JP3076632B2 - camera - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera configured to prohibit a release when a built-in flash is not fully charged when flash photography is selected.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a camera having a built-in flash, when flash photography is selected, there is a type in which a release is prohibited while charging of the built-in flash is not completed (unfilled). . In this type of camera, there is a camera to which an external flash can be attached via an accessory shoe in addition to the built-in flash.

However, in this camera, even if the external flash is fully charged, the camera cannot be released if the built-in flash is being charged (not fully charged). May occur.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a camera capable of taking a picture with an external flash even when the internal flash is not yet completed.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a built-in flash, an external flash mounting means capable of mounting an external flash, a flash shooting detecting means for detecting that flash shooting has been selected, and detecting completion of charging of the built-in flash. In a camera having built-in charging completion detecting means and release prohibiting means for prohibiting release while the built-in charging completion detecting means does not detect charging completion, external charging completion detecting detecting charging completion of the external flash. Means, when the flash photography detecting means detects the selection of flash photography, and when the external charging completion detecting means detects the completion of charging, the release inhibiting means is activated regardless of the detection result of the built-in charging completion detecting means. Release prohibition releasing means for releasing.

[0006]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below based on illustrated embodiments. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a control device of the camera. In the present embodiment, the camera will be described as a single-lens reflex camera, but the present invention is naturally applicable not only to this single-lens reflex camera but also to other types of cameras. The camera-side microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) 11 includes a timer counter (timer counting means) 32 for counting a predetermined time after the release switch 28 is turned on, a control unit 33, and a calculation unit 34.
An exposure control circuit 12, a photometry circuit 13, an A / D converter 14, a TTL integration circuit 17 with a built- in comparator, a D / A conversion circuit 1
8, film sensitivity setting device 20, camera side microcomputer 11
, A DC / DC converter 21 for supplying power, a transistor 35, and a display LCD 22 are connected.
The display LCD 22 displays the result of digital communication with the lens microcomputer 19 and the like by the communication executing means (not shown).
With the currently mounted shooting lens, the built-in flash 50
When it is determined that the photographing by the light emission is inappropriate, a warning is displayed.

The camera microcomputer 11 further includes a built-in flash 50 having a built-in flash circuit 23 and a xenon tube 24, a photometric switch 27, a release switch 28,
The self-timer mode switch 29 for detecting that the self-timer mode shooting is selected, the pop-up switch 30, the main switch 31, and the running completion of the front curtain (X
A shutter detection switch 26 for detecting a contact ON) and outputting a fully open signal is connected.

The lens mount LM of the taking lens 36 having the lens microcomputer 19 is joined to the body mount BM of the camera. The lens microcomputer 19 performs digital communication with the camera microcomputer 11 via a contact provided on the lens mount LM. Through this digital communication, various types of lens data, for example, data on the focal length of the taking lens and data on whether or not the lens is capable of taking a built-in flash image are transferred to the camera microcomputer 1.
Tell 1 An external flash 38 is mounted on an accessory shoe (external flash mounting means) 37 of the camera, and the camera-side microcomputer 11 and the flash-side microcomputer 42
And digital communication is carried out, the mounting form of the external flash
Flash information such as status, charging status, and guide number
It sent ra microcomputer 11. This external flash 3
An external flash firing trigger circuit 40 (FIG. 2) is interposed between the microcomputer 8 and the microcomputer 11 on the camera side. The external flash light emission trigger circuit 40 includes a shutter detection switch 2
The light emission signal is output to the external flash 38 based on the fully open signal of No. 6.

In the camera-side microcomputer 11 or a port of the microcomputer 11, charging start means (not shown), built-in charge completion detection means, external charge completion detection means, communication execution means, photographing availability determination means, warning means, Flash photographing detecting means, release prohibiting means, release prohibiting canceling means, flash mode photographing detecting means, self-timer mode photographing detecting means, timer extending means, and external flash detecting means are built in or connected.

The charging start means starts charging the internal flash 50 and the external flash 38. The built-in side charging completion detecting means detects completion of charging of the built-in flash 50. The external charging completion detecting means detects the completion of charging of the external flash 38. The communication execution means causes digital communication between the camera-side microcomputer 11 and the lens-side microcomputer 19 or the flash-side microcomputer 42 irrespective of whether or not the built-in charge completion detection means detects the charge completion of the built-in flash 50. The photographing availability determination unit determines whether photographing by emission of the built-in flash 50 is appropriate as a result of the digital communication by the communication execution unit. The warning means, when the photographing permission / non-permission determining means determines that photographing by the built-in flash 50 is inappropriate, displays the result as a display LC.
D22 is displayed.

The flash photography detecting means detects that flash photography has been selected. Release prohibition means
The release is prohibited while the built-in side charging completion detecting means does not detect the completion of charging of the built-in flash 50. The release prohibition canceling means is provided by the release prohibiting means when the flash photography detecting means detects the selection of flash photography and the external charging completion detecting means detects the completion of charging, regardless of the detection result of the built-in charging completion detecting means. Release the release prohibition. The release prohibiting means cancels the release prohibition by the release prohibiting means when the internal charging completion detecting means detects the completion of charging of the built-in flash 50 after the elapse of the charging extension time set by the timer extending means.

The flash mode photographing detecting means detects that the flash mode photographing has been selected. When the release switch is turned on in a state where the self-timer mode shooting detecting means detects the selection of the self-timer mode shooting and the built-in charging completion detecting means does not detect the completion of charging of the built-in flash, the timer extending means is provided. The charge extension time is set in the counter 32. The external flash detection means detects that an external flash having a microcomputer is mounted.

A built-in flash emission trigger circuit 41 is provided between the built-in flash circuit 23 and the microcomputer 11 on the camera side.
(FIG. 2) is interposed. The built-in flash light emission trigger circuit 41 outputs a light emission signal to the built-in flash 50 based on a fully opened signal of the shutter detection switch 26.
The built-in flash emission trigger circuit 41 outputs a flash signal to the built-in flash 50 for a predetermined time from the output of the flash signal to the external flash when the external flash detection means detects that the external flash having the microcomputer is mounted. There is a light emission signal delay means for delaying and outputting.

In the figure, 15 is a light receiving element, 16 is a TTL light receiving element, P ₆ is a port for a flash trigger signal, P ₇ is a port for a charging signal, P ₈ is a port for switching a check voltage ( CHK terminal), P ₉ port for charge completion signal (RIF terminal), P ₁₁ is a port for a TTL comparator signal. The external flash 38 includes an external flash circuit 51,
And an external flash power supply 32a and a xenon tube 33a connected to the external flash circuit 51.
The external flash circuit 51 includes a flash microcomputer 42, a light emission trigger circuit 43, and an external flash light emission circuit 45, as shown in FIG. Although not shown, the built-in flash circuit 23 and the external flash circuit 5
1 has the built-in side charge completion detecting means and the external side charge completion detecting means, respectively.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a VDD OFF loop performed until the main switch 31 is turned on. First, in a routine starting with a label "RESET", in step S1, the stack pointer is initialized. In S2, RAM
And reset processing such as clearing all data in the ports, setting input / output of ports, and setting special registers.

In the routine starting with the label "SW1CHK", the stack pointer is initialized and the switch process is executed (S3, S4). In S5, the display L
An LCD display process for displaying flash-related information on the CD 22 is executed. In S6, it is determined whether or not the photometry switch 27 has been turned ON. If the photometry switch 27 has been turned ON, the process proceeds to S7, and if not, the process proceeds to S8. In S8, it is determined whether or not the release switch 28 has been turned on. If the release switch 28 has been turned on, the process proceeds to S7; otherwise, the process proceeds to S9.

In S9, a subroutine starting with a label "CHRGSUB (charge sub)" is called to execute a charge check process. In S10, it is determined whether or not the built-in flash 50 and the external flash 38 are being charged. If the flash is being charged, the process returns to the label of "SW1CHK".
F). In S12, the timer interrupt is enabled, and in S1
In 3, the power down process is executed, and in S14, the timer interrupt process is executed. In S13, the high-speed clock is stopped to lower the power, and in S14, the high-speed clock is re-oscillated. In S15, the interruption of the timer is prohibited.

In S7, it is determined whether or not the power hold (VDD) is turned on. If it is turned on, the process jumps to S19. If not, the process goes to S16 to turn on the power hold (VDD is turned on). . In S17, VDD is turned on (D
After the power supply of the C / DC converter 21), the wait is performed until the peripheral circuits are reset and stabilized. In S18 ,
Performing battery checking processing to check the power storage amount of the battery-. In S19, the AE calculation data for calculating the Tv value and the Av value and the data for sequence control are stored in the EEPROM connected to the camera-side microcomputer 11.
(Not shown). In S20, mount pin information, LROM information stored in the lens ROM of the lens microcomputer 19 of the photographing lens 36, and the like are input, and in S21,
Then, patrone information such as the number of films and film sensitivity is input.

The main routine will be described with reference to FIG. First, in S22, the power hold timer is set to 10 seconds. In S113, a recheck flag is set.
In 3, the interval timer is initialized to about 128 ms, and the routine proceeds to a routine starting with a label "VDD LP". In S24, the state of the shutter detection switch 26, the photometry switch 27, the release switch 28, the self-timer mode switch 29, the pop-up switch 30, the main switch 31 and the like are checked. In S25, the data of the photographing lens 36, that is, the focal length data Alternatively, data such as whether or not the lens is capable of built-in flash shooting is fetched, and whether or not built-in flash shooting is possible with the currently mounted shooting lens is determined by the shooting availability determination unit. In S26, the built-in flash 50,
Flash data is input from the external flash 38.
In S27, a subroutine starting with a label of "CHRGSUB" is called to execute a charge check process.

In S28, it is determined whether or not the internal flash 50 and the external flash 38 are still charged. The internal flash 50 and the external flash 38 are detected by the internal charge completion detecting means or the external charge completion detecting means.
If the completion of charging is detected, the process proceeds to S29, and the Bv value is changed to A /
A process for performing D conversion is performed. If charging is still being performed in S28, the process jumps to S30.

In S30, a process for inputting patrone information such as the presence / absence of a film and sensitivity is executed. In S31, an AE operation for calculating an Av value and a Tv value is executed.
In step S32, the information related to the flash and the like is displayed on the display LCD2.
2 to execute an LCD display process. That is, as a result of performing digital communication between the camera microcomputer 11 and the lens microcomputer 19, in S 25, it is determined whether or not the photographing lens, such as a telephoto camera, which is out of the irradiation angle that can be covered by the built-in flash 50 is photographed. When the determination means makes a determination, the warning display is displayed on the display LCD 22 by the warning means. Therefore, the photographer can see from this display that he or she cannot obtain the expected photograph with the currently mounted lens. It is possible to appropriately determine whether or not to release the shutter as it is. The warning display on the display LCD 22 is because the camera of this embodiment causes the communication execution means to execute digital communication between the camera microcomputer 11 and the lens microcomputer 19 even while the built-in flash 50 is being charged. .

In S33, the camera performs an operation based on the flash data input in S26, and outputs the data. In S34, the label “RLZCH K”
, A release check process is executed by calling a routine (FIG. 7) that starts with.
If it is an interval, proceed to S36; otherwise, S
Return to 34. In S36, a count process of the power hold timer is executed. In S37, it is determined whether or not the count process is completed.
Repeat the label "P", otherwise, "SW1CH
Go to the routine starting with the label "K".

The subroutine "CH" called in S27
RGSUB "is shown in Fig. 11 to Fig. 13. In S72, it is determined whether or not the battery has reached a lock voltage (a voltage at which the camera operation should be locked) due to exhaustion or the like. The process proceeds to a routine beginning with the label "CHRGEND (charge end)" as the voltage level to be made, and the charging process is not performed.If the voltage exceeds the lock voltage, the process proceeds to S73.

In S73, the pop-up switch 30 is
It is determined whether or not it is turned on. If it is not turned on, it means that the built-in flash 50 has not been popped up, so the process proceeds to S74, the pop-up flag is cleared, the charging NG flag is cleared, and charging is completed. Clear the flag and proceed to the routine beginning with the label "CHRGEND". In S73, the pop-up switch 3
If "0" is turned on, the process proceeds to S75, and the pop-up flag is determined. Here, it is checked whether the built-in flash 50 has been raised for the first time or whether it has already been raised and is being charged.

In S76, it is determined whether or not the charging flag is set. If it is set to "1", it is determined that charging is being performed.
Proceeding to 7, the charging of the built-in flash 50 is started by the charging start means. In S88, a subroutine starting with the label "RIFCHK" is called to check whether charging is completed. In S89, it is determined whether or not the charging time is exceeded. If the time is not over, the process returns. If the time is over, the process proceeds to S90.
A charge completion flag is determined. If the charging has been completed in the 270 V mode, the charging completion flag is standing at "1", so that the routine jumps to a routine starting with "CHRGEND". If the charging completion flag is set to "0" in S90, it is determined that charging has not been completed, and the charging NG flag is set in S91.

In S92, the "charging flag" is determined, and
If it is set to "0" and charging is completed, the process jumps to S94. If it is set to "1" and charging is being performed, the process proceeds to S93. S
In 93, the charging is turned off and the battery is considerably used for charging. Therefore, if another process is started immediately after the charging is turned off, a malfunction may occur. The power hold timer is set to 0 seconds so that the DC converter 21 is turned off. In S94, 3
The 30V check mode is executed, and in S95, the charging flag is cleared, and the routine returns.

If the charging flag is "0" in S76, the flow advances to S78 to determine a recheck flag requesting a recheck. If the recheck flag is "0", jump to the routine starting with the label "CHRGEND",
If "1", the process proceeds to S79, where the pop-up flag is cleared and the recheck flag is cleared. In S80, the charge NG flag is determined, and the charge NG flag is set to "1".
If it is, the process proceeds to a routine starting with a label of "CHRGEND", and if "0", the process proceeds to S81 to execute the 270 V check mode. In this mode , if the flash is 270 V or more on display, it means that charging has been completed and release of release is released and release is possible. If the voltage is up to 330 V specified as the guide No., no further charging is performed. In S82, a subroutine "RIFCHK" is called to execute a charge check process.
So, to clear the charge completion flag, in S 85, performs a check processing of the battery, in S86, to set the charging flag, in S87, and then returns set maximum charging time in 8 seconds.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show that "RLZCHK"
In step S38, it is determined whether or not the release switch 28 has been turned on. If the release switch 28 has been turned on, the process proceeds to step S39, and if not, the process returns. The pop-up switch 30 is turned on,
Check OFF. If it is ON, the process proceeds to S40, and if not, the process jumps to a routine starting with a label of "release process".

In S40, it is determined whether or not the charging of the external flash 38 has been completed. If the completion of charging of the external flash 38 has been detected by the external charging completion detecting means, the process proceeds to S4.
3 jumps to, stop the charging to <br/> locked against the inner built-in flash 50. Here, the release prohibiting means, which has been prohibiting the release for filling the built-in flash 50, is released by the release prohibition releasing means, and the routine proceeds to a routine starting with a label "release processing".

In S40, if the completion of charging of the external flash 38 is not detected by the external charging completion detecting means, the process proceeds to S41, and it is determined whether or not the charging of the built-in flash 50 has been completed. As a result, the process proceeds to S43 if the charge completion is detected in the built-in flash 50 by internal side charge completion detecting means, the charging of the built flash 50 <br/> stopped in the same manner as described above by releasing the release prohibition "release Proceed to the routine beginning with the label "Process". That is,
In a state where the external flash 38 mounted, when either one of the external flash 38 and the built-in flash 50 is charge completion, by terminating the charging of the internal flag Mesh 5 0 and treated as a possible flash photography.

In S41, if the built-in charging completion detecting means does not detect the completion of charging of the built-in flash 50, neither the built-in flash 50 nor the external flash 38 is fully charged. And return.

In S44, the Bv value immediately before the release is changed to A /
The D-conversion processing is executed, and in S114, the AE operation is executed, the movable mirror is raised, the aperture control is started, the shutter first curtain is started, and the counting of the shutter speed is started (S44 to S47). . S
At 48, the light emission check of the external flash 38 and the built-in flash 50 is executed. At S49, it is determined whether or not the set shutter time has elapsed. If not, S48 is repeated, and if it has elapsed, the process proceeds to S50. , The rear curtain of the shutter is started, and in S51, a time is waited for the traveling of the rear curtain. In S52, a winding process of the movable mirror and the film is executed, and in S53, a battery check process is executed.

The routine starting with the label "SELF" will be described with reference to FIGS. This routine relates to control when the release switch 28 is turned on and self-timer shooting is started. As initialization processing,
The extension number of the self-timer is set, and the initial value of the timer is set to, for example, 12 seconds (S54, S55). S56
Then, the counting by the timer counter 32 is started. In S57, necessary switch data is input in order to check whether or not the self-timer mode has been canceled. In S58, the lens microcomputer 1 of the photographing lens 36
9 is input by digital communication executed by the communication executing means, and in S59,
External flash data stored in the flash-side microcomputer 42 of the external flash 38 is input by digital communication. In S60, the charging status of the built-in flash 50 and the external flash 38 is checked.

In S61, it is determined whether the built-in flash 50 and the external flash 38 are being charged. If the battery is being charged, the "Bv A / D conversion" in S62 is skipped to prevent the analog processing from being executed.
Proceed to 3. If the battery is not being charged, the process proceeds to step S62 and “Bv A
/ D conversion ”. In S63, the arithmetic unit executes AE arithmetic processing in the arithmetic unit and proceeds to S64.

In S64, it is determined whether or not the self-timer mode is being set. If the self-timer mode is being set, the process proceeds to S65, otherwise returns. In S65, it is determined whether the time set in S55, for example, 12 seconds has elapsed,
If it has elapsed, the process proceeds to S66, otherwise, S57.
And the process is repeated. In step S66, the flash mode photographing detecting means sets the O switch of the pop-up switch 30 to check whether the built-in flash photographing mode has been set.
By checking N and OFF, it is determined whether the built-in flash 50 has popped up. Built-in flash 50
If the is popped up, the flow proceeds to S67, and if not, the flow proceeds to a routine starting with a label of "release processing".

In S67, it is determined whether or not the built-in flash 50 has been completed. If the internal flash 50 has been completed, the process proceeds to a "release process". Otherwise, the process proceeds to S68. In S68, it is determined whether or not the external flash 38 has been completed. If the external flash 38 has been completed, the process proceeds to the "release process"; otherwise, the process proceeds to S69. In S69, it is determined whether or not the number of extensions of the extension time set by the timer extension means in S54 has reached the number limit. If the number of times has reached the number limit, the process proceeds to "release processing"; Then, the number of extensions is counted as +1 and the timer extension time is set in S71, and the loop from S56 is repeated.

Referring to FIG. 14, control at the time of charging completion check is performed.
The routine will be described. "RIFCHK" label
The routine that starts with is a loop time of 95 ms in S96.
(Wait time) is set in the timer counter 32,
In S97, a 5 ms wait is performed. In S98, it is determined whether or not RIF = 0, and if RIF is “0”, the flow proceeds to S99.
If not, jump to S102. RIF and
Is the RIF terminal, that is, P in FIG. ₉ Terminal.
Of “H (high)” and “L (low)”Detect Do
Then, the state of charge is grasped. "270V mode
"" And "3" 30V mode " ₈ CHK terminal
"H (high)", "L ( Low) by switching
Can be switched.In S99, it becomes 330V mode
It is determined whether or not it is
If so, proceed to S100 to perform a nesting 1 level cut.
Execute and exit to "CHRGEND". S99
Is determined to be 270V mode instead of 330V mode.
If so, proceed to S101 and switch to the 330V mode
To set the charging completion flag. End of 95ms loop
To determine if the loop has been terminated.
If the loop is repeated from S97, the loop is terminated.
Count down the charging time
(S103).

Referring to FIG. 15, a control routine for flash photography will be described. Routine that begins with the label of "TRIGCHK (trigger check)", the light-emitting check processing
It is called in (FIG. 8), and in S104, it is determined whether or not the ON of the X contact by the shutter detection switch 26 is the first time. If it is the first time, proceed to S105, otherwise return. In S105, the TTL integration circuit 17
Is started, and in S106,
The external flash light emission trigger circuit 40 outputs a light emission signal (trigger signal) to the external flash 38 based on the fully opened signal of the shutter detection switch 26. The built-in flash light emission trigger circuit 41 outputs a light emission signal to the built-in flash 50 to the external flash 38 by the light emission signal delay means.
From the output of the light-emitting signal for a certain time.

In S108, it is determined whether or not it is time to fire the built-in flash 50. If NO, the process returns. If YES, the built-in flash firing trigger circuit 41 outputs a light-emitting signal (trigger signal) to output the light. The flash 50 is fired, and quench is permitted in S110,
In S111, the charge completion flag of the built-in flash 50 is cleared. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3A, the light emission waveform (a) of the external flash having the microcomputer is delayed with respect to the light emission waveform (b) of the built-in flash. When the quench was applied, the external flash could not emit light. However, according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3B, the external flash light emission waveform (a) and the internal flash light emission waveform (b) were used. The external flash 38
And the light emission of the built-in flash 50 can be performed almost simultaneously.

[0040]

As described above, according to the camera of the present invention, the external-side charging completion detecting means for detecting the completion of charging of the external flash, and the flash photographing detecting means detecting the selection of the flash photographing, and A release inhibition release unit that releases the release inhibition unit regardless of the detection result of the internal charge completion detection unit when the internal charge completion detection unit detects the completion of charging. If only the external flash is fully charged, the shutter can be released, thereby eliminating inconveniences such as missing a chance to take a photo.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a control block of the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a flash light emitting circuit of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the same embodiment and emission waveforms of an external flash and a built-in flash which are the basis of the embodiment.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are flowcharts showing a routine starting with a label "RESET" of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a routine starting at a “RESTART” level of the embodiment.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are flowcharts showing a routine starting at a level of “RLZCHK” of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are flowcharts showing a routine starting at the level of “SELF” of the embodiment.

FIG. 11 to FIG. 13 are flowcharts showing a routine starting at a “CHRGSUB” level of the embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a routine starting at a level of “RIFCHK” in the embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a routine starting at a level of “TRIGCHK” in the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 11 camera side microcomputer 12 exposure control circuit 13 photometry circuit 14 A / D converter 15 light receiving element 16 TTL light receiving element 17 TTL integration circuit 18 D / A conversion circuit 19 lens side microcomputer 20 film sensitivity setting device 21 DC / DC converter 22 display LCD 23 Built-in flash circuit 24 Xenon tube 25 Transistor 26 Shutter detection switch 27 Photometry switch 28 Release switch 29 Self-timer mode switch 30 Pop-up switch 31 Main switch 32 Timer counter 32a External flash power supply 33 Control unit 33a Xenon tube 34 Operation unit 36 Photographing Lens 37 Accessory shoe 38 External flash 40 External flash firing trigger circuit 41 Built-in flash firing trigger circuit 42 Flash side microcomputer 43 Light emission Riga circuit 45 external flash light emission circuit 50 built-in flash 51 external flash circuit BM body mount LM lens mount

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-63-237043 (JP, A) JP-A-58-4123 (JP, A) JP-A-55-166633 (JP, A) JP-A-3-116033 (JP) JP-A-1-158419 (JP, A) JP-A-1-302243 (JP, A) JP-A-4-107438 (JP, A) JP-A-51-117621 (JP, A) 63-8729 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model Showa 56-170436 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model Showa 55-116331 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03B 15/05 G03B 7/26 G03B 15/03

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] A built-in flash; an external flash mounting means capable of mounting an external flash; a flash shooting detecting means for detecting that flash shooting has been selected; and a built-in charging completion for detecting completion of charging of the built-in flash. External charging completion detecting means for detecting the completion of charging of the external flash in a camera having: detecting means; release inhibiting means for inhibiting release while the built-in charging completion detecting means does not detect charging completion; The flash photography detecting means detects the selection of flash photography,
And a release prohibition release means for releasing the release prohibition means when the external charge completion detection means detects the completion of charging, irrespective of the detection result of the internal charge completion detection means.