JPH11327006A - camera - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide a camera with a built-in light emitting device that can reduce the size of the camera while enhancing the effect of reducing red eye. A movable light emitting device is provided at one end of an upper part of a camera body. The light-emitting device 7 includes a main body i and a light-emitting part a. The main body i and the light-emitting part a are disposed in a storage position that fits within the outer shape of the camera main body 1 and an optical axis of the photographing lens 2 when the camera main body 1 is in use. And first and second locking positions at different distances from each other. The first locking position is used for photographing, and the second locking position having a large distance from the optical axis of the photographing lens 2 is used for red-eye reduction.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera incorporating a light emitting device, and more particularly, to a camera incorporating a light emitting device used for illuminating a subject and reducing red-eye.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a widely used camera has a built-in light emitting device (or a flash device) which emits a flash tube as a light emitting body and illuminates a subject at the time of photographing. The light-emitting device is called a strobe, a speedlight, or the like, and is usually installed in a fixed or retractable (pop-up) position in a right corner at the upper front of the camera. In order to reduce the size and portability of the camera, there has been proposed a configuration in which the light emitting device is housed in the camera body when not in use and protrudes above the camera body when in use (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-292470). . On the other hand, with the downsizing of the camera, the distance between the light emitting device projecting at the time of use and the photographing optical axis is becoming shorter, so that the so-called red-eye phenomenon is more likely to occur. Therefore, many red-eye reduction methods have been proposed, such as irradiating a dedicated lamp immediately before photographing or pre-emission the light emitting device.

[0003]

However, in the above conventional example, the effect of red-eye reduction cannot be obtained unless the subject (person) sees the irradiation light or the pre-emission. In addition, when the dedicated lamp is provided, it is necessary to secure a space for the camera, which makes it difficult to reduce the size of the camera and increases the cost. Also, if the projection amount (movement amount) of the light emitting device is increased (the distance between the light emitting device and the photographing optical axis is lengthened) in order to increase the red-eye reduction effect, the storage space of the light emitting device becomes large. It is difficult to reduce the size of the camera.

An object of the present invention is to provide a camera with a built-in light emitting device that can reduce the size of the camera while enhancing the effect of reducing red-eye.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera body, which is incorporated in the camera body to illuminate a subject and a red-eye when photographing. In a camera having a light-emitting device used for relaxation, the light-emitting device has a storage position accommodated in the camera main body without protruding from the outer surface of the camera main body, and after projecting from the camera main body, a photographing lens A camera is characterized in that at least two stages of locking positions having different distances from the optical axis are set.

According to this configuration, the light-emitting device can set a plurality of positions in addition to the storage position for storing the light-emitting device in the camera body when not in use, and emits light at a position away from the optical axis of the taking lens and advantageous for red-eye reduction. The part can be positioned. Therefore, the red-eye reduction effect can be enhanced with a simple configuration.

[0007] A specific configuration for realizing the object of the invention according to the present application is as follows.
A main body that can protrude from the camera main body, and a luminous body that can irradiate light toward a subject is built in, and the main body is slidably coupled to the main body in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. And a light emitting unit which can be positioned by each camera.

According to this configuration, the light emitting device includes the main body and the light emitting section slidably coupled to the main body, and both can be housed integrally in the camera main body. In a state where the light emitting unit is pulled out from the main body, the light emitting unit is located at a position away from the optical axis of the photographing lens, and the red-eye reduction effect is enhanced.

In a specific configuration for realizing the object of the invention according to the present application, the two-stage locking position is a first locking position for normal photographing and a red-eye locking position. The camera is characterized by being in a second locking position for relaxation.

According to this configuration, if the light emitting unit is at the first locking position with respect to the main body of the light emitting unit, the light emitting unit is located at a position close to the optical axis of the photographing lens, and is inclined in the oblique direction when photographing a person or the like. Light and shadow can be hardly generated. Further, when the light emitting unit is at the second locking position, the light emitting unit is set at a position far from the optical axis of the photographing lens, and light is radiated from an oblique direction to the eyes, so that it is possible to suppress the occurrence of red eyes. .

A specific configuration for realizing the object of the invention according to the present application is that light emission is prohibited when the light emitting device is stored in the camera body,
A camera is provided with control means for enabling light emission when the light emitting unit is at the first and second locking positions.

According to this configuration, when the light emitting device is housed in the camera body, the light emitting surface is not directed toward the subject, the photographing lens is housed, or the light emitting surface is located very close to the photographing lens. Therefore, in order to prevent the battery from being consumed by unnecessary light emission, light emission is prohibited when the light emitting device is in the housed state. When the light emitting unit is in the first and second locking positions, it is assumed that the light emitting unit is used. As a result, light emission control can be appropriately performed, and battery consumption can be reduced.

[0013]

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

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a camera according to the present invention.
The state of is shown. 2 shows a case where the power of the camera of FIG. 1 is ON, and FIG. 3 shows a case where the camera of FIG. 1 is in the red-eye reduction mode state.

1 to 3, reference numeral 1 denotes a box-shaped camera main body, and 2 denotes a lens barrel having a built-in photographic lens, which is provided on the front surface of the camera main body 1. Reference numeral 3 denotes an AF device for measuring the distance to the subject, 4 denotes a finder for confirming the subject, and 5 denotes a shutter button. 6
Is a display unit for displaying the state of the camera, and is configured using a liquid crystal display. Reference numeral 7 denotes a light emitting device having a built-in light emission control circuit, and 7a denotes a light emitting portion having a built-in flash tube and capable of popping up (or retracting) from a main body 7i of the light emitting device 7.

The state shown in FIG. 1 shows a state in which the light emitting device 7 is not used, is stored in a concave portion provided in the camera main body 1, and does not protrude from the outer surface of the main body because the light emitting device 7 is not used or is being carried. ing. At this time, the lens barrel 2 is also housed in the camera body 1, and the outer size of the camera body 1 is maintained. In the state shown in FIG. 1, the light emitting device 7 is driven by a motor (not shown) (or lifted from the front by hand) for 90 minutes.
FIG. 2 shows a state in which the robot is rotated up by degrees and stands upright. In this state, the light emitting unit faces the subject, and the required amount of light can be applied to the subject. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the light emitting unit 7a is pulled up from the light emitting device 7 and the position of the light emitting unit 7a is raised in the state of FIG. In this state, the light emitting unit 7
Since the distance a from the photographing optical axis increases, the red-eye reduction (red-eye reduction) effect can be enhanced.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are cross-sectional views showing detailed structures of the light emitting device and the light emitting section. FIG. 4 shows the configuration when the power of the camera is ON, and FIG. 5 shows the configuration when the camera is in the red-eye reduction mode. 4 and 5, reference numeral 7b denotes a hemispherical concave portion, and a spherical click ball 11 incorporated in the light emitting portion 7a is used as a click spring 12;
To determine the initial position of the light emitting unit 7a. A guide surface 7c guides the click ball 11. 7d is a hemispherical concave portion, and the click ball 11
Is pressed by the click spring 12 to determine the position of the red-eye reduction mode of the light emitting portion 7a. 7e is a rotating shaft for popping up the light emitting device 7, 8 is a drive motor for popping up the light emitting device 7, 9 and 10 are gears for transmitting the rotating force of the motor 8 to the rotating shaft 7e, and 13 is the position of the light emitting device 7 Is a light emitting device position switch for judging.

When the power of the camera is off, the light emitting device 7 is housed in a recess formed in the camera body 1 as shown in FIG. When a power switch (not shown) is operated from this state, the power of the camera is turned on, and the motor 8 is turned on.
And the rotational force is transmitted to the rotating shaft 7e via the gears 9 and 10, and as a result of the main body of the light emitting device 7 rotating,
As shown in FIG. 2, the camera body 1 pops up, and the light emitting unit 7a faces the front. Usually, in this state, shooting is performed by causing the flash tube to emit light in conjunction with the shutter operation.

Next, when the photographer raises the light emitting portion 7a upward (in a direction away from the photographing optical axis), when the pulling force exceeds the spring force of the click spring 12, the click ball 11 is moved from the hemispherical concave portion 7b. The light emitting unit 7a starts moving upward when the vehicle rides on the guide surface 7c. When the lifting operation is continued, the click ball 11 is moved to the hemispherical recess 7d.
And the light emitting portion 7a is fixed on the upper side as shown in FIG. At this time, the distance between the photographing optical axis and the optical axis of the light emitting device is longer than in the normal photographing. Since this state can reduce the probability of occurrence of the red-day phenomenon, this state is referred to as a red-eye reduction mode in this embodiment.

To return from the red-eye reduction mode to the normal photographing state, it is only necessary to push down the light emitting portion 7a with a finger, and the operation returns to the initial position in FIG. When the power is turned off from the red-eye alleviation mode state, the light-emitting unit 7a pops down with the light-emitting unit 7a being pulled up as it is.
Is not turned on, the power cannot be turned off.

In this embodiment, the camera is turned on,
Although the position of the light emitting device is different in the OFF state, the position may be different when the light emitting device is used and when it is not used. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described configuration, and may have any configuration as long as the present embodiment is satisfied.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
An embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of the light emitting device portion of the camera in a power ON state, and FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of the light emitting device portion of the camera in a red-eye reduction mode state. 7f is a lock unit for fixing the light emitting unit 7a at the initial position,
7g is a stopper that determines the position of the red-eye reduction mode of the light-emitting unit 7a provided in the light-emitting unit 7a, 7h is a receiving surface of the stopper 7g provided in the light-emitting device 7, 14 is a red-eye reduction mode switch that selects a red-eye reduction function, 14a Is a projection provided on the red-eye alleviation mode switch 14, 15 is a spring for returning the red-eye alleviation mode switch 14 to a normal state,
Reference numeral 16 denotes a lock lever provided with a claw portion 16a that is caught by the lock portion 7f and fixes the light emitting unit 7a at an initial position. Reference numeral 17 denotes a lever spring that charges the lock lever 16;
Is a spring that pushes up the light emitting unit 7a.

The situation in which the power supply is changed from the OFF state to the ON state is the same as in the first embodiment. Next, the red-eye reduction mode switch 1 is used by the photographer to activate the red-eye reduction function.
4, the projection 14 a pushes the lock lever 16,
The claw portion 16a is disengaged from the lock portion 7f, and the light emitting portion 7a is pushed upward by the spring force of the spring 18. The light emitting unit 7a is pushed up until the stopper 7g hits the receiving surface 7h, and that state is maintained. At this time, since the distance between the photographing optical axis and the optical axis of the light emitting device is longer than that in the normal photographing, the probability of occurrence of the red-day phenomenon decreases.

To return from the red-eye reduction mode to normal shooting,
What is necessary is just to push in the light emitting part 7a with a finger. When the light emitting portion 7a is pushed in, the lock lever 16 is charged by the lever spring 17, so that the claw portion 16a is automatically caught by the lock portion 7f and fixed to the initial position shown in FIG. When the power is turned off from the red-eye reduction mode state, the light-emitting unit 7a pops down in a state where the light-emitting unit 7a is pulled up as it is. Therefore, as a safety measure, when the light-emitting device position switch 13 is not turned on, The power supply cannot be turned off.

[0025]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, in a camera provided with a light emitting device, the light emitting device is provided in a storage position with respect to a camera body, and a camera body. After popping up from the camera lens, at least two stages of locking positions having different distances from the optical axis of the photographing lens are set, so that the light emitting unit is located at a position away from the optical axis of the photographing lens and advantageous for red-eye reduction. Positioning can be performed, a red-eye reduction effect can be enhanced by a simple configuration, and the size of the camera can be further reduced.

According to the invention described in claim 2 of the present application, a main body that can pop up from the camera main body;
A light-emitting unit that incorporates a light-emitting body capable of irradiating light toward a subject and is slidably coupled to the main body in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis and that can be positioned at each of the locking positions. Since the light emitting device is used, the main unit and the light emitting unit can be integrated into the camera body when stored, and when it is desired to enhance the red-eye reduction effect, the light emitting unit can be set at a position away from the optical axis of the shooting lens, so it is simple The configuration can enhance the red-eye reduction effect, improve the usability, and reduce the size of the camera.

According to the invention described in claim 3 of the present application, the two-stage locking position is the first locking position for normal photographing and the second locking position for red-eye reduction. The light emitting unit can be set at an optimal position according to the application.

According to the invention described in claim 4 of the present application, when the light emitting device is housed in the camera body, light emission is prohibited, and the light emitting portion is in the first and second locking positions. In some cases, a control unit that enables light emission is provided, so that light emission control is appropriately performed, and unnecessary battery consumption can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a state where the camera in FIG. 1 is in a power-on state.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state where the camera of FIG. 1 is in a red-eye reduction mode state.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a detailed configuration of a light emitting device and a light emitting unit when the camera of the present invention is in a power ON state.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a detailed configuration of a light emitting device and a light emitting unit when the camera of the present invention is in a red-eye reduction mode state.

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of a light emitting device in a power ON state according to another embodiment of the camera of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of a light emitting device in a red-eye reduction mode state according to another embodiment of the camera of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 camera body 2 lens barrel 7 light emitting device 7a light emitting unit 7b, 7d hemispherical concave portion 7c guide surface 7e rotating shaft 7f lock portion 7i main body 8 drive motor 9, 10 gear 11 click ball 12 click spring 13 light emitting device position switch 14 Red eye alleviation mode switch 14a Projection 15,18 Spring 16 Lock lever 16a Claw 17 Lever spring

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A camera comprising: a camera main body; and a light emitting device incorporated in the camera main body and used for illuminating a subject and reducing red-eye during photographing, wherein the light emitting device protrudes from an outer surface of the camera main body. A camera, wherein a storage position in which the camera body is accommodated in a state where the camera lens is not set, and at least two-stage locking positions which are different from the optical axis of the taking lens after projecting from the camera body are set. 2. The light emitting device according to claim 1, further comprising a main body protruding from the camera main body, and a luminous body capable of irradiating light to a subject, being slidably coupled to the main body and being locked. The camera according to claim 1, further comprising: a light emitting unit that can be positioned at each of the positions. 3. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the two-stage locking positions are a first locking position for normal photographing and a second locking position for red-eye reduction. 4. When the light emitting device is in a housed state in the camera body, light emission is prohibited, and the light emitting unit is provided with the first light emitting device.
2. The camera according to claim 1, further comprising control means for enabling light emission when the camera is in the second locking position.