JP2008219131A - Photographing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photographing device that suppresses the exhaustion of a mechanical shutter in a relatively early stage and lengthens the life of the mechanical shutter by utilizing a liquid crystal shutter positively. <P>SOLUTION: When a main CPU that is an exposure control means cooperates with a photometric/distance measuring CPU to designate a consecutive shot mode, the liquid crystal shutter is moved to an operation position to control the irradiation of object light to a CCD in consecutive shots. In the consecutive shot mode, the liquid crystal shutter controls the quantity of irradiation light to an image pickup device while the mechanical shutter is opened, thus reducing the number of times for changing the mechanical shutter. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a photographing apparatus that forms an image signal by forming an image of subject light on an image sensor.

  A recent digital camera has a single-shot mode for taking a picture of one frame and a continuous-shot mode for taking pictures of a plurality of consecutive frames, and the mode switching means switches between the single-shot mode and the continuous-shot mode. There is something that can be switched.

  In many of such digital cameras, the amount of light is adjusted by a mechanical shutter in order to adjust the amount of light when the image sensor is irradiated with subject light. When this mechanical shutter is used, the image pickup device is completely shielded from light so that smear is less likely to occur. However, if the mechanical shutter is used and the shutter is frequently opened and closed when the continuous shooting mode is designated, there is a problem that the mechanical shutter is worn out relatively early.

By the way, in video cameras, if the aperture is made small, subject light may be diffracted at the edge of the small aperture and change the transmission state of the subject light, thereby impairing the performance of the entire lens. In order to achieve this, there has been proposed a technique for adjusting the amount of light of a subject by inserting a liquid crystal shutter into the optical axis with an open aperture instead of reducing the mechanical aperture when the field of view is high in brightness. (See Patent Document 1). This liquid crystal shutter has the advantage that the amount of light transmitted through the liquid crystal shutter can be adjusted in accordance with an electrical control signal, but has the disadvantage that the transmitted light cannot be completely blocked.
JP-A-5-323264

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above circumstances, the present invention provides a photographing apparatus that prolongs the life of a mechanical shutter by suppressing the fatigue of the mechanical shutter at a relatively early stage by actively utilizing the liquid crystal shutter. With the goal.

The imaging device of the present invention that achieves the above object is an imaging device that forms an image signal by forming an image of the subject light on an imaging element.
A mode switching means for switching between the single shooting mode and the continuous shooting mode, the shooting apparatus having a single shooting mode for shooting a single frame and a continuous shooting mode for shooting a plurality of consecutive frames;
A first light amount adjusting means that is disposed on the photographing optical axis and mechanically controls irradiation of subject light to the image sensor;
It is arranged to be movable between an action position on the photographic optical axis and a retracted position retracted from the photographic optical axis, and when it is in the action position, it receives an electrical control signal and transmits the subject light to the image sensor. A second light amount adjusting means for controlling irradiation;
The second light amount adjusting means is moved to the retracted position in response to switching from the single shooting mode to the continuous shooting mode, and the operating position in response to switching from the continuous shooting mode to the single shooting mode. Movement control means for moving to,
In the single shooting mode, the first light amount adjustment unit is responsible for controlling the irradiation of the subject light to the image sensor, and in the continuous shooting mode, the second light amount adjustment unit has the subject light to the image sensor. And a light amount adjusting means switching means for controlling the irradiation.

  The first light amount adjusting means mechanically controls the light amount, and has the advantage of high light shielding performance and makes it difficult to generate smear, but has the disadvantage that it takes a relatively long time to open and close the shutter. In addition, the second light quantity adjusting means electrically controls the light quantity, so that the opening / closing time is short, but the light shielding performance is poor and smear is likely to occur.

  Therefore, in the present invention, switching from the continuous shooting mode to the single shooting mode is performed by the mode switching unit so that the advantages of the first light amount adjusting unit and the second light amount adjusting unit having advantages and disadvantages can be utilized. When it is performed, the movement control means moves the second light quantity adjustment means to the retracted position so that the mechanical shutter can enhance the light shielding performance and prevent smear, thereby obtaining a high-quality still image. When the mode switching unit switches from the single shooting mode to the continuous shooting mode, the movement control unit moves the second light quantity adjusting unit to the operating position and allows a certain amount of smear. A high-speed shutter is set so that high-speed continuous shooting can be performed.

  This eliminates the need to open and close the mechanical shutter during continuous shooting, thereby reducing the number of times the mechanical shutter is used and extending the life of the mechanical shutter. Further, during continuous shooting, the second light amount adjusting means is positioned at the operating position, and the light amount is adjusted by the second light amount adjusting means, so that a suitable high-speed continuous shooting is performed and a clear continuous image is obtained. It is done.

  Here, the first light amount adjusting unit may be a mechanical shutter, and the second light amount adjusting unit may be a liquid crystal shutter.

  Also, different white balance adjustments are made in the single shooting mode and the continuous shooting mode so that the same white balance is obtained when the second light quantity adjusting means is in the operating position and in the retracted position. It is preferable that the aspect includes a white balance adjustment unit to perform.

  For example, when the liquid crystal shutter is in the operating position as the light amount adjusting means, the white balance of the subject light changes according to the spectral transmittance of the liquid crystal shutter. Therefore, when the white balance adjustment unit performs white balance adjustment different from that when the liquid crystal shutter is in the retracted position when the liquid crystal shutter is in the operating position, the influence of the spectral transmittance of the liquid crystal shutter is removed. Images having substantially the same color are obtained when the is in the operating position and when in the retracted position.

In addition to the single shooting mode and the continuous shooting mode, the photographing apparatus takes a picture of a plurality of frames while controlling the irradiation of subject light to the imaging element by the first light amount adjusting unit. A second continuous shooting mode;
The movement control means moves the second light amount adjusting means to the retracted position in response to switching from the continuous shooting mode to the second continuous shooting mode;
The light amount adjusting unit switching unit may further cause the first light amount adjusting unit to control irradiation of subject light to the image sensor in the second continuous shooting mode.

  If the subject brightness at the time of shooting is high, smearing is likely to occur if the second light amount adjusting means, for example, a liquid crystal shutter is used during continuous shooting. Further, when continuous shooting is performed with a long shooting interval, it is not necessary to use a liquid crystal shutter.

  Therefore, the photographer can select either a mechanical shutter with high light shielding properties or a liquid crystal shutter with high continuous shooting performance, and a continuous shooting mode according to subject brightness and shooting interval. And the second continuous shooting mode may be selected by operation.

Here, a metering means for metering the brightness of the subject is provided,
The mode switching means is configured to switch between the continuous shooting mode and the second continuous shooting mode when the subject has a brightness equal to or lower than a predetermined brightness according to the brightness of the subject measured by the photometry means. In addition, it is preferable to switch to the second continuous shooting mode when the subject is brighter than a predetermined brightness.

  Then, even if the continuous shooting mode is specified at the time of high brightness where smear is likely to occur, it is automatically switched to the second continuous shooting mode, so that even a beginner without smear knowledge reduces shooting failures. .

  Further, when a photograph is taken with the second light quantity adjusting means in the operating position, it is preferable to record that fact in association with the image signal obtained by the photograph. .

  Then, at the time of reproduction, it is possible to notify the photographer that the photograph was taken with the liquid crystal shutter, which is the second light amount adjusting means, in the operating position. For example, when the fact that the liquid crystal shutter was used is displayed on the playback screen when the brightness is high, the photographer who sees the display uses the mechanical shutter when the subject brightness is high in the subsequent shooting. Get to know that is good.

  As described above, it is possible to realize a photographing apparatus in which the liquid crystal shutter is actively used to suppress mechanical shutter fatigue at a relatively early stage and the life of the mechanical shutter is extended.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a digital camera which is an embodiment of a photographing apparatus of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a digital camera 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A shows a perspective view seen from above the front, and FIG. 1B shows a perspective view seen from above the back.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, a lens barrel 111 is provided at the center of the body of the digital camera 100 of the present embodiment, and a finder 105 is provided above the lens barrel 111. A shooting auxiliary light emission window 161 is provided on the side of the viewfinder 105.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 1B, an operator group 101 for performing various operations when a user uses the digital camera 100 is provided on the back and top surfaces of the digital camera 100 of the present embodiment. Yes.

  In addition to the power switch 101a for operating the digital camera 100, the operator group 101 includes a cross key 101b, a menu / OK key 101c, a cancel key 101d, a mode lever 101e, and the like. A mode lever 101e in the operating element group 101 switches between a shooting mode and a playback mode. In the shooting mode, the moving image mode and the still image mode can be further switched.

  When the power switch 101a is turned on while the mode lever 101e is switched to the still image shadow mode, a through image is displayed on the LCD panel 150, which is a display screen, and a photo opportunity is obtained while viewing the through image. When the release button 102 is pressed, a still image of the subject is taken. When the mode lever 101e is switched to the reproduction side, the already captured image is reproduced and displayed on the LCD panel 150.

  In this embodiment, when the menu / OK button 101c is pressed while the still image shooting mode is selected, a selection menu for single shooting mode or continuous shooting mode is displayed on the LCD panel 150. It has become so. When this continuous shooting mode is designated, the irradiation of subject light onto the image sensor is controlled by a liquid crystal shutter, which will be described later, in order to extend the life of the mechanical shutter.

  Note that the release button 102 provided in the digital camera 100 of this embodiment has two operation modes of half-press and full-press, and photometry and distance measurement are performed when half-pressed, and a shutter is driven when full-press is performed. It is. In addition to the liquid crystal shutter, the shutter provided in the digital camera according to the present embodiment includes two shutters, that is, an aperture shutter and an electronic shutter included in the imaging device. In still image shooting, the aperture shutter is mainly used. In moving image shooting, an electronic shutter is mainly used. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a liquid crystal shutter is used that has a higher light shielding performance than an electronic shutter when a continuous shooting mode is designated, and requires less time to open and close than a mechanical shutter. When the liquid crystal shutter is used and continuous shooting is performed, the operation of the release button is toggled so that the continuous shooting starts when the release button is pressed once, and the continuous shooting ends when the release button is pressed again.

  FIG. 2 is a configuration block diagram of an electrical system inside the digital camera 100 of FIG.

  The internal configuration and operation of the digital camera 100 will be briefly described with reference to FIG.

  In the digital camera 100 of the present embodiment, all processing is centrally controlled by the main CPU 110. An operation signal from the operation element group 101 shown in FIG. 1B is supplied to the input unit of the main CPU 110, and when at least one of these operation signals is supplied, the operation signal corresponds to the operation signal. The processing is executed by the CPU 110 as appropriate. The main CPU 110 has an EEPROM 110A, and since a program necessary for operating as the digital camera 100 is written in the EEPROM 110A, the power switch 101a (see FIG. 1) in the operator group 101 is first turned on. Then, the main CPU 110 starts processing for controlling the operation of the entire digital camera in accordance with the program procedure in the EEPROM 110A. Note that power is always supplied from the power supply 130 to the CPU 110 and the EEPROM 110A.

  Here, the operation of the digital camera 100 after the power switch 101a (see FIG. 1) in the operator group 101 is turned on will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the power switch 101a in the operator group 101 is turned on, the main CPU 110 detects that the power switch 101a is turned on, and power is supplied from the power supply 130 to each block such as the photometry / ranging CPU 120. When the power is supplied to each part from the power supply 130, when the mode lever 101e is switched to the photographing mode, first, the image is formed on the CCD solid-state imaging device (hereinafter referred to as CCD) 112 by the photographing lenses 1111 and 1112. The subject image is thinned out at predetermined intervals as an image signal and output, and the subject image based on the output image signal is displayed on the LCD panel 150 of the image display LCD 15. The CCD 112 is supplied with a timing signal for informing the exposure timing and the image reading timing from a clock generator (hereinafter referred to as CG) 1121, and an electronic shutter is set in the CCD 112 at predetermined intervals by this timing signal. At the same time, the image signal for which exposure has been completed is thinned out and output to the white balance γ processing unit 113. A signal synchronized with the timing signal based on an instruction from the main CPU 110 is supplied from the CG 1121 to the white balance γ processing unit 113 and the A / D unit 114 in the subsequent stage in addition to the CCD 112. In the γ processing unit 113 and the A / D unit 114, processing of the image signal is performed in order in synchronization with the timing signal.

  That is, in the digital camera 100 of this embodiment, the drive control of the mechanical shutter 1113 and the drive control of the electronic shutter set from the CG 1121 to the CCD 112 are performed by the photometry / ranging CPU 120 based on an instruction from the main CPU 110. It will be.

  In this manner, the CCD 112, the white balance γ processing unit 113, and the A / D unit 114 perform processing of image signals in order in synchronization with the timing signal from the CG 1121, and the analog image signal is digitally converted by the A / D unit 114. The image signal that has been converted to the image signal and subjected to white balance adjustment and gamma correction is supplied to the YC processing unit 116 in the subsequent stage.

  When processing is performed by the YC processing unit 116, it is necessary to match the processing timing between the A / D unit 114 and the YC processing unit 116. The RGB signals, which are image signals, are transferred to the YC processing unit 116 after the processing timing of the unit 114 and the like is adjusted so that the processing timing of the subsequent stage (YC processing unit 116) matches.

  In the YC processing unit 116, conversion from RGB signals to YC signals is performed, and then the converted YC signals are supplied to the image display LCD 15 and the Y signals are supplied to the main CPU 110 via the bus 121.

  The image display LCD 15 to which the YC signal is supplied has a YC → RGB conversion unit 151 that converts the YC signal into an RGB signal. The YC → RGB conversion unit 151 converts the YC signal into an RGB signal again. The converted RGB signal is supplied to the driver 152, and the driver 152 displays a color image (subject image) based on the RGB signal on the LCD panel 150 of the image display LCD 15.

  In the main CPU 110 to which the Y signal is supplied, photometry is performed based on the Y signal, and the photometric value is supplied to the photometry / ranging CPU 120 described later, and the aperture diameter is continuously changed by the photometry / ranging CPU 120. The exposure necessary for obtaining a through image with appropriate brightness is adjusted by setting, setting of the electronic shutter speed (CG 1121) of the CCD 112, and the like. Further, the main CPU 110 detects the contrast from the Y signal and constantly adjusts the focus. The focus position obtained by the focus adjustment is notified to the photometry / ranging CPU 120 and the photometry / ranging CPU 120 takes a picture. The focus lens among the lenses 1111 and 1112 is also arranged at the in-focus position.

  In this way, the CCD solid-state imaging device 112, the white balance γ processing unit 113, the A / D unit 114, the buffer memory 115, and the like operate in synchronization with the timing signal output from the CG 1121, and the CCD solid-state imaging is performed at predetermined intervals. Since the image signal generated by the element 112 is processed, the subject in the direction in which the photographing lenses 1111 and 1112 are directed is always displayed as the subject image on the LCD panel 150 of the image display LCD 15. When the release button 102 is pressed at a shutter chance while visually recognizing the displayed subject image, the mechanical shutter 1113 is moved by the photometry / ranging CPU 120 at a predetermined shutter speed from the pressing timing of the release button 102 as a starting point. The driver 120A is driven to open and subject light is imaged on the CCD 112. After a predetermined shutter time has elapsed, the mechanical shutter 1113 is driven to be closed by the driver 120A. After the mechanical shutter 1113 is driven to close, a read signal is supplied from the CG 1121 to the CCD 112, and an image signal imaged on the CCD 112 in accordance with the read signal is output as an RGB signal. The output RGB signal is converted into a YC signal by the YC processing unit 116, and further the YC signal is compressed by the compression / decompression unit 117, and the compressed image signal is recorded as an image file together with a header on the memory card 119. The In the compression / decompression unit 117, the still image is compressed by a compression method based on the JPEG standard, and an image file is recorded on the memory card 119. Compression information, shooting information, and the like are written in the header of the image file. When the mode lever 101e of the digital camera 100 is switched to the playback side, the header of the file is first read from the memory card 119, The compressed image signal in the file is expanded by the compression / expansion unit 117 based on the compression information in the header and restored based on the image signal, and then the subject image based on the image signal is displayed on the LCD panel 150. .

  Here, the digital camera 100 of the present invention has the continuous shooting mode as described above, and responds to the pressing operation of the release button 102 when the continuous shooting mode is designated by the operation of the menu / OK button 101c or the like. Thus, a predetermined number of continuous shootings are performed. In the setting of the continuous shooting mode, settings such as the number of shootings and the shooting interval are performed on the display screen 150 by the photographer. In the digital camera 100 of the present embodiment, a liquid crystal shutter 1114 is provided for continuous shooting in addition to a mechanical shutter for still image shooting and an electronic shutter for through images, and the continuous shooting mode is designated. In some cases, the main CPU 110 instructs the drive unit 110C to move the liquid crystal shutter 1114 to the operating position, and the transmittance of the liquid crystal shutter 1114 is changed by the driver 110B, thereby controlling the irradiation of subject light to the CCD 112. ing. With this configuration, the liquid crystal shutter 1114 is used in the continuous shooting mode, and the shutter is not opened and closed by the mechanical shutter 1113, so that the life of the mechanical shutter 1113 can be extended.

  In the present embodiment, the mechanical shutter 1113 constitutes an example of a first light amount adjusting unit according to the present invention, and the liquid crystal shutter 1114 constitutes an example of a second light amount adjusting unit according to the present invention. Further, the main CPU 110 and the drive unit 110C constitute an example of the movement control means referred to in the present invention, and the main CPU 110 and the photometry / ranging CPU 120 constitute an example of the light amount adjustment means switching means.

  Here, a photographing process performed by the main CPU 110 and the photometry / ranging CPU 120 constituting an example of the light amount adjusting means switching means according to the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure of photographing processing performed by the main CPU 110 and the photometry / ranging CPU 120.

  The processing of the flow in FIG. 3 is started when the power switch 101a is turned on in a state where the photographing mode lever 101e is switched to the photographing side.

  If it is determined in step S301 that the single shooting mode of the shooting mode is designated on the menu selection screen, the process proceeds to step S303 to instruct the drive unit 110C to move the liquid crystal shutter 1114 to the retracted position, and in step S301 If it is determined that the copy mode is designated, the process proceeds to step S302 to instruct the drive unit 110C to move the liquid crystal shutter 1114 to the operating position.

  Proceeding to the next step S304, the shutter speed of the mechanical shutter is set according to the result of the AE process, and the focus lens is moved to the in-focus position according to the result of the AF process at the next step S305.

  In the next step S306, if the single shooting mode is selected, the mechanical shutter 1113 controls the irradiation of the subject light to the CCD 112. If the continuous shooting mode is selected, the liquid crystal shutter 1114 is moved to the operating position in step S302. The irradiation of the CCD 112 is controlled. When the exposure is completed, the process proceeds to step S307. In step S307, the CG 1121 is instructed to supply an image read signal to the CCD 112, read the image signal from the CCD 112, and output it to the white balance γ processing unit 113. In the next step S308, the A / D unit 114 performs A / D conversion, and in the next step S309, the image processing is performed by the YC processing unit 115, and it is determined whether it is single shooting or continuous shooting. If it is determined in step S309 that the image is a single shot, the normal white balance adjustment is performed by the YC processing unit 116 in step S311, and if it is a continuous shooting, the liquid crystal is displayed in the YC processing unit 116 in step S310. White balance adjustment is performed in consideration of the spectral transmittance of the shutter.

  Then, in step S312, an image signal for one frame is supplied to the compression / decompression unit 117 via the bus 121 to cause the compression / decompression unit 117 to perform compression, and in step S313, the compression / decompression unit 117 performs compression. The image file is recorded on the memory card 119, which is a medium, via the I / F 118, and the processing of this flow ends.

  When the main CPU 110 and the photometry / ranging CPU 120 execute the processing of this flow, shooting is performed using a mechanical shutter 1113 with high light shielding performance in single shooting, and continuous shooting performance in continuous shooting. Shooting is performed using the high liquid crystal shutter 1114. In other words, when single shooting is performed, the mechanical shutter 1113 is used to improve the light shielding performance and shooting is performed to obtain a clear image. When continuous shooting is performed, the shutter opening and closing time is short and the continuous shooting performance is obtained. A high-resolution liquid crystal shutter 1114 is used for shooting, and a clear continuous image is obtained. Furthermore, in this embodiment, in order to obtain a clear continuous image at the time of continuous shooting, in the continuous shooting mode, the liquid crystal shutter 1114 is moved to the retracted position in the YC processing unit 116 in step S310 in consideration of the spectral transmittance of the liquid crystal shutter 1114. By performing white balance different from that at a certain time, even if the liquid crystal shutter 1114 is moved to the operating position and shooting is performed, the color of the subject shot when the liquid crystal shutter 1114 is at the retracted position is almost the same. It is also possible to obtain a color image.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the second embodiment.

  If continuous shooting is performed using the liquid crystal shutter 1114 having high continuous shooting performance when the subject brightness is high, smearing is likely to occur and the image may become unclear. In low-speed continuous shooting, there is a case where shooting is performed using a mechanical shutter instead of a liquid crystal shutter.

  Therefore, in the second embodiment, the mechanical shutter 1113 is used when a second continuous shooting mode is added as a continuous shooting mode in addition to the normal continuous shooting mode and the second continuous shooting mode is selected by operation. It has been changed to a configuration in which continuous shooting is performed. This is so that the photographer can perform continuous shooting using the mechanical shutter 1113 according to the photographer's intention when smear is likely to occur.

  In the present embodiment, the second continuous shooting mode can be designated on the LCD panel 150 by operating the menu / OK key 101c and the cross key 101b constituting an example of the mode switching means according to the present invention. When the second continuous shooting mode is designated, the main CPU 110 and the photometry / CPU 120 cooperate to retract the liquid crystal shutter 1114 to the retracted position, and the mechanical shutter 1113 irradiates the CCD 112 with subject light during continuous shooting. Is controlled.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of photographing processing including processing when the second continuous shooting mode is designated. The process in FIG. 4 is the same as the process in FIG. 3 except that steps S3011 and S3012 are added.

  If it is determined in step S3011 that the normal continuous shooting mode is designated, the same processing as in FIG. 3 is performed in steps S303 to S312 and the processing of this flow is terminated.

  If it is determined in step S301 that the continuous shooting mode is designated, the process proceeds to step S3011, and it is further determined in step S3011 whether the continuous shooting mode is the normal continuous shooting mode or the second continuous shooting mode. If it is determined in step S3011 that the continuous shooting mode is designated, the liquid crystal shutter 1114 is moved to the operating position in step S302, and the processing from step S302 to step S312 is performed in the same manner as in FIG. Terminate the process. If it is determined in step S3011 that the second continuous shooting mode is designated, the liquid crystal shutter 1114 is moved to the retracted position in step S3012, and the mechanical shutter 1113 controls the irradiation of the subject light to the CCD 112. Thereafter, the processing from step S304 to step S308 is performed. In step S309, it is determined whether the shooting mode is the single shooting mode, the second continuous shooting mode, or the continuous shooting mode. If it is determined that the mode is the single shooting mode or the second continuous shooting mode, the normal white balance adjustment is performed on the YC processing unit 116 in step S311. If it is determined in step S309 that the normal continuous shooting mode is selected, the process proceeds to step S310, and the white balance is adjusted in step S310 in consideration of the spectral sensitivity of the liquid crystal shutter, and then the processes in steps S312 and S313 are performed. The process of this flow is completed in order.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the photographer can specify the second continuous shooting mode so that continuous shooting can be performed even using a mechanical shutter.

  In other words, in addition to the single shooting mode and the continuous shooting mode, the digital camera, which is a photographing apparatus according to the present invention, further adds a mechanical shutter 1113 that constitutes an example of the first light amount adjusting unit to the imaging element 112. The main CPU 110 that has a second continuous shooting mode that takes a plurality of frames while taking control of the irradiation of the subject light, and that constitutes an example of the movement control means, from the continuous shooting mode to the second continuous shooting mode. In response to switching to the continuous shooting mode, the liquid crystal shutter 1114 that constitutes an example of the second light amount adjusting unit is moved to the retracted position, and the main CPU 110 that constitutes an example of the light amount adjusting unit switching unit. In the second continuous shooting mode, the photometry / ranging CPU 120 sends the mechanical shutter 1113, which is the first light amount adjusting means, to the image sensor 112. It comes to those that play a control of the irradiation of the subject light.

  In addition, switching between the continuous shooting mode and the second continuous shooting mode is not performed in accordance with a photographer's operation, but is switched in any mode depending on, for example, the brightness of the subject detected in the AE process. It may be configured.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining processing of the main CPU 110 and the photometry / ranging CPU 120 in the case of such a configuration.

  The process of step S304 of FIG. 4 is brought to the head, the process of step S3011 of FIG. 4 is changed to step S3011A, and it is determined whether the continuous shooting mode or the second continuous shooting mode is determined in step S3011A. The process is the same as that shown in FIG. 4 except that the configuration is automatically changed according to the luminance detected by the process.

  In step S3001, the AE process is performed, and then the shooting mode is determined in step S301. The liquid crystal shutter 1114 is used according to the luminance value (Lv value) detected in the first step process in step S3011A, or the mechanical shutter 1113 is used. If it is determined that the brightness exceeds Lv15, it is determined that the second continuous shooting mode is set, and the process proceeds to step S3012. In step S3012, the liquid crystal shutter 1114 is moved to the retracted position, and the mechanical shutter 1113 is moved to the CCD 112. When the Lv is 15 or less, the liquid crystal shutter 1113 is moved to the operating position so that the liquid crystal shutter 1113 controls the irradiation of the subject light on the CCD 112. Further, in this example, when it is determined in step S309 that continuous shooting is performed and Lv is 15 or less, the process proceeds to Yes, and white balance adjustment in consideration of the spectral transmittance of the liquid crystal shutter 1114 is performed in step S310 with YC processing. When it is determined that continuous shooting is performed and Lv exceeds 15, the process proceeds to No and the normal white balance adjustment is performed in step S311. In this way, when the continuous shooting mode is automatically switched to the second continuous shooting mode at high brightness, the occurrence of smear is prevented in advance, so that shooting failures are reduced. If it is, a remarkable effect is exhibited.

  In FIG. 6, in addition to the processing of FIG. 3, when a photograph is taken with the liquid crystal shutter 1114 in the operating position, this fact is recorded in association with the image signal obtained by the photograph. It is the flowchart which added process step S314 to do. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing memory allocation when the compression / decompression unit 117 and the I / F 118 constituting an example of the recording unit record an image file on the memory card 119 under the instruction of the main CPU 110.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a start code area, a tag area, and a thumbnail area are assigned to the header area, and a recording area for a shot image is assigned below them. When the processing of FIG. 6 is executed by the main CPU 110 and the photometry / ranging CPU 120 in cooperation with each other, in step S313, photography is performed with the liquid crystal shutter 1114 (see FIG. 2) in the tag area of FIG. Information that it was done is recorded.

  Then, when the playback mode is set, it is displayed that the liquid crystal shutter has been used. When viewing the display and using the editing function to adjust the white balance on the display screen, the liquid crystal on the display screen is displayed. The information that the shutter was used is very helpful. In addition, when it is considered that there is a white balance defect from the reproduced image, the information used by the liquid crystal shutter on the display screen also becomes data for defect analysis.

  As described above, it is possible to realize a photographing apparatus in which the liquid crystal shutter is actively used to suppress mechanical shutter fatigue at a relatively early stage and the life of the mechanical shutter is extended.

It is a figure which shows the digital camera which is one Embodiment of the imaging device of this invention. FIG. 2 is a configuration block diagram of an electrical system inside the digital camera 100 of FIG. 1. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of photographing processing performed by a main CPU 110 and a photometry / ranging CPU 120. It is a figure explaining 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the imaging | photography process which a main CPU with which the digital camera of 2nd Embodiment is equipped, and photometry and ranging CPU perform in cooperation. In addition to the processing of FIG. 3, when a photograph is taken with the liquid crystal shutter in the above-mentioned operating position, a processing step S for recording that fact in association with the image signal obtained by the photography. It is the added flowchart. It is a figure which shows the memory allocation when the compression / decompression part and I / F 118 which comprise an example of a recording means record an image file on the memory card 119 under the instruction | indication of main CPU.

Explanation of symbols

100 Digital Camera 101 Control Group 101a Power Switch 101b Cross Key 101c Menu Key 101d Cancel Key 101e Mode Lever 102 Release Button 105 Viewfinder 110 Main CPU
110A EEPROM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 111 Lens barrel 1110,1111 Shooting lens 1112 Aperture 1113 Mechanical shutter 1114 Liquid crystal shutter 112 CCD solid-state image sensor 1121 Clock generator (CG)
120 Metering / ranging CPU
16 Auxiliary Light Emitting Unit 161 Charging / Light Emission Control Unit Xe Xenon Tube 161 Auxiliary Light Emission Window

Claims (6)

In an imaging device that forms an image signal by imaging the subject light on an imaging device,
A mode switching means for switching between the single shooting mode and the continuous shooting mode, the shooting device having a single shooting mode for shooting a single frame and a continuous shooting mode for shooting a plurality of consecutive frames;
A first light amount adjusting unit disposed on a photographing optical axis and mechanically controlling irradiation of subject light to the image sensor;
A movable position is provided between an action position on the photographic optical axis and a retracted position retracted from the photographic optical axis, and when in the action position, an electrical control signal is received to transmit subject light to the image sensor. A second light amount adjusting means for controlling irradiation;
The second light amount adjusting means is moved to the retracted position in response to switching from the single shooting mode to the continuous shooting mode, and the operating position in response to switching from the continuous shooting mode to the single shooting mode. Movement control means for moving to,
In the single shooting mode, the first light amount adjusting unit is responsible for controlling the irradiation of subject light to the image sensor, and in the continuous shooting mode, the second light amount adjusting unit is configured to subject light to the image sensor. A photographing apparatus comprising: a light amount adjusting means switching means for controlling the irradiation of the light.   2. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first light amount adjusting unit is a mechanical shutter, and the second light amount adjusting unit is a liquid crystal shutter.   White that performs different white balance adjustments in the single shooting mode and the continuous shooting mode so that the same white balance is obtained when the second light quantity adjusting means is in the operating position and in the retracted position. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a balance adjusting unit. In addition to the single shooting mode and the continuous shooting mode, the imaging apparatus further takes a picture of a plurality of frames while controlling the irradiation of subject light to the imaging element by the first light amount adjusting means. 2 continuous shooting modes,
The movement control means moves the second light amount adjustment means to the retracted position in response to switching from the continuous shooting mode to the second continuous shooting mode;
The light amount adjusting means switching means further causes the first light amount adjusting means to control irradiation of subject light to the image sensor in the second continuous shooting mode. Item 1. The photographing apparatus according to Item 1. A metering means for metering the brightness of the subject is provided.
The mode switching means is configured to switch between the continuous shooting mode and the second continuous shooting mode when the subject has a brightness equal to or lower than a predetermined brightness according to the brightness of the subject measured by the photometry means. 5. The photographing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the shooting mode is switched to the second continuous shooting mode and the second continuous shooting mode is switched when the subject has a brightness exceeding a predetermined brightness.   A recording means for recording, when a photograph is taken in a state where the second light quantity adjusting means is in the operating position, in association with an image signal obtained by the photography. The imaging device according to any one of 1 to 5.

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