JP2000122147A - Camera system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a photographing viewing angle from being largely changed even in the case of using an imaging device whose image size is small because of giving priority to the cost. SOLUTION: This system is provided with an IX 240 body 1 having 1st size, a digital camera body 50 provided with a CCD 56 having 2nd image size smaller than the 1st image size, a zoom lens 100 capable of being mounted in the bodies 1 and 50, and converters 200 and 250 for changing a zoom variable power range which can be used only when the lens 100 is mounted in the body 50. The converters 200 and 250 are provided with a WCPU 201 and a TCPU 251 provided with an internal memory in which identification information inherent to the converter is stored, and a reception port. The bodies 1 and 50 are provided with an FCPU 2 and a DCPU 51 receiving the identification information and deciding based on the identification information whether or not the converters 200 and 250 can be used.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera system having at least two or more types of camera bodies having different image sizes and an interchangeable lens which can be commonly mounted and used on the camera bodies having different image sizes.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, two different recording media such as a camera body using a silver halide film and a camera body using an image pickup device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device).
Various technologies relating to a camera system having different types of camera bodies and interchangeable lenses that can be commonly used for both bodies have been researched and developed.

[0003] For example, a magazine "Photographic Industry (April 1998, P97-P100)" introduces a technology in a digital camera employing the same finder portion as a normal 35 mm single-lens reflex camera.

Here, when an interchangeable lens is commonly used for a camera body using the above-mentioned silver halide film and a camera body using a CCD or the like, there is no significant difference in the angle of view between the two bodies, and there is no discomfort. In order to be usable, it is desirable that both image sizes, that is, the sizes of the photographing screens, be made uniform.

Generally, the image size of a silver halide film is 36 mm × 24 mm when a 135 format roll film is used.
Even when a 0 cartridge film is used, it is 27.4 mm x 15.6 mm in the case of the H type. Therefore, in order to obtain the same angle of view in the digital camera body, first, a method using a CCD having the same image size, and secondly, using a reduction optical system behind the image forming plane, It is conceivable to adopt a method of reducing the size and using a small CCD or the like.

[0006]

However, the second method has an advantage that a small CCD can be used, but requires a space for disposing a reduction optical system, so that the camera itself becomes large and heavy. There is a drawback such as. On the other hand, the first method is advantageous in terms of the size and weight of the camera, but has the drawback of increasing the cost because a large-sized CCD is required.

[0007] In the image pickup device such as a CCD, first, the number of chips from a semiconductor wafer is reduced by simply considering the area ratio as the chip size is increased due to the semiconductor manufacturing process, and the cost is increased. Leads to. Second, the larger the chip size, the lower the chip yield,
It leads to cost increase. Third, since the semiconductor wafer is usually circular and the image sensor is usually rectangular, the larger the chip size, the greater the waste in the peripheral area, leading to an increase in cost. Further, the second and third defects are acceleration conditions for the first defect.

As described above, when the current semiconductor manufacturing technology is assumed, it is not merely a matter of keeping the size of the image, that is, the size of the photographing screen, but the balance between cost and the size of the CCD. It is conceivable to adopt a method in which the thickness is slightly smaller than that of the silver halide film to allow a change in the angle of view. However, in this case, as described above, since the image size of the CCD is small, the shooting angle of view becomes small. That is, when a wide-angle lens is mounted, the usability is close to that of a standard lens, and there is a problem that it is difficult to take advantage of the characteristics of the wide-angle lens.

Although a front converter for changing the angle of view of an interchangeable lens is already known, the following problems arise when a front converter that can be used in common for two types of camera bodies having different recording media is set. Occurs.

That is, in order to be able to use the front converter for a camera body using a silver halide film having a large image size, it is necessary to design the front converter corresponding to a large image size. However, there is a problem that the size and the weight become large.

In other words, if the image size is large, the deterioration of the image and the decrease in the amount of peripheral light due to the spherical aberration at the peripheral portion pose a problem. To avoid such a problem, the size of the front converter and the number of lenses are large. Become.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and has as its object to selectively use a body using an image pickup device, and to design a small image size of the image pickup device. An object of the present invention is to provide a camera system in which a photographing angle of view does not largely change even when an image pickup device having a small image size is used with priority on cost by adopting a corresponding small and lightweight converter lens.

[0013]

In order to achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first camera body having image pickup means of a first image size, and a first camera body having a first image size. A second camera body having imaging means of a smaller second image size, an interchangeable lens that can be attached to both the first camera body and the second camera body, and There is provided a camera system comprising: a converter lens that changes a zoom magnification range that can be used only when an interchangeable lens is attached.

In a second aspect, a first camera body having an image pickup means of a first image size and a second camera body having an image pickup means of a second image size smaller than the first image size. And an interchangeable lens that can be attached to each of the first camera body and the second camera body, and a zoom magnification range that can be used only when the interchangeable lens is attached to the second camera body. And a converter lens, wherein the converter lens is
A storage unit for storing the unique information of the converter lens and a transmission unit for transmitting the unique information to the outside are provided, and the first camera body and the second camera body are transmitted from the transmission unit of the converter lens. A camera system is provided, comprising: receiving means for receiving unique information; and determining means for determining whether or not the converter lens is usable based on the unique information received by the receiving means. You.

[0015] In a third aspect, in the second aspect, the first camera body and the second camera body are configured such that, when the determination unit determines that the converter lens is unusable, There is provided a camera system including a display means for displaying that the camera cannot be used.

In a fourth aspect, in the second aspect, the unique information is characteristic data representing characteristics of the converter lens or identification data for identifying the converter lens. Is provided.

According to a fifth aspect, in the fourth aspect, the characteristic data representing the characteristic of the converter lens is:
A camera system is provided, which is data relating to the image size of the converter lens.

That is, in the first aspect of the present invention, the converter lens can be used only when the interchangeable lens is mounted on the second camera body. In the second aspect, in the converter lens, the storage unit stores the unique information of the converter lens, and the transmission unit transmits the unique information to the outside. In the first camera body and the second camera body, the receiving unit receives the unique information transmitted from the transmitting unit of the converter lens, and the determining unit determines the converter lens based on the unique information received by the receiving unit. It is determined whether or not it can be used.

According to a third aspect, in the second aspect, the first camera main body and the second camera main body include:
The display means displays that the converter lens is unusable when the determination means determines that the converter lens is unusable.

According to a fourth aspect, in the second aspect, the unique information comprises characteristic data representing characteristics of the converter lens or identification data for identifying the converter lens.

According to a fifth aspect, in the fourth aspect, the characteristic data representing the characteristic of the converter lens is:
It consists of data on the image size of the converter lens.

[0022]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a camera system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the present camera system has a camera body (hereinafter referred to as I) that can use an IX240 cartridge film.
X240 body), a digital camera body 50 capable of using an imaging device such as a CCD, both bodies 1,
The zoom lens 100 includes a zoom lens 100 that can be used for the zoom lens 100, a wide converter 200 and a teleconverter 250 that can be mounted on the zoom lens 100.

The wide converter 200 and the teleconverter 250 can be mounted on the zoom lens 100 by screwing. However, these wide converter 200 and teleconverter 250 can be used exclusively for the digital camera body 50, and the IX2
Cannot be used for 40 body 1

A tele SW 10 for zooming to the TELE side is provided at a predetermined position of the zoom lens 100.
3, and wide SW for zooming to WIDE side
104 are arranged in a positional relationship as shown.

Next, FIG. 2 is a block diagram further embodying and showing the configuration of the camera system according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 shows a detailed configuration of the IX240 body 1, digital camera body 50, zoom lens 100, wide converter 200, and teleconverter 250. Hereinafter, each configuration will be described in detail.

First, in the IX240 body 1, the IX24
The output of the FCPU 2 composed of a microcomputer or the like that controls the entire 0 body 1 is connected to the input of the display unit 9 via the display driver 8. The FCPU 2 is also connected to the exposure control units 6, 1RSW4, and 2RSW5. Further, the mount portion of the zoom lens 100 is provided with a mount contact 3 for communication.

In such a configuration, the above 1RSW
Reference numerals 4 and 2RSW5 denote switches that are turned on in the first stroke and the second stroke of the release operation, respectively. The exposure control section 6 controls the exposure of a body such as a shutter. The IX240 body 1 has an IX
240 cartridge film 7 is loaded, and the screen size of the IX240 cartridge film 7 is H
In the type, it is 27.4 mm x 15.6 mm,
The length of the diagonal line, that is, the image size is 31.5 mm. The display unit 9 is driven by the display driver 8 and performs a shooting mode of a camera, a warning display, and the like.

Next, in the digital camera body 50, the output of the DCPU 51 composed of a microcomputer or the like that controls the entire digital camera body 50 is connected to the input of the display unit 62 via the display driver 61. The output of the DCPU 51 is an exposure control unit 60, an image processing circuit 57, an image recording circuit 58, a CCD driver 55, a 1RS
It is connected to the inputs of W53 and 2RSW54. The above C
The output of the CD driver 55 is connected to a CCD 56, and the output of the image processing circuit 57 is connected to a recording medium 59 via an image recording circuit 58. In addition, the mount part of the zoom lens 100 has a mount contact 5 for communication.
2 are provided.

In such a configuration, the 1RSW
Reference numerals 4 and 2RSW5 denote switches that are turned on in the first stroke and the second stroke of the release operation, respectively. The exposure control unit 60 controls the exposure of a body such as a shutter. The CCD 56 is driven and controlled by a CCD driver 55 to obtain image data. The image processing circuit 57 is a circuit for performing A / D conversion, color conversion, data compression, and the like on image data from the CCD 56. The recording medium 59 stores the image data by the image recording circuit 58. The display unit 62 is driven by the display driver 61 and performs a shooting mode of a camera, a warning display, and the like. The screen size of the CCD 56 is 17 mm × 12 mm, and the length of the diagonal line, that is, the image size is 20.8 m.
m. Here, since the diagonal length of the image size in the case of the IX240 body 1 is 31.5 mm, in the case of the digital camera body 50, the shooting angle of view is reduced to about 66%.

Next, in the zoom lens 100, the output of the LCPU 101 composed of a microcomputer or the like that controls the entire zoom lens 100 is connected to the input of a stepping motor 112 via a stepping motor driving circuit 113. This stepping motor 112
It is mechanically connected to the aperture mechanism 111. The output of the LCPU 101 is connected to an LD motor 108 via an LD motor drive circuit 109. The LD encoder 110 is an encoder for detecting a driving amount of the LD motor. The output of this LD encoder 110 is LC
This is fed back to the PU 101. In addition, the above L
The output of the CPU 101 is connected to a zoom motor 105 via a zoom drive circuit 106. In the vicinity of the zoom motor 105, a zoom encoder 107 for monitoring the zoom motor 105 is provided.
Feedback. In addition, the LCPU 101
, A tele SW 103 and a wide SW 104 are connected. Further, at a predetermined position of the zoom lens 100, a mount contact 102 provided on a mount portion to be mounted on a body, a front converter (wide converter 20).
0, a teleconverter 250, etc.).

In such a configuration, the tele SW 103
Is a switch for zooming to the TELE side, and its form is as shown in FIG. Similarly, the wide switch 104 is a switch for zooming to the WIDE side, and has the same configuration as that shown in FIG. The zoom mechanism includes a zoom drive circuit 10
Under the drive control of No. 6, it is driven by the driving force of the zoom motor 105. At this time, the zoom state of the zooming mechanism (corresponding to the focal length) is detected by the zoom encoder 107 and transmitted to the LCPU 101.

The aperture mechanism 111 is driven by the driving force of the stepping motor 112 under the control of the stepping motor driving circuit 109. The LD motor 108 drives a lens focusing mechanism, and the drive is controlled by an LD motor drive circuit 109. LD
The encoder 110 is for detecting the driving amount of the LD motor 108.

Next, the wide converter 200 is provided with a WCPU 201 as a microcomputer. The WCPU 201 stores identification data for identifying the wide converter 200 and image size data, and transmits these data to the camera body by communicating with the camera body via the zoom lens 100. This image size data is an image size whose performance can be guaranteed in the camera body when used in combination with an interchangeable lens that can be used simultaneously with the wide converter 200.

Next, the teleconverter 250 is provided with a TCPU 201 as a microcomputer.
The TCPU 251 stores identification data for identifying the teleconverter 250 and image size data, and transmits these data to the camera body via the zoom lens 100 by communicating with the camera body. This image size data is an image size whose performance can be guaranteed in the camera body when used in combination with an interchangeable lens that can be used simultaneously with the teleconverter 250.

Hereinafter, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
The operation of the camera system according to the embodiment will be described in detail. Here, the IX240 body 1, the digital camera body 50, and the like are collectively referred to as a camera body, and operations mainly based on them will be described.

When a power switch (not shown) is turned on, the camera body communicates with the zoom lens 100 to check whether the zoom lens 100 is attached. When the zoom lens 100 is mounted, the zoom lens 100
Then, the ID number and various parameters are received. Here, the parameters include information such as the open aperture value of the lens, the number of stops, the variable focal length range, and the like (step S1).

Next, when the communication in step S1 is completed, it is determined that the zoom lens 100 is mounted, and the process proceeds to step S3. When the communication fails, the zoom lens 100 is mounted. It is determined that it has not been performed, and the process returns to step S1 (step S2).

Subsequently, communication with the wide converter 200 or the teleconverter 250 is executed, and the converter ID number and the converter image size data IScon stored in the internal memories of the WCPU 201 and the TCPU 251 in the converters 200 and 250. Receive the transmission. Since the wide converter 200 and the teleconverter 250 according to the present embodiment correspond to the image size IS ≦ 23 mm, IScon = 23 mm (step S3).

If the communication in step S3 is successful, it is determined that the converter is installed, and the process proceeds to step S5. If the communication is unsuccessful, it is determined that the converter is not installed, and the process proceeds to step S8. (Step S4).

In step S5, the converter image size data IScon received from the converter 200 or 250 by the communication in step S3 is compared with the body image size ISbody, and if IScon ≧ ISbody, it is determined that OK and the process proceeds to step S6. And IScon <
If it is an IS body, it is determined to be NG, and the process proceeds to step S7 (step S5).

Here, in step S5, IX
240 If it is attached to the body 1, its ISbo
dy is 31.5 mm, and IScon received from the wide converter 200 and the teleconverter 250 is 23 mm
Therefore, IScon <ISbody and NG is determined. On the other hand, when the digital camera is mounted on the digital camera body 50, its ISbody is 20.8 mm, so that IScon ≧ ISbody, and the determination is OK.

Next, the ID number of the lens obtained in the communication in the step S1 is compared with the ID number of the converter obtained in the communication in the step S3, and the matching between them is determined. The converter can be used for a limited number of lenses, and a correspondence table of converter ID numbers that can be used for lens ID numbers is stored in the FCPU 2 and the DCPU 51. See this correspondence table. By doing so, it is determined whether the attached converter can be used for the lens. If the result of the determination is OK, the process proceeds to step S8, and if the result is NG, the process proceeds to step S7 (step S6).

In step S7, steps S5 and S
In any of the determinations of No. 6, the result of the determination is NG, so that the currently mounted converter cannot shoot.
Therefore, the display unit 9 is transmitted via the display driver 8 or 61.
Alternatively, a warning is displayed for 62 and the process returns to step S1. On the other hand, in step S8, the installed converter is OK in the determinations in steps S5 and S6, or the converter is not installed. Turn off the display. If no warning is displayed,
Since there is no need to perform FF, the process proceeds to step S9 without any processing.

Subsequently, the state of 1RSW4 is monitored, and
If the state is N, the process proceeds to step S10, and if the state is OFF, the process returns to step S1 (step S9). Next, communication with the zoom lens 100 is performed, the focal length is read from the zoom lens 100 (step S10), photometry is performed using a photometric element (not shown), and exposure calculation is performed based on the photometric result (step S11). The distance is measured using a distance measuring element (not shown), the amount of lens drive is calculated from the distance measurement result (step S12), and lens communication is performed.
LD driving is performed according to the lens driving amount obtained above (step S13).

Subsequently, 2RSW 5 or 54 is monitored,
If 2RSW5 or 54 is ON, the process proceeds to step S16. If the 2RSW 5 or 54 has not been turned on, the state of the 1RSW 4 or 53 is monitored in step S15.
If F, the process returns to step S1.

In step S16, lens communication, "AV
And then perform exposure (step S1).
7). In the case of the IX240 body 1, exposure is performed on the film using the exposure control unit 6, and in the case of the digital camera body 51, image data is obtained from the CCD 56 using the exposure control unit 60. .

Subsequently, lens communication is performed and "AV release" is performed.
(Step S18), and the shutter in the exposure controller 6 or 60 is charged after the operation. The shutter is a focal plane shutter operated by a spring force, and it is necessary to charge the spring after the operation (step S19).

As described above, when the image pickup medium is a film, that is, in the case of the IX240 body 1, after the film is wound up, the process returns to the step S1 (steps S20 and S20).
S21). On the other hand, when the imaging medium is a CCD, that is, when the digital camera body 51 is used, image data processing is performed using the image processing circuit 57, and the image data is processed on the recording medium 59 using the image recording circuit 58. And the process returns to step S1 (steps S20 and S2).
2, S23).

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, in the sequence of step S3 in FIG. 3, the image size data is received from the converter, and the matching of the converter is determined using the image size data in step S5. In the sequence of step S3, only the ID number of the converter may be received without receiving the image size data. In step S5, matching determination of the converter may be performed based on the ID number of the converter. However, in that case, the FCPU
2. A list of converter ID numbers that can be used for the body is stored in the DCPU 51 (ID numbers of converters corresponding to the image size for the body), and this correspondence table is referred to. Thus, it is determined whether the mounted converter can be used for the body.

The above embodiment of the present invention includes the following inventions. (1) a first camera body having an image pickup device of a first image size, a second camera body having an image pickup device of a second image size smaller than the first image size, and the first camera body An interchangeable lens that can be attached to each of the camera body and the second camera body, and a converter lens that can be used only when the interchangeable lens is attached to the second camera body and that changes the zoom magnification range. Wherein the converter lens comprises a storage unit for storing information on an image size of a camera body which can be used by the converter lens, and a transmission unit for transmitting the information on the image size to the outside. . (2) The first camera body and the second camera body each have a first storage unit that stores information about the first image size and a second storage that stores information about the second image size. The first camera body and the second camera body each include a receiving unit that receives information about an image size transmitted from a transmitting unit of the converter lens, and a receiving unit that receives information about the image size received by the receiving unit. Comparing the information with the information on the image size stored in the first storage means or the second storage means, and
The camera system according to (2), further comprising: a determination unit configured to determine whether the camera body can be used for the camera body or the second camera body. (3) The first camera body and the second camera body are
When the determination unit determines that the converter lens is unusable for the first camera body or the second camera body, a display unit for displaying that the converter lens is unusable is provided. The camera system according to the above (2), which is characterized in that: (4) In a camera system including a camera body, an interchangeable lens detachable from the camera body, and a converter detachable from the interchangeable lens, the camera body includes the image size information and the compatible converter identification information. Storage means for storing at least the following, first communication means for performing communication with the interchangeable lens, first control means for determining compatibility with the converter, and first control means for performing a predetermined display. Display means, the interchangeable lens includes second control means for controlling the interchangeable lens, and second communication means for communicating with the camera body and the converter, and the converter includes: A second storage means for storing at least the identification information and the image size information of the converter itself; and a third storage means for controlling the converter.
And a third communication unit for communicating with the interchangeable lens. When the interchangeable lens is mounted on the camera body and the converter is mounted on the interchangeable lens, the first control is performed. The means receives at least one of the identification information and the image size of the converter via the first to third communication means, and compares the information with the information stored in the first storage means. hand,
Judgment of compatibility between the two is performed, and if they do not match, a predetermined warning is displayed on the display means. If they match, change of the zoom magnification range of the interchangeable lens by the converter is permitted. And camera system.

In this embodiment, the camera body has an IX240 body having a first image size for photographing a subject image using an IX240 film, and a CC.
The concept includes a digital camera body having a second image size smaller than the first image size, which captures a subject image using D. The above camera body,
In the case of the IX240 body, the first control means determines that the first image size does not match the image size of the converter, and a predetermined warning is displayed on the display means. On the other hand, in the case of a digital camera body, the control means determines that the second image size matches the image size of the converter,
The change in the zoom magnification range of the interchangeable lens by the converter can be performed. In the above-described embodiment, the suitability determination can be made based on the identification information in addition to the image size.

[0052]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
It can be selectively used for the body using the image sensor,
By adopting a small and lightweight converter lens that is compatible with the small image size of the image sensor, even if an image sensor with a small image size is used to prioritize cost, the shooting angle of view can change significantly. No camera system can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a camera system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a camera system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the camera system according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 IX240 Body 2 FCPU 50 Digital Camera Body 51 DCPU 100 Zoom Lens 101 LCPU 200 Wide Converter 201 WCPU 250 Teleconverter 251 TCPU

Claims (5)

[Claims] A first camera body having an image pickup device of a first image size; a second camera body having an image pickup device of a second image size smaller than the first image size; An interchangeable lens that can be attached to both the first camera body and the second camera body, and a converter lens that can be used only when the interchangeable lens is attached to the second camera body and that changes the zoom magnification range And a camera system comprising: 2. A first camera body having an image pickup device of a first image size; a second camera body having an image pickup device of a second image size smaller than the first image size; An interchangeable lens that can be attached to each of the first camera body and the second camera body; and a converter lens that changes the zoom magnification range that can be used only when the interchangeable lens is attached to the second camera body. The converter lens includes a storage unit that stores the unique information of the converter lens and a transmission unit that transmits the unique information to the outside. The first camera body and the second camera body include: Receiving means for receiving the unique information transmitted from the transmitting means of the converter lens; and using the converter lens based on the unique information received by the receiving means. Possible either comprising a determination means for determining whether it is a camera system wherein the. 3. The first camera body and the second camera body, when the determination means determines that the converter lens is unusable, a display for indicating that the converter lens is unusable. 3. The camera system according to claim 2, further comprising means. 4. The camera system according to claim 2, wherein the unique information is characteristic data indicating characteristics of the converter lens or identification data for identifying the converter lens. 5. The camera system according to claim 4, wherein the characteristic data representing characteristics of the converter lens is data relating to an image size of the converter lens.