JPS644095Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an automatic photographing camera, and more particularly to a still camera using photosensitive film, a movie camera, or a video camera using electronic photographing means.

In cameras with conventional AF devices, the detection area in which focus can be detected is limited to a portion of the screen. Therefore, when a photographer attempts to take a picture of himself or herself while away from the camera, such as when taking pictures with a self-timer, it is impossible to confirm his or her position within the viewfinder, so the detection area Sometimes I ended up standing outside. In that case, the disadvantage was that the background would be in focus and the subject itself would be out of focus. Therefore, the purpose of the present invention is to automatically take a picture only when the subject is within the detection area and within a predetermined distance from the subject, thereby preventing out-of-focus caused by the subject leaving the detection area. The purpose of the present invention is to provide an automatic photographing camera.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the subject detection range of the AF device. Since the detection area 1' is narrow compared to the entire area 1 of the screen, if the subject 2 does not come within the area 1' during self-timer photography, the background will be in focus.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a still camera for photosensitive film having a self-timer device. When taking a self-timer photograph, the photographer 2 adjusts the photographic lens 3 to a desired subject distance using an adjustment means (not shown), and puts the self-timer device 8 into an operable state. Here, the subject distance is within a predetermined range (for example, between 2m and 3m)
Including cases where the Thereafter, the manual setting means 25 operates the focus detection device 7. The object light that has passed through the lens 3 is split by a beam splitter 5 into light that is incident on the film surface 4 and light that is incident on the light receiving surface of the focus detection device 7. The light receiving surface and the film surface 4 are in a conjugate position. Therefore, when the photographer 2 stands at the position of the subject distance and enters the detection area of the focus detection device 7 (that is, when the subject image is clearly formed on the light receiving surface of the focus detection device 7)
The detection device 7 outputs a focus signal 7a. The signal 7
The self-timer device 8 is activated by a.
The display means 10 notifies the photographer by sound, light, etc. that the timer is operating. After a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the focus signal 7a was generated, the shutter drive device 9 is activated, the shutter blade 9a is opened, and the film is exposed. This timer operation display also serves as an indication that the subject has entered the focus detection range at a predetermined subject distance. Of course, a display means 30 driven by the signal 7a may be provided separately from the self-timer operation display.

Figure 3 shows the second embodiment of the present invention, and the photographing lens 3
is implemented in a type that is constantly driven by a motor 11 to focus. The photographer sets a desired subject distance in advance using the subject distance setting means 13, and activates the subject distance detecting device 70 using the manual setting means 25. When the distance signal 70a generated by the object distance detection device 70 and the object distance signal 13a of the object distance setting means 13 match, the comparison means 14 issues a start signal to the self-timer device 8, and the operation is similar to that shown in FIG. Take.

FIG. 4 shows the appearance of a camera implementing the second embodiment (FIG. 3). When the photographer operates the self-timer lever 16 to selectively align the pointer 16a with the subject distance scale 17 and stands at the selected subject distance, the comparison device 14 generates a signal and the self-timer device 8 starts. The display element 10a included in the display means 10 blinks.

FIG. 5 shows the structure of the self-timer lever section. By turning the lever 16 to the left, the connected disk 18 turns to the left, and the rotating brush 18a attached to the disk 18 moves over the contact points 19 and comes into contact with one of the contacts 19 to set the distance. . The stopper 20 is for stopping the lever 16 at the set position by falling into the notch 18b of the disc 18. When the shutter is released, the stopper 20 is turned to the right by the shutter device 22, and the stopper 20 is turned to the right against the force of the spring 21 to remove the pawl 20a from the notch 18b. Accordingly, the disk 18 and the lever 16 are rotated to the right by the spring 23 and returned to the illustrated position. The pin 24 comes into contact with the protrusion 18c at the time of return and limits the clockwise rotation of the disc 18.

Note that other embodiments of the present invention include the following. In the configuration shown in FIG. 2, the lens 3 is automatically scanned from infinity to close range, and this scanning is locked by a focus signal 7a from the focus detection circuit 7, and this locking can be fixed arbitrarily, a so-called focus lock. shall be possible. As a result, instead of manually adjusting the lens 3 to a desired subject distance, by pointing the lens 3 at an object at the desired subject distance in advance, the lens 3 is automatically focused on the object, and the lens 3 is automatically focused on the object. 3 can be focus-locked in that state.

In each embodiment of the present invention, the distance detection device is TTL
Although a type AF system was shown, the effect is the same with an external light type or other type of AF system.

It is also possible to activate the self-timer once the subject enters the detection area at a set subject distance, and then shifts to a position outside the detection area (for example, the state shown in FIG. 1) and photographs the subject.

Furthermore, when the self-timer device is not activated, the photographing operation can be started immediately upon detection of focus. Therefore, for example, when photographing a butterfly or insect flying around a flower, automatic photographing can be performed without observing the finder, which is particularly advantageous.

If the camera equipped with an AF device is a still camera or a movie camera that can shoot continuously using an electric winding device, etc., it is possible to continue shooting while the subject is within a predetermined distance (or within the subject distance range). This makes it possible to remotely and automatically photograph animals that dislike humans.

The effects of the present invention are as follows.

If you set the subject distance that the photographing lens should focus on to a desired value in advance, and also point the focus detection area provided in a part of the photographing plane in the direction in which the subject is expected to stand, the subject will be able to detect the focus. Upon entering the area and being located at a predetermined subject distance, a self-timer can be activated to operate the shutter after a predetermined period of time. Therefore, it is possible to prevent out-of-focus caused by the subject moving out of the detection area, and when the photographer himself/herself is the subject, it is possible to prevent the subject from being out of focus while standing at the desired position within the shooting screen, that is, with the desired composition completed. You can take pictures.

Furthermore, there is plenty of time between the time the self-timer starts and the time the shutter operates and takes the picture.
During this time, you can adjust or change your shooting pose.

In addition, if the photographer is the subject, he or she may purposely stand outside the detection area or at a predetermined subject distance at the beginning, and then, once the shooting conditions are established, move within the detection area at the set subject distance. You can also start the self-timer.
In other words, it is possible to start the self-timer at a desired time from a position away from the camera.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figure 1 shows the subject detection range of the AF device.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a camera including the second embodiment. FIG. 5 is a front view showing the external appearance of the self-timer lever, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the structure of the self-timer lever section. Explanation of symbols of main parts, 3, 13... Setting means, 7, 70, 14... Detecting means, 8, 9, 10
...Self-timer means.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claim for Utility Model Registration] 1. A device having a setting means for setting in advance the subject distance on which the photographing lens should focus to a desired value, and a detection area narrower than the entire range of the photographing screen,
a detection means that emits a detection signal when a subject is located at the set subject distance within the detection area; and a self-timer that starts timing in response to the detection signal and starts a photographing operation when timing for a predetermined time is completed. An automatic photographing camera comprising: means. 2 Utility Model Registration Scope of Claims 1. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the self-timer means includes a first display means, and the first display means is driven from the generation of the detection signal until the start of the photographing operation. An automatic shooting camera featuring 3 Utility Model Registration The camera according to claim 1, wherein the detection means includes a second display means for displaying that the subject is located at the set subject distance. . 4. In the camera according to claim 1, the setting means adjusts the photographing optical system of the camera to the desired subject distance, and the detecting means includes a focus detecting means, and the detecting means includes a focus detecting means, The focus detection means receives the object light that has passed through the photographing optical system adjusted to the desired object distance, and generates the detection signal by detecting that the object light is clearly imaged on the film surface. Features an automatic camera. 5 Utility Model Registration In the camera according to claim 1, the detection means includes means for detecting a subject distance, and the detected subject distance is compared with the desired subject distance set in advance. An automatic photographing camera characterized in that the detection signal is generated when they match. 6 Utility Model Registration The automatic photographing camera according to claim 1, wherein the self-timer means is enabled by the setting operation of the setting means. 7. An automatic photographing camera according to claim 1, characterized in that the photographing operation is continuously performed while the detection signal is being outputted.