JP2970892B2 - Screen size switching camera - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a screen size switching camera, and more particularly to a screen size switching camera capable of taking a picture in a shooting mode at a normal size and a shooting mode at a size different from the normal size.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a large number of cameras capable of taking pictures in panoramic size in addition to taking pictures in normal size (normal size) have been released and proposed. Further, among cameras capable of performing such a panoramic shooting, a camera capable of recognizing a panoramic size shooting screen range in a viewfinder field of view has been proposed. For example, JP-A-61-285
Japanese Patent Publication No. 432 discloses a technical means in which the upper and lower portions in the viewfinder field are covered with opaque masks at the time of panoramic photographing, as shown in FIG. . In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-50741, as shown in FIG. 10, when shooting in the trimming mode, a portion that matches any of a plurality of view frames displayed in the viewfinder view is printed. Technical means are disclosed.

[0003]

However, in the technical means proposed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-285432, the area other than the panorama size photographing screen is masked as shown in FIG. In particular, in a panorama mode or a pseudo-telephoto mode in which only a narrow range looks small, there is a problem that it is difficult to perform appropriate framing while looking around the surroundings.

In the technical means proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 62-50721, the entire screen can be seen through as shown in FIG. Is parallax correction mark 5
2. Since only the frames such as the panorama range mark 50 and the pseudo zoom range indication mark 51 are displayed, it is difficult for the user to recognize that the shooting screen is restricted, and the user is confused with the normal size shooting mode. There was a problem that it was easy to do. Furthermore, the fact that the above-described several types of frames are mixed also promotes erroneous recognition of the shooting mode.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a screen size switching camera having a finder that facilitates visual field confirmation when photographing while switching screen sizes.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a first screen size switching camera according to the present invention is provided with a mode for photographing in a normal size and a mode for photographing in a size different from the normal size. A photographing mode selecting means for selecting any one of them; a finder section for displaying a photographing screen used for printing in a visual field range according to an output from the photographing mode selecting means; And a semi-transparent field mask that is inserted into the mask to relatively distinguish the range of the shooting screen from the range other than the shooting screen. In order to achieve the above object, a second screen size switching camera according to the present invention includes the first screen size switching camera,
Top Symbol vision field mask is formed by colored transparent mask
And said that you are. In order to achieve the above object, a third screen size switching camera according to the present invention includes: a photographing mode selecting unit that selects one of a photographing mode at a normal size and a photographing mode at a size different from the normal size. A finder section showing a shooting screen used for printing in a view range according to an output from the shooting mode selection means, and a view screen area other than the shooting screen range in the view range of the finder section. Identification means for relatively identifying the range of the display area, the identification means, a plurality of display area means corresponding to all screen sizes that can be selected by the shooting mode selection means, and the display area means Information display means for selectively controlling the amount of light and displaying information relating to photographing. In order to achieve the above object, a fourth screen size switching camera according to the present invention includes: a photographing mode selecting unit that selects one of a photographing mode at a normal size and a photographing mode at a size different from the normal size. A finder portion for displaying a photographic screen used for printing in a visual field range according to an output from the photographic mode selecting means, and a plurality of holes for transmitting light; A field mask inserted into the range to relatively distinguish the photographing screen range from a range other than the photographing screen.

[0007]

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

FIG. 1 is a central vertical sectional view of a screen size switching camera showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

The screen size switching camera according to the first embodiment is a camera having a normal photographing function, and includes a normal photographing lens group 2 disposed in front of a camera body 1 and a rear side of the photographing lens group 2. A reflecting mirror 3 that reflects the subject light from the photographing lens group 2 upward, and a focusing screen 5 that is disposed above the reflecting mirror 3 and forms a subject image when focused. A field mask 6 disposed in front of and behind the focusing screen 5, respectively, and a field mask 6 disposed above the camera body 1 and on an optical path reflected by the reflection mirror 3.
A prism 7 having a roof surface for observing an image formed on the focusing screen 5 upright through a loupe 8.
And the main part is constituted.

On the other hand, the film 4 is located at a position equivalent to the image plane on the focusing screen 5, and at the time of exposure, the reflection mirror 3 is raised, a shutter (not shown) is opened, and the exposure of the film 4 is started. Is being done.

A photometric member 9 is provided between the focusing screen 5 and the loupe 8 in order to give an appropriate exposure amount to the film 4, so that a light beam emitted from the formed subject image is measured. It has become.

By the way, in a camera which can select a screen different from the normal screen size such as a panorama size or a so-called pseudo telephoto size, in order to specify which part is used for printing on a full size film screen, There are a method of defining a film screen with a photographing screen mask 10 corresponding to the selected screen size, and a method of recording screen size information on a recording medium by a magnetic or optical method.

Apart from that, in order to inform the photographer which part is actually used for printing, a viewfinder field range corresponding to the part used for printing is also specified in the viewfinder. There is a need.

In the first embodiment, a field mask 6 is inserted between the focusing screen 5 and the loupe 8 to regulate the finder field range. This is the field mask 6
Alternatively, the range may be displayed by a liquid crystal plate.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a main portion showing the visual field mask 6 and its peripheral portion in the first embodiment.
An example in which a screen range used for printing can be confirmed on a viewfinder in conjunction with switching of a shooting mode will be described.

A screen size selection switch 12 is provided at a predetermined position on the upper surface of the camera body exterior member 11, so that a selection operation for switching between a normal photographing mode and a panoramic photographing mode can be performed by an external operation. . A connection arm 13 is provided below the screen size selection switch 12.
Are arranged integrally below the screen size selection switch 12, and move in the same direction in conjunction with the sliding operation of the screen size selection switch 12.

Below the connecting arm 13, there is provided a crank-shaped link 14 having forks 14a and 14b at both ends, respectively.
A fork portion 14a formed at one end on the upper side of the connecting pin 13a is fixedly mounted at one end on the lower portion of the connecting arm 13.
Further, two guide holes 14d are formed in the middle of the link 14, and an engagement pin fixed to a camera body (not shown) is engaged. The link 14 slides in the same direction as the connection arm 13 moves.

A drive arm 15 for driving the rotation of the visual field mask 6 is provided below the link 14, and a fork 1 formed at the other end of the link 14 is provided.
4b and a connecting pin 15a fixedly implanted at one end of the drive arm 15 are engaged, and the drive arm 15 slides in the same direction in conjunction with the movement of the link 14.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side view showing the free end of the drive arm 15.

In the middle of the free end of the drive arm 15, a guide slot 19 is formed in the longitudinal direction of the arm 15. The guide slot 19 has an inner surface lower portion and one end portion at one end of the guide slot 19. Each of the internal gear portions 19
a, 19b are formed. Further, in the guide slot 19, the two pivots integrally rotating with the two field masks 6 are provided.
The two mask drive gears 16a and 16b are disposed so as to mesh with the internal gear portions 19a and 19b, respectively. The inner surface of the guide slot 19 other than the internal gear portions 19a, 19b is set so that the frictional force is extremely small, and the gears 16a, 16b
Not to hinder the movement of

Each of the two field masks 6 has a rotation shaft 20 that rotates integrally with the field mask 6, and is held by a finder holding frame (not shown) so as to be rotatable around the rotation shaft 20. ing. Then, the respective rotating shafts 2
The mask driving gears 16a and 16b that rotate integrally with the rotation shaft 20 are provided at one end of the rotation shaft 20. The visual field mask 6 moves on the finder screen 5 in conjunction with the rotation of the gears 16a and 16b. Is selectively moved between a state where the camera is located at a position and a state where the camera is compared with the outside of the viewfinder.

That is, the internal gear portions 19a and 19b on the inner surface of the guide slot 19 are formed at the lower and upper portions of both ends of the guide slot 19, respectively. The mask drive gears 16a, 16b meshing with the drive arms 19b, 19b, respectively.
The slides 5 rotate in opposite directions. Accordingly, in conjunction with the sliding operation of the screen size selection switch 12, the mask driving gears 16a,
The rotating shaft 16 and the field mask 6 which rotate integrally with the gears 16a and 16b rotate in conjunction with this rotating operation. In this way, the movement of the field mask 6 into and out of the viewfinder field can be performed in conjunction with the screen size selection switch 12.

A projecting portion 14c is formed in the middle of the link 14 so as to extend downward.
The tip is in contact with a photographing mode changeover detection switch 27 constituted by a leaf switch. Then, the slide operation of the link 14, ie, the screen size selection switch 12
The photographing mode switching detection switch 27 is turned on / off by the protruding portion 14c in conjunction with the sliding operation of. The output of the photographing mode changeover detection switch 27 is input to the CPU 21. Based on the output result, switching of the photographing screen mask, recording of information on the photographing mode on a film having a magnetic storage unit, and display warning are performed. Are processed by the CPU 21.

Next, the field mask 6 in the first embodiment will be described.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing the viewfinder field portion covered by the field mask 6 in the first embodiment.

The field mask 6 is different from a conventionally used completely light-blocking field mask, for example, having a transmittance of 20%.
〜50% of a translucent material. This translucent material can be easily produced, for example, by coating an acrylic resin plate with a neutral translucent film. According to the visual field mask 6, it is possible to easily obtain a finder visual field in which not only the screen area of the portion to be actually printed but also the periphery thereof can be easily viewed, so that framing is facilitated and the screen size is switched at the same time. It is possible to prevent the user from forgetting the fact and erroneously recognizing the normal size and failing in shooting.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a main part of a screen size switching camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention and an enlarged perspective view of a main part.

The second embodiment uses a liquid crystal display instead of using the mechanical field mask 6 as in the first embodiment.

As shown in the figure, in the second embodiment, a screen size switching signal such as a normal mode, a panorama mode, and a 2 × zoom mode is transmitted to the CPU 21 by the output of the photographing mode selection switch 24. Has become. The CPU 21 generates a drive signal to the liquid crystal display control circuit 22 in accordance with the screen size switching signal, and controls the voltage applied to the electrodes of the liquid crystal display device 25.

The display section of the liquid crystal display device 25 is divided into a plurality of areas as indicated by dotted lines, dashed lines, and dashed lines in the drawing, and each area is selected according to the selection of a visual field range used for printing. The transmittance can be changed every time. Further, since the liquid crystal display device 25 is disposed on the finder screen 5, that is, near the image forming plane of the subject image, it is used not only for displaying the screen range by the method described above, but also for the photographing information input device 23. The information from is displayed. That is, at the same time, information regarding shooting, such as camera shake warning, display of shutter speed, warning when focusing is impossible,
The number of shot frames and the like can be displayed.

As is well known, the liquid crystal display device 25 can not only switch light transmission / non-transmission but also change the transmittance to an intermediate level. In addition to the clear display, the light amount can be controlled so that the peripheral portion thereof can be visually recognized to some extent, and a finder that can be easily framed can be realized.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing a first modification of the visual field mask 6 in the first embodiment.

The field mask 6 'of the first modification is
A transparent mask 33 coated with color is applied to the mask frame 32.
The visual field mask is configured by being fitted into the mask. Of course, the entire mask can be made of colored plastic. By using a colored visual field mask, the entire visual field can be viewed with a sufficient amount of light, and erroneous recognition of the photographing mode can be prevented. Further, a similar function can be realized by the liquid crystal display device 25 (see FIG. 5) in the second embodiment. That is, by using a color liquid crystal display device instead of the monochrome liquid crystal generally used in the related art, it is possible to display a portion corresponding to a visual field mask in color.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing a second modification of the visual field mask 6 in the first embodiment.

This second modified example is constituted by a field mask 6 "partially transmissive and partially non-transparent instead of a translucent or color field mask.

Such a field mask 6 "can be made by molding a resin or by machining a thin metal plate. In the figure, an example of forming a light transmitting portion by a hexagonal hole 31 is shown. However, the shape of the hole is not limited to this, and other shapes may be used. By making the holes 31 smaller, the image can be observed on the screen on the side facing the viewer through the field mask without causing any obstruction. It becomes possible.

Further, as in the first modification, the second modification does not require a mechanical visual field mask to transmit / non-transmit to the liquid crystal display device 25 (see FIG. 5) in the second embodiment. This can be realized by providing the parts alternately.

Although the above embodiment has been described with reference to an example of a finder light source system in a single-lens reflex camera having a pentaprism, the present invention is not limited to this, and an external light finder often used in a lens shutter type camera is also used. It goes without saying that the same concept can be applied.

FIG. 8 is a front view showing a field mask in a screen size switching camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

In the third embodiment, when the mode is switched to the panorama size photographing mode, the LCD 41 displays a mask in a grid pattern. This makes it easy to set the composition and makes it difficult to see the pinhole-shaped loss of the LCD 41, so that the cost of the LCD itself can be reduced.

[0041]

As described above, according to the present invention, there is an effect that it is possible to provide a screen size switching camera having a finder that allows easy confirmation of the visual field when photographing while switching the screen size.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a central longitudinal sectional view of a screen size switching camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part showing a visual field mask and its peripheral portion in the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side view showing a free end of a drive arm in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a finder visual field portion covered by a visual field mask in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a main part of a screen size switching camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention and an enlarged perspective view of a main part.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing a first modification of the visual field mask in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing a second modification of the field mask in the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a front view showing a field mask in a screen size switching camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a front view showing an example of a viewfinder field portion covered by a conventional field mask.

FIG. 10 is a front view showing another example of a finder visual field portion covered with a conventional visual field mask.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 camera body 2 photographic lens group 3 reflecting mirror 4 film 5 focusing screen 6 field mask 7 prism 8 loupe 9 photometric member 10 shadow screen mask 11 camera body exterior member 12 screen size selection Switch 13: Connection arm 14: Link 15: Drive arm 16a, 16b: Mask drive gear 19: Slot for guide 19a, 19b: Internal gear 21: CPU 27: Photographing mode switching detection switch

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G03B 17/28 G03B 17/24

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A photographing mode selecting means for selecting one of a photographing mode at a normal size and a photographing mode at a size different from the normal size, and printing is performed in accordance with an output from the photographing mode selecting means. A viewfinder used to display the shooting screen used in the viewing range, and the shooting screen is inserted into the viewing range of the viewfinder to relatively distinguish the range of the shooting screen from the range other than the shooting screen. A screen size switching camera, comprising: a translucent field mask. 2. A top Symbol view field mask, colored transparent mask
Screen size selection camera according to claim 1, characterized in that in is formed. 3. A photographing mode selecting means for selecting one of a photographing mode at a normal size and a photographing mode at a size different from the normal size, and printing is performed according to an output from the photographing mode selecting means. A viewfinder unit that shows a photographing screen used in the finder field within the visual field range; and an identification unit that relatively distinguishes the photographing screen range and a range other than the photographing screen in the visual field range of the finder unit. The identification means includes a plurality of display area means corresponding to all screen sizes that can be selected by the imaging mode selection means, and an information display for selectively controlling the light amount of the display area means and displaying information relating to imaging. And a screen size switching camera. 4. A photographing mode selecting means for selecting one of a photographing mode at a normal size and a photographing mode at a size different from the normal size, and printing is performed according to an output from the photographing mode selecting means. A finder portion for displaying a photographic screen used in the viewing field within the field of view; and a plurality of holes for transmitting light. A screen size switching camera, comprising: a field mask for relatively distinguishing an area other than the screen.