Display device and camera having the display device

A camera, comprising:

• an optical system for imaging a finder image;
• a display device including:
• a pair of light transmittable members;
• a display member located between said pair of light transmittable members and having a shape of a pattern to be displayed, said display member comprising a polymer dispersed liquid crystal material whose light transmittance is electrically changeable between a first state that transmits light and a second state that substantially blocks light;
• and
• a pair of light transmittable electrodes, at least one of said pair of light transmittable electrodes having a shape corresponding to said pattern, said light transmittable electrodes being respectively formed on corresponding ones of said pair of light transmittable members for electrically controlling said polymer dispersed liquid crystal material,
• wherein when said electrodes are turned on, said polymer dispersed liquid crystal material is changed to said first state, and when said electrodes are turned off, said polymer dispersed liquid crystal material is changed to said second state, and wherein said display device is provided in the optical system of a finder so that said polymer dispersed liquid crystal material displays said pattern to be visible in a finder image;
• and an eyepiece for viewing the finder image and the pattern.

A finder display device, comprising:

• a display member having a display portion for forming a predetermined display in a finder, said display portion comprising a polymer dispersed liquid crystal material having light transmittance that is electrically changeable between a first state which transmits light and a second state which substantially blocks light;
• a light source for illuminating said display portion of said display member;
• and
• an optical system for gateably guiding light from the light source outgoing through said display member to an external member to be imaged by a camera.

A camera, comprising:

• an optical system for imaging a finder image;
• a finder display device including:
• a display member having a display portion for forming a predetermined display in a finder, said display portion comprising a polymer dispersed liquid crystal material having a light transmittance that is electrically changeable between a first state which transmits light and a second state which substantially blocks light;
• and
• a light source for illuminating said display portion of said display member;
• and
• said optical system gateably guiding light from the light source outgoing through said display member to an external member to be imaged by the camera.