JPH06180469A - Aspect ratio varying camera with stroboscope device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To shorten the time required for charging by automatically adjusting the distribution of stroboscopic light and effectively using the quantity of the stroboscopic light. CONSTITUTION:Desired frame size, for example, panoramic size is selected by operating an operation lever 8. Then, a pulse motor 33 is driven and a xenon discharge tube 27 and a reflector 30 are moved within a zoom range corresponding to the light distribution characteristic of the panoramic size. Continuously, the reflector 30 is pressed from the upper and the lower parts by solenoids 31 and 32 and the curvature thereof is changed. Then, a light distribution range in an up-and-down direction is adjusted. When a zoom lever is operated, the variable power information of a zoom lens 2 is inputted to a CPU 10 from an encoder 25. Based on it, the motor 33 is driven and the discharge tube 27 and the reflector 30 are moved forward and backward within the zoom range. Then, the light distribution range in a left-and-right direction is adjusted. When a shutter button is depressed at a low luminance time, an object is irradiated with the stroboscopic light by the optimum light distribution corresponding to the frame size and the focal distance of the lens 2.

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 with a strobe device for shooting a print photograph by designating the aspect ratio and changing the irradiation angle in conjunction with the aspect ratio switching operation and zooming operation. It is a thing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Among recent 35 mm full size compact cameras, like the "Cardia Travel Mini" (trade name) sold by the applicant, it is possible to take pictures with a screen size that can receive a panoramic print service. There is something like this. In such a camera, the exposure range "24 mm x 36 mm" which is usually equivalent to 35 mm full size
Although the image is taken at (aspect ratio 1.5), when the intended panorama print is intended, the mask plates that regulate the exposure range are inserted above and below the aperture, and "13 mm x 36 mm" is displayed.
It is possible to shoot in a horizontally long exposure range (aspect ratio of about 2.8). Then, the negative photographed at this size is enlarged and printed at about twice the normal service print at the time of printing to make a landscape panorama print.

In a camera having such a function, a frame is displayed on the viewfinder so that the range to be printed can be known at the time of shooting. Therefore, if the setting information is recorded magnetically or optically on the film corresponding to such a frame display and this information is read at the time of printing, the mask plate can be omitted and the photographing screen itself. Even if the size is "24 mm x 36 mm", the same panoramic print photograph can be obtained by trimming so as to leave a range of "13 mm x 36 mm" and performing enlargement printing.

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

On the other hand, a strobe with a zoom function is commercially available which is capable of continuously changing the irradiation angle in association with the zooming operation of the camera. This strobe has a built-in pulse motor, and the irradiation angle is changed by moving the position of the light emitting portion 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 shooting a narrow angle of view, a wider range than the shooting range is additionally illuminated. Is wasted. In addition, there is a drawback that the time required for charging is extended accordingly. Also, if you use a strobe with a zoom function as described above, you can change the irradiation angle in conjunction with zooming, but the aspect ratio with a strobe device that can change the irradiation angle of the strobe light according to the switching of the aspect ratio There was no variable camera.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and it is possible to effectively use the amount of strobe light by changing the irradiation angle of strobe light in response to a zooming operation and an aspect ratio switching operation. A variable aspect ratio camera with a strobe device is provided.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the variable aspect ratio camera with a flash device of the present invention comprises a reflector whose curvature can be changed, and is used for an aspect ratio switching operation and a zooming operation. In conjunction with this, the strobe light emitting section or the diffuser plate is moved forward and backward, and the reflector is deformed to change its curvature to adjust the distribution of strobe light. As a result, the light distribution of the strobe light is sufficiently adjusted not only in the left and right direction of the screen but also in the up and down direction, so that the light amount of the strobe light is effectively used and the time required for charging is shortened.

[0009]

EXAMPLE FIG. 2 showing the appearance of an example of the present invention,
A zoom lens 2 is provided in the center of the front surface of a camera body 1 of a variable aspect ratio camera, and a photometric window 3 is provided above the zoom lens 2.
Further above this, a finder 4, a distance measuring window 5a, 5b on the upper left side, and a Fresnel lens 6 as a diffuser plate for the strobe device are attached on the upper right side. Further, a shutter release button 7 and a slide type operation lever 8 for switching the 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 taking lens 2 is provided on the back surface.

The frames that can be switched by the operating lever 8 are three types of L, H and P shown in Table 1 below.

[0011]

[Table 1]

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

FIG. 1 schematically shows the electrical construction 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 the release button 7 are input via the 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.
The zoom motor 13 is driven via the motor driver 12 by the signal from the zoom switch 9a, and the zoom lens 2 and the finder optical system 14 are zoomed. An encoder 25 is provided on the zoom lens barrel of the zoom lens 2 so that the position of the zoom lens barrel, that is, the focal length information of the zoom lens 2 is input to the CPU 10.

Behind the Fresnel lens 6 is provided a strobe light emitting section 26 as shown in FIGS. In this strobe light emitting section 26, a xenon discharge tube 27 is fixed to a box-shaped sliding member 28, which is movable in an outer cylinder 29 so as to be movable back and forth. Behind the xenon discharge tube 27, a reflector 30 having a variable curvature formed of a flexible material is provided with sliding members 28 on both sides at the center.
It is fixedly installed on the inner wall of. Solenoids 31 and 32 are provided in the vertical direction of the reflector 30, which interlock the reflector 30 from above and below in conjunction with 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
Controlled by the CPU 10 based on both 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 via the switch 4. 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. Note that FIG. 3 shows when the frame size is P, FIG. 5A shows when the frame size is H, and FIG.
Indicates that the frame size is L, respectively. A strobe circuit 36 controlled by the CPU 10 is connected to the xenon discharge tube 27.

Now, 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 for the sake of simplicity. The xenon discharge tube 27 may be moved back and forth so that this arc portion fills the diagonal lines dL, dH, dP of each frame. However, for convenience,
The diagonal lines dL, dH, and dP are set to 1/2 of the actual diagonal line.

In FIG. 7, the frame size is first L
And 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. For example, change the frame size to L without changing the focal length.
When switched from H to H, the angle of view becomes θH and becomes wide.
That is, it is necessary to zoom the light distribution of the strobe to θH. For example, considering that a strobe having a light distribution corresponding to a frame size of L obtains a light distribution of θH, the position of the xenon discharge tube 27 may be moved to a position corresponding to a focal length f ′ as shown in the figure. I understand. The relationship between the focal length and the diagonal is expressed by the following equation (1). f ′ = (dL / dH) f (1) In this formula (1), if the strobe is zoomed to the position of f ′ when the focal length of the shooting diameter is f, a desired light distribution can be obtained. This means that the mutual relationship is a 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 a reduction ratio (dL / dH). In the case of 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 pipe 27 is moved to a predetermined position.

By moving the position of the xenon discharge tube 27 back and forth in this manner, the light distribution in the left-right direction of the screen is controlled within an appropriate range, but the light distribution adjustment in the up-down direction is not suitable especially for panoramic size. Will be enough. Therefore, as described above, the reflector 30 is curved from above and below to adjust the irradiation range in the vertical direction. 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 It becomes as shown.

When the CPU 10 receives the signal from the frame switch 8a, it drives the LCD driver 15 and operates the liquid crystal display plate 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 finder, and a liquid crystal showing a field frame on the incident surface side of the Porro prism 14c provided between the objective lens 14a and the eyepiece lens 14b. Display board 1
6 is provided. Further, 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 a segment 20,
21 and 22. These segments are transparent and opaque in the combinations shown in the table below in conjunction with the switching of frames.

[Table 2]

Behind the photometric window 3, a photometric light receiving element (for example, SPD) 37 is arranged. The metering window 3
The lens has a deep depth of field, for example, about F11 or F16, and the subject light incident from the photometric 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 compressed and amplified by the photometric circuit 38, and A / D converted, and input to the CPU 10. In addition, a DX code reading unit 39 that reads the DX code provided on the outer wall of the cartridge and takes in the sensitivity and latitude of the film 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 the single feeding of the film 42 by the motor 41 is started, and the code data representing the type of the frame selected at the time of the photographing is supplied to the magnetic code of the film 42. Recording is performed on the recording layer 42a. The code data thus written is read by a reading device incorporated in the photographic printer at the time of printing, and is used for setting a trimming range, a print magnification, etc. at the time of printing. The code data may be written by using an optical recording method using a number of LEDs or the like corresponding to the required number of bits, and in this case, the data may be written before the film is fed. Also, the size of the exposure aperture itself may be changed according to the type of frame using a mask plate as in the conventional case.

The operation of the aspect ratio variable camera thus configured will be described. When the camera is loaded with the film, the DX code provided on the outer wall of the cartridge is read by the DX code reading unit 39, and the sensitivity and latitude of the film 42 are input to the CPU 10. When the operation lever 8 is aligned with the index P, for example, the liquid crystal display plate 16
The corresponding segments 20, 22 become opaque, and the photographing area can be confirmed by the finder 4. At the same time, the pulse motor 33 is driven, the xenon discharge tube 27 and the reflector 30 are moved together with the sliding member 28 inside the outer cylinder 29, and stopped at a position corresponding to the panorama size light distribution characteristic (horizontal direction). It Subsequently, the solenoids 31 and 32 are driven to press the reflector 30 from above and below to change the curvature of the reflector 30 and adjust the light distribution above and below (see FIGS. 3 and 8C).

If the shutter button 7 is pressed halfway after confirming the zooming due to zooming with the finder 4, the autofocus device 17 operates to focus the zoom lens 2 and the photometric circuit 38 changes the subject brightness. It is input to the CPU 10. The CPU 10 calculates the 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 the xenon discharge tube 27 and the reflector 30 are moved within the range corresponding to the panorama size light distribution characteristic based on the information. It When the release button 7 is fully pressed, the well-known program shutter 45 is driven based on the exposure value.

If the subject brightness is low enough to cause a slow shutter, the strobe circuit 38 causes strobe light to be emitted from the xenon discharge tube 27 at the same time when the release button 7 is fully pressed, and is directed to the subject through the Fresnel lens 6. Is irradiated. At this time, since the light distribution characteristic of the strobe light corresponds to the panorama size P (see FIG. 8C), highly efficient strobe illumination is performed. When the photographing is completed, the motor 41 is driven to feed the film 42 for one frame. Immediately after the film feeding is started, 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 in the cartridge. After the Patrone is taken out of the camera, the DPE
Submitted to the store. When the film 42 is developed and then applied to an automatic printer, the magnetic recording layer 42a of each frame is formed.
The negative mask or the paper mask is moved on the basis of the frame size recorded in, 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, the zooming of the stroboscopic light emitting unit corresponding to the 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 the arm 5 is inserted in the cam hole 50a formed therein.
No. 1 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 single 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, 55c. The cam curved surfaces 55a, 55b, 55c have f ′ = f,
It is formed so as to satisfy f ′ = (dL / dP) f and f ′ = (dL / dH) f, and a taper surface is provided between each of them. A gear is coaxially fixed to the lower surface of the one-sided cam 55, and the one-sided cam 55 is rotated by meshing with the gears 57 and 58. The gear 58 has an elongated shape so that the meshing 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 association with the zooming operation of the photographing lens.

A xenon discharge tube 6 is provided in front of the one cam 55.
0 and a reflector 61 are attached via a support rod 62 and a round rod 63 so as to be movable back and forth in the Z-axis direction. Round bar 63
Is biased toward the one cam 55 side by a spring (not shown) and is always in contact with any of the cam surfaces 55a, 55b, 55c. Further, a Fresnel lens 6 is provided in front of the xenon discharge tube 60 (see FIG. 11), and strobe light generated from the xenon discharge tube 60 is directed toward a subject.

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

Rotating cams 66 and 67 are provided on the outer sides 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 by the elasticity of the reflector 61. By rotating the rotating cams 66 and 67 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. It is set in three stages that do not produce a good light distribution.

Gears 68 and 69 are fixed to the shafts 66a and 67a of the rotary cams 66 and 67, respectively, and these are rack gears 71 formed on the standing portion 51a of the arm 51.
Is meshed with. 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 rotate in mutually opposite directions.

When the frame size is L, FIG.
As shown in (A), the pressing plates 64 and 65 are set at the most open positions, and the reflector 61 has the largest curvature. 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 innermost position.

From this state, when the aspect ratio switching lever is operated to set the desired frame size, for example, the panorama size P, the cam plate 50 moves to the right in FIG. 10, the arm 51 is raised, and the rotary cam 66. , 67 are rotated clockwise and counterclockwise, respectively, so that the pressing plates 64, 65 are moved in a narrowing direction. by this,
As shown in FIG. 11 (B), the reflector 61 is pressed from above and below to bend and the curvature thereof becomes small.

At the same time, the round bar 63 that was in contact with the cam surface 55a comes into contact with the cam surface 55b as the arm 51 rises, 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 light distribution characteristics of the upper, lower, left and right are adjusted according to the frame size (P) and the focal length of the zoom lens, so that 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 rotary cams 66 and 67 rotate and the pressing plate 64,
65 is moved in the direction of opening each other, and the round bar 63
Comes into contact with the cam surface 55c. by this,
The reflector 61 opens to its own elasticity, the curvature thereof becomes an intermediate size between the frame sizes L and P, and the xenon discharge tube 60 is set at the position most protruding toward the Fresnel lens 6 side.

In the embodiment described above, the frame size is set to three types, but it may be set to four types including, for example, a cinemascope size, or more. Also,
Of course, the present invention is not limited to the numerical value of the aspect ratio. Further, in the first embodiment, the xenon discharge tube is moved forward and backward and the curvature of the reflector is changed after the positional relationship between the reflector and the solenoid. However, for example, between the solenoid and the reflector, the second embodiment is used. If a pressing plate similar to the above is provided, the order may be first.

Further, in the first embodiment, since the curvature of the reflector is changed by a pair of solenoids, this is performed only at the time of panorama size. However, for example, a plurality of solenoids or pulse motors having different displacements are used. The curvature of the reflector may be changed when the frame size is other than the above. Further, when the irradiation angle of the strobe light is changed, the strobe discharge tube and the reflector are moved back and forth, but instead of this, the Fresnel lens may be moved back and forth. Further, although the reflector is made of a flexible material, it may be formed by connecting a plurality of metal plates with a hinge. Further, if the enlargement ratio is set while keeping the width size of the print photograph constant, it is possible to minimize the complexity of the print processing that occurs due to the increase in the type of aspect ratio.

[0039]

As described above, the variable aspect ratio camera with a strobe device according to the present invention advances or retracts the strobe light emitting section or the diffuser plate in conjunction with the aspect ratio switching operation and zooming operation, and changes the curvature of the reflector. Since it is changed to adjust the light distribution of the strobe light, the light amount of the strobe light can be effectively used and the time required for charging can be shortened even though the structure is simple.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

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

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a structure of a stroboscopic light emitting portion, showing a set state corresponding to a panorama size.

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

5A and 5B are explanatory diagrams showing changes in the zoom position of the stroboscopic light emitting unit due to switching of the aspect ratio, where FIG. 5A shows a high-vision size and FIG. 5B shows a set state corresponding to a 35 mm full size.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing each light distribution characteristic of strobe light in the 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 in frame sizes L, H, and P when the curvature of the reflector is changed along with the advance / retreat of the xenon discharge tube.

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

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

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

[Explanation of symbols]

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

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A zoom strobe for changing an irradiation angle by advancing and retracting a stroboscopic light emitting section including a stroboscopic discharge tube and a reflector or a front diffusion plate in conjunction with zooming operation of a zoom lens, and an aspect ratio of a trimming range at the time of printing. In the aspect ratio variable camera with a strobe device having an aspect ratio designating means for designating
The reflector is configured so that its curvature can be changed,
In conjunction with the aspect ratio switching operation and zooming operation, while advancing and retracting the strobe light emitting section or the diffusion plate, the reflector is deformed to change its curvature,
A variable-aspect-ratio camera with a strobe device characterized by adjusting the distribution of strobe light.