JPH04311163A - Video camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To use a color view finder with an adaptor when required in a video camera provided with a monochromatic view finder. CONSTITUTION:The eyepiece part 43 of the 1st view finder 13 consisting of a monochromatic CRT is detached, an adaptor 28 is fixed to the battery fixing part 19 of a camera body and a battery 20 is fixed to a battery fixing part 31 formed on the rear side of the adaptor 28. While checking the color image of an object by the 2nd view finder consisting of a color liquid crystal panel 40 formed on the adaptor 28, image pickup operation is executed.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video camera, and more particularly to a video camera that is equipped with a viewfinder and is configured to capture an image while confirming a subject through the viewfinder.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art A video camera converts an image captured through an optical system into an electrical signal using a CCD.
The electric signal is recorded on a magnetic tape by a VTR built into the video camera. The video camera is usually equipped with a viewfinder using a black and white CRT, and images are taken while checking the subject through the viewfinder.

0003

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] As described above, conventional video cameras mainly capture images while checking the subject using a viewfinder using a black and white CRT. In events where colors account for a large portion of the composition of the image, it is difficult to distinguish colors through a viewfinder, making it difficult to take images.

[0004] In view of these drawbacks, for example, as shown in FIG.
the LCD panel 4 of this adapter 3.
The reproduction of color images is considered. In this case, the video camera and the color LCD panel 4 of the adapter 3 are driven by the battery 5 attached to the back side of the adapter 3.

[0005] Such a video camera is equipped with two viewfinders: a viewfinder 6 made of a black and white CRT, and an LCD panel 4 of the adapter 3 for reproducing color images. Therefore, imaging can be performed by selectively using one of these.

However, such a video camera has, in addition to the normal viewfinder 6 attached to the side so as to extend rearward, the L of the adapter 3 that protrudes upward.
Since the viewfinder 4 consists of a CD panel, the design lacks consistency. Furthermore, since images are reproduced by the two viewfinders 4 and 6, one of the viewfinders wastes power and the battery 5 is consumed rapidly.

The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and allows selective use of two types of viewfinders with different properties, and also enables the use of a second viewfinder. If used, the first
The object of the present invention is to provide a video camera in which the viewfinder of the camera is automatically turned off.

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problems] A first aspect of the present invention provides a video camera in which a first viewfinder is attached to a camera body, and an image is taken while confirming a subject through the first viewfinder. An eyepiece is removably provided at the tip of the first viewfinder, and a second viewfinder is provided that is removable from the camera body. The second viewfinder is attached to the camera body so as to be located substantially on an extension of the first viewfinder, and images are taken while confirming the subject using the second viewfinder.

[0009] Also, a second invention provides a switch that is switched in conjunction with attachment and detachment of the second viewfinder,
The drive of the first viewfinder is controlled by the switch, and when the second viewfinder is attached, the first viewfinder is turned off.

0010

[Operation] According to the first invention, when the eyepiece section of the first viewfinder is removed and the second viewfinder is attached to the camera body, the second viewfinder is installed on the extension of the first viewfinder. will be located. This second viewfinder allows the user to capture an image while checking the subject. Therefore, a second viewfinder having different characteristics from the first viewfinder is removably attached to the camera body, and this second viewfinder is effectively used to take an image.

According to the second invention, when the second viewfinder is attached, the first viewfinder is turned off.
F, and battery consumption due to unnecessary first viewfinder is avoided.

0012

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGS. 1 and 2 show a video camera according to an embodiment of the present invention, and this video camera is equipped with a lens barrel 11 at the front left side of a cabinet 10 thereof. An optical lens is arranged inside the lens barrel 11, and an image is captured through this optical lens. Also, on the outside of the lens barrel 11 are a plurality of camera operation buttons 12.
are arranged. Further, a first viewfinder 13 is rotatably attached to the top of the lens barrel 11. The first viewfinder 13 is composed of a black and white CRT.

Further, a video operation button 14 is provided on the top of the cabinet 10, and is used to perform operations such as switching the mode of the VTR built in the cabinet 10. Further, a microphone 15 is provided on the front side of the cabinet 10 to record audio. Furthermore, a grip belt 16 is provided on the right side of the cabinet 10, and the video camera can be held with the right hand by this belt 16.

A battery mounting section 19 is provided on the back side of the cabinet 10, and a battery 20 is removably mounted on this battery mounting section 19. Engagement claws 21 are provided on both sides of the upper and lower sides of the battery mounting portion 19, respectively, so that these engagement claws 21 are engaged with engagement grooves 22 provided on both the upper and lower sides of the battery 20. It has become.

Furthermore, the installed battery 20 is connected to the lock claw 2.
It is locked by 3. A release lever 24 is provided on the side of the cabinet 10 to allow the lock claw 23 to retract. Further, a conductive contact pin 25 is provided so as to protrude from the battery mounting portion 19.
5 electrically connects the battery 20 and the video camera.

[0016] Using the battery mounting part 19, the second
An adapter 28 constituting a viewfinder is inserted between the video camera 10 and the battery 20. The viewfinder adapter 28 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped cabinet, and has an engaging portion 29 on the front side thereof. Engagement grooves 30 are provided on both upper and lower sides of the engagement portion 29, and these engagement grooves 30 receive the left and right engagement claws 21 of the battery mounting portion 19.

Further, on the back side of the adapter 28, a battery mounting section 31 having substantially the same structure as the battery mounting section 19 of a video camera is provided. That is, engaging claws 32 are provided on both sides of the battery mounting portion 31 of the adapter 28, respectively. Further, a conductive contact pin 34 protrudes. Further, a release lever 35 is provided on the side surface of the adapter 28, and the lock claw 33 is retracted by the release lever 35.

Further, this adapter 28 has a lens barrel 38 extending rearwardly on the side thereof. Lens barrel 38
Inside, an eyepiece lens 39 is disposed on the rear side and on the eyepiece side, as shown in FIG. A color liquid crystal panel 40 is arranged inside the eyepiece lens 39. A backlight 41 is arranged inside this liquid crystal panel 40.

Next, a driving circuit for the liquid crystal panel 40 constituting the first viewfinder 13 and the second viewfinder will be explained with reference to FIG. 4. A liquid crystal drive circuit 45 for driving the liquid crystal panel 40 is housed within the adapter 28 . On the other hand, inside the cabinet 10 of the video camera body, there is a recording/reproducing circuit 46, a driving circuit 47,
and a black and white CRT that constitutes the first viewfinder.
48 are stored in each.

The battery 20 drives a liquid crystal drive circuit 45, a recording/reproducing circuit 46, and a monochrome viewfinder 48, respectively. The image signal reproduced by the recording/reproducing circuit 46 is supplied to the monochrome viewfinder 48 through the drive circuit 47, and the output of the drive circuit 47 is supplied to the liquid crystal drive circuit 45, whereby the liquid crystal panel 40 displays a color reproduced image. I'm trying to make it happen.

In order to supply a video signal from within the video camera body to the liquid crystal drive circuit 45 of the adapter 28, a signal cable 51 is used as shown in FIG. This signal cable 51 includes a jack 52 inserted into the video in terminal of the adapter 28 and a jack 53 inserted into the video out terminal on the cabinet 10 side.

[0022] Also, the cabinet 10 of the video camera body
A switch 54 is provided in the power supply circuit of the CRT 48 constituting the first viewfinder. The opening and closing of this switch 54 is controlled by a protrusion 55 provided protruding from the front side of the adapter 28, and the adapter 28 is attached to the battery attachment part 19 of the cabinet 10 of the video camera body. Then, the switch 54 is automatically turned off and the driving of the CRT 48 is stopped.

In the above configuration, when the adapter 28 constituting the second viewfinder is not used, the battery 20 is installed in the battery installation part 19 on the back side of the cabinet 10 and used in normal use. do. That is, this battery 20 drives the video camera. At the same time, an image is taken while checking the subject through the screen surface of the CRT 48 of the first viewfinder 13 which is driven by the battery 20.

On the other hand, when photographing a subject that requires color discrimination, the second viewfinder 2
8 is used. In this case, first, the eyepiece section 43 on the distal end side of the first viewfinder 13 is removed as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Then, the adapter 28 is attached to the battery attachment part 19 of the video camera body 10, and the engagement claw 21 is inserted into the engagement groove 3.
0 to engage. Furthermore, the battery 20 is attached to the battery attachment portion 31 on the back side of the adapter 28 . In this case, the engaging claw 32 is engaged with the engaging groove 22.

In this way, the second viewfinder 2
As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG.
The video camera body 10 and the battery 20 are sandwiched and coupled together. Moreover, when combined, the first viewfinder 1 with the eyepiece section 43 removed
3, the second viewfinder 2
8 lens barrels 38 will be located. Therefore, the lens barrel 38 of the first viewfinder 13 and the second viewfinder
This gives the appearance that the two are almost unified.

The liquid crystal panel 40 of the second viewfinder 28 reproduces a color image based on the video signal supplied from the drive circuit 47. Moreover, the reproduced color image has appropriate brightness due to the backlight 41, and it becomes possible to take an image while viewing this bright color image through the eyepiece lens 39.

When the object is confirmed using the second viewfinder 28 as described above, the protrusion 55 of the adapter 28 shown in FIG. 4 turns off the switch 54 provided in the power circuit of the CRT 48. Make it. Therefore, power supply to the CRT 48 of the first viewfinder 13, which is not in use, is stopped, and this CRT 48 is prevented from being driven unnecessarily. Furthermore, when the adapter 28 is removed, the switch 54 is turned on. Therefore, the switch 54 is automatically switched in accordance with the attachment and detachment of the adapter 28, so that the CRT 48 of the first viewfinder 13 is driven only when necessary.

Although the second viewfinder 28 in the above embodiment is a color viewfinder, the second viewfinder 28 does not necessarily have to be color, and has a function different from that of the first viewfinder 13. For example, it may be a viewfinder with a larger screen surface.

Further, the lens barrel 3 of the second viewfinder 28
8 may be made rotatable. By making the lens barrel 38 rotatable, imaging can be performed even at a low angle. Further, by rotating the lens barrel 38 downward, the rearward protrusion of the lens barrel 38 is eliminated, which is advantageous for storage.

Further, in the above embodiment, the adapter 28
Although the video signal is supplied through the signal cable 51 to the adapter 28, contact pins may be provided on the outer surface of the adapter 28 so that when the adapter 28 is attached, the video signal supply circuit is automatically connected.

[0031]

Effects of the Invention The first invention provides a removable eyepiece at the tip of the first viewfinder, and a second viewfinder that is removably attached to the camera body. The eyepiece of the finder is removed and a second viewfinder is attached to the camera body so as to be located almost on an extension of the first viewfinder, so that images can be taken while checking the subject through the second viewfinder. It is something.

[0032] Therefore, it is possible to selectively use the second viewfinder having a function different from that of the first viewfinder. Therefore, if the first viewfinder is a black and white viewfinder and the second viewfinder is a color viewfinder, the second viewfinder should be used when imaging a subject that requires color discrimination. becomes possible.

Further, the second invention provides a switch that can be switched in conjunction with attachment and detachment of the second viewfinder, and this switch controls the drive of the first viewfinder, so that when the second viewfinder is attached or detached, the switch is switched. When this happens, the first viewfinder is turned off. Therefore, when using the second viewfinder, the first viewfinder is not driven unnecessarily, and unnecessary consumption of the power source is prevented.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a video camera.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view with an adapter attached.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the same.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a drive circuit for first and second viewfinders.

FIG. 5 is a side view when using an adapter made of a liquid crystal panel.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Cabinet 11 Lens barrel 12 Camera operation button 13 First viewfinder 14 Video operation button 15 Microphone 16 Grip belt 19 Battery mounting part 20 Battery 21 Engagement claw 22 Engagement groove 23 Lock claw 24 Release lever 25 Contact pin 28 Adapter (second viewfinder) 29
Engagement part 30 Engagement groove 31 Battery attachment part 32 Engagement claw 33 Lock claw 34 Contact pin 35 Release lever 38 Lens barrel 39 Eyepiece 40 Liquid crystal panel 41 Backlight 43 Eyepiece 45 Liquid crystal drive circuit 46 Recording/reproduction circuit 47 Drive Circuit 48 Black and white CRT 51 Signal cables 52, 53 Jack 54 Switch 55 Projection

Claims (2)

[Claims] Claims: 1. A video camera in which a first viewfinder is attached to a camera body and images are captured while confirming a subject through the first viewfinder, wherein the first viewfinder is removably attachable to the tip of the first viewfinder. an eyepiece, and a second viewfinder that is detachable from the camera body; the eyepiece of the first viewfinder is removed, and the eyepiece is located approximately on an extension of the first viewfinder; A video camera characterized in that the second viewfinder is attached to the camera body so that an image is taken while confirming a subject using the second viewfinder. 2. A switch is provided that is switched in conjunction with attachment and detachment of the second viewfinder, the switch controls driving of the first viewfinder, and the second viewfinder is attached. 2. The video camera according to claim 1, wherein the first viewfinder is turned off.