Abstract:
A camera is provided which commences exposure at a timing at which a shake amount is reduced. An exposure operation commencement instruction section gives an instruction to commence an exposure operation. A focusing lens drive device drives a focusing lens responsive to the instruction. An exposure operation commencement decision section determines a required delay time based on the shake state of the camera body after the instruction to commence the exposure operation has been given. An exposure device commences the exposure operation according to the determined delay time. And an operating state of one of the focusing lens drive device, the exposure operation commencement decision section and the exposure device which is being operated is displayed in a discernible form. The focusing lens drive device, the exposure operation commencement decision section and the exposure section are successively operated in response to the instruction.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application i s based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 11-115019, filed Apr. 22, 1999, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a camera adapted to detect its shaking state and commence an exposure at the time when the camera shake level has reduced. 
     In recent years, a wide variety of cameras have been developed that are adapted to detect their shaking state and commence an exposure at the time when the camera shake level has reduced. 
     For example, in Jpn. Pat. KOKAI Publication No. 10-48681 is disclosed a technique to commence an exposure operation at the point of time within a given interval when both the camera shake levels in two directions perpendicular to the optical axis of the camera cross the zero level. 
     Also, in Jpn. Pat. KOKAI Publication No. 5-20419 is disclosed a camera with shake correction function which waits for a correction operation for camera shake due to lens driving and an exposure operation until the camera shake becomes able to be corrected for and makes a notification to that effect. 
     Additionally, in Jpn. Pat. KOKAI Publication No. 9-230472 is disclosed a camera which notifies the user of exposure immediately before the start of exposure. 
     Moreover, a camera technique is known which notifies the user of a shaking state during exposure, the notification time depending on the exposure time. 
     However, with the camera disclosed in Jpn. Pat. KOKAI Publication No. 10-48681, exposure is never commenced unless the shake level becomes zero. Therefore, the user cannot know that the reason why exposure is not commenced is a camera failure or shake control. 
     With the camera disclosed in Jpn. Pat. KOKAI Publication No. 5-204019, the user cannot know that the reason why an exposure operation is not performed is lens driving or a great camera shake. This will cause the user to feel long to exposure and feel uneasiness. 
     With the camera disclosed in Jpn. Pat. KOKAI Publication No. 9-230472, the user is notified of exposure immediately before the commencement of exposure. However, the user cannot do anything even if he or she is notified immediately before commencement of exposure. 
     With the camera adapted to notify the user of its exposure state, when the time taken by lens driving is long or the shake reduction function of commencing exposure when the shake level is reduced is used, the notification (exposure) may not be performed for a long time even if the shutter release has been clicked. The user may mistake this for a camera failure. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a camera which permits each of operating states of the camera in a sequence of operations from an operation of giving an instruction to commence an exposure operation to the termination of the exposure operation to be indicated in a stepwise manner. 
     According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera comprising: exposure operation commencement instruction means for giving an instruction to commence an exposure operation; lens drive means responsive to the instruction from the exposure operation commencement instruction means for driving a focusing lens; exposure operation commencement decision means for deciding whether the exposure operation should be commenced, on the basis of the shake state which the camera body takes after the exposure operation commencement instruction means gives an instruction to commence the exposure operation; exposure means for performing the exposure operation according to the result of the decision by the exposure operation commencement decision means; camera control means for exercising overall control of the camera; and state notification means for, under the control of the camera control means, indicating operating states of at least two of the lens drive means, the exposure operation commencement decision means and the exposure means in a discernible form. 
     According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera comprising: exposure operation commencement instruction means for giving an instruction to commence an exposure operation; lens drive means responsive to the instruction from the exposure operation commencement instruction means for driving a focusing lens; exposure operation commencement decision means for deciding whether the exposure operation should be commenced, on the basis of the shake state which the camera body takes after the exposure operation commencement instruction means gives an instruction to commence the exposure operation; exposure means for performing the exposure operation according to the result of the decision by the exposure operation commencement decision means; camera control means for exercising overall control of the camera; and state notification means for, under the control of the camera control means, indicating operating states of the lens drive means, the exposure operation commencement decision means and the exposure means in a discernible form. 
     According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera comprising: exposure operation commencement instruction means for giving an instruction to commence an exposure operation; lens drive means responsive to the instruction from the exposure operation commencement instruction means for driving a focusing lens; exposure operation commencement decision means for deciding whether the exposure operation should be commenced, on the basis of the shake state which the camera body takes after the exposure operation commencement instruction means gives an instruction to commence the exposure operation; exposure means for performing the exposure operation according to the result of the decision by the exposure operation commencement decision means; camera control means for exercising overall control of the camera; and state notification means for, under the control of the camera control means, indicating that the exposure operation commencement decision means is in operation in a discernible form. 
     According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera comprising: operating state distinction means for making a distinction between at least two predetermined operating states of the camera in a sequence of operations from an operation of giving an instruction to commence an exposure operation to the termination of the exposure operation; and state notification means for performing stepwise indication of the two predetermined operating states. 
     According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera comprising: lens drive device for driving a focusing lens; exposure device for performing an exposure operation; exposure operation commencement decision means for deciding the timing of commencing the exposure operation after the focusing lens has been driven by the lens drive device; and state notification means for indicating operating states of the lens drive device and the exposure device in a discernible form during the operation of the exposure operation commencement decision means. 
     Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out hereinafter. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
     FIG. 1 is a basic block diagram of a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a more detailed block diagram of the camera; 
     FIGS. 3A,  3 B and  3 C form a flowchart illustrating the operation of the camera; 
     FIG. 4 shows a display layout of the viewfinder of the camera; 
     FIGS. 5A,  5 B and  5 C show an example of state indication by three LEDs forming the state notification section; 
     FIGS. 6A,  6 B and  6 C show another example of state indication by three LEDs forming the state notification section; 
     FIGS. 7A,  7 B and  7 C show an example of shake indication by three LEDs forming the shake notification section; 
     FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating another arrangement for state notification using liquid crystal display within the viewfinder; and 
     FIG. 9 shows a correspondence relationship among the shake reduce mode, the LD mode before the second release is rendered ON, and the state notification. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1 is a basic block diagram of a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     This camera is constructed, as shown in FIG. 1, from an exposure commencement instruction section  2  as exposure operation commencement instruction means, a lens drive section  4  as lens drive means, an exposure operation commencement decision section  6  as exposure operation commencement decision means, an exposure section  8  as exposure means, a camera controller as camera control means, and a state notification section  12  as state notification means. 
     The exposure commencement instruction section  2  (i.e., shooting operation commencement instruction section) is designed to instruct the start of a sequence of photographing that is performed by the lens drive section  4  and the exposure section  8 . The section  2  corresponds to a second release switch. The lens drive section  4  is adapted to drive a focusing lens as instructed by the exposure commencement instruction section  2  and is constructed from a motor, gears and so on. 
     The exposure operation commencement decision section  6  is adapted to make a decision as to whether or not an exposure operation is to be commenced on the basis of a shaking state of the camera after the exposure commencement instruction has been given by the exposure commencement instruction section  2  and implemented by an algorithm executed by a CPU. The exposure section  8  is adapted to perform an exposure operation according to the result of the decision by the exposure operation commencement decision section  6  and corresponds to a shutter. 
     The camera controller  10  is adapted to control the overall operation of the camera and corresponds to a CPU. The state notification section  12  is adapted to notify the user of the operating states of each of the lens drive section  4 , the exposure operation commencement decision section  6  and the exposure section  8 . The state notification section is formed of visual display means, such as LEDs or an LCD, or sound producing means, which allow stepwise state notification. 
     In such an arrangement, when instructed to commence exposure by the exposure commencement instruction section  2 , the camera controller  10  activates the lens drive section  4 , so that the focusing lens not shown is moved. The state at this point is indicated to the camera user through the state notification section  12 . 
     At the termination of the lens driving by the lens driving section  4 , the exposure operation commencement decision section  6  makes a decision as to whether to commence an exposure operation on the basis of a camera shake state after the instruction to commence exposure has been given by the exposure commencement instruction section  2 . While the decision is being made, the state notification section  12  makes notification to the effect that the operation is in the step of exposure operation commencement. 
     If the decision by the exposure operation commencement decision section  6  is that the camera shake level is small enough to allow the exposure operation, then the exposure section  8  performs the exposure operation. At this point, the state notification section  12  makes notification to the effect that exposure is being made. 
     FIG. 2 is a more detailed block diagram of the camera embodying the present invention. 
     In FIG. 2, to the camera controller  10  are connected the exposure commencement decision section  2 , the lens drive section  4 , the exposure section  8 , an exposure preparation instruction section  20  corresponding to a first release switch, a distance measuring section  22 , a camera shake detect section  24  consisting of shake sensors, such as angular velocity sensors, gyros, or the like, a viewfinder section  28  having the state notification section  12  and a shake notification section  26 , a shooting mode setting section  30 , a photometry section  32  having an AE (automatic exposure) sensor, and a film transport section  34 . 
     In order to detect shakes in the vertical and horizontal directions of film frame, the shake detect section  24  is normally equipped with two shake sensors. 
     The camera controller  10  has the exposure operation commencement decision section  6 , a distance calculation section  36 , a shake calculation section  40 , a delay time count section  42 , and a state notification control section  44 . 
     The shake calculation section  40  performs a shake detecting process through filtering for removing noise of unwanted frequencies other than shakes. In order to allow the shake notification section  26  to indicate the current image shaking state, an amount of image shake is calculated in the shake calculation section  40  taking into account shake information, focal distance information, and exposure time information. The results of the detecting process prior to the image shake calculation are sent to the exposure operation commencement decision section  6 . 
     Upon receipt of an exposure instruction input from the exposure commencement instruction section  2 , the exposure operation commencement decision section  6  makes a decision about when to allow the exposure section  8  to commence exposure on the basis of the result of shake detection by the shake detect section  24 . The delay time count section  42  is connected with the exposure operation commencement decision section  6 . 
     If the camera shake level does not become lowered, an exposure operation will not be commenced for a long time. In such a case, the user may mistake it for a camera failure. Even if the camera shake is not reduced a low level, if a given period of time has elapsed, it is desirable to commence an exposure operation. For this reason, a delay time is preset and counted by the delay time count section  42 . When the delay time is reached, the exposure operation commencement decision section  6  is signaled to allow the exposure section to make exposure regardless of camera shake. 
     In the shake notification section  26  within the viewfinder section  28 , the current shake level is indicated on the basis of detected shake information. 
     The shooting mode setting section  30  sets various modes, such as a shake compensation mode in which exposure is commenced at a time when the camera shake level is low, a mode in which the lens is driven before the second release ( 2 R) switch is turned on (hereinafter referred to as LD-before- 2 R mode), and so on. In response to a mode setting by the mode setting section  30 , the state notification control section  44  allows the in-viewfinder state notification section  12  to indicate the operation mode of the camera. 
     Next, the operation of the camera thus arranged will be described with reference to flowcharts of FIGS. 3A,  3 B and  3 C. 
     In the first place, the camera is initialized in step S 1 . Then, in step S 2 , a decision is made as to whether or not the shake reduce mode has been set in the camera. If the shake reduce mode has been set, then the procedure goes to step S 3  in which the shake reduce mode flag F_BL is set to 0; otherwise, the procedure goes from step S 2  to step S 4  in which the flag F_BL is set to 1. 
     Next, in step S 5 , a decision is made as to whether or not the LD-before- 2 R mode has been set in the camera. If the LD-before- 2 R mode has been set, then the procedure goes to step S 6  in which the flag F_ 2 RLD is set to 0; otherwise, the procedure goes to step S 7  in which the flag F_ 2 RLD is set to 1. 
     The shake reduce mode and the LD-before- 2 R mode are set by the shooting mode setting section  30 . Each flag setting is made by the camera controller  10 . 
     Next, in step S 8 , a decision is made as to whether or not the first release switch has been turned on. If the first release switch has not been on, then the procedure goes step S 2 ; otherwise, the procedure goes to step S 9  in which a photometric operation is performed by the photometric section  33 . Here, the exposure time is determined on the basis of the sensitivity of the film used. Next, in step S 10 , the subject distance is measured by the distance measuring section  22  and the amount by which the lens is to be driven is then determined by the distance calculation section  36 . 
     Next, in step S 11 , a decision is made as to whether or not the subject is in focus. If the subject is not in focus, then the procedure goes to step S 12  in which out-of-focus indication is given. Next, in step S 13 , a decision is made as to whether or not the first release ( 1 R) switch has been turned on. If it has been turned on, then the procedure goes to step S 12 ; otherwise, the procedure goes to step S 14  to turn off the out-of-focus indication. After that, the procedure goes to step S 2 . 
     If the decision in step S 11  is that the subject is in focus, then the procedure goes to step S 15  to make a decision of whether the flag F_ 2 RLD has been set to 1. If the flag F_ 2 RLD has not been set to 1, that is, if the LD-before- 2 R mode has not been set, then the procedure goes to step S 18 . 
     If, in step S 15 , the flag F_ 2 RLD is 0, the LD-before- 2 R mode has been set and hence the procedure goes to step S 16  in which the focusing lens is driven by the lens drive section  4 . A decision is then made in step S 17  as to whether the lens driving has been completed. Steps S 16  and S 17  are repeated until the lens driving has been completed. If the lens driving has been completed, then the procedure goes to step S 18 . 
     In step S 18 , in-focus indication is given. Next, a decision is made in step S 19  as to whether the flag F BL has been set to 0, i.e., whether the shake reduce mode has been set. If the flag F_BL is 1, i.e., if the camera is not in the shake reduce mode, then the procedure goes to step S 23 . 
     If, in step S 19 , the camera is in the shake reduce mode, then the procedure goes to step S 20  in which a camera shake is detected. This is performed by sampling an output signal of the shake detect section  24  with an A/D converter not shown in the camera controller  10 . 
     In step S 21 , filtering is performed to remove unwanted frequency components other than shake-related frequencies. Next, in step S 22 , shake notification is made by the shake notification section  26 . This notification is indication of that the amount of shake is being calculated on the basis of shake information, focal length and exposure information, and the results of the calculations. 
     Next, in step S 23 , a decision is made as to whether the second release switch has been turned on. If the second release switch is off, then the procedure goes to step S 24  in which a decision is again made as to whether the first release switch is off. If the first release switch is on, then the procedure goes to step S 19 . 
     If, on the other hand, the first release switch is off, then the procedure goes to step S 25  to turn the in-focus indication off. A decision is them made in step S 26  as to whether the shake reduce mode flag F_BL has been set to 0. If the flag F_BL is 0, i.e., if the shake reduce mode has been set, the shake notification is made off in step S 27  and the shake detection is rendered off in step S 28 . Subsequent to step S 28  or if the decision in step S 26  is that the shake reduce mode has not been set, then the procedure goes to step S 2 . 
     If the decision in step S 23  is that the second release switch has been turn on, then the procedure goes to step S 29  to turn off the in-focus indication. A decision is them made in step S 30  as to whether the shake reduce mode flag F_BL has been set to 0. If the flag F_BL is 0, i.e., if the shake reduce mode has been set, the shake notification is made off in step S 31  and the shake detection is rendered off in step S 32 . Each indication is rendered off in response to the second release switch being turned on. However, the shake detection is rendered off temporarily for the next lens driving. 
     Subsequent to step S 32  or if the decision in step S 30  is that the shake reduce mode has not been set, then the procedure goes to step S 33  to make a decision of whether the flag F_ 2 RLD has been set to 1. If the flag F_ 2 RLD has been set to 1, that is, if the LD-before- 2 R mode has been set, then the procedure goes to step S 34 ; otherwise, the procedure goes to step S 37 . 
     In step S 34 , state notification is made by the state notification section  12 . 
     Here, the state notification will be described. 
     FIG. 4 shows a display layout of the viewfinder section  28 . 
     The viewfinder section is provided with a picture frame  50  having a measurement area  52  formed at the center. On the right-hand side of the picture frame  50  are provided a mark  54  that makes notification to the effect that focusing operation is being performed and a mark  56  that indicates the shake reduce mode. The state notification section  12  and the shake notification section  18  are provided below the picture frame  50 , each section being composed of a plurality of LEDs (three in the drawing). 
     The state notification section  12  indicates one of three states as shown in FIGS. 5A to  5 C, depending on the state of the camera. In FIGS. 5A to  5 C and FIGS. 6A to  6 C and  7 A to  7 C to be described below, the shaded LEDs indicate that they are lit up, and unshaded LEDs indicate otherwise. 
     In FIG. 5A, only the LED  12   1  is lit up, indicating the state A in which the focusing lens is being driven. In FIG. 5B, the LEDs  12   1  and  12   2  are lit up, indicating the state B in which a decision is being made as to whether to commence exposure. In FIG. 5C, all the LEDs  12   1 ,  12   2  and  12   3  are lit up, indicating the state C in which exposure is being made. 
     Thus, the user can easily confirm the operating state of the camera by changing the lighting conditions of the LEDs  12   1 ,  12   2  and  12   3 . 
     The state notification may be made not only by varying the number of LEDS that are lit up as shown in FIGS. 5A to  5 C but by any other scheme provided that it allows the user to distinguish among the operating states. 
     For example, as shown in FIGS. 6A to  6 C, each of the three LEDs may be lit up separately to correspond with a different one of the operating states A, B and C. This allows the user to know which of the operating states the camera is placed in. 
     Although the LEDS  12   1 ,  12   2  and  12   3  used in FIGS. 5A to  5 C and FIGS. 6A to  6 C may be of the same color, they may each be of a separate color, which allows the user to confirm the operating states more clearly. 
     FIGS. 7A to  7 C show a display example based on three LEDs that constitute the shake notification section  26 . In this case, three shake levels are displayed. 
     The state in which only the LED  26   1  is lit up as shown in FIG. 7A represents that the camera shake level is low. The state in which the LEDs  26   1  and  26   2  are lit up as shown in FIG. 7B represents that the shake level is medium. The state in which all the LEDs  26   1  to  26   3  are lit up as shown in FIG. 7C represents that the shake level is high. 
     Like the state notification section  12 , the shake notification section  26  may also be modified in the way to light up the LEDs. 
     Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 3B, in step S 34 , the state notification section  12  makes notification of the operating state A, i.e., that the lens is being driven. In subsequent step S 35 , the focusing lens is driven by the lens drive section  4 . Steps S 35  and S 36  are repeated until the lens driving has been completed. 
     After the lens has been driven, the process goes to step S 37  to make a decision as to whether or not the shake reduce mode has been set. If the shake reduce mode has not been set, then the procedure goes to step S 46 . If, on the other hand, the shake reduce mode has been set, then the procedure goes to step S 38  to make state notification B to the effect that a decision is being made as to whether to commence exposure. 
     In subsequent step S 39 , the delay time count section  42  begins counting a delay time. After that, camera shake is detected in step S 40  by the shake detect section  24  and the amount of shake is calculated in step S 41  by the shake amount calculation section  40 . Next, in step S 42 , a decision is made as to whether to commence an exposure operation. This decision procedure is described in detail in Jpn. Pat. KOKAI Publications Nos. 3-92830 and 10-48681 by way of example. 
     In subsequent step S 43 , a decision is made as to whether or not it is permitted to commence exposure. If not permitted, the procedure goes to step S 44  in which a decision is made as to whether or not the delay time counted by the delay time count section  42  has reached a given length of time. As described previously, an exposure operation is not be permitted unless the camera shake is reduced to a low level. If, therefore, the camera shake is not lowered, an exposure operation will not be commenced even after a long wait. In such a case, the user may mistake it for a camera failure. For this reason, the camera is set to commence an exposure operation when a given period of time, for example, 300 msec, has elapsed. This technique is described in Jpn. Pat. KOKAI Publication No. 9-138433 by way of example. 
     Therefore, if the given period of time has not yet been reached in step S 44 , then the procedure returns to step S 40 ; otherwise, the procedure goes to step S 45 . 
     If, in step S 43 , exposure commencement has been allowed or if, in step S 44 , the given period of time has elapsed, then the shake detection is rendered off in step S 45 . At this point, the time counting by the delay time count section  42  is stopped. 
     Next, in step S 46 , the state notification C is made to the effect that exposure is being made. After that, exposure is commenced by the exposure section  8  in step S 47  and a decision is then made in step S 48  as to whether or not a given exposure time has elapsed. If the exposure time has elapsed, then the procedure goes to step S 49  to stop the exposure. 
     In subsequent step S 50 , the film is advanced by one frame by the film transport section  34 . After that, in step S 51 , lens driving is started to return the focusing lens to its original position. 
     In step S 52 , a decision is made as to whether or not the film and lens have been driven. If not, the procedure goes to step S 53  to make a decision of whether or not the state notification C by the state notification section  12  has been rendered off. If so, the procedure returns to step S 52 ; otherwise, the procedure goes to step S 54  to make a decision of whether or not a given time has elapsed since the state notification C was made. 
     The state notification C depends basically on exposure time. When the exposure time is too short, the user cannot recognize the state notification. Therefore, when the exposure time is not less than a given time of, say, 150 msec, the state notification C is made regardless of exposure time. 
     If, in step S 54 , the given time has elapsed, the procedure returns to step S 52  after the state notification C has been rendered off in step S 55 ; otherwise, the procedure directly returns to step S 52 . 
     If YES in step S 52 , driving of the film and lens is stopped in subsequent steps S 56  and S 57 . The procedure then returns to step S 2 . 
     FIG. 8 shows another arrangement for state notification, which utilizes liquid crystal display within the viewfinder section  28 . 
     In FIG. 8, a variable-transmittance liquid crystal display device  62  is connected through a voltage control device  60  to the state notification section  44  in the camera controller  10 . This variable-transmittance liquid crystal display device  62  is a liquid crystal display device in which the transmittance varies with the applied voltage and formed of, say, a polymer net liquid crystal material. The voltage control device  60  varies the magnitude of applied voltage to the liquid crystal display device  62  so as to vary its transmittance. 
     Thus, the transmittance of the liquid crystal display provided in the viewfinder section  28  of the camera can be varied. 
     FIG. 9 is a table showing the relation between the shake reduce mode and the LD-before- 2 R mode, both indicated by the state notification section. 
     In this table, white circles each represent that the corresponding LED is switched off, whereas black circles each represent that the corresponding LED is lit up. And (A), (B) and (C) correspond to the state notifications A, B and C, respectively. 
     In FIG. 9, pattern  1  corresponds to the state where the LEDs  12   1  to  12   3  are lit up according to the manner shown in FIGS. 5A to  5 C. Pattern  2  corresponds to the state where the LEDs  12   1  to  12   3  are lit up according to the manner shown in FIGS. 6A to  6 C. Further, pattern  3  indicates the transmission factor when the variable-transmission-factor liquid crystal display device  62  shown in FIG. 8 is used. 
     In the case of the pattern  3  described above, for example, both the shake reduce mode and the LD-before- 2 R mode are on in the cases Nos.  1  and  5 . In the case No.  5 , the lens driving operation and the exposure commencement decision operation are indicated by the same state notification. 
     Taking No.  1  by way of example, the transmission factor of liquid crystal is set to 90% before  2 R ON, 75% at the time of exposure commencement decision, 25% at the time of exposure, and 90% at the time of film transportation. 
     Thus, if any pattern is used, stepwise indication can be given according to the state notification. 
     Although the present invention has been described in terms of the embodiment in which the state notifications are made through the use of LEDs or LCD, this is not restrictive. Audible display means could be used for state notification. That is, any display means can be used provided that they allow stepwise state notification. 
     As described above, according to the present invention, a sequence of operations of a camera from exposure commencement instruction ( 2 R ON) to the termination of exposure, specifically, a lens drive operation, an exposure commencement timing control operation, and an exposure operation, are indicated to the user in a stepwise manner. Thus, the user can know which of the operating states the camera is now placed in. 
     In particular, even if exposure is delayed due to the driving of focusing lens and/or a decision of whether to commence exposure based on camera shake, the shooter can know that the camera is working properly and can devote himself or herself to shooting. In addition, since lighting means or variable-transmittance liquid crystal display device placed within the viewfinder is used as state notification means, the shooter can know visually that exposure is approaching while viewing through the viewfinder. 
     According to the present invention, as described above, a camera can be provided which permits each of its operating states to be indicated to shooters in a stepwise manner. 
     Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.