JP2967964B2 - Variable aspect ratio camera with strobe device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a variable aspect ratio camera equipped with a strobe device for taking a picture by designating an aspect ratio of a printed photograph and changing an irradiation angle in conjunction with an aspect ratio switching operation and a zooming operation. Things.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Some recent 35 mm full-size compact cameras can take pictures with a screen size that can receive a panoramic print service, such as "Cardia Travel Mini" (product name) sold by the present applicant. There is something like that. In such a camera, an exposure range of “24 mm × 36 mm” is usually equivalent to 35 mm full size.
(Aspect ratio 1.5), but when a panoramic print is intended, a mask plate that regulates the exposure range is inserted above and below the aperture, and "13 mm x 36 mm"
It is possible to take an image in a horizontally long exposure range (with an aspect ratio of about 2.8). A negative photographed at this size is enlarged at approximately twice the size of a normal service print at the time of printing, so that a horizontally long panoramic print is created.

In a camera having such a function, a frame is displayed on a viewfinder so that a range to be printed can be recognized at the time of photographing. Therefore, if the setting information is magnetically or optically recorded on the film corresponding to such a frame display and this information is read at the time of printing, the mask plate is omitted and the photographing screen itself is omitted. Even if the image is kept in a size of “24 mm × 36 mm”, a similar panoramic print photograph can be obtained by performing trimming and enlarging printing so as to leave a range of “13 mm × 36 mm” from the size.

Recently, in addition to the normal print and the panoramic print, the aspect ratios are different, for example, HDTV size print (aspect ratio about 1.8) and cinemascope size print (aspect ratio about 2.3). Cameras having an aspect ratio designation function for designating several types of print sizes have been proposed.

[0005] On the other hand, there is a flash with a zoom function which is capable of continuously changing an irradiation angle in conjunction with a zooming operation of a camera. This strobe has a built-in pulse motor, and changes the irradiation angle by moving the position of the light emitting unit back and forth according to the focal length of the lens.

[0006]

By the way, the irradiation angle of a general strobe is adjusted to the widest focal length, and when photographing at a narrow angle of view, a wider range than the photographing range is additionally illuminated. Is wasted. In addition, there is a disadvantage that the time required for charging is extended. In addition, when using a flash with a zoom function as described above, the irradiation angle can be changed in conjunction with zooming. However, the aspect ratio with a flash device that allows the flash light irradiation angle to be changed according to the aspect ratio switching There was no variable camera.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and changes the irradiation angle of the strobe light in accordance with the switching operation of the aspect ratio together with the zooming operation so that the light amount of the strobe light can be used effectively. And a variable aspect ratio camera with a strobe device.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, a variable aspect ratio camera with a flash device according to the present invention comprises a flash having a flash discharge tube and a reflector.
Use the light-emitting part or the front diffuser to zoom the zoom lens.
Zoom strike that changes the irradiation angle by moving back and forth in conjunction with the work
Aspect of robo and trimming range during printing
And an aspect ratio designating means for designating an aspect ratio.
In the variable aspect ratio camera with a
The reflector is made of a flexible material, and the vicinity of the edge on the diffusion plate side
The curvature can be changed by pressing from outside.
The aspect ratio switching operation and zooming
The strobe light-emitting part or the diffuser
As well as deforming the reflector
The light distribution characteristics of the zoom strobe
Shooting with the aspect ratio specified by the camera ratio specification means
Adjust strobe light distribution to fill diagonal of range
Is what you do.

[0009]

FIG. 2 shows the appearance of an embodiment of the present invention.
A zoom lens 2 is provided at the center of the front of a camera body 1 of the variable aspect ratio camera, and a photometric window 3
Above this, a finder 4 and distance measuring windows 5a and 5b are mounted on the upper left part, and a Fresnel lens 6 is mounted on the upper right part as a diffusing plate of a strobe device. A shutter release button 7 and a slide-type operation lever 8 for switching an aspect ratio are provided on the upper surface of the camera body 2. Further, a zoom lever 9 for switching the focal length of the photographing lens 2 is provided on the rear surface.

There are three types of frames which can be switched by the operation lever 8, L, H and P shown in Table 1 below.

[0011]

[Table 1]

Note that high-definition television is a high-definition television, and an image photographed on this size screen is advantageous because it does not need to be trimmed when converted into an electronic image such as an electronic still image.

FIG. 1 schematically shows the electrical configuration of a variable aspect ratio camera. The operation of the camera is controlled by the CPU 10, and operation signals for half-pressing and full-pressing of the release button 7 are input via a release switch 7a. The movements of the operation lever 8 and the zoom lever 9 are detected by the frame switch 8a and the zoom switch 9a.
In response to a signal from the zoom switch 9a, the zoom motor 13 is driven via the motor driver 12, and zooming of the zoom lens 2 and zooming of the finder optical system 14 are performed. An encoder 25 is provided in the zoom lens barrel of the zoom lens 2, whereby information on the position of the zoom lens barrel, that is, focal length information of the zoom lens 2 is input to the CPU 10.

Behind the Fresnel lens 6, a strobe light emitting section 26 as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 is provided. In the stroboscopic light emitting section 26, a xenon discharge tube 27 is fixed to a box-shaped sliding member 28, which can be moved freely inside and outside an outer cylinder 29. Behind the xenon discharge tube 27, a variable-reflectance reflector 30 made of a flexible material is provided on both sides of the center of the sliding member 28.
Is fixedly provided on the inner wall of the vehicle. Solenoids 31 and 32 are provided in the vertical direction of the reflector 30, and these sandwich the reflector 30 from above and below in response to switching of the frame size, and change the curvature of the reflector 30.

The sliding member 28 is driven by a pulse motor 33. The pulse motor 33 is a motor driver 3
4, the CPU 10 controls the focal length information of the zoom lens 2 input from the encoder 25 and the frame size information input from the frame switch 8a. The solenoids 31 and 32 are controlled by the CPU 10 via the driver 35 based on the frame size information input from the frame switch 8a. 3A shows a case where the frame size is P, FIG. 5A shows a case where the frame size is H, and FIG.
Indicates a case where the frame size is L. Further, a strobe circuit 36 controlled by the CPU 10 is connected to the xenon discharge tube 27.

Here, the relationship between the frame size and the position of the xenon discharge tube 27 will be described. FIG. 6 shows the light distribution characteristics of the strobe light emitting unit 26 corresponding to the frame sizes L, H, and P, and the light distribution characteristics are represented by straight lines and arcs to simplify the description. The xenon discharge tube 27 may be advanced and retracted such that the arc portion satisfies the diagonal lines dL, dH, dP of each frame. However, for convenience,
The diagonals dL, dH, dP are assumed to be 1/2 of the actual diagonals.

In FIG. 7, first, when the frame size is L
It is assumed that the focal length of the zoom lens 2 at this time is f. At this time, the angle of view is θL as shown in the figure. Without changing the focal length, for example, changing the frame size to L
Is changed to H, the angle of view becomes θH, and the angle of view becomes wide.
That is, it is necessary to zoom the light distribution of the strobe light to a value corresponding to θH. For example, considering obtaining a light distribution of θH with a strobe having a light distribution corresponding to a frame size of L, the position of the xenon discharge tube 27 may be moved to a position corresponding to the focal length f ′ as shown in the figure. You can see that. The relationship between the focal length and the diagonal is represented by the following equation (1). f ′ = (dL / dH) f (1) In this equation (1), when the strobe is zoomed to the position of f ′ when the focal length of the imaging diameter is f, a desired light distribution can be obtained. This means that the relationship between them is the ratio of (dL / dH) regardless of the value of f. That is, the zooming of the photographing system may be transmitted to the strobe system at the reduction ratio (dL / dH). In this embodiment, the pulse motor 33 is driven based on the frame size input from the frame switch 8a, and the xenon discharge is performed. The tube 27 is moved to a predetermined position.

By moving the position of the xenon discharge tube 27 back and forth in this way, the light distribution in the horizontal direction of the screen is controlled within an appropriate range, but the light distribution adjustment in the vertical direction is not particularly effective in the case of a panoramic size. Will be enough. Therefore, as described above, the reflector 30 is bent from above and below, and the irradiation range in the up and down direction is adjusted. As a result, the frame size L, H, the light distribution characteristics of the flash emitter 26 in the P, respectively Figure 8 (A), (B) , two-dot chain line in _{(C) F L, F H} , with F _P As shown.

When the CPU 10 receives the signal from the frame switch 8a, it drives the LCD driver 15 to operate the liquid crystal display panel 16 provided in the finder optical system 14. As shown in FIG. 9, the finder optical system 14 is, for example, a Kepler type real image type finder, and a liquid crystal showing a field frame on an incident surface side of a porro prism 14c provided between an objective lens 14a and an eyepiece 14b. Display board 1
6 are provided. Reference numeral 17 shown in FIG. 1 denotes an autofocus device, which is operated by half-pressing the release button 7 to input a distance measurement signal to the CPU 10.

The liquid crystal display panel 16 includes segments 20,
21 and 22, these segments become transparent and opaque in combination as shown in the table below in conjunction with the switching of the frame.

[Table 2]

Behind the photometric window 3, a photometric light receiving element (for example, SPD) 37 is disposed. The photometric window 3
It is a lens with a large depth of field, for example, about F11 or F16, and the subject light incident from the photometry window 3 is always imaged on the light receiving element 37 regardless of the distance of the subject. The output from the light receiving element 37 is logarithmically compression-amplified and A / D-converted by the photometry circuit 38 and input to the CPU 10. A DX code reading unit 39 that reads a DX code provided on the outer wall of the patrone and captures the sensitivity and the latitude of the film to be used is connected to the CPU 10.

A head driver 40 is connected to the CPU 10. The head driver 40 drives the magnetic head 43 after the photographing is completed and one frame of the film 42 is started to be fed by the motor 41, and transmits the code data representing the type of the frame selected at the time of the photographing to the magnetic film of the film 42. Recording is performed on the recording layer 42a. The code data written in this way is read by a reading device built in the photo printer at the time of printing, and is used for setting a trimming range and a print magnification at the time of printing. Note that the code data may be written by an optical recording method using an LED or the like whose number corresponds to the required number of bits. In this case, the code data may be written before the film is fed. Further, the size of the exposure aperture itself may be changed according to the type of the frame using a mask plate as in the related art.

The operation of the thus-configured variable aspect ratio camera will be described. When a film is loaded in the camera, the DX code provided on the outer wall of the patrone is read by the DX code reading unit 39, and the sensitivity and the latitude of the film 42 are input to the CPU 10. When the operation lever 8 is set to the index P, for example, the liquid crystal display panel 16
The corresponding segments 20 and 22 become opaque, and their photographing areas can be confirmed in the viewfinder 4. At the same time, the pulse motor 33 is driven, the xenon discharge tube 27 and the reflector 30 are moved in the outer cylinder 29 integrally with the sliding member 28, and stopped at the position corresponding to the panorama size light distribution characteristics (left-right direction). You. Subsequently, the solenoids 31 and 32 are driven to press the reflector 30 from above and below, thereby changing the curvature of the reflector 30 and adjusting the light distribution in the up and down directions (see FIGS. 3 and 8C).

When the zoom button 2 is pressed halfway after confirming the zooming by the finder 4 and the shutter button 7 is pressed halfway, the auto-focusing device 17 is operated to focus the zoom lens 2, and the brightness of the subject is measured by the photometry circuit 38. It is input to the CPU 10. The CPU 10 calculates an exposure value from the film sensitivity and the subject brightness. When the zoom lever 9 is operated, the focal length information of the zoom lens 2 is input to the CPU 10 from the zoom switch 9a, and based on the focal length information, the xenon discharge tube 27 and the reflector 30 are moved within a range corresponding to the light distribution characteristics of the panorama size. You. When the release button 7 is fully pressed, a known program shutter 45 is driven based on the exposure value.

If the brightness of the object is low enough to cause a slow shutter, the flash circuit 38 emits strobe light from the xenon discharge tube 27 at the same time as the release button 7 is fully pressed, and the strobe light is directed toward the object via the Fresnel lens 6. Irradiated. At this time, since the light distribution characteristics of the strobe light correspond to the panorama size P (see FIG. 8C), highly efficient strobe lighting is performed. When the photographing is completed, the film 41 is fed by one frame by driving the motor 41. Immediately after the start of the film feeding, the magnetic head 43 is driven, and the frame size (P) information is recorded on the magnetic recording layer 42a of the film 42.

When all the frames are photographed by repeating the above operation, the film 42 is rewound into the cartridge. After the patrone is taken out of the camera, the DPE
Submitted to the store. When the film 42 is developed and processed by an automatic printer, the magnetic recording layer 42a of each frame
The negative mask and the paper mask are moved based on the frame size recorded in, and the enlargement magnification and the like are determined, and the print photograph of each frame size is printed.

Next, another embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, zooming of a strobe light emitting unit corresponding to a frame size is performed by a mechanical mechanism. The cam plate 50 is moved in the X-axis direction in the drawing in conjunction with an aspect ratio switching lever (not shown), and an arm 5 is provided in a cam hole 50a formed in the cam plate 50.
One pin 52 is engaged. When the cam plate 50 is moved rightward from the position shown in the drawing, the arm 51 is moved upward (Y-axis direction). The arm 51 has three stop positions depending on the shape of the cam hole 50a, and corresponds to, for example, frame sizes L, P, and H.

A one-sided cam 55 is rotatably attached to the tip of the arm 51. The one-sided cam 55 is formed by three types of cam curved surfaces 55a, 55b, and 55c. Each of the cam curved surfaces 55a, 55b, 55c has f ′ = f,
f ′ = (dL / dP) f and f ′ = (dL / dH) f, and a tapered surface is formed between them. A gear is fixed coaxially to the lower surface of the one cam 55, and the gears 57 and 58 mesh with the gear to rotate the one cam 55. The gear 58 has an elongated shape so that the engagement with the gear 57 is not released even when the arm 51 moves up and down. This gear 58
Is connected to a gear train for driving the zoom lens barrel, which is rotated in conjunction with the zooming operation of the taking lens.

In front of the one-sided cam 55, a xenon discharge tube 6 is provided.
0 and a reflector 61 are attached via a support bar 62 and a round bar 63 so as to be able to advance and retreat in the Z-axis direction. Round bar 63
Is biased toward the one cam 55 by a spring (not shown), and is constantly in contact with one of the cam surfaces 55a, 55b, and 55c. A Fresnel lens 6 is provided in front of the xenon discharge tube 60 (see FIG. 11), and irradiates the subject with strobe light generated from the xenon discharge tube 60.

The reflector 61 is formed of a flexible material having elasticity, and urges the pressing plates 64 and 65 provided in contact with the upper and lower sides in the direction in which the upper and lower ends of the reflector 61 are separated from each other. I have. The reflector 61 is moved in the Z-axis direction between the pressing plates 64 and 65. In this movement, the upper and lower ends of the reflector 61 are pressed by the pressing plates 64 and 65.
The length of the pressing plates 64 and 65 in the Z-axis direction is set so as not to come off.

Rotating cams 66 and 67 are provided outside each of the pressing plates 64 and 65, and the pressing plates 64 and 65 are in contact with the peripheral surfaces of the rotating cams 66 and 67, respectively, by the elasticity of the reflector 61. When the rotating cams 66 and 67 are rotated in opposite directions, the pressing plates 64 and 65 are moved in opposite directions, and a sufficient vertical light distribution is obtained in each of the frame sizes L, H, and P, and wastefulness is obtained. It is set at a position of three steps that does not generate a great light distribution.

Gears 68, 69 are fixed to the shafts 66a, 67a of the rotary cams 66, 67, respectively. These gears are rack gears 71 formed on the upright portion 51a of the arm 51.
Are engaged. The gear 68 meshes directly with the rack gear 71, and the gear 69 meshes with the rack gear 71 via the gear 72, so that they can be rotated in opposite directions.

When the frame size is L, FIG.
As shown in (A), the pressing plates 64 and 65 are set at the most opened positions, and the curvature of the reflector 61 is the largest. The round bar 63 is in contact with the cam surface 55a, and the position of the xenon discharge tube 60 in the Z-axis direction is the deepest position.

In this state, when the aspect ratio switching lever is operated to set a desired frame size, for example, a panorama size P, the cam plate 50 moves to the right in FIG. , 67 are rotated in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions, respectively, so that the pressing plates 64, 65 are moved in the narrowing direction. by this,
As shown in FIG. 11B, the reflector 61 is pressed from above and below and bends, and its curvature decreases.

At the same time, the round bar 63, which has been in contact with the cam surface 55a, comes into contact with the cam surface 55b by raising the arm 51, and the xenon discharge tube 60 is moved to the Fresnel lens 6 side. When the zoom lens is zoomed, the xenon discharge tube 60 and the reflector 61 are moved in the Z-axis direction by the action of the round bar 63 and the cam surface 55b. Therefore, the vertical and horizontal light distribution characteristics are adjusted according to the frame size (P) and the focal length of the zoom lens, and the subject is illuminated at an efficient irradiation angle.

Further, when the frame size is switched to the high definition size (H) by operating the aspect ratio switching lever, the rotating cams 66 and 67 rotate and the pressing plates 64 and 67 rotate.
65 are moved in the direction to open each other, and the round bar 63 is moved.
Comes into contact with the cam surface 55c. by this,
The reflector 61 opens to its own elasticity, its curvature becomes a middle size between the frame sizes L and P, and the xenon discharge tube 60 is set at a position protruding most toward the Fresnel lens 6 side.

In the embodiment described above, there are three types of frame sizes. However, for example, four types may be added by adding a cinemascope size, or may be more. Also,
The present invention is, of course, not limited to the numerical value of the aspect ratio. Further, in the first embodiment, the curvature of the reflector is changed before the forward and backward movement of the xenon discharge tube due to the positional relationship between the reflector and the solenoid. If a similar pressing plate is provided, any order may be provided first.

In the first embodiment, since the curvature of the reflector is changed by a pair of solenoids, the change is performed only in the panorama size. However, for example, a plurality of solenoids and pulse motors having different displacements are used. Alternatively, the curvature of the reflector may be changed even when the frame size is another. Further, when changing the irradiation angle of the strobe light, the strobe discharge tube and the reflector are moved forward and backward, but instead, the Fresnel lens may be moved forward and backward. Although the reflector is formed of a flexible material, the reflector may be formed by, for example, connecting a plurality of metal plates with hinges. Further, if the enlargement ratio is set while keeping the width size of the printed photograph constant, the complexity of the printing process caused by the increase in the type of aspect ratio can be minimized.

[0039]

As described above, the aspect ratio variable camera with a flash device according to the present invention moves the strobe light-emitting portion or the diffuser in and out in conjunction with the aspect ratio switching operation and the zooming operation, and reduces the curvature of the reflector. Change the light distribution characteristics of the zoom strobe to the aspect ratio
Of the shooting range according to the aspect ratio specified by the
So as to satisfy the diagonal line. Thus to adjust the light distribution of the strobe light, while having a simple configuration, the specified shooting
Light distribution of strobe light corresponding to the aspect ratio of the range
Not only in the horizontal direction but also in the vertical direction, the amount of strobe light can be used effectively, and the time required for charging can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the camera.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a structure of a strobe light emitting unit, and shows a set state corresponding to a panorama size.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a structure for changing the curvature of the reflector.

5A and 5B are explanatory diagrams showing changes in the zoom position of a strobe light emitting unit due to switching of the aspect ratio. FIG. 5A shows a set state corresponding to a high-definition size, and FIG.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing light distribution characteristics of strobe light at frame sizes L, H, and P when the xenon discharge tube is moved forward and backward without changing the curvature of the reflector.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship between a frame size and a xenon discharge tube.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing each light distribution characteristic of strobe light at frame sizes L, H, and P in a case where the curvature of a reflector is changed when the xenon discharge tube advances and retreats.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the structure of a finder.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a structure of a strobe device according to another embodiment.

11 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the strobe device shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 6 Fresnel lens 8 Operation lever 8b Frame switch 10 CPU 26 Strobe light-emitting part 27, 60 Xenon discharge tube 30, 61 Reflector 31, 32 Solenoid 50 Cam plate 55 One-sided cam 64, 65 Press plate 66, 67 Rotating cam

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G03B 15/05 G03B 17/28

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A zoom strobe in which a strobe light emitting portion including a strobe discharge tube and a reflector or a front diffuser is moved forward and backward in conjunction with a zooming operation of a zoom lens to change an irradiation angle, and an aspect ratio of a trimming range during printing. A variable aspect ratio camera equipped with a strobe device, comprising: an aspect ratio designating means for designating the reflector ;
The curvature can be changed by applying pressure from the outside to the vicinity of the edge of the strobe, and in conjunction with the switching operation of the aspect ratio and the zooming operation, the strobe light emitting unit or the diffusion plate is moved forward and backward, and the reflector is moved. By changing the curvature of the zoom strobe, the light distribution characteristics of the
To the aspect ratio specified by the aspect ratio specification means
A variable aspect ratio camera with a strobe device, characterized in that the light distribution of strobe light is adjusted so as to satisfy a diagonal line of a shooting range .