JPS63261240A - Video camera with still camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve portability and operability by providing an aperture for loading a cartridge on the front surface of an enclosure which houses a still camera and a video camera and an aperture for loading a video cassette on a side and providing a holding part which houses a spare cassette on the rear surface of a cover. CONSTITUTION:The front surface 12 of a camera casing 10 is divided into two parts, one of which a pickup lens 14 for a still camera, an AF light emitting element 20 and an objective lens 24 constituting an optical view finder are provided in. And another part is formed as the enclosure 28 which can be opened and closed by a hinge 30 and a pickup lens 16 for a video camera, an AF sensor 26 and a cartridge room 37 are provided on the enclosure 28. The aperture for housing a 8mm video tape cassette 46, which can be freely opened and closed, is provided on the side 326 of the case 10. By loading the cassette 46 in a cassette housing part 34 and moreover providing a space cassette housing part 302 on the rear surface of the cover 300, the housed cassette 46 is held by a belt 304. Thus, water-proof and dust-proof are improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a video camera equipped with a still camera, and more specifically to a movie video camera equipped with a still camera using, for example, silver halide photographic film.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION While filming with a television camera, ie, a video camera, that has a videotape recording function, there has been a desire to record a particular scene as a still photograph. conventionally,
For example, I would carry both a silver-halide still camera and a video camera, and if I wanted to shoot a still scene while shooting with the video camera, I would stop shooting with the video camera and shoot with the still camera. In such a situation, you have to carry two devices, you have to stop recording with a video camera, and there is a risk of missing out on an important photo opportunity. There was a problem.

Therefore, in order to solve this problem, a still camera and a video camera are combined into one device, and a still camera is installed that allows you to operate the still camera and take still pictures without interrupting the video camera. A video camera will be required.

Such a video camera with a still camera must have both methyl and movie functions at the same time. Therefore, it must be easy to operate, and it must be able to perform the so-called "vacation operation."

In particular, in consideration of portability, the still camera section should be arranged in a shape that is not too uneven compared to the overall shape of the video camera, and both the still camera section and the video camera section should be able to be operated properly with both hands or one hand. is required.

In addition, the part of the video camera section that stores the video cassette requires an opening for loading and unloading the video cassette. It is also conceivable that by gripping the video cassette housing portion, this portion may be deformed, resulting in poor stability when gripping the camera. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the strength and stability of the device.

Furthermore, when this video camera with still camera is used outdoors, the parts exposed on the casing surface, such as the video cassette storage part and the film exchange part of the still camera part, should be protected from dust and rain. It is necessary to take measures to protect the area from raindrops, etc.

Further, when recording a video, for example, when recording using an unrecorded portion of a previously used video cassette tape, or when recording for a long time, a spare cassette is required. However, the camera itself generally does not have a place to store a spare cassette, so it is necessary to prepare another storage case or the like. therefore,
When the remaining capacity of the tape becomes low during recording or when recording ends, it takes time to replace the cassette, resulting in a missed recording opportunity. There is a problem that the tape may be loaded incorrectly.

OBJECTS In view of these demands, it is an object of the present invention to provide a video camera with a still camera that is convenient to carry and has good operability.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION A video camera with a still camera according to the present invention includes a casing having an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole, and an imaging optical system for a still camera and an imaging system for a video camera that are located in the front of the casing and have openings facing the same field of view. optical system and
Inside the casing, there is a still camera section disposed near the imaging optical system for a still camera, which images the subject and records the still image on film, and inside the casing, there is a still camera section located behind the imaging optical system for a video camera. a video circuit unit disposed in the casing for capturing an image of the subject and forming a video signal representing a moving image; and a video circuit unit disposed inside the casing behind the still camera unit for recording the video signal on a videotape. The upper surface of the casing has a first opening for loading film into the still camera section and a second opening for loading a videotape cassette into the videotape recording section. The casing is further provided with a lid covering the top surface of the casing, the lid having a cassette holder for holding a videotape cassette loaded through the second opening.

In this specification, the term "video camera with still camera" refers to whether the still camera section is integrated into the video camera section, whether the two are separable, or if they are separable, each can be used as a single unit. It shall be interpreted in a broad sense to include photographic devices having both a still camera function and a video camera function, regardless of whether or not the term is a camera function.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Next, embodiments of a video camera with still camera according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a so-called 8 mm video camera, which basically consists of a casing 10 having an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole.
The casing 10 has a video camera function and a still camera function therein, and a lid 3oo that covers the entire top surface of the casing 10 is provided at the upper end of one side of the casing 10. The tape width of the video camera is 8+am.
This is a movie video camera that uses a video tape 100 (FIG. 4) as a video recording medium, images a scene, and records the moving image in the form of a video signal along with sound on the video tape 100. In this example, the still camera is a so-called 135-inch silver halide still camera, which is
This is a still camera that uses a 5 mm film 102 (FIG. 4) as a video recording medium and records still images as latent images on the silver halide film 102.

Two imaging lenses 14 and 16 are arranged on the generally rectangular front surface 12 of the casing 0. The imaging lens 14 constitutes an imaging optical system of a video camera, and the imaging lens 16 constitutes an imaging optical system of a still camera. Near the imaging lens 14 of the video camera, there is a strobe light emitter 18 for still photography and a light emitting element 20 for automatic ranging (AF).
, and the objective lens 2 of the optical finder 22 (FIG. 3).
4 are arranged as shown. Optical finder 22
An eyepiece or eyecup 42 is disposed on the rear surface of the casing IO. These two imaging lenses 14 and 1B are arranged so that they face the same field of view, and the objective lens 24 of the optical finder 22 also faces the same field of view. As a result, the still camera function section and the video camera function section within this device can photograph the same scene. It goes without saying that an electronic viewfinder may be used instead of the optical viewfinder.

A microphone 58 is attached to one side of the casing 10, that is, the left side in FIG. 1 in this embodiment, for collecting audio from the subject. This is advantageously used with unidirectional sensitivity.

As shown in the figure, a light receiving sensor 26 for automatic distance measurement is arranged near the imaging lens 1B of the still camera. A portion 28 of the casing 10, including its front face 12, is hinged 30.
As shown in FIG. 2, the casing 2B is opened forward at a slight angle with the axis as a pivot point, and inside this part of the housing 2B are the still camera's imaging lens 16, aperture 104, and optical shutter 10.
6 (Fig. 4), etc., and an AF sensor 26.
, film feeding mechanism 108. and exposure control circuit 11
0 and a part of the focusing mechanism 112 (FIG. 4), various mechanisms necessary for imaging with a still camera are provided. As a result, the captured subject image is recorded on the film 102.

As can be seen from FIG. 2, the forward opening of the housing 28 is limited to a predetermined angle by the movable arm 38, thereby forming an opening for drop-in loading of the film 102. In other words, the film 102 can be dropped into the loading section with the housing 28 opened to this position.

For drop-in loading, for example, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 58-88731, the protrusion 32 of the upper surface 32 of the casing 10 is
While pulling out the leader 102a of the 135-inch film 102 from the cartridge or magazine 36 by a certain length into the vertical gap 44 formed between the arrow 4 and the
This can be easily done by inserting the cartridge downwardly as shown at 0 to house the cartridge 36 in the cartridge chamber 37, and then securely closing the housing 28 to its original closed position.

As shown in the figure, a cassette storage section 34 is opened in a part of the generally rectangular upper surface 32 of the casing 10 . The cassette storage section 34 is connected to the operation display section 114 (
By operating the switch button for attaching and detaching the 8 mm videotape cassette 46 shown in FIG.
Form an opening for loading. As shown in FIG. 2, when the storage section 34 is raised, an 8 mm video tape cassette 46 can be inserted into or removed from the storage M134. The cassette 46 is inserted from the direction of the arrow 48, and the cassette 48 is removably loaded by lowering the storage section 34 to its original position.

As shown in the figure, a shirt release button 50 for a still camera and a record button 52 for a video camera are disposed on the lower surface of the casing 10. These buttons are arranged separately on the left and right sides of the bottom surface of the casing 10, and the operator holds the device by sandwiching the top surface 32 and bottom surface of the casing 10 between the fingers of both hands, and presses the recording button with the thumb of the right hand. 5
2, and then press the shirt release button 50 with your left thumb.
can be operated.

The casing IO is equipped with a lid 300 that covers the entire top surface of the casing 10. As shown in the figure, the opening side of the storage section 34 is opened on the upper side of the casing 10 opposite to the opening of the storage section 34 through which the cassette 4B is inserted into the storage section 34. The cassette 48 is equipped to be rotatable about the hinge 301, so that the cassette 48 can be easily inserted into and taken out from the storage section 34.

By being equipped with the lid 300, the casing 10 has a protrusion 32a on the top surface 32 of the casing that serves as a lid in the loading section for the film 102 in the still camera section, and
Together with the storage section 34 of the cassette 48, it substantially forms a double lid structure.

Further, the back surface 320 of the lid 300 is equipped with a cassette holder 302 for storing a spare cassette. The cassette holding part 302 includes side walls 308a and 308b fixed to the back surface 320 of the lid 300, a side wall 308a,
A bottom wall 310 fixed to the back surface 320 perpendicular to 308b
and a front wall 312 connected to side walls 308a, 308b and a bottom wall 310. The cassette 46 is housed in the cassette holder 302 through the side walls 308a, 308b and a portion of the front wall 312. Cassette holding part 3
A band-shaped holding belt 304 with Velcro 306a attached is attached to the front wall 312 of 02.
The Velcro tape 308a can be attached to and detached from the Velcro tape 306b provided on the back surface 320 of the lid 300. By attaching the Velcro tapes 308a and 308b, the stored cassette does not come off from the cassette holding portion 302 and be damaged when the camera body is tilted.

Since the cassette storage section 302 has a wide opening at the top, cassettes can be easily taken in and taken out.

A frame wall 322 is provided around the back surface 320 of the lid 300. It is desirable that the width of the frame wall 322 be larger than the width of the sides 1i 308a and 308b of the cassette storage section 302.A stepped portion 324 is provided around the upper surface 32 of the casing 10, and the frame wall 322 By fitting the lid 300, the lid 300 is closed. Also, lid 3
00 and the upper surface 32 of the casing 10 are a locking member 330a and a locking hole 330 having a locking mechanism to secure the lid 300 when the lid 300 is closed.
b is provided, and the locking member 330a and the locking hole 330
The lid 300 can be fixed by locking b. This locking mechanism is released by a lock release member 330c attached to the side surface 326 of the casing IO.

In FIG. 1, a secondary battery, for example, is removably installed in the casing 10 at a position indicated by a dotted line 54 as a power source for the device. To remove the battery 54, open the cover of the battery compartment on the side of the casing 10 and follow the arrow 56 shown in FIG.
It can be loaded from any direction.

Referring to FIG. 4, an example of the internal configuration of the video camera with still camera according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is shown. The imaging optical system of the video camera includes an imaging lens 14, and an optical shutter 116. A solid-state imaging device 118 such as a CCN (charge-coupled device) that converts an optical image of a subject captured by the imaging lens 14 from an optical signal to a video signal is disposed.

The imaging lens 14 may have a fixed focus, but in this embodiment, the focal position is controlled by the automatic focusing (AF) mechanism 112 based on a distance measurement signal from the system control circuit 144. An automatic exposure adjustment (EE) function is advantageously applied to the iris 118, which is adjusted to a proper exposure by the exposure control circuit 110 according to a photometric signal also obtained from the system control circuit 144. The imaging device 118 is driven by an imaging circuit 120, and a video signal obtained by the imaging device 120 is sent to the video circuit 122 through the imaging circuit 120.

The imaging circuit 120 clock-drives the imaging device 120, amplifies the video signal outputted from it, performs necessary corrections such as white balance adjustment, and outputs a standard color TV signal including a luminance signal, a color difference signal, and a synchronization signal. A composite video signal is formed. The composite video signal is input to the video circuit 122, which performs pre-emphasis to emphasize high frequency components, clamping to fix it at a predetermined level, and FM modulation to convert it into a recording signal suitable for recording on the videotape 100. It is input to mixer 12B.

On the other hand, the audio captured by the microphone 58 is transmitted to the audio circuit 12.
The audio circuit 124 performs amplification, automatic gain adjustment, and FM modulation to convert the signal into a recording signal suitable for recording on the video tape 100.
26.

These composite video and audio recording signals are mixed in mixer 12B, amplified in recording circuit 128, and supplied to a pair of magnetic heads 130a and 130b. The magnetic heads 130a and 130b are supported by a head cylinder 200 (FIG. 3) so that their azimuth angles are different from each other, and are constantly rotated by a head cylinder drive mechanism 132 at a predetermined rotational speed. The video tape 100 is held between a capstan 13G driven by a tape feeding circuit 134 and a pinch roller 138, and runs in a predetermined direction. In this way, magnetic heads 130a and 130b
The composite video signal and audio signal supplied to the video tape 100 are recorded on the videotape 100.

The optical system of the still camera has an imaging lens 18, behind which a film 102 is placed on an optical path 142 from a subject entering from the imaging lens 16 via an aperture 104 and an optical shutter 106. The imaging lens 16 may have a fixed focus, but in this embodiment, the focusing mechanism 112
The focal position is controlled by The automatic exposure adjustment function by the exposure control circuit 110 is also advantageously applied to the aperture 104 and the optical shutter 10B.

Loading, rewinding, and winding of film 102 is performed automatically by film feed mechanism 108 in response to instruction signals from system control circuit 144.

The system control circuit 144 is a control circuit that controls each part of the apparatus, and controls the tape feeding circuit 134 in response to the operation of the recording button 52 on the operation display section 114, for example.
Controls the feeding of the videotape 100. For example, in response to the operation of the shirt release button 50, the exposure control circuit 1109, the focusing mechanism 112, and the strobe light emitting circuit 1 are
Controls 4B.

The apparatus is provided with an automatic exposure (EE) sensor 148,
This measures the brightness of the scene and provides data indicative of the measured value to the system control circuit 144. The system control circuit 144 controls the exposure control circuit 110 and the strobe light emitting circuit 146 in accordance with the brightness data of the object field input from the EE sensor 14fl.

In response to this, the exposure control circuit 110 adjusts the aperture of the iris l16 of the video camera, and also controls the aperture of the aperture 104 of the still camera and the opening time of the shutter 10B. Further, the strobe light emitting circuit 148 controls the light emission time of the strobe light emitter 18.

Autofocus (AF) light emitting element 20 is connected to system control circuit 144 via AF light emitting circuit 150 . The AF light emitting circuit 15 responds to instructions from the system control circuit 144.
0 drives the AF light emitting element 20 to emit, for example, infrared light toward the subject, and the AF sensor 2B detects a portion of the infrared light reflected from the subject, thereby determining the distance between the device and the subject. Automatic distance measurement is performed. The distance measurement data is input from the AF sensor 2B to the system control circuit 144.

This distance measurement is based on the principle of triangulation, but in this device, as can be seen from FIG. Accurate distance measurement can be performed. The system control circuit 144 controls the focusing mechanism 112 according to data on the distance between the device constituted by the AF sensor 26 and the subject, thereby adjusting the focus of the two imaging lenses 14 and 1B.

The device is also provided with a white balance sensor 152. This detects the color components of the incident light from the subject and provides the data to the system control circuit 144. The system control circuit 144 sets parameters for the white balance adjustment circuit of the imaging circuit 120 based on this data.

The operation display unit 114 is a functional unit that gives manual instructions to the device and visually or audibly displays the status of the device to the operator. and automatic/manual switching such as white balance adjustment, video camera fader,
Setting buttons for wiper and title insertion, operation buttons for recording, rewinding, reviewing, etc. for the video tape recording mechanism 74 (Fig. 3), strobe operation buttons for the still camera, operation mode display, tape counter, tape end warning display, It has various operation buttons and display elements such as a film counter and a power consumption warning display.

Referring now to FIG. 3, this figure schematically shows the interior of the apparatus in the state shown in FIG. 1 with the casing 10 removed. Inside the housing 28 of the casing 10,
It is mainly equipped with a still camera functional section 7B.

For example, an imaging optical system including an imaging lens 1B of a still camera, a lens unit 60 in which an AF sensor 26 is integrated, and an exposure control circuit 11O9 focusing mechanism 11
2. Automatic photometry and distance measurement circuit, AF light emission circuit 150. Electronic circuit boards 62 and 64 on which parts related to still camera functions such as a strobe light emitting circuit 148 are mounted are arranged as shown.

Behind the imaging optical system unit 8B including the imaging lens 14 of the video camera, a solid-state imaging device 11B is mounted on an electronic circuit board 68 and arranged as shown in the figure. Mechanism 112. Parts related to video camera functions such as automatic photometry and distance measurement circuits are also implemented. Further behind it, a video circuit 120
Electronic circuit boards 70 and 72 each having an audio circuit 124 mounted thereon are disposed, and a battery 54 is housed therebelow.

As shown, a video tape cassette storage section 34, a magnetic head cylinder 200. A videotape recording mechanism including capstan 13B and pinch roller 138? Reference numeral 4 indicates a head cylinder drive mechanism 132 disposed behind the still camera section 7B, and below which is a head cylinder drive mechanism 132 including a cylinder motor and the like.
, mixer 12B, recording circuit 12, tape feeding circuit 1
34 and an electronic circuit board 78 on which a system control circuit 144 and the like are mounted. Optical viewfinder 22 is positioned between electronic circuit board 70 and videotape recording mechanism 74 as shown.

In this embodiment of the present invention, the imaging lenses 14 and 16 are opened at the front surface 12 of the casing 10, and the still camera function section 76 is located near the imaging lens 16 of the still camera.
However, behind the imaging lens 14 of the video camera, circuits and mechanisms necessary for photographing with the video camera are arranged, and a video tape recording mechanism and related circuits are arranged behind the still camera section 7B. videotape cassette 4
6 and drop-in loading of the film 102 can both be performed from the upper surface 32 of the casing 10.

Therefore, the entire device is compact, and it is possible to simultaneously capture moving images using a video camera and capture still images using a still camera without interfering with each other.

The casing 10 is equipped with a lid 300 covering the upper surface,
Since it has a substantially double-lid structure, it can provide daily waterproofing and dustproofing effects. Therefore, when using this video camera with a still camera outdoors, for example, the parts exposed on the surface of the casing 10, such as the video cassette storage part and the film exchange part of the still camera part, will be exposed to dust such as sand and rain. can be protected from raindrops, etc. In addition, in terms of strength and operation, if the lid 300 is not equipped, when holding a video camera with a still camera with both hands to take pictures, it is possible to hold the video cassette storage part with both hands. It is conceivable that the parts may be deformed and the stability when gripping becomes worse, but according to the camera of this embodiment, since the lid is gripped when taking pictures, it becomes easier to grip the camera. , the operability is improved, and the strength is also improved.

Furthermore, since the back surface 320 of the lid 300 is equipped with a cassette holding portion 302 for storing a spare cassette, there is no need to prepare another storage case or the like for holding a spare cassette. Therefore, when changing cassettes during recording, there is no need to worry about accidentally loading a tape from another recording method, and the tape can be changed smoothly, reducing the chance of missing a recording opportunity. You can create works that

Note that in the camera in the above embodiment, only the microphone 58 is installed outside the casing 10;
By shaping the lid 300 to cover the microphone 58, the microphone 58 can be protected.

Further, in this embodiment, the lid 300 when the lid 300 is closed is
0, the back surface 320 of the lid 300 and the casing 1
Although a locking mechanism using a locking member 330a and a locking hole 330b provided on the top surface 32 of the device is used, it goes without saying that the locking mechanism can be fixed using a magnet or the like. Furthermore, if a packing agent, a magnet, etc. are attached to the stepped portion 324 provided around the upper surface 32 of the casing lO,
The adhesion effect can be further enhanced, and the sealing effect can also be improved.

The lid 300 can be fully opened and an 8mm video tape cassette 4 can be opened.
It is also possible to use a two-step opening force type with a partial opening that opens the cassette 46 as much as necessary for attachment and detachment of the cassette 46 when it is attached to and detached from the cassette storage section 34.

Cassette holding section 302 for storing spare cassettes
In this embodiment, the cassette storage member is composed of a cassette storage member and holding belts 304 and 308b to which Velcro tape 306a is attached. Other retention methods can be used, such as a box structure.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the still camera function section uses a silver halide film, but it may also be of an instant photography type or an electronic still camera type that records video signals on a magnetic disk.

Effects As described above, in the video camera with still camera according to the present invention, a pair of imaging optical systems for the still camera and a video camera are opened in the front of the casing, and a pair of imaging optical systems for the still camera and a video camera are opened in the vicinity of the imaging optical system for the still camera. The functional parts are located behind the imaging optical system for the video camera, and the circuits and mechanisms necessary for video camera shooting are located, and the video tape recording mechanism and related circuits are located behind the still camera functional part. . Furthermore, since the videotape cassette and film are both attached and detached from the top of the casing, operability is excellent. In addition, the casing is equipped with a lid that protects the upper surface, and the lid is equipped with a cassette holder for storing spare cassettes, which improves the strength of the casing and makes it waterproof and dustproof. It is possible to obtain effects, etc. and also to store a spare cassette.

Therefore, it is possible to provide a video camera with a still camera that is convenient to carry, has good operability, can store spare cassettes, has high strength, and has good waterproof and dustproof properties.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a so-called 8 mm video camera; FIG. 2 is an external perspective view for explaining the usage state of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1; The figure is a perspective view schematically showing the internal structure of the same embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the internal structure of the same embodiment. Explanation of symbols of main parts 10, Casing 12, Front surface 14.1B, Imaging lens 18, Strobe light emitter 20, AF light emitting element 22, Optical viewfinder 2B, AF Sensor 28, Housing 32, Top surface 34, Cassette storage 37, Patrone chamber 50, Shirt release button 52, Record button 54, Battery 58,... Microphone 74, Videotape recording mechanism 7B, Still camera function section 300, Lid 302, Cassette holding section Patent applicant Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Agent Takao Katori Roo Sakiyama

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A casing having an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole; an imaging optical system for a still camera and an imaging optical system for a video camera that are located in the front of the casing and have openings facing the same field of view; a still camera unit disposed inside the casing near the imaging optical system for the still camera and configured to image the object scene and record the still image on film; and an imaging unit for the video camera located inside the casing. a video circuit unit disposed behind the optical system to image the object scene and form a video signal representing a moving image; and a video circuit unit disposed inside the casing behind the still camera unit to generate a video signal representing the moving image a videotape recording section for recording signals on videotape; the top surface of the casing has a first opening for loading film into the still camera section; and a videotape cassette to load the videotape cassette into the videotape recording section. a second opening for loading, and the casing is further equipped with a lid covering the top surface of the casing, the lid having a cassette holder for holding the videotape cassette. A video camera with a still camera. 2. The video camera with still camera according to claim 1, wherein the cassette holding section is provided on the back surface of the lid. 3. A video camera with a still camera according to claim 1, wherein the casing is provided with a viewfinder that faces the field of view. 4. In the video camera with a still camera according to claim 1, the still camera section has a film loading section into which a cartridge containing the film is loaded from a first opening by drop-in loading. A video camera with a still camera.