Electronic still camera

• US 5,099,334 A
• Filed: 09/13/1989
• Issued: 03/24/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co Limited (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Kaneko, Kouji, Mikajiri, Satoshi, Kaneko, Kiyotaka, Ogata, Kazutsugu, Seki, Kazuhisa
• Primary Examiner(s): Groody, James J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Metjahic, Safet
• Application Number:
  US07/406,544
• Time in Patent Office: 923 Days
• Field of Search: 358/227, 358/213.19, 358/225, 358/228, 358/209, 358/909, 358/55, 354/226, 354/233, 354/250, 354/253, 354/254, 354/230, 354/234.1, 354/235.1, 354/272, 354/271.1, 354/410, 354/232
• US Class Current: 348/362
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 9/04 Single movable plate with two or more apertures of graded size, e.g. sliding plate or pivoting plate
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/75 by influencing optical camera components

Abstract

An electronic still camera has a mechanical diaphragm mechanism for controlling the exposure of an image surface. The diaphragm mechanism includes an exposure plate having an opening of an aperture greater than an effective aperture corresponding to an open f-stop value, and at least one opening equal to an effective aperature corresponding to an f-stop value. By shifting the diaphragm plate, it is possible to set at least two types of f-stop values which include the open f-stop value. As a result, a diaphragm function in which effective aperture is made less than 1 mm can be achieved with a high degree of accuracy.

Claims

1. An electronic still camera having a mechanical diaphragm mechanism for controlling exposure of an image surface, said diaphragm mechanism comprising:

a freely moving diaphragm plate formed to have a plurality of openings, said plurality of openings including,

an opening of an aperture greater than an effective aperture corresponding to an open f-stop value, and

at least one opening equal to an effective aperture corresponding to an f-stop value; and

a drive mechanism for displacing said diaphragm plate, in dependence upon exposure to be controlled, in such a manner that one of said plurality of openings arrives at a position of an optic axis.

2. An electronic still video camera having a mechanical diaphragm mechanism for controlling exposure of an image surface, said diaphragm mechanism comprising:

a freely moving diaphragm plate formed to have a plurality of openings corresponding to f-stop values;

a pair of diaphragm retaining plates for freely and rotatably supporting said diaphragm plate, each of said diaphragm retaining plates having an opening greater than the openings of said diaphragm plate formed at a position of an optic axis; and

a drive mechanism for displacing said diaphragm plate, in dependence upon exposure to be controlled, in such a manner that one of plurality of openings arrives at a position of said optic axis.

3. The electronic still video camera according to claim 2, wherein said plurality of openings of said diaphragm plate comprises:

an opening of an aperture greater than an effective aperture corresponding to an open f-stop value; and

at least one opening equal to an effective aperture corresponding to an f-stop value.