JP2803893B2 - camera - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to automatic step exposure shooting, that is, shooting (hereinafter referred to as “AE”) in which the exposure value is shifted for each frame.
This mode is called “B shooting” and the mode for performing the shooting is called “auto bracket mode”. In particular, in addition to the AEB shooting function, single shooting (when the release button is pressed once and the release button is Shooting mode in which the next release cannot be performed until the release is stopped, and continuous shooting (the release is performed continuously while the release button is held down, and the release is stopped only when the release button is stopped) ) Relates to a camera that is configured to be possible.

[Prior Art] Recent cameras are highly electronically controlled. For example, a camera is configured to automatically execute a shooting technique conventionally performed by a professional photographer with a single button operation. Cameras are also increasing.

The camera manufactured and sold by the present applicant is also one of such highly electronically controlled cameras, and has a well-known AEB photographing function.

The AEB shooting function is, for example, a function of continuously and automatically performing shooting with an appropriate exposure value, shooting with overexposure, and shooting with underexposure in this order.

2. Description of the Related Art Known AEB photographing apparatuses include the following two types of operation systems, and these two types of apparatuses are separately mounted for each camera model.

The first AEB device is of an operation type in which the set number of images is continuously shot with a single release button operation even in the single shooting mode at the time of AEB shooting, and the second AEB device is in the continuous shooting mode. Is an operation type in which shutter operation is performed only while the release button is pressed and AEB shooting is performed continuously only during this time.In single shooting mode, release the release button once and press again to advance to the next AEB exposure That is.

Conventionally, the AEB device of the first operation type and the AEB device of the second operation type have not been mounted on the same camera.

On the other hand, the conventional camera has a single shooting mode (a shooting mode in which once the release button is pressed and the shutter is released, the next release cannot be performed until the release button is stopped) and a continuous shooting mode (the release button). The release is continuously performed only while the shutter release button is kept pressed, and the release is stopped only when the release button is stopped.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Two types of known cameras having an AEB photographing function have the following problems.

In general, when taking AEB shots of static objects such as landscapes, it is easier to use AEB exposure for a set number of shots continuously with a single release, but on the contrary, when taking a AEB shot of a moving object, the release button is used. If the shutter is released only while the button is pressed, it is easier to use and it is easier to catch a photo opportunity. This is because if the AEB exposure is performed continuously for a set number of times with a single release while shooting a moving object, a good shutter chance appears during the AEB exposure and the shutter cannot be released even if you want to release it. This is because you miss a chance.

That is, the above-mentioned known first type camera (first AE)
The camera having the B shooting function is suitable for AEB shooting of a still subject, but is not suitable for AEB shooting of a moving subject. 2
Camera having an AEB photographing function) is suitable for photographing a moving subject, but is inconvenient when photographing a static subject.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is easy to use both when AEB photographing a static body and AEB photographing a moving object,
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved camera that can take a photograph with an optimal exposure without missing a photo opportunity at the time of shooting.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the camera according to the present invention operates in an auto bracket mode in which an exposure value is shifted for each frame and an image is taken. A first mode in which shooting is performed in the auto bracket mode continuously for a predetermined number of frames even after the operation is released, and a second mode in which shooting is performed in the auto bracket mode only while the operation member is being operated. In the case of single shooting in which shooting is performed for each operation of the operation member, the first mode is selected, and in the case of continuous shooting in which shooting is performed while the operation member is operated, A selection means for selecting the second mode is provided. That is, since the camera of the present invention is equipped with means for selectively performing the single-shot AEB shooting function and the continuous-shot AEB shooting function, the camera can be used both for AEB shooting of a still subject and for AEB shooting of a moving subject. Becomes

[Operation] In the camera according to the present invention, in the case of single shooting in which shooting is performed for each operation of the shooting operation member, if the shooting operation member is operated, the AEB is continuously performed for a predetermined number of frames even if the operation is subsequently canceled. Select the first mode for shooting and select the second mode for continuous AEB shooting while the shooting operation member is operated during continuous shooting where shooting is performed while the shooting operation unit is operated Acts to be.

[Embodiment] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the electrical configuration of the camera according to the present invention.

In FIG. 2, 1 is a microcomputer for controlling the operation of the entire camera, 2 is a lens motor control circuit for controlling an optical system drive motor (lens drive motor and aperture blade drive motor) in the lens barrel, 3 is a liquid crystal display circuit for driving the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal display device of the camera, 4 is a switch sense circuit for detecting the state of various detection switches,
Reference numeral 5 denotes a strobe light emission dimming control circuit for controlling a strobe device; 6, a focus detection circuit for detecting a focus of a photographing lens;
Is a photometric circuit having a built-in photometric element, 8 is a shutter control circuit that controls the drive of the shutter, 9 is a feed motor control circuit that controls a film feed motor, SW1 is a switch that starts the operation of the camera, SW2 Is a switch that is turned on in conjunction with the release of the release button, the X contact is a switch that turns on when the front curtain of the shutter has finished running,
It is.

The double line drawn between the microcomputer 1 and each circuit is a serial data bus DBUS provided between the input / output port of the microcomputer 1 and each circuit, and the microcomputer is connected via the data bus DBUS. 1 and each circuit perform data communication. Also, the control signals for controlling each circuit by the microcomputer 1 are drawn between the microcomputer 1 and each circuit by a two-dot chain line.

The motor control circuit 2 in the lens performs serial communication with the microcomputer 1 via the data bus DBUS while receiving the LCOM signal from the microcomputer 1.
The motor drive information is received by serial communication, and the motor in the lens barrel is driven and controlled by the information. At the same time, various information (focal length etc.) of the lens is transmitted to the microcomputer 1 by serial communication.

The liquid crystal display circuit 3 is a circuit for driving a liquid crystal display (not shown) for notifying a photographer of each photographing information of the camera, for example, shutter speed, aperture value, ISO sensitivity, number of films, and the like. 3 is a data bus DBU while receiving the DPCOM signal from the microcomputer 1.
Serial communication with the microcomputer 1 is performed via S. The display data is received by serial communication, and the liquid crystal display is driven according to the data.

The switch sense circuit 4 is a circuit for reading the state of a switch for setting each photographing condition and the state of the camera by the photographer and sending the read state to the microcomputer 1. The switch data is sent to the microcomputer 1 by serial communication via the bus DBUS.

The strobe light control circuit 5 controls the strobe light and TTL
This circuit controls the light emission stop function by dimming. The circuit 5 performs serial communication with the microcomputer 1 via the data bus DBUS while receiving the STCOM signal from the microcomputer 1, and receives data related to strobe control. And various controls for the strobe device.

The focus detection circuit 6 is a line sensor for performing AF by the existing phase difference detection method and a circuit unit for storing and reading out the information. The focus detection circuit 6 is controlled by the microcomputer 1.

The photometric circuit 7 performs photometry of the subject, and sends a photometric output to the microcomputer under the control of the microcomputer 1. The microcomputer 1 performs A / D conversion of the sent photometric output and uses it for setting exposure conditions (aperture, shutter speed).

The shutter control circuit 8 controls the running of a shutter front curtain and a rear curtain (not shown) according to a control signal of the microcomputer 1.

The feeding circuit 9 feeds (winds up and rewinds) the film according to a control signal from the microcomputer 1.

The switch SW1 is a switch linked to a button for starting the operation of the camera. When the microcomputer 1 recognizes that the switch SW1 is turned on, the microcomputer 1 starts photometry, distance measurement, and display.

Switch SW2 is linked with the camera's release button.
When the microcomputer 1 recognizes that W2 has been turned on, the exposure operation starts.

X contact turns ON when the front curtain of the shutter runs.
Then, it serves to notify the flash light emission dimming control circuit 5 of the flash light emission timing.

Next, the operation of the camera of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 1 and FIGS. 3 to 5.

(101): First, with the power supply connected to the microcomputer 1, the switch SW1 is OFF or ON.
It is determined whether it is in the state. Here, switch SW1 is OFF
If the switch is in the ON state, the power is turned off. If the switch SW1 is in the ON state, the process proceeds to (102) to perform photometry and distance measurement.

(102): Photometry / distance measurement and calculation (103): After the photometry / distance measurement, it is determined whether the switch SW2 is OFF or ON. Switch SW2 is O
In the FF state, the ON / OFF determination of the switch SW1 of (104) is performed, and when the switch SW2 is in the ON state, the process proceeds to the release sequence of (105) and thereafter.

(104): When the switch SW2 is in the OFF state in the ON / OFF determination of the switch SW2 in (103), it is determined whether the switch SW1 is in the OFF state or the ON state. If the switch SW1 is OFF, turn off the power. If the switch SW1 is ON, (10
2) Return to photometry and distance measurement.

(105): For the proper value (aperture value / shutter speed value for obtaining proper exposure) calculated by photometry in (102),
Set the aperture value and shutter speed value in consideration of the correction amount set in AEB. FIG. 3 shows an example 1 in which three images including an appropriate AEB correction are set at ± 1 step and three images are taken. FIG. 4 shows an example 2 in which the AEB correction is performed in one stage and only the under side is corrected, and four images including proper ones are taken. In the case of Example 1 shown in FIG. 3, <−1>, <proper>, <+1>, <−1>, <proper>, <+1>, <−1>, etc. are continued until the AEB is released. . In the case of Example 2 shown in FIG. 4, <proper>, <−
1>, <-2>, <-3>, <proper>, <-1>, <-
2>, <-3>, <proper> are repeated until the AEB is released. Note that <proper> is an exposure value based on a photometric value obtained by the latest photometry.

(106): Exposure is performed with the aperture value and shutter speed value determined in (105).

(107): Here, the feeding mode is a single shooting mode (a mode in which the next release cannot be performed until the release button is released once the release button is pressed and the relay is released) or a continuous shooting mode (the release button is kept pressed). Release the release button for the first time, then release the release button to determine if it is in the release mode). In the continuous shooting mode, return to the initial (101). In the single shooting mode, release the AEB with one release. The process proceeds to (108) so that AEB exposure is continuously performed for the number of sheets.

(108): The number of AEBs is decremented. AEB here
The number of sheets is 3 for proper and over-under 1 each, 5 for proper and over-under 2 each, 7 for proper and over-under 3 each, and so on. Also,
It is also conceivable that the number of appropriate and over or under one is 2, the number of appropriate and over or under 2 is 3, the number of appropriate and over or under 3 is 4, and so on.

(109): It is determined whether the number of AEBs is 0 or not 0. If the number of AEBs is 0, the release sequence is completed and the process returns to the beginning (101). )
Exposure, and continue AEB shooting.

The table in FIG. 5 shows that the feeding mode is a single shooting mode (a mode in which the next release cannot be performed until the release button is released after the release button is released once the release button is pressed), and a continuous shooting mode (in which the release button is kept pressed). It shows how the AEB processing differs depending on whether the switch SW2 (release button) is ON or OFF when the release is continued while the release button is released and the release stops only when the release button is released. .

From the table, it can be seen that when the feed mode is continuous shooting, the shutter can be released by turning on the switch SW2, and it is strong in photo opportunity. The AEB processing at this time is as shown in the table. Next, when the feed mode is the single shooting mode, when the release is started by turning on the switch SW2, the switch SW2 is turned on until the AEB number of images is shot.
The camera cannot be released where you want to shoot even if you turn on the camera, but AEB exposure is performed continuously for the set number of images with one release.
It can be seen that the trouble of pressing and holding the release button during AEB shooting of a still body is eliminated.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, in the camera according to the present invention, when a still subject is shot by AEB, the single-shot mode is selected, so that the release button needs to be operated only once by one shot. When the moving subject is to be AEB-photographed, the continuous shooting mode is selected, so that the AEB is performed only while the release button is pressed. Therefore, with the camera of the present invention, not only the operation for performing AEB photographing of a still subject is simple, but also a photograph with a proper exposure can be taken without missing a photo opportunity during AEB photographing of a moving subject.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a characteristic operation of the camera of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an electric configuration of the camera of the present invention, and FIGS. 3 and 4 show photographing conditions in the case of AEB photographing. FIG. 5 shows a switch in the camera of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a relationship between SW2 and AEB shooting. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... microcomputer 2 ... lens motor control circuit 3 ... liquid crystal display circuit 4 ... switch sense circuit 5 ... strobe light emission dimming control circuit 6 ... focus detection circuit 7 ... photometry circuit 8 ... Shutter control circuit 9: Feed motor control circuit

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] An auto-bracket mode in which an exposure value is shifted for each frame to take a picture, and when a photographing operation member is operated, a predetermined number of frames continue continuously even if the operation is canceled thereafter. A first mode in which shooting is performed in the auto bracket mode, and a second mode in which shooting is performed in the auto bracket mode only while the operation member is being operated, and shooting is performed for each operation of the operation member. In the case of single shooting, the first mode is selected, and in the case of continuous shooting in which shooting is performed while the operation member is being operated, a selection means for selecting the second mode is provided. Camera.