exit surface of the prism 24b,
Central opening 13a formed in bottom wall of mirror box 13
Between them, a second mask 24g that regulates the range of the light beam emitted from the exit surface of the prism 24b is fixed (see FIG. 5).

Each of the left-side red light emitting portions 25 has a red LED.
And a central light deflector 15a that deflects the light beams from these three red light sources 25a,
A prism 25b for projecting light toward the left light deflecting unit 15b and the right light deflecting unit 15c, respectively. A condenser lens is integrally formed on each exit surface of the prism 25b. Further, between each light source 25a and the incident surface of the prism 25b, each light source 25 incident on the incident surface of the prism 25b is provided.
A first mask 24f that regulates the range of the incident light beam from a is fixed, and similarly, the exit surface of the prism 25b,
Left side opening 13b formed in bottom wall of mirror box 13
Between them, a second mask 24g that regulates the range of the light beam emitted from the exit surface of the prism 25b is fixed (see FIG. 5).

Each of the right blue light emitting portions 26 is a blue LED.
And a central light deflector 15a, which deflects the light beams from the three blue light sources 26a,
A prism 26b for projecting light toward the left light deflecting unit 15b and the right light deflecting unit 15c, respectively. A condenser lens is integrally formed on each exit surface of the prism 26b. Further, between each light source 26a and the incident surface of the prism 26b, each light source 26 incident on the incident surface of the prism 26b is provided.
The first mask 24f that regulates the range of the incident light beam from a is fixed, and similarly, the exit surface of the prism 26b,
Right side opening 13c formed in bottom wall of mirror box 13
Between them, a second mask 24g that regulates the range of the light beam emitted from the exit surface of the prism 26b is fixed (see FIG. 5). Note that the first mask 24f and the second mask 24g are not shown in FIG.

Each green light source 24a of the central green light emitting section 24
Are emitted from the corresponding first mask 24f, prism 24b, second mask 24g, and central opening 13
a, the central light deflector 15a, the left light deflector 15b
Then, the light is incident on the right optical deflection unit 15c at a predetermined incident angle. At this time, the light flux G from each green light source 24a passes through the focus plate lower surface 15w, exits from the second light deflection surface r2 of each prism p of the corresponding light deflection unit, and travels toward the pentaprism 17. That is, the luminous flux G emitted by each green light source 24a is deflected by the second light deflecting surface r2 of each prism p of the corresponding light deflecting unit (15a, 15b or 15c), and is deflected by the observer in the finder optical system. Led to.

Similarly, the red luminous flux R emitted from each red light source 25a of the left red light emitting section 25 is applied to the corresponding first mask 2
4f, the prism 25b, the second mask 24g, and the left opening 13b, and is incident on the central light deflecting unit 15a, the left light deflecting unit 15b, and the right light deflecting unit 15c at a predetermined incident angle. At this time, the luminous flux R from each red light source 25a passes through the focus plate lower surface 15w, and emerges from the fourth light deflecting surface r4 of each prism p of the corresponding light deflecting unit, and the pentaprism 1
Go to 7. That is, the luminous flux R emitted from each red light source 25a
Is the corresponding light deflection unit (15a, 15b or 15c)
Are deflected by the fourth light deflecting surface r4 of each prism p, and guided into the observation optical path of the observer of the finder optical system.

Similarly, the blue luminous flux B emitted from each blue light source 26a of the right blue light emitting section 26 is applied to the corresponding first mask 2
4f, the prism 25b, the second mask 24g, and the right opening 13c, and the light enters the central light deflecting unit 15a, the left light deflecting unit 15b, and the right light deflecting unit 15c at a predetermined incident angle. At this time, the luminous flux B from each blue light source 26a passes through the focus plate lower surface 15w, and exits from the third light deflecting surface r3 of each prism p of the corresponding light deflecting unit, and the pentaprism 1
Go to 7. That is, the luminous flux B emitted from each blue light source 26a
Is the corresponding light deflection unit (15a, 15b or 15c)
Are deflected by the third light deflecting surface r3 of each prism p, and guided into the observation optical path of the observer of the finder optical system. Each light beam of the light beam G, the light beam R, and the light beam B enters each of the light deflecting surfaces r1, r2, r3, and r4 and the surroundings thereof. Eyepiece 19 via pentaprism 17
Head for.

FIG. 4 shows light beams G from the central green light emitting section 24, the left red light emitting section 25 and the right blue light emitting section 26,
The light beam R and the light beam B are incident on the central light deflecting unit 15a, the left light deflecting unit 15b, and the right light deflecting unit 15c, respectively, and are deflected. As can be seen from this figure, the light beam G, light beam R and light beam B incident on the same prism p are:
The light is deflected by the prism p and emitted in a direction substantially orthogonal to the focus plate 15 toward the pentaprism 17. Therefore, the center green light emitting section 24 and the left red light emitting section 25
A full-color display (multicolor display) is realized by appropriately adjusting the light amounts of the green light (light flux G), the red light (light flux R), and the blue light (light flux B) emitted by the right blue light emitting section 26. You. The display device in the finder of the single-lens reflex camera according to the present embodiment includes the respective light deflection units 15a, 15b, 15
c and each of the light emitting units 24, 25, 26, and the like.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the light deflection portion light emission display processing by the body microcomputer 34. AF of this embodiment
In a single-lens reflex camera, when a release button (not shown) is half-pressed, a defocus amount is calculated at each of the center ranging point C, the left ranging point L, and the right ranging point R, and the calculated defocus amount is calculated. When the subject is focused on and the release button is fully pressed, a release operation is performed. When the release button is half-pressed, the process enters the flow chart shown in FIG.

When the release button is half-pressed, first, a defocus amount is calculated at each of the center ranging point C, the left ranging point L, and the right ranging point R (S101). Next, the defocus amount at the distance measuring point at which the minimum defocus amount is calculated is stored in a RAM or the like, and a drive amount for driving the AF lens group of the photographing optical system 41 is obtained based on the defocus amount. Then, the AF lens group is driven by this driving amount (S10).
3, S105, S107). Thereafter, it is determined whether the object is in focus or out of focus. If not, steps S105 and S1 are performed again.
07, and if it is determined that the subject is in focus, the next step S
The process proceeds to the process of S111 (S109).

In the process of step S111, step S111
The focus area (the central light deflector 15) corresponding to the distance measuring point for which the minimum defocus amount has been calculated in the process of 103
a) At least one of the light sources 24a, 25a, 26a corresponding to each of the light emitting units 24, 25, 26 emits light so that the left light deflecting unit 15b or the right light deflecting unit 15c) emits light. Subsequently, a timer is started, and then a release permission is issued and the process returns (S113, S115).
The timer processing in step S113 is performed in step S111.
This is a process of turning off the light sources 24a, 25a, and 26a that were turned on in the above process after a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds) has elapsed from the start of the timer.

In step S111, each light emitting unit 2
4, 25, 26 corresponding light sources 24a, 25a, 26a
To emit light to cause any of the light deflection units to emit light,
By adjusting the amount of light emitted from each light source, the light deflector (15a, 15b, or 15c) for displaying light can be displayed in full color. For example, a display mode is possible in which the selected light deflecting unit (15a, 15b or 15c) is displayed in red, green is displayed when focused, and blue when focused but in a backlight state. . Also,
Light deflecting unit (15a, 15b or 15
When c) is desired to be displayed in a display color other than green, blue and red, at least two or more of the corresponding light emitting units 24, 25 and 26 may emit light at the same time to adjust the light intensity appropriately.

As described above, according to the AF single-lens reflex camera of the present embodiment to which the present invention is applied, each of the light emitting units 24, 2
By adjusting the light amounts of the light deflectors 15 and 26,
a, 15b, and 15c can be displayed in full color. Therefore, by changing the display color of each of the light deflectors 15a, 15b, and 15c, a lot of photographing information can be visually recognized by the photographer. Further, each of the light deflecting units 15a, 15b,
By not only turning on and off the light 15c but also blinking it, the photographer can visually recognize more photographing information.

In the embodiment of the present invention described above, the three light emitting units 24, 25, and 26 having different emission colors are provided in correspondence with the three light deflection units 15a, 15b, and 15c. A configuration in which only any two light emitting units are provided may be adopted. For example, when only two light emitting units of the green light emitting unit 24 and the red light emitting unit 25 are provided, full color display cannot be performed.
a, 15b, and 15c can be displayed in three colors of red, green, and a mixed color of orange, so that a large amount of photographing information can be visually recognized by a photographer by appropriately changing the display mode of each light deflector. Can be done.

In this embodiment, three light deflecting sections 15a, 15b and 15 functioning as focus frames are provided.
Although c is formed on the focus plate 15, each light deflector may be formed on a transparent plate or the like provided near the focus plate 15 instead of this structure.

In the present embodiment, three light deflecting units functioning as focus frames are provided, and the number of light emitting units corresponding to the three light deflecting units is provided. However, two or four light deflecting units are provided. One or more light deflecting units may be provided and the number of light emitting units corresponding to the number of the light deflecting units may be provided.

In the present embodiment, the plurality of light deflecting units are configured as focus frames, but may be configured as indices used for other purposes than the focus frame.

In this embodiment, one of the plurality of light deflection units selected by the light deflection unit light emission display processing shown in FIG.
One of the light deflecting units is controlled to emit light. However, the present invention is not limited to this control mode.
A configuration may be employed in which one or more light deflecting units simultaneously emit and display light.

In this embodiment, each prism p is formed in a quadrangular pyramid shape. However, a prism having a shape of a triangular pyramid or a pentagonal pyramid or more can be expected to have the same effect as the present invention. In this case, the light from the central green light emitting section 24, the left red light emitting section 25, or the right blue light emitting section 26 corresponding to each light deflecting surface of each prism is set so that each light beam is incident at an appropriate incident angle. The light emitting units 24, 25, 26 may be provided as appropriate.

In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to an AF single-lens reflex camera. However, the present invention can be applied to a lens shutter camera.

[0037]

As described above, according to the display device in the finder of the camera of the present invention, the light deflecting means constituting each index is formed by an aggregate of polygonal pyramid prisms having at least three or more light deflecting surfaces. And a plurality of illumination light sources composed of a plurality of light-emitting units capable of irradiating at least two or more different colors of light from different directions to the respective indices. The information can be visually recognized by the photographer.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective external view showing a focus plate of an AF single-lens reflex camera to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view showing a central light deflector, a left light deflector, and a right light deflector formed on a focus plate shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view showing a single unit of a plurality of regular quadrangular pyramid-like prisms constituting each light deflecting unit formed on the focus plate shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a light beam from a corresponding light emitting unit is incident on each light deflector on a focus plate and is deflected.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of an AF single-lens reflex camera to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the focus plate viewed from above in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of light deflection unit light emission display processing by the body microcomputer.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an arrangement of a center ranging point, a left ranging point, and a right ranging point in a finder visual field FV.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of an AF single-lens reflex camera to which the present invention is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 Camera body 11 Quick return mirror 13 Mirror box 15 Focus plate 15a Central light deflecting unit 15b Left light deflecting unit 15c Right light deflecting unit 15x Focus plate top surface 23 Light emitting device 24 Central light emitting unit 24 Left light emitting unit 24 Right light emitting unit 24a Green light source 25a red light source 26a blue light source 24b 25b 26b prism 40 shooting lens 41 shooting optical system p prism r1 r2 r3 r4 light deflection surface B blue light G green light R red light

Claims (5)

[Claims] A viewfinder optical system for observing an image on a focusing plate disposed at a position optically equivalent to an image forming plane of a photographing optical system; and indicating a specific area in a field of view of the viewfinder optical system. A plurality of indices provided by the light deflecting means provided on or near the focus plate; and a plurality of illumination light sources for illuminating the plurality of indices from outside the focus plate;
The light deflecting means constituting each of the indices is a display device in a finder of a camera which deflects a light beam from a corresponding illumination light source into an observation optical path of an observer of a finder optical system. A plurality of light sources, each of which includes a plurality of polygonal pyramid prisms each having at least three or more light deflecting surfaces; A display device in a viewfinder of a camera, comprising: 2. The display device in a viewfinder of a camera according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of light emitting units include a red light emitting unit that emits red light, a green light emitting unit that emits green light, and a blue light emitting unit that emits blue light. The three-color light emitted by the light-emitting units is incident on each index from different directions. 3. A display device in a viewfinder of a camera according to claim 1, wherein the light deflecting means constituting each index comprises an aggregate of quadrangular pyramid-shaped prisms having four light deflecting surfaces. A display device in a viewfinder of a camera, characterized in that: 4. The display device in a viewfinder of a camera according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of indices are integrally formed on a focus plate.
Display device in the viewfinder of the camera. 5. The display device in a finder according to claim 1, wherein the camera is an AF single-lens reflex camera having a multi-point distance measuring function, and each of the plurality of indices is a focus. A display device in a viewfinder of a camera, wherein the display device is configured as a frame.