JP2008033054A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable even a camera, which is provided with a photographic mode changeover function and a lensinterchangeable function and does not incorporate a finder, to appropriately display necessary photographic information with few power consumption. <P>SOLUTION: The camera comprises a display means S that includes: a lighting indication section 5 disposed on the back face 4r of a camera body and having at least three spot lighting parts 5a, 5b and 5c; and a lighting control section 6 used to exert control such that one of the spot lighting parts 5a and so on is selectively lighted on or off, the light emission color of one or all of the spot lighting parts 5b and so on are altered, thereby selectively displaying each of different shutter speeds in an automatic mode Ma and selectively displaying each of different exposures in a manual mode Mm. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a camera that has a lens exchange function capable of mounting an interchangeable lens and does not have a built-in finder.

  Generally, modes for setting the exposure of the camera include an automatic mode in which an appropriate exposure amount is automatically set and a manual mode in which a photographer sets the manual exposure manually. In particular, the manual mode is often used by professional photographers, photo enthusiasts and the like because the exposure suitable for the shooting scene can be set delicately.

In addition, a camera having a display unit for displaying photographing information is also known for the convenience of a photographer when setting the exposure in the manual mode. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-95304 discloses photographing information. Switching between a first mode in which (exposure correction amount) can be set for each first predetermined number of steps and a second mode in which shooting information can be set for each second predetermined number of steps different from the first predetermined number of steps A camera equipped with a mode switching means capable of displaying the set number of shooting information set and the setting value of shooting information set and set corresponding to the number of steps display section. A liquid crystal display (not shown) provided on the upper surface of the camera body, and a display control means for displaying the index display unit with different correspondences between the stage number display unit and the index display unit in accordance with mode switching by the mode switching unit. For display Camera is disclosed that such information is to be displayed by the CD).
JP-A-11-95304

  By the way, there is also known a camera that enables maniac shooting by omitting automation elements as much as possible. Usually, this type of camera uses a so-called button battery and does not use a large-capacity battery or battery. Therefore, it is practically difficult to mount a liquid crystal display or the like with high power consumption as in the conventional camera.

  On the other hand, in this type of camera, there is also known a camera that has a lens exchange function capable of attaching an interchangeable lens and does not incorporate a finder. In such a camera, for example, when an ultra-wide-angle lens is attached as an interchangeable lens, the built-in viewfinder based on standard shooting cannot be used, so a dedicated viewfinder can be attached (externally attached) by providing a viewfinder attachment function. It is possible. However, in such a camera, the finder is separate from the camera body, and it is practically difficult to display information on the camera body side in the dedicated finder.

  In this way, the camera has a shooting mode switching function that can switch between automatic mode and manual mode for setting the exposure and a lens replacement function that can be mounted with an interchangeable lens. As a result, there is a problem that it is not easy to display necessary photographing information accurately.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a camera that solves such problems in the background art.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention includes at least a photographing mode switching function 2 capable of switching between an automatic mode Ma or a manual mode Mm for setting exposure and a lens interchange function 3 capable of mounting an interchangeable lens L. At the same time, when the camera 1 without the finder is constructed, the lighting display unit 5 having at least three spot lighting units 5a, 5b, and 5c disposed on the rear surface 4r of the camera body 4, and the spot lighting units 5a and 5b. , 5c are selectively controlled to be turned on or off, and the emission color of some or all of the spot lighting sections 5b... Is changed to selectively display a plurality of different shutter speeds in the automatic mode Ma. The manual mode Mm includes a display means S having a lighting control unit 6 that selectively performs a plurality of different exposure displays. .

  In this case, according to a preferred aspect of the invention, the camera body 4 can be provided with a finder mounting function 11 in which a separate finder 12 can be attached and detached. Further, light emitting diodes 5as, 5bx, 5by... Can be used for the spot lighting portions 5a, 5b..., And a plurality of light emitting diodes 5bx, 5by. Alternatively, a single multicolor light emitting diode can be used. Further, the display means S can change the emission colors of some or all of the spot lighting sections 5b in the shutter speed display and the exposure display. If the battery 13 is exhausted by the display means S, the lighting display unit 5 can perform battery exhaustion display.

  According to the camera 1 according to the present invention having such a configuration, the following remarkable effects can be obtained.

  (1) The lighting display section 5 having at least three spot lighting sections 5a... Is disposed on the outer surface 4s of the camera body 4, and each spot lighting section 5a. Alternatively, by changing and controlling the emission colors of all the spot lighting sections 5b, a plurality of different shutter speed displays are selectively performed in the automatic mode Ma and a plurality of different exposure displays are selectively performed in the manual mode Mm. Therefore, the camera 1 includes a photographing mode switching function 2 capable of switching between an automatic mode Ma or a manual mode Mm for setting exposure and a lens interchange function 3 capable of mounting an interchangeable lens L, and does not include a finder. However, it is possible to accurately display necessary photographing information with a small amount of power consumption.

  (2) According to a preferred embodiment, if the camera body 4 is provided with a finder mounting function 11 in which a separate finder 12 can be attached and detached, the necessary photographing information can be accurately obtained without being influenced by the mounted finder 12. be able to.

  (3) According to a preferred embodiment, the light emitting diodes 5as, 5bx, 5by,... Are used for the spot lighting portions 5a, 5b, and a plurality of light emitting diodes 5bx, 5b,. If 5by... Or a single multicolor light emitting diode is used, it is possible to configure spot lighting parts 5a, 5b.

  (4) According to a preferred embodiment, the shooting mode of the camera 1 is the automatic mode Ma or the manual mode Mm if the emission colors of some or all of the spot lighting parts 5b in the shutter speed display and the exposure display are made different. Can be easily recognized (confirmed).

  (5) According to a preferred embodiment, when the battery 13 is depleted, if the battery depletion display is performed by the lighting display section 5, the spot lighting sections 5a, 5b,. I can know.

  Next, the best embodiment according to the present invention will be given and described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  First, the whole structure including the principal part of the camera 1 which concerns on this embodiment is demonstrated with reference to FIGS.

  The camera 1 is a film type camera using a silver salt film, and includes a camera body 4 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. An interchangeable lens L can be attached to the front surface of the camera body 4 via a bayonet type lens mount. Therefore, the camera 1 has a lens exchange function 3 to which the interchangeable lens L can be attached. In addition, an angle of view switching lever 21 is provided on the front surface 4 f of the camera body 4. Further, the upper surface 4u of the camera body 4 is provided with accessory shoes 22 and 23 at positions near the center and at the right side when viewed from the front, respectively, and at the left position, a mode switching unit (switch) 2s. A shutter speed setting dial 24, a release button 25, and a film winding lever 26 are also provided.

  In this case, a separate finder 12 can be attached to the accessory shoe 22 (or 23) as shown in FIG. 1, and this finder 12 selects a dedicated finder corresponding to the interchangeable lens L to be attached. can do. Therefore, this camera 1 does not have a built-in finder. This accessory shoe 22 (or 23) constitutes a finder mounting function 11 that enables a separate finder 12 to be attached to and detached from the camera body 4.

  On the other hand, there are three points near the upper end of the rear surface 4r that can be easily seen when looking through the rear surface 4r of the camera body 4, more preferably, the attached finder 12, and obliquely below the accessory shoe 22. The lighting display section 5 having the spot lighting sections 5a, 5b and 5c is provided. As shown in FIG. 2, the lighting display unit 5 uses a red light emitting diode 5as for the spot lighting unit 5a located on the left side when viewed from the rear, and an orange light emitting diode 5bx for the spot lighting unit 5b located in the middle. The green light emitting diode 5by is used, and the red light emitting diode 5cx and the green light emitting diode 5cy are used for the spot lighting part 5c located on the right side. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, each of the light emitting diodes 5as, 5bx, 5by... Is mounted on the substrate 31 and partitions the light emitting diodes 5as, 5bx, 5by. The spot lighting portions 5a, 5b, and 5c are covered by surrounding the walls 32p, 32q, 32r, and 32s and attaching the light diffusion plates 33a, 33b, and 33c to the ends of the partition walls 32p, 32q, 32r, and 32s. Further, a protective cover 34 having translucent windows 34a, 34b, 34c corresponding to the respective spot lighting portions 5a, 5b, 5c is disposed in front of the light diffusion plates 33a, 33b, 33c in the projection direction. The protective cover 34 is exposed on the rear surface 4r to form the lighting display unit 5. As described above, when the light emitting diodes 5as, 5bx, 5by,... Are used for the spot lighting portions 5a, 5b... And the two light emitting diodes 5bx, 5by,. Depending on the design, there is an advantage that the spot lighting portions 5b.

  On the other hand, FIG. 5 shows a block circuit diagram of a control system (electric system) P in a main part built in the camera body 4. Since the control system P does not need to process image data unlike a digital camera, the control system P can be configured relatively simply using a microcomputer (microcomputer) or the like, and a battery (button battery) having a small power capacity as a power source. 13 can be used. Reference numeral 42 denotes a microcomputer including a CPU that executes various processes and controls according to a processing program. Reference numeral 43 denotes a lens diaphragm, 44 denotes a photometric sensor, and 45 denotes a photometric circuit. For example, an actual aperture photometry method is adopted, and the subject brightness is measured by the photometry sensor 44 through the lens aperture 43 in which the aperture amount is set, and the output signal of the photometry sensor 44 is subjected to A / D conversion processing. This is given to the microcomputer 42 through a photometric circuit 45 that performs signal processing such as the above. Reference numeral 24 denotes a shutter speed setting dial, and this setting information is given to the microcomputer 42. Reference numeral 2 denotes a photographing mode switching function having a mode switching unit 2s, which can switch an automatic mode Ma or a manual mode Mm for setting exposure. In the automatic mode Ma, the appropriate exposure amount is automatically set, and in the manual mode Mm, the photographer can set the exposure amount by manual operation.

  Reference numeral 49 denotes an output unit (LED driver) which controls the lighting of the spot lighting units 5a, 5b, 5c having the above-described light emitting diodes 5as, 5bx, 5by... According to a control signal given from the microcomputer 42. Therefore, the microcomputer 42 and the output unit 49 selectively turn on or turn off the spot lighting units 5a, 5b, and 5c, and change and control the emission color of some or all of the spot lighting units 5b. In the automatic mode Ma, a plurality of different shutter speed displays are selectively performed, and in the manual mode Mm, the lighting control unit 6 is configured to selectively perform a plurality of different exposure displays. And this lighting control part 6 and the lighting display part 5 mentioned above comprise the display means S. FIG.

  Next, functions (operations) of main parts of the camera 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, the manual mode Mm will be described. By selecting the manual mode Mm, the camera 1 performs processing corresponding to the manual mode Mm, and the lighting control unit 6 and the lighting display unit 5 perform lighting control based on the exposure display mode Mms. FIG. 7A shows a lighting pattern of the lighting display unit 5 in the exposure display mode Mms. In this exposure display mode Mms, the light emitting diodes 5as (red), 5bx (green), and 5cx (red) are used, and seven different exposure displays are selectively performed.

  In this case, in the camera 1, as shown in FIG. 5, when the subject luminance of the subject enters the camera lens, it passes through the lens aperture 43 where the aperture amount is set and is measured by the photometric sensor 44. The output signal of the photometric sensor 44 is given to the photometric circuit 45, and after signal processing such as A / D conversion processing is performed, the obtained luminance information is given to the microcomputer. On the other hand, the photographer sets an arbitrary shutter speed with the shutter speed setting dial 24. This setting information is given to the microcomputer 42 and corrected by the film sensitivity information. And the deviation with respect to the appropriate exposure amount of the brightness | luminance information mentioned above and setting information is calculated. This deviation is determined by the exposure display mode Mms shown in FIG. 7A, and a corresponding control signal is given to the lighting display unit 5 via the output unit 49.

  Now, when the shutter speed is set appropriately and within a preset appropriate range (for example, −0.25 to +0.25), only the light emitting diode 5bx (green) of the spot lighting portion 5b is turned on. As described above, when the deviation is within the range of the appropriate exposure amount, only the center spot lighting portion 5b is lit in green, so that only one point is displayed and it can be clearly recognized that the appropriate exposure amount is secured. On the other hand, it is assumed that the deviation exceeds the range of the appropriate exposure amount. In this case, when the exposure is overexposed (slightly overexposed) and the deviation is within the range of +0.25 to +0.75 with respect to the appropriate exposure amount, for example, in addition to the light emitting diode 5bx (green) of the spot lighting section 5b. Both of the light emitting diodes 5cx (red) of the spot lighting unit 5c located on the right side are lit. Further, when the deviation is further overexposed (over) and is within the range of +0.75 to +1.25, for example, with respect to the appropriate exposure amount, the light emitting diode 5bx of the spot lighting portion 5b is extinguished and positioned on the right side. Only the light emitting diode 5cx (red) of the spot lighting section 5c to be turned on is turned on. The deviation is further overexposed (more over). For example, when the deviation is +1.25 or more, only the light emitting diode 5cx (red) of the spot lighting section 5c is blinked.

  Similarly, when the deviation is less than the appropriate exposure amount range, that is, underexposure (slightly under), the deviation is, for example, in the range of −0.25 to −0.75 with respect to the appropriate exposure amount. At that time, in addition to the light emitting diode 5bx (green) of the spot lighting section 5b, both the light emitting diode 5as (red) of the spot lighting section 5a located on the left side are turned on. Further, when the deviation further becomes underexposure (under) and is within a range of, for example, −0.75 to −1.25 with respect to the appropriate exposure amount, the light emitting diode 5bx of the spot lighting portion 5b is turned off, and the left side. Only the light emitting diode 5as (red) of the spot lighting part 5a located at is lit. The deviation is further under-exposed (more under). For example, when the deviation is less than −1.25, only the light emitting diode 5as (red) of the spot lighting section 5a is blinked.

  Thus, in the manual mode Mm, the light emitting diodes 5as (red), 5bx (green), and 5cx (red) are used, and seven different exposure displays are selectively performed based on the exposure display mode Mms. Therefore, even if the camera 1 does not have a finder, necessary shooting information can be accurately displayed with little power consumption. In addition, it is possible to quickly set an appropriate (desired) exposure amount, and it is possible to perform optimal shooting without missing a photo opportunity in actual shooting. In particular, since the exposure display in the manual mode Mm greatly affects the quality of shooting, the suitability or suitability can be easily and reliably achieved by combining green (suitability) and red (unsuitability) as in this embodiment. Can be recognized.

  Next, the automatic mode Ma will be described. If the automatic mode Ma is selected, the camera 1 performs processing corresponding to the automatic mode Ma, and the lighting control unit 6 and the lighting display unit 5 perform lighting control based on the shutter speed display mode Mas. FIG. 7B shows a lighting pattern of the lighting display unit 5 in the shutter speed display mode Mas. In the shutter speed display mode Mas, the light emitting diodes 5as (red), 5by (orange), and 5cy (green) are used, and seven different shutter speed displays are selectively performed. In this case, the appropriate exposure amount (shutter speed) is automatically set in the camera 1 based on the luminance information given to the microcomputer 42. Then, the set shutter speed is displayed in the shutter speed display mode Mas shown in FIG. Note that the shutter speed display is set mainly considering the influence on camera shake.

  Now, if the shutter speed is set to 1/60 to 1/30 (medium speed), only the light emitting diode 5by (orange) of the spot lighting section 5b is lit. Since the range of the shutter speed is slightly affected by camera shake, only the central spot lighting section 5b is lit in orange in order to call attention. On the other hand, if the shutter speed is set to 1/125 to 1/60 (medium high speed), in addition to the light emitting diode 5by (orange) of the spot lighting portion 5b, the light emitting diode 5cy ( Turn on both (green). As a result, it can be easily recognized that the shutter speed is set to 1/125 to 1/60, and in particular, the light emitting diode 5cy (green) of the spot lighting section 5c is lit, thereby eliminating the fear of camera shake. Can be recognized. If the shutter speed is set to 1/2000 to 1/125 (high speed), the light emitting diode 5by (orange) of the spot lighting section 5b is turned off, and the light emitting diode 5cy (green) of the spot lighting section 5c located on the right side is turned off. ) Only lights up. Accordingly, it can be easily recognized that the shutter speed is set to 1/2000 to 1/125, and particularly, it can be recognized that there is almost no concern about camera shake. Further, when the shutter speed is less than 1/2000, it is out of the interlocking range due to overexposure, so only the light emitting diode 5cy (green) of the spot lighting section 5c is blinked for the purpose of warning.

  On the other hand, if the shutter speed is set to 1/30 to 1/15 (medium low speed), in addition to the light emitting diode 5by (orange) of the spot lighting portion 5b, the light emitting diode 5as ( Turn on both (red). Thereby, it can be easily recognized that the shutter speed is set to 1/30 to 1/15, and it can be recognized that special attention is required for camera shake. If the shutter speed is set to 1/15 to 8 ″ (low speed), the light emitting diode 5by (orange) of the spot lighting section 5b is turned off, and the light emitting diode 5as (red) of the spot lighting section 5a located on the left side is turned off. Thus, it can be easily recognized that the shutter speed is set to 1/15 to 8 ″, and it can be recognized that the tripod is in a necessary state. Further, when the shutter speed enters an area of 8 ″ or more, it is out of the interlocking range due to the exposure under, and only the light emitting diode 5as (red) of the spot lighting section 5a is blinked for the purpose of warning.

  Thus, in the automatic mode Ma, the light emitting diodes 5as (red), 5by (orange), and 5cy (green) are used, and seven different shutter speed displays are selectively performed based on the shutter speed display mode Mas. Therefore, even if the camera 1 does not have a finder, necessary shooting information can be accurately displayed with little power consumption. Even in the automatic mode Ma, the setting state of the shutter speed can be quickly recognized, and better shooting can be performed in actual shooting. In particular, the shutter speed display in the automatic mode Ma is combined with green (safe side) and red (hand shake side) centering on the reference orange color as in this embodiment in order to support more preferable shooting. Thus, the safe side and the hand shake side can be easily and reliably recognized. In addition, since the light emission colors of some of the spot lighting portions 5b in the shutter speed display mode Mas and the exposure display mode Mms are made different, it is easy to determine whether the shooting mode in the camera 1 is the automatic mode Ma or the manual mode Mm. Can be recognized (confirmed).

  In order to make it easy to know how such a lighting display corresponds to the actual shutter speed, as shown in FIG. 1, below the lighting display section 5 in the camera body 4. A guide panel portion 27 corresponding to the lighting display portion 5 can be provided on the rear surface 4r. An example of the guide panel 27 is shown in an enlarged manner in FIG. The guide panel unit 27 displays a shutter speed display unit 27n that displays the shutter speed in a scale and a lighting pattern display unit 27b corresponding to the lighting pattern of each of the spot lighting units 5a, 5b, and 5c. In the lighting pattern display section 27b, the line (red) 51 corresponds to the spot lighting section 5a, the line (orange) 52 corresponds to the spot lighting section 5b, and the line (green) 53 corresponds to the spot lighting section 5c.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7C, a battery consumption display mode Mc can be provided in which when the battery 13 is exhausted by the display means S, the battery indicator is displayed by the lighting display unit 5. In this case, when the power switch (not shown) of the camera 1 is turned ON, if the voltage of the battery 13 is lower than a preset reference voltage, the light emitting diode 5as (red) of the spot lighting unit 5a Both the light emitting diodes 5cx (red) of the spot lighting part 5c are blinked several times. This makes it possible to reliably know the exhaustion of the battery 13 by using (also serving as) the spot lighting portions 5a, 5b.

  Although the best embodiment has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and the detailed configuration, shape, quantity, numerical value, and the like do not depart from the spirit of the present invention. It can be changed, added, or deleted arbitrarily.

  For example, three spot lighting parts 5a, 5b, 5c are illustrated as the lighting display part 5, but the case where four or more spot lighting parts 5a... Are used is not excluded. Moreover, although the case where the one part light emission color of each spot lighting part 5a, 5b, 5c was changed was shown, you may change all the light emission colors. In particular, the light emission colors of all the spot lighting sections 5a in the shutter speed display mode Mas and the exposure display mode Mms may be made different. In this case, various colors such as blue can be selected. Furthermore, although the case where two light emitting diodes 5bx, 5by... Having different emission colors are used as the spot lighting portions 5b..., A single multicolor light emitting diode may be used.

The external appearance rear view of the camera concerning the best embodiment of the present invention, Extraction enlarged view of the lighting display section provided in the camera, A cross-sectional plan view of a lighting display unit provided in the camera, Appearance front view of the camera, Block circuit diagram of control system (electric system) in the main part of the camera, Extraction enlarged view of the guide panel provided on the camera, Lighting pattern table of the lighting display section provided for the camera,

Explanation of symbols

  1: camera, 2: shooting mode switching function, 3: lens exchange function, 4: camera body, 4r: rear surface of camera body, 5: lighting display section, 5a: spot lighting section, 5b: spot lighting section, 5c: spot Lighting unit, 5as: light emitting diode, 5bx: light emitting diode, 5by: light emitting diode, 5cx: light emitting diode, 5cy: light emitting diode, 6: lighting control unit, 11: finder mounting function, 12: finder, 13: battery, S: Display means, L: Interchangeable lens, Ma: Automatic mode, Mm: Manual mode

Claims (5)

  At least a shooting mode switching function that can switch between an automatic mode and a manual mode for setting the exposure and a lens replacement function that can be mounted with an interchangeable lens. A lighting display unit having at least three spot lighting units, and each spot lighting unit is selectively turned on or off, and the emission color of some or all of the spot lighting units is changed and controlled. A camera comprising: a display unit that selectively displays a plurality of different shutter speeds in the mode, and a lighting control unit that selectively displays a plurality of different exposure displays in the manual mode.   The camera according to claim 1, wherein the camera body has a finder mounting function in which a separate finder can be attached and detached.   3. The spot lighting unit uses a light emitting diode, and a part or all of the spot lighting units use a plurality of light emitting diodes having different emission colors or a single multicolor light emitting diode. Camera.   2. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the display means makes the emission colors of part or all of the spot lighting portions different in the shutter speed display and the exposure display.   The camera according to claim 1, wherein the display means performs battery consumption display by the lighting display unit when the battery is exhausted.

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