JP4756721B2 - Camera focus detection device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention includes a plurality of focus detection areas for obtaining focus information. Camera focus detection device It is about improvement.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, cameras having a plurality of focus detection areas have become common. Usually, in a camera having a plurality of focus detection areas, a focus detection area arbitrary selection mode in which the user can arbitrarily select a focus detection area to be used, and an automatic in which the camera automatically selects the focus detection area to be used. A focus detection area selection mode is provided.
[0003]
A conventional focus detection area selection method will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0004]
FIGS. 8 and 9A to 9F show liquid crystal displays in the viewfinder during the focus detection area selection mode of the conventional camera. The camera shown here has 33 focus detection areas indicated by thin lines as shown in FIG. 8, and among these, 11 focus detection areas indicated by bold lines 70 to 80 can be selected. The conventional example limited as is shown.
[0005]
When the focus detection area is not limited, 33 focus detection areas can be freely selected in the focus detection area arbitrary selection mode, and when the focus detection area is limited to 11 shown in FIG. 8, the 11 focus detection areas are the focus detection areas. It can be freely selected in the optional mode.
[0006]
Normally, in the focus detection area arbitrary selection mode, only one selected focus detection area is lit and visible, and the other focus detection areas are unlit and cannot be visually recognized by the user. Here, for convenience of explanation, a focus detection area that is lit is indicated by a thick line, and a focus detection area that is not lit is indicated by a thin line.
[0007]
The focus detection area selection operation in this case will be described with reference to FIG.
[0008]
FIG. 9A shows a state in which the central focus detection area 70 is selected, and only this is lit. Here, when the main electronic dial 17 (see FIG. 2), which will be described later, is rotated clockwise in the focus detection area arbitrary selection mode, the focus detection area moves to 71 as shown in FIG. 9B. Subsequently, when the main electronic dial is continuously rotated to the right, the focus detection area moves to 72 as shown in FIG. 9C, and then all the outermost focus detection areas are turned on as shown in FIG. 9D. It becomes a state to do. This indicates that the camera is in an automatic selection mode in which the focus detection area is automatically selected. When the focus detection area is determined in this state, the camera automatically selects the focus detection area and enters a shooting operation based on the focus detection area.
[0009]
Furthermore, when the main electronic dial is rotated clockwise from the state of FIG. 9D, the leftmost focus detection area 73 is selected as shown in FIGS. 9E and 9F, and then moved to 74. Thereafter, the process returns to the central focus detection area 75 shown in FIG. Similarly, when the main electronic dial is operated to rotate counterclockwise, the focus detection area moves to the left, and moves in the direction opposite to that described above.
[0010]
Next, selection in the vertical direction of the focus detection area will be described.
[0011]
When the sub electronic dial 18 (see FIG. 2), which will be described later, is rotated clockwise while the center point 70 is selected in the focus detection region arbitrary selection mode as shown in FIG. 9A, FIG. It moves to the focus detection area 75 of the upper end shown by. When the sub electronic dial is further rotated to the right, the state shown in FIG. 9D, that is, the outermost focus detection area is turned on, and the camera automatically enters an automatic selection mode for selecting the focus detection area. When the sub electronic dial is further rotated clockwise, the focus detection area 76 at the lower end shown in FIG. 9A is selected, and then returns to the central focus detection area 70. Similarly, when the sub electronic dial is operated to rotate counterclockwise, the focus detection area moves downward.
[0012]
As described above, the focus detection areas at the corners 77, 78, 79, and 80 shown in FIG. 8 can be selected by performing a combination of the left and right direction selection and the vertical direction selection.
[0013]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-170813 describes a function that can limit a usable focus detection area from a plurality of focus detection areas as in the above-described conventional example. Here, in order to solve the unreasonable case where the focus detection area selected when the focus detection area is not limited is not included in the limited focus detection area when the focus detection area is subsequently limited The technology is described.
[0014]
A method of switching between the focus detection area arbitrary selection mode and the focus detection area automatic selection mode is described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-201679. Here, once set to the focus detection area arbitrary selection mode, the focus detection area automatic selection mode does not appear in the focus detection area selection operation, and the focus detection area automatic selection mode is inadvertently set. An invention is described in which the focus detection area automatic selection mode can be reset by preventing and performing another operation.
[0015]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional example has the following problems.
[0016]
First, when selecting a focus detection area in the focus detection area arbitrary selection mode, even if the focus detection area is limited, the horizontal electronic direction is changed with the main electronic dial and the vertical direction is changed with the sub electronic dial. It is not a fundamental solution to operation. For example, when selecting the focus detection area at the corner from the state where the central focus detection area is selected, Main dial and sub dial It cannot be selected unless the two operating members are operated sequentially.
[0019]
In the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-170813, the number of focus detection areas to be used is limited from among a plurality of focus detection areas, so that the effect of improving the operability and the speeding up of the arithmetic processing associated therewith is aimed at. In addition, the selection method of the two-dimensionally arranged focus detection area follows the conventional method, and the selection operability in the vertical and horizontal directions during the selection operation is not improved.
[0021]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-201679 described that the switching between the focus detection area arbitrary selection mode and the automatic selection mode is limited, but the focus detection area automatic selection mode is reset by operating the setting switch. This method also causes deterioration in operability due to an increase in the number of new operation members, and at the same time causes confusion due to lack of reversibility in a similar selection operation method of focus detection area selection.
[0022]
(Object of invention)
Of the present invention the purpose Can improve the operability when selecting an arbitrary focus detection area from a limited area among a plurality of areas. Camera A focus detection apparatus is to be provided.
[0027]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a main electronic dial capable of various settings of a camera state and selection of a focus detection area, a sub electronic dial capable of various settings of a camera state and selection of a focus detection area, Display means for displaying a plurality of two-dimensionally arranged areas as a focus detection area, and any one of all of the plurality of areas according to an operation of a photographer of the main electronic dial and the sub electronic dial A first mode that can be selected as a focus detection region, and a region located in the center and a region located on the outermost periphery among the plurality of regions according to the operation of the photographer of the sub-electronic dial A control unit having a second mode that is limited to be selectable as a detection region; a selection unit that selects the first mode and the second mode by an operation of a photographer; Calculating means for calculating focus information from an area selected in response to the operation of the first electronic dial, and when the first mode is selected, the control means of the main electronic dial or the sub electronic dial Every time a photographer's operation is performed, the display on the display means is operated in the left-right direction in accordance with the photographer's operation of the main electronic dial in all the plurality of areas. In response to the vertical movement, the position currently selected as the focus detection area is informed, and when the second mode is selected, each time the photographer operates with the sub-electronic dial, The display on the display means is sequentially moved so that the rotation direction is the same as the rotation direction of the sub electronic dial in the outermost area of the plurality of areas, and the current focus Knowledge of the position you are selected as the output area Et The focus detection device of the camera to be used is used.
[0032]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on illustrated embodiments.
[0033]
First, the configuration of the camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0034]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the arrangement of an optical system of a single-lens reflex camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1 is a camera body, 30 is a photographing lens, and various interchangeable lenses are attached. Is possible. Although FIG. 1 shows the two lenses 30a and 30b for the sake of convenience, the lens is actually composed of a larger number of lenses. Reference numeral 2 denotes a main mirror, which is inclined on the photographing optical path or moved away depending on the finder system observation state and photographing state. Reference numeral 3 denotes a sub-mirror that reflects the light beam transmitted through the main mirror 2 toward the lower side of the camera body. Reference numeral 4 denotes a shutter. Reference numeral 5 denotes a photosensitive member, which is composed of a silver salt film, a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD or MOS type, or an imaging tube such as a vidicon.
[0035]
Reference numeral 6 denotes a focus detection apparatus, which includes a field lens 6a, reflection mirrors 6b and 6c, an aperture 6d, a secondary imaging lens 6e, a line sensor 6f composed of a plurality of CCDs, and the like disposed in the vicinity of the imaging surface. . The focus detection apparatus 6 in the present embodiment uses a known phase difference method, and is configured to be able to detect the focus in 33 areas in the finder screen as will be described later.
[0036]
Reference numeral 7 denotes a focusing plate disposed on the planned imaging plane of the photographing lens 30, and 8 denotes a finder optical path changing pentaprism. Reference numerals 9 and 10 respectively denote an imaging lens and a photometric sensor for measuring the luminance of each subject in the photographing screen. The imaging lens 9 conjugates the focus plate 7 and the photometric sensor 10 via the reflected light path in the pentaprism 8. Is related to Reference numeral 11 denotes an eyepiece lens disposed behind the exit surface of the pentaprism 8 and is used for observing the focus plate 7 by the photographer's eyes. The main mirror 2, the focus plate 7, the pentaprism 8, and the eyepiece lens 11 constitute a finder optical system.
[0037]
Reference numeral 21 denotes a high-brightness LED that can be visually recognized even in a bright subject, and the emission center wavelength is red of 680 nanometers. Reference numeral 22 denotes a superimpose liquid crystal display panel that displays the positions of 33 focus detection areas, which will be described later. Only the display pattern of the LCD corresponding to the position of the selected focus detection area is in a transparent state, and the rear high brightness The light emitted from the LED 21 passes only through the transmission pattern of the liquid crystal display panel 22 for superimposing, reaches the photographer's eyeball through the eyepiece lens 11 through the light projection lens 23 and the dichroic mirror 24, and takes a picture. The person can visually check the focus detection area display pattern. Here, the dichroic mirror 24 has a characteristic of reflecting light having a wavelength of 680 nanometers or more, efficiently guides the light of the high-intensity LED 21 to the eyes of the observer, and the light from the photographing lens 30 is almost reduced in light amount. Without observing the photographer as a finder field image.
[0038]
Reference numeral 25 denotes a liquid crystal in the finder for displaying photographing information outside the screen in the finder, which is illuminated by the illumination LED 26. The light transmitted through the in-viewfinder liquid crystal 25 is guided outside the screen in the viewfinder by the triangular prism 27. Thereby, the photographer can know various kinds of photographing information.
[0039]
Reference numeral 31 denotes a diaphragm provided in the photographing lens 30, 32 is a diaphragm driving circuit, 33 is a lens driving motor, and 34 is a lens driving member including a driving gear. Reference numeral 35 denotes a photocoupler which detects the rotation of the pulse plate 36 interlocked with the lens driving member 34 and transmits it to the lens focus adjustment circuit 110. The focus adjustment circuit 110 receives this information and the lens drive amount from the camera side. Based on this information, the lens driving motor is driven by a predetermined amount, and the photographing lens 30 is moved to the in-focus position. Reference numeral 37 denotes a mount contact serving as an interface between a known camera and a lens.
[0040]
2 is a diagram showing the camera having the configuration shown in FIG. 1. Specifically, FIG. 2A shows a top view thereof, and FIG. 2B shows a rear view thereof.
[0041]
In FIG. 2, 1 is a camera body, 30 is a photographic lens indicated by a two-dot chain line, and various interchangeable lenses can be attached. Reference numeral 12 denotes a release button, which starts photometry and focus detection (hereinafter also referred to as AF) in the first stroke, and starts exposure in the second stroke. Reference numeral 14 denotes a focus detection area selection switch (SELAF-SW). When this switch is operated, the camera is set to a focus detection area selection mode, and a focus detection area to be used can be arbitrarily selected. 15 is a switch (FP-SW) for selecting a focus detection area located at the center of the screen, and 16 is a central focus detection area among the 33 focus detection areas and only eight focus detection areas located on the outer periphery described later. Is a switch (FP limited-SW) that limits the focus detection area so that can be selected. Both of these are arranged at a position where they can be operated while looking through the viewfinder.
[0042]
Reference numeral 17 denotes a main electronic dial, which can perform various settings of the camera state such as a shooting mode and select a focus detection area. Reference numeral 18 denotes a sub-electronic dial provided on the back cover of the camera, which can perform various settings of the camera state and select a focus detection area. Reference numeral 29 denotes an external liquid crystal display (LCD), which can confirm various setting states of the camera.
[0043]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the main part of the circuit configuration of the camera in the above configuration.
[0044]
In FIG. 3, reference numeral 100 denotes a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as a CPU) of a microcomputer built in the camera body. The CPU 100 includes a photometric circuit 102, an automatic focus detection circuit 103, a signal input circuit 104, and an LCD driving circuit. 105, an LED drive circuit 106, a shutter control circuit 108, and a motor control circuit 109 are connected. In addition, the focus adjustment circuit 110 and Aperture drive circuit 32 is arranged in the taking lens 30 as described above, and transmits a signal via the mount contact 37 shown in FIG. An EEPROM 100a attached to the CPU 100 has a storage function for storing various adjustment data.
[0045]
The photometry circuit 102 amplifies the luminance signal corresponding to the brightness of the object scene sent from the photometry sensor 10, performs logarithmic compression, A / D conversion, and transmits the result to the CPU 100 as the object luminance information. Reference numeral 6f denotes a CCD line sensor, which is composed of 33 sets of line sensors CCD-0 and CCD-1 to CCD-32 corresponding to the positions of 33 focus detection areas in the finder screen. The automatic focus detection circuit 103 A / D converts the signal obtained from the line sensor 6 f and sends it to the CPU 100.
[0046]
SW1 is a switch that is turned on by the first stroke of the release button 12 to start photometry and AF operation, and SW2 is a switch that is turned on by the second stroke of the release button 12 to start a shutter operation. SELAF-SW (14) is a focus detection area selection switch. When pressed once, the camera is set in a focus detection area selection state where a photographer can arbitrarily select a focus detection area, and the state is set for a predetermined time by a timer. maintain. During this time, the focus detection area can be moved by operating the main electronic dial 17 or the sub electronic dial 18. The FP-SW (15) is a switch for selecting a focus detection area located in the center of the screen, whereby the center focus detection area can be selected instantaneously. The FP limitation-SW (16) is a switch that limits the focus detection area so that only the central focus detection area and the eight focus detection areas positioned on the outer periphery can be selected from the 33 focus detection areas.
[0047]
The main DIAL1 and the main DIAL2 are dial switches provided in the main electronic dial 17 shown in FIG. 2. These ON signals are input to the up / down counter of the signal input circuit 104, and the main electronic dial 17 is rotated and clicked. Used to count quantities. Similarly, the sub DIAL 1 and the sub DIAL 2 are dial switches provided in the sub electronic dial 18 shown in FIG. 2. These ON signals are input to the up / down counter of the signal input circuit 104, and the sub electronic dial 18 Used to count the amount of rotation clicks. The signals from these switches are input to the signal input circuit 104 and transmitted to the CPU 100 via the data bus.
[0048]
The LCD drive circuit 105 is a known circuit for driving the liquid crystal display element, and displays the aperture value, shutter time, set shooting mode, etc. according to the signal from the CPU 100, as shown in FIG. And controlling the display on the in-viewfinder liquid crystal 25 and the operation of the superimposing LCD 22 in the viewfinder. The LED drive circuit 106 controls lighting and blinking of the illumination LED (F-LED) 26 and the superimpose LED 21 (SI-LED).
[0049]
When energized, the shutter control circuit 108 controls the magnet MG-1 that travels the front curtain and the magnet MG-2 that travels the rear curtain, and exposes the photosensitive member to a predetermined amount of light. The motor control circuit 109 controls the motor M1 that winds and rewinds the film, and the motor M2 that charges the main mirror 2 and the shutter 4. The shutter control circuit 108, motor control circuit 109 and CPU 100 execute a series of camera release sequences.
[0050]
Next, the overall operation of the camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described using the flowchart of FIG.
[0051]
When the camera is turned on while the camera is set to the predetermined shooting mode from the inoperative state, the operations after step # 101 are started via step # 100. First, in step # 101, it is determined whether or not the switch SW1 is turned on by the first stroke of the release button 12, and if not, it waits until it is turned on. If it is ON, the process proceeds to step # 102, and it is determined whether or not the FP limitation-switch 16 is ON. As a result, if it is ON, the process proceeds to step # 116, and if it is OFF, the process proceeds to step # 103.
[0052]
In step # 103, it is determined whether the focus detection area selection switch SELAF-SW14 is turned on or off. If it is off, the process proceeds to step # 106, but if it is on, the process proceeds to step # 104. The focus detection area selection mode in which the focus detection area can be arbitrarily selected is set, and selection of the focus detection area is accepted. Here, as the focus detection area, first, the focus detection area determined when the previous focus detection area is arbitrarily selected is determined first. Here, as in the conventional example, the focus detection area can be changed by operating the main electronic dial 17 shown in FIG. 3 to move the focus detection area to the side, and operating the sub electronic dial 18 to change the focus detection area. Can be moved vertically. Thus, the photographer can arbitrarily select one of 33 focus detection areas described later.
[0053]
In the next step # 105, it is determined whether or not the focus detection area selection mode has ended. Although this determination is not described in detail, it is determined based on whether the switch SELAF-SW 14 is turned on or whether a predetermined timer starting from Step # 103 has elapsed. If the focus detection area selection switch SELAF-SW14 is kept ON or if the predetermined timer starting from Step # 103 has not elapsed, it is determined that the focus detection area selection mode has not been completed and the step Return to # 104. On the other hand, if the switch SELAF-SW14 is OFF and the predetermined timer starting from step # 103 has elapsed, it is determined that the focus detection area selection mode has ended, and the process proceeds to step # 106.
[0054]
Further, if the FP restriction-SW16 is turned on in step # 102, the process proceeds to step # 116, and the focus detection areas that can be used are the focus detection areas of the central focus detection area and the outer periphery 8 points as shown in FIG. Limited to area. Then, in the next step # 117, it is determined whether or not the focus detection area selection switch SELAF-SW14 is turned on or off. If it is turned off, the process proceeds to step # 106. Proceed to In step # 118, the focus detection area selection mode is set in which a focus detection area can be arbitrarily selected from the limited focus detection areas. Here, as the focus detection area, first, the center focus detection area is selected, and subsequent selection of the focus detection area is accepted. The selection operation at this time will be described later with reference to FIGS. Next, it progresses to step # 119 and it is determined whether the limited focus detection area | region selection mode was complete | finished. This determination is performed in the same manner as in step # 105. When it is determined that the limited focus detection area selection mode has not been completed, the process returns to step # 118, accepts selection of a limited focus detection area, and ends the limited focus detection area selection mode. If it determines, it will progress to step # 106.
[0055]
In step # 106, the focus detection area finally selected as described above is determined as a focus detection area for AF.
[0056]
In the next step # 107, whether or not the switch SW1 is turned on Judgment If it is ON, the process proceeds to step # 108, and if it is OFF, the process returns to step # 101. When the process proceeds to step # 108, the CPU 100 performs mutual communication with the lens attached to the camera. Thereby, lens information necessary for the camera to perform photometry and AF, for example, information such as the open FNO. Of the photographing lens and the best focus position, is transferred to the memory of the camera. Here, the 33 sets of line sensors CCD-0, CCD-1 to CCD-32 start the operation of storing the object field light, and measure the image shift amount (defocus amount) at the present time. Further focus detection area In Based on the photometric calculation.
[0057]
In the next step # 109, the CPU 100 performs a focus detection calculation in the focus detection area re-determined in step # 106 using the automatic focus detection circuit 103, and whether or not the focus detection area can detect the focus. If it is not possible, the CPU 100 sends a signal to the LCD driving circuit 105 to blink a focus mark (not shown) of the liquid crystal 25 in the finder and warn the photographer that the focus detection is NG. Return to # 101. On the other hand, if focus detection is possible and the focus adjustment state of the determined focus detection region is not in focus, the process proceeds to step # 110, and the CPU 100 sends a signal to the lens focus adjustment circuit 110 to drive the photographing lens by a predetermined amount. .
[0058]
Next, in step # 111, it is determined whether or not the photographing lens is in focus in the focus detection area that has been determined after driving the lens. As a result, if it is in focus, the CPU 100 sends a signal to the LCD drive circuit 105 to control the finder liquid crystal 25 and the superimposing LCD 22, and further sends a signal to the LED drive circuit 106. By turning on the F-LED 26 and the SI-LED 21, the focus detection area display pattern corresponding to the focus mark and the determined focus detection area is illuminated. As a result, the photographing lens is in focus and the position of the focused focus detection area is displayed.
[0059]
In the next step # 112, the CPU 100 transmits a signal to the photometry circuit 102 to perform photometry again. Then, in the next step # 113, it is determined whether or not the focus state and the photometric value in the focus detection area determined by the photographer are accepted by ON / OFF of the switch SW1, and further in step # 114. It is determined whether or not the release button 12 is operated up to the second stroke and the switch SW2 is ON. If the switch SW2 is OFF, the state of the switch SW1 is confirmed again.
[0060]
On the other hand, if the switch SW2 is ON, the process proceeds to step # 115 to start the photographing operation. Specifically, the CPU 100 transmits signals to the shutter control circuit 108, the motor control circuit 109, and the aperture driving circuit 111, respectively. First, the motor M2 is energized to raise the main mirror 2 and the diaphragm 31 is narrowed, and then the magnet MG1 is energized to open the front curtain of the shutter 4. The aperture value of the aperture 31 and the shutter speed of the shutter 4 are determined from the exposure value detected by the photometric circuit 102 and the sensitivity of the film 5. After a predetermined shutter time elapses, the MG2 is energized and the rear curtain of the shutter 4 is closed. When the exposure to the film 5 is completed, the motor M2 is energized again, the mirror is lowered, the shutter is charged, the motor M1 is energized, the film is fed, and the series of shutter release sequence operations is completed.
[0061]
Thereafter, the process returns to step # 101 and waits until the switch SW1 is turned on again. If focus is not achieved in step # 111, even if the switch SW1 is OFF in step # 113, the process returns to step # 101 and waits until the switch SW1 is turned ON again.
[0062]
Next, a selection method when the focus detection area is limited will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.
[0063]
FIG. 5 shows a focus detection area of the camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown here, the camera has 33 focus detection areas, and when the focus detection area is not limited, a desired focus detection area can be freely selected from 33 in the focus detection area arbitrary selection mode described above. Can be selected. Further, in the limited focus detection area selection mode when the FP limitation-SW 16 shown in FIG. 2 is operated, the focus detection areas are limited to nine focus detection areas 70 and 81 to 88 indicated by bold lines. Can be freely selected.
[0064]
Normally, in the focus detection area arbitrary selection mode, only one selected focus detection area is lit and visible, and the other focus detection areas are unlit and cannot be visually recognized by the user.
[0065]
In the following, in FIGS. 6A to 6I, for convenience of explanation, the focus detection area that is lit is indicated by a thick line, and the focus detection area that is not lit is indicated by a thin line.
[0066]
FIG. 6A shows a state where the central focus detection area 70 is selected, and only this is lit. Here, when the focus detection area is in the arbitrary selection mode, if the sub-electronic dial 18 is rotated clockwise, FIG. The focus detection area moves to 81 as shown in (b). After that, if the sub electronic dial 18 is continuously rotated to the right, FIG. As in (c) to (i), the focus detection area moves in the order of 82 → 83 → 84 → 85 → 86 → 87 → 88. If the operation of the sub electronic dial 18 is continued, FIG. Returning to the focus detection area 81 shown in (b), the movement is continued in the same direction as the rotation direction of the sub electronic dial 18, and the automatic selection mode is set without returning to the central focus detection area 70. There is no. Similarly, when the sub electronic dial 18 is operated to rotate leftward, the limited focus detection area on the outer periphery moves in the counterclockwise direction contrary to the above description.
[0067]
Furthermore, the central focus detection area 70 can be selected by pressing the FP-SW 15 shown in FIG. For example, when the FP-SW 15 is pressed in the state of the focus detection area 88 at the upper left corner shown in FIG. Further, the FP-SW 15 always functions regardless of which focus detection area is selected, and can instantaneously move to the central focus detection area 70 from anywhere.
[0068]
(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a selection method when the focus detection area of the camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention is limited. Since the configuration of the camera is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.
[0069]
In the second embodiment, the limited focus detection areas are the nine points shown in FIG. Here, the method for selecting the limited focus detection area is the same as in the first embodiment, but here, not only the focus detection area where the focus detection area is used but also the surrounding focus detection areas are used. To do.
[0070]
FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the center point 70 is selected in the arbitrary selection mode of the focus detection area. The focus detection areas 201, 202, 203, and 204 on the upper, lower, left, and right are also lit, and the focus detection area is displayed. Automatic selection of five points 70, 201, 202, 203, and 204 is performed. Since the automatic selection algorithm is not related to the gist of the present invention, the description thereof is omitted here.
[0071]
When the sub electronic dial 18 is rotated clockwise from the state of FIG. 7A, the process proceeds to FIG. 7B, and automatic selection is performed by four points of the focus detection area 81 and the left and right and lower focus detection areas 205, 206, and 207. Is called. Thereafter, when the sub electronic dial 18 is continuously rotated to the right, the process proceeds in the order of FIG. 7 (c) → (d) → (e) → (f) → (g) → (h) → (i) → (b).
[0072]
Specifically, automatic selection of five points in the focus detection areas 70, 201, 202, 203, and 204 → automatic selection of three points in the upper right corner focus detection area 82 and its lower 208 and left 209 → right end 83 and lower left 210, left 211, upper left 212, 4-point automatic selection, lower right corner 84 and left 213, upper 214, 3-point automatic selection, lower middle 85, right 215, left 216, upper 217, 4-point automatic selection, 3-point automatic selection of lower left corner 86 and right 218, upper 219, 4 automatic selection of left end 87 and lower right 220, right 221, upper right 222, 3 upper left corner 88 and lower 223, right 224 Automatic selection. If the sub electronic dial 18 continues to rotate to the right, the state shown in FIG. 7B, the focus detection area 81 and the left and right and lower focus detection areas 205, 206, and 207 are automatically selected.
[0073]
In addition, in order to return to the automatic selection by the five points of the central focus detection area 70 and the upper, lower, left and right focus detection areas 201, 202, 203, and 204 in the state of FIG. 7A, the FP-SW 15 shown in FIG. It is possible by pressing. For example, when the FP-SW 15 is pressed in the state of FIG. 7 (i), the state returns to the state of FIG. 7 (a). Further, the FP-SW 15 always functions regardless of which focus detection area is selected, and can move instantaneously from anywhere to the 5-point automatic selection by the central focus detection area 70 and the four points up, down, left, and right.
[0074]
(Modification)
In each of the above embodiments, a camera having 33 focus detection areas has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the number of focus detection areas.
[0075]
In the second embodiment, automatic selection of up to 5 points, other automatic selection of 4 points, and automatic selection of 3 points are performed at the time of the central focus detection region, but how the surrounding focus detection regions are combined. Whether to select automatically may be set freely.
[0076]
In the second embodiment, all the focus detection areas to be used are displayed. However, only one representative area may be displayed.
[0077]
Although a camera having a plurality of focus detection areas is taken as an example, a plurality of distance measurement areas (to measure the distance to the subject) of Even a camera having a region) can be similarly applied.
[0078]
Although the present invention describes an example applied to a camera, an optical apparatus having a focus detection function other than a camera, or a focus detection apparatus itself may be used.
[0079]
【The invention's effect】
As explained above, The present invention According to the above, it is possible to improve the operability when selecting an arbitrary focus detection area from a limited area among the plurality of areas. Camera A focus detection apparatus can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an arrangement of an optical system of a single-lens reflex camera according to each embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an upper surface and a rear surface of a single-lens reflex camera according to each embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a main part of the single-lens reflex camera according to each embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a series of operations of the single-lens reflex camera according to each embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a viewfinder display of the single-lens reflex camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state when a focus detection area is selected in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state when a focus detection region is selected in the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating display in a viewfinder of a conventional single-lens reflex camera.
9 is a diagram showing a state when a focus detection area is selected in the camera of FIG. 8. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
14 Focus detection area selection switch (SELAF-SW)
15 Center focus detection area selection switch (FP-SW)
16 FP limited switch (FP limited -SW)
17 Main electronic dial
18 Sub electronic dial
29 External liquid crystal display (LCD)

Claims (3)

A main electronic dial that allows you to select various camera status settings and focus detection areas,
A sub-electronic dial that allows you to select various camera status settings and focus detection areas
Display means for displaying a plurality of two-dimensionally arranged areas as focus detection areas;
A first mode in which any one of the plurality of areas can be selected as a focus detection area in accordance with a photographer's operation of the main electronic dial and the sub electronic dial; A control unit having a second mode in which a region located in the center and a region located on the outermost periphery among the plurality of regions are limited to be selectable as a focus detection region in accordance with a photographer's operation;
A selection means for selecting the first mode and the second mode by a photographer's operation;
Calculation means for calculating focus information from an area selected in accordance with the operation of the photographer, and the control means
When the first mode is selected, every time the photographer operates the main electronic dial or the sub electronic dial, the display on the display means is displayed in all the plurality of areas. According to the photographer's operation on the dial, it is moved in the left-right direction according to the photographer's operation on the sub electronic dial, and the position currently selected as the focus detection area is informed.
When the second mode is selected, the display on the display means is displayed in the outermost area of the plurality of areas each time the photographer operates with the sub-electronic dial. dial the same rotational direction to become so is successively moved to the rotation direction of the focus detection device for a camera, characterized in that occupy inform the location that is selected as the current focus detection area. A focus detection area automatic selection mode in which a focus detection device automatically selects an area to be a focus detection area from the plurality of areas;
2. The camera focus detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the second mode, transition to the focus detection area automatic selection mode is prohibited.   When the second mode is selected, the focus detection area selected according to the operation of the photographer of the sub-electronic dial includes a small area including the selected area and at least one area located around the selected area. The camera focus detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the focus detection apparatus is an area.

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