JP2002023249A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera which is appropriately made usable for either a conventional analog laboratory or a new digital laboratory. SOLUTION: The camera has a first photographing mode 'A mode', in which an analog photograph print system process is conducted and a second photographing mode 'D mode', in which a digital photograph print system process is conducted. The two modes are made selective by a mode setting switch. When the 'A mode' is set, date information is recorded in the frame (an image region) of a film using an imprinting LED element 58. When the 'D mode' is set, date character information is recorded in the vicinity of the frame of the film, using the element 58. When a print processing is conducted, using the analog photograph print system in the 'A mode', the date information is imprinted to a photograph. When a print process is conducted using the digital photograph print system in the 'D mode', an image is processed and printed, based on the information related to the photographing.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera corresponding to a digital lab capable of effectively utilizing a function of a laboratory (hereinafter referred to as a digital lab) for performing digital processing on image data read from a film and printing out. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an image is optically read from a frame of a developed film by a scanner, and the read image is converted into digitized image data and subjected to various image processings. Various digital photographic print systems, so-called digital lab systems, have been announced.

[0003] This digital lab system optically reads image data from a developed film with a scanner,
The read image data is converted into digital data. After digital image processing is performed, a photographic print is obtained from the printer unit.

[0004] When a photographic print is created by these digital lab systems, a high contrast scene correction (dodging correction by digital image processing) is required as compared with a case where a photographic print is created by a conventional analog lab.
It has additional functions such as under correction, sharpness processing, digital trimming processing, and the like.

[0005]

At present, in the photographic print market, conventional analog laboratories and
New digital labs coexist. Also,
When the digital image processing as described above is executed on the digital lab system side, information (zooming information, lens characteristic data, etc.) required by the camera at the time of shooting must be recorded on the film.

[0006] However, a camera which can be properly used is required in either of the analog lab and the digital lab, but no specification or function of such a camera has been proposed.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a method of selecting date character information or date information at the time of photographing and optically recording the date information on a film;
An object of the present invention is to provide a camera that is suitable for a digital lab that performs printout by digital image processing and that can be used for an analog lab that performs print printing by conventional printing.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a mode setting means for switching between two photographing modes, a first photographing mode and a second photographing mode, and optical information. Provided is a camera comprising a recording mechanism and a switching unit for switching a use mode of the optical information recording mechanism according to a shooting mode set by the mode setting unit and performing information recording in a different mode. I do.

A first photographing mode corresponding to an analog photograph print system for obtaining a photograph print by processing analog image information recorded on a photographed film in an analog manner, and an analog photographing mode recorded on a photographed film. A second digital photo print system compatible with a digital photo print system that obtains photo prints after converting image information into digital information once
Mode setting means that can be set by switching between the shooting modes, an optical information recording mechanism, and when the first shooting mode is set by the mode setting means, an optical The date character information is recorded and the second
When the photographing mode is set, a camera provided with operation control means for recording date information encoded on a film using the information recording mechanism is provided.

In the camera having the above-described configuration, the first photographing mode "A mode" suitable for processing of the analog photograph print system and the second photographing mode "suitable for processing of the digital photograph print system" are provided by the switching means. Select "D mode" and set the film frame when A mode is set.
Date information is recorded in the (image area). When D mode is set, date character information is recorded in the vicinity of the frame of the film. When the image is imprinted and printed by the D-mode digital photo print system,
The image is processed and printed.

[0011]

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

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external structure of a camera according to the present invention.

This camera is mounted on the front of the camera body 1.
A lens barrel 2 for holding a taking lens composed of a lens group described later, a finder window 3, and a tele (TE) for zooming to the tele side at a position opposite to the grip portion.
An LE) SW 9 and a wide (WIDE) SW 10 for zooming to the wide side are arranged. Further, on the upper surface of the camera body 1, a release button 4 attached above the grip side, and a slide-type power supply SW (A / D switch SW) 5.

The power switch 5 includes a power-off position 6 of the power switch, a first power-on position 7 in which an "A mode" suitable for processing in an analog photograph print system (analog lab) is set, and "D" suitable for processing with a digital photo print system (digital lab)
The second power-on position 8 at which the "mode" is set is determined. These first and second power-on positions 7,
8 functions as a mode setting switch.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the internal configuration of the camera described above. This camera is roughly divided into a photographic lens and drive system 11, a film loading and feeding drive system 12, a finder optical system 13, a distance measurement / photometry system 14, an operation switch system 15, a strobe light system 16, and the like. And a control unit 18 composed of a CPU for controlling the entire camera, and a display unit 19 for displaying information related to shooting, such as the operation mode of the camera and the number of frames.

The photographing lens and drive system 11 drives a zooming lens group 20 for optical zooming and a focusing lens group 22 for focusing, which are provided in the lens barrel 2, and drives the zooming lens group 20. Optical zooming mechanism 21 for performing zooming
And a focusing mechanism 23 for driving the focusing lens group 22 for focusing, a lens shutter mechanism 24 serving both as an aperture and a shutter, and a shutter control mechanism 25 for driving the lens shutter mechanism 24. Be composed.

The film loading and feeding drive system 12
Defines a film cartridge 26 removably mounted in the camera body 1, a spool 27 for winding a film 28 drawn from the film cartridge 26, and a shooting area (frame) of the drawn film 28. Photomasks 29 and 30 and film 2
Photoreflectors (hereinafter referred to as WPR elements) for controlling the winding by detecting the number of perforations (holes for feeding the film) provided on 8
And a driven roller 3 that rotates in close contact with the film 28
2, a photointerrupter (hereinafter referred to as a driven roller detection Pl) 33 for detecting the number of rotations of the driven roller 32, that is, the amount of movement of the film 28;
8, a rewind mechanism 35 for rewinding the film 28, and a DX reading unit 36 for reading the ISO sensitivity and the like of the loaded film cartridge 26. This driven roller detection P133
Generates a pulse number of, for example, 300 when winding up one horse, and performs optical information recording described later in synchronization with the timing of this pulse.

The finder optical system 13 includes an objective lens 38
A lens group 39 that performs zooming of the finder optical system 13 in accordance with zooming of the zooming lens group 20;
A liquid crystal element (hereinafter, referred to as an F-in LCD) 40 for displaying a zooming range and an eyepiece 41 in conjunction with an electronic zooming function described later.

The distance measurement / photometry system 14 includes an optical system 42 for photometry, a condenser lens 43 for photometry, and a photometry sensor 4.
4 and a central photometry sensor 4 for photometry at the center of the screen
5 and a peripheral photometric sensor 46 for photometric peripheral
A photometric processing unit 47 for processing and outputting the photometric output from the photometric sensor 44; and a distance measuring unit 48 using a known triangulation method for measuring the distance to the subject. .

An operation switch system 15 is a slide-type power supply switch (A / D switch SW) which also controls power on / off and switches between "A mode" and "D mode" described later.
5, a 1RSW 4a that is turned on by the first stroke of the release button 4, a 2RSW 4b that is turned on by the second stroke of the release button 4, a teller SW9 for zooming, and a wide SW10 for zooming. Is done.

The strobe light system 16 includes a strobe light emitting section 49.
And a strobe charging / light emission control circuit 50 for driving and controlling the strobe light emitting section 49.

The photographing information imprinting system 17 is a photographing LED 58 for irradiating an LED beam for optically recording photographing information on the film 28, and condensing the LED beam to focus on the film 28. Lens 59 for
It is composed of In the present embodiment, the imaging information is optically imprinted as dots. However, the information is not limited to dots only, and may be any information that can be expressed as information.

FIGS. 3 (a) to 3 (c) show the film cartridge 26 loaded inside the camera shown in FIG.
Further, a state around the drawn-out film 28 is conceptually shown. 3A is a view showing the camera viewed from the upper surface side, FIG. 3B is a view showing the camera viewed from behind the optical axis, and FIG. 3C is an oblique view of the optical axis. It is a figure which shows the place seen from the front. Components in this figure that are the same as the components shown in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

In this configuration, the photographing masks 29, 30
Is formed as a part of the main body mechanism 70 inside the camera. An imprint LED 58A drawn out by a wavy arrow indicates a state in which the imprint LED 58 shown in the figure is viewed from behind the photographing optical axis. Here, 9 lines in a row
This is an example in which LED elements 58-1 to 58-9 are arranged.
Among these, the two LED elements 58-1 and 58-2 are LEDs for recording information relating to photographing optically (hereinafter, referred to as photographing information) on the film 28 in a D mode described later. And the remaining seven LED elements 5
Reference numerals 8-3 to 58-9 denote LED elements for imprinting date information on the film 28 in the A mode.

Next, FIG. 4 shows the form of date information imprinted on a film when a conventional analog lab for printing a photograph by printing on photosensitive paper is used, that is, when the A mode is selected. In FIG. 4, an area 81 for imprinting date information is provided at the upper left of an image area 80 for one frame of the film 28 on the photographic paper. When the film 28 is loaded in the camera, the film surface on the photographic lens side is used as an emulsion surface (front surface), and the upper side of the upper and lower sides when loaded into the camera coincides with the upward direction in the figure. After the photo shoot,
LED element 58-3 during film feeding by winding up one frame
By turning on any one of .about.58-9 and imprinting a predetermined dot, information consisting of characters and the like can be formed.

For example, FIG. 4 shows, as an example of date information to be imprinted, date information 82 which is obtained by inverting “December 31, 1998” and imprinted. When the film 28 having such date information 82 imprinted thereon is developed, an inverted date character of “98′12 31” appears.

FIG. 5 shows the D of the camera in this embodiment.
An example of the form of various types of information optically recorded on the film 28 using the LED elements 58-1 and 58-2 when the mode is set will be described.

FIG. 5 shows a photographing information recording area 83 in which photographing information 84 to be photographed above the image area 80 for one frame is imprinted, and the photographing information 84 is enlarged. The photographing information 84 indicates that the LED elements 58-1 and 58-1
58-2. These bits are used to store various data by using information bits 85 consisting of a dot row by the LED element 58-1 and clock bits 86 consisting of a dot row by the LED element 58-2. Show. In the photographing information 84, the clock bit 86 is the information bit 8
5 and the digital lab synchronizes the clock bit 86 with the information bits 8 from the film.
5 will be read. The shooting information 84 is recorded in a shooting information recording area 83 provided outside the image area. This means that when recorded in the image area 80,
This is because if the subject image that was previously projected is brighter than or equal to the information bits 85, the information bits may not be correctly read when the digital lab attempts to read the information bits.

Table 1 shows that, in the D mode, the film 28
An example of the detailed contents of the photographing information to be optically recorded is shown above.

[0030]

[Table 1]

Table 1 is an example showing the contents with respect to the data names. Data Nos. 1 to 5 include "year, month, day, hour,
The data No. 6 indicates the electronic zoom ratio when the camera is in the "D mode setting". Data No. Reference numeral 7 denotes exposure data, and the upper one bit of the data indicates backlight data. When the camera detects a backlight with the photometric sensor, "1" is written here. As will be described later, in a digital laboratory, the backlight data is read from the developed film 28, and a digital dodging process is performed.
The lower 7 bits indicate underexposure data.
As will be described later, this camera may perform underexposure shooting when the D mode is selected. In this case, the underexposure data is recorded on the film 28.
The underexposure data is read by a digital laboratory and used for underexposure correction.

Further, data No. 8 is a vendor code for identifying the manufacturer, data No. 9 is an ID code for identifying the camera, data No. 10 is distance data indicating the focal length of the photographing lens, and data No. .11 indicates data of the aperture value of the photographing lens, and data No. 12 indicates subject distance data.

As will be described later, in the digital lab, these data Nos. By reading the data of No. 8 to No. 12, the optical characteristics of the taking lens can be known. The digital lab has a database of optical characteristic data of the photographing lens corresponding to the type of camera in advance. Here, if the data of No. 8 to No. 12 exists, the peripheral dimming characteristic of the photographing lens (the characteristic that the amount of light in the peripheral part is smaller than the center of the photographing screen) and the distortion aberration characteristic (the screen is distorted) Characteristic), the digital lab uses these optical characteristics to determine
The characteristics of the peripheral dimming and distortion can be corrected.

Of course, the present invention can be applied to a combination of an interchangeable photographing lens (a so-called interchangeable lens) and a camera. For example, on the camera side, a table for identifying all photographing lenses (so-called interchangeable lenses) that can be mounted on the camera body is constructed, and the table number of the photographing lens is selected at the time of mounting. On the digital lab side, optical characteristic data corresponding to the combination (table number) of the camera body and all the interchangeable lenses is constructed in advance as a database, and the above-described No. 8 to No. 12 data and the table number, that is,
Read out the combination of camera body and interchangeable lens,
The peripheral dimming characteristics and the distortion aberration characteristics may be obtained.

Next, Table 2 shows an example of electronic zooming data, which will be described in detail.

[Table 2]

The electronic zooming shown in Table 2 can be set only at the telephoto end in optical zooming using a lens, and can be switched in eight steps between a trimming ratio of 1 to 0.435. Thus, the focal length of the optical zooming can be set to 29 to 90 mm. Therefore, by using the electronic zooming function, the focal length of 90 to 207 mm can be additionally set equivalently.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a data array of photographing information recorded in the photographing information recording area 83 provided on the film 28 shown in FIG.

In this data, data 90 is a start bit indicating the head of the data, and is 1 for 4 bits.
Continue the data. Data 91 is No. 1 to Table 1 shown in Table 1.
This shows all data (14 bytes) up to No. 12. The data 92 is a middle bit indicating the middle of the data, and one data continues for 4 bits.

Data 93 indicates all data (14 bytes) from No. 1 to No. 12, just like data 91. The reason why the data is written twice is that, in consideration of the case where the data cannot be read due to dust attached to the film 28 or a scratch on the film surface, the preliminary data is
It has been written. The data 94 is an end bit indicating the end of the data, and one data continues for 4 bits.

FIGS. 7A to 7D show the LCD 4 in F.
An example of the visual field when 0 is viewed from the eyepiece side of the finder optical system is shown.

FIG. 7A shows an example in which all the LCD segments 100 to 108 serving as a field frame are displayed in the finder field. In this finder field, the field frame 10
In 0, effective field frames 101 to 108 represented by LCD segments when electronic zooming is performed are shown. Therefore, at the time of electronic zooming, the visual field frames 101 to 10
8 is displayed. When the electronic zooming is not performed, as shown in FIG. 7B, only the visual field frame 100 is displayed, and none of the visual field frames 101 to 109 is displayed. FIG. 7C shows the trimming ratio O.D. FIG. 7D shows a field of view at a trimming ratio of 0,435 (2.3 times the electronic zooming magnification = maximum magnification).

The main sequence of the camera according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. First, it is determined whether or not the power switch SW5 is turned on (step S1).
S), it is determined whether or not the sliding portion of the power switch SW5 is at the second power-on position 8 and “D mode” is set (step S2). On the other hand, if the “D mode” is not set (NO), the process proceeds to step S4 described later (in step S34 in FIG. 4, it is determined whether the wide switch is on).

If it is determined in step S2 that the "D mode" has not been set (NO), the DZ data is reset to "0" (step S3). This D
The Z data is data indicating a state of electronic zooming, and is “0” when electronic zooming is not used.
Is set, and when electronic zooming is used, any one of “1” to “8” is set. "
The magnification of electronic zooming increases from 1 "to" 8 ", and DZ = 8 is data for the highest magnification.

On the other hand, if the "D mode" has been set (YES), or if the DZ data has been reset, the zoom operation is enabled (step S4). That is, zooming by manual operation is possible.

Here, the zoom operation enable in step S4 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

The zoom operation enable indicates a state where optical zooming or electronic zooming is possible by manual operation. When the A mode is selected, only the optical zooming is enabled, and the D mode is enabled. When is selected, optical zooming and electronic zooming can be performed.

First, it is monitored whether or not the tele SW 9 is turned on (step S 21).
S), the zooming position of the photographing optical system is an optical telephoto (T
ELE) It is determined whether or not it is at the end (step S2)
2). If the determination is tele end (YES), power switch
It is determined whether or not the position selected in 5 is "D mode" (step S23).

If "D mode" has not been selected in this determination (NO), the flow shifts to step S34. However, if “D mode” is selected (YES), DZ
It is determined whether or not data = DZMAX (step S
24), DZ data = DZMAX in this determination (Y
ES), that is, if it is the tele-side limit value of the electronic zooming, the electronic zooming cannot be performed any more, so the process proceeds to step S34. However, if DZ data is not equal to DZMAX (NO), zooming can still be performed, and the DZ data is incremented by +1 and incremented (step S25). Then, O. After counting the one second timer, the process proceeds to step S34. This timer is a timer for appropriately adjusting the speed of electronic zooming by manual operation.

If it is determined in step S22 that the optical end is not at the telephoto end (NO), the optical zooming mechanism 2
1 to start optical zooming toward the telephoto side (step S28). Then, it is determined whether or not the zooming position of the photographing optical system has reached the optical telephoto end (step S29). If it reaches the telephoto end in this determination (YE
S), the zooming drive to the tele side is stopped (step S30). Then, after stopping the zooming operation, it is checked whether or not the tele SW 9 is kept on (step S31). If the tele SW 9 is turned off (NO), the process proceeds to step 34.

On the other hand, if the zooming position has not reached the optical telephoto end in step S29 (NO), the telephoto switch is set.
It is determined whether or not 9 is on (step S32). If it is on (YES), the zooming operation is continued, and if it is off (NO), the zooming operation is stopped. Thereafter (step S33), the process proceeds to step S34.

Next, if it is determined in step S34 that the wide switch 10 is on (YES), it is determined whether or not DZ data ≠ 0 (step S35). If the wide switch 10 is not on (step S35), (NO), return.

If it is determined in step S35 that the DZ data is not equal to 0 (YES), the DZ data is decremented by 1 or decremented (step S36). I do. This timer is used to make the speed of electronic zooming by manual operation appropriate.

In the determination in step S35,
If the DZ data is not 0 (NO), the optical zooming mechanism 21 is driven to start zooming to the wide side (step S38).

Then, it is determined whether or not the zooming position has reached the wide end by this zooming drive (step S39). If the zooming position has reached the wide end (YES), the wide drive by the optical zooming mechanism 21 is stopped (step S39). Step S40). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the wide switch 10 remains on (step S41). If the wide switch 10 has been turned off (NO), the process returns. If it remains in the ON state, it waits.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S39 that the zooming position has not reached the wide end (N
O) It is determined whether or not the wide switch 10 remains in the on state while the wide drive is being performed (step S42), and the process returns to the step S39 to continue the wide drive as it is. However, if the wide switch 10 is turned off, the wide drive is stopped (step S43), and the process returns.

Next, returning to the sequence of FIG. 8, the description will be made. After the above-mentioned zoom operation is enabled, the in-F LCD 4 for displaying a field frame according to the electronic zooming state.
The state of 0 is updated according to the latest DZ data (step S5). Then, it is determined whether or not the 1RSW 4a is turned on (step S6). If the 1RSW 4a is turned on (YES), the distance is measured by the distance measuring unit 48 (step S6).
7). However, if the 1RSW 4a is not turned on (NO), the process returns to step S1.

Then, based on the obtained distance measurement result, the focusing mechanism 23 is driven, and the focusing lens group 2 is moved.
2 is driven to perform focusing (step S8). Thereafter, the photometer 47 is driven to perform photometry (Step S).
9) A photometric exposure calculation is performed based on the photometric result (step S10).

Here, the sequence of the photometric exposure calculation will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
In describing the sequence of the photometric exposure calculation, first, FIG.
The P diagram shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B will be described.

FIG. 11A shows a P diagram in a normal program mode, and FIG. 11B shows a P diagram in a slow synchro program mode. In this figure, the horizontal axis represents the shutter time or the Apex Tv value, and the vertical axis represents the F number of the aperture or the Apex Av.
Indicates a value. In addition, a hatched line consisting of a dotted line indicates an equal EV line.

In this figure, a characteristic line a shows a P diagram when the focal length is at the optical telephoto end. This characteristic line a
Is divided into two regions at the break point b. Line segment c
Is an area in which the closing operation is performed before the lens shutter mechanism is fully opened. In this region, the Tv value and the Av
Both values change. This area is called a “small aperture area”. The line segment d is an area where the closing operation is performed after the lens shutter mechanism is fully opened. In this region, the Av value is fixed because the EV value reaches the open state with respect to the fluctuation of the EV value.
Only the value changes. This area is referred to as a “fully open area”.

The point e indicates the camera shake limit second time Tvf. In a region where the shutter time is slower than the speed of 1 / focal length, there is a high possibility of occurrence of camera shake. Therefore, in a normal program region, the shutter is terminated at Tvf.

The characteristic line f shows a P diagram when the focal length is at the optically wide end. A point g indicates a turning point at the wide end, a line h indicates a small aperture region at the wide end, a line i indicates a fully open region at the wide end, and a point j indicates a camera shake limit time Tvf at the wide end. The dotted line k indicates the locus of Tvf when changing from the wide end to the tele end.
Here, when the electronic zooming is performed, the Tv value and the Av value are determined according to the P diagram (characteristic line a) on the tele side.

In FIG. 11B, a characteristic line m shows a P diagram at the telephoto end, and a characteristic line n shows a P diagram at the wide end. The difference from FIG.
When the V value becomes smaller (darker), the shutter time is not censored by Tvf and becomes longer until the low-speed time.

Referring to the P diagram described above, the sequence of the photometric exposure calculation will be described according to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, the Tv value and the Av value are determined according to the P diagram (step S41). It is determined whether Tv ≦ Tvf with respect to the determined Tv value and the camera shake limit second time Tvf (step S42). If Tv ≦ Tvf (when the brightness is low) (YES), the light emission flag is set (step S42). S4
3). However, if Tv> Tvf (at the time of high luminance) (NO), it is determined whether or not the difference between the peripheral luminance and the central luminance has a luminance difference of 1.5 EV or more (step S44). Note that the peripheral luminance and the central luminance are respectively determined by the photometric sensor 4.
6, 45 are photometric values.

If it is determined that there is no luminance difference of 1.5 EV or more (NO), it is regarded as normal light, and the light emission flag for instructing light emission of the auxiliary light is reset (step S45). However, if there is a luminance difference of 1.5 EV or more (YES), it is regarded as backlight, and it is determined whether or not the D mode is selected (step S46). If the D mode is not selected in this determination (NO), the light emission flag is set (step S47). However, if the D mode has been selected (YES), the flow shifts to step S45 to reset the light emission flag. In such a sequence, when the A mode is selected, the strobe is fired to perform backlight compensation when the shooting scene is backlit, but when the D mode is selected, the shooting scene is similarly set. Does not emit strobe light for backlight compensation when is backlit. The reason for this is that the digital lab (which will be described in detail later) has a function of digital dodging, so that it is possible to perform backlight compensation without flash emission at the time of shooting.
Therefore, no strobe light is emitted to save the energy of the battery serving as the power supply.

After setting or resetting the light emission flag, it is determined whether or not the D mode has been selected (step S48). If the D mode has been selected (YES), the slow sync program is executed. Although it is possible only in the mode, Tvf−2 ≦ Tv <Tv
It is determined whether the condition of vf is satisfied (step S
49). If the above condition is satisfied in this determination (YE
S), the Tv value is rounded to Tvf (step S52), and the process returns.

However, if the Tv value does not satisfy the condition of Tvf−2 ≦ Tv <Tvf (NO), it is determined whether or not Tv <Tvf−2 is satisfied (step S50). This is also possible only in the slow sync program mode. If the Tv value satisfies Tv <Tvf−2 (YES), +2 is added to the Tv value (step S51), and the process returns. However, if the Tv value does not satisfy Tv <Tvf-2 (NO), the routine returns.

To explain this sequence briefly, if the shooting scene is dark in the slow synchro / program mode, the Tv value becomes smaller than Tvf, so that camera shake easily occurs during shooting. Here, when the D mode is selected, underexposure correction is performed in preparation for underexposure. As a result, the Tv value increases, and camera shake hardly occurs. This method can be used in a digital lab because under-negative correction can be performed (details will be described later), so that even if the exposure is darkened by up to 2 EV, the image quality (hue) of the photographic print is maintained. This is because it becomes possible.

Returning to the flowchart shown in FIG. After performing the photometric exposure calculation in step S10, it is determined whether or not the 2RSW 4b is turned on (step S11). If the 2RSW 4b is turned on (YES), exposure is performed (step S13). Here, according to the photometric exposure calculation result obtained in step S10, the aperture / shutter 2 is used.
4 is performed. Also, according to the state of the light emission flag,
When the strobe light emission flag is set, the strobe light emission unit 49 is operated under the control of the strobe charge light emission control circuit 50 to perform strobe light emission. If the 2RSW 4b is not turned on in step S11 (N
O), it is determined whether or not 1RSW is still on (step S12), and if it is on (YE)
S) Wait until the 2RSW 4b is turned on. However, if the 1RSW has been turned off (NO), it is determined that shooting has been stopped, and the process returns to step S1.

After exposure in step S13, D
It is determined whether the mode is selected (step S1).
4) If the D mode is not selected (NO),
The film is wound up by one frame when the A mode is selected (step S15). At the time of film winding, date characters are optically recorded on the film 28 using the imprinting LEDs 58-3 to 58-9, and the process returns to step S1.
On the other hand, if the D mode has been selected (YES),
The film is wound up by one frame when the D mode is selected (step S16). At the time of film winding, various information is optically recorded on the film 28 using the imprinting LEDs 58-1 and 58-2, and the process returns to step S1.

Next, FIG. 12 shows an example of the configuration of a digital lab for performing an image output process from a film photographed by a camera according to the present invention. This digital lab is
A developing section 111 for developing the film stored in the film cartridge 26; a scanner section 112 for reading image data from the developed film 28 and converting the image data into digital data;
An image data processing unit 113 for performing various image processing on the digital data read in step 2 and a printer 114 for creating a photographic print 115 in accordance with the digital data processed by the image data processing unit 113 .

Referring to the flowchart shown in FIG.
A description will be given of a photo print creation process performed by the digital laboratory configured as described above. First, the developing unit 111 performs a developing process on the film stored in the film cartridge 26 (Step S61). Next, the scanner unit 112 reads image data from the developed film 28 (step S62).

It is determined whether or not this image data is a photograph taken in the D mode (step S62). That is,
A determination is made based on the read image data based on the presence or absence of shooting information 84 (FIG. 5) optically recorded in the shooting information recording area 83 when shooting in the D mode on the film 28. If it is determined that the photograph was taken in the D mode (YES), the photographing information 84 is read from the film 28 (step S64). On the other hand, if it is determined that the photograph is not a photograph taken in the D mode (NO), the flow shifts to step S75 to be described later, and a photograph print process is performed using the printer 114.

If the scene is not a backlight scene from the backlighting data (see Table 1) in the read photographing information 84 (NO), the exposure is determined from the underexposure data (see Table 1) in the photographing information. It is determined whether or not the photograph is an under photograph (step S66). However, in the case of a backlight scene, (Y
ES), performing digital dodging processing (step S6)
7). After performing the digital dodging process, the process proceeds to the underexposure determination in step S66.

The dodging is a process of correcting a backlight scene or the like by partially changing an exposure amount in a photographic print of a black-and-white photograph or the like, so that both the person and the background are finished to an appropriate density. Is called. In such a digital laboratory, by performing digital image processing, it is possible to equivalently perform similar processing for dodging.

Next, in the underexposure determination in step S66, if the photograph is not an underexposed photograph (N
O) Based on the electronic zooming ratio data (see Table 1) in the optical information, it is determined whether or not the photograph uses electronic zooming (step S68).

On the other hand, if the photograph is an underexposed photograph (YES), under-negative correction is performed (step S6).
9). After the under-negative correction is performed, the process proceeds to the electronic zooming determination in step S68.

This is a normal photographic processing (analog lab)
In such a case, if the underexposure occurs, the contrast is lowered and the color tone of the photograph is different from the actual one, which is unnatural. However, in a digital laboratory, by performing digital image processing, it is possible to correct a contrast and a hue to obtain a photograph close to a standard exposure.

Next, in the electronic zooming determination in the step S68, if the photograph is not a photograph using electronic zooming (NO), the No. in the photographing information is set. A peripheral dimming correction process is performed based on the data of Nos. 8 to 12 (see Table 1) (step S70). However, if the photograph uses electronic zooming (YES), a trimming process is performed according to the electronic zooming ratio information (step S71), and a sharpness process is further performed (step S72). In the sharpness processing, when a trimming processing accompanied by electronic zooming is performed, roughness due to film particles is conspicuous in an image. Therefore, processing for enhancing sharpness while suppressing the roughness is performed. By this sharpness processing, a photograph lacking sharpness can be finished so as to have sharpness one rank higher.

After performing the sharpness processing, the flow shifts to the peripheral dimming correction processing in step S70. In order to perform this vignetting correction process, it is necessary to have the data of the vignetting characteristics of the photographing lens corresponding to the camera used in advance in the digital lab, but in the digital lab of the present invention, It is assumed that the above data of various cameras is stored as a database.

Next, in the optical information, No. A distortion correction process is performed based on the data 8 to 12 (see Table 1) (step S73). In order to perform the peripheral dimming process described above,
It is necessary to have the data of the distortion characteristics of the taking lens corresponding to the camera used in advance in the digital lab, but the digital lab of the present invention has the above data of various cameras as a database. .

Next, since the photographing information 84 optically recorded in the photographing information recording area 83 on the film 28 becomes unnecessary at the time of photo printing, the image data of this portion is cut (step S74). . Then, the printer 114
Is used to perform a photo print process (step S7).
5) Print out as a photo.

Next, a modification of the above-described embodiment will be described. Here, only the characteristic portions are described, but the other components are the same as those of the above-described embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted. First modification example: In the D mode, optical recording was performed outside the range of the photographing screen (photographing mask) using the imprinting LED, but optical recording was performed within the range of the photographing screen (photographing mask). It may be. However, when optical recording is performed in the shooting screen, if the luminance of the background scene is high, a reading error may occur.

Second Modification: The mask at the upper end of the photographic mask (portion where optical recording is performed in the D mode) is made movable, and in the A mode, a large mask opening corresponding to the entire screen is formed. In the case of the mode, a portion where optical recording is performed may be covered with a mask.

Third Modification In the imprinting LED,
Imprinting LED elements 58-3 to 5 used in A mode
8-9 and parts 58-1 and 58-2 used in the case of D mode
However, as shown in FIG. 14, a part of both elements may be used. For example, all of the elements used in the case of the D mode may be a part of the elements used in the case of the A mode. The above embodiment has been described. Is also included.

(1) An analog photographic print for obtaining a photographic print by performing analog processing on analog image information of a film on which information is optically recorded, and converting the analog image information into digital information once A photographic printing system capable of performing digital photographic printing to obtain a print after reading the coded information from the optically recorded information,
A photographic print system, wherein said digital photographic print is created by deleting said coded information.

[0087]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, date character information or date information is selected at the time of photographing, optically recorded on a film, and printed out by digital image processing. In addition, it is possible to provide a camera that can be used in an analog laboratory that performs print printing by conventional printing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the internal configuration of the camera shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state around a film cartridge loaded into the camera and a drawn film in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a conventional lab for printing photographs by printing on photosensitive paper, that is, a form of date information imprinted on a film in A mode.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of photographing information optically recorded on a film using an LED element when a D mode of the camera is set.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a data array of photographing information recorded in a photographing information recording area provided on the film shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a visual field when the LCD in F is viewed from the eyepiece side of the finder optical system.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a main sequence of the camera of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a zoom operation enable.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a sequence of a photometric exposure calculation.

FIG. 11 shows a normal program mode and a slow sync.
It is an example of each P diagram of a program mode.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a digital lab for performing an image output process from a film photographed by a camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a photographic print creation process by the digital lab shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a modification of the imprinting LED element.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Camera body 2 ... Lens barrel 3 ... Finder window 4 ... Release button 5 ... Power switch 6 ... Power off position 7 ... 1st power on position (mode setting switch: A mode) 8 ... 2nd power on position (Mode setting switch: B mode) 9 ... TELE SW 10 ... Wide (WIDE) SW 11 ... Photographing lens and drive system 12 ... Film loading and feeding drive system 13 ... Finder optical system 14 ... Distance measurement / photometry system 15: Operation switch system 16: Strobe light system 17: Photo information printing system 18: Control unit (CPU) 19: Display unit 58: Printing LED element

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A mode setting means for switching between two shooting modes, a first shooting mode or a second shooting mode, an optical information recording mechanism, and a shooting mode set by the mode setting means Switching means for switching the mode of use of the optical information recording mechanism according to the information recording mechanism in a different manner,
A camera comprising: 2. A first photographing mode corresponding to an analog photograph print system for obtaining a photograph print by processing analog image information recorded on a photographed film in an analog manner, and an analog photographing mode recorded on a photographed film. Mode setting means capable of switching and setting a second photographing mode corresponding to a digital photograph print system for obtaining a photograph print after converting image information into digital information once; an optical information recording mechanism; Means for recording optical date character information on the film when the first photographing mode is set, and encoding on the film when the second photographing mode is set. Operation control means for recording the date information obtained using the information recording mechanism. 3. A first photographing mode corresponding to an analog photograph print system for obtaining a photograph print by processing analog image information recorded on a photographed film in an analog manner, and an analog photographing mode recorded on a photographed film. A mode setting means which can be set by switching between a second photographic mode corresponding to a digital photographic print system for obtaining a photographic print after converting image information into digital information once, and an optical recording medium for optically recording on a film When the LED row and the first shooting mode are set, optical date character information is recorded on the film using the LED row, and the second shooting mode is set. Operation control means for recording encoded date information on the film using the LED string,
A camera comprising: 4. A digital photographic print system capable of creating a photographic print on a film photographed by the camera, wherein the film photographed in the photographing mode of 2 is:
Read the encoded date information from the film,
A photographic print system wherein the coded date information on the film is deleted to create a photographic print.