JP2010039186A - Digital camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital camera equipped with a conversion lens, where the conversion lens can be easily mounted in front of an objective lens when in use, and can be stored in the camera body when not in use. <P>SOLUTION: The digital camera is provided with a conversion lens unit 40 wherein the conversion lens 41 arranged freely mountably in front of the objective lens 31 is stored. The conversion lens unit 40 is disposed in the camera body 20 so that it can be rotationally moved between the mount position located in front of the objective lens 31 and the storage position disposed under the lens barrel by means of a hinge 50 having a rotating shaft extending in parallel to the horizontal direction under the objective lens 31. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a digital camera, and more particularly to a mechanism of a conversion lens unit that expands a photographing magnification range of a lens optical system.

  In recent years, digital cameras equipped with a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD image sensor have become widespread. In addition, a digital camera in which a lens barrel that integrates a bending optical system that bends the optical axis of subject light at a substantially right angle and a solid-state imaging device is disposed so as to extend over substantially the entire width of the camera body in the left-right direction. Is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In such a digital camera, since the thickness of the camera body in the front-rear direction can be reduced, portability can be improved.

In such a small digital camera that prioritizes portability, the zoom lens movement range is limited, and thus the photographing magnification range is naturally limited. Further, as a method for expanding the photographing magnification range of the camera, as disclosed in Patent Document 2, it is conceivable to add a conversion lens that can be inserted into and removed from the lens optical system. In a small-sized digital camera that prioritizes performance, it is difficult to insert and remove the conversion lens behind the lens optical system as disclosed in Patent Document 2.
JP 2004-219516 A JP-A-11-311828

  From the above, in a small digital camera that prioritizes portability, it is conceivable to attach a conversion lens in front of the objective lens when trying to expand the shooting magnification range. Carrying along with it is cumbersome.

  Therefore, there is a demand for a conversion lens that is integrated with the camera body and can be easily mounted in front of the objective lens when it is desired to be used, and can be accommodated in the camera body when not in use.

    The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a lens barrel in which a bending optical system for bending an optical axis of subject light at a substantially right angle and a solid-state imaging element is integrated with a substantially full width in the left-right direction of a camera body. To provide a digital camera equipped with a conversion lens that can be easily mounted in front of an objective lens when used in a digital camera arranged so as to extend over and can be accommodated in the camera body when not in use. It is intended.

  In the digital camera of the present invention, a lens barrel that integrates a solid-state imaging device and a lens optical system that forms an image of subject light on a light-receiving surface of the solid-state imaging device extends in the left-right direction in the camera body. In a digital camera in which the lens optical system is provided with a bending optical system and the objective lens of the lens optical system is exposed from the front surface of the camera body, a conversion lens that accommodates a conversion lens that can be freely moved in and out of the objective lens The conversion lens unit is provided with a unit, and the conversion lens unit is mounted in front of the objective lens and in a storage position provided below the lens barrel by a hinge having a first rotation shaft extending in parallel with the left-right direction below the objective lens. It is provided on the camera body so as to be able to rotate between the two.

  The digital camera according to the present invention includes a control unit that controls the lens optical system and a detection unit that detects that the conversion lens unit is in the mounting position, and the control unit detects lens optics according to detection by the detection unit. The system control conditions may be changed for the conversion lens use mode.

  In addition, when the conversion lens unit is in the storage position, the conversion lens unit is configured to be movable in the left-right direction between an exposure position where the conversion lens unit is exposed from the camera body and a shielding position where the conversion lens unit is shielded. The cover may be attached to the camera body.

  Further, the hinge includes a second rotation axis perpendicular to the first rotation axis, and the conversion lens unit includes a cover surface on one of the side surfaces parallel to the optical axis direction of the conversion lens, and the second The conversion lens unit is stored in the storage position by rotating about the first rotation shaft and the second rotation shaft when the conversion lens unit moves from the mounting position to the storage position. In the storage position, the cover surface may be configured to be exposed from the camera body.

  According to the digital camera of the present invention, the conversion lens unit is placed below the objective lens by the hinge having the first rotation shaft extending in parallel with the left-right direction below the objective lens and below the lens barrel. Because the conversion lens and the camera body are integrated by providing the camera body so that it can rotate and move between the storage position provided, there is no need to carry the conversion lens separately. Can be easily mounted in front of the objective lens by being rotated by a hinge, and can be accommodated in the camera body when not in use, so that the convenience of the digital camera can be greatly improved.

  In addition, a control unit that controls the lens optical system and a detection unit that detects that the conversion lens unit is in the mounting position are provided, and the control unit uses the lens optical for the conversion lens use mode based on the detection by the detection unit. By changing the system control conditions, the control conditions of the lens optical system can be appropriately changed between when the conversion lens is used and when it is not used.

  In addition, when the conversion lens unit is in the storage position, the conversion lens unit cover is configured to be movable in the left-right direction between an exposure position where the conversion lens unit is exposed from the camera body and a shielding position where the conversion lens unit is shielded. By attaching to the camera body, dust or the like can be prevented from adhering to the conversion lens when the conversion lens is not used.

  Further, the hinge includes a second rotation axis perpendicular to the first rotation axis, and the conversion lens unit includes a cover surface on one of the side surfaces parallel to the optical axis direction of the conversion lens, and the second The conversion lens unit is stored in the storage position by rotating about the first rotation shaft and the second rotation shaft when the conversion lens unit moves from the mounting position to the storage position. By configuring the cover surface to be exposed from the camera body at the storage position, it is possible to prevent dust and the like from adhering to the conversion lens when the conversion lens is not used, without providing a conversion lens unit cover separately.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view showing a state in which the lens cover of the digital camera according to the first embodiment is in the shielding position, and FIG. 2 is a drawing in which the lens cover of the digital camera is in the exposure position and the conversion lens unit cover is in the shielding position FIG. 3 is a front view showing a state in which the lens cover of the digital camera is in the exposed position and the conversion lens unit cover is in the exposed position, and FIG. 4 is an IV in FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a state where the conversion lens is in the storage position when viewed from the cross-sectional direction of the IV line, and FIG. 6 and 6 are functional block diagrams of the digital camera.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the digital camera 1 can move to the camera body 20 in the left-right direction between an exposure position where the objective lens 31 of the lens barrel 30 is exposed and a shielding position where the objective lens 31 is shielded. The configured lens cover 21 is attached, and in addition to the objective lens 31, various general devices necessary for photographing such as a strobe, an auxiliary lamp, and various sensors (not shown) are provided on the front surface.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 3, when the lens cover 21 is set to the exposed position, the conversion lens unit cover 22 is exposed. The conversion lens unit cover 22 is attached to the camera body 20 so as to be movable in the left-right direction between an exposure position where the conversion lens unit 40 is exposed and a shielding position where the conversion lens unit 40 is shielded.

  Further, a liquid crystal monitor (display unit 15) (not shown), buttons (operation unit 14) for performing various operation settings, a media slot (storage medium reading unit 16), and the like are disposed on the back and bottom surfaces. Displays an image recorded on a recording medium 17 (not shown) inserted in a media slot, a menu operation screen necessary for various settings, a through image of image information acquired by the imaging unit 11 at the time of shooting, and the like. The

  The media slot is an insertion slot into which the recording medium 17 is inserted. When the recording medium 17 is inserted into the media slot, data is read / written from / to the recording medium 17.

  The recording medium 17 uses an xD picture card (registered trademark), smart media (registered trademark), PC card, compact flash (registered trademark), magnetic disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, memory stick (registered trademark), or the like. It is possible to use various media that can be read and written in accordance with electronic, magnetic, optical, or a combination thereof, and signal processing means and interfaces corresponding to the media used are applied.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the functional blocks of the digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment include a CPU 10, an imaging unit 11, an image processing unit 12, a storage unit 13, an operation unit 14, a display unit 15, and a recording. A medium reading unit 16 is schematically configured.

  The CPU 10 comprehensively controls the digital camera 1 based on the input from the operation unit 14, and reads out the data stored in the storage unit 13 and the recording medium 17 in accordance with an instruction from the operation unit 14. In addition to functioning as a control unit, an operation control unit that controls zooming operation, focus adjustment (AF) operation, automatic exposure adjustment (AE) operation, and the like in various lens driving mechanisms, and a display control unit that controls display on the display unit 15 Function.

  The imaging unit 11 includes a lens group 11a, a CCD 11b as an imaging device, a CCD driving unit (not shown), an analog processing unit 11c, an A / D conversion unit 11d, and the like.

  The lens group 11a includes an objective lens, a bending optical system that bends the optical axis of subject light at a substantially right angle, a zoom lens and a zoom lens driving mechanism, a diaphragm, a camera shake correction lens and a camera shake correction lens driving mechanism, a focus lens and a focus lens. A drive mechanism and the like are provided.

The lens group 11a and the CCD 11b are housed and integrated in a lens barrel 30. (The lens closest to the object to be photographed in the lens group 11a is the objective lens 31.)
The subject image formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD 11b through the lens group 11a is converted into signal charges of an amount corresponding to the amount of incident light by each sensor on the CCD 11b. The CCD 11b has a so-called electronic shutter function that controls the charge accumulation time (shutter speed) of each sensor according to the timing of the shutter gate pulse.

  The signal charge accumulated in each sensor is sequentially read out from the CCD 11b as a voltage signal (analog imaging signal) corresponding to the signal charge based on a pulse applied from the CCD driving unit. The analog imaging signal output from the CCD 11b is sent to the analog processing unit 11c.

  The analog processing unit 11c includes signal processing circuits such as a sampling hold circuit, a color separation circuit, and a gain adjustment circuit. In the analog processing unit 11c, correlated double sampling (CDS) processing and R, G, B color signals are processed. Color separation processing is performed, and signal level adjustment (pre-white balance processing) of each color signal is performed.

  The signal output from the analog processing unit 11c is converted into a digital signal by the A / D conversion unit 11d and then sent to the image processing unit 12. The CCD driving unit, the analog processing unit 11c, and the A / D conversion unit 11d are driven in synchronization with a timing signal applied from a timing generator in accordance with a command from the CPU 10.

  The image processing unit 12 includes a digital signal processor (DSP) including an image quality adjustment circuit such as a luminance / color difference signal generation circuit, a gamma correction circuit, a sharpness adjustment circuit, a contrast correction circuit, and a white balance adjustment circuit. The image signal is processed based on the command.

  The storage unit 13 is configured by a semiconductor memory or the like that can store various data. The storage unit 13 stores a system program and the like for operating the digital camera.

  The operation unit 14 includes a release button 25, a conversion lens unit lock button 26, and other buttons for performing various operation settings.

  The conversion lens unit 40 containing the conversion lens 41 is provided below the objective lens 31 and below the lens barrel 30 by a hinge 50 having a rotation axis parallel to the left-right direction below the objective lens 31. It is fixed to the camera body 20 so as to be capable of rotating between the storage position.

  With the conversion lens unit 40 in the storage position (see FIG. 4), the conversion lens unit cover 22 is moved to the exposure position to expose the conversion lens unit 40, and then the conversion lens unit 40 is rotated upward. Thus, the conversion lens unit 40 can be brought to the mounting position (see FIG. 5). When the conversion lens unit 40 is in the mounting position, the engaging portion provided in the conversion lens unit 40 and the conversion lens unit lock button 26 are engaged, and the conversion lens unit 40 is fixed at the mounting position.

  Further, as a detection means for detecting that the conversion lens unit cover 22 is closed, that is, in the shielding position, a cover detection switch 17 (not shown) is provided so that the conversion lens unit 40 is in the mounting position. A mounting detection switch 18 (not shown) is provided as detection means for detecting. These are connected to the CPU 10, and the CPU 10 can recognize the detection state of each switch.

  Next, the operation of the digital camera 1 configured as described above will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing at the time of photographing with the digital camera, FIG. 8 is a table showing an example of a control pattern of the lens optical system when the conversion lens unit of the digital camera is not attached, and FIG. It is a table | surface which shows an example of the control pattern of the lens optical system at the time of conversion lens unit mounting | wearing.

  First, the flow from turning on the power of the digital camera 1 to starting shooting will be described. The processing here is all performed by the CPU 10.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the lens cover 21 of the digital camera 1 is moved to the exposure position and the power is turned on (A1), it is determined whether or not the photographing mode is designated by the user (A2).

  When the shooting mode is designated, it is determined whether or not the conversion lens unit 40 is in the mounting position (A3). If the conversion lens unit 40 is in the mounting position, shooting is permitted as it is (A4).

  If it is not in the mounting position, it is further determined whether or not the conversion lens unit cover 22 is in the shielding position (A5). If it is not in the shielding position, a message is displayed to instruct the user to close the cover. The image is displayed on the monitor (A6), and photographing is prohibited until the conversion lens unit cover 22 is moved to the shielding position (A7). When the conversion lens unit cover 22 is in the shielding position, photographing is permitted (A9) without displaying a message (A8).

  If the shooting mode is not designated, it is determined whether or not the conversion lens unit 40 is in the mounting position (A10). If the conversion lens unit 40 is in the mounting position, no message is displayed (A11). If it is not in the position, it is further determined whether or not the conversion lens unit cover 22 is in the shielding position (A12), and if it is not in the shielding position, a message that instructs the user to close the cover is displayed on the LCD monitor. (A13), and when it is in the shielding position, no message is displayed (A14).

  Through the above processing, when the photographing permission is given, the photographing operation is performed.

  At the time of shooting, the image signal input from the CCD 11b is stored in real time in the storage unit 13 and displayed on a liquid crystal monitor (not shown). The user can confirm the subject image by the image (through image) displayed on the liquid crystal monitor.

  At this time, zooming operation, focus adjustment (AF) operation, automatic exposure adjustment (AE) operation, etc. in various lens driving mechanisms are stored when the conversion lens unit 40 is in the mounting position based on the detection state of the mounting detection switch 18. When in the position, for example, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the control conditions are changed to different modes suitable for each mode. Thereby, it is possible to appropriately change the control condition of the lens optical system.

  When the user obtains a desired subject image and presses the release button 25, the image data stored in the storage unit 13 at that time is compressed into a predetermined format such as JPEG by a compression / expansion circuit (not shown). The data is recorded on the recording medium 17 via the recording medium reading unit 16. The means for storing the image is not limited to the recording medium 17 that can be attached to and detached from the digital camera 1 main body, but may be an internal memory built in the digital camera 1 main body.

  Next, a digital camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The digital camera according to the present embodiment is obtained by changing the configuration of the conversion lens unit and the hinge as compared with the first embodiment. Specifically, the conversion lens unit has a cover surface on one of the side surfaces parallel to the optical axis direction, and the hinge is biaxial, and when the conversion lens unit moves from the mounting position to the storage position, The cover is stored in the storage position by rotating, and the cover surface is exposed from the camera body at the storage position.

  10, 15 to 18 are schematic configuration diagrams of the digital camera according to the present embodiment when viewed from the same direction as FIG. 4, FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the conversion lens unit of the digital camera, and FIG. 12 is the conversion lens. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the hinge of the digital camera, FIG. 14 is a front view of the digital camera hinge and the conversion lens unit, and FIG. 19 is a diagram of the digital camera. It is a functional block diagram. Note that the front view of the digital camera according to the present embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, and will not be described. Also, description of elements equivalent to the configuration of the first embodiment is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the conversion lens unit 140 of the digital camera 2 according to the present embodiment is housed in the mounting position in front of the objective lens and below the lens barrel 130 by the hinge 150 below the objective lens. The camera body 120 is fixed so as to be movable between positions.

  As shown in FIGS. 11 and 18, a cover surface 140a that is exposed from the camera body 120 when housed is formed on one side surface of the conversion lens unit 140, and a sliding groove 145 is formed on the lower surface in FIG. Is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the hinge 150 includes a first rotation shaft parallel to the lens barrel 130, and a stepped pin 150a whose center axis is perpendicular to the first rotation shaft is formed. As shown in FIG. 14, the stepped pin 150 a is configured to freely rotate and move within the sliding groove 145 without detaching from the conversion lens unit 140. As a result, the first rotation axis parallel to the lens barrel 130 and the second rotation axis perpendicular to the first rotation axis can be rotated.

  Here, the sliding groove 145 of the conversion lens unit 140 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In FIG. 12, a circle with a diagonal line indicates the position of the stepped pin 150a at each stage during movement.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the sliding groove 145 is substantially U-shaped, and includes a first sliding portion 145a, a third sliding portion 145c orthogonal to the optical axis direction of the conversion lens, and the conversion lens. The second sliding portion 145b extends in parallel with the optical axis direction and connects one end of the first sliding portion 145a and one end of the third sliding portion 145c.

  Next, the operation of each component until the conversion lens unit 140 is moved from the mounting position to the storage position will be described. FIG. 10 shows a state where the conversion lens unit 140 is in the mounting position, and FIG. 18 shows a state where the conversion lens unit 140 is in the storage position. 15 to 17 sequentially show intermediate stages.

  In a state where the conversion lens unit 140 is in the mounting position (see FIG. 10), the stepped pin 150a of the hinge 150 is the end of the first sliding portion 145a (the position indicated as “when mounted” in FIG. 12). Located in.

  If the conversion lens unit 140 is rotated 90 degrees downward from this state, the state shown in FIG. 15 is obtained. In this state, the conversion lens unit 140 is moved to the back side with respect to the paper surface of FIG. 15, and the stepped pin 150a is connected to the connecting portion (in FIG. 12) of the first sliding portion 145a and the second sliding portion 145b. (Position at which “when moving” is displayed).

  After that, the conversion lens unit 140 is moved upward in FIG. 15, and the stepped pin 150a is connected to the connecting portion of the second sliding portion 145b and the third sliding portion 145c (“moving time B” in FIG. 12). When it is positioned at the indicated position), the state shown in FIG. 16 is obtained. In this state, the conversion lens unit 140 is moved to the near side with respect to the paper surface of FIG. At the end (the position labeled “when stored” in FIG. 12).

  When the conversion lens unit 140 is rotated 90 degrees from this state, the state shown in FIG. 17 is obtained. When the conversion lens unit 140 is further rotated 90 degrees downward from this state, the state shown in FIG. 18 is obtained. Will fit in position.

  With such a configuration, when the conversion lens unit 140 is in the storage position, the cover surface 140a is exposed from the camera body 120, and the conversion lens is completely stored inside the camera body 120. Without providing a conversion lens unit cover, it is possible to prevent dust and the like from adhering to the conversion lens when the conversion lens is not used.

  In this embodiment, a storage detection switch 117 (not shown) is provided as a detection means for detecting that the conversion lens unit 140 is in the storage position, and detects that the conversion lens unit 140 is in the mounting position. A mounting detection switch 118 (not shown) is provided as a detection means for performing this. These are connected to the CPU 110 so that the CPU 110 can recognize the detection state of each switch.

  Next, the operation of the digital camera 2 configured as described above will be described. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing at the time of photographing with the digital camera.

  First, the flow from power-on of the digital camera 2 to the start of shooting will be described. Note that the processing here is all performed by the CPU 110.

  As shown in FIG. 20, when the lens cover of the digital camera 2 is moved to the exposure position and the power is turned on (B1), it is determined whether or not the shooting mode is designated by the user (B2).

  When the shooting mode is designated, it is determined whether or not the conversion lens unit 140 is in the mounting position (B3). If the conversion lens unit 140 is in the mounting position, shooting is allowed as it is (B4).

  If the conversion lens unit 140 is not in the mounting position, it is further determined whether or not the conversion lens unit 140 is in the storage position (B5). If the conversion lens unit 140 is not in the storage position, the user is instructed to mount the conversion lens unit 140 correctly. Is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor (B6), and photographing is prohibited until the conversion lens unit 140 is moved to the mounting position or the storage position (B7). When the conversion lens unit 140 is in the storage position, photographing is permitted (B9) without displaying a message (B8).

  If the shooting mode is not specified, it is determined whether or not the conversion lens unit 140 is in the mounting position (B10). If the conversion lens unit 140 is in the mounting position, no message is displayed (B11). If the conversion lens unit 140 is not in the storage position, it is further determined whether or not the conversion lens unit 140 is in the storage position (B12). If the conversion lens unit 140 is not in the storage position, the user is instructed to mount the conversion lens unit 140 correctly. The message is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor (B13), and when it is in the storage position, the message is not particularly displayed (B14).

  Through the above processing, when the photographing permission is given, the photographing operation is performed. The subsequent processing is the same as in the first embodiment.

  Next, a digital camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The digital camera of the present embodiment is modified so as to simplify only the configuration of the conversion lens unit and the hinge as compared with the second embodiment.

  21, 24, and 25 are schematic configuration diagrams of the digital camera according to the present embodiment when viewed from the same direction as FIG. 4, FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the conversion lens unit of the digital camera, and FIG. 23 is the digital camera. It is a perspective view of this hinge. Note that the front view of the digital camera according to the present embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, and will not be described. Also, description of elements equivalent to the configuration of the first embodiment is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 21, the conversion lens unit 240 of the digital camera 3 of the present embodiment is housed in the mounting position in front of the objective lens and below the lens barrel 230 by the hinge 250 below the objective lens. The camera body 220 is fixed so as to be movable between positions.

  As shown in FIGS. 22 and 25, the conversion lens unit 240 is exposed from the camera body 220 to shield the conversion lens from the camera body 220 when housed on the side surface that is the left side of the conversion lens toward the front of the camera when the objective lens is mounted. A cover surface 240a is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 23, the hinge 250 includes a first rotating shaft 250a parallel to the lens barrel and a second rotating shaft 250b perpendicular to the first rotating shaft 250a. One rotation shaft 250a is fixed to the camera body 220, and the second rotation shaft 250b is fixed to the conversion lens unit 240, and these two shafts can rotate 90 degrees each.

  Next, the operation of each component until the conversion lens unit 240 is moved from the mounting position to the storage position will be described. FIG. 21 shows a state where the conversion lens unit 240 is in the mounting position, and FIG. 25 shows a state where the conversion lens unit 240 is in the storage position. FIG. 24 sequentially shows the steps in the middle.

  When the conversion lens unit 240 is rotated 90 degrees downward around the first rotation shaft 250a from the state where the conversion lens unit 240 is in the mounting position (see FIG. 21), the state shown in FIG. 24 is obtained.

  From this state, when the conversion lens unit 240 is rotated 90 degrees toward the front of the paper surface of FIG. 24 around the second rotation shaft 250b, the state shown in FIG. 25 is obtained, and the conversion lens unit 240 is accommodated in the storage position. The cover surface 240a shields and protects the conversion lens on the front surface of the body.

  By setting it as such a structure, the effect similar to the said 2nd Embodiment can be acquired with a simpler structure.

The front view which showed the state which has the lens cover of the digital camera of 1st Embodiment in a shielding position Front view showing a state in which the lens cover of the digital camera is in the exposed position and the conversion lens unit cover is in the shielding position. Front view showing a state in which the lens cover of the digital camera is in the exposed position and the conversion lens unit cover is in the exposed position FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a state where the conversion lens is in the storage position when viewed from the cross-sectional direction of the IV-IV line in FIG. The schematic block diagram which shows the state which has a conversion lens in a mounting position when it sees from the same direction as FIG. Functional block diagram of the above digital camera The flowchart which shows the flow of the process at the time of imaging | photography of the said digital camera. Table showing an example of a lens optical system control pattern when the conversion lens unit of the digital camera is not attached Table showing an example of the control pattern of the lens optical system when the conversion lens unit of the digital camera is mounted FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram (mounting position) of the digital camera according to the second embodiment when viewed from the same direction as FIG. Perspective view of the conversion lens unit of the digital camera Schematic configuration diagram of sliding groove of the conversion lens unit A perspective view of the hinge of the digital camera Front view of the digital camera hinge and conversion lens unit combined Schematic configuration diagram of the digital camera when viewed from the same direction as FIG. 4 (moving 1) Schematic configuration diagram of the digital camera when viewed from the same direction as FIG. 4 (moving 2) Schematic configuration diagram of the digital camera when viewed from the same direction as FIG. 4 (moving 3) Schematic configuration diagram of the above digital camera when viewed from the same direction as FIG. 4 (storage position) Functional block diagram of the above digital camera The flowchart which shows the flow of the process at the time of imaging | photography of the said digital camera. FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram (mounting position) of the digital camera according to the third embodiment when viewed from the same direction as FIG. Perspective view of the conversion lens unit of the digital camera A perspective view of the hinge of the digital camera Schematic configuration diagram of the digital camera when viewed from the same direction as FIG. 4 (moving) Schematic configuration diagram of the above digital camera when viewed from the same direction as FIG. 4 (storage position)

Explanation of symbols

1, 2, 3 Digital camera 10, 110 CPU
11, 111 Imaging unit 11a, 111a Lens group 11b, 111b CCD
11c, 111c Analog processing unit 11d, 111d A / D conversion unit 12, 112 Image processing unit 13, 113 Storage unit 14, 114 Operation unit 15, 115 Display unit 16, 116 Recording medium reading unit 17 Cover detection switch 117 Storage detection switch 18, 118 Mounting detection switch 19, 119 Recording medium 20, 120, 220 Camera body 30, 130, 230 Lens barrel 40, 140, 240 Conversion lens unit 50, 150, 250 Hinge

Claims (4)

A lens barrel integrated with a solid-state imaging device and a lens optical system that forms an image of subject light on the light-receiving surface of the solid-state imaging device is disposed so as to extend in the left-right direction in the camera body, and the lens optics In the digital camera in which the system includes a bending optical system and the objective lens of the lens optical system is exposed from the front surface of the camera body,
A conversion lens unit that houses a conversion lens that is disposed in front of the objective lens so as to be freely accessible;
The conversion lens unit is mounted below the objective lens by a hinge having a first rotation shaft extending in parallel with the left-right direction below the objective lens, and a storage provided below the lens barrel. A digital camera characterized in that the camera body is provided so as to be able to rotate and move between positions. Control means for controlling the lens optical system;
Detecting means for detecting that the conversion lens unit is in the mounting position;
2. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the control means changes a control condition of the lens optical system for a conversion lens use mode in accordance with detection by the detection means. When the conversion lens unit is in the storage position, the conversion lens unit is configured to be movable in the left-right direction between an exposure position where the conversion lens unit is exposed from the camera body and a shielding position where the conversion lens unit is shielded. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein a conversion lens unit cover is attached to the camera body. The hinge includes a second rotation axis perpendicular to the first rotation axis;
The conversion lens unit includes a cover surface on one of the side surfaces parallel to the optical axis direction of the conversion lens, and is rotatably attached to the second rotation shaft.
When the conversion lens unit moves from the mounting position to the storage position, the conversion lens unit is stored in the storage position by rotating about the first rotation shaft and the second rotation shaft. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the cover surface is configured to be exposed from the camera body.

Images