JP2000250119A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a single-lens reflex camera constituted so that the guidance of plural photographing modes set at a photographing time and guidance with respect to an external function such as an electronic dial can be confirmed on a finder by arranging a transmission type liquid crystal panel on a focus plate. SOLUTION: The transmission type liquid crystal panel (dot matrix) 2 whose size is equal to that of the focus plate is installed on the upper surface of the focus plate. A photographing mode dial 4 for selecting the photographing mode used at the photographing time is installed at the upper shoulder part of the camera. A button for displaying guidance is installed at the back surface of the camera. Thus, when the optional photographing mode is selected after the guidance button is depressed, the guidance of the optical photographing mode can be confirmed on the finder by a photographer at the photographing time (pre-stage depressing time of a release button).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera which is capable of displaying, on a finder, a guidance display relating to a shooting mode used for shooting, for example, as an explanation of the camera.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an operation panel of a single-lens reflex camera having complicated functions includes a shutter speed, an aperture,
The light meter, AF mode, AE mode, etc. were displayed.
At this time, the photographer checked the detailed information (photographing operation method, photographing effect, etc.) of the mode used when performing photographing using an arbitrary photographing mode while referring to the instruction manual.

[0003]

However, in a single-lens reflex camera having a photographing mode including a lot of detailed information, it is difficult for a photographer to understand and use all the functions at one time. It was necessary to check the instruction manual, and it was necessary to always carry the instruction manual when using the single-lens reflex camera.

In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-216106, since the operation guidance is displayed on the liquid crystal outside the camera to explain the operation method and the buttons, it is no longer necessary to carry an instruction manual. However, since there are many complicated operations of the SLR camera, it is difficult for the photographer to master all the functions without actually learning the operation method in the same state as the actual shooting operation except for the viewfinder .

An object of the present invention is to eliminate the necessity of always carrying an instruction manual when performing an operation of repeatedly checking the instruction manual or using a single-lens reflex camera, and to select a photographing mode selected at the time of photographing. It is an object of the present invention to provide a camera which allows the user to easily know guidance information such as a photographing method and a photographing effect.

[0006]

According to an aspect of the present invention, a display means for displaying information in a viewfinder and an explanation of an operation set for operating the camera are displayed on the display means. And an explanation display means.

[0007] The explanation display means displays on the display means a description of the photographing mode set by the photographing mode setting means as the set operation.

The explanation display means is characterized in that an explanation display mode relating to the photographing mode is set after the photographing mode is set by the photographing mode setting means.

The explanation display means is an explanation relating to the function of the functional member as the set operation.

[0010] The explanation display means is characterized in that, when the function member is operated, an explanation of the function is displayed on the display means.

[0011] The display means is provided on an upper surface of a focus plate of a finder optical system of the camera.

The display means is a dot matrix type transmissive liquid crystal panel.

[0013] The operation set to operate the camera includes a normal operation mode for performing normal photographing, an explanation display mode for displaying an explanation of the camera, and mode switching means for switching between the two modes. It is characterized by.

The functional member is at least one of an AE lock button, a distance measuring point selection button, an electronic dial, and the like.

In the normal operation mode of the camera, the display means sets an image pickup area corresponding to the inside of the viewfinder field as a transmission area, and sets an image pickup area corresponding to the outside of the viewfinder field as a shooting information display area. It is characterized by.

The explanation display means displays the explanation in the set photographing mode when the photographing mode is set after operating the explanation display switch in the strobe usable state.

The display means displays the explanation display on a liquid crystal panel using a dot LCD outside the image pickup area corresponding to the outside of the finder visual field inside the camera.

[0018] The display means is characterized in that a scroll display is performed on a display section outside the finder field of view.

According to the above arrangement, the photographer can confirm the guidance information for explaining the photographing method and photographing effect in the photographing mode selected at the time of photographing in the viewfinder at the time of photographing. This eliminates the need for the photographer to always carry the user's manual with the camera, and allows the user to receive guidance on that mode using the viewfinder in the camera immediately before the shooting operation, and take advantage of that mode. Becomes possible. Further, in the explanation display mode, the photographer can display the explanation related to the function each time the user operates a functional member installed outside the camera while looking through the viewfinder.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) [Mode Dial] FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a single-lens reflex camera body according to this embodiment. 1 is a microcomputer for controlling the movement of the entire camera, 2 is a full dot matrix transmission type liquid crystal module as a display means used as a normal operation panel, and this transmission type liquid crystal module 2 has a built-in liquid crystal driver. , Microcomputer 1
Are connected by an 8-bit data bus and several control signal terminals.

Reference numeral 3 denotes a guidance display switch button as guidance mode setting means for displaying the guidance display of the photographing mode set by the mode dial 4 as the photographing mode setting means on the transmissive liquid crystal module 2.

Reference numeral 5 denotes an external ROM for recording the contents of guidance in each mode.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a built-in flash. When the built-in flash is used (flash pop-up), the microcomputer 1 recognizes built-in flash photography.

Reference numeral 7 denotes an externally mounted strobe, and the microcomputer 1 recognizes that the strobe is mounted when the power of the strobe is turned on after the main body is mounted.

Reference numerals 8 and 9 denote a focus adjustment control circuit and an automatic exposure control circuit necessary for a normal photographing operation.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a two-stage release switch. When the guidance display switch button 3 is pressed and the previous stage is pressed, the guidance in the photographing mode set at that time is transmitted. LCD module 2
To be displayed. (Hereinafter, this state is referred to as a guidance mode.) Further, each time the previous stage of the release switch is pressed, the next guidance screen in the shooting mode is displayed. Also, if the previous stage of the release switch is pressed after the last guidance screen prepared for the mode is displayed, the screen returns to the first screen.

In order to return to the normal photographing mode, the guidance display button can be pressed alone.
During the guidance mode, the subsequent stage of the release is prohibited. (The shutter operation is not performed.) FIG. 2 is an external view of the single-lens reflex camera according to the present embodiment.

Reference numeral 15 denotes the entire body of the single-lens reflex camera. A mode dial 16 for selecting a photographing mode is provided on the upper left shoulder, and numerical values such as shutter time and aperture value are set on the upper right shoulder. , An external liquid crystal 17 for displaying photographing information at the time of photographing, and a button 18 for displaying guidance (hereinafter referred to as a guidance button).

Reference numeral 20 denotes a two-stage release button for photographing, and performs automatic focus adjustment and automatic exposure when the front stage is pressed.
When the latter stage is pressed, the shutter is operated to perform a shooting operation.

Reference numeral 21 denotes an A for switching the exposure mode.
An E lock button 22 is an exposure correction button for correcting exposure.

FIG. 3 is a simplified view of the internal structure of the camera.
Is provided between the focus plate 30 and the condenser lens 31, and the flip-up mirror 32 and the pentaprism 3
3 on the finder optical path.

In FIG. 4, when the photographer actually moves the mode dial 16 and presses the guidance button 18 in a state in which a certain mode is selected and then presses the front stage of the release, the finder (transmission type liquid crystal on the top of the focus plate) is displayed. )
Shows a part of the screen displayed on the screen.

In each mode, at least two or more screens are provided. When a predetermined mode is set and then the release button is pressed while pressing the guidance button, the guidance screen prepared for the mode is switched. Display.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a guidance display when the photographer selects the shutter speed priority exposure mode (Tv mode). In the mode set in FIG.
Indicates a state in which the guidance display switch button 3 is pressed in this state.

Each time the guidance display switch button 3 is further pressed, the display is switched to the second screen and the third screen prepared for the mode.

FIG. 8 shows a second screen in this mode.

In each mode, the first guidance display describes general functions of the mode and the buttons to be used. After the second screen, an example of a photographing effect when the mode is used is provided. Is set as shown.

Further, in the guidance mode, a "G" mark for causing the liquid crystal outside the viewfinder visual field to recognize the guidance mode is lit.

Next, the operation according to the present embodiment will be described.

FIG. 5 shows an algorithm for displaying a finder screen.

First, after turning on the power inside the camera,
A certain predetermined shooting mode is set (# 1), and shooting is performed. At this time, when the release button is pressed while pressing the guidance display switch button 3 (# 3), the guidance mode is set (#
Four). Thereafter, unless the guidance display switch button 3 is pressed again, the state is the guidance mode. (When the power is turned on, the shooting mode is set.) In the guidance mode, the initial screen of the currently selected guidance in the shooting mode is first displayed, and then the release button is kept pressed (# 5). The screens prepared for the shooting mode are scrolled and displayed one after another (# 6). When the guidance screen prepared for the mode is completely displayed (# 7), the screen is set to return to the initial screen (# 9) of the mode.

When the mode dial is changed during guidance display in a certain mode, a guidance initial screen in the mode after the change is displayed. (# 10, # 13) (Here, the initially set mode is A, and the mode when the mode dial is subsequently switched is B.) In addition, the guidance display switch button 3 is pressed alone during the guidance mode. Then, the guidance mode ends,
In the currently specified shooting mode. The normal operation mode is set. (# 12, # 15) In the normal operation mode, the release button is used for normal photographing. When the front stage is pressed, the photometry control circuit and the focus control circuit are operated, and when the rear stage is pressed, photographing is performed.

FIG. 6 illustrates this algorithm operation using diagrams.

Further, by using a two-tone LCD of about 7000 (100 × 70) pixels for the transmission type dot matrix liquid crystal panel, about 70 words can be expressed in Japanese characters.

(Second Embodiment) [At the time of using a strobe] In this embodiment, guidance display performed when a strobe is used in each mode will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, since the MPU can recognize the built-in flash pop-up signal and the external flash mounted signal, in that state,
In a state where the guidance display button is pressed, the guidance display performs the guidance display when the strobe is used in each mode.

FIG. 7 shows a first screen and a second screen of the guidance display in a state where the mode dial uses the strobe in the Av mode.

(Third Embodiment) FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 show a third embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, a case will be described in which a dot LCD is installed outside the finder field of view inside the camera.

In FIG. 10, the dot LCD 45, a liquid crystal backlight 43 for displaying liquid crystal, and a triangle for guiding the contents of the liquid crystal screen out of the viewfinder view so that the contents of the dot LCD 45 are displayed outside the viewfinder view inside the camera. By installing the prism 44 and the like below the pentaprism 33 and behind the focusing plate 30 in a configuration as shown in FIG. 10, during normal photographing (normal operation mode), the aperture is represented as a shutter time. Av value, ranging point mark, etc. are displayed, and in the guidance mode, the guidance of each function can be displayed on the full screen. 32 is a flip-up mirror, 41 is an eyepiece, and 42 is a taking lens.

In many cases, the guidance for each function cannot be displayed in one line, and the text stored in the ROM may require a scroll function for each guidance (for example, if the text exceeds a predetermined length). Flag bit is provided, which is recognized at the time of guidance display, and guidance display is performed.

FIG. 8 shows an example of guidance displayed when the "electronic dial" is moved in the Tv shooting mode during the guidance mode.

FIG. 9 shows an example of guidance displayed on the liquid crystal outside the viewfinder field when the shooting mode dial is changed to "M mode" during the guidance mode.

[0054]

According to the present invention, the photographer can confirm the guidance information for explaining the photographing method and the photographing effect in the photographing mode selected at the time of photographing in the viewfinder. This eliminates the need for the photographer to always carry the user's manual with the camera, and allows the user to receive guidance on that mode using the viewfinder in the camera immediately before the shooting operation, and take advantage of that mode. Becomes possible. Further, in the explanation display mode, the photographer can display the explanation related to the function each time the user operates a functional member installed outside the camera while looking through the viewfinder.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an entire system according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a single-lens reflex camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a simplified view of the inside of the single-lens reflex camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a mode dial and guidance display in a viewfinder according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a normal operation mode and a guidance mode according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a display on a camera in the flowchart of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows a mode dial and a guidance display in a viewfinder according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a guidance display outside the finder field of view according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows a guidance display outside the finder field of view according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a finder optical system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Microcomputer 2 ... Transmissive liquid crystal module (display means) 3 ... Guidance display switch button 4 ... Mode dial 5 ... ROM 6 ... Built-in flash 7 ... External flash 8 ... Focus adjustment control circuit 9 ... Automatic exposure control circuit 10 ... Release switch

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A camera comprising: display means for displaying information in a viewfinder; and description display means for displaying on the display means a description of an operation set for operating the camera. 2. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the explanation display means causes the display means to display an explanation about the photographing mode set by the photographing mode setting means as the set operation. 3. The camera according to claim 2, wherein the explanation display means sets an explanation display mode related to the photographing mode after setting the photographing mode by the photographing mode setting means. 4. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the explanation display means is an explanation relating to the function of the functional member as the set operation. 5. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the explanation display means displays an explanation of the function when the function member is operated, on the display means. 6. The camera according to claim 1, wherein said display means is provided on an upper surface of a focus plate of a finder optical system of the camera. 7. The display device according to claim 1, wherein said display means is a dot matrix type transmissive liquid crystal panel.
7. The camera according to any one of items 1 to 6. 8. An operation set to operate the camera includes a normal operation mode for performing normal photographing, an explanation display mode for displaying an explanation of the camera, and a mode switching unit capable of switching between the two modes. The camera according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising: 9. The camera according to claim 4, wherein the functional member is at least one of an AE lock button, a distance measuring point selection button, an electronic dial, and the like. 10. The display means, in a normal operation mode of the camera, sets an image pickup area corresponding to a viewfinder visual field as a transmission area, and sets an image pickup area corresponding to an area outside the viewfinder visual field as a shooting information display area. 9. The camera according to claim 8, wherein 11. An image display device according to claim 1, wherein said explanation display means displays an explanation in the set photographing mode when the photographing mode is set after operating the explanation display switch in a strobe usable state. 10. The camera according to any one of 10 above. 12. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays the explanation display on a liquid crystal panel using a dot LCD outside an image pickup area corresponding to the outside of a finder visual field inside the camera. The described camera. 13. The camera according to claim 12, wherein said display means performs scroll display on a display section outside the viewfinder visual field.