Camera adaption for self photography

A camera is adapted for self photography by provision of a reflective element disposed over a image receiving means thereof. The reflective element is disposed along or proximate to the focal axis of the image receiving portion for avoiding a parallax effect such that a camera operator may accurately monitor the image during self photography. Several variations on the arrangement of the reflective element allow various photographic effects to be obtained and in addition, the arrangement of the invention may also by applied for effecting audio/visual communication.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to a camera including a reflective element 
which acts as a visual reference when a user per se wishes to appear in 
what is recorded while simultaneously carrying out the actual recording 
process. 
Description of the Related Art 
Recently cameras have been introduced in which a picture taking lens 
thereof may be swiveled in the direction of the camera operator, a video 
camera of this type has been disclosed in Japanese Patent Application 
63-178962. Such a video camera will be explained briefly with reference to 
FIGS. 34, 35(a) and 35(b). 
A video camera 100 has a monitor 102, such as a color LCD screen mounted on 
a rear side thereof. The video camera further includes video cassette deck 
103 and a VTR portion 101. The upper section of the VTR 101 has a recessed 
portion 101a formed therein, according to this, a lens housing 104 is 
pivotally mounted so as to be enabled to swivel in forward and rearward 
directions according to turning of a swivel know 105 mounted on the 
pivotal axis adjacent the lens housing 104. Referring to FIG. 36, the lens 
housing 104 mounts an optical lens, CCD, or the like 106 therein in a lens 
barrel 104a at a forward portion of the lens housing. 
According to this arrangement, as shown in FIGS. 35(a) and 35(b) a camera 
operator may swivel the lens housing such that the lens barrel is pointed 
in the direction of the camera operator such that the operator may 
photograph him or herself while viewing the viewing field of the lens 106 
via the LCD monitor 102. Conversely, to operate the camera in a 
conventional fashion, the camera operator may swivel the lens housing in a 
direction away from him/herself such that the lens barrel 104a if pointed 
away from the camera operator while the viewing field of the lens 106 is 
visible in the LCD 102 which still faces in the direction of the camera 
operator. Thus, the (LCD) monitor 102 may act as a viewfinder for the 
camera as well as a monitor for viewing recorded images. 
However, according to the above, provision of such an LCD monitor increases 
the cost of such a camera and in addition, the swivel arrangement of the 
lens housing increases the size and weight of the camera overall. 
Also, as will be noted from FIG. 35(b), the optical axis of the lens barrel 
104a when swiveled in the direction of the camera operator for 
self-picture taking, is offset from the optical axis of the LCD 102 thus 
creating a parallax effect and making is difficult for the operator to 
compose the viewing field of the lens 106 while simultaneously monitoring 
the output image on LCD 102. 
Thus there has been a need for a camera which enables a camera user to 
photograph (or video tape) him or herself easily by means of a simple, 
compact camera arrangement. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to overcome the 
drawbacks of the related art. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a lightweight, 
low cost camera which easily enables self-photography and which may 
minimize a parallax effect such that such self photography process is 
simplified. 
In order to accomplish the aforementioned and other objects, in a camera 
constructed such that, during operation, an image receiving means thereof, 
mounted on a main body of said camera, is interposed between the main body 
and a subject to be photographed, an improvement is provided, comprising: 
a reflective element, disposed in relation to the image receiving means 
such that a viewing field within a range detectable by the image receiving 
means is substantially visible in the reflective element also. 
For a camera so constructed such that during photographic operation an 
image receiving means mounted on a main body of the camera is interposed 
between the main body and a subject to be photographed, an attachment 
comprising: 
a reflective element, disposed in relation to the image receiving means 
such that a viewing field within a range detectable by the image receiving 
means is substantially visible in the reflective element also.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring now to the drawings, particularly to FIGS. 1-3, a first preferred 
embodiment of a video camera 1A according to the invention will be 
described hereinbelow in detail. 
Referring to the drawings, such a portable video camera 1A generally 
includes a camera body 2 having disposed thereon a viewfinder 3 for 
viewing a subject 15 image to be recorded (photographed, videotaped, 
etc.), a microphone 4 for recording sound during taping (image recording) 
operations and an image detecting element 5. Hereinbelow the image 
detecting element will be referred to generally as a lens 5 which term 
will be understood to apply to an optical lens, a charged coupled device 
(CCD) or any other image pickup means. The lens is housed in a cylindrical 
lens barrel 6 and, as seen in FIG. 2, the upper surface of the camera body 
is provided with a zoom control 7 for controlling a depth of focus of the 
lens 5. Although not shown in the drawings, the rear side of the camera 
body 2 may include a start stop switch and/or other components, as well as 
a battery pack 8 (FIG. 3). Attached to the camera body 2 at one side 
thereof a grip portion or strap (not shown)may be provided for carrying 
and aiming the camera while in use. In addition, a portion of the camera 
body 2 of the video camera of the embodiment comprises a video tape 
recorder (VTR) 2a and a cassette or tape deck (not shown) for loading and 
unloading magnetic tape on which to record video images. 
According to the present embodiment, the video camera 1A is further 
provided with a start/stop switch or self-actuating means 9 at a front 
side of the camera body 2. According to this, self-photography is 
simplified, that is, when the video camera 1A is held `backward`, such 
that the lens 5 is facing the camera operator, image taping operation may 
be initiated by simply pressing the start/stop switch 9, while pressing 
the switch 9 a second time will stop taping operation, since the 
start/stop switch 9 is in front and closely adjacent the lens 5, ease of 
operation is assured. For further enhancing ease of use, the video camera 
1A may be set such that, when image recording is initiated via the front 
start/stop button 9, the zoom function normally regulated by the zoom 
control 7 is automatically set to its widest angle, that is to provide the 
widest possible field of view the lens 5. At the front side of the 
viewfinder 3, a battery lamp is disposed so as to indicate to the 
operator, or a subject facing the camera, that the video camera 1A is 
running. 
In addition, according to the present embodiment, the lens 5 is formed as a 
half mirror 10. The half mirror 10 may by formed by vapor deposition, or 
other means, on an outer surface of the lens 5, which is formed so as to 
be convex in contour. Thus, it will be appreciated that the half mirror 10 
is convex. It will further be noted that, according to various types of 
available video cameras having various technical features and levels of 
complexity, the lens 5 may in fact be comprised of a plurality of lenses 
(not shown) or image pickups (not shown) coaxially mounted in the lens 
barrel 6. Thus, the convex feature noted above will be understood to apply 
to the half mirror 10 comprising the convex outer surface of that lens 5 
which is mounted at the foremost position in the lens barrel 6. This 
structure, in accordance with the reflectivity of the half-mirror 10, 
functions such that a certain degree of outside ambient light is reflected 
by the half mirror 10 while the remaining light passes into the lens 5 to 
be recorded according to taping operation of the video camera 1A. In this 
regard, it will be noted that a video camera such as described above has a 
high sensitivity to ambient light levels as compared with a still camera. 
According to the above-described arrangement of the convex half mirror 10 
on the outer side of the lens 5, image recording may be accomplished 
without difficulty in either ambient outdoor light, or indoors under 
ordinary room lighting conditions. 
Referring now to FIG. 3, the video camera 1A of the present embodiment is 
shown as utilized for recording images including oneself (hereinbelow; 
self-photography). As may be seen, the operator holds the camera body 2 
via the grip (not shown) in a reversed orientation such that the lens 
barrel 6 is pointed in the direction of the operator. Since the convex 
outer surface of the lens 5 is formed as a half mirror, the operator (now 
also subject) may clearly see the scene which will be recorded reflected 
in tile half mirror 10, thus the image to be recorded may be composed by 
viewing the scene as reflected in the half mirror 10 and it is not 
necessary to use the viewfinder 3. When the operator is satisfied with the 
scene recorded and wishes to start taping operation, merely pressing the 
front start/stop button 9 once will begin operation. According to the 
present embodiment, once the button 9 is initially pressed, recording 
operation is delayed while the zoom control 7 automatically sets the lens 
5 to its widest viewing angle, then normal recording operation will begin. 
According to this, it is not possible to vary the telescopic properties of 
the zoom function during self photography, accordingly the process of self 
photography is greatly simplified and even an inexperienced user may 
achieve excellent results since the more complex camera functions are 
disabled at this time. 
In addition, the half mirror 10 by which the user composes the scene to be 
recorded is formed directly over the convex outer surface of the lens 5 
which actually receives the input light for recording as a video image. 
Accordingly, the optical axes of both the lens 5 and the half mirror 10, 
which essentially acts as a viewfinder in this mode of use, are identical. 
Thus the user may concentrate on the recording without incongruous 
distraction induced when the optical axis of the lens 5, by which the 
actual recording is made, is different from that of the monitoring device. 
That is, the parallax effect is avoided and the user more easily assumes a 
more natural, focused feeling. Further, the above may be easily 
accomplished with inexpensive components which are simple to operate and 
use of an expensive color LCD monitor or the like, is not required. 
FIGS. 4 and 5 show a modification of the above-described first embodiment. 
According to this modification, as seen in the drawings, a window, or 
frame 10a is marked on the half mirror 10 so as to be easily visible to 
the user. The dimensions of the frame 10a are established to a scale 
corresponding to the size of the image actually recorded, accounting for 
the current setting of the zoom function (which would be the widest 
setting according to the present embodiment). Thus the image reflected 
with in the frame 10a of the half mirror 10 would substantially reflect 
the dimensions of a display area of a standard television set, video 
monitor, or other display means by which the images recorded by said 
camera would be displayed. As may be appreciated from FIG. 5, according to 
provision of the frame 10a, when viewing the reflection in the half mirror 
10, the frame 10a may be utilized to more precisely envisage the image as 
it will actually be recorded, and thus give the user a useful indication 
of how the self photographed image will appear when displayed on a 
playback device (i.e. VTR, TV, etc.). The frame 10a is also of use in 
determining color balance, shadow, and other considerations of particular 
use when composing video images. The above modification may be applied 
equally to both still and moving images. 
It will be noted that the characteristics of the markings indicating the 
frame 10a are established such that the level of ambient light input to 
the lens 5 during taping is sufficient to render the markings invisible on 
the recorded image when displayed. Thus, the presence of the frame 10a has 
no influence on the image quality obtained. 
Referring now to FIGS. 6-8, a second embodiment of a video camera 1B 
according to the invention will be described hereinbelow in detail. 
Similarly to the above-described first embodiment, the video camera 1B of 
the present embodiment comprises a camera body 2 including a VTR 2a and 
having disposed thereon a viewfinder 3, a microphone 4 and a lens 5. The 
lens is housed in a cylindrical lens barrel 6 and, a zoom control 7 is 
also provided. 
The rear side of the camera body 2 may include a start stop switch (not 
shown) as well as a battery pack 8. A grip (not shown) may also be 
provided 
The video camera 1B of the present embodiment, also includes a front 
start/stop switch 9 which functions as previously described in connection 
with the first embodiment. 
At the front side of the viewfinder 3, a battery lamp is provided for 
indicating that the video camera 1B is operative. 
However, according to the present embodiment, the lens 5 is not provided 
with a reflective element (half mirror) directly. The lens 5 of the video 
camera 1B is recessed within the lens barrel 6 such that an inner 
circumference of the lens barrel 6 forward of the lens 5 may be formed 
with a threaded portion 6a. A circular convex mirror attachment 20 may 
then be attached to the video camera 1B via threaded engagement between 
the threaded portion 6a of the lens barrel and a threaded outer 
circumferential portion 21a projected rearwardly from a mounting ring 21 
of the convex mirror attachment 20. The mounting ring 21 mounts a circular 
convex half mirror 22 therein such that when the convex mirror attachment 
20 is attached to the lens barrel 6 via engagement of tile threaded 
portions 21a and 6a, thus, if the user were to check via the viewfinder 3 
of the video camera 1B, it would be appreciated that the optical axis CO 
of the lens 5 of the video camera 1B and the optical axis CB of the half 
mirror 22 are commonly aligned. 
According to a modification of the convex mirror attachment, as seen in 
FIGS. 6 and 8, a frame 22a may be marked on the half mirror 22 for 
reference during self photography. As with the previous embodiment, the 
dimensions of the frame 22a are established to a scale corresponding to 
the size of the image actually recorded, thus the image reflected with in 
the frame 22a of the half mirror 22 would correspond to the dimensions of 
a display area of standard television set, for example, as pictured in 
FIG. 8. As will be appreciated from FIG. 8, when viewing the reflection in 
the half mirror 22 during image recording, the frame 22a will give the 
subject B (i.e. the camera user) an accurate indication of how the image 
will appear when displayed on a playback device. For ease of use, tile 
video camera may, for example, be mounted on a tripod S, during recording 
the subject B may monitor the scene via the reflection in the half mirror 
22 of the convex mirror attachment 20, an example of the monitored 
reflection being shown in enlarged detail in dot-dash lines in the upper 
left side of FIG. 8. As may be appreciated, the reflected image within the 
frame 22a of the half mirror 22 reversely corresponds to the video image 
displayed on the television monitor at the right side of the figure. As 
with tile previous embodiment, the light input to the lens 5 during image 
recording is sufficient to conceal the markings of the frame 22a when the 
recorded image is displayed. 
An additional feature of the second embodiment as set forth above is that, 
since the lens 5 is recessed to a certain degree within the lens barrel, 
the threaded portion 6a at the inner circumference may further be utilized 
to interpose other lenses in front of the lens 5, such as conversion lens 
(not shown), a wide angle lens (not shown) or a filter (not shown) for 
modifying the light admitting characteristics of the lens 5. In addition, 
the convex mirror attachment 20 may still be attached to the front side of 
the lens barrel such that optical accessories such as noted above may be 
conveniently interposed between the lens 5 and the convex mirror 
attachment 20 in such a way the the optical axes of all optical component 
are precisely aligned. 
Thus as with the first embodiment, the video camera 1B of the present 
embodiment allows the user to carry out self photography without 
distraction induced by non alignment of the optical axes of the lens 5 and 
a monitoring device. Parallax is avoided and the subject B may assume a 
more natural, focused feeling during recording. As noted in connection 
with tile first embodiment, the above may be easily accomplished with 
simple, inexpensive components and LCD monitors or the like, are not 
required. 
The diagrams of FIGS. 9 and 10, respectively represent the optical 
characteristics of the lens 5 and the convex mirror attachment 20. As may 
be seen, a distance present between the lens 5 and a location to which an 
inverted image L' is transmitted is a quantity v, the location to which 
the inverted image L' is transmitted may be, for example, a light input 
surface of a CCD component of an optical system of the video camera 1B. 
Further, in a direction opposite to the above quantity v, a distance 
between the lens 5 and a so-called erect image L is a quantity u. A focal 
length of the lens 5 may be defined as a quantity f. On the other hand, 
referring to FIG. 10, a distance from the convex mirror attachment 20 to a 
virtual image present in the described optical system may be defined as a 
quantity v0, while the distance from the convex mirror attachment 20 to 
the erect image L0 is a quantity u0, establishing a focal length f0 for 
the convex mirror attachment 20. Thus magnification quantities m and m0 
are established respective for the lens 5 and the convex mirror attachment 
20. In light of this, consider the following: 
EQU v=f/{1+(f/u)} (1) 
EQU v0=-f0/{1+(f0/u)} (2) 
EQU m=v/u (3) 
EQU m0=v0/u0 (4) 
Thus, if u=u0, according to the above equations (1)-(4) it may be said that 
m/m0=f/f0. The effect of this relation is that the dimension of a frame 
size of an image input to the convex mirror attachment 20 compared to the 
frame size of corresponding image formed on the CCD is proportional to the 
focal lengths of the convex mirror attachment 20 and the lens 5. Thus, if 
a radius R of the convex mirror attachment 20 is increased, a large 
reflected image surface is obtained. 
Next, with reference to FIGS. 11-17, various modifications of a convex 
mirror attachment according to the invention will be described. 
A first modification is identical in structure to the convex mirror 
attachment 20 of FIG. 7. However, in the previous construction the half 
mirror 22 is formed on the surface of a convex transparent element (such 
as glass, etc.) while provision is allowed for insertion of additional 
conversion lenses, filters, etc., while, according to this first 
modification, the half mirror 22 is formed, by vapor deposition or any 
other suitable means, on a convex surface of the conversion lens, filter, 
or other optical accessory, directly. Thus, a number of parts is reduced 
and utilization is simplified. 
FIG. 11 shows a second modification of the convex mirror attachment of the 
invention. This convex mirror attachment 20B features a lightweight 
rectangular construction in which frame and mirror portions may be 
integrally formed. The outer surface is convex and is surfaced with a half 
mirror 22' The frame feature described in relation to the previous 
embodiments is implemented in this modification as outer L-shaped frame 
indicators 22b and inner L-shaped frame indicators 22a, thus the entire 
frame need not be marked while the user is offered two frames of reference 
during recording, both of which are analagous in shape to a conventional 
display monitor, thus the user is provided reflected images in a format 
which is familiar and ease of use is further enhanced. A threaded 
cylindrical portion 21a is projected from the rear side of the convex 
mirror attachment 20B having threads formed on the outer circumference so 
as to engage the threaded portion 6a of the lens barrel of the video 
camera 1B in the same manner as previously described. 
FIG. 12 shows a third modification which is constructed identically to the 
convex mirror attachment 20 described originally in relation to the second 
embodiment. According to this modification, a thickness of the reflective 
coating material used for forming the half mirror 22 is reduced or removed 
within the bounds of the circular area C of FIG. 12, thus the recorded 
image will appear brighter in the center portion thereof. 
FIGS. 13(a) and 13(b) show a fourth modification of an attachment 20D in 
which a convex mirror or half mirror portion 22" is mounted in a mounting 
ring 21 a circular area 22d receives no reflective coating, thus a 
recorded image D, when displayed, will appear as shown in FIG. 13(b), the 
applications of this modification may be expanded when combined with the 
above-described first modification. In other respects, the structure of 
the attachment is the same as set forth in relation to the second 
embodiment. 
FIGS. 14(a) and 14(b) a shows fifth modification of an attachment 20E in 
which a convex half mirror portion 22 is mounted in a mounting ring 21 a 
circular area 22e receives no reflective coating and is formed with a 
patterned circumference, thus a recorded image D, when displayed, will 
appear as shown in FIG. 14(b), giving an indefinite focus to the displayed 
image. In other respects, the structure of the attachment is the same as 
set forth in relation to the second embodiment. 
FIGS. 15(a) 15(b) show variations of a sixth modification of a mirror 
attachment 20F. The structure of the attachment is the same as originally 
set forth with a mounting ring 21 retaining a half mirror 22 frame 
indicators are provided in the form of removable adhesive stickers, or 
labels, which include a circumferential area 23 and cut-out frame areas 
23a-23d. According to this, the frame size of the recorded image may be 
manually varied according to the requirements of the user, the 
magnification setting of the video camera, etc. It will be noted that the 
adhesive frame indicators 23 of this modification may be utilized on many 
types of camera and is not limited to the video camera 1B of the 
embodiment. 
Referring now to FIGS. 16 and 17, seventh and eighth modifications of the 
attachment according to the invention are shown. According to these 
modifications, the features of the invention may be applied to conversion 
lenses such as a wide angle lens, or other lenses providing a specific 
photographic effect. 
As seen in FIGS. 16(a) and 16(b) an attachment 30 includes a mounting ring 
31 and an externally threaded cylindrical portion 31a for attachment to 
the video camera 1B as previously set forth. The conversion lens 32 is 
formed with a convex surface 32a upon which a half mirror 33 is formed. In 
other respects this modification is the same as those previously 
described. 
Referring now to FIGS. 17(a) and 17(b), a conversion lens (i.e. wide angle) 
attachment 35 includes a mounting ring 36 and an externally threaded 
cylindrical portion 36a for attachment to a video camera 1B as previously 
set forth. Although a plurality of lenses are arranged in such wide angle 
and/or telephoto type attachments, the feature of the invention applies to 
the frontmost conversion lens 37 which is formed with a concave rear 
surface 37a upon which a half mirror 38 is formed. This construction 
offers the same utility and advantages as the convex half mirror of the 
previously described arrangements. 
Referring now to FIGS. 18-20, a third embodiment of a video camera 1C 
according to the invention will be described hereinbelow in detail. 
Similarly to the above-described embodiments, the video camera 1C of the 
present embodiment comprises a camera body 2 including a VTR 2a and having 
disposed thereon a viewfinder 3, a microphone 4 and a lens 5. The lens is 
housed in a lens barrel 6 and, a zoom Control 7 is also provided. 
The rear side of the camera body 2 includes a battery pack 8. A grip (not 
shown) may also be provided 
The video camera 1C of the present embodiment, also includes a front 
start/stop switch 9 which functions as previously described in connection 
with the first embodiment. 
At the front side of the viewfinder 3, a battery lamp may be provided for 
indicating that the video camera 1C is operative. 
According to the present embodiment, the lens 5 is recessed within the lens 
barrel 6 which is formed in a rectangular configuration such that the lens 
5 is framed by a rectangular containment including mounting rail portions 
6b, 6b which project in mutually opposite directions away from the lens 5 
comprising the vertical side of the rectangle. 
According to this structure, a rectangular convex mirror attachment 40 may 
then be attached to the video camera 1C via inwardly oriented C-shaped 
side grooves 41b, 41b which slidingly engage the mounting rail portions 
6b, 6b of the lens barrel such that the convex mirror attachment 40 is 
easily slid downward to be attached to the video camera 1C. Detachment may 
be simply accomplish by upwardly sliding the convex mirror attachment 40. 
The attachment 40 includes a mounting frame 41 retaining a rectangular 
half mirror 42 therein having a convex surface contour. When the convex 
mirror attachment 40 is attached over the lens barrel 6 via sliding 
engagement of the mounting rails 6b, 6b and side grooves 41b, 41b the 
optical axes of the lens 5 and the half mirror 42 are commonly aligned. 
Further, because of the rectangular shape of the half mirror 42, frame 
markings such as described in connection with the previous embodiments are 
not necessary. 
As will be appreciated from FIG. 20, when viewing the reflection in the 
half mirror 42 during image recording, the subject C (i.e. the camera 
user) sees an accurate indication of how the image will appear when 
displayed on a playback device. 
Thus the present embodiment offers all the features and advantages of the 
previous embodiments in that the video camera 1C of the present embodiment 
allows the user to carry out self photography without distraction induced 
by non alignment of the optical axes of the lens 5 and a monitoring 
device. Parallax is avoided and the subject C may assume a more natural, 
focused feeling in front of the cameras. As noted in connection with the 
other embodiments, the above may be easily accomplished with simple, 
inexpensive components and LCD monitors or the like, are not required. 
FIGS. 21 and 22 show a fourth embodiment of a video camera 1D according to 
the invention as will be described hereinbelow. 
Similarly to the above-described embodiments, the video camera 1C of the 
present embodiment comprises a camera body 2 including a VTR 2a and having 
disposed thereon a viewfinder 3, a microphone 4 and a lens 5. The lens is 
housed in a lens barrel 6 and, a zoom control 7 is also provided. 
The rear side of the camera body 2 includes a battery pack 8. A grip (not 
shown) may also be provided 
The video camera 1C of the present embodiment, also includes a front 
start/stop switch 9 which functions as previously described in connection 
with the first embodiment. 
At the front side of the viewfinder 3, a battery lamp 3a may be provided 
for indicating that the video camera 1C is operative. 
According to the present embodiment, the lens 5 is recessed within the lens 
barrel 6 which is formed in a cylindrical configuration such that an inner 
circumference of the lens barrel 8 forward of the lens 5 serves to mount a 
mirror attachment 50. The attachment 50 comprises a lightweight, 
rectangular case 51 comprising upper and lower casings 52 and 53. 
Coaxially aligned circular openings 52a, and 53a are formed respectively 
in the upper and lower casings 52, 53. A circular half mirror 54 covers 
the opening 53a of the lower casing. The positioning of the openings are 
determined such that, when the attachment 50 is moumted, the optical axis 
of the half mirror corresponds to that of the lens 5. Mounted over the 
half mirror 54 are a pair of semi-transparent fins 56, 56, which comprise 
a framing portion. The fins have elongate cutout portions 58b, 56b, and 
perpendicularly oriented cut-out portions 56c, 56c, are slidably mounted 
on a series of pins 55, 55, 57a, 57a. The pins 55, 55, are projected from 
the lower casing 53 while the pins 57a, 57a are projected from a pivot 
member 57 which is pivotably movable according to movement of the output 
shaft of a stepping motor 58 which is connected to a control portion (not 
shown) of the video camera 1D by a control cable 59. 
The fins 56, 56 are opposingly positioned L-shaped members having mutually 
inward facing right angle portions 56a, 58a such that an open space 
defined between the two fins 56, 56 is rectangular. 
According to the present embodiment, when the user wishes to engage in self 
photography, the start/stop switch is depressed to begin recording. 
However, in this case the zoom control 7 is not overridden or disengaged 
but is active to send a control signal via the cable 59 so as to control 
the stepping motor 58 in accordance with the degree of magnification 
determined by the zoom control 7 such that the advantages of the framing 
feature set out hereinabove in connection with the previous embodiments is 
available in a continuously variable manner in accordance with the zoom 
control. As with the previous embodiment, the dimensions of the frame 
defined between the fins 56, 56 are established to a scale corresponding 
to the size of the image actually recorded, these dimensions being 
maintained consistently irregardless of operation of the zoom control 7 of 
the video camera 1D. 
Thus the present embodiment offers all the features and advantages of the 
previous embodiments in that the video camera 1D of the present embodiment 
allows the user to carry out self photography without distraction induced 
by non alignment of the optical axes of the lens 5 and a monitoring 
device. Parallax is avoided and the subject D may assume a more natural, 
focused feeling in front of the camera. As noted in connection with the 
other embodiments, the above may be easily accomplished with simple, 
inexpensive components and LCD monitors or the like, are not required. 
Further, the framing feature of half mirror portion is automatically 
adjusted and such the technical capabilities of the camera are enhanced 
while operation is kept simple. The half mirror casing 50 may be made to 
be detachable for added convenience when the camera is not is use. 
FIGS. 23-24 relate to a fifth embodiment of a video camera 1E according to 
the invention will be described hereinbelow in detail. 
Similarly to the above-described embodiments, the video camera 1E of the 
present embodiment comprises a camera body 2 including a VTR 2a and having 
disposed thereon a viewfinder 3, a microphone 4 and a lens 5. The lens is 
housed in a lens barrel 6 and, a zoom control 7 is also provided. 
The video camera 1C of the present embodiment, also includes a front 
start/stop switch 9a including a settable self-timer function and a timer 
indicator lamp 9b For signaling the beginning (and/or end) of image 
recording. 
According to the present embodiment, the lens 5 is set in the lens barrel 6 
and a mirror or half mirror 11 (or a Flat mirror is also applicable) is 
mounted on the front side of the camera body 2 beside the lens 5. This 
allows the user (subject E) to monitor the composition of scenes in which 
the subject E does not wish to directly face into the lens 5 during 
recording. The mirror 11 is rectangular to facilitate framing of scenes in 
a manner analagous to the Final recorded image. 
For self photography, the video camera may be mounted on a tripod S and 
during recording the subject E may monitor the scene via the reflection in 
the mirror 11 without looking into the camera lens 5. An example of the 
monitored reflection is shown in enlarged detail in dot-dash lines in the 
upper left side of FIG. 23. As may be appreciated, the reflected image 
within the mirror 11 reversely corresponds to the video image displayed on 
the television monitor at the right side of the figure. 
The video camera 1F of the sixth embodiment is shown in FIG. 25 and 
comprises a camera body 2 including a VTR 2a and having disposed thereon a 
viewfinder 3, a microphone 4 and a lens 5. The lens is housed in a lens 
barrel 6 and, a zoom control 7 is also provided. 
In addition, at one side of the lens barrel 6, a hinge 12 is provided which 
swingably mounts a lens cap 13 which may be opened or closed so as to 
cover the lens 5. The front surface 14 of the lens cap 13 may be convex 
and formed with a frame portion 14a thereon. The front surface 14 may be 
formed according to any of the previous embodiments, that is, as a half 
mirror, opaque with a transparent frame portion 14a, etc. According to 
this structure the self photography features and advantages of the 
invention may by controlled merely be opening or closing the lens cap 13. 
The seventh embodiment of the camera 1G of the invention is shown in FIGS. 
26-29, and may be favorably applied to a video still camera as well as a 
conventional video camera. The lens 5 is housed in a lens barrel which is 
integral with the camera body 2. One side of the camera body 2 is molded 
as a grip 2b abutted by a start/stop switch 9. A VTR 2b is also integral 
to the body 2. The camera includes a viewfinder 3' and, referring to FIG. 
27, further has a color LCD monitor on the rear side of the camera body 2. 
The LCD displays the same image as would be visible through the 
viewfinder. The camera 1G of the present embodiment includes an adaptor 60 
which may be installed and/or detached by the user. The adaptor 60 
comprises a C-shaped body which snaps over the upper side of the camera 
body 2 and includes openings 60c, 60d corresponding to the positions of 
the viewfinder 3 and the lens 5 respectively. Further, at the rear side 
thereof, the adaptor 60 includes a cut out 60e to expose the eyepiece of 
the viewfinder 3'. A flat fin portion 60b projects laterally from the top 
of the adaptor 60 and is fitted, on a front side thereof with a mirror 61 
which may be flat or convex and has a frame 61a marked thereon. 
Thus, for self photography, the subject G may attach the adaptor and refer 
to the mirror for an accurate reference as to the composition of the image 
to be recorded. 
For cameras with limited adjustment of the magnification of the lens, the 
size of the mirror 61 is proportioned to correspond to the largest 
magnification while the size of the frame 61a corresponds to the size of 
the smallest magnification. 
The camera 1H of FIGS. 29 and 30 show an eighth embodiment according to the 
invention, the camera 1H is similar in design to the camera 1G of the 
previous embodiment but may be implemented for use with conventional film 
rather than electronic image recordal means. The feature of this 
embodiment is an adaptor 70 which may be installed and/or detached by the 
user. The adaptor 70 comprises a C-shaped body which snaps over the upper 
side of the camera body 2 and includes an opening 70a corresponding to the 
position of the lens 5. 
The opening 70a is covered by a mirror 71, which may be flat or convex, 
having a frame 71a marked thereon. 
Thus, for self photography, the subject H may attach the adaptor and refer 
to the mirror 71 for an accurate reference as to the composition of the 
image to be recorded. 
As with the previous embodiment, in cameras with limited adjustment of lens 
magnification, the size of the mirror 71 is proportioned to correspond to 
the largest magnification while the size of the frame 71a corresponds to 
the size of the smallest magnification. In addition, the image reflected 
in the mirror 71 will have an optical axis common to that of the lens 5. 
The present invention may be applied, for example to a two-way video 
communication system such as pictured in FIGS. 31 and 32. Put simply, a 
swivelable monitor 80 would present the image of a person with whom the 
user would be in communication while the users image would be transmitted 
to a corresponding monitor at the other person's side via a video camera 
1' according to the invention including at least a lens 5' being covered 
by a half mirror 10' which may include frame indications (not shown). 
Thus, while viewing the other person on the monitor 80, one could also 
monitor one's own image via the half mirror 10'. 
The present invention may also be implemented on an automatic, or remote 
controlled panning stand 90 which may be swivelable in left, right, upper 
and lower directions on which a video camera 1 according to the invention 
would set in a mounting unit 91. The front of the mounting unit is 
provided with a circular convex mirror 92 having a cross-hair indicator 
92a as well as larger and smaller frames 92b, 92c marked thereon. Thus, 
one could monitor frame composition is several ways during panning 
operations while engaged in self photography. 
Further, it will be noted that, although the above-described embodiments 
are drawn principally to a video camera, the invention is equally 
applicable to video still cameras, conventional cameras utilizing 
chemically based film, movie cameras or any other device utilized for 
reception and recordal of images on location wherein composition of an 
image to be recorded is determined according to the visual preferences of 
the user. 
While the present invention has been disclosed in terms of the preferred 
embodiment in order to facilitate better understanding thereof, it should 
be appreciated that the invention can be embodied in various ways without 
departing from the principle of the invention. Therefore, the invention 
should be understood to include all possible embodiments and modification 
to the shown embodiments which can be embodied without departing from the 
principle of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.