Patent ID: 9172883
Filing Date: 2015-10-27
Classification: G03B,H04N

Abstract:
1. An imaging apparatus having an imaging optical system whose focal length is variable, an imaging device which performs shooting through the imaging optical system, and a finder device which enables observation of a subject through an optical system that is different from the imaging optical system, wherein: the finder device comprises at least one variable magnification lens which can be inserted into and removed from an optical path of the finder device and serves to vary the focal length of the finder device, and a finder shutter which can switch between a closed state in which it interrupts light coming from a subject-side finder window of the finder device and thereby prohibits incidence of the light on an eyepiece window of the finder device and an open state in which it allows passage of light coming from the subject-side finder window and thereby causes the light to shine on the eyepiece window; the imaging apparatus comprises: the finder shutter control unit controls the finder shutter so that it is kept in the closed state while the variable magnification lens is being moved by the variable magnification lens control unit for its insertion or removal; the finder device includes a display unit for displaying an image; the image displayed on the display unit can be observed through the eyepiece window irrespective of whether the finder shutter is in the open state or the closed state; the imaging apparatus is configured so that the image displayed on the display unit and an optical image coming from the subject-side finder window and shining on the eyepiece window are superimposed on each other can be observed through the eyepiece window when the finder shutter is in the open state; the imaging apparatus comprises a display control unit for displaying a shot image taken by the imaging device, during a movement of the variable magnification lens, on the display unit while enlarging or reducing it gradually; and the display control unit displays the shot image on the display unit while enlarging it gradually when the variable magnification lens is being moved in such a direction that the focal length of the finder device increases, and displays the shot image on the display unit while reducing it gradually when the variable magnification lens is being moved in such a direction that the focal length of the finder device decreases.