JPH0933997A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance the operability of a camera provided with plural buttons. SOLUTION: On the fixed barrel 14 of a lens barrel 10, a unit inserting hole 19 in which an insertion type filter unit 40 is inserted is formed. A function selection button 25 for selecting and setting the action content of the button for designating a focusing action 21 is provided on the inside circumferential wall of the hole 19. Therefore, the button 25 is not erroneously depressed in the midst of photographing operation.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera having a plurality of operation parts such as buttons.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a great number of functions have been incorporated in cameras. For this reason, the number of switches, buttons, etc., which are operation units, in cameras has become extremely large.

[0003]

However, in the prior art, since many functions are required in order to obtain many functions, the photographer is confused about which operation unit should be operated at the time of photographing. However, there is a problem that the operability is not so good. The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide a camera that does not deteriorate operability even if the number of functions increases.

[0004]

A camera for achieving the above object has at least one operation section operated by a photographer and an accessory mounting section to which accessories are mounted. When one of the one or more operation units is hidden in the accessory when the accessory is attached to the camera and cannot be touched by the photographer, an operation unit (hereinafter referred to as an A operation unit) that is assumed to be infrequently used among the one or more operation units. It is characterized by being arranged.

Here, the accessory mounting portion is an accessory insertion hole into which the accessory can be inserted, and the A operating portion is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the accessory insertion hole. Is preferred.

If the camera has a first operation section and a second operation section for changing the function of the first operation section as the operation section, the A operation section is used. Is preferably the second operation unit.

In the above camera, the accessory is a plug-in type filter unit which has a filter and a filter holder for holding the filter and positions the filter in the optical path of the lens barrel. The lens barrel has a unit insertion hole for inserting the plug-in type filter unit as the accessory mounting portion so that the filter is located in the optical path of the lens barrel, and is hidden by the accessory. The operation portion may be arranged on the inner peripheral surface of the unit insertion hole.

[0008]

The operation unit (A operation unit) which is infrequently used among the plurality of operation units is provided in a portion hidden by accessories of the camera. Therefore, in the state where the accessory is attached, the A operation section is not mistakenly operated during shooting. In addition, among the plurality of operation units, A is used less frequently.
Since the operation unit is hidden, it is possible to perform an instant operation without hesitating which of the other relatively frequently used operation unit and the A operation unit should be operated. Therefore, the operability of the camera can be improved. In particular, the accessory mounting part is an accessory insertion hole into which the accessory can be inserted, and the A operation part is provided on the inner peripheral surface of this accessory insertion hole, the accessory can be installed. It is possible to prevent erroneous operation and the like regardless of whether or not it is present.

In the present invention, the accessory is used to
Since the operation section is hidden, it is not necessary to separately provide a dedicated member for hiding the A operation section, and it is possible to prevent an increase in manufacturing cost.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Various embodiments of a camera according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, a first embodiment of a camera according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The camera of the present embodiment is a so-called autofocus camera, and includes a camera body 50 and an interchangeable lens barrel 10 attached to the camera body 50, as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the lens barrel 10 holds the first lens L1, the second lens L2, the third lens L3, and the second lens L2 so as to be movable in the optical axis direction. The second lens holding ring 15, the fixed barrel 14 in which these lenses are arranged on the inner peripheral side, the cam barrel 16 rotatably arranged around the optical axis, and the cam barrel 16 rotated around the optical axis. The autofocus motor 31, the focus operation designation button (first operation unit) 21, the switch SW1 interlocking with the focus operation designation button 21, and the focus operation designation button 21 are executed. Function selection button (second operation part) 2 for selecting and setting operation contents
5 and the switch SW which is interlocked with the function selection button 25
2 and a lens side microcomputer 30.

A plug-in type filter unit 40, which is one of accessory units, can be attached to the lens barrel 10. This plug-in filter unit 40
Has a filter 41 and a filter holder 42 that holds the filter 41.

The respective lenses are the first lens L1, the second lens L2, and the third lens L3 from the subject side to the camera body side.
Are arranged in the order of The first lens L1 and the third lens L3 are fixed to the inner peripheral side of the fixed barrel 14. The second lens retaining ring 15 that retains the second lens L2 includes the fixed barrel 1
It is arranged on the inner peripheral side of 4 so as to be movable in the optical axis direction.

A circumferential groove extending around the optical axis and a spiral cam groove centered on the optical axis are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cam barrel 16. A gear extending in the direction around the optical axis is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cam barrel 16. The rotation shaft of the autofocus motor 31 is provided with a gear 32 that engages with the gear of the cam barrel 16.

The fixed barrel 14 is formed with a straight groove 12 penetrating from the inner peripheral side to the outer peripheral side and extending in a direction parallel to the optical axis. The fixed barrel 14 is provided with an optical axis direction position regulating pin 18 that is slidably fitted in the circumferential groove of the cam barrel 16. A cam pin 17 is slidably fitted in the rectilinear groove 12 of the fixed barrel 14 and the cam groove of the cam barrel 16 on the second lens retaining ring 15.

The filter unit 40 is provided on the camera body side of the fixed barrel 14 so that the filter 41 of the filter unit 40 can be positioned in the optical path of the lens barrel 10.
Unit insertion hole for inserting (accessory attachment part) 19
Are formed. A part of the side wall of the unit insertion hole 19 penetrates in a direction parallel to the optical axis, and the function selection button 25 is arranged so that its tip portion slightly protrudes from this through hole. However, the tip of the function selection button 25 does not protrude to the extent that it contacts the filter unit 40 when the filter unit 40 is inserted into the unit insertion hole 19. The function selection button 25 is provided so as to be capable of reciprocating in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis (A-B direction in FIG. 1). A focus operation designation button 21 is arranged on the subject side of the fixed barrel 14. At the end of the fixed barrel 14 on the camera body side, the mount 1
1 is formed.

Here, the circuit configuration of the camera of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The camera body 50 has a body-side microcomputer 52 and a battery 51 built therein. The main body side microcomputer 52 and the lens side microcomputer 30 are connected to communication lines 53a and 54
Data exchange is performed by a and 55a. Power for both the microcomputers 30, 52 and the focus motor 31 is supplied from a battery 51 in the camera body 50. The switch SW1 is interlocked with the focus operation designation button 21, and when the button 21 is pressed, the signal line 23a
Is connected to the GND (ground) line 22a, and this state is transmitted to the lens side microcomputer 30 as an electric signal. The switch SW2 is a switch for selecting the function of the switch SW1, and the signal line 27a is connected to the GND line 26.
a, a state in which the signal line 28a is connected to the GND line 26a, and a state in which both the signal line 27a and the signal line 28a are not connected to the GND line 26a. It is transmitted to the computer 30.

As shown in FIG. 1, the switch SW1 is connected to the contact 23 connected to the signal line 23a and the GND line 22a, and the focus operation designating button 21.
When the button is pressed, it has a contact 22 that is pressed by the button 21 and comes into contact with the contact 23, and a contact support member 24 that supports these contacts. The switch SW2 includes a contact point 27 connected to the signal line 27a, a contact point 28 connected to the signal line 28a, and a GND line 26.
connected to a and linked with the operation of the function selection button 25,
A contact 26, which is in contact with the contact 27, in contact with the contact 28, and in a state not in contact with any of the contacts 27, 28, and these contacts 26, 27, 2
8 and a contact point support member 29 that supports 8.

Next, the operation of the camera of this embodiment will be described. The camera body 50 detects a focus state with an autofocus sensor (not shown), and the body side microcomputer 52 causes the drive circuit 3 to adjust the focus.
The drive control of the auto focus motor 31 is carried out via 3. When the autofocus motor 31 is driven, the cam barrel 16 rotates around the optical axis. When the cam barrel 16 rotates,
The cam pin 17, which is fitted in the spirally formed cam groove about the optical axis, tries to move in the optical axis direction while rotating around the optical axis. The cam pin 17 is a straight groove of the fixed barrel 14. Since it is also fitted in 12, it moves only in the optical axis direction without rotating around the optical axis.
As a result, the second lens holding ring 15 provided with the cam pin 17 and the second lens L2 held by the second lens holding ring 15 move in the optical axis direction and come into focus. Normally, an autofocus operation is started by an operation such as half-pressing a release button (not shown) of the camera body 50, and while the half-press operation continues,
The autofocus operation continues.

When the focus operation designation button 21 is pressed and the switch SW1 is closed, the result is the signal line 23a.
Via the lens side microcomputer 30. At this time, the function selection button 25 is slid in the direction A, and the contact 26 and the contact 27 of the switch SW2 are in contact with each other (state of FIG. 1), that is, the signal line 27.
When a is at the GND level, the lens side microcomputer 30 operates the communication lines 53a, 54a,
To the main body side microcomputer 52 via 55a,
A signal indicating that the focus lock operation has been performed is transmitted. The main body side microcomputer 52 responds to the focus lock operation signal by the motor drive circuit 33.
The motor stop signal is output to the autofocus motor 3
1 stops. As a result, the movement of the second lens is stopped even if the subject changes.

Further, the function selection button 25 is slid in the B direction, and the contact 26 and the contact 28 of the switch SW2 are in contact with each other (state of FIG. 2), that is, the signal line 28.
When the focus operation designation button 21 is pressed and the switch SW1 is closed when a is at the GND level,
The lens side microcomputer 30 has a communication line 53.
A signal indicating that the autofocus start operation has been performed is transmitted to the main body side microcomputer 52 via a, 54a, 55a. The main body side microcomputer 52 starts the autofocus operation in response to the signal of the autofocus start operation regardless of the operation state of the release button of the camera body 50.
That is, the main body side microcomputer 52 drives and controls the autofocus motor 31 via the drive circuit 33 so as to focus.

Further, the function selection button 25 is located at an intermediate position between A and B, and the contact 26 of the switch SW2 is not in contact with either of the two contacts 27 and 28,
That is, when both the signal lines 27a and 28a are not at the GND level, the focus operation designation button 2
Even if 1 is pressed and the switch SW1 is closed, the lens side microcomputer 30 ignores the state of the switch SW1 and does not transmit a signal to the main body side microcomputer 52. Therefore, the main body side microcomputer 52 is
No operation is performed in response to the operation of the focus operation designation button 21.

As described above, the function of the focus operation designating button 21 is such that the operation of the function selection button 25 causes the focus lock, the autofocus start, and the non-operation.
Any one is selected and set.

The operation of the function selection button 25 is performed when the filter unit 40 is out of the unit insertion hole 19 as shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG.
When the filter unit 40 is inserted in the unit insertion hole 19, the function selection button 25 cannot be touched. Therefore, even if the photographing operation is performed while the filter unit 40 is inserted in the unit insertion hole 19,
The function selection button 25 will not be accidentally operated. Further, in the case of the present embodiment, since the function selection button 25 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the unit insertion hole 19, even when the filter unit 40 is not inserted into the unit insertion hole 19, the unit insertion hole 19 is inserted into the unit insertion hole 19. It is unlikely that your fingers will get inside. Therefore,
Even if the unit is not attached, it is practically rare that the function selection button 25 is accidentally operated during the shooting operation.

As described above, in this embodiment, it is possible to prevent erroneous operation of the function selection button 25. Further, among the buttons 21 and 25 provided on the lens barrel 10, the function selection button 25 is hidden by the filter unit 40, so it is difficult to determine which button 21 or 25 should be operated by an instantaneous operation. Rather, the operability can be improved. Although the function selection button 25 is hidden by the filter unit 40 and its operability is reduced, it can be said that the disadvantage is practically non-existent because the function selection button 25 is a button that is extremely rarely used. In addition, in the present embodiment, since the accessory is used to hide the function selection button 25,
It is not necessary to separately provide a dedicated member for hiding the function selection button 25, and the effects described above can be obtained without increasing the manufacturing cost.

By the way, in the above embodiment, the lens barrel 1 is used.
0 is provided with a filter unit insertion hole 19 and a function selection button 25 is provided on the inner peripheral wall thereof. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, a camera body 50a is provided with a battery box (accessory) 51a. The insertion hole (accessory attachment portion) 59 may be provided, and the function selection button 25 may be provided on the inner peripheral wall thereof. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a filter attachment portion (accessory attachment portion) 19a for attaching the screw-in type filter unit 40a is usually formed at the end of the fixed barrel 14 on the object side. When this screw-in type filter unit 40a is attached to the fixed barrel 14, a portion hidden by the filter unit 40a, that is, a portion between the filter unit 40a and the first lens L1 on the inner peripheral side of the fixed barrel, A function selection button 25 may be provided. That is, in the above embodiment, the function selection button 25 is provided in the portion hidden by the pluggable filter unit 40, but the present invention is not limited to this.
You may provide a function selection button in the part hidden by various accessories.

Further, in the above embodiments, the button related to the autofocus is hidden by the accessory, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the button related to the automatic exposure is hidden by the accessory. You may do it. In addition to the buttons operated by the user, such as the buttons related to autofocus and the buttons related to autoexposure, special switches (for example, solder bridges on the printed circuit board) that set functions at the manufacturer's responsibility are included in the accessories. You may hide it with.

[0029]

According to the present invention, the operating section (A
Since the operation unit is hidden by the accessories of the camera, the A operation unit will not be erroneously operated during shooting, etc. Furthermore, the A operation can be performed with other relatively frequently used operation units by an instantaneous operation. There is no doubt as to which operating unit to operate. Therefore, according to the present invention, the operability of the camera can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a lens barrel of a first embodiment according to the present invention (with no accessories attached).

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the lens barrel of the first embodiment according to the present invention (with accessories attached).

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the lens barrel of the first embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a circuit block diagram of the camera of the first embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a camera body of a second embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts of a lens barrel of a third embodiment according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Lens barrel, 14 ... Fixed barrel, 15 ... Second lens retaining ring, 16 ... Cam barrel, 19 ... Unit insertion hole (accessory attachment part), 19a ... Filter attachment part (accessory attachment part), 2
1 ... Focus operation designation button (first operation unit), 25
... function selection button (second operation unit), 30 ... lens side microcomputer, 31 ... auto focus motor,
40 ... Pluggable filter unit (accessory), 40a
... Screw-in type filter unit, 50, 50a ... Camera body, 51 ... Battery, 51a ... Battery box (accessory),
52 ... Main body side microcomputer, 59 ... Battery box insertion hole (accessory attachment part).

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A camera having one or more operation sections operated by a photographer and an accessory mounting section to which accessories are mounted, wherein when the accessory is mounted to the accessory mounting section, A camera, characterized in that an operation unit, which is assumed to be infrequently used in advance, of one or more of the operation units is arranged at a position hidden by the accessory and out of contact with a photographer. 2. The camera according to claim 1, further comprising: a first operation section as the operation section, and a second operation section for changing a function of the first operation section. A camera characterized in that, when the accessory is attached to the article attaching section, the operation section which is hidden by the accessory and which is arranged at a position where the photographer cannot contact is the second operation section. 3. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the accessory includes a filter and a filter holder that holds the filter, and the plug-in type filter unit that positions the filter in the optical path of the lens barrel. And, in the lens barrel of the camera, as the accessory mounting portion, so that the filter is positioned in the optical path of the lens barrel,
A camera characterized in that a unit insertion hole for inserting the plug-in type filter unit is formed, and the operation section hidden by the accessory is arranged on an inner peripheral surface of the unit insertion hole.