JP2015154224A - imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem in which with respect to an imaging apparatus including a monitor, accomplishing both of photographing operability and reproduction operability enlarges the apparatus.SOLUTION: An imaging apparatus comprises: a body; a lens barrel which is fixed to the body; an operation unit including a photography condition operation unit which is pivotally supported capable of rotating between a first rotation position and a second rotation position with respect to the body, and by which the photography condition is can be operated; a first monitor which is fixed to the body; and a second monitor which includes a flexible part and a stationary part fixed to and the operation unit. The body includes support means in which the flexible part is supported in a warped state at a first rotation position, and supported in an expansion state at a second rotation position.

Description

  The present invention relates to a photographing apparatus such as a still camera or a video camera apparatus, and more particularly to a photographing apparatus having a monitor for displaying a photographed image.

  In recent photographing apparatuses, a rear liquid crystal monitor is generally used to display a subject being photographed and a photographed image.

  In addition, even a single-lens reflex camera in which a subject being photographed has been confirmed with a conventional optical viewfinder, so-called live view photographing is possible in which photographing is performed while confirming the subject with a rear liquid crystal monitor.

  However, if a monitor with a large screen is installed in consideration of viewability and operability during playback of captured images and live view shooting, there is a problem that the size of the main body is increased.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which a part of a monitor is housed or exposed by a slidable grip portion in order to achieve both a reduction in the size of a main body when carried and a large screen of a monitor when used.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-298773

  In patent document 1, when using a large screen monitor at the time of reproduction | regeneration etc., the subject that a main body will enlarge compared with the time of carrying around occurred.

  In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to improve the operability at the time of photographing and reproduction in a small-sized photographing apparatus having a monitor.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, a casing, a lens barrel fixed to the casing, and a first pivot position and a second pivot position with respect to the casing. An operation unit having a shooting condition operation unit that is pivotally supported and capable of operating shooting conditions, a first monitor fixed to the housing, a flexible unit, and a first unit having a fixing unit fixed to the operation unit. And the housing supports the flexible portion in a state where the flexible portion is bent at the first rotation position, and extends the flexible portion at the second rotation position. The photographing apparatus is characterized by having a supporting means for supporting in a state of being in a closed state.

  In a photographing apparatus having a monitor, the operability at the time of photographing and reproduction can be improved with a small size.

External view of the photographing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment (when the operation unit 14 is in the first rotation position). The perspective view of the fixed unit in a 1st embodiment. The perspective view of the rotation unit in a 1st embodiment. External view of the photographing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment (when the operation unit 14 is in the second rotation position). Sectional drawing of the imaging device 1 in 1st Embodiment. The top view which showed the rotation state from the 2nd rotation position to 1st rotation position in 1st Embodiment. Flowchart of photographing apparatus 1 in the first embodiment External view of photographing apparatus 2 in the second embodiment (when operation unit 24 is in the first rotation position) External view of photographing apparatus 2 in the second embodiment (when operation unit 24 is in the second rotation position) Sectional drawing of the imaging device 2 in 2nd Embodiment Flowchart of photographing apparatus 2 in the second embodiment Explanatory drawing which showed the usage pattern of the imaging device 2 in 2nd Embodiment. External view of photographing apparatus 3 in the third embodiment (when operation unit 34 is in the second rotation position) The perspective view of the rotation unit in 3rd Embodiment Explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of the control circuit 46 in 4th Embodiment. Flowchart showing the operation of the control circuit 46 in the fourth embodiment.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, the photographing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  1A and 1B are external views of the photographing apparatus 1 in which the operation unit 14 is in the first rotation position, where FIG. 1A is a top view, FIG. 1B is a perspective view, FIG. 1C is a rear view, and FIG. It is a side view. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a fixed unit including the housing 10, the lens barrel 11, and the first monitor 12. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the rotation unit including the second monitor 13 and the operation unit 14.

  Reference numeral 10 denotes a housing, to which each member is fixed. An image sensor having a light receiving surface orthogonal to the direction of the optical axis A (not shown) is provided, and an image can be obtained from light rays incident on the image sensor. Further, the operation unit 14 is provided with a hinge unit 10a that pivotally supports the operation unit 14 so as to be rotatable in the C direction about a rotation axis B perpendicular to the optical axis direction. The rotation axis B is located approximately at the center of the thickness in the optical axis direction of the housing 10. Further, a cam groove 10b penetrating in the direction of the rotation axis B, which can be engaged with the engaging portion 13c of the monitor 13, is provided. The cam groove 10b corresponds to the support means in the claims. Further, lock yokes 10c and 10d made of a ferromagnetic material such as iron are provided on a surface orthogonal to the rotation axis B and facing the lock magnet 14c.

  Reference numeral 11 denotes a lens barrel that extends in the direction of the optical axis A and is fixed to the front surface of the housing 10. A lens (not shown) is provided, and a light beam incident from a subject can be imaged on the image sensor.

  Reference numeral 12 denotes a first monitor, which has a flat plate shape and is fixed to the rear surface of the housing 10 (the side opposite to the lens barrel 11). The first monitor 12 includes a liquid crystal panel, an organic EL panel, and the like, and has a display surface orthogonal to the optical axis A direction. Various types of information such as an image (subject) obtained by the image sensor, a captured image, and photographing conditions can be displayed in the back direction (the optical axis A direction) of the photographing apparatus 1. In addition, a touch panel function is provided that allows the photographing apparatus 1 to be operated by tracing the surface with a finger or the like.

  Reference numeral 13 denotes a second monitor, which has a flat plate shape and is fixed to the operation unit 14. The second monitor 13 is composed of a liquid crystal panel, an organic EL panel, or the like, and the flat surface portion 13a having a display surface parallel to the rotation axis B and the display surface bend in the rotation direction (C direction) of the operation portion 14. And a possible flexible portion 13b. The flat surface portion 13a corresponds to a fixing portion in claims. The flat surface portion 13a is fixed to the operation portion 14, and the flat surface portion 13a and the flexible portion 13b are integrally provided side by side so that the respective display surfaces are continuous.

  The second monitor 13 may be configured by connecting a separate flat portion 13a and a flexible portion 13b, or a sheet metal or a substrate may be formed on a part of the back surface of the monitor that is flexible as a whole. The flat portion 13a may be configured by fixing a rigid body. Moreover, the engaging part 13c extended in the rotating shaft B direction of the operation part 14 is provided in the end opposite to the end connected with the plane part 13a of the flexible part 13b. By engaging the cam groove 10 b with the engaging portion 13 c, the position of the engaging portion 13 c is regulated and the flexible portion 13 b is supported with respect to the housing 10. Since the flat surface portion 13a integrated with the flexible portion 13b is fixed to the housing 10, the bending shape of the flexible portion 13b is determined by the engagement position of the cam groove 10b and the engagement portion 13c.

  In addition, a touch panel function is provided that allows the photographing apparatus 1 to be operated by tracing the surface with a finger or the like.

  Reference numeral 14 denotes an operation portion, which includes an engagement portion 14a extending in the direction of the rotation axis B. The operation unit 14 is coupled to the hinge unit 10a via the engagement unit 14a, and is pivotally supported with respect to the housing 10 so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis B perpendicular to the optical axis A in the C direction. The rotation axis B is located substantially at the center of the operation unit 14 when viewed from the extending direction of the rotation axis B. In the present embodiment, the operation unit 14 can be manually rotated by holding and rotating the operation unit 14, but an electric actuator may be provided separately to enable electric rotation. The operation unit 14 includes an operation panel 14b having an operation surface parallel to the rotation axis B on which buttons for changing various shooting conditions are arranged.

  The operation panel 14b corresponds to the photographing condition operation unit in the claims. The operation panel 14b is provided with a mechanical mechanism such as a button having a pushing stroke in a direction orthogonal to the operation surface or a wheel having a click feeling by rotating around an axis orthogonal to the operation surface, and confirms that the operation is performed by touch. Can do. The operation panel 14b may be configured to be able to confirm that it has been operated by vibration or the like. Further, a lock magnet 14c made of a magnet such as a neodymium magnet is provided on a surface orthogonal to the rotation axis B and facing the lock yokes 10c and 10d. The lock yokes 10c and 10d and the lock magnet 14c correspond to the lock means in the claims.

  In the first rotation position shown in FIG. 1, the first monitor is exposed to the outside of the photographing apparatus 1, while the second monitor is housed inside the photographing apparatus 1. Therefore, in the first rotation position, the displayable area of the photographing apparatus 1 is the range of the shaded portion D1 in FIG. Further, the operation surface of the operation panel 14b is orthogonal to the optical axis A direction and faces the back direction of the photographing apparatus 1 (the side opposite to the lens 11).

  Hereinafter, the 2nd rotation position of the operation part 14 in a present Example is demonstrated. 4A and 4B are external views of the photographing apparatus 1 in which the operation unit 14 is in the second rotation position. FIG. 4A is a top view, FIG. 4B is a perspective view, FIG. 4C is a rear view, and FIG. It is a side view. The second rotation position is a state in which the operation unit 14 is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise when viewed from the upper surface around the rotation axis B with the first rotation position as a reference.

  At the second rotation position, both the first monitor and the second monitor are exposed to the outside of the photographing apparatus 1 by the rotation of the operation unit 14. Therefore, in the second rotation position, the displayable area of the photographing apparatus 1 is a range obtained by adding the shaded portion D1 (display surface of the first monitor) and the shaded portion D2 (display surface of the second monitor), The area increases with respect to the first rotation position.

  Hereinafter, the lock mechanism of the operation unit 14 in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the photographing apparatus 1 taken along a cross section (H cross section in FIG. 1) passing through the lock magnet 14c and parallel to the optical axis A and the rotation axis B at the first rotation position. In the first rotation position, the lock magnet 14c and the lock yoke 10c are arranged so as to face each other in the direction of the rotation axis B. Between the lock magnet 14c, which is a magnet, and the lock yoke 10c, which is a ferromagnetic material, an attractive force in the direction of the rotation axis B is generated. Therefore, the rotation of the operation unit 14 with respect to the housing 10 is locked at the first rotation position unless a rotation force greater than the holding force by the adsorption force is applied. That is, the lock magnet 14c and the lock yoke 10c can lock the rotation of the operation unit 14 with respect to the housing 10 at the first rotation position.

  FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along a cross section (H cross section in FIG. 2) passing through the lock magnet 14c and parallel to the optical axis A and the rotation axis B at the second rotation position. In the second rotation position, the lock magnet 14c and the lock yoke 10d are arranged so as to face each other in the direction of the rotation axis B. Therefore, similarly to the first rotation position, the rotation of the operation unit 14 with respect to the housing 10 is locked at the second rotation position. That is, the lock magnet 14c and the lock yoke 10d can lock the rotation of the operation unit 14 relative to the housing 10 at the second rotation position.

  In this embodiment, the lock mechanism uses a magnetic attractive force, but it may be based on engagement between a pin and a hole. FIG.5 (c) is sectional drawing cut by the H cross section which showed other embodiment of the locking mechanism. The operation unit 14 includes a lock pin 14c that can advance and retreat in the direction of the rotation axis B instead of the lock magnet 14c. The lock pin 14c may be advanced or retracted manually or electrically by an actuator. The housing 10 includes holes 10c and 10d that can be engaged with lock pins 14c that are vacant in the direction of the rotation axis B. At the first rotation position, the lock pin 14c and the hole 10c are arranged so as to face each other in the rotation axis B direction at the second rotation position. By rotating the lock pin 14c back and forth to engage with the holes 10c and 10d, it is possible to lock the rotation of the operation unit 14 with respect to the housing 10 at the first rotation position and the second rotation position.

  In this embodiment, the rotation axis B is the vertical direction of the photographing apparatus 1, but the present invention has no limitation on the rotation direction of the operation unit 14, for example, the horizontal direction of the photographing apparatus 1 and the display area of the monitor 13 in the vertical direction. The configuration may be expanded.

  Hereinafter, the rotation operation of the operation unit 14 in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a top view illustrating an intermediate state when the operation unit 14 rotates from the second rotation position to the first rotation position. (A) is a second rotation position, (b) is a state rotated by 5 degrees counterclockwise as viewed from above with respect to the second rotation position, and (c) is a reference based on the second rotation position. (D) shows a state rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise when viewed from the upper surface with reference to the second rotational position (first rotational position). Show. E is a direction facing the operation panel 14b.

  In FIG. 6A (second rotation position), the engaging portion 13 c is engaged with the end of the cam groove 10 b, and the flexible portion 13 b of the second monitor 13 is supported by the housing 10. . The cam groove 10b supports the flexible portion 13b while urging it, and the urging direction is the left direction in the drawing orthogonal to the display direction (downward direction in the drawing) of the flat portion 13a. That is, the second monitor 13 is supported by the housing 10 with the flexible portion 13b extended. Therefore, the display surface of the flexible portion 13b is a flat surface, and the display surface of the flat portion 13a and the display surface of the flexible portion 13b are parallel. The operation unit panel 14b faces the side surface direction (E direction in the figure) of the photographing apparatus 1.

  In FIG. 6B, the engaging position of the engaging portion 13c and the cam groove 10b changes with the rotation of the operation portion 14. At the rotation position between the first rotation position and the second rotation position, the flexible portion 13b is bent, so that interference between the second monitor 13 and another member can be avoided. In this embodiment, the cam groove 10b regulates the position of the engaging portion 13c in the left-right direction in the figure, and the flexible portion 13b has a bending direction that has a curvature in a cross section perpendicular to the rotation axis B of the operation portion 14. Bend. That is, the second monitor 13 is supported by the housing 10 with the flexible portion 13b being bent. This bending reduces the size of the second monitor 13 in the left-right direction, and the left-right direction between the second monitor 13 and the first monitor 12 and between the second monitor 13 and the housing 10. To avoid interference.

  In FIG. 6C, the engaging position of the engaging portion 13c and the cam groove 10b changes with the further rotation of the operation portion 14. Although the bending shape of the flexible portion 13b changes, the flexible portion 13b bends in a bending direction having a curvature in a cross section perpendicular to the rotation axis B of the operation portion 14 as in FIG. 6B. That is, the second monitor 13 is supported by the housing 10 with the flexible portion 13b being bent. This bending reduces the size of the second monitor 13 in the left-right direction, and avoids left-right interference between the second monitor 13 and the housing 10.

  In FIG. 6D (first rotation position), the engaging portion 13 c is engaged with the end of the cam groove 10 b, and the flexible portion 13 b of the second monitor 13 is supported by the housing 10. . The flexible portion 13b is held in a bent shape by the engagement of the engaging portion 13c and the cam groove 10b, and the flexible portion 13b has a bending direction having a curvature in a cross section perpendicular to the rotation axis B of the operation portion 14. Bend. That is, the second monitor 13 is supported by the housing 10 with the flexible portion 13b being bent. The second monitor 13 is housed inside the photographing apparatus 1. Due to this bending, the size when the second monitor 13 is accommodated is reduced, and the enlargement of the photographing apparatus 1 at the first rotation position is reduced. Further, the operation unit panel 14b faces the back direction (E direction in the figure) of the photographing apparatus 1, and the operation surface of the operation unit panel 14b and the display surface of the first monitor 12 are parallel to each other.

  In the present embodiment, the second monitor 13 is supported by the housing 10 in a state where the flexible portion 13b is extended by the cam groove 10b at the second rotation position. Therefore, in the second rotation position, the displayable area of the photographing apparatus 1 has an area larger than that of the first rotation position.

  In the present embodiment, the second monitor 13 has a flexible portion 13b by a cam groove 10b at a first rotation position and a rotation position between the first rotation position and the second rotation position. Is supported by the housing 10 in a bent state. Therefore, interference between the second monitor 13 and other members can be avoided. If the second monitor 13 does not bend, the following may be considered as means for avoiding interference with other members. First, the amount of interference can be reduced by moving the operation unit 14 in the right direction (direction away from the optical axis). However, the size of the photographing apparatus 1 in the left-right direction is increased, which hinders downsizing. Second, the amount of interference can be reduced by moving the position of the rotation axis B to the back side of the photographing apparatus 1 in the optical axis direction.

  However, since the position of the rotation axis B is away from the center of the operation unit 14 as viewed from the extending direction of the rotation axis B, the operation unit 14 protrudes from the housing 10 at the first rotation position or the second rotation position. Miniaturization is impeded. Third, the amount of interference can be reduced by combining the rotational operation of the operation unit 14 with the translational operation in the direction in which the operation unit 14 moves away from the housing 10 and the first monitor 12. However, since the operation of switching between the first rotation position and the second rotation position cannot be performed in one operation, and a plurality of operations are performed, the operability is deteriorated. Fourth, the distance in the direction orthogonal to the rotation axis B between the first monitor 12 and the second monitor 13 (d in FIG. 4), and the rotation axis between the first monitor 12 and the housing 10. The amount of interference can be reduced by increasing the distance in the direction orthogonal to B (d in FIG. 4). However, the distance between the display surface of the first monitor 12 and the display surface of the second monitor 13 becomes wide, and the viewability at the second rotation position is lowered.

  For the above reasons, in this embodiment, compared with a configuration in which the display area is changed by sliding the operation unit or the like, it is possible to reduce the enlargement of the photographing apparatus when expanding the display area and improve the operability.

  In this embodiment, the flexible portion 13b of the second monitor 13 is bent and stored inside the photographing apparatus 1 as the operation portion 14 rotates at the first rotation position. Further, at the second rotation position, the display area is expanded by extending the flexible portion 13b of the second monitor 13 as the operation portion 14 rotates. Therefore, compared with a configuration in which the display area is changed by sliding the operation unit or the like, it is possible to reduce the enlargement of the photographing apparatus when the display area is enlarged.

  In the present embodiment, the second monitor 13 is housed inside the photographing apparatus 1 at the first rotation position. Therefore, the possibility that the second monitor 13 is damaged by an external impact or pressure can be reduced, and the reliability of the photographing apparatus 1 is improved.

  In the present embodiment, the rotation angle of the operation unit 14 is 90 degrees, but the present invention does not limit the rotation angle of the operation unit 14, for example, the second rotation position is the upper surface based on the first rotation position. The angle may be larger than 90 degrees or smaller than 90 degrees.

  Hereinafter, a usage pattern of the photographing apparatus 1 in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the photographing apparatus 1 in the present embodiment. In 101, the power of the photographing apparatus 1 is turned on. At 102, the usage pattern of the photographing apparatus 1 is selected. When shooting is selected in 102, the operation unit 14 is rotated to the first rotation position in 103. At 104, the subject is displayed on the first monitor 12. In 105, a photographing operation (changing various photographing conditions, photographing a subject, etc.) is performed. At 109, the power of the photographing apparatus 1 is turned off.

  In this embodiment, when the photographing operation is performed at 105, the operation unit 14 is rotated to the first rotation position. At this time, the operation surface of the operation panel 14b on which buttons for changing various shooting conditions are arranged and the display surface of the first monitor 12 are parallel to each other. Therefore, it is easy for the user to change various shooting conditions while looking at the subject displayed on the monitor 13.

  When playback is selected in 102, the operation unit 14 is rotated to the second rotation position in 106. In 107, various information such as a photographed image and photographing conditions are displayed on the first monitor 12 and the second monitor 13. A reproduction operation (image selection, enlargement / reduction, various settings, etc.) is performed at 108. At 109, the power of the photographing apparatus 1 is turned off.

  In this embodiment, when the photographing operation is performed at 108, the operation unit 14 is rotated to the second rotation position. At this time, the display surface of the first monitor 12, the display surface of the flat surface portion 13a, and the display surface of the flexible portion 13b are all parallel to each other, and the display area of the photographing apparatus 1 is enlarged compared to the first rotation position. To do. Therefore, the viewability of the captured image and the operability of the touch panel are improved.

  As described above, the photographing apparatus 1 bends and houses the second monitor 13 during photographing by rotating the operation unit 14 and makes the operation surface and the display surface parallel, and the second monitor 13 during photographing. To expand the display area. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the operability at the time of photographing and reproduction with a small size.

  This embodiment does not limit the present invention, and various modifications may be made within the scope of the claims.

  The operation unit 14 may be provided with a grip unit for holding the photographing apparatus 1. The grip unit makes it easier to hold the photographing apparatus 1 and the operability during photographing and reproduction is improved.

  The operation unit 14 may include a lens barrier that protects the front surface of the lens barrel 11 to protect the lens. Since the image sensor is not used during reproduction, the operability during reproduction is not impaired.

  The photographing apparatus 1 may be configured to engage the lock portion of the operation unit 14 during exposure. Unnecessary rotation of the operation unit 14 during exposure can be prevented, and shake of a captured image can be prevented.

[Second Embodiment]
Hereinafter, the imaging device 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Only different parts from the first embodiment will be described.

  8A and 8B are external views of the photographing apparatus 2 in which the operation unit 24 is in the first rotation position. FIG. 8A is a top view, FIG. 8B is a perspective view, FIG. 8C is a rear view, and FIG. It is a side view.

  Reference numeral 20 denotes a housing, which includes detection magnets 20c and 20d made of a magnet such as a neodymium magnet on a surface orthogonal to the rotation axis B and facing the detection sensor 24c.

  Reference numeral 25 denotes a viewfinder, which is provided on the back surface of the housing 20 (on the side opposite to the lens 21). The display surface of the finder 25 is orthogonal to the optical axis A and faces the back direction of the photographing apparatus 2, and can display an area that can be recorded by the image sensor. The viewfinder 25 preferably has a larger number of pixels per unit area (higher resolution) than the first monitor 22 and the second monitor 23.

  In the present embodiment, the finder 25 is a so-called optical finder that displays the subject on the eyepiece surface with the light beam that has passed through the lens 21 by an optical system such as a mirror and a prism. However, the present invention is not limited by the display method of the viewfinder, and may be an electronic viewfinder including a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel that can electronically display an image obtained by the image sensor.

  Further, it may be an optical viewfinder having an optical system capable of directly observing a subject without using a lens or a mirror. In this embodiment, the direction of the display surface of the finder 25 is the rear surface direction of the photographing apparatus 2, but the display direction of the finder 25 may be variable. The first monitor 22 and the second monitor 23 preferably have a larger screen size than the viewfinder 25.

  An operation unit 24 includes a detection sensor 24c such as a Hall element on a surface orthogonal to the rotation axis B and facing the detection magnets 10c and 10d. In the first rotation position, the operation unit panel 24b faces the back side of the photographing apparatus 2, and the operation surface of the operation unit panel 24b and the display surface of the viewfinder 25 are parallel to each other.

  A control circuit 26 controls the display on the first monitor 22, the second monitor 23, and the viewfinder 25 based on the output of the detection sensor 24c.

  Hereinafter, the rotation detection mechanism of the operation unit 14 in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional view of the photographing apparatus 2 taken along a cross section (H cross section in FIG. 8) passing through the detection sensor 24c and parallel to the optical axis A and the rotation axis B at the first rotation position. In the first rotation position, the detection sensor 24c and the detection magnet 20c are arranged so as to face each other in the direction of the rotation axis B. The control circuit 26 can detect that the operation unit 24 is in the first rotation position based on the magnetic force of the detection magnet 20c detected by the detection sensor 24c or the direction of the magnetic pole.

  FIGS. 9A and 9B are external views of the photographing apparatus 2 in which the operation unit 24 is in the second rotation position. FIG. 9A is a top view, FIG. 9B is a perspective view, FIG. 9C is a rear view, and FIG. It is a side view. FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view taken along the H cross section at the second rotational position. In the second rotation position, the detection sensor 24c and the detection magnet 20d are arranged to face each other in the direction of the rotation axis B. The magnetic force or magnetic pole of the detection magnet 20d is different from the magnetic force or magnetic pole of the detection magnet 20c. Therefore, the control circuit 26 can detect that the operation unit 24 is in the second rotation position by the magnetic force or magnetic pole of the detection magnet 20d detected by the detection sensor 24c.

  Hereinafter, a usage pattern of the photographing apparatus 2 in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the photographing apparatus 2 in the present embodiment.

  In 201, the power of the photographing apparatus 2 is turned on. At 202, the usage mode of the photographing apparatus 2 is selected. When shooting is selected in 202, the shooting mode of the shooting apparatus 2 is selected in 203. If finder shooting is selected in 203, the operation unit 24 is rotated to the first rotation position in 204. In 205, the detection sensor 24c detects that the operation unit 24 has rotated to the first rotation position, and the control circuit 26 turns on the display of the viewfinder 25. In 206, the subject is displayed on the viewfinder 25. In 207, a shooting operation (changing various shooting conditions, shooting a subject, etc.) is performed. At 216, the power of the photographing apparatus 2 is turned off.

  FIG. 12A is an explanatory diagram of a photographing operation (finder photographing) using the finder 25 performed at 207.

  The user takes a picture while looking into the subject displayed on the viewfinder 25. In this usage pattern, the display unit and the user's eyes are close to each other, and the display of the finder 25 with high resolution is suitable. Also, the image is easy to see because no external light is incident. In addition, since the line-of-sight direction matches the optical axis direction, it is easy to follow the subject.

  In the present embodiment, in the photographing operation 207, the operation unit 24 is rotated to the first rotation position. At this time, the direction orthogonal to the operation surface of the operation panel 24b is parallel to the optical axis A direction, and the operation is performed when the photographing apparatus 2 is held with the operation unit 24 sandwiched from the front and rear direction as shown in FIG. It is easy to operate the panel 24b with a finger. In addition, the operation surface of the operation unit panel 24b is parallel to the display surface of the viewfinder 25, and when taking a picture while looking into the viewfinder 25 as shown in FIG. It is easy to operate the operation panel 24b with a finger.

  Moreover, in order to look into the finder 25, it is necessary to change the shooting conditions by groping. However, since the buttons and wheels provided on the operation panel 24b can be confirmed by touch, they are suitable for groping. Yes. Therefore, the operability is improved by rotating the viewfinder to the first rotation position.

  In the present embodiment, the display area (D1) of the imaging device 2 is smaller at the first rotation position than at the second rotation position. However, in photographing using the finder 25, the display of the photographing device 2 is not used unless the eyes are temporarily checked to confirm the display. In addition, since it is necessary to change the shooting conditions by groping, touch panel operation using the first monitor 22 and the second monitor 23 based on visual observation is not suitable. Therefore, the operability is not impaired by rotating to the first rotation position.

  Returning to the flowchart, if live view shooting is selected in 203, the operation unit 24 is rotated to the second rotation position in 208. In 209, the detection sensor 24c detects that the operation unit 24 has rotated to the second rotation position, and the control circuit turns on the display of the first monitor 22 and the second monitor 23. In 210, the subject is displayed on the first monitor 22 and the second monitor 23. In 211, a shooting operation (changing various shooting conditions, shooting a subject, etc.) is performed. At 216, the power of the photographing apparatus 2 is turned off.

  FIG. 12C is an explanatory diagram of a shooting operation (live view shooting) using the first monitor 22 and the second monitor 23 performed in 211.

  The photographing apparatus 2 retracts an optical system such as a mirror and a prism from the optical path to form a light beam on the image sensor, and displays an image of the subject obtained by the image sensor on the first monitor 22 and the second monitor 23. . This is so-called live view shooting. The user takes a picture while looking away from the subject displayed on the first monitor 22 and the second monitor 23. In this mode of use, since the distance between the photographing device 2 and the eyes of the photographer is increased, the display on the first monitor 22 and the second monitor 23 having a large display area is suitable. Further, touch panel operations on the first monitor 22 and the second monitor 23 that can be operated by directly touching the display unit are suitable.

  In the present embodiment, in the photographing operation 211, the operation unit 24 is rotated to the second rotation position. At this time, the display area of the photographing apparatus 2 (the range obtained by adding D1 and D2) is larger than the first rotation position, so that the viewing property of the subject and the operability of the touch panel are improved. In addition, as shown in FIG. 12C, the viewability in the shooting mode in which the distance between the imaging device 2 and the photographer's eyes is increased is improved. Therefore, in live view shooting, the operability is improved by rotating to the second rotation position.

  At the second rotation position, the operation unit panel 24b faces the side surface of the photographing apparatus 2, and thus cannot be directly seen by the photographer. However, it is confirmed that the buttons and wheels provided on the operation panel 24b are operated by touch. it can. Therefore, the operability is not impaired by rotating to the second rotation position.

  Returning to the flowchart, if reproduction is selected in 202, the operation unit 24 is rotated to the second rotation position in 212. In 213, the detection sensor 24c detects that the operation unit 24 has rotated to the second rotation position, and the control circuit 26 turns on the display of the first monitor 22 and the second monitor 23. In 214, various information such as captured images and shooting conditions are displayed on the first monitor 22 and the second monitor 23. In 215, playback operations (such as image selection, enlargement / reduction, and various settings) are performed. At 216, the power of the photographing apparatus 2 is turned off.

  FIG. 12C is an explanatory diagram of an image reproduction operation using the first monitor 22 and the second monitor 23 performed at 215. The user performs various operations while viewing the display on the first monitor 22 and the second monitor 23. In this usage pattern, a larger display area is desirable because more information can be displayed. A touch panel operation that can be operated by directly touching the display unit is suitable.

  In this embodiment, in the reproduction operation 215, the operation unit 24 is rotated to the second rotation position. At this time, since the display area of the imaging device 2 (the range obtained by adding D1 and D2) is increased with respect to the first rotation position, the display browsing property and the touch panel operability are improved. In addition, as shown in FIG. 12C, the viewability in the shooting mode in which the distance between the imaging device 2 and the photographer's eyes is increased is improved. Therefore, in the reproduction, the operability is improved by rotating to the second rotation position. Further, as in live view shooting, the operability is not impaired by rotating to the second rotation position.

  As described above, the photographing apparatus 2 bends and stores the second monitor 23 during photographing by rotating the operation unit 24 and makes the operation surface and the display surface parallel to each other, and the second monitor 23 during photographing. To expand the display area. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the operability at the time of photographing and reproduction with a small size.

  This embodiment does not limit the present invention, and various modifications may be made within the scope of the claims.

  The control circuit 26 may detect that the operation unit 24 is in the first rotation position, and turn off the display of the second monitor 23 that is hidden by the operation unit 24. By turning off the display of the portion that is not touched, power saving can be achieved without sacrificing operability.

  The control circuit 26 may detect that the operation unit 24 is in the second rotation position and turn off the display of the finder 25. By turning off the display of the unused portion, power saving can be achieved without sacrificing operability.

  The control circuit 26 may detect that the operation unit 24 is at the first rotation position and switch to the finder photographing mode. Further, it may be detected that the operation unit 24 is in the second rotation position and switched to the live view shooting or the image reproduction mode. Operation during mode switching can be reduced and operability is improved.

[Third Embodiment]
Hereinafter, the imaging device 3 according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Only different parts from the first embodiment will be described.

  FIGS. 13A and 13B are external views of the photographing apparatus 3 in which the operation unit 34 is in the second rotation position, where FIG. 13A is a top view, FIG. 13B is a perspective view, FIG. 13C is a rear view, and FIG. It is a side view. FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the rotation unit including the second monitor 33 and the operation unit 34.

  A plurality of support columns 33d extending in a vertical direction (a direction parallel to the rotation axis B) made of a rigid body are arranged on the surface opposite to the display surface of the flexible portion 33b. The supporting portion 33d restricts the bending direction of the flexible portion 33b only in the direction (F direction in FIG. 13) in the projection plane in the vertical direction (direction parallel to the rotation axis B), and in the projection plane in the horizontal direction. The strength against bending in the direction (G direction in FIG. 13) increases. In other words, it is easy to bend in a bending direction having a curvature in a cross section orthogonal to the rotation axis B of the operation unit 14 with respect to a bending direction having a curvature in a cross section parallel to the rotation axis B of the operation unit 14. . Therefore, the flexible portion 33b can switch between the bent state and the planar state stably by the rotation of the operation unit 34.

  The flexible portion 33b and the engaging portion 33c are connected by an elastic portion 33e having elasticity in the left-right direction (H direction in FIG. 13). In the second rotation position, the engaging portion 33 c is engaged with the cam groove 30 b, and the engaging portion 33 c is held with respect to the housing 30. The elastic part 33e connected to the engaging part 33c holds the flexible part 33b while urging it in a direction (H direction in FIG. 13) parallel to the display surface of the flat part 33a and perpendicular to the rotation axis B. Therefore, the display surface of the flexible portion 33b is flat without bending, and the display surface of the flat portion 33a and the display surface of the flexible portion 33b are parallel. Therefore, the flexible portion 33b can stably maintain the planar state at the second rotation position.

  As described above, the imaging device 3 bends and stores the second monitor 33 during imaging by rotating the operation unit 34 and makes the operation surface and the display surface parallel to each other, and the second monitor 33 during imaging. To expand the display area. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the operability at the time of photographing and reproduction with a small size.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Hereinafter, the imaging device 4 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Only different parts from the first embodiment will be described.

  The photographing apparatus 4 includes a control circuit 46 that controls display on the first monitor 42 and the second monitor 43. The control circuit 46 corresponds to the control means in the claims.

  FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the control circuit 46. A state in which the first monitor 42 and the second monitor 43 are viewed from the back surface of the photographing apparatus 4 at the second rotation position is shown. A represents the light receiving range of the light receiving surface of the image sensor fixed to the housing 40, and B represents the display range of the display surfaces of the first monitor 42 and the second monitor 43.

  The second monitor 43 is pivotally supported with respect to the housing 40. However, the second monitor 43 may be fixed to the housing 40 with an inclination θ depending on the dimensional tolerance or mounting accuracy of each part. is there. The control circuit 46 rotates and displays the display image of the second monitor 43 so that the ridge line of the first monitor 42 and the ridge line of the display range B are parallel to each other. That is, the control circuit 46 displays an image obtained by correcting the inclination of the second monitor 43 with respect to the first monitor 42 on the second monitor. At this time, similarly to the first monitor 42, the light receiving range A of the image sensor fixed to the housing 40 and the ridge line of the display range B are also parallel.

  Therefore, the image displayed on the first monitor 42 and the second monitor 43 is not tilted, and the browsing property in displaying various images is improved. In addition, the subject image obtained by the image sensor and the subject images displayed on the first monitor 42 and the second monitor 43 are not tilted, and the operability in live view shooting is improved.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control circuit 46. When the display image is acquired in 401, the rotational position of the photographing apparatus 4 is determined in 402. If it is the first rotation position, the display image is displayed on the first monitor 42 in 403 and the power supply of the second monitor 43 is turned off, and the process is completed in 408. If it is the second rotation position, the correction value of the display image is updated based on the inclination θ of the second monitor 43 in 404. The detection of the tilt may be performed by a measuring device in the assembling process of the photographing apparatus 4 or may be performed at any time by providing a sensor in the photographing apparatus 4. In 405, the display image on the first monitor 42 and the display image on the second monitor 43 are divided. In 406, the display image on the second monitor 43 is corrected according to the correction value. The display image on the first monitor 42 and the display image on the second monitor 43 are respectively displayed at 407 and the process is completed at 408.

  As described above, the photographing apparatus 4 corrects and displays the tilt and displacement of the second monitor 43. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the operability at the time of photographing and reproduction with a small size.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image pick-up device 10 Case 10a Hinge part 10b Cam groove 10c Lock yoke 10d Lock yoke 11 Lens barrel 12 First monitor 13 Second monitor 13a Plane part 13b Flexible part 13c Engagement part 14 Operation part 14a Engagement part 14b Operation panel 14c Lock magnet

Claims (8)

A housing,
A lens barrel fixed to the housing;
An operation unit having a shooting condition operation unit that is pivotally supported to the first rotation position and the second rotation position with respect to the housing and is capable of operating shooting conditions;
A first monitor fixed to the housing and capable of displaying shooting conditions or a subject;
A second monitor having a flexible part capable of bending the display surface and a fixed part fixed to the operation part;
Have
The housing supports the flexible portion in a state where the flexible portion is bent in at least a part of a rotation range from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, and the second rotation position. And a supporting means for supporting the flexible portion in an extended state. 2. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, at the second rotation position, the display surface of the flexible portion is a flat surface and parallel to the display surface of the first monitor. 2. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a display surface of the first monitor and an operation surface of the photographing condition operation unit are parallel to each other at the first rotation position. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a finder, wherein a display surface of the finder and an operation surface of the photographing condition operation unit are parallel to each other at the first rotation position. The flexible portion has a bending direction having a curvature in a cross section orthogonal to the rotation central axis of the operation portion, with respect to a bending direction having a curvature in a cross section parallel to the rotation central axis of the operation portion. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photographing apparatus is easily bent. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that displays an image obtained by correcting an inclination of the second monitor with respect to the first monitor on the second monitor. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that turns off the power of the second monitor at the first rotation position. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a lock unit that can lock the rotation of the operation unit with respect to the housing at least one of the first rotation position and the second rotation position.