JP2017129623A - Illumination device, imaging system and control method of the same, as well as program thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To properly suppress light emission upon range-finding subjects and reflectors and main light emission upon shooting.SOLUTION: A strobo device 300 includes: a light emitting unit that is configured to enable an irradiation direction and light distribution angle of light to be applied to be changed, respectively; and an FPU 310 that detects, by a reflection light detection unit 308, reflection light when a subject and reflector are irradiated with the light from the light emitting unit, respectively, and obtains information on a distance about the subject and information on a distance about the reflector. The FPU 310 is configured to decide a light distribution angle of the light emitting unit for detecting the information about the distance of the subject upon bounce shooting on the basis of focal length information of a lens barrel 200 provided in a camera main body 100, and decide a light distribution angle of the light emitting unit upon main shooting of the bounce shooting on the basis of information different from the focal length information. Further, the FPU 310 is configured to decide a light distribution angle of the light emitting unit upon detecting the information about the distance of the reflector on the basis of the focal length information or the information to be used in deciding the light distribution angle upon the main shooting.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a lighting device capable of changing a light distribution angle, an imaging system including the lighting device, a control method thereof, and a program.

  As one imaging method using an imaging system having an imaging device and an illumination device, light from the illumination device is irradiated toward a reflector such as a ceiling or a wall, and diffused reflected light from the reflector is irradiated onto a subject. There is flash photography that performs photography (hereinafter referred to as “bounce flash photography”). In bounce flash photography, the subject can be indirectly irradiated with light from the illuminating device, so that it is possible to depict with soft light. With regard to such bounce flash photography, the light irradiation direction from the lighting device is calculated inside the lighting device using the detection results of the distance detection means and posture detection means, and is automatically adjusted by the drive unit in the lighting device. Automation technology to do is known.

  In order to obtain a highly accurate calculation result in the automatic technology for bounce flash photography, it is necessary to improve the detection accuracy during distance measurement for the subject and the reflector. However, in the distance measurement using the conventional reflected light detection means, the light distribution angle of the distance measurement light emission is fixed at the light distribution angle corresponding to the focal length of the photographing lens or the light distribution angle of the main light emission at the time of actual photographing. . For this reason, distance measurement cannot be performed around the angle of view, or the guide number becomes smaller, and the result of distance measurement tends to vary. There was a problem that the dispersion of the distance measurement results became large. As a technique for solving such a problem, a bounce photographing apparatus has been proposed in which distance measurement accuracy is improved by correcting a distance measurement result according to the reflectance of a subject during distance measurement using reflected light detection means. (See Patent Document 1).

JP 2015-004933 A

  However, since the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 performs correction on the premise that light emission for distance measurement is correctly irradiated on the subject, there is the following problem. FIG. 15 is a diagram schematically illustrating a problem of conventional distance measurement light emission. FIG. 15A shows a state where the light emission range for distance measurement is shifted from the subject. Such a situation can occur, for example, when the field angle of view and the light distribution angle for distance measurement are shifted such that the focal length of the photographing lens is wide and the light distribution angle of the illumination device is narrow. In this case, since the subject does not receive light for distance measurement, correct correction cannot be performed and a high-precision distance measurement result cannot be obtained. On the other hand, FIG. 15B shows a state in which the distance measurement emission range covers the shooting angle of view, but an unnecessarily wide distance measurement emission range is set for the subject. In this case, the guide number of the illuminating device is lowered to cause a shortage of light quantity, so that the distance range that can be measured is shortened. Therefore, it becomes impossible to obtain a highly accurate distance measurement result as the distance from the subject increases.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an illumination device capable of appropriately controlling light emission during distance measurement between a subject and a reflector and main light emission during imaging.

  An imaging system according to the present invention is an imaging system including a lens barrel, an imaging device, and an illumination device, and the illumination device is configured to be capable of changing an irradiation direction and a light distribution angle of light to be emitted. Detecting means for detecting information on the distance of the subject and information on the distance of the reflector based on reflected light when light is emitted from the light emitting unit to the subject and the reflector, respectively. At least one of the illumination device and the imaging device has a control unit that controls a light irradiation direction and a light distribution angle in the light emitting unit, and the control unit irradiates light from the light emitting unit to the reflector. Then, when performing bounce shooting for shooting the subject by irradiating the subject with the reflected light from the reflector, the light distribution angle of the light emitting unit when detecting information on the distance of the subject is set to the label. And determining the light distribution angle of the light emitting unit in the actual shooting of the bounce shooting based on the second information different from the first information. And the light distribution angle of the said light emission part at the time of detecting the information regarding the distance of the said reflector is determined based on the said 1st information or the said 2nd information.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately control the light emission during distance measurement between the subject and the reflector and the main light emission during main photographing, and a high-quality photographed image can be obtained.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an imaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the imaging system shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view and a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a strobe device configuring the imaging system illustrated in FIG. 1. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of drive control according to the first embodiment of the strobe device in auto bounce flash photography by the imaging system shown in FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows the 1st example and 2nd example of a portrait photography scene. It is a schematic diagram explaining the method of calculating the drive amount of the movable part of a strobe device with the optimal bounce angle. It is a figure which shows the state which the strobe device inclines with respect to each of a horizontal axis and a vertical axis. It is a flowchart of the process of step S413 of FIG. It is a flowchart of the process of step S419 of FIG. It is a figure explaining the light distribution angle at the time of the pre light emission for ceiling distance detection set by step S904 of FIG. It is a flowchart of the process of step S427 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the drive control which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of the flash device in the auto bounce flash photography by the imaging system shown in FIG. It is a flowchart of the process of step S1213 of FIG. It is a flowchart of the process of step S1219 of FIG. It is a figure which illustrates typically the problem of the light emission for conventional ranging.

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

<Configuration of imaging system>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an imaging system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of the imaging system 10. In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals. The imaging system 10 includes a camera body 100 that is an imaging device, a lens barrel 200 that is attached to the camera body 100, and a strobe device 300 that is an illumination device attached to the camera body 100. The strobe device 300 is detachable from the camera body 100, and the lens barrel 200 may be fixed (integrated) to the camera body 100, or may be detachable from the camera body 100.

  The camera body 100 includes a camera microcomputer 101 (hereinafter referred to as “CCPU101”), an image sensor 102, a shutter 103, a main mirror 104, a focus plate 105, a photometric circuit 106, a focus detection circuit 107, a gain switching circuit 108, and an A / D conversion. A vessel 109 is provided. The camera body 100 includes a timing generator (TG) 110 signal processing circuit 111, an input unit 112, a display unit 113, a pentaprism 114, a sub mirror 115, a communication line LC, a communication line SC, a terminal 120, a terminal 130, and an attitude detection circuit. 140.

  The CCPU 101 is a microcomputer that controls the operation of each unit of the camera body 100 by executing various software (program codes). The CCPU 101 includes a one-chip IC circuit configuration with a built-in microcomputer including, for example, a CPU, ROM, RAM, input / output control circuit (I / O control circuit), multiplexer, timer circuit, EEPROM, A / D converter, D / A converter, and the like. It has become. The CCPU 101 performs various determination processes and arithmetic processes for controlling the camera body 100 by developing predetermined program codes stored in the ROM in the RAM. The image sensor 102 is an image sensor such as a CCD sensor or a CMOS sensor including an infrared cut filter and a low-pass filter. The light flux from the subject that has passed through the lens barrel 200 forms an image of the subject on the image sensor 102. The shutter 103 is configured to be able to transition between a state where the image sensor 102 is shielded from light and a state where the image sensor 102 is exposed. The main mirror 104 is a half mirror, and is retracted from a position where a part of light incident through the lens barrel 200 is reflected to form an image on the focus plate 105 and a photographing optical path from the lens barrel 200 to the image sensor 102. It is configured to be capable of transitioning to and from the position to be performed. A subject image is formed on the focus plate 105. The user (photographer) can check the subject image formed on the focus plate 105 via an optical finder (not shown).

  The photometric circuit 106 includes a photometric sensor in the circuit, and outputs exposure information by performing photometry in one or a plurality of areas set for the subject. Note that the photometry sensor in the photometry circuit 106 expects a subject image formed on the focusing screen 105 via the pentaprism 114. The focus detection circuit 107 includes a distance measuring sensor having a plurality of distance measuring points in the circuit, and outputs focus information such as a defocus amount of each distance measuring point. The gain switching circuit 108 amplifies the signal output from the image sensor 102. The CCPU 101 switches the gain to be applied to the signal in the gain switching circuit 108 in accordance with the shooting condition, user operation, and the like. The A / D converter 109 converts the analog signal output from the gain switching circuit 108 into a digital signal, thereby generating image data. The timing generator 110 synchronizes the signal output timing from the image sensor 102 (the input timing of the amplified signal from the gain switching circuit 108 to the A / D converter 109) and the A / D conversion timing in the A / D converter 109. Let

  The signal processing circuit 111 performs predetermined signal processing on image data composed of digital signals output from the A / D converter 109. The input unit 112 includes operation units such as a power switch, a release switch, and a setting button. The CCPU 101 executes various processes based on instructions from the input unit 112 according to operations on the input unit 112. For example, when the release switch is operated in one step (half-pressed), the CCPU 101 executes a shooting preparation operation such as AF (autofocus) and AE (automatic exposure). When the release switch is operated in two steps (fully pressed), the CCPU 101 executes a series of shooting operations from exposure to the image sensor 102 to storage of the generated image data. Various settings of the strobe device 300 can be performed by operating the setting buttons. Here, when wireless communication is possible between the strobe device 300 and the camera body 100, various types of the strobe device 300 may be provided as in the case where the strobe device 300 is not directly attached to the camera body 100. Can be set.

  The display unit 113 includes a liquid crystal device and a light emitting element, and displays a shooting mode set for the camera body 100 and other shooting information. The liquid crystal device displays a subject image and a shot image being shot. Playback display and the like are also possible. The pentaprism 114 guides the subject image on the focusing screen 105 to a photometric sensor in the photometric circuit 106 and an optical viewfinder (not shown). The sub mirror 115 guides the light incident from the lens group 202 and transmitted through the main mirror 104 to the distance measuring sensor of the focus detection circuit 107.

  The communication line LC is an interface signal line that connects the camera body 100 and the lens barrel 200 so that they can communicate with each other. The communication line SC is an interface signal line that connects the camera body 100 and the strobe device 300 so that they can communicate with each other. . The imaging system 10 includes terminals 120 and 130 for performing three-terminal serial communication as an example of communication using the communication lines LC and SC, and performs information communication such as data exchange and command transmission using the CCPU 101 as a host. . The terminal 120 includes an SCLK_L terminal, a MOSI_L terminal, a MISO_L terminal, and a GND terminal. The SCLK_L terminal is a terminal for synchronizing communication between the camera body 100 and the lens barrel 200. The MOSI_L terminal is a terminal for transmitting data from the camera body 100 to the lens barrel 200. The MISO_L terminal is a terminal for transmitting data from the lens barrel 200 to the camera body 100. The GND terminal connects the camera body 100 and the lens barrel 200 and drops them to the ground potential. The terminal 130 includes an SCLK_S terminal, a MOSI_S terminal, a MISO_S terminal, and a GND terminal. The SCLK_S terminal is a terminal for synchronizing communication between the camera body 100 and the flash device 300. The MOSI_S terminal is a terminal for transmitting data from the camera body 100 to the strobe device 300. The MISO_S terminal connects the camera body 100 and the strobe device 300 and drops them to the ground potential.

  The posture detection circuit 140 is a circuit that detects a posture difference of the camera body 100, and includes a posture H detection unit 140a that detects a posture difference in the horizontal direction, a posture V detection unit 140b that detects a posture difference in the vertical direction, and a front-rear direction ( A posture Z detection unit 140c that detects a posture difference in the Z direction) is included. For the posture detection circuit 140, for example, an angular velocity sensor or a gyro sensor is used. Posture information regarding the posture difference in each direction detected by the posture detection circuit 140 is supplied to the CCPU 101.

  The lens barrel 200 includes a lens microcomputer 201 (hereinafter referred to as “LPU 201”), a lens group 202, a lens driving unit 203, an encoder 204, an aperture 205, and an aperture control circuit 206. The LPU 201 is a microcomputer that controls each part of the lens barrel 200. The LPU 201 includes, for example, a one-chip IC circuit configuration with a built-in microcomputer including a CPU, ROM, RAM, input / output control circuit (I / O control circuit), multiplexer, timer circuit, EEPROM, A / D converter, D / A converter, and the like. It has become.

  The lens group 202 includes a plurality of lenses including a focus lens and a zoom lens. The lens group 202 may not include a zoom lens. The lens driving unit 203 drives the lenses included in the lens group 202 in the optical axis direction. The driving amount of the lens group 202 is calculated by the CCPU 101 based on the output of the focus detection circuit 107 provided in the camera body 100, and the calculated driving amount is transmitted from the CCPU 101 to the LPU 201. The encoder 204 detects the position of the lens group 202 and outputs drive information to the LPU 201. The drive information from the encoder 204 is transmitted to the CCPU 101 via the LPU 201, and the lens drive unit 203 drives the lens group 202 by the drive amount calculated by the CCPU 101, thereby performing focus adjustment. The diaphragm 205 adjusts the amount of light passing through the lens barrel 200. A diaphragm control circuit 206 drives the diaphragm 205 under the control of the LPU 201.

  The strobe device 300 generally includes a main body portion 300a that can be attached to and detached from the camera main body 100, and a movable portion 300b that is held so as to be rotatable in the vertical and horizontal directions with respect to the main body portion 300a. Note that the vertical direction is a direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the lens barrel 200 and is substantially parallel to the vertical direction when the camera body 100 is held in a normal posture. The left-right direction is a direction substantially orthogonal to both the optical axis of the lens barrel 200 and the vertical direction when the camera body 100 is held in a normal posture.

  The strobe device 300 includes a battery 301, a booster circuit block 302, a trigger circuit 303, a light emission control circuit 304, a discharge tube 305, a reflector 306, a strobe optical system 307, a reflected light detection unit 308, an integration circuit 309, and an AND gate 311. . The strobe device 300 includes a strobe microcomputer 310 (hereinafter referred to as “FPU 310”), an input unit 312, a display unit 313, a photodiode 314, a comparator 315, an optical system drive circuit 330, a bounce circuit 340, and an attitude detection circuit 360.

  The FPU 310 is a microcomputer that controls each part of the strobe device 300. The FPU 310 has a microcomputer built-in one-chip IC circuit configuration including, for example, a CPU, ROM, RAM, input / output control circuit (I / O control circuit), multiplexer, timer circuit, EEPROM, A / D converter, D / A converter, and the like. ing. The battery 301 functions as a power source (VBAT) for the strobe device 300. The booster circuit block 302 includes a booster 302a, resistors 302b and 302c, and a main capacitor 302d. The booster 302a boosts the voltage of the battery 301 to several hundred volts, thereby charging the main capacitor 302d with electric energy for light emission. The charging voltage of the main capacitor 302d is divided by the resistors 302b and 302c, and the divided voltage is input to the A / D conversion terminal of the FPU 310. The trigger circuit 303 applies a pulse voltage for exciting the discharge tube 305 to the discharge tube 305. The light emission control circuit 304 controls the start and stop of light emission of the discharge tube 305. The discharge tube 305 is excited by receiving a pulse voltage of several KV applied from the trigger circuit 303, and emits light using the electric energy charged in the main capacitor 302d.

  The integration circuit 309 integrates the light reception current of the photodiode 314 and inputs the integration result to the inverting input terminal of the comparator 315 and the A / D converter terminal of the FPU 310. The non-inverting input terminal of the comparator 315 is connected to the D / A converter terminal in the FPU 310, and the output of the comparator 315 is connected to the input terminal of the AND gate 311. The other input terminal of the AND gate 311 is connected to the light emission control terminal of the FPU 310, and the output of the AND gate 311 is input to the light emission control circuit 304. The photodiode 314 is a sensor that receives light emitted from the discharge tube 305 directly or via a glass fiber or the like. The reflector 306 reflects the light emitted from the discharge tube 305 and guides it in a predetermined direction. The strobe optical system 307 includes an optical panel or the like, and is held so that the relative position with respect to the discharge tube 305 can be changed. By changing the relative position of the discharge tube 305 and the strobe optical system 307, the guide number and the light distribution angle of the strobe device 300 can be changed within a predetermined range. The light emitting unit of the strobe device 300 is mainly composed of a discharge tube 305, a reflector 306, and a strobe optical system 307. The light distribution angle of the light emitting unit is changed by driving the strobe optical system 307, and irradiation of the light emitting unit is performed. The direction changes with the rotation of the movable part 300b. The method of changing the light distribution angle of the light emitting unit is not limited to the method of changing the relative position between the discharge tube 305 and the strobe optical system 307. For example, the method of changing the shape of the reflector 306 or the strobe optical system 307 is used. A method of changing the optical characteristics of the above may be used.

  The reflected light detection unit 308 detects the amount of light that is emitted from the discharge tube 305 and reflected from a reflector such as a subject or a ceiling. The FPU 310 performs a calculation based on the amount of reflected light detected by the reflected light detection unit 308, so that the distance to the subject or the reflector can be calculated. The input unit 312 includes operation units such as a power switch, a mode setting switch for setting the operation mode of the strobe device 300, an auto bounce start button for executing auto bounce driving, and setting buttons for setting various parameters. The FPU 310 executes various processes based on instructions from the input unit 312 according to operations on the input unit 312. In the present embodiment, automated bounce flash photography performed by the imaging system 10 is referred to as auto bounce flash photography. In addition, the auto bounce drive refers to rotationally driving the movable part 300b for executing auto bounce flash photography.

  The display unit 313 includes a liquid crystal device and a light emitting element, and displays various setting information and operation states of the strobe device 300. The optical system drive circuit 330 includes a position detection unit 330a and an optical system drive unit 330b. The position detector 330a detects information related to the relative positions of the discharge tube 305 and the strobe optical system 307 by an encoder (not shown) or the like. The optical system driving unit 330b includes a motor or the like for driving the strobe optical system 307. The FPU 310 acquires the focal length information output from the LPU 201 via the CCPU 101, and calculates the drive amount of the strobe optical system 307 based on the acquired focal length information.

  The bounce circuit 340 includes a first bounce angle detection circuit 340a, a second bounce angle detection circuit 340c, a first bounce drive circuit 340b, and a second bounce drive circuit 340d. FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the strobe device 300 with a part of the movable portion 300b removed. FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of the strobe device 300. The first bounce angle detection circuit 340a (bounce H detection circuit) detects the drive amount of the movable unit 300b in the left-right direction. The second bounce angle detection circuit 340c (bounce V detection circuit) detects the driving amount of the movable unit 300b in the vertical direction. A rotary encoder or an absolute encoder is used to detect these drive amounts. The first bounce drive circuit 340b (bounce H drive circuit) drives the movable portion 300b in the left-right direction. The second bounce drive circuit 340d (bounce V drive circuit) drives the movable portion 300b in the vertical direction. A known motor or the like is used for these drives.

  The posture detection circuit 360 is a circuit that detects a posture difference of the strobe device 300, and includes a posture H detection unit 360a that detects a posture difference in the horizontal direction, a posture V detection unit 360b that detects a posture difference in the vertical direction, and a front-rear direction ( A posture Z detection unit 360c that detects a posture difference in the Z direction) is provided. For the posture detection circuit 360, for example, an angular velocity sensor or a gyro sensor is used. Posture information regarding the posture difference in each direction detected by the posture detection circuit 360 is supplied to the FPU 310.

  In the imaging system 10 configured as described above, the CCPU 101, the LPU 201, and the FPU 310 cooperate to control each part of the imaging system 10, thereby realizing a smooth operation of the entire imaging system 10.

<Drive Control Method According to First Embodiment of Strobe Device>
Next, a drive control method according to the first embodiment of the strobe device 300 when auto-bounce flash photography is performed by the imaging system 10 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of drive control according to the first embodiment of the strobe device 300 in auto bounce flash photography. Each process illustrated in FIG. 4 is realized by the FPU 310 executing a predetermined program code to control the operation of each unit of the strobe device 300. The flowchart of FIG. 4 is started when the power switch included in the input unit 312 is turned on and the FPU 310 of the strobe device 300 becomes operable. In the following description, the distance to the subject is referred to as the “subject distance” starting from the strobe light emitting surface of the strobe device 300, and the distance to the ceiling taken as an example of the reflector is referred to as the “ceiling distance”. To do.

  In step S401, the FPU 310 initializes its own memory and port, reads the state of the switch included in the input unit 312 and preset input information, and performs various light emission modes such as a method for determining the light emission amount and light emission timing. Set up. In step S402, the FPU 310 starts the operation of the booster circuit block 302 and charges the main capacitor 302d. At this time, it may be determined that the bounce circuit 340 and the strobe optical system 307 cannot be driven simultaneously because the voltage of the battery 301 is low. In this case, the FPU 310 fixes the light distribution angle of the distance measurement light emission to the same angle as the light distribution angle (hereinafter referred to as “main light emission angle”) in the light emission (main light emission) at the time of actual photographing. The mode is switched to “optical fixed mode”, and the information is stored in the RAM in the FPU 310. On the other hand, when the bounce circuit 340 and the strobe optical system 307 can be driven simultaneously, the FPU 310 switches to a “light distribution variable mode” in which the light distribution angle for distance measurement and the main light distribution angle can be set separately. The information is stored in the RAM in the FPU 310.

  In step S <b> 403, the FPU 310 stores the focal length information (first information) of the lens barrel 200 acquired from the CCPU 101 via the communication line SC in the RAM in the FPU 310. Note that if the focal length information has been previously stored in the RAM, the FPU 310 updates the data to new focal length information. In step S404, the FPU 310 drives the strobe optical system 307 by the optical system drive circuit 330 so that the light distribution angle of the strobe light is in a range corresponding to the focal length information acquired in step S403. Driving the strobe optical system 307 means changing the position of the strobe optical system 307 with respect to the discharge tube 305 in order to change the light distribution angle of the strobe device 300, and the same meaning is used hereinafter.

  By the way, when the “light distribution fixed mode” is set in step S402, the FPU 310 drives the strobe optical system 307 to the main light distribution angle by the optical system driving circuit 330. If it is not necessary to drive the strobe optical system 307 when the light distribution angle corresponding to the focal length information (hereinafter referred to as “focal length light distribution angle”) and the main light emission light distribution angle are the same, step S404 is required. Is omitted.

  In step S <b> 405, the FPU 310 displays information related to the light emission mode set via the input unit 312, information related to the acquired focal length information, and the like on the display unit 313. In step S406, the FPU 310 checks whether or not the light emission mode set in the flash device 300 is the auto bounce mode. If the FPU 310 is in the auto bounce mode (YES in S406), the process proceeds to step S407. If the FPU 310 is not in the auto bounce mode (normal light emission mode) (NO in S406), the process proceeds to step S430. The light emission mode can be set from the input unit 312, but can also be set from the input unit 112 via the CCPU 101 and the communication line SC.

  In step S407, the FPU 310 determines whether or not the main capacitor 302d has been charged. If the charging is completed (YES in S407), the FPU 310 advances the process to step S408. If the charging is not completed (NO in S407), the FPU 310 repeats the determination in step S407. Note that the processing when charging cannot be completed due to insufficient battery capacity or the like is not described here, but in this case, the FPU 310 displays an error on the display unit 313 and ends the processing. .

  In step S408, the FPU 310 determines whether or not the auto bounce start button has been turned on. If the auto bounce start button is turned on (YES in S408), the FPU 310 advances the process to step S409. If the auto bounce start button is not turned on (is in the off state), the FPU 310 advances the process to step S433. . As described above, the auto bounce start button is assigned to the input unit 312. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an auto bounce start button may be provided in the input unit 112, and on / off of the auto bounce start button may be determined by the FPU 310 via the CCPU 101 and the communication line SC.

  In step S409, the FPU 310 transmits an auto bounce drive state to the CCPU 101 via the communication line SC. Note that “ST → C communication” shown in FIG. 4 indicates communication from the strobe device 300 to the camera body 100 (FPU 310 to CCPU 101), and “C → ST communication” indicates communication from the CCPU 101 to the FPU 310.

  In step S410, the FPU 310 determines the direction of pre-emission for detecting information related to the ceiling distance (hereinafter referred to as “pre-emission for ceiling distance detection”), based on the detection result of the posture detection circuit 360. It is determined whether or not the posture is in the horizontal position shooting state. In this determination, the FPU 310 stores the detection result of the posture detection circuit 360 in the RAM in the FPU 310 and determines whether it is within a predetermined tilt angle range, thereby determining whether it is in the horizontal position shooting state or the vertical position shooting state. To do. If the FPU 310 is in the horizontal position shooting state (YES in S410), the process proceeds to step S411. If the FPU 310 is in the vertical position shooting state (NO in S410), the process proceeds to step S412. Note that step S410 may be performed using the detection result by the posture detection circuit 140 instead of the detection result by the posture detection circuit 360.

  In step S411, the FPU 310 stores, in the RAM in the FPU 310, information indicating that the lateral position angle control is applied as the direction control for performing the ceiling-distance detection pre-light emission. After pre-emission for detecting information related to the subject distance (hereinafter referred to as “sub-object distance detection pre-emission”), ceiling distance detection pre-emission is performed. When the lateral position angle control is applied, the ceiling-distance detection pre-light emission is controlled such that the second bounce drive circuit 340d is driven to emit light upward of the strobe device 300. In step S412, the FPU 310 stores in the RAM in the FPU 310 information indicating that vertical position angle control is applied as direction control for performing ceiling-distance detection pre-emission. When the vertical position angle control is applied, the ceiling distance detection pre-light emission performed after the subject distance detection pre-light emission drives the first bounce drive circuit 340b to emit light toward the left and right directions of the strobe device 300. Control. Also in this case, based on the detection result of the posture detection circuit 360, the light emission direction is determined to face upward.

  In step S413 after the completion of steps S411 and S412, the FPU 310 drives the bounce circuit 340 so that the movable part 300b is directed in the front direction (the direction facing the subject). Further, the FPU 310 drives the strobe optical system 307 to a light distribution angle at the time of pre-light emission for subject distance detection in accordance with the driving of the bounce circuit 340. Details of driving the strobe optical system 307 in step S413 will be described later. In step S414, the FPU 310 stores the angle detection results of the first bounce angle detection circuit 340a and the second bounce angle detection circuit 340c in the RAM in the FPU 310, and the movable unit 300b faces the front direction based on the angle detection result. It is determined whether or not. The FPU 310 advances the process to step S415 when the movable part 300b faces the front direction (YES in S414), and advances the process to step S416 when the movable part 300b does not face the front direction (NO in S414). .

  In step S415, the FPU 310 performs pre-light emission for subject distance detection at the light distribution angle after driving the strobe optical system 307 in step S413, and the reflected light detection unit 308 detects reflected light from the subject, and the detected light amount Based on this, information on the distance of the subject is calculated. The FPU 310 stores information regarding the calculated subject distance in the RAM in the FPU 310, and then the process proceeds to step S419. On the other hand, in step S416, the FPU 310 determines whether or not an auto bounce end instruction based on the fact that the bounce drive cannot be normally performed is obtained from the CCPU 101 via the communication line SC. If the FPU 310 has acquired an auto bounce end instruction (YES in S416), the FPU 310 ends this process and returns the process to step S402. If the FPU 310 cannot acquire an auto bounce end instruction (NO in S416), the process proceeds to step S417. . In the flowchart of FIG. 4, “return” refers to returning the process to step S <b> 402.

  In step S417, the FPU 310 determines whether or not the bounce drive is completed within a predetermined time. If the FPU 310 has timed out (the bounce drive has not been completed within a predetermined time) (YES in S417), the process proceeds to step S418. If the FPU 310 has not timed out (NO in S417), the process proceeds to step S414. Return to. In step S418, the FPU 310 transmits that the auto bounce drive is in an error state to the CCPU 101 via the communication line SC, and then returns the process to step S402.

  In step S419, the FPU 310 drives the bounce circuit 340 so that the movable part 300b is directed toward the ceiling, and the strobe optical system is adjusted so that the light distribution angle in the pre-light emission for ceiling distance detection is adjusted in accordance with the drive of the bounce circuit 340. 307 is driven. Note that the direction of the ceiling when the camera body 100 is held toward the subject is set in advance by the user and stored in the RAM in the FPU 310. Details of driving the strobe optical system 307 in step S419 will be described later.

  Subsequently, in step S420, the FPU 310 stores the angle detection results of the first bounce angle detection circuit 340a and the second bounce angle detection circuit 340c in the RAM in the FPU 310, and the movable unit 300b moves to the ceiling direction based on the angle detection result. It is determined whether or not it is facing. The FPU 310 advances the process to step S421 when the movable part 300b faces the ceiling direction (YES in S420), and advances the process to step S422 when the movable part 300b does not face the ceiling direction (NO in S420). .

  In step S421, the FPU 310 performs pre-light emission for ceiling distance detection at the light distribution angle after driving the strobe optical system 307 in step S419, and the reflected light from the ceiling is detected by the reflected light detection unit 308, and the detected light amount is determined. Based on this, information on the ceiling distance is calculated. The FPU 310 stores the information regarding the calculated ceiling distance in the RAM in the FPU 310, and then advances the process to step S425. If the variable light distribution mode is set in step S402, but the bounce circuit 340 and the strobe optical system 307 cannot be driven simultaneously in step S419, the light distribution angle in step S421 is used as the subject distance detection pre-set. The same light distribution angle as that during light emission may be used.

  On the other hand, in step S422, the FPU 310 determines whether or not an auto bounce end instruction based on the fact that the bounce drive cannot be performed normally is obtained from the CCPU 101 via the communication line SC. If the FPU 310 has acquired an auto bounce end instruction (YES in S422), the FPU 310 ends this process and returns the process to step S402. If the FPU 310 cannot acquire an auto bounce end instruction (NO in S422), the process proceeds to step S423. . In step S423, the FPU 310 determines whether or not the bounce drive is completed within a predetermined time. If the FPU 310 has timed out (the bounce drive has not been completed within a predetermined time) (YES in S423), the process proceeds to step S424. If the FPU 310 has not timed out (NO in S423), the process proceeds to step S420. Return to. In step S424, the FPU 310 transmits that the auto bounce drive is in an error state to the CCPU 101 via the communication line SC, and then returns the process to step S402.

  In step S425, the FPU 310 calculates the optimum bounce angle based on the attitude detection result in step S410, the information on the subject distance calculated in step S415, and the information on the ceiling distance calculated in step S421. The optimum bounce angle is the light irradiation angle with respect to the ceiling in the actual photographing. Here, a method for calculating an optimum bounce angle at which a shadow when a portrait photograph is taken has a natural feeling will be described.

  FIG. 5A is a diagram showing a first example of a portrait photography scene, and FIG. 5B is a diagram showing a second example of a portrait photography scene. When the bounce angle of the movable part 300b is set to a relatively small value such as 45 degrees as in the first example shown in FIG. 5A, the diffuse reflected light viewed from the subject is irradiated like a top light. Therefore, the shadow of the jaw and the like is large and dark. On the other hand, when the bounce angle of the movable part 300b is set to a relatively large value such as 90 degrees as in the second example shown in FIG. 5B, the reflection surface viewed from the subject is far from the subject. Because of the separation, the diffuse reflected light enters the subject at a shallow angle. As a result, the shadow becomes small and thin, and a natural atmosphere tends to be obtained.

  The atmosphere of the photographed image (photograph) changes depending on the subject distance and the ceiling distance that is the distance to the reflecting surface of the reflector (hereinafter referred to as “reflector distance”), but in general, the subject and the user are relatively close to each other. When shooting is performed in a certain state, it tends to be irradiated like a top light. Therefore, when auto bounce driving is performed, the movable unit 300b may be driven to the user side in order to reduce the incident angle to the subject. The optimum incident angle of the diffusely reflected light applied to the subject is experimentally obtained. In step S425, the driving amount of the movable unit 300b is set so that the bounce angle is optimum (so that the optimum incident angle is obtained). Calculated.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining a method of calculating the drive amount of the movable part 300b so that the bounce angle is optimal. FIG. 6A shows a case where the subject and the user are at a relatively distance from each other, and FIG. 6B shows a case where the subject and the user are at a relatively close distance. The distance to the subject (subject distance) starting from the strobe light emitting surface of the strobe device 300 is x, and the ceiling distance starting from the strobe light emitting surface of the strobe device 300 is y. X ₁ a distance from the subject to the point of intersection between the vertical line from the ceiling reflecting _surface, and the distance to the light emitting surface of the flash device 300 from the intersection point to _{x 2, x = x 1 +} x 2, the relation holds. In addition, the optimum incident angle formed by the diffusely reflected light incident on the subject and the horizontal line is θ ₁ , and the optimum bounce angle formed by the irradiation direction from the light emitting surface of the strobe device 300 and the horizontal line is θ ₂ . In this case, a triangle consisting of the object and the ceiling reflecting surface and the intersection point, the distance x ₂ can be obtained by the following formula 1. Further, the optimum bounce angle θ ₂ can be obtained by the following formula 2 from the light emitting surface of the strobe device 300, the ceiling reflecting surface, and the triangle formed by the intersection and the formula (1).

The above equation 2, it is possible to determine the optimum Bounce angle theta ₂ of the movable portion 300b for realizing the optimum incidence angle theta ₁ to the subject. In the above formula 2, the optimum incident angle θ ₁ is a preset constant. Therefore, the optimum bounce angle θ ₂ of the movable part 300 _b is detected by detecting the distances x and y by the reflected light detection unit 308 in steps S 415 and S 421. Can be calculated. For example, in FIG. 6A, when the optimum incident angle θ ₁ is 30 degrees, the subject distance x is 3 m, and the ceiling distance y is 1.4 m, the optimum bounce angle θ ₂ can be set to about 68 degrees. Good. In FIG. 6B, when the optimum incident angle θ ₁ is 30 degrees, the subject distance x is 2 m, and the ceiling distance y is 1.4 m, the above equation 1 is a negative value. Therefore, the left side of Equation 2 is 180 + θ ₂ , and as a result, it can be seen that the optimum bounce angle θ ₂ may be set to about 107 (= 180 + θ ₂ ) degrees. Note that the optimum bounce angle θ ₂ may be obtained not only by such a method but also by other known methods.

  After calculating the optimum bounce angle in step S425, the FPU 310 stores the calculated optimum bounce angle in the RAM in the FPU 310, and advances the process to step S426. In step S426, the FPU 310 calculates the actual driving amount of the movable unit 300b based on the optimum bounce angle calculated in step S425 and the detection results of the first bounce angle detection circuit 340a and the second bounce angle detection circuit 340c. .

  At this time, the posture of the strobe device 300 may be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction or the vertical direction. 7A is a view showing a state in which the strobe device 300 is inclined by an angle γ with respect to the horizontal axis Z, and FIG. 7B is a state in which the strobe device 300 is inclined by an angle η with respect to the vertical axis X. FIG. When it is determined that posture correction is necessary, the FPU 310 detects the tilt angle (γ, η) of each axis of the posture detection circuit 360, calculates a correction drive amount that cancels the tilt angle to the calculated bounce drive amount, The bounce drive amount is corrected with the calculated correction drive amount. At this time, instead of the detection result of the posture detection circuit 360, the detection result of the posture detection circuit 140 may be used. After calculating the bounce drive amount, the FPU 310 stores the calculated value in the RAM in the FPU 310, and the process proceeds to step S427.

  In step S427, based on the calculation result in step S426, the FPU 310 drives and controls the bounce circuit 340 to drive the movable unit 300b, and in accordance with the drive of the bounce circuit 340, strobe optics to the light distribution angle in the main emission. The system 307 is driven. The details of driving the strobe optical system 307 will be described later. In subsequent step S428, FPU 310 determines whether or not movable unit 300b driven in step S427 is driven to the calculation position in step S426 based on the detection results of first bounce angle detection circuit 340a and second bounce angle detection circuit 340c. Determine whether. When the movable unit 300b is driven to the calculation position (YES in S428), the FPU 310 advances the process to step S430. When the movable unit 300b is not driven to the calculation position (YES in S428), the process proceeds to step S429. Proceed.

  In step S429, the FPU 310 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed (whether it has timed out). The FPU 310 advances the process to step S430 if the predetermined time has elapsed (timeout) without completing the driving of the movable part 300b (YES in S429), and if the time has not timed out (NO in S429), the process proceeds to step S428. Return to. In step S430, the FPU 310 determines whether the charging voltage of the main capacitor 302d is equal to or higher than a predetermined value (whether charging is completed). If the charging is completed (YES in S430), the FPU 310 advances the process to step S432. If the charging is not completed (NO in S430), the FPU 310 advances the process to step S431. In step S431, the FPU 310 starts the operation of the booster circuit block 302 again to charge the main capacitor 302d, and then proceeds to step S432.

  In step S432, the FPU 310 transmits a charge completion signal to the CCPU 101. In step S433, the FPU 310 determines whether a light emission start signal is received from the CCPU 101 as a light emission command. If the FPU 310 has received the light emission start signal (YES in S433), the process proceeds to step S434. If the FPU 310 has not received the light emission start signal (NO in S433), the process returns to step S402. In step S434, the FPU 310 instructs the light emission control circuit 304 to emit light according to the received light emission start signal, and the light emission control circuit 304 causes the discharge tube 305 to emit light. Thereafter, the FPU 310 returns the process to step S402. Note that in step S434, the FPU 310 does not return to step S402 for each series of light emission such as dimming pre-light emission and main light emission, but does not return to step S402, but performs processing after the series of light emission ends. Return to.

  Details of step S413 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the process in step S413. In step S801, the FPU 310 determines whether the light distribution variable mode is set. If the FPU 310 is in the variable light distribution mode (YES in S801), the process proceeds to step S802. If the FPU 310 is not in the variable light distribution mode (in the fixed light distribution mode) (NO in S801), the process proceeds to step S804.

  Here, it is desirable to emit light at the focal length light distribution angle stored in step S403 as the light distribution angle at the time of pre-light emission for subject distance detection. This is because the entire field angle can be covered by emitting light at the focal length light distribution angle, so that the distance can be measured regardless of the position of the subject within the field angle. Therefore, in step S802, the FPU 310 checks whether or not to drive the strobe optical system 307 to the focal length light distribution angle. When the FPU 310 drives the strobe optical system 307 to the focal length light distribution angle (YES in S802), the FPU 310 exits this process and proceeds to step S414. On the other hand, if the FPU 310 does not drive the strobe optical system 307 to the focal length light distribution angle based on the setting by the user or the like (NO in S802), the process proceeds to step S803.

  In step S803, the FPU 310 drives the strobe optical system 307 to a light distribution angle that covers the AF-enabled area calculated based on the focal length information (hereinafter referred to as “AF area light distribution angle”). The process proceeds to S414. In step S804, the FPU 310 drives the strobe optical system 307 to the main light emission angle based on the information switched to the light distribution fixed mode in step S402, and then exits this process and proceeds to step S414.

  Details of step S419 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the process in step S419. In step S901, the FPU 310 determines whether or not the light distribution variable mode is set. If the FPU 310 is in the variable light distribution mode (YES in S901), the process proceeds to step S902. If the FPU 310 is not in the variable light distribution mode (in the fixed light distribution mode) (NO in S901), the process proceeds to step S905.

  Here, it is desirable that the light distribution angle at the time of the pre-light emission for detecting the ceiling distance be emitted with the same light distribution angle as that at the time of the main light emission. Accordingly, it is not necessary to drive the strobe optical system 307 between the pre-light emission for ceiling distance detection and the main light emission, and it becomes possible to finish driving the strobe optical system 307 during the bounce drive, thereby measuring the distance measurement time. Can be shortened. Therefore, in step S902, the FPU 310 confirms whether or not to detect information related to the ceiling distance at the main light emission angle. When the FPU 310 detects information related to the ceiling distance with the main light emission distribution angle (YES in S902), the process proceeds to step S903. On the other hand, when the bounce drive time by the bounce circuit 340 is shorter than the drive time of the strobe optical system 307, the FPU 310 does not detect information on the ceiling distance at the main light emission angle (NO in S902). Advances to step S904.

  In step S903, the FPU 310 drives the strobe optical system 307 to the main light emission distribution angle. In step S904, the FPU 310 drives the strobe optical system 307 to a light distribution angle (intermediate light distribution angle) between the light distribution angle during pre-light emission for subject distance detection and the main light distribution angle. That is, the strobe optical system 307 is driven toward the main light distribution angle only while the bounce circuit 340 is being driven. As a result, the light emitting unit emits light at the light distribution angle when the strobe optical system 307 is stopped within the angle range between the light distribution angle during the pre-light emission for subject distance detection and the main light distribution angle. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a light distribution angle at the time of pre-light emission for ceiling distance detection set in step S904. FIG. 10A shows a case where the light distribution angle during pre-light emission for subject distance detection is greater than or equal to the main light distribution angle, and FIG. 10B shows the light distribution angle during pre-light emission for subject distance detection. Indicates a case where the light emission angle is less than the main light distribution angle. In step S904, the light distribution angle at the time of the pre-light emission for detecting the ceiling distance is set to a one-valued angle within the hatched portion shown in FIGS. 10 (a) and 10 (b). Thereby, even if the drive speed of the strobe optical system 307 is slow, the strobe optical system 307 can be efficiently driven to an appropriate position. In step S905, the FPU 310 does not drive the strobe optical system 307. This is because the light distribution fixed mode is switched in step S402 and the strobe optical system 307 has already reached the main light distribution angle in step S804. After steps S903 to 905, the FPU 310 exits this process and proceeds to step S420.

  Details of step S427 will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the process of step S427. In step S1101, the FPU 310 determines whether or not the light distribution variable mode is set. If the FPU 310 is in the light distribution variable mode (YES in S1101), the process proceeds to step S1102, and if it is not the light distribution variable mode (is in the light distribution fixed mode) (NO in S1101), the process proceeds to step S1204.

  Here, the main light emission distribution angle can be determined regardless of the focal length information stored in step S403. As the main light distribution angle, one having a good balance between the guide number and the irradiation range is suitable. Therefore, it is desirable to set the light distribution angle near the center value of the settable angle range (second information). On the other hand, the main light distribution angle may be set to a predetermined angle (second information) by the user. Therefore, in step S1102, the FPU 310 determines whether or not the current light distribution angle is the main light emission light distribution angle. If the current light distribution angle is the main light distribution angle (YES in S1102), the FPU 310 exits this process and proceeds to step S428, and if the current light distribution angle is not the main light distribution angle (S1102). NO), the process proceeds to step S1103.

  In step S1103, the FPU 310 drives the strobe optical system 307 so that the main light emission distribution angle is obtained. In step S1104, the FPU 310 is switched to the light distribution fixed mode in step S402, and since the strobe optical system 307 has already reached the main light distribution angle in step S804, the strobe optical system 307 is not driven. After steps S1103 and S1104, the FPU 310 exits this process and proceeds to step S428.

  By controlling the flash device 300 as described above, it is possible to prevent the distance measurement range from becoming too short while preventing the peripheral portion of the shooting angle of view from being unable to be measured. As a result, it is possible to appropriately automatically control light emission and main light emission during distance measurement between the subject and the reflector. In the above description, it has been described that the FPU 310 automatically controls the light irradiation direction and light distribution angle of the strobe device 300, but the light irradiation direction and light distribution angle of the strobe device 300 are determined by the CCPU 101 of the camera body 100. It may be configured to be controllable.

<Drive Control Method According to Second Embodiment of Strobe Device 300>
Next, a drive control method according to the second embodiment of the strobe device 300 when auto-bounce flash photography is performed by the imaging system 10 will be described. The first embodiment is a flow for detecting information on the ceiling distance, which is the distance to the reflecting surface of the reflector (hereinafter referred to as “reflector distance”) after detecting the information on the distance of the subject. On the other hand, the second embodiment is a flow for detecting information on the subject distance after detecting information on the reflector distance. In this case, as compared with the first embodiment, there is a possibility that the bounce drive amount increases and the drive time may be longer. However, for detecting information on the reflector distance using the bounce drive time. There is an advantage that the degree of freedom of the light distribution angle can be increased.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a flow of drive control according to the second embodiment of the strobe device 300 in auto bounce flash photography. Each process shown in FIG. 12 is realized by the FPU 310 executing a predetermined program code to control the operation of each unit of the strobe device 300. Of the various types of processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 12, the same processing as that shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 is described as such and description thereof is omitted here.

  Since each process of step S1201 to S1212 is the same as each process of step S401 to S412, description here is abbreviate | omitted. In step S1213, the FPU 310 drives the bounce circuit 340 so that the movable part 300b is directed toward the ceiling. Further, the FPU 310 drives the strobe optical system 307 to the light distribution angle of the pre-light emission for ceiling distance detection in accordance with the driving of the bounce circuit 340. Details of driving the strobe optical system 307 in step S1213 will be described later.

  In subsequent step S1214, the FPU 310 stores the angle detection results of the first bounce angle detection circuit 340a and the second bounce angle detection circuit 340c in the RAM in the FPU 310, and the movable unit 300b faces the ceiling direction based on the angle detection result. It is determined whether or not. When the movable unit 300b faces the ceiling direction (YES in S1214), the FPU 310 advances the process to step S1215. When the movable unit 300b does not face the ceiling direction (NO in S1214), the FPU 310 advances the process to step S1216. . Note that the processes in steps S1216 to S1218 are the same as the processes in steps S422 to S424, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

  In step S1215, the FPU 310 performs ceiling-distance detection pre-light emission, the reflected light from the ceiling is detected by the reflected light detection unit 308, and information on the ceiling distance is calculated based on the detected light amount. The FPU 310 stores the information regarding the calculated ceiling distance in the RAM in the FPU 310, and then advances the process to step S1219. In step S1219, the FPU 310 drives the bounce circuit 340 so that the movable part 300b is directed in the front direction. Further, the FPU 310 drives the strobe optical system 307 to the light distribution angle of the pre-light emission for subject distance detection in accordance with the driving of the bounce circuit 340. Details of driving the strobe optical system 307 in step S1219 will be described later.

  In step S1220, the FPU 310 stores the angle detection results of the first bounce angle detection circuit 340a and the second bounce angle detection circuit 340c in the RAM in the FPU 310, and the movable unit 300b faces the front direction based on the angle detection result. It is determined whether or not. The FPU 310 advances the process to step S1221 when the movable part 300b faces the front direction (YES in S1220), and advances the process to step S1222 when the movable part 300b does not face the front direction (NO in S1220). . In addition, since each process of step S1222-S1224 is the same as each process of step S416-S418, description here is abbreviate | omitted.

  In step S1221, the FPU 310 performs pre-light emission for subject distance detection, the reflected light from the subject is detected by the reflected light detection unit 308, and information on the subject distance is calculated based on the detected light amount. The FPU 310 stores information on the calculated subject distance in the RAM in the FPU 310, and then the process proceeds to step S1225. Since each process of step S1225-S1234 is the same as each process of step S425-S434, description here is abbreviate | omitted.

  Details of step S1213 will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the process in step S1213. In step S1301, the FPU 310 determines whether or not the light distribution variable mode is set. If the FPU 310 is in the variable light distribution mode (YES in S1301), the process proceeds to step S1302. If the FPU 310 is not in the variable light distribution mode (in the fixed light distribution mode) (NO in S1301), the process proceeds to step S1305. In step S1302, the FPU 310 determines whether or not the light distribution angle of the pre-light emission for subject distance detection is equal to or smaller than the main light distribution angle. When the light distribution angle of the pre-light emission for subject distance detection is equal to or smaller than the main light distribution angle (YES in S1302), the FPU 310 advances the process to step S1303. On the other hand, if the light distribution angle of the pre-light emission for subject distance detection is larger than the main light distribution angle (NO in S1302), the FPU 310 advances the process to step S1304.

  In step S <b> 1303, the FPU 310 drives the strobe optical system 307 so that the light distribution angle of the pre-light emission for ceiling distance detection becomes the focal length light distribution angle. As a result, in step S1219, the light distribution angle is the same as the light distribution angle of the pre-light emission for subject distance detection, so that the driving of the strobe optical system 307 can be omitted. In step S1304, the stroboscopic microcomputer 310 drives the stroboscopic optical system 307 so that the main light distribution angle or the light distribution angle closer to the telephoto side is obtained. As the light distribution angle in this case, the light distribution angle at the time of the main light emission may be used, or a single value light distribution angle set by the user at the light distribution angle on the telephoto side from the main light emission light distribution angle is used. Also good. As described above, by performing pre-light emission for detecting the ceiling distance on the telephoto side, the distance can be measured by increasing the guide number, so that the distance measurement range can be widened when the ceiling is high. In step S1305, the FPU 310 drives the strobe optical system 307 to the main light distribution angle based on the information switched to the light distribution fixed mode in step S1202. After steps S1303 to S1305, the FPU 310 exits this process and proceeds to step S1214.

  Details of step S1219 will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the process in step S1219. In step S1401, the FPU 310 determines whether or not the light distribution variable mode is set. If the FPU 310 is in the variable light distribution mode (YES in S1401), the process proceeds to step S1402. If the FPU 310 is not in the variable light distribution mode (in the fixed light distribution mode) (NO in S1401), the process proceeds to step S1405. In step S <b> 1402, the FPU 310 confirms whether or not to detect information related to the distance of the subject with the focal length light distribution angle. When the FPU 310 detects information related to the distance of the subject using the focal length light distribution angle (YES in S1402), the process proceeds to step S1403. On the other hand, if the FPU 310 does not detect information regarding the distance of the subject at the focal length light distribution angle based on the setting by the user or the like (NO in S1402), the process proceeds to step S1404.

  In step S1403, the FPU 310 drives the strobe optical system 307 so that the light distribution angle of the pre-light emission for subject distance detection becomes the focal length light distribution angle. Note that if the strobe optical system 307 already has a focal length light distribution angle in step S1303, step S1403 is omitted. In step S1404, the FPU 310 drives the strobe optical system 307 to the AF area light distribution angle. In step S1405, the FPU 310 is switched to the light distribution fixed mode in step S1202, and since the strobe optical system 307 has already reached the main light distribution angle in step S1305, the strobe optical system 307 is not driven. After steps S1403 to S1405, the FPU 310 exits this process and proceeds to step S1214.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the bounce drive amount increases by detecting the information on the reflector distance (ceiling distance) prior to the detection of the information on the distance of the subject, but using the drive time, The strobe optical system 307 can be driven in a wider range. Thereby, the freedom degree of the light distribution angle at the time of detecting the information regarding the distance of a reflector can be raised. Further, this embodiment is effective when the auto bounce driving is sufficiently fast. If it is desired to perform auto bounce drive in a shorter time, it is desirable to use the drive control in the first embodiment.

  As mentioned above, although preferable embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to these embodiment, A various deformation | transformation and change are possible within the range of the summary. For example, the processes in the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 and 12 may be executed in different orders as long as there is no inconvenience. In the present embodiment, the ceiling is applied to the reflector at the time of bounce shooting, but the reflector is not limited to the ceiling, and a wall that can irradiate reflected light in the direction intended by the user. It can be changed to a reflector such as a partition or curtain.

  The present invention supplies a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or apparatus read and execute the program This process can be realized. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Imaging system 100 Camera body 101 CCPU (camera microcomputer)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 102 Image pick-up element 107 Focus detection circuit 140 Attitude detection circuit 200 Lens barrel 300 Strobe apparatus 305 Discharge tube 307 Strobe optical system 308 Reflected light detection part 310 FPU (strobe microcomputer)
330 Optical system drive circuit 340 Bounce circuit 360 Attitude detection circuit

Claims (13)

An imaging system including a lens barrel, an imaging device, and an illumination device,
The lighting device includes:
A light emitting unit configured to change the irradiation direction and the light distribution angle of the light to be irradiated;
Detecting means for detecting information on the distance of the subject and information on the distance of the reflector based on reflected light when light is emitted from the light emitting unit to the subject and the reflector, respectively.
At least one of the illuminating device and the imaging device has a control unit that controls an irradiation direction and a light distribution angle of light in the light emitting unit,
The control means relates to a distance of the subject when performing bounce photography in which the subject is illuminated by irradiating light from the light emitting unit to the reflector and irradiating the subject with reflected light from the reflector. A light distribution angle of the light emitting unit when detecting information is determined based on first information based on a focal length of the lens barrel, and a light distribution angle of the light emitting unit in the main shooting of the bounce shooting is Based on the second information different from the first information, the light distribution angle of the light emitting unit when detecting information on the distance of the reflector is based on the first information or the second information. An imaging system characterized by being determined.   The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the second information is either an angle range of a light distribution angle that can be set in the light emitting unit or an angle set by a user. A posture detecting means for detecting the posture of the light emitting unit;
The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls an irradiation direction of light from the light emitting unit based on a detection result of the posture detection unit.   The control means detects a light distribution angle of the light emitting unit when detecting information about the distance of the reflector when detecting information about the distance of the reflector after detecting information about the distance of the subject. 4. The control according to claim 1, wherein the angle is controlled to a single value between a light distribution angle corresponding to a focal length of a lens barrel and a light distribution angle in the main photographing. Imaging system.   The control means changes the light distribution angle of the light emitting unit only while driving the light emitting unit so as to change the direction of light emitted from the light emitting unit from the direction toward the subject to the direction toward the reflector. The imaging system according to claim 4, wherein the imaging system is controlled to perform.   The said control means controls the light distribution angle of the said light emission part at the time of detecting the information regarding the distance of the said reflector to the same angle as the light distribution angle of the said light emission part of the said imaging | photography. The imaging system according to 4 or 5.   The control means is configured to determine a light distribution angle of the light emitting unit when detecting information about the distance of the reflector when detecting information about the distance of the subject after detecting information about the distance of the reflector. 4. The light distribution angle of the light emitting unit in photographing or the light distribution angle on the telephoto side with respect to the light distribution angle of the light emitting unit in the main photographing is controlled according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The imaging system described.   The control unit controls a light distribution angle of the light emitting unit when detecting information on the distance of the subject to a light distribution angle corresponding to focal length information of the lens barrel. 8. The imaging system according to any one of items 7.   The control means controls the light distribution angle of the light emitting unit when detecting information related to the distance of the subject to a light distribution angle that covers an area in which the imaging device can autofocus the subject. The imaging system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.   When the control unit cannot simultaneously change the irradiation direction of the light from the light emitting unit and change the light distribution angle of the light emitting unit, the control unit arranges the light emitting unit when detecting information about the distance of the subject. The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein a light angle is set to the same angle as a light distribution angle of the light emitting unit in the main photographing. A lens barrel, an imaging device, and an illuminating device are provided, and bounce photographing is performed for photographing the subject by irradiating the subject with reflected light from the reflector when light is emitted from the light emitting unit of the illuminating device to the reflector. A control method of an imaging system for automatically controlling the direction and light distribution angle of light from the light emitting unit at the time,
The light emitting unit is driven so that the direction of light emitted from the light emitting unit is directed toward the subject, and the light distribution angle when the light emitting unit emits light in order to detect information on the distance of the subject is determined by the lens barrel. Based on the first information based on the focal distance, information on the distance of the subject is detected based on the reflected light when the subject is irradiated with light at the determined light distribution angle. Steps,
The light emitting unit is driven so that the light irradiation direction from the light emitting unit is directed to the reflector, and the information regarding the distance of the reflector is changed to the second information different from the first information or the first information. Determining based on reflected light when the light is emitted from the light emitting unit to the reflector at the determined light distribution angle, and detecting information related to the distance of the reflector;
Determining an irradiation angle of light to the reflector from the light emitting unit when performing the main shooting of the bounce shooting based on information on the distance of the subject and information on the distance of the reflector;
The light emitting unit is driven so that light from the light emitting unit is irradiated to the reflector at the irradiation angle, and a light distribution angle of the light emitting unit in the main photographing is determined based on the second information. And a step of irradiating light from the light emitting unit to the reflector at the determined light distribution angle to perform the main photographing. A computer that controls a lighting device including a light emitting unit configured to change a light irradiation direction and a light distribution angle, and a sensor that detects reflected light of light emitted from the light emitting unit;
Detecting means for detecting information on the distance of the object and information on the distance of the reflector based on reflected light detected by the sensor when light is emitted from the light emitting unit to the object and the reflector, respectively.
Information on the distance of the subject is obtained when performing bounce photography in which the subject is illuminated with an imaging device by irradiating the subject with light from the light emitting unit and irradiating the subject with reflected light from the reflector. A light distribution angle of the light emitting unit at the time of detection is determined based on first information based on a focal length of a lens barrel included in the imaging device, and a light distribution angle of the light emitting unit in the main shooting of the bounce shooting Is determined based on second information different from the first information, and the light distribution angle of the light emitting unit when detecting information on the distance of the reflector is determined by the first information or the second information. A program that functions as a control unit that controls a light distribution angle of light in the light emitting unit so as to be determined based on the above. A light emitting unit configured to change the irradiation direction and the light distribution angle of the light to be irradiated;
Detection means for detecting information on the distance of the subject and information on the distance of the reflector based on reflected light when light is emitted from the light emitting unit to the subject and the reflector, respectively.
A lighting device comprising: a control means for controlling a light irradiation direction and a light distribution angle in the light emitting unit;
The control unit is configured to perform bounce shooting in which the subject is captured by an imaging device by irradiating the subject with light from the light emitting unit and irradiating the subject with reflected light from the reflector. A light distribution angle of the light emitting unit when detecting information on the distance of the light source is determined based on first information based on a focal length of a lens barrel included in the imaging device, and the light emission in the main photographing of the bounce photographing Determining the light distribution angle of the light emitting unit based on second information different from the first information, and determining the light distribution angle of the light emitting unit when detecting information on the distance of the reflector. The lighting device is determined based on the second information.