JP2017098728A - Digital camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital camera capable of reducing a diopter difference on an outside monitor with respect to an optical finder which are used simultaneously together with each other.SOLUTION: The digital camera with replaceable lens, includes: an optical finder 2 having an eyepiece lens; and an outside display device 1 for live view. The outside display device 1 is provided with a rolling mechanism which rotates upward, and a screen reversal mechanism. With this, the center of a screen of the outside display device 1 can be disposed in a right-upper part of the optical finder 2 when viewed from the back side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a technology of a digital camera provided with an external monitor for live view.

  In a single-lens reflex digital camera capable of exchanging lenses, a live view function has become common. Conventionally, a photographer forms an image of a light beam from a photographing lens on a focusing plate using a quick return mirror, and observes it with an eyepiece through a pentaprism. On the other hand, recently, it has become common to mount a function for directly imaging a light beam from a photographic lens on a sensor and displaying the image information converted into an electric signal on a liquid crystal monitor or the like in real time. That is what is called live view.

  As an external monitor for live view, a rear LCD monitor of the camera is used, but an external monitor with a variable orientation has been proposed in order to improve the degree of freedom of the shooting angle and the visibility.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a structure provided on the left side of the camera on the left side of the camera, in which the rear liquid crystal monitor is developed leftward about the axis, and the screen is turned upside down on the other axis. By adjusting the angles of these two axes, it is possible to observe the monitor at any angle.

  Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration in which a tiltable monitor is provided on a vertical shooting grip connected to the bottom of a camera. A hinge is provided below the back of the camera, and the angle can be changed around this hinge. By making the angle of the monitor variable, visibility is improved during observation and shooting in live view.

JP 2009-77204 A JP 2010-26090 A

With the conventional techniques disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 described above, the visibility during observation in live view is improved. However, there is the following inconvenience in the arrangement as a monitor for checking a photographed image when photographing with an optical viewfinder while looking through an eyepiece lens.
(1) The diopter difference from the viewfinder is large at the original position stored on the back surface and at any position where the angle is changed, which is a burden for diopter adjustment of the eyes.
(2) When the external monitor is used for viewfinder observation, it becomes an obstacle, and it is difficult to secure the visual field in front of the left eye and to operate the lens.
(3) In Patent Document 1, it is difficult to see the external monitor in the lower position during vertical position shooting.

In order to solve the above problems, a digital camera according to the present invention provides:
In a digital camera with an interchangeable lens equipped with a viewfinder with an eyepiece and an external display device for live view, it can be placed at the top right of the viewfinder when the center of the screen of the external display device is viewed from the back It is characterized by being.

  According to the present invention, when a viewfinder using an eyepiece and an external monitor are used in combination, the field of view on the left side of the camera is secured and the lens can be easily operated. In addition, the position of the external monitor can be optimally configured for shooting in the vertical position. Furthermore, it is possible to provide a digital camera that reduces the diopter difference from the viewfinder at any monitor position.

The schematic diagram which shows the state which expand | deployed the external monitor of the digital camera of Example 1 The schematic diagram which shows the state which accommodated the external monitor of the digital camera of Example 1. The schematic diagram which shows the upward jump of the external monitor of the digital camera of Example 1 Schematic diagram showing reversal of external monitor of digital camera of embodiment 1 The schematic diagram which shows the state at the time of using the digital camera of Example 1 in a vertical position. Schematic diagram showing the position of the external monitor of the present invention The schematic diagram which shows the relationship between the camera position at the time of external monitor accommodation and diopter in Example 1,2. The schematic diagram which shows the relationship between the camera position at the time of external monitor deployment in Example 1, and diopter The schematic diagram which shows the relationship between the camera position at the time of expansion | deployment of the external monitor in Example 2, and a diopter Schematic diagram from diagonally forward of the external monitor of the digital camera of Example 1 The schematic diagram which shows the state which expand | deployed the external monitor of the digital camera of Example 2 The schematic diagram which shows the state which accommodated the external monitor of the digital camera of Example 2. FIG. Schematic diagram showing the upward jump of the external monitor of the digital camera of Example 2 Schematic diagram showing reversal of external monitor of digital camera of embodiment 2 The schematic diagram which shows the state at the time of using the digital camera of Example 2 in a vertical position. Schematic diagram showing the relationship between camera position and diopter in a comparative example Schematic diagram showing the lens attachment / detachment operation of the digital camera of the present invention. Schematic diagram showing lens mounting operation of the digital camera of the present invention Schematic diagram showing a state in which an external strobe is attached to the second embodiment The schematic diagram which shows a mode that the digital camera of Example 2 was held in the vertical position.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic external view of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention as seen from the back.
FIG. 10 is a perspective external view of the digital camera as viewed obliquely from the front. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the external monitor is unfolded and arranged at the upper right part of the camera when viewed from the back, and FIG.

  An optical viewfinder 2 is disposed on the upper back of the camera body 3, and an external monitor is disposed below the optical viewfinder.

  When observing with the optical viewfinder, the photographing light beam that enters from the mount 4 located in front of the camera body 3 is reflected by the internal movable quick return mirror 5 and forms an image on the focus plate. The image formed on the focus plate is observed through an eyepiece after the image is inverted by a pentaprism.

  In photographing by observation with the optical finder 2, the quick return mirror 5 is retracted out of the upper optical path by operating the release button 6, and the light beam from the photographing lens forms an image on the imaging sensor. The image data photoelectrically converted by the imaging sensor is processed by an image processing engine and stored in a memory card or the like, and at the same time, the stored image is displayed on the external monitor 1.

  During live view, the quick return mirror 5 jumps up and retracts from the optical path. The light beam from the lens entering from the mount forms an image on the imaging sensor. The image data photoelectrically converted by the imaging sensor is processed by the image processing engine and displayed on the external monitor 1 in real time. The photographer decides and releases the frame while observing the image on the external monitor.

  In the present invention, both the photographing by observation with the optical finder 2 and the photographing by observation in the live view can be performed by arranging the external monitor 1 at the upper right as viewed from the back of the camera as shown in FIG. Here, in particular, regarding the photographing method of observing and photographing with the optical viewfinder 2 and viewing the photographed image with an external monitor, the change of the photographer's diopter will be considered.

  FIG. 7 shows the positions and diopters of the photographer and the camera. Each diopter is indicated by a concentric broken line centered on the eye observed by the photographer.

  In FIG. 7, in the digital camera of the present embodiment, a schematic view of the state in which the photographer is observing from the top with the external monitor housed on the back is assumed, and the photographer is assumed to observe with the right eye. doing.

  The screen center of the external monitor is located at a position of about 167 mm from the photographer's right eye, and the diopter at that time is 6 diopters. This 6 diopter is considered as a reference of a distance that cannot be focused near, that is, a reference point of the near point. Peripheral points vary greatly between individuals and move away with age. The value of 6 diopters is merely a representative value for convenience, but a near point reference is provided for the following reason.

  In general single-lens reflex digital cameras, the eyepiece of the optical viewfinder has a diopter adjustment function. In general, the diopter adjustment range is -3 to +1 dipter. When the photographer has weak myopia, the diopter adjustment function is often used with the naked eye in accordance with the central -3 to -1 diopter. When eyeglasses are used, the eye point moves away from the eyepiece lens, so the allowable range of the position where the entire field of view can be seen becomes narrow, and the viewfinder becomes difficult to see. For this reason, some spectacle users are naked.

  On the other hand, if the photographer has strong nearsightedness or farsightedness, it is necessary to use glasses, contact lenses, etc., but it is common to use a little weak myopia for corrective eyesight. There are many. In this case, the diopter adjustment range is -3 to -1 diopter.

  That is, many photographers observe the viewfinder in the diopter adjustment range of -3 to -1 diopter. That is, when observing the optical viewfinder, it is equivalent to observing a diopter range of 1 to 3 diopters.

  On the other hand, the diopter adjustment range decreases with age. The far point of the range in which the diopter can be adjusted is called the far point, and the near point is called the near point. The difference between the diopter of the far point and the diopter of the near point is called diopter adjustment power. The diopter adjustment power varies among individuals, but the individual adjustment power does not change even when glasses are used. Diopter adjustment power decreases with age. It is said that at age 45, it will be 2-4 diopters, and at age 50 it will be less than 1 diopter.

  Therefore, a diopter adjustment power of 3 diopters is considered as a reference. The photographer is considered to observe the optical viewfinder in the range of 1 to 3 diopters as described above. Taking that as the far point, the near point is 4-6 diopters. When correcting with glasses or the like and using it with a diopter of 3 diopters, the near point can be closest, and that time becomes 6 diopters. Therefore, a photographer with a diopter adjustment power of 3 diopters cannot focus on an object closer than 6 diopters. Similarly, a photographer with a diopter adjustment power of 1 diopter cannot focus on an object closer than 4 diopters.

  The criterion of diopter adjustment power of 3 diopters is provided for convenience, but when the diopter adjustment power is determined, the limit of the near point at which the focus can be achieved is determined. For this reason, a near point reference is provided.

  Returning to the description of FIG. When photographing with the optical viewfinder, the photographer's eyes are close to the eye cap 7 of the camera. When viewing the captured image on an external monitor, the camera must be at least 150 mm away from it. If a small light interchangeable lens is attached to the camera, it is easy to operate, but if it is fixed on a tripod, or if you are shooting with a super telephoto lens attached to a monopod, that distance To open the camera, the photographer needs to go back. In order to leave a distance of about 150 mm, it is impossible to move the neck and head alone.

  FIG. 16 shows the positions of the photographer, the camera, and the diopter in the camera with the external monitor opened to the left in the comparative example.

  Camera position A is a state in which the right eye is moved away from the viewfinder and lowered to a position where the entire external monitor can be viewed with both eyes. The position is about 80 mm away from the eye cap. At this position, since the external monitor 1 is located directly in front of the left eye, the diopter is considered centering on the left eye. At the camera position A, the diopter of the external monitor 1 is 10 diopters. In this state, the near point limit of 6 diopters is exceeded, and focus is not achieved.

  The position B of the camera is that the center of the screen is moved away to a diopter of 6 diopters. This is almost the same arrangement as when the external monitor 1 of FIG. 7 is housed in the back of the camera, and has the same problem as described above.

  In the present invention, an external monitor is arranged in the range shown in FIG. 6, that is, the range on the upper right side of the optical viewfinder when the camera is viewed from the back.

  By arranging the center of the external monitor 1 on the right side of the viewfinder 2, the distance in the horizontal direction is earned. Furthermore, since the right eye can be moved slightly to the left relative to the camera, the distance of 6 diopters can be separated only by the movement of the neck and head. Arranging the center of the external monitor at the top of the viewfinder is a necessary condition for securing the visual field of the left eye to the external monitor at this observation position.

  As a result, the external monitor can be arranged at the required diopter distance while minimizing the distance between the camera and the eyes.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a diopter of 6 diopters can be secured even at a position equivalent to the camera position A of the comparative example.

  FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 show the operation of attaching / detaching the interchangeable lens to / from the digital camera of the present invention.

  When the lens is exchanged, the external monitor is arranged at the position of the embodiment so that it does not get in the way.

  FIG. 20 shows the photographer as seen from the front when holding the camera in the vertical position.

  When viewed from the front, the external monitor is arranged at the upper right of the photographer, so that the visibility is good, and further, since the field of view with the left eye is not obstructed, the entire subject can be observed.

[Example 1]
Hereinafter, a digital camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which the external monitor 1 of the digital camera according to the first embodiment is housed on the back surface.

  A hinge 8 connected to the external monitor 1 housed below the optical viewfinder 2 has a first rotation axis with the camera on the right side of the optical viewfinder. FIG. 3 shows a state in which it is lifted upward with this axis as the axis. The external monitor is positioned above the optical viewfinder 2, but the screen faces the subject. In this state, it is rotated by a reversing mechanism 9 provided on the hinge 8. The reversing mechanism 9 is a second rotation axis that is orthogonal to the first rotation axis. The screen is rotated in the direction shown in FIG. 4 to obtain the external monitor 1 arrangement shown in FIG.

  In this state, the screen center of the external monitor 1 is shifted to the right from the viewfinder. Therefore, as described above, the amount of eye movement when using the optical viewfinder 2 and the external monitor 1 is small.

  The rotation by the reversing mechanism 9 can be stopped even in the middle. It is also possible to use it at an angle in a state where the rotation is returned (about 4 in FIG. 4). FIG. 8 shows the relationship between the position of the camera, the photographer, and the diopter in that state. Although the diopter with respect to the center of the screen is set at a distance of 6 diopters, the eye is hardly moved with respect to the camera. At this time, since the photographer moves to the left with respect to the camera, the external monitor 1 preferably has the above angle.

  FIG. 5 shows the digital camera of the present invention rotated in the vertical position shooting state.

  It is rotated 90 ° counterclockwise when viewed from the back of the camera. At this time, the external viewfinder 1 is arranged at the upper left as viewed from the camera plane. There is no merit in terms of diopter, but because it is placed above the left eye, it does not interfere with the visual field of the left eye.

[Example 2]
A digital camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. This embodiment has three rotation mechanisms.

  FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which the external monitor 1 of the digital camera according to the second embodiment is housed on the back surface.

  The digital camera of the second embodiment has a grip for vertical position shooting at the bottom, and also has a release button for vertical position shooting at the lower right.

  It is stored below the optical viewfinder 2. A hinge 8 connected to the external monitor 1 is joined to the camera at the upper right end of the camera. At the joint portion, the first rotation axis exists horizontally with respect to the camera. By rotating the hinge 8 upward, the external monitor 1 can be flipped up to the top of the optical viewfinder 2.

  The state is shown in FIG. As in the first embodiment, the external monitor is positioned above the optical viewfinder 2, but the screen faces the subject. In this state, it is rotated by a reversing mechanism 9 provided on the hinge 8. In the second embodiment, the reversing mechanism 9 has a rotation axis in a direction parallel to the first rotation axis. This is the second rotation axis. FIG. 14 shows a state in which the screen is inverted as a result.

  On the other hand, in the state of FIG. 13, the external monitor can be reversed by another reversing mechanism 10 provided on the hinge 8. The reversing mechanism 10 has a third rotation axis that is orthogonal to the first and second rotation axes. Thus, the external monitor 1 is placed in the state shown in FIG.

  In this state, the screen center of the external monitor 1 is shifted to the right from the camera body, so that the amount of eye movement when using the optical viewfinder 2 and the external monitor 1 is small as described above. .

  Similar to the first embodiment, the rotation by the reversing mechanism 10 can be stopped even in the middle. It is also possible to use it at an angle in which the rotation is returned a little.

  Similarly, FIG. 9 shows the relationship between the position of the camera, the photographer, and the diopter in that state. Although the diopter with respect to the center of the screen is set at a distance of 6 diopters, the eye is hardly moved with respect to the camera. At this time, since the photographer moves to the left with respect to the camera, the external monitor 1 preferably has the above angle.

  FIG. 15 shows the digital camera of the present invention rotated in the vertical position shooting state.

  It is rotated 90 ° counterclockwise when viewed from the back of the camera. At this time, the external viewfinder 1 is arranged at the upper left as viewed from the camera plane. In Example 2, since it arrange | positions more upwards of a camera, the visual field of a left eye is ensured. In the second embodiment, the external strobe device 13 can be used together as shown in FIG.

  In both the first and second embodiments, the external monitor 1 can be provided with a touch panel function, and can be performed by operating the touch panel instead of the buttons related to the camera operation. In that case, it is preferable that the operation by the touch panel is limited to the case where the external monitor 1 is housed in the back of the camera. This is because, since the external monitor has a retractable mechanism, the external monitor itself moves in a state in which the external monitor 1 is deployed, which makes it difficult to operate the touch panel.

  In the state where the external monitor is deployed, it is preferable to arrange alternative switches in the external monitor storage space on the back of the camera.

  1 and 11, a rotary dial 11 having a push button 12 at the center is arranged on the rear and right side of the camera. A joystick switch 14 is disposed above the joystick switch 14. In particular, when photographing with an optical viewfinder, the external monitor is used in the unfolded state, so it is desirable to arrange physical switches that have a quick response and can be operated without direct visual observation.

  As mentioned above, although preferable embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to these embodiment, A various deformation | transformation and change are possible within the range of the summary.

  According to the present invention, in the digital camera, it is possible to reduce the diopter difference between the external monitor and the optical viewfinder, and it is easy to perform shooting using both the external monitor and the optical viewfinder.

1 External monitor, 2 optical viewfinder, 3 camera body, 4 mount, 5 quick return mirror, 6 release button, 7 eye cap, 8 hinge, 9 reversing mechanism, 10 reversing mechanism, 11 rotary dial, 12 push button, 13 external strobe Device, 14 joystick

Claims (8)

In a digital camera with an interchangeable lens equipped with a viewfinder with an eyepiece and an external display device for live view, the center of the screen of the external display device can be placed in the upper right (viewed from the back) of the viewfinder. A digital camera characterized by being. The external display device is disposed below the viewfinder on the back of the camera in the housed state, and the external display device holding member has at least a biaxial rotation mechanism including a mechanism for flipping upward from the viewfinder and a mechanism for inverting the panel. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the holding member is installed on the right side of the camera. The digital camera according to claim 2, wherein a rotation axis of the mechanism for flipping up the external display device is equal to or higher than a height of a lower end of the finder. The digital camera according to claim 2, wherein the screen center of the external display device is 70 mm or more away from the apex of the eye cup of the eyepiece of the finder. The digital camera according to claim 2, wherein the finder is an optical finder. The digital camera according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a shutter button for photographing a vertical position is arranged at a lower right side of the camera. The digital camera according to claim 2, wherein the image of the external display device is displayed by being inverted on an axis in a screen parallel to the axis of each rotating mechanism as the rotating mechanism rotates. The external display device has a touch panel function, and the switch corresponding to the operation that can be performed with the touch panel when the external display device is stored on the back side is arranged so that the operation can be performed when the external display device is taken out from the back side of the camera. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the digital camera is characterized.