JP2000341561A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a camera capable of conveniently using an optical finder and a liquid crystal monitor differently, without using a complicated mechanism and preventing the occurrence of nonconformities due to diffused external light from the eyepiece part of the optical finder, when the liquid crystal monitor is used. SOLUTION: This camera has an optical finder and an LCD monitor(liquid crystal monitor) 11 for photographed image confirmation, makes an eyepiece 6 open to be observable when the optical finder is used, and maintains the monitor 11 with the display surface hidden. Meanwhile, when the monitor 11 is used, the monitor 11 is turned around a support shaft 13 to cover the lens 6 so that the lens 6 can be shielded from outdoor daylight, and the monitor 11 is made to expose the display surface to make it displayable.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera having an optical viewfinder for confirming a photographing screen and a liquid crystal monitor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional single-lens reflex camera, since light from a photographing optical system is guided to an optical finder and a photometric element and a distance measuring element, a user looks into an eyepiece of the optical finder. If not, disturbance light may enter from the eyepiece of the optical viewfinder, causing the photometric element and the distance measuring element to malfunction or to deteriorate accuracy. In order to solve such a problem, a conventional single-lens reflex camera has a built-in so-called eyepiece shutter that prevents disturbance light from an eyepiece of an optical viewfinder. A camera that has both an optical viewfinder and an LCD monitor.
Alternatively, there has been proposed a camera that can select and use one of the liquid crystal monitors.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a camera incorporating the above-mentioned optical viewfinder and a liquid crystal monitor also has a built-in eyepiece shutter and operates the eyepiece shutter in accordance with the on / off state of the liquid crystal monitor. I have.

For example, the one disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-172556 discloses a normal mode in which a liquid crystal monitor is operated.
The shutter (eyepiece shutter) of the optical viewfinder is closed, and the eyepiece shutter is opened when the liquid crystal monitor in the power saving mode is not operated.

The camera disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H7-114058 relates to a camera having no liquid crystal monitor. The eyepiece shutter of the optical viewfinder is opened in conjunction with the operation of a remote control / self-timer switch. It is configured to move from the position in conjunction with the shielding position.

[0006]

However, the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-172556 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
In the camera disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 114058, it is necessary to incorporate an eyepiece shutter mechanism into the optical viewfinder, resulting in an increase in the number of parts, an increase in cost, an increase in the size of the optical viewfinder, and an increase in the size of the camera.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a camera having an optical finder and a liquid crystal monitor for confirming a photographing screen, without using a complicated mechanism. The camera can be easily used properly, preventing problems caused by disturbance light from the eyepiece of the optical viewfinder when using a liquid crystal monitor, and without increasing the cost or increasing the size of the camera. The purpose is to provide.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera comprising: an optical viewfinder having an eyepiece for confirming a photographing screen; and a liquid crystal monitor for confirming the photographing screen. In the camera having the liquid crystal monitor, the liquid crystal monitor is movable between a use position and a non-use position, and the liquid crystal monitor is moved to a position where the eyepiece of the optical finder is shielded when moved to the monitor use position. Moving.

A camera according to a second aspect of the present invention is the camera according to the first aspect, further comprising a switch for turning on and off the liquid crystal monitor in response to movement of the liquid crystal monitor.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera having an optical viewfinder having an eyepiece for confirming a photographing screen, a liquid crystal monitor for confirming the photographing screen, and protecting the liquid crystal monitor. A protection member movable to a first position and a second position for exposing the liquid crystal monitor and simultaneously blocking an eyepiece of the optical viewfinder; and turning on and off the liquid crystal monitor according to the position of the protection member. When the protection member is moved to the first position, the liquid crystal monitor is protected, and the optical viewfinder is in a state where the photographing screen can be checked. When the protection member is moved to the second position, the liquid crystal monitor
The photographing screen can be confirmed as an ON state, and the eyepiece of the optical finder is shielded by the protective member.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 are longitudinal sectional views of a central portion showing a main part of a camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal sectional view in a state where an optical finder is used, and FIG. FIG. 3 shows a vertical cross-sectional view when an LCD monitor (liquid crystal monitor) is used. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an electric control unit related to LCD display in the camera of the present embodiment.

The camera according to the present embodiment is a camera which can be used by switching between an optical finder and a liquid crystal monitor in order to confirm a photographing screen. The camera mainly includes a camera body 10, a photographing optical system 1, and a diaphragm device 2. And a main mirror 3 which is disposed obliquely behind the photographing optical system 1 and holds a sub-mirror 3a.
And a focusing screen 4, a pentaprism 5, an eyepiece 6, and an eyepiece window 6a forming a finder optical system.
, An AF sensor 7 that measures the distance by receiving reflection from the sub-mirror 3a, and an AE lens 8 and an AE that capture light from the pentaprism 5 and measure the light of the subject.
The camera includes a sensor 9 and an LCD monitor (liquid crystal monitor) 11 for displaying a captured image, which is rotatably supported by a support shaft 13 on the rear side of the camera body. The above LCD
The rear side of the monitor 11 is protected by an LCD protection plate 12.

The electronic control unit related to the LCD display of the camera according to the present embodiment mainly includes a CPU 21 for controlling all the operations of the camera and an image pickup for obtaining an electric signal for displaying the subject image on the LCD monitor 11. An imaging unit 22 including an element and an imaging circuit;
LCD monitor (liquid crystal monitor) display unit 2 including D drive circuit
3 and an LCD switch 24. The above LC
The D switch 24 is a switch that is turned on and off by the rotation of the LCD monitor 11, and displays (lights up) a shooting screen on the LCD monitor when the optical finder is not in use.
A switch for switching between a CD monitor use mode and an optical finder use mode in which the optical finder can be used when the LCD monitor is not displayed (turned off).

In the camera of the present embodiment, the subject light beam passing through the photographing optical system 1 travels rightward on the optical axis O in FIG. 1, and is guided to the screen 4 above the camera by the main mirror 3 when observing a finder image. . The screen 4 is disposed at a position optically equivalent to the film 20 serving as a photographing medium. When the main mirror 3 is retracted from the optical path of the photographing optical system 1 at the time of photographing, an image formed on the film 20 is formed. The same image is formed on the screen 4.

The light transmitted through the screen 4 is incident on the entrance surface 5a of the pentaprism 5, and is incident on the first reflection surface 5b.
Is reflected obliquely downward and forward of the camera, reflected by the second reflection surface 5c toward the rear of the camera, emitted from the emission surface 5d, and guided to the eyepiece 6.

The main mirror 3 is a half mirror, and the light transmitted through the main mirror and reflected by the sub-mirror 3a is taken into the AF sensor 7 for distance measurement. Further, the second reflecting surface 5c of the pentaprism 5
The second reflection surface 5c is formed by a half mirror surface.
A part of the transmitted light of the object light at the point is collected by the AE lens 8 and measured by the AE sensor 8.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 or FIGS. 4A and 4B which are cross-sectional views of the click holding mechanism of the LCD monitor supporting portion, the LCD monitor 11 is not used at the LCD monitor non-use position (optical position). (A viewfinder use state) and a rotation position P11B which is an LCD monitor use position (optical finder non-use state). As described later, when the LCD monitor 11 rotates between the rotation position P11A and the rotation position P11B, the LCD switch 24 is turned on and off.

A click groove 15 is provided on a rotation support portion 15 which is a center of rotation of the LCD monitor 11 and has a cylindrical outer periphery.
a and 15b are provided. Further, a click ball urging spring 17 and a click ball 16 are held in the guide hole 10 a at a position facing the rotation support portion 15.
When the LCD monitor 11 is at the rotation position P11A, the click ball 16 fits into the click groove 15a. When the LCD monitor 11 is at the rotation position P11B, the click ball 16 fits into the click groove 15b. The click is held at the rotation position.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are partial sectional views showing the switching state of the LCD switch. When the LCD 11 is turned to the above-mentioned turning positions P11A and P11B, the LCD switch 24 is turned on or , Is switched off. That is, the LCD switch 24 is attached to another position along the support shaft 13 in the camera body 10 with respect to the guide hole 10a, and the operation rod 24a protrudes near the support shaft 13.

On the other hand, the rotation support portion 15 of the LCD monitor 11
Is provided with a concave portion 15c, and when in the rotation position P11A, the operation rod 24a of the LCD switch 24
The LCD switch 24 is fitted in the concave portion 15c, and is kept off (see FIG. 5A). When the LCD monitor 11 is turned to the turning position P11B, the operating rod 24 of the LCD switch 24 is pressed by the outer peripheral portion of the turning support portion 15 and is turned on (see FIG. 5B).

Next, a description will be given of the operation of switching the captured image display in the camera according to the present embodiment configured as described above. When the LCD monitor 11 is at the rotation position P11A, the LCD switch 24 is off, the camera is set to the optical viewfinder use mode, the LCD monitor 11 is off (off), and the display is off. The surface is in a non-use state rotated to the back side. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the eyepiece 6 and the eyepiece window 6 of the optical finder are provided.
The eyepiece including a is open so that the subject image can be observed with the optical viewfinder.

In this optical finder use mode setting state, an image formed on the screen 4 by the user looking through the eyepiece 6 is converted to a pentaprism 5.
And can be observed as a shooting screen. At this time, since the eyepiece 6 is in a state of being peeped by the user, the intrusion of disturbance light from the eyepiece is prevented, and the photometry of the subject light by the AE sensor 9 and the distance measurement by the AF sensor 7 are not performed. , Executed with high accuracy.

Subsequently, the LCD monitor 11 is moved to the rotation position P11.
In the case of turning to B, the LCD switch 24 is turned on,
The LCD monitor use mode is set. And LCD
The monitor 11 has its display surface exposed to the rear side of the camera body and is held in an observable state, and a subroutine of a monitor display process shown in a flowchart of FIG.

Furthermore, the eyepiece 6 of the optical finder
The eyepiece window 6a is completely shielded by the LCD monitor 11 as shown in FIG. 2, so that no disturbance light enters the finder optical path from the eyepiece lens 6. Therefore, A
The photometry by the E sensor 9 and the distance measurement by the AF sensor 7 are executed with high accuracy.

When the monitor display processing shown in FIG. 6 is called, after confirming that the LCD switch 24 is turned on in step S1, the image pickup unit 22 (see FIG. 3) in step S2.
To start capturing the subject image data. After confirming the completion of image capture in step S3, step S4
Then, the display of the image on the LCD monitor 11 is started.

As described above, according to the camera of the first embodiment, the use of the optical finder and the LCD monitor 11 can be selectively performed without using a complicated mechanism.
It can be easily performed simply by rotating the 1. And, when the LCD monitor is used, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of trouble due to the intrusion of disturbance light from the eyepiece of the optical viewfinder,
When the optical finder is used, the LCD monitor 11 is always kept in the off state, and power is saved.

When the LCD monitor 11 is used, it covers the eyepiece of the optical viewfinder.
At a glance, it can be determined whether the optical finder is in use or not in use at the moment, and it is very easy for the user to use. In addition, since it is not necessary to incorporate an eyepiece shutter or the like in the viewfinder as in the related art, there is no increase in cost or size of the camera.

Next, a camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The camera of the present embodiment is the first camera described above.
A camera which can be used by switching between an optical finder and a liquid crystal monitor in order to confirm a photographing screen in the same manner as the camera according to the embodiment, using the LCD monitor 11 as a liquid crystal monitor with a rotation position P11A which is a non-use position. It is rotatable to a rotation position P11B, which is a position, and can be used by switching between the optical finder and the LCD monitor by the rotation operation.

The difference from the camera of the first embodiment is that the switch group for operating the LCD monitor (instructing operations such as contrast and brightness) is hidden when the LCD monitor is not used. The difference is that the eyecup is deformed and held between the LCD monitor and the eyepiece when the expression finder is not used. Hereinafter, the different parts will be described.

FIG. 7 shows the optical viewfinder use mode, in which the LCD monitor 11 is turned at the non-use position at the rotation position P11A.
FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the vicinity of an eyepiece and an LCD monitor when the camera is in the position shown in FIG. In this state, the display surface of the LCD monitor 11 is located inside, and the operation buttons 31 of the switches related to the display of the LCD monitor 11 are hidden behind the LCD monitor 11 and are kept in an inoperable state. Is done. Also,
The eyepiece 6 and the eyepiece window 6a are open, so that the photographing screen can be observed with the optical viewfinder.

An eyecup 32, which is an elastic member, is mounted behind the eyepiece 6, so that ambient light from the surroundings enters when a user wearing glasses looks into the eyepiece 6. Can be effectively prevented.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view around the eyepiece / LCD monitor when the LCD monitor 11 is at the rotation position P11B of the use position and the LCD monitor use mode is set. In this state, the display surface of the LCD 11 is exposed, and the operation buttons 31 of the switches related to the display on the LCD monitor 11 are exposed on the surface and can be operated. Further, the eyecup 32 is deformed into a planar shape and is sandwiched between the eyepiece window 6a and the LCD 11 at the rotation position P11B. Therefore, the eyepiece window 6a is more completely shielded.

As described above, according to the camera of the second embodiment, in addition to the effects of the camera of the first embodiment, the LCD which is not operated in the optical finder use mode without using the LCD monitor 6 is used. The switch operation button 31 for the monitor operation is concealed to prevent erroneous operation. Further, in the LCD monitor use mode without using the optical viewfinder, the eyecup 32 is deformed between the eyepiece window 6a and the LCD monitor 11. By sandwiching, it is possible to more reliably prevent the intrusion of disturbance light from the eyepiece lens 6 and to surely prevent deterioration of photometry and distance measurement accuracy.

Next, a camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The camera of the present embodiment is the first camera described above.
A camera that can be used by switching between an optical finder and a liquid crystal monitor to check an image screen in the same manner as the camera according to the embodiment, wherein an LCD monitor or an eyepiece is provided using a protective cover that is a slidable protective member. The lens is configured to be opened or shielded.

The camera of this embodiment has an optical finder having an optical axis separately from the photographing optical system, and is called a so-called compact camera. In the camera of the present embodiment, photometry is performed by dividing the optical path of the optical finder by a known technique. The distance measurement is performed by a known active distance measuring device provided separately from the optical finder.

9 and 10 are perspective views showing the appearance of the camera according to the present embodiment viewed from the back. FIG. 9 shows a state in which the optical viewfinder is used, and FIG. 10 shows a state in which the LCD monitor (liquid crystal monitor) is used. Is shown. FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of a finder window and an LCD monitor, and FIG.
1 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 1, showing a cross section of the LCD monitor unit.

In the camera of the present embodiment, a photographing lens 42 is provided on the front part of the camera body 41, and a display window 44 and a release switch operation button 43 are provided on the upper part. On the back, the eyepiece window 45 of the optical viewfinder and the LCD monitor support 4
6, a protection cover 49 of a protection member slidably supported in a vertical direction via a guide projection 49a fitted into a guide groove 46a of the LCD monitor support portion 46, and an LCD switch 50 supported in the camera body 41. The LCD monitor support 46 is provided with an LCD monitor (liquid crystal monitor) 47 and an LCD operation switch button group 48 for adjusting the brightness and contrast of the LCD monitor.

The protective cover 49 opens the finder eyepiece window 45 by a sliding operation as shown in FIG.
A first position P49A covering the CD monitor 47 and the LCD operation switch button group 48, and the first position P49A for completely closing the finder eyepiece window 45 and opening the LCD monitor 47 and the LCD operation switch button group 48 as shown in FIG. The LCD switch 50 is moved to the second position P49B, and the LCD switch 50 is turned on or off in accordance with the movement.

When the protective cover 49 is moved to the position P49A, the LCD switch 50 is on and the optical finder use mode is set. And LC
The D monitor 47 and the switch operation button group 48 are concealed and are kept in a state where observation and operation cannot be performed.
The monitor 47 itself is also kept in the off state. The eyepiece window 45 is open so that the photographing screen can be observed.

When the protection cover 49 is moved to the position P49B, the LCD switch 50 is turned off and the LCD is turned off.
Monitor use mode is set. Then, the LCD monitor 47 and the switch operation button group 48 are released to be operable, and the LCD monitor 47 is in a state where a shooting screen is displayed. Further, the front surface of the eyepiece window 45 is completely shielded.

As described above, according to the camera of the third embodiment, in addition to the effects of the camera of the first embodiment, in the optical finder use mode in which the LCD monitor 47 is not used, the LCD monitor 47 is used. The switch operation button group 48 for LCD monitor operation which is not operated together is concealed. Further, in the LCD monitor use mode without using the optical viewfinder, the intrusion of disturbance light from the eyepiece window 45 is prevented, thereby deteriorating the photometric accuracy. Can be reliably prevented.

Even when the present invention is applied to a camera that does not perform photometry or distance measurement by dividing the optical path of the optical finder, when the optical finder is not used (when the LCD is used), the optical finder is not used. Since the eyepiece is covered, it is easy to see which mode is currently set at a glance, and it is easy for the user to use.
In addition, since the LCD monitor is always turned off when the optical viewfinder is used, the LCD monitor is not forgotten to be turned off, so that unnecessary power is not consumed.

Based on the above-described embodiment of the present invention, (1) a camera having an optical viewfinder having an eyepiece for confirming a photographing screen and a liquid crystal monitor also confirming the photographing screen; The liquid crystal monitor is movable between a use position and a non-use position, the use position of the liquid crystal monitor is a position for blocking an eyepiece of the optical viewfinder, and the liquid crystal monitor is It is possible to propose a camera comprising an elastic member sandwiched between the liquid crystal monitor and the eyepiece of the optical finder in a state where the eyepiece is shielded.

(2) The camera according to (1), further comprising a switch for turning on and off the liquid crystal monitor in response to movement of the liquid crystal monitor.

(3) The camera according to (1), wherein the elastic member is an eye cup.

(4) The camera according to the above (1), wherein the elastic member is a member formed of rubber.

(5) An optical viewfinder having an eyepiece for confirming a photographing screen, a liquid crystal monitor for confirming the photographing screen, a first position for protecting the liquid crystal monitor, and the liquid crystal monitor And a switch for turning on and off the liquid crystal monitor in accordance with the position of the protection member, the protection member being movable to a second position for shielding the eyepiece of the optical viewfinder at the same time as exposing the protection member; When the camera is at the second position, the camera may be provided with an elastic member sandwiched between the protective member and the eyepiece of the optical viewfinder.

[0048]

As described above, according to the camera of the present invention,
The use of an optical viewfinder and a liquid crystal monitor can be easily performed without using a complicated mechanism, and it is possible to prevent problems caused by disturbance light from the eyepiece of the optical viewfinder when using a liquid crystal monitor. This does not increase the cost or increase the size of the camera.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a central portion showing a main part of a camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention, showing an optical finder in use.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of a central portion showing a main part of the camera according to the first embodiment, showing an LCD monitor in use;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an electric control unit related to LCD display in the camera according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a click holding mechanism of an LCD monitor supporting portion in the camera according to the first embodiment;
FIG. 4A shows a state in which the optical finder is used, and FIG.
Indicates an LCD monitor use state.

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view showing a switching state of an LCD switch in the camera according to the first embodiment;
FIG. 5A shows the off state of the LCD switch, and FIG.
Indicates the ON state of the LCD switch.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a monitor display process in the camera according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view around an eyepiece and an LCD monitor when an LCD monitor is in a non-use position in an optical viewfinder use mode in the camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows an LCD in the camera according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view around an eyepiece and an LCD monitor when an LCD monitor is in a use position in a monitor use mode.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the back, and shows an optical finder in use.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the camera according to the third embodiment as viewed from the back, and shows a state in which an LCD monitor is used.

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of a finder window and an LCD monitor in the camera according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 11;

[Explanation of symbols]

6 ... eyepiece lens (eyepiece) 6a ... eyepiece window (eyepiece) 11, 47 ... LCD monitor (liquid crystal monitor) 24, 50 ... LCD switch (switch for turning on and off the liquid crystal monitor) 45 ... Eyepiece window (eyepiece) P11A LCD monitor rotation position (LCD monitor non-use position) P11B LCD monitor rotation position (LCD monitor use position) P49A First position of protective cover (protective member First position) P49B Second position of protective cover (second position of protective member)

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A camera comprising: an optical finder having an eyepiece for confirming a photographing screen; and a liquid crystal monitor for confirming the photographing screen. Wherein the use position of the liquid crystal monitor is a position for blocking an eyepiece of the optical viewfinder. 2. The camera according to claim 1, further comprising a switch for turning on and off the liquid crystal monitor according to movement of the liquid crystal monitor. 3. An optical viewfinder having an eyepiece for checking a shooting screen, a liquid crystal monitor for checking the shooting screen, a first position for protecting the liquid crystal monitor, and exposing the liquid crystal monitor. And a switch for turning on and off the liquid crystal monitor in accordance with the position of the protection member, the protection member being movable to a second position for shielding the eyepiece of the optical finder at the same time. Features camera.