JP2012073334A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus which enables appropriate photographing in a state of performing preliminary light emission.SOLUTION: An imaging apparatus comprises: light emission instruction means 101 which instructs a light-emitting device 119 which emits photographic auxiliary light to emit the light; photometric means 117 which acquires photometric information; first focus detection means 118 which detects the focus adjustment state of a photographic optical system; and control means 101 which allows the photometric means 117 to acquire photometric information needed for calculating a light emission quantity of main light emission at the timing when the light-emitting device 119 performs preliminary light emission prior to main light emission in photographing according to the instruction of light emission and allows the first focus detection means 118 to detect a focus adjustment state at the same timing.

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus.

  A technique is known in which an AF (automatic focus adjustment) light source emits light in order to detect a focus adjustment state by a photographing optical system under low luminance (see Patent Document 1). Generally, when an AF light source is necessary, photographing auxiliary light at the time of photographing is also necessary. In this case, preliminary light emission is performed from the photographing auxiliary light source separately from the light emission of the AF light source. Preliminary light emission refers to light emission with a small amount of light performed before photographing in order to determine the light emission amount of photographing auxiliary light.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-267741

  If the light emission from the AF light source and the preliminary light emission from the photographing auxiliary light source are performed separately, there is a problem in that the power consumption increases and it takes time until photographing.

  An image pickup apparatus according to the present invention includes a light emission instructing unit that instructs a light emitting device that emits photographing auxiliary light to emit light, a photometric unit that acquires photometric information, a first focus detection unit that detects a focus adjustment state of a photographing optical system, and a light emission. In response to the light emission instruction, the photometry means acquires the photometry information necessary for calculating the light emission amount of the main light emission at the timing of performing the preliminary light emission prior to the main light emission at the time of shooting. And a control means for detecting the adjustment state.

  With the imaging device according to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately capture images in a situation where preliminary light emission is performed.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an electronic camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram explaining the structural example of an electronic camera. It is a front view which shows the detailed structure of an image pick-up element. It is sectional drawing to which only the pixel for imaging was expanded. It is sectional drawing to which only the pixel for focus detection was expanded. It is a figure explaining the pupil division type phase difference detection method by image sensor AF. It is a flowchart explaining the flow of the imaging | photography process which CPU which the light emission switch is turned on performs.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an electronic camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a photographic lens barrel 202 configured to be detachable from the camera body 201 is attached.

  Light from the subject enters the camera body 201 through the photographing optical system 210 and the diaphragm 211 of the photographing lens barrel 202. The subject light incident on the camera body 201 is guided to the image sensor 212 via the mechanical shutter 203 and forms a subject image on the imaging surface. The image sensor 212 is configured by a CMOS image sensor or the like provided with a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements corresponding to pixels. The image sensor 212 captures a subject image formed on the imaging surface, and outputs a photoelectric conversion signal corresponding to the brightness of the subject image. An optical low-pass filter 213 is provided on the imaging surface side of the imaging element 212.

  The optical system driving mechanism 214 moves the focus adjustment lens constituting the photographing optical system 210 forward and backward in the optical axis direction. The moving direction and moving amount of the focus adjustment lens are controlled from the camera body 201 side. In order to simplify the drawing, the photographing optical system 210 is represented as a single lens. The optical system driving mechanism 214 further changes the aperture of the diaphragm 211.

  The photographer observes the subject image displayed by the EVF 109 via the eyepiece optical system 209. The CPU 101 causes the EVF 109 to display a reproduced image based on the imaging signal (photoelectric conversion signal) obtained by the imaging element 212.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the electronic camera described above. The camera operation of the electronic camera is controlled by the CPU 101. The CPU 101 executes a control process by executing a program stored in the built-in nonvolatile memory 101a. The operation member 114 includes a release button, a zoom switch, a mode switch, and the like, and outputs an operation signal from each operation switch to the CPU 101.

  The imaging processing circuit 115 converts an output signal from the imaging element 212 into digital image data, and performs predetermined image processing on the image data. Image processing includes γ conversion processing and white balance adjustment processing.

  The contrast AF circuit 116 performs a focus detection process of a known contrast detection method that performs contrast detection using an output signal (pixel data) from a predetermined pixel of the image sensor 212. Specifically, the contrast information of the image is acquired while moving the focus adjustment lens (210) forward and backward, and the lens position where the contrast becomes maximum is searched. Then, the focus adjustment is performed by moving the focus adjustment lens to the lens position.

  The photometric calculation circuit 117 performs photometric calculation based on an output signal from a predetermined pixel of the image sensor 212. The phase difference AF circuit 118 performs image shift detection calculation processing (correlation processing, phase difference detection processing) based on an output signal from a predetermined pixel of the image sensor 212, so-called pupil division type phase difference detection method (microlens). Method) to detect an image shift amount of a pair of images. Further, the deviation (defocus amount) of the current image plane with respect to the planned focal plane is calculated by multiplying the image shift amount by a predetermined conversion coefficient. Then, the movement direction and movement amount of the focus adjustment lens are calculated according to the defocus amount. Details of the image shift detection calculation process will be described later.

  The light emitting device 119 includes a discharge light emitting tube such as a xenon tube and a booster circuit. When a boost start signal is input from the CPU 101, the booster circuit boosts the voltage (about 300 V) from the battery (not shown) of the camera power supply and charges the main capacitor. When a signal instructing light emission is transmitted from the CPU 101, the photographing energy is emitted by discharging the electric energy accumulated in the main capacitor through the xenon arc tube.

  The driver circuit 103 drives the mechanical shutter 203 in response to a command from the CPU 101. The driver circuit 104 drives the optical system driving mechanism 214 on the lens barrel 202 side in response to a command from the CPU 101. A lens driving member included in the optical system driving mechanism 214 drives the focus adjustment lens forward and backward, and a diaphragm driving lever included in the optical system driving mechanism 214 changes the aperture of the diaphragm 211.

  The color liquid crystal monitor 108 displays images and operation menus. The display control unit 106 generates a drive signal for the color liquid crystal monitor 108 based on an image signal for displaying an image or an operation menu according to a command from the CPU 101.

  The EVF 109 displays a monitor image called a live view image. The monitor image is obtained by sequentially updating and displaying a reproduction image based on the monitor display imaging signal output by the imaging device 212 at a predetermined frame rate (for example, 30 frames / second). The display control unit 107 generates a drive signal for the EVF 109 based on a monitor display imaging signal in response to a command from the CPU 101.

  The memory card 300 is a data recording medium that can be attached to and detached from the electronic camera via the card connector 110. Image data and audio data are recorded in the memory card 300. A reproduced image based on image data recorded on the memory card 300 can be displayed on the color liquid crystal monitor 108 or on the EVF 109.

  The image storage memory 111 temporarily stores image data during image processing, compression processing, and decompression processing. The compression / decompression circuit 112 compresses the image data by a predetermined method such as JPEG, or decompresses the compressed image data. The memory 113 is used as a work area for the CPU 101.

<Phase difference AF processing>
The AF (automatic focus adjustment) process performed by the phase difference AF circuit 118 will be described in detail. The image sensor 212 of the present embodiment has focus detection pixels (referred to as focus detection pixels). The image sensor 212 is the same as the image sensor described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-279312. The phase difference AF circuit 118 performs a focus detection process by performing a phase difference detection calculation using pixel output data from the focus detection pixels.

  FIG. 3 is a front view showing a detailed configuration of the image sensor 212. In the imaging element 212, imaging pixels 310 are two-dimensionally arranged. In addition, focus detection pixels 311 are arranged in a portion corresponding to a distance measurement area described later. In the example of FIG. 3, the focus detection pixel rows are arranged in the horizontal direction substantially at the center of the imaging surface. FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of only the imaging pixels, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of only the focus detection pixels.

  In FIG. 4, the imaging pixel 310 includes a microlens 10 and an imaging photoelectric conversion unit 11. The microlens 10 is disposed in front of the photoelectric conversion unit 11 (on the left side in FIG. 4), and the photoelectric conversion unit 11 is formed on a semiconductor circuit substrate (not shown) in the image sensor 212.

  In FIG. 5, the focus detection pixel 311 includes a microlens 10 and a pair of photoelectric conversion units 12 and photoelectric conversion units 13 for focus detection. The photoelectric conversion units 12 and 13 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center of the microlens 10. The microlens 10 is disposed in front of the photoelectric conversion units 12 and 13 (on the left side in FIG. 5), and the photoelectric conversion units 12 and 13 are formed on the same semiconductor circuit substrate as the photoelectric conversion unit 11 of the imaging pixel 310. The microlens 10 is disposed in the vicinity of the focal plane of the photographic optical system 210.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a pupil division type phase difference detection method using the image sensor AF, and a part of the focus detection pixel 311 (microlenses 50 and 60 and two pairs of photoelectric conversion units 52, 53, 62, and 63). ). The exit pupil 90 is an exit pupil that is projected at a distance d4 forward (left side in FIG. 6) from the microlenses 50 and 60 disposed at the focal plane position of the photographing optical system 210. The distance d4 is a distance determined according to the curvature and refractive index of the microlens 10 (50, 60), the distance between the microlens 10 (50, 60) and the photoelectric conversion units 12, 13, and the like. Called pupil distance.

  The optical axis 91 is the optical axis of the photographing optical system 210. The distance measurement pupil 92 is a distance measurement pupil corresponding to the microlenses 50 and 60 and the photoelectric conversion units 52 and 62, and the distance measurement pupil 93 is a distance measurement pupil corresponding to the microlenses 50 and 60 and the photoelectric conversion units 53 and 63. It is a pupil. The two pairs of focus detection subject light beams 72, 73, 82, 83 that have passed through the pair of distance measuring pupil regions 92, 93 pass through the microlenses 50, 60, respectively, and two pairs of photoelectric conversion units 52, 53, 62,. 63 is reached. In FIG. 6, the focus detection pixel 311 (microlens 50 and the pair of photoelectric conversion units 52 and 53) on the optical axis 91 and the focus detection pixel 311 (microlens 60 and the pair of photoelectric conversions) outside the optical axis 91 are shown. The conversion units 62 and 63) are schematically illustrated, but also in the other focus detection pixels 311, the focus detection light beams coming from the pair of distance measurement pupils to the micro lenses are received by the pair of photoelectric conversion units, respectively. To do. Note that the arrangement direction of the focus detection pixels 311 (horizontal direction in FIG. 3) is made to coincide with the dividing direction of the pair of distance measurement pupils (vertical direction in FIG. 6).

  By having the above-described configuration, the focus detection pixels are each incident with a pupil-divided light beam as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-279312. Specifically, the photoelectric conversion units 12 and 13 receive only light beams that have passed through one half of the microlens 10. For example, only the light flux (referred to as the A component) from the distance measuring pupil 92 enters the photoelectric conversion units 52 and 62. On the other hand, only the luminous flux (referred to as B component) from the distance measuring pupil 93 is incident on the photoelectric conversion units 53 and 63.

  As a result, the pixel output (A component data string) obtained from the photoelectric conversion units 52, 62,... Where the A component light beam is incident is an image of the light beam incident from the distance measuring pupil 92 of the photographing optical system 210. The pixel output (B component data string) obtained from the photoelectric conversion units 53, 63,... Into which the B component light beam is incident represents an image of the light beam incident from the distance measuring pupil 93.

  A pair of subject images composed of a subject image by the A component and a subject image by the B component approach each other in the so-called front pin state in which the photographing optical system 210 forms a sharp image of the subject before the planned focal plane, and conversely the planned focus. In a so-called rear pin state in which a sharp image of the subject is connected behind the surface, they move away from each other. The pair of images relatively coincide with each other in a focused state that connects a sharp image of the subject on the planned focal plane. Therefore, the focus adjustment state of the photographing optical system 210, that is, the defocus amount can be obtained by obtaining the relative positional deviation amount of the pair of images.

  The phase difference AF circuit 118 shifts the relative positional relationship between the data sequence of the A component and the data sequence of the B component while shifting the image shift amount between two data sequences (referred to as a shift amount) and the data sequence of the A component. And the B component data string are calculated. The calculation for obtaining the shift amount that minimizes the correlation value (the smaller the correlation value, the higher the correlation between the two data strings) is by a known phase difference detection calculation.

  The phase difference AF circuit 118 obtains the defocus amount by multiplying the shift amount that minimizes the correlation value by a predetermined coefficient. Note that the defocus amount differs for each distance measurement area. The defocus amount detection accuracy depends on the image shift amount detection pitch and the arrangement pitch of the microlenses 10. The phase difference AF circuit 118 calculates the movement direction and movement amount of the focus adjustment lens (210) based on the defocus amount.

  Since the present embodiment has a feature in photographing processing using photographing auxiliary light emitted from the light emitting device 119, the following description will be focused on photographing processing using photographing auxiliary light. The photographer turns on a light emission switch (not shown) that constitutes the operation member 114, for example, when photographing in a dark place or when photographing when the background is brighter than the main subject.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a flow of photographing processing executed by the CPU 101 in which the light emission switch is turned on. When the operation signal indicating the half-press operation of the release button is input from the operation member 114, the CPU 101 starts the process illustrated in FIG.

  In step S <b> 1 of FIG. 7, the CPU 101 sends an instruction to the contrast AF circuit 116 to cause the focus detection process of the contrast detection method using the output signal (pixel data) from the imaging pixel 310 of the imaging device 212. Specifically, the imaging device 212 is caused to perform imaging at a monitor image frame rate, and a live view image based on the acquired imaging signal is displayed on the EVF 109. While acquiring the live view image, scan the focus adjustment lens of the photographing optical system 210 in the optical axis direction (for example, the direction from the closest end position toward the infinity end position) to find the lens position where the contrast of the image is maximized. The focus adjustment lens is moved to this lens position. Note that the CPU 101 sends an instruction to the photometry calculation circuit 117 to perform photometry calculation using an output signal (pixel data) from the imaging pixel 310 among the imaging signals of the monitor image.

  In step S2, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the release button has been fully pressed. When the operation signal indicating the full pressing operation of the release button is input from the operation member 114, the CPU 101 makes an affirmative determination in step S2 and proceeds to step S3. If the operation signal indicating the full press operation of the release button is not input from the operation member 114, the CPU 101 makes a negative determination in step S2 and proceeds to step S7.

  In step S7, the CPU 101 performs timeout determination. When the elapsed time after the half-press operation has reached a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds), the CPU 101 makes an affirmative decision in step S7 and ends the process of FIG. If the elapsed time after the half-press operation has not reached the predetermined time, the CPU 101 makes a negative determination in step S7 and returns to step S2.

  In step S3, the CPU 101 sends an instruction to the light emitting device 119 to instruct pre-emission (also referred to as preliminary emission), and proceeds to step S4. Pre-flash refers to light emission that is performed with a small amount of light before photographing in order to calculate the amount of light necessary for photographing (referred to as main light emission amount).

  In step S4, the CPU 101 causes the image sensor 212 to acquire a monitor image in accordance with the pre-light emission timing. The CPU 101 sends an instruction to the phase difference AF circuit 118 to calculate the defocus amount by the phase difference detection method using the imaging signal from the focus detection pixel 311 acquired at the time of pre-emission. Further, the CPU 101 sends an instruction to the photometry calculation circuit 117 to perform photometry calculation using the image pickup signal from the image pickup pixel 310 acquired at the time of the pre-flash. The CPU 101 calculates the main light emission amount based on the difference between the photometry calculation result based on the imaging signal acquired before the pre-flash and the photometry calculation result based on the imaging signal acquired during the pre-flash (light control calculation), and the process proceeds to step S5. .

  In step S5, the CPU 101 determines an AF result to be adopted from the AF result obtained in step S1 and the AF result obtained in step S4, and proceeds to step S6. Specifically, based on the calculation result by the contrast AF circuit 116, the defocus calculated by the phase difference AF circuit 118 using the imaging signal at the time of pre-emission based on the position of the focus adjustment lens (210) after driving. When the amount exceeds the predetermined value, the AF result obtained in step S4 (that is, the moving direction and moving amount of the focus adjustment lens (210) calculated by the phase difference AF circuit 118) is employed. On the other hand, if the defocus amount calculated by the phase difference AF circuit 118 using the imaging signal at the time of pre-emission does not exceed a predetermined value (within the allowable depth), the AF result obtained in step S1 ( That is, the focus adjustment lens (210) position driven based on the calculation result by the contrast AF circuit 116 is employed.

  Note that the CPU 101 also performs the AF result (step S1) (step S1) even when the output signal (pixel data) from the imaging pixel 310 used in the calculation by the contrast AF circuit 116 is equal to or lower than a predetermined signal level (low luminance determination threshold). That is, the focus adjustment lens (210) position driven based on the calculation result by the contrast AF circuit 116 is employed.

  In step S <b> 6, the CPU 101 sends an instruction to the light emitting device 119 to instruct main light emission based on the main light emission amount calculated in step S <b> 4, and causes the image sensor 212 to acquire a shooting image in accordance with the main light emission timing. When the CPU 101 performs predetermined image processing on the acquired image and records the processed data in the memory card 300, the processing in FIG.

According to the embodiment described above, the following operational effects can be obtained.
(1) The electronic camera includes a CPU 101 that instructs the light-emitting device 119 that emits photographing auxiliary light to emit light, a photometric calculation circuit 117 that acquires photometric information, and a phase difference AF circuit 118 that detects a focus adjustment state of the photographing optical system 210. The light-emitting device 119 causes the photometric calculation circuit 117 to acquire photometric information necessary for calculating the light emission amount of the main light emission at the timing of performing the preliminary light emission prior to the main light emission at the time of shooting in accordance with the light emission instruction, and the phase difference Since the CPU 101 that causes the AF circuit 118 to detect the focus adjustment state is provided, appropriate photographing can be performed in a situation where preliminary light emission is performed.

  Specifically, power consumption can be reduced as compared with the case where the light emission of the AF light source and the preliminary light emission of the photographing auxiliary light source are performed separately. Furthermore, since the focus adjustment state is detected using data obtained by the image sensor 212 during preliminary light emission, a subject close to the camera is illuminated by the preliminary light emission, and the S / N ratio for the subject is improved. Can be increased.

(2) In the electronic camera of the above (1), the phase difference AF circuit 118 includes an image sensor 212 that is disposed on the image plane of the photographing optical system 210 and includes a pixel row 311 for focus detection. Is an output signal picked up through the photographing optical system 210, and the phase difference information of the pair of images is calculated using the signal from the pixel row 311 for focus detection, and the focus by the photographing optical system 210 is calculated based on the phase difference information. The adjustment state was detected. Since the focus adjustment state is detected by the phase difference detection method, unlike the case of detecting the focus adjustment state by the contrast detection method, the focus adjustment state can be detected at the preliminary light emission timing.

(3) In the above electronic camera, the photometric calculation circuit 117 acquires photometric information using a signal from the imaging pixel 310 of the imaging element 212, and therefore uses a dedicated photometric element having a pixel size smaller than that of the imaging element 212. Since the S / N ratio is improved as compared with the case where the detection is based on the detection signal, the calculation accuracy of the main light emission amount can be increased. Furthermore, since the resolution is increased as compared with the case where the detection is performed based on a detection signal from a dedicated photometric element having a smaller number of pixels than that of the image sensor 212, the calculation accuracy of the main light emission amount can be increased.

(4) The electronic camera further includes a contrast AF circuit 116 for detecting the focus adjustment state of the photographing optical system 210, and the CPU 101 detects the focus adjustment state in the contrast AF circuit 116 before the light emitting device 119 performs preliminary light emission. Since the focus adjustment of the imaging optical system 210 is performed based on the first focus adjustment state detected by the phase difference AF circuit 118 and the second focus adjustment state detected by the contrast AF circuit 116, the focus adjustment is appropriately performed. Can be done.

(5) In the electronic camera of (4) above, the CPU 101 performs defocusing according to the first focus adjustment state detected by the phase difference AF circuit 118 after performing focus adjustment of the photographing optical system 210 based on the second focus adjustment state. Since the focus adjustment of the photographing optical system is performed based on the first focus adjustment state when the focus amount is larger than the predetermined value, the focus adjustment can be performed based on the latest detection information even when the subject moves.

(6) In the electronic camera of (4) or (5) above, the CPU 101 causes the contrast AF circuit 116 to detect the focus adjustment state and causes the photometric calculation circuit 117 to acquire photometric information before the light emitting device 119 performs preliminary light emission. Since the focus adjustment of the photographing optical system 210 is performed based on the first focus adjustment state when the photometric information is equal to or less than the predetermined determination threshold, the focus adjustment can be appropriately performed even in a dark situation.

(Modification 1)
In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the process illustrated in FIG. 7 is performed when the light emission switch is turned on has been described. Instead, the CPU 101 in the case where the electronic camera is set in an auto mode that automatically determines whether or not the photographing auxiliary light is required by the light emitting device 119 determines whether to pre-flash according to the photometric calculation result. May be. The photometry calculation is performed by the photometry calculation circuit 117 based on the imaging signal of the monitor image acquired in step S1. In this case, the CPU 101 performs the processing after step S3 when the photometric result is less than the predetermined luminance value, and performs the same processing as described above. On the other hand, if the photometric result is equal to or greater than the predetermined luminance value, AF processing and photographing are performed by phase difference detection without performing pre-flash or main flash, and the processing in FIG. 7 is terminated.

(Modification 2)
Instead of step S5, the contrast acquired by the contrast AF circuit 116 and the contrast acquired by the phase difference AF circuit 118 are compared, and the position of the focus adjustment lens (210) calculated by the AF circuit having the larger contrast is calculated. May be adopted. In this case, the CPU 101 compares the A component data string or the B component data string acquired by the phase difference AF circuit 118 with the data string indicating the contrast change (so-called peaking waveform) acquired by the contrast AF circuit 116. . As a result of comparison, a result calculated by an AF circuit that can obtain a larger contrast is employed.

(Modification 3)
In the second modification, one of the A component data string or the B component data string acquired by the phase difference AF circuit 118 and the data string indicating the contrast change acquired by the contrast AF circuit 116 is saturated ( If it exceeds the predetermined saturation determination threshold value), the result calculated by the AF circuit that is not saturated may be adopted.

(Modification 4)
In the above-described embodiment, an electronic camera that is not a single-lens reflex camera has been described as an example. However, the present invention may be applied to a single-lens reflex camera. Generally, a single-lens reflex electronic camera before the release button is fully pressed has a quick return mirror in a down state, and focus detection processing is performed by a dedicated focus detection module based on a phase difference detection method. Therefore, focus detection processing by a dedicated focus detection module is performed instead of the AF processing by the contrast detection method in step S1. The photometric calculation is performed based on the photometric result obtained by the dedicated photometric element.

  Further, the CPU 101 of the modified example 4 instructs the pre-flash in step S3 and instructs the quick return mirror to be driven up. In step S4, the image sensor 212 is made to acquire a phase difference detection image in accordance with the pre-light emission timing. The CPU 101 sends an instruction to the phase difference AF circuit 118 to calculate the defocus amount by the phase difference detection method using the imaging signal from the focus detection pixel 311 acquired at the time of pre-emission. Further, the CPU 101 sends an instruction to the photometry calculation circuit 117 to perform photometry calculation using the image pickup signal from the image pickup pixel 310 acquired at the time of the pre-flash. The CPU 101 calculates the main light emission amount based on the difference between the photometry calculation result using the dedicated photometry element before the pre-flash and the photometry calculation result based on the imaging signal acquired during the pre-flash (light control calculation).

  As described above, according to the fourth modification, the present invention can also be applied to a single-lens reflex type electronic camera, and the responsiveness of photographing using photographing auxiliary light can be improved.

(Modification 5)
The light emitting device 119 may be a type incorporated in an electronic camera or an external type.

  The above description is merely an example, and is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment.

101 ... CPU
101a ... Non-volatile memory 107 ... Display control unit 109 ... EVF
114 ... Operation member 115 ... Imaging processing circuit 116 ... Contrast AF circuit 117 ... Photometric calculation circuit 118 ... Phase difference AF circuit 119 ... Light emitting device 201 ... Camera body 202 ... Shooting lens barrel 209 ... Eyepiece optical system 212 ... Imaging element

Claims (7)

A light emission instruction means for instructing light emission to a light emitting device that emits photographing auxiliary light;
A photometric means for obtaining photometric information;
First focus detection means for detecting a focus adjustment state of the photographing optical system;
In response to the light emission instruction, the photometry means acquires the photometric information necessary for calculating the light emission amount of the main light emission at the timing of performing preliminary light emission prior to the main light emission at the time of photographing. Control means for causing the one focus detection means to detect the focus adjustment state;
An imaging apparatus comprising: The imaging device according to claim 1,
An image pickup device disposed on the image plane of the photographing optical system and having a pixel row for focus detection;
The first focus detection means calculates phase difference information of a pair of images using an output signal imaged by the image sensor through the imaging optical system and using a signal from the focus detection pixel array, An image pickup apparatus that detects a focus adjustment state by the photographing optical system based on phase difference information. The imaging device according to claim 2,
The photometric device acquires photometric information using a signal from an imaging pixel of the imaging device. In the imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A second focus detection means for detecting a focus adjustment state of the photographing optical system;
The control means causes the second focus detection means to detect the focus adjustment state before the light emitting device performs the preliminary light emission, and the first focus adjustment state and the second focus detection detected by the first focus detection means. An image pickup apparatus that performs focus adjustment of the photographing optical system based on a second focus adjustment state detected by the means. The imaging apparatus according to claim 4,
The control means adjusts the focus of the photographing optical system based on a focus adjustment state having a higher contrast among the first contrast information indicating the first focus adjustment state and the second contrast information indicating the second focus adjustment state. An imaging apparatus characterized by performing The imaging apparatus according to claim 4,
When the defocus amount in the first focus adjustment state detected by the first focus detection unit after the focus adjustment of the photographing optical system is performed based on the second focus adjustment state is greater than a predetermined value. In addition, the imaging apparatus performs focus adjustment of the photographing optical system based on the first focus adjustment state. In the imaging device according to claim 4 or 6,
The control unit causes the second focus detection unit to detect the focus adjustment state and the photometry unit to acquire photometric information before the light emitting device performs the preliminary light emission, and the photometric information is equal to or less than a predetermined determination threshold value. In some cases, the imaging apparatus performs focus adjustment of the photographing optical system based on the first focus adjustment state.

Images