JP2018165769A - Imaging device, method for controlling the same, and control program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately obtain a light irradiation angle during bounce photography irrespective of a position of a subject in a photographing screen.SOLUTION: A strobe light 300 has a first distance measuring part that measures a distance from a camera to a distance measurement object, and a camera body 100 has a second distance measuring hand part that measures the distance from the camera to the distance measurement object. When picking up an image while determining a light irradiation angle of the strobe light on the basis of a first distance that is the distance from the camera to the ceiling, the ceiling as the distance measurement object, and a second distance that is the distance from the camera to a subject, the subject as the distance measurement object, the camera body determines whether the first distance measuring part or the second distance measuring part is used to measure the second distance according to a position of the subject on a photographing screen and a predetermined position on the photographing screen.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, a control method thereof, and a control program, and more particularly to control of an irradiation direction of light when imaging is performed by irradiating a subject with light.

  In general, so-called bounce flash photography is known, in which light is emitted from a lighting device toward a reflector such as a ceiling, and a subject is irradiated with diffusely reflected light from the reflector. In the bounce flash photography, light from the illumination device can be indirectly irradiated onto the subject, so that it is possible to draw with soft light.

  In such bounce flash photography, there is an apparatus in which an illumination angle of an illumination device (hereinafter referred to as a bounce angle) is obtained based on a distance from an imaging device to a subject and a distance from a reflector (see Patent Document 1). ).

  Furthermore, there is an imaging apparatus that obtains a distance to a subject based on a difference luminance value between a luminance value in natural light and a luminance value obtained when a lighting device is pre-lighted (see Patent Document 2).

JP-A-4-340527 JP-A-8-262528

  However, in the imaging apparatus described in Patent Document 1, spot light is projected by an LED, and the reflected light is received by a position sensor device (PSD) to obtain a distance to a subject. For this reason, there are the following problems.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the calculation of the subject distance in the conventional imaging apparatus. FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating a state where the subject is positioned at the center of the shooting screen, and FIG. 9B is a diagram illustrating a state where the subject is positioned away from the center of the shooting screen.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, a plurality of distance measuring points 1 to 3 are set on the shooting screen, and here, the light receiving range in PSD (that is, the distance measurement possible range) is only near the center of the shooting screen. . That is, the light receiving range of PSD is in the central region including the distance measuring point 2. In this case, if the subject exists in the center of the shooting screen, the subject is located in the light receiving range, and the distance to the subject can be obtained.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9B, when the subject exists out of the center of the shooting screen, the subject falls out of the light receiving range. As a result, if the subject exists off the center of the shooting screen, the distance to the subject (for example, a wall behind the subject) that is different from the subject for which the distance is desired is obtained. Therefore, the optimum bounce angle (light irradiation angle or light irradiation direction) at the time of bounce shooting cannot be obtained.

  Therefore, the present invention provides an imaging apparatus capable of accurately obtaining the light irradiation direction (bounce angle) at the time of bounce shooting regardless of the position of the subject, a control method thereof, and a control program.

  In order to achieve the above object, an imaging apparatus according to the present invention is an imaging apparatus having an illuminating device in which a light irradiation angle when illuminating a subject is variable, and an imaging device main body that captures the subject and obtains an image. The illumination device includes a first distance measuring unit that measures a distance from the imaging device to the distance measurement target, and the imaging device body includes the imaging device from the imaging device to the distance measurement target. A second distance measuring means for measuring a distance; a first distance which is a distance between the reflecting object and the imaging device; and the subject as the subject. When the imaging is performed by determining the light irradiation angle in the illumination device based on the second distance that is the distance of the imaging device, the position of the subject on the shooting screen and the position determined in advance on the shooting screen And according to the above Determination means for determining measuring a distance of the second distance by using any of the distance measuring means and the second distance measuring means, characterized in that is provided.

  According to the present invention, the light irradiation angle at the bounce shooting can be obtained with high accuracy regardless of the position of the subject on the shooting screen.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of the imaging device by embodiment of this invention with an illuminating device. It is a figure which shows an example of the contact at the time of connecting the camera main body and strobe shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the signal waveform in the contact of the strobe connection part shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the communication command transmitted to a strobe from the camera main body shown in FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the camera body shown in FIG. 1. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the strobe shown in FIG. 1. 2 is a flowchart for explaining in detail distance measurement when a front drive command is received in the strobe shown in FIG. 1. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the example about operation | movement of a camera main body in the camera by the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating calculation of the object distance in the conventional imaging device.

  Hereinafter, an example of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention together with an illumination device.

  The illustrated imaging apparatus is a so-called single-lens reflex digital camera (hereinafter simply referred to as a camera), and a lens unit 200 is detachably attached to the camera body 100. Furthermore, an illumination device (hereinafter referred to as a strobe) 300 having a variable light irradiation angle is detachably attached to the camera body 100.

  The camera body 100 is provided with a main mirror 101, and the main mirror 101 is controlled to rotate according to the operating state of the camera. For example, when observing a subject with a finder, the main mirror 101 is inserted obliquely into a photographing optical path (indicated by a one-dot chain line) and guides an optical image that has passed through the lens unit 200 to a finder optical system.

  On the other hand, at the time of shooting, the main mirror 101 is retracted from the shooting optical path, whereby an optical image that has passed through the lens unit 200 is formed on the image sensor 103. In the illustrated example, the position 101 when the main mirror 101 is arranged on the photographing optical path is indicated by a solid line, and the position 101 'when the main mirror 101 is retracted from the photographing optical path is indicated by a dotted line.

  The shutter 102 is positioned after the main mirror 101 and is used for control when an optical image that has passed through the lens unit 200 is incident on the image sensor 103. Normally, the shutter 102 is in a closed state, and is controlled to be in an open state at the time of shooting.

  The shutter 102 is controlled by the camera control unit 105 via the shutter control unit 115.

  The image sensor 103 outputs an image signal corresponding to the optical image. As the image sensor 103, for example, a CMOS sensor or a CCD sensor is used. The camera control unit 105 drives and controls a timing generator (TG) 116, drives the image sensor 103 based on a timing signal that is an output of the TG 116, and converts an optical image into an analog signal (image signal) by photoelectric conversion.

  The analog signal processing unit 104 samples and holds an analog signal output from the image sensor 103, adds an analog gain, and converts the analog signal into a digital signal by A / D conversion. The camera control unit 105 performs predetermined digital signal processing on the digital signal output from the analog signal processing unit 104 and stores the digital signal in the memory 121 as image data by the memory control unit 120.

  Specifically, the camera control unit 105 adds a digital gain to the digital signal by the digital gain unit 106. The image processing unit 107 performs predetermined digital signal processing such as pixel interpolation processing and color conversion processing on the output of the digital gain unit 106 to generate image data.

  The image display unit 119 is, for example, a monitor such as an LCD disposed on the back surface of the camera body 100, and the image display unit 119 displays images and shooting information.

  The operation unit 122 is an input unit for receiving a photographer's instruction. The operation unit 122 includes various operation buttons such as an AF (autofocus) instruction button, a shooting instruction button, an auto bounce instruction button, and an AE (automatic exposure) instruction button. Then, the operation unit 122 sends an input operation by the photographer to the camera control unit 105.

  The focus plate 109 is disposed on the primary imaging surface of the lens unit 200, and a Fresnel lens (condenser lens) is provided on the incident surface. The focus plate 109 forms an optical image (finder image) on the exit surface. The pentaprism 110 changes the finder optical path, and corrects the optical image formed on the exit surface of the focusing plate 109 to an erect image.

  When the photographer looks into the viewfinder, the diopter can be adjusted by the eyepiece 111 according to the eyes of the photographer. The photometric sensor 112 includes a photodiode (PD) corresponding to each region obtained by dividing the imaging region, and outputs the luminance for each region in the optical image formed on the exit surface of the focus plate 109 to the photometric processing unit 113. .

  For example, the AF sensor 117 outputs the defocus amount obtained by the image plane phase difference method to the camera control unit 105. The camera control unit 105 determines the lens driving amount based on the defocus amount. The camera control unit 105 drives and controls the lens unit 200 according to the lens driving amount via the communication terminal 118.

  The camera control unit 105 is a microcomputer that includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The CPU executes a program stored in the ROM to control the entire camera.

  The lens unit 200 includes a photographing lens 201. The photographing lens 201 is a lens group including, for example, a focusing lens and a zoom lens. The taking lens 201 makes an optical image (subject image) incident on the camera body 100. The lens unit 200 has a diaphragm 202 and adjusts the amount of light during photographing by adjusting the aperture diameter of the diaphragm 202.

  The lens control unit 205 controls the aperture driving unit 204 to control the aperture diameter of the aperture 202. The focus driving unit 203 adjusts the focus by displacing the position of the photographing lens 201 along the optical axis under the control of the lens control unit 205.

  The lens control unit 205 controls the entire lens unit 200. Further, the lens control unit 205 obtains the zoom position (focal length information) and distance information to the in-focus position of the photographing lens 201 based on the position of the photographing lens 201 obtained by the lens position acquisition unit 207.

  The communication terminal 206 is a terminal for the lens unit 200 to communicate with the camera body 100. The communication terminal 118 is a terminal for the camera body 100 to communicate with the lens unit 200. When the lens unit 200 is attached to the camera body 100, the communication terminals 118 and 206 are connected. That is, the lens unit 200 communicates with the camera control unit 105 via the communication terminals 206 and 118.

  As described above, the strobe 300 can be attached to and detached from the camera main body 100 and includes a main body portion and a head portion. The main body unit includes a flash control unit 301. The flash control unit 301 performs, for example, light emission control and head unit angle control.

  The head unit is provided with a light emitting unit 302, and the light emitting unit 302 emits light according to a light emission instruction from the flash control unit 301. The photometry unit 303 for distance measurement receives light reflected from the distance measurement object (subject) by the light emission of the light emitting unit 302 and measures the amount of received light. Then, the photometry unit 303 for distance measurement outputs the received light amount to the flash control unit 301. Then, the flash control unit 301 obtains the distance from the camera to the distance measurement object as the distance measurement distance based on the amount of received light.

  The head drive control unit 304 controls the light irradiation angle by driving the head unit in the horizontal and vertical directions with respect to the main body unit under the control of the flash control unit 301. Further, the head drive control unit 304 obtains the drive amount of the head unit, and outputs the relative position of the head unit to the main body unit to the flash control unit 301 according to the drive amount.

  By driving the head unit, the light emitting unit 302 and the distance measuring photometric unit 303 face each other in the direction of the distance measuring target.

  The posture detection unit 305 detects the inclination of the main body unit with respect to the rotation direction around the optical axis of the lens unit 200 with reference to the direction of gravity. The bounce angle calculation unit 306 refers to the inclination detected by the posture detection unit 305 under the control of the flash control unit 301, and is optimal based on the received light amount and the distance measurement distance obtained by the distance measurement photometry unit 303. Find the bounce angle.

  The operation unit 307 is an input unit that receives a murderer's operation. The operation unit 307 includes, for example, a light emission mode setting button, an auto bounce instruction button, and various operation buttons. The operation unit 307 outputs an input operation by the photographer to the flash control unit 301.

  The camera connection unit 308 is a connection unit between the strobe 300 and the camera body 100. The flash control unit 301 communicates with the camera control unit 105 via the camera connection unit 207 and the strobe connection unit 114.

  Here, a face detection operation using the photometric sensor 112 will be described. Here, it is assumed that the photometric sensor 112 reads, for example, a digital signal of 640 vertical pixels × 480 horizontal pixels (approximately 300,000 pixels).

  The photometric processing unit 113 performs gamma conversion and color conversion processing on the digital signal output from the photometric sensor 112 to obtain a luminance signal and a color signal. Based on the luminance signal, the photometric processing unit 113 determines whether or not a person is included in the scene based on the eye, nose, and mouth patterns. Further, when the subject is a person, the photometry processing unit 113 performs face detection for obtaining coordinate information related to the face area.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of contacts when the camera body 100 and the strobe 300 shown in FIG. 1 are connected. That is, FIG. 2 shows a contact point when connecting the camera connection unit 307 and the strobe connection unit 114.

  The camera connection unit 307 is provided with contacts Sout, Sin, and Sclk. The contact Sout is a data output terminal of the strobe 300 using clock synchronous communication, and the contact Sin is a data input terminal using clock synchronous communication. The contact Sclk is an output terminal for a clock synchronization signal.

  The strobe connection unit 114 includes contacts Cout, Cin, and Cclk. The contact Cout is a data output terminal of the camera body 100 by clock synchronous communication, and the contact Cin is a data input terminal by clock synchronous communication. The contact Cclk is an output terminal for a clock synchronization signal.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of signal waveforms at the contacts of the strobe connection unit shown in FIG.

  The camera body 100 receives data input from the contact Cin in synchronization with the rise of the clock synchronization signal that is the output of the contact Cclk. The camera body 100 transmits data from the contact Cout to the strobe 300 in synchronization with the rising edge of the clock synchronization signal that is the output of the contact Cclk.

  The section in which the clock synchronization signal, which is the output of the Cclk terminal, is at the Lo level for a predetermined period indicates a state in which the camera body 100 sets the level Lo level of the contact Cclk to wait for processing of the camera body 100 (Busy). When the communication process ends, the camera body 100 sets the level of the terminal Cclk to the Hi level.

  FIG. 3 shows a state in which the camera body 100 receives data indicated by 32HEX from the strobe 300.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication command transmitted from the camera main body 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 to the strobe 300.

  In the illustrated example, the amount of data output from the camera body 100 is preset according to the command. Here, when the command 10H is transmitted from the camera body 100 to the strobe 300, the strobe 300 recognizes a “flash mode information request”. Then, the strobe 300 transmits a mode in which the strobe 300 can emit light in the second byte of transmission data sent to the camera body 100.

  When the command 22H is transmitted from the camera body 100 to the strobe 300, the strobe 300 recognizes a “front drive command”. The strobe 300 controls the head portion to face the front (subject). Further, the strobe 300 is operated in front according to the second byte information sent from the camera body 100 (“1” means “ranging operation”, “0” means “no ranging operation”). (Subject) Performs a distance measurement operation.

  In front (subject) distance measurement, the luminance value in natural light of the front (subject) and the luminance value when the strobe 300 is pre-flashed are obtained. Then, the difference luminance value is obtained by the ranging photometry unit 303, and the front distance measurement is performed based on the difference luminance value. Since the front distance measurement is described in Patent Document 2, description thereof is omitted here.

  When the command 24H is transmitted from the camera body 100 to the strobe 300, the strobe 300 recognizes a “ceiling drive command”. The strobe 300 controls the head portion toward the ceiling of the building. Further, the strobe 300 responds to the second byte information sent from the camera body 100 (“1” means “ranging operation”, “0” means “no ranging operation”). Performs ranging operation.

  In the ceiling ranging operation, the brightness value in the natural light on the ceiling and the brightness value when the strobe 300 is pre-flashed are obtained. Then, the differential luminance value is obtained by the ranging photometry unit 303, and ceiling ranging is performed based on the differential luminance value. Since the ceiling distance measurement is also described in Patent Document 2, description thereof is omitted here.

  When the command 26H is transmitted from the camera body 100 to the strobe 300, the strobe 300 recognizes a “collective drive command”. When receiving the collective driving command, the strobe 300 performs driving for directing the head portion toward the subject and subject ranging. Subsequently, the strobe 300 performs drive and ceiling distance measurement with the head portion directed toward the ceiling. Then, based on these distance measurement results, the strobe 300 obtains the optimum bounce angle and drives the head unit to the bounce angle.

  The command 12H is a flash mode setting for changing the flash mode of the strobe 300. In the second byte of this command, the camera body 100 sets a flash mode to be set and transmits it to the strobe 300. As a result, the flash mode of the strobe 300 is changed.

  Although there are other commands in the communication commands shown in FIG. 4, description thereof is omitted here.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the camera body shown in FIG. Note that the processing according to the illustrated flowchart is performed under the control of the camera control unit 105.

  When the operation of the camera body 100 starts, the camera control unit 105 ends the regular photometry by the photometric sensor 112 (step S105).

  The steady metering is a metering for obtaining a luminance value (steady luminance value) by natural light by metering by the photometric sensor 112. Then, the camera control unit 105 updates the shutter speed and the aperture value at the time of shooting based on the steady luminance value.

  Subsequently, the camera control unit 105 determines whether or not the subject exists in the center of the shooting screen (step S101). As described above, the position of the subject is determined according to the face position obtained by the face detection. Further, the face detection information is obtained based on the output of the photometric sensor 112.

  If the subject does not exist in the center (NO in step S101), the camera control unit 105 transmits a front drive command (no ranging operation) command to the strobe 300 (step S102). Accordingly, the flash control unit 301 controls the drive of the head unit so that the head unit is directed in the front (subject) direction.

  The camera control unit 105 transmits a drive state acquisition request command to the strobe 300 and waits for the end of strobe front drive (step S103). Upon receiving the driving state acquisition request, the flash control unit 301 transmits driving state information indicating whether the head unit is being driven to the camera control unit 105. The camera control unit 105 periodically sends a drive state acquisition request to the flash control unit 301 to monitor whether the driving of the head unit is completed.

  Upon receiving the driving state information indicating that the front driving is completed, the camera control unit 105 transmits a pre-emission amount setting command to the flash control unit 301 (step S104). Further, the camera control unit 105 sends the amount of light to be actually emitted following the command.

  Subsequently, the camera control unit 105 transmits a command of a light emission permission command to the flash control unit 301 (step S105). Then, the camera control unit 105 transmits the light emission permission information (“0” for light emission disapproval, “1” for light emission permission) as “light emission permission” following the command. As a result, the camera control unit 105 notifies the flash unit 300 of permission to emit light.

  Next, the camera control unit 105 instructs the flash control unit 301 to emit light (step S106). Here, the camera control unit 105 instructs the flash control unit 301 to emit light with the Cclk terminal shown in FIG. In synchronization with the light emission instruction, the camera control unit 105 performs photometry with the photometric sensor 112 to obtain a luminance value (front pre-emission luminance value) when the strobe 300 is pre-flashed.

  Subsequently, the camera control unit 105 obtains a subject distance that is a distance from the camera to the subject based on the front pre-light emission luminance value and the above-described steady luminance value (step S107). Then, the camera control unit 105 transmits a ceiling drive command command to the flash control unit 301 (step S108). As a result, the flash control unit 301 drives and controls the head unit to direct the head unit toward the ceiling. Further, the camera control unit 105 sets and transmits information “command to measure distance” following the command (step S109).

  Thus, the flash control unit 301 performs pre-emission when the ceiling driving is completed, and the distance measurement photometry unit 303 obtains the luminance value by the pre-emission as the ceiling pre-emission luminance value. The flash control unit 301 obtains a ceiling distance, which is a distance from the camera to the ceiling (reflecting object), based on the ceiling pre-light emission luminance value and the steady luminance value acquired in advance.

  The camera control unit 105 transmits a drive state acquisition request command to the flash control unit 301 and waits for the ceiling drive to end (step S109). Upon receiving the driving state acquisition request, the flash control unit 301 transmits driving state information indicating whether the head unit is being driven to the camera control unit 105. The camera control unit 105 periodically sends a drive state acquisition request to the flash control unit 301 to monitor whether the driving of the head unit is completed.

  When the driving of the head unit is completed, the camera control unit 103 transmits the above-described subject distance to the flash control unit 301 (step S110). Then, the camera control unit 105 transmits a bounce angle drive command command to the flash control unit 301 (step S111). Accordingly, the flash control unit 301 uses the bounce angle calculation unit 306 to obtain the optimum bounce angle based on the subject distance and the ceiling distance, and drives the head unit to the bounce angle.

  In addition, since the method for obtaining the optimum bounce angle is described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, description thereof is omitted here.

  The camera control unit 105 transmits a drive state acquisition request command to the flash control unit 301 and waits for bounce angle drive completion (step S112). Upon receiving the driving state acquisition request, the flash control unit 301 transmits driving state information indicating whether the head unit is being driven to the camera control unit 105. The camera control unit 105 periodically sends a drive state acquisition request to the flash control unit 301 to monitor whether the driving of the head unit is completed.

  After the driving of the head unit is completed, the camera control unit 105 starts steady photometry with the photometric sensor 122 (step S113). Thereby, the camera control unit 105 updates the shutter speed and the aperture value at the time of shooting based on the obtained steady luminance value. Then, the camera control unit 105 ends the operation of the camera body.

  If the subject exists in the center (YES in step S101), the camera control unit 105 transmits a batch drive command command to the flash control unit 301. Accordingly, the flash control unit 301 performs front (subject) distance measurement and ceiling distance measurement by the distance measurement light measurement unit 303.

  Further, the flash control unit 301 obtains the optimum bounce angle based on the distance measurement results obtained by the front (subject) distance measurement and the ceiling distance measurement, and drives the head unit to the optimum bounce angle. The operation based on the collective drive command will be described later.

  When the collective driving is completed, that is, when the collective driving completion is received from the flash control unit 301, the camera control unit 105 proceeds to the process of step S113.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the strobe shown in FIG. Note that the processing according to the illustrated flowchart is performed under the control of the flash control unit 301.

  When the operation of the strobe 300 is started, the flash control unit 301 determines whether or not a command is received from the camera control unit 105 (step S201). If no command is received from the camera control unit 105 (NO in step S201), the flash control unit 301 stands by.

  When a command is received from the camera control unit 105 (YES in step S201), the flash control unit 301 determines whether or not the command is a front drive command (step S202). If the command is a front drive command (YES in step S202), the flash control unit 301 drives the bed unit in front (step S203). That is, the flash control unit 301 controls the drive of the head unit so that the head unit faces the front (subject).

  Subsequently, the flash control unit 301 determines whether or not a ranging driving command is received following the front driving command (step S204). If no distance measurement command is received (NO in step S204), flash control unit 301 ends the strobe operation.

  On the other hand, when a ranging command is received (YES in step S204), the flash control unit 301 performs ranging (step S205). Note that, as described above, the flash control unit 301 receives a pre-emission command from the camera control unit 105 and performs pre-emission during front driving.

  If the command is not a front drive command (NO in step S202), the flash control unit 301 determines whether the command is a ceiling drive command (step S206). If the command is a ceiling drive command (YES in step S206), flash control unit 301 drives the bed unit to the ceiling (step S207). That is, the flash control unit 301 drives and controls the head unit so that the head unit is directed to the ceiling. Thereafter, the flash control unit 301 proceeds to the process of step S205.

  When the ceiling is driven, the flash control unit 301 performs pre-light emission, and the distance measurement photometry unit 303 obtains a front pre-light emission luminance value. Then, the flash control unit 301 obtains the ceiling distance based on the front pre-light emission luminance value and the steady luminance value. Then, the flash control unit 301 ends the strobe operation.

  If the command is not a ceiling drive command (NO in step S206), the flash control unit 301 determines whether the command is a batch drive command (step S208). If the command is a batch drive command (YES in step S208), the flash control unit 301 first drives the head unit in front (step S209). Then, the flash control unit 301 performs front ranging (step S210).

  Here, the flash control unit 301 performs pre-emission, and the distance measurement photometry unit 303 obtains a front pre-emission luminance value. Thereafter, the flash control unit 301 obtains the subject distance based on the front pre-light emission luminance value and the steady luminance value.

  Subsequently, the flash control unit 301 drives the head unit on the ceiling (step S211). Then, the flash control unit 301 performs ceiling distance measurement (step S212). Here, the flash control unit 301 performs pre-light emission, and the distance measurement photometry unit 303 obtains a ceiling pre-light emission luminance value. Thereafter, the flash control unit 301 obtains the ceiling distance based on the ceiling pre-light emission luminance value and the steady luminance value.

  Next, the flash control unit 301 uses the bounce angle calculation unit 306 to obtain an optimum bounce angle based on the subject distance and the ceiling distance. Then, the flash control unit 301 drives the head unit to set the angle of the head unit to the optimum bounce angle (step S213). Thereafter, the flash control unit 301 ends the strobe operation.

  If the command is not a batch drive command (NO in step S208), the flash control unit 301 determines whether or not the command received in step S201 is a bounce angle drive command (step S214). If the command is a bounce angle drive command (YES in step S214), flash controller 301 uses bounce angle calculator 306 to determine the optimum bounce angle based on the subject distance and ceiling distance.

  Here, as the subject distance, the subject distance obtained by the distance measurement at the time of the front drive command or the subject distance sent from the camera control unit 105 in step S110 described above is used. Further, the ceiling distance obtained by the distance measurement at the time of the ceiling drive command is used as the ceiling distance. Then, the flash control unit 301 drives the head unit to set the angle of the head unit to the optimum bounce angle (step S215). Thereafter, the flash control unit 301 ends the strobe operation.

  If the command is not a bounce angle drive command (NO in step S214), the flash control unit 301 performs processing according to the content of the command received in step S201 (step S216). Then, the flash control unit 301 ends the strobe operation.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining in detail the distance measurement when the strobe shown in FIG. 1 receives a front drive command. FIG. 7 shows a process when a front drive command is received when a collective drive command is not received.

  First, the flash control unit 301 determines whether a batch drive command has been received from the camera control unit 105 (step S401). When the batch drive command is received (YES in step S401), the flash control unit 301 performs the batch drive described in FIG. 6 (step S417). Then, the flash control unit 301 ends the strobe operation.

  If the collective drive command is not received (NO in step S401), the flash control unit 301 determines whether or not a front drive command is received (step S402). If the front drive command is not received (NO in step S402), flash control unit 301 ends the strobe operation.

  When the front drive command is received (YES in step S402), the flash control unit 301 drives the head unit in front as described above (step S403). Then, the flash control unit 301 waits for reception of the strobe emission amount from the camera control unit 105 (step S404).

  When receiving the flash emission amount, the flash control unit 301 sets the flash emission amount (step S405). Then, the flash control unit 301 waits for reception of light emission permission from the camera control unit 105 (step S406).

  Upon receiving the light emission permission, the flash control unit 301 performs light emission permission setting according to the light emission permission (step S407). Then, the flash control unit 301 waits for reception of a strobe light emission signal from the camera control unit 105 (step S408).

  When the flash light emission signal is received, the flash control unit 301 performs light emission (pre-light emission) with the set flash light emission amount according to the light emission signal (step S409). Then, the flash control unit 301 waits for a ceiling drive command from the camera control unit 105 (step S410).

  As described above, the ceiling drive command includes information on “ranging operation” or “no ranging operation”. In the example shown in the figure, it is assumed that the ceiling drive command includes information on “ranging”.

  When the ceiling drive command is received, the flash control unit 301 drives the head unit according to the ceiling drive command, and directs the head unit to the ceiling (step S411). Then, the flash control unit 301 performs ceiling distance measurement as described above (step S412). Thereafter, the flash control unit 301 waits for reception of the subject distance from the camera control unit 105 (step S413).

  When the subject distance is received, the flash control unit 301 stores the subject distance in the built-in memory (step S414). Then, the flash control unit 301 waits for reception of a bounce angle drive command from the camera control unit 105 (step S415).

  When the bounce angle drive command is received, the flash control unit 301 obtains the optimum bounce angle based on the subject distance and the ceiling distance obtained by the ceiling distance measurement by the bounce angle calculation unit 306. Then, the flash control unit 301 drives the head unit according to the optimum bounce angle. Thereafter, the flash control unit 301 ends the strobe operation.

  As described above, in the first embodiment of the present invention, when measuring the subject distance, the camera control unit 105 measures using the photometric sensor 112 according to the position of the face of the subject, or the distance measuring photometric unit. 303 is used to determine whether to measure.

  For example, when the subject is not near the center of the shooting screen from the position of the face, the subject is measured using the photometric sensor 112 provided in the camera body 100. Since the photometric sensor 112 can perform photometry over the entire shooting screen, the subject distance can be accurately obtained even when the subject is not near the center of the shooting screen.

  When the subject is near the center from the face position, the subject is measured using the distance measuring photometric unit 303 provided in the strobe 300. For this reason, it is possible to perform distance measurement of the subject at high speed by reducing synchronization processing between the flash 300 and the camera body 100.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, an example of a camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The configuration of the camera according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the camera shown in FIG. The operation of the strobe 300 is the same as that described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the camera body in the camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated flowchart, the same steps as those in the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  After performing the process of step S115, the camera control unit 105 determines whether or not the AF distance measurement point set in the camera body 100 is near the center of the shooting screen (step S301). If the AF distance measuring point is near the center of the shooting screen (YES in step S301), the camera control unit 105 proceeds to the process of step S114 and sends a batch drive command to the flash control unit 301.

  On the other hand, when the AF distance measuring point is not near the center of the shooting screen (NO in step S301), the camera control unit 105 proceeds to the process of step S102 and sends a front drive command to the flash control unit 301.

  The AF distance measuring point is, for example, the position of the subject that is selected in advance by the user or determined when the AF operation is performed.

  As described above, in the second embodiment of the present invention, when the subject distance is measured, the subject distance is measured using the photometric sensor 112 according to the AF distance measuring point set in the main body 100 or for distance measurement. It is determined whether to use the photometric unit 303 for measurement.

  For example, when the AF ranging point is not near the center of the shooting screen, the subject is measured using the photometric sensor 112 provided in the camera body 100. Since the photometric sensor 112 can perform photometry over the entire shooting screen, the subject distance can be obtained accurately even when the distance measuring point is not near the center of the shooting screen.

  When the AF ranging point is near the center of the shooting screen, the subject is measured using the ranging photometry unit 303 provided in the strobe 300. For this reason, it is possible to perform distance measurement of the subject at high speed by reducing synchronization processing between the flash 300 and the camera body 100.

  In the above-described embodiment, the subject distance is obtained by the camera body 100, but the photometric result obtained by the camera body 100 may be transmitted to the strobe 300 so that the subject distance is obtained by the strobe 300. Good.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated based on embodiment, this invention is not limited to these embodiment, Various forms of the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention are also included in this invention. .

  For example, the function of the above embodiment may be used as a control method, and this control method may be executed by the camera body (imaging apparatus body) and the strobe. Further, a program having the functions of the above-described embodiments may be used as a control program, and the control program may be executed by a computer included in the camera body and the strobe. The control program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, for example.

[Other Embodiments]
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 the 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.

100 Camera body (Imaging device body)
105 Camera Control Unit 200 Lens Unit 205 Lens Control Unit 300 Illumination Device (Strobe)
301 Flash Control Unit 302 Light Emitting Unit 303 Distance Metering Unit 304 Head Drive Control Unit 306 Bounce Angle Calculation Unit

Claims (11)

An imaging device having an illumination device that can vary an irradiation angle of light when illuminating a subject, and an imaging device body that captures the subject and obtains an image,
The illumination device includes a first distance measuring unit that measures a distance from the imaging device to a distance measurement target,
The imaging apparatus main body includes a second distance measuring unit that measures a distance from the imaging apparatus to the distance measuring object;
A first distance that is a distance between the reflecting object and the imaging device when the distance measurement target is a light reflection object, and a second distance that is a distance between the subject and the imaging device when the distance measurement target is the subject. When the image is picked up by determining the light irradiation angle in the illumination device based on the first distance measuring means and the position determined in advance according to the position of the subject on the shooting screen and the position predetermined on the shooting screen An image pickup apparatus comprising: a determination unit that determines which of the second distance measurement units is used to measure the second distance.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first distance is performed by the first distance measuring unit.   The determination means determines that the second distance measurement means measures the second distance when the position of the subject on the shooting screen is out of the predetermined position. Item 3. The imaging device according to Item 1 or 2.   The illumination device receives a second distance measured by the second distance measuring means from the imaging device main body, and the first distance measured by the first distance measuring means and the first distance measured by the first distance measuring means. The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a control unit that controls the irradiation angle based on a distance of 2.   The determining means determines that the second distance is measured by the first distance measuring means when the position of the subject on the shooting screen is at the predetermined position, and the lighting device is configured to measure the first distance. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a collective driving command for measuring the distance and the second distance is transmitted.   The control means controls the irradiation angle based on the first distance and the second distance obtained by the first distance measuring means when receiving the collective driving command. 5. The imaging device according to 5.   The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the imaging apparatus main body includes detection means for detecting a position of the subject on the shooting screen.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined position is a central portion of the shooting screen.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reflector is a ceiling of a building. An imaging apparatus control method comprising: an illuminating device having a variable light irradiation angle when illuminating a subject; and an imaging device body that captures the subject and obtains an image.
The illumination device has a first distance measuring step for measuring a distance from the imaging device to a distance measuring object,
The imaging apparatus body includes a second ranging step for measuring a distance from the imaging apparatus to the ranging object;
A first distance that is a distance between the reflecting object and the imaging device when the distance measurement target is a light reflection object, and a second distance that is a distance between the subject and the imaging device when the distance measurement target is the subject. When performing imaging by determining the light irradiation angle in the illumination device based on the first distance measurement step and the first distance measurement step according to the position of the subject on the shooting screen and a predetermined position on the shooting screen And a determination step for determining which of the second distance measurement steps is used to measure the second distance. A control program used in an imaging device having an illumination device that can vary an irradiation angle of light when illuminating a subject, and an imaging device body that captures the subject and obtains an image,
Causing a computer provided in the illumination device to execute a first distance measuring step for measuring a distance from the imaging device to a distance measuring object;
A second distance measuring step for measuring a distance from the image capturing apparatus to the distance measuring object on a computer provided in the image capturing apparatus main body;
A first distance that is a distance between the reflecting object and the imaging device when the distance measurement target is a light reflection object, and a second distance that is a distance between the subject and the imaging device when the distance measurement target is the subject. When performing imaging by determining the light irradiation angle in the illumination device based on the first distance measurement step and the first distance measurement step according to the position of the subject on the shooting screen and a predetermined position on the shooting screen A determination program for determining which of the second distance measurement steps is used to measure the second distance, and a control program to be executed.

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