JP3146794B2 - Flash device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a flash device for generating a flash to illuminate a subject with auxiliary light, and more particularly to a flash device having a test flash mode capable of confirming a shadow behind the subject caused by the flash light. It is about.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When a photograph is taken by photographing a subject against a wall or the like in a room with a flash device mounted on a camera body, unnecessary shadows due to flash light are formed on the wall or the like behind the subject. This can result in poor picture quality.

Conventionally, as a device capable of avoiding such a problem, a flash device having a light emitting portion rotatable in the up-down or left-right direction and capable of changing the irradiation direction of flash light has been commercialized. In this flash device, for example, it is possible to change the direction of irradiation on a subject by reflecting flash light on a reflecting object such as a ceiling, and to reduce shadows generated on walls and the like.

Further, a flash device capable of remotely controlling light emission of a flash device separated from the camera main body by a control signal transmitted from the camera main body has been commercialized. In this flash device, the above-mentioned problem can be avoided by setting the flash device at a position where no shadow is generated on a wall or the like.

However, even in the above-described flash device, the actual shadow caused by the flash light can be confirmed only in the print after photographing, so that setting the flash light irradiation direction suitable for the photographing condition of the subject is relatively difficult for photographing. It requires advanced knowledge and experience, and some users may not be able to fully utilize the above functions.

Therefore, in recent years, a flash device capable of confirming a subject and a shadow behind the subject by flash light has been proposed and commercialized. The flash device has a special test light emission mode (hereinafter, referred to as a modeling mode) for confirming the shadow in addition to a normal test light emission mode for confirming actual flash light emission. Is designed so that the flash is flashed at a frequency of about 20 Hz (hereinafter, referred to as multi-flash).

[0007]

The modeling mode in the above-mentioned conventional flash device performs multi-light emission at a low light amount and at a relatively high frequency, and a relatively close subject such as a macro photographing and a fine shadow generated behind the subject. This is effective for confirmation, but in normal shooting such as a snapshot, the subject is a few meters away, so the light quantity is insufficient and it is difficult to confirm the direction and size of the shadow behind the subject.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a flash device capable of confirming shadows caused by flash light in both normal shooting such as macro shooting and portrait shooting. I do.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a flash device having a test flash mode capable of confirming a subject and a shadow behind the flash light by flash light. Mode setting means for switching between a first test light emission mode for emitting light at a low light intensity and a low frequency and a second test light emission mode for emitting light at a low light amount and a high frequency; and light emission in the test light emission mode set by the mode setting means Light emission control means for controlling light emission of the flash light generation means according to conditions.

[0010]

According to the present invention, two types of test flash modes can be selected and set as the test flash mode in which the subject and the shadow behind it can be confirmed by the flash light, and when the test flash is performed in the first test flash mode. Then, the flash generating means emits multiple light at high light quantity and low frequency.

For example, multi-emission is performed three times at a light emission frequency of 2 Hz, and a subject is irradiated with flash light at a light amount of guide number GN = 5.6 per time. Therefore, in normal photographing such as portrait, by performing test light emission in the first test light emission mode, it is possible to confirm the direction and size of a shadow generated on a wall or the like behind a subject by flash light.

When a test is issued in the second test light emission mode, the flash generation means emits multiple light at a low light quantity and at a high frequency. For example, at a light emission frequency of 40 Hz, 16
0 times, multiple flashes, guide number GN per time
The subject is irradiated with the flash light with the light quantity of = 1.2.
Therefore, in macro photography of a flower or the like, if test light emission is performed in the second test light emission mode, it is possible to confirm fine shadows generated on petals and leaves by flash light.

[0013]

FIG. 2 is a front view of a flash device according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a rear view of the flash device.

The flash device 100 includes a light emitting section 200 and a light emission control section 300. Light emitting unit 200
Is provided above the light emission control unit 300 and has a light emission window 201 on the front. Has on the back. Light emitting window 20
A condenser lens 203 composed of a Fresnel lens is attached to 1, and a xenon discharge tube as a light emitting source is provided behind the condenser lens 203.

The light emission control section 300 is provided with a light receiving section 301 for receiving flash light emitted from a built-in flash of the camera body and a battery storage chamber 305 on the front, and a display section comprising an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) on the back. 30
2 and an operation section 303 are provided, and a mounting section 304 for mounting the camera body is provided on the lower surface. Mounting part 3
04 is provided with four contact pins P1 to P4 for connecting communication lines to the camera body.

The display unit 302 is provided with the flash device 10
No. 0 displays various information relating to the function, and has the display contents shown in FIG.

In FIG. 1, a display DA1 indicates the power supply of the flash device 100.
"N" is displayed. The display DA2 indicates the setting state of the light emission mode. The flash device 100
It has two types of light emission modes, a multi mode that emits flash light multiple times and a single mode that emits flash light only once. When the light emission mode is set to multi mode,
"MULTI" is displayed. Details of the light emission mode will be described later.

The display DA3 shows the setting state of the light emission control. The flash device 100 has two modes: a wireless mode that is remotely controlled by flash light of a built-in flash of the camera, and a normal (non-wireless) mode that is controlled by performing serial communication by a communication line connected through the contact pins P1 to P4. When the wireless mode is set, the “WIREL
"ESS" is displayed. The details of the light emission control will be described later.

The display DA4 displays the setting of the modeling mode, the light emission frequency, the light emission amount, and the like.
The modeling mode is a mode in which test light emission is performed in order to check the direction and size of a subject and a shadow behind the subject caused by flash light. Flash device 10
0 has two types of modeling modes, a portrait mode and a macro mode. The light emission purpose, light emission conditions and light emission contents in both modes are as shown in Table 1.

When the portrait mode is set, three light emitting arrows are displayed and "MODEL" is displayed.
When the macro mode is set, three light emitting arrows and “MO
"DEL" is displayed. In the above-mentioned multi mode and modeling mode, the flash is periodically emitted multiple times, and when the emission frequency is set, the set value is also displayed on the display DA4. The light emission amount is displayed after being converted into the irradiation distance (m) of the flash light.

[0021]

[Table 1]

The display DA5 displays the zoom position and the number of times of light emission. The flash device 100
It has a zoom function that can change the reach of the flash light, and a plurality of zoom positions can be set as described later. Zooming of the flash light is performed, for example, by providing a reflector on the back surface of the xenon discharge tube so as to be movable in a direction of approaching / separating from the xenon discharge tube, and changing the position of the reflector.

When the zoom position is set, the zoom position set on the display DA5 is displayed by the focal length (mm) of the corresponding lens. In addition, when the number of times of light emission N is set in the multi mode or the modeling mode, “R
"ESP" is displayed, and the set value N is displayed.

FIGS. 5 to 10 are views showing an example of the display on the display unit 302. FIG. FIG. 5 is a display example in normal use, in which a normal mode is set as the light emission control mode and a single mode is set as the light emission mode. In this case, the light emission amount and the zoom position are displayed on the display unit 302. This figure shows a case where the zoom position is set to 50 mm.

FIG. 6 is a display example when the wireless mode is set as the light emission control mode, the portrait mode is set as the modeling mode, and the zoom position is set to 24 mm. As the display of the light emission control mode, "W
IRELESS "," CH-1 "as a wireless light emission channel display, and three light emission arrows and" MODEL "as a portrait mode display. “24 mm” is displayed as the display of the zoom position.

FIG. 7 shows a case where the modeling mode is changed from the portrait mode to the macro mode in the display state of FIG. 6, and the display of three light-emitting arrows is changed to the display of five light-emitting arrows. ing.

FIG. 8 shows a display example when the multi mode is set as the light emission mode. “MULTI” is displayed as a light emission mode display, and a light emission frequency “30 Hz”, a shooting distance “5.0 m”, and a light emission frequency “RESP 10” are displayed as light emission condition displays.

FIG. 9 shows a case where the number of times of light emission is changed from the display state of FIG. 8 to "2 times".
The display of “10” has been changed to the display of “RESP 2”.

FIG. 10 shows a case where the display of the number of flashes is changed from the display state of FIG. 8 to the display of the zoom position.
The display of “RESP 10” has been changed to the display of “50 mm”.

Returning to FIG. 3, the operation unit 303 is composed of eight switches S1 to S8 and a power switch S0. The power switch S0 comprises a slide switch,
When sliding to the “ON” side, the flash device 100
Is turned on.

The switch S1 is a switch for switching and setting the light emission amount of the flash. Each time switch S1 is pressed,
When the flash output is "1"-"1/2"-"1/4"-"1 /
It can be switched cyclically in the order of "8"-"1/16"-"1/32".

The switch S2 is a switch for switching and setting the above-mentioned modeling mode. Each time the switch S2 is pressed, the modeling mode is cyclically switched in the order of "OFF"-"portrait mode"-"macro mode".

The switch S3 is a switch for switching and setting the light emission control mode. Every time switch S3 is pressed,
“Wireless mode” and “normal mode” are alternately switched.

The switch S4 is a test light emission switch. When the switch S4 is pressed after charging is completed, a test flash is emitted.

The switch S5 is a switch for switching and setting the light emission mode. Each time the switch S5 is pressed, “multi-mode” and “single mode” are alternately switched.

The switch S6 is a switch for switching and setting the light emission frequency. Each time the switch S6 is pressed, the flash emission frequency changes from "100Hz" to "50Hz" to "30H".
It is cyclically switched in the order of “z”-“10 Hz”.

The switch S7 is a switch for switching and setting the number of times of light emission. Each time the switch S7 is pressed, the number of times of flash emission is cyclically switched in the order of "10 times"-"5 times"-"2 times".

The switch S8 is a switch for switching and setting the zoom position. Each time the switch S8 is pressed, the zoom position of the flash changes from "70mm"-"50mm"-"35mm".
-It is cyclically switched in the order of "28mm"-"24mm".

When the power is turned on, the mode corresponding to the switches S1 to S8 (excluding the switch S4) and various setting values of the light emission condition are: light emission amount = “1”, modeling mode = “OFF”, light emission control Mode = “normal”, light emission mode = “single”, light emission frequency = “10
0 Hz ", number of issuances =" 10 times ", and zoom position =" 70 "
mm ".

FIGS. 11A and 11B are external views of a camera body combined with the flash device 100, wherein FIG. 11A is a perspective view seen from the front side, and FIG. 11B is a perspective view seen from the rear side.

A lens mount 602 to which an interchangeable lens is mounted is provided at substantially the center of the front of the camera body 600, and a built-in flash 601 is provided above the lens mount 602. When the pull-up button 601A is pressed, the built-in flash 601 rises from the inside of the camera body to expose a light emitting unit (not shown).

The camera body 600 includes the camera body 60.
Remote control of the flash device 100 separated from 0 is possible, and the control signal is transmitted to the flash device 100 using the flash light of the built-in flash 601. For example, by changing the number of times of light emission and the light emission cycle of the built-in flash 601 according to the type of the control signal, a plurality of types of control signals are transmitted from the camera body 600 to the flash device 100 using the flash light.

In the wireless mode, the operation timing of various operation buttons such as the release button 604 and the spot metering button 605 is transmitted from the camera body 600 to the flash device 100 by causing the built-in flash 601 to emit light. The spot metering button 60
Reference numeral 5 denotes an operation button in which the functions of spot metering and test light emission in the modeling mode are multiplexed. When operated in flash photography in the wireless mode, a test light emission request signal is transmitted to the flash device 100 from the flash light. .

An accessory shoe 603 to which the flash device 100 is attached is provided behind the built-in flash 601. Accessory shoe 60
3 is provided with four terminal plates (not shown) to which the four contact pins P1 to P4 projecting from the mounting portion 304 of the flash device 100 respectively contact.
When the flash device 100 is mounted on the camera body, a communication line is connected via the contact pins P1 to P4, and various information regarding flash emission is serially communicated via the communication line. In normal mode,
The light emission control signal is transmitted to the flash device 100 by the serial communication.

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a flash device according to the present invention. Referring to FIG.
Are provided in the light emitting unit 200, and the flash control circuit 500 is provided in the light emission control unit 300.

The flash circuit 400 includes a xenon discharge tube 401 as a light source, a light emission control circuit 402 for controlling light emission of the xenon discharge tube 401,
1, a main capacitor CM for supplying discharge energy to
It comprises a voltage detection circuit 403 for detecting the voltage of the main capacitor CM, a DC-DC converter 404 for generating a charging voltage for the main capacitor CM, and a power supply battery E.

The main capacitor CM is connected to the DC-
A rectifying diode D is connected to the output terminal of the DC converter 404.
, And the DC-DC converter 404 performs charging at a predetermined high voltage.

The voltage detection circuit 403, which is a series connection of the resistors R1 and R2, is connected in parallel to the main capacitor CM, and the voltage Vc of the main capacitor CM is a divided voltage Vc '(= R2.Vc / (R1 + R2)). Is detected as Also, the light emission control circuit 402, the xenon discharge tube 401, and the IGBT are connected to the main capacitor CM.
(Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor) and a series circuit of switching transistors Q are respectively connected in parallel, and the electric charge stored in the main capacitor CM is discharged to the xenon discharge tube 401 so that the xenon discharge tube 401 emits light.

The trigger terminal of the xenon discharge tube 401 and the base of the switching transistor Q are connected to a control terminal T1 and a control terminal T2 of the light emission control circuit 402, respectively.
The light emission control circuit 402 controls the light emission operation of the xenon discharge tube 401. Light emission control circuit 40
Reference numeral 2 denotes a xenon discharge tube 4 based on light emission conditions such as a light emission amount, a light emission frequency, and a light emission frequency input from the CPU 505.
By controlling the output of the trigger signal to 01 and the ON / OFF drive of the switching transistor Q, the xenon discharge tube 401 emits light in accordance with predetermined light emission conditions.

For example, in test light emission in the single mode, the switching transistor Q
Is turned on, the high voltage Vc of the main capacitor CM is applied to the xenon discharge tube 401, and then a trigger signal is transmitted only once at a predetermined light emission timing to cause the xenon discharge tube 401 to emit light once. In the macro mode of the modeling mode, a pulse train signal having a frequency of 40 Hz is transmitted to the xenon discharge tube 401 for 4 seconds as a trigger signal, and the xenon discharge tube 401 emits 160 times of light.

The flash control circuit 500 includes a light receiving circuit 501 constituting the light receiving section 301, a zoom circuit 502 for controlling the zoom operation of the light emitting section 201, and the display section 3.
02, a key matrix circuit 504 constituting the operation unit 303, and a CPU 505 for centrally controlling the driving of the flash device 100.

The light receiving circuit 501 includes a light receiving element 501A.
From the light receiving signal of the light receiving element 501A and the camera body 600
And a receiving circuit 501B for receiving information transmitted from the receiving device.

The receiving circuit 501B includes the light receiving element 5
The waveform of the light received at 01A is adjusted and output to the CPU 505. The information received by the receiving circuit 501B is input to the WL terminal of the CPU 505,
505 is used for light emission control. For example, light receiving element 501
When the flash light is received by A, the receiving circuit 501
B outputs a low-level pulse to the WL terminal of the CPU 505. The CPU 505 shifts to interrupt control by this pulse, and performs light emission control based on transmission information from the camera body 600.

The zoom circuit 502 controls the driving of the reflector (not shown) of the xenon discharge tube 401, and includes a drive motor 502A for driving the reflector and a motor drive circuit for controlling the drive of the drive motor 502A. 502B. The motor drive circuit 502B has a CP
Based on the zoom position information output from the ZOOM terminal of U505, the drive motor 502A is driven by a predetermined amount to set the reflector to the designated zoom position.

The LCD display 503 has the plurality of displays DA1 to DA5.
A predetermined display is turned on based on display information output from the output terminal.

The key matrix 504 has the power switch S0 and the switches S1 to S8, and a switch operation signal is input to the KEYW terminal of the CPU 505.

The CPU 505 determines whether the above “WL”, “ZOO”
M, LCD output, and KEY terminals,
SC, READY, and TRIG control terminals, and SCK, SI / SO, X, and GND connection terminals with the camera body. The SCK terminal, SI / SO terminal, X terminal, and GND terminal are connected to contact pins P1, P2, P provided on the mounting portion 304.
3 and P4.

The OSC terminal is a control terminal for controlling the boosting operation of the DC-DC converter 404. "RE
“ADY” is a control terminal for monitoring the state of charge of the main capacitor CM. The voltage of the main capacitor CM detected by the voltage detection circuit 403 is input to the READY terminal. The CPU 505 is a main capacitor CM
When the voltage becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined voltage value, a boost control signal is output from the OSC terminal to start charging.

The TRIG terminal is connected to the xenon discharge tube 40
The control signal is output from the TRIG terminal to the light emission control circuit 402 at a light emission timing according to light emission conditions such as a light emission amount, a light emission frequency, and a light emission frequency.

The SCK terminal is an input terminal for a control signal and a clock for serial communication between the CPU 505 and the CPU in the camera body. The SI / SO terminal is connected to the CPU 50
5 is an input / output terminal for data exchanged between the CPU 5 and the CPU in the camera body. The X terminal is an input terminal of a timing signal of the X contact transmitted from the camera body 600, and is a GND terminal.
The terminal is a ground terminal.

Next, the light emission control operation of the flash device will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the main flow. This flow is applied to both the normal mode and the wireless mode.

When the power switch S0 is turned on and the flash device 100 is started, various modes and light emission conditions corresponding to the switches S1 to S8 are initialized (# 1). Subsequently, it is determined whether charging is necessary based on whether the voltage Vc of the main capacitor CM detected by the voltage detection circuit 403 exceeds a predetermined value (# 2). If the voltage Vc is equal to or lower than the predetermined value, the CPU 505 is activated. To DC-D
A charge control signal is sent to C converter 404, and charging of main capacitor CM is started. When the voltage Vc exceeds the predetermined value, it is determined that the charging is completed, and the charging control of the DC-DC converter 404 is stopped (# 3).

Subsequently, after the reflector of the xenon discharge tube 401 is set to the initial zoom position (# 5), the switch S
In accordance with inputs from 1 to S3, S5 to S8, a predetermined mode and light emission condition setting process is performed, and a predetermined display process corresponding to the setting process is performed (# 6). Test light emission processing is performed accordingly (# 7).

While the power switch S0 is in the on state, the above-described processes of # 1 to # 7 are executed (loop of # 1 to # 8), and when the power switch S0 is turned off (YE in # 8).
S), the light emission control operation ends.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of an interrupt process when an interrupt signal such as a main flash or a test flash is input.

When the main flow of FIG. 12 is being executed, in the wireless mode, the interrupt processing is performed by the light receiving signal of the flash light from the receiving circuit 502, and in the normal mode, the interrupt processing is performed by the communication signal with the camera body 600. Is performed.

In FIG. 13, # 10 to # 14 indicate interrupt processing in the wireless mode, and # 15 to # 20
Indicates interrupt processing in the normal mode.

In the interrupt processing, whether the interrupt request is due to a signal input from the light receiving circuit 501 to the WL terminal of the CPU 505 or to a serial communication between the flash device 100 and the camera body 600 Is determined (# 10).

Upon receiving the flash light, the light receiving circuit 501 sends an L level pulse as an interrupt signal to the WL terminal of the CPU 505. When the flash device 100 is attached to the camera body 600, the contact pins P1 to P
Serial communication is performed between the flash device 100 and the camera body 600 via the communication device 4, and an interrupt request is issued from the camera body 600 to the flash device 100 due to the serial communication.

When an interrupt request is input to the L terminal
If it is a level pulse (YE in # 10)
S), it is further determined whether or not the flash light received by the light receiving circuit 501 is emitted from the camera body 600 (# 11). This determination is made based on whether the flash cycle or the number of flashes of the flash light has a preset cycle or number.

If the flash light is not emitted from the camera body 600 (NO in # 11), the process is regarded as noise and the process returns. If the flash light is emitted from the camera body 600 (# 11). YES), and it is determined whether or not the information transmitted by the flash light is for instructing the test light emission (# 12).

If the transmission information indicates test light emission (YES in # 12), the test flag TF is set to "1" and the routine returns (# 13), and the transmission information indicates test light emission. If not (N in # 12)
O), that is, if the main light emission is instructed, a predetermined release process is performed (# 14). In the release process, the xenon discharge tube 401 emits light based on the timing signal of the X contact transmitted from the camera body 600.

In # 10, if the interrupt request is made by serial communication (NO in # 10), in # 15 to # 17,
The request content is transmitted from the camera body 600 to the flash device 1.
It is determined whether the request is a communication request to the camera body 600, a communication request from the flash device 100 to the camera body 600, or a release instruction.

If the content of the interrupt request is a communication request from the camera body 600 to the flash device 100 (Y in # 15)
ES), the camera body 6 according to the flowchart of FIG.
The reading process of the data transmitted from 00 is performed (#
18). That is, it is determined whether the spot light metering button 605 of the camera body 600 is operated and a test light emission request is made in the modeling mode (# 30). If a test light emission request is made (YES in # 30), the test is performed. After the flag TF is set to "1"(# 31), data is read (# 32), and if a test emission request in the modeling mode is not made (N in # 30)
O), the data is read without setting the test flag TF (# 32).

When the content of the interrupt request is the flash device 1
If it is a communication request from 00 to the camera body 600 (# 1
6; YES), the flash device 100 to the camera body 6
At 00, predetermined data is transmitted (# 19). If the data is a release operation (YES at # 17), predetermined release processing is performed (# 14). In this release processing, a timing signal of an X contact input to the X terminal from the camera body 600 via the contact pin P3, for example, H
The xenon discharge tube 401 emits the main light in synchronization with the inversion timing of the level inversion signal inverted from the level to the L level.

FIG. 15 shows that the switch S
5 is a flowchart of a setting process when a multi-mode is set according to FIG.

In # 7, when the switches of the operation unit 303 are operated, it is determined whether or not a plurality of switches are simultaneously operated (# 40). If the plurality of switches are simultaneously operated, an operation error occurs. Then, the process returns to step # 6 to hold the display content on the display unit 302 at the current display content. If one of the switches is normally operated (NO in # 40), the setting state of the light emission mode is determined (# 41). If the light emission mode is set to the normal mode (NO in # 41), The content corresponding to the operated switch is changed to the value set by the switch (# 42, # 43), and the process returns to # 6 to return to the display unit 302.
Is changed to the changed value.

If the light emission mode is set to the multi mode (YES in # 41), it is determined whether or not the operated switch is the switch S7 (light emission number setting key) (# 42). If operated (# 42
Then, the process proceeds to # 43 to # 46, and the display content on the display unit 302 is changed to the number of times of light emission set by the switch S7.

That is, the current display DA on the display 302
If the display in No. 5 is the display of the number of times of light emission (Y in # 43)
ES), the set value of the number of times of light emission is changed to the set value after the change (# 44), and the changed value of the number of times of light emission is displayed in the display RAM.
(# 45), whereby the display unit 30
The number-of-emissions display of the display DA5 of No. 2 is changed to a new set value.

On the other hand, if the current display on the display DA5 of the display unit 302 is the display of the zoom position (N in # 43)
O), the set value of the number of times of light emission is written into the display RAM (#
46) Thus, the display content of the display DA5 on the display unit 302 is changed to the set value of the number of times of light emission.

The switch operated at # 42 is the switch S
If it is not 7 (NO in # 42), it is determined whether or not the operated switch is the switch S8 (zoom position setting key) (# 47), and if the switch S8 is operated (YES in # 47). ), The process proceeds to # 48 to # 51, and the display content on the display unit 302 is changed to the zoom position set by the switch S8.

That is, the display DA of the current display unit 302
If the display at 5 is the display of the zoom position (YES in # 48), the set value of the zoom position is changed to the changed set value (# 49), and the changed value of the zoom position is rewritten in the display RAM. (# 50) As a result, the zoom position display of the display DA5 on the display unit 302 is changed to a new set value.

On the other hand, if the current display on display DA5 of display section 302 is the display of the number of times of light emission (N in # 48)
O), the set value of the zoom position is written into the display RAM (# 51), whereby the display DA5 on the display unit 302 is displayed.
Is changed to the set value of the zoom position.

The switch operated at # 47 is the switch S
If it is not 8 (NO in # 47), the process proceeds to # 52, # 53, the content corresponding to the operated switch is changed to the value set by the switch (# 52, # 53), and the display unit 302 Is changed according to the change value.

FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 are flowcharts of the light emission control operation when the test light emission is instructed.

In step # 7, the switch S4 is operated to instruct a test flash, or in step # 13 (FIG. 13,
If the test flag TF is set to “1” according to the above-described procedure, the setting state of the light emission mode and the modeling mode is determined in # 60 to # 62, and the processing corresponding to the setting state of each mode is determined in # 63 to # 73. Is performed.

If the light emission mode is set to the multi mode (YES in # 60), the modeling mode is reset to the OFF state (# 63), and the switches S1, S6, S
The light emission condition, the light emission amount, the light emission frequency and the light emission frequency selected by the operation of No. 7 are sequentially set (# 64, # 65,
# 66).

When the light emission mode is set to the single mode and the modeling mode is reset to the OFF state (NO in # 60 and # 61), that is, in the normal test light emission, the switch S1 is operated. The light emission condition of the selected light emission amount is set (# 67).

If the light emission mode is set to the single mode and the modeling mode is set to the portrait mode (NO in # 60, YE in # 61 and # 62)
S), light emission conditions of light emission amount, light emission frequency and light emission frequency in a preset portrait mode (see Table 1)
Are sequentially set (# 68, # 69, # 70), the emission mode is set to the single mode, and the modeling mode is set to the macro mode (NO in # 60, # 6
1 and NO in # 62), the light emission conditions, the light emission frequency f (Hz) and the light emission frequency N (times) in the preset macro mode (see Table 1) are sequentially set (# 1). 71, # 72, # 73).

Subsequently, light emission is started in accordance with the set light emission conditions, and the test flag TF is reset to "0"(# 74), indicating that the flash unit 100 is emitting light to the camera body 600. An intermediate signal is transmitted (# 75). The light emission signal is a signal output from the SI / SO terminal, and is, for example, a state identification signal of H level during non-light emission and L level during light emission. Therefore,
In # 75, the state identification signal is inverted from H level to L level. In the multi mode, when the first light emission is completed after the start of the light emission, the second, third,... Light emission is repeated continuously.

Subsequently, the set number of times of light emission and counting of the light emission frequency f are started (# 76), and when the predetermined number of times and frequency are counted (YES in # 77), the test light emission is stopped (# 78). ), The state identification signal is L
The level is inverted from the level to the H level, and the transmission of the emitting signal is stopped (# 79).

[0093]

According to the present invention, there is provided a flash device having a test light emission mode in which a subject and a shadow behind the object can be confirmed by the flash light, and the test light emission mode emits light at a high light intensity and a low frequency. A first test light emission mode and a second test light emission mode for emitting light with low light intensity and high frequency are provided, and both test light emission modes can be switched and set. By performing the test light emission in the macro shooting and the second test light emission in the macro shooting, it is possible to easily confirm the direction and the size of the shadow caused by the flash light according to the shooting purpose.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit configuration diagram of a flash device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a flash device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the flash device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing display contents of a display unit.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a display example when a normal light emission mode is set.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display example when a wireless mode and a portrait mode are set as a modeling mode.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display example when the modeling mode is switched from the portrait mode to the macro mode in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a display example when a multi mode is set as a light emission mode.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a display example when the number of times of light emission is changed in the display state of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example when the display of the number of times of light emission is changed to the display of the zoom position in the display state of FIG. 8;

11A and 11B are schematic views of a camera body combined with the flash device according to the present invention, wherein FIG. 11A is a perspective view as viewed from the front, and FIG. 11B is a perspective view as viewed from the back.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a main flow of a light emission control operation of the flash device according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of an interrupt process.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a subroutine of “READ processing”.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a setting process when a multi mode is set.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a light emission control operation when a test light emission is instructed.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of a light emission control operation when a test light emission is instructed.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 flash device 200 light emitting section 201 light emitting window 203 condensing lens 300 light emitting control section 301 light receiving section 302 display section 303 operation section 304 mounting section 305 battery storage room 400 light emitting circuit 401 xenon discharge tube 402 light emission control circuit 403 voltage detection circuit 404 DC -DC converter 500 Flash control circuit 600 Camera body 601 Built-in flash 605 Spot metering button (test flash instruction button)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03B 15/05

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A flash device having a test light emission mode capable of confirming a subject and a shadow behind the object by the flash light, comprising: a flash generation means for generating a flash; Mode setting means for switching between the first test light emission mode and the second test light emission mode for emitting light at low light intensity and high frequency; and light emission of the flash light generation means according to the light emission conditions of the test light emission mode set by the mode setting means. A flash control device for controlling the light emission.