JP2010246018A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus having a live view function, and allowing flash light emission imaging at a high synchronization speed relative to that of a focal plane shutter. <P>SOLUTION: When the shutter speed of a focal plane shutter 10 is higher than the synchronization speed of the focal plane shutter 10, and imaging is executed by emitting flash light by a strobe emission part 28, an imaging area G without being irradiated with the flash light out of an imaging surface 11a of an imaging element 11 is excluded, an imaging area Q irradiated with the flash light is used as a recording area, and image data obtained from the recording area Q is clipped. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus having a flash control function capable of performing a flash emission operation using a strobe or the like, a focal plane shutter, and a live view function, and capable of increasing the speed of the focal plane shutter when performing a flash emission operation. .

  Some cameras, which are imaging devices, include a focal plane shutter and can perform a flash emission operation using a strobe or the like. The focal plane shutter is disposed immediately in front of an imaging surface formed by arranging photographic film or a plurality of imaging elements on a two-dimensional plane, and a slit is formed by a front curtain shutter and a rear curtain shutter, and this slit is formed on the imaging surface. The imaging surface is exposed by sequentially traveling from one end side to the other end side.

  In a camera having such a focal plane shutter, there is a limit to the shutter speed of the focal plane shutter that can be photographed by flashing. This is because, due to the configuration of the focal plane shutter, it is necessary that a state where both the front curtain shutter and the rear curtain shutter are fully opened exists for the flash emission time at least. Thus, the limit of the shutter speed that satisfies the condition that the focal plane shutter is fully opened during the flash emission period and the light from the subject is evenly applied to the imaging surface of the camera is generally referred to as a tuning speed. The synchronization speed of the shutter speed is disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example.

On the other hand, digital single-lens reflex cameras with a live view function have been developed. The live view function does not use an optical finder, but continuously shoots using an image sensor instead of the optical finder, and displays and outputs image data acquired by the image sensor using an electronic finder or other display element. To do. The live view function is used for functions such as high-accuracy autofocus (AF) and cut-out shooting using image data of a cut-out area by cutting out an arbitrary area within a shooting angle of view. The live view function is disclosed in Patent Document 2, for example.
JP 2006-86586 A JP 2008-160744 A

  However, in a digital single-lens reflex camera having a focal plane shutter, there is a problem in that shooting by flashing with a strobe or the like cannot be performed by setting the shutter speed of the focal plane shutter to be higher than the tuning speed. That is, the focal plane shutter travels sequentially through the slit formed by the front curtain shutter and the rear curtain shutter from one end side to the other end side of the imaging surface, for example, from the upper side to the lower side of the imaging surface. This is because when the speed is increased, the travel interval between the front curtain shutter and the rear curtain shutter is shortened and the focal plane shutter is not fully opened, so that an area where no flash is emitted by a strobe or the like is generated on the imaging surface. For this reason, when performing flash photography, there are problems such as inconvenience that the camera settings must be changed in order to ensure the synchronization speed, and a photo opportunity is missed.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus that has a live view function and that can perform flash photography at a synchronization speed higher than the focal speed of a focal plane shutter.

  An imaging apparatus according to a main aspect of the present invention includes a focal plane shutter, an imaging unit having an imaging surface that captures an image of a subject through the focal plane shutter to obtain image data, and flash emission that emits flash light that illuminates the subject. , A display means for displaying the image data obtained by the imaging means as a live view image, and a tuning speed for setting the tuning speed of the focal plane shutter when the flash light emitting means is caused to emit light and the subject is imaged by the imaging means The image pickup means, when the shutter speed set by the shutter speed setting means is higher than the tuning speed of the focal plane shutter and the flash emission means emits a flash to take an image. The image data is extracted from only the imaging area determined to be irradiated with flash light, and the display means , It displays the image data cut out from the imaging area as a live view image.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an imaging apparatus that has a live view function and can perform flash emission photography at a tuning speed higher than the tuning speed of the focal plane shutter.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram of an imaging apparatus. A lens unit 2 is detachably attached to the body unit 1. The lens unit 2 includes a photographing lens 3 and a diaphragm 4.
The body unit 1 is provided with a focal plane shutter 10 and an image sensor 11. The focal plane shutter 10 and the image sensor 11 are provided on the same optical path as the photographing lens 3 and the diaphragm 4. The focal plane shutter 10 is disposed immediately in front of the imaging surface of the image sensor 11, and a slit is formed by the front curtain shutter and the rear curtain shutter. By sequentially running from the upper side to the lower side on the image pickup surface when standing, the image pickup surface of the image pickup device 11 is exposed.

The image sensor 11 photoelectrically converts the light image P of the subject imaged by the lens unit 2 and outputs an image signal. The image sensor 11 is formed by a CCD, for example.
A memory 13 and an image processing unit 14 are connected to an output terminal of the image sensor 11 via an A / D converter 12. The image signal output from the image sensor 11 is converted into digital image data by the A / D converter 12 and written into the memory 13.

The body unit 1 includes a system control unit 15. The system control unit 15 includes a CPU, an internal memory, and the like. The system control unit 15 includes an imaging control unit 16, a shutter control unit 17, an aperture control unit 18, a lens control unit 19, an exposure control unit 20, an AF control unit 21, a strobe control unit 22, A non-performance memory 23, an external memory 24, a display unit 25, an operation unit 26, and a power supply control unit 27 are connected.
Further, the body unit 1 has a strobe light emitting unit 28 for emitting a strobe as a flash light emitting means for emitting a flash light that illuminates the subject, and a strobe charge for charging a capacitor with energy for causing the strobe to emit light. A portion 29 is provided.

  The image processing unit 14 performs digital amplification (digital gain adjustment processing), color correction, and gamma (γ) on the digital image data output from the A / D converter 12 or the digital image data written in the memory 13. Various image processing such as correction, contrast correction, and image generation for live view display are performed. The image processing unit 14 performs digital gain adjustment processing, color correction, γ correction, and contrast correction on digital image data acquired when the release button included in the operation unit 26 is fully pressed, for example, during single shooting or continuous shooting. Various image processes such as the above are performed to obtain one piece of image data or a plurality of continuous shot image data. The image processing unit 14 performs, for example, pixel thinning processing for live view display or clipping processing for enlarged display on the display unit 25, for example, the display unit 25 having a liquid crystal display, on the digital image data written in the memory 13. Etc. are processed.

The imaging control unit 16 controls the operation of the imaging device 11 and performs photoelectric conversion of the light image P of the subject imaged by the lens unit 2 to output an image signal.
The shutter control unit 17 controls the operation of the focal plane shutter 10 and travels from the upper side to the lower side on the imaging surface when the apparatus is erecting, for example, the front curtain shutter and the rear curtain shutter in the focal plane shutter 10. Control.

  The diaphragm control unit 18 adjusts the opening amount of the diaphragm 4.

The lens control unit 19 controls the movement of the position of the photographing lens 3 in the optical axis direction.
A photometry unit 30 is connected to the exposure control unit (AE control unit) 20. The photometry unit 30 measures the luminance of the subject including the main subject. The exposure control unit 20 automatically adjusts the exposure amount with respect to the imaging surface of the imaging device 11 at the time of shooting based on the luminance of the shooting target including the main subject measured by the photometry unit 30. That is, the exposure control unit 20 calculates the exposure amount for the subject based on the luminance measured by the photometry unit 30, and the shutter speed of the focal plane shutter 10 and the aperture 4 so that the exposure amount becomes an appropriate exposure amount. The exposure conditions such as the aperture value and the sensitivity set in the image sensor 11 are determined.

  The exposure control unit 20 reads digital image data output from the image sensor 11 and A / D-converted by the A / D converter 12 when displaying a live view image, and the luminance of the subject is read from the digital image data. And the exposure conditions such as the electronic shutter speed and sensitivity of the image sensor 11 and the aperture value of the aperture 4 are determined and controlled so that the live view image display image has an appropriate exposure amount.

A distance measuring unit 31 is connected to the AF control unit 21. The distance measuring unit 31 measures the distance to the main subject included in the subject. The AF control unit 21 automatically adjusts the focus during shooting based on the distance to the main subject included in the subject measured by the distance measuring unit 31.
In addition, the AF operation during live view image display is performed as follows. The AF control unit 21 determines a focus position based on image data acquired during live view image display, that is, a focus evaluation value obtained from digital image data output from the image processing unit 14.

The strobe control unit 22 causes the strobe light emitting unit 28 to emit light, and controls the light emission time of the strobe light emitting unit 28. Note that the light emission time, light emission timing, and light emission amount of the strobe light emitting unit 28 are controlled by the system control unit 15 via the strobe control unit 22.
The display unit 25 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) and displays, for example, a live view image.
The operation unit 26 includes a changeover switch for switching the shooting mode of the camera, a release switch that operates by operating a release button, a power switch, and the like. The release switch is a general two-stage switch. That is, when the release button is half-pressed, the first release switch is turned on, whereby focus detection and photometry are performed, and the photographing lens 3 is moved to be in focus. Further, when the release button is fully pressed, the second release switch is turned on, the focal plane shutter 10 is driven, and the image sensor 11 is exposed.
The power supply control unit 27 smoothes and boosts the voltage of the loaded power supply circuit 32 and supplies power to the system control unit 15.

An external strobe unit 40 is detachably attached to the body unit 1 via an external flash connection portion 33. The external strobe unit 40 is provided with a strobe control unit 41. The strobe control unit 41 includes a CPU, an internal memory, and the like. The strobe control unit 41 is connected to a strobe light emitting unit 42, a strobe charging unit 43, a non-working memory 44, a power supply control unit 45, and a camera connection unit 46.
The strobe light emitting unit 42 emits flash light that illuminates the subject.
The strobe charging unit 43 charges the strobe light emitting unit 42 to emit flash light.

A power supply circuit 47 such as a rechargeable battery is connected to the power supply control unit 45. The power supply control unit 45 supplies the power of the power supply circuit 47 to the strobe charging unit 43 under the control of the strobe control unit 41.
The camera connection unit 46 can be mechanically attached to and detached from the external flash connection unit 33 of the body unit 1, and can be electrically connected and disconnected. Data communication is possible between the system control unit 15 of the body unit 1 and the strobe control unit 41 of the external strobe unit 40 through the camera connection unit 46 and the external flash connection unit 33.

  In this apparatus, the focal plane shutter 10 generally forms a slit by the front curtain shutter and the rear curtain shutter as described above, and this slit is formed from one end side to the other end side of the imaging surface of the image sensor 11, for example, The apparatus travels sequentially from the upper side to the lower side on the imaging surface when the apparatus is erected (vertical running shutter). For this reason, the exposure time of the focal plane shutter 10 is shifted in time between the upper side and the lower side of the imaging surface of the imaging element 11. As a result, the flash light, which is the instantaneous light emitted from the strobe light emitting unit 42, is the entire imaging surface of the imaging device 11 as long as the imaging surface of the imaging device 11 is not hidden by the front curtain shutter or the rear curtain shutter. Is irradiated. The shutter speed of the focal plane shutter 10 at this time is defined as the tuning speed.

  FIG. 2 shows the traveling area of the front curtain shutter S1 and the rear curtain shutter S2 of the focal plane shutter 10 and the area Q irradiated with flash light on the imaging surface 11a of the imaging device 11. In the drawing, the upper side shows a state before the front curtain shutter S1 and the rear curtain shutter S2 of the focal plane shutter 10 travel, and the lower side shows a state after the front curtain shutter S1 and the rear curtain shutter S2 travel. The horizontal axis indicates time.

This figure shows a case where the shutter speed of the focal plane shutter 10 is lower than the time of synchronization (synchronization speed). After the front curtain shutter S1 travels from the upper side to the lower side and changes from the closed state to the open state, the shutter is released. After the fully open period, the rear curtain shutter S2 travels from the upper side to the lower side and changes from the open state to the closed state.
As described above, if the shutter speed of the focal plane shutter 10 is lower than the synchronization time (synchronization speed), the flash unit 42 flashes immediately after the front curtain shutter S1 travels downward and enters the open state. Light F is emitted. Thereby, since the flash light F is emitted at the start of the shutter full-open period of the focal plane shutter 10, the image pickup surface 11a of the image pickup device 11 is irradiated with the flash light F on the entire image pickup surface 11a. The region Q irradiated with flash light is the entire surface of the imaging surface 11a.

  On the other hand, when the shutter speed of the focal plane shutter 10 set by the shutter control unit 17 is higher than the time of tuning of the focal plane shutter 10 (tuning speed), only a part of the imaging surface of the imaging device 11 is used. The flash light F is irradiated. Next, a situation where the flash light F is irradiated only on a part of the imaging surface of the imaging element 11 will be described.

  FIG. 3 shows the traveling of the focal plane shutter 10 with the front curtain shutter S1 and the rear curtain shutter S2 and the imaging device when the shutter speed of the focal plane shutter 10 is higher than the synchronization time (synchronization speed) of the focal plane shutter 10. 11 shows a region Q irradiated with flash light on the imaging surface 11a.

  Thus, if the shutter speed of the focal plane shutter 10 is higher than the synchronization speed (synchronization speed), the rear curtain shutter S2 is lowered before the front curtain shutter S1 travels downward and enters the open state. Start running. Then, immediately after the front curtain shutter S1 is opened, the flash light F is emitted from the strobe light emitting unit 42. At this time, the trailing shutter S2 is in the middle of traveling downward and is not fully opened. Therefore, the upper side of the imaging surface 11a of the imaging device 11 is a region G that is shielded by the rear curtain shutter S2 and is not irradiated with the flash light F. The lower side of the imaging surface 11a of the imaging device 11 is irradiated with flash light F. The area Q to which the flash light is irradiated is determined by the travel position of the rear curtain shutter S2 below the moment when the front curtain shutter S1 is opened.

Next, control according to the present invention will be described.
As an outline, when the tuning speed setting is higher than the tuning speed of the focal plane shutter 10, the imaging area irradiated with the flash light except the imaging area G where the flash light is not irradiated on the imaging surface 11 a of the image sensor 11. Control is performed so that Q is a recording area and image data acquired from the recording area is recorded in the memory 13, for example.

  FIG. 4 shows the exposure time A (Expose_Time), the travel time B (X_Tim_Time) of the front curtain shutter S1, and the travel time of the rear curtain shutter S2 when the shutter speed of the focal plane shutter 10 is higher than the synchronization time (synchronization speed). C (2nd_Time) represents a difference time E (X_Tim_Sub) from the start of running of the rear curtain shutter S2 to the time until the front curtain shutter S1 is fully opened.

A difference time E (X_Tim_Sub) from the start of running of the rear curtain shutter S2 to the time until the front curtain shutter S1 is fully opened is expressed by the following equation (1).
Difference time E (X_Tim_Sub) = running time B (X_Tim_Time) of the front shutter S1
-Exposure time A (Expose_Time) (1)
However, after the trailing shutter S2 travels downward by the difference time E (X_Tim_Sub), the flash light F is emitted from the strobe light emitting unit 42 or the strobe light emitting unit 28.
The flash light F to the image pickup surface 11a of the image pickup device 11 is not irradiated to the region G corresponding to the following expression (2) in the vertical direction of the recording region on the image pickup surface 11a.
Difference time E (X_Tim_Sub) / running time C (2nd_Time) of rear curtain shutter S2 (2)
This apparatus using such a focal plane shutter 10 has the following configuration in order to enable photographing with flash light even at a shutter speed higher than the synchronization speed of the focal plane shutter 10.
When the tuning speed setting is higher than the tuning speed of the focal plane shutter 10, the imaging control unit 16 is irradiated with flash light except for the imaging area G where the flash light is not irradiated on the imaging surface 11 a of the image sensor 11. The imaging area Q to be recorded is used as a recording area, and image data acquired from the recording area is recorded in the memory 13, for example.

  The image processing unit 14 is cut out from the imaging control unit 16 to the actual recording size R only from the imaging region Q determined to be irradiated with flash light on the imaging surface 11a of the imaging device 11 as shown in FIG. The image data is received, and the cut image data of the actual recording size R is subjected to image processing such as pixel thinning processing for live view display and clipping processing for enlargement display, and the display unit 25 having a liquid crystal display. Live view display.

  The shutter control unit 17 has a function as a tuning speed setting unit that sets a tuning speed when the strobe light emitting unit 28 or the strobe light emitting unit 42 performs a light emission operation and the subject is imaged by the image sensor 11.

  The system control unit 15 includes a notification unit 50 that notifies the recording size of image data acquired by imaging. The notification unit 50 performs live view display, and when the tuning speed setting is higher than the tuning speed of the focal plane shutter 10, the imaging control unit 16 does not irradiate flash light on the imaging surface 11a of the imaging device 11. When the recording size is changed to a size related to the imaging region Q irradiated with the flash light except for the imaging region G, the change of the recording size is displayed on the display unit 25 having a liquid crystal display, for example.

The system control unit 15 has a mode for automatically changing the recording size and a mode for changing the recording size by the user. The change of the recording size by the user is performed by operating the operation unit 26, for example.
Specifically, the system control unit 15 includes an area calculation unit 51 that calculates a difference time E (X_Tim_Sub) from the start of running of the rear curtain shutter S2 to the full opening of the front curtain shutter S1 shown in the above equation (2). . The area calculation unit 51 obtains an imaging area G in which flash light on the travel start side (upper side) of the front shutter S1 and the rear shutter S2 on the imaging surface 11a of the imaging device 11 is not irradiated according to the above equation (2).
That is, first, the area calculation unit 51 obtains a difference time E (X_Tim_Sub) from the start of running of the rear curtain shutter S2 to the time when the front curtain shutter S1 is fully opened according to the above equation (2). Next, the area calculation unit 51 divides the difference time E (X_Tim_Sub) by the travel time C (2nd_Time) of the rear curtain shutter S2 according to the above equation (3) to obtain a time during which the flash light is not irradiated on the area G. The area calculation unit 51 obtains the imaging area G where the flash light is not irradiated based on the time when the flash light is not irradiated.

The imaging control unit 16 sets an actual recording size smaller than the recording size of the imaging area Q irradiated with flash light. For example, the actual recording size R is set to a size R smaller than the size of the imaging region Q irradiated with flash light as shown in FIG. Specifically, the imaging control unit 16 sets the vertical direction of the clipped area as shown in FIG. 4 to a smaller image size from the lower side by the amount indicated by the following expression (4) in the normal recording area.
Difference time E (X_Tim_Sub) / running time C (2nd_Time) of rear curtain shutter S2 × vertical size of the entire area of the imaging surface 11a of the imaging device 11
... (3)
The imaging control unit 16 determines that the flash light F is determined to be irradiated on the imaging surface of the imaging device 11 when the tuning speed is higher than the time of tuning of the focal plane shutter 10 (tuning speed). Extract image data from only.

  The system control unit 15 has a mode for automatically changing the recording size and a mode for changing the recording size by the user. The change of the recording size by the user is performed by operating the operation unit 26, for example. In the mode in which the recording size is automatically changed, live view display is performed, and when the shutter speed of the focal plane shutter 10 is higher than the tuning time (tuning speed) of the focal plane shutter 10, for example, as shown in FIG. As described above, when the area Q to which the flash light is irradiated on the image pickup surface 11a of the image pickup device 11 becomes narrow, the actual recording size R is automatically changed to be small according to the size of the area Q to which the flash light is irradiated. The actual recording size R may be set in advance according to the size of the area Q irradiated with the flash light. At this time, the notification unit 50 displays on the display unit 25 having a liquid crystal display, for example, that the actual recording size R has been changed.

  On the other hand, there is a delay time H (Flash_Delay_Time) as shown in FIG. 6 in the time from the front curtain fully open timing to the actual flash emission F at the end of the travel time B (X_Tim_Time) of the front curtain shutter S1. In particular, the delay time H from the strobe light emitting unit 42 of the unit 40 to the flash light emission F using the external strobe unit 40 becomes long and varies depending on various external strobe units 40.

  This apparatus stores a delay time H (Flash_Delay_Time) until the flash light emission F is emitted from the strobe light emitting unit 42, for example, in the nonvolatile memory 44 or the like.

  The system control unit 15 communicates with the strobe control unit 41 to acquire the delay time H stored in the nonvolatile memory 44. Further, the system control unit 15 stores the delay time H ′ (Flash_Delay_Time) until the flash light emission F is emitted from the strobe light emission unit 28 in the nonvolatile memory 23 and the like, and reads and uses it.

The imaging control unit 16 is weighted by the delay time H or the average processing of H ′ or H ′ and H ′ or the light emission amount depending on whether the strobe light emitting unit 41 or the strobe light emitting unit 28 is used or used together. H ″ calculated by the above calculation is appropriately selected and the following calculation is performed.
The imaging control unit 16 adds the delay time H (Flash_Delay_Time) to the difference time E (X_Tim_Sub) from the start of the running of the rear curtain shutter S2 to the fully open shutter S1 shown in the above equation (2). However, the imaging control unit 16 calculates the correction difference time E (X_Tim_Sub) from the start of the travel of the rear curtain shutter S2 to the fully open of the front curtain shutter S1 by the following equation (5).
Correction difference time E (X_Tim_Sub) = Difference time E (X_Tim_Sub) + Delay time H (Flash_Delay_Time)
... (4)
Note that the difference time E (X_Tim_Sub) from the start of running of the rear curtain shutter S2 to the full opening of the front curtain shutter S1 shown in the above equation (4) is measured in advance in the manufacturing stage of this apparatus (camera manufacturing stage) For example, it may be stored as a fixed value in the nonvolatile memory 23 or the like.

Next, the flash emission photographing operation of the apparatus configured as described above will be described with reference to the flash emission photographing operation flowchart shown in FIG.
In step # 1, the system control unit 15 determines whether or not the power switch of the operation unit 26 has been operated to turn on the power. As a result of the determination, when the power is turned on, the system control unit 15 proceeds to step # 2, and determines whether the live view display is on (ON) or off (OFF). If the result of this determination is that live view display is on (ON), the system control unit 15 proceeds to step # 3 and performs live view display processing.

  That is, the image sensor 11 photoelectrically converts the light image P of the subject imaged by the lens unit 2 and outputs an image signal. The image signal output from the image sensor 11 is converted into digital image data by the A / D conversion circuit 12, sent to the image processing circuit 14, and temporarily stored in the memory 13.

  The image processing circuit 14 receives the image data from the A / D conversion circuit 12, and performs digital amplification (digital gain adjustment processing), color correction, gamma (γ) correction, and contrast on the image data. Various image processing such as correction is performed, and image processing such as pixel thinning processing for live view display and clipping processing for enlarged display is performed on the display unit 25 having a liquid crystal display. Is converted to a video signal for display on the display unit 25 and sent to the display unit 25. Thus, the display unit 25 displays live view image data on the liquid crystal display.

  Next, in step # 4, the system control unit 15 determines whether or not the tuning speed setting is faster or slower than the time of tuning of the focal plane shutter 10 (tuning speed). In other words, the exposure control unit 20 reads the digital image data stored in the memory 13, calculates the luminance of the subject from the digital image data, and provides the image sensor 11 with an exposure control value for displaying a live view image, for example. The exposure conditions such as the electronic shutter speed and sensitivity to be set and the aperture value data of the aperture 4 are determined. The exposure control unit 20 also calculates the shutter speed of the focal plane shutter 10. The system control unit 15 receives the shutter speed of the focal plane shutter 10 obtained by the exposure control unit 20, and the tuning speed setting which is the shutter speed of the focal plane shutter 10 is set to the time of tuning of the focal plane shutter 10 (tuning speed). ) To determine whether it is faster or slower.

If the result of this determination is that the tuning speed setting is higher than the time of tuning for the focal plane shutter 10 (tuning speed), the imaging control unit 16 proceeds to step # 5 and the imaging device 11 as shown in FIG. The area Q to which the flash light is irradiated on the imaging surface 11a is calculated and obtained.
Note that, as shown in FIG. 6, there is a delay time H (Flash_Delay_Time) from the time when the front curtain fully opened at the final travel time B (X_Tim_Time) of the front curtain shutter S1 to the actual flash emission F. As described above, the imaging control unit 16 adds the delay time H (Flash_Delay_Time) to the difference time E (X_Tim_Sub) from the start of travel of the rear curtain shutter S2 to the travel time of the front curtain shutter S1 shown in the above equation (1). To do.

  Next, if the mode for changing the recording size is automatic in step # 6, the system control unit 15 irradiates the flash light on the imaging surface 11a of the imaging element 11 as shown in FIG. When Q is narrowed, the actual recording size R is automatically changed to a small size according to the size of the area Q irradiated with the flash light.

  At this time, when the notification unit 50 changes the actual recording size R to a size related to the imaging region Q irradiated with the flash light, except for the imaging region G where the flash light is not irradiated on the imaging surface 11a of the imaging element 11. The fact that the actual recording size R has been changed is displayed on the display unit 25.

  Next, in step # 7, the system control unit 15 performs live view display processing based on the image signal from the actual recording size R in the imaging area Q irradiated with the flash light on the imaging surface 11a of the imaging device 11. I do. That is, the image pickup device 11 outputs an image signal obtained by photoelectrically converting the light image P of the subject imaged by the lens unit 2 in the image pickup area Q irradiated with flash light on the image pickup surface 11a. The image signal output from the image sensor 11 is converted into digital image data by the A / D conversion circuit 12, sent to the image processing circuit 14, and temporarily stored in the memory 13.

  The image processing circuit 14 receives the image data from the A / D conversion circuit 12, and digitally amplifies (digital gain adjustment processing), color correction, gamma (γ) correction, and contrast correction for the image data. In addition, the display unit 25 having a liquid crystal display performs image processing such as pixel thinning processing for live view display and clipping processing for enlarged display, and the like. The video signal is converted into a video signal to be displayed on the display unit 25 and sent to the display unit 25. As a result, the display unit 25 displays live view image data within the actual recording size R on the liquid crystal display.

  Next, in step # 8, the system control unit 15 determines whether or not the release switch is pressed halfway (1st release) while the live view image data is displayed on the display unit 25, for example. As a result of this determination, for example, when the release switch is half-pressed, the system control unit 15 proceeds to step # 9 to issue an instruction to the exposure control unit 20 to perform exposure control (AE) and to the AF control unit 21. An instruction is issued to perform auto focus (AF).

As a result, the exposure control unit 20 reads the live view image data within the actual recording size R stored in the memory 13, calculates the luminance of the subject from the digital image data, for example, exposure for live view image display Exposure conditions such as the shutter speed of the focal plane shutter 10, the aperture value data of the aperture 4, and the sensitivity that are set in the image sensor 11 so as to be the control value are determined.
The AF control unit 21 determines a focus position based on a focus evaluation value obtained from digital image data output from the image processing unit 14 that is image data acquired during live view image display.

  Next, in step # 10, the system control unit 15 determines whether the release switch is fully pressed (2st release) while the live view image data within the actual recording size R is displayed on the display unit 25, for example. Judge whether or not.

  As a result of this determination, for example, when the release switch is fully pressed, the system control unit 15 proceeds to step # 11 and instructs the strobe control unit 22 to adjust the flash light emitted from the strobe light emitting unit 42. The flash light is emitted from the strobe light emitting unit 42 or the strobe light emitting unit 28 for a preset period, so-called pre-emission is performed. The image sensor 11 photoelectrically converts the light image P of the subject in synchronization with the pre-emission and outputs an image signal. The image sensor 11 is converted into digital image data by the A / D conversion circuit 12 and sent to the image processing circuit 14. Temporarily stored in the memory 13.

  Thereby, the exposure control unit 20 reads the digital image data stored in the memory 13 at the time of pre-emission, and calculates the luminance of the subject from the digital image data. The strobe control unit 22 determines the light emission period of the main flash light from the strobe light emitting unit 42 or the strobe light emitting unit 28 based on the luminance of the subject calculated by the exposure control unit 20. Note that this processing is not executed when the flash is not used under conditions such as high brightness.

  Next, in step # 12, the system control unit 15 performs the main photographing according to the exposure condition determined by the exposure control unit 20. In this main photographing, the focal plane shutter 10 forms a slit by the front curtain shutter and the rear curtain shutter, and this slit is erected from one end side to the other end side of the image pickup surface 11a of the image pickup device 11, for example, the present apparatus is erected. The image pickup surface 11a is sequentially moved from the upper side to the lower side to expose the image pickup surface 11a of the image pickup device 11. When the flash is used, the main light emission is performed by the strobe light emission unit 42 or the strobe light emission unit 28 according to the timing when the front curtain is fully opened. The main light emission amount at this time is the light emission amount calculated from the imaging data acquired by the pre-light emission in step # 11.

  Next, the image sensor 11 photoelectrically converts the light image P of the subject imaged by the lens unit 2 and outputs an image signal. The image signal output from the image sensor 11 is converted into digital image data by the A / D conversion circuit 12, sent to the image processing circuit 14, and temporarily stored in the memory 13.

Next, in step # 13, the image processing circuit 14 inputs the image data from the A / D conversion circuit 12, and digitally amplifies (digital gain adjustment processing), color correction, and gamma for the image data. Various image processing such as (γ) correction and contrast correction is performed.
Next, in step # 14, the image processing circuit 14 generates display image data to be displayed on the display unit 25, and generates main image data having a larger data amount than the display image data. These display image data and main image data are stored in, for example, the external memory 24 or the like according to a command from the system control unit 15. The display image data is displayed on the display unit 25 by being sent to the display unit 25.

  At this time, when the tuning speed setting is higher than the tuning speed of the focal plane shutter 10 and when shooting is performed by emitting flash light, the imaging surface 11a of the image sensor 11 is irradiated with flash light. Using the area Q as a recording area, the image data acquired from the recording area Q is cut out and recorded in the external memory 24 or the like. Then, for example, the cut out image data of the actual recording size R is subjected to image processing such as pixel thinning processing or clipping processing for enlarged display, and is displayed on the display unit 25 as a captured image.

  As described above, according to the one embodiment, when the shooting speed is set higher than the tuning speed of the focal plane shutter 10 and the flash light emission unit 28 emits flash light, Except for the imaging area G where the flash light is not irradiated on the imaging surface 11a, the imaging area Q irradiated with the flash light is set as a recording area, and image data acquired from the recording area Q is cut out. Then, the cut image data of the actual recording size R, for example, is subjected to image processing such as pixel thinning processing for live view display or clipping processing for enlarged display, and the live view is displayed on the display unit 25 having a liquid crystal display. indicate.

  Thereby, when the tuning speed setting is higher than the tuning speed of the focal plane shutter 10, even if an area where the flash light is not irradiated is generated on the imaging surface 11 a of the imaging element 11, the imaging area G where the flash light is not irradiated is generated. In other words, live view display and main shooting with flash light emission can be performed using the imaging area Q irradiated with flash light as a recording area. Therefore, when shooting with flash light, there are no problems such as inconvenience that the setting of the apparatus must be changed in order to ensure the synchronization speed, and missing a photo opportunity.

  When the actual recording size R is changed to a size related to the imaging region Q irradiated with the flash light, the change in the actual recording size R is displayed on the display unit 25 having, for example, a liquid crystal display. Can be recognized automatically. Therefore, the actual photographing can be performed without recognizing that the actual recording size R has been changed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, there is a delay time H (Flash_Delay_Time) in the time from the last curtain full opening timing to the actual flash emission F at the final time of the running time B (X_Tim_Time) of the front curtain shutter S1. Since the imaging control unit 16 adds the delay time H (Flash_Delay_Time) to the differential time E (X_Tim_Sub) from the start of running of the rear curtain shutter S2 to the fully open shutter S1 shown in the above equation (1). Even if there is a delay time H (Flash_Delay_Time) from the timing when the front curtain fully opens until the flash emission F is actually performed, an imaging region G that is not affected by the delay time H (Flash_Delay_Time) and is not irradiated with flash light is obtained. it can.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

For example, the traveling time of the front curtain shutter S1 and the rear curtain shutter S2 of the focal plane shutter 10 is configured by a mechanical member, so that deterioration due to life such as secular change and usage frequency is assumed. In order to eliminate the influence of such deterioration, reset adjustment of the difference time for eliminating the change in the running time or the like between the front curtain shutter S1 and the rear curtain shutter S2 caused by the life characteristics such as secular change and use frequency in the apparatus. A menu may be added.
When shooting is performed in the main shooting mode, it is determined by luminance whether or not flash light is irradiated on the lower side of the shooting area by image analysis in the apparatus, and if there is a part where the flash light is not irradiated, The time for the region may be added to the difference time E (X_Tim_Sub), and the cutout region setting may be recalculated.

1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an imaging apparatus according to the present invention. The area where the front plane shutter and the rear curtain shutter run when the shutter speed of the focal plane shutter in the same apparatus is lower than the synchronization time of the focal plane shutter 10 and the flash light irradiation area on the imaging surface of the imaging device FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a region where a flash light is irradiated on the imaging surface of the imaging element and traveling of the front curtain shutter and the rear curtain shutter when the shutter speed of the focal plane shutter in the apparatus is higher than the synchronization time. The figure which shows the recording area | region cut out when the shutter speed of the focal plane shutter in the same apparatus is higher than the synchronization time. The flash light emission photographing operation flowchart in the same device. The figure which shows the recording area | region cut out when the delay time of flash light emission in the same apparatus is considered.

  S1: Front curtain shutter, S2: Rear curtain shutter, 1: Body unit, 2: Lens unit, 3: Shooting lens, 4: Aperture, 10: Focal plane shutter, 11: Image sensor, 12: A / D converter, 13: Memory, 14: Image processing unit, 15: System control unit, 16: Imaging control unit, 17: Shutter control unit, 18: Aperture control unit, 19: Lens control unit, 20: Exposure control unit, 21: AF control Part: 22: strobe control part, 23: non-performing memory, 24: external memory, 25: display part, 26: operation part, 27: power supply control part, 28: strobe light emitting part, 29: strobe charging part, 30: Metering unit, 31: Distance measuring unit, 32: Power supply circuit, 33: External flash connection unit, 40: External strobe unit, 41: Strobe control unit, 42: Strobe light emitting unit, 43: Strobe charging unit, 44 Non-volatile memory, 45: power supply control unit, 46: camera connection portion, 11a: imaging surface of the imaging device, 50: notifying unit, 51: area calculation unit.

Claims (8)

A focal plane shutter;
An image pickup means having an image pickup surface for picking up an image of a subject through the focal plane shutter to obtain image data;
Flash light emitting means for emitting a flash for illuminating the subject;
Display means for displaying the image data obtained by the imaging means as a live view image;
A tuning speed setting means for setting a tuning speed of the focal plane shutter when the flash light emitting means is caused to emit light and the subject is imaged by the imaging means;
Comprising
When the shutter speed set by the tuning speed setting means is faster than the tuning speed of the focal plane shutter, the imaging means only has an imaging area that is determined to be irradiated with the flash emission on the imaging surface. Cut out image data from
The display means displays the image data cut out from the imaging region as a live view image;
An imaging apparatus characterized by that.   When the shutter speed is higher than the focal speed of the focal plane shutter, the imaging unit records the imaging area irradiated with the flash light except for the imaging area where the flash light emission is not irradiated on the imaging surface. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data acquired from the recording area is recorded as an area. Notification means for notifying the recording size of the image data acquired by the imaging;
When the shutter speed is higher than the focal speed of the focal plane shutter, the imaging means is related to the imaging area irradiated with the flash light except for the imaging area where the flash light emission is not irradiated on the imaging surface. When the recording size is changed to the size, the notification means notifies the change of the recording size.
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: a mode for automatically changing the recording size, and a mode for changing the recording size by a user. In the focal plane shutter, the front curtain and the rear curtain travel in the same direction,
A difference time from the start of travel of the rear curtain shutter until the front curtain is fully opened is obtained, and this difference time is divided by the travel time of the rear curtain shutter in the region of the imaging surface corresponding to the time acquired. No flash emission,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein   6. The imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the actual recording size is set smaller than the recording size irradiated with the flash light emission.   6. The imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a delay time from the fully opening timing of the front curtain until the flash light is emitted by the flash light emitting unit is obtained, and the delay time is added to the difference time.   Performing exposure control based on the image data cut out from the imaging area, shuttering the focal plane shutter at a speed higher than the tuning speed, and performing the main photographing by emitting the flash by the flash light emitting means, A system control unit that cuts out image data from only the imaging area determined to be irradiated with the flash emission from the imaging surface of the imaging unit in the imaging unit, and records the image data in a memory as main image data; The imaging apparatus according to claim 1.

Images