JP3174299B2 - 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, and more particularly to a camera capable of operating in a continuous shooting mode.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Continuous photographing by continuous photographing or interval photographing is widely applied as a photograph for news, recording or art. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 52-1067 discloses a technique relating to a control device for this continuous photographing.
There is one disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 19-1992. This control device is characterized in that the above-mentioned shooting synchronization information, shooting time (exposure time) information, and shooting number information are stored, and a shooting operation is performed based on this information.

[0003]

However, in the case of Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Sho 52-106719 or other conventional continuous shooting, the desired shooting interval, that is, the number of frames / second, is set. It is possible to specify the number of frames to be shot. However, in the case of the continuous shooting of the conventional camera by the above-mentioned interval specification,
After pressing the release button, continuous shooting of a fixed number of frames is performed, so even after the desired state change of the subject has been completed, useless shooting is performed until the predetermined number of frames is reached. Sometimes. In addition, there is a type in which continuous shooting is performed while the release button is pressed, and shooting is stopped when the release button is released, but an electronic camera capable of ultra-high-speed continuous shooting at 10 to 20 frames / second is available. In the case of a still camera, the delay in releasing the release button (at least 0.
(Approximately 1 to 0.3 seconds), more frames are wastedly shot.

[0004] When priority is given to the exposure condition out of the continuous shooting interval and the appropriate exposure condition in the continuous shooting of the conventional camera designating the number of frames to be shot, it is natural that the shutter is released until the shooting is completed. (This is a remarkable phenomenon especially when a low-speed shutter is used). Therefore, it is difficult to make the end point of the desired state change of the subject coincide with the above-mentioned photographing end point, so that the number of frames to be photographed wastefully increases, or conversely, the photographing before the end of the desired state change ends. There is a problem that the process ends earlier.

[0005] For example, as an example of recording and shooting of sports, a case where continuous shooting is performed by designating the number of frames while aiming for 2 seconds at the finish of a 100 m competition will be described.
In general, a high-speed shutter time is designated for taking a picture like a disassembled photograph, and a low-speed shutter time is designated for taking a panning-like picture. As a specific example, when comparing the high speed and the low speed as described above, the shutter speed on the high speed side is 1/60 second, and the shutter speed on the low speed side is 1/60 second.
Assuming 15 seconds, the maximum possible number of frames per second in those cases is 20 frames / second and 10 frames / second, respectively, assuming that the required time other than the exposure time in the imaging sequence is about 30 milliseconds. . Then, when the continuous shooting is performed with the designated number of frames being about 2 seconds at the finish of the 100m competition, the time required to shoot 40 frames in each of the above two shutter times is 2 seconds and 4 seconds, respectively. Although the desired scene can be shot without waste at the shutter speed of, the latter 20 frames uselessly shoot a situation different from the target scene in the latter case (note that this is usually used on the high speed side). Shutter speed is 1 /
It is much faster than 60 seconds,
In the case of the C electronic still camera, when the shutter speed is 1/60 second or less, the time required for the exposure sequence processing is a fixed value of 1/60 second, which has no influence on the description of the present invention. The above values are used).

In short, as a general problem recognition of the present invention, since the actual shooting conditions are various, in the case of continuous shooting, it is necessary to simply shoot a specified number of frames or simply hold down the release button. This means that the photographer may not be able to fully satisfy the photographer's intention with the operation of photographing.

[0007] Here, the problem to which the present invention pays particular attention will be described in more detail. Although it is desired to limit the number of frames for one continuous shooting, re-shooting is performed without any special operation. There may be a special desire of the photographer to want or a design reason for the camera. The former is, for example, a case in which a dynamic scene such as a sport is continuously shot for each scene while suppressing the consumption of a recording medium. If this is done, a malfunction such as a malfunction may occur.

Conventionally, the number of frames to be shot in the case of continuous shooting is usually mainly focused on the total number of shootable images of a shooting medium (such as a film). Even in the case where the continuous shooting is stopped under the condition of both button operations, for example, the following control is generally performed. That is, when the continuous shooting is stopped due to the limitation of the number of frames, this means that further shooting is difficult, and the subsequent continuous shooting is prohibited (at least until a specific release operation is performed). You. On the other hand, when the continuous shooting is stopped by operating the release button, this means that the shooting is interrupted (paused), and the re-release is possible. However, since the total number of shots is focused on as described above, the number of frames is Is continued without being reset, and the number of subsequent frames is limited by the integrated number.

In such a conventionally known control, as described above, "I want to limit the maximum number of frames to be shot in one continuous shooting, but perform re-shooting without any special operation." I couldn't say that. It should be noted that this does not result from a mere design problem, but arises from the fact that the above-mentioned point of view (the assumed shooting situation) itself is different. There are other issues that are ideologically different.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problem by providing a method of limiting the number of shots in one continuous shooting, and requiring a special operation for re-shooting thereafter. To provide a camera that can be repeated in the same manner.

[0011]

A first camera according to the present invention is a continuous photographing mode in which a photographing operation of a predetermined step including at least an exposure operation and a recording operation relating to a subject image is repeatedly performed. An operable camera, comprising: release means for starting the continuous shooting mode operation based on a manual operation; repetition counting means for counting the number of repetitions of the shooting operation; and repetition counting means for the continuous shooting mode. Comparing means for comparing the count value with a predetermined specified number of times; manual continuation time specifying means for specifying the continuation time of the continuous shooting mode operation based on a manual operation; and counting of the repetition number counting means in the comparing means The first time point, which is the time point at which the value has reached the predetermined number of times, or the manual duration setting means. At the time when the preceding one of the second time point is the end point of the continuous shooting mode operation which is,
End time point control means for ending the continuous shooting mode at least once, and when the continuous shooting mode operation is once ended by the end time point control means, which one of the first time point and the second time point is earlier Release control means for controlling a release standby state allowing the next operation of the release means even if the
By the above-mentioned end time point control means having received the advance of the time point 1
Once the continuous shooting mode operation is terminated,
Display means for displaying the end of the continuous shooting mode operation . The second camera according to the present invention comprises:
The first camera receives a precedence of the first time point.
The continuous shooting mode operation is performed by the end time control means.
Is terminated once, the second time
And the initial value of the count value of the repetition number counting means
Reset means for resetting
You. The third camera according to the present invention includes the first or second camera.
End display of the continuous shooting mode operation
Is continued until the second time point.
The fourth camera according to the present invention relates at least to the subject image.
The exposure operation and the recording operation
Continuous shooting mode operation that repeats step shooting operation is possible
Camera that is capable of
A release means that to start the de operation, the release means
First continuous shooting that executes continuous shooting of a predetermined number of frames in response to an operation
A mode and a predetermined time in response to the operation of the release means.
And the second continuous shooting mode for performing continuous shooting
And a mode designating means.

[0012]

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrated embodiments. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. The camera is an electronic still camera having a continuous shooting mode, and includes a system controller 1 for controlling the operation of each unit in a comprehensive manner, a power supply circuit and AF (automatic focusing), AE (automatic exposure), recording, and the like. A control circuit 2, a control means 16 for the number of frames, a photographing time, and a recording track number; a trigger switch 12, which is a photographing trigger means interlocked with a photographing release button;
A mode selector 13 for selecting and specifying various modes in continuous shooting; a register input key 14 for setting the number of shots, shooting time, and the like in continuous shooting;
3, a clear key 15 for canceling the mode or value set by the input key 14 or the like.

The control means 16 includes a frame number register 3 for storing a designated value of the number of frames for continuous shooting, a frame number counter 4 for counting the number of frames shot, and a value of the frame number register 3 and a frame number counter. 4, a frame number comparator 5 for outputting a signal H (ON) when the values coincide with each other, that is, a frame number of continuous shooting frames, that is, a repetition number specifying means for specifying a repetition number of the continuous shooting mode shooting operation. A time register 6 for setting the time for continuous shooting, a timer (time counter) 7 for measuring the continuous shooting time, and a time comparator 8 for outputting a signal H (ON) in accordance with the coincidence between the value of the register 6 and the value of the counter 7. Means for defining an automatic continuation time of the continuous shooting mode operation, a track register 9 for storing the last track designation number, and a shooting track number incremented for each shooting. Rack counter 10, the track comparator 11 for outputting a signal in connection with the match value of the track register 9 and the track counter 10 H (on)
And all of them are for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the system controller 1. Therefore, these means may be each corresponding function unit built in the system controller 1.

Next, in the camera of the present embodiment, the continuous shooting mode is designated and the continuous shooting mode operation is started by the system controller 1. The continuous shooting mode used in the sequence of the continuous shooting process is performed. Various modes for giving processing conditions such as the number of frames and time will be described with reference to FIG.

There are four types of these various modes, each of which is designated by the mode selector 13 in advance. The values of the flags A to D are set to 0 or 1 in accordance with the designation of the mode. In the flowchart of FIG. 2, these flags are determined and the corresponding mode processing is performed. First, the flag A is a flag for selecting the number of frames / time designation mode. When the flag A is 0, the mode is to continuously shoot only the number of frames specified separately, and when the flag A is 1, In this mode, continuous shooting is performed for a separately designated time.

The flag B is a flag for selecting the trigger / H level mode. When the flag B is 0, the mode is the trigger detection mode.
This is a mode in which the start of continuous shooting is instructed by a rising signal of the trigger switch 12. On the other hand, when the flag B is 1, the H level detection mode is set and the trigger switch 12
Is an H level, that is, a time period from the start operation to the opening operation based on the rising signal is detected, and is set as the continuous shooting mode operation duration. Note that the trigger switch 12 in this mode corresponds to a manual continuation time defining means of the above operation.

The flag C is a flag for selecting the non-reset / reset mode. One of the target values to be non-reset / reset is when the number of frames specified cannot be shot due to restrictions such as continuous shooting time.
This is the number of frames that have not been shot, or the number of continuous shooting repeats up to that point.
If the shooting for the designated time is not performed, the time is set to the time for the unphotographed time or the continuation time up to that. First,
When the flag C is 0, the mode is the non-reset mode, and when the continuous shooting is completed as described above, each register 3 or 6 and each counter 4 are reset without resetting the remaining frame number or time for the unphotographed image. Or, the continuous shooting is ended in a state where the images are stored in the memory 7 respectively. However, this end is a state in which the continuous shooting is temporarily ended, and a restart instruction (trigger switch operation) is issued.
In this mode, continuous shooting of the remaining number of frames or the remaining time can be performed. The number of remaining frames, that is, the number-of-frames register 3 and the counter 4 in which the set number of photographing repetitions is held are “remaining number holding means”, and the remaining time, that is, the set value and the continuous shooting time are set. The stored time register 6 and timer (timer counter) 7 serve as “remaining time holding means”.

On the other hand, if the flag C is 1, the reset mode is set, and the number of continuous shooting repetitions or the duration up to that time stored in the non-reset mode is related to the interruption of continuous shooting. This is a mode in which the frame number counter 4 or the time counter 7 is reset to 0 value. The means for resetting the frame number counter 10 or the continuation time to 0 is referred to as "reset means for the number of repetitions of the photographing operation (number of frames)" and "reset means for the continuation time", respectively.

Next, a flag D is a flag for selecting a continuation / cancel mode. The continuation and cancel modes are used to designate a process in the middle of shooting, and when a specified time for ending continuous shooting has been reached during a predetermined step of the shooting sequence, or when a trigger switch for shooting has been reached. Is released and the continuous shooting is temporarily ended or in a state where it is ended, until all the steps of the recording drive of the shooting sequence are completed,
The mode in which the means for maintaining the progress of the photographing operation works is referred to as the continuous mode, and the mode in which the photographing operation is immediately interrupted and the end control means for temporarily ending the continuous photographing is referred to as the cancel mode. When the flag D is 0, the continuation mode is designated, and when the flag D is 1, the cancel mode is designated.

The predetermined steps in the photographing sequence are, for example, white balance, photometry, automatic focusing, aperture driving, exposure, readout recording, aperture reset, track reset as shown in the step diagram of the photographing sequence shown in FIG. The processing of eight steps of access is shown. This step shows the case of an electronic still camera, and the present invention can be applied to a silver halide film camera. In this case, white balance, reading and recording, and track access are not required during the above-mentioned predetermined steps. , Film winding,
Steps such as shutter charge are added.

Next, the sequence of the continuous shooting process in the continuous shooting mode will be described for each mode with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

(In case of time designation / trigger detection mode)
First, in step S101, it is determined whether or not it is necessary to clear setting data for continuous shooting such as the number of continuous shooting frames and continuous shooting time. If unnecessary, the process jumps to step S103. Frame number register 3, frame number counter 4, time register 6, timer 7 in S102
Is cleared and the process proceeds to step S103. In step S103, it is determined whether input of the setting data and the mode designation is necessary. If not, the process jumps to step S105. If necessary, in step S104, a mode is selected, and a required value is input to each register. In this mode selection, the various modes described above are designated by the values of the flags A to D in FIG.

Therefore, first, the flag A is set to 1 in the frame number / time designation mode of continuous shooting, the time designation mode is set, and the flag B is set to 0 in the trigger / H level detection mode. Select the trigger detection mode. In the photographing operation in this case, the start of the continuous shooting is first started by the trigger operation of the trigger switch 12, and during the continuous shooting time previously set in the time register 6,
It is controlled to perform continuous shooting.

In step S105, the state of the output of the trigger switch 12 is checked. If the output is not H (switch-on state), the process jumps to step S116. If the power switch is not turned off, the process returns to step S101 again. . On the other hand, if the output is H, the process proceeds to step S106, and the flag A is checked. Since the flag A is set to 1 as described above, step S
Jump to 121.

In step S121, the flag X is reset to 0, and the flag B is checked in step S122. As described above, since the flag B is set to 0, the process proceeds to step S123, and the timer (time counter) 7
Is reset, and the timer is started (self-propelled timekeeping start) (step S124). Then, the shooting sequence built in the system controller 1 starts (step S125), but the signal of the time comparator 8 is always checked until one shooting sequence ends (step S127) (step S126). As long as the output does not become H (ON state), the photographing sequence processing is performed and one photographing sequence is completed, that is, when photographing of one screen is completed, the photographing interval adjustment processing of step S128 is performed and step S128 is performed again.
The process returns to 125. In step S126, when the output of the time comparator 8 becomes H, that is, when the count value of the timer 7 matches the continuous shooting time designation value registered in the time register 6 (at the time of expiration), continuous shooting is performed. When the time reaches the time designated in advance, step S129
Jump to

The photographing interval adjusting process in step S128 will be described. First, the interval of continuous photographing specified in advance is set to a second time (S1 to S2, S2 to S in FIG. 5).
The time required for the photographing sequence in a predetermined step is a first time (between S and R in FIG. 4).
In the first time, at least any one of the predetermined steps is adjusted so as to be suitable for each photographing operation, and the first time is controlled to change. And the above step S1
The photographing interval adjustment process of 28 is the difference between the first and second hours when the relationship of the normal first time <second time is satisfied (FIG. 5).
(T1, t2, t3), and the process returns to the next step S125 to start the photographing sequence. However, if the first time is increased due to the shooting conditions and the first time is equal to or greater than the second time, the second time is ignored, the first time is preferentially adopted, and the process proceeds to step S125 without the standby time. Processing steps that are controlled to return.

Next, in step S129, the timer stops counting and resets it (step S130). Then, it is necessary to determine whether or not the photographing sequence has been completed, because the process escapes from the output of the timer comparator 8 in the middle of the photographing sequence. If it has been completed, the process jumps to step S134 and must not be completed. If it is, the process proceeds to step S132. Therefore, the flag D is checked. If the flag D is 0, the mode is the continuation mode, and step S131 is performed again.
Then, the processing for the unprocessed shooting sequence is performed. When the sequence ends, the process jumps to step S134. On the other hand, when the flag D is 1, the mode is the cancel mode, so that even in the middle of the shooting sequence, the interruption processing is immediately performed (step S132), and the step S1 is executed.
Move to 34.

Then, the flag X is checked. Since the flag remains 0, the process jumps to step S115. Incidentally, the flag processing in step S134 is provided because the flow in steps S129 to S136 is also used in the later-described case (in the case of the time specification / H level mode), and the flag B = 1 In the processing in the middle of the mode, when the time comparator 8 operates to end the continuous shooting, the flag X has been rewritten to 1, so the process proceeds to step S135, and the timer comparator 8 determines that the time limiter has been operated. It is displayed on the display (step S135). When the photographer knows this and releases the trigger switch 12, the process proceeds to step S115 (step S13).
6).

In step S115, the end of the continuous shooting is displayed, and then the power switch is checked for on / off in step S116. If the power switch is off, the photographing sequence is terminated. Returning to step S101, preparation processing for continuous shooting is started again.

As described above, the continuous shooting in the case where the time designation mode / trigger detection mode is selected is intended for a situation in which the situation ends at a certain time such as the finish of the 100 m race as described above. In this case, since the designated time is reached and the photographing is immediately terminated, useless photographing can be prevented. In addition, the flag D for the middle of shooting process
Is set to 0, the last frame can be effectively photographed, and the photographing chance can be emphasized. Also, the flag D is set to 1
Is set, the last shot frame is canceled, so that the track can be used for the next shooting.

(In the case of the number-of-frames specification mode) Next, the sequence processing of continuous shooting in which the flag A is set to 0 and the number-of-frames specification mode is selected will be described. In this case, processing is automatically performed in the H level mode. After the continuous shooting conditions are set in steps S101 to S104 including the setting of the flag, when the output H (on) of the trigger switch 12 for starting the photographing is detected in step S105, the process proceeds to step S106, and the flag is set. A is checked, and since the flag A is set to 0, the flow shifts to step S107. And when the flag C is 0,
Since the mode is the non-reset mode, the frame number counter 4 that has been shot at the present time is not reset, and the process proceeds to step S10 so that the number of frames to be shot in the future is added.
Jump to 9. If the flag C is 1, the frame number counter 4 is reset (step S108), and the process proceeds to step S109.

The photographing sequence is started in step S109, the completion of the photographing sequence is confirmed in step S110, and the process proceeds to step S111, where the frame number counter 4 is incremented. In step S112, the output of the frame number comparator 5 is determined. If the output is not H (ON), that is, the output of the frame number counter 4 is compared with the initially set value of the frame number register 9.
, That is, if the number of frames to be shot has not reached, step S
Move to 113. Then, in step S113, it is checked whether the output of the trigger switch 12 is H. If the output is H, that is, if the switch is depressed, the process jumps to the shooting interval adjustment processing of step S114. If the output is not H, the continuous shooting end display of step S115 is performed. An off check process is performed, and if it is off, the photographing sequence ends. If it is on, the process returns to step S101, and preparation for starting continuous shooting is performed again.

The photographing interval adjusting process in step S114 is performed as described in the process in step S128.
The designated continuous shooting interval and the interval of one cycle of the imaging sequence are adjusted, and after the adjustment, step S10 is performed.
Returning to step 9, the photographing sequence of the next frame is started. When the output of the frame number comparator is checked in step S112, that is, when the output is H, that is, when the number of the frame number counter reaches the designated frame number, the process jumps to step S117 to display the limiter operation.
While the output of the trigger switch is at H by 18, the flow returns to step S117 again to notify the photographer that the number of frames has reached the specified number of frames and continuous shooting has been completed.
When the output of the trigger switch 12 is not H, the frame number counter 4 is reset in step S119 and the process returns to step S115. In the continuous shooting in the frame number specification mode, the number of frames for continuous shooting is specified. For example, when the photographer suddenly determines that there is no longer a need to take a picture during the photographing, if the trigger switch 12 is opened halfway, the continuous photographing can be stopped there and the waste of the track can be reduced. Regarding the setting of the flag C, for example, if 20 continuous shots divided into several scenes are to be shot in total and the remaining 30 shots are to be left as unshot shots, 20 shots are registered in the frame count register 3; Flag C
Is set to 0, 30 frames are always secured, so that the usability is good. Anyway, when it is desired to perform continuous shooting for every 10 frames, it is convenient to register 10 frames in the frame number register 3 and set the flag C to 1 for continuous shooting.

(Time designation / H level mode) In the photographing sequence described below, in continuous shooting, the flag A is set to 1 and the flag B is set to 1 and the time is designated and the H level is set. This is for designating a detection mode. This is a continuous shooting mode in which continuous shooting time is specified, but continuous shooting can be interrupted by opening the trigger switch 12 even during continuous shooting.

Similarly, the initial setting of the continuous shooting is performed in step S101.
〜Step S104. If the output of the trigger switch 12 is H in step S105, the process proceeds to step S106, and since the flag A is 1, the process jumps to step S121, resets the flag X = 0, and determines whether the flag in step S122 is a flag. Since B is 1, the process jumps to step S140. Then, the flag C is determined, and if the flag C is not 1, that is, if the mode is the non-reset mode, the process jumps to step S142. If the flag C is 1, that is, if it is in the reset mode, the timer 7 is reset (step S141), and the process proceeds to step S142. In step S142, the count of the timer 7 is started. Subsequently, step S143
Starts the shooting sequence. In step S144, the output of the time comparator is determined. If the output is H (on), that is, if the count of the timer matches the set time, the flow jumps to step S149 to set the flag X to one. Step S described above
The processing shifts to 129. If the output of the time comparator is not H (ON) in step S144,
Further, in step S145, the pressing state of the trigger switch 12 is checked, and if the trigger switch 12 is released and the output is not H (ON), the process jumps to step S148, stops counting by the timer 7, and returns to the step already described. The process shifts to S131. If the output of the trigger switch 12 is H in step S145, the process directly proceeds to step S146 to check the end of the shooting sequence. If not, the process returns to step S144.
When the above sequence ends, the process moves to step S147. This step S147 is equivalent to the shooting interval adjustment processing already described above. Then, the process returns to step S143 again.

In the continuous shooting in this mode, if the trigger switch 12 is kept pressed to the end, continuous shooting is performed for a specified time. However, if it is necessary to stop the continuous shooting within the specified continuous shooting time, the trigger is activated. If the switch 12 is opened, continuous shooting is stopped, so that useless shooting can be prevented. When the flag C is set to 1 in the reset mode in the above processing, the data of the timer 7 is reset and counted from 0 when restarting after the continuous shooting, but the flag C is set to the non-reset mode. When 0 is set to 0, the count number of the timer 7 is not reset even if the continuous shooting ends once. When the next continuous shooting is started, the continuous shooting time is further added to the previous continuous shooting time and is set to the initially set duration. The continuous shooting for the remaining time is performed until the expiration time.

Step S used in the above flow chart
As described above, the photographing interval adjustment of 144, step S128, and step S147 is performed by comparing one cycle of the photographing sequence as the first time (see FIG. 4) and the continuous photographing interval (time) as the second time. If the first time is shorter than the second time, as shown in FIG. 5A, the continuous shooting cycle is S1 to S1 indicating the start and end of the shooting sequence of the first time. R1, S2-R2
, Etc., the intervals S1 to S2, S2 of the continuous shooting for the second time
Since S3, etc. are longer by t1, t2, etc., there is no problem. However, if the first time is longer than the second time, the second time is ignored and the continuous shooting is performed in the cycle of the first time. It will be shot. Although this problem is essential, it can be improved to some extent by devising it. As shown in FIG. 5B, when the photographing sequence is from start Si to end Ri (where i = 1, 2, 3,...), The photographing sequence is immediately before the above Ri which does not hinder photographing, that is, the recording operation. R before the end of
..) are set in the sequence so that the point Ri and the point Ri 'are superimposed on the next photographing sequence, that is, the point Ri' is set to the next point. If the continuous shooting is performed as the start point Si + 1 of the photographing sequence, the above-mentioned problem is solved. For example, the predetermined steps of the photographing sequence correspond to each of the photographing sequences shown in FIG.
If the point Ri 'is set between the step G and the step H, as shown in FIG.
The start point of the continuous shooting can be advanced by S2, S3,.

Although the above-described embodiment of the present invention is mainly applied to an electronic still camera, it can be applied to a silver halide film camera without changing the gist.

[0040]

As described above, according to the present invention, as described above (especially, as described in detail in the description of the embodiment (in the case of the frame number designation mode)), the present invention relates to "1. It is possible to provide a camera that can limit the number of frames taken for consecutive shootings at the same time, and at the same time, can repeat the subsequent re-shooting without special operation '' It has a great effect.

In particular, the camera according to the first aspect of the present invention operates the release button even when the continuous shooting is stopped by either stopping the continuous shooting on condition of the number of frames to be shot or manually stopping the continuous shooting by operating the release button. In this case, the start of re-shooting is accepted, so that re-shooting can be repeated without any special operation in any case.

In the camera according to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above, the count of the number of frames is reset when the continuous shooting is stopped on the condition of the number of frames. This has a special effect that re-imaging can be repeated.

[0043]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a camera showing an embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a continuous shooting mode operation of the camera of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view for explaining a combination of each shooting mode and a setting value of each flag in the continuous shooting mode operation of the camera of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining predetermined steps of a shooting sequence of the camera of FIG. 1;

5 (A) and 5 (B) are diagrams showing a shooting cycle of continuous shooting in the continuous shooting mode of the camera of FIG. 1, respectively, and FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a specific example of the photographing cycle of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

3. Frame number register 4. Frame number counter (repetition number counting means) 5. Frame number comparator (comparing means) 12. Trigger switch (release means and manual duration control means)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03B 17/00 G03B 17/18

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A camera capable of a continuous shooting mode operation which repeatedly performs a photographing operation of a predetermined step including at least steps of an exposure operation and a recording operation relating to a subject image, wherein the continuous shooting mode operation is performed based on a manual operation. Release means for starting the photographing operation, repetition number counting means for counting the number of repetitions of the photographing operation, comparison means for comparing the count value of the repetition number counting means in the continuous shooting mode with a predetermined specified number of times, based on a manual operation. A manual continuation time defining means for defining the continuation time of the continuous shooting mode operation, and a first point in time at which it is recognized that the count value of the repetition number counting means in the comparison means has reached the predetermined number of times. Or the second time which is the end time of the continuous shooting mode operation specified by the manual duration setting means. At any preceding time, end time control means for ending the continuous shooting mode at least once, and when the continuous shooting mode operation is once ended by the end time control means, the first time as even if the any time and the second time point were preceded by a release standby state to permit the actuation of the next said release means
Release control means for controlling, and said end time point control means having received the preceding of said first time point.
Therefore, when the continuous shooting mode operation is once terminated
Display means for displaying the end of the continuous shooting mode operation
And a camera. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the end point control means, which has received the precedence of the first time point, terminates the continuous shooting mode operation once, and resets the count value of the repetition number counting means at the second time point. 2. The camera according to claim 1, further comprising reset means for resetting the value to a value. 3. The display according to claim 1, wherein the end display of the continuous shooting mode operation is continued until the second time point.
Or the camera according to 2. 4. An exposure operation for at least a subject image and
A photographing operation of a predetermined step including a recording operation step
A camera that can operate in continuous shooting mode
Te, Lelie to start the continuous shooting mode operation based on a manual operation
A continuous shooting of a predetermined number of frames in response to the operation of the release means and the release means.
First continuous shooting mode to be executed and operation of the release means
Continuous shooting mode for performing continuous shooting for a predetermined time in response to
And a mode designating means for selectively designating
Features camera.