JP5228636B2 - Flash device and optical apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a flash device and an optical apparatus including the same.

  In an optical device such as a camera, a flash device or an optical device with a built-in flash device is widely used so that photographing can be performed even in a dark state. On the other hand, if shooting with such a flash device is frequently performed, the flash component generates heat during light emission, and the Fresnel lens for emitting the flash by the flash component may become high temperature, causing discoloration and melting. . Furthermore, the cover that covers the flash device may become hot and deform or discolor. In this case, the cover is a part that is directly touched by the photographer, which may cause discomfort to the photographer. On the other hand, a flash device has been proposed in which the temperature of the heat source of the flash device is detected and charging of the flash component is prohibited when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature, and light emission of the flash component is prohibited (for example, patents). Reference 1).

JP 60-218800 A

  However, the method for detecting the temperature of the heat source of the flash device has a problem that the temperature of the heat source does not necessarily match the temperature of the cover member that the photographer directly touches. The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a flash device and an optical apparatus capable of appropriately controlling the generation of heat by flash.

The invention according to claim 1 is a flash device used with a camera including a camera control unit for controlling exposure conditions, a flash generation unit (320) that generates flash, and a cover member that covers the flash generation unit (310, 330), a temperature sensor (340) attached to the cover member (310, 330), and generation of flash by the flash generator (320) based on the output of the temperature sensor (340). control unit (360) and have a to the control unit, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is the maximum allowed temperature T1 or prohibits the flash by the flash generating portion, by the temperature sensor If the detected temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature T2 and lower than the maximum allowable temperature T1, the amount of light emitted by the flash generation unit is limited, and the camera control unit sets the exposure condition. The exposure condition adjusting signal for exposed, a flash device, characterized by transmitting to the camera control unit.

The invention according to claim 2 is the flash device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit (360) restricts the amount of light emitted by the flash generation unit when the flash generation unit prohibits flashing. In some cases, the flash device has a warning unit (370) for giving a predetermined warning.

The invention of claim 3 is the flash device according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the cover member (310, 330) emits flash light from the flash generation part (320). And a housing part (310) covering the light transmission part, wherein the temperature sensor (340) is attached to the light transmission part (330) or the housing part (310). It is a flash device.

The invention of claim 4 is the flash device according to claim 3 , wherein the temperature sensor (340) is attached to an outer edge portion of the light transmission part (330). .

A fifth aspect of the invention is the flash device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the temperature sensor is provided at a predetermined position of the cover member (310, 330). A temperature sensor (340); and a second temperature sensor (340a) provided at a position where heat generation by the flash light generation unit (320) is less than a position where the first temperature sensor is provided. It is a flash device.

The invention of claim 6 is the flash device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , further comprising a temperature predicting unit for predicting a temperature of the cover member (310, 330), The control unit (360) is a flash device that controls the flash by the flash generation unit (320) based on the temperature prediction result by the temperature prediction unit.

A seventh aspect of the present invention is a camera including the flash device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects.

An eighth aspect of the invention is the camera according to the seventh aspect , wherein an exposure sensitivity adjustment unit (170), a shutter speed adjustment unit (180), and an aperture are controlled in accordance with control by the control unit (360). The camera includes an imaging control unit (160, 250) capable of controlling at least one selected from the unit (240).

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the flash apparatus and optical instrument which can control appropriately generation | occurrence | production of the heat by a flash can be provided.

<< First Embodiment >>
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a single-lens reflex digital camera system 1 according to the first embodiment, and a general configuration of a single-lens reflex digital camera system other than the configuration related to the flash device and the optical apparatus according to the above-described invention is illustrated. Some explanations are omitted.

  The single-lens reflex digital camera system 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as the camera system 1) of the present embodiment includes a camera body 100, a lens barrel 200, and a flash device 300, and the camera body 100 and the lens barrel 200 are mounted portions. The camera body 100 and the flash device 300 are similarly detachably coupled by the mount unit 500.

  The lens barrel 200 incorporates a photographing optical system including a lens group 210 including a focus lens 211 and a zoom lens 212, an aperture device 220, and the like.

  The focus lens 211 is provided so as to be movable along the optical axis L <b> 1, and its position is adjusted by the lens driving motor 230 while its position is detected by the encoder 260.

  The aperture device 220 is configured such that the aperture diameter around the optical axis L1 can be adjusted in order to limit the amount of light beam that passes through the imaging optical system and reaches the image sensor 110 and to adjust the blur amount. . The adjustment of the aperture diameter by the aperture device 220 is performed, for example, by a manual operation by the operation unit 150 provided in the camera body 100, so that the set aperture diameter is transferred from the camera control unit 160 to the aperture drive unit 240 via the lens control unit 250. This is done by being sent. The aperture diameter of the aperture device 220 is detected by an aperture aperture sensor (not shown), and the current aperture diameter is recognized by the lens controller 250.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the camera body 100 includes a quick return mirror 120 that guides a light beam from a subject to an image sensor 110, a finder 135, a photometric sensor 137, and a focus detection optical module 161.

  In FIG. 1, a state where the quick return mirror 120 is at the observation position of the subject is indicated by a solid line, and a state where the quick return mirror 120 is at the photographing position of the subject is indicated by a two-dot chain line. The quick return mirror 120 is inserted on the optical path of the optical axis L1 in a state where the subject is in the observation position of the subject, and rotates so as to be retracted from the optical path of the optical axis L1 in a state where the subject is in the photographing position.

  In a state where the quick return mirror 120 is at the observation position of the subject, a part of the luminous flux (optical axis L1, L3) from the subject is reflected by the quick return mirror 120, and the finder 135 and Guided to photometric sensor 137. On the other hand, when the photographer presses the release button, the quick return mirror 120 is rotated to the photographing position, the light flux (optical axis L1) from the subject is guided to the image sensor 110, and the photographed image data is stored in a memory (not shown). .

  The quick return mirror 120 includes a sub mirror 122 that rotates in accordance with the rotation of the quick return mirror 120 so that a part of the light beam (optical axis L1) from the subject is guided to the focus detection unit by the sub mirror 122. Anyway.

  The image sensor 110 is fixed on the camera body 100 at a position on the optical axis L1 of the light flux from the subject and serving as a planned focal plane of the photographing optical system 210. The imaging element 110 is a two-dimensional array of a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements, and can be configured by a two-dimensional CCD image sensor, a MOS sensor, a CID, or the like. The image sensor 110 can change its exposure sensitivity by an exposure sensitivity adjustment unit 170. The electrical image signal photoelectrically converted by the image sensor 110 is subjected to image processing by the camera control unit 160 and then stored in a memory (not shown). Note that the memory for storing the photographed image can be constituted by a built-in memory or a card-type memory.

  The shutter 111 is disposed in front of the image sensor 110, and thereby restricts the light beam (optical axis L1) from the subject. The opening / closing time of the shutter 111 is controlled by the shutter speed adjusting unit 180.

  On the other hand, the subject light reflected by the quick return mirror 120 forms an image on a focusing screen 131 disposed on a surface optically equivalent to the image sensor 110, and the photographer's light passes through the pentaprism 133 and the eyepiece 134. Guided to the eyeball. At this time, the transmissive liquid crystal display 132 superimposes and displays a focus detection area mark on the subject image on the focusing screen 131, and information relating to shooting such as the shutter speed, aperture value, and number of shots in an area outside the subject image. In addition, the control mode of the flash device 300 and the number of shootable images are displayed. As a result, the subject, its background, photographing related information, and the like can be observed through the finder 134 in a state where the release is not performed.

  In addition, a photometric lens 136 and a photometric sensor 137 are provided in the vicinity of the eyepiece lens 134 to receive part of the subject light imaged on the focusing screen 131.

  The photometric sensor 137 is composed of a two-dimensional color CCD image sensor or the like, and divides the photographing screen into a plurality of regions and outputs a photometric signal corresponding to the luminance of each region in order to calculate an exposure value at the time of photographing. The photometric signal detected by the photometric sensor 137 is output to the camera control unit 160 and used for exposure control.

  The operation unit 150 is a shutter release button or an input switch for the photographer to set various operation modes of the camera system 1. Various modes set by the operation unit 150 are transmitted to the camera control unit 160, and the operation of the entire camera system 1 is controlled by the camera control unit 160. In the present embodiment, the operation unit 150 can select a control mode of the flash device 300. For example, “a mode in which light emission is forcibly prohibited when a temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature”, “light emission” It is possible to select a mode in which the amount is limited, a mode in which no light emission control is performed, or the like. The control mode of the flash device 300 may be selected by an operation means other than the operation unit 150 of the camera body 100, for example, an operation unit provided in the flash device 300 or the like.

  The camera body 100 is provided with a camera control unit 160. The camera control unit 160 includes peripheral components such as a microprocessor and a memory, and is electrically connected to the lens control unit 250 through an electrical signal contact unit (not shown) provided on the mount unit 400. The lens information is received, and information such as the aperture diameter is transmitted to the lens control unit 250. Furthermore, the camera control unit 160 is electrically connected to the flash device control unit 360 through an electric signal contact unit 350 provided in the mount unit 500, and the flash device temperature information from the flash device control unit 360 and the flash device. In addition to receiving information regarding the light emission limitation, information such as the necessity of light emission is transmitted to the flash device control unit 360. In addition, the camera control unit 160 reads image information from the image sensor 110 as described above, performs predetermined information processing as necessary, and outputs the information to a memory (not shown). Further, the camera control unit 160 controls the entire camera system 1 such as correction of captured image information, detection of the focus adjustment state and aperture adjustment state of the lens barrel 200, and transmission of a flash command to the flash device 300. Control.

  The flash device 300 includes a casing 310 and a Fresnel lens 330 that cover a flash generation unit 320 that performs flash emission on a subject.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the flash generation unit 320 includes a xenon tube 321 and a reflector 322, receives a flash generation signal from the flash device control unit 360, and performs flash emission to the subject. The xenon tube 321 is arranged so that the longitudinal direction of the tube shape is along the horizontal direction of the camera system 1, while the reflector 322 covers the xenon tube 321 so as to reflect light emitted from the xenon tube 321 toward the subject. Placed in.

  The Fresnel lens 330 is a transmissive lens that is provided so that the flash from the flash generator 320 can be emitted to the subject. The Fresnel lens 330 is held by a housing 310 as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the flash device 300 of the present embodiment is provided with a temperature sensor 340 at the outer edge portion of the Fresnel lens 330, whereby the temperature of the outer edge portion of the Fresnel lens 330 is adjusted. It can be measured. The temperature sensor 340 can be composed of, for example, a thermistor. The temperature sensor 340 is electrically connected to the flash device controller 360, and the temperature information measured by the temperature sensor 340 is transmitted to the flash device controller 360. In addition, by providing the temperature sensor 340 at the outer edge portion of the Fresnel lens 330, it is possible to measure a temperature close to the temperature experienced by the photographer when the photographer touches the flash device 300.

  The flash device control unit 360 transmits a flash generation signal to the flash generation unit 320 and receives temperature information from the temperature sensor 340. In addition, in the present embodiment, the flash device control unit 360 is based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 340, according to the control mode of the flash device 300 set by the operation unit 150 of the camera body 100. The light emission by 320 is controlled. As a control mode of the flash device 300, a “mode in which light emission is forcibly prohibited when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature” selected when it is desired to prevent the casing 310 and the Fresnel lens 330 from being heated, In addition to the “mode to limit the amount of light emission” that is selected when you want to continue some light emission if they are not too hot, they are selected when you want to emit unlimited light because they may be too hot. For example, “a mode in which no light emission control is performed” may be used.

  For example, when “mode forcibly prohibits light emission when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature” is selected by the operation unit 150, the flash device control unit 360 responds to temperature information from the temperature sensor 340. Thus, it is determined whether or not the light emission by the flash generation unit 320 should be prohibited. If it is determined that the light emission should be prohibited, the light emission is prohibited. For example, when the maximum allowable temperature T1 for prohibiting the light emission by the flash generation unit 320 is set, if the temperature sensor 340 detects a temperature equal to or higher than the maximum allowable temperature T1, the light generation by the flash generation unit 320 is performed. Ban. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the temperature of the outer edge portion of the Fresnel lens 330 from rising to a temperature exceeding the maximum allowable temperature T1, and to reduce the temperature to an appropriate temperature by natural cooling. When the light emission by the flash generation unit 320 is prohibited, the flash device control unit 360 transmits a light emission restriction / inhibition signal to the warning unit.

  Here, the maximum allowable temperature T1 used for prohibiting the light emission by the flash generating unit 320 may be set in advance in the flash device control unit 360, or may be used, or the operation of the camera body 100 may be performed. The photographer may be set by the unit 150. As a method for the photographer to set the maximum permitted temperature T1, the photographer directly designates the maximum permitted temperature T1 with the operation unit 150, or when the photographer feels that it is hot when actually touching the flash device, For example, there is a method of operating the operation unit 15 so that the temperature can be set.

  Alternatively, when the “mode for limiting the light emission amount” is selected by the operation unit 150 of the camera body 100, the flash device control unit 360 is configured to use the flash generation unit 320 according to the temperature information from the temperature sensor 340. It is determined whether or not the light emission amount should be limited, and if it is determined that the light emission amount should be limited, the light emission amount of the flash generating unit 320 is limited. For example, when a predetermined temperature T2 for limiting the light emission amount is set, when a temperature equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature T2 is detected by the temperature sensor 340, a flash generation signal is transmitted to the flash generation unit 320. Then, a signal to limit the amount of light emitted by the flash generation unit 320 is transmitted. Thereby, the temperature rise at the outer edge portion of the Fresnel lens 330 can be mitigated. When the amount of light emitted by the flash generation unit 320 is limited, the flash device control unit 360 transmits a light emission restriction / prohibition signal to the warning unit 370.

  Further, the “mode forcibly prohibiting light emission when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature” and the “mode for performing light emission amount limitation” can be set in combination.

  Further, when “a mode in which no light emission control is performed” is selected, the flash device control unit 360 does not prohibit the light emission and does not limit the light emission amount, and does not perform the flash generation signal to the flash generation unit 320. Send.

  The warning unit 370 receives the light emission restriction / prohibition signal from the flash device control unit 360 and causes a warning means (not shown) to issue a warning. Although it does not specifically limit as a warning means, A warning buzzer, a warning lamp, etc. are mentioned. Alternatively, a warning signal is transmitted from the warning unit 370 directly or via the flash device control unit 360 to the camera control unit 160, and a warning display is displayed on a liquid crystal screen (not shown) provided in the camera body 100 or the finder 137. You may do it. When a warning is displayed on the liquid crystal display or the viewfinder 137, for example, when “a mode in which light emission is forcibly prohibited when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature” is selected, the maximum number of flashes allowed is permitted. If the display indicates that light emission is expected to be prohibited when the temperature is higher than T1, or if the “mode to limit the amount of light emission” is selected, the number of flashes will be higher than the predetermined temperature T2. And a method of displaying that the light emission amount suppression is started.

  In addition, as a method for calculating how many more flashes the temperature T1 or T2 or more can be calculated, for example, the following method can be cited. That is, there is a method in which the flash device controller 360 stores in advance the relationship between the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 340 and the temperature rise when flashing at that temperature, and uses this. Alternatively, the temperature before the light emission measured by the temperature sensor 340 and the temperature after the light emission when the light is emitted by the flash device 300 are sequentially stored, and such a relationship is learned from the obtained result. It is good as a way to do it. Further, a method of recording the temperature rise by the flash measured by the temperature sensor 340 when the power is first turned on and photographing using the flash device is used, and a method of using this is also included.

  Next, the operation will be described.

First, an operation in the case where “a mode in which light emission is forcibly prohibited when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature” is selected will be described.
The flash device control unit 360 receives temperature information from the temperature sensor 340, and compares the temperature measured by the received temperature sensor 340 with the maximum permitted temperature T1. As a result of the comparison, when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 340 is equal to or higher than the maximum allowable temperature T1, the flash device controller 360 prohibits the flash generator 320 from emitting light. Therefore, in this case, when the release button is pressed by the photographer and a release signal is transmitted from the camera control unit 160 to the flash device control unit 360, a signal indicating that the flash should be emitted at the same time is received. However, the flash device 300 does not flash. Further, when light emission by the flash generation unit 320 is prohibited, a light emission restriction / inhibition signal is transmitted from the flash device control unit 360 to the warning unit 370, and a warning is issued to the photographer by the warning unit. On the other hand, if the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 340 is less than the maximum allowable temperature T1, or once exceeds the maximum allowable temperature T1, and then cooled to below the maximum allowable temperature T1 by natural cooling, In response to a signal from the camera control unit 160 indicating that flash light should be emitted, flash light is emitted as usual.

  In addition, when the “mode for limiting the amount of light emission” is selected, the predetermined temperature T2 is used instead of the maximum allowable temperature T1 as the temperature to be compared with the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 340, and the predetermined temperature When the temperature is equal to or higher than T2, instead of prohibiting the light emission by the flash device 300, the light emission amount by the flash device control unit 360 is limited. This is the same as when the “mode to perform” is selected. In the “mode for performing light emission amount restriction”, when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 340 is high, the restriction ratio of the light emission amount is increased or the like, depending on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 340. The limiting ratio of the light emission amount may be changed.

  Further, in the “mode for limiting the light emission amount”, when the light emission amount by the flash device control unit 360 is limited, an exposure condition adjustment signal is transmitted from the flash device control unit 360 to the camera control unit 160, Accordingly, it is desirable that the camera control unit 160 can change the exposure condition. By changing the exposure condition, it is possible to secure a sufficient amount of light necessary for photographing a subject satisfactorily even when the amount of light emitted by the flash device controller 360 is limited. As a means for changing the exposure condition, for example, a method of transmitting an exposure sensitivity adjustment signal from the camera control unit 160 to the exposure sensitivity adjustment unit 170 and increasing the exposure sensitivity of the image sensor 110 based on the signal can be given (specifically, When the amount of light emitted by the flash device 300 is halved, the exposure sensitivity of the image sensor 110 is doubled.) Alternatively, a shutter speed adjustment signal is transmitted from the camera control unit 160 to the shutter speed adjustment unit 180, and based on the signal, a time for opening the shutter 111 is lengthened, or from the camera control unit 160 via the lens control unit 250, the aperture driving unit. A method of transmitting an aperture adjustment signal to 240 and adjusting the aperture diameter of the aperture 220 to the open side can also be mentioned.

  According to this embodiment, since the temperature sensor 340 is provided at the outer edge portion of the Fresnel lens 330 of the flash device 300, the temperature corresponding to the temperature experienced by the photographer when touching the flash device 300 is measured. be able to. In this embodiment, based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 340, the flash generation unit 320 prohibits light emission or limits the amount of light emission, thereby lowering the temperature of the flash device 300 by natural cooling. As a result, the temperature rise of the flash device 300 can be appropriately controlled. In particular, according to the present embodiment, the temperature sensor 340 is installed on the outer edge portion of the Fresnel lens 330 that covers the flash generation unit 320, not the flash generation unit 320 that is the most temperature rising portion of the flash device 300. Therefore, appropriate control based on the temperature experienced by the photographer when touched is possible.

<< Second Embodiment >>
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Except as described below, the second embodiment of the present invention has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment described above, and exhibits the same effects.

  FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of the flash device of the camera system according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, in the second embodiment, the temperature sensor 340 is disposed on the lower surface side (the surface on the −X direction side) of the portion of the housing 310 that holds the Fresnel lens 330. By arranging the temperature sensor 340 in such a portion, it is possible to measure a temperature close to the temperature experienced by the photographer when touched by the photographer, as in the first embodiment. In addition, in the second embodiment, the temperature sensor 340 is arranged on the lower surface side of the portion that holds the Fresnel lens 330, so that the upper surface of the portion that holds the Fresnel lens 330, which is the portion that is actually touched by the photographer. The appearance of the flash device 300 can be improved while making it possible to measure substantially the same temperature as the side.

<< Third Embodiment >>
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Except as described below, the third embodiment of the present invention has the same configuration as that of the above-described first embodiment, and has the same effects.

  FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of the flash device of the camera system according to the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, in the third embodiment, the temperature sensors 340 are arranged at two locations, the outer edge portion of the Fresnel lens 330 and the lower surface side of the portion of the housing 310 that holds the Fresnel lens 330. ing. By arranging the temperature sensor 340 in two places, in addition to being able to measure the temperature close to the temperature experienced by the photographer more accurately, for example, when one temperature sensor 340 fails for some reason It becomes possible to respond.

<< 4th Embodiment >>
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Except as described below, the fourth embodiment of the present invention has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment described above, and has the same effects.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the main part showing the flash device of the camera system according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, in the fourth embodiment, the flash device 300 includes a temperature sensor 340 a at a position away from the flash generation unit 320 in addition to the temperature sensor 340 provided at the outer edge portion of the Fresnel lens 330. As shown in FIG. 5, the temperature sensor 340 a is arranged at a position away from the flash generation unit 320 and generating less heat by the flash generation unit 320, so that it is not affected by the generation of heat by the flash generation unit 320. The temperature of the environment where the flash device 300 is used can be measured. In the fourth embodiment, the strobe controller 360 should limit the amount of light emitted by the flash generator 320 according to the temperature of the environment in which the flash device 300 is used, based on the temperature information measured by the temperature sensor 340a. Alternatively, it is determined whether light emission should be prohibited. For example, when the ambient temperature is too high, the flash generation unit 320 is not generating heat, and the flash generation unit 320 limits the amount of light emission and prohibits light emission even though the vicinity of the flash generation unit 320 is not hot. Can be appropriately avoided.

  The embodiment described above is described for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and is not described for limiting the present invention. Therefore, each element disclosed in the above embodiment is intended to include all design changes and equivalents belonging to the technical scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the example in which the flash device 300 and the camera body 100 are detachable separate parts has been described. However, the flash device 300 and the camera body 100 may be integrated. In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a single-lens reflex digital camera has been described. However, the present invention is not particularly limited to this, and a compact camera, a video camera, a still camera, a camera for a mobile phone, The present invention may be applied to other optical devices such as a single-lens reflex camera using a silver salt film.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 340 is equal to or higher than the temperature T1 or T2, the light emission is prohibited or the light emission amount is restricted. Before reaching the temperature T1 or T2, it is also possible to predict how many more flashes are possible and to limit the amount of light emission in advance based on the predicted result. By limiting the light emission amount in advance, it is possible to increase the number of times light can be emitted until the temperature T1 or T2 is reached. Note that, when the light emission amount is limited in advance, it is preferable to increase the light emission amount limit rate as the temperature approaches T1 or T2. Further, when predicting how many more flashes are possible, the method may be the same as the method of calculating how many more flashes the temperature T1 or T2 or more in the first embodiment described above.

  Further, as the control mode of the flash device 300, in addition to the above-described modes, for example, “a mode for prohibiting continuous shooting mode”, “a mode for reducing the continuous shooting speed in continuous shooting mode”, or the like may be employed. When the shooting mode is the continuous shooting mode, the flash device 300 tends to increase the number of flash emission times. Therefore, the flash device 300 is also prohibited by prohibiting the continuous shooting mode or reducing the continuous shooting speed. The temperature rise can be controlled appropriately.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the temperature sensor 340 is disposed on the outer edge portion of the Fresnel lens 330 or the lower surface side of the portion of the housing 310 that holds the Fresnel lens 330 has been described. As long as the temperature rise due to the heat generated by the flash light generation unit 320 can be measured, 310 may be installed anywhere.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a single-lens reflex digital camera system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of the flash device of the camera system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of the flash device of the camera system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of the flash device of the camera system according to the third embodiment. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the main part showing the flash device of the camera system according to the fourth embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Single-lens reflex digital camera system 100 ... Camera body 110 ... Image pick-up element 160 ... Camera control part 200 ... Lens barrel 210 ... Lens group 220 ... Aperture device 250 ... Lens control part 300 ... Flash apparatus 310 ... Housing 320 ... Flash generation Unit 330 ... Fresnel lens 340, 340a ... Temperature sensor 360 ... Flash device control unit 370 ... Warning unit

Claims (8)

A flash device used with a camera having a camera control unit for controlling exposure conditions,
A flash generating section for generating flash,
A cover member that covers the flash generating portion;
A temperature sensor attached to the cover member;
Based on the output of the temperature sensor, it has a control unit for controlling the generation of flash by the flash generating portion,
The controller is
When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is equal to or higher than the maximum permitted temperature T1, the flash by the flash generation unit is prohibited,
When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature T2 and lower than the maximum allowable temperature T1, the amount of light emitted by the flash generation unit is limited, and the camera control unit is caused to change the exposure condition. An exposure condition adjustment signal is transmitted to the camera control unit . The flash device according to claim 1 ,
A flash device comprising: a warning unit that gives a predetermined warning when the control unit prohibits flashing by the flash generation unit and limits the amount of light emitted by the flash generation unit . The flash device according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The cover member has a light transmission part that emits flash light from the flash light generation part, and a housing part that covers the light transmission part,
The flash device according to claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor is attached to the light transmission part or the housing part. The flash device according to claim 3 ,
The flash device according to claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor is attached to an outer edge portion of the light transmitting portion. The flash device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
The temperature sensor includes a first temperature sensor provided at a predetermined position of the cover member, and a second temperature sensor provided at a position where less heat is generated by the flash generation unit than the position where the first temperature sensor is provided. A flash device comprising a temperature sensor. A flash device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
A temperature prediction unit for predicting the temperature of the cover member;
The flash unit is characterized in that the control unit controls flash by the flash generation unit based on a temperature prediction result by the temperature prediction unit. A camera comprising the flash device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 . The camera according to claim 7 , wherein
A camera comprising: an imaging control unit capable of controlling at least one selected from an exposure sensitivity adjustment unit, a shutter speed adjustment unit, and an aperture unit in accordance with control by the control unit.

Images