JP4532775B2 - Video camera - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a video camera including an imaging unit and an eyepiece monitor unit.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Some video cameras have eyepiece monitoring means.
[0003]
A video camera provided with such an eyepiece monitor means will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part configuration of a conventional video camera, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of the eyepiece monitor unit 104 in the video camera of FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the video camera. 9 is a diagram schematically showing a posture state of the user holding the bio camera of FIG.
[0004]
As shown in FIG. 6, the video camera includes a lens unit 101, an imaging unit 102, a recorder unit 103, and an eyepiece monitor unit 104. Although not shown, a circuit board, a battery, a panel type video monitor, operation keys, and the like are provided.
[0005]
The eyepiece monitor unit 104 has an eyepiece holding frame 113 as shown in FIG. The eyepiece holding frame 113 holds a monitor 111 that is an LCD for displaying a captured image and a backlight unit 112 of the monitor 111. An eyepiece outer cylinder 118 is slidably incorporated in the eyepiece holding frame 113. An eyepiece inner cylinder 117 is held in the eyepiece outer cylinder 118, and eyepiece lenses 114 and 115 are incorporated in the eyepiece half inner cylinder 117. The eyepiece lens 115 is held by the eyepiece inner tube 117 via the lens holder 116. An eyepiece rubber 119 is attached to one end of the eyepiece outer cylinder 118. A microphone 120 is provided in the vicinity of the eyepiece holding frame 113.
[0006]
Here, by sliding the eyepiece outer cylinder 118 with respect to the eyepiece holding frame 113, the eyepiece outer cylinder 118 is pulled out and stored in order to secure an optical distance as shown in FIG. Sometimes, as shown in FIG. 7B, the eyepiece outer cylinder 118 can be pushed into the eyepiece holding frame 113. As a result, the length of the eyepiece outer tube 118 protruding to the outside is shortened, and the entire length of the eyepiece monitor unit 104 is shortened.
[0007]
Next, an outline of the internal configuration of the video camera will be described.
[0008]
As shown in FIG. 8, the video camera includes a lens group 201, an image sensor 202, a camera signal processing unit 203, a monitor 204, a recorder 205, a control microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a control microcomputer) 206, and an operation panel 207.
[0009]
A subject image is formed on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 202 via the lens group 201. The image sensor 202 outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the subject image, and the electrical signal is input to the camera signal processing unit 203. In the camera signal processing unit 203, the electrical signal is converted into a video signal having a predetermined format, and the video signal is input to the recorder 205 and the monitor 204. The recorder 205 records the input video signal on a recording medium such as a magnetic tape or a memory. In addition, the video signal is displayed on the monitor 204 as a visible image.
[0010]
The photographer operates the operation panel 207 while confirming the image to be photographed on the monitor 204. Data indicating the operation content of the operation panel 207 is broken down to a command indicating specific processing content by the control microcomputer 206 and then supplied to each part of the apparatus. The recorder 205 is at least instructed to start and end recording, and in response to this, the recorder 205 records the aforementioned video signal. Note that the recorder 205 and the monitor 204 in FIG. 8 are included in the recorder unit 103 and the eyepiece monitor unit 104 in FIG. 6, respectively.
[0011]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional video camera described above is configured so that the eyepiece outer tube 118 is slidable with respect to the eyepiece holding frame 113 in the eyepiece monitor unit 104 in order to ensure the optical path lengths of the monitor 111 and the eyepiece lens 115. ing. Therefore, the eyepiece monitor unit 104 needs to have a double cylindrical structure of the eyepiece holding frame 113 and the eyepiece outer cylinder 118, and the outer diameter dimension φZ of the eyepiece holding frame 113 shown in FIG. It is difficult to reduce the size of the eyepiece monitor unit 104. As a result, downsizing of the entire video camera is hindered.
[0012]
When the photographer 150 uses the video camera to take a picture, as shown in FIG. 9, the user takes a picture while holding the video camera with one hand and taking a posture of looking into the eyepiece monitor unit 104 with one eye. Do. Here, assuming that the angle formed by the elbow joint of the photographer is θ1, and the angle formed by the torso and the upper arm is θ2, if these angles are appropriate, the arm is less likely to get tired even during long-time shooting. However, in the conventional video camera, since the video camera needs to be lifted to a high position as shown in FIG. 9, the angle θ1 is very small and the posture becomes cramped. As a result, it is easy to get tired. Further, since the angle θ2 is increased, the sides are widened and camera shake is likely to occur. Furthermore, the posture in which the hand is raised to a high position has a high degree of fatigue.
[0013]
An object of the present invention is to provide a video camera that can reduce the size of the video camera and can perform shooting in a shooting posture in which it is difficult to get tired.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention relates to a video camera including an imaging unit , an eyepiece monitoring unit , and a microphone , wherein the eyepiece monitoring unit includes a display unit for displaying an image captured by the imaging unit, and an optical axis is light of the imaging unit. An eyepiece optical system including an eyepiece lens unit arranged to form a predetermined angle with respect to an axis, and forming an optical path for guiding an image displayed on the display unit to the eyepiece lens unit, the mirror is disposed in the middle of the optical path of the eyepiece optical system, by the mirror, the optical path along the way right angle bend, the ocular monitoring the microphone in the space arising at the top between said display means and said ocular Provided is a video camera characterized in that it is arranged integrally with the means.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0018]
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of an eyepiece monitor unit of a video camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0019]
As shown in FIG. 1, the video camera A includes a photographing lens 1, an image pickup device 2 that converts an optical image formed by the photographing lens 1 into a video signal, and a recorder unit 3 that records and reproduces the video signal on a recording medium. The eyepiece monitor unit 4 and the speaker 5 are provided.
[0020]
The photographing lens 1, the eyepiece monitor unit 4, and the speaker unit 5 are arranged above the recorder unit 3, and the eyepiece monitor unit 4 has an optical axis inclined by an angle X with respect to the optical axis of the photographing lens 1. Has been placed.
[0021]
The eyepiece monitor unit 4 has a holding frame 48. The holding frame 48 incorporates a monitor 41 composed of an LCD for displaying a captured image, a backlight 42 of the monitor 41, a mirror 43, and eyepiece lenses 44 and 45. . The eyepiece 45 is incorporated in the holding frame 48 while being held by the lens holder 46. An eyepiece rubber 47 is attached to the outer end of the holding frame 48. A microphone 49 is provided in the vicinity of the holding frame 48.
[0022]
The monitor 41 is disposed at an upper portion on a plane perpendicular to the eyepiece direction of the lens holder 46, and the eyepiece lenses 44 and 45 are disposed such that the optical axis thereof forms an angle X with respect to the optical axis of the photographing lens 1. . The angle X is determined from the positional relationship between the holding unit of the video camera A and the eyepiece monitor unit 4, and in this embodiment, the angle X is set to about π / 9 rad. It is not limited to this. For example, as described later, when the value of the angle X decreases, the height of the hand increases, and when the value of the angle X increases, the forward tilt of the head increases, and in either case, the posture tends to be fatigued. The value of the angle X is preferably in the range of π / 18 rad to π / 3 rad.
[0023]
Here, the optical path for guiding the captured image displayed on the monitor 41 to the eyepieces 44 and 45 is bent at a right angle by the mirror 43 disposed in the middle thereof, and the captured image on the monitor 41 is guided to the eyepieces 44 and 45. It is burned. The images guided to the eyepieces 44 and 45 are enlarged, and the photographer can view the enlarged images by looking into the eyepiece monitor unit 4. Thereby, the eyepiece monitor unit 4 can secure an optical distance and can be downsized without taking a double cylindrical configuration as in the conventional eyepiece monitor unit. Further, by arranging the microphone 49 integrally in the space generated between the monitor 41 and the eyepiece rubber 47, efficient arrangement is possible. Therefore, the outer diameter φY of the holding frame 48 can be reduced, and the speaker 5 can be arranged in the space where the microphone is arranged in the conventional video camera, thereby reducing the size of the entire camera. Can do.
[0024]
Next, a shooting posture when a photographer takes a picture using the video camera A will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a view showing a shooting posture when a photographer takes a picture using the video camera A of FIG.
[0025]
When the photographer 150 uses the video camera A to shoot, as shown in FIG. 2, the photographer 150 holds the video camera A with one hand and takes a posture of looking into the eyepiece monitor unit 4 with one eye. Take a picture while taking it. Here, if the angle formed by the elbow joint of the photographer 150 is θ1, and the angle formed by the torso and the upper arm is θ2, the angle X of the eyepiece monitor unit 4 is set to about π / 9 rad as described above. Compared with a conventional video camera, the angle θ1 formed by the arm and the upper arm is widened to an appropriate angle, and fatigue is less likely to occur. In addition, the angle θ2 formed by the torso and the upper arm is reduced, so that a stable holding posture can be obtained without camera shake. In addition, since the height of the hand is lowered, the arm is less likely to get tired even when shooting for a long time. Further, if the value of the angle X is in the range of π / 18 rad or more and π / 3 rad or less, the same effect can be obtained.
[0026]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the video camera A can be reduced in size, and shooting can be performed with a shooting posture in which fatigue is difficult.
[0027]
(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view showing the periphery of the eyepiece monitor unit of the video camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0028]
As shown in FIG. 3, the present embodiment differs from the first embodiment described above in that a connection terminal 50 is arranged in the arrangement space of the microphone 49 instead of the microphone 49. Here, as the connection terminal 50, various terminals such as a video signal input / output terminal, an audio signal input / output terminal, a communication terminal for a computer, a printer, etc., a connection terminal for a video light or strobe light emitting unit, a power supply terminal, etc. There is.
[0029]
Note that the connection terminal 50 and the microphone 49 may be integrally disposed.
[0030]
(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view showing the periphery of an eyepiece monitor unit of a video camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
[0031]
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a switch board 51 and an operation knob 52 are integrally arranged in the arrangement space of the microphone 49 in place of the microphone 49 as compared with the first embodiment described above. Is different. Here, the operation knob 52 includes all operation switches including a power switch and a start / stop switch.
[0032]
(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view showing the periphery of an eyepiece monitor unit of a video camera according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
[0033]
As shown in FIG. 5, the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment described above in that a circuit element 53 is integrally arranged in the arrangement space of the microphone 49 in place of the microphone 49. . Here, the circuit element 53 is a vibration sensor necessary for camera shake correction of the video camera, but other circuit elements may be arranged.
[0034]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the contact ocular optical system, it is possible to reduce the overall size of the device. In addition, the angle formed by the photographer's arm and upper arm when carrying out the shooting, the angle formed by the cylinder and the upper arm is made to the appropriate angle, respectively, it is possible to carry out the shooting tired difficult shooting attitude.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of an eyepiece monitor unit of a video camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a shooting posture when a photographer performs shooting using the video camera A of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view showing the periphery of an eyepiece monitor unit of a video camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view showing the periphery of an eyepiece monitor unit of a video camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view showing the periphery of an eyepiece monitor unit of a video camera according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part configuration of a conventional video camera.
7 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of an eyepiece monitor unit 104 in the video camera of FIG. 6. FIG.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a video camera.
9 is a diagram schematically showing a posture state of a user holding the bio camera of FIG. 6. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Shooting lens 2 Image pick-up element 3 Recorder part 4 Eyepiece monitor part 41 Monitor 42 Backlight 43 Mirror 44, 45 Eyepiece lens 46 Lens holder 47 Eyepiece rubber 48 Holding frame 49 Microphone 50 Connection terminal 51 Switch board 52 Operation knob 53 Circuit element

Claims (1)

Imaging means, an eyepiece monitor means, and a video camera with a microphone,
The eyepiece monitor means includes a display means for displaying an image picked up by the image pickup means, and an eyepiece lens portion arranged so that an optical axis forms a predetermined angle with respect to the optical axis of the image pickup means. An eyepiece optical system that forms an optical path for guiding the image displayed on the display means to the eyepiece lens unit,
A mirror is arranged in the middle of the optical path of the eyepiece optical system, and the optical path is bent at a right angle in the middle by the mirror,
A video camera characterized in that the microphone is disposed integrally with the eyepiece monitor means in a space formed between the display means and the eyepiece lens portion.

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