JP2010249880A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera capable of switching light emission or inhibition of light emission in an automatic pop-up function with easy operation. <P>SOLUTION: The camera (1) includes: a light emitting part (15) which is movable between a housing position where it can not emit illuminating light and a light emitting position where it can emit the illuminating light; an operation member (16) which can be externally operated and moves the light emitting part (15) from the housing position to the light emitting position in accordance with the external operation; and a light emission control means (14) which sets the light emitting part (15) in a light emission inhibition state when the operation member (16) is operated under a condition that the light emitting part (15) moves to the light emitting position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a camera having an auto pop-up function.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a camera in which a light emitting unit that is movable up and down between a storage position and a light emitting position is disposed on an upper portion of a viewfinder. When such a camera is set to auto shooting mode, an auto pop-up function that automatically pops up the light emitting part from the storage position to the light emitting position when the brightness of the subject is low works, and the light emitting part emits light automatically. . Various proposals have heretofore been made for cameras having this auto pop-up function (for example, see Patent Documents 1 to 3).

JP-A-6-308581 JP-A-8-271949 JP 2003-195395 A

  By the way, in the auto shooting mode, it may be better that the auto pop-up function as described above does not work. For example, when shooting using ambient light or shooting at a place where flash shooting is prohibited. In such a case, light emission can be prohibited by manually pushing the light emitting unit popped up to the light emission position to the storage position. However, if it is desired to emit light immediately after returning the light emitting unit to the retracted position, it is necessary to activate the auto pop-up function again by pressing the release button halfway. As described above, in a camera having a conventional auto pop-up function, an operation of switching between light emission and light emission inhibition has been complicated.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a camera capable of switching between light emission and light emission inhibition in an auto pop-up function with a simple operation.

The present invention solves the above problems by the following means. In addition, in order to make an understanding easy, although the code | symbol corresponding to embodiment of this invention is attached | subjected and demonstrated, it is not limited to this.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the light emitting section (15) movable between a storage position where the illumination light cannot be emitted and a light emission position where the illumination light can be emitted, and an external operation are possible. In response to the operation member (16) for moving the light emitting unit from the storage position to the light emitting position, and when the operation member is operated in a state where the light emitting unit is moved to the light emitting position, the light emitting unit And a light emission control means (14) for prohibiting light emission.
Invention of Claim 2 is the camera (1) of Claim 1, Comprising: When the said light emission control means (14) prohibits light emission of the said light emission part (15), it is more than a hand-shake generation limit. An exposure control means (14) for changing the imaging sensitivity so as to achieve the shutter speed is provided.
The invention according to claim 3 is the camera (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the light emission control means (14) is provided only while the operation of the operation member (16) is continued. The light emitting unit (15) is prohibited from emitting light.
Note that the configuration described with reference numerals may be improved as appropriate, or at least a part thereof may be replaced with another component.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the camera which can switch light emission prohibition or light emission in an auto pop-up function by simple operation can be provided.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the camera concerning embodiment. It is an external view of a camera. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence in the case of image | photographing in auto imaging | photography mode.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a camera according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the present embodiment, shooting by illuminating the subject with illumination light from the light emitting unit is referred to as flash shooting.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the camera 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the camera 1 includes an imaging unit 11 on which subject light is incident, an image data processing unit 12 that performs various processes on the image signal output from the imaging unit 11, and a recording unit that records the processed image signal. 13. The camera 1 also includes an MCU 14 that controls each unit in the camera, a light emitting unit 15 that irradiates a subject with illumination light, an operation unit 16 that is operated by a photographer, and a memory 17. As will be described later, a lens barrel having a photographing lens is detachably attached to the camera 1. That is, the camera 1 of this embodiment is configured as a digital single-lens reflex camera.

  The imaging unit 11 captures reflected light from a subject on an imaging surface and converts it into an image signal, and includes an imaging element such as a CCD or a CMOS.

  The image data processing unit 12 amplifies the image signal output from the imaging unit 11 and performs various image processing such as white balance adjustment, gamma correction, contour enhancement, and level adjustment.

  The recording unit 13 records the image signal subjected to various processes by the image data processing unit 12 on a recording medium such as a CF card or an SD card (not shown).

  The operation unit 16 is an input unit for the photographer to perform various operations on the MCU 14 and includes operation members including a release button for starting photographing, a pop-up button, and the like. A release button (not shown) can be operated in two stages, a half-press operation and a full-press operation. When the photographer performs a half-press operation on the release button, an execution signal for an autofocus (AF) operation is sent to the MCU 14. Sent. Thereby, the MCU 14 performs AF control for automatically focusing on a main subject and AE (automatic exposure) control for automatically adjusting exposure based on the output of the imaging unit 11. Then, when the photographer fully presses the release button, a photographing start signal is transmitted to the MCU 14, and a diaphragm mechanism, a shutter, etc. (not shown) are driven at a predetermined timing, so that the subject in the imaging unit 11 Light will be imaged.

  The memory 17 is a non-volatile memory in which input information such as user settings, a program necessary for the operation and control of the camera 1, and data relating to initial values and setting values necessary for executing the program are stored. Although not shown in the figure, a volatile memory is provided that temporarily stores data, image signals, and the like necessary when the MCU 14 or the like executes arithmetic processing.

The MCU 14 controls the entire camera 1, and is connected to the imaging unit 11, the image data processing unit 12, the recording unit 13, the light emitting unit 15, the operation unit 16, the memory 17, and the light emitting unit position detection unit 18. The MCU 14 automatically focuses on a main subject based on the output of the imaging unit 11 when an execution signal of an autofocus (AF) operation is transmitted by pressing the release button of the operation unit 16 halfway. AF control to be performed and AE (automatic exposure) control to automatically adjust exposure are performed. When a shooting start signal is transmitted when the release button of the operation unit 16 is fully pressed, an aperture mechanism (not shown), a shutter, or the like is driven at a predetermined timing, and the imaging unit 11 captures the subject light. Control is being performed.
Further, the MCU 14 pops up the light emitting unit 15 and calculates the emission time of the illumination light according to the luminance of the subject when the luminance of the photometric subject is lower than the reference value during photographing in the auto photographing mode. Looking for. Then, in synchronization with the start of imaging in the imaging unit 11, the illumination light is controlled to be emitted from the light emitting unit 15 toward the subject by the illumination light emission time obtained by the calculation.

  Further, the MCU 14 performs control for prohibiting the light emitting unit 15 from emitting light when an operation of pressing a pop-up button (described later) of the operation unit 16 is performed while the light emitting unit 15 is moved to a light emitting position (described later). This light emission prohibition control is performed only while the operation of the pop-up button is continued. When the operation of the pop-up button is released, the light emission is enabled. Further, the MCU 14 performs control to change the imaging sensitivity so that the shutter speed is equal to or higher than the shake occurrence limit when the light emitting unit 15 is prohibited from emitting light by pressing the pop-up button as described above. Here, control is performed so as to increase the imaging sensitivity so that the shutter speed is equal to or higher than the camera shake occurrence limit.

  The light emitting unit 15 emits illumination light to the subject under the control of the MCU 14 when the luminance of the subject is lower than the reference value. The light emitting unit 15 includes a capacitor, a charge control circuit, a flash circuit, a protector, a xenon tube, a reflector, and the like (not shown). Here, the light emitting unit 15 will be described. FIG. 2 is an external view of the camera 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the camera 1 is a lens-interchangeable digital single-lens reflex camera to which a lens barrel 2 having a photographing lens is detachably mounted. The light emitting unit 15 is disposed above the viewfinder 5. Yes. The light emitting unit 15 is usually stored in a storage position (a position indicated by a solid line in the drawing) where illumination light cannot be emitted. Then, in the auto shooting mode, when the luminance of the subject is lower than the reference value, the pop-up automatically pops up by the control of the MCU 14, or pops up by the photographer pressing the pop-up button 3 with a finger or the like. ing.

  In addition, the light emitting unit 15 is configured to rotate about the rotation axis 4 and is configured to move to a light emitting position (a position indicated by a broken line in the drawing) that can emit illumination light at the time of pop-up. Yes. The light emitting unit 15 is biased upward by a spring (not shown) attached to the rotating shaft 4. Further, in the retracted position, a not-illustrated latch portion interlocked with the pop-up button 3 and a not-illustrated latch portion provided in the light emitting portion 15 are engaged, and the light emitting portion 15 is stopped at the retracted position. The engagement between the latch portions is released by pressing the pop-up button 3 or by controlling the MCU 14.

  That is, when the photographer presses the pop-up button 3, the engagement between the latch portions is released, and the light emitting portion 15 is urged by the spring to pop up and move to the light emitting position. Yes. Further, when the luminance of the subject is lower than the reference value in the auto shooting mode, the engagement between the latch portions is released by the control of the MCU 14. As a result, the light emitting unit 15 is biased by the spring and pops up to move to the light emitting position.

  When the photographer pops up the light emitting unit 15 popped up to the storage position by hand, the latch units are engaged with each other and the light emitting unit 15 is stored in the storage position. When the photographer performs such an operation in the auto shooting mode, the light emitting unit 15 can be prohibited from emitting light in the same manner as when the pop-up button 3 described later is pressed. Although not shown in FIG. 2, the light emitting unit 15 is provided with a light emitting unit position detecting unit 18 (FIG. 1). The light emitting unit position detecting unit 18 detects whether the light emitting unit 15 is in the storage position or the light emitting position. Detection signals at each position are transmitted to the MCU 14.

  Furthermore, the pop-up button 3 is provided with a push switch (not shown). This push switch is a switch that is turned on while pressed and turned off when released. The MCU 14 can detect whether or not an operation of pressing the pop-up button 3 has been performed based on the presence or absence of a signal from a circuit whose conduction is controlled by a push switch.

  Next, a processing procedure in the case of shooting in the auto shooting mode in the camera 1 of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. It should be noted that the camera 1 of the present embodiment performs pre-light emission that causes the light emitting unit 15 to emit light weakly before the main light emission in flash photography, and performs control for calculating the light amount of the main light emission from the result of the pre-light emission and the main light emission. There is a function to perform control to irradiate auxiliary light for reducing red-eye to reduce the image of the subject's pupil in the red-eye state in advance, but the following flowchart explains these controls. Is omitted.

  First, when the release button of the operation unit 30 is half-pressed (YES in S101), the MCU 14 performs photometry for exposure control and distance measurement (and lens drive) for focus adjustment (S102). At this time, the MCU 14 calculates the exposure value based on the photometric value obtained by the photometry and the set imaging sensitivity, and sets the aperture value and the shutter speed based on the exposure value. Next, it is determined whether or not the luminance of the subject is less than a reference value (S103). Here, when it is determined that the luminance of the subject is less than the reference value (YES in S103), the MCU 14 pops up the light emitting unit 15 and moves it to the light emitting position (S104).

  Next, the MCU 14 determines whether or not the light emitting unit 15 is at the light emitting position based on the detection signal from the light emitting unit position detecting unit 18 (S105). Here, it is determined whether or not the light-emitting unit 15 has been manually pushed into the storage position by the photographer. If YES in this determination, the MCU 14 determines whether or not an operation of pressing the pop-up button 3 has been performed based on a signal from a push switch provided on the pop-up button 3 (S106). If this determination is YES, or if NO in step S105, the light emission inhibition mode is set (S107). Here, the charging operation in the light emitting unit 15 is stopped, and an icon or a lamp for notifying light emission is turned on in the finder 5 to notify the photographer that flash photography is not performed.

  Next, the MCU 14 changes the imaging sensitivity so that the shutter speed set in step S102 is equal to or higher than the camera shake occurrence limit (S108). By changing the imaging sensitivity, the shutter speed is set to be a shutter speed that is equal to or higher than the hand movement occurrence limit. On the other hand, if the determination in step S106 is NO, the MCU 14 obtains the illumination light emission time necessary for the flash photography emission by calculation (S109).

  Subsequently, when the release button of the operation unit 16 is fully pressed (YES in S110), the MCU 14 causes the imaging unit 11 to image the subject light with the aperture value and the shutter speed set in Step S102 or Step S108 (S111). ). If NO in step S106, the light emitting unit 15 emits light in synchronization with the imaging of the subject by the imaging unit 11, and the subject is irradiated with illumination light. Then, the MCU 14 records the image signal obtained by imaging on the recording medium (S112).

  If it is determined in step S103 that the luminance of the subject is equal to or higher than the reference value, the process proceeds to step S110. In step S110, if the release button of the operation unit 16 is not fully pressed, the process proceeds to step S101.

According to the said embodiment, there exist the following effects.
(1) Even if the light emitting unit 15 is popped up, if the operation of pressing the pop-up button 3 is performed, the light emitting unit 15 is prohibited from emitting light, so the photographer manually returns the light emitting unit 15 to the storage position. It is possible to prohibit the light emitting unit 15 from emitting light only by a simple operation of pressing the pop-up button 3 (without performing the returning operation). Further, if the pressing operation on the pop-up button 3 is released, the light emitting unit 15 can emit light. Therefore, light emission and light emission prohibition in the auto pop-up function can be switched with a simple operation.
(2) When the light emitting unit 15 is prohibited to emit light by pressing the pop-up button 3, the imaging sensitivity is changed so that the shutter speed is equal to or higher than the camera shake occurrence limit. And the influence of subject shake can be reduced.
(3) Since the light emitting unit 15 is prohibited to emit light only while the pressing operation of the pop-up button 3 is continued, the photographer can easily press and release the pop-up button 3 with a finger or the like. It is possible to switch between light emission and light emission prohibition in the auto pop-up function.
(Deformation)

Without being limited to the embodiment described above, the present invention can be variously modified and changed as described below, and these are also within the scope of the present invention.
(1) Each time the pop-up button 3 is pressed, the light emission prohibition / light emission (cancellation) may be switched alternately. In such a configuration, once the photographer presses the pop-up button 3 to turn off the light emission, it is not necessary to keep pressing the pop-up button 3 with a finger or the like, so that other button operations can be performed during the photographing. . Further, the light emission may be prohibited by operating a button or switch other than the pop-up button 3.
(2) When the photographing sensitivity is changed, an icon or a message notifying that the photographing sensitivity is increased may be displayed in the finder 5.
(3) The camera according to the present invention is not limited to a single-lens reflex camera, and may be a camera in which a lens barrel and a camera body are integrated. Further, the present invention can be applied not only to a digital camera but also to a film camera.

  Moreover, although the said embodiment and modification can be used in combination suitably, since the structure of each embodiment is clear by illustration and description, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited by the embodiment described above.

  1: camera, 2: lens barrel, 3: pop-up button, 4: rotation axis, 5: finder, 11: imaging unit, 12: image data processing unit, 13: recording unit, 14: MCU, 15: light emitting unit, 16: Operation unit, 17: Memory, 18: Light emitting unit position detection unit

Claims (3)

A light emitting unit movable between a storage position where illumination light cannot be emitted and a light emission position capable of emitting illumination light;
An operation member that is externally operable and moves the light emitting unit from the storage position to the light emitting position according to the operation;
Light emission control means for prohibiting light emission of the light emitting part when the operation member is operated in a state where the light emitting part is moved to the light emitting position;
With a camera. The camera according to claim 1,
When the light emission control unit prohibits the light emission of the light emitting unit, the light emission control unit includes an exposure control unit that changes the imaging sensitivity so that the shutter speed is equal to or higher than a camera shake occurrence limit.
Camera characterized by. The camera according to claim 1 or 2,
The light emission control means includes
Prohibiting the light emitting part to emit light only while the operation of the operation member is continued;
Camera characterized by.

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