JP2010002574A - Binocular glasses - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a binocular glasses which will not damage the eyes of a user caused by the entering of direct sun light inside the observation viewing field. <P>SOLUTION: The binocular glasses is provided with an interchangeable lens (13) which is removable and having a diaphragm part (18); a body (12) to which the interchangeable lens is attached detachably; a light quantity filter (30) for adjusting the light quantity from the interchangeable lens built in the body; an illuminance sensor (60) for measuring the illuminance of light passed through the interchangeable lens (13) and the light quantity filter (30); and a light quantity control part (14) for controlling the diaphragm part (18) and the light quantity filter (30), based on the illuminance. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to binoculars, and more particularly to binoculars in which an objective optical system can be exchanged.

  When the user observes flying objects such as birds with binoculars in the daytime, the user concentrates on chasing the birds and forgets where the sun was. In particular, if the sun, that is, direct sunlight enters the field of view with binoculars having a large aperture of the objective lens, the eyes of the user may be damaged. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of binoculars that confirms the position of the sun and closes the shutter when the sunlight enters.

Further, when observing a landscape or an observation object with binoculars, there may be a case where sufficient contrast cannot be obtained. If such an observation object is continuously observed with a low contrast, the user becomes tired. In Patent Document 2, an ND filter is arranged in a lens barrel on one side of binoculars so that the eyes of the user are not tired.
JP-A-10-153740 JP-A-8-313817

  The problem to be solved is to reduce as much as possible the damage and fatigue of the user's eyes.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide binoculars that do not hurt the eyes of the user when the direct sunlight of the sun enters the observation field of view. To do. It is another object of the present invention to provide binoculars that increase the contrast of an observation object and the like so that the eyes of the user are less fatigued.

A binocular according to a first aspect includes a removable interchangeable lens having a diaphragm, a body to which the interchangeable lens is detachably attached, a light amount filter that is built in the body and adjusts the amount of light from the interchangeable lens, and an interchangeable lens And an illuminance sensor that measures the illuminance that has passed through the light amount filter, and a light amount control unit that controls the aperture and the light amount filter based on the illuminance.
With this configuration, it is possible to eliminate the risk of hurting the eyes by direct sunlight entering the observation field.

A binocular according to a second aspect includes an interchangeable lens having a diaphragm portion, a body to which the interchangeable lens is detachably attached, a polarization filter that is built in the body and polarizes a light beam from the interchangeable lens, and an interchangeable lens A two-dimensional sensor that detects a light beam that has passed through the polarization filter, a contrast calculation unit that calculates contrast based on an output from the two-dimensional sensor, a polarization variable unit that varies polarization by a polarization filter according to the contrast, Is provided.
With this configuration, since the user can see an image with good contrast, the user's eyes are less likely to get tired even when used for a long time.

  The binoculars of the present invention can provide binoculars that are less tiring and safe for the eyes because the user can select functions according to the usage situation.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a binocular 10 according to the present invention. The binocular 10 includes a binocular unit 11, a body unit 12, and an interchangeable lens unit 13. Since the binocular unit 11 is observed with both eyes, left and right lens barrels are formed, and the lens barrels can be adjusted to the eye width of the user. The body portion 12 is formed with a monocular optical path optical system, and includes a plurality of mirrors and lenses. The body unit 12 includes a light amount filter unit 20, a polarization variable unit 30, a light shielding shutter unit 40, and an illuminance sensor unit 60. In addition, a calculation unit 14 and a power source 15 are arranged in the body unit 12 so that the calculation of the focus and the calculation of each control unit can be performed. The calculation unit 14 controls the light amount filter unit 20, the polarization variable unit 30, and the light shielding shutter unit 40 based on the measurement result of the illuminance sensor unit 60. The interchangeable lens unit 13 can be mounted with lenses having different magnifications such as a zoom lens and a single focus lens according to the purpose of use.

  A mount portion 16 is formed on the body portion 12, and the lens-side mount portion 16a and the body-side mount portion 16b can be joined. By making the mount portion 16 the same as the mount shape of a single-lens reflex camera, an interchangeable lens of a single-lens reflex camera manufactured conventionally can be used. Each mount portion 16 is provided with a contact 17. The contact point 17 of the mount unit 16 is electrically connected to the body unit 12 and the interchangeable lens unit 13 to acquire information on the connected interchangeable lens unit 13, supply power from the body unit 12, and transmit arithmetic processing results. Used. For example, the contact 17 of the mount unit 16 transmits a calculation result such as autofocus (AF) optimum for the interchangeable lens in the body unit 12 to the interchangeable lens unit 13, and the calculation unit 14 drives the focus lens with the supplied signal. . In addition, the interchangeable lens unit 13 includes a diaphragm unit 18, and the calculation unit 14 also controls the diaphragm unit 18.

  FIG. 2 is a side view of the configuration of the interchangeable lens unit 13 equipped with a vibration reduction (VR) mechanism. The interchangeable lens unit 13 includes a first lens unit L1, a second lens unit L2, a third lens unit L3, and a diaphragm unit 18, and a lens control unit 19 and a second lens unit that control the interchangeable lens unit 13. A vibration wave motor MO for driving L2 is provided. The second lens unit L2 is moved in the optical axis direction (X-axis direction) by the lens control unit 19 driving the vibration wave motor MO, and is in focus. The diaphragm 18 is installed between the second lens unit L2 and the third lens unit L3, and adjusts the amount of light passing through the interchangeable lens unit 13. The diaphragm unit 18 not only adjusts the amount of light but also changes the depth of field (DOF) based on the diaphragm amount. Note that the camera shake prevention mechanism drives the third lens unit L3.

  The vibration wave motor MO generates a traveling wave on the driving surface of the elastic body by using the expansion and contraction of the piezoelectric body. The traveling wave generates an elliptical motion on the driving surface, and the moving element is in pressure contact with the wavefront of the elliptical motion. Is driven. The vibration wave motor MO has a feature that it has a high torque even at a low rotation, and a feature that a gear of the driving device can be omitted. The binoculars 10 have the advantages of quieter gear noise and improved positioning accuracy by using the vibration wave motor MO.

  The calculation unit 14 adjusts the diaphragm unit 18 of the interchangeable lens according to the purpose of use. The calculation unit 14 adjusts the aperture unit 18 according to the amount of incident light from the interchangeable lens unit 13 and the brightness around the subject. However, not only the amount of incident light but also the depth of field (DOF) is changed. . As the characteristics of the lens, the depth of field increases as the aperture 18 of the interchangeable lens unit 13 is reduced. That is, the range in which the user can focus is increased in the region viewed through the lens. For example, when there is a large amount of light in fine weather and the user wants to find a bird in the mountain, the user searches for the bird by focusing on the diaphragm unit 18 in the entire field of view. However, when a bird's nest or the like is found and fixed point observation is performed, a light amount filter and a polarization filter 31 are added in the light amount filter unit 20 and the polarization variable unit 30, and the aperture of the aperture unit 18 is widened, so that the contrast is increased and only the bird It is possible to make the image easy to see by focusing on.

  The binoculars 10 can be changed to various interchangeable lenses for a single-lens reflex camera according to the purpose by making the body-side mount portion 16b suitable for the lens-side mount portion 16a of a conventional single-lens reflex camera. Many interchangeable lenses for single-lens reflex cameras have been produced so far, and many types of interchangeable lenses have been produced, and there are many users. For example, there are various types of interchangeable lenses such as a macro interchangeable lens, an interchangeable lens equipped with an anti-shake mechanism, a variable zoom interchangeable lens, or a high magnification interchangeable lens. For this reason, the user can purchase and use the high-performance and high-performance interchangeable lens of a single-lens reflex camera on the body portion 12 by purchasing the body portion 12. The user can change the magnification and the lens diameter of the interchangeable lens as necessary, and can customize the binoculars 10 most suitable for the purpose of use. For example, if a macro interchangeable lens is attached to the body portion 12, it can be used as a microscope. If a 10x zoom interchangeable lens is used, the binoculars 10 are obtained. Binoculars suitable for.

  The power supply 15 of the body unit 12 supplies signals to the calculation unit 14, the light amount filter unit 20, the polarization variable unit 30, and the lens control unit 19 in the interchangeable lens unit 13. This is because the binoculars 10 automatically adjust the focus or adjust the light amount filter unit 20 and the polarization variable unit 30. Since the user can also switch these adjustments to manual operation, the binoculars 10 can manually operate functions other than the camera shake prevention mechanism even when the battery serving as the power supply 15 is powered down.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an optical path of external light incident on the binoculars 10. The binoculars 10 are composed of a plurality of lenses, but are simply displayed for easy understanding of the drawing. The external light LR that has entered the interchangeable lens unit 13 passes through the first lens unit L1, the second lens unit L2, the diaphragm unit 18, and the third lens unit L3 in this order and enters the body unit 12. The external light LR in the body portion 12 passes through the light shielding shutter portion 40, is reflected by the first mirror 51, changes its direction in the lower direction (−Z axis direction), and passes through the light amount filter portion 20 and the polarization variable portion 30. Later, it reaches the first half mirror 52. The external light LR transmitted through the first half mirror 52 enters the illuminance sensor unit 60 at a constant rate. The external light LR reflected at a certain ratio is bisected by the second half mirror 53, enters the left and right lens barrels of the binocular unit 11, and passes through the two eyepiece lenses 59. As described above, the binoculars 10 of the present invention can be observed with both eyes using the monocular interchangeable lens unit 13. The illuminance sensor 60 can measure the contrast by capturing not only the illuminance of incident light but also an image by using a two-dimensional sensor such as a CCD. A roof prism is inserted midway so that the user can observe an erect image.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic side view for making the arrangement of FIG. 3 easy to understand, and shows a side view of an optical path through which the external light LR passes and a control circuit of the calculation unit 14. The external light LR incident on the interchangeable lens unit 13 passes through the first lens unit L1, the second lens unit L2, the diaphragm unit 18, and the third lens unit L3, and then passes through the light shielding shutter unit 40 of the body 12. The direction is reflected by one mirror 51. The external light LR passes through the light amount filter unit 20 and the polarization variable unit 30 and reaches the first half mirror 52. In the first half mirror 52, the external light LR is divided into light that bends toward the eyepiece lens 59 and light that passes through the first half mirror 52 and travels straight toward the illuminance sensor unit 60. The calculation unit 14 of the binoculars 10 includes a light amount control unit 61, and controls the light amount by controlling the diaphragm unit 18, the light amount filter unit 20, and the light shielding shutter unit 40 based on the illuminance of the illuminance sensor unit 60. The calculation unit 14 includes a contrast calculation unit 62. The contrast calculation unit 62 acquires contrast information based on the value of the illuminance sensor unit 60 and instructs an appropriate polarization filter from the polarization variable unit 30. Further, the calculation unit 14 can control the second lens group L2 to focus, and the third lens group L3 to control the camera shake prevention mechanism.

  Based on the value of the illuminance sensor unit 60, the light amount control unit 61 of the calculation unit 14 controls the aperture unit 18 so that the optimum illuminance is obtained. If the brightness is still too bright, the light quantity filter of the light quantity filter section 20 is gradually increased to reduce the incident light quantity. Further, for direct sunlight with a large amount of light, the light shielding shutter unit 40 is operated to block the outside light LR to protect the eyes.

  The light quantity filter uses a neutral density (ND) filter ND. The neutral density filter ND can reduce the amount of incident light to an appropriate amount of light visually. For example, the neutral density filter ND is black and includes a neutral density filter ND2, a neutral density filter ND4, a neutral density filter ND8, and the like depending on the degree of darkness. If it is a neutral density filter ND2, the light quantity is 1/2, and if it is a neutral density filter ND8, it is 1/8. The light filter may be a neutral density filter ND deposited with metal. Further, the light amount filter may be a method of changing the degree of blackening according to the current using a liquid crystal filter. The method of electrically changing the degree of blackening using a liquid crystal filter has an advantage that the adjustment time is short and the size and mass can be reduced.

  FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram of a control method in which the light amount controller 61 controls the plurality of neutral density filters ND. Assuming that the light quantity LX that is just right for the user is the light quantity LX1, the light quantity control unit 61 opens the diaphragm section 18 until the light quantity LX1 is reached when the light quantity LX is less than or equal to the low light quantity LX1. Keep it. When the light amount LX is greater than the light amount LX1 and less than or equal to the light amount LX2, the amount of light adjusted by the diaphragm unit 18 becomes a constant adjustment light amount CLX. When the light quantity control unit 61 becomes more than the light quantity LX2, it cannot be adjusted by the diaphragm unit 18, so the neutral density filter ND2 is inserted to open the diaphragm unit 18. From the light quantity LX2 to the light quantity LX3, the diaphragm unit 18 is squeezed while the neutral density filter ND2 is inserted to adjust the light quantity. Further, from the light quantity LX3 to the light quantity LX4, the diaphragm unit 18 is squeezed while the neutral density filter ND4 is inserted to adjust the light quantity. Similarly, from the light quantity LX4 to the light quantity LXO, the diaphragm unit 18 is squeezed while the neutral density filter ND8 is inserted to adjust the light quantity. With these controls, the light amount control unit 61 makes the adjustment light amount CLX emitted from the binocular unit 11 constant. When the light amount control unit 61 reaches an excessive light amount LXO that has a negative effect on the user's eyes, the light amount shutter unit 40 is operated to close the shutter ST, so that the adjustment light amount CLX becomes zero.

  FIG. 6 is a top view of the light quantity filter unit 20. For example, the light quantity filter unit 20 has four circular holes formed in a disk-shaped rotating body 21, one portion is not inserted with the neutral density filter ND, and the other is a neutral density filter ND 2 with a different density. An optical filter ND4 and a neutral density filter ND8 are inserted. An axis AX is formed at the center of the rotating body 21. The binoculars 10 can select a suitable neutral density filter ND by rotating the rotating body 21 of the light quantity filter unit 20. The user can select the type of the neutral density filter ND to be installed for each use situation and install it on the rotating body 21. The light quantity control unit 61 automatically acquires the arrangement and type from the position of the nail of the neutralizing filter ND to be installed, or the user records the arrangement and type in the calculation unit 14 as setting information, thereby reducing the installed reduction amount. The arrangement and type of the optical filter ND can be grasped.

  FIG. 7 is a top view of the light shielding shutter unit 40. FIG. 7A shows the light-shielding shutter unit 40 with the shutter ST open, and FIG. 7B shows the light-shielding shutter unit 40 with the shutter ST closed.

  The light-shielding shutter unit 40 of the present embodiment includes three shutters ST made of a material that does not transmit light and a ring 41. Each of the three shutters ST is formed with a rotation shaft 42 and a groove 43, and a pin 44 is formed at three positions on the ring 41. The pin 44 of the ring 41 is inserted into the groove 43 of the shutter ST, and when the ring 41 rotates, the shutter ST opens and closes around the rotation shaft 42 at the same time. The ring is rotated by a driving device such as a vibration wave motor MO. The shutter ST may be formed with three or more sheets.

  The binoculars 10 in the normal state keep the shutter ST open, and when the value of the illuminance sensor of the incident light detects the excessive light amount LXO, the vibration wave motor MO of the light shielding shutter unit 40 is operated to close the shutter ST. If only the external light LR is shielded, it is only necessary to shield a part of the disk-shaped rotating body 21, but the shading shutter unit 40 can serve as the aperture unit 18 of the interchangeable lens 13. As described above, the light shielding shutter unit 40 as in the present embodiment is used.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the effect of the polarization direction 32 of the polarizing filter 31. Based on the contrast information of the illuminance sensor, the polarization variable section 30 can adjust the angle of the polarization direction 32 of the polarization (Polarized Light, PL) filter 31 and install the polarizing plate at an optimum angle. The polarization direction 32 of the polarization filter 31 in FIG. 8 is directed in the Z-axis direction, and external light LR directed in multiple directions from the −X-axis direction passes through the polarization filter 31, so The light LR can be passed. The polarizing filter 31 can provide a high-contrast image from which scattered light or the like is removed by selecting the direction of the external light LR that passes therethrough, but the amount of light is reduced compared to before passing through the polarizing filter and the entire screen becomes dark.

  For example, the polarizing filter 31 can remove the surface reflection of light and obtain a vivid color effect. Since the polarizing filter 31 is effective in enhancing the contrast of trees, mountain surfaces, buildings, and the like, birds that tend to hide in the leaves also have contrast, which is useful for finding birds and identifying their types. By rotating the polarizing filter 31, the reflection direction of light can be adjusted and an appropriate angle can be adjusted. Also, a circularly polarized (Circular PL) filter can be selected in order to operate the AF mechanism normally.

  FIG. 9 is a top view of the polarization variable section 30. Similar to the light quantity filter unit 20, the polarization variable unit 30 has four circular holes formed in a disk-shaped rotating body 33, and an axis AX is formed at the center. The polarization variable section 30 can be made empty so that the polarization filter 31 is not inserted. The three polarizing filters 31 are the same polarizing filter 31, but are installed by changing the angle of the polarizing direction 32 of the polarizing filter 31. For example, the polarizing filter 31 is installed so that the polarizing direction 32 of the polarizing filter 31 is in the vertical direction, the horizontal direction, and the oblique direction. The polarization variable unit 30 rotates the rotating body 33 to change the direction of the polarization direction 32 of the polarization filter 31 installed in the optical path, and the measurement result of the illuminance sensor unit 60 is measured by the contrast calculation unit 62 of the calculation unit 14. An optimum polarization direction 32 of the polarizing filter 31 is obtained and arranged.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the control of the light quantity control unit 61. The following will be described with reference to the flowchart. 5 and 6, a plurality of neutral density filters ND are arranged. In this flowchart, a case where only one neutral density filter ND is provided will be described.

In step S01, the light amount control unit 61 opens the diaphragm unit 18 of the interchangeable lens 13 to maximize the amount of incident light.
In step S02, the light quantity control unit 61 puts the neutral density filter ND in the retracted state. In the present embodiment, the rotating body 21 of the light quantity filter unit 20 is rotated so that the empty part fits the optical path.
In step S <b> 03, the light amount control unit 61 measures the amount of light transmitted through the first half mirror 52 with the illuminance sensor unit 60.

  In step S04, the light quantity control unit 61 determines from the measurement result of the illuminance sensor unit 60 whether or not the illuminance LX2 or less that can be controlled by the diaphragm unit 18 is reached. If so, the process proceeds to step S08. The light amount control unit 61 obtains a relationship between the value of the illuminance sensor unit 60 and the adjustment light amount CLX in advance.

In step S05, the light amount control unit 61 instructs the optimum aperture value to the diaphragm unit 18 of the interchangeable lens to reduce the light amount.
In step S <b> 06, the light amount control unit 61 measures again with the illuminance sensor unit 60.
In step S07, it is determined from the measurement result whether the illuminance is optimum. If the illuminance is optimum, the process of the light quantity control unit 61 is terminated. If the illuminance is not optimum, the process returns to step S04.

In step S08, the light amount control unit 61 determines whether or not the excessive light amount LXO is obtained even if the neutral density filter ND set in the light amount filter unit 20 is used. If the set neutral density filter ND can be used, the process proceeds to step S09. If the excessive light quantity LXO is obtained even if the neutral density filter ND is used, the process proceeds to step S11.
In step S09, the light quantity control unit 61 inserts a neutral density filter ND suitable for the measurement result of the illuminance sensor unit 60.
In step S <b> 10, the light amount control unit 61 adjusts the aperture unit 18 of the interchangeable lens 13 in order to obtain an optimal adjustment light amount CLX. Next, the process proceeds to step S06, and it is measured whether the set neutral density filter ND and diaphragm unit 18 that are adjusted are optimal.

  In step S11, the light amount control unit 61 determines that the light amount is not adjustable, operates the shielding shutter unit 40, and closes the shutter ST to block all incident light.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart of control of the polarization variable unit 30. The following will be described with reference to the flowchart.

In step S <b> 21, the polarization variable unit 30 does not include the polarization filter 31. For example, the empty part of the rotator 33 is arranged in the optical path of the binoculars 10.
In step S22, the illuminance sensor unit 60 of the two-dimensional sensor acquires an incident image.
In step S <b> 23, the contrast calculation unit 62 measures the contrast from the image acquired by the illuminance sensor unit 60.

  In step S24, the contrast calculation unit 62 determines whether the contrast is smaller than the set threshold value. When it is smaller than the threshold value, the process proceeds to step S25, and when it is larger than the threshold value, the process of the polarization variable unit 30 is terminated.

In step S25, the polarization variable unit 30 inserts the polarization filter 31. The polarization variable unit 30 rotates the rotating body 33 in one direction and tries the next polarizing filter 31 installed on the rotating body 33.
In step S <b> 26, the illuminance sensor unit 60 acquires an image that has passed through the inserted polarizing filter 31.
In step S <b> 27, the contrast calculation unit 62 measures the contrast from the image acquired by the illuminance sensor unit 60.

  In step S28, the calculation unit 14 determines whether all the polarization filters 31 installed on the rotating body of the polarization variable unit 30 have been used. If not, the operation unit 14 proceeds to step S25 and selects the next polarization filter 31. insert. If all the polarizing filters 31 are used, the process proceeds to step S29.

  In step S29, the calculation unit 14 selects the polarizing filter 31 having the highest contrast, transmits it to the polarization variable unit 30, rotates the rotating body, and installs the polarizing filter 31 with high contrast.

  When the binocular 10 is inserted with the polarization filter 31 in the polarization variable section 30, the amount of light decreases. Therefore, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. Select ND and so on.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the arrangement positions of the light amount filter unit 20 and the light shielding shutter unit 40 are changed. That is, as shown in FIG. 12, the light amount filter unit 20 and the light shielding shutter unit 40 can be installed after the external light LR reflected by the first half mirror 52. As described above, in the arrangement of the light amount filter unit 20, the illuminance sensor unit 60 measures the amount of light that does not pass through the neutral density filter ND (see FIG. 6). In addition, the light quantity filter unit 20 and the light shielding shutter unit 40 are arranged on the side of the interchangeable lens 13 which is better than the second half mirror 53 shown in FIG. This is because, if the light quantity filter unit 20 and the light shielding shutter unit 40 are arranged after the optical path is divided into two by the second half mirror 53, not only the cost increases, but also the adjustment thereof becomes complicated.

  That is, the light amount control unit 61 measures the amount of light transmitted through the first half mirror 52 by the illuminance sensor unit 60 and determines the type of the neutral density filter ND used in the light amount filter unit 20. Further, when the measured light amount reaches the excessive light amount LXO, the light amount control unit 61 controls to close the shutter ST (see FIG. 7) of the light shielding shutter unit 40.

  In the case of such an arrangement of the light quantity filter unit 20, the calculation unit 14 needs to acquire in advance the relationship between the neutral density filter ND and the diaphragm unit 18 in the light quantity of the illuminance sensor unit 60. In particular, since the amount of control of the diaphragm 18 varies depending on the interchangeable lens 13, a control value for each interchangeable lens 13 is required. In this case, the binoculars 10 in this case have a higher degree of design freedom, and a smaller binoculars 10 can be manufactured.

Second Embodiment
The second embodiment is an example in which the light quantity filter unit 20 and the polarization variable unit 30 illustrated in FIG. 1 and the like are installed on one rotating body 70. That is, in FIG. 1, a rotating body 70 made of a light shielding member is arranged instead of the light amount filter unit 20 and the polarization variable unit 30.

  FIG. 13 shows a state in which the light quantity filter unit 120, the polarization variable unit 130, and the light shielding shutter unit 140 are installed on one rotating body 70. Since the components other than the light amount filter unit 120, the polarization variable unit 130, and the light shielding shutter unit 140 are the same as those in the first embodiment, only the differences will be described.

  The rotating body 70 is formed with four mounting portions. The light amount filter portion 120, the polarization variable portion 130, and the light shielding shutter portion 140 are mounted on the mounting portion, and the opening hole 71 remains at one position. An axis AX is formed at the center of the rotating body 70, and the structure rotates around the axis AX. The rotation of the rotating body 70 is controlled by the calculation unit 14 and rotated by a driving device such as a vibration wave motor MO. In addition, the structure can be rotated manually.

  The light-shielding shutter unit 140 remains in a light-shielded state in which no opening or the like is formed in the rotating body 70. The light quantity filter unit 120 can use a transparent electrode filter using TN liquid crystal. For example, the transparent electrode filter is kept transparent when no voltage is applied between the electrodes, and becomes opaque as the voltage is increased by increasing the voltage. The light amount filter unit 120 can control the amount of light passing therethrough by controlling the voltage applied. Further, a transparent electrode filter using a polymer dispersed liquid crystal may be used. In this case, it is opaque when no voltage is applied between the electrodes, and becomes transparent by increasing the voltage. In this embodiment, a transparent electrode filter using TN liquid crystal is used.

  The light quantity filter unit 120 does not need a mechanical drive such as a motor, and can adjust the density of the transparent electrode filter with a small amount of power. The binoculars 10 are equipped with solar cells, so that sufficient power can be supplied in fine weather and the transparent electrode filter can be driven. For this reason, the weight of the binoculars 10 can be reduced, and the user can use it without worrying about the remaining amount of the battery. Further, even if the user operates the diaphragm unit 18 to change the depth of field (DOF) of the observation object, the light amount filter unit 120 can adjust a certain amount of light with the transparent electrode filter.

  The rotating body 70 rotates so that the opening hole 71 through which external light is normally transmitted becomes the optical axis. When the light amount measured by the illuminance sensor unit 60 (see FIG. 4) increases, the light amount control unit 61 rotates the rotating body 70 so that the light amount filter unit 120 is installed on the optical axis. When the light amount control unit 61 reaches the excessive light amount LXO, the light amount control unit 61 rotates the rotating body 70 to block the external light so that the light blocking shutter unit 140 is located on the optical axis.

  The polarization variable section 130 is provided with a rotating polarizing filter that can rotate in the rotating body 70. The rotating polarizing filter can be rotated by rotating the rotating polarizing filter within a frame of the rotating body 70 by a driving device such as a vibration wave motor MO. The contrast calculation unit 62 rotates the rotation polarization filter of the polarization variable unit 130 by a predetermined amount, calculates the contrast from the image of the two-dimensional illuminance sensor 60 to obtain the optimum polarization direction of the rotation polarization filter, and the polarization variable unit 130. Instruct the angle to. In the binoculars 10, when the polarization variable unit 130 is inserted, the amount of light is adjusted only by the diaphragm unit 18.

  The binoculars 10 of this embodiment cannot adjust the light amount filter unit 120, the polarization variable unit 130, and the light shielding shutter unit 140 at the same time. However, the user can use each feature appropriately according to the purpose. Can be used. The light amount filter unit 120, the polarization variable unit 130, and the light shielding shutter unit 140 may be individually installed on the optical axis. The binoculars 10 having the same structure as that of the first embodiment can be provided by allowing each of the light amount filter unit 120 and the polarization variable unit 130 to be inserted into the optical axis using a rotation mechanism or a slide mechanism.

It is a perspective view of the binoculars 10 of the present invention. It is a side view of the structure of the interchangeable lens part 13 carrying a camera shake prevention mechanism. 2 is a diagram illustrating an optical path of external light incident on binoculars 10. FIG. 2 is a side view of an optical path through which external light LR passes and a control circuit of the calculation unit 14. It is a schematic diagram of the control method of the light quantity control part 61. FIG. It is a top view of the light quantity filter part 20. (A) is a top view of the light-shielding shutter unit 40 in a state where the shutter ST is open. (B) is a top view of the light-shielding shutter unit 40 in a state in which the shutter ST is closed. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a polarization direction 32 of a polarizing filter 31. FIG. 4 is a top view of the polarization variable section 30. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of control of a light amount control unit 61. 5 is a flowchart of control of a polarization variable unit 30. It is the side view of the binoculars 10 which changed arrangement | positioning of the light quantity filter part 20 and the light-shielding shutter part 40. FIG. FIG. 4 is a top view of one rotating body 70.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Binoculars 11 ... Binocular part 12 ... Body part 13 ... Interchangeable-lens part 14 ... Calculation part 15 ... Power supply 16 ... Mount part 17 ... Contact 18 ... Diaphragm part 19 ... Lens control part 20 ... Light quantity filter part 21 ... Rotating body 30 ... Polarization variable part 31 ... Polarizing filter 32 ... Polarization direction 33 ... Rotating body 40 ... Light blocking shutter part 41 ... Ring, 42 ... Rotating shaft, 43 ... Groove, 44 ... Pin 51 ... First mirror 52 ... First half mirror, 53 ... Second half mirror 59 ... Eyepiece 60 ... Illuminance sensor part 61 ... Light quantity control part 62 ... Contrast calculation part 70 ... Rotating body 120 ... Light quantity filter part 130 ... Polarization variable part 140 ... Shading shutter part AX ... Axis CLX ... Adjustment light quantity L1 ... 1st lens group, L2 ... 2nd lens group, L3 ... 3rd lens group LR ... External light LX ... Light , LXO ... over quantity MO ... vibration wave motor ND ... dimming filter ST ... shutter

Claims (6)

A removable interchangeable lens having a diaphragm,
A body to which the interchangeable lens is detachably attached;
A light amount filter built in the body for adjusting the amount of light from the interchangeable lens;
An illuminance sensor that measures the illuminance that has passed through the interchangeable lens and the light amount filter;
A light amount control unit that controls the diaphragm unit and the light amount filter based on the illuminance;
Binoculars characterized by comprising.   The light amount control unit adjusts the light amount by controlling only the aperture if the illuminance is less than or equal to a first threshold, and minimizes the aperture if the illumination is greater than the first threshold. The binoculars according to claim 1, wherein: In addition, it has a light-shielding shutter that blocks the optical path,
3. The binoculars according to claim 2, wherein the light amount control unit puts the light shielding shutter into an optical path when the illuminance is larger than a second threshold value larger than the first threshold value. A removable interchangeable lens having a diaphragm,
A body to which the interchangeable lens is detachably attached;
A polarizing filter that is built in the body and polarizes a light beam from the interchangeable lens;
A two-dimensional sensor for detecting a light beam that has passed through the interchangeable lens and a polarizing filter;
A contrast calculation unit for calculating contrast based on an output from the two-dimensional sensor;
A polarization variable unit that varies polarization by a polarization filter according to the contrast, and
Binoculars characterized by comprising. The polarizing filter is provided with a plurality of types on the support plate,
The binoculars according to claim 4, wherein the polarization varying unit varies the polarization by moving the support plate. One polarizing filter is provided on a rotation indicator plate that is rotatably supported,
The binoculars according to claim 4, wherein the polarization varying unit varies the polarization by rotating the rotation support plate.