JP4392874B2 - Camera system and imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention uses a plurality of strobes.cameraThe system allows you to check the subject's shadow status according to the actual flash setting ratio before shooting.cameraIt is about the system.
[0002]
[Prior art]
When taking a picture, shadows and shadows generated on the subject are an important means of photographic expression. However, in photography using a strobe, strobe light is instantaneous light with a light emission time of several milliseconds, so it is difficult to observe in detail the shadows caused by the strobe and the shadow of the subject even if test light emission is performed. there were. For this reason, the strobes used in photography studios are called modeling lamps, and incandescent light bulbs are arranged at the equivalent positions of the strobe discharge tubes, and the brightness of the modeling lamps is synchronized with the amount of light emitted by the strobes. Since it is controlled, it is possible to check the shadow of the subject and the shadow generated on the subject before the flash photography.
[0003]
However, small strobes that use batteries used by amateurs should be equipped with incandescent light bulbs that allow shadows to be seen in the strobe due to the capacity of the battery and the size restrictions of the strobe. Therefore, the strobe itself is intermittently emitted for a predetermined time to substitute for the modeling lamp.
[0004]
As a first example of a method of making the strobe itself emit light intermittently to form a modeling lamp, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-120815 generates an optical pulse signal from a strobe built in the camera body, and the slave strobe outputs this signal. An example of receiving and intermittent modeling light emission is disclosed.
[0005]
In the second example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-159866 discloses an example in which intermittent modeling light emission is performed at a predetermined light amount ratio set by wired connection. As a third example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-43890 discloses an example in which multi-lamp modeling is performed wirelessly.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, the first example has a problem that even when a plurality of slave strobes are arranged, all the strobes shine with the same amount of light, so that the light amount ratio to the subject changes if the setting changes. The same is true for modeling.
[0007]
This has the advantage that an arbitrary light ratio can be obtained by changing the distance and setting the strobe on one side. For example, if you want to set the light ratio of two slave strobes to 1: 2, The distance ratio to the subject needs to be set to √2: 1, and in the case of 1: 3, it needs to be set to √3: 1, which causes difficulty in setting the distance. In addition, when a diffuser or the like that softens the light quality of the strobe itself is used, the light quantity ratio in the actual subject is further unknown.
[0008]
In the second example, a plurality of strobes are connected by wire, and the main light emission is performed based on the light emission amount information set by each strobe, and the intermittent modeling light emission is performed with the light amount corresponding to the set light emission amount information. However, since the light intensity of the flash unit itself is set, if the distance between the subject and the flash is changed, the actual set light quantity ratio cannot be obtained, and the modeling light emission is similarly changed if the distance between the subject and the flash is changed. The set light quantity ratio in the subject cannot be obtained.
[0009]
In the third example, intermittent modeling light emission is instructed to a plurality of strobes wirelessly. As in the first example, since all strobes shine with the same amount of light, if the setting changes, the light amount ratio to the subject Have the problem of changing. The same is true for modeling.
[0010]
Accordingly, in the above conventional example, intermittent modeling light emission is performed with equal light amount or intermittent modeling light emission is performed with a light amount proportional to the set light amount of the light emitting unit, and there is no light emission corresponding to the actual subject with modeling light emission. It was.
[0011]
  The object of the invention according to the present application is to enable modeling light emission in which the set light intensity ratio matches the actual subject shadow condition.camerasystemAnd imaging deviceIs to provide.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve the above object, a camera system of the present invention is a camera system having a first illumination means, a second illumination means, and an imaging device, and a photometric means for measuring reflected light of an object, Setting means for setting a light amount ratio between subject reflected light by main light emission of one illumination means and subject reflected light by main light emission of the second illumination means; and subject reflected light by pre-light emission of the first illumination means; A main light emission amount of the first illumination unit is calculated based on the light amount ratio, and a main light emission amount of the second illumination unit is calculated based on the subject reflected light by the pre-light emission of the second illumination unit and the light amount ratio. And a first light quantity ratio so that the light quantity ratio between the subject reflected light by the modeling light emission of the first illumination means and the subject reflected light by the modeling light emission of the second illumination means becomes the light quantity ratio. Lighting means Fine said second illuminating means and a light emission control means for modeling flash, the emission control means,One timeModeling flashEmitted byThe camera system is characterized in that the light emission amounts of the first illumination means and the second illumination means are larger than the respective main light emission amounts calculated by the calculation means.
[0013]
  The image pickup apparatus of the present invention is an image pickup apparatus using a first illumination means and a second illumination means, and a photometric means for measuring subject reflected light, and a subject by the main light emission of the first illumination means. A setting unit that sets a light amount ratio between reflected light and subject reflected light by main light emission of the second illumination unit, and the first light source based on the subject light reflected by pre-light emission of the first lighting unit and the light amount ratio. Calculating means for calculating the main light emission amount of the second illumination means based on the subject reflected light by the pre-light emission of the second illumination means and the light amount ratio; The first illuminating means and the second illuminating means so that the light quantity ratio between the subject reflected light by modeling light emission of one illumination means and the subject reflected light by modeling light emission of the second illumination means becomes the light quantity ratio. Make the modeling flash And a light emission control means, said light emission control means,One timeModeling flashEmitted byThe light emission amounts of the first illumination unit and the second illumination unit are made larger than the respective main light emission amounts calculated by the calculation unit.
[0025]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view mainly illustrating an optical configuration of a strobe control camera system implemented by applying the present invention to a single-lens reflex camera.
[0026]
Reference numeral 1 denotes a camera body in which optical parts, mechanical parts, electric circuits, films, and the like are housed so that photography can be performed. Reference numeral 2 denotes a main mirror, which is obliquely set in or removed from the photographing optical path according to the observation state and the photographing state. The main mirror 2 is a half mirror, and transmits about half of the light beam from the subject through a focus detection optical system described later. Reference numeral 3 denotes a focusing plate arranged on the planned imaging plane of the photographic lens 11, 4 a pentaprism for changing the finder optical path, 5 an eyepiece, and the photographer observes the focusing screen 3 through this window to observe the shooting screen can do. Reference numerals 6 and 7 denote an imaging lens and a photometric sensor for measuring the luminance of the object in the observation screen. The imaging lens 6 associates the focus plate 3 and the photometric sensor 7 in a conjugate manner via the reflected light path in the pentaprism 4. ing.
[0027]
A shutter 8 and a photosensitive member 9 are made of a silver salt film or the like.
[0028]
A sub-mirror 25 bends the light beam from the subject downward and guides it toward the focus detection unit 26. The focus detection unit 26 includes a secondary imaging mirror 27, a secondary imaging lens 28, a focus detection line sensor 29, and the like. The secondary imaging mirror 27 and the secondary imaging lens 28 form a focus detection optical system, and the secondary imaging surface of the photographing optical system is connected to the focus detection line sensor 29. The focus detection unit 26 realizes an automatic focus detection device by detecting the focus state of the subject in the shooting screen by a known phase difference detection method and controlling the focus adjustment mechanism of the shooting lens.
Reference numeral 10 denotes a mount contact group that serves as an interface between the camera and the lens, and 11 denotes a lens barrel installed on the camera body. Reference numerals 12 to 14 denote photographing lenses, and reference numeral 12 denotes a first group lens. The focal position of the photographing screen can be adjusted by moving back and forth on the optical axis. Reference numeral 13 denotes a second lens group that moves back and forth on the optical axis, thereby changing the shooting screen and changing the focal length of the shooting lens. Reference numeral 14 denotes a three-group fixed lens. Reference numeral 15 denotes a photographing lens aperture.
[0029]
Reference numeral 16 denotes a first group lens drive motor, which can automatically adjust the focus position by moving the first group lens back and forth in accordance with an automatic focus adjustment operation. Reference numeral 17 denotes a lens diaphragm drive motor, which can drive the photographing lens diaphragm to a desired diaphragm diameter.
[0030]
Reference numeral 18 denotes an external strobe (flash device) which is attached to the camera body 1 and performs light emission control in accordance with a signal from the camera. Reference numeral 19 denotes a xenon tube as a luminous tube, which converts current energy into luminous energy. Reference numerals 20 and 21 denote a reflector and a Fresnel lens, each of which plays a role of efficiently condensing light emission energy toward a subject. A strobe contact group 22 serves as an interface between the camera body 1 and the external strobe 18. Reference numeral 30 denotes a light transmission means such as glass fiber, which is led to a light receiving element 31 as a first light receiving means such as a photodiode which is a light receiving means for monitoring the light emitted from the xenon tube 19. Reference numeral 31 directly measures the light quantity of the pre-flash and the main flash. 32 is a light receiving element such as a photodiode, which is a second light receiving means for monitoring the light emitted from the xenon tube 19. The light emission of the xenon tube 19 is limited by the output of the light receiving element 32 to control flat light emission. Reference numerals 20a and 20b are light guides integrated with the reflective shade 20 and reflect and guide the light of the xenon tube to the light receiving element 32 or the fiber 30.
[0031]
Next, FIG.2 and FIG.3 has shown the electric circuit block diagram of this Embodiment. The members corresponding to those in FIG. 1 are given the same numbers.
[0032]
As a control means on the camera side, a camera microcomputer (microcomputer) 100 performs an internal operation based on a clock generated by an oscillator 101.
[0033]
The EEPROM 100b as a storage means can store film counter and other shooting information. An A / D (analog-to-digital converter) 100c A / D converts analog signals from the focus detection circuit 105 and the photometry circuit 106, and the camera microcomputer 100 processes the A / D values in various states. Set.
The camera microcomputer 100 is connected with a focus detection circuit 105, a photometry circuit 106, a shutter control circuit 107, a motor control circuit 108, a film travel detection circuit 109, a switch sense circuit 110, and an LCD drive circuit 111. Further, signals are transmitted to the microcomputer 112 as a lens control circuit disposed in the photographing lens via the mount contact 10, and the external strobe is connected to the strobe side via the strobe contact group 22. Signals are transmitted to a strobe microcomputer (microcomputer) 238 as processing means.
[0034]
The focus detection circuit 105 performs accumulation control and readout control of a CCD line sensor 29 that is a known distance measuring element in accordance with a signal from the camera microcomputer 100, and outputs each pixel information to the camera microcomputer 100. The camera microcomputer 100 A / D converts this information and performs focus detection by a known phase difference detection method.
[0035]
The camera microcomputer 100 performs focus adjustment of the lens by exchanging signals with the lens microcomputer 112 based on the focus detection information.
[0036]
The photometry circuit 106 outputs an output from the photometry sensor 7 to the camera microcomputer 100 as a luminance signal of the subject. The photometry circuit 106 outputs a luminance signal in both the steady state where the strobe light is not pre-flashed toward the subject and the pre-flash state where the flash is pre-flashed, and the camera microcomputer 100 performs A / D conversion of the luminance signal. Then, the aperture value and the shutter speed for adjusting the exposure for shooting are calculated, and the flash emission amount at the time of exposure is calculated.
[0037]
The shutter control circuit 107 runs the shutter front curtain drive magnet MG-1 and the shutter rear curtain drive magnet MG-2 constituting the focal plane shutter 8 in accordance with a signal from the camera microcomputer 100, and performs an exposure operation.
[0038]
The motor control circuit 108 controls the motor in accordance with a signal from the camera microcomputer 100 to perform up / down of the main mirror 2, charge of the shutter, and feeding of the film.
[0039]
The film running detection circuit 109 detects whether or not the film has been wound up by one frame when the film is fed, and sends a signal to the camera microcomputer 100.
[0040]
SW1 is turned on by a first stroke of a release button (not shown), and serves as a switch for starting photometry and AF. SW2 is turned on by the second stroke of the release button and serves as a switch for starting an exposure operation. SWFELK is a switch that performs pre-flash independently, and SWSTPDN is a narrowing-down switch for narrowing the lens diaphragm to check the depth of field before photographing. The switches SW1, SW2, SWFELK, and others are not shown. A signal from the camera operation member is detected by the switch sensor circuit 110 and sent to the camera microcomputer 100.
[0041]
The liquid crystal display circuit 111 controls display on the in-viewfinder LCD 24 and the monitor LCD 42 according to signals from the camera microcomputer 100. SWX is a strobe light emission start switch, which is turned on simultaneously with the completion of shutter front curtain travel.
[0042]
Next, the interface terminal of the strobe and lens of the camera microcomputer 100 will be described.
[0043]
SCK is a synchronous clock output terminal for serial communication with the strobe, SDO is a serial data output terminal for serial communication with the strobe, SDI is a data input terminal for serial communication with the strobe, and SCHG is a strobe of the strobe. Input terminal for detecting whether light can be emitted, LCK is an output terminal for a synchronous clock for serial communication with the lens, LDO is a serial data output terminal for serial communication with the lens, and LDI is a serial communication terminal for the lens. This is a data input terminal.
[0044]
Next, the configuration of the lens will be described. The camera body and the lens are electrically connected to each other via the lens mount contact 10. This lens mount contact 10 is L0 which is a power contact for the focus drive motor 16 and the aperture drive motor 17 in the lens, L1 which is a power contact for the lens microcomputer 112 as lens control means, and known serial data communication. Contact L2 for clock transmission, L3 contact for data transmission from the camera to the lens, L4 contact for data transmission from the lens to the camera, L5 which is the ground contact for the motor to the power supply for the motor, the power supply for the lens microcomputer 112 It is comprised by L6 which is a ground contact with respect to.
[0045]
The lens microcomputer 112 is connected to the camera microcomputer 100 through these lens mount contacts 10 and operates the first lens drive motor 16 and the lens aperture motor 17 to control the focus adjustment and the aperture of the lens. Reference numerals 35 and 36 denote a photodetector and a pulse plate. When the lens microcomputer 112 counts the number of pulses, position information of the first group lens can be obtained, and the focus of the lens can be adjusted.
Next, the structure of the strobe will be described with reference to FIG.
[0046]
A battery 201 is a power source, and a known DC-DC converter 202 boosts the battery voltage to several hundred volts.
[0047]
Reference numeral 203 denotes a main capacitor for storing emission energy, and 204 and 205 denote resistors, which divide the voltage of the main capacitor 203 into a predetermined ratio. 206 is a first coil for limiting the light emission current, 207 is a first diode for absorbing the back electromotive voltage generated when light emission is stopped, 208 is a second coil for limiting the light emission current, and 209 is This is a second diode for absorbing a counter electromotive voltage generated in the coil 8 when light emission is stopped.
[0048]
Reference numeral 19 denotes a xenon (Xe) tube as a light emitting means, 211 a trigger generation circuit, 212 a light emission control circuit such as an IGBT, and 213 a thyristor as a switching element for bypassing the coil 208, When a short light pulse is generated from the Xe tube 19 when performing optical communication, and when the stop controllability at the time of stopping the light emission at the time of flash emission is improved, the thyristor 213 emits light so that no current flows through the coil 208 Bypass current.
[0049]
Reference numeral 214 denotes a resistor for causing a current to flow to the gate which is a control pole of the thyristor 213 in order to turn on the thyristor 213, and reference numeral 215 denotes that noise is applied to the gate of the thyristor 213 when the thyristor 213 is in an off state. 216 is a capacitor for rapidly turning on the thyristor 213, and 217 is noise absorption for preventing the thyristor 213 from being turned on when noise is applied to the gate of the thyristor 213. Capacitors 218 are transistors for switching the gate current of the thyristor 213.
[0050]
219 and 220 are resistors, 221 is a transistor for switching the transistor 218, and 222 and 223 are resistors.
[0051]
A data selector 230 selects D0, D1, and D2 and outputs them to Y by a combination of two inputs Y0 and Y1.
[0052]
231 is a comparator for adjusting the emission intensity of FP light emission (flat light emission), 232 is a comparator for adjusting the light emission amount during flash light emission, and 32 is a photodiode which is a light receiving sensor for controlling FP light emission. The light output of a certain Xe tube 19 is monitored.
[0053]
234 is a photometric circuit that amplifies a minute current flowing through the photodiode 32 and converts the photocurrent into a voltage, and 31 is a photodiode that is a light receiving sensor for controlling flash emission, and the light of the Xe tube 19 that is a light emitting means. Monitor the output.
[0054]
Reference numeral 236 denotes a photometric integration circuit for converting a photocurrent flowing through the photodiode 31 into a voltage and logarithmically converting a high current for integration.
[0055]
Reference numeral 238 denotes a microcomputer for controlling the operation of the entire strobe, 22 denotes a contact group provided on the hot shoe for communication with the camera body, and 240 denotes a liquid crystal display which is a display means for displaying the operating state of the strobe. .
[0056]
241 is a wireless selector switch for setting the wireless operation state of the strobe, 242 is a power switch for controlling the power on / off of the strobe, 243 is an LED for indicating the flashable state of the strobe, 244 is that the strobe has been photographed with an appropriate light amount LED to display.
[0057]
245 is a known motor control circuit, and 246 is a motor for setting the irradiation angle by moving the Xe tube 19 and the reflecting shade 20 in accordance with the focal length of the lens 11 connected to the camera body 100.
[0058]
247 is a backlight lighting switch for illuminating the liquid crystal 240, 248 is a mode switch for selecting a flash emission mode, and 249 is for selecting a parameter associated with the flash mode (for example, a light emission amount during manual light emission). , 250 is an up switch for increasing the parameter set value, 251 is a down switch for decreasing the parameter, and 252 is a zoom switch for manually setting the light emission angle.
[0059]
Reference numerals 253, 254, and 255 denote encoders that indicate the positions of light emission irradiation angles. Reference numeral 256 denotes a photodiode that is a light receiving element for receiving an optical communication signal. Reference numeral 257 amplifies a photocurrent flowing through the photodiode 256 and converts it into a voltage. A light receiving circuit.
Next, each terminal of the microcomputer 238 will be described.
[0060]
CNT is a control output terminal for controlling the charging of the DC / DC converter 2, LCDS is a wiring group for displaying the liquid crystal 240, COM 1 is a control output terminal corresponding to the ground potential of the switch 241, and NORM is normally in a strobe operation state. This is an input terminal that is selected when shooting (not in wireless mode).
[0061]
MASTER is an input terminal selected when the operation state of the strobe is connected to the camera using the wireless master mode, that is, the camera hot shoe contact group 22, and SLAVE is an operation state of the strobe. Is an input terminal that is selected in the wireless slave mode, that is, at a position away from the camera, in a state in which the light emission control light signal from the master strobe is received by the light receiving element 256 and the light emission of the strobe is controlled.
[0062]
Next, COM2 is a control output terminal corresponding to the ground potential of the switch 242, OFF is an input terminal that is selected when the strobe is turned off, ON is an input terminal that is selected when the strobe is turned on, and SE is a strobe that has passed a predetermined time. This input terminal is selected when the power is turned off later.
[0063]
CLK is a synchronization clock input terminal for serial communication with the camera, DO is a serial data output terminal for transferring serial data from the strobe to the camera in synchronization with the synchronization clock, and DI is a synchronization clock from the camera to the strobe. This is a serial data input terminal for transferring serial data.
[0064]
M0 and M1 are output terminals for controlling the four operating states (CW drive, CCW drive, motor off, motor brake) of the motor driver, and ZOOM0, ZOOM1, and ZOOM2 are input to the encoders 253, 254, and 255 indicating the zoom position described above. COM0 is a control output terminal corresponding to the ground potential of the zoom encoder or the like, ZOOM is an input terminal of the zoom position setting switch 252, DOWN is an input terminal of the strobe setting information decrease switch 251, and UP is strobe setting information. The input terminal of the increase switch 250, SEL / SET is the input terminal of the data selection switch 249, MODE is the input terminal of the light emission mode selection switch 248, LIGHT is the input terminal of the illumination switch 247, and YIN is the data selector 230. For output status detection , INT is an integration control output terminal of the photometric integration circuit 236, AD 0 is an A / D conversion input terminal for reading an integrated voltage indicating the light emission amount of the photometry integration circuit 236, and DA 0 is the comparators 231 and 232. This is a D / A output terminal for outputting a comparator voltage.
[0065]
Y0 and Y1 are selection state setting output terminals of the data selector 230, TRIG is a light emission trigger generation output terminal, and SCR_CTRL is a control output terminal of the thyristor 213.
[0066]
FIG. 4 is an external view of the strobe device according to this embodiment.
[0067]
Each switch, display, etc. are given the same numbers as in FIG. Note that the wireless mode selector switch 241 is a slide switch that can be set in three states, NORM is a normal shooting state, MASTER is a master strobe state attached to the camera, and SLAVE is a slave strobe disposed at a position away from the camera body. Means state. Reference numeral 258 denotes a light receiving window of the optical signal light receiving element 256 described above.
[0068]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of photographing using the wireless strobe system according to the present embodiment, and is an example of performing two-lamp light quantity ratio photographing of two groups A and B using two strobes. At this time, the strobe connected to the camera 1 is set as group A, and the flash unit itself emits light. At the same time, the control information is transmitted to the slave strobe set in group B arranged at a position away from the camera body. You can shoot with an arbitrary light intensity ratio with the strobe. In addition, modeling light emission can be performed at the same ratio as the light amount ratio during main light emission.
[0069]
The light emission mode of the master flash connected to the camera 1 is called a master light emission mode. In addition, each of the two-lamp control is referred to as group A and group B, not only one each, but in order to increase the guide number, for example, group A set to the slave mode in addition to the master flash of group A This is because a strobe may be set or a plurality of group B strobes may be set.
[0070]
Each strobe may be the same, and the master strobe MS connected to the camera 1 has the above-described wireless mode selection switch 241 set to MASTER, and the slave strobe SS has the above-described wireless mode selection switch 241 set to SLAVE. Is set to
[0071]
Next, a display example of the strobe liquid crystal display 240 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0072]
FIG. 6A shows a display example when the master mode is set, 301 is a mode display indicating the automatic light control mode, 302 is a display icon indicating that FP light emission is possible, and 303 is the current zoom position. Zoom display, 304 is a display icon indicating that the wireless master mode is set, 305 is a front emission mark indicating that the master flash mode is set, and 306 is a channel display indicating the selected channel. .
[0073]
Reference numeral 320 denotes a display indicating the light amount ratio setting mode, which indicates that two groups of group A strobe and group B strobe can be controlled. Reference numeral 321 denotes a display showing the light quantity ratio of A: B. In the present embodiment, the light quantity ratio of A: B can be set continuously in steps of 1/2 from 8: 1 to 1: 8. The set light amount ratio can be visually recognized by the mark lighting position 322. In this embodiment, the master strobe set to enable front emission is set to group A.
[0074]
FIG. 6B is a display example of the wireless slave mode set to group B. In the slave mode, the wireless display icon visually represents the slave mode when the arrow points to the strobe side. Reference numeral 307 denotes a light emission group display, which indicates a slave strobe set to group B.
[0075]
Next, the operation of the two-lamp light quantity ratio modeling light emission will be described.
[0076]
The outline of the operation of the two-lamp light ratio modeling light emission is as follows. The strobe of the first group (group A) performs pre-light emission, the first photometric value is obtained from the reflected light received by the camera, and then the second group. The (Group B) strobe emits a pre-flash, and the second photometric value is obtained from the reflected light received by the camera. The camera determines the appropriateness of each of the A and B groups based on the light intensity ratio between the set groups A and B. This is because the main light emission amount is obtained and the light emission according to the light emission amount is intermittently emitted to the strobes of both groups A and B while maintaining the ratio of the light emission amount.
[0077]
FIG. 7 is a table showing the light amount correction amount of each group for photographing groups A and B with a predetermined light amount ratio.
[0078]
In the figure, the A: B display in the first column is the light amount ratio indicated by the light amount ratio display 321 and the light amount ratio set value display 322 of the liquid crystal display 240 of the strobe in FIG. 6, and the second column is the light amount ratio. This corresponds to the intermediate value of the numerical display of the display 321. The third column is the light amount correction value of the group A strobe, and the fourth column is the light amount correction value of the group B strobe.
[0079]
That is, when irradiating the group A strobe and the group B strobe to the same subject, the reflected light from the subject due to the pre-flash of the strobe for each group is measured and calculated in order to add the light quantity of both groups to be appropriate. Further, by adding the light emission correction amount of FIG. 7 to the appropriate main light emission amount of each group, the proper light amount can be obtained by controlling the main light emission.
[0080]
For example, in order to set Group A: Group B = 1: 1, the appropriate light emission amounts when light is emitted from only one lamp in each group are obtained, and group A light amount correction in the case of 1: 1 as shown in FIG. By adding the amount = −1F and the group B light amount correction amount = −1F to the light emission amount of each group and performing the main light emission, it is possible to obtain an appropriate light amount with a desired light amount ratio.
[0081]
When performing modeling light emission, the light emission amount of the group with the large light emission amount is shifted to the maximum light emission amount per modeling shot while maintaining the ratio of the main light emission amount of each group thus obtained. By adding the same shift amount to the light emission amount, modeling light emission with the same light amount ratio as the main light emission amount ratio can be performed.
[0082]
In the present embodiment, this table is stored in the microcomputer ROM in the master strobe in order to set the light intensity ratio in the master strobe MS. I try to communicate. However, only the light amount ratio setting value may be stored as information with a strobe, and a light amount ratio table corresponding to the light amount ratio may be included in the camera.
[0083]
Next, the operation of the camera and strobe during modeling light emission will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0084]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation when modeling light emission at a predetermined light quantity ratio is performed, and FIG. 9 is a timing chart for explaining timing.
[0085]
[Step 100] When the camera modeling start switch is turned on at time t0 in FIG. 9, the camera communication line CLK (FIG. 9B) is displayed at time t1 to instruct the strobe set in group A to perform pre-flash. ), Pre-flash instruction to the master strobe MS via known serial communication via DO (FIG. 9C) and DI (FIG. 9D).
[0086]
[Step 101] Upon receiving communication from this camera, the master strobe MS causes the Xe tube 19 to emit light in a pulsed manner as shown in FIGS. 9 (1) and (2). Sends optical communication that instructs pre-flash to the slave strobe.
[0087]
This optical communication is composed of two-byte optical pulses, and the first byte shown in FIG. 9 (1) has the first 2-bit interval indicating the channel for preventing the above-mentioned interference, and the remaining 8-bit interval of the predetermined interval. The optical pulse indicates the first byte of data, and is a command for instructing the group A to perform pre-emission for a predetermined time.
[0088]
In the subsequent second byte (FIG. 9 (2)), the first 1 bit is a start pulse, and the remaining 8-bit optical pulse is data indicating the pre-emission luminous intensity of group A. The transmission of the second byte is completed. Then, the strobe returns the D0 signal line to the Hi level and notifies the camera that the pre-flash instruction transmission has been completed. The circuit operation of the master strobe when the Xe tube emits pulses for wireless communication will be described later.
[0089]
[Step 102] At time t5, the camera lowers the CLK communication line to the Lo level to instruct pre-flash start, and the master strobe MS is instructed by the camera as shown in FIG. Pre-emission is performed for a predetermined emission intensity and a predetermined emission time. The operation of the master flash when performing this pre-flash will be described later.
[0090]
[Step 103] When the pre-flash of the master strobe is started, the master strobe lowers the DO communication line to the Lo level as shown in FIG. 9D, and the camera measures the subject reflected light by the master strobe in synchronization with this. Photometry is performed by the sensor 7 to calculate an appropriate flash amount (A_GAIN). The method for calculating the appropriate light emission amount of the strobe is described in detail in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-33992, and is omitted here. However, the outline is preliminarily measured by measuring the reflected light of the subject by pre-emission. The difference between the light emission amount and the appropriate light amount is calculated to calculate the proper light emission amount for the main light emission. If there is a slave flash set to group A in addition to the master flash, the pre-flash instruction communication (FIGS. 9 (1) and (2)) is received and pre-synchronized with the pre-flash of the subsequent master flash. Light is emitted.
[0091]
[Step 104] Next, in the same procedure as in step 100, the camera instructs the master flash to perform pre-flash of the group B flash by known serial communication.
[0092]
[Step 105] In the same procedure as Step 101, the master strobe MS causes the Xe tube 19 to emit a pulse and transmits a pre-flash instruction to the group B strobe (FIGS. 9 (4) and (5)).
[0093]
On the other hand, the slave strobe SSB receives the pre-flash instruction communication (FIGS. 9 (4) and (5)) from the master strobe and prepares for pre-flash.
[0094]
[Step 106] When the camera instructs the master strobe to perform pre-flash of the group B strobe at time t11 in the same procedure as step 102, the master strobe MS pre-flashes at time t11 in order to start the group B strobe. A start pulse (FIG. 9 (6)) is generated.
[0095]
The group B slave strobe SSB performs pre-emission (FIG. 9 (7)) with a predetermined emission time and a predetermined emission intensity in synchronization with the emission start pulse.
[0096]
[Step 107] Since the master flash unit lowers the DO communication line to the Lo level as shown in FIG. 9D in accordance with the timing at which the pre-flash of the group B flash unit is started, as in step 103, the camera is the master unit. The subject reflected light from the strobe is measured by the photometric sensor 7 to calculate the proper strobe light emission (B_GAIN).
[0097]
[Step 108] Exposure correction values for the A group strobe and B group strobe corresponding to the light intensity ratio setting values sent in advance from the strobe to the camera via the serial communication lines CLK, DI, and DO (in the data shown in FIG. 7). Yes, A_COMP and B_COMP are respectively added to the light emission amount data of each of the group A and B strobes to calculate the light emission amount of each group strobe (that is, A_GAIN = A_GAIN + A_COMP, B_GAIN = B_GAIN + B_COMP).
[0098]
[Step 109] At the timing of t13, the camera instructs the master strobe for the light emission amounts of the groups A and B calculated in step 108, and instructs the start of modeling.
[0099]
[Step 110] When the master flash MS receives the modeling flash amount, the maximum flash amount (MAX_MODEL) of the modeling flash that can be emitted by the flash unit and the maximum value (MAX_GAIN = MAX (A_GAIN) of the flash amounts of the group A and B strobes. , B_GAIN)) is added to each light emission amount to calculate an actual modeling light emission amount, a modeling light emission command (FIG. 9 (8)), and a modeling light emission amount of the A group strobe (FIG. 9 (9)). ), The modeling emission amount of the group B strobe (FIG. 9 (10)) is transmitted to the slave strobe.
[0100]
[Step 111] The master strobe MS performs intermittent light emission for a predetermined time (predetermined number of times) from time t18 with the modeling light emission amount of the group A strobe obtained in step 110 (FIG. 9E or G).
[0101]
[Step 112] Of the modeling start commands and data received at times t14, t15, and t16, the slave strobe SSB performs intermittent light emission for a predetermined time (predetermined number of times) from time t18 with the light emission amount of the B group slave strobe at t16. (FIG. 9F or H).
[0102]
In E) or G) of FIG. 9, the light emission ratio is given by controlling the peak value (light emission intensity) of flat light emission as one time light emission of modeling light emission as flat light emission for a short time. Alternatively, the light amount ratio may be given by controlling the light emission time with a predetermined light emission intensity. Of course, the predetermined amount of flash emission shown in G) or H) of FIG. 9 may be used, but in general, the current flowing through the Xe tube when the same amount of light is generated in the flat emission can be reduced compared to the flash emission. This is because it is preferable in terms of durability of the tube, and it is possible to suppress a sound caused by vibration of the coil 206 or 207 generated by switching of the light emission current.
[0103]
Next, the operation of the strobe circuit in each light emission mode will be described with reference to the circuit diagram of FIG.
[0104]
<Wireless communication light emission operation>
FIG. 10 is an enlarged timing chart of wireless communication from t1 to t6 in FIG. Each number is the same as in FIG.
[0105]
When the master strobe microcomputer 238 receives a wireless communication instruction from the camera, the master strobe microcomputer 238 generates a predetermined voltage corresponding to the amount of light pulses necessary for wireless optical communication from the DA0 output terminal.
[0106]
Next, Y0 is set to low level and Y1 is set to high level, and the D2 input of the data selector 230 is selected. At this time, since the Xe tube 19 does not emit light, no photocurrent flows through the sensor 32, and since the output of the comparator 231 is at the Lo level, the output of the comparator 231 is at the Hi level, and the light emission control circuit 211 becomes conductive. Further, when the SCR_CTRL terminal is set to Hi level, the transistor 221 and the transistor 218 are turned on, a current flows through the transistor 218 and the resistor 214 to the gate of the thyristor 213, and the thyristor 213 is turned on.
[0107]
When the TRIG terminal is set to a high level for a predetermined time, the light emission control circuit 212 is in a conductive state, and the Xe tube 19 starts to emit light. At this time, the current flowing through the Xe tube 19 flows through the capacitor 203, the coil 206, and the thyristor 213. In other words, by bypassing the coil 208 with the thyristor 213, an optical pulse with a sharp rise necessary for high-speed wireless communication can be obtained.
[0108]
When light emission starts and current flows through the Xe tube, the amount of light gradually increases. When the output of the sensor 32 that monitors light emission reaches a predetermined voltage, the output of the comparator 231 is inverted from the Hi level to the Lo level, and the output is Since the light emission control circuit 212 is cut off through D2 and Y, the light emission is stopped. At the same time, the microcomputer 238 detects that the Y output monitored at the YIN terminal has become Lo level, sets the Y1 and Y0 terminals to Lo and Lo levels, and forcibly stops the light emission.
[0109]
In the same manner, the channel identification signal CH. Is generated. This channel identification signal is used to prevent interference by selecting a channel when there are a plurality of slave strobes SS. Subsequently, the necessary bits D7 to D0 are similarly emitted at equal intervals according to the contents of the transmission data.
[0110]
The second byte light emission from time t3 is performed in the same manner. This is different from the light emission of the first byte in that no pulse is output and data from D7 to D0 is output immediately.
[0111]
<Pre-flash operation>
When the strobe is in the master mode, the pre-flash operation is performed at the subsequent timing t5. The microcomputer 238 sets a predetermined voltage to the DA0 output in accordance with the pre-emission intensity information instructed from the camera. In the case of a slave strobe, a predetermined voltage that provides an appropriate light intensity is set for the DA0 output in accordance with the light intensity information received from the master flash.
[0112]
Next, when the SCR_CTRL output terminal is set to a low level, the transistors 221 and 218 are turned off, so that the thyristor 213 is turned off. At the same time, Y0 is set to low level, Y1 is set to high level, and input D2 is selected. At this time, since the xenon tube 19 has not yet emitted light, the photocurrent of the light receiving element 32 does not flow, the output of the light receiving circuit 234 input to the inverting input terminal of the comparator 231 does not occur, and the output of the comparator 231 is Hi. Therefore, the light emission control circuit 212 becomes conductive. Next, when the TRIG terminal is set to a high level for a predetermined time, the trigger circuit 211 generates a high voltage to excite the xenon tube 19 and start light emission. This light emission current flows from the capacitor 203 through the coil 206 and the coil 208 to the Xe tube 19.
[0113]
On the other hand, the microcomputer 238 instructs the photometric integration circuit 236 to start integration after a predetermined time from the occurrence of the trigger, starts integration of the output of the photodiode 31, and simultaneously starts an internal timer (not shown) of the microcomputer 238 that counts the predetermined time. Let The reason why the start of integration is delayed from the generation of the trigger is to prevent the integration circuit from integrating noise other than the optical signal due to the noise caused by the generation of the trigger. This is because there is a delay of several μsec.
[0114]
When pre-emission is started, the photocurrent of the light receiving element 32 increases, the output of the light receiving circuit 234 increases, and when it becomes higher than a predetermined comparator voltage set to the non-inverting input of the comparator 231, the comparator 231 The output is inverted to Lo, and the light emission control circuit 212 cuts off the light emission current of the xenon tube 19 and the discharge loop is broken, but a recirculation loop is formed by the diode 209 and the coil 208, and the light emission current is exceeded due to the delay of the circuit. After the shoot stops, it gradually decreases.
[0115]
As the light emission current decreases, the light emission intensity decreases, so the photocurrent of the light receiving element 32 decreases, the output of the light receiving circuit 234 decreases, and when the output falls below a predetermined comparison level, the output of the comparator 231 again becomes Hi. , The light emission control circuit 212 is turned on again to form a discharge loop of the xenon tube 19, and the light emission current increases and the light emission intensity also increases. As described above, the light emission intensity is repeatedly increased and decreased in a short period around the predetermined comparator voltage set to DA0. As a result, the flat light emission can be controlled so that the light emission is continued at the substantially constant desired light intensity. .
[0116]
When a predetermined pre-emission time elapses due to the count of the emission time timer, the microcomputer 238 sets the Y1 and Y0 terminals to Lo and Lo, the input of the data selector 230 is selected as D0, that is, the Lo level input, and the output is forced. The light emission control circuit 212 cuts off the discharge loop of the xenon tube 19 and ends the light emission.
[0117]
At the end of the light emission, the microcomputer 238 reads the output of the photometric integration circuit 236 integrating the pre-light emission from the A / D input terminal AD0, performs A / D conversion, and uses the integrated value, that is, the light emission amount at the time of the pre-light emission. A digital value is stored as a reference value for the quantity.
[0118]
<Flat modeling light emission operation>
In the flat modeling light emission operation, the same flat light emission operation as the pre-light emission operation described above is performed a predetermined number of times at predetermined intervals based on the calculated modeling light emission amount.
[0119]
<Flash modeling light emission operation>
In the flash modeling light emission operation, the same operation as the operation of emitting the pulse of the wireless communication light emission operation described above is performed a predetermined number of times at predetermined intervals based on the calculated modeling light emission amount.
[0120]
As described above, in the first embodiment, information transmitting means for sequentially instructing at least one strobe to pre-flash, means for measuring subject reflected light due to pre-flash, and subject reflection measured. Means for calculating the light emission amount of each strobe so that the reflected light of the subject has a predetermined light amount ratio from the set light amount ratio information, and instructing the strobe to use the calculated light emission amount as modeling light amount information And a strobe having a means for receiving information from the camera and a flash light emitting means for receiving the information for instructing the pre-light emission and using the flash light emitting means for a predetermined pre-light emission. Each strobe is calculated by including information on instructing modeling light emission of the predetermined light amount and receiving light emission for modeling light emission of the predetermined light amount. By performing intermittent flashing according to the modeling flash level, modeling flash is performed at the set light intensity ratio regardless of the distance from each flash subject and the flashing status of the diffuser presence / absence lamp, so actual shooting before shooting It becomes possible to confirm the same shadow condition as.
[0121]
(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment, modeling light emission is performed between the strobe attached to the camera and the strobe located at a position away from the camera in order to confirm the shooting effect with the set light amount ratio. In the second embodiment, the light quantity ratio can be set between slave strobes at arbitrary positions using two slave strobes. The strobe attached to the camera is the same as that of two slave strobes. Only control.
[0122]
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of photographing using a master flash (MS) in the control-only mode and two slave flashes. The control-only mode is a mode in which the master flash itself does not contribute to shooting and only the slave flash is controlled. The slave strobe uses the strobe set for group A (SSA) and the strobe set for group B (SSB). The light intensity ratio set by the master strobe MS can be used between the strobes of group A and group B. The light intensity ratio can be set.
[0123]
In the example of FIG. 11, the master strobe and the slave strobe are the same, but instead of a large master strobe, a small Xe tube with a small amount of light emission or a high-intensity diode is used for this light emission function. Alternatively, a controller dedicated to optical communication control can be used.
[0124]
Since each strobe is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted here.
[0125]
Next, a display example of the strobe liquid crystal display 240 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
[0126]
FIG. 12A shows a display example when the control-only mode is set. From the liquid crystal display of FIG. 6A described in the first embodiment, the front emission mark 305 is turned off and transmitted visually. Express that it is a dedicated mode.
[0127]
FIG. 12B is a display example of the wireless slave mode set to group A. In the slave mode, the wireless display icon visually represents the slave mode when the arrow points to the strobe side. Reference numeral 307 denotes a light emission group display, which indicates a slave strobe set to group A.
[0128]
FIG. 12C is a display example of the wireless slave mode set to group B. Reference numeral 307 denotes a slave strobe set to group B.
[0129]
Next, the operation of the two-lamp light quantity ratio modeling light emission in the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0130]
FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the operation when modeling light emission at a predetermined light quantity ratio is performed, and FIG. 14 is a timing chart for explaining timing.
[0131]
[Step 200] When the modeling start switch of the camera is turned on at time t0 in FIG. 14, the camera instructs the master strobe to perform predetermined pre-flash on the group A strobe at time t1. An instruction is given by a known serial communication via the communication line.
[0132]
[Step 201] Upon receiving communication from this camera, the master strobe MS causes the Xe tube 19 to emit light in a pulsed manner as shown in FIGS. 14 (1) and (2). Sends optical communication that instructs pre-flash to the slave strobe. When the transmission is completed, the strobe returns the D0 signal line to the Hi level and notifies the camera that the pre-flash instruction transmission has been completed. Next, at time t5, the camera lowers the CLK communication line to the Lo level for the pre-flash start instruction, and the master strobe MS detects this and generates a pre-flash start pulse ((3) in FIG. 14). .
[0133]
[Step 202] After receiving the group A strobe pre-flash instruction command (FIG. 14 (1)) and the pre-flash intensity (FIG. 14 (2)) from the master flash, the slave flash SSA receives the pre-flash start pulse (FIG. 14). In synchronization with (3)), pre-emission is performed with a predetermined emission luminous intensity and a predetermined emission time ((4) in FIG. 14).
[0134]
[Step 203] The master flash unit pulls down the DO communication line to the Lo level as shown in (D) of FIG. 14 in synchronization with the start of slave flash pre-flash. The light reflected from the subject by the strobe is measured by the photometric sensor 7 to calculate a proper strobe light emission amount (A_GAIN).
[0135]
[Step 204] Next, in the same procedure as in step 200, the camera instructs the master flash unit to perform pre-flash of the group B flash unit using known serial communication.
[0136]
[Step 205] In the same procedure as Step 201, the master strobe MS causes the Xe tube 19 to emit a pulse and transmits a pre-flash instruction to the group B strobe (FIGS. 14 (5) and (6)). Next, when the camera instructs the master strobe to perform group B strobe pre-flash at the time t11 in the same procedure as step 202, the master strobe MS starts pre-flash at the time t11 in order to start the group B strobe. A pulse (FIG. 14 (7)) is generated.
[0137]
[Step 206] On the other hand, the slave strobe SSB receives the pre-flash instruction communication (FIGS. 14 (5) and (6)) from the master strobe and prepares for the pre-flash and receives the subsequent flash start pulse. Then, as shown in FIG. 14, pre-emission (FIG. 14 (8)) with a predetermined emission time and a predetermined emission intensity is performed.
[0138]
[Step 207] In synchronization with the start of the pre-flash of the group B strobe, the master strobe lowers the DO communication line to the Lo level as indicated by D in FIG. In synchronism, the subject reflected light from the master flash is measured by the photometric sensor 7 to calculate the appropriate flash emission amount (B_GAIN).
[0139]
[Step 208] Exposure correction values of the A group strobe and B group strobe corresponding to the light amount ratio setting values sent from the strobe to the camera in advance via the serial communication lines CLK, DI, and DO (in the data shown in FIG. 8). Yes, A_COMP and B_COMP are respectively added to the light emission amount data of the group A and B strobes, and the light emission amount of each group strobe is calculated (that is, A_GAIN = A_GAIN + A_COMP, B_GAIN = B_GAIN + B_COMP).
[0140]
[Step 209] At the timing of t13, the camera instructs the master strobe of the light emission amounts of the groups A and B calculated in step 208 and also instructs the start of modeling.
[0141]
[Step 210] When the master flash MS receives the modeling flash amount, the maximum flash amount (MAX_MODEL) of the modeling flash that can be emitted by the flash unit and the maximum value (MAX_GAIN = MAX (A_GAIN) of the flash amounts of the group A and B strobes. , B_GAIN)) is added to each light emission amount to calculate an actual modeling light emission amount, a modeling light emission command (FIG. 14 (9)), and a group A flash modeling light emission amount (FIG. 14 (10)). ), The modeling flash amount of the group B strobe (FIG. 14 (11)) is transmitted to the slave strobe.
[0142]
[Step 211] Of the modeling start commands and data received at times t14, t15, and t16, the slave strobe SSA emits intermittent light for a predetermined time (predetermined number of times) from time t18 with the light emission amount of the A group slave strobe at t15. (F or H in FIG. 14)).
[0143]
[Step 212] Of the modeling start commands and data received at times t14, t15, and t16, the slave strobe SSB performs intermittent light emission for a predetermined time (predetermined number of times) from time t18 with the light emission amount of the B group slave strobe at t16. (G or I in FIG. 14)).
[0144]
As described above, in the second embodiment, the controller of the slave strobe mounted on the camera transmits information for instructing at least two or more strobes sequentially to pre-flash, and subject reflection by pre-flash. A means for measuring light, a means for calculating the amount of light emitted from each strobe so that the subject reflected light has a predetermined light amount ratio from the measured light reflected by the subject and the set light amount ratio information, and modeling the calculated amount of light emitted It has information transmission means for instructing the strobe to emit light as light amount information, and the strobe has means for receiving information from the camera and flash light emitting means for receiving the information for instructing the pre-light emission, A predetermined pre-light emission is performed using the flash light emitting means, information indicating the modeling light emission of the predetermined light amount is received, and the modeling light emission of the predetermined light amount is performed. By providing the control means, each strobe performs intermittent light emission according to the calculated modeling light emission amount, so that the set light intensity ratio regardless of the distance from the subject of each strobe and the light emission state of the diffuser presence / absence lamp Since modeling light emission is performed at, it is possible to confirm the same shadow condition as in actual shooting before shooting.
[0145]
(Third embodiment)
In the third embodiment, at least one strobe installed at a position away from the camera is controlled and set by generating a slave strobe control signal using a strobe built into the camera. Modeling light emission for confirming the photographing effect by the light quantity ratio is performed.
[0146]
FIG. 15 shows a cross section of the camera in the third embodiment. The members corresponding to those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described.
[0147]
In the figure, reference numerals 118 and 119 denote a Fresnel lens and a reflector, respectively, which serve to condense light emission energy toward the subject efficiently. Reference numeral 120 denotes a xenon tube as a light emitting means. 121 is a light control sensor for monitoring the reflected light of the film surface for performing TTL automatic light control of the built-in strobe light, and 122 is a lens for forming an image of the film surface on the light control sensor. 123 is a light receiving element for directly monitoring the light emission amount of the Xe tube 120.
[0148]
FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a circuit in the third embodiment. The members corresponding to those in FIG.
[0149]
In the figure, reference numeral 113 denotes a strobe light emission circuit for performing strobe light emission control. This circuit will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
[0150]
FIG. 17 is a circuit diagram for explaining the inside of the strobe light emission control circuit 113. In the figure, 121 is a light receiving sensor for receiving light reflected from the film surface by a strobe to perform TTL light control, 123 is a light receiving sensor for directly monitoring the light emission of the Xe tube 120, and 124 is a power source. A battery 125 is a known DC-DC converter, and boosts the battery voltage to several hundred volts.
[0151]
126 is a main capacitor for accumulating luminescence energy, and 127 and 128 are resistors, which divide the voltage of the main capacitor 126 into a predetermined ratio.
[0152]
129 is a coil for limiting the light emission current, and 130 is a diode that absorbs the back electromotive voltage generated in the coil 8 when light emission is stopped.
[0153]
131 is a trigger generation circuit, 132 is a light emission control circuit such as an IGBT, and 133 is a data selector. D0, D1, and D2 are selected and output to Y by a combination of two inputs Y0 and Y1.
[0154]
134 is a comparator for adjusting the light emission amount of the Xe tube 120 at the time of wireless pulse light emission, 135 is a comparator for adjusting the light emission amount of the Xe tube 120 by a predetermined light emission amount at the time of TTL dimming control, 136 is to the light receiving sensor 123 A photometric circuit 137 amplifies the minute current that flows and converts the photocurrent into a voltage.
[0155]
Next, FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of photographing using the wireless strobe system according to the third embodiment, and is an example of performing two-lamp light quantity ratio photographing of A, B, and two groups using two strobes. is there.
[0156]
In the third embodiment, the strobe built in the camera generates a wireless optical signal for controlling the slave strobes of the group A and group B as in the first and second embodiments, and the camera body The control information is transmitted to the slave strobe set in the group A and the slave strobe set in the group B, which are arranged at positions away from the camera, so that shooting can be performed at an arbitrary light quantity ratio between the groups. In addition, modeling light emission can be performed at the same ratio as the light amount ratio during main light emission.
[0157]
FIG. 19 shows a display example of the monitor LCD 42 of the camera in the wireless mode. In this figure, 141 is the shutter speed setting value, 142 is the aperture setting value, 143 is the number of film shots, 144 is the high-speed sync display, 145 is the wireless mode display, 146 is the channel display, and 147 is the A: B light quantity ratio setting mode. 148 is a display showing the set A: B light quantity ratio.
[0158]
Next, the operation of the two-lamp light quantity ratio modeling light emission in the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 20 is a flowchart for explaining the operation when modeling light emission at a predetermined light quantity ratio is performed, and FIG. 21 is a timing chart for explaining timing.
[0159]
[Step 300] When the camera modeling start switch is turned on at time t0 in FIG. 21, the camera causes the Xe tube 19 to emit light in a pulsed manner, as shown in FIGS. A pre-flash is instructed to the group A slave strobe SSA by a combination of pulses. The contents of this 2-byte command are the same as those in the first and second embodiments. After the transmission of this command is completed, a light emission start pulse (FIG. 21 (3)) that serves as a trigger for the group A slave strobe to start pre-light emission is generated.
[0160]
[Step 301] After receiving the pre-flash instruction command and the pre-flash intensity from the camera, the slave strobe SSA synchronizes with the pre-flash start pulse, and the pre-flash with the predetermined flash intensity and the predetermined flash duration (FIG. 21 (4)). I do.
[0161]
[Step 302] In synchronization with the pre-flash of the slave strobe SSA, the camera measures the subject reflected light with the photometric sensor 7, and calculates the appropriate strobe light emission (A_GAIN).
[0162]
[Step 303] Next, the camera instructs the group B strobe to emit light in the same procedure as in step 300.
[0163]
[Step 304] After receiving the pre-flash instruction command and the pre-flash intensity from the camera, the slave strobe SSB pre-flashes with a predetermined flash intensity and a predetermined flash duration in synchronization with the pre-flash start pulse (FIG. 21 (8)). I do.
[0164]
[Step 305] In synchronism with the pre-flash of the slave strobe SSB, the camera measures the reflected light of the subject with the photometric sensor 7, and calculates the appropriate flash amount (B_GAIN).
[0165]
[Step 306] Exposure correction values of the group A strobe and the group B strobe corresponding to the light amount ratio setting values (FIGS. 19 and 149) set by the camera and displayed on the monitor LCD 42 (the data shown in FIG. A_COMP, B_COMP) is added to the light emission amount data of each of the group A and B strobes to calculate the light emission amount of each group strobe (that is, A_GAIN = A_GAIN + A_COMP, B_GAIN = B_GAIN + B_COMP).
[0166]
  [Step 307]  Next, the difference between the maximum modeling light emission (MAX_MODEL) that can be emitted by the strobe and the maximum value (MAX_GAIN = MAX (A_GAIN, B_GAIN)) of the A, B group strobes To calculate the actual modeling flash amount, and the modeling flash command (FIG. 21 (9)), the modeling flash amount of the group A strobe (FIG. 21 (10)), and the modeling flash amount of the group B strobe (FIG. 21). (11)) is transmitted to the slave strobe.
[0167]
  [Step 308In the received modeling start command and data, the slave strobe SSA performs intermittent light emission for a predetermined time (predetermined number of times) from time t10 with the light emission amount of the group A slave strobe (FIG. 21 (10)) (C in FIG. 21). ) Or G)).
[0168]
  [Step 309In the received modeling start command and data, the slave strobe SSB performs intermittent light emission for a predetermined time (predetermined number of times) from time t10 with the light emission amount of the group B slave strobe (FIG. 21 (11)) (D in FIG. 21). Or H)).
[0169]
As described above, in the third embodiment, the strobe built in the camera measures information transmission means for instructing at least two or more strobes in order to pre-emit the light and subject reflected light caused by the pre-emission. Means for calculating the light emission amount of each strobe so that the subject reflected light has a predetermined light amount ratio, and the calculated light emission amount as a modeling light amount information. The flash unit has means for receiving information from the camera and flash light emitting means for receiving the information for instructing the pre-light emission, and the flash light emitting means. A light emission control means for performing predetermined pre-light emission using the light, receiving information instructing the modeling light emission of the predetermined light amount, and performing modeling light emission of the predetermined light amount. Therefore, each strobe performs intermittent light emission according to the calculated modeling light emission amount, so that modeling light emission is performed with the set light intensity ratio regardless of the distance from the subject of each strobe and the light emission state of the diffuser presence / absence lamp. Therefore, it is possible to confirm the same shadow condition as in actual shooting before shooting. (Fourth embodiment)
In the fourth embodiment, a plurality of slave strobes are connected to the camera via communication lines. In the third embodiment, the slave strobe is controlled by a light pulse generated by the built-in strobe. A control signal is transmitted to a slave strobe using a communication line.
[0170]
FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of photographing in the fourth embodiment. Two slave strobes are connected to the camera body with a communication cable, and A, B, two-group light quantity ratio photographing and modeling light emission are performed. It is an example. The present embodiment is the same as the third embodiment except that information to be transmitted by optical communication is transmitted through a communication line, and thus the description thereof is omitted.
[0172]
【The invention's effect】
  As explained above,According to the present invention, it is possible to perform modeling light emission in which the set light amount ratio matches the actual subject shadow condition.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a master strobe of a strobe system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram of an electric circuit on the camera side in FIG. 1;
3 is an electric circuit block diagram of the strobe of FIG.
4A and 4B are a front view and a rear view of the strobe of FIG.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of photographing in the first embodiment of the present invention.
6A and 6B are display examples of the strobe display of FIG.
FIG. 7 is a light amount ratio setting table according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the camera and the strobe in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the camera and the strobe in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a timing chart illustrating the light emission waveform of the strobe in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of photographing in the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 12A, 12B, and 12C are display examples of a strobe display device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of a camera and a strobe in the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a timing chart for explaining operations of a camera and a strobe in the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
16 is an electric circuit block diagram of the camera of FIG. 15;
FIG. 17 is an electric circuit block diagram of a strobe according to a third embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing a photographing example in the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 19 is a display example of a display of a camera according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 20 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of a camera and a strobe in a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 21 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the camera and the strobe in the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram showing a photographing example in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Camera body 2 Main mirror
3 Focus plate 4 Penta prism
5 Eyepiece 6 Imaging lens
7 Photometric sensor 8 Shutter
9 Photosensitive member 10 Mount contact group
11 Lens barrel 12-14 Shooting lens
15 Shooting lens aperture 16, 17 Motor
18 Strobe 19 Xenon tube
25 Submirror 26 Focus detection unit
27 Secondary imaging mirror 28 Secondary imaging lens
29 Focus detection line sensor 30 Light transmission means
31 Light receiving element 32 Light receiving means
100 camera microcomputer 101 oscillator
105 focus detection circuit 106 photometry circuit
107 Shutter control circuit 108 Motor control circuit
109 Film run detection circuit 110 Switch sense circuit
111 LCD drive circuit 238 Strobe microcomputer

Claims (8)

A camera system having a first illumination means, a second illumination means, and an imaging device,
A photometric means for measuring subject reflected light;
Setting means for setting a light amount ratio between the subject reflected light by the main light emission of the first illumination means and the subject reflected light by the main light emission of the second illumination means;
The main light emission amount of the first illuminating means is calculated based on the subject light reflected by the pre-light emission of the first illuminating means and the light amount ratio, and the subject reflected light and the light amount of the pre-light emission of the second illuminating means. A calculation means for calculating a main light emission amount of the second illumination means based on the ratio;
The first illuminating means and the second illuminating means so that the light quantity ratio between the subject reflected light by modeling light emission of the first illuminating means and the subject reflected light by modeling light emission of the second illuminating means becomes the light quantity ratio. A light emission control means for causing the lighting means to perform modeling light emission,
The light emission control means makes the light emission amounts of the first illumination means and the second illumination means emitted by one modeling light emission larger than the respective main light emission amounts calculated by the calculation means. A featured camera system.   The camera system according to claim 1, wherein the light emission control unit causes at least one of the first illumination unit and the second illumination unit to perform modeling light emission with a maximum light emission amount.   The camera system according to claim 1, wherein the first illumination unit and the second illumination unit include at least one strobe.   4. The camera system according to claim 3, wherein the light emission control unit causes at least one of the strobes of the first illumination unit and the second illumination unit to perform modeling light emission with a maximum light emission amount. An imaging apparatus using a first illumination unit and a second illumination unit,
A photometric means for measuring subject reflected light;
Setting means for setting a light amount ratio between the subject reflected light by the main light emission of the first illumination means and the subject reflected light by the main light emission of the second illumination means;
The main light emission amount of the first illuminating means is calculated based on the subject light reflected by the pre-light emission of the first illuminating means and the light amount ratio, and the subject reflected light and the light amount of the pre-light emission of the second illuminating means. A calculation means for calculating a main light emission amount of the second illumination means based on the ratio;
The first illuminating means and the second illuminating means so that the light quantity ratio between the subject reflected light by modeling light emission of the first illuminating means and the subject reflected light by modeling light emission of the second illuminating means becomes the light quantity ratio. A light emission control means for causing the lighting means to perform modeling light emission,
The light emission control means makes the light emission amounts of the first illumination means and the second illumination means emitted by one modeling light emission larger than the respective main light emission amounts calculated by the calculation means. An imaging device that is characterized.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the light emission control unit causes at least one of the first illumination unit and the second illumination unit to perform modeling light emission with a maximum light emission amount.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first illumination unit and the second illumination unit include at least one strobe.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the light emission control unit causes at least one of the strobes of the first illumination unit and the second illumination unit to perform modeling light emission with a maximum light emission amount.

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