JPH0244321A - Automatic focusing camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To selectively adjust automatically focusing even when a main object is not placed at the center and to obtain a sharp image by selectively operating one or one group of automatic focusing sensor among plural or plural groups of automatic focusing sensor. CONSTITUTION:The plural or the plural groups of automatic focusing sensors are arranged to be able to confirm their position from a finder corresponding to plural parts on a photographing screen, and one or one group of automatic focusing sensor is independently and selectively operated by a switching means. When the main object is placed at the center of the photographing screen, the automatic focusing sensor provided at the center part operates and focuses it. When the object is placed on the right hand or left hand of the photographing screen, the automatic focusing sensors corresponding to the object placing on the right hand or the left hand are changed over by a switch to attain focusing. Thus, when the composition that the main object is not placed at the center, it is unnecessary to position the main object and to lock. Desirable composition can be directly constituted on the screen and a sharp image can be obtained.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] (Industrial application field) The present invention relates to an autofocus camera.

(Prior Art) A conventional autofocus camera is substantially provided with only one autofocus sensor or one group of autofocus sensors at a location corresponding to the center position of a finder. The operation of an autofocus camera is such that when you lightly touch the camera's shutter button with your finger, the switch is first turned on, starting autofocus, and the so-called focus plane moves as the helicoid of the lens rotates relative to the subject. A focus signal is output when the focus plane matches the subject plane. Next, in response to a focus signal, a command to move the body 1 is issued, and at the same time, the automatic diaphragm operates on the lens side, and at the same time, mirror-up begins. Finally, the shutter curtain runs and the shooting is complete.

However, in the above autofocus cameras, only one autofocus sensor or one group is provided corresponding to the center position of the shooting screen, so there is no problem when the subject is in the center of the shooting screen, but If the composition is such that there is no main subject in the central part and only a dead image is in the center, there are drawbacks such as the inability to obtain a sharp image.

Therefore, as a solution to this problem, the shutter button has a three-stage function, and when the shutter button is lightly touched with a finger in the first stage, the autofocus function starts operating, and even when the focus is achieved, the autofocus function continues without locking the focus. Maintain autofocus. If you press the shutter button slightly in the second step, a signal such as a sound will be emitted and the focus will be locked, so you can lock the focus with the main subject in the center and then compose the image to your desired composition. . Some cameras are configured to further press the shutter button and turn off the shutter if the composition and photo opportunity match in the third stage.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) However, with the above configuration, first, the main subject is positioned at the center of the viewfinder corresponding to the shooting screen, the focus is locked with the shutter button, and then the desired composition is set. It takes time to take a picture because the screen is composed,
Especially when the subject is moving, the photo opportunity may be lost.

Therefore, in view of the above-mentioned points, the present invention eliminates the need to position the main subject in the center and lock the focus even if the main subject is not located in the center of the composition. The purpose of this invention is to provide an autofocus camera that can obtain accurate images.

(Means for Solving the Problem) The present invention arranges a plurality of autofocus sensors or a plurality of groups of autofocus sensors corresponding to a plurality of locations on a photographic screen so that their positions can be confirmed from a viewfinder, and selects one or one autofocus sensor by a switching means. It is characterized by selectively operating the autofocus sensors of the group independently.

(Example) Examples of the autofocus camera of the present invention will be described below.

Autofocus sensors (CCD line fist sensors, etc.) are arranged at the center of the rectangular photographic screen and at positions on both sides thereof corresponding to the positions that divide the long side of the rectangular photographic screen into four. In the case of a single-lens reflex camera, these three focus sensors or three groups of focus sensors reflect each autofocus beam with three sub-mirrors at the rear of the half-mirror, and the three autofocus sensors corresponding to each focus sensor It is designed to guide the focus sensor. Each autofocus sensor is configured to be selectively operated manually by a switching means such as a switch that can be switched with a finger or the like.

Next, a method of using the autofocus camera of this embodiment configured as described above will be explained.

When the main subject is located at the center of the photographic screen, a switching means such as a switch is used to switch the autofocus sensor provided at the center into operation and bring it into focus.

Furthermore, when the main subject is on the right or left side of the photographic screen, a switch is used to activate the autofocus sensor for the corresponding subject and bring it into focus.

Therefore, even if the main subject is not in the center of the composition,
By activating the autofocus sensor on the right or left, I! You can get the right focus and get perfectly sharp images.

In the above description, an example in which three autofocus sensors or three groups are arranged in the long side direction of the photographing screen has been described, but it is also possible to arrange three or more autofocus sensors or three or more groups. It is also possible to provide multiple stages, and in this case, it is necessary to provide a changeover switch that can select the autofocus sensor on the left and right or up and down.
You can expect to get more optimal focus and sharper images.

Note that the camera may be configured to automatically return to the autofocus sensor corresponding to the center of the photographic screen.

(Effect) According to the present invention, by selectively operating one or one group of autofocus sensors out of a plurality of autofocus sensors or a plurality of groups, autofocus can be selectively performed even when the main subject is not in the center. It can be adjusted and you can get sharp images. Furthermore, by directly focusing on the main subject, it is possible to take pictures quickly, so there is an effect that you will not miss a photo opportunity.

Representative Patent Attorney 1) Osamu Lips Procedural amendment (formality) 5゜ Date of amendment order 19861 ■ Month Day (Shipping port) December 28, 1988 6.

Target of correction

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) Arrange multiple or multiple groups of autofocus sensors so that their positions can be confirmed from the viewfinder in correspondence with multiple locations on the photographic screen, and use switching means to independently switch one or one group of autofocus sensors. An autofocus camera characterized by selective activation.