JPH08172556A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a camera using an optical finder by providing a shutter freely closed or open to the optical path of an optical finder and closing the shutter when a liquid crystal monitor is operated in the usual mode and opening the shutter when the liquid crystal monitor is not operated in the power saving mode. CONSTITUTION: A finder 190 freely closing/opening an optical path is provided on the optical path of an optical finder 12. In the usual mode, the liquid crystal monitor is operated to close the finder shutter 190 and a photographer views only the liquid crystal monitor. In the power saving mode, the liquid crystal monitor is extinguished, the finder shutter 190 is open and the photographer views only the optical finder 12. Furthermore, in the usual and power saving modes, the shutter is switched in interlocking with the opening/closing of the liquid crystal monitor. Moreover, in the case of the power saving mode where a zoom ratio of an image pickup lens 10 and the optical finder differs, a revision range of the focus of the image pickup lens 10 is made coincident with the revision range of the focus of the optical finder 12 and an image by the optical finder 12 is almost matched with the image to be picked up.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera, and more particularly to a camera equipped with a monitor usable as a finder and an optical finder.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a varifocal lens device is mounted so that photographing with a camera can be performed more easily.
2. Description of the Related Art Cameras that are capable of changing the focal length and shooting images have become widespread. In particular, a video camera may use a variable focus lens device of so-called 10 × zoom in which the ratio of the short focal length to the long focal length side is 10 times.

In addition, as a video camera, one having a liquid crystal monitor for displaying a photographed image is widely used. That is, in the above camera, the image of the subject is transmitted through the photographing lens and captured by the image pickup device such as CCD, and the subject image is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor. Therefore, the photographer shoots while looking at the image on the liquid crystal monitor. It can be performed.

By the way, since the liquid crystal monitor consumes a lot of power, there is a possibility that the battery will be consumed quickly if the liquid crystal monitor is used for long-time photographing. Therefore, it is conceivable that the camera has a structure including an optical finder as well as the liquid crystal monitor. Thus, when it is desired to reduce power consumption, the optical finder can be used without using the liquid crystal monitor, and the power consumption can be reduced.

Further, since the liquid crystal monitor has a low screen brightness, it may be difficult to view the screen due to the influence of external light when photographing outdoors. In this case, the optical viewfinder is also easier to use.

[0006]

However, in a camera provided with a liquid crystal monitor usable as a finder and an optical finder, when the optical finder is used, the liquid crystal monitor is turned off to save power. However, there are cases where the liquid crystal monitor is forgotten to be turned off, or the operation of turning off the liquid crystal monitor is not actively performed for power saving, and in this case, power saving cannot be achieved.

The optical finder for consumer use is usually limited to about 3 times in terms of cost and size, but a taking lens having a high magnification such as 10 times is required. If the change range of the focal length of the optical viewfinder and the change range of the focal length of the taking lens are different, 10
There is a possibility that the focal length of the optical viewfinder cannot be supplemented when the focal length of the taking lens for double zoom is changed. For this reason, when the photographer is looking through the optical viewfinder and taking a picture, it is not possible to confirm the image of the field of view that is actually taken, so the 10 × zoom of the taking lens can be effectively utilized. It will be difficult.

On the other hand, if the above optical finder is also used at the same time when the liquid crystal monitor is used, when an image is taken at a focal length beyond the range of change of the focal length of the optical finder, an image displayed by the optical finder is displayed. The image displayed on the liquid crystal monitor may be different. In this case, the photographer may be confused and hinder smooth imaging work.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and in a camera equipped with both a monitor and an optical finder that can be used as a finder, the monitor and the optical finder can be used properly. Can
Moreover, it is an object of the present invention to provide a camera that saves power and can fully utilize the performance of the variable focus lens device of the taking lens.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a shutter provided on the optical path of an optical viewfinder of a camera and capable of blocking the optical path, and a monitor for displaying an image to be captured. When the monitor is operated, the shutter is closed to shut off the optical path, and when the monitor is not operated, the shutter is opened to release the blocking of the optical path. I am trying.

Further, the monitor is a liquid crystal monitor which is arranged to be openable and closable with respect to the camera body, and the switching means drives the shutter based on the opening / closing operation of the liquid crystal monitor and turns on / off the liquid crystal monitor. Further, the monitor is constructed so that its display screen is shielded by the camera body when closed. Further, the optical finder is a zoom finder whose focal length change range is smaller than the focal length change range of the photographing optical system, and when the shutter is opened, the focal length change range of the photographing optical system is set to the optical range. It is characterized in that it is almost the same as the change range of the focal length of the formula finder. Furthermore, the optical viewfinder has a zoom cam driven by a zoom motor that changes the focal length of the taking optical system, and the focal length of the taking optical system is changed beyond the change range of the focal length of the optical viewfinder. During the above period, the zoom cam is formed with a cam surface so that the focal length of the optical finder is stationary at the maximum position. Further, when the monitor is operated to stop the operation of the monitor when the focal length of the photographing optical system is changed beyond the change range of the focal length of the optical viewfinder, the focal length of the photographing optical system is changed. Is controlled to approximately match the current focal length of the optical viewfinder.

Further, the shutter is constituted by a substantially flat plate-shaped shutter plate having a rotary shaft at one end thereof and is rotatable. The shutter plate is in a shutter closed state in which the optical path is blocked, and the shutter plate is It is characterized in that it is rotated to a shutter open state that does not block the optical path. Alternatively, the shutter is configured by a shutter film that can be opened and closed, and the shutter film is operated in a shutter closed state where the shutter film blocks the optical path and a shutter open state where the shutter film does not block the optical path.

Alternatively, the shutter is composed of a liquid crystal transmission plate that transmits or blocks light rays by turning on / off an electric signal, and the liquid crystal transmission plate blocks the optical path, and the liquid crystal transmission plate does not block the optical path. The feature is that the shutter can be opened. Further, an optical viewfinder of the camera, a liquid crystal monitor that is arranged to be openable and closable with respect to the camera body and displays an image to be captured, and monitor control means that turns the liquid crystal monitor on and off based on the opening and closing operation of the liquid crystal monitor. It is characterized by having.

[0014]

According to the present invention, when the monitor is operating, the shutter of the optical viewfinder is closed and the optical path of the optical viewfinder is blocked. Then, the photographer shoots while confirming the image taken by the monitor, but even if he looks into the optical viewfinder, the optical path is blocked and the subject cannot be caught.
On the other hand, when the monitor is not operated, the shutter of the optical viewfinder is opened. Therefore, the optical viewfinder can be used, and the photographer can shoot while looking through the optical viewfinder.

Further, by disposing a liquid crystal monitor as the monitor so as to be openable and closable with respect to the camera body, switching between the optical viewfinder and the liquid crystal monitor and turning the liquid crystal monitor on and off based on the opening and closing operation of the liquid crystal monitor. It can be done automatically. Furthermore, when the LCD monitor is closed,
Since the display screen is covered by the camera body, the monitor screen can be protected.

If the changing range of the focal length of the photographing optical system is larger than the changing range of the focal length of the optical viewfinder, the focal length of the photographing optical system is adjusted to the changing range of the focal length of the optical viewfinder. The change range of is reduced.
Therefore, within the range of change of the focal length of the photographing optical system, the focal length outside the range of change of the focal length of the optical finder is restricted so that photographing cannot be performed.

For example, if the photographic optical system is a 10 × zoom lens and the optical finder is a 3 × zoom finder, the focal length of the photographic optical system is reduced to the above 3 × range. Then, the focal length other than that is not changed, and the photographing is not performed. The zoom finder is zoomed together with the photographing optical system by a zoom motor that changes the focal length of the photographing optical system.

Further, when the shutter is constituted by a substantially flat plate-shaped shutter plate having a rotary shaft provided at one end, the shutter plate can be rotated by the rotation of the shutter plate.
The shutter plate is opened and closed by changing the state in which the shutter plate appears on the optical path to block the optical path and the state in which the shutter plate retracts from the optical path and the optical path is continuous. Further, when the shutter is composed of a shutter film that can be opened and closed, the opening and closing of the shutter film switches the shutter film to a state of blocking the optical path and a state of not blocking the optical path to open and close the shutter. Furthermore, when the shutter is formed of a liquid crystal transmission plate, the shutter is opened and closed by switching the state where the liquid crystal transmission plate blocks the optical path and the state where the liquid crystal transmission plate does not block by turning on and off an electric signal.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of a camera according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 and 2 are perspective views of the camera according to the present invention seen from the front side and the back side, respectively, and FIG. 3 is a plan view of the camera, each showing a state in which the liquid crystal monitor is opened.

This camera is a VTR with a built-in camera and has a thin rectangular parallelepiped external shape in the front-back direction of the camera (direction of arrow AB in FIG. 1). As shown in FIG. 1, a taking lens 10, an optical viewfinder 12, and a stereo microphone 14 are provided.
Is attached to the top of the camera body. A liquid crystal monitor 16 is provided on the top of the camera body so as to be openable and closable. In addition, 18 is a VTR deck part to which an 8 mm cassette is attached and detached, 20 is a side grip part, and 22 is a photographing button.

The taking lens 10 has a focal length of 3.3 m, for example.
It is a zoom lens for 10 times zoom of m-33 mm,
By operating the zoom button 24 (see FIG. 2), the focal length is continuously changed electrically. The optical viewfinder 12
For example, it is a zoom finder for 3 times zoom with a focal length of 4 mm to 12 mm, and at least within the range where the focal length can be adjusted, the focus is changed according to the change of the focal length of the photographing lens 10 so that the photographing range and the visual field range match. The distance is adjusted. The details of the taking lens 10 and the optical finder 12 will be described later.

The VTR deck unit 18 includes a rotary head drum, a tape loading mechanism, a tape feeding mechanism, etc., which are not shown, and outputs a video signal indicating a subject photographed by the photographing lens 10 and an audio signal detected by the stereo microphone 14. Magnetic recording and playback on videotapes of millimeter cassettes. Reference numeral 26 is a cassette lid which is opened and closed when the cassette is inserted and taken out.

The side grip portion 20 is formed in a shape that can be held by the right hand, and the finger grip portion 30 is provided on the front surface of the camera.
As shown in FIG. 2, a concave portion 32 in which the thumb and the base of the thumb are located is formed on the back surface of the camera. The shooting button 22 is provided on the front surface of the camera and is operated by the index finger of the right hand holding the side grip 20. Further, the zoom button 24 is arranged at a position where it can be operated by the thumb of the right hand.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, on the rear surface of the camera, a liquid crystal display section 34 is disposed adjacent to the lower side of the eyecup of the optical viewfinder 12, and a battery 36 is mounted below it. Has been done. Further, a monitor opening / closing button 38, a power switch 40, a remote control light receiving section 42, etc. are provided. Further, a diopter adjustment knob 44, a battery eject button 46, and a cassette eject button 48 are provided on the side of the camera body.

By the way, the liquid crystal monitor 16 functions not only as a monitor during image reproduction but also as a finder at the time of photographing.
It is arranged to be openable and closable through 6A and electrically connected, and is formed so as to be flush with each surface of the camera body when closed. Further, when the liquid crystal monitor 16 is opened, the operation panel section 50 provided on the top of the camera body is exposed as shown in FIG. 3, and various button groups can be operated. Reference numeral 52 is a shooting button (double / single) switch, 54 is a negative film (off / on) switch, 56 is a sports mode (off / on) switch, 5
8 is a monitor (off / on) switch, 60 is a brightness control knob, 62 is a volume control knob, 64 is a speaker, 66 is a mode switch button for switching between a camera mode and a VTR mode, and 68 is a playback in the VTR mode or the like. ,Stop,
A group of buttons for instructing fast forward, rewind, etc. Also, 7
Reference numeral 0 is a lock hole into which the lock claw 16B on the liquid crystal monitor side is inserted.

Next, the taking lens 10 and the optical finder 12 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 4, the taking lens 10 is mainly a front lens (fixed lens) 10
0, variator lens 102, fixed lens 104, 10
8 and a focus lens 106. The variator lens 102 and the focus lens 106 are guided by a guide rod 110 so as to be movable in the optical axis direction.

The variator lens 102 includes a zoom motor 112, gears 114 and 116, and a zoom cam 118.
The focus lens 106 is driven in the optical axis direction by the driving force transmitted via the focus lens 120.
Driven in the optical axis direction by the driving force transmitted from the lead screw 122 and the nut 124. The zoom motor 112 is normally or reversely driven according to the operation of the zoom button 24. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, when a signal indicating the tele direction or the wide direction is input from the zoom button 24 to the camera control microcomputer 130, the camera control microcomputer 130 sends the zoom signal to the zoom motor via the zoom driver 132. 112 to drive the zoom motor 112 forward or backward. By driving the zoom motor 112, the variator lens 102 moves forward or backward in the optical axis direction. The variator lens 102
The position (zoom position) is detected by the zoom encoder 134, and a signal indicating the zoom position is added to the camera control microcomputer 130.

On the other hand, the focus motor 120 is driven according to the position (zoom position) of the variator lens 102 and the subject distance. That is, the focus lens 106
Is driven so that the subject image scaled by the variator lens 102 is formed on an image pickup device (hereinafter referred to as CCD) 140 such as CCD, and the lens position is formed to form the best image by the contrast method. Driven.

Here, the control of the focus lens 106 will be described in detail. First, the position of the focus lens 106 can be detected by the output of the home position sensor 136 that detects the home position of the focus lens 106 and the number of pulses to the focus motor (pulse motor) 120. That is, the home position sensor 136 is necessary for forming the subject image on the CCD 140 when the focus lens 106 is at the home position (this home position is at infinity and the variator lens 102 is at the wide end). When the focus lens 106 is reached, the detection signal is output to the camera control microcomputer 130. The camera control microcomputer 130 counts the number of pulse signals output to the focus motor 120 via the focus driver 134 based on the position at which the detection signal is input from the home position sensor 136, and from the count value, the focus lens 106 is counted. The position of is being detected. In addition, the camera control microcomputer 130 is at infinity, 1 m, 1
It has a look-up table indicating the position (pulse number) of the focus lens 106 for each zoom position for each object distance such as 0 mm, and the look-up table is used to determine the position (zoom position) of the variator lens 102. The focus lens 106 is controlled so that the focus lens 106 is at a required position according to the above.

Further, the CCD 14 is connected via the taking lens 10.
The subject light imaged on the light receiving surface of 0 is accumulated in charge by each sensor for a predetermined time and converted into a signal charge of an amount according to the intensity of light. The signal charges thus accumulated are read out to the shift register by a read gate pulse of a predetermined cycle applied from a CCD drive circuit (not shown), and sequentially read out as an image signal by a register transfer pulse.

The image signal read from the CCD 140 in this manner is used as the AGC circuit 142 and the A / D converter 1.
After being converted into a 10-bit digital image signal via 44, the liquid crystal monitor 1 via a signal processing circuit (not shown).
6 and the VTR deck unit 18, and is also output to the high-pass filter unit 148 and the photometric unit 150 via the bit compression unit 146 that performs non-linear compression to 8 bits.

The high-pass filter section 148 extracts the high frequency component of the input digital image signal and calculates the evaluation value calculation section 15
2, the evaluation value calculation unit 152 calculates the evaluation value for evaluating the in-focus state by integrating and averaging the input signals, and outputs the evaluation value to the camera control microcomputer 130. Then, the camera control microcomputer 130 controls the focus lens 106 so that the input evaluation value is maximized.

On the other hand, the photometric unit 150 detects the screen brightness from the input digital image signal and outputs a signal indicating the screen brightness to the camera control microcomputer 130. The camera control microcomputer 130 controls the iris 105 via the iris driver 136 and the iris meter 138 so that the screen brightness becomes a predetermined brightness. The opening of the iris 105 is detected by the iris sensor 139, and a signal indicating the opening is applied to the camera control microcomputer 130. If the screen brightness cannot be controlled by the iris 105, the camera control microcomputer 130 outputs a control signal to the AGC circuit 142 to control the gain of the image signal.

Next, the optical finder 12 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the optical finder 12 mainly includes an objective lens 160 facing a subject, a front zoom lens 162 and a rear zoom lens 1 for changing a focal length.
64, an appropriate fixed lens 166, and an eyepiece lens 168. These lenses are arranged inside a substantially L-shaped finder cylinder 170.

The objective lens 160 is fixed to the tip of the finder cylinder 170. Behind the objective lens 160, the front zoom lens 162 is provided with the front lens frame 1.
The rear zoom lens 164 is held by the mount portion 172A of the rear lens 72 and the rear zoom lens 164 is mounted on the mount portion 1 of the rear lens frame 174.
It is held at 74A. A guide rod 176 is provided on the side of the front zoom lens 162 and the rear zoom lens 164 substantially parallel to the direction of the optical axis S, and the guide rod 176 is supported by the side wall of the finder barrel 170. . The lens frames 172 and 174 are slidable cylinders 172B and 174B on the sides of the mount portions 172A and 174A.
Are integrally connected to each other, and the sliding cylinders 172B and 174B are inserted into the guide rod 176. Further, guide protrusions 172C and 174C are formed on the side portions of the mount portions 172A and 174A, and are engaged with a guide hole 170A formed in the side wall of the finder cylinder. The sliding cylinders 172B and 174B are provided with engaging protrusions 172D and 174D as engaging portions. Further, a tension spring 178 is stretched to connect the sliding cylinders 172B and 174B to each other, and the lens frames 172 and 174 are biased toward each other.

On the other hand, a cam shaft 180 that is substantially parallel to the guide rod 176 is provided adjacent to the guide rod 176, and the cam shaft 180 is rotatably supported on the side wall of the finder barrel 170. A substantially cylindrical zoom cam 182 is fitted to the cam shaft 180, and cam surfaces 182A are formed at both ends of the zoom cam 182. The lens frames 172, 17 are provided on the cam surface 182A.
The four engaging protrusions 172D, 174D are in contact with each other, and the engaging protrusions 172D, 174D are arranged along the cam surface 182A.
Is being guided. Here, the front zoom lens 162
The rear zoom lens 164 and the rear zoom lens 164 maintain a predetermined optical relationship so that the focal length is changed, and when the zoom cam 182 further rotates beyond the maximum magnification, the maximum magnification is maintained. A cam surface 172A is formed (see FIG. 4).

One end of the cam shaft 180 is projected to the outside of the finder cylinder 170, and a gear 184 is fitted therein. The gear 184 is linked to the rotary shaft of the zoom motor 112 via gears 114 and 116 as shown in FIG. Therefore, as will be described later, the change in the focal length of the optical finder 12 and the change in the focal length of the taking lens 10 are configured to substantially match up to a 3 × zoom.

On the other hand, a field frame plate 186 is arranged behind the rear zoom lens 164, and a reflecting mirror 188 for bending the optical axis S is provided at a corner of the finder cylinder 170. The fixed lens 166 is arranged beside the reflecting mirror 188, and the finder shutter 190 is arranged at an appropriate position. The finder shutter 190 is composed of a shutter plate 192 having a substantially flat plate shape, and a rotary shaft 192A is formed on the upper end side of the shutter plate 192. The rotating shaft 192A is rotatably supported by a notch 170B on the side wall of the finder cylinder 170, and one end of the rotating shaft 192A is projected to the outside of the finder cylinder 170 so that the lever 192B.
Are formed. That is, the shutter plate 192 is substantially perpendicular to the optical axis S and blocks the optical path to close the shutter, and the shutter plate 192 jumps substantially parallel to the optical axis S to release the optical path and release the shutter. It is freely rotatable in the open state. Further, the rotary shaft 192A is provided with a return spring 194 by a winding spring, and biases the shutter plate 192 in the closing direction.

The lever portion 192B includes a lever 196.
The lower end portion 196A of the lever 196 is engaged, and the upper end portion 196B of the lever 196 is pressed by the lock claw 16B of the liquid crystal monitor 16 in the direction indicated by the arrow A. Therefore, when the liquid crystal monitor 16 is closed, the lever 196 is moved to the position shown in FIG.
The shutter plate 192 is rotated counterclockwise around the support shaft 196C, and the shutter plate 192 is flipped up and opened against the spring biasing force. On the other hand, when the liquid crystal monitor 16 is opened, the shutter plate 192 is closed by the urging force of the return spring 194.

A mode changeover switch 198 is provided so as to face the upper end portion 196B of the lever 196,
Similarly to the above, the liquid crystal monitor 16 is turned on / off according to opening / closing. The mode changeover switch 198 is a switch for selecting one of a normal mode using the liquid crystal monitor 16 and a power saving mode using the optical finder 12. When the liquid crystal monitor 16 is opened, the normal mode is selected. When the liquid crystal monitor 16 is closed, the power saving mode is set.

Then, according to these modes, the electric circuit connected to the control device of the camera body is interrupted or the like. That is, the LCD monitor is turned on in the normal mode,
In the power saving mode, the liquid crystal monitor is turned off. In this embodiment, the finder shutter 190 is mechanically opened / closed in accordance with the opening / closing operation of the liquid crystal monitor 16. However, the mode changeover switch 198 or another switch appropriately operated by the photographer is used to drive the motor or the like. May be driven to open and close the finder shutter.

A prism 199 which bends the optical axis S at a substantially right angle is housed at the base end of the finder barrel 170. The eyepiece lens 168 is arranged so as to face the exit surface of the prism 199. further,
A dead space is formed by the L-shaped finder cylinder 170, and the space is effective because the stereo microphone 14, the switch board (not shown) of the operation panel unit 50, and the like are arranged in this dead space. Is used for.

The operation of the embodiment of the camera according to the present invention constructed as above will be described below. When the photographer turns on the power switch 40 of the camera, the photographer stands by in a photographable state. Then, the subject image is transmitted through the taking lens 10 to C
Captured by CD140. When the mode switch 198 is set to the normal mode, that is,
When the liquid crystal monitor 16 is at the open position as shown by the solid line as shown in FIG.
6 is displayed, and the photographer can shoot while checking the image on the liquid crystal monitor 16.

In the normal mode, the shutter plate 192 is substantially perpendicular to the optical axis S by the urging force of the return spring 194, as described with reference to FIG. Therefore, the optical path of the optical viewfinder 12 is blocked and the viewfinder shutter 190 is closed, and the photographer cannot see the subject image even when looking through the optical viewfinder 12.

By the way, when the mode selector switch 198 is switched to the power saving mode when the battery capacity is low, etc., as shown in FIG.
To the closed position as shown by the broken line. The lever 196 rotates in conjunction with the closing operation of the liquid crystal monitor 16, and the lever 196 causes the mode changeover switch 1 to operate.
98 is switched to the power saving mode, and the shutter plate 1
The shutter plate 192 is flipped up against the biasing force of the return spring 46 via the lever portion 192B of 92, and the shutter plate 192 is brought into a state substantially parallel to the optical axis S and the interruption of the optical path is released. Then, the subject image is transmitted through the objective lens 160, the front zoom lens 162, the rear zoom lens 164, the fixed lens 166, the eyepiece lens 168, etc., and is captured by the photographer.

Further, by switching the mode changeover switch 198 to the power saving mode, the electric circuit is disconnected and the liquid crystal monitor 16 is turned off. Therefore, the photographer views the subject image only with the optical finder 12. Here, when the photographer operates the zoom button 24, the zoom motor 112 is driven, and the zoom cam 118 on the taking lens 10 side and the zoom cam 182 on the optical viewfinder 12 side simultaneously rotate as shown in FIG.

When the zoom cam 118 on the photographic lens 10 side rotates, the variator lens 102 moves back and forth to change the magnification of the subject image, and the focus lens 106 is controlled according to the position (zoom position) of the variator lens 102.
The focus is kept. Further, when the zoom cam 182 on the optical finder 12 side rotates, each engagement protrusion 172 that abuts on the cam surface 182A of the zoom cam 182.
D and 174D are guided by the cam surface 182A and moved in the direction of the optical axis S. Then, the front zoom lens 162 and the rear zoom lens 164 held by the lens frames 172 and 174.
Are moved while maintaining a predetermined optical relationship, and the focal length of the optical finder 12 is changed.

In this way, the photographing lens 10 described above is used.
The change of the focal length of the optical finder 12 and the change of the focal length of the optical finder 12 are substantially the same. Here, the variable focus lens device of the photographing lens 10 has a 10 × zoom,
The liquid crystal monitor 16 can confirm images at all focal lengths in the changed range, whereas the variable focus lens device of the optical viewfinder 12 has a 3 × zoom, so that all of the taking lenses 10 can be confirmed. It is not possible to capture images with focal lengths at almost the same angle of view.

Therefore, the changing range of the focal length of the taking lens 10 is 3.3 mm to 33 mm, but 4 mm to
The size is reduced to 12 mm and is adjusted to the range of changing the focal length of the optical finder 12 (4 mm to 12 mm). That is, when the camera control microcomputer 130 is switched to the power saving mode by the mode changeover switch 198, the photographing lens 10 is set so that the focal length of the photographing lens 10 is not set in the range of changing the focal length exceeding the 3 × zoom. Limit the lens moving mechanism.

Further, in the normal mode, when the taking lens 10 is driven beyond the 3 × zoom, the engaging protrusions 172D and 174D of the lens frames 172 and 174 of the optical viewfinder 12 are cams of the zoom cam 182. Face 182
The front zoom lens 162 and the rear zoom lens 164 are stationary in the 3 × zoom state even when the zoom cam 182 rotates.

Then, when the photographing lens 10 is in a state of exceeding the 3 × zoom when the normal mode is switched to the power saving mode, the photographing lens 10 is immediately returned to the 3 × zoom and the optical type is used. The magnification of the finder 12 can be matched. As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the power saving mode, the change range of the focal length of the taking lens 10 is reduced to substantially match the change range of the focal length of the optical viewfinder 12, so the focal length of the taking lens 10 is reduced. Is not set beyond the range of changing the focal length of the optical viewfinder 12. For this reason, the image visually recognized by the optical finder 12 and the image actually photographed are almost always coincident with each other.
Accurate shooting can be performed regardless of the difference in the range of change of the focal length between and.

Further, since the liquid crystal monitor is turned off in the power saving mode, effective power saving can be performed. Therefore, the life of the battery is extended, and the labor for battery replacement can be reduced. Further, since the finder shutter 190 is closed in the normal mode, even if the photographer mistakenly looks into the optical finder 12, the subject image cannot be captured, and the subject image is confirmed by the liquid crystal monitor 16. Therefore, the taking lens 10 is moved beyond the range of change of the focal length of the optical viewfinder 12.
Even if the focal length of the
Therefore, an image having an erroneous angle of view cannot be taken, and the subject image can be captured by the liquid crystal monitor 16 at an angle of view substantially equal to that of the taking lens 10.

Further, in this embodiment, since the structure of the finder shutter 190 is composed of the rotatable shutter plate 192, the structure is simple and easy to assemble, and the manufacturing cost does not increase significantly. The structure of the finder shutter 190 may be any other structure as long as it can block the optical path. For example, the shutter film can be slidable in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction. In this case, since the light is accommodated without taking a space in the direction of the optical path, the optical path length of the finder optical system can be shortened.

It is also possible to use a liquid crystal transmission plate that transmits and shields light rays by turning on and off electric signals. In this case, since there is no movable member, control can be performed electrically easily, and the life of the finder shutter can be extended. In addition, in any structure,
The finder shutter may be provided at any position on the optical path of the optical finder. For example, as in the present embodiment, a structure provided in substantially the middle part of the optical path, a structure provided near the eyepiece lens 168 like an eyepiece shutter,
The structure may be provided outside the objective lens 160 like a lens barrier.

[0055]

As described above, according to the camera of the present invention, the shutter for closing the optical path of the optical viewfinder is provided, and when the monitor is operated, the shutter is closed to block the optical path. Since this structure is used, the photographer cannot capture the subject image even when looking through the optical viewfinder, and the subject image is confirmed on the monitor.
On the other hand, when the monitor is not operated, the shutter is opened and the blocking of the optical path is released.For example, when saving power without operating the monitor by setting the power saving mode, use the optical viewfinder. The subject image can be confirmed. Therefore, it is possible to continue shooting while effectively saving power.

Further, by disposing the liquid crystal monitor as the monitor so that it can be opened and closed with respect to the camera body, switching between the optical finder and the liquid crystal monitor and turning on and off of the liquid crystal monitor based on the opening and closing operation of the liquid crystal monitor. It has the advantage that it can be performed automatically and the operation is easy to understand. Further, when the liquid crystal monitor is closed, its display screen is shielded by the camera body, so that the monitor screen can be protected.

Further, since only one of the monitor and the optical finder is used properly, the optical finder has a practical zoom ratio and the zoom ratio of the photographing optical system is higher than that of the optical finder. When the shutter is opened, the focal length changing range of the photographing optical system is made to substantially match the focal length changing range of the optical system of the optical viewfinder. The focal length does not change beyond the range of the focal length of the optical viewfinder. On the other hand, when the shutter is closed, even if the range of change of the focal length of the photographing optical system exceeds the range of change of the focal length of the optical viewfinder and the focal length of the photographing lens is changed, The optical finder does not catch an erroneous image, and the image actually captured by the monitor can be captured.

Further, when the shutter is composed of a substantially flat plate-shaped shutter plate provided with a rotary shaft at one end, the structure is simple and easy to assemble, and the manufacturing cost is greatly increased. There is nothing to do. When the shutter is composed of a shutter film that can be opened and closed, the shutter film is accommodated without taking a space in the direction of the optical path, so that the optical path length of the finder optical system can be shortened.

Further, when the shutter is composed of a liquid crystal transmission plate that transmits or blocks light rays by turning on and off an electric signal, it is possible to electrically control because there is no possible member, and the life of the finder shutter is extended. Can be achieved. Since the camera according to the present invention is configured by providing the viewfinder of the conventional camera with the shutter, it is not necessary to improve other members. Therefore, the parts of the viewfinder of the conventional camera can be used as they are, and the manufacturing cost does not increase significantly.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a camera according to the present invention as viewed from the front side.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a camera according to the present invention viewed from the back side.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the camera shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

4 is a partial cross-sectional view of a taking lens and an optical viewfinder of the camera shown in FIG.

5 is a perspective view showing a structure of an optical finder of the camera shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an essential part of a camera according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 ... Shooting lens 12 ... Optical viewfinder 14 ... Stereo microphone 16 ... Liquid crystal monitor 16B ... Lock claw 102 ... Variator lens 106 ... Focus lens 112 ... Zoom motor 118, 182 ... Zoom cam 120 ... Focus motor 130 ... Camera control microcomputer 140 ... CCD 162 ... Front zoom lens 164 ... Rear zoom lens 170 ... Viewfinder barrel 190 ... Viewfinder shutter 192 ... Shutter plate 194 ... Return spring 196 ... Lever 198 ... Mode selection switch

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Mitsufumi Misawa, 3-11-46, Izumi, Asaka-shi, Saitama Prefecture, Fuji Shashin Film Co., Ltd. Fuji Fujishin Film Co., Ltd.

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A shutter provided on an optical path of an optical viewfinder of a camera, capable of blocking the optical path, a monitor for displaying an image to be picked up, and the shutter being closed when the monitor is operated. A camera, comprising: switching means for blocking the optical path and opening the shutter to release the blocking of the optical path when the monitor is not operated. 2. The monitor is a liquid crystal monitor which is arranged to be openable and closable with respect to the camera body, and the switching means drives the shutter and turns on and off the liquid crystal monitor based on the opening and closing operation of the liquid crystal monitor. The camera according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The camera according to claim 2, wherein the display screen of the monitor is closed by the camera body when the monitor is closed. 4. The optical finder is a zoom finder whose focal length change range is smaller than the focal length change range of a photographing optical system, and when the shutter is opened,
The camera according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a changing range of a focal length of the photographing optical system is substantially matched with a changing range of a focal length of the optical viewfinder. 5. The optical finder has a zoom cam driven by a zoom motor for changing the focal length of the photographic optical system, and the focal length of the photographic optical system exceeds a change range of the focal length of the optical finder. 5. The camera according to claim 4, wherein a cam surface of the zoom cam is formed such that the zoom cam is stationary at a maximum focal length of the optical viewfinder during a period of time when the zoom cam is changed. 6. The photographing optical system when the monitor is operated to stop the operation of the monitor when the focal length of the photographing optical system is changed beyond the change range of the focal length of the optical viewfinder. The camera according to claim 5, wherein the focal length is controlled to substantially match the current focal length of the optical viewfinder. 7. The shutter is composed of a substantially flat plate-shaped shutter plate provided with a rotary shaft at one end thereof and is rotatable. The shutter plate is in a shutter closed state in which the optical path is blocked, and 7. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the camera is rotated to a shutter open state that does not block an optical path. 8. The shutter is composed of a shutter film that can be opened and closed, and is operated in a shutter closed state in which the shutter film blocks the optical path and in a shutter open state in which the shutter film does not block the optical path. The camera according to any one of claims 1 to 6. 9. The shutter comprises a liquid crystal transmission plate that transmits or blocks light rays by turning on and off an electric signal, the liquid crystal transmission plate blocks the optical path, and the liquid crystal transmission plate does not block the optical path. 7. The shutter is switched to an open state, wherein the shutter is opened.
The camera described in any of. 10. An optical viewfinder of a camera, a liquid crystal monitor which is arranged to be openable and closable with respect to the camera body and displays an image to be captured, and monitor control for turning on and off the liquid crystal monitor based on the opening and closing operation of the liquid crystal monitor. A camera comprising means and.