JP2000134521A - Video camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a video camera whose operability can be improved by comfortably and smoothly operating the adjustment and switching of a focal distance or exposure. SOLUTION: This video camera 1 is provided with a view finder 6 for confirming a photographed image and an image display device 3 constituted so as to be freely closed and opened, housed, and rotated. An adjusting device 5 for operating the manual and automatic switching of one or both of a focal distance and exposure, and for operating the manual adjustment of one or both of the focal distance and exposure is provided on the side face of the image display device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video camera having a device which can be manually and automatically switched between a focal length and / or an exposure or both, and which can adjust a focal length and / or an exposure.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional set includes a focal length or an exposure,
Or both can be switched between manual and automatic, and
The device for adjusting the focal length or exposure, or both, was on the video camera body.

[0003] In addition to a viewfinder for confirming a photographed image, a video camera equipped with an image display device configured to be openable, closable, and rotatable is provided with a device for adjusting the focal length, exposure or both, as shown in FIG. Is installed at a position on the camera body 31 instead of the image display device 33 side like the dial 40 of the conventional video camera shown in FIG.

[0004]

However, in the above-described conventional example, in addition to the viewfinder for confirming a photographed image, the video camera having an image display device configured to be openable, closable, and rotatable, is a video camera. When the user tries to hold the video camera, as shown in FIG. 9, the user can stably hold the video camera by putting his / her hand on the opened image device 33.

However, when attempting to adjust the focal length and / or exposure, the photographer must re-attach the focal length and / or exposure adjustment device on the video camera body. It is difficult to adjust the focal length and / or exposure while holding the video camera stably, and the operability of the video camera is impaired.

In view of the above, the present invention provides an image display device in which the image display device is open or stowed and the image display device faces the object side by arranging the adjustment device on the side of the image display device. Provide a video camera that can easily and easily change the focal length and / or exposure or both, and adjust the focal length and / or exposure or both comfortably and smoothly, and improve operability. It is an object.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a configuration for realizing the object of the present invention according to the present application includes a view finder for confirming a photographed image, an open / close state, In a video camera having an image display device configured to be stowable and rotatable, a manual distance between the focal length and / or exposure or both can be switched between manual and automatic, and a focal length or exposure or both A video camera provided with a focal length and / or exposure adjusting device capable of manual adjustment of the camera.

According to this configuration, a video camera having a structure in which a liquid crystal display device or the like capable of displaying a captured image is folded and housed in the video camera body, and can be rotated with the device opened, provides a focal length adjustment or exposure. Since an adjustment device capable of switching between manual adjustment and automatic adjustment for either the adjustment of the focal length and the exposure is moved from the camera body to the side of the image display device, the operability is improved.

According to another aspect of the invention for achieving the object of the present invention, in the video camera according to the first aspect, the image display is configured to be openable, closable, and rotatable. The video camera is characterized in that the adjusting device of the focal length or the exposure or both is arranged to be exposed on the surface of the video camera body when the device is closed and stored.

According to this configuration, even when the image display device is closed and housed for photographing only with the viewfinder, the adjusting device is exposed, so that the manual adjustment of the focal length or the exposure can be easily performed without difficulty. Operability is good because it can be done.

Another specific structure for realizing the object of the invention according to the present application is as described in claim 3, wherein the video camera according to claim 1 is configured to be openable, closable, and rotatable. When the image display device is rotated so that the display portion faces the subject side, the control of the focal length or the exposure or both of the distant view and the near view of the adjustment device or the control of the light and dark, or both, is reversed. Video camera.

[0012] According to this configuration, even when the display surface of the image display device faces the photographer and when the image display device is rotated to face the subject toward the front, the distant view, the near view, the brightness, etc. of the adjustment device can be obtained. The adjustment direction is the same, and the operability is good.

According to another specific configuration for realizing the object of the invention according to the present application, a video camera according to the first aspect has a focus on a display surface for displaying a captured image. A video camera characterized in that it is capable of providing an indication of an action that is uniquely determined by the operating direction of the adjusting device, either distance or exposure or both.

[0014] According to this configuration, at the end of the display surface of the image display device on the adjusting device side, a status display indicating whether the current setting of the adjusting device is a manual setting or an automatic setting is provided. , And how much can be adjusted are displayed at a glance.

According to another specific configuration for realizing the object of the invention according to the present application, as described in claim 5, the display of the operation uniquely determined by the operation direction is performed by manual adjustment. 5. The video camera according to claim 4, wherein an associated arrow indicating a dial operation direction and a display of a distant view and a close view when the adjustment target is a focal length or a display of light and dark when the adjustment target is an exposure.

According to this configuration, by operating the dial of the adjusting device, the direction of operation is indicated by an arrow, and the display of characters indicated by the arrow is used to adjust the distant view and the near view in the case of the focal length, and the brightness and darkness in the case of the exposure. It can be recognized visually and operated without a doubt.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 to FIG. 7 are diagrams according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a video camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the video camera shown in FIG. 1 with the image display device closed.

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of the adjusting device shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view showing a state in which the image display device of the video camera shown in FIG. 1 is rotated.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a video camera main body;
Reference numeral denotes a video lens for imaging, and reference numeral 3 denotes an image display device provided on a side surface of the video camera body 1. The image display device 3 is connected to and supported by the video camera body 1 by a connecting portion 10, and is rotatably supported about the horizontal direction and the horizontal direction about the connecting portion 10.

Reference numeral 4 denotes an image display unit provided on the image display device 3, which mainly uses a liquid crystal display device (hereinafter abbreviated as LCD). Reference numeral 5 denotes a manual focal length adjusting device (hereinafter referred to as MF (Manual F
ocus), which is disposed on the side surface of the image display device 3. Reference numeral 6 denotes a second image display device (hereinafter referred to as EVF) installed on the video camera body 1, 7 denotes an angle-of-view adjusting device for adjusting the angle of view in a telephoto direction and a wide-angle direction, and 8 denotes the start of recording. A switch for controlling the stop, 9 is a grip belt for holding the video camera with one hand, 1
Reference numeral 1 denotes a concave portion formed in the video camera body 1, and when the image display device 3 is closed, the image display device 3 is stored in this portion.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view when the image display device 3 is closed and the video camera body 1 held in the recess 11 formed in the video camera body 1 is held with both hands. The MF device 5 is stored in a manner exposed to the rear of the video camera body 1. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view for explaining the operation of the MF device 5. The MF device 5 is a dial device configured to be rotatable in the direction of a or b. When the dial is turned in the direction, the focus of the lens 2 can be adjusted so that a distant view is focused. Further, by pressing the MF device 5 in the direction of c, a switch operation of a control system different from the dial function can be performed. In other words, when the button is pushed, switching between automatic and manual adjustment of the focal length can be performed. Where 4
Numeral 1 indicates the position when the MF device 5 is pushed, and if the pushing force is released, the MF device 5 returns to the original position.

FIG. 4 shows a state in which the photographer holds the video camera body 1 with both hands in a state in which the image display device 3 is rotated about the connecting portion 10 so that the display surface of the LCD 4 faces the subject. FIG.

Next, the operation will be described.

When the image display device 3 is open, the photographer holds the video camera body 1 through the grip belt 9 with one hand as shown in FIG. The end of the image display device 3 is gripped with one hand. Then, the photographer performs photographing while checking the image on the LCD 4. Usually, the video camera automatically adjusts the focal length at the time of this photographing. However, when it becomes necessary to adjust the focal length manually according to the photographer's intention, the photographer operates the MF device 5. By pressing in the direction c as shown in FIG. 3, the adjustment of the focal length can be switched to manual. Here, the photographer adjusts the focal length by rotating the dial of the MF device 5. In addition, the photographer
By pressing the F device 5, the focal length adjustment can be returned to automatic. Further, when the image display device 3 is housed in the main body 1, the photographer holds the video camera main body 1 through the grip belt 9 with one hand as shown in FIG. The other hand grasps the video camera body 1 so as to wrap it. And the photographer is EVF6
Shoot while checking the image with. Usually, the video camera automatically adjusts the focal length during this shooting. However, when manually adjusting the focal length according to the photographer's intention, the photographer can adjust the focal length in the same manner as when the LCD 4 is open. By pressing the MF device 5 in the direction c as shown in FIG. 3, it is possible to switch to manual operation. Then, the focal length is adjusted by rotating the dial of the MF device 5. Furthermore, the photographer can return the focal length adjustment to automatic by pressing the MF device 5 again.

Further, the photographer operates the image display device 3 as shown in FIG.
Is rotated around the connecting portion 10 so that the display surface of the LCD 4 is directed to the subject side, shooting is performed while checking the image on the EVF 6. At this time, when the display surface of the LCD 4 is turned to the subject side, shooting is performed while checking the image with the EVF 6.
At this time, the captured video is displayed on the display surfaces of the LCD 4 and the EVF 6 at the same time. At this time, the MF device 5 is operated in order to switch the adjustment of the focal length, which is usually automatic, to manual, but when the LCD 4 is facing the subject side, the control of the distant view and the near view by the rotation direction of the dial is performed. It is controlled to be reversed. When the LCD 4 is at the position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the focal length can be adjusted by turning the dial of the MF device 5 in FIG.
When the LCD 4 is facing the subject side as shown in FIG. 4, the focal length is set to the dial of the MF device 5 in FIG. Is adjusted to a distant view when rotated in the a direction, and to a near view when rotated in the b direction.

By controlling the MF device in this way,
Regardless of the direction in which the display surface of the LCD 4 faces, turning the dial up on the image display device 3 can perform an operation such that a near view is obtained, and turning the dial down provides a distant view. The MF device 5 can be used without worrying about the orientation of the display surface.

Further, a display as shown in FIG. 5 is performed on the image display surface of the LCD 4 or the EVF 6 in the above-described embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display example of operation directions and actions on the image display screen of the video camera shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a control block diagram of the video camera shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the control shown in FIG.

In FIG. 5A, reference numeral 46 denotes an image display screen, which is displayed on the LCD 4 in the case of the embodiment of FIG. 1, and on the EVF 6 in the case of the embodiment of FIGS. Reference numeral 40 denotes a video tape counter display, and reference numeral 41 denotes an operation state of the video camera. When the focal length adjustment is automatic, as shown at 42 in FIG. 5A, "AF (Auto Focus) indicating that the focal length adjustment is automatic is displayed on the screen.
s) is displayed and when the mode is switched to manual, FIG.
The display switches as indicated by 43 in (b), indicating that the adjustment of the focal length is manual, "MF (Manual F)
ocus) ", and further, as indicated by 44, a display indicating that the focal length can be adjusted to the near view or the distant view by rotating the dial of the MF device 5 up or down.

Next, the flow of signals inside the video camera body 1 will be described with reference to the control block diagram of FIG. 6. The direction detector 51 of the image display device detects the direction of the image display device, and the information is used as the focal length. It is sent to the adjusting device 52. Further, operation information from the focal length adjusting device 52 is sent to the lens controller 53 to control the lens 54.

The above control flow will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 7. First, the operation is started (S10).
First, it is determined whether to open the image display device 3 (S1).
1). When the image display device 3 is opened, an image is displayed on the LCD 4 (S12). When the image display device 3 does not open,
When the LCD surface is turned to the subject side (S21), the EVF6
Is displayed (S13).

If the focal length adjustment is automatic (S14), AF is displayed on the screen of the LCD 4 or the EVF 6 (S22). After that, when the focal length is switched to manual using the focal length adjusting device (S15), the LCD 4 Or an MF display on the screen of the EVF 6 and an action uniquely determined by the rotation direction of the dial for focal length adjustment,
The display of the distant view is displayed (S23), and the dial for adjusting the focal length is turned accordingly (S16).

At this time, if the LCD surface is facing the object side (S17), turning the dial in the direction a provides a distant view.
Turning in the direction b focuses on the foreground (S18). Conversely, L
If the CD side is not facing the subject, turn the dial to a
Turning in the direction focuses on the near view, and turning in the direction b focuses on the distant view (S19).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, regardless of whether the image display device 3 is in the open state, in the housed state, or when the image display device is facing the subject, Is easy to switch between manual and automatic focal length adjustment while holding the video camera stably with both hands,
The operability of the video camera is improved because the focal length can be adjusted comfortably.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of a video camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 12 denotes a video camera body,
Reference numeral 13 denotes a video lens for imaging, and reference numeral 14 denotes an image display device provided on a side surface of the video camera body 1. The image display device 14 is connected to the video camera
And is rotatably supported about the horizontal direction and the horizontal direction about the connecting portion 21 as an axis. Fifteen
Is an image display unit installed on the image display device 14, mainly using an LCD. Reference numeral 16 denotes an MF device, and reference numeral 23 denotes a manual exposure adjustment device which also serves as a manual and automatic switching device.

The MF device 16 and the exposure adjusting device 23 are arranged on the side of the image display device 14. Reference numeral 17 denotes an EVF installed on the video camera body 12, and reference numeral 18 denotes an angle-of-view adjusting device for adjusting the angle of view in a telephoto direction and a wide-angle direction. 19 is a switch for controlling the start and stop of recording, 20 is a grip belt for holding the video camera with one hand, 22 is a recess formed in the video camera body 12, and this portion is provided when the image display device 14 is closed. Is stored in. At this time,
The MF device 16 and the exposure adjusting device 23 are
2 so as to be exposed on the surface.

Next, the operation will be described.

When the image display device 14 is open,
As shown in FIG. 8, the photographer holds the video camera body 12 through the grip belt 20 with one hand, and holds the end of the image display device 14 with the other hand to ensure stability.

Then, the photographer performs photographing while checking the image on the LCD 15. In this shooting, usually the video camera adjusts the focal length and exposure automatically, but when it becomes necessary to adjust the focal length and exposure manually according to the photographer's intention, The photographer is the MF device 1
6. By pressing the exposure device 23 in the direction c as shown in FIG. 3, the adjustment of the focal length and the exposure can be manually switched. Here, the photographer adjusts the focal length or the exposure by rotating the dial of the MF device 16 or the exposure adjusting device 23. Further, the photographer once again sets the MF device 16
Alternatively, by pressing the exposure adjusting device 23, the adjustment of the focal length or the exposure can be returned to automatic.

When the image display device 14 is stored in the concave portion 22 of the video camera main body 12, the focal length or the exposure can be adjusted by operating the MF device 16 or the exposure adjusting device 23.

Further, when the photographer rotates the image display device 14 about the connecting portion 21 and turns the display surface of the LCD 15 toward the subject, the photographer performs photographing while checking the image with the EVF 17. At this time, the MF device 16 or the exposure adjustment device 23 is operated to manually switch the adjustment of the focal length or the exposure, which is usually automatic, but when the LCD 15 is facing the subject side, the dial is turned. Control is performed such that the control of the distant view and the near view of the focal length depending on the rotation direction, or the control of the lightness and darkness of the exposure are reversed.

As described above, according to the second embodiment,
The photographer stably holds the video camera with both hands regardless of whether the image display device 14 is open, closed and stored, or the image display device is facing the subject. Meanwhile, it becomes easy to switch between manual and automatic adjustment of the focal length or exposure, and even when the image display device is facing the subject side, the photographing operation is interrupted every time the focal length or exposure is adjusted, and the adjustment direction is changed. Since the operation of visually confirming the indicated print is not required and the adjustment can be performed comfortably and smoothly, the operability of the video camera is improved.

[0051]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In addition to the viewfinder to check the shot image,
When the image display device of the video camera including the image display device configured to be stowed and rotatable is open or stowed, and the image display device is facing the subject side However, the photographer stably holds the video camera with both hands while adjusting the focal length or exposure,
Alternatively, the manual and automatic switching of both adjustments can be easily performed, and the adjustment of the focal length or the exposure can be performed smoothly and comfortably, so that the operability of the video camera is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a video camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the video camera shown in FIG. 1 with the image display device closed.

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of the adjusting device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view showing a state in which the image display device of the video camera shown in FIG. 1 is rotated.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display example of operation directions and actions on the image display device of the video camera shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a control block diagram of the video camera shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the control shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of a video camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of a conventional video camera.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a conventional video camera.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1,12 Video camera body 2,13 Video lens 3,14 Image display device 4,15 LCD 5,16,23 Focal length or exposure control device 6,17 EVF 7,18 View angle control device 8,19 Recording start and stop Switch 9,20 Grip belt 10,21 Connecting part 11,22 Concave part 40 Tape counter 41 Video camera status display 42,43,44 Status display of focal length adjusting device 46 Image display screen

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2H002 AB02 FB02 FB22 FB29 FB32 FB51 FB55 FB56 FB63 FB81 GA54 HA11 JA08 2H011 AA03 CA18 DA05 2H051 AA08 GA00 GA03 GA09 GA18 GB00 2H100 AA18 AA33 CC00 FF00 5AC22 AC03 A AC32 AC34 AC69 AC78 AC79

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A video camera having an image display device configured to be openable, closable, and rotatable in addition to a viewfinder for confirming a captured image, wherein a focal length and / or an exposure are provided on a side surface of the image display device. A video camera comprising a focal length and / or exposure adjusting device capable of switching between manual and automatic and manually adjusting a focal length and / or exposure. 2. The video camera body according to claim 1, wherein when the image display device, which is configured to be openable, closable and rotatable, is closed and stored, the focal length and / or the exposure device are adjusted. A video camera, which is provided so as to be exposed on a surface of a video camera. 3. The video camera according to claim 1, wherein the image display device, which is configured to be openable, closable, and rotatable, is rotated so that a display portion is directed to a subject.
A video camera, characterized in that the control of the adjusting device for focal length or exposure or both is far and near and / or light and dark or both are reversed. 4. The video camera according to claim 1, wherein a notice is displayed on a display surface for displaying the photographed image, indicating whether the adjustment of the focal length and / or the exposure or both is automatic or manual, and A video camera characterized in that it is capable of displaying an action which, when manual, is uniquely determined by the operating direction of the focal length and / or exposure adjustment device. 5. The display of the action uniquely determined as the operation direction includes an arrow indicating a dial operation direction associated with manual adjustment, a distant view and a close view when the adjustment target is a focal length,
5. The video camera according to claim 4, wherein the display is light and dark in the case of exposure.