JPH0138575Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a video camera having a simple configuration, particularly to a video camera equipped with a single-lens reflex optical viewfinder to which an electronic viewfinder can be attached if necessary.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, some small video cameras used in home video systems incorporate an optical viewfinder device in order to reduce the size and cost of the camera. This optical viewfinder is a single-lens reflex type often used in 8mm cine cameras, and is suitable for use with zoom lenses, so it is often used. Even with such a simple video camera, an electronic viewfinder device is provided as an accessory so that the captured screen can be viewed on a small CRT.

In a video camera equipped with a single-lens reflex optical viewfinder as described above, the viewfinder image is monitored by pressing the eye against the viewfinder eyepiece during shooting, but an electronic viewfinder is attached to the camera to monitor the captured image. In this case, reverse light enters the optical path from the eyepiece of the optical viewfinder, which has a negative effect on the captured image. To prevent this, it is necessary to shield the eyepiece of the optical viewfinder. For example, there is a method of using an eyepiece cap, but this method may cause the cap to be damaged or
This was an inconvenience as I often forgot to call it.

The present invention was developed in view of the above points, and by attaching an electronic viewfinder device to the camera, the eyepiece section of the optical viewfinder that is no longer used is automatically blocked and its optical path is automatically interrupted. When using the viewfinder, the optical viewfinder completely blocks the incoming light from the eyepiece and protects the eyepiece without having to perform any operations when attaching the cap to the eyepiece. This allows monitoring using a finder. Further, in a video camera in which a plurality of finder devices can be selectively used, the user can clearly recognize which finders are always used and which finders are not used.

The present invention will be explained in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a video camera and electronic view finder device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing an example of the main components inside the camera and electronic view finder. In the figure,
1 is a photographic lens, 2 is a camera body, 3 is a spectroscopic prism including a half mirror that splits light into an optical finder optical path, 4 is a finder optical system consisting of a mirror and a lens, and 5 is an optical finder eyepiece. 6 is an electronic viewfinder device, 6a
The eyepiece section 5 of the optical viewfinder is shielded by the section. Reference numeral 7 denotes a guide hole provided on the camera side, into which a guide dowel 7b provided on the electronic viewfinder device side is fitted. Numeral 8 is a screw for attaching the electronic viewfinder to the camera, and a corresponding screw hole 9 is provided on the camera side.

FIG. 1 shows a state in which the electronic viewfinder device 6 is separated from the camera body 2. From this state, the electronic viewfinder device 6 is connected to the camera body 2 through the guide hole 7a and the dowel 7b, and the mounting screw 8
to fix it in the state shown in Figure 2. Although not shown in the figure, the electronic finder device and the camera body are electrically connected by a suitable connecting member. 2 When the electronic finder device 6 is attached to the camera body as shown in FIG. 2, the optical viewfinder eyepiece 5 of the camera is shielded from external light by the shielding portion 6a of the electronic finder device 6. In this state, the camera's shooting screen can be monitored through the eyepiece of the electronic viewfinder 6. In this case, no external light enters the optical path of the optical viewfinder, and reverse light from the eyepiece is completely blocked. .

As described above, the present invention is a video camera that can selectively use an optical viewfinder and an electronic viewfinder, and when the electronic viewfinder is used, the electronic viewfinder device makes unnecessary connections to the optical viewfinder. The eye can be shielded without using a cap or the like, and it is possible to prevent the ill effects of incident light from the eyepiece on the photographed image. Since the eyepiece of the optical finder is shielded when the viewfinder device is attached, it is possible not only to simply block the optical path of the optical finder, but also to protect the eyepiece at the same time.

In addition, the eyepiece of the optical viewfinder that is not in use is shielded, the optimal conditions are set for the viewfinder in use and the viewfinder that is not in use, and the eyepiece of the viewfinder in use is clearly displayed. Since the user is made to recognize the information accurately, it also has the effect of preventing accidents such as incorrect operation or damage to the viewfinder when not in use.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a video camera and an electronic viewfinder device according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the main parts of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1... Shooting lens, 2... Video camera body,
3... Half mirror for spectroscopy, 4... Optical finder optical system, 5... Optical finder eyepiece, 6
...Electronic viewfinder device, 6a...Shielding part, 7a...Guide hole, 7b...Guide dowel, 8
...Mounting screw, 9...Mounting screw hole.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] The camera body has a built-in single-lens reflex optical finder, and an electronic view finder device that is detachably attached to the camera body. A video camera characterized in that the optical view finder and the electronic view finder can be selectively used by providing an optical path blocking member that shields the eyepiece part of the optical view finder and blocks its optical path.