JP2006140883A - Interchangeable lens, lens interchangeable digital camera and camera system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that a photographic viewing angle can not be judged from a focal distance of an interchangeable lens as in a 35mm film camera because the relation between the focal distance of the interchangeable lens and a viewing angle of a picture to be picked up is different according to the size of a photographing area of an image pickup element in a lens interchangeable digital camera. <P>SOLUTION: A focal distance of 35mm conversion can be confirmed even in an interchangeable lens single body at any time so that the senses of a viewing angle and a focal distance familiar by a film camera can be utilized by converting a photographic viewing angle into a focal distance in a 35mm film format from information of a focal distance of an interchangeable lens and information about the size of an image pickup area of an image pickup element and writing and displaying the focal distance in a display device of memory property installed on the interchangeable lens. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an interchangeable lens, a lens interchangeable digital camera, and a camera system. In particular, the present invention relates to an interchangeable lens having a function of displaying focal length information of an interchangeable lens, a lens interchangeable digital camera, and a camera system.

  In recent years, interchangeable lens digital cameras using interchangeable lenses for film cameras are becoming popular. This is very significant for the user because the imaging area can be expanded by utilizing the abundant interchangeable lens group of the conventional film camera.

  However, there are various types of image sensors used in digital cameras with different sizes (hereinafter referred to as formats) of image areas, and the angle of view varies depending on the format of the image sensor even if lenses with the same focal length are used. There is a problem that it becomes a thing.

  There are various formats for film, but most of the interchangeable lens film cameras are cameras using 35 mm film, and interchangeable lens cameras using films of other formats (for example, Brownie size) are professional or one. Limited to high-level amateurs. For this reason, film camera users, for example, say a 28-mm lens is a wide-angle lens with a wide angle of view, a 50-mm lens is a typical standard lens whose angle of view is close to human vision, and a 135-mm lens is a telephoto lens with a narrow angle of view. The image of the actual shooting angle of view and the focal length for 35mm film cameras are linked one-to-one through photography, such as representatives of general, and generally the focal length of lenses for 35mm film cameras, regardless of professional or amateur. Is used as a substitute for the angle of view, and similar expressions are used in photo magazines and the like.

  On the other hand, in the digital camera, as shown in an example in the table showing the relationship between the image sensor format and the converted focal length in FIG. 14, even with a relatively large format image sensor alone, the 35 mm size, the APS-C size, and the Four Thirds. There are various formats such as (4/3 type) and 2/3 type. For this reason, as shown in bold in FIG. 14 as an example, a user who has moved from a 35 mm film camera to, for example, a Four Thirds (4/3 type) interchangeable lens digital camera, says “For 35 mm film for landscape photography. The 28mm wide-angle lens 401 was prepared for shooting, but the actual angle of view 402 of a Four Thirds (4/3 type) digital camera is a standard equivalent to a 55mm interchangeable lens when converted to a 35mm film lens. The angle of view was not enough to capture the landscape. ”The relationship between the angle of view taken with the 35mm film camera and the focal length of the interchangeable lens and the actual angle of view of the digital camera. Is not connected, so I feel a lot of confusion when choosing an interchangeable lens for shooting preparation. FIG. 15 schematically shows the difference between the focal length of the above-described interchangeable lens and the actual shooting angle of view. FIG. 15A is a schematic diagram of a subject. The range surrounded by the solid line is the range imaged on the same 35 mm film imaging screen 35 as shown in FIG. 15B, and the range surrounded by the broken line is the same image sensor as shown in FIG. 15C. This is the range that is imaged at 153. As can be seen here, the imaged range varies greatly depending on the format of the image sensor used even when the same interchangeable lens is used.

Therefore, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a focal length equivalent to a lens for 35 mm film is displayed on the exterior of the lens separately from the actual focal length in a digital camera equipped with a zoom lens in which the lens cannot be replaced. Based on what the image of the angle of view can be understood with, and lens information and information of the imaging unit, it is converted into an image magnification or focal length in the size of one frame of 35 mm photosensitive film, and on the lens or the camera. What is output to a display part (for example, refer patent documents 1 thru | or 4) is proposed.
JP 2001-215606 A JP 2000-24479A JP 2002-139788 A JP 2004-157367 A

  However, the method adopted in the above-described digital camera equipped with a zoom lens incapable of exchanging lenses is not applicable to an interchangeable lens that may be attached to a plurality of cameras equipped with image pickup devices having different formats. .

  In addition, in the methods proposed in Patent Documents 1 to 4, the image magnification or the converted focal length can be confirmed only when the interchangeable lens is attached to the camera. Therefore, when it is desired to use a plurality of interchangeable lenses, some method is used. It is very inconvenient because it is necessary to record the image magnification or conversion focal length of each interchangeable lens and refer to the record every time the lens is replaced.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and once an interchangeable lens is attached to the camera, the shooting magnification or the converted focal length can be easily confirmed even with the lens alone, and the user has special technical ability for conversion. An object of the present invention is to provide an interchangeable lens, a lens interchangeable digital camera and a camera system that can quickly select an interchangeable lens to be used for shooting without taking the burden of using the sense of focal length that has been familiar to the past.

  The object of the present invention can be achieved by the following constitution.

(Claim 1)
In interchangeable lenses attached to interchangeable lens digital cameras,
A memory display device;
A communication unit that obtains information about the size of the imaging area of the imaging element used in the interchangeable lens digital camera from the interchangeable lens digital camera;
A lens information storage unit that stores information on the focal length of the interchangeable lens and the size of the image plane;
The size of the imaging area of a predetermined size corresponding to the shooting angle of view equivalent to the shooting angle of view of the interchangeable lens digital camera from the information related to the size of the imaging area of the image pickup device and the information related to the focal length of the interchangeable lens. A conversion means for converting the focal length into
An interchangeable lens comprising display control means for displaying at least one of the focal length of the interchangeable lens and the focal length converted by the conversion means on the memory-type display device.

(Claim 2)
The interchangeable lens according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined size is a size of one frame of a 35 mm film.

(Claim 3)
Having an operating part that operates at a first voltage;
The memory-type display device is written with a second voltage,
3. The interchangeable lens according to claim 1, wherein the second voltage is supplied from a booster circuit built in the interchangeable lens digital camera.

(Claim 4)
The display control means outputs a warning signal when the size of the imaging area of the imaging device is larger than the size of the image plane of the interchangeable lens. The interchangeable lens according to item.

(Claim 5)
In an interchangeable lens digital camera provided with a communication unit that obtains information from an interchangeable lens provided with a display unit, and a camera information storage unit that stores information about the camera,
The information obtained by the communication unit includes information on the focal length of the interchangeable lens and the size of the image plane stored in the lens information storage unit in the interchangeable lens,
The information stored in the camera information storage unit includes information on the size of the imaging area of the imaging device used in the digital camera,
The display unit is a memory display device,
The focal length of the interchangeable lens is determined from the focal length of the interchangeable lens and the size of the imaging region of the image sensor from the information regarding the focal length of the interchangeable lens and the information regarding the size of the imaging region of the image sensor. Conversion means for converting to a focal length at a size of an imaging region of a predetermined size corresponding to a shooting field angle equivalent to a shooting field angle to be performed;
It is characterized by comprising display control means for displaying at least one of the focal length of the interchangeable lens and the focal length converted by the conversion means on the memory display device of the interchangeable lens via the communication unit. Interchangeable lens digital camera.

(Claim 6)
6. The interchangeable-lens digital camera according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined size is a size of one frame of a 35 mm film.

(Claim 7)
With electroflash,
A booster circuit for generating an operating voltage of the electroflash;
A first voltage supply unit for supplying a first voltage to the interchangeable lens;
A second voltage supply unit that supplies a second voltage for writing to the memory display device;
The interchangeable-lens digital camera according to claim 5, wherein the second voltage is generated by the booster circuit.

(Claim 8)
8. The display control unit according to claim 5, further comprising a warning unit that warns when the size of the imaging area of the imaging device is larger than the size of the image plane of the interchangeable lens. The interchangeable lens digital camera according to Item 1.

(Claim 9)
In a camera system consisting of a digital camera and an interchangeable lens,
A camera information storage unit that stores information related to the size of the imaging area of the imaging device used in the digital camera;
A lens information storage unit that stores information on the focal length of the interchangeable lens and the size of the image plane;
Based on the information on the focal length of the interchangeable lens and the information on the size of the imaging area of the imaging device, the size of the imaging area of a predetermined size corresponding to the imaging field angle equivalent to the imaging field angle of the interchangeable lens digital camera A conversion means for converting the focal length into
A memory-type display device provided in the interchangeable lens;
A camera system comprising: display control means for displaying at least one of the focal length of the interchangeable lens and the focal length converted by the conversion means on the memory display device.

(Claim 10)
The camera system according to claim 9, wherein the predetermined size is a size of one frame of a 35 mm film.

(Claim 11)
With electroflash,
A booster circuit for generating an operating voltage of the electroflash;
A first voltage supply unit for supplying a first voltage to the interchangeable lens;
A second voltage supply unit that supplies a second voltage for writing to the memory display device;
The camera system according to claim 9, wherein the second voltage is generated by the booster circuit.

(Claim 12)
The said display control means has a warning means to warn when the magnitude | size of the imaging area of the said image pick-up element is larger than the magnitude | size of the image surface of the said interchangeable lens, The any one of Claim 9 thru | or 11 characterized by the above-mentioned. The camera system according to Item 1.

  According to the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, the conversion focal length calculated by the conversion means provided in the interchangeable lens from the size of the imaging region of the image sensor of the digital camera and the focal length information of the interchangeable lens is exchanged. By displaying on the memory display device on the lens, once the interchangeable lens is attached to the camera, the converted focal length can be easily confirmed on the memory display device even with the lens alone, so that the user has special technical capabilities. It is possible to provide an interchangeable lens that can quickly select a lens to be used without any burden, making use of the familiar sense of focal length, which is particularly effective when selecting photographing equipment. Furthermore, since there is a warning when there is a mismatch between the size of the imaging area of the imaging device and the size of the image plane of the interchangeable lens, there is no mistake in selecting the photographic equipment, and convenience is improved.

  According to the fifth to eighth aspects of the present invention, the conversion focal length calculated by the conversion means provided in the digital camera from the focal length information of the interchangeable lens and the size of the imaging area of the imaging device of the digital camera is exchanged. By displaying on the memory display device on the lens, once the interchangeable lens is attached to the camera, the converted focal length can be easily confirmed on the memory display device even with the lens alone, so that the user has special technical capabilities. It is possible to provide an interchangeable-lens digital camera that can quickly select a lens to be used without any burden and making use of the familiar sense of focal length, which is particularly effective when selecting photographing equipment. Further, since there is a warning when there is a mismatch between the size of the imaging area of the imaging device and the size of the image plane of the interchangeable lens, there is no mistake in selecting the imaging equipment, and convenience is improved.

  According to the invention described in claims 9 to 12, the conversion focal length calculated by the conversion means provided in the digital camera from the focal length information of the interchangeable lens and the size of the imaging region of the imaging device of the digital camera is exchanged. By displaying on the memory display device on the lens, once the interchangeable lens is attached to the camera, the converted focal length can be easily confirmed on the memory display device even with the lens alone, so that the user has special technical capabilities. It is possible to provide a camera system that can quickly select a lens to be used without any burden, making use of the conventional sense of focal length, and is particularly effective when selecting photographing equipment. Furthermore, since there is a warning when there is a mismatch between the size of the imaging area of the imaging device and the size of the image plane of the interchangeable lens, there is no mistake in selecting the photographic equipment, and convenience is improved.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  1 and 2 are schematic external views of a camera system 1 according to the present invention. FIG. 1A is a front view, FIG. 1B is a rear view, FIG. 2A is a top view, and FIG. b) is a front view of the camera 10 with the interchangeable lens 20 removed.

  A mount (camera side) 171 for attaching the interchangeable lens 20 and a BL communication unit (camera side) 172 for data communication between the camera 10 and the interchangeable lens 20 are installed on the front of the camera 10. The interchangeable lens 20 is attached to the camera 10 via the mount (camera side) 171, and data communication between the camera body and the interchangeable lens 20 is performed via the BL communication unit (camera side) 172.

  A release button 101, which is an operation member for photographing, is installed on the upper surface of the camera 10, and a two-stage switch constituting an AF switch SW1 and a release switch SW2 is provided below the release button 101 inside the camera 10. Has been placed. An electroflash 102 is built in the upper part of the camera 10. Further, a mode setting dial 112 for setting an operation mode of the camera system 1 and a control value setting dial 114 for setting a camera control value in each operation mode are arranged on the upper surface of the camera 10.

  On the back of the camera 10, a power switch 111, a change dial 113, a jog dial 115, a viewfinder eyepiece 121a, and an image display unit 131 are arranged.

  The interchangeable lens 20 is provided with a focus ring 201 that manually moves the focusing lens, a zoom ring 202 that manually moves the zoom lens, and a memory display device 231 that displays various information on the interchangeable lens 20.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic vertical sectional view of the camera system 1 according to the present invention. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are given the same numbers.

  Inside the interchangeable lens 20, a lens 211, a diaphragm 241, a zoom value detection unit 243, and an AF drive unit 244 are installed. A mount (lens side) 271 is installed on the camera 10 side of the interchangeable lens 20, and the interchangeable lens is attached to the camera 10 via the mount (camera side) 171. ) And the BL communication part (camera side) come into contact with each other, and communication between the camera and the interchangeable lens becomes possible.

  Inside the camera 10, the reflex mirror 141 partially translucent for guiding the light passing through the interchangeable lens 20 to the finder 121, and the light passing through the translucent part of the reflex mirror 141 are the AF module 144. A sub-mirror 142, an AF module 144, a shutter 145, an image sensor 153, an eyepiece 121a, a pentaprism 121b, a focusing screen 121c constituting the finder 121, an in-finder display unit 132 for displaying various information in the finder, and a flash 102. is set up.

  FIG. 4 is a circuit block diagram of the camera system 1 according to the present invention. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  The camera control unit 151 that is a control unit of the camera 10 includes a CPU (central processing unit) (not shown), a work memory, and the like, reads a program stored in a storage unit (not shown) into the work memory, and performs the camera 10 according to the program. Centralized control of each part. The camera control unit 151 also includes a power switch 111, a mode setting dial 112 for setting the operation mode of the camera, a change dial 113, a control value setting dial 114, a jog dial 115, and an AF switch that operates at the first stage of pressing the release button. SW1 receives the input from the release switch SW2 that operates in the second step of pressing the release button, and exchanges it via the BL communication unit (camera side) 172 and the BL communication unit (lens side) 272 that function as a communication unit. The entire camera system 1 is controlled by communicating with a lens control unit 251 which is a lens control unit.

  Further, the camera control unit 151 controls the focusing operation by communicating with the AF module 144, drives the reflex mirror 141 and the sub mirror 142 through the mirror driving unit 143, and shutters 145 through the shutter driving unit 146. And controlling the booster circuit 148 and the flash 102 via the flash control unit 147, and controlling the imaging operation by communicating with the image control unit 152, and displaying the captured image data and various information. Are displayed on the image display unit 131, and various types of information are displayed on the finder display unit 132. That is, the image display unit 131 and the finder display unit 132 function as display means.

  In addition, the camera control unit 151 converts the focal length of the interchangeable lens 20 according to a conversion formula described later as necessary, and displays the converted focal length on the image display unit 131, the finder display unit 132, and the memory display unit 231. That is, the camera control unit 151 has a function as a conversion unit jump display control unit.

  In the camera information storage unit 161, information related to the size of the imaging area of the imaging device is stored in advance. For example, the diagonal length (mm) of the image sensor is represented by a data length of a predetermined bit in the information related to the size of the image sensor area stored in advance in the camera information storage unit 161.

The camera power supply 103 supplies power to each part in the camera 10 and functions as a first voltage to each part in the interchangeable lens 20 via the BL communication part (camera side) 172 and the BL communication part (lens side) 272. Supply the power. In general, the camera power supply 103 normally has a voltage of about 5V.
The booster circuit 148 is controlled by the camera control unit 151 via the flash control unit 147 to generate a voltage for causing the flash 102 to emit light and to write to the memory-type display device 231 that functions as the second voltage. The memory-type display power supply 256 is generated. In general, the voltage for causing the flash 102 to emit light is about 300 V, and the memory-type display power supply 256 for writing to the memory-type display device 231 is about 50 V.

  Although not shown in the embodiment of the present invention, when the user performs a pop-up operation in order to use the flash, the booster circuit 148 is boosted to a voltage capable of flash emission, and enters a state capable of flash emission. . Stopping the boosting with the second voltage using the boosting circuit 148 or performing the boosting to a voltage for causing the flash to emit light can be easily performed using a known technique.

  An image formed by the lens 211 of the interchangeable lens 20 is captured by the image sensor 153 and then converted into digital image data processed by the image processing unit 154, and is temporarily recorded in the image memory 155 by the image control unit 152. And finally recorded in the memory card 156.

  The lens control unit 251 of the interchangeable lens 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown), a work memory, and the like, reads a program stored in a storage unit (not shown) into the work memory, and each part of the interchangeable lens 20 according to the program. To control.

  In addition, the lens control unit 251 reads the unique information of the interchangeable lens 20 stored in the lens information storage unit 261, detects the focal length of the lens 211 through the zoom value detection unit 243, and passes through the AF drive unit 244. Then, all or a part of the lens 211 is driven to perform a focusing operation, the diaphragm 241 is controlled via the diaphragm control unit 242, and the BL communication unit (lens side) 272 and the BL communication unit (camera side) 172 are controlled. Communication with the camera control unit 151 which is the control unit of the camera 10, the unique information of the camera 10 stored in the camera information storage unit 161 is read, and the entire camera system 1 is controlled in conjunction with the camera control unit 151. To do. In some cases, the lens control unit 251 receives various information from the camera control unit 151 via the BL communication unit (camera side) 172 and the BL communication unit (lens side) 272, and displays the information on the memory display unit 231. .

  Furthermore, the lens control unit 251 converts the focal length of the interchangeable lens 20 according to the conversion formula described later, if necessary, based on the result of communication with the camera control unit 151 described above, and displays the memory display control unit. Various kinds of information are displayed on the memory-type display device 231 via 257. That is, the lens control unit 251 functions as a conversion unit skip display control unit.

  In the lens information storage unit 261, information related to the actual focal length of the taking lens is stored in advance. In the information regarding the actual focal length of the photographing lens stored in advance in the lens information storage unit 261, for example, the focal length (mm) is expressed by a data length of a predetermined bit.

  The memory display control unit 257 is supplied with a memory display power source 256 functioning as a second voltage from the booster circuit 148 via the BL communication unit (camera side) 172 and the BL communication unit (lens side) 272, and receives the lens. Various information is displayed on the memory display device 231 in accordance with a signal from the control unit.

  The memory display device 231 includes a memory display element such as a chiral nematic (CN) liquid crystal. By using the memory-type display device 231, once the interchangeable lens 20 is attached to the camera 10 for display, even if the interchangeable lens 20 is detached from the camera 10 and power is not supplied from the camera side, the interchangeable lens The display on 20 does not disappear, and the conversion focal length can be confirmed at any time with a single interchangeable lens, which is very convenient. Since the control of the chiral nematic (CN) liquid crystal is described in detail in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2004-117404 and 2004-117406, the description thereof is omitted here.

  Next, an example of the operation of the camera system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIG. 5, 6, and 7 are flowcharts showing the flow of processing for display control of converted focal length information in the camera system 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.

  First, when the power switch 111 is operated in step S01 in FIG. 5 to turn on the power of the camera, in step S02, the camera 10 includes the image sensor format information stored in the camera information storage unit 161. Various information is read out, and the operation mode at the time of activation is determined in step S03. Here, it is assumed that the “lens selection mode” is set using the mode setting dial 112. Here, the “lens selection mode” means that the interchangeable lens 20 actually attached to the camera 10 and the converted focal length of the interchangeable lens 20 used for photographing is the converted focal length displayed on the memory display device 231 or the actual one. This is an operation mode for selecting an interchangeable lens to be used for shooting after confirming with the focal length.

  If it is determined in step S03 that the lens selection mode is selected (step S03; YES), the lens selection mode is activated in step S11. In step S <b> 12, various kinds of information unique to the interchangeable lens 20 including the focal length information and the image plane size stored in the lens information storage unit 261 are read out to the lens control unit 251.

  In step S13, the lens control unit 251 compares the image sensor format information from the camera information storage unit 161 with the image plane size information from the lens information storage unit 261, and the image plane size is the image sensor format. If greater than or equal to (step S13; YES), the process proceeds to step S14. When the size of the image plane is smaller than the format of the image sensor (step S13; NO), the booster circuit 148 is controlled in step S19 to boost the output to the second voltage, and the memory display power supply 256 is supplied to the lens 20. In step S20, the lens control unit 251 displays a warning on the memory display device 231 that "the image plane size is smaller than the format of the image sensor and the periphery of the screen is vignetting, so that shooting cannot be performed" Proceed to step S21.

  In step S 14, the booster circuit 148 is controlled to boost the output to the second voltage and supplied to the lens 20 as the memory display power supply 256.

Next, in step S15, it is determined whether the focal length to be displayed is the converted focal length or the actual focal length of the interchangeable lens 20. If it is set to display the converted focal length (step S15; YES), the converted focal length is calculated by the lens control unit 251 according to the following conversion formula (1) in step S16.
Conversion focal length: f1 = f × (Y1 / Y) (1)
f: Focal length Y1 of the lens 211 of the interchangeable lens 20: diagonal length of the imaging screen 35 of 35 mm film (= 43.27 mm)
Y: Diagonal length of the image sensor 153 For example, when a 28 mm to 135 mm zoom lens for a 35 mm film camera is used in a digital camera equipped with the APS-C size image sensor shown in FIG. The converted focal length at the lens is 42 mm to 203 mm. FIG. 8 illustrates the relationship among f, f1, Y, and Y1. In this case, the photographing field angle (θ = 2 × tan−1 (Y / f)) is 90.6 ° to 23.7 °.

  In step S17, the converted focal length is written into the memory display device 231 using the memory display power source 256, and the process proceeds to step S21. As a result, even if the interchangeable lens 20 is removed from the camera 10, the converted focal length remains displayed on the memory-type display device, so that the converted focal length can be confirmed with the interchangeable lens 20 alone. FIG. 9A shows an example of display of the converted focal length of the interchangeable lens 20 alone in this case.

  If the actual focal length is set to be displayed in step S15 (step S15; NO), the actual focal length of the interchangeable lens 20 is stored in the memory display device 231 using the memory display power source 256 in step S18. After being written, the process proceeds to step S21. This completes a series of operations in the lens selection mode.

  Next, in step S21, it is confirmed whether or not the operation mode has been changed from the lens selection mode. If not changed (step S21; YES), it is determined in step S22 whether or not the lens has been replaced. If the lens has not been exchanged (step S22; NO), the process returns to step S21 and waits for the operation mode to be changed or the lens to be exchanged. If the lens has been replaced (step S22; YES), the process returns to step S12 to read various information specific to the newly mounted interchangeable lens, and thereafter the above-described operation is repeated.

  If the operation mode is changed from the lens selection mode in step 21 (step S21; NO), the process proceeds to step S31 in FIG.

  In step S31 of FIG. 6, it is confirmed whether or not the operation mode is “camera mode”. Here, it is assumed that the “camera mode” is set using the mode setting dial 112. The “camera mode” is a shooting mode as a normal digital camera. If it is determined in step S31 that the camera mode is selected (step S31; YES), the camera mode is activated in step S32, and the size of the image plane stored in the lens information storage unit 261 in step S33. Various types of information unique to the interchangeable lens 20 are read out. In step S34, the format information of the image sensor from the camera information storage unit 161 read in step S02 in FIG. 5 and the size of the image plane from the lens information storage unit read in step S33 in FIG. When the information is compared and the size of the image plane is larger than or the same as the format of the image sensor (step S34; YES), the camera is ready for photographing, and the process proceeds to step S41. When the size of the image plane is smaller than the format of the image sensor (step S34; NO), in step S61, either or both of the image display unit 131 and the finder display unit 132 indicate “the size of the image plane is the image sensor. Is smaller than the above format and the periphery of the screen is vignetting, so that a photograph cannot be taken "is displayed, and the process returns to step S03 in FIG.

  In step S41, it is determined whether or not the converted focal length at the time of shooting is displayed on the infinder display unit 132. When performing the finder display in step S41 (step S41; YES), in step S42, the current focal length detected by the zoom value detection unit 243 is read via the lens control unit 251, and the read current focal length and Using the camera data read out in step S02 of FIG. 5, the converted focal length is calculated in accordance with the above-described conversion formula (1) in step S43, and the converted focal length is displayed on the finder display unit 132 in step S44. Then, the process proceeds to step S45. An example of the display in this case is shown in FIG. Even when the finder display is not performed in step S41 (step S41; NO), the process proceeds to step S45.

  In step S45, it is determined whether or not the AF switch SW1 is turned on. If it is not turned on (step S45; NO), the process returns to step S41, and if the focal length is changed due to the zoom operation, conversion is performed. The focal length is recalculated and displayed in the finder, and the process waits for the AF switch SW1 to be turned on while looping from step S41 to step S45.

  When the AF switch SW1 is turned on (step S45; YES), a focusing operation (AF) and a photometry operation (AE) are performed in step S46, and it is determined whether or not the release switch SW2 is turned on in step S47. If the release switch SW2 is not turned on (step S47; NO), the process returns to step S41 and waits for the release switch SW2 to be turned on while confirming that the zoom operation and the AF switch SW1 are turned on.

  When the release switch SW2 is turned on (step S47; YES), photographing is performed in step S48, and the image data photographed in step S49 is temporarily recorded in the image memory 155. After the finder display unit 132 is turned off in step S50, an after view of the captured image is displayed on the image display unit 131 installed on the back of the camera 10 in step S51. The recorded image data is written and recorded in the memory card 156, and the after view is turned off in step S53. This completes a series of operations in the camera mode.

  In step S54, it is confirmed whether or not the operation mode has been changed from the camera mode. If the operation mode has not been changed (step S54; YES), the process returns to step S41 and the above-described operation is repeated. When the operation mode is changed (step S54; NO), the process returns to step S03 in FIG. 5 to confirm the operation mode again.

  When the operation mode is not the camera mode in step S31 of FIG. 6 (step S31; NO), the process proceeds to step S71 of FIG. In step S71, it is confirmed whether or not the operation mode is “reproduction mode”. Here, it is assumed that the “reproduction mode” is set using the mode setting dial 112. The “playback mode” is a mode in which an image that has been shot and recorded is displayed on the image display unit 131 on the camera 10.

  If it is determined in step S71 that the reproduction mode is selected (step S71; YES), the reproduction mode is activated in step S72, and the captured image can be reproduced. In the playback mode, the focal length information can be displayed together with the playback of the image.

  If it is determined in step S71 that the playback mode has not been selected (step S71; NO), the process proceeds to “activation in other modes”. Description of the above-described lens selection mode, camera mode, and operation modes (for example, audio recording mode) other than the reproduction mode described below will be omitted.

  When the playback mode is activated in step 72, thumbnails of the captured images recorded on the memory card 156 are displayed in step S81, and the user wants to select an image to be played back. In step S82, the image data of the image selected in step S81 is read from the memory card 156. In a standard image data file format (for example, EXIF file format), shooting data including actual focal length information at the time of shooting is supported as attached information.

  In step S83, it is confirmed whether the focal length is displayed together with the reproduced image. When the focal length information is displayed (step S83; YES), it is determined whether or not the focal length displayed in step S84 is a converted focal length. When displaying the converted focal length (step S84; YES), in step S85, the actual focal length information at the time of shooting included in the attached information of the image data read in step S82 is read out, and in step S86, the information is read out. Using the focal length information thus obtained and the format information of the image sensor included in the camera data read out in step S02 of FIG. The image selected in step S87 is displayed on the image display unit 131, and the converted focal length information is superimposed on the image and displayed on the image display unit 131 in step S88.

  When the converted focal length is not displayed in step S84 (step S84; NO), in step S91, the actual focal length information at the time of shooting included in the attached information of the image data read in step S82 is read, and step S92. In step S93, the actual focal length information is superimposed on the image and displayed on the image display unit 131.

When the focal length information is not displayed in step S83, that is, when only the image is displayed (step S83; NO), the image selected in step S101 is displayed on the image display unit 131.
After displaying the image and information at the time of shooting or only the image on the image display unit 131, it is confirmed in step S111 whether or not the operation mode has been changed from the reproduction mode. If not changed (step S111; YES) ), Returning to step S81, the above operation is repeated. When the operation mode is changed (step S111; NO), the image display unit 131 is turned off in step S112, and the process returns to step S03 in FIG. 5 to confirm the operation mode again.

  Next, a second embodiment of the camera system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a circuit block diagram of only the interchangeable lens unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4 are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. The configuration of the camera 10 is the same as that in FIG. In FIG. 10, the difference from FIG. 4 is that the interchangeable lens 20 does not have the lens control unit 251, the memory display control unit 257, and each part of the interchangeable lens (lens information storage unit 261, zoom value detection unit 243, AF The drive unit 244, the aperture control unit 242 and the like) are connected to the BL communication unit (lens side) 272 directly or via an interface, and are connected via the BL communication unit (lens side) 272 and the BL communication unit (camera side) 172. It is connected to a camera control unit 151 that is a control unit of the camera 10 and is controlled by the camera control unit 151.

  In this case, the camera control unit 151 converts the focal length of the interchangeable lens 20 according to a conversion formula described later, and passes through the BL communication unit (camera side) 172, the BL communication unit (lens side) 272, and the memory display control unit 257. Are displayed on the memory display portion 231. The other parts of the camera 10 are the same as those in FIG.

  Operations in the camera system according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of display of converted focal length information in the camera system 1 having the interchangeable lens unit shown in FIG. 10, and replaces the processes in steps S12 to S20 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 5. Thus, each process of step S212 to step S232 is executed. Processes other than the processes in steps S212 to S232 in FIG. 11 are the same as those in the first embodiment shown in FIGS.

  In step S212, as in step S12 of FIG. 5, various information unique to the interchangeable lens 20 including the focal length information stored in the lens information storage unit 261 and the size of the image plane is read out to the camera control unit 151.

  In step S213, as in step S13 of FIG. 5, the camera control unit 151 compares the format information of the image sensor from the camera information storage unit 161 with the image plane size information from the lens information storage unit 261. If the size of the image plane is greater than or equal to the format of the image sensor in S213 (step S213; YES), the process proceeds to step S214. When the size of the image plane is smaller than the format of the image sensor (step S213; NO), the booster circuit 148 is controlled in step S231 to boost the output to the second voltage, and the memory display power supply 256 is supplied to the lens 20. In step S232, the camera control unit 251 causes the memory-type display device 231 and / or the image display unit 131 to “cannot photograph because the size of the image plane is smaller than the format of the image sensor and the periphery of the screen is vignetting. Is displayed as a warning, and the process proceeds to step S21.

  In step S214, whether or not to display the focal length on the memory display device 231 on the interchangeable lens is confirmed. When the setting is made to display on the memory-type display device 231 on the interchangeable lens (step S214; YES), in step S215, as in step S14 of FIG. 5, the booster circuit 148 is controlled to output the second voltage. And is supplied to the lens 20 as a memory-type display power supply 256.

  Next, in step S216, as in step S15 of FIG. 5, it is determined whether the focal length to be displayed is the converted focal length or the actual focal length of the interchangeable lens 20. If the setting is made to display the converted focal length (step S216; YES), the converted focal length is calculated in step S217 in accordance with the above-described conversion formula (1) in the camera control unit 151 as in step S16 of FIG. The

  In step S218, as in step S17 of FIG. 5, the converted focal length is written into the memory display device 231 using the memory display power source 256, and the process proceeds to step S21. As a result, even if the interchangeable lens 20 is removed from the camera 10, the converted focal length remains displayed on the memory-type display device, so that the converted focal length can be confirmed with the interchangeable lens 20 alone.

  If the actual focal length is set to be displayed in step S216 (step S216; NO), the actual focal length of the interchangeable lens 20 is determined in step S219 as in step S18 of FIG. Is written in the memory-type display device 231 and the process proceeds to step S21.

  When it is set to display the lens list on the image display unit 131 on the camera in step S214 (step S214; NO), the focal length displayed in step S221 is the converted focal length or the actual focal length of the interchangeable lens 20 Is determined. If it is set to display the converted focal length (step S221; YES), the converted focal length is calculated by the camera control unit 151 according to the above-described conversion formula (1) in step S222. In step S223, the actual focal length and the converted focal length of the interchangeable lens 20 are stored in a nonvolatile memory (not shown) constituting the camera control unit 151. In step S224, the actual focal length and the converted focal length are stored in the image display unit 131. Displayed as a pair. By repeating lens exchange described later, actual focal lengths and converted focal lengths of a plurality of interchangeable lenses are stored in the nonvolatile memory, and in step S224, actual focal lengths and converted focal lengths of the interchangeable lenses are stored in the image display unit 131. Displayed as a conversion list. An example of the display is shown in FIG.

  When it is set to display the actual focal length in step S221 (step S221; NO), the actual focal length of the interchangeable lens 20 is stored in a nonvolatile memory (not shown) constituting the camera control unit 151 in step S225. In step S226, the actual focal length is displayed on the image display unit 131. By repeating lens exchange described later, the actual focal lengths of the plurality of interchangeable lenses are stored in the nonvolatile memory, and the actual focal lengths of the interchangeable lenses are displayed as a list on the image display unit 131 in step S226. This completes a series of operations in the lens selection mode.

  Next, a third embodiment of the camera system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing another display control process flow of the converted focal length information in the camera system 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, and each process of steps S12 to S20 in the flowchart shown in FIG. Instead, the processes in steps S312 to S332 are executed. Processes other than the processes in steps S312 to S332 in FIG. 13 are the same as those in the first embodiment shown in FIGS.

  In step S312, as in step S12 of FIG. 5, various kinds of information unique to the interchangeable lens 20 including the focal length information stored in the lens information storage unit 261 and the size of the image plane are transmitted via the lens control unit 251 to the camera. The data is read by the control unit 151.

  In step S313, as in step S13 of FIG. 5, the camera control unit 151 compares the format information of the image sensor from the camera information storage unit 161 with the image plane size information from the lens information storage unit 261. If the size of the image plane is greater than or equal to the format of the image sensor in S313 (step S313; YES), the process proceeds to step S314. When the size of the image plane is smaller than the format of the image sensor (step S313; NO), the booster circuit 148 is controlled in step S331 to boost the output to the second voltage, and the memory display power supply 256 is supplied to the lens 20. In step S332, the lens control unit 251 supplies the memory display device 231 and / or the camera control unit 151 the image display unit 131 that “the size of the image plane is smaller than the format of the image sensor and the periphery of the screen. "Shooting is not possible, so that a picture cannot be taken" is displayed as a warning, and the process proceeds to step S21.

  In step S314, it is confirmed whether or not the focal length is to be displayed on the memory display device 231 on the interchangeable lens. When the setting is made to display on the memory-type display device 231 on the interchangeable lens (step S314; YES), in step S315, the booster circuit 148 is controlled as in step S14 of FIG. And is supplied to the lens 20 as a memory-type display power supply 256.

  Next, in step S316, whether the focal length to be displayed is the converted focal length or the actual focal length of the interchangeable lens 20 is determined as in step S15 of FIG. When it is set to display the converted focal length (step S316; YES), in step S317, the camera control unit 151 calculates the converted focal length according to the conversion formula (1), and the BL communication unit (camera side). 172 and the BL communication unit (lens side) 272 and sent to the lens control unit 251.

  In step S318, as in step S17 of FIG. 5, the lens control unit 251 writes the converted focal length into the memory display device 231 using the memory display power source 256, and the process proceeds to step S341. As a result, even if the interchangeable lens 20 is removed from the camera 10, the converted focal length remains displayed on the memory-type display device, so that the converted focal length can be confirmed with the interchangeable lens 20 alone.

  If the actual focal length is set to be displayed in step S316 (step S316; NO), the actual focal length of the interchangeable lens 20 is determined by the lens control unit 251 in step S319 as in step S18 of FIG. The data is written in the memory-type display device 231 using the memory-type display power supply 256, and the process proceeds to step S21.

  When it is set to display the lens list on the image display unit 131 on the camera in step S314 (step S314; NO), the focal length displayed in step S321 is the converted focal length or the actual focal length of the interchangeable lens 20 Is determined. When it is set to display the converted focal length (step S321; YES), the converted focal length is calculated by the camera control unit 151 according to the above-described conversion formula (1) in step S322. In step S323, the actual focal length and the converted focal length of the interchangeable lens 20 are stored in a nonvolatile memory (not shown) constituting the camera control unit 151. In step S324, the actual focal length and the converted focal length are stored in the image display unit 131. Displayed as a pair. By repeating lens exchange described later, actual focal lengths and converted focal lengths of a plurality of interchangeable lenses are stored in the nonvolatile memory, and in step S324, actual focal lengths and converted focal lengths of the interchangeable lenses are stored in the image display unit 131. Displayed as a conversion list.

  If the setting is made to display the actual focal length in step S321 (step S321; NO), the actual focal length of the interchangeable lens 20 is stored in a non-illustrated non-volatile memory constituting the camera control unit 151 in step S325. In step S326, the actual focal length is displayed on the image display unit 131. By repeating lens exchange described later, the actual focal lengths of the plurality of interchangeable lenses are stored in the nonvolatile memory, and the actual focal lengths of the interchangeable lenses are displayed as a list on the image display unit 131 in step S326. This completes a series of operations in the lens selection mode.

In the present embodiment, the conversion to the 35 mm film format has been described as the conversion focal length, but conversion to an arbitrary format (for example, APS-C format) may be used instead. In this case, the conversion formula (1) is
Conversion focal length = focal length of interchangeable lens × (Y1 / Y) (1)
Y1: Diagonal length of any format Y: Diagonal length of the image sensor

  Further, in the present embodiment, the conversion is performed using the conversion formula (1), but it may be referred to using a lookup table or the like.

  In addition, the detailed configuration and the detailed operation of each configuration configuring the digital camera according to the present invention can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

It is an external appearance schematic diagram (1/2) of the digital camera system which concerns on this invention. It is an external appearance schematic diagram (2/2) of the digital camera system which concerns on this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional schematic diagram of the digital camera system which concerns on this invention. 1 is a circuit block diagram of a digital camera system according to the present invention. It is a flowchart (1/3) which shows the flow of a process of the information display control in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart (2/3) which shows the flow of the process of the information display control in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart (3/3) which shows the flow of a process of the information display control in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the relationship between the image pick-up element format in this invention, an imaging | photography field angle, an actual focal distance, and a conversion focal distance. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the information display in this invention. It is a circuit block diagram of the interchangeable lens in the digital camera system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the information display control in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the information display in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process of the other information display control in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a table | surface which shows the relationship between the image pick-up element format and conversion focal length in this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the relationship between the format of the image pick-up element based on this invention, and the image | photographed image.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Camera system 10 Camera 101 Release button S1 AF switch S2 Release switch 35 35mm film imaging screen 102 Electroflash 103 Camera power supply 111 Power switch 112 Mode setting dial 113 Change dial 114 Control value setting dial 115 Jog dial 121 Finder 121a Eyepiece 121b Penta Prism 121c Focusing plate 131 Image display unit 132 Infinder display unit 141 Reflex mirror 142 Sub mirror 143 Mirror drive unit 144 AF module 145 Shutter 146 Shutter drive unit 147 Flash control unit 148 Booster circuit 151 Camera control unit 152 Image control unit 153 Image sensor 154 Image processing unit 155 Image memory 156 Memory card 161 Camera information storage unit 157 Display control unit 171 Mount (camera side)
172 BL communication section (camera side)
20 Interchangeable Lens 201 Focus Ring 202 Zoom Ring 211 Lens 231 Memory Display Device 241 Aperture 242 Aperture Control Unit 243 Zoom Value Detection Unit 244 AF Drive Unit 251 Lens Control Unit 256 Memory Display Power Unit 257 Memory Display Control Unit 261 Lens Information Storage 271 mount (lens side)
272 BL communication part (lens side)

Claims (12)

In interchangeable lenses attached to interchangeable lens digital cameras,
A memory display device;
A communication unit that obtains information about the size of the imaging area of the imaging element used in the interchangeable lens digital camera from the interchangeable lens digital camera;
A lens information storage unit that stores information on the focal length of the interchangeable lens and the size of the image plane;
The size of the imaging area of a predetermined size corresponding to the shooting angle of view equivalent to the shooting angle of view of the interchangeable lens digital camera from the information related to the size of the imaging area of the image pickup device and the information related to the focal length of the interchangeable lens. A conversion means for converting the focal length into
An interchangeable lens comprising display control means for displaying at least one of the focal length of the interchangeable lens and the focal length converted by the conversion means on the memory-type display device. The interchangeable lens according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined size is a size of one frame of a 35 mm film. Having an operating part that operates at a first voltage;
The memory-type display device is written with a second voltage,
3. The interchangeable lens according to claim 1, wherein the second voltage is supplied from a booster circuit built in the interchangeable lens digital camera. The display control means outputs a warning signal when the size of the imaging area of the imaging device is larger than the size of the image plane of the interchangeable lens. The interchangeable lens according to item. In an interchangeable lens digital camera provided with a communication unit that obtains information from an interchangeable lens provided with a display unit, and a camera information storage unit that stores information about the camera,
The information obtained by the communication unit includes information on the focal length of the interchangeable lens and the size of the image plane stored in the lens information storage unit in the interchangeable lens,
The information stored in the camera information storage unit includes information on the size of the imaging area of the imaging device used in the digital camera,
The display unit is a memory display device,
The focal length of the interchangeable lens is determined from the focal length of the interchangeable lens and the size of the imaging region of the image sensor from the information regarding the focal length of the interchangeable lens and the information regarding the size of the imaging region of the image sensor. Conversion means for converting to a focal length at a size of an imaging region of a predetermined size corresponding to a shooting field angle equivalent to a shooting field angle to be performed;
It is characterized by comprising display control means for displaying at least one of the focal length of the interchangeable lens and the focal length converted by the conversion means on the memory display device of the interchangeable lens via the communication unit. Interchangeable lens digital camera. 6. The interchangeable-lens digital camera according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined size is a size of one frame of a 35 mm film. With electroflash,
A booster circuit for generating an operating voltage of the electroflash;
A first voltage supply unit for supplying a first voltage to the interchangeable lens;
A second voltage supply unit that supplies a second voltage for writing to the memory display device;
The interchangeable-lens digital camera according to claim 5, wherein the second voltage is generated by the booster circuit. 8. The display control unit according to claim 5, further comprising a warning unit that warns when the size of the imaging area of the imaging device is larger than the size of the image plane of the interchangeable lens. The interchangeable lens digital camera according to Item 1. In a camera system consisting of a digital camera and an interchangeable lens,
A camera information storage unit that stores information related to the size of the imaging area of the imaging device used in the digital camera;
A lens information storage unit that stores information on the focal length of the interchangeable lens and the size of the image plane;
Based on the information on the focal length of the interchangeable lens and the information on the size of the imaging area of the imaging device, the size of the imaging area of a predetermined size corresponding to the imaging field angle equivalent to the imaging field angle of the interchangeable lens digital camera A conversion means for converting the focal length into
A memory-type display device provided in the interchangeable lens;
A camera system comprising: display control means for displaying at least one of the focal length of the interchangeable lens and the focal length converted by the conversion means on the memory display device. The camera system according to claim 9, wherein the predetermined size is a size of one frame of a 35 mm film. With electroflash,
A booster circuit for generating an operating voltage of the electroflash;
A first voltage supply unit for supplying a first voltage to the interchangeable lens;
A second voltage supply unit that supplies a second voltage for writing to the memory display device;
The camera system according to claim 9, wherein the second voltage is generated by the booster circuit. The said display control means has a warning means to warn when the magnitude | size of the imaging area of the said image pick-up element is larger than the magnitude | size of the image surface of the said interchangeable lens, The any one of Claim 9 thru | or 11 characterized by the above-mentioned. The camera system according to Item 1.

Images