Photography – With viewfinder – With prism
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-05
2001-11-06
Mahoney, Christopher E. (Department: 2851)
Photography
With viewfinder
With prism
C396S386000, C396S429000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06314247
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a camera using a recording medium by which an object image formed thereon is electronically developed, more particularly, to a view finder device provided to the camera.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 5-2280 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,424,156, there is known a photographic material which is directly and electronically developed so that the developed visible image can immediately obtained. In this specification, such a recording medium is referred to as an electro-developing recording medium, and an electronic still camera using the electro-developing recording medium is referred to as an electro-developing type camera.
The electro-developing recording type camera may be constructed in such a manner that R (red), G (green), and B (blue) images can be recorded in the electro-developing recording medium, so that a natural color image can be obtained. Thus, the electro-developing recording medium has three recording areas to record the R, G, and B images, and may be constructed to move along a predetermined line so that one of the recording areas is positioned on the optical axis of the photographing optical axis. Accordingly, the electro-developing type camera becomes bulky in order to accommodate such movable recording medium.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a view finder device where the construction allows the reduction of the size of an electro-developing type camera.
According to the present invention, there is provided a view finder device provided in a camera using an electro-developing recording medium in which an object image formed thereon is electronically developed, the electro-developing recording medium being movable along a surface thereof, the device comprising a view finder optical system.
The view finder optical system is provided with a passage through which the electro-developing recording medium can pass through, the passage being extended in a direction approximately perpendicular to the optical axis of the view finder optical system.
The other object of the present invention is to provide a view finder device where the construction allows the reduction of by which the size of an electro-developing type camera, without lowering the magnification of a magnifier provided in the view finder device.
According to the present invention, there is provided a view finder device provided in a camera in which a recording medium can be moved along a surface thereof, the device comprising a photographing optical system through which an object image is formed, a reflecting optical member, a Poro prism, and a first optical system.
The reflecting optical member is provided between the photographing optical system and the recording medium, so that a photographing optical axis of the photographing optical system is bent in a direction, along which the recording medium is moved, to generate a first finder optical axis. The Poro prism has a first reflecting plane bending the first finder optical axis to the object to be photographed to generate a second finder optical axis, a second reflecting plane bending the second finder optical axis in a direction which is parallel to the surface of the recording medium and is perpendicular to the moving direction of the recording medium to generate a third finder optical axis, and a third reflecting plane bending the third finder optical axis to the recording medium to generate a fourth finder optical axis which is parallel to the photographing optical axis. The first optical system is provided on the fourth finder optical axis. The first optical system is positioned to a side of the object with respect to an edge of the first reflecting plane, the edge being close to the recording medium.
Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a view finder device provided in a camera in which an object image formed by a photographing optical system is recorded on a recording medium, the device comprising a reflecting optical member, an erecting system, and a first optical system.
The reflecting optical member is provided between the photographing optical system and the recording medium, so that a photographing optical axis of the photographing optical system is bent in a direction perpendicular to the photographing optical axis to generate a first finder optical axis. The erecting system has a first reflecting plane bending the first finder optical axis to the object to be photographed to generate a second finder optical axis, a second reflecting plane bending the second finder optical axis in a direction perpendicular to a plane including the photographing optical axis and the first finder optical axis, to generate a third finder optical axis, and a third reflecting plane bending the third finder optical axis to the recording medium to generate a fourth finder optical axis which is parallel to the photographing optical axis. The first optical system is provided on the fourth finder optical axis. The first optical system is positioned to a side of the object with respect to an edge of the first reflecting plane, the edge being close to the recording medium.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a view finder device having a Poro prism placed behind the photometry sensor, so that it allows so that it allows the electro-developing type camera to be compact.
According to the present invention, there is provide a view finder device in a single reflex camera in which an object image obtained by a photographing optical system is formed on a focusing plane, which is optically equivalent to an imaging plane of a recording medium on which the object image is recorded, the device comprising a first optical system through which the object image formed on the focusing plane is observed, a Poro prism, and a photometry sensor.
The Poro prism is provided between the imaging plane and the first optical system, the Poro prism having a plurality of reflecting planes which bend an optical axis of the first optical system so that the object image formed on the focusing plane is observed as an erect image. The photometry sensor is provided behind an area which is a part of an emergent plane of the Poro prism. The area is closer to a point at which the emergent plane crosses one of the reflecting planes which is positioned right before the emergent plane, relative to a light beam which passes through the emergent plane and enters the first optical system.
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Abe Tetsuya
Hasushita Sachio
Mogamiya Makoto
Sensui Takayuki
Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
Greenblum & Bernstein P.L.C.
Mahoney Christopher E.
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