JP2009055491A - Imaging apparatus and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain optimum flash timing and image signal reading timing in each format size used for photography in an electronic camera capable of switching and photographing an area used for image pickup in all image pickup areas of an imaging element according to a plurality of format sizes. <P>SOLUTION: A plurality of pieces of flash timing information (T7a, T7b and T7c) related to prescribed timing (tb, tg) in the opening/closing of a shutter for controlling an exposure time for the imaging element and concerned with the flash timing of a flashing device and a plurality pieces of reading timing information (T8a, T8b and T8c) concerned with the reading timing of an image signal from the imaging element are stored according to format sizes, flashing is performed according to the flash timing information corresponding to a format size set at present and the reading of the image signal from the imaging element is started according to the reading timing information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a photographing apparatus such as an electronic camera capable of photographing by switching an area used for imaging in an entire imaging area of an imaging element according to a plurality of format sizes, and a control method thereof.

  With the advancement of technology for image sensors mounted on single-lens reflex electronic cameras (digital cameras), image sensors with higher resolution and larger format sizes have come to be adopted. Full-size (24 mm × 36 mm) image sensors are also being used. In an electronic camera equipped with such an image sensor of a large format size, for example, a small format such as an APS-C size (16.7 mm × 23.4 mm) or an APS-H size (16.7 mm × 30.2 mm). When a shooting lens corresponding to the size is used, shooting is performed using a portion corresponding to a small area such as the APS-C size in the entire imaging area (effective imaging area) of the imaging device.

  In addition, a unit time in continuous shooting mode (a mode in which still images are continuously shot at a predetermined time interval) is limited to a region that is smaller than the APS-C size, etc. Electronic cameras equipped with a function sometimes called a high-speed crop function that shortens the time required for image processing by increasing the number of shot frames per shot (number of shots), that is, reducing the number of pixels used for shooting, have been developed. .

  Incidentally, a general camera includes a mechanical shutter that mechanically opens and closes an optical path of light incident on an imaging surface in order to adjust an exposure time. As such a mechanical shutter, for example, as described in Patent Document 1 below, it has a front curtain and a rear curtain as a light shielding member driven by a driving device including an actuator, etc. When a release switch (button) is pressed (fully pressed), the shutter is first moved from a state where the front curtain shields the imaging surface to a state where the imaging surface is opened, and a shutter set appropriately. It is known that the vehicle travels from the state in which the rear curtain opens the image pickup surface to the state in which the image pickup surface is blocked after the time corresponding to the second (shutter speed) has elapsed. After the front curtain travels and before the rear curtain travel is completed, an image of the subject through the photographing lens is formed on the imaging surface.

  In a conventional electronic camera equipped with such a shutter, the readout of the image signal from the image sensor is optimized in relation to the shutter operation (running of the front curtain) and the entire image sensing area of the image sensor. It is to be done in.

  In photography, a flash device called a speedlight or electronic flash is used to obtain an appropriate exposure during nighttime or indoor shooting. However, in conventional electronic cameras, the flashlight at the time of shooting is used. The flashing (light emission) timing of the apparatus is also performed at a timing optimized in relation to the operation of the shutter (running of the rear curtain) and the entire imaging area of the imaging device.

  However, as described above, since the flash timing of the flash device is optimized in relation to the operation of the shutter and the entire imaging area of the imaging device, shooting is performed using an area smaller than the entire imaging area of the imaging element. In some cases, the optimal timing may not be achieved.

  In addition, as described above, the timing of reading the image signal from the image sensor is optimized in relation to the operation of the shutter and the entire image area of the image sensor. When taking a picture using this method, although the extraction of the image signal from the image sensor may be started earlier, the process may be delayed because the process waits uniformly. There was a problem.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to obtain an optimal flash timing for each format size used for shooting in a shooting apparatus capable of shooting by switching the area used for shooting in accordance with a plurality of format sizes within the entire imaging area of the image sensor. Is to do so.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an optimal image signal for each format size used for shooting in a shooting apparatus capable of shooting by switching the area used for imaging within the entire imaging area of the image sensor according to a plurality of format sizes. It is to be able to obtain the read timing of.
JP 9-325383 A

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging device capable of imaging by switching an area used for imaging in an entire imaging area of the imaging element (6) according to a plurality of format sizes (sizes A to C). A shutter (7) having a light shielding member (23, 39) for opening and closing an optical path of light incident on the image sensor, and a flash device (t0, tb) associated with a predetermined timing (t0, tb) for opening and closing the light shielding member 5) storage means (MEM) for storing a plurality of flash timing information (FLT, T7a, T7b, T7c) relating to the flash timing according to the format size, and the flash timing information corresponding to the currently set format size. Control means (CNT) that reads out from the storage means and controls the flash device according to the read flash timing information. Shadow device is provided.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging device capable of imaging by switching an area used for imaging in the entire imaging area of the imaging element (6) according to a plurality of format sizes (sizes A to C). The shutter (7) having a light shielding member (23, 39) for opening and closing an optical path of light incident on the image sensor, and a predetermined timing (t0, te, tg) for opening and closing the light shielding member, A storage means (MEM) for storing a plurality of read timing information (IRT, T8a, T8b, T8c) related to the timing for reading an image signal from the image sensor in accordance with the format size, and the format corresponding to the currently set format size Read timing information is read from the storage means, and an image signal is read from the image sensor in accordance with the read timing information. And control means for controlling the out (CNT), imaging devices provided with is provided.

  In the description of this section, the members shown in the drawings representing the embodiments described later, the reference numerals indicating the timing, and the like are appended with parentheses, but this is merely for ease of understanding, and Each component is not limited to the members shown in the drawings with the reference numerals indicating these members.

  In the invention according to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of flash timing information relating to the flash timing of the flash device is stored in accordance with the format size, and the flash device is stored in accordance with the flash timing information corresponding to the currently set format size. Since it is controlled, an optimal flash timing can be obtained for each format size used for shooting. Therefore, it is possible to perform photographing with an optimum exposure regardless of the format size.

  In the invention according to the second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of read timing information relating to the read timing of the image signal from the image sensor is stored according to the format size, and corresponds to the currently set format size. Since the reading of the image signal from the image sensor is controlled according to the reading timing information, the image signal can be read at an optimal timing for each format size used for shooting. Accordingly, when the format size is small, reading of the image signal can be started at an earlier point in time, so that reading of the image signal can be completed earlier and the photographing processing time can be shortened.

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

[Overall configuration of electronic camera]
FIG. 1 is a side sectional view schematically showing a schematic configuration of an electronic camera as a photographing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electronic camera of this embodiment is a single-lens reflex digital camera that captures a so-called still image. However, the electronic camera to which the present invention can be applied is not limited to a single-lens reflex digital camera, and may be a normal viewfinder type or electronic viewfinder type camera, or other digital cameras. In addition, the photographing apparatus to which the present invention is applicable is not limited to what is called a camera, and widely includes electronic devices with a photographing function. Note that the camera of this embodiment does not include a built-in speedlight, and is a camera of a type that is equipped with an external speedlight. However, a camera with a built-in speed ride may be used.

  In FIG. 1, a camera 1 includes a camera body 2 and a photographing lens 3 that is replaceably attached to the camera body 2. The taking lens 3 is attached to the camera body 2 via the lens mount 9. Note that the photographic lens 3 is not interchangeable and may be integrally fixed to the camera body 2. A finder 4 is attached to the upper portion of the camera body 2 so as to be integrated or replaceable. A flash mounting portion (not shown) for detachably mounting the speedlight 5 is provided on the top of the finder 4.

  An imaging element 6 such as a CCD or CMOS having an effective imaging area of high resolution and full size (24 mm × 36 mm) is attached inside the camera body 2. However, the image sensor 6 may be of another format size such as APS-C size (16.7 mm × 23.4 mm). In the specification of the present application, the term “format size” refers to the size of the effective image pickup area (all image pickup areas) of the image pickup device and a part of the image pickup area within the effective image pickup area. The case of referring to the size related to the part of the imaging region in the case of shooting is included.

  A mechanical shutter 7 for adjusting the exposure time by mechanically driving the light shielding member is provided on the front side of the image sensor 6. The mechanical shutter 7 of this embodiment is an electronically controlled vertical traveling focal plane shutter. As will be described later, the mechanical shutter 7 has a front curtain and a rear curtain as a light-shielding member that can travel. When a release button for taking a still image is pressed (fully pressed), the front curtain is first imaged. Elapsed time corresponding to a shutter speed (shutter speed) set appropriately, from the state in which the imaging surface of the element 6 is closed (closed) to the state in which the imaging surface is opened (opened) Later, the rear curtain travels from a state where the imaging surface is opened to a state where the imaging surface is closed. An image of the subject through the photographing lens 3 is formed on the imaging surface of the image sensor 6 after the front curtain travels and before the rear curtain travel is completed.

  The viewfinder 4 is an optical viewfinder for visually observing an optical image of a subject formed through the photographing lens 3 and the quick return mirror (reflection mirror) 8, and includes a focusing screen (focus plate) 41, a penta (dach) ) A prism 42, a photometric element 43, a photometric optical system 44, an eyepiece (eyepiece lens system) 45, and the like. The photometric element 43 is an element that measures the brightness of an image formed on the photometric optical system 44 through the photometric optical system 44 in order to determine the shutter speed and aperture value. On the back surface of the camera body 2, an image display monitor 46 is provided which is a dot matrix display type image display liquid crystal panel capable of displaying an image formed on the image sensor 6.

  In the camera body 2, a quick return mirror 8 having a well-known structure is pivotally supported on the front side of the image sensor 6 (in front of the mechanical shutter 7).

  The taking lens 3 is a taking optical system for forming an image of a subject on the image pickup surface of the image pickup device 6. In FIG. 1, the photographing lens 3 is a zoom lens whose focal length can be changed, but is not limited thereto. The photographic lens 3 includes a main lens 47, a lens system 48 including a plurality of lenses including a zoom lens and a focus lens, a diaphragm 49, and the like inside the lens barrel. The zoom lens and the focus lens are each attached so as to be movable in a direction along the optical axis AX of the photographing lens 3.

  The aperture 49 is a variable aperture aperture for adjusting the amount of light incident on the image sensor 6. The aperture 49 is set automatically based on the output of the photometric element 43 or the like, or manually by the photographer. Done. The photographing lens 3 has a memory (not shown) in which lens information related to the photographing lens 3 is stored. The lens information in the memory is stored in the main body 2 of the camera body 2 via the lens mount unit 9. It is read by the control unit CNT. The lens information stored in the memory includes data indicating the format size (full size, APS-C size, etc.) targeted by the photographing lens 3.

  Although not shown, an operation unit such as various switches, a push button, a dial, and a cross key is manually arranged on the upper or rear surface of the camera body 2 to allow the photographer to manually input instruction contents. The operation unit includes a power dial for turning the power on / off, a release button, a command dial, a menu button, a cross key for item selection, an OK button (decision button), a crop on button for turning on the crop high speed function, and the like. ing. The crop-on button improves the image processing speed and the like by shooting using a relatively small area at the center of the entire image pickup area of the image sensor 6 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a crop size). This is a button for instructing to use a function for enabling continuous shooting. Although not shown in the figure, the camera body 2 can be viewed through an information display panel and a viewfinder 4 that can be viewed from the outside as a display unit for displaying information on appropriate exposure conditions and other shooting. A display unit in the viewfinder is provided.

  When a still image shooting operation (an operation in which the release button is fully pressed) is performed, the quick return mirror 8 is switched to the mirror-up state, and the mechanical shutter 7 is operated almost simultaneously with this, and then the quick return mirror 8 is The original basic posture is quickly returned to the mirror-down state. Thereby, one image is taken and recorded on a recording medium (not shown) such as a memory card provided in the camera 1. When the quick return mirror 8 is in the mirror-up state, the supply of the subject image to the finder 4 is interrupted for a moment. Note that when performing moving image shooting or real-time moving image display (live view) on the image display monitor 46, the quick return mirror 8 is continuously maintained in the mirror-up state.

  The speedlight 5 includes a xenon lamp 51, a reflector (reflector) 52, a Fresnel lens 53, a flash battery (not shown) such as a battery, and the like, and supplies power from the flash battery to supply xenon. This is a device that emits a flash for illuminating a subject via a reflector 52 and a Fresnel lens 53 by causing a lamp 51 to emit light. The speedlight 5 emits light based on a flash instruction signal from the main control unit CNT of the camera body 2.

[Configuration of shutter]
Next, a specific configuration of the mechanical shutter will be described with reference to FIG. The mechanical shutter 6 has a front curtain 23 composed of four front curtain blades, a rear curtain 39 composed of four rear curtain blades, a charge for driving the front curtain 23 and the rear curtain 39, and release thereof. A shutter driving unit to perform and a shutter monitor are provided. The shutter drive unit includes a front magnet (electromagnet) 17, a front armature lever 19, a front key 26, a front drive lever 29, and the like for the front curtain 23, and a rear magnet (electromagnet) 18 for the rear curtain 39. The armature lever 20, the rear key 33, the rear drive lever 36, and the like are provided. The front magnet 17 and the rear magnet 18 are operated when electric power is supplied from a shutter drive circuit (not shown) under the control of the main controller CNT.

  The leading armature lever 19 is urged clockwise by a spring 21 and is rotatably mounted around a shaft 25. The leading key 26 is urged clockwise by a spring 27 and is rotatably mounted around a shaft 28. The leading key 26 locks the leading drive lever 29 against the urging force of the spring 30. The front drive lever 29 is urged clockwise by a spring 30 and is attached to be rotatable around a shaft 31. The drive pin 29 a provided on the front drive lever 29 is loosely fitted in a long hole 23 a provided on the front curtain 23.

  The rear armature lever 20 is urged counterclockwise by a spring 22 and is attached to be rotatable about a shaft 32. The rear key 33 is urged counterclockwise by a spring 34 and is rotatably attached around a shaft 35. The rear key 33 engages the rear drive lever 36 against the urging force of the spring 37. The rear drive lever 36 is urged clockwise by a spring 37 and is attached to be rotatable about a shaft 38. The drive pin 36 a provided on the rear drive lever 36 is loosely fitted in a long hole 39 a provided on the rear curtain 39. The front armature lever 19 and the rear armature lever 20 are mechanically releasably locked against the springs 21 and 22 by a mechanical locking mechanism (not shown).

  When the front magnet 17 and the rear magnet 18 are energized and the mechanical locking mechanism (not shown) is released, the front driving lever 29 is moved by the front key 26 and the rear driving lever 36 is moved rearward. As shown in FIG. 2, the front curtain 23 closes the imaging surface 6 a of the imaging device 6, and the rear curtain 39 opens the imaging surface 6 a of the imaging device 6. ing.

  When the energization of the tip magnet 17 is turned off, the tip armature lever 19 rotates clockwise around the shaft 25 by the biasing force of the spring 21, and the tip key 26 is pushed by the tip armature lever 19 to the spring 27. As a result, it rotates counterclockwise around the axis 28. As a result, the engagement between the leading drive lever 29 and the leading key 26 is released, and the leading drive lever 29 is rotated clockwise around the shaft 31 by the urging force of the spring 30 and is provided on the leading drive lever 29. Since the drive pin 29a is loosely fitted in the long hole 23a provided in the front curtain 23, each front curtain blade of the front curtain 23 travels in conjunction with the + Y direction, and the imaging surface 6a of the image sensor 6 is opened. Is done.

  Next, when the energization of the rear magnet 18 is turned off, the rear armature lever 20 is rotated counterclockwise around the shaft 32 by the biasing force of the spring 22, and the rear key 33 is pushed by the rear armature lever 20, It rotates clockwise around the shaft 35 against the spring 34. As a result, the engagement between the rear drive lever 36 and the rear key 33 is released, and the rear drive lever 36 is rotated clockwise around the shaft 38 by the biasing force of the spring 37 and is provided on the rear drive lever 36. Since the drive pin 36 a is loosely fitted in a long hole 39 a provided in the rear curtain 39, each rear curtain blade of the rear curtain 39 travels in the + Y direction, and the imaging surface 6 a of the image sensor 6 is moved by the rear curtain 39. Blocked.

  The shutter monitor is a detection device that optically detects the traveling of the front curtain 23 and the rear curtain 39, and includes a light emitting element 10 such as a light emitting diode (LED), a light receiving element 12 such as a phototransistor (PTR), and a reflecting plate 24. The light emitting element 10 and the light receiving element 12 are arranged on one side with respect to the front curtain 23 and the rear curtain 39, and the reflection plate 24 is arranged on the other side. When the front curtain 23 or the rear curtain 39 exists between the light emitting element 10 and the light receiving element 12 and the reflector 24, the light from the light emitting element 10 is not detected by the light receiving element 12, and when it does not exist, Light from the light emitting element 10 is reflected by the reflecting plate 24 and detected by the light receiving element 12. Thereby, when the leading slit forming blade 23b of the leading curtain 23 passes the shutter monitor, that is, slightly before the imaging surface 6a is completely opened, and the trailing slit forming blade 39b of the trailing curtain 39 performs the shutter monitoring. It is possible to detect a time point slightly before the imaging surface 6a is completely blocked by passing through.

[Control system configuration]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the control system of the electronic camera according to the present embodiment. In the figure, CNT is a main control unit (control microcomputer) provided in the camera body 2 for overall control of the electronic camera 1, and the main control unit CNT includes a memory (storage unit) MEM. ing. The memory MEM stores various control programs and control data including a program for executing a photographing process described later.

  In the memory MEM, as part of the control data, the flash timing information FLT, which is time information indicating the flash timing of the speedlight 5 that is optimal for each of a plurality of format sizes, and the image from the image sensor 6 are displayed. Image signal read timing information IRT, which is time information indicating the signal read timing, is stored in advance.

  The main control unit CNT reads an image signal from the image sensor 6 at an appropriate timing, which will be described later, in relation to the drive of the shutter 7, temporarily stores it in a buffer memory (not shown) provided in the main control unit CNT, and if necessary Then, image processing, data compression processing, and the like are performed and stored in a recording medium (not shown) such as a memory card that is detachably attached to the camera body 2.

  Further, the main control unit CNT controls the light emission of the light emitting element 10 of the shutter 7 described above, receives a detection signal from the light receiving element 12, and supplies power to the front magnet 17 and the rear magnet 18 via the shutter drive circuit SHD. Control on / off. Further, the main control unit CNT sends a flash instruction signal to the speedlight 5 at an appropriate timing, which will be described later, in relation to the driving of the shutter 7 when shooting with the speedlight 5 emitting light, and the speedlight 5 responds accordingly. Emit a flash of light.

  Further, the main control unit CNT receives lens information from the photographic lens 3 attached. The lens information received from the photographic lens 3 includes information indicating the format size targeted by the photographic lens 3 (here, the DX size corresponding to the full size or the APS-C size, etc.). The main control unit CNT receives an instruction signal from an operation unit including a release button RLB provided on the camera body 2 and a crop-on button CRB for performing shooting using a high-speed crop function.

  Here, the electronic camera 1 can switch and shoot an area (shooting area) used for imaging within the entire imaging area (effective imaging area) of the imaging device 6 according to a plurality of format sizes. Yes. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, a size A having a dimension a in the Y direction, which is the traveling direction of the front curtain 23 and the rear curtain 39, and a size B having a dimension b (b <a) in the Y direction. Similarly, it is possible to shoot in three format sizes of size C having a dimension c (c <b) in the Y direction.

  As an example, in this embodiment, the size A is a full size imaged using the entire imaging area of the imaging surface 6a of the imaging device 6, and the size B is a DX size and size equivalent to an APS-C size smaller than the full size. It is assumed that C is a crop size (size used for the crop high-speed function) that is smaller than the DX size. However, the plurality of format sizes in this case are not limited to three, and may be two or four or more. In addition, these format sizes are different in size in both the X direction and the Y direction here, but may be different in at least the Y direction.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the memory MEM provided in the main control unit CNT includes the flash timing information FLT related to the flash timing of the flash device 5 and the image sensor 6 along with the identification information related to the sizes A to C. The image signal read timing information IRT relating to the read timing of the image signal from is stored in advance corresponding to each. The flash timing information FLT and the image signal read timing information IRT are time information optimized for the corresponding format sizes (size A to size C).

  Here, T7a corresponding to size A, T7b corresponding to size B, and T7c corresponding to size C are stored as flash timing information FLT, and size A is stored as image signal readout timing information IRT. T8a, T8b corresponding to size B, and T8c corresponding to size C are stored. In this embodiment, each timing information corresponds to the Y-direction dimensions a, b, c (a> b> c) of the corresponding format size, and T7a> T7b> T7c, T8a> T8b> T8c. It has become a relationship.

  In this embodiment, the flash timing information FLT is obtained when the light receiving element 12 of the shutter monitor of the shutter 7 detects the passage of the trailing edge (edge on the −Y direction side) of the leading slit forming blade 23 b of the leading film 23. Is the information indicating the time until the shooting area (shooting area A to shooting area C) according to each format size is completely opened. That is, by using this information FLT, the flash can be emitted at the timing when the shutter (front curtain) completely opens the photographing area of an arbitrary size. The image signal readout timing information IRT is also stored in each format size after the passage of the leading edge (the edge on the + Y direction side) of the rear slit forming blade 39b of the rear curtain 39 is detected by the light receiving element 12 of the shutter monitor. This is information indicating the time until the imaging area (imaging area A to imaging area C) is completely closed (closed). That is, by using this information IRT, reading of the image signal can be started at the timing when the shutter (rear curtain) completely closes the photographing area of an arbitrary size.

  The flash timing information FLT and the image signal readout timing information IRT are the shooting areas (the positions of the edges on the + Y direction side corresponding to the dimensions a, b, and c in the Y direction) according to the format sizes of the image sensor 6. This is a time determined according to the positional relationship in the Y direction between the detection point of the shutter monitor and the traveling speed of the front curtain 23 or the rear curtain 39. However, the starting point of the time related to the timing information FLT and IRT is not limited to the above-mentioned time point, and may be, for example, the time point when the release button RLB is pressed or another time point.

  In the flash timing information FLT, the timings T7c, T7b, T7a do not coincide with the timing immediately after the front curtain 23 opens the corresponding shooting areas C, B, A, and are slightly delayed. The reason for the timing (as shown in the drawing) is that a margin is provided so that the shooting area is not vignetted in consideration of variations in the operation of the shutter curtain. The same applies to the timings T8c, T8b, and T8a in the image signal readout timing information IRT.

[Shooting process]
Next, with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, the imaging process executed by the main control unit CNT will be outlined. This shooting process is started when the electronic camera 1 is set to a mode for shooting a still image (single frame mode or continuous shooting mode). When the process is started, first, in step S1, the main control unit CNT performs a timing reading process. This timing reading process is a process of detecting a currently set format size and reading time information stored as flash timing and image signal reading timing optimum for the format size from the memory MEM.

  Details of the timing read processing are shown in FIG. In FIG. 7, it is first determined whether or not the crop-on button CRB has been pressed (step S11). If it is determined in step S11 that the crop button CRB is pressed (in the case of Y), the flash timing information corresponding to the size C (ie, T7c) is read from the memory MEM, and the work variable T7 for the flash timing is read. , The image signal readout timing information corresponding to the size C (ie, T8c) is read from the memory MEM, and assigned to the work variable T8 for the image signal readout timing (step S12), and the process proceeds to step S2 in FIG. Return.

  If it is determined in step S11 that the crop-on button CRB has not been pressed (in the case of N), the format size targeted by the photographing lens 3 is the DX size based on the lens information from the photographing lens 3. It is determined whether there is, that is, whether the taking lens 3 is a DX lens (step S13). If it is determined in step S13 that the lens is a DX lens (in the case of Y), the flash timing information corresponding to size B (that is, T7b) is read from the memory MEM and substituted into the work variable T7 for the flash timing. At the same time, the image signal read timing information corresponding to size B (ie, T8b) is read from the memory MEM, substituted into the work variable T8 for reading the image signal (step S14), and the process returns to step S2 in FIG.

  If it is determined in step S13 that the taking lens 3 is not a DX lens (in the case of N), the flash timing information corresponding to the size A (that is, T7a) is read from the memory MEM, and the work variable T7 regarding the flash timing is read. 6 is read from the memory MEM and the image signal read timing information corresponding to the size A (ie, T8a) is read and assigned to the work variable T8 for reading the image signal (step S15). Return.

  In the timing reading process (steps S11 to S15) in step S1, here, the currently set format size is detected based on whether or not the crop button CRB is pressed and the lens information of the photographing lens 3. A format size switching button or the like may be provided so that the photographer can arbitrarily select and set size A to size C (that is, full size, DX size, crop size) and detect the setting contents. .

  Next, in step S2 of FIG. 6, a photometric signal is acquired from the photometric element 43, and in step S3, a predetermined exposure calculation is executed based on the photometric signal acquired in step S2, and an exposure time (shutter seconds) as an appropriate exposure condition. ) And aperture value. Here, the exposure time is not only the exposure time automatically calculated by the camera so as to obtain an appropriate exposure based on the brightness of the subject during automatic exposure, but also the exposure time arbitrarily set by the photographer. Good. In step S4, the proper exposure condition as the calculation result of step S3 is displayed. This display is performed on a display unit (not shown) in the finder 4 and / or an information display panel (not shown) provided in the camera body 2.

  Next, in step S5, it is determined whether or not the release button RLB of the camera body 2 has been pressed. If it is determined that the release button RLB has not been pressed (N), the process returns to step S1. If it is determined in step S5 that the release button RLB is pressed (in the case of Y), in step S6, energization of the front magnet 17 and the rear magnet 18 is turned on via the shutter drive circuit SHD, and the front armature is turned on. The mechanical locking by the mechanical locking mechanism of the lever 19 and the rear armature lever 20 is released.

  Thereafter, in step S7, the quick return mirror 8 is raised (mirror-up) and retracted from the photographing optical path, and the diaphragm 49 is driven to drive a predetermined diaphragm aperture. Next, in step S8, the main control unit CNT controls the operation of the shutter 7 to execute a shunter routine process for controlling exposure to the image sensor 6.

  Details of the shutter routine processing will be described later with reference to FIGS. When the exposure operation in step S8 is completed, in step S9, the quick return mirror 8 is lowered (mirror down) to return to the photographing optical path, and the stop 49 is returned to the maximum stop opening. Thereafter, in step S10, the mechanical shutter 7 is returned to the state shown in FIG. 2, and mechanical charging is performed to mechanically lock the front armature lever 19 and the rear armature lever 20 by the mechanical locking mechanism, and the flow returns to step S1.

[Shutter routine processing for fully open exposure]
FIG. 8 shows a shutter routine in which the shutter speed is relatively long and the imaging surface 6a of the imaging device 6 is fully opened at the time of shooting, that is, the running of the trailing curtain 39 is started after the running of the leading curtain 23 is completed. It is a time chart for demonstrating the detailed process of FIG.6 S8). In the case of full-exposure exposure, it is possible to take a picture by generating a flash with a speedlight 5 as a flash device. Note that the same processing is performed even when normal shooting is performed without causing the flashlight to be generated by the speedlight 5, and only the flash instruction signal is not sent from the main control unit CNT to the speedlight 5. A case where shooting using flash (flash shooting) will be described below.

  In the figure, T1 is the time from when the energization to the front magnet 17 is turned off until the output signal of the light receiving element 12 becomes H (high) indicating light reception, and T2 is after the energization to the rear magnet 18 is turned off. This is the time until the output signal of the light receiving element 12 becomes L (low) indicating non-light reception, and these are the actual times measured by the main control unit CNT. Ts is the time from when the energization to the first magnet 17 is turned off to the time when the energization to the rear magnet 18 is turned off, and is a time determined in advance according to the currently set shutter speed (Tr ′). And stored as control information in the memory MEM.

  T5 is the time from the lighting of the light emitting element 10 of the shutter monitor for detecting the traveling of the front curtain 23 to the extinction, which is determined in advance based on the time from the start of traveling of the front curtain 23 to the completion of traveling, It is stored as control information in the memory MEM. T6 is the time from the lighting of the light emitting element 10 for detecting the running of the rear curtain 39 to the extinction, which is determined in advance based on the time from the start of the running of the rear curtain 39 to the completion of the running. Is stored as control information. Tr is an actual exposure time (actual shutter opening time), and is calculated by Tr = Ts + T2−T1.

  The shutter routine process in the case of the fully open exposure shown in FIG. 8 is executed when the shutter speed is relatively long, here, when Ts> T5, and when Ts ≦ T5, the shutter routine process will be described later with reference to FIG. Shutter routine processing in the case of slit exposure is performed.

  First, when the release button of the camera is fully pressed, at timing t0, the main control unit CNT activates an internal timer (not shown) to start measuring time and supplies the first magnet 17 via the shutter drive circuit SHD. The energization is turned off, and the light emitting element 10 of the shutter monitor is turned on. The front curtain 23 starts traveling in the opening direction (+ Y direction in FIG. 2) at a timing ta delayed by a predetermined time Δ1 from the timing t0. The predetermined time Δ1 corresponds to a delay time until the leading armature lever 19 rotates and the leading drive lever 29 starts rotating. The main control unit CNT records the time T1 (elapsed time from the timing t0) at the timing tb when the light receiving signal is detected (H level) by the light receiving element 12 of the shutter monitor, and continues counting.

  The main control unit CNT, when the time set in the work variable T7 related to the flash instruction has elapsed from the timing tb when the light reception signal is detected by the light receiving element 12, passes the flash instruction signal that instructs the speedlight 5 to turn on the flash. (X contact signal) is output, and the speedlight 5 starts emitting light in response to the flash instruction signal.

  As described above, assuming that the currently set format size is size A, that is, the full size in S1 of FIG. 6, since the time T7a is substituted for the work variable T7, the main control unit CNT Will output a flash instruction signal for the speedlight 5 at the timing tc when the time T7a set in the work variable T7 has elapsed from the timing tb.

  Also, assuming that the currently set format size is size B, that is, the DX size in S1 of FIG. 6, since the time T7b is substituted for the work variable T7, the main control unit CNT At time tc ′ when the time T7b set in the work variable T7 has elapsed from tb, a flash instruction signal for the speedlight 5 is output.

  Further, assuming that the currently set format size is size C, that is, the crop size in S1 of FIG. 6, since the time T7c is assigned to the work variable T7, the main control unit CNT At time tc ″ when the time T7c set in the work variable T7 has elapsed from tb, the flash instruction signal for the speedlight 5 is output.

  Next, the main control unit CNT temporarily turns off the light emitting element 10 of the shutter monitor at a timing td (when the elapsed time from the timing t0 becomes T5) after the timing tc (in some cases, tc ′ or tc ″). The reason for setting the time T5 and turning off the light emitting element 10 once is that the shutter time can be set in a range of 1/8000 seconds to 30 seconds, for example. This is because it is not preferable from the viewpoint of energy saving to continue the light emission by the light-emitting element 10 when the shutter speed is long, and therefore, as described in the shutter routine processing in the case of slit exposure described later in FIG. When is short, such light-off is not performed.

  Next, the main control unit CNT instructs to turn off the energization of the rear magnet 18 at the timing Te when the time Ts has elapsed from the timing t0, and turns on the light emitting element 10 of the shutter monitor again. As a result, the trailing curtain 39 starts traveling in the closing direction (+ Y direction in FIG. 2) at the timing tf delayed by the predetermined time Δ2 from the timing te. The predetermined time Δ2 corresponds to a delay time until the rear armature lever 20 rotates and the rear drive lever 36 rotates. The main control unit CNT records the time T2 (elapsed time from the timing te) at the timing tg when the light receiving signal is not detected by the light receiving element 12 of the shutter monitor, and continues the time measurement.

  The main control unit CNT starts reading the image signal from the image sensor 6 when the time set in the work variable T8 related to reading the image signal elapses from the timing tg. As described above, assuming that the currently set format size is size A, that is, the full size in S1 of FIG. 6, since the time T8a is substituted for the work variable T8, the main control unit CNT Starts reading image signals from the image sensor 6 at the timing th when the time T8a set in the work variable T8 has elapsed from the timing tg.

  Further, assuming that the currently set format size is size B, that is, the DX size in S1 of FIG. 6, since the time T8b is assigned to the work variable T8, the main control unit CNT At the timing th ′ when the time T8b set in the work variable T8 has elapsed from tg, reading of the image signal from the image sensor 6 is started.

  Further, assuming that the currently set format size is size C, that is, the crop size in S1 of FIG. 6, since the time T8c is assigned to the work variable T8, the main control unit CNT At the timing th ″ when the time T8c set in the work variable T8 has elapsed from tg, reading of the image signal from the image sensor 6 is started.

  Next, the main control unit CNT turns off the light emitting element 10 of the shutter monitor at the timing ti (when the elapsed time from the timing te becomes T6) after the timing th (th ′ or th ″ depending on the case). .

  Thereafter, the main control unit CNT calculates the actual exposure time Tr from Tr = Ts + T2−T1, and the difference between the actual exposure time Tr and the currently set shutter time Tr ′ (that is, the absolute value of Tr−Tr ′). Value) is equal to or greater than a predetermined allowable value, it is determined that the shutter is operating abnormally, and a display indicating the abnormality is displayed on the in-finder display unit and / or the information display panel (not shown). If it is less than the value, the shutter routine process is terminated without displaying such an abnormality, and the process returns to step S9 in FIG.

  As described above, the flash timing information FLT (T7a, T7b, T7c) is stored in advance in the memory MEM corresponding to a plurality of format sizes (size A to size C), and the currently set format size is set. Since the flash is generated in accordance with the corresponding flash timing information, at the time when the shooting area (shooting area A to shooting area C) according to the currently set format size is completely opened by the front curtain 23, the flash is flashed. Can be generated. Therefore, it is possible to generate a flash at an optimum timing for the format size according to the shooting area.

  Further, image signal read timing information IRT (T8a, T8b, T8c) is stored in advance in the memory MEM corresponding to a plurality of format sizes (size A to size C), and corresponds to the currently set format size. Since the image signal is read from the image sensor 6 according to the image signal read timing information to be performed, the shooting area (shooting area A to shooting area C) according to each format size is completely closed (closed) by the rear curtain 39. At this point, reading of the image signal can be started. Accordingly, when the shooting area is small, the reading of the image signal is started early accordingly, so that the reading of the image signal can be completed quickly. That is, it is possible to shorten the shooting processing time required for shooting one still image.

[Shutter routine processing for slit exposure]
In FIG. 9, the shutter time is relatively short, and the imaging surface 6 a of the image sensor 6 is not fully opened at the time of shooting. That is, the running of the trailing curtain 39 is started during the running of the leading curtain 23, and the trailing edge of the leading curtain 23. Time for explaining the detailed processing of the shutter routine (step S8 in FIG. 6) in the case of performing exposure by scanning the imaging surface 6a of the imaging device 6 with the slit formed by the edge and the leading edge of the rear curtain 39 It is a chart. In the case of this slit exposure, flash photography using the speedlight 5 is not suitable, so no flash processing is performed.

  In the figure, T1 is the time from when the energization to the front magnet 17 is turned off until the output signal of the light receiving element 12 becomes H (high) indicating light reception, and T2 is after the energization to the rear magnet 18 is turned off. This is the time until the output signal of the light receiving element 12 becomes L (low) indicating non-light reception, and these are the actual times measured by the main control unit CNT. Ts is the time from when the energization to the front magnet 17 is turned off to the time when the energization to the rear magnet 18 is turned off. The time Ts is determined in advance according to the currently set shutter speed (Tr ′), and is stored in the memory MEM. Is stored as control information.

  T6 is the time from the lighting of the light emitting element 10 for detecting the running of the rear curtain 39 to the extinction, which is determined in advance based on the time from the start of the running of the rear curtain 39 to the completion of the running. Is stored as control information. Tr is an actual exposure time (actual open chain time), and is calculated by Tr = Ts + T2−T1.

  The shutter routine processing in the case of slit exposure shown in FIG. 9 is executed when the shutter speed is relatively short, here, when Ts ≦ T5. T5 is the time from the lighting of the light emitting element 10 for detecting the travel of the front curtain 23 to the extinction, and is determined in advance based on the time from the start of travel of the front curtain 23 to the completion of travel. It is stored as control information in the MEM.

  Similarly to FIG. 8, when the release button of the camera is fully pressed, at timing t0, the main control unit CNT starts time measurement by operating an internal timer (not shown), and first through the shutter drive circuit SHD. The power supply to the magnet 17 is turned off, and the light emitting element 10 of the shutter monitor is turned on. The front curtain 23 starts traveling in the open chain direction (+ Y direction in FIG. 2) at a timing ta delayed by a predetermined time Δ1 from the timing t0. The predetermined time Δ1 corresponds to a delay time until the leading armature lever 19 rotates and the leading drive lever 29 starts rotating.

  Next, the main control unit CNT instructs the energization of the rear magnet 18 to be turned off at the timing Te when the time Ts has elapsed from the timing t0. As a result, the trailing curtain 39 starts traveling in the closing direction (+ Y direction in FIG. 2) at the timing tf delayed by the predetermined time Δ2 from the timing te. The predetermined time Δ2 corresponds to a delay time until the rear armature lever 20 rotates and the rear drive lever 36 rotates.

  The main control unit CNT records the time T1 (elapsed time from the timing t0) at the timing tb when the light receiving signal is detected by the light receiving element 12 of the shutter monitor, and continues the time measurement. Further, the main control unit CNT records time T2 (elapsed time from the timing te) at the timing tg when the light receiving signal is not detected by the light receiving element 12 of the shutter monitor, and continues the time measurement.

  The main control unit CNT starts reading the image signal from the image sensor 6 when the time set in the work variable T8 related to reading the image signal has elapsed from the timing tb. As described above, assuming that the currently set format size is size A, that is, the full size in S1 of FIG. 6, since the time T8a is substituted for the work variable T8, the main control unit CNT Starts reading image signals from the image sensor 6 at the timing th when the time T8a set in the work variable T8 has elapsed from the timing tg.

  Further, assuming that the currently set format size is size B, that is, the DX size in S1 of FIG. 6, since the time T8b is assigned to the work variable T8, the main control unit CNT At the timing th ′ when the time T8b set in the work variable T8 has elapsed from tg, reading of the image signal from the image sensor 6 is started.

  Further, assuming that the currently set format size is size C, that is, the crop size in S1 of FIG. 6, since the time T8c is assigned to the work variable T8, the main control unit CNT At the timing th ″ when the time T8c set in the work variable T8 has elapsed from tg, reading of the image signal from the image sensor 6 is started.

  Next, the main control unit CNT turns off the light emitting element 10 of the shutter monitor at the timing ti (when the elapsed time from the timing te becomes T6) after the timing th (th ′ or th ″ depending on the case). .

  Thereafter, the main control unit CNT calculates the actual exposure time Tr from Tr = Ts + T2−T1, and the difference between the actual exposure time Tr and the currently set shutter time Tr ′ (that is, the absolute value of Tr−Tr ′). Value) is equal to or greater than a predetermined allowable value, it is determined that the shutter is operating abnormally, and a display indicating the abnormality is displayed on the in-finder display unit and / or the information display panel (not shown). If it is less than the value, the shutter routine is terminated without displaying such an abnormality, and the process returns to S9 in FIG.

  As described above, the image signal readout timing information IRT (T8a, T8b, T8c) is stored in advance in the memory MEM corresponding to a plurality of format sizes (size A to size C), and the currently set format is used. Since the image signal is read from the image sensor 6 in accordance with the image signal read timing information corresponding to the size, the shooting area (shooting area A to shooting area C) according to each format size is completely blocked (closed) by the rear curtain 39. At this point, reading of the image signal can be started. Accordingly, when the shooting area is small, the reading of the image signal is started early accordingly, so that the reading of the image signal can be completed quickly. That is, it is possible to reduce the shooting processing time required for shooting one still image.

  The embodiment described above is described for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and is not described for limiting the present invention. Therefore, each element disclosed in the above embodiment includes all design changes and equivalents belonging to the technical scope of the present invention.

It is a sectional side view which shows typically schematic structure of the electronic camera of embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view which decomposed | disassembled one part which shows the principal part structure of the mechanical shutter of embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the control system of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the mutual relationship of the several format size set in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the flash timing information and image signal read-out timing information which were memorize | stored in the memory with which the main control part of embodiment of this invention is provided. It is a flowchart which shows the imaging | photography process of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the timing reading process of embodiment of this invention. It is a time chart which shows the shutter routine process in the case of fully open exposure of embodiment of this invention. It is a time chart which shows the shutter routine process in the case of slit exposure of embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Camera, 2 ... Camera body, 3 ... Shooting lens, 4 ... Finder, 5 ... Speedlight, 6 ... Image sensor, 7 ... Mechanical shutter, 8 ... Quick return mirror, 9 ... Lens mount, 10 ... Light emitting element, 12 ... Light receiving element, 17 ... front magnet, 18 ... rear magnet, 19 ... front armature lever, 20 ... rear armature lever, 23 ... front curtain, 24 ... reflector, 29 ... front drive lever, 36 ... rear drive lever, 39 ... rear Curtain, CNT ... Main control unit, MEM ... Memory, FLT ... Flash timing information, IRT ... Image signal read timing information, RLB ... Release button, CRB ... Crop on button, SHD ... Shutter drive circuit, T7a ... Full size flash timing Information, T7b: DX size flash timing information, T7c: Crop size flash timing Broadcast, T8a ... full-size image signal read-out timing information, T8b ... image signal read-out timing information of the DX size, T8c ... image signal read-out timing information of the crop size.

Claims (12)

An imaging device capable of imaging by switching an area used for imaging within the entire imaging area of the imaging element according to a plurality of format sizes,
A shutter having a light blocking member that opens and closes an optical path of light incident on the image sensor;
Storage means for storing a plurality of flash timing information related to the flash timing of the flash device associated with a predetermined timing for opening and closing the light shielding member according to the format size;
Control means for reading the flash timing information corresponding to the currently set format size from the storage means and controlling the flash device according to the read flash timing information;
An imaging apparatus comprising: Further comprising detection means for detecting opening and closing of the light shielding member,
The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined timing is a timing related to opening of the optical path of the light shielding member detected by the detection unit. An imaging device capable of imaging by switching an area used for imaging within the entire imaging area of the imaging element according to a plurality of format sizes,
A shutter having a light blocking member that opens and closes an optical path of light incident on the image sensor;
Storage means for storing a plurality of read timing information related to a timing for reading an image signal from the image sensor, which is related to a predetermined timing for opening and closing the light shielding member, according to the format size;
Control means for reading out the read timing information corresponding to the currently set format size from the storage means and controlling reading of an image signal from the image sensor in accordance with the read-out read timing information;
An imaging apparatus comprising: Further comprising detection means for detecting opening and closing of the light shielding member,
The photographing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined timing is a timing related to the blocking of the optical path of the light shielding member detected by the detection unit. An imaging device capable of imaging by switching an area used for imaging within the entire imaging area of the imaging element according to a plurality of format sizes,
A shutter having a light blocking member that opens and closes an optical path of light incident on the image sensor;
Flash timing information relating to the flash timing of the flash device associated with a predetermined first timing for opening and closing of the light shielding member, and from the image sensor associated with a predetermined second timing for opening and closing of the light shielding member. Storage means for storing a plurality of readout timing information related to the readout timing of the image signal according to the format size;
The flash timing information and the read timing information corresponding to the currently set format size are read from the storage means, the flash device is controlled according to the read flash timing information, and the imaging according to the read read timing information. Control means for controlling reading of an image signal from the element;
An imaging apparatus comprising: Further comprising detection means for detecting opening and closing of the light shielding member,
The predetermined first timing is a timing related to the opening of the optical path by the light shielding member detected by the detection means,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined second timing is a timing related to the blocking of the optical path by the light shielding member detected by the detection unit.   The photographing apparatus according to claim 2, 4 or 6, wherein the detection means is an optical detection means for optically detecting insertion / extraction of the light shielding member in the optical path.   The format size is set to at least two of a full size that uses the entire imaging area of the imaging device, a DX size that is smaller than the full size, and a crop size that is smaller than the DX size. Item 8. The photographing device according to any one of Items 1 to 7.   The light-shielding member is driven to open from the closed state of the imaging surface of the image sensor, and after being driven to close from the opened state of the imaging surface after the front curtain starts running The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a curtain. A method for controlling an imaging apparatus capable of imaging by switching an area used for imaging within an entire imaging area of an imaging element according to a plurality of format sizes,
A plurality of flash timing information related to the flash timing of the flash device associated with a predetermined timing for opening and closing the shutter for controlling the exposure time for the image sensor is stored according to the format size,
A method for controlling a photographing apparatus, comprising: instructing the flash device to start flashing according to the flash timing information corresponding to a currently set format size. A method for controlling an imaging apparatus capable of imaging by switching an area used for imaging within an entire imaging area of an imaging element according to a plurality of format sizes,
A plurality of read timing information relating to the timing of reading the image signal from the image sensor, which is related to a predetermined timing for opening and closing the shutter that controls the exposure time for the image sensor, is stored according to the format size. ,
A method for controlling an imaging apparatus, comprising: starting reading of an image signal from the imaging device in accordance with the readout timing information corresponding to a currently set format size. A method for controlling an imaging apparatus capable of imaging by switching an area used for imaging within an entire imaging area of an imaging element according to a plurality of format sizes,
Flash timing information related to the flash timing of the flash device and the read timing related to the timing of reading the image signal from the image sensor, which are related to a predetermined first timing for opening and closing the shutter that controls the exposure time for the image sensor. A plurality of information is stored according to the format size,
The flash device is instructed to start flashing according to the flash timing information corresponding to the currently set format size, and reading of the image signal from the image sensor is started according to the read timing information corresponding to the format size. A method for controlling an imaging apparatus.

Images