JP2001109037A - Photographing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photographing system constituted so that the release timing of two or more cameras set at distant positions can be optionally controlled by the operation of one camera, the substantial number of photographing frames can be increased and an effect being identical to the effect of a high- speed continuous photographing time can be obtained. SOLUTION: This photographing system 200 is provided with at least the 1st camera 100A and the 2nd camera 100B. The 1st camera 100A is provided with a 1st photographing means 20, an operation means 4, a 1st transmission means 1 transmitting a release signal for instructing release to the 2nd camera 100B and a control means 10 transmitting the release signal to the 2nd camera 100B by using the transmission means 1 in accordance with the prescribed operation of the operation means 4. The 2nd camera 100B is provided with a 2nd photographing means 20 and a 1st receiving means 1 receiving the release signal from the 1st camera 100A. Then, the 2nd photographing means 20 executes photographing when it receives the release signal from the 1st camera 100A.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photographing system in which at least two cameras can communicate with each other for photographing during photographing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, photographing may be performed using a plurality of cameras of the same type. For example, a case may be considered in which two or more cameras are arranged at distant positions, and an object is to be photographed from different angles.

[0003] In this case, if the user is located at a distant position,
It is impossible to release more than one camera at an arbitrary timing. Therefore, in recent years, it is only possible to release two cameras at the same time using a cable release or a connection cord for connecting cameras.

[0004] However, there are demands for a user to release only one of two or more cameras used in a situation where a subject such as a train or an athlete is photographing a subject whose situation changes every moment. There is a demand to alternately shift the release of the two or more cameras for a predetermined time to perform shooting.

[0005] In response to these demands, the above-mentioned cable release or connection cord always releases two cameras at the same time, so that there is a problem that it is not possible to sufficiently meet the needs of the user. Furthermore, if a plurality of cameras are always released at the same time, film is wastefully consumed, so that economically efficient photographing cannot be performed.

In some cases, continuous photographing is performed using a single camera. In continuous shooting, it is desirable that continuous shooting can be performed at high speed, that is, that the number of shot frames per unit time is large. However, some types of cameras have a low film winding speed, and even with such a camera, there has been a demand from users for performing continuous high-speed shooting.

[0007] Further, when performing continuous shooting, if a commonly used 35-mm film of 36 shots is used, the number of shots has to be completed immediately, and the film must be changed frequently, which is troublesome. There was a problem that would.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned circumstances, the present invention can control the release timing of two or more cameras at remote locations arbitrarily by operating one camera. It is an object of the present invention to provide a photographing system capable of increasing the number of necessary photographing frames and obtaining the same effect as when performing continuous photographing at high speed.

[0009]

For this purpose, a photographing system according to claim 1 includes at least a first camera and a second camera. The first camera includes a first photographing unit, an operation unit, a first transmission unit that transmits a release signal for instructing a release to the second camera, and a predetermined operation of the operation unit. First control means for transmitting a release signal to the second camera by the transmission means, wherein the second camera receives the release signal from the first camera and the second photographing means; And a second photographing means for performing photographing upon receiving a release signal from the first camera. According to the imaging system of the first aspect, it is possible to release only the second camera by pressing the release button of the first camera.

Further, it is possible to alternately release the first camera and the second camera (claim 2).

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the predetermined operation is an operation of repeatedly shifting the operation means from the non-operation state to the operation state. Each time a transition is made from the operation state to the operation state, the photographing by the first photographing means and the transmission of the release signal by the first transmitting means can be executed alternately.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the predetermined operation is an operation for holding the operation means in a predetermined state, and the control means is configured to operate the operation means while the predetermined state is maintained. Has been shooting with the first shooting means,
The transmission of the release signal by the first transmitting means can be executed alternately.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the predetermined operation is a single operation for shifting from a non-operation state to an operation state, and the control means performs the one operation. Then, the photographing by the first photographing unit and the transmission of the release signal by the first transmitting unit can be alternately executed a predetermined number of times.

In the photographing system according to the present invention, it is preferable that the first camera has release number setting means for arbitrarily setting the predetermined number.
Further, the first camera may have timing setting means for arbitrarily setting the timing at which the first photographing means performs photographing and the timing at which the first transmitting means transmits the release signal. Desirable (claim 7).

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second camera has a second transmission means for transmitting a release preparation completion signal for notifying that the release preparation is completed to the first camera. The first camera has second receiving means for receiving a release preparation completion signal, and the control means of the first camera transmits the release signal by the first transmission means until the release preparation completion signal is received. Is not performed.

According to this photographing system, the control means of the first camera transmits a release signal to the second camera after confirming that the second camera has completed release preparation. Photographing by the second camera provided at a location distant from the first camera can also be reliably performed.

In the photographing system according to the present invention, the first
Camera transmits a predetermined confirmation signal to the second camera,
After receiving the predetermined confirmation signal, the second camera transmits a release preparation completion signal to the first camera by the second transmitting means (claim 9).

According to the photographing system of the present invention, at least the first camera and the second camera are provided. The first camera includes a first photographing unit, an operating unit, a first transmitting unit that transmits a release signal for instructing a release to the second camera, and a first transmitting unit that responds to a predetermined operation of the operating unit. Control means for executing photographing by the first photographing means and transmitting a release signal by the first transmitting means;
Transmission interval setting means for arbitrarily setting an interval ΔT ₁ between the photographing by the photographing means and transmission of the release signal by the first transmitting means, and an interval ΔT ₂ between the first photographing and the second photographing by the photographing means. Arbitrarily set photographing interval setting means. The second camera includes a second photographing unit and a first photographing unit.
And first receiving means for receiving a release signal from the camera. The control unit executes transmission of a release signal by the first transmission unit after an interval ΔT ₁ has elapsed after execution of the first imaging by the first imaging unit, and also executes transmission of a release signal by the first imaging unit. After the elapse of the interval ΔT ₂ after the execution of the first shooting, the second shooting by the first shooting unit is executed, and the second shooting unit shoots when receiving a release signal from the first camera. Execute

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an imaging system 200 according to the present invention. The image capturing system 200 includes a camera with communication function (hereinafter, simply referred to as a camera) 100A, a camera 100B, and a cable 30. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the photographing system 200.

As shown in FIG. 1, the camera 100A has a connection terminal 1, a mode dial 2a, a mode button 2b, an LC
It has a D display unit 3, a release button 4, and a selection dial 5. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the camera 100A has a memory 6, a CPU 10, and a shutter mechanism 20, and the release button 4, the memory 6, and the shutter mechanism 20 are connected to the CPU 10, respectively. The connection terminal 1 is connected to the mode dial 2 via the interface 7.
a, the mode button 2b, and the selection dial 5 are connected to the CPU 10 via the interface 8, and the LCD display unit 3 is connected to the CPU 10 via the driver 9. Note that the configuration of the camera 100B is the same as the configuration of the camera 100A, and a description thereof will be omitted.

The CPU 10 controls the mode dial 2
a, the mode button 2b, and the contents to be set using the selection dial 5 (for example, an exposure mode and a shooting mode) are recognized through the interface 8. CPU 10
Is transmitted to the driver 9 as data, such as the contents of the settings and the contents of the currently set processing being performed, to be displayed on the LCD display unit 3. Therefore, the user operates the LCD display unit 3
It is possible to perform various setting operations and photographing while visually confirming the contents of the processing and the setting status (see FIG. 3).

The cable 30 has connectors 31 at both ends. By inserting each connector 31 into each connection terminal 1 of the camera 100A and the camera 100B,
The camera 100A and the camera 100B are electrically connected,
Enables two-way communication for release.

Usually, the camera 100A or the camera 100
When using B alone, release button 4
Is fully pressed, the CP in each camera 100A, 100B
U10 instructs only the respective shutter mechanisms 20 to release. However, as will be described later, when the camera is connected using the cable 30 and the communication function of both cameras is operated to perform shooting, when the release button 4 of one of the main cameras is fully pressed, the CPU 10 of the main machine is pressed. Not only instructs the shutter mechanism 20 of its own device to release, but also
Via the cable 30, the C of the other camera serving as the sub-machine
A release signal is transmitted to PU10. That is, it is possible to instruct the release of the sub machine by operating the main machine.

In the present specification, for convenience, the camera 100A
Will be described as a main unit and the camera 100B as a sub unit. The following is a description of the camera 100A, which is the main unit, unless otherwise specified.

Next, the operation of setting the photographing environment will be described. FIG. 3 shows a mode dial 2a, a mode button 2b,
L when the shooting environment is set using the selection dial 5
FIG. 4 is a transition diagram showing display contents of a CD display unit 3; First, the user is asked to turn off the cameras 100A and 10A.
After connecting the two cameras to each other with a cable 30, the power of both cameras is turned on.

By the above operation of the user, each camera 10
The CPUs 10A and 100B automatically activate the communication function, and display “COM” and “CHECK” on each LCD display unit 3.
The character "K" is displayed (D1). Note that “COM” display means that shooting is performed using the communication function, and “C” is displayed.
The “HECK” display means that an operation of confirming the release preparation state of the sub unit is performed when performing photographing using the communication function.

When the LCD display unit 3 is in the state of D1, "CH
If the character “ECK” is kept displayed, a check mode for checking the release preparation state of the camera 100B at the time of shooting is selected. In the state of D1, using the selection dial 5 of the camera 100A serving as the main unit, "CHE
If the “CK” character is not displayed, the camera 100B
The non-check mode in which the release preparation state is not confirmed is selected. The release preparation means film winding, shutter charge, and the like, and the camera whose release preparation is completed is in a state where the release can be immediately performed.

If the check mode is selected, the CPU 10
Since the release command is issued after confirming that the camera 100B and the camera 100B can be released, the shutters of both cameras can be reliably released. On the other hand, when the non-check mode is selected, the CPU 10 always instructs the release at the same time as the elapse of a desired time set by the user without confirming whether or not the own device and the camera 100B are ready to release.

Comparing the two modes, it can be said that the non-check mode is more accurate in terms of the timing for instructing the release. However, it can be said that the check mode is more reliable in terms of whether the shutters of both cameras can be released as instructed by the release. Therefore, it is usually desirable to select the check mode.

The user selects an arbitrary mode for checking the release state of the camera 100B and presses the mode button 2b.
Is pressed, the shooting mode selection screen (D
2 to D4) are displayed. The display contents shown in FIG.
All are in the state where the check mode is selected.

In D2 to D4, the photographing mode is selected by rotating the mode dial 2a. Camera 1
When the camera 100A or the camera 100B is used alone, the shooting mode can be selected from various types such as a single-frame shooting mode, a self-timer shooting mode, and a multiple shooting mode. However, when the communication function is operated in the photographing system 200, the photographing modes include the continuous photographing mode (D2; the first embodiment), the interval photographing mode (D3; the second embodiment), and the single-frame photographing mode (D4). Any one of the third embodiment). Hereinafter, the setting operation will be described for each shooting mode.

The continuous shooting mode (D
2) is a shooting mode in which the cameras 100A and 100B are continuously released. In FIG. 3, the continuous (D2) is selected by the selection dial 5 and the mode button 2b is selected.
Is pressed once, the continuous shooting mode detailed setting screen (D2
a) is displayed and the continuous shooting method is set. In the present embodiment, there are two types of continuous shooting methods: normal and synchro.

Normal is a continuous photographing method in which a release instruction is continuously issued alternately while keeping a predetermined interval (ΔT ₀ ) to each of the cameras 100A and 100B while the release button 4 is fully pressed. The same effect as in the case where high-speed continuous shooting is performed using a camera with a so-called fast film winding can be obtained. In this embodiment, as described above, the same type of camera is used for both the main unit and the sub unit. Therefore, ΔT ₀ is set so that the other camera can complete the release preparation while one camera is releasing, and continuous shooting can be performed without wasting time.
(And the camera 100B) are set to half the time required for the release preparation.

The synchro operation means that the operation of the release button 4 is the same as the normal operation.
This is a continuous shooting method in which 0B can be released simultaneously. By performing synchronous photography, continuous photography can be performed from different angles at the same timing.

On the detailed setting screen (D2a), the user rotates the selection dial 5 to select one of the above two types of continuous shooting methods, and presses the mode button 2b to set a desired continuous shooting method. .

In the interval shooting mode (D3) according to the second embodiment, when the user presses the release button 4 once and releases it, the release timing (time) and release interval (time) set in the work described later are performed. ,
This is a shooting mode in which the cameras 100A and 100B are released a desired number of times. Here, the release timing means a time difference between the release of the main unit and the release of the sub unit. The release interval means an interval from the time when the main machine performs the first release to the time when the next release is performed.

In FIG. 3, when the interval (D3) is selected by the selection dial 5 and the mode button 2b is pressed once, a release timing setting screen (D3a) for setting a release timing is displayed. On the release timing setting screen (D3a), the default is 00s
(Seconds) is displayed. The user selects a desired release timing is increased or decreased numbers in rotating the selection dial 5, press the mode button 2b to set the desired release timing [Delta] T _1.

In this embodiment, the release timing is 0 s.
(Seconds) to 12h (time) at regular intervals. Here, if the release timing ΔT ₁ is set to 0 s, it is possible to perform interval shooting in which the two cameras 100A and 100B are released simultaneously. The unit displayed on the LCD display unit 3 by rotating the selection dial 5 in one direction is s (seconds) · m
(Minutes) and h (hours).

[0039] When the setting of release timing [Delta] T ₁ is completed, the release interval setting screen for setting the release interval (D3b) is displayed. On the release interval setting screen (D3b), 01s (second) is displayed as a default. The same operation as when setting the release timing, sets the desired release interval [Delta] T _2. In this embodiment, the release interval is 1 s (second) to 12 h at a constant interval.
(Time) can be set. By rotating the selection dial 5 in one direction, the unit displayed on the LCD display unit 3 changes in the order of s (second), m (minute), and h (time).

When the setting of the release interval ΔT ₂ is completed, a release number setting screen (D3c) for setting the total number of releases of the cameras 100A and 100B.
Is displayed. On the release count setting screen (D3c),
1 (times) is displayed as a default. A desired number of releases M is selected and set in the same operation as when the release timing is set. In the present embodiment, it is possible to set the number of times from 1 to 72 in consideration of the maximum number of 35 mm films. Release timing setting screen (D3a)
When the release timing ΔT ₁ is set to 0 s,
During shooting, the CPU 10 controls the two cameras 100A and 100B.
Since the number of releases is counted simultaneously, the number of releases can be set only an even number.

The single-frame shooting mode (D
4) is a continuous shooting method in which a release instruction is alternately issued once to each of the cameras 100A and 100B each time the user fully presses and releases the release button 4 once. The cameras 100A and 100B can be released.

The continuous shooting method (D
When the setting of 2a) and the setting of the number of releases (D3c) in the interval shooting mode are completed, the CPU 10
A setting end screen (D5) is displayed on the CD display unit 3 to notify the user that the shooting preparation is ready. In the case of selecting the single-frame shooting mode, since no detailed settings are made, one frame (D4) is selected by the selection dial 5 and the mode button 2b is pressed once in FIG. Displays a setting end screen (D5).

During the setting operation of the photographing environment described above, the check mode is selected and the mode button 2b is pressed (FIG. 3).
CPU 10 is a sub-machine camera 10
A communication confirmation signal (COM signal) for confirming that the communication regarding the release is performed is transmitted to the CPU 10 of 0B.
When the check mode is selected, the CPU 10 also transmits a check signal notifying that the release preparation state is to be checked simultaneously with the COM signal. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by the CPU 10 of the camera 100B in each embodiment. Upon receiving the COM signal from the camera 100A (S201), the CPU 10 of the camera 100B automatically waits for an instruction from the main unit as a sub unit during shooting using the communication function (S201).
203). Therefore, in the present embodiment, the camera 100
It is not necessary for B to perform any special setting work.

In the process of S203, the CPU 10 of the camera 100B, which is in a state of waiting for an instruction from the main unit,
A standby signal is sent to the CPU 10 of the camera 100A to notify that it is in a standby state as a sub unit (S
205). Then, it is confirmed whether a check signal is received from the camera 100A simultaneously with the COM signal (S20).
7) If a check signal has been received (S207: YE)
S) Release processing (1) is performed (S209), and if a check signal has not been received (S207: NO), release processing (2) is performed (S211). FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the release process (1) of S209, and FIG.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the eleventh release process (2).

By setting the photographing environment in this way,
Various types of imaging as described below can be performed. The continuous shooting method set in the continuous shooting mode, the release timing ΔT ₁ set in the interval shooting mode, and the like are all stored in the memory 6 as user data. The user data is stored in the CPU 1 at the time of shooting.
0 is read and used not only for giving a release instruction, but also as a default value at the time of setting the next shooting environment.

Next, the photographing system 200 according to the present invention
The processing performed by the CPU 10 of the camera 100 </ b> A in the case of photographing by using will be described separately for each embodiment.

First, a description will be given of the photographing in the continuous photographing mode according to the first embodiment. FIGS. 4 and 5 are flowcharts showing the processing performed by the CPU 10 when performing continuous shooting.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the CPU 10 when the continuous shooting method is set to normal. When the release button 4 is fully pressed (S1: YES), the CPU 10 is in a standby state until the release button 4 is fully pressed by the user (S1: YES). It is determined whether or not (S3). When it is determined that the release preparation is completed (S3: YES), the shutter mechanism 20 is instructed to perform release (S5). Thereby, photographing by the camera 100A is performed.

After instructing the release (S5), it is determined whether or not the release button 4 is still fully pressed (S7). If the release button 4 has not been pressed (S7: NO), an end signal is transmitted to the camera 100B (S21), and the shooting ends.

On the other hand, if a state where the release button 4 is pressed yet full (S7: YES), CPU10 counts the predetermined interval ΔT ₀ (S9). Next, if the check mode is set (S11: YES), the release preparation completion signal from the camera 100B (S2 in FIG. 10)
Is determined (S1).
3). If the release preparation signal has been received from the camera 100B (S13: YES), the CPU 10
It is determined that the release preparation for B has been completed, and the camera 10
A release signal is transmitted to the CPU 10 of the CPU 10B (S1).
5). Photographing by the camera 100B is performed in synchronization with this release signal (see S241 in FIG. 10).

If the non-check mode is set in S11 (S11: NO), the CPU 10
A release signal is immediately transmitted to the CPU 10 of the camera 100B without determining that the release preparation of the camera 100B is completed (S15). Photographing by the camera 100B is performed in synchronization with the release signal (S241 in FIG. 11).
reference).

When the release signal is transmitted to the camera 100B in S15, the CPU 10 again determines whether or not the release button 4 is still fully pressed (S17). When the release button 4 is determined to be in a state that is fully pressed (S17: YES), after counting the predetermined interval ΔT ₀ (S19: YES), the process is repeated to S3 again.

If it is determined in step S17 that the release button has not been fully pressed (S17: NO), the process proceeds to step S17.
After transmitting an end signal to the camera 100B in the same manner as when it is determined to be NO in step 7 (S21), the continuous shooting process ends.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the CPU 10 when the continuous shooting method is set to synchro. The process until the release button 4 is fully pressed by the user (S31: YES) and it is determined whether or not the self-device is in a state where the release preparation is completed (S33) is the same as that in the normal setting (FIG. 4). Medium, S1, S3).

If it is determined that the release preparation of the own device is completed (S33: YES), and if the check mode is set (S35: YES), the release preparation completion signal from the camera 100B (S235 in FIG. 10). (See S37). When the release preparation completion signal is received and it is determined that the release preparation of the camera 100B is also completed (S37: YES), the CPU
10 instructs the shutter mechanism 20 of the camera 100A to perform a release, and simultaneously transmits a release signal to the CPU 10 of the camera 100B (S39).
By the processing of S39, the camera 100A and the camera 100B
Can release the shutter at the same time (in FIG. 10, S
241).

If the non-check mode is set in S35 (S35: NO), the CPU 10 releases the shutter mechanism 20 of the camera 100A without judging the completion of the release preparation of the camera 100B. At the same time, the CPU 1 of the camera 100B
A release signal is transmitted for 0 (S39). By the processing of S39, the camera 100A and the camera 100B can release the shutter at the same time (see S241 in FIG. 11).

At S41, S7 at the time of normal setting
Release button 4 in the same manner as in the processing of FIG.
Is determined to be in the fully pressed state, and if it is fully pressed, the processing from S33 is repeated (S33).
41: YES). If the user has not already pressed the release button 4 (S41: NO), the CP of the camera 100B
After transmitting the end signal to U10 (S43), the continuous photographing process ends.

Next, the CPU 1 of the camera 100B corresponds to the processing of the CPU 10 when photographing in the continuous photographing mode.
0 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11.

First, the processing of the CPU 10 of the camera 100B when a check signal is received from the camera 100A, that is, when shooting is performed in the check mode, will be described.
FIG. 10 shows the camera 1 when shooting in the check mode.
Release processing (1) performed by the CPU 10 of FIG.
2 is a flowchart showing S209).

When the release preparation is completed (S231: YES), the CPU 10 of the camera 100B
A release preparation completion signal is transmitted to A (S235). Thereafter, it is determined whether an end signal (S21 in FIG. 4 and S43 in FIG. 5) from the camera 100A has been received, and if the end signal has not been received (S237: NO), the camera 10
Release signal from 0A (S15 in FIG. 4, S3 in FIG. 5)
It is determined whether or not 9) has been received (S239).

A release signal from the camera 100A (FIG. 4)
(S239 in FIG. 5, S39 in FIG. 5) is received (S239:
In YES, the CPU 10 of the camera 100B issues a release instruction to the shutter mechanism 20 of the camera 100B (S241), and then repeats the processing from S231 again. Conversely, when the release signal (S15 in FIG. 4) from the camera 100A has not been received (S239: NO),
The processing from S237 is repeated, and the camera 100A enters a standby state until the end signal (S237) or the release signal (S239) is transmitted. In S237, when the end signal from the camera 100A is received (S237).
(237: YES), the CPU 10 of the camera 100B ends the shooting processing (RET).

The above is the processing of the CPU 10 of the camera 100B when shooting in the check mode. On the other hand, when a check signal is not received from the camera 100A, that is, when shooting is performed in the non-check mode,
Release process (2) of the CPU 10 of FIG.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing 11).

The content of the release process (2) performed by the CPU 10 of the camera 100B when shooting in the non-check mode is a process of transmitting a release preparation completion signal in the release process (1) (S235). Everything else is the same, just not there. Therefore, all the processes shown in FIG. 11 are numbered (S231, S237 to S237) in FIG.
241), and the description thereof will be omitted.

The above is the description of the photographing in the continuous photographing mode of the first embodiment. When normal shooting is performed with normal setting, the CPU 10 repeats the processing from S3 to S19 as long as the user continues to fully press the release button 4, and the CPU 10 of the camera 100B performs processing from S231 to S24.
Processing up to 1 (except S235 in non-check mode)
Is repeated, the camera 100A and the camera 1
00B can be alternately and continuously released.

If continuous shooting is performed with the synchro setting, as long as the user continues to press the release button 4 fully,
The CPU 10 repeats the processing from S33 to S41,
The CPU 10 of the camera 100B repeats the processing from S231 to S241 (except for S235 in the non-check mode).
B can be simultaneously and continuously released.

Next, a description will be given of a second embodiment, which is the photographing in the interval photographing mode. FIGS. 6 and 7 are flowcharts showing the processing performed by the CPU 10 when performing interval shooting.

FIG. 6 shows the case where the release timing ΔT ₁ is set to a value other than 0 s in the interval photographing.
3 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed by a PU. When the user fully presses and releases the release button 4 (S51:
YES), the CPU 10 starts counting the number of times of release K, and sets the number of times K to 1 (S53). Further, it is determined whether the release preparation of the own device is completed (S5).
5).

If it is determined that the release preparation is completed (S55: YES), the CPU 10
A release instruction is issued (S57). According to this release instruction, photographing is performed by the camera 100A. Next, the number of times of release K is counted, and the number of times K is set to 2 (S59).
If the number of times K (here, 2) exceeds the desired set number of times M (that is, M = 1), it means that the release has been performed by the set number of times M (S61: YES), and the CPU 10 sends an end signal to the camera 100B. Is transmitted (S77), and the shooting ends.

In S61, when the number K does not exceed the desired set number M (here, M = 2 or more) (S61: N
O), the CPU 10 determines the desired release timing ΔT stored in the memory 6 from the release instruction performed in S57.
It is determined whether ₁ has elapsed (S63). And release timing ΔT ₁ has elapsed (S63: YE
S) If the check mode is set (S65:
If YES, it is determined whether a release preparation completion signal (see S235 in FIG. 10) has been received from the camera 100B (S67). When receiving the release preparation completion signal (S67: YES), the CPU 10 transmits a release signal to the camera 100B (S69). Photographing by the camera 100B is performed in synchronization with the release signal (FIG. 1).
0 S241).

If the non-check mode is set in S65 (S65: NO), the CPU 10
The release signal is immediately transmitted to the CPU 10 of the camera 100B without determining that the release preparation of the camera 100B is completed (S69). Photographing by the camera 100B is performed in synchronization with the release signal (see S241 in FIG. 11).

A release signal is transmitted to the camera 100B (S
After 69), the release number K is counted again, and the number K is set to 3 (S71). If the number K (here, 3) exceeds the desired set number M (that is, M = 2), it means that the release has been performed the set number M (S73: Y).
ES), the CPU 10 transmits an end signal to the camera 100B (S77), and ends the shooting. When the number K does not exceed the desired set number M (here, M = 3 or more) (S7)
3: NO), the desired release interval ΔT stored in the memory 6 from the release instruction made in S57
After the elapse of the _second time, the processing from S55 is repeated (S7
5: YES), a release instruction is issued a desired number of times M.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the CPU 10 when the release timing ΔT ₁ is set to 0 s. When the release timing ΔT ₁ is set to 0 s, each camera 100A,
100B can be simultaneously shuttered.

When the user fully presses and releases the release button 4 once (S91: YES), the number of releases K is counted (S93), and it is determined whether or not the own machine is in a state where release preparations are completed. to until the processing of (S95) is the same as setting the release timing [Delta] T ₁ described above to a value other than 0 (S55 from in FIG 6 S51).

However, when the release timing ΔT ₁ is set to 0, the CPU 10 determines that the release preparation of its own device is completed (S95: YES), and then determines whether the check mode is set. Yes (S9
7).

If the check mode is set (S9
7: YES), it is determined whether or not a release preparation completion signal (see S235 in FIG. 10) has been received from the camera 100B (S99). When the release preparation completion signal is received and it is determined that the release preparation of the camera 100B is also completed (S99: YES), the CPU 10
At the same time as instructing the shutter mechanism 20 of 00A to perform release, a release signal is transmitted to the CPU 10 of the camera 100B (S101). By the processing of S101, the shutters of the camera 100A and the camera 100B can be simultaneously released (see S241 in FIG. 10).

If the non-check mode is set in S97 (S97: NO), the CPU 10 releases the shutter mechanism 20 of the camera 100A without judging the completion of the release preparation of the camera 100B. At the same time, the CPU 1 of the camera 100B
A release signal is transmitted for 0 (S101). S10
By the processing of No. 1, the shutters of the camera 100A and the camera 100B can be simultaneously released (S24 in FIG. 11).
1).

Next, the CPU 10 counts the number of times of release K twice, and sets the number of times K to 3 (S103). When the number of times K (here, 3) exceeds the desired set number of times M (that is, M = 2), the release has been performed by the set number of times M (S105: YES), and the CPU 10
Transmits an end signal to the camera 100B (S10
9). If the number K does not exceed the desired set number M (here, M = 4 or more) (S105: NO), S10
After a desired release interval ΔT ₂ stored in the memory 6 has elapsed since the release instruction made in step 1, S
The processing from step 95 is repeated (S107: YES), and a release instruction is issued a desired number of times M.

When shooting in the interval shooting mode,
The processing performed by the CPU 10 of the camera 100B is the same as the processing performed when shooting in the continuous shooting mode described above.
That is, when shooting in the check mode, FIG.
The release process (1) shown in FIG. 11 is performed, and when shooting is performed in the non-check mode, the release process (2) shown in FIG. 11 is performed. Therefore, description is omitted.

The above is the description of the photographing in the interval photographing mode of the second embodiment. When the interval shooting is performed, the release button 4 is fully pressed once and released (S
51: YES), the two connected cameras 100
Until the sum of the releases A and 100B reaches the desired number (S61, S73), the release of both cameras can be performed alternately (S57, S69). Moreover, between the release and the camera 100B camera 100A may take the desired release timing [Delta] T ₁ (S6
3). Further, a desired release interval ΔT ₂ can be set between the first release of the camera 100A and the second release of the camera 100A (S75).

[0080] Further, when performing the interval shooting by setting the release timing [Delta] T ₁ to 0 s, the user releases held down the release button 4 once (S91: YES), 2 two cameras 100A connected, 100B Until the total number of the shutter releases reaches a desired number (S105), the two cameras can be simultaneously released (S101). Moreover it is possible to take the desired release interval [Delta] T ₂ between the first release and second release (S107).

Next, a description will be given of a third embodiment of photographing in the one-frame photographing mode. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a process performed by the CPU 10 when one frame is shot. CPU 10 in standby state (S121: NO)
When the user fully presses the release button 4 once and then releases it (S121: YES), it determines whether or not its own device is ready for release (S123).
When it is determined that the release preparation is completed (S1
23: YES), and instructs the shutter mechanism 20 to perform release (S125). Thereby, photographing by the camera 100A is performed.

The CPU 10 which has issued the release instruction to the shutter mechanism 20 in S125 determines whether or not the user has once again fully pressed the release button 4 and then released it (S127). The CPU 10 is in a standby state until the release button 4 is fully pressed (S127: NO).
The release button is fully pressed again (S127: YE
S) and if the check mode is set (S12)
9: YES), it is determined whether or not a release preparation completion signal (see S235 in FIG. 10) has been received from the camera 100B (S131). If the release preparation signal has been received from the camera 100B (S131: YES), the CP
U10 transmits a release signal to camera 100B (S10).
133). In synchronization with this release signal, the camera 100B
(See S241 in FIG. 10).

If the non-check mode is set in S129 (S129: NO), the CPU 10
Transmits a release signal to the CPU 10 of the camera 100B immediately without determining that the release preparation of the camera 100B is completed (S133). Photographing by the camera 100B is performed in synchronization with the release signal (S2 in FIG. 11).
41).

After transmitting the release signal, the CPU 10 waits until the release button 4 is fully pressed again (S10).
121: NO), when the release button 4 is fully pressed,
The processing from S123 is repeated (S121:
YES).

When the image is shot in the single-frame shooting mode, the processing performed by the CPU 10 of the camera 100B is not always transmitted from the CPU 10 of the camera 100A, so that the processing of step S237 in FIGS. NO
The processing is the same as the processing performed in the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, except that the determination is made.

The above is the description of the shooting in the one-frame shooting mode of the third embodiment. When one frame is shot, each time the user presses and releases the release button 4 once at a desired timing, the CPU 10 issues a release instruction (S12).
5) and transmission of a release signal to the camera 100B (S13)
Since 3) is performed alternately, the shutters of the two cameras 100A and 100B can be alternately released by operating one camera.

In each of the above embodiments, the description has been made using the camera with the communication function as the sub-machine. However, as long as the main machine is at least the camera with the communication function according to the present invention, the sub-machine is not used. A camera that does not have a communication function may be used. However, in this case, since the release status of the release cannot be transmitted from the sub unit, the mode is limited to the non-check mode at the time of shooting.

The photographing system 200 according to the present invention has been described above.
It is an explanation of the embodiment. The imaging system according to the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

For example, in each of the above embodiments, the camera 10
Although communication is performed using two cameras, that is, the camera 0A and the camera 100B, it is also possible to use two or more cameras and provide a plurality of sub units. Therefore, the cable 30 used to connect the two cameras can be a cable that is branched into several parts in the middle and is in a branched state, or can be cordlessly deformed by using infrared rays.

As the camera used in the present invention, various kinds of cameras such as an APS camera and a digital camera can be used as well as a camera for 35-mm film and medium format film for taking 36 pictures.

Therefore, the settable range such as the release timing and the release interval and the setting contents of the other photographing environment can be changed depending on the type of the camera and the film used and the photographing mode. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the release interval (ΔT ₀ ) between the main unit and the sub-unit during continuous shooting is set to a half of the time required for preparing the release of the camera 100A (100B). Is set in advance, but is not limited to this. The user can also set the interval ΔT ₀ to an arbitrary value when setting the shooting environment.

The photographing system according to the present invention does not need to have all of the above three photographing modes. For example, an imaging system having only the interval imaging mode of the second embodiment may be used. Further, the photographing system according to the present invention is not applied only to the above three kinds of photographing modes. For example, if the shooting system has a self-timer shooting mode, it is possible to use multiple cameras to simultaneously shoot self-timers of subjects from different angles, or to shoot self-timers sequentially with a set time difference. Become.

Note that the camera with a communication function used in the present invention is provided with a communication release button that can always release only the sub-machine connected to the camera independently of each embodiment. Deformation is also possible.

[0094]

As described above, the photographing system of the present invention communicates release-related information between cameras under a desired photographing environment set by the user, so that the releases of a plurality of cameras are always performed at a constant timing. It can be performed continuously.

Therefore, for example, even if a camera equipped with a medium format film, which cannot perform high-speed continuous shooting because of high image quality but slow winding, by connecting a plurality of cameras using the photographing system according to the present invention, The same shooting effect as in the case of performing high-speed continuous shooting can be obtained.

Further, even for a camera equipped with a film having a small number of shots, the interval is interrupted in order to frequently change the film during shooting by setting a plurality of connected cameras in the shooting system according to the present invention. This eliminates the need to perform interval shooting, and allows long-time interval shooting.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a photographing system 200 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a photographing system 200 of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a transition diagram showing contents displayed on an LCD display unit 3 when various settings are made using a mode dial 2a or the like.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed by a CPU of a camera when performing continuous shooting with a shooting method set to normal according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed by a CPU of a camera when a continuous shooting is performed with the shooting method set to synchro according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by the CPU of the camera 100A when performing interval shooting with the release timing ΔT ₁ set to a value other than 0 s according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 shows a camera 10 according to the second embodiment when the release timing ΔT ₁ is set to 0 s to perform interval shooting.
9 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed by a CPU 10 of 0A.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by a CPU 10 of a camera 100A according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed by a CPU 10 of a camera 100B according to each embodiment.

FIG. 10 shows a camera 1 when shooting in a check mode.
12 is a flowchart illustrating a release process (1) performed by the CPU 10 of 00B.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a release process (2) performed by the CPU 10 of the camera 100B when shooting is performed in the non-check mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Connection terminal 2a Mode dial 2b Mode button 3 LCD display part 4 Release button 5 Selection dial 10 CPU 20 Shutter mechanism 30 Connection cable 31 Connector 100A, 100B Camera with communication function 200 Photographing system

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A camera comprising at least a first camera and a second camera, wherein the first camera has a first photographing means, an operation means, and a release signal for instructing the second camera to perform a release. And a control unit configured to transmit a release signal to the second camera by the transmission unit in accordance with a predetermined operation of the operation unit. The second camera includes: A second photographing unit; and a first receiving unit that receives the release signal from the first camera, wherein the second photographing unit photographs when a release signal is received from the first camera. A photographing system characterized by performing: 2. The control means according to a predetermined operation of the operation means, performs alternately the photographing by the first photographing means and the transmission of the release signal by the first transmitting means. The photographing system according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The operation according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined operation is an operation for shifting the operation means from a non-operation state to an operation state. Shooting by the first shooting means;
The photographing system according to claim 2, wherein the transmission of the release signal by the first transmission unit is performed alternately. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined operation is an operation of holding the operation unit in a predetermined state, and the control unit controls the operation of the first imaging unit while the predetermined state is maintained. The photographing system according to claim 2, wherein photographing and transmission of a release signal by the first transmitting unit are alternately performed. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined operation is an operation of shifting the operation unit from a non-operation state to an operation state, and the control unit is configured to execute the operation when the operation unit shifts from the non-operation state to the operation state once. The photographing system according to claim 2, wherein photographing by the first photographing unit and transmission of the release signal by the first transmitting unit are alternately performed a predetermined number of times. 6. The photographing system according to claim 5, wherein the first camera has a number setting means for arbitrarily setting the predetermined number. 7. The first camera arbitrarily sets a timing at which the first photographing unit performs photographing and a timing at which the first transmitting unit transmits a release signal. The photographing system according to claim 4, further comprising a setting unit. 8. The second camera has a second transmission unit for transmitting a release preparation completion signal for notifying that the release preparation is completed to the first camera, wherein the first camera is provided with: A second receiving unit that receives a release preparation completion signal, wherein the control unit does not execute transmission of the release signal by the first transmission unit until a release preparation completion signal is received. The imaging system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein 9. The first camera transmits a predetermined confirmation signal to the second camera, and after the second camera receives the predetermined confirmation signal, the second camera transmits the confirmation signal to the second camera. 9. A release preparation completion signal is transmitted to the first camera.
An imaging system according to item 1. 10. A camera comprising at least a first camera and a second camera, wherein the first camera has a first photographing means, an operation means, and a release signal for instructing the second camera to perform a release. A first transmitting unit for transmitting an image, and a control unit for executing photographing by the first photographing unit and transmitting a release signal by the first transmitting unit in accordance with a predetermined operation of the operating unit. Wherein the second camera comprises: a second photographing means; and a first receiving means for receiving the release signal from the first camera. The control means comprises: After the interval ΔT ₁ has elapsed since the first photographing by the means, the release signal is transmitted by the first transmitting means, and after the first photographing by the first photographing means is performed. After the interval ΔT ₂ has elapsed The second photographing unit executes the second photographing, the second photographing unit performs photographing when receiving a release signal from the first camera, and the interval ΔT ₁ and the interval ΔT ₂ are respectively An imaging system characterized by being variable. 11. A photographing means, an operating means, a transmitting means for transmitting a release signal to another camera, a photographing by the photographing means in response to a predetermined operation of the operating means, and a release signal by the transmitting means. And a control unit for executing the transmission of the data.