JPH03145635A - Camera suitable for panoramic photographing - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To take a natural panoramic photograph by controlling exposure based on the same exposure value till panoramic photographing is finished when an exposure control means is set in a panoramic mode. CONSTITUTION:Brightness is measured at each corner photographing point to obtain the exposure value, and the exposure value of a whole area (all around) is determined based on each exposure value and is obtained by a weighted average (a center-concentrated, average photometry) that the weight of the exposure value in the area where a main object exists is higher. Then, photographing is carried out six times as a camera is turned by 60 deg.. If the main object is photographed third to position the main object in the center of a panoramic photograph, the weight of the exposure value in a range where the main object exists is 15; that of the exposure value in the area of both sides of it, is 6; and that of the exposure value in other area, is 1. Then the weighted average is obtained by using these weights and used for the exposure value for a whole area. Thus, the main object is positioned as appropriately ad possible and a proper exposure for a panoramic photograph is obtained.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] Production 1D Abon 1- The present invention relates to a camera suitable for panoramic photography.

Lost! 14 Traditionally, it has been common practice to connect multiple photos together to view a panoramic photo (panoramic photo set). In this way, panoramic photos can be easily viewed without using an expensive panoramic camera.

The lesson that Akira is trying to accomplish is that panoramic photos involve connecting multiple photos, so if photos with different exposure values are mixed together, the resulting panoramic photo will look unnatural.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a camera that can take panoramic photographs that do not look unnatural.

Means for solving the problem In order to achieve this object, the camera of the present invention includes a photometric means for measuring the brightness of a subject, and an exposure value calculating means for calculating an exposure value based on the output of the photometric means. , an exposure control means for controlling exposure based on the exposure value, and a mode selection means for selecting a panoramic mode for performing panoramic photography, and when in the panoramic mode, the exposure control means is configured to: It is characterized by controlling exposure based on the same exposure value.

4 In the camera of the present invention having the above-mentioned configuration, when in the 7-rama mode, photography is performed based on the same exposure value until the 7-rama i shadow ends.

4 Therefore, the exposure value of all the photos making up the panoramic photo will be the same, and the panoramic photo will not look unnatural.

Next, a specific example of a camera embodying the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Mechanical configuration]

FIGS. 1 to 3 are views showing the appearance of a camera embodying the present invention. FIG. 1 is from the front, FIG. 2 is from the back,
FIG. 3 is a perspective view seen from the bottom.

In the figure, 1 is a camera body, and 2 is a photographic lens. A focusing lens is provided at the upper center of the camera body 1, and 3a is an objective lens of the focusing lens;
b shows a fine eyepiece. A light projecting window 4a and a light receiving window 4b for AE are provided on both sides of the facing objective lens 3a, respectively. In FIG. 1, a flash light emitting unit 6 is provided on the upper right side of the camera body 1 (1), and a photometry window for AE is provided below it. The top surface of the camera body 1 is provided with an LCD 7 for displaying various information, a release button 8 for starting a photographing operation, and a mode button 9 for changing the photographing mode. In FIG. 2, 11 is a back cover, and 10 is an opening/closing lever for the back cover 11. As shown in FIG. 3, this camera 1 is provided with a rotating pedestal 12, and when the rotating pedestal 12 rotates, the camera 1
is set to rotate.

Here, while referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the rotary pedestal 12
The configuration of is explained.

The rotary pedestal 12 has a protrusion 121 formed approximately in the center thereof, and a ridge formed in the peripheral portion 123.

The protrusion 121 is fitted into the four parts 13a of the holding member 13, and the collar 123 is connected to the holding plate 14 and the holding member 1.
It is sandwiched between 3 and 3. As a result, the rotating pedestal 12
In Fig. 5, it is designed to prevent it from falling out downward. Note that the holding member 13 and the presser plate 14 are fixed to the body 1a with screws 15. Moreover, the holding member 13 and the presser plate 14 are
It is covered by a bottom upper cover 1b and is not visible from the outside. And, as shown in Figure 5,
An opening is formed in the upper cover 1b, and the rotating pedestal 12 protrudes from the opening. Note that the protrusion 121
In order to reduce rotational friction between the protrusion 121 and the recess 13a,
A ball 16 is inserted between the recess 13a and the recess 13a.

There is a tripod screw (female screw) inside the protrusion 121 of the rotating base.
is formed. Furthermore, a small hole 125 is formed in the center of the bottom portion 124 of the protruding portion 121;
5, a tripod detection bin 17 is commonly used. Bin 17 is
The spring 18 urges the protrusion 121 to protrude into the interior thereof.

When the tripod is completely attached, the pin 17 retreats from inside the protrusion 121 against the biasing force of the spring 18 and comes into contact with one of the plywood boards. At this point, the tripod detection switch (not shown) is turned on.
becomes.

The gears in 1.23 are of the shape e, and the gear train is 20.
It meshes with the gear 20a at the rearmost part of. By the way, when the camera 1 is fixed to a tripod, the rotating pedestal 12 cannot rotate with respect to the tripod, so the gear 20a is attached to the rotating pedestal 1.
It will revolve around 2. On the other hand, the gear 20a is rotatably mounted on the holding member 13. Therefore, when the camera 1 is fixed on a tripod, the gear 20a
The rotation of causes the camera to rotate relative to the tripod.

The frontmost portion 20b of the gear train 20 meshes with a differential gear 22, and the differential gear 22 is connected to a film feeding motor 24. The differential gear 22 is for transmitting the rotation of the motor 24 to the gear train 20 or a known film feeding mechanism, and the transmission direction of the rotation is switched by a pawl 23. As shown in FIG. 4, the rotation of the morph 24 is normally transmitted to the film feeding mechanism, and the rotation of the motor 24 is transmitted to the gear train 2 only when the camera is rotated.
0 can be communicated. Note that the claw 23 is a plant claw (not shown).
driven by.

The film feeding mechanism includes a winding spool 25, a rewinding spool 26, and a clutch (not shown), and the rotation of the motor 24 is transmitted to the winding spool 25 or the rewinding fork 26 by the clutch. Further, the motor 24 is
As shown in FIG. 4, it is provided within the winding spool 25.

A small hole is formed in the frontmost gear 20b of the gear train 20, and a photocoupler 21 is provided to sandwich the hole. With this 7 Oto coupler 21, the rotating pedestal 1
A rotation amount of 2 is detected.

Note that the gear provided with the 7-oto coupler 21 may be any gear in the gear train 20, but in order to increase the detection accuracy of the amount of rotation of the rotary pedestal 12, it is necessary to select a gear that has a large amount of open rotation for one rotation of the rotary pedestal 12. It is desirable to provide 7 external couplers.

Alternatively, a conductive pattern may be formed on the gear in the gear train 20, and the amount of rotation of the rotating base 12 may be detected using the conductive pattern and the conductive brush, without using the 7-auto coupler.

In this example, the rotary base 12 is rotated by the film feeding motor 24, but a motor exclusively for the rotary base 12 may be used.

[Circuit configuration]

Next, the circuit configuration of this camera will be explained with reference to FIG.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the electrical circuit of this camera. In the figure, μC is a microcomputer (hereinafter abbreviated as microcomputer) that controls the entire camera.

SL is a shooting preparation switch, and S2 is a release switch, which corresponds to the first stroke and second stroke of the release button 8, respectively.
Turns on by pressing down on the stroke. Therefore, if switch S2 is ON, switch S1 is also ON. SM
is a mode changeover switch, which is turned on when the mode button 9 is pressed down. Each time this switch SM is turned on, the camera's photographing mode is switched in a predetermined order. Note that the i-shadow mode includes a normal mode and a panoramic mode. ST is a tripod detection switch, and as mentioned earlier, it is turned ON when the tripod is completely attached to the rotating base 12.
become.

21 is the aforementioned 7-oto coupler, which outputs a pulse to the microcomputer μC every time it detects the hole formed in the gear 20I). LM and DM are known photometry means and distance measurement means, respectively, and output photometry data and distance measurement data to the microcomputer μC. EC and FC are known exposure control means and 7 focusing means, respectively, and perform exposure control (including flash control) and 7 based on data from the microcomputer μC.
Perform orcasing control. MDC is a known motor control means, and controls the drive of the film feeding motor 24 based on data from the microcomputer μC.

PL is a plunger, which controls the claw 23 based on data from the microcomputer μC. The DSP is a known display control means, and displays various information on the LCD 7 based on data sent from the microcomputer μC. LCD
The data displayed in 7 includes the shooting mode, number of shots (
or remaining amount of film), pantry check results, etc.

MEM is a memory (E2FROM) provided in the film cartridge, and stores various information sent from the microcomputer μC. Memo 1) The information stored in MEM includes information indicating that the camera is in panorama mode, trimming information, frame number of the panoramic photo, exposure compensation value, etc. This information will be described later. Note that an IC card may be used as the memory MEM, and instead of storing information in the memory MEM1, various information may be coded and imprinted on the film (preferably outside the screen). A specific example of information transmission between the microcomputer μC and the memory MEM is shown in, for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 1-53389.

1- [Camera Operation] Next, the operation of this camera will be explained with reference to FIGS. 7 to 11.

When the main switch (not shown) is turned on, the microcontroller μC
After performing an initial reset, it enters a halt state and waits for an interrupt to be issued.

In the halt state 1, when the switch S1 turns ON, an interrupt is applied to the microcomputer μC, and the microcomputer μC controls the camera according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, in step #5, subsequent interrupts are prohibited.

Next, operate the photometers 1M and LM, input the photometry data to obtain the exposure control value, and set the exposure value Renostar EVR.
The exposure control value is stored in (#lO). Next, operate the distance measuring means DM and input the distance measurement data (#1.5)
. Then, it is determined whether switch S2 is ON or not #2
0), if it is not ON, it is determined in step #25 whether the switch S1 is ON.

If switch S1 remains ON, the process returns to step #20, but if switch S1 is OFF, interrupt 2- is permitted (#26), and then the voltage state is entered. In this way, in this camera, by keeping the release button 8 pressed down to the first stroke, the AE opening and closing and the 7-orbit stroke are performed.

When switch S2 is turned on, steps #20 to #3
Go to 0 and perform 7 orcasing. Next, in step #35, it is determined whether the mode is panoramic mode,
In panorama mode, “Panorama Routine” (8th
Proceed to Figure). Step #50 if not in panorama mode
The process proceeds to step #10, and exposure control is performed based on the exposure value determined in step #10 (value stored in the Renostar EVR). and,
Store information in the memory MEM (#55) and control the motor 24 to wind the film for one frame (#60);
The data is displayed on the LCD 7 (I 65).

After that, wait for switch S1 to turn OFF (#
70), allows interrupts (75), and enters the halt state. The above is the operation of this camera in normal mode.

(Panorama mode) Next, the operation of this camera in panorama mode will be explained. With this camera, when in panorama mode, rotating pedestal 1
Rotate camera body 1 by rotating 2,
Obtain brightness information for the entire shooting range. Then, an exposure control value is calculated based on the brightness information (#200). Next, while rotating the camera body 1, exposure is controlled based on the calculated exposure control value. The memory M stores information for controlling the printing machine so as to remove the peripheral areas where the image is distorted.
Store it in EM ($300).

Prior to a specific explanation of the operation of the camera, the principle of operation of this camera in panoramic mode will be explained with reference to FIGS. 12 to 15.

Distortion Aberration> Taking lens 1 There are six aberrations: chromatic aberration, spherical aberration, coma aberration, astigmatism, curvature of field, and distortion aberration. Among these, distortion is an aberration that distorts the geometric shape of the subject without accurately reproducing it, and as shown in Figure 12,
There are positive distortion (pincushion type) and negative distortion (barrel type).

As shown in the figure, in general, regardless of whether the distortion is positive or negative, the distortion aberration becomes large in the peripheral area. It ends up. For this reason, in a panoramic photo set (a panoramic photo in which multiple photos are arranged side by side), two adjacent photos may not appear consecutively, resulting in an unnatural photo.

Now, the angle of view (diagonal) of the photographic lens is θ. , the diagonal angle of view (critical value) is 01 and the horizontal angle of view is 02 (the first
(See Figure 2). The unit of angle is "degree"
It is J. At this time, if only the inside of the range indicated by the broken line is printed, a photograph with acceptable distortion can be obtained, and even if it is a panoramic set, it will not look unnatural. In order to obtain such a photograph, it is sufficient to take the photograph while rotating the camera by θ2. That is, 360/θ2
Photographing will be performed only the minimum integer number of times above. Note that the angle θ2 where 360/θ2 is an integer (however, θ2≦
5 θ1, preferably the maximum value that satisfies this condition), and the range to be printed may be determined.

Here, an example will be given and explained.

Now, let us consider the case of photographing on a 35+nm film using a photographing lens with a focal length of 24tn+n. At this time, θ. =84°. Incidentally, the horizontal angle of view at this time is 75°. Further, the diagonal angle of view θ1 of the photographing range in which distortion can be tolerated is set to θ1−75°. At this time, the horizontal angle of view θ2 of the allowable i shadow range may be set to θ2=60°. Therefore, by taking pictures six times while rotating the camera through 60 degrees, a panoramic set of photos of the entire circumference can be obtained.

<Exposure> In a panoramic photo set, if the exposure values of adjacent photos are different, the photo will look unnatural. In particular, at the seam, bright and dark parts of the same subject coexist, which is very unnatural. Furthermore, if only the main subject is properly exposed, photos that are far from the correct exposure may be mixed in, and the panoramic photo as a whole may look very unnatural. Therefore, in this camera, the brightness is measured at each angular shooting point to determine the exposure value EV(i), and based on each exposure value EV(i), the entire range (
EV (0) is determined by the exposure value of the entire circumference).

The exposure value EV(0) for the entire range may be determined by a weighted average (center-weighted average metering) in which the exposure values in the range where the main subject is present are weighted, or by a simple average (arithmetic average).

Here, a case will be described in which a photographic lens having a focal length of 24+ om is used. In this case, as mentioned earlier,
Photographing was performed six times while rotating the camera by 60'. Furthermore, in order to position the main subject approximately in the center of the panoramic photograph, it is assumed that the main subject is photographed third.

(i) Weighted average The exposure value of the shooting range of the iith (i”1.2, 3.4.5.6) is set as EV(i).At this time, the exposure value of the range where the main subject exists is EV( The weight of 3) is 15, and the weight of the exposure values EV(2) and EV(4) on both sides thereof is 6.
Other range cnH output values EV (1), EV (5), EV (6
) with a weight of 1 is calculated as the overall exposure value EV (0
). That is, EV(0)IEV(1)+6EV(2)+15EV(3
)+6EV(4) 10EV(5)+EV(6)l/30. This makes it possible to make the main subject as appropriate as possible and to obtain appropriate exposure for panoramic photography.

(ii) jf, operative mean In this case, the overall exposure value EV(0) is EV(0)=(
EV(1)+EV(2)+EV(3)+EV(4)+E
V(5)+EV(6)1/6. This allows the entire panoramic photo to be exposed evenly. This is appropriate when there is no main subject, such as in a landscape photograph, or when the main subject is all around.

<Panorama photographic shadow> Here, a photographing ladder when using a lens having a focal length of 24 mm will be described with reference to FIG. 13 (view from above).

In the panoramic mode, when the release button 8 is pressed and the switch S2 is turned on, the camera first rotates counterclockwise by 120 degrees. As a result, the main subject (in the 0° direction) is captured in the third photo. Next, the camera performs a metering operation while rotating the camera clockwise in 60" increments to determine the exposure value EV(i). After performing metering six times, the camera determines the overall exposure value EV(0). .

Next, the camera performs an exposure operation based on the exposure value EV(0) and rotates counterclockwise by 60 degrees. In other words,
Photographing is performed in order from the sixth range, and trimming information, frame No. 8 of the panoramic photograph, etc. are stored in the memory MEM. When six shots are completed, panoramic shooting ends.

FIG. 14 shows a panoramic set of photographs taken using this camera. Then, from the left, the first, second,
-The sixth photograph is shown, and the angles shown are the same as those shown in FIG. Additionally, the film frame is shown above the panoramic photo set, and the shaded area is the print area.

The range surrounded by a circle indicates the photometry range.

By the way, in this example camera, when shooting, the film is
In FIG. 13, it is sent from right to left. In panoramic mode, the camera rotates counterclockwise while taking pictures. Therefore, even on the film, the shooting ranges of adjacent frames are continuous. In other words, the right edge of each film frame is connected to the left edge of the frame to its right. As a result, even when viewing film images on a television or the like, you can enjoy the panning effect by simply feeding the film. Note that if the camera is such that the film is fed from left to right in FIG. 13 during photographing, the direction of rotation of the camera may be reversed.

Panoramic Print> FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the process of obtaining a panoramic print from photographed film.

Film 30 taken out from camera 1 after shooting
is developed and printed in a laboratory. 40 indicates a developing/printing machine. The development/printing step 8!40 reads information from the memory MEM provided in the film 30, and performs development and printing based on the information.

The developing/printing machine 40 prints the frame number on the back side of the print.

Print. In addition, if it is a panoramic photo, there will be a mark on the back of the print indicating that it is part of a panoramic photo set.
In addition to printing PJ, a frame number 0 indicating the number of the photo set is also printed. This allows the viewer to easily determine whether the photo he or she is viewing is part of a panoramic photo set.

Moreover, since the order of the panoramic photos can be easily recognized, the panoramic photos can be easily reproduced and viewed.

In the above explanation, the viewer arranged a plurality of photos to reproduce a panoramic photo set, but in the printing machine 40,
If the photograph is taken in panoramic mode, one panoramic photograph may be obtained without cutting the photographic paper.

U - <Specific operation> When it is determined that the panorama mode is in step #35 of the 70-chart shown in FIG. 7, the operation after step #100 of the 70-chart shown in FIG. will be carried out.

First, it is determined whether a tripod is attached to the camera 1 (#100). If the tripod is not attached or the tripod is incompletely attached, the tripod detection switch ST is OFF. If this is detected, the process proceeds to step #105, where a warning indicating that panoramic photography is prohibited is issued. Due to this warning, when the photographer releases the release button 8, the warning is canceled (#j10, #115). After that, the microcomputer μ
C enables interrupts (#120) and enters a halt state.

This is because with this camera, if a tripod is not attached, the camera will not rotate even if the rotating base 12 is rotated.

In step #100, when the tripod is firmly attached to the camera 1, the microcomputer μC controls the plunger PL so that the rotation of the motor 24 is transmitted to the rotating base 12 (#150), Rotate the camera to face the initial direction (#155). Then, the microcomputer μC determines the exposure value EV(0) in the panoramic mode (I 200), and performs photographing based on the exposure value EV(0) (I 300). When panoramic shooting is completed,
The microcomputer μC waits until the switch S1 is turned off (#400), enables interrupts ($405), and enters the voltage state.

FIG. 9 is a 70-chart showing the subroutine "exposure value determination".

Proceeding to this flowchart, the microcomputer μC sets the index i to 1 ($205). Then, rotate the motor 24 (#215) and wait for the camera 1 to rotate by a predetermined angle θ2 (60° if the focal length of the lens is 24+n+n) based on the signal from the 7-address camera 21 (I 220). , stops the motor 24 (#225
). Then, the photometric value BV(i) is input from the photometric means LM (#230), and the exposure value EV(i) of the first 3-range is calculated (#235). Then, index I (21) is added (I 240), and index i is compared with the number of shots N (6 when the focal length of the lens is 241) (I 245).As a result, i≦
If N, the process returns to #215, and the same operation is repeated (N-1) more times to obtain the exposure value EV(i) for each photographing range. When the N exposure values EV (i) have been determined, that is, if i>N in step #245, the process proceeds to #250, where the overall exposure value EV(0) is determined as described above. , return.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the subroutine "panoramic photography".

Proceeding to this 70-chart, the microcomputer μC sets the index i to 1 (#305) and the exposure value EV (0
) (#310).

Then, various information is stored in the memo 17MEM (#315). Then, the planter PL is controlled so that the rotation of the motor 24 is transmitted to the film feeding mechanism ($320), and the motor 24 is rotated to wind the film by one frame (#325). and,
The information is displayed on the LCD 7 (#330), and it is determined whether or not panoramic photography has been completed (I 335). When panoramic photography is not completed, that is, when i<H, the planter PL is controlled to rotate the motor 24 so that the rotation of the motor 24 is transmitted to the rotating pedestal 12, and the camera 1 Rotate by a predetermined amount (#340~
#355). And index i (this 1) river,
Return to well 310.

When the photographing is completed N times, that is, when the panoramic photographing is completed, the process returns.

The above is the operation of the camera in panorama mode.

Note that the rotation amount θ2 and the number of shots N of the camera 1 in the panorama mode are determined from the ROM table using the focal length of the photographing lens as an address.

<Mode Change> Next, the operation of the camera when the mode button 9 is pressed will be explained.

When the microcomputer μC is in the halt state, the switch SM
When turned on, the microcontroller μC turns on at 70 as shown in Figure 11.
- Work according to the chart. First, disable interrupts in #500 and change the mode ($505
). That is, if the mode is normal, it is changed to panoramic mode, and if it is panoramic mode, it is changed to normal mode. Then, display the mode etc. ($510) and switch S.
Wait until M turns OFF ($515). switch SM
When it turns OFF, interrupts are enabled (#520) and the state is halted.

[Modified example]

In the above embodiment, in the panorama mode, the exposure value EV (0) is determined by metering the entire shooting range while rotating the camera 1.
is determined and exposure control is performed based on the exposure value EV(0), but panoramic photography may also be performed in the following manner. Note that the following modified example assumes a camera that is not equipped with the rotating pedestal 12, but it is assumed that the camera is equipped with a rotating pedestal,
A plurality of photos may be automatically taken in the same manner as in FIG. 10.

(Modification 1) When in panoramic mode, this camera fixes the exposure value to the exposure value of the first frame of a panoramic photo, and shoots the remaining photos based on the same exposure value.

Specifically, the exposure is controlled L (#600) based on the exposure value obtained in step #10 (FIG. 7) (the exposure value stored in the register EVR), and the memo 1. The data is stored in the IME (#605), and the film is wound for one frame (#610). Then, it is determined whether the switch S=27M is turned on, that is, whether the panorama mode is canceled (#615), and if the panorama mode is canceled, the rsM shown in FIG.
Proceed to ONJ routine. If the panorama mode is not canceled, check whether the switch S2 is ON ($620), and if the switch S2 is ON, the step
Going back 600i, the exposure is controlled based on the exposure value determined in step #10 (the exposure value of the first frame of the panoramic photograph). If the switch S2 is OFF in step #620, the process returns to step #615. In addition, step #61
In Step 5, when the switch S1 is ON, the process may proceed to step #620 unconditionally (regardless of the state of the switch SM). Further, in the camera of this modification, when the switch S1 is turned on in step #25 of the tIS7 diagram, the process may return to step #10. As a result, the remaining panoramic photos are taken based on the exposure value of the subject that was actually taken first.

(Modification 2) 8- With this camera, even in panorama mode, each frame of the photo is properly exposed, and the difference between the exposure value of the reference subject (shot in the first frame) is stored in the memory M. Store it in EM so that you can get proper panoramic photos in the lab (so that all photos have the same exposure value)
, to be corrected.

Specifically, in panoramic mode, the camera operates according to the flowchart shown in FIG. One frame shooting in panorama mode is completed (#600 to #610)
, when panorama mode is not released, I617
Then, the photometry operation is performed again to find the exposure value for the next frame. Then, when switch S2 is turned on, well 6
At step 221, the difference (correction value) from the reference exposure value (the value stored in the register EZR at step #10) is calculated, and the process proceeds to #600 to perform photographing. Other operations are the same as the camera of Modification 1.

As a result, all the photographs are properly exposed, so even when viewing each photograph composing the panoramic set individually, the user can view the photographs without feeling any discomfort. Furthermore, when printing as a panoramic photo, the corrections are automatically made in the lab, so you can view it as a panoramic photo without any discomfort.

(Modification 3) In the above camera, the photometry means LM only measures the light within the photographing range of each frame. On the other hand, with this camera,
It is equipped with a photometer that measures the entire sky, and when in panoramic mode, an exposure value is determined based on the photometric value of the all-sky photometer, and the exposure value is fixed to take multiple photos.

Figures 18 and 19 show the external appearance of this camera. Note that the same members as those in the camera shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 are designated by the same numbers, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the figure, 5A is a photometric window for normal photography, which is the same as the photometric window 5 of the camera in the embodiment described above.

5B is a light receiving unit for all-sky measurement, and is provided on the top surface of the camera 1. The light receiver 8'IS5B is provided with a convex light diffusing member so that it can receive light from all over the sky. In the panorama mode, the exposure value is calculated based on the light reception output from the light receiving section 5B. Note that since this camera also has a light receiving section on the top surface of the camera 1, the display section (LCD) 7 and mode button 9 are provided on the back cover 11 of the camera (see FIG. 19).

Next, the operation of this camera will be explained with reference to FIG.

When the switch S1 is turned on and an interrupt is generated, the interrupt is prohibited (#5), and then it is determined in step 11 whether or not the panorama mode is set. If the mode is not panorama mode, the exposure value is determined based on the photometric value of the photometer for normal shooting, and is stored in the exposure value Renostar EZR (
#12). On the other hand, in the panoramic mode, the exposure value is determined based on the photometric value of the all-sky photometer and is stored in the exposure value renostar EZR (#13). Since the subsequent steps are the same as in Modification 1, the explanation will be omitted.

Note that, as shown in FIG. 20, if the switch S1 is ON in step #251, the process returns to step #11. Further, in this example, the photometric means is automatically selected depending on the photographing mode, but a manually operated switch may be provided so that the photometric means can be selected according to preference.

This allows for greater freedom in photography, such as being able to control exposure based on all-sky photometric values even during normal photography.

(Modification 4) In the above example, the present invention is applied to a camera in which the photographing optical system and the viewing optical system are independent, but it goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to a -I and 7-Rex camera. is also possible. Particularly, in the case of a camera that performs photometry while rotating the camera as shown above, it is desirable to use a TTL photometry single-lens 7-lens camera in order to strictly associate the photographing range with the photometry range.

(Modification 5) In the above example, information such as trimming information is recorded in memory when shooting! This was done to prevent the seams of the printed Bahura 32 photos from looking unnatural. However, due to errors in the winding amount of the film, the unnaturalness may not be completely eliminated.

Therefore, using an image at device for viewing images recorded on film, we stored trimming information, exposure compensation information, etc. in the memory MEM while checking the coherence of each frame, and obtained a photograph. You can. For example, a trimmed image of several frames is displayed on a television screen, and while checking the image, the center of the trimming can be shifted or the trimming range can be corrected. Then, trimming information (trimming range, trimming center, etc.) for each frame is stored in the memory MEM.

The developed film is then sent to the laboratory along with the memory MEM, where it is printed based on the information stored in the memory MEM. This makes it possible to make subtle adjustments to the cropping range, etc., resulting in extremely beautiful panoramic photos.

Incidentally, such an image viewing device is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application No.
-193618.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 3 are views showing the external appearance of a camera embodying the present invention, with FIG. 1 showing the front, FIG. 2 showing the back, and FIG. 3 showing the bottom. FIGS. 4 and 5 are diagrams showing the main parts of a camera embodying the present invention. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an electrical circuit of a camera embodying the present invention. 7 to 11 are flowcharts showing the operation of a camera embodying the present invention. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining lens distortion. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing panoramic photography being performed using a camera embodying the present invention. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the relationship between each frame and its shooting range when panoramic shooting is performed with a camera embodying the present invention. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the process of obtaining a photograph from a film taken using a camera embodying the present invention. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the main part of the operation of another camera embodying the present invention. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the main part of the operation of still another camera embodying the present invention. FIG. 18 and FIG. 19 are diagrams showing the external appearance of still another camera embodying the present invention.
Figure 8 shows the front, and Figure 19 shows the back. FIG. 20 is a 70-chart showing the main part of the operation of the camera shown in @18 and FIG. 19. LM ・・・・・・・・・・・・ Photometering means EC exposure control means

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A photometering device that measures the brightness of a subject, an exposure value calculation device that calculates an exposure value based on the output of the photometer, and an exposure control device that controls exposure based on the exposure value. mode selection means for selecting a panoramic mode for photographing, wherein the exposure control means controls exposure based on the same exposure value in the panoramic mode until panoramic photographing is completed. .