JP2007279486A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera constituted so that a right-handed user can firmly hold the camera. <P>SOLUTION: The digital camera 2 comprises a camera body 3 and a lens barrel 4. A grip part 11 is provided on the left side of the camera body 3. A camera body side mount part is formed on the right side of the camera body. A photographing button 22 and a zooming button 24 are provided on the outer periphery of the lens barrel 4. The grip part of the camera body 3 is grasped by user's left hand, and the lens barrel 4 is grasped by user's right hand. Consequently, the right-handed user can depress the photographing button 22 by right-hand finger while holding the grip part by left hand and holding the outer periphery of the lens barrel 4 by right hand, then, the user can firmly hold the camera even when the lens barrel is large and heavy. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a camera including a lens barrel and a camera body that holds the lens barrel.

  At present, cameras such as a silver salt camera that records a subject image on a photographic film and an electronic camera that records image data formed on the basis of a signal from an image sensor on a recording medium are widely used. These cameras include a lens barrel that holds a photographic optical system and a camera body that holds the lens barrel. Some of the cameras can be detachably attached to the camera body. At the time of shooting, the user holds the camera with both left and right hands and presses a shutter button or the like provided on the camera body with the right hand.

On the other hand, as an electronic camera that forms image data of a subject based on an image signal from an image sensor, in a digital camera that records image data of a still image of a subject on a recording medium, as shown in Patent Document 1, a lens barrel is used. In order to facilitate handling, a lens barrel having a photographing optical system and an image sensor, and a camera body that detachably mounts the lens barrel and controls the lens barrel are shown. Furthermore, in Patent Document 2, a space for adding a connector is formed at one end of the lens barrel, and a space for adding a connector corresponding to one end of the lens barrel is provided in the mount portion provided in the camera body. It shows a digital camera that can handle additional connectors when it is expanded.
JP-A-8-172561 JP 2003-215589 A

  Digital cameras do not require a film storage space or film feeding mechanism like silver halide cameras, and the camera body can be downsized. Therefore, the lens barrel attached to the camera body is relatively growing. However, since the conventional camera has a grip gripped by the user on the right side of the camera body when viewed from the back and a lens barrel on the left side of the camera body, the grip portion is gripped by the user's right hand, and the lens The left side of the lens barrel or camera body is gripped by the user's left hand, and right-handed users cannot grip the lens barrel with the right hand. For this reason, for example, when the lens barrel is large and heavy, There was a case that could not hold firmly.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a camera that allows a right-handed user to photograph a subject while holding it firmly.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the camera of the present invention, the camera body in which the right end when viewed from the front side is gripped by the user's left hand, and the left side when viewing the camera body from the front side, And a lens barrel protruding from the front side of the camera body so as to be held by the right hand of the user.

  In addition, an operation unit operated by a user is provided on the back surface of the gripping unit.

  Further, at least one of a shooting button operated when starting shooting of a subject and a zoom button operated during zooming is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the lens barrel.

  An image sensor for converting subject light imaged by a photographing optical system provided in the lens barrel into an image signal; and a recording unit for recording image data formed based on the image signal from the image sensor; It is characterized by providing.

  Further, a display screen for displaying an image is provided on the right rear surface when the camera body is viewed from the rear side.

  The lens barrel is detachably attached to the camera body and has a built-in image sensor.

  According to the camera of the present invention, the right end when viewed from the front side can be gripped by the user's left hand, and the camera body can be gripped by the user's right hand on the left side when viewed from the front side. With a lens barrel that protrudes from the front side of the camera body, a right-handed user can hold the lens barrel with a dominant hand and hold the camera firmly by holding the camera body with the left hand. Thus, a right-handed user can shoot a subject while holding the camera firmly.

  Further, by providing the operation unit operated by the user on the back surface of the grip unit, the left hand can operate the operation unit while gripping the grip unit, and the convenience of the camera can be improved.

  In addition, by providing a display screen that displays images on the right side of the back of the camera body when viewed from the back side of the camera body, the display screen is not obstructed by the user's hand, and the visibility of the display screen is improved. Can be increased.

  An image sensor for converting subject light imaged by a photographing optical system provided in the lens barrel into an image signal; and a recording unit for recording image data formed based on the image signal from the image sensor; Since the subject light is converted into an electrical signal by the image sensor provided in the lens barrel, and the image data formed based on this signal is recorded by the recording means, a right-handed user can A digital camera that can be securely held can be provided.

  By providing a display screen for displaying an image on the right rear side when the camera body is viewed from the rear side, it is possible to take a picture while checking the subject.

  In addition, the lens barrel is detachably attached to the camera body, and a built-in image sensor can provide a highly convenient camera.

  A digital camera of the present invention is shown in FIG. The digital camera 2 includes a camera body 3 and a lens barrel 4. At the top of the camera body 4 is a mode dial 13 that is rotated to change the mode of the digital camera 2 such as a still image shooting mode and a playback mode, and a light emitting unit 7 that emits strobe light or AF auxiliary light forward. Etc. are provided. On the front surface of the camera body 3, a camera body side mount portion 9 and a grip portion (gripping portion) 11 for fitting a lens barrel side mount portion 15 formed on the lens barrel 4 are formed. Near the camera body side mount portion 9, there is provided a mount release button 14 that is pressed when the lens barrel 4 is removed from the camera body 3. By pressing the mount release button 14, the lens barrel 4 is attached to the camera. It can be separated from the body-side mount portion 9. Although not shown, a side of the digital camera 2 is provided with a USB port, an IEEE 1394 port, a video terminal, and the like.

  The lens barrel 4 includes a barrel body 4a, a plurality of lens groups, a CCD image sensor 20, and the like. The lens barrel body 4a is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, the first lens group G1 is exposed from one end thereof, the CCD image sensor 20 and the like are incorporated therein, and the body side mount is mounted on the other end of the lens barrel 4. A lens barrel side mount portion 15 combined with the portion 9 is formed. On the outer periphery of the lens barrel body 4a, there are provided a photographing button 22 that is pressed when recording of image data is started and a zoom button 24 that is operated when shifting to a telephoto state or a wide-angle state. The lens barrel 4 can be gripped with, for example, the right hand, and the thumb is hung along one circumferential direction of the outer circumference, and the index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger are hung along the other circumferential direction of the outer circumference. Thus, the lens barrel 4 is gripped. The lens barrel 4 is held by the right hand of the user, and the shooting button 22 and the zoom button 24 are pressed with an index finger or a middle finger.

  For example, three bayonet claws are formed on the lens barrel side mount portion 15, and bayonet engagement claws corresponding to the bayonet claws on the lens side are formed on the camera body side mount portion 9. The lens barrel side mount portion 15 is provided with a plurality of contacts (not shown), and the camera body side mount portion 9 is provided with a terminal (not shown) that contacts the connection terminal. These contacts and terminals enable wired communication together with a serial I / F which will be described later, and when the lens barrel 4 is mounted on the camera body 3, the lens barrel 4 and the camera body 3 are electrically connected to each other. It will be connected to. In a state where the lens barrel 4 is mounted on the camera body 3, the shooting button 22 is located at the upper end of the lens barrel 4.

  As shown in FIG. 2, on the back of the camera body 3, a liquid crystal panel 26, a cross operation button 28, and a display for switching ON / OFF of the liquid crystal panel 26, which are display screens for displaying a through image and a menu image of the subject. A button 31, an execution button 32 that is pressed when a menu screen is displayed or confirmed, and the like are provided. When the mode dial 13 is set to the still image shooting mode, a through image in which the subject image is updated at regular intervals is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 26.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when the digital camera 2 is viewed from the front, the lens barrel 4 is disposed on the left side of the camera body 3, and a grip portion 11 that is gripped by the user is formed at the right end of the camera body 3. Yes. The grip portion 11 is held by the user's left hand, and the lens barrel 4 is held by the user's right hand.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a liquid crystal panel 26 is arranged on the right side of the back of the camera body 3, and a cross operation button 28, a display button 31, and an execution button 32 that are operation units are arranged on the left side of the camera body 3. Yes. A display button 31 and an execution button 32 are arranged below the cross button 28, and these buttons are operated by the user's left thumb attached to the grip portion. When the cross button 28 or the like is operated with the left hand, the liquid crystal panel 26 is not blocked, and the visibility of the liquid crystal panel 26 is kept good.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the camera body 3 is covered with a front cover 3a and a rear cover 3b. Inside the camera body 3, a circuit board 35, a memory card mounting part 39, a battery accommodating part 40, and the like are provided.

  One surface of the circuit board 35 is connected to a terminal group forming portion 36 having a terminal group in contact with the contact group of the lens barrel side mount portion 15, and to each terminal formed in the terminal group forming portion 36, ROM, SDRAM , An integrated circuit unit 37 on which a CPU, various control circuits and various processing circuits are formed, a memory card mounting unit 39 in which a memory card as a recording medium can be inserted and removed, and a battery storage unit 40 for storing a battery as a power source are integrated. Is provided. A liquid crystal panel 26 and a drive control circuit for controlling the driving of the liquid crystal panel 26 are provided on the other surface of the circuit board 35. The recording means is constituted by an integrated circuit or a memory card.

  On the front surface of the circuit board 35, a terminal group forming part 36, an integrated circuit part 37, and a memory card mounting part 39 are arranged in this order from one end to the other end. Thereby, at the time of shooting, the image data from the lens barrel 4 is transmitted to the integrated circuit unit 37 via the terminal group forming unit 36, and the image data processed by the integrated circuit unit 37 is transmitted via the memory card mounting unit 39. The data is recorded on the memory card and can be processed efficiently.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the lens barrel 4 includes a CCD image sensor 20, an analog signal processing circuit 85, a timing generator (TG) 87, an SDRAM 89, a digital processing circuit 91, a serial interface (hereinafter, serial I / O). F) 93, ROM 95, wireless communication interface (hereinafter referred to as wireless communication I / F) 97, AE / AF arithmetic circuit 99, input interface 102, and the like.

  The CCD image sensor 20 that converts subject light from the photographing optical system into an electrical pixel signal by photoelectric conversion is controlled by a drive pulse supplied from the TG 87. The analog signal processing circuit 85 includes a correlated double sampling circuit, an amplification 8 circuit, an A / D conversion circuit, and the like. The pixel signal is converted into an RGB analog signal for each cell of the CCD image sensor 20 by the correlated double sampling circuit, and the RGB analog signal is amplified by the amplifier circuit. The RGB analog signal is digitized by an A / D conversion circuit to form 12-bit RAW data per pixel. The formed RAW data is temporarily stored in the SDRAM 89.

  In the digital processing circuit 91, the RAW data for one screen read from the SDRAM 89 is compressed to form 8-bit luminance color difference data (hereinafter referred to as YC data) per pixel. The formed YC data is temporarily stored in the SDARM 89.

  The serial I / F 93 controls data communication performed via a contact when the lens barrel 4 is mounted on the camera body 3. Further, the wireless communication I / F 97 receives a connection request signal from the camera body 3, performs connection negotiation with the camera body 3, and establishes a wireless communication line with the camera body 3. The YC data stored in the SDRAM 24 is transmitted to the camera body 3 side via the serial I / F 93 or the wireless communication I / F 97.

  The AE / AF arithmetic circuit 99 determines the luminance of the subject and determines an aperture value and the like based on the determination. A pixel signal from the CCD image sensor 20 is used to determine the luminance of the subject.

  The ROM 95 is composed of, for example, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM) which is a nonvolatile memory, and includes format data indicating the model of the lens barrel 4, serial number data indicating the serial number of the lens barrel 4, various programs, and the like. It is remembered.

  The input interface 102 transmits an ON signal to the camera body 3 when the photographing button 22 is pressed. Although not shown, a tact switch is provided below the shooting button 22, and an ON signal is transmitted from the tact switch to the camera body 3 side via the serial interface 93 or the wireless communication interface 97 in response to pressing of the shooting button 22. The

  The camera body 3 includes a strobe control circuit 53, a display control circuit 54, a CPU 58, a ROM 61, an SDRAM 62, a media control circuit 64, a digital processing circuit 67, a compression processing circuit 68, a communication control circuit 73, a wireless communication I / F 74, and a serial I. / F76, mount detection circuit 77, battery control circuit 80, battery 82, and the like.

  The ROM 61 is composed of, for example, a non-volatile flash memory, and stores various programs for controlling the camera body 3, and the CPU 58 reads and executes appropriate programs from the ROM 61 as appropriate. The CPU 58 also performs control of the media control circuit 64 that writes image data to the memory card 65, control of the display control circuit 54 that controls driving of the liquid crystal panel 26, and the like.

  The strobe control circuit 53 controls the driving of the light emitting unit 7. When it is detected by the mount detection circuit 77 that the lens barrel 4 is separated from the camera body 3, or when the flash device 94 of the lens barrel 4 is set in the priority state, the strobe control circuit 53 emits light. The drive of the unit 7 is prohibited. When the driving of the light emitting unit 7 is prohibited, a mark indicating that the light emission is prohibited is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 26 to notify the user.

  The display control circuit 54 displays an image on the liquid crystal panel 26. For example, when the mode dial 132 is set to the shooting mode, a through image in which the subject image is intermittently updated at a predetermined frame rate is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 26.

  The CPU 58 accesses the ROM 34 of the lens barrel 4 to read data, and temporarily stores the read data in the SDRAM 62. For example, when the lens barrel 4 is attached to the camera body 3, the CPU 58 reads the model and serial number data of the lens barrel 4 from the ROM 95. The data read from the ROM 95 is written in the SDRAM 62 of the camera body 3, and the type, serial number, etc. of the lens barrel 4 are registered, which makes it possible to use a plurality of lens barrels 4 properly.

  The mount detection circuit 77 detects the voltage of the sub-battery of the lens barrel 4, determines that the lens barrel 4 is attached to the camera body 3 when the voltage is detected, and determines that the lens barrel is not detected when the voltage is not detected. Is separated from the camera body 3.

  The wireless communication I / F 74 establishes a wireless communication line by performing connection negotiation with the wireless communication I / F 38 on the lens barrel 4 side. As a result, YC data signals can be received from the lens barrel 4 and various command signals can be wirelessly transmitted to the lens barrel 4.

  The communication control circuit 73 turns on the serial I / F 76 and turns off the wireless communication I / F 74 in response to the mount detection signal from the mount detection circuit 77. Further, when the mount of the lens barrel 4 is not detected by the mount detection circuit 77, the serial I / F 76 is turned off and the wireless communication I / F 74 is turned on. When the wireless communication I / F 74 is turned on by the communication control circuit 73, a connection request signal is transmitted from the wireless communication I / F 74 to the lens barrel 4, and a wireless communication line is established. After establishing the wireless communication line, data is transmitted from the lens barrel 4 to the camera body 3 via wireless communication.

  The CPU 58 receives various signals from the lens barrel 4 side and transmits various command signals to each unit. For example, when an ON signal is received from the lens barrel 4 side, a write command signal for instructing recording of image data is transmitted to the media control circuit 38.

  The media control circuit 64 accesses a memory card (recording medium) 65 inserted in the card mounting unit and controls writing of image data and the like. The media control circuit 64 receives the write command signal from the CPU 58 and writes the image data to the memory card 65. Further, when the mode dial 13 is set to the reproduction mode, the image data is read from the memory card 65 in response to a read command signal from the CPU 58.

  The operation of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. When photographing a subject, the lens barrel 4 provided on the left side of the camera body 3 is gripped by the user's right hand when viewed from the front, and the grip portion 11 provided on the right side of the camera body 3 is gripped by the user's left hand. Is done. The thumb of the right hand is applied to the abdomen of the lens barrel 4, and the remaining fingers are applied to the back of the lens barrel 4. The photographing button 22 and the zoom button 24 are pressed with, for example, an index finger or a middle finger, so that the user can operate the photographing button 22 or the like while holding the lens barrel 4 with the right hand. The left index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger are applied to the front surface of the grip 11 of the camera body 4, and the thumb is applied to the back surface. The cross operation unit 28 is operated with the thumb of the left hand, whereby the operation buttons can be operated while holding the camera body 4 with the left hand.

  When the power of the digital camera 2 is turned on and the mode dial 13 is set to the photographing mode, the CCD image sensor 20 starts to drive, and a through image in which the subject image is updated intermittently is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 26. When the shooting button 22 is pressed with the middle finger or the like of the right hand, a recording start signal is transmitted to the camera body 3 side. In response to receiving the recording start signal, the CPU 58 transmits a write command signal to the media control circuit 64, and the media control circuit 64 receives the write command signal and writes the image data to the memory card 65. By holding the digital camera 2 using the left hand and the right hand in this way, the digital camera 2 can be reliably held.

  In the above embodiment, when the lens barrel is attached to the camera body, the shooting button is positioned at the upper end of the lens barrel. However, when the lens barrel is attached to the camera body, the shooting button is not attached to the lens mirror. It may be located at the left end of the cylinder. By arranging the photographing button in this way, it can be expected that the photographing button can be easily pressed while holding the lens barrel with the right hand.

  In the above embodiment, the cross operation button 28 operated by the thumb of the left hand is provided on the back surface of the camera body 3. However, the arrangement of the cross operation button is not limited to this, and is provided on the upper left side of the camera body. Also good. As shown in FIG. 8, the digital camera 120 has a lens barrel 124 mounted on the right side of the front surface of a small camera body 122. A grip portion 126 is formed on the left side of the camera body 122, and a cross operation portion 128 that is an operation portion is provided on the upper left portion of the camera body 122. The cross operation unit 128 is arranged so that it can be operated with the thumb while gripping the grip unit 126. Thereby, the operability of the digital camera can be improved. In addition, the size of the display screen provided on the back of the camera body can be increased, and the through image or menu image of the subject can be easily viewed.

  In the above camera, the lens barrel is detachable from the camera body. However, the present invention is not limited to this and may be applied to a camera in which the lens barrel is fixed to the camera body.

  In the above embodiment, a digital camera has been exemplified. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention may be applied to a silver salt camera that records a subject image on a photographic film.

It is the external appearance perspective view which observed the front surface of the digital camera comprised from the lens barrel and the camera body which mounts | wears with this lens barrel detachably. It is the external appearance perspective view which observed the back of the digital camera. It is the front view which looked at the digital camera from the front. It is the rear view which observed the camera body from the back. It is the disassembled perspective view which showed the board | substrate inside decomposed | disassembled decomposed | disassembled into the front cover and rear cover of a camera body. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing an electrical configuration of a lens barrel and a camera body. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which hold | gripped the camera body with the left hand and the lens barrel with the right hand. It is the external appearance perspective view which observed the digital camera which has arrange | positioned the cross operation part in the upper left part of the camera body from diagonally forward.

Explanation of symbols

2 Digital camera (camera)
3 camera body 3a front cover 3b rear cover 4 lens barrel 4a barrel body 11 grip portion (gripping portion)
Reference Signs List 12 Camera body side mount 15 Lens barrel side mount 20 CCD image sensor 22 Shooting button 24 Zoom button 26 LCD panel (display screen)
28 Cross operation button (operation unit)
35 Circuit Board 36 Terminal Group Forming Section 37 Integrated Circuit Section 65 Memory Card

Claims (6)

A camera body whose right end when viewed from the front side is a gripping part that is gripped by the user's left hand;
A camera comprising: a lens barrel protruding from the front surface of the camera body so that the camera body can be gripped by a user's right hand on the left side when viewed from the front surface side.   The camera according to claim 1, wherein an operation unit operated by a user is provided on a back surface of the grip unit.   2. The outer peripheral surface of the lens barrel is provided with at least one of a shooting button operated when starting shooting of a subject and a zoom button operated during zooming. Or the camera of 2.   An image sensor for converting subject light imaged by a photographing optical system provided in the lens barrel into an image signal; and a recording unit for recording image data formed based on the image signal from the image sensor; The camera according to claim 1, further comprising:   5. The camera according to claim 4, wherein a display screen for displaying an image based on the image signal is provided on a right rear surface when the camera body is viewed from the rear side.   6. The camera according to claim 4, wherein the lens barrel is detachably attached to the camera body and incorporates the image sensor.

Images