JP2007096455A - Photographing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photographing apparatus with which effective interexposure zoom photographing can be simply executed. <P>SOLUTION: When a photographing mode is set to an interexposure zoom photographing mode, photographing is prepared by half-depression of a shutter button 22, and the photographing is executed by a zoom operation of a zoom button 32. Thus, zooming is carried out at the same time when the exposure is started and the effective interexposure zoom photographing can simply be executed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a photographing apparatus, and more particularly, to a photographing apparatus capable of performing zooming during exposure using a zoom lens.

  A zoom between exposures is known as one of photographing methods using a zoom lens. The inter-exposure zoom is a photographing method in which the focal length is changed by zooming during exposure, and an image flows radially from the center to the periphery of the image, and dynamic feeling and special effects can be obtained.

Conventionally, this inter-exposure zoom has been performed manually by a photographer, but in recent years, an electric zoom lens has been used, and an imaging apparatus that automatically performs inter-exposure zoom photography has also been proposed (for example, , See Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-201971

  However, the conventional photographing apparatus has a drawback that it is difficult to perform an appropriate zoom operation because the photographer performs zooming after the release operation, and it is difficult to obtain an image intended by the photographer.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus that can easily perform effective inter-exposure zoom imaging.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, in a photographing apparatus for photographing an image with a zoom lens that is zoomed by a zoom manipulation unit, a mode setting unit that sets a photographing mode to an inter-exposure zoom photographing mode; A zoom operation detecting means for detecting a zoom operation of the zoom lens by the zoom operation means, and a photographing operation that is triggered by the detection of the zoom operation by the zoom operation detecting means when set to the during-exposure zoom photographing mode. And a control device.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the during-exposure zoom shooting mode is set by the mode setting means, the release function is shifted to the zoom operation means. That is, a shooting execution command is issued and shooting is performed by a zoom operation by the zoom operation means. Thus, zooming is performed simultaneously with the start of exposure, and effective inter-exposure zoom photography can be easily performed.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the object, a shooting preparation instruction input means for inputting a shooting preparation instruction and a shooting preparation instruction according to the shooting preparation instruction input from the shooting preparation instruction input means. A shooting preparation control means for performing a zoom operation detection by the zoom operation detection means after the preparation for shooting by the shooting preparation control means when the shooting control means is set to the during-exposure zoom shooting mode. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1 is provided.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the photographing preparation instruction input means and the photographing preparation control means are provided, and when the during-exposure zoom photographing mode is set, the release function performs the zoom operation after photographing preparation by the photographing preparation control means. Transition to means.

  In order to achieve the object, the invention according to claim 3 includes zoom drive means for driving the zoom lens to zoom, and drive control means for controlling the drive of the zoom drive means. The driving of the zoom driving means is controlled before and during shooting according to the zoom operation by the zoom operating means, and when the shooting is completed, the driving of the zoom driving means is forcibly stopped. An imaging device according to claim 1 is provided.

  According to the invention of claim 3, the zoom lens is electrically driven in accordance with the zoom operation by the zoom operation means. When the between-exposure zoom shooting mode is set, shooting is started by using the zoom operation by the zoom operation means as a trigger, and when the shooting is finished, the driving of the zoom lens is forcibly stopped. That is, even if the zoom operation means is operated, zoom driving is not performed. Thereby, wasteful power consumption can be suppressed.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, the photographing device is a photographing device that photographs an image with an image sensor, and displays a display means and an image obtained from the image sensor before photographing. 4. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising display control means for displaying on the display means.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided display means for displaying an image obtained from the image sensor when an image is captured by the image sensor. Thus, it is possible to take a picture while looking at the image, and it is possible to easily take an intended image.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the object, the photographing device is a photographing device for photographing an image with a CCD image sensor, and the driving voltage for controlling the application of the driving voltage to the CCD image sensor. The driving voltage control means lowers the positive voltage applied to the vertical CCD of the CCD image sensor by a predetermined amount after the preparation for photographing by the photographing preparation control means until the start of reading. An imaging apparatus according to claim 2 is provided.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when an image is captured by the CCD image sensor, the positive voltage applied to the vertical CCD of the CCD image sensor is determined after the preparation for photographing by the photographing preparation control means until the start of reading. The quantity is lowered. Thereby, it is possible to stand by for shooting in a state where generation of unnecessary charges is suppressed, and deterioration of image quality can be effectively suppressed.

  With the photographing apparatus according to the present invention, it is possible to easily perform effective inter-exposure zoom photographing using a zoom lens.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the photographing apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  1 and 2 are a front perspective view and a rear perspective view, respectively, showing the external configuration of a photographing apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

  As shown in the figure, a photographing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is a digital camera that photographs an image with a photographing element. A photographing lens 14, a finder window 16, and a strobe 18 are disposed on the front surface of the photographing apparatus main body 12. A microphone 20 and the like are provided, and a shutter button 22, a power / mode switch 24, a mode dial 26, and the like are provided on the upper surface.

  Further, a finder eyepiece 28, a liquid crystal monitor 30, a zoom button 32, a cross button 34, a MENU / OK button 36, a DISP button 38, a BACK button 40, a speaker 42, and the like are provided on the rear surface of the photographing apparatus main body 12. On the right side, a USB terminal 44, a power supply terminal 46, an AV output terminal 48, and the like are provided.

  An openable / closable cover is provided on the bottom surface of the photographing apparatus main body 12 (not shown), a battery storage chamber for storing a battery inside the cover, a memory card slot for loading a memory card, Is provided.

  The photographic lens 14 is constituted by a retractable zoom lens, and is retracted from the photographic device body 12 when the power of the photographic device 10 is turned on, and retracted into the photographic device body 12 when turned off.

  The shutter button 22 is constituted by a two-stage stroke type switch composed of so-called “half press” and “full press”. The photographing apparatus 10 performs photographing preparation by half-pressing the shutter button 22, that is, performs AE (Automatic Exposure) / AF (Auto Focus) processing, and performs full photographing to perform photographing processing.

  The power / mode switch 24 functions as a power switch for turning on / off the power of the photographing apparatus 10 and also functions as a mode switch for setting the mode of the photographing apparatus 10, and includes “OFF position”, “reproduction position”, “photographing”. It is slidably provided between “positions”. The photographing apparatus 10 is turned on when the power / mode switch 24 is set to the “reproduction position” or “shooting position”, and is turned off when the power / mode switch 24 is set to the “OFF position”. Further, the “reproduction mode” is set by setting the power / mode switch 24 to the “reproduction position”, and the “shooting mode” is set by setting the power / mode switch 24 to the “shooting position”. When the photographing apparatus 10 is set to the “photographing mode”, the photographing can be performed, and when the photographing apparatus 10 is set to the “reproducing mode”, the recorded image can be reproduced.

  The mode dial 26 functions as shooting mode setting means for setting the shooting mode of the shooting apparatus 10 and is provided to be rotatable at a constant angular interval. In addition, as the shooting modes that can be set here, "Auto shooting mode", "Program shooting mode", "Shutter speed priority shooting mode", "Aperture priority shooting mode", "Manual shooting mode", "Night scene shooting mode", It is assumed that “sports shooting mode”, “landscape shooting mode”, “portrait shooting mode”, and “inter-exposure zoom shooting mode” are prepared, and “auto” is set by setting the mode dial 26 to the “AUTO” position. By setting to “shooting mode” and “P” position, “program shooting mode”, by setting to “S” position, “shutter speed priority shooting mode”, by setting to “A” position, “aperture priority shooting mode” ”,“ M ”position is set to“ Manual Shooting Mode ”,“ Night Scene ”position is set to“ Night Scene ” `` Shadow mode '', `` Sports shooting mode '' by setting to `` Sport '' position, `` Scenery shooting mode '' by setting to `` Scenery '' position, `` Portrait shooting mode '', `` By setting the “Z” position, the “inter-exposure zoom photographing mode” is set.

  The liquid crystal monitor 30 is composed of a liquid crystal display capable of color display. The liquid crystal monitor 26 is used as a display screen for captured images and is used as a user interface for various settings. Further, a through image is displayed at the time of shooting as necessary, and is used as an electronic viewfinder for viewing angle confirmation.

  The zoom button 32 includes a zoom tele button 32T for instructing zooming to the telephoto side and a zoom wide button 32W for instructing zooming to the wide-angle side. By operating the zoom button 32, the photographic lens 14 is operated. The focal length changes.

  The cross button 34 is provided so that it can be pressed in four directions, up, down, left, and right, and is assigned a function according to the setting mode. For example, when the playback mode is set, the right button functions as a frame advance button and the left button functions as a frame return button. When the shooting mode is set, the right button functions as a strobe mode switching button and the left button functions as a macro mode switching button.

  The MENU / OK button 36 functions as a button (MENU button) for instructing transition from the normal screen to the menu screen in each mode, and functions as a button (OK button) for instructing selection confirmation, execution of processing, and the like. To do.

  The DISP button 38 functions as a button for instructing switching of the display contents of the liquid crystal monitor 30. For example, when the DISP button 38 is pressed during shooting, a through image is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 30. When the DISP button 38 is pressed again, an aperture value, a shutter speed, etc. are displayed over the through image. When the button is further pressed, the display on the liquid crystal monitor 30 is turned off.

  The BACK button 40 functions as a button for instructing to cancel the input operation.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the photographing apparatus. As shown in the figure, the photographing apparatus 10 includes a photographing lens 14, a CCD image sensor (CCD) 112, a CCD driver 114, a timing generator (TG) 116, an analog signal processing unit 118, an A / D converter 120, an image input. Control unit 122, digital signal processing unit 124, display control unit 128, liquid crystal monitor 30, compression / decompression processing unit 132, recording control unit 134, storage medium 136, AE detection unit 138, AF detection unit 140, CPU 142, ROM 144, RAM 146 , Flash ROM 148, operation unit (shutter button 22, power / mode switch 24, mode dial 26, zoom button 32, cross button 34, MENU / OK button 36, DISP button 38, BACK button 40, etc.) 150, strobe control unit 152 In the power control unit 154 etc. It has been made.

  The overall operation of the photographing apparatus 10 is comprehensively controlled by the CPU 142, and the CPU 142 controls each part of the photographing apparatus 10 according to a predetermined control program while using the RAM 146 as a working memory. The ROM 144 stores various data necessary for control in addition to the control program executed by the CPU 142. The flash ROM 148 stores rewritable information such as user setting information.

  The taking lens 14 is composed of an electric zoom lens, and a zoom lens group 160z for performing zooming, a focus lens group 160f for performing focusing, a diaphragm 160i for adjusting the amount of incident light, and a mechanical shutter 160s for shielding light. It has. The zoom lens group 160z, the focus lens group 160f, the diaphragm 160i, and the mechanical shutter 160s are driven and operated by a zoom motor 162z, a focus motor 162f, an iris motor 162i, and a shutter motor 162s, respectively. That is, the zoom lens group 160z is driven by the zoom motor 162z to move back and forth on the photographic optical axis, and thereby the focal length of the photographic lens 14 changes. Further, the focus lens 160f is driven by the focus motor 162f to move back and forth on the photographing optical axis, whereby the focal position of the photographing lens 14 changes. Further, the aperture 160i is driven by the iris motor 162i, so that the opening amount changes stepwise, whereby the amount of light incident on the CCD image sensor 114 (aperture value) changes. The mechanical shutter 160s is driven by a shutter motor 162s to open and close, whereby the CCD image sensor 112 is exposed / light-shielded.

  The CPU 142 controls the driving of the zoom motor 162z, the focus motor 162f, the iris motor 162i, and the shutter motor 162s via the zoom motor driver 164z, the focus motor driver 164f, the iris motor driver 164i, and the shutter motor driver 164s, and the zoom lens group 160z. The operation of the focus lens 160f, the diaphragm 160i, and the mechanical shutter 160s is controlled.

  The subject light incident on the photographic lens 14 is incident on the light receiving surface of the CCD image sensor 112 via the zoom lens group 160z, the focus lens 160f, the aperture 160i, and the mechanical shutter 160s.

  A large number of photodiodes are regularly arranged on the light receiving surface of the CCD image sensor 112, and light incident on the light receiving surface is converted into signal charges of an amount corresponding to the amount of incident light by each photodiode.

  The signal charge accumulated in each photodiode of the CCD image sensor 112 is read according to the drive pulse applied from the CCD driver 114, and is sequentially output from the CCD image sensor 112 as a voltage signal (image signal). The CPU 142 controls the CCD driver 114 via the timing generator (TG) 116 and controls the driving of the CCD image sensor 112.

  The CCD image sensor 112 includes an overflow drain. The CCD image sensor 112 has a function of controlling a charge accumulation time by sweeping unnecessary charges to the overflow drain, that is, a so-called electronic shutter function.

  The analog signal processing unit 118 includes a sampling hold circuit, a color separation circuit, a gain adjustment circuit, and the like, and color-separates image signals sequentially output from the CCD image sensor 112 into correlated double sampling (CDS) processing and RGB color signals. The signal level of each color signal is adjusted (pre-white balance processing).

  The A / D converter 120 converts the analog image signal output from the analog signal processing unit 118 into a digital image signal.

  The CCD driver 114, the analog signal processing unit 118, and the A / D converter 120 are supplied with timing pulses from a timing generator (TG) 116, and operate in synchronization.

  The image input control unit 122 has a built-in buffer memory having a predetermined capacity. Under the control of the CPU 142, the image signal output from the A / D converter 120 is accumulated for one frame and stored in the RAM 146.

  The digital signal processing unit 124 includes a synchronization circuit, a gamma correction circuit, a contour correction circuit, a luminance / color difference signal generation circuit, and the like, processes an image signal stored in the RAM 146 in accordance with a command from the CPU 142, and performs a luminance signal and a color difference signal. A YUV signal consisting of

  In the case where an image captured by the CCD image sensor 112 is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 30, the YUV signal generated by the digital signal processing unit 124 is added to the display control unit 128 and converted into a display signal format to be displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 30. Output to. As a result, an image photographed by the CCD image sensor 112 is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 30.

  In addition, when displaying a through image on the liquid crystal monitor 30, the CCD image sensor 112 continuously captures images, and the obtained image signals are continuously processed and output to the liquid crystal monitor 30. As a result, a through image is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 30, and it is possible to take a picture while using the liquid crystal monitor 30 as an electronic viewfinder.

  When recording an image, the YUV signal generated by the digital signal processing unit 124 is added to the compression / decompression processing unit 132 to obtain predetermined compressed image data (for example, JPEG), and then the recording control unit 134 is used. And stored in a storage medium (memory card) 136.

  The compressed image data stored in the storage medium 136 is read from the storage medium 136 in response to a reproduction command, converted into an uncompressed YUV signal by the compression / expansion processing unit 132, and then liquid crystal via the display control unit 128. It is output to the monitor 30. As a result, the captured image recorded in the storage medium 136 is reproduced and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 30.

  The AE detection unit 138 operates in accordance with a command from the CPU 142 and calculates a physical quantity necessary for AE control based on the image signal output from the CCD image sensor 112. For example, one screen is divided into a plurality of areas (for example, 16 × 16) for one frame of image signals captured from the CCD image sensor 112 via the analog signal processing unit 118, the A / D converter 120, and the image input control unit 122. ) And an integrated value of RGB image signals is calculated for each divided area. The CPU 142 acquires the integrated value calculated by the AE detection unit 138, detects the brightness of the subject, and calculates a photometric value (EV value). Then, the exposure (sensitivity, aperture, shutter speed) at the time of shooting is set based on the obtained EV value.

  The AF detection unit 140 operates in accordance with a command from the CPU 142 and calculates a physical quantity necessary for AF control based on the image signal output from the CCD image sensor 112. For example, the focus evaluation value indicating the sharpness of the image is calculated from the image signal for one frame captured from the CCD image sensor 112 via the analog signal processing unit 118, the A / D converter 120, and the image input control unit 122. The CPU 142 acquires the focus evaluation value from the AF detection unit 140 at a plurality of detection points while moving the focus lens group 160f from the close range to infinity, and detects the position where the acquired focus evaluation value is the maximum as the in-focus position. To do. Then, the focus lens 160f is moved to the in-focus position.

  The strobe control unit 152 controls the light emission of the strobe 18 in accordance with a command from the CPU 142.

  The power supply control unit 154 controls power supply from the battery 156 to each unit of the photographing apparatus in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 142.

  The photographing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment is configured as described above.

  Next, the processing operation at the time of photographing in the photographing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment will be described.

  As described above, in the photographing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, as the photographing modes, “auto photographing mode”, “program photographing mode”, “shutter speed priority photographing mode”, “aperture priority photographing mode”, “manual photographing mode”. In addition to a general shooting mode such as “”, an “inter-exposure zoom shooting mode” for performing zoom shooting during exposure is prepared.

  First, the processing operation of the photographing apparatus 10 when “auto photographing mode” is selected as a general photographing mode will be described. The shooting mode is set with the mode dial 26.

  First, when the shutter button 22 is half-pressed, an S1 ON signal is input from the operation unit 150 to the CPU 142. The CPU 142 executes shooting preparation, that is, AE / AF control in response to the input of the S1 ON signal.

  That is, as AE control, an image for AE is picked up by the CCD image sensor 112 and added to the AE detection unit 138 via the analog signal processing unit 118, the A / D converter 120, and the image input controller 122. The AE detection unit 138 calculates an integrated value from the input image signal and outputs it to the CPU 142. The CPU 142 detects the brightness of the subject from the integrated value obtained from the AE detection unit 138, and calculates the EV value. Then, the exposure is set based on the calculated EV value.

  Further, as the AF control, an AF image is picked up by the CCD image sensor 112 while moving the focus lens 160f, and the AF detection unit is passed through the analog signal processing unit 118, the A / D converter 120, and the image input control unit 122. Add to 140. The AF detection unit 140 calculates a focus evaluation value from the input image signal and outputs it to the CPU 142. The CPU 142 detects a focus position based on the focus evaluation value obtained from the AF detection unit 140, and moves the focus lens 160f to the detected focus position.

  Thereafter, when the shutter button 22 is fully pressed, an S2 ON signal is input from the operation unit 150 to the CPU 142. In response to the input of the S2 ON signal, the CPU 142 executes image shooting and recording processing. That is, an image for recording is picked up by the CCD image sensor 112 and taken into the RAM 146 via the analog signal processing unit 118, the A / D converter 120, and the image input control unit 122. Then, in addition to the digital signal processing unit 24, a YUV signal is created. The created YUV signal is compressed by the compression / expansion processing unit 132 and recorded on the storage medium 136 via the recording control unit 134.

  An image is photographed in the series of steps described above, and the photographed image is recorded in the storage medium 136.

  The image recorded on the storage medium 136 is read from the storage medium 136 in response to a playback instruction input from the operation unit 150, decompressed by the compression / decompression processing unit 132, and then via the display control unit 128. Is output to the liquid crystal monitor 30. As a result, the image recorded on the storage medium 136 is reproduced and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 30.

  Next, the processing operation of the photographing apparatus 10 when the photographing mode is set to the “exposure zoom photographing mode” will be described.

  In the between-exposure zoom shooting mode, the function of instructing shooting is shifted from the shutter button 22 to the zoom button 32. That is, under the during-exposure zoom shooting mode, shooting is not performed even if the shutter button 22 is fully pressed, and shooting is performed by operating the zoom button 32.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the processing operation of the photographing apparatus 10 in the during-exposure zoom photographing mode.

  First, the CPU 142 determines whether or not the shooting mode is set to the during-exposure zoom shooting mode (step S10). This determination is performed based on an input from the operation unit 150. When it is determined that the during-exposure zoom shooting mode is set, the CPU 142 executes the following processing operation in accordance with a predetermined control program for during-exposure zoom shooting. .

  First, it is determined whether or not a zoom operation has been performed based on an input from the operation unit 150 (step S11). When determining that the zoom operation has been performed, the CPU 142 moves the zoom lens group 160z in accordance with the operation, and changes the focal length of the photographic lens 14 (step S12). The photographer adjusts the angle of view of the image to be photographed by this operation, and determines the composition.

  Thereafter, the CPU 142 determines whether or not the shutter button 22 has been half-pressed based on the input from the operation unit 150 (whether or not an S1 ON signal has been input) (step S13). When it is determined that the shutter button 22 is half-pressed (S1 is on), preparation for shooting is performed (step S14). That is, AE / AF control is executed, the main subject is focused, and exposure (aperture and shutter speed) at the time of shooting is determined.

  After shooting preparation, the CPU 142 determines whether the shutter button 22 is fully pressed (whether an S2 ON signal is input) based on the input from the operation unit 150 (step S15). If it is determined that the shutter button 22 has been fully pressed, it is determined that the exposure and focusing have been completed, and the release function is shifted to the zoom button 32. That is, after that, when the zoom button 32 is operated, the camera is put on standby so that shooting is performed.

  Thereafter, the CPU 142 determines whether or not the shutter button 22 has been half-pressed based on the input from the operation unit 150 (whether or not the S1 ON signal has been input) (step S16). If it is determined that the shutter button 22 is half-pressed, the shooting standby state is canceled, and the process returns to step S14 to prepare for shooting again.

  On the other hand, when determining that the shutter button 22 is not half-pressed, the CPU 142 determines whether or not a zoom operation has been performed based on an input from the operation unit 150 (step S17).

  If it is determined that the zoom operation has not been performed, the CPU 142 returns to step S13 and determines again whether or not the shutter button 22 has been half-pressed again. When it is determined that the shutter button 22 is half-pressed again, the preparation for photographing is performed again.

  On the other hand, when the zoom button 32 is pressed and it is determined that the zoom operation has been performed, the CPU 142 executes a photographing process.

  That is, first, the shutter motor 162s is driven to open the mechanical shutter 160s (step S18), and the zoom motor 162 is driven to move the zoom lens 160z (step S19). Thereby, the photographing lens 14 is zoomed simultaneously with the start of exposure.

  The CPU 142 determines whether or not the exposure time corresponding to the set shutter speed has elapsed (step S20). If it is determined that the exposure time has elapsed, the shutter motor 162s is driven to close the mechanical shutter 160s (step S21). This completes the exposure.

  Thereafter, the CPU 142 captures an image signal from the CCD image sensor 112, performs necessary signal processing, and records an image obtained by photographing on the storage medium 136 (step S22).

  As described above, according to the imaging device 10 of the present embodiment, when the during-exposure zoom imaging mode is set, the function for instructing the imaging is shifted from the shutter button 22 to the zoom button 32 and the zoom button 32 is operated. Then, shooting is performed. Thereby, zooming can be performed simultaneously with the start of exposure, and zoom exposure during exposure can be performed easily and reliably.

  In the above embodiment, the case where shooting is performed without displaying a through image on the liquid crystal monitor 30 has been described as an example. However, it is also possible to perform shooting while displaying a through image. Processing in this case is performed as follows.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the processing operation of the image capturing apparatus 10 when performing zoom exposure during exposure while displaying a through image.

  When the through image display is set to ON, images continuously captured by the CCD image sensor 112 are displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 30 as a through image (step S30). The photographer adjusts the angle of view while viewing the display on the liquid crystal monitor 30 to adjust the composition.

  On the other hand, the CPU 142 determines whether or not a zoom operation has been performed based on an input from the operation unit 150 (step S31). If it is determined that the zoom operation has been performed, the zoom lens group 160z is moved in accordance with the operation, and the focal length of the photographing lens 14 is changed (step S32).

  Thereafter, the CPU 142 determines whether or not the shutter button 22 has been half-pressed based on the input from the operation unit 150 (whether or not the S1 ON signal has been input) (step S33). When it is determined that the shutter button 22 is half-pressed (S1 is on), preparation for photographing is performed (step S34). That is, AE / AF control is executed, the main subject is focused, and exposure (aperture and shutter speed) at the time of shooting is determined.

  When the shooting preparation is completed, the CPU 142 determines whether or not the shutter button 22 has been fully pressed (whether or not the S2 ON signal has been input) based on the input from the operation unit 150 (step S35). If it is determined that the shutter button 22 has been fully pressed, it is determined that exposure and focusing have been completed, a through image is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 30 again (step S36), and the release function is shifted to the zoom button 32. . That is, after that, when the zoom button 32 is operated, the camera is put on standby so that shooting is performed.

  Thereafter, the CPU 142 determines whether or not the shutter button 22 has been half-pressed based on the input from the operation unit 150 (whether or not the S1 ON signal has been input) (step S37). If it is determined that the shutter button 22 has been half-pressed, the shooting standby state is canceled, and the process returns to step S34 to prepare for shooting again.

  On the other hand, when determining that the shutter button 22 is not half-pressed, the CPU 142 determines whether or not a zoom operation has been performed based on an input from the operation unit 150 (step S38).

  If it is determined that the zoom operation is not performed, the CPU 142 returns to step S33 and determines again whether or not the shutter button 22 is half-pressed again. When it is determined that the shutter button 22 is half-pressed again, the preparation for photographing is performed again.

  On the other hand, when the zoom button 32 is pressed and it is determined that the zoom operation has been performed, the CPU 142 executes a photographing process.

  That is, the CCD driver 114 is driven to operate the electronic shutter of the CCD image sensor 112 to start exposure (step S39). At the same time, the zoom motor 162 is driven to move the zoom lens 160z (step S40). Thereby, the photographing lens 14 is zoomed simultaneously with the start of exposure.

  The CPU 142 determines whether an exposure time corresponding to the set shutter speed has elapsed (step S41). If it is determined that the exposure time has elapsed, the shutter motor 162s is driven to close the mechanical shutter 160s (step S42). This completes the exposure.

  Thereafter, the CPU 142 captures an image signal from the CCD image sensor 112, performs necessary signal processing, and records an image obtained by photographing on the storage medium 136 (step S43).

  As described above, in the imaging device 10 of the present embodiment, it is possible to perform imaging while displaying a through image on the liquid crystal monitor 30. By shooting while displaying the through image on the liquid crystal monitor 30 as described above, the shutter can be released at an appropriate timing while checking the shot image, and the image intended by the photographer can be easily shot. become able to.

  Note that when the through image display is set to OFF, it is not possible to shoot while confirming the image, but there is an advantage that the shutter time lag can be eliminated because the start time of exposure can be defined by the mechanical shutter 160s. That is, as shown in FIG. 6A, when the through image display is set to ON, the exposure time is controlled by the electronic shutter function of the CCD image sensor 112, so that a shutter time lag may occur, but FIG. ), When the through image display is set to OFF, since the exposure time can be controlled by the mechanical shutter 160s, the exposure can be started immediately after the zoom operation is detected, and the shutter time lag can be eliminated. . As a result, it is possible to obtain an image obtained by cutting out the moment without missing a photo opportunity.

  The through image display may be completely turned off, or may be turned on until the shooting standby state is entered, and may be turned off after entering the shooting standby state.

  The through image is turned on / off by, for example, the DISP button 38, and the through image display mode is switched each time the DISP button 38 is pressed. In addition, it may be set on a menu screen or the like.

  When the through image display is set to OFF, as shown in FIG. 7, it is preferable to wait for a predetermined amount of the positive voltage applied to the vertical CCD of the CCD image sensor 112 after preparation for photographing. Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of an excess electric charge can be suppressed and an image of favorable image quality can be image | photographed.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the processing operation of the photographing apparatus 10 when the positive side voltage applied to the vertical CCD is lowered to stand by when performing zoom exposure photography during exposure.

  When the shooting mode is set to the during-exposure zoom shooting mode, the CPU 142 first determines whether or not a zoom operation has been performed based on an input from the operation unit 150 (step S50). When determining that the zoom operation has been performed, the CPU 142 moves the zoom lens group 160z in accordance with the operation, and changes the focal length of the photographing lens 14 (step S51). The photographer adjusts the angle of view of the image to be photographed by this operation, and determines the composition.

  Thereafter, the CPU 142 determines whether or not the shutter button 22 is half-pressed based on the input from the operation unit 150 (whether or not the S1 ON signal is input) (step S52). If it is determined that the shutter button 22 has been half-pressed (S1 is on), preparation for shooting is performed (step S53). That is, AE / AF control is executed, the main subject is focused, and exposure (aperture and shutter speed) at the time of shooting is determined.

  When the shooting preparation is completed, the CPU 142 determines whether or not the shutter button 22 has been fully pressed (whether or not the S2 ON signal has been input) based on the input from the operation unit 150 (step S54). If it is determined that the shutter button 22 has been fully pressed, it is determined that exposure and focusing have been completed, the release function is shifted to the zoom button 32, and a positive voltage applied to the vertical CCD of the CCD image sensor 112 is set. A predetermined amount is lowered from the normal value (step S55). In general, the normal value of the positive side voltage applied to the vertical CCD is 10V to 12V, so it is lowered to about 5V to 7V, for example.

  Thereafter, the CPU 142 determines whether or not a zoom operation has been performed based on an input from the operation unit 150 (step S56).

  If it is determined that the zoom operation is not performed, the CPU 142 returns to step S52 and determines again whether or not the shutter button 22 is half-pressed again. When it is determined that the shutter button 22 is half-pressed again, the preparation for photographing is performed again.

  On the other hand, when the zoom button 32 is pressed and it is determined that the zoom operation has been performed, the CPU 142 executes a photographing process.

  That is, first, the shutter motor 162s is driven to open the mechanical shutter 160s (step S57), and the zoom motor 162 is driven to move the zoom lens 160z (step S58). Thereby, the photographing lens 14 is zoomed simultaneously with the start of exposure.

  The CPU 142 determines whether or not the exposure time corresponding to the set shutter speed has elapsed (step S59). If it is determined that the exposure time has elapsed, the shutter motor 162s is driven to close the mechanical shutter 160s (step S60). This completes the exposure.

  Thereafter, the CPU 142 returns the positive voltage applied to the vertical CCD of the CCD image sensor 112 to a normal value (step S61). Then, an image signal is taken from the CCD image sensor 112, required signal processing is performed, and an image obtained by photographing is recorded in the storage medium 136 (step S62).

  As described above, after preparation for photographing, the plus voltage applied to the vertical CCD of the CCD image sensor 112 is lowered from the normal value by a predetermined amount, thereby generating extra charges in the light receiving surface of the CCD image sensor 112. Therefore, a good captured image can be obtained.

  Note that in the photographing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, zooming of the photographing lens 14 is performed in conjunction with the zoom operation of the zoom button 32, and zooming is performed as long as the zoom button 32 is pressed even during exposure, as shown in FIG. As described above, it is preferable to forcibly stop zooming after completion of exposure. That is, when the exposure is completed, the driving of the zoom motor 162z is forcibly stopped even if the zoom button 32 is pressed. Thereby, useless power consumption can be suppressed and the battery life can be extended.

  In this case, the timing for stopping the driving of the zoom motor 162z may be stopped in synchronization with the closing operation of the mechanical shutter 160s as shown in FIG. The driving may be stopped after the mechanical shutter 160s is closed as shown in FIG. 9B (the shutter closing pulse applied to the shutter driver 164s is completely stopped). Stop driving after output).

  In the photographing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the photographing lens 14 is configured with an electric zoom lens, but may be configured with a manual zoom lens that manually performs a zoom operation. In the manual zoom lens, for example, zooming is performed by rotating a zoom ring provided on the outer periphery of the lens barrel in the circumferential direction or moving back and forth in the optical axis direction. Accordingly, a means for detecting the rotation or movement of the zoom ring is provided, and the rotation or movement of the zoom ring is detected by the detection means to detect a zoom operation. Alternatively, a means for detecting the movement of the zoom lens group is provided, and the movement of the zoom lens group is detected by this detection means to detect the zoom operation. Alternatively, a means for detecting the position (zoom position) of the zoom lens group is provided, and the position (focal length) of the zoom lens group is detected by this detection means to detect a zoom operation.

  In this embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a digital camera using a CCD image sensor has been described as an example. However, the application of the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be similarly applied to a film camera using a film, and can also be similarly applied to a mobile phone with a camera in which a zoom lens is incorporated.

  In addition, although the imaging device of the present embodiment uses a CCD image sensor as an imaging device, the imaging device is not limited to this, and an imaging device such as a CMOS may be used.

  Note that the method of setting the exposure at the time of zooming between exposures is not particularly limited, but the effect of zooming between exposures increases as the shutter speed becomes slower. It is preferable to set the exposure so that the shutter speed becomes slow. For example, a program diagram set so that the shutter speed is slowed down is prepared, and when the during-exposure zoom shooting mode is set, exposure is set according to this program diagram. As a result, more effective during-exposure zoom shooting can be performed.

  In this embodiment, AE / AF control is performed as preparation for photographing. However, in the case of a photographing apparatus having only the AE function or when manual focusing is set, only AE control is performed as photographing preparation. To do. Also, in the case of an imaging apparatus having only an AF function, or when exposure is set manually, only AF control is performed as preparation for imaging. If none of the functions of AE / AF is provided, or if exposure and focusing are set manually, shooting preparation is not performed, and shooting preparation is completed by half-pressing the shutter button 22. That is, after that, shooting is performed by zoom operation of the zoom lens.

  In the present embodiment, when the shutter button 22 is fully pressed after the shutter button 22 is half-pressed, the release function is shifted to the zoom button 32. However, immediately after the shutter button 22 is half-pressed, the release button is released. The function may be transferred to the zoom button 32.

  Furthermore, when the shutter button 22 is fully pressed, preparation for shooting may be performed, or when the shutter button 22 is half-pressed or fully pressed, preparation for shooting may be performed.

  In the present embodiment, the zooming speed at the time of zoom exposure during exposure is not particularly defined, but the photographer may arbitrarily set the zooming speed.

Front perspective view showing external configuration of photographing apparatus Rear perspective view showing external configuration of photographing apparatus Block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the photographing apparatus A flowchart showing a procedure of processing operation of the photographing apparatus in the between-exposure zoom photographing mode Flowchart showing the procedure of the processing operation of the photographing apparatus when performing zoom exposure shooting while displaying a through image Timing chart of processing operation of photographing device in zoom exposure mode between exposures Timing chart of processing operation of photographing device in zoom exposure mode between exposures Flowchart showing the procedure of the processing operation of the photographing apparatus when the plus voltage applied to the vertical CCD is lowered to stand by Timing chart of processing operation of photographing device in zoom exposure mode between exposures

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Shooting device, 12 ... Shooting device main body, 14 ... Shooting lens, 22 ... Shutter button, 24 ... Power / mode switch, 26 ... Mode dial, 30 ... LCD monitor, 32 ... Zoom button, 32T ... Zoom tele button, 32W ... Zoom wide button, 38 ... DISP button, 112 ... CCD image sensor (CCD), 114 ... CCD driver, 116 ... Timing generator (TG), 118 ... Analog signal processor, 120 ... A / D converter, 122 ... Image Input control unit 124 ... Digital signal processing unit 128 ... Display control unit 134 ... Recording control unit 136 ... Storage medium 138 ... AE detection unit 140 ... AF detection unit 142 ... CPU 144 144ROM 146 ... RAM, 150 ... operation unit, 160z ... zoom lens group, 160f ... focus lens group 160i ... iris, 160s ... mechanical shutter, 162z ... zoom motor, 162s ... shutter motor, 164z ... zoom motor driver, 164S ... shutter motor driver

Claims (5)

In a photographing apparatus for photographing an image with a zoom lens that is zoomed by a zoom operation means,
Mode setting means for setting the shooting mode to the between-exposure zoom shooting mode;
Zoom operation detection means for detecting zoom operation of the zoom lens by the zoom operation means;
When set to the during-exposure zoom shooting mode, shooting control means for shooting with the detection of the zoom operation by the zoom operation detection means as a trigger;
An imaging apparatus comprising: Shooting preparation instruction input means for inputting shooting preparation instructions;
Shooting preparation control means for performing shooting preparation in accordance with a shooting preparation instruction input from the shooting preparation instruction input means;
The photographing control means, when set to the during-exposure zoom photographing mode, performs photographing using the detection of the zoom operation by the zoom operation detecting means as a trigger after the photographing preparation by the photographing preparation control means. The imaging device according to claim 1. Zoom driving means for zoom driving the zoom lens;
Drive control means for controlling the drive of the zoom drive means;
The drive control unit controls driving of the zoom drive unit according to a zoom operation by the zoom operation unit before and during shooting, and forcibly drives the zoom drive unit when shooting is completed. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photographing apparatus stops. The imaging apparatus is an imaging apparatus that captures an image with an imaging element,
Display means;
Display control means for displaying on the display means an image obtained from the image sensor before photographing;
The imaging device according to claim 1, 2 or 3. The photographing device is a photographing device for photographing an image with a CCD image sensor,
Drive voltage control means for controlling application of drive voltage to the CCD image sensor, the drive voltage control means is a vertical CCD of the CCD image sensor after the preparation for photographing by the photographing preparation control means until the start of reading. The photographing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a plus side voltage applied to is reduced by a predetermined amount.

Images