JP2003215676A - Strobe control system of single-lens reflex camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a strobe control system of a single-lens reflex camera which performs easy and consistent lighting control over an internal strobe regardless of presence/absence of an additional external strobe. <P>SOLUTION: A CPU 21 monitors whether the internal strobe is in a pop-up state or charging completed state and turns on the internal strobe when the internal strobe is set to leading-curtain synchronization. An X signal is outputted regardless of the pop-up state of the internal strobe. When the external strobe 2 is set to front-curtain synchronization, simultaneous lighting is carried out. When the internal strobe is set to rear-curtain synchronization, the external strobe 2 emits light and when the front-curtain synchronization is set, only the external strobe 2 emits light. When the internal strobe is not in the pop-up state, the external strobe 2 is able to perform front-curtain lighting or rear- curtain lighting. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a single-lens reflex camera having a pop-up type built-in strobe device to which an external strobe can be connected, and more particularly, to light emission control of the built-in strobe of the camera and the external strobe.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a single-lens reflex camera equipped with a built-in strobe, a camera that allows the photographer to manually pop up or pop down the built-in strobe when the built-in strobe fires, as well as the built-in flash firing mode and metering A camera has been proposed which automatically performs pop-up and pop-down of a built-in flash according to information such as a value and the operating state of the camera (Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 2-935260, 3-2).
09229, JP-A-3-209446).

Even a single-lens reflex camera equipped with a built-in strobe is required to be able to be fitted with an external strobe for additional lighting, and an external strobe can be connected to a strobe hot shoe or synchro terminal. Various cameras have been proposed (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-218441, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-218441).
-73867).

[0004]

However, when the presence / absence of the built-in flash is automatically controlled by the photographing mode or the luminous mode of the camera, the photographing mode, the luminous mode, the charging state of the built-in strobe, etc. are confirmed by various display members. However, the setting may be complicated or it may be difficult for the photographer to know whether or not the flash fires. Also,
When an external strobe for additional lighting is attached to the camera, if the built-in strobe fires at the same time, proper exposure may not be obtained, or only the external strobe may fire and the firing of the built-in strobe may be restricted. The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a strobe control system for a single-lens reflex camera with simple and consistent light emission control of a built-in strobe regardless of the presence or absence of an external strobe for additional lighting. To provide.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, a strobe control method according to the present invention is a single lens reflex camera to which an external strobe can be connected, wherein the camera includes a pop-up built-in strobe and a built-in strobe. The device includes a first detection unit that detects a pop-up state, a second detection unit that detects a charging state of the built-in strobe, and a dimming control unit at the time of strobe shooting, and the built-in unit is provided by the first detection unit. The built-in strobe is allowed to emit light only when it is detected that the built-in strobe is in the pop-up state, and the built-in strobe is prohibited from being emitted when the built-in strobe is found to be in the pop-down state by the first detecting means. However, when the first detection means detects that the built-in flash is in the pop-up state, the second detection is performed. Stage does not shift to the release sequence until it detects that the built-in flash is fully charged, and always outputs the front curtain sync flash trigger signal for the external strobe in the release sequence regardless of the pop-up state of the built-in flash. Is configured to let. Further, the camera according to the present invention comprises a control means for causing the built-in flash to emit front curtain synchronized light emission and rear curtain synchronized light emission, and an operation member for setting the built-in flash synchronization mode to front curtain synchronized light emission or rear curtain synchronized light emission. It is configured to have.
Further, the camera according to the present invention is provided with a means for outputting a rear curtain sync light emission trigger signal for the external strobe,
The first detecting means detects that the built-in flash is in a pop-up state, and when the operating member sets the sync mode of the built-in flash to the front curtain sync flash setting, the rear curtain sync flash for the external flash is emitted. It is configured to prohibit the output of the trigger signal. The camera according to the present invention includes a communication unit for communicating with the external strobe, and when an external strobe capable of communicating with the camera is attached, the communication unit detects that the external strobe emits front curtain synchronized light. In this case, the rear curtain synchro emission of the built-in flash is prohibited.

[0006]

According to the above construction, when the built-in strobe is in the pop-up state, it always emits light and outputs the X-contact signal which is the front curtain synchronized light emission trigger signal of the external strobe. Further, it is possible to set the front film and rear film synchronized luminescence for the built-in strobe and the external strobe, respectively. When both are set to the same synchronized light emission, both emit light, and when they are different from each other, only the strobe for which the front film synchronized light emission is set is emitted.

[0007]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external view of a camera system to which a strobe control method according to the present invention is applied.
The camera 1 has a built-in strobe 13 of a pop-up type above the finder. A hot shoe 3 is arranged on the upper cover of the camera, and the hot shoe adapter 4 of the external strobe 2 can be attached to the hot shoe 3. The camera 1 can communicate with the external strobe 2 to detect the state of charge of the strobe.

In the center of the back of the external strobe 2, the IS
A liquid crystal panel 11 is provided on which the setting states such as O value, lens F value, and focal length are displayed. The liquid crystal panel 11 is provided with a sync mode switch SW8 capable of switching between the front curtain sync and the rear curtain sync, and a strobe mode switch SW9 on the right side thereof. In the sync mode switch SW8, the "Normal" position is the front curtain sync position, and the strobe mark is the rear curtain sync position. Strobe mode switch SW9 "TTL"
The position automatically performs TTL dimming by communicating with the camera. The "M" position is a manual flash for manually determining the flash emission amount.

Below the liquid crystal panel 11, there are provided a strobe main SW 12 and a push-type setting switch 10 used for various settings during strobe manual flash. The built-in strobe 13 can be popped up while the external strobe 2 is connected, and the two strobes can emit light at the same time or only one of the strobes. The external strobe 2 and the built-in strobe 13 can emit front curtain sync light and rear curtain sync light, respectively. The present invention reasonably controls the light emission corresponding to the setting states of the two strobes in such a case.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a pop-up state of a strobe control type camera according to the present invention. When the built-in flash 13 is popped up, a sync mode setting switch 25 that can switch between the front curtain sync flash and the rear curtain sync flash is provided inside.
On the side of the camera, there is further arranged an X contact terminal 15 to which another external strobe can be connected. As shown in (b), the pop-up detection SW 24 is installed at the rotation end of the outer lid of the built-in strobe 13, and when the built-in strobe 13 pops up, the end of the switch pushes the switch head to detect the pop-up state. You can

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a strobe control circuit according to the present invention. For simplification of explanation, the initial state of all signals is described as L level. In the normal operation mode of the camera, when the CPU 21 in the camera detects the H level of the pop-up detection SW 24 linked to the pop-up operation of the built-in flash 13, it controls the built-in strobe charging / light emitting circuit 22 to start the charging of the built-in strobe capacitor. . A voltage obtained by dividing the charging voltage, that is, the voltage between the terminals of the capacitor by the charging voltage monitor circuit (second detecting means) 23 is used as the charging monitor voltage, and the charging monitor voltage is AD-converted and monitored by the CPU 21 during charging.

During charging, the LCD display section 27 in the viewfinder
A predetermined character blinks at about 2 Hz to indicate that charging is in progress. During charging, even if it is detected that the release switch 26 is pressed, the release sequence is not started. When the charging monitor voltage detects that the charging voltage has reached a predetermined voltage, the built-in flash charging / light emitting circuit 22 is controlled to end the charging of the built-in flash capacitor, and a predetermined character is displayed on the LCD display section 27 in the viewfinder. The display is turned on to indicate that charging is completed.

When the CPU 21 detects that the release switch 26 has been pressed, the camera shifts from the normal operation mode to the release sequence. When shifting to the release sequence, the CPU 21 causes the shutter charging motor 2
8 is controlled to charge the shutter front curtain 29 and the shutter rear curtain 30 and raise the mirror. Next, dimming IC3
Photo reflector 3 for communication with 2 and shutter curtain running monitoring
After the LED 1 is energized, the shutter front curtain 29 starts to run. The photo reflector 31 is configured in the camera so as to output an H level when the shutter curtain is open and an L level when the shutter curtain is closed.

Immediately after the shutter front curtain 29 has completed traveling, that is, immediately after the shutter curtain has opened, the front curtain synchro emission control sequence is entered. Completion of running of the shutter front curtain can be detected by monitoring the timing when the output of the photo reflector 31 changes from L level to H level. In the front curtain sync flash control sequence, the external strobe 2 with communication function and the external strobe (other external strobe) 34 are used.
Outputs the X signal that is the front curtain synchronization flash trigger of. X
The signal may be output using a mechanical switch in the shutter. The mechanical switch in the shutter is configured to be turned on after the front curtain starts running.

When the external strobe 2 with a communication function is attached, the charge state of the external strobe 2 with a communication function can be detected by the CPU 21 by the charge information signal. That is, if the charge completion information signal is H, the external strobe 2 with a communication function has been charged, and if the charge completion information signal is L, the external strobe 2 with a communication function has not been charged. If the external strobe 2 with a communication function is not completely charged and the built-in strobe 13 detects that the built-in strobe 13 is in a pop-down state by the pop-up detection SW (first detection means) 24, the above X After the signal is output, the dimming control end flag is cleared and the front curtain synchro emission control sequence is ended.

If the fill information signal is H immediately before the X signal is output and the fill information signal is L immediately after the X signal is output, it can be determined that the external strobe 2 with a communication function has emitted the front curtain synchronized flash. . In addition, the built-in flash 13 has a pop-up detection SW 24 and a built-in flash sync mode setting SW 25.
If it is detected that the built-in flash 13 is in the pop-up state and the sync mode is the front curtain sync flash mode, the CPU 21 starts the front curtain sync flash of the built-in flash 13 at the same timing as the X signal output. Take control. That is, by outputting the H level of the light emission control signal and the light emission start signal, the built-in strobe charging / light emitting circuit 22 is controlled to start the light emission of the built-in strobe.

When the front curtain synchro emission of the external strobe 2 with a communication function is detected, or when the front curtain synchro emission start control of the built-in flash is performed, the H level of the dimming control signal is output to the dimming IC 32. Then, the TTL light control is started. When the TTL dimming control is performed, the dimming control end flag is set. When the dimming IC 32 detects the H level of the dimming control signal, the dimming IC 32 starts dimming integration and outputs the H level of the light emission stop signal when the integrated voltage reaches the reference voltage determined by the film sensitivity, the exposure correction value, or the like. .
When the H level of the issuance stop signal is output from the dimming IC 32, the external strobe 2 with a communication function and the built-in strobe 13 stop emitting light.

The dimming integration by the dimming IC 32 is performed by the dimming IC.
When the H level of the light emission stop signal is output from 32, or when the L level of the light emission control signal to the built-in flash and the dimming control signal to the dimming IC 32 is output from the CPU 21 after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the dimming integration. To end. When the dimming control ends, the trailing curtain synchro emission control sequence ends.

Immediately before the shutter rear curtain 30 starts running, that is, immediately before the shutter curtain starts closing, the rear curtain synchro emission control sequence is entered. If the dimming control end flag is set, the trailing curtain synchronized light emission sequence is ended.
External strobe 2 with communication function is not fully charged,
When the built-in strobe 13 detects that the built-in strobe 13 is in the pop-down state by the pop-up detection SW 24, the rear curtain sync light emission control sequence is ended. The completion information signal of the external strobe 2 with communication function is H
In that case, the AX signal which becomes the rear curtain synchronized light emission trigger of the external strobe 2 with the communication function is output. If the completion information signal of the external strobe 2 with a communication function is L immediately after the output of the AX signal, it can be determined that the external strobe 2 with a communication function has emitted the rear curtain sync flash.

Further, the built-in strobe 13 has a pop-up detection SW 24 and a built-in strobe sync mode setting SW 25.
If it detects that the built-in flash 13 is in the pop-up state and the synchro mode is the rear curtain synchro flash mode, the CPU 21 starts the rear curtain synchro flash of the built-in flash 13 at the same timing as the AX signal output. Take control. That is, by outputting the H level of the light emission control signal and the light emission start signal, the built-in strobe charging / light emitting circuit 22 is controlled to start the light emission of the built-in strobe 13.

When the rear curtain synchro emission of the external strobe 2 with a communication function is detected or the rear curtain synchro emission start control of the built-in strobe is performed, the H level of the dimming control signal is output to the dimming IC 32. Then, the TTL light control is started. When the TTL dimming control is performed, the dimming control end flag is set. When the dimming IC 32 detects the H level of the dimming control signal, it starts the dimming integration and outputs the H level of the light emission stop signal when the integrated voltage reaches the reference voltage determined by the film sensitivity, the exposure correction value, and the like. To do.

When the H level of the issuance stop signal is output from the dimming IC 32, the external strobe 2 with a communication function and the built-in strobe 13 stop emitting light. In the dimming integration by the dimming IC 32, the H level of the light emission stop signal is output from the dimming IC 32, or the light emission control signal from the CPU 21 to the built-in flash 13 and the dimming IC 32 are output after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the dimming integration. The process ends when the L level of the dimming control signal is output. When the dimming control ends, the trailing curtain synchro emission control sequence ends.

When the trailing curtain synchro emission sequence is completed, the CPU 21 starts the traveling of the shutter trailing curtain 30.
After traveling of the shutter rear curtain 30 is completed, the CPU 21 controls the shutter charging motor 28 to perform mirror down,
The energization of the LED of the photo reflector 31 is stopped to end the release sequence.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining the operation sequence of strobe control according to the present invention. A description will be given in association with Table 1 showing whether light emission is possible in each combination of strobe settings. When the release sequence starts (step (hereinafter referred to as "S") 401), it is determined whether it is the front curtain synchronization timing (S402). The X signal is output at the front curtain synchronization timing immediately after the shutter curtain is opened (S403). It is determined whether or not the external strobe 2 emits light (S404). If the external strobe emits light, it is determined whether or not the built-in strobe 13 is popping up (S416). Then, control is passed (S419), and the release sequence process is ended (S420). It corresponds to (D) in Table 1 because it does not emit external strobe front curtain light and built-in strobe light.

If the built-in flash 13 is in the pop-up state in S416, it is judged whether or not the built-in strobe 13 is set to the front curtain sync (S417). If it is not set to the front curtain sync, S419, S4
20 advance the sequence. External strobe front curtain emission,
There is no built-in flash emission and it corresponds to (F) in Table 1.
If the built-in flash 13 is set to the front curtain synchronization in S417, the built-in strobe front curtain light emission control is performed (S418), and the sequence proceeds to S419 and S420. External strobe front curtain light emission and built-in strobe front curtain light emission correspond to (E) in Table 1.

If it is determined in S404 that the external strobe is not emitted, it is determined whether the built-in strobe 13 has popped up (S405). If the built-in strobe 13 is in the pop-up state, whether the built-in strobe 13 is set to the front curtain synchronization mode. It is determined whether or not (S406). When the front curtain synchronization is set, the sequence proceeds to S418, S419, S420. There is no external strobe light emission and built-in strobe front curtain light emission, which correspond to (B) and (H) in Table 1. S405
If it is not the pop-up state, the front curtain synchro emission control of each strobe is not performed, it is judged whether it is the rear curtain synchro timing (S407), and if the rear curtain synchro timing just before the shutter curtain is closed is reached. , AX signal is output (S408), and it is determined whether or not the external strobe 2 emits light (S409). If the external strobe does not emit light, it is determined whether or not the built-in strobe 13 is in the pop-up state (S410). If it is not in the pop-up state, the sequence proceeds to S420. It corresponds to (A).

When it is determined in S410 that the built-in flash 13 is in the pop-up state, the built-in flash 1 is next.
It is judged whether or not 3 is set to the posterior membrane sync (S4).
11). When the rear film sync is not set, there is no external flash and no internal flash.
It becomes the same as (A) in Table 1. When the rear film sync is set in S411, the rear curtain light emission control and the light control of the built-in flash 13 are performed (S414, S415), and S4.
The sequence shifts to 20. There is no external strobe light emission and built-in strobe rear curtain light emission, which corresponds to (C) in Table 1.

If it is determined in S409 that the external strobe 2 has fired, it is determined whether or not the built-in strobe 13 is in the pop-up state (S412). If it is not in the pop-up state, the sequence proceeds to S415 and S420. It corresponds to (G) in Table 1 because it does not emit the rear curtain of the external strobe and does not emit the internal strobe. Further, when the built-in flash is in the pop-up state, when the rear curtain sync setting is not made in the judgment of the built-in flash rear curtain sync setting (S413), it corresponds to (G) in Table 1. In the determination of the built-in flash rear-curtain sync setting in S413, if the rear-curtain sync is set, the built-in flash rear-curtain light emission control is performed (S414), and the sequence proceeds to S415 and S420. External strobe rear curtain light emission and built-in strobe rear curtain light emission correspond to (I) in Table 1.

[0029]

[Table 1] Strobe control by external flash and built-in flash sync mode settings

[0030]

As described above, the camera according to the present invention is provided with the pop-up type built-in strobe, and the built-in strobe can emit light only in the pop-up state, and the release switch is pressed while the built-in strobe is charging. It is configured not to shift to the release sequence even when it is detected. If an external strobe that can communicate with the camera is attached and the external strobe detects that the front curtain synchronized flash has been fired, the rear strobe flash of the external strobe and built-in strobe is prohibited, and the built-in strobe is the first. When it detects that the curtain flash has fired, it prohibits the rear curtain sync flash of the external strobe and built-in strobe, and performs TTL dimming control when at least one of the external strobe and built-in strobe fires. is there. Therefore, it is possible to provide a method in which light emission control of the built-in strobe is simplified regardless of the presence or absence of a communicable external strobe, and it is possible to provide consistent strobe control.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a camera system to which a strobe control method according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a pop-up state of a strobe control type camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a control circuit of a camera to which a strobe control system according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an operation sequence of strobe control according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 camera 2 External strobe 3 hot shoe 4 Hot shoe adapter 5 cables 6 LCD display 8 Sync mode switch 9 Strobe mode switch SW 10 Strobe manual flash setting switch 11 LCD panel 12 Strobe main SW 13 Built-in flash 15 X contact terminal 21 CPU 22 Built-in flash charging / light emitting circuit 23 Charge voltage monitor circuit (second detection means) 24 Pop-up detection switch (first detection means) 25 Synchro mode setting switch 26 Release switch 27 LCD display panel in F 28 Charge motor 29 Shutter (first curtain) 30 shutter (rear curtain) 31 Photo Reflector 32 dimming IC 34 External strobe

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A single-lens reflex camera to which an external strobe can be connected, wherein the camera includes a pop-up built-in strobe, a first detection unit for detecting a pop-up state of the built-in strobe, and a charge state of the built-in strobe. A second detecting means for detecting and a dimming control means at the time of stroboscopic photography are provided. Only when the first detecting means detects that the built-in strobe is in a pop-up state, the light emission of the built-in strobe is permitted. However, when the first detection means detects that the built-in flash is in a pop-down state, the built-in strobe is prohibited from emitting light, and the first detection means detects that the built-in flash is in a pop-up state. When it is detected, the second detection means waits until the built-in flash is fully charged. Strobe control of a single-lens reflex camera, characterized in that the front curtain synchronization flash trigger signal for the external strobe is always output in the release sequence regardless of the pop-up state of the built-in strobe without shifting to the close sequence. method. 2. The camera includes control means for causing the built-in strobe to emit front curtain synchronized light emission and rear curtain synchronized light emission, and an operation member for setting a sync mode of the built-in strobe to front curtain synchronized light emission or rear curtain synchronized light emission. The strobe control system for a single-lens reflex camera according to claim 1, further comprising: 3. The operating member, wherein the camera comprises an output means for outputting a trailing curtain synchro emission trigger signal for the external strobe, wherein the first detecting means detects that the built-in strobe is in a pop-up state. 3. The single lens reflex camera according to claim 2, wherein, when the sync mode of the built-in flash is set to the front curtain sync flash mode, the output of the rear curtain sync flash trigger signal for the external flash is prohibited. Camera strobe control method. 4. The camera includes communication means for communicating with the external strobe, and when an external strobe capable of communicating with the camera is attached, the external strobe emits front curtain synchronized light by the communication means. 4. The strobe control system for a single-lens reflex camera according to claim 2, wherein the rear curtain synchro emission of the built-in strobe is prohibited when the detection is made.