JP2001013540A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To control an exposure extent by using an exposure extent control value group which is obtained by adding an exposure extent control value group at every 1/2 EV and an exposure extent control value group at every 1/3 EV. SOLUTION: The exposure extent control value group (exposure extent level number 3) which is obtained by adding the exposure extent control value group at every 1/2 EV (exposure extent level number 1) and the exposure extent control value group at every 1/3 EV (exposure extent level number 2) is newly arranged, then, they are selected so as to control the exposure. Thus, the optimum exposure extent is selected out of both exposure extents such as the exposure extent at every 1/2 EV and the exposure extent at every 1/3 EV in accordance with the photographing condition and the kind of the film in use, with a simple operation, without executing an initial camera setting operation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera, and more particularly to an improved method of changing an exposure amount.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Normally, a camera sets an exposure amount determined by a combination of a shutter speed and an aperture value before taking a picture before taking a picture. Since the shutter speed and the aperture value are parameters for controlling the exposure amount, they are called exposure amount control values. There are automatic, semi-automatic, and manual methods for setting the exposure amount. The automatic setting is generally called a program auto, and is a mode in which the camera automatically sets a combination of an aperture value and a shutter speed so that an appropriate exposure is always obtained according to the brightness of a subject. The semi-automatic setting includes shutter speed priority auto and aperture priority auto.Shutter speed priority auto manually sets the shutter speed by the photographer, and the camera automatically sets the aperture value to obtain the appropriate exposure according to the shutter speed setting value Mode. On the other hand, the aperture priority auto is a mode in which a photographer manually sets an aperture value and a camera automatically sets a shutter speed at which an appropriate exposure is made in accordance with the aperture setting value. Further, the manual setting is a mode in which the photographer himself sets both the aperture value and the shutter speed.

In the program auto mode, the camera automatically sets the aperture value and the shutter speed, but the photographer can correct the exposure amount set by the camera in accordance with the purpose of photographing and photographing conditions. In the exposure correction, the exposure amount can be corrected to 3 EV or 5 EV. Exposure compensation is normally performed using an exposure compensation button and a command dial. By turning the command dial while pressing the exposure compensation button, an exposure compensation value can be set according to the rotation direction and the amount of rotation. The exposure amount correction value per click of the command dial is set to an exposure amount control value group for each EV, an exposure amount control value group for each 1/2 EV, and an exposure amount for each 1/3 EV in a camera initial setting called a custom setting. Any of the control value groups can be selected.

[0004]

By the way, even if the correction value of the exposure amount per click of the command dial is initially set to, for example, 1/2 EV by custom setting, even if it is initially set to 1/2 EV, it depends on the shooting conditions and the type of film used. There is a case where it is desired to change the exposure amount correction value of to １ ／ EV.
In such a case, in the conventional camera, it is necessary to return to the custom setting and change the exposure correction value per click to 1/3 EV, and there is a problem that operability is poor.

In the manual exposure mode, the shutter speed priority auto mode, or the aperture priority auto mode, when the shutter speed and the aperture are set by the command dial, there is a problem similar to the above-described exposure correction. For example, when the exposure amount per click is initially set to 1/2 EV, if it is changed to 1/3 EV, it is necessary to return to the custom setting and reset the exposure amount per click.

Further, even in an auto bracketing mode (automatic step exposure) mode in which the exposure is stepwise shifted in order to obtain an appropriate exposure in a situation where it is difficult to determine the exposure, an exposure amount deviation value for each frame. When changing from the initial setting value, there is a problem that it is necessary to return to the custom setting and set again.

An object of the present invention is to control an exposure amount using an exposure amount control value group obtained by adding an exposure amount control value group for each 1/2 EV and an exposure amount control value group for each 1/3 EV. .

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a first exposure value control value group set for controlling an exposure amount for each 1/2 EV, and an exposure amount for each 1/3 EV are set. And a second exposure value control value group set to control
A third exposure value control value group, which is applied to a camera that performs exposure control and is a combination of the first exposure value control value group and the second exposure value control value group, is newly set and can be selected for exposure control. did. (2) The exposure amount control value of the camera according to claim 2 is a shutter speed or an aperture value. (3) The exposure control value of the camera according to claim 3 is an exposure correction value for an automatic exposure calculation result based on the subject brightness or an exposure deviation value when performing automatic stepwise exposure on the automatic exposure calculation result. . (4) The camera according to claim 4 is provided with first setting means for setting one of the first to third exposure amount control value groups as an initial value of the exposure amount control value group. (5) The camera according to claim 5, wherein a second setting means for setting the first exposure value control value group or the second exposure value control value group as an initial value of the exposure value control value group; And a third setting means for setting a third exposure value control value group in place of the initial value set by the second setting means.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS << First Embodiment of the Invention >> FIG.
Shows a configuration of the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a front view of the camera of the first embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a rear view of the camera.
Illustration and description of camera equipment not directly related to the present invention are omitted. First, as shown in FIG. 2, a photographing lens 21, a shutter button 22, a sub-command dial 23, an exposure correction button 24, and the like are provided on a front surface of the camera 20. As shown in FIG. 3, a finder eyepiece window 25, a main command dial 26, a custom setting button 27, and the like are provided on the back of the camera 20.

In FIG. 1, a photometric device 1 measures the brightness of a subject, and a focus detection device 2 detects a focus adjustment state of a photographing lens 21. The release half-press switch 3 is turned on when the shutter button 22 is half-pressed, and the release switch 4 is turned on when the shutter button 22 is fully pressed.
The custom setting switch 5 is turned on when the custom setting button 27 is pressed, and the exposure correction switch 6 is turned on when the exposure correction button 24 is pressed.

The main command dial switch 7 is a switch for detecting the direction of rotation of the main command dial 26 and the number of clicks.
When the dial 6 is turned clockwise, the CW contact repeats on and off every click, and when it is rotated counterclockwise, the CCW contact repeats on and off every click. The subcommand dial switch 8 is a switch for detecting the rotation direction and the number of clicks of rotation of the subcommand dial 23. When the subcommand dial 23 is turned clockwise, the CW contact repeatedly turns on and off for each click. When turned in the counterclockwise direction, the CCW contact repeats on and off for each click.

The lens driving device 9 drives the focus adjusting motor 10 of the taking lens 21, and the display driving device 11 drives the LCD 12 for displaying various information. The controller 15 includes a CPU 15a, a memory 15b, and the like, and performs sequence control of the camera and various calculations.

In the first embodiment, when the main command dial 26 is operated while pressing the custom setting button 27, the custom setting item is switched every time the command dial is clicked, and the currently selected custom setting item is displayed on the LCD 12. Number is displayed. Custom setting items include a shutter speed [item number 1], an aperture value [item number 2], an exposure amount correction value [item number 3], an auto bracketing exposure amount deviation value [item number 4], and the like.

When the user operates the sub-command dial 23 while pressing the custom setting button 27, the amount of change in the exposure amount, that is, the exposure amount step is switched every time the command dial is clicked, and the exposure amount step currently selected on the LCD 12 is changed. The number is displayed. 1EV for the exposure step
(± 1 step), 1 / 2EV (± 1/2 step), 1 / 3EV
(± １ ／ steps), there is a “composite” step difference between 1 / 2EV and 1 / 3EV. In this embodiment, the exposure amount control value group obtained by adding the exposure amount control value group for each 1/2 EV and the exposure amount control value group for each 1/3 EV is represented by an exposure amount step of 1/2 EV and 1/3 EV. Is referred to as a “composite” exposure level step.

The above-described custom setting and the selection of the exposure level difference are operations performed as the initial setting of the camera. The custom setting button 27, the main command dial 26 and the sub-command dial 23 are operating members for performing the initial setting of the camera. It is.

FIGS. 4 to 6 show exposure amount control value groups according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a shutter speed table for custom item number 1, FIG. 5 is an aperture value table for custom item number 2, and FIG. Is an exposure amount correction value table for the custom item number 3. The auto bracketing exposure amount deviation value table is the same as the exposure amount correction value table shown in FIG. 6, and is not shown. In the exposure value correction value table shown in FIG. 6, the actual exposure value correction value and the display of the correction value on the LCD 12 are shown side by side. The table of the exposure amount control value group indicates the exposure amount control value for each click of the command dial 26 for each exposure amount step, and the circles indicate the selectable exposure amount control values for each exposure amount step. Exposure step number 0
Is a group of exposure control values for each EV (± 1 step), and number 1 is 1
Exposure value control value group for each 1 / 2EV (± 1/2 step), number 2
Is an exposure value control value group for each 1/3 EV (± 1/3 step). The number 3 is an exposure control value group of “synthesis” obtained by adding the exposure control value group for each と EV and the exposure control value group for each ３ EV.

For example, when the exposure level step of No. 0 is selected, a group of exposure value control values of 1 EV is selected, and the exposure amount increases or decreases by 1 EV (± 1 step) per click of the command dial. Similarly, when the exposure amount step of No. 1 is selected, 1 / 2E
A group of exposure control values of V (± 1/2 steps) is selected, and 1/2 EV (± 1/2 steps) per click of the command dial.
The amount of exposure increases and decreases in steps. Further, when the exposure level step of the number “2” is selected, a group of exposure control values of 1/3 EV (± 1/3 steps) is selected, and 1 / EV per click of the command dial is selected.
The exposure amount increases or decreases by 3 EV (±± steps).

Further, when the exposure amount step number "3" is selected, the "composite" exposure amount control value obtained by adding the exposure amount control value group for each 1/2 EV and the exposure amount control value group for each 1/3 EV. A group is selected. For example, in the step number 3 of the exposure correction value shown in FIG.
Exposure amount correction value is 1/3 EV (± 1/3 step), 1/2 EV
(± 1/2 steps), 2/3 EV (± 2/3 steps), 1EV
(± 1 step), 4/3 EV (± 4/3 step), 3/2 EV
(± 3/2 steps), 5/3 EV (± 5/3 steps), 2EV
(± 2 steps). Note that these exposure level differences are stored in the memory 15b of the controller 15.

As described above, in the conventional camera, one of the exposure steps of 1 EV, 1/2 EV and 1/3 EV is initially set by turning the main command dial while pressing the custom setting button. The desired exposure control value is set by turning the main command dial. For example, when the exposure step is initially set to 1/2 EV, the exposure control value increases / decreases in the order of 0.5 EV, 1 EV, 1.5 EV, and 2 EV for each click of the main command dial during shooting.

However, depending on the shooting conditions and the type of film used, it is better to correct by 1/2 EV,
In some cases, it is better to correct by 1/3 EV. For example, when using a reversal film that requires delicate exposure, it is better to change the exposure in steps of 1/3 EV, but in the case of negative film, it is sufficient to change the exposure in steps of 1/2 EV. Correction value can be set and operability is good.

In the conventional camera, when the exposure step is switched in accordance with the type of film to be used and the photographing condition, the exposure setting is corrected after returning to the initial setting and switching to the desired exposure step each time. Operability was poor.

Therefore, in the first embodiment, 1 /
A new exposure amount control value group is provided by adding the exposure amount control value group for each 2 EV and the exposure amount control value group for each 1/3 EV, and is selectable for exposure control. Then, by selecting a combined exposure amount step of 1/2 EV and 1/3 EV of the number "3" by custom setting, the exposure amount control value group of 1/2 EV and the exposure amount control value group of 1/3 EV are selected. Main command dial 26 without custom setting operation
The user can select a desired exposure amount control value, that is, a shutter speed, an aperture value, an exposure amount correction value, and an auto bracketing exposure amount deviation value only by the operation of, thereby improving the operability in the exposure setting operation or the exposure correction operation. be able to.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a custom setting process according to the first embodiment. With reference to this flowchart, the custom setting operation of the first embodiment will be described. When the operation of the custom setting button 27 is detected by the switch 5, the controller 15 starts the custom setting process. In step 1, switches 5 and 7
If the operation of pressing the custom setting button 27 and the operation of rotating the main command dial 26 are detected, the process proceeds to step 2; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 3. In step 2, the custom setting items are switched according to the rotation direction of the main command dial 26 and the number of rotation clicks. In step 3, the switches 5 and 8 are used to press the custom setting button 27 and the subcommand dial 2
If the rotation operation of No. 3 is detected, the process proceeds to step 4; otherwise, the process ends. In step 4, the exposure step is switched according to the rotation direction of the subcommand dial 23 and the number of clicks.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a photographing process according to the first embodiment. According to this flowchart,
The photographing operation according to the first embodiment will be described. When the switch 3 detects a half-press operation of the shutter button 22, the controller 15 starts this photographing process. In step 11, photometry is performed by the photometry device 1 to detect subject brightness. In the following step 12, the focus detection device 2
, The lens driving device 9 is controlled based on the focus detection result, and the motor 10 drives the focusing of the photographing lens 21.

In step 13, the switch 6 and the switch 7 detect an exposure change operation by the exposure correction button 24 and the main command dial 26. If there is an exposure change operation, the process proceeds to step 14.

In the program auto mode, the main command dial 2 is pressed while the exposure compensation button 24 is pressed.
By rotating the camera 6, the photographer can manually correct the exposure amount automatically set by the camera. In the shutter speed priority auto mode, the photographer manually sets an arbitrary shutter speed by rotating the main command dial 26 from a group of shutter speeds corresponding to the set exposure level difference in the shutter speed table shown in FIG. can do. In the aperture priority auto mode, the photographer manually sets an arbitrary aperture value by rotating the main command dial 26 from an aperture value group corresponding to the set exposure level difference in the aperture value table shown in FIG. can do. In manual exposure mode,
By rotating the main command dial 26, an arbitrary shutter speed is obtained from the shutter speed table shown in FIG.
The photographer can manually set an arbitrary aperture value from the aperture value table shown in FIG.

In any case, when the operation of changing the exposure amount is performed, in step 14, according to the exposure amount step selected by the custom setting as shown in FIGS.
The exposure amount is changed according to the direction of rotation of the main command dial 26 and the sub-command dial 23 (only in the manual exposure mode) and the number of rotation clicks. If the exposure amount has not been changed, the exposure amount determined based on the subject brightness detected by the photometric device 1 is set, and the previous exposure amount is maintained in the manual exposure mode or the semi-automatic exposure mode. In step 15, the switch 4 is used to detect a full-press operation of the shutter button 22, and when the full-press operation is detected, the process proceeds to step 16, where exposure is performed with the set exposure amount.

As described above, in the exposure setting or the exposure correction, in addition to the exposure amount steps of 1 EV, 1/2 EV and 1/3 EV, the exposure amount control value group for each 1/2 EV and 1/3 EV
To newly provide a combined exposure amount step of 1 / 2EV and 1 / 3EV having an exposure amount control value group obtained by adding the exposure amount control value group for each V, and to select this combined exposure amount step by custom setting. The exposure amount for each 1/2 EV and 1/3
From the exposure amount for each EV, the optimal exposure amount according to the shooting conditions and the type of film to be used can be obtained by simply operating the exposure compensation button 24 and the main command dial 26 without performing a custom setting operation. Can be selected.

<< Second Embodiment of the Invention >>
In the embodiment, the example in which the combined exposure amount step of 1/2 EV and 1/3 EV is selected by the custom setting has been described. However, the exposure amount step selectable by the custom setting is 1 E similarly to the related art.
V, 1 / 2EV and 1 / 3EV, and
A second embodiment in which a dedicated operation member for selecting a combined exposure amount step between V and 1/3 EV is described. The description of the second embodiment will focus on the differences from the first embodiment.

In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, a combined step select button 28 for selecting a combined exposure step of 1/2 EV and 1/3 EV on the front of the camera 20.
And a switch (not shown) that is turned on when the composite step selection button 28 is operated, and a custom setting button 2
In the custom setting by operating the main command dial 7 and the main command dial 26, only the exposure level steps of 1EV, 1 / 2EV and 1 / 3EV are switched. When the composite step selection button 28 is operated during photographing, ＥEV and 1 / EV are set regardless of the exposure step selected in the custom setting.
Switch to 3EV combined exposure level step. And 1/2
From both the exposure amount for each EV and the exposure amount for each 1/3 EV, an exposure amount according to the rotation direction and the number of rotation clicks of the main command dial 26 is selected.

According to the second embodiment, 1 EV,
Exposure level steps that are frequently used among 1/2 EV and 1/3 EV are initially set by custom setting, and during normal shooting, exposure setting or exposure correction is performed based on the initially set exposure level steps. When a composite exposure level difference between 2EV and 1 / 3EV is required, the composite exposure level selection button 28 is used to select the exposure level, and exposure setting or exposure correction is performed based on the composite exposure level difference between 1 / 2EV and 1 / 3EV. When shooting, you can quickly select the desired exposure setting value or exposure correction value with a small number of clicks from the frequently used exposure level difference, and also fine-tune the exposure setting depending on the shooting situation and the type of film used Or when performing exposure compensation,
With a simple operation, it is possible to select a combined exposure level difference of 1/2 EV and 1/3 EV, and it is possible to select an exposure setting value or an exposure correction value that is optimal for a shooting situation and a type of film to be used.

In the configuration of the above embodiment, the custom setting button 27, the main command dial 26, and the sub-command dial 23 serve as the first and second setting means for performing the initial setting of the camera, and the combining step selecting button 28. Constitute the third setting means.

In the above-described embodiment, the exposure control value group obtained by adding the exposure control value group for each 1/2 EV and the exposure control value group for each 1/3 EV has been described as an example. The step of the exposure amount control value group to be added is not limited to the above embodiment. Alternatively, an exposure amount control value group of a combined step may be obtained by adding an exposure amount control value group of three or more exposure amount steps.

[0034]

(1) As described above, claims 1 to
According to the fourth aspect, a new exposure control value group is provided by adding the exposure control value group for each 1/2 EV and the exposure control value group for each 1/3 EV, and can be selected for exposure control. Because of this, it is possible to easily adjust the shooting conditions and the type of film to be used without performing the initial setting operation of the camera from both the exposure amount for each 1/2 EV and the exposure amount for each 1/3 EV. The optimal exposure can be selected. (2) Further, according to the invention of claim 5, the first exposure amount control value group or the second exposure amount control value group is set as the initial value of the exposure amount control value group by the second setting means. Only when the setting means is operated, the third exposure value control value group is set instead of the initial value set by the second setting means.
During normal shooting, you can quickly select the desired exposure setting value or exposure correction value with a small number of clicks from the frequently used exposure level steps, and depending on the shooting situation and the type of film used, When performing exposure compensation, the exposure amount for each 1/2 EV and 1/3 EV
It is possible to select an exposure setting value or an exposure correction value that is optimal for the shooting situation and the type of film to be used, from both the exposure amounts of the respective exposure amounts.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the camera according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the camera according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a shutter speed table.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an aperture value table.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an exposure amount correction value table.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a custom setting process according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a photographing process according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the camera according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 5 Custom Setting Switch 6 Exposure Compensation Switch 7 Main Command Dial Switch 8 Sub Command Dial Switch 15 Controller 15a CPU 15b Memory 23 Sub Command Dial 24 Exposure Compensation Button 26 Main Command Dial 27 Custom Setting Button 28 Composite Step Selection Button

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A first exposure value control value group set for controlling an exposure value for each 1/2 EV, and a second exposure value control value set for controlling an exposure value for each 1/3 EV. A third exposure amount control value group, which is obtained by adding the first exposure amount control value group and the second exposure amount control value group, and performs exposure control. A camera characterized by being selectable for. 2. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the exposure control value is a shutter speed or an aperture value. 3. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the exposure control value is an exposure correction value for an automatic exposure calculation result based on a subject luminance, or an automatic step exposure is performed on the automatic exposure calculation result. A camera characterized in that the deviation amount is an exposure amount. 4. The camera according to claim 1, wherein one of the first to third exposure value control values is set as an initial value of the exposure value control value group. A camera comprising first setting means. 5. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the first exposure control value group or the second exposure control value group is set as an initial value of the exposure control value group. A camera comprising: a second setting unit; and a third setting unit that sets the third exposure amount control value group instead of the initial value set by the second setting unit only when operated.