JPS642926B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an improvement in a camera equipped with an automatic focusing device (hereinafter referred to as an automatic focusing camera).

In many cameras equipped with conventional automatic focusing devices, for example, as shown in USP 3,274,914, a charge ring that operates a release member is pulled by a spring and rotates, and the photographing lens follows the charge ring. The focus adjustment ring that displaces the lens in the optical axis direction also rotates, and even when the focus adjustment ring is stopped at the in-focus position, the charge ring continues to rotate to release the shutter. With such cameras, there is no time to change the framing after the focus is adjusted and the shutter is released, and the framing is determined by the position of the subject to be measured and cannot be changed. .

On the other hand, the release member can initially only be operated up to the point where it starts the automatic focusing operation, and when the locking member that stops the photographic lens in the focus position works, the release member starts the shutter release operation. A camera that could be operated up to
It is known from Publication No. 62327. With this camera, you can change the framing once you finish adjusting the focus. However, with such cameras, if the photographer is unfamiliar with the camera or photography techniques, the user may have to wait until the shutter is released after the release member is initially prevented from being pressed down and automatic focusing is performed. It is easy to misunderstand the situation, or because it takes time between autofocus and shutter release, the camera may shake or the camera may be out of focus.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, such as when a photographer misunderstands that only automatic focusing has been performed and that the shutter release has been performed, and takes an unexposed photograph. Normally, automatic focusing operation and shutter release operation are performed sequentially by one-step operation of the release member, but when the switching operation is performed, automatic focusing operation is performed by two-step operation of the release member. The focusing operation and the shutter release operation are performed independently at each stage, thereby making it possible to take a picture by changing the composition and framing during distance measurement. That is, the present invention allows the automatic focusing operation and the shutter release operation to be performed either continuously or independently by operating the switching means, and is reliable for beginners who do not change the framing. A fool-proof camera with a shutter release is required, and for experienced photographers, it is important not only for framing, but also for distance measurement accuracy, such as measuring the distance with an object equidistant from the main subject and adjusting the focus when it is difficult to measure the distance. The objective is to provide a camera that can measure improvements in performance.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of main parts showing an example of the implementation of the present invention in a camera equipped with a mechanical shutter, and FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of main parts showing an example of implementation of the invention in a camera equipped with an electric shutter. Figure 3 is the first
FIG. 3 is a main part configuration diagram showing an improved example of FIGS.

In Fig. 1, 1 is a release lever, 2 is a charge ring locking hook, 3 is a charge ring,
3a is an operating pin, 4 is a shutter operating lever, 5 is a first locking hook that is released from the shutter operating lever 4 when automatic focusing is achieved, 6 is a second locking hook for the shutter operating lever 4, and 7 is a second locking hook for the shutter operating lever 4. It is a switching lever,
In Figure 2, 1 to 3a are the first
Same as the figure, 8 is the shutter operation circuit, 9 and 10
are a first switch and a second switch, and 11 is a changeover switch. The first means in the present invention corresponds to the combination of the shutter operating lever 4 and the first locking hook 5 shown in FIG. 1, and the first switch 9 shown in FIG. The locking hook 6 and the second switch 10 of FIG. 2 correspond, respectively. The second locking hook 6 in FIG. 1 is rotated counterclockwise to engage the shutter operating lever 4, and the second locking hook 6 in FIG.
0 and the state in which the changeover switch 11 is open is the first state in which the function of the first means is restricted, and the second locking hook 6 in FIG. 1 rotates clockwise and engages with the shutter operating lever 4. A state in which the switch is out of position and a state in which either the second switch 10 or the changeover switch 11 shown in FIG. 2 is closed are the second states in which the function of the first means is not restricted.

Now, rotate the switching lever 7 shown in the first figure to the left to switch to the second
Rotate the locking hook 6 to the right and release the shutter operating lever 4.
When the release lever 1 is pushed down in a state where it is released from the position where it engages with the switch 11 or when the changeover switch 11 shown in the second figure is closed, the first protrusion 1a of the release lever 1 locks the charge ring by pushing the hook 2 and turning it clockwise. Move it to release it from the charge ring 3. When the charge ring locking hook 2 is released, the charge ring 3 is pulled by the spring and rotates clockwise, and after the photographic lens has been moved, the operating pin 3a of the charge ring 3, which continues to rotate, is rotated in the camera shown in FIG. , by pushing the first locking hook 5 and rotating it to the left, the shutter actuating lever 4 is released from the lock, and in the case of the camera shown in FIG. 2, the first switch 9 is released.
is transmitted to the first switch 9 and pushes the contact piece of the first switch 9.
Close the switch. That is, the movement of the pin 3a after the movement of the photographic lens is completed is transmitted to the first locking hook 5 or the first switch 9 as the photographing lens movement completion information, and the shutter operating lever 4 is controlled by the first locking hook 5. When the lock is released or the first switch 9 is closed, operation start information is output. Before that, the automatic focusing of the photographing lens is performed by means such as those shown in USP 3,274,914 or Asahi Camera February issue (1978), page 288, Fig. The focus adjustment ring of the lens moving means, which includes a focus adjustment ring (not shown) that rotates to displace the photographic lens in the optical axis direction, rotates and performs distance measurement scanning in conjunction with the focus adjustment ring or charge ring 3. This is accomplished by means for stopping the rotation of the focusing ring based on the focusing signal from the range device. In FIG. 1, when the first locking hook 5 is removed from the shutter operating lever 4,
Since the second locking hook 6 is released in advance by the switching lever 7, the shutter operating lever 4 is pulled by the spring and moves to the right, and is pushed by the shutter operating lever 4 to release the shutter (not shown). will be carried out.
In FIG. 2, when the first switch 9 is closed, the shutter operating circuit 8 is closed via the previously closed changeover switch 11, and the shutter operating circuit 8 operates to release the shutter.

As described above, the camera of the present invention can be operated for automatic focusing and shutter release by operating the switching means such as the switching lever 7 and the switching switch 11 provided in relation to the second locking hook 6 and the second switch 10. If this is done continuously, you can take a picture with the distance measurement object in focus simply by pressing the release lever 1 and releasing the charge ring locking hook 2, so even beginners can avoid making mistakes. do not have.

An expert who wants to take a picture with the framing shifted from the photographic composition during distance measurement can take a picture by switching the switching means to a state where the shutter release can be performed arbitrarily after automatic focusing. In the camera shown in FIG. 1, this switching is done by rotating the switching lever 7 clockwise to bring the second locking hook 6 into a position where it engages with the shutter operating lever 4, and as shown in FIG. For cameras, selector switch 1
This is done by releasing 1. The states in which these changes have been made are indicated by dashed dotted lines. When the release lever 1 is pushed down, the first protrusion 1a of the release lever 1 releases the charge ring stop hook 2, and the charge ring 3 rotates clockwise to complete automatic focusing, as described above.
Next, in FIG. 1, the first locking hook 5
, and close the first switch 9 in FIG. However, in the depressed state where the first protrusion 1a of the release lever 1 only acts on the charge ring locking hook 2, the shutter operating lever 4 in FIG.
The second locking hook 6 is engaged, and the shutter operation circuit 8 shown in FIG. 2 does not operate because both the changeover switch 11 and the second switch 10 are open.
Only automatic focusing is performed and no shutter release is performed. Therefore, when the framing is changed and the release lever 1 is further pushed down, the second protrusion 1b of the release lever 1 releases the second locking hook 6 from the shutter operating lever 4 in FIG. 1, and in FIG. 2nd switch 1
0 is closed and the shutter release is performed. Here, as mentioned above, when the shutter release after automatic focusing is switched to a state where it can be performed arbitrarily, the photographer accidentally presses the release lever 1.
The first protrusion 1a of the release lever 1 is connected to the charge ring locking hook 2 so that the first protrusion 1a of the release lever 1 does not push down to the end and there is no room to change the framing.
FIG. 3 shows an example in which pressing down of the release lever 1 is temporarily prevented at the stage when the lock is released. According to the example in FIG. 3, release lever 1
When the release lever 1 is pushed down, the first protrusion 1a pushes the charge ring locking hook 2 to rotate it clockwise, and the charge ring locking hook 2 comes into contact with the stopper 12, thereby temporarily preventing the release lever 1 from being pressed down. The charge ring locking hook 2 is disengaged from the charge locking pin 3b of the charge ring 3 until the stopper 12 comes into contact with the charge ring locking hook 2, and the charge ring 3 rotates clockwise and autofocuses as described above. As a result, the charge locking pin 3b moves to the position shown in dashed lines. In the state where the pressing down of the release lever 1 is once blocked as described above, the second protrusion 1b of the release lever 1 still remains.
does not act on the second locking hook 6 in FIG. 1 or the second switch 10 in FIG. 2, so the shutter release is not performed. Therefore, the framing can be changed while the release lever 1 is kept pressed down or released. Next, in order to release the shutter, the release lever 1 is released from the once blocked depressed state, and then pushed down again until it is blocked. That is, when the release lever 1 is released from the previously blocked depression, it is pulled upward by the spring and the first protrusion 1a also rises, so that the charge ring locking hook 2 is released from the first protrusion 1a. , it is pulled by the spring and rotates counterclockwise to the position shown by the dashed-dotted line. Then, when the release lever 1 is pushed down again, the first protrusion 1a will go down until it directly contacts the stopper 12 without contacting the charge ring locking hook 2, and the lowering of the release lever 1 during that time causes the second protrusion 1b to acts on the second locking hook 6 in FIG. 1 and the second switch 10 in FIG. 2 to release the shutter. By making the improvements as shown in Fig. 3, it is possible to eliminate concerns about the extent to which the release lever 1 of the lock is pressed down, especially when shooting with changing framing, and also to prevent the charge ring from locking after the charge ring 3 has been unlocked. The hook 2 no longer applies any frictional resistance to the rotation of the charge ring 3, and the effect of lighter movement can also be obtained.

According to the present invention, as described above, it is possible to take pictures by changing the framing from the automatic focusing, but this also makes it possible to take pictures when the main subject to be photographed is difficult to measure the distance to, or has low contrast. , when the same pattern is continuous, or when fluorescent light or other harmful external light is coming in, you can measure an object that is easy to distance from and is equidistant from the main subject. This includes how to use it to improve distance measurement accuracy, such as selecting a target, autofocusing, then pointing the camera at the main subject and taking a picture. The camera of the present invention is equipped with a "distance measurement detection device" (developed by the applicant) that measures the distance once and detects whether the subject can be measured before starting automatic focusing of the photographic lens. If the above-mentioned Utility Model Application No. 53-22382 (filed on February 24, 1973) is added, it will be easier to focus on and photograph objects that are difficult to range.

As described above, the present invention allows the shutter release after automatic focusing to be performed at any timing by switching the switching means, and furthermore, if such switching operation is not performed, the shutter release will continue until the shutter release. To provide a camera that can be conveniently used by a wide range of people, from beginners to experts, since beginners will not make any misunderstandings or mistakes because the camera is operated in a consistent manner.

In the present invention, if the shutter release movement is used to automatically switch from a state in which the shutter release can be performed independently to a state in which automatic focusing is performed continuously, This eliminates the confusion experienced by beginners due to forgetting to switch the switch. Such improvements can be easily implemented by applying known means such as link mechanisms including cams or electromagnets. In that case, it is preferable to enable manual switching as shown in the figure.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated example. That is, for example, in FIG. 2, a delay circuit is added to the shutter operating circuit 8, and the delay circuit is used as a focus adjustment ring directly without using the charge ring 3, and the first protrusion 1a of the release lever 1 acts to adjust the focus adjustment ring. The first switch 9 may be closed immediately upon rotation.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of main parts showing an example of the implementation of the present invention in a camera equipped with a mechanical shutter, and FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of main parts showing an example of implementation of the invention in a camera equipped with an electric shutter. Figure 3 is the first
FIG. 3 is a main part configuration diagram showing an improved example of FIGS. 1... Release lever, 1a... First protrusion, 1
b...Second protrusion, 2...Charge ring locking hook, 3...Charge ring, 3a...Operating pin,
3b...Charge locking pin, 4...Shutter operating lever, 5...First locking hook, 6...Second locking hook, 7...Switching lever, 8...Shutter operating circuit, 9... ...first switch, 10...second switch, 11...changeover switch, 12...stopper.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. The photographing lens is moved to a position on the optical axis according to a focusing signal from the distance measuring means that is activated by the operation of the release operation member, and after the movement is completed, the shutter operation means is activated by the shutter operation means. In a camera equipped with an automatic focus adjustment device to be operated, the operation is started by a first step operation of the release operation member, and after moving the photographing lens to a focusing position, the photographing lens driving means outputs movement completion information. , a first means that is activated by movement completion information from the photographic lens driving means and outputs operation start information to the shutter operation means; and prohibiting operation of the shutter operation means based on the operation start information from the first means. a second means in which the prohibited state is canceled by a second step operation of the release operating member; and a first state in which the second means prohibits the operation of the shutter actuating means based on the operation start information. and a switching means provided in relation to the second means so as to selectively switch between a second state in which the operation is not performed, and the operation of the first means and the operation of the second means are performed. A camera equipped with an automatic focus adjustment device, characterized in that the switching means selectively switches between a state where the shutter actuating means is actuated by the operation of the first means and a state where the shutter actuating means is actuated only by the actuation of the first means.