JPH09197502A - Camera with built-in stroboscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To cover the front surface of a stroboscopic light emission window while a red-eye phenomenon is suppressed without barring the miniaturization of a camera body. SOLUTION: A stroboscope unit 50 is freely movable between a housing position where it is housed in the camera body 10 and a photographing position where it projects from the stroboscopic light emission window 18 by an arm 61 turned with a supporting shaft 61a as a center. When the window 18 is opened by a top cover 12, a motor 63 is driven to be normally rotated and the unit 50 is moved to the photographing position. Besides, the optical axis 52a of stroboscopic light emitted from an electric discharge tube 52 is moved to the upper part of the body 10 and separated from the optical axis of object light. When the cover 12 is moved in a direction that the window 18 is closed, the motor 63 is driven to be reversely rotated and the unit 50 is moved to the housing position. Then, the window 18 is covered with the cover 12.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a built-in flash camera having a top cover for opening and closing a flash light emitting window.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Most of recent compact cameras have a built-in strobe device so that not only indoor photography or night photography but also, for example, a backlight scene under daylight can be performed. A camera with a built-in strobe like this
Strobe light emitted by the light emission of the strobe discharge tube,
The main subject can be properly exposed by irradiating the subject through the strobe light emission window provided on the front surface of the camera body.

It is known that a so-called red-eye phenomenon occurs when a stroboscopic image is taken with a person as a subject using a camera with a built-in strobe. This red-eye phenomenon is caused by the fact that the retina of the eye emits red light when it reflects strobe light, and when the optical axis of the subject light entering the shooting lens and the optical axis of strobe light are too close together. Remarkably appears. For this reason, it is preferable to arrange the stroboscopic light emission window as far away from the optical axis of the photographing lens as possible.
Generally, they are arranged laterally of the finder objective window and as close to the end side of the camera body as possible.

Further, as a camera with a red-eye countermeasure,
A device having a pop-up strobe device is known. This pop-up strobe device consists of an electric circuit and a strobe unit for emitting strobe light, and the strobe unit is pulled out to the outside of the camera body when shooting with a strobe. It is possible to further separate the optical axis of the light from the optical axis of the subject light, and it is possible to more reliably prevent the occurrence of the red eye phenomenon. In a camera provided with such a strobe device, as a moving means for pulling out and storing the strobe unit, for example, a moving mechanism that is driven by electric power is incorporated, or a strobe unit is operated each time the strobe unit is pressed once. The pulled out position and the stored position are alternately locked.
There is one using a so-called push-push type structure. In any of the cameras using any of the methods, it is necessary to move the strobe unit each time the stroboscopic shooting is performed or the shooting ends.

On the other hand, in order to prevent the taking lens from being scratched when carrying the camera and to prevent dirt and dust from adhering to the taking lens, the front side of the taking lens is covered by the lens barrier when the camera is not in use. There is a known camera that covers the. For the same reason, it is better to shield the viewfinder objective window exposed on the front surface of the camera body, the strobe light emission window described above, the metering window, the distance measuring window for autofocus, etc. when the camera is not used. preferable.

Some cameras having a finder cover for closing the finder objective window, the photometric window, the distance measuring window, etc. have been known so far. The most common form is a sliding barrier on the front of the camera body,
The barrier covers not only the front surface of the taking lens but also the front surface of each window such as the finder objective window.
This barrier is movable in the longitudinal direction of the camera body, that is, the barrier can be moved in the left-right direction when the camera body is viewed from the front, and by sliding the barrier during shooting, the taking lens and each window are exposed to the front. It is like this.

[0007]

The structure in which both the taking lens and each window such as the viewfinder objective window are opened and closed by the slide barrier provided on the front surface of the camera body as described above has a simple structure and reduces manufacturing cost. Although there is an advantage that the cost can be reduced, if an attempt is made to integrally cover the stroboscopic light emitting window provided on the side of the viewfinder objective window and near the end of the camera body, a very large slide barrier is required. In addition, since a retracting space is indispensable in front of the camera body when the slide barrier is opened, there is a drawback that the camera body tends to be large. In order to downsize the slide barrier and reduce the amount of sliding, it is necessary to install the viewfinder objective window and strobe light emission window covered by this slide barrier as close to the center of the camera body as possible. Since the position where the window is formed is close to the taking lens, the red eye phenomenon described above is likely to occur during stroboscopic photography.

In order to solve such a problem, a method of incorporating the above-mentioned pop-up type strobe device and covering only each window excluding the strobe light emitting window with a slide barrier can be considered. However, in this method, since the opening / closing operation of the slide barrier and the moving operation of the strobe unit have to be performed respectively, the photographer feels that the preparation for photographing is troublesome. Also, if the flash firing window is left exposed, foreign matter may get caught between the inner wall of the flash firing window and the strobe unit.When the strobe unit pops up, the foreign matter may scratch the strobe firing surface. There may be a problem.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances and has a built-in strobe camera capable of covering the front surface of the strobe light emitting window while suppressing the occurrence of the red-eye phenomenon without hindering the miniaturization of the camera body. The purpose is to provide.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, the camera with a built-in strobe according to the present invention exposes the strobe light emission window and a closed position that shields the strobe light emission window formed in the upper portion of the camera body. A top cover that is movable between the strobe unit and the open position is provided, and the strobe unit is movably incorporated between the storage position where the strobe unit is stored inside the strobe light emission window and the shooting position that projects from the strobe light emission window. A moving means is provided for moving the strobe unit to the retracted position in response to the cover moving to the closed position, and for moving the strobe unit to the shooting position in response to the top cover moving to the open position. is there. In addition, a top cover is provided so as to move in the front-back direction between the front side and the back side of the camera body, and the movement of this top cover causes the strobe light emission window and the viewfinder objective window provided side by side to go with the strobe light emission window. It should be shielded and exposed. Further, at least a part of the upper surface of the camera body is formed into a curved surface that is cylindrically protruded between the front surface side and the rear surface side of the camera body. It is better to move between the front side and the back side of the camera body.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 4 shows the appearance of a camera using the present invention. The camera body 10 has a substantially box shape as a whole, but the upper surface 10a is a curved surface protruding in a semi-cylindrical shape between the front surface side and the rear surface side, and the central portion of the upper surface 10a is A groove 11 extending in the circumferential direction is formed. The groove portion 11 is provided with a top cover 12 that is curved concentrically with the upper surface 10a and is slidable between the front surface side and the rear surface side of the camera body 10.

On the front side of the camera body 10 in the groove portion 11, a finder objective window 13, a light projecting window 14 and a light receiving window 15 for autofocus, and a photometric window 16 for detecting the subject brightness.
Are arranged side by side. A finder eyepiece window 17 (see FIG. 5) is formed on the back side of the groove 11 and a strobe light emission window 18 for projecting a strobe unit 50 of a strobe device 40, which will be described later, is formed on the upper side of the front side. These are exposed when the top cover 12 is moved to the back side of the camera body 10, and are shielded when the top cover 12 is moved to the front side of the camera body 10 to be stained with dirt and dust. It is designed to prevent The top cover 12 has
When the top cover 12 moves to the back side of the camera body 10, the viewfinder eyepiece window 17 and the strobe light emitting window 18
A window 19 (see FIG. 5) and a notch 20 for exposing each of them are formed.

The camera body 10 has a release button 21 on the outside of the groove 11 on the upper surface 10a and an opening 2 on the front surface.
2 are provided. A zoom lens barrel 24 having a built-in photographing lens 23, which is a zoom lens, is incorporated inside the aperture 22. When using the camera, the zoom lens barrel 24 can be projected from the aperture 22 to change the focal length appropriately. it can. This zooming operation can be performed by operating the zoom button 25 (see FIG. 5) provided on the back side of the camera body 10. Further, when the camera is not used, the opening 22 is closed by the lens barriers 26a and 26b to cover the front surface of the taking lens 23 to prevent the taking lens 23 from being scratched when being carried. When using the camera, look through the viewfinder eyepiece window 17 to frame the subject at an appropriate position, and press the release button 21 halfway to automatically perform photometry and focus, and then press the release button 21 for proper operation. Shooting is performed at the exposure value. Also, strobe light emission control by flashmatic is performed, and strobe light is emitted from the strobe unit 50 when the photometric value does not reach a predetermined level.

As shown in FIG. 5, a stepped guide projection 12a is formed on the side edge portion of the top cover 12.
An arcuate guide groove 11a is formed on the side wall of the groove portion 11, and the top cover 12 is formed in the guide groove 11a.
By inserting the guide protrusions 12a of the above, the top cover 12 can be stably slid between the front side and the back side of the camera body 10.

On the guide protrusion 12a of the top cover 12, two click holes 27a and 27b are formed side by side in a circular arc direction at positions close to the back side of the camera body 10, and the camera body 10 has a click hole 27a. , 2
A click ball 29 urged by a spring 28 in the protruding direction is incorporated on the moving path of 7b. Then, when the top cover 12 is moved to the back side, the click ball 29 is fitted into the click hole 27a and the top cover 12
Click and stop at the open position on the back side. Further, when the top cover 12 is moved to the front side, the click ball 29 is fitted into the click hole 27b and the top cover 1
Click 2 at the closed position on the front side.

A cover switch 30 for detecting the rear edge 12b of the top cover 12 is provided at the rear end of the groove 11. Cover switch 30
Outputs an ON signal when the top cover 12 is locked in the open position and the rear edge 12b of the top cover 12 is in contact with the cover switch 30. Then, when the top cover 12 starts moving from the open position to the closed position and the rear edge 12b of the top cover 12 separates from the cover switch 30, the output signal of the cover switch 30 changes from the ON signal to the OFF signal. To do.

As shown in FIG. 6, the lens barriers 26a,
26b has a substantially semi-circular shape and covers the opening 22 in half. These lens barriers 26a and 26b are
The respective end portions 31a and 31b are pivotally attached to shafts 32a and 32b provided on the front inner wall of the camera body 10. A zoom lens barrel 24 is provided on the inner side of the lens barriers 26a and 26b.
The drive ring 33 is arranged so as to surround the. A tooth row 33a is formed on the outer periphery of the drive ring 33, and a gear 35 driven by a motor 34 meshes with the tooth row 33a. Further, the drive ring 33 is provided with pins 36a and 36b projecting to the lens barriers 26a and 26b side at opposed positions. These pins 36
a and 36b are end portions 31 of the lens barriers 26a and 26b.
It enters into the cam grooves 37a and 37b formed in a and 31b. When the camera is not used, the lens barriers 26a and 26b close the opening 22 as shown in FIG. Further, when the camera is used, as shown in FIG. 2B, when the drive ring 33 is rotated clockwise in the figure by the drive of the motor 34, and the pins 36a and 36b move along the cam grooves 37a and 37b, respectively, The lens barriers 26a and 26b retract to both sides of the opening 22 to open the opening 22.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing a strobe device used in the camera of the present invention. The strobe device is composed of a strobe circuit 40 and a strobe unit 50, and the strobe circuit 40 is mounted, for example, on a printed board.
The strobe circuit 40 and the strobe unit 50 include printed contacts 41a, 41b, 41c and electrical contact pieces 51a, 51.
b, 51c. The DC power supply of the power supply battery 70 is converted to AC by the oscillation transistor 42, boosted to a high voltage by the transformer 43, and further converted to DC power by the rectifier 44, and then converted into the main capacitor 4.
5 and the trigger capacitor 46. After this,
When the synchro switch 47 is turned on in association with the shutter release, the electric charge accumulated in the trigger capacitor 46 is boosted by the trigger transformer 48 and applied to the trigger terminal plate 54. As a result, the electric charge accumulated in the main capacitor 45 is applied to the discharge tube 52, and the discharge tube 52 emits light.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the strobe unit 50 has a discharge tube 52 for emitting strobe light, a reflector 53 for covering the back side of the discharge tube 52, and a trigger for the discharge tube 52. The trigger terminal plate 54 and the trigger terminal plate 54 are housed in the front part of the housing 55, and the diffusion plate 56 is attached to the open front part of the housing 55. The upper wall surface of the housing 55 is formed in a gently curved shape following the curved upper surface 10a of the camera body 10. At the rear part of the housing 55, a pair of shafts 5 protruding left and right
7a and 57b are provided. The shafts 57a and 57b are
Bearings 58a, 5 provided on the inner wall of the camera body 10
8b, whereby the strobe unit 50 is rotatably attached to the upper portion of the camera body 10. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the above-mentioned three electric contact pieces 51a, 51b, 51c are provided on the rear surface of the housing 55, and the front portion of the strobe unit 50 is rotated so as to face upward. Sometimes, each strobe circuit 40
Of the printed contacts 41a, 41b, 41c.

In FIG. 1, an arm 61 is pivotally mounted inside the camera body 10 below the strobe unit 50. The drive roller 6 is attached to the support shaft 61a of the arm 61.
2 is fitted, and the arm 61 and the drive roller 62 rotate integrally. A tooth row 62a is formed on the outer periphery of the drive roller 62, and a gear 64 driven by a motor 63 meshes with this tooth row 62a.
A pin 65 is integrally provided at the tip of the arm 61, and is inserted into a cam groove 66 provided on the side surface of the housing 51. When the top cover 12 is in the closed position, as shown in FIG.
Is housed in the camera body 10, the strobe light emitting window 18 is closed by the upper wall surface of the housing 55, and the electric contact pieces 51a, 51b, 51c are connected to the print contacts 41a, 4a.
The strobe circuit 40 and the strobe unit 50 are separated apart from 1b and 41c. On the other hand, top cover 1
When 2 is in the open position, the motor 64 drives the gear 64 to rotate normally, and the drive roller 62 rotates counterclockwise in the drawing. As a result, the front portion of the strobe unit 50 is pushed upward by the arm 61 as shown in FIG. 3B, and the strobe light emitting window 18 of the camera body 10 and the notch 20 of the top cover 12 project to the photographing position. While being stopped, the electric contact pieces 51a, 51b, 51
c contacts the printed contacts 41a, 41b, 41c, respectively, and the strobe circuit 40 and strobe unit 50 are connected.

FIG. 7 schematically shows the electrical construction of the camera. The power supply battery 70 supplies power to the controller 71 and the motor drivers 72 and 73. The controller 71 monitors ON / OFF of the cover switch 30, and outputs an ON signal when the cover switch 30 is ON and an OFF signal when the cover switch 30 is OFF. The output signal of the controller 71 is used as an ON / OFF signal of the switching transistor 74 for power supply control, and the motor driver 72,
It is used as a drive control signal for 73. As described above, the cover switch 30 is turned on when the top cover 12 moves to the back side and reaches the open position, and is turned off when the movement from the open position to the closed position is started.

The motor drivers 72 and 73 respectively drive the motors 34 and 63 in the forward direction when an ON signal is input from the controller 71. As a result, the lens barriers 26a and 26b are opened, and the strobe unit 50 projects above the camera body 10 and is connected to the strobe circuit 40. When an off signal is input from the controller 71, the motor drivers 72 and 73 drive the motors 34 and 63 in the reverse direction, and the lens barriers 26a,
26b is closed and the strobe unit 50 is housed in the camera body 10.

The switching transistor 74 is turned on by the input of an on signal from the controller 71,
Distance measuring circuit 75, photometric circuit 76, and exposure control circuit 77
Then, power is supplied to the strobe circuit 40. Further, the switching transistor 74 is turned off by the input of the off signal, and the power supply to each circuit is cut off. Strobe circuit 4
0 starts the charging operation immediately when the switching transistor 74 is turned on, and charges the main capacitor 45 and the trigger capacitor 46.

A half-press switch 78 is connected to the distance measuring circuit 75 and the photometric circuit 76, and a full-press switch 79 is connected to the exposure control circuit 77.
The half-push switch 78 or the full-push switch 79 is short-circuited by the pushing operation of 1. Distance measuring circuit 75
Is a projector behind the light projecting window 14 and the light receiving window 15, for example, an IRED 81 emitting near infrared light, and a light receiver, for example PSD.
(Semiconductor position sensor) 82. This distance measuring circuit 7
5 is the IRE when the half-push switch 78 is turned on.
Distance measuring light is projected from D81 toward the subject, and the reflected light is received by PSD82. Then, the subject distance is measured based on the incident position of the reflected light, and the distance signal is sent to the exposure control circuit 77. Further, when the half-push switch 78 is turned on, the photometric circuit 76 measures the subject brightness by the photometric element 83 incorporated behind the photometric window 16 and sends the brightness signal to the exposure control circuit 77 and the strobe circuit 40. To do.

The exposure control circuit 77 has a release button 21.
When the full-push switch 79 is turned on by, the subject distance measured by the distance measuring circuit 75 and the photometric circuit 76
The shutter speed and the aperture value of the program shutter are controlled based on the subject brightness value measured by. Then, the synchro signal is synchronized with the operation of the program shutter.
When Sync is input to the strobe circuit 40, the synchro switch 47 is turned on, the discharge tube 52 emits light, and stroboscopic photography is performed. The strobe circuit 40 is under flashmatic strobe emission control, and when the subject brightness measured by the photometric circuit 76 has reached a predetermined level, the strobe circuit 40 is discharged even if the sync signal Sync is input. The tube 52 does not emit light.

The operation of the camera will be described below. In the state where the top cover 12 is moved to the front side of the camera body 10, all of the finder objective window 13, the light emitting / receiving windows 14, 15, the photometric window 16, the finder eyepiece window 17, and the strobe light emitting window 18 are covered. Is covered with. Further, the lens barriers 26a and 26b are also closed, and when not in use, their main constituent parts are shielded from the outside, so that they are not scratched or soiled when carried.
Further, since the click ball 29 is fitted into the click hole 27b to lock the top cover 12 at the closed position, the top cover 12 does not open accidentally when the camera is carried. Further, since the cover switch 30 remains off when the top cover 12 is in the closed position, the switching transistor 74 is in the off state, and the distance measuring circuit 75, the photometric circuit 76, the exposure control circuit 77, and the strobe circuit 40 are connected. The power supply of is turned off. Therefore,
The strobe circuit 40 is in an inoperative state, and even if the release button 21 is operated, the distance measuring circuit 75, the photometric circuit 76, and the exposure control circuit 77 do not operate.

When the camera is used, the top cover 12 is moved to the rear side of the camera body 10 against the click stop, and the finder objective window 13, the light emitting / receiving windows 14, 15,
The photometric window 16, the viewfinder eyepiece window 17, and the stroboscopic light emission window 18 are exposed on the surface of the camera body 10. At this time, since the upper surface 10a of the camera body 10 is formed in a curved surface and the top cover 12 has a curved shape corresponding to the upper surface 10a, the top cover 12 moves smoothly along the curved surface. Further, the top cover 12 includes a finder objective window 13, projection / reception windows 14 and 15, a photometric window 16,
Since the finder eyepiece window 17 and the stroboscopic light emitting window 18 move in a direction intersecting with the arrangement direction, the windows 13 to 18 can be exposed with a small amount of movement.

When the top cover 12 is completely moved to the back side, the click ball 29 is fitted in the click hole 27a and the top cover 12 is click-stopped at the open position. At the same time, the cover switch 30 is turned on, and in response to this, the controller 71 causes the motor drivers 72, 73 to
An ON signal is input to the switching transistor 74. As a result, the switching transistor 74 is turned on, power is supplied to each circuit unit, and the distance measuring circuit 7
5, the photometry circuit 76 and the exposure control circuit 77 are in a state of waiting for the release operation, and the strobe circuit 40 starts charging the main capacitor 45 and the trigger capacitor 46.

When the motor driver 72 receives an ON signal from the controller 71, it drives the motor 34 to rotate the drive ring 33 clockwise in FIG. As a result, the pins 36a and 36b are respectively inserted into the cam grooves 37a and 37b.
Moving along b, the lens barriers 26a and 26b retreat to both sides of the opening 22 and open the opening 22. Then, the zoom lens barrel 24 incorporated in the opening 22 is extended to the front surface of the camera body 10.

The motor driver 73 drives the motor 63 in the normal direction to drive the drive roller 62 via the gear 64 in FIG.
Rotate counterclockwise. As a result, the front portion of the strobe unit 50 is pushed upward by the arm 61 and protrudes from the strobe light emission window 18 of the camera body 10 and the notch 20 of the top cover 12. Further, the electric contact pieces 51a, 51b, 51c are respectively connected to the printed contacts 41.
The light emitting unit unit 50 and the strobe circuit 40 are connected to each other by making contact with a, 41b, and 41c. As a result, the discharge tube 52
Is in a light emission standby state, and as shown in FIG. 2B, the optical axis 52a of the strobe light emitted from the discharge tube 52 is emitted.
Is moved to a position substantially on the upper wall surface of the camera body 10.

When the photographer intends to shoot at the wide-angle end, he or she may operate the release button 21 as it is, and when he wants to change the focal length, he appropriately operates the zoom button 25.

When the photographer looks through the viewfinder eyepiece window 17 to frame the main subject at an appropriate position and presses the release button 21 halfway down, the halfway press switch 78 is turned on to activate the distance measuring circuit 75 and the photometric circuit 76. To do. Then, the distance measuring circuit 75 measures the subject distance, the photometric circuit 76 measures the subject brightness, and sends the obtained measured values to the exposure control circuit 77.

Subsequently, when the photographer presses the release button 21, the full-press switch 79 is turned on and the exposure control circuit 77 is operated, so that the photographing is performed with an appropriate exposure value. At this time, the exposure control circuit 77 controls the shutter speed and aperture value of the program shutter based on the subject distance measured by the distance measuring circuit 75 and the subject brightness value measured by the photometric circuit 76.

At the same time, when the subject brightness measured by the photometry circuit 76 is less than a predetermined level, the synchro switch 47 of the flash circuit 40 is interlocked with the release operation.
When is turned on, the electric charge accumulated in the trigger capacitor 46 at this timing is applied to the trigger terminal plate 54 via the printed contact 41c and the electrical contact piece 51c. As a result, the charges accumulated in the main capacitor 45 are transferred to the printed contacts 41a and 41b and the electrical contact piece 5.
1a, 51b is applied to the discharge tube 52,
2 emits light. Then, strobe light is emitted toward the subject, and an image is taken with proper exposure. At this time, since the optical axis 52a of the strobe light is located above the camera body 10 and is located away from the optical axis of the subject light incident on the taking lens 23, the occurrence of the red-eye phenomenon is prevented and a good subject image is obtained. Can be obtained.

When the photographing is completed and the top cover 12 is moved to the closed position side against the click stop, the rear edge 12b of the top cover 12 and the cover switch 30 are separated from each other, and the cover switch 30 is changed from the ON state to the OFF state. Switch to. In response to this, the output signal from the controller 71 changes from the ON signal to the OFF signal. When the off signal is output from the controller 71, the zoom lens barrel 24 is first drawn into the camera body 10. At the same time, the switching transistor 74 is turned off and the distance measuring circuit 75 and the photometric circuit 7
6, the power supply to the exposure control circuit 77 and the strobe circuit 40 is cut off, and these are deactivated. Further, the motor drivers 72 and 73 are activated, and the motors 34 and 6 are respectively activated.
Drive 3 in reverse.

When the motor 34 is driven in the reverse direction, the drive ring 37 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 6 and the pins 36a and 36b are rotated.
Move along the cam grooves 37a and 37b, respectively. As a result, the lens barriers 26a and 26b move to the front surface of the opening 22 and close the opening 22. When the motor 63 is driven in the reverse direction, the arm 61 rotates clockwise in FIG.
The flash unit 50 is pulled back into the camera body 10. As a result, the upper wall surface of the housing 55 closes the strobe light emitting window 18, and the electric contact pieces 51a, 51b,
51c separates from the printed contacts 41a, 41b, 41c, and the strobe circuit 40 and strobe unit 50 are separated.

When the top cover 12 is completely moved to the front side, the click ball 29 is fitted into the click hole 27b and the top cover 12 is clicked and stopped at the closed position. As a result, the finder objective window 13 and the projection / reception window 1
4, 15, the metering window 16, the viewfinder eyepiece window 17, and the stroboscopic light emitting window 18 are covered by the top cover 12, and a standby state for photographing is set.

In the above embodiment, an example in which separate motors are used for moving the light emitting unit and for opening and closing the lens barrier has been described, but it is of course possible to use one motor in common. In this case, the size of the gear may be determined according to the amount of movement of each of the light emitting unit and the lens barrier.

[0039]

As described above, according to the present invention, the strobe unit is movably incorporated between the storage position that is stored inside the strobe light emission window and the photographing position that projects from the strobe light emission window. When the strobe unit is at the shooting position, the optical axis of the strobe light moves above the camera body and moves away from the optical axis of the subject light. Therefore, if flash photography is performed with the strobe unit moved to the shooting position, the occurrence of the red-eye effect can be prevented. Moreover, since the strobe unit is automatically moved to the storage position or the shooting position in response to the movement of the top cover, the photographer does not need to perform any movement operation of the strobe unit, and the shooting preparation and the storage operation are simple. Can be

When the top cover is moved in the front-back direction between the front side and the back side of the camera body, this moving direction becomes a direction intersecting with the arrangement direction of the strobe light emitting window and the viewfinder objective window. The strobe light emission window and the viewfinder objective window can be integrally opened and closed with a small amount of movement. Therefore, it is possible to save the retreat space as compared with the conventional slide-movable cover that opens and closes in the horizontal direction, and because there is no restriction on the formation position of the strobe light emission window or the viewfinder objective window, the camera body can be made smaller. Can be realized.

Further, at least a part of the upper surface of the camera body is formed into a curved surface protruding cylindrically between the front side and the rear side of the camera body, and a stroboscopic light emission window and a viewfinder objective window are provided on this curved surface. By providing the top cover so that it can move in the front-back direction between the front side and the back side of the camera body along the curved surface, the useless gap between the camera body and the top cover is eliminated, and the camera body can be made compact. The image can be enhanced and the top cover can be moved more smoothly.

[Brief description of drawings]

1A and 1B are explanatory views showing a moving mechanism of a strobe unit, FIG. 1A showing a state in which a strobe unit is in a storage position, and FIG. 1B in a state in which a strobe unit is in a shooting position.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a strobe device used in the camera of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing a strobe circuit.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a camera embodying the present invention,
(A) shows the top cover in the closed position, (B)
Represents the state in the open position.

5 is a schematic view of an essential part of the upper portion of the camera shown in FIG. 4 shown from the back side.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing an opening / closing mechanism of a lens barrier,
(A) shows a state where the lens barrier is closed, and (B) shows a state where the lens barrier is open.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an electrical configuration of a camera.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Camera Body 12 Top Cover 18 Strobe Light Emitting Window 30 Cover Switch 40 Strobe Circuit 41a, 41b, 41c Printed Contact 50 Strobe Unit 51a, 51b, 51c Electric Contact 52 Discharge Tube 61 Arm

Continued Front Page (72) Inventor Tanaka Nori Nishiazabu 2-26-30 Minato-ku, Tokyo Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A strobe unit is provided with a top cover that is movable between a closed position that shields a strobe light emission window formed in an upper portion of a camera body and an open position that exposes the strobe light emission window, and the strobe unit emits the strobe light. Incorporated movably between a storage position that is stored inside the window and a shooting position that projects from the flash light emission window, and moves the strobe unit to the storage position in response to the top cover being moved to the closed position. A camera with a built-in strobe, characterized in that a moving means is provided for moving the strobe unit to a shooting position in response to the movement of the top cover to the open position. 2. The top cover is provided movably in the front-rear direction between the front side and the back side of the camera body,
The finder objective window provided side by side with the strobe light emission window is shielded and exposed together with the strobe light emission window by the movement of the top cover.
Camera with built-in flash. 3. A top surface of the camera body is formed as a curved surface projecting in a cylindrical shape between a front side and a back side of the camera body, and the stroboscopic light emission window and the viewfinder objective window are provided on the curved surface. The camera with a built-in strobe according to claim 2, wherein the cover moves along the curved surface between the front side and the back side of the camera body.