1988-01-07
1990-06-26
Arnold, Bruce Y.
350430, G02B 1500
Patent
active
049366645
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a zoom lens drive system for a lens shutter type of camera having a finder optical system and an electronic flash device compatible with the lens.
More precisely, the present invention relates to a zoom lens drive system for a camera having a between-the-lens shutter, but not limited thereto.
This application is related to the commonly assigned application filed on even date herewith, application Ser. No. 144,030, entitled "Lens Shutter Camera Including Zoom Lens", the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
BACK GROUND ART
Most conventional automatic focus cameras having lens shutter, such as between-the-lens-shutters, have fixed focal lengths. Some cameras of this type permit a user to select one or the other of two separate lenses of different focal lengths for providing, for example, wide angle and telephoto capability. In such cameras, however, stepless variations in focal lengths in the range between these extremes of focal lengths are not possible. Heretofore, only single lens reflex camera using focal plane shutters had the capability of taking pictures using a zoom lens.
Single lens reflex cameras are more expensive and heavier than between-the-lens-shutter cameras; and accordingly, a photographer unfamiliar with cameras usually does not find it easy or convenient to use a single lens reflex camera, especially in taking action pictures at high speed using flash illumination. Furthermore, because of its relativety large weight and size, a single lens reflex camera is not favored by many photographers or travellers who are concerned with weight and the number of bags that have to be handcarried. Consequently, these individuals hesitate using single lens reflex cameras even if they appreciate the high quality pictures that can be taken by using such a camera. Accordingly, users who hesitate to use single lens reflex cameras have only two choices in a lightweight, small between-the- lens-shutter automatic camera one with a fixed focal length, and one which has two extreme focal lengths without adjustment therebetween.
An object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide a new and improved small, light, and compact camera having a lens shutter, such as a between-the-lens-shutter and having a zoom lens in which focusing control and electronic flash control can be carried out automatically.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a zoom lens automatic focus camera having a lens shutter, such as a between-the-lens-shutter, and having an additional macro function with which an extremely large detailed image can be taken, the finder optical system and electronic flash device associated with the macro function operating in a manner similar to the manner of operation in a normal mode(i.e., wideangle, telephoto and standard, etc.).
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a zoom lens drive system for a lens shutter type of a compact camera with a zoom lens, in which a powered zooming operation can be elecrically and automatically effected.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
A zoom lens for a camera having a between-the-lens shutter includes a motor for moving the lens, in forward and rearward directions, along an optical axis. The first embodiment of the present invention includes switch means operable by an operator to control operation of the motor for moving the lens from an initial position on the axis to a final stationary position that establishes the focal length of the lens, and control means for operating the motor such that movement of the lens from its initial position to its final position always ends after the lens travels to the final position in a predetermined direction. The lens may occupy any position between and including a wide angle terminus that establishes the smallest focal length, and a telephoto terminus that establishes the largest focal length, and may also include a macro position beyond the telephoto terminus position. The invention insures that, regardless of the initi
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Practical Camera Information, pp. 163-166 (and an English language translation thereof), published on Sep. 2, 1987.
Haraguchi Keisuke
Kobayashi Takeo
Kohmoto Shinsuke
Kondoh Shigeru
Numako Norio
Arnold Bruce Y.
Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
Ben Loha
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