JP2000075392A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To inform a photographer of a selected focus detection area by the use of an external display device without providing a dedicated display member or a dedicated segment in an external liquid crystal display panel and to obtain pleasant operability by switching a display part constituted of a scale and plural dots by a display means. SOLUTION: As for the display of the external display panel; a 1st seven- segment display part 52 for displaying a shutter value ordinarily is set to display letters 'SEL' showing that a focus detection area optional selection mode is selected. On a 2nd seven-segment display part 53 for displaying a stop value, the display of nearly square shape [] shows that a central focus detection area is selected and the display of 'AF' is performed in other cases. The row direction of the specified focus detection area is expressed by the display of a scale display part 61. In the case of the focus detection area in the row upper than the center, it is expressed by '+' and in the case of the focus detection area in the row lower than the center, it is expressed by '-'. Then, the focus detection area selected at such a time is expressed by the flickering of a dot mark.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera, and more particularly to a display device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a multipoint AF (autofocus) camera having a plurality of focus detection areas has become popular.

In addition, since a plurality of focus detection areas are provided, an arbitrary selection mode in which a photographer can arbitrarily select a focus detection area, and an automatic selection mode in which a camera automatically selects a focus detection area. Cameras that can set the mode have also been proposed.

On the other hand, in a conventional multi-point AF camera, various methods have been proposed as a method of displaying a selected focus detection area in the above-described arbitrary selection mode.

[0005] For example, when there are five focus detection areas, a focus detection area display section provided in the finder is used.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 08-054675 discloses a method in which a display section of a focus detection area to be used in an arbitrary selection mode is illuminated and displayed by superimposing to notify the user.

At this time, in the automatic selection mode, the display units of all five focus detection areas are lit to indicate which setting state is being set.

However, since the operation of selecting the focus detection area cannot be performed unless the display of the selected focus detection area is always in the viewfinder only when looking through the viewfinder, the operability of the photographer is improved by using the external display of the camera. Need to be done.

Therefore, an external display device of a camera (liquid crystal type)
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 03-231728 discloses a method of notifying a selected focus detection area in an arbitrary selection mode on an external display of a camera without using a 7-segment in the viewfinder.

Further, there has been proposed a display in a finder when a focus detectable area is two-dimensionally expanded and the number of focus detectable areas is dramatically increased.

As for the external display method, a method using seven segments in an external display liquid crystal panel is also known. This is to inform the photographer of the position in the array of a plurality of ranging points intuitively by using a numeral.

As described above, it is conceivable to use a dedicated focus detection area display member without using the conventional seven segments for other displays.

[0012]

However, if the focus detectable area expands two-dimensionally and the number of focus detectable areas increases drastically, the above-mentioned conventional example (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 03-23172) will be described.
No. 8), it is impossible to display a focus detection area selected using seven segments on an external display device of the camera.

In the method of numerically expressing the distance measuring point position using seven segments, it is difficult to intuitively associate the position of the distance measuring point in the screen, and it is difficult to grasp the position.

The use of a dedicated display member causes an increase in the size of the camera, significantly reducing operability and portability, and increasing costs.

Further, when a dedicated display segment is provided in the external liquid crystal display panel, it is necessary to condense the display portion in a limited space and arrange the display portion, resulting in a display with poor visibility.

Further, if the display unit is arranged in a size that is easy to see, the size of the external liquid crystal display panel, that is, the size of the camera may be increased.

An object of the invention according to the present application is to provide a multi-point AF camera having a focus detection area having a two-dimensional spread, in which a selected focus detection area is displayed on a dedicated display member or a dedicated display segment in an external liquid crystal display panel. It is an object of the present invention to provide a camera having a comfortable operability by notifying a photographer with an external display device of the camera without providing the camera.

[0018]

A first configuration for realizing the object of the invention according to the present application has a plurality of focus detection areas,
A focus detection unit having an arbitrary selection mode for arbitrarily selecting the focus detection area; an external display unit for displaying various information of the camera outside the camera; and an external display unit when the arbitrary selection mode is selected. Display switching means for switching the display from the first display state to the second display state indicating the selected focus detection area, wherein the display means comprises a display unit comprising a scale and a plurality of dots. It is designed to be switched by means.

According to a second configuration for realizing the object of the invention according to the present application, the display section of the display means is a display section whose first display state is related to exposure control of a camera.

According to a third configuration for realizing the object of the invention according to the present application, the second display state relating to the autofocus when the focus detection area arbitrary selection mode is selected is such that the plurality of focal points are determined by the scale. One group in the detection area is specified, and one focus detection area in the group specified by the dots is specified.

According to a fourth configuration for realizing the object of the invention according to the present application, the second display state relating to the autofocus when the focus detection area arbitrary selection mode is selected is a part or all of the scale. The vertical position in the screen of the focus detection area selected using is displayed,
The position of the focus detection area selected using a part of the plurality of dots is displayed in the horizontal direction on the screen, and the position of the focus detection area selected using a part or all of the plurality of dots is displayed on the screen. The number of selectable focus detection areas arranged in the direction is displayed.

In a fifth configuration for realizing the object of the invention according to the present application, the plurality of focus detection areas are vertically arranged in a plurality of rows in a screen, and a plurality of focus detection areas are arranged in the horizontal direction of each row. The second display state related to the autofocus when the focus detection area arbitrary selection mode is selected specifies the line by characters displayed on the scale, and displays the focus detection area in the specified line. The plurality of dots are displayed in accordance with the number, and the display of the dots corresponding to the selected focus detection area is blinked and specified.

[0023]

FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG.
6, 7 and 8 show one embodiment of the present invention.

First, the configuration of the camera according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a single-lens reflex camera with a photographing lens mounted.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a camera body, on which a replaceable photographing lens 30 is mounted in front of the camera.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a release button, which starts photometry and AF in the first stroke and starts exposure in the second stroke. Reference numeral 15 denotes an electronic dial which can change various settings of a camera state such as a photographing mode. Reference numeral 29 denotes an external liquid crystal display panel on which various setting states of the camera can be confirmed.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross section of the single-lens reflex camera of the present embodiment.

Reference numeral 30 denotes a photographing lens.
Although shown with the lenses 1a and 1b, it is actually composed of a larger number of lenses. Reference numeral 2 denotes a main mirror which is inclined or retreated to a photographing optical path according to a viewfinder observation state and a photographing state. A sub-mirror 3 reflects a light beam transmitted through the main mirror 2 toward the lower side of the camera body. 4
Is a shutter, 5 is a photosensitive member, and is a silver halide film or C
It is composed of a solid-state imaging device such as a CD or MOS type or an imaging tube such as a vidicon.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a focus detection device, which includes a field lens 6a, reflection mirrors 6b and 6 arranged near the image plane.
c, an aperture 6d, a secondary imaging lens 6e, a line sensor 6f including a plurality of CCDs, and the like.

The focus detecting device 6 according to the present embodiment employs a well-known phase difference method, and is configured so as to be able to detect a focus in 33 areas in a finder screen as described later.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a focusing plate disposed on a predetermined image forming plane of the photographing lens 1, and 8 denotes a pentaprism for changing a finder optical path.

Numerals 9 and 10 denote an imaging lens and a photometric sensor for measuring the luminance of each subject in the photographing screen, respectively. The imaging lens 9 is connected to the focusing plate 7 and the photometric sensor 10 via a reflection optical path in the pentaprism 8. Is related to the conjugate.

An eyepiece 11 is arranged behind the exit surface of the pentaprism 8 and is used for observing the focus plate 7 with the eyes of the photographer.

The main mirror 2, the focus plate 7, the pentaprism 8, and the eyepiece 11 constitute a finder optical system.

Reference numeral 21 denotes a high-brightness LED which can be visually recognized even in a bright subject, and has a light emission center wavelength of 680 nm red.

Reference numeral 22 denotes a superimposed liquid crystal display panel for displaying the positions of 33 focus detection areas, which will be described later. Only the LCD display pattern corresponding to the position of the selected focus detection area is in a transmissive state. High brightness LE
The light emitted from D21 passes only through the transmission pattern of the liquid crystal display panel 22 for superimposition, passes through the light projecting lens 23 and the dichroic mirror 24, reaches the eyeball of the photographer through the eyepiece 11, and captures the image. The user can visually check the focus detection area display pattern.

Here, the dichroic mirror 24 has a characteristic of reflecting a light wavelength of 680 nm or more.
The light from the high-brightness LED 21 is efficiently guided to the eyes of the observer, and the light from the photographing lens is observed by the photographer as a viewfinder image with almost no decrease in the amount of light.

Reference numeral 25 denotes an LCD in the finder for displaying photographing information outside the screen in the finder.
Illuminated by 6. The light transmitted through the LCD 25 in the finder is guided out of the screen in the finder by the triangular prism 27. Thereby, the photographer can know various photographing information.

Reference numeral 31 denotes an aperture provided in the taking lens 30;
Reference numeral 2 denotes an aperture driving circuit, 33 denotes a lens driving motor, and 34 denotes a lens driving member including a driving gear and the like.

Reference numeral 35 denotes a photocoupler, which is a lens driving member 3
4 to detect the rotation of the pulse plate 36 and transmit it to the lens focus adjustment circuit 110.
The lens drive motor 33 is driven by a predetermined amount based on this information and the information on the lens drive amount from the camera side, and the photographing lens 30 is moved to the focusing position.
Reference numeral 37 denotes a mount contact which serves as an interface between a known camera and a lens. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a main part of a circuit of the camera according to the present embodiment.

Reference numeral 100 denotes a central processing unit (hereinafter, referred to as a CPU) of a microcomputer built in the camera body. The CPU 100 includes a photometry circuit 102, an automatic focus detection circuit 103, a signal input circuit 104, and an LCD drive circuit 105. , An LED drive circuit 106, a shutter control circuit 108, and a motor control circuit 109. Further, the focus adjustment circuit 110 and the aperture driving circuit 32 are disposed in the photographing lens 30 as described above, and transmit signals via the mount contact 37 shown in FIG.

EEPROM 10 attached to CPU 100
0a has a storage function of storing various adjustment data.

The photometric circuit 102 amplifies the luminance signal corresponding to the brightness of the object scene sent from the photometric sensor 10, performs logarithmic compression and A / D conversion, and transmits the result to the CPU 100 as object scene luminance information. I do.

The line sensor 6f includes 33 sets of line sensors CCD-0, CCD-1, to CCD-32 corresponding to the positions of the 33 focus detection areas in the finder screen.

The automatic focus detection circuit 103 A / D converts a signal obtained from the line sensor 6f and sends the signal to the CPU.

The switch (SW-1) 12 is turned on by the first stroke of the release button, and a photometric switch for starting photometry and AF operation. The switch (SW-2) 13 is turned on by the second stroke of the release button to release the shutter. A release switch for starting operation.

A switch (SW-AF) 14 is a focus detection area selection mode switch, and is an arbitrary selection mode in which a photographer can arbitrarily select a focus detection area, and an automatic selection mode in which a camera automatically selects a focus detection area. Switch for setting the two selection modes. This switch has a function of switching to an arbitrary selection mode and an automatic selection mode in response to a push operation when the switch is first pressed to enter a selection mode of both modes.

Switch (SW-DIAL1 and SW-DI
AL2) 15 is a dial switch provided in the electronic dial 15 shown in FIG. 1, and these ON signals are inputted to an up / down counter of the signal input circuit 104, and are used for counting the amount of rotation click of the electronic dial. Can be

The switch (SEL-SW) 16 and the switch (SEL-SW2) 17 are switches that function in the above-described focus detection area arbitrary selection mode.
By operating the electronic dial 15 while pressing the -SW1) 16, the focus detection area can be moved horizontally, and by operating the electronic dial 5 while pressing the switch (SEL-SW2) 17, the focus detection area can be moved vertically. .

The signals of these switches are applied to the signal input circuit 1
04 and transmitted to the CPU 100 via the data bus.

Reference numeral 105 denotes a known LCD driving circuit for driving the liquid crystal display element to display. The external display LCD 29 shown in FIG. 1 displays the aperture value, shutter speed, set photographing mode, and the like in accordance with a signal from the CPU 100. And a display on the LCD 25 in the finder, and controls the operation of the LCD 22 for superimposing in the finder.

The LED driving circuit 106 is a lighting LED.
(F-LED) 26 and LED 21 for superimpose
(SI-LED) is turned on and off.

The shutter control circuit 108 controls the magnet MG-1 for running the front curtain and the magnet MG-2 for running the rear curtain when energized, and exposes the photosensitive member with a predetermined amount of light.

The motor control circuit 109 controls a motor M1 for winding and rewinding the film and a motor M2 for charging the main mirror 2 and the shutter 4.

CPU 100, shutter control circuit 10
8 and the motor control circuit 109 execute a series of camera release sequences.

Next, the overall operation of the camera of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the power of the camera is turned on in a state where the camera is set to the predetermined photographing mode from the inoperative state (step # 100), the switch (SW1) 12 is turned on by half-pressing the release button. It waits (step # 101).

Next, it is determined whether the focus detection area selection switch 14 is on or off (step # 102).

If the focus detection area selection mode switch 14 is off, the process proceeds to step # 108.

If the focus detection area selection mode switch 14 is turned on, it is confirmed whether the focus detection area selection mode is in the automatic selection mode or in the optional selection mode (step # 103).

If the focus detection area selection mode is the optional selection mode, the operation enters the focus detection area optional selection mode.
At this time, the focus detection area first determines the focus detection area determined at the time of the previous optional selection of the focus detection area. Thereafter, a change in the focus detection area is accepted as needed, but if no change operation is performed, the focus detection area determined in the previous focus detection area arbitrary selection mode is directly determined.

The focus detection area can be changed by pressing the switch (SEL-SW1) 16 shown in FIG.
When the user operates the electronic dial 5 while pressing the switch (SEL-SW2) 17, the focus detection area can be moved vertically. This allows the photographer to arbitrarily select one of the 33 focus detection areas described later (step # 104).

If the focus detection area selection mode is the automatic selection mode, the camera enters the focus detection area automatic selection mode, in which the camera automatically selects the focus detection area. For example, a specific focus detection area is selected by a focus detection area automatic selection subroutine (step # 105) based on image shift amounts in 33 focus detection areas described later.

There are several possible algorithms for automatic selection of the focus detection area, but a near-point priority algorithm in which weighting is applied to the central focus detection area, which is known for a multipoint AF camera, is effective.

As described above, the focus detection area for performing the AF is determined (step # 106).

Next, the CPU 100 performs mutual communication with the lens mounted on the camera. Thus, lens information necessary for the camera to perform photometry and AF, for example, the opening FNO. And information such as the best focus position are transferred to the memory of the camera. Further, here, the 33 sets of line sensors CCD-0, CCD-1, to CCD-32 start the accumulation operation of the field light and measure the image shift amount (defocus amount) at the present time. Further, photometric calculation is performed based on the determined focus detection area (step # 107).

Next, in the determined focus detection area,
The automatic focus detection circuit 103 performs a focus detection calculation to determine whether or not the focus detection area can perform focus detection (step # 108). If the focus detection area cannot be detected, the CPU 100 sends a signal to the LCD drive circuit 105 to send a signal to the finder. The focus mark (not shown) on the LCD 25 flashes to warn the photographer that focus detection is not possible.

On the other hand, if focus detection is possible and the focus adjustment state of the determined focus detection area is not in focus, the CPU 1
00 sends a signal to the lens focus adjustment circuit 110 to drive the photographing lens by a predetermined amount (step # 109).

After driving the lens, it is determined whether or not the photographing lens is in focus in the determined focus detection area (step # 110).

As a result, if the camera is in focus, the CPU 1
00 sends a signal to the LCD drive circuit 105 to control the LCD 25 in the finder and the LCD 22 for superimposition, and further sends a signal to the LED drive circuit 106 to send an LED for illumination (F-LED) 26 and a superimposed LED. By turning on the pause LED (SI-LED) 21, the focus mark 30 and the focus detection area display pattern corresponding to the determined focus detection area are illuminated.

Thus, the fact that the photographing lens is in focus and the position of the focused focus detection area are displayed.

At the same time, the CPU 100
At step # 11 to perform the photometry again (step # 11).
1).

Next, it is determined whether the photographer has accepted the focus state and the photometric value at the determined focus detection area position by turning on / off the switch (SW1) 12 (step # 112). Further, it is determined whether the release button is fully pressed and the switch (SW2) 13 is turned on. If the switch (SW2) 13 is in the OFF state, the state of the switch (SW1) 12 is confirmed again (step # 113).

If the switch (SW2) 13 is ON, the CPU 100 transmits signals to the shutter control circuit 108, the motor control circuit 109, and the aperture drive circuit 111, respectively. First, the motor M2 is energized to raise the main mirror 2, and the aperture 31 is stopped down.
And the first curtain of the shutter 4 is opened. The aperture value of the aperture 31 and the shutter speed of the shutter 4 are determined from the exposure value detected by the photometry circuit 102 and the sensitivity of the film 5. Magnet M after predetermined shutter time has elapsed
G2 is energized to close the rear curtain of shutter 4.

When the exposure of the film 5 is completed, the motor M2 is energized again, the mirror is moved down, the shutter is charged, and the motor M1 is also energized to advance the film. Thus, a series of shutter release sequence operations is performed. The process ends (step # 114). Thereafter, the camera stands by until the switch (SW1) 12 is turned on again (return to step # 101).

FIG. 5 shows a display of the external liquid crystal display panel 22 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 in a shooting standby state.

Reference numeral 51 denotes a display unit that indicates that the shooting mode is the shutter priority mode, and 52 denotes a first 7-segment display unit that indicates the shutter speed set in the 7-segment system. I have. 53
Is a second 7-segment display unit of a 7-segment type displaying an appropriate aperture value calculated based on the set shutter speed, and here, 2.8 is shown.

Reference numeral 54 denotes a display unit for indicating a photometry mode, which is set to evaluation photometry here. Reference numeral 55 denotes an AF mode display unit, which is set to a one-shot mode in which the lens is stopped by focusing on a subject. Reference numeral 56 denotes a feed mode display section in which a single shooting mode is set. Reference numerals 57 and 58 denote frame display portions printed directly on the liquid crystal display panel, 57 denotes an AF mode display area, and 58 denotes a feed mode display area. Reference numeral 59 denotes a frame counter display section, which indicates that the first frame of the film is waiting. Reference numeral 60 denotes a display unit that indicates that a film is loaded.

Next, in this embodiment, 61 is ± 3
A scale display section having an EV range, a scale of 1/3 EV pitch is provided, and usually displays the number of exposure correction steps. Reference numeral 62 denotes a dot mark, which indicates that the scale is 0, that is, that no exposure correction is performed. There are 19 dot marks 62, and one dot mark is displayed according to the number of exposure correction steps.

FIG. 6 shows a viewfinder screen of the camera of the present embodiment, and shows a state where the superimposing LCD 22 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is fully lit. As shown here, the camera of the present embodiment has 33 focus detection areas, and a desired focus detection area can be freely selected in the above-described focus detection area arbitrary selection mode. Normally, in the focus detection area arbitrary selection mode, only one selected focus detection area is turned on and becomes visible. For example, if the center point 70 is selected, only the center point is turned on, and the other points are turned off.

The focus detection areas are vertically arranged in five rows, and one central column has nine focus detection areas. The central row is symmetrical and has seven and five focus detection areas. I have.

Here, when the electronic dial 15 is rotated clockwise while pressing the switch (SEL-SW1) 16 shown in FIG. 3 in the arbitrary selection mode of the focus detection area, the focus detection areas 71, 72, 73, Move to the right with 74. Similarly, when the electronic dial 15 is rotated counterclockwise while pressing the switch (SEL-SW1) 16, the focus detection area moves to the left.

Similarly, when the center point 70 is selected in the arbitrary selection mode of the focus detection area, the electronic dial 15 is rotated rightward while pressing the switch (SEL-SW2) 17 shown in FIG. The area moves up to 75 and 76.

Subsequently, the switch (SEL-SW1) 1
When the electronic dial 15 is rotated rightward while pressing 6, the focus detection area moves to the right at 77, 78. Electronic dial 15 while pressing switch (SEL-SW2) 17
When the is rotated to the left, the focus detection area moves downward.

FIG. 7 shows the viewfinder screen in the focus detection area arbitrary selection mode, and FIG. 8 shows the display on the external liquid crystal display panel. A to e denote the transition of the focus detection area from the central focus detection area 70 to the focus detection area 78. Are sequentially shown. The selection method is as described in FIG. 6, and will not be described in detail here.

The focus detection area indicated by a thin line in FIG. 7 means non-display, and the superimposed LCD
Segment is off. The superimposed L for the focus detection area is the area indicated by the bold line.
The CD segment is lit.

As shown in FIG. 8, the first seven-segment display section 52 for displaying the normal shutter value is displayed as the character "SEL" indicating that the mode is the focus detection area arbitrary selection mode, and the aperture value is displayed. The display in which the second 7-segment display section has a square shape of [] is the central focus detection area 70.
Is selected, otherwise, "AF" is displayed. By simply looking at the second 7-segment display section, the selected focus detection area is determined to be the center point 70. Has become.

The scale display section 61 displays only "0" at the center, "+1", "+1 and +2", and "-".
The display of "1", "-1 and -2" is switched and displayed. Regarding the dot mark, "9", "7", and "5" are displayed symmetrically including the central portion. One is blinking.

That is, the row direction of the specified focus detection area is indicated by the display of the scale display unit 61 (“+” in the focus detection area of the row above the center, and “−” in the focus detection area of the row below the center). ), The selected focus detection area at that time is indicated by blinking dot marks.

For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, if the scale 61 is only "0", it means the center row (the line including the focus detection areas 79, 70, and 74 in FIG. 7A). Then, as shown in FIG. 8B, the scale 61 changes from “0 to +
If it is "1", the scale is as shown in the line above the center row (the line including the focus detection areas 80, 75, 81 in FIG. 7B), and as shown in FIGS. 8C, 8D and 8E. If 61 is “0 to +2”, a line two steps above the center row (a line including the focus detection areas 82, 76, and 78 in FIG. 7C)
Means

The dot mark indicates the position of the selected focus detection area in each row, and indicates how many focus detection areas are present in the row at this time.

For example, in FIG. 8A, a total of nine dot marks (88, 87, 86, 85, 62, 81, 8
2, 83, 84), and the center point 62 located at the scale “0” is blinking. This means that the selected focus detection area has nine lines in the horizontal direction, and that the currently selected focus detection area is at the center of the line.

Since this is the case and only the scale of the aforementioned scale 61 is displayed as "0", the center row (the line including the focus detection areas 79, 70 and 74 in FIG. 7A)
, That is, the center focus detection area 70 is selected.

In FIG. 8B, seven dot marks (8
7, 86, 85, 62, 81, 82, 83) that the dot mark 62 at the center is blinking while being lit,
Since the scale of the scale 61 is displayed as “0 to +1”, the center point of the line on the center row (the line including the focus detection areas 80, 75, and 81 in FIG. 7B)
It can be seen that the focus detection area 75 has been selected.

Similarly, in the state of FIG. 8C, the selected focus detection area is the uppermost row (the focus detection areas 82, 82).
76, 78), and this row is composed of five focus detection areas (86, 85, 62, 81, 82), and the center point (that is, focus detection area 76) is selected. I understand.

8 (d) and 8 (e), the focus detection area is 77 from the center 76 to the right in the uppermost row as shown in FIGS. 7 (d) and 7 (e). , 78 are moved one by one.

When the movements of the focus detection areas shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 (a) to (e) are followed again, the movements of FIG. 7 (a) and FIG.
(B) is in the central focus detection area 70, and moves upward in (b) of FIG. 7 and (b) of FIG.
5, (c) and (c) in FIG. 7 move further upward to the focus detection area 76, and move to the right in (d) and (d) of FIG. 7 (e) and 8 (e).
To the right to reach the focus detection area 78.

Also, when the central focus detection area 70 is selected as shown in FIG. 8A, the seven-segment portion for displaying the aperture value has a substantially square shape, and it is possible to see only the seven-segment portion. It can be seen that the selected focus detection area is at the center point 70.

Although the present embodiment has been described with reference to the case where the focus detection area is constituted by 33 focus detection areas, the present invention can be applied to the case where the focus detection area is constituted by a number other than the above number. it can.

[0101]

According to the first, second, third, fourth and fifth aspects of the present invention, autofocusing can be performed in an external display of a camera without using a dedicated display member or a dedicated display segment in an external liquid crystal display panel. Various information can be confirmed. At the same time, this prevents the camera from becoming larger,
While providing comfortable operability and portability, it is also possible to eliminate cost increase factors.

Further, since the display segments are not downsized, good visibility of the display can be maintained.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the position of the selected focus detection area can be confirmed on the external display of the camera without looking through the viewfinder, so that comfortable operability can be provided.

According to the fourth and fifth aspects of the present invention, it is possible to recognize the position in the screen of the selected focus detection area and the arrangement of the selectable focus detection areas without looking through the finder. It is possible to more comfortably perform the operation of selecting the focus detection area without looking into the area. Further, it is easy to recognize how many selectable focus detection areas are arranged in the horizontal direction and whether the focus detection areas are currently abutting in the focus detection area at the current end, so that comfortable operability and visibility are improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a camera showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a main part of a circuit of the camera in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the camera shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a view showing a display state of an external liquid crystal display panel of the camera of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a view showing an arrangement state of a focus detection area in a finder screen of the camera of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 7A to 7E are views showing a selected state of a focus detection area in the finder screen of FIG. 6;

8 is a diagram showing a display state of a focus detection area on an external liquid crystal display panel corresponding to FIGS. 6 (a) to 6 (e).

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Camera main body 2 Main mirror 3 Submirror 4 Shutter 5 Photosensitive member 6 Focus detection device 7 Focus plate 8 Pentaprism 9 Imaging lens 10 Photometry sensor 11 Eyepiece 12 Release button 15 Electronic dial 22 Superimpose liquid crystal display panel 29 External liquid crystal Display panel 30 Shooting lens 31 Aperture 32 Aperture drive circuit 33 Lens drive motor 34 Lens drive member 37 Mount contact 110 Lens focus adjustment circuit 100 Central processing unit 61 Scale display 62 Dot mark 70 Central focus detection area

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A focus detection means having a plurality of focus detection areas and having an arbitrary selection mode capable of arbitrarily selecting the focus detection areas, and an external display means for displaying various information of the camera outside the camera. Display switching means for switching the display of the external display means from the first display state to a second display state indicating the selected focus detection area when the arbitrary selection mode is selected, wherein the display means A camera, wherein a display unit including a scale and a plurality of dots is switched by the display unit. 2. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the display unit of the display unit is a display unit whose first display state is related to exposure control of the camera. 3. A second display state relating to the auto focus when the focus detection area arbitrary selection mode is selected, wherein one group among the plurality of focus detection areas is specified by the scale, and The camera according to claim 1, wherein one focus detection area in the group specified by the following is specified. 4. A second display state relating to the auto focus when the focus detection area arbitrary selection mode is selected, the display state of the focus detection area selected by using a part or all of the scale in a vertical direction in a screen. The position of the direction is displayed, the position of the focus detection area selected using a part of the plurality of dots in the horizontal direction is displayed, and the focus detection area is selected using a part or all of the plurality of dots. The number of selectable focus detection areas arranged in the horizontal direction within the screen of the focus detection area is displayed.
4. The camera according to 2 or 3. 5. A plurality of focus detection areas are vertically arranged on a screen in a plurality of rows, a plurality of focus detection areas are arranged in a horizontal direction of each row, and when the focus detection area arbitrary selection mode is selected. Of the autofocus of the second
The display state of specifies the line by the character displayed on the scale, displays the plurality of dots in accordance with the number of focus detection areas in the specified line, and corresponds to the selected focus detection area. The camera according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the display of the dot is specified by blinking.