JPH02166431A - Camera equipped with zoom stroboscopic unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To increase the size of a stroboscopic unit and the quantity of light emission by putting the pivots of a light receiving member and a light converging member close to each other when a lens barrel is stored in a camera main body, and rotating and storing a light emitting element and the light converging member in front of the lens barrel or at proper positions on the camera main body side. CONSTITUTION:The light emitting member 3 is supported rotatably on the pivot almost at the front end part of the camera main body 1 and the light converging member 11 is on the pivot almost at the front end part of the lens barrel 8; when the lens barrel 8 is stored in the camera main body 1, both the pivots of the light emitting member 3 and light converging member 11 are put close to each other. When the stroboscopic unit is not used, the strobo scopic unit can be stored in the relatively large dead space of the camera in front of a photographic lens 9 or on the flank side of the camera. Consequently, the stroboscopic unit need not be formed forcedly in a compact box shape, a light emitting tube and a reflecting umbrella are both increased in size, and the sufficient quantity of light emission corresponding to long focal length is obtained.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a camera equipped with a zoom strobe, and more particularly, to a camera equipped with a zoom strobe that changes light distribution characteristics in accordance with changes in the focal length of a photographic lens. .

[Prior art] Many proposals have been made for this type of camera6.
For example, a camera equipped with a zoom strobe whose light distribution characteristics change as a zoomable photographing lens moves is known from Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 54-50324. Furthermore, a bifocal camera that changes the distance between the light emitting part of the strobe and the 7-lens lens in synchronization with the switching of the focal length to change the irradiation angle of the strobe is also known, such as No. 59-64820.

[Problem M to be solved by the invention] However, in the above conventional example, the light emitting part of the strobe is set to be one box-shaped unit, and the strobe arrangement is changed in conjunction with zooming or focal length switching of the photographic lens. If the optical characteristics are changed, the following drawbacks will arise.

(1) In order to be built into a compact camera, the strobe, which is a box-shaped unit, needs to be made smaller with its light emitting tube and reflector.If the focal length is increased like in recent zoom cameras, the FNo will decrease, so the flash will need to be emitted. The quantity seemed to be insufficient.

(2) Similarly, since the Fresnel lens on the front surface of the strobe unit cannot be set large, it is not possible to sufficiently condense strobe light compared to external strobes used in -eye reflex cameras.

(3) As mentioned above, even in the type of strobe that changes the distance between the light emitting part and the Fresnel lens, it is difficult to set a sufficient movement stroke because the space is limited.

(4) Moving the light emitting part or the reflector will complicate the mechanism for moving it, and if you try to incorporate the strobe unit into the camera, you will need light shielding, which will take up even more space. It becomes mandatory.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention solves the drawbacks of the above-mentioned prior art. a lens barrel that holds at least one lens that moves with the camera body; a light emitting member rotatably mounted on a pivot at a substantially front end of the camera body; and a light collecting member which is movably pivoted and moves along the optical axis together with the lens barrel as the focal length changes, changing the light distribution characteristics of the light emitting member, and when the lens barrel is retracted into the camera body. the axes of the light emitting member and the light condensing member are close to each other, and the light emitting member and the light condensing member are rotated integrally when the strobe is not in use;
It is characterized by being configured so that it can be stored either in the front of the lens barrel or in an appropriate location on the side of the camera body.

[Examples] Examples of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 5 show a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of the camera shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 2 is a 41! 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the camera shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the camera during wide shooting, and FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the camera during telephoto shooting. In these figures, l is a camera body whose front surface is approximately circular and has a substantially columnar shape that is long in the optical axis direction; 2 is a pivot disposed approximately at the top of the front end of the camera body l; This is a strobe light emitting unit rotatably attached to the camera body l. Furthermore, 4 is a luminous tube, 5 is a reflective shade,
Reference numeral 6 denotes a light-transmitting protection plate disposed on the front surface of the reflective shade, and these members constitute a strobe light emitting unit. A friction member such as a wave washer (not shown) is interposed between the pivot shaft 2 and the shaft hole of the strobe light emitting section 3 to maintain a desired rotational position of the strobe light emitting section 3 with respect to the camera body 1. is configured to do so. Reference numeral 7 denotes a main switch disposed near the pivot shaft 2, and in the normal state (strobe storage state ti) shown in FIG. There is.

Reference numeral 3a denotes an operating part protruding from the vicinity of the shaft hole of the strobe light emitting part 3. When the strobe light emitting part 3 is rotated approximately 180'' upward as shown in FIG. The main switch 7 is turned on by pressing the contact piece 7.The 1st group block 8 is a lens barrel, and the 1st group block 8 holds the 1st group lens 9 and has a main switch 7 approximately at the upper front end thereof. A pivot shaft 10 is provided. Reference numeral 11 designates a Fresnel lens, which is a condensing member, rotatably attached to the first group block 8 by the pivot shaft 10, and lla represents a convex arc-shaped outer surface.

flb is an inner surface on which a Fresnel pattern is formed on the reflective side of the outer surface 11a, and llc is a recess in which a protruding portion of the strobe light emitting section 3 (on the protection plate 6 side) is accommodated when the strobe is housed, as will be described later.

Reference numeral 12 biases the Fresnel lens 11 to rotate clockwise, and the biasing force of the Fresnel lens 12 is set to be smaller than the frictional force of the strobe light emitting unit 3 against the pivot shaft 2. Therefore, when the strobe light emitting unit 3 is manually rotated clockwise from the state shown in FIG.
A stopper lld provided near the rotation center of the first group block 8 stops the rotation by coming into contact with a corner 8a provided above the first group block 8 (Fig. 3). 2 group block holding the lens 14;
This is a differential cam that is integrally arranged in the group block 13.

1B is a third group block that holds the third group lens 17;
The group block 16 is provided with a third group bar 18, and a follower 19 that moves integrally with the third group bar 18 is provided near the left end of the third group bar 18 (FIG. 1). Reference numeral 20 denotes a known film cartridge, and the film pulled out from the film cartridge 20 is wound around a spool 22 disposed in a spool chamber 21, and can be exposed through an aperture 23 midway. In addition, 24 is the film spool 22
This is a roller for pressing the

Next, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention having the above configuration will be explained. First, the storage state of the strobe will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

In this state, the Fresnel lens 11 is folded and housed in the recess on the front surface of the camera body l. At this time, since the front surface of the first group lens 9 is concave, it is possible to prevent the outer surface 11a of the Fresnel lens 11 from coming into contact with the first group lens 9. On the other hand, the strobe light emitting section 3 is similarly folded into the front surface of the camera body l, but at this time, the protective plate 6 side of the strobe light emitting section 3 faces the inner surface 11b of the Fresnel lens 11, and the strobe light emitting section 3 is placed in the recessed part 11c. It is configured to be stored.

The shape of the Fresnel lens 11 is a meniscus lens with a medium convex shape, so that sufficient strength for practical use can be obtained, and at the same time, a storage space for the strobe light emitting section 3 can be secured.

Next, the use of the strobe in the wide-angle state will be explained with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. To shift to this state, put your finger on the lower end of the strobe light emitting section 3 in the state shown in FIG. 1 and move it clockwise around the pivot 2! 1180°
As mentioned above, following the movement of the strobe light emitting unit 3, the Fresnel lens 11 also rotates along the axis 10.
Rotate approximately 180° clockwise around . In this way, the Fresnel lens 11 and the strobe light emitting section 3 are maintained in the state shown in FIG. 3 while maintaining a predetermined distance, but as shown in FIG. Since the IO is laid out in the front of the camera body 1 (on the left side in Figure 3), when using the strobe shown in Figure 3, the strobe light emitting unit 3 and Fresnel lens are smaller than when the strobe is stored as shown in Figure 1. The space between the Fresnel lens 11 and the Fresnel lens 11 is widened, making it easier to obtain the light condensing effect of the Fresnel lens 11. Note that when using the strobe shown in Fig. 3, the optical axes of the strobe light emitting unit 3 and Fresnel lens 11 are aligned, and the light distribution characteristics of the strobe applied to wide-angle photography correspond to the position of the photographic optical system. is now available. Further, as described above, when the strobe light emitting section 3 rotates upward and enters the strobe use state, the operating section 3a of the strobe light emitting section 3 turns on the main switch 7, which causes the shutter release button (not shown), etc. operation becomes possible, and the camera enters a so-called shooting preparation state.

Next, the use of the strobe in the telephoto state will be explained with reference to FIG. First, from the state shown in FIG. 3 described above, a lens drive mechanism (not shown) is used.

The first group block 8 is moved forward of the camera (to the left in FIG. 3) along the optical axis by motor drive or manually.

As the first group block 8 moves, the Fresnel lens 11 integrally attached to the first group block 8 also moves in the same direction, and the distance between the Fresnel lens 11 and the strobe light emitting section 3 increases. The strobe light from the strobe light emitting unit 3 is efficiently focused in conjunction with the zooming of the photographing optical system.

In addition, in the state shown in Fig. 5, compared to the state shown in Fig. 3,
It goes without saying that the air distance between the first group lens 9 and the second group lens 14 and the second group lens 14 and the third group lens 17 changes, and the photographing optical system is switched to the telephoto side. In such a telephoto state, for example, the strobe light emitting unit 3
Assume that you try to turn the wheel counterclockwise. As the strobe light emitting section 3 rotates, the action section 3a separates from the contact piece of the main switch 7, turning off the main switch 7. When the off state of the main switch 7 is detected in this way, for example, a lens barrel drive motor (not shown) is activated to move the first group block 8 to the right until it reaches the state shown in FIG. There is. As a result, the strobe light emitting section 3
Since both the pivot shafts 2 and 10 of the Fresnel lens 11 are brought close to each other again, they can be housed integrally in the front surface of the first lens group 9.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the present invention, in which the same components as in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and their explanation will be omitted. This figure shows the strobe storage state, and the strobe light emitting section 103 is rotatably attached to the camera body 101 by a pivot shaft 2 disposed substantially at the upper front end of the camera body 101. Further, a Fresnel lens 111 is rotatably attached to the first group block 10B by a pivot shaft 110 disposed substantially at the upper front end of the first group block 10B. In this way, when the strobe is not in use, the strobe light emitting section 103 and Fresnel lens 111 are folded and stored in the storage space on the top surface of the camera body 101. When using a strobe, rotate the strobe light emitting unit 103 and Fresnel lens 111 counterclockwise as a unit.
``All you have to do is rotate it. Then, as in the case of FIG. The transition from the wide-angle state to the telephoto state is the same as that in the first embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted.

According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. In the relatively wide dead space on the top of the camera, it is possible to fold and store the strobe light emitting unit and Fresnel lens closer to each other than in the first embodiment, where they are stored in front of the first lens group. . Furthermore, when using a strobe, the range in which the strobe light emitting unit and Fresnel lens are rotated is about half that of the first embodiment, which provides better operability and is more practical. Furthermore, unlike the first embodiment, the strobe unit is not configured to be housed in front of the photographic optical system of the camera, so when taking pictures that do not require strobe light, the strobe unit can be placed on the top surface of the camera body. It is also possible to leave it stored.

In the above explanation, the present invention was applied to a so-called zoom camera in which the focal length of the photographic optical system changes continuously. It is also applicable to cameras.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, the light emitting member is rotatably pivoted to the pivot at the substantially front end of the camera body, and the light condensing member is rotatably pivoted to the pivot at the substantially front end of the lens barrel. However, since the lens barrel is constructed so that both the pivot axes of the light emitting member and the light condensing member are brought close to each other when the lens barrel is retracted into the camera body, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) When the strobe is not in use, the strobe can be stored in the front of the camera lens or on the side of the camera, which is a relatively large dead space in the camera, so there is no need to make the strobe unit into a compact box-like shape, and it can emit light. Both the tube and the reflector can be made larger, and a sufficient amount of light can be obtained for a long focal length.

(2) Similarly, it is possible to set the Fresnel lens in front of the strobe light emitting unit to a large size, and - an external reflex camera can sufficiently collect strobe light like a strobe.

(3) The strobe light emitting unit and 7-Resnel lens can be pulled out from the storage position on the camera side, and can be moved along the optical axis as the Fresnel lens barrel moves, so the strobe can be used in telephoto shooting mode. It is possible to set a sufficient stroke of the Fresnel lens to efficiently collect light.

(4) Similarly, since the Fresnel lens is configured to change the light distribution characteristics of the strobe light by moving along the optical axis as the lens barrel moves, it is possible to move the light emitting part or the reflector as usual. The structure is simpler and the cost is lower than that of a camera with a built-in strobe unit, and since no strobe unit is built into the camera, there is no need for light shielding, and unnecessary space for light shielding can be eliminated.

(5) Since the Fresnel lens is a meniscus lens with a convex outer side (the side opposite to the light emitting part), it is possible to set the inner Fresnel increments roughly, which reduces the loss of strobe light caused by the Fresnel lens. Light can be focused efficiently.

(6) Although the strobe light emitting part and Fresnel lens are separate parts, they can be folded into one when stored.
It is extremely easy to store and highly practical.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 5 show a first embodiment of the present invention,
Fig. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the camera shown in Fig. 2, and Fig. 2 shows the camera in the strobe storage state! 3 is a vertical sectional view of the camera shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the camera during wide shooting, FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the camera during tele shooting, and FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of the camera shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a camera showing a strobe storage state according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 1.101--Camera body 2.10, 110--Pivot 3.103--Light emitting member 8.1 (Hl... Lens barrel (1st group block) 9-1st group lens 11.111--・Light condensing member (Fresnel lens) 14-
2nd group lens 17...3rd group lens

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A camera body, a photographic optical system consisting of a combination of a plurality of lenses, and a lens barrel that holds at least one lens that moves as the focal length changes within the photographic optical system. A light emitting member is rotatably mounted on a pivot at the front end of the camera body, and a light emitting member is rotatably mounted on a pivot at the front end of the camera body, and the light emitting member is rotatably mounted on a pivot at the front end of the camera body and emits light along with the lens barrel as the focal length changes. a light condensing member that moves along an axis to change the light distribution characteristics of the light emitting member, and when the lens barrel is retracted into the camera body, the axes of the light emitting member and the light condensing member come close to each other; The zoom strobe is characterized in that when the strobe is not in use, the light emitting member and the condensing member are rotated together and can be stored either in the front of the lens barrel or at an appropriate location on the side of the camera body. camera.