Patent Publication Number: US-8120859-B2

Title: Viewing optical system and imaging apparatus using the same

Description:
This application claims benefit of Japanese Application No. 2008-132724 filed in Japan on May 21, 2008, the contents of which are incorporated by this reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a viewing optical system, and an imaging apparatus using the same. 
     Patent Publication 1 shows a viewfinder that uses an aspheric surface to correct it for distortion with fewer lenses. 
     Patent Publication 1: JP(A) 8-220451 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a viewing optical system positioned between a viewing plane as a virtual surface and an eye point, characterized by comprising, in order from said viewing plane side, a cemented lens and a positive lens component, and satisfying the following condition (1):
 
0.2 &lt;Dm/L&lt; 0.8  (1)
 
where Dm is the widest of lens-to-lens spaces in said viewing optical system, and
 
     L is a distance of said viewing plane to a lens surface positioned in said viewing optical system and nearest to said eye point side. 
     The present invention also provides an imaging apparatus characterized by comprising an imaging device, an image display device adapted to display an image, a controller adapted to convert image information obtained from said imaging device into signals displayable on said image display device, and a viewfinder adapted to guide an image displayed on said image display device to a viewer&#39;s eye, wherein the above viewing optical system is used for said viewfinder. 
     Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent form the specification. 
     The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is illustrative of Example 1 of the inventive viewfinder. 
         FIG. 2  is illustrative of one modification to Example 1 of the inventive viewfinder. 
         FIG. 3  is illustrative of Example 2 of the inventive viewfinder. 
         FIG. 4  is an aberration diagram for the viewfinder of Example 1. 
         FIG. 5  is illustrative in construction of a digital camera that is one exemplar of the inventive imaging apparatus. 
         FIG. 6  is illustrative in construction of the inventive imaging apparatus applied to a silver-halide camera. 
         FIG. 7(   a ) is illustrative of Condition (1), and  FIG. 7(   b ) is illustrative of Condition (2). 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Some embodiments of the inventive optical system are now explained. In what follows, it should be noted that an eye point E refers to a position (the position of a virtual stop S) where the farthest off-axis light beam leaving a viewing plane D passes full through the virtual stop S of φ 4 . At this position, the diameter of the farthest off-axis light beam is substantially in coincidence with the diameter (φ 4 ) of an aperture in the virtual stop S. It should also be noted that an eye point distance EP refers to a distance from the lens surface located in the viewing optical system (eyepiece lens) and nearest to an eye point side to the eye point (see  FIG. 7(   b )). 
     It should be noted that in  FIG. 7(   b ), the given position is off the position of the eye point (virtual stop): the eye point distance is 20 mm longer. However, the given position may be in coincidence with the position of the eye point (virtual stop). When the given position is different from the eye point position, there is a difference in width between the upper and lower light beams at that eye point position. When the given position is identical with the eye point position, the widths of the upper and lower light beams are going to be equal at the eye point position. 
     The viewing optical system here is suitable for use on a viewfinder. In the viewfinder, specific objects such as a field stop, ground glass or an image display device are located on a position of the viewing plane D. However, the viewing optical system itself has none of the specific objects at the position of the viewing plane D. In the viewing optical system, therefore, the viewing plane D becomes a virtual surface. 
     The viewing optical system here is interposed between the viewing plane as a virtual surface and the eye point. This viewing optical system comprises, in order from the viewing plane side, a cemented lens and a positive lens component. With that positive lens component, therefore, it is possible to gain an adequate eye point distance and a wide angle of field. 
     And for the viewing optical system of the above arrangement here, it is preferable to satisfy the following condition (1).
 
0.2 &lt;Dm/L&lt; 0.8  (1)
 
Here Dm is the widest of lens-to-lens spaces in said viewing optical system, and
 
     L is a distance of said viewing plane to a lens surface positioned in the viewing optical system and nearest to the eye point side. See  FIG. 7(   a )). 
     By the satisfaction of Condition (1), aberrations can be corrected in a well balanced state while the optical system is kept compact. Astigmatism in particular can be reduced. 
     Being short of the lower limit of 0.2 to Condition (1) is not preferable because correction of astigmatism becomes difficult. 
     Exceeding the upper limit of 0.8 to Condition (1) is again not preferable because correction of coma, distortion and the like becomes difficult. 
     Preferably in the viewing optical system here, lenses forming the cemented lens and positive lens component comprise coaxial lenses. 
     Use of the coaxial lenses enables the optical system to be set up without recourse to a free-form surface (rotational asymmetric surface). This in turn makes it easy to process optical elements such as lenses forming the optical system, and to lower the height of the optical system (size in the direction vertical to the optical axis) as well. 
     For the viewing optical system here, it is preferable to satisfy the following condition (2).
 
0°&lt;εh&lt;20°  (2)
 
Here ε h is an exit angle (°) of the farthest off-axis chief ray on the viewing plane provided that the farthest off-axis chief ray is the outermost of off-axis chief rays that intersect the optical axis of the viewing optical system at the given position, and the given position is 20 mm spaced away from the lens surface located in the viewing optical system and nearest to the eye point side toward the eye point side (see  FIG. 7(   b )). Note here that the clockwise direction from a reference position is plus, and the counterclockwise direction is minus.
 
     By the satisfaction of Condition (2), it is possible to keep the optimum eye point distance so that the size of the optical system can be reduced. 
     As the lower limit of 0° to Condition (2) is not reached, it causes the range of light rays from the viewing plane to grow wide. This is not preferable because the outer diameter of the optical system grows large. 
     As the upper limit of 20° to Condition (2) is exceeded, it causes the range of light rays from the viewing plane to turn too inward. This is not preferable because to make sure the eye point distance, the optical system must have a longer total length. 
     For the viewing optical system here, it is preferable to satisfy the following condition (3).
 
13 mm&lt;EP&lt;40 mm  (3)
 
Here EP is the eye point distance that is a distance in mm from the lens surface located in the viewing optical system and nearest to the eye point side to the eye point.
 
     As the lower limit of 13 to Condition (3) is not reached, there is no separation occurring between the center light beam and the peripheral light beam at the positive lens nearest to the eye point (for instance, the aforesaid positive lens component). This is not preferable because it is difficult to offer a sensible tradeoff between center performance and peripheral performance. This is also not preferable for the reason that it is difficult to make sure Dm while making sure the power (refracting power) of the positive lens component. 
     Exceeding the upper limit of 40 to Condition (3) is not preferable, partly because the positive lens nearest to the eye point grows large, and partly because the amount of aberrations produced of the peripheral light beams grows large. This is also not preferable because even with Dm gained, it is difficult to make sure performance. 
     For the viewing optical system here, it is preferable to satisfy the following condition (4).
 
13.5 mm&lt;f&lt;45 mm  (4)
 
Here f is the focal length in mm of the whole viewing optical system.
 
     Being short of the lower limit of 13.5 to Condition (4) is not preferable because the eye point distance becomes short. 
     Exceeding the upper limit of 45 to Condition (4) is not preferable because the whole optical system length grows long. 
     For the viewing optical system here, it is preferable to satisfy the following condition (5).
 
0.08&lt;tan θ× EP/f&lt; 1.6  (5)
 
Here θ is the maximum angle of field,
 
     EP is the eye point distance, and 
     f is the focal length of the whole viewing optical system. 
     As the lower limit of 0.08 to Condition (5) is not reached, it causes the angle of field to become small, and the eye point distance to become short as well. This is not preferable because difficulty is encountered in separation between the light beams near the center axis and at the periphery, resulting in difficulty in offering a sensible tradeoff between center performance and peripheral performance. This is also not preferable for the reason that it is difficult to make sure Dm. 
     As the upper limit of 1.6 to Condition (5) is exceeded, it causes the focal length of the whole viewing optical system to become short. This is not preferable because the eye point distance and the power of the positive lens nearest to the eye point are ill balanced with the result that peripheral performance is likely to deteriorate. 
     For the viewing optical system here, it is preferable to satisfy the following conditions (6) and (7).
 
0.85&lt; f 1 /f&lt; 3  (6)
 
0&lt;( r−r′ )/( r+r′ )&lt;30  (7)
 
Here f 1  is the focal length of the positive lens component,
 
     f is the focal length of the whole viewing optical system, 
     r is the radius of curvature of the lens surface of the positive lens component on the viewing plane side, and 
     r′ is the radius of curvature of the lens surface of the positive lens component on the eye point side. 
     As the lower limit of 0.85 to Condition (6) is not reached, it causes the focal length of the positive lens component to become short, producing large aberrations. This is not preferable because difficulty is encountered in correcting the produced aberrations. 
     As the upper limit of 3 to Condition (6) is exceeded, it causes the outer diameter of the viewing optical system to grow large. It also causes the amount of aberrations produced at the viewing optical system to grow large. This is not preferable because difficulty is encountered in offering a sensible tradeoff between correction of chromatic aberrations and correction of monochromatic off-axis aberrations. 
     As the lower limit of 0 to Condition (7) is not reached, the curvature of the lens surface of the positive lens component on the viewing plane side grows tight. In this case, the principal points lie on the viewing plane side, and a principal point space with the cemented lens becomes short, and it is difficult to make sure D as well. This is not preferable because difficulty is encountered in the balance of astigmatism or coma in particular. 
     As the upper limit of 30 to Condition (7) is exceeded, the curvature of the lens surface of the positive lens component on the eye point side grows tight. This is not preferable because aberrations of peripheral light beams such as coma are more produced. 
     For the viewing optical system here, it is preferable to satisfy the following condition (8).
 
−8 &lt;r 3 /f&lt;− 0.2  (8)
 
Here r 3  is the radius of curvature of the lens surface positioned in the cemented lens and nearest to the viewing plane side, and
 
     f is the focal length of the whole viewing optical system. 
     The satisfaction of Condition (8) allows for satisfactory correction of aberrations. 
     As the lower limit of −8 to Condition (8) is not reached, there is an increasing load of the positive lens component positioned nearest to the eye point side on correction of aberrations. This is not preferable, because field curvature in particular or the like goes worse. 
     As the upper limit of −0.2 to Condition (8) is exceeded, it causes the radius of curvature of the viewing plane side of the cemented lens to grow tight or become small. This is not preferable, because astigmatism and coma go worse. 
     More preferably for correction of aberrations, the lower limit of Condition (8) should be set at −6, and especially at −4. 
     For the viewing optical system here, it is preferable the cemented lens includes a negative lens, and satisfy the following condition (9).
 
−0.68 &lt;f 12 /f&lt;− 0.15  (9)
 
Here f 12  is a combined focal length of lenses between the viewing plane and the negative lens, and
 
     f is the focal length of the whole imaging optical system. 
     When there is a lens between the viewing plane and the cemented lens, f 12  is going to represent the combined focal length of that lens and the negative lens in the cemented lens. When there is no lens between the viewing plane and the cemented lens, f 12  is going to represent the focal length of the negative lens in the cemented lens. 
     As the lower limit of −0.68 to Condition (9) is not reached, it causes the power of the whole optical system to grow too strong. This is not preferable because the contour of the optical system grows large. 
     As the upper limit of −0.15 to Condition (9) is exceeded, it causes the power of the whole optical system to become too weak. This is not preferable because not only does the whole length of the optical system grow long, but also chromatic aberrations cannot well be corrected. 
     For the viewing optical system here, it is preferable that the cemented lens consists of two lenses, and the positive lens component consists of one lens. 
     Fewer lenses mean that low cost, improved assembling and size reductions are achievable. 
     For the viewing optical system here, it is preferable that a movable lens is located on an eye point side with respect to the widest lens-to-lens space. 
     This allows for reductions in the amount of movement of the whole optical system, and enables diopter adjustment to be implemented while changes in aberrations and magnification remain minimized. Note here that the movable lens, for instance, may be the aforesaid positive lens component. 
     For the viewing optical system here, it is preferable to have a field stop or an image display device on the viewing plane position, and satisfy the following condition (10).
 
30&lt;tan −1 ( Y 2 /f )&lt;47  (10)
 
Here Y 2  is the diagonal length of the field stop or image display device, and
 
     f is the focal length of the whole viewing optical system. 
     As the lower limit of 30 to Condition (10) is not reached, it causes the field of view to become narrow. This is not preferable because of the inability to increase resolution from constraints on the eye&#39;s resolving power. 
     As the upper limit of 47 to Condition (10) is exceeded, it causes the focal length of the whole viewing optical system to become short relative to the viewing plane. This is not preferable because there is coma produced. 
     With the embodiments here, it is possible to obtain a viewing optical system that is compact yet well corrected for astigmatism and distortion, and an imaging apparatus using the same, as described above. 
     Some examples of the invention are now explained with reference to the drawings. Note here that each example is directed to the application of the viewing optical system to a viewfinder. In what follows, therefore, the viewing optical system will be explained with reference to the viewfinder. 
       FIG. 1  is illustrative in section along the optical axis of the optical arrangement of the first example of the viewfinder. 
     The viewfinder according to the first example has a viewing optical system O located between a viewing plane D where an object image is to be formed and an eye point E. 
     The viewing optical system O is made up of, in order from a viewing plane D side, a first lens component L 1  and a second lens component L 2 . The first lens component L 1  consists of a cemented lens of a double-concave negative lens and a double-convex positive lens. The second lens component L 2  consists of a double-convex positive lens. 
       FIG. 2  is illustrative of one modification to the first example of the viewfinder. In the modification, a reflective surface R is located on the position of the widest lens-to-lens space to bend an optical axis, as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 3  is illustrative in section along the optical axis of the optical arrangement of the second example of the viewfinder. 
     The viewfinder according to the second example has a viewing optical system O located between a viewing plane D where an object image is to be formed and an eye point E. 
     The viewing optical system O is made up of, in order from a viewing plane D side, a first lens component L 1  and a second lens component L 2 . The first lens component L 1  consists of a cemented lens of a double-concave negative lens and a double-convex positive lens. The second lens component L 2  consists of a double-convex positive lens. 
     The second example is designed in such a way as to move the positive lens nearest to the eye point side.  FIGS. 3(   a ),  3 ( b ) and  3 ( c ) are illustrative of the optical arrangement at a diopter of 1 m −1 , −1 m −1  and −3 m −1 , respectively. 
     To enable diopter to be corrected, the viewing optical system O may be designed such that the whole or a part of it is movable. When a part of the optical system is designed to be movable, the immovable or fixed portion has a dustproof effect on the viewing plane D. There may further be a cover glass provided on the eye point side. Note here that when a display device such as a liquid crystal display device LCD or an organic EL device is used on the viewing plane D, the above viewfinder may be used as an electronic viewfinder. 
     Numerical data on Examples 1 and 2 will be set out below together with the values of all the conditions. 
     Referring to the numerical data on and the values of Examples 1 and 2, r is the radius of curvature of each lens surface, d is the surface-to-surface space of each lens, n is the refractive index of each lens, and v is the Abbe constant of each lens, with r for the image plane being indicative of the radius of curvature. 
     Numerical Example 1 in mm 
     
       
         
           
               
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Surface Data 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Effective 
               
               
                 Surface No. 
                 r 
                 d 
                 n 
                 νd 
                 Diameter 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 1 (Viewing 
                 ∞ 
                 variable 
                   
                   
                 17.74 
               
               
                 Plane) 
               
               
                 2 
                 −89.444 
                 1.50 
                 1.80518 
                 25.42 
                 17.72 
               
               
                 3 
                 18.127 
                 7.97 
                 1.51633 
                 64.14 
                 18.09 
               
               
                 4 
                 −18.300 
                 19.07 
                   
                   
                 19.06 
               
               
                 5 
                 50.973 
                 6.64 
                 1.48749 
                 70.23 
                 16.89 
               
               
                 6 
                 −28.519 
                 variable 
                   
                   
                 16.05 
               
               
                 7 (Virtual 
                 ∞ 
               
               
                 Stop) 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Amount of Change 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Diopter (m −1 ) 
                 +1 
                 −1 
                 −3 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 d1 
                 7.12 
                 5.22 
                 3.42 
               
               
                   
                 d6 
                 21.10 
                 23.00 
                 24.80 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
                            Various Data                                     Diopter (m −1 )   +1   −1   −3                                             Angle of   32.64°   32.90°   32.98°           Field                       Total Length   42.30   40.40   38.60           Entrance   183.06   272.67   513.20           Pupil                       Position                    
Focal Length: 30.7
 
Front Principal Point Position: 24.53
 
Rear Principal Point Position: −2.16
 
Object Height: 8.88
 
Focal Length of the Lenses
 
First Lens Component: 141.18
 
First Lens Component Negative Lens: −18.60
 
First Lens Component Positive Lens: 19.06
 
Second Lens Component: 38.57
 
     Numerical Example 2 in mm 
     
       
         
           
               
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Surface Data 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Effective 
               
               
                 Surface No. 
                 r 
                 d 
                 n 
                 νd 
                 Diameter 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 1 (Viewing 
                 ∞ 
                 5.22 
                   
                   
                 17.74 
               
               
                 Plane) 
               
               
                 2 
                 −89.444 
                 1.50 
                 1.80518 
                 25.42 
                 17.72 
               
               
                 3 
                 18.127 
                 7.97 
                 1.51633 
                 64.14 
                 18.09 
               
               
                 4 
                 −18.300 
                 variable 
                   
                   
                 19.06 
               
               
                 5 
                 50.973 
                 6.64 
                 1.48749 
                 70.23 
                 16.89 
               
               
                 6 
                 −28.519 
                 variable 
                   
                   
                 16.05 
               
               
                 7 (Virtual 
                 ∞ 
               
               
                 Stop) 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Amount of Change 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Diopter (m −1 ) 
                 +1 
                 −1 
                 −3 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 d4 
                 22.07 
                 19.07 
                 16.17 
               
               
                   
                 d6 
                 21.00 
                 24.00 
                 26.90 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
                            Various Data                                     Diopter (m −1 )   +1   −1   −3                                             Angle of   31.90°   32.88°   33.32°           Field                       Total Length   38.18   35.18   32.28           Entrance   132.90   206.80   512.31           Pupil                       Position                       Focal Length   31.23   30.70   30.21           Front   8.35   8.48   8.51           Principal                       Point                       Position                       Rear   38.18   35.18   32.28           Principal                       Point                       Position               Object Height: 8.88            
Focal Length of the Lenses
 
First Lens Component: 141.18
 
First Lens Component Negative Lens: −18.60
 
First Lens Component Positive Lens: 19.06
 
Second Lens Component: 38.57
 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Condition 
                 Ex. 1 
                 Ex. 2 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 (1) 
                 0.44~0.46 
                 0.50~0.58 
               
               
                 (2) 
                 1.0~2.8 
                 1.8~5.8 
               
               
                 (3) 
                 23.0 
                 23.0 
               
               
                 (4) 
                 30.70 
                 30.20~31.23 
               
               
                 (5) 
                 0.19 
                 0.18~0.20 
               
               
                 (6) 
                 1.256 
                 1.235~1.280 
               
               
                 (7) 
                 3.5 
                  3.5 
               
               
                 (8) 
                 −2.91 
                 −2.86~−2.96 
               
               
                 (9) 
                 −0.61 
                 −0.60~−0.62 
               
               
                 (10)  
                 32.6 
                 31.9~33.8 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The aberration diagrams for Example 1 is presented in  FIG. 4 , wherein SA, AS, DT, DZY, FNO and FIY are indicative of spherical aberrations, astigmatism, distortion, coma, an F-number and an image height, respectively. 
       FIG. 5  is illustrative of the arrangement of a digital camera that is one exemplar of the inventive imaging apparatus. In  FIG. 5 , reference numeral  10  is a digital camera that is an imaging apparatus comprising an imaging optical system  1 , a filter  2 , an imaging device  3 , a controller  4 , a built-in memory  5 , an electronic viewfinder  6  and an interface  7 . 
     In the above imaging apparatus, the imaging optical system  1  is built up of a plurality of optical elements (such as lenses). Light coming out of an object is collected by this imaging optical system  1 , and an object image is formed at this light collection position. And at this light collection position the imaging device  3  (light receiving plane) such as a CCD is located. The imaging device  3  is made up of an array of regularly arranged photoelectric elements. To prevent the moiré phenomenon, the filter  2  having a low-pass effect is located between the imaging optical system  1  and the imaging device  3 . There may also be an infrared cut filter provided to cut off infrared light. 
     A light beam incident onto the imaging device  3  is converted by the photoelectric elements into electric (image) signals. The electric signals are entered in the controller  4  where signal processing such as gamma correction and image compression is applied to the electric signals. The electric signals to which signal processing has been applied are sent out to a personal computer  9  or the like via the built-in memory  5  and interface  7 . 
     The electronic viewfinder  6  is made up of an illumination system, an image display device (not shown in  FIG. 5 ), an eyepiece optical system (eyepiece lens), and so on. The inventive viewing optical system O is used for the eyepiece optical system here, and an image display device is located on the viewing plane D. This image display device is controlled by the controller  4 . The electronic viewfinder  6  of such arrangement enables the viewer to view an image taken, or being taken, of an object. Image data may be forwarded from the built-in memory  5  to an auxiliary memory  8 . On the other hand, the same image data may be forwarded from the interface  7  to the personal computer  9 . 
       FIG. 6  is illustrative of the arrangement of a silver-halide camera to which the inventive imaging apparatus is applied. As shown in  FIG. 6 , a silver-halide camera  20  comprises an imaging optical system  11 , a film  12 , an objective lens  13 , an imaging device  14  such as a CCD, a first controller  15 , and a second controller  16 . Further, there are a built-in memory  5  and an electronic viewfinder  6  provided as is the case with the digital camera of  FIG. 5 . Note here that the imaging optical system  11  and the objective lens  13  are different optical systems, as shown. 
     With the silver-halide camera  20  shown in  FIG. 6 , a light beam coming out of an object is collected by the imaging optical system  11 , and an object image is formed on this light collection position (first light collection position). The film  12  is located at the first light collection position. A light beam coming out of the object is collected by the objective lens  13 , and an object image is formed at this light collection position (second light collection position). The imaging device  14  such as a CCD is located at the second light collection position. The imaging device  14  is made up of an array of regularly arranged photoelectric elements. 
     A light beam incident onto the imaging device  14  is converted by the photoelectric elements into electric signals (image signals). The electric signals are then entered in the first controller  15  where signal processing such as gamma correction and image compression is applied to them. The electric signals to which signal processing has been applied are sent out to the image display device. As described above, the electronic viewfinder  6  is constructed of an illumination system, an image display device, an eyepiece optical system (eyepiece lens), and so on. The inventive viewing optical system O is used for the eyepiece optical system here. Via the electronic viewfinder  6 , the viewer can view an object being taken of an object. 
     On the other hand, the user (viewer) can view the taken images, using information or the like stored in the built-in memory  5 . Such control is implemented by the first controller  15 . 
     For the purpose of controlling the imaging optical system  11 , there is the second controller  16  provided. The second controller  16  lets the imaging optical system  11  implement operations such as zooming and focusing. Information for zooming, focusing or the like is recognized by the first controller  15  based on signals from the second controller  16 . By virtue of this recognition, the first controller  15  can work and adjust the image to be displayed on the image display device in conformity with the taking angle of view (zooming). On the basis of information for focusing or the like, the range of the images displayed on the display device may be corrected (parallax correction). Signals from the first controller  15  may also be sent out to the built-in memory  5  or an interface (not shown). Then, these signals (information) may be produced out to a personal computer or the like via the interface. 
     An optical path-splitting device may be located between the imaging optical system  11  and the film  12 . A light beam out of the object may be guided to the finder via that optical path-splitting device to form an object image on the imaging device  14 . And viewing may be implemented on the basis of this object image. In this case, it is not necessary to use the objective lens  13 .