JP5325408B2 - Camera and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a camera and a camera control method. The camera includes a mode setting unit which sets an operation mode of the camera to a normal mode or an illumination apparatus control mode. A display unit selectively displays an image and information. A setting unit sets and changes operating conditions of an illumination apparatus after the display unit displays the operating conditions of an illumination apparatus. A communication unit instructs the operating conditions to the illumination apparatus. A control unit controls the mode setting unit to set the operation mode to the illumination apparatus control mode, and changes a display form of the display unit, when predetermined conditions are satisfied, so as to set and change operating conditions of the illumination apparatus.

Description

  The present invention relates to a camera that performs a photographing operation using a remotely arranged lighting device and a method for controlling such a camera.

  There is known a wireless flash system that controls light emission of a flash device as auxiliary illumination of an image pickup device by wireless communication by optical signal communication control or the like from another flash device remotely arranged with respect to the flash device. When shooting using such a wireless flash system, the subject can be freely written. In recent years, digital cameras have been widely used as imaging devices, and the use of wireless flash systems is increasing because the results of lighting can be confirmed without developing the film.

As a method for easily controlling the wireless flash system described above on the LCD panel of a camera, the technique of Patent Document 1 is known. The technique of this patent document 1 controls a wireless flash device by a built-in flash device of a digital camera, and allows the setting of the wireless flash device to be performed on the LCD panel of the camera.
JP 2000-89308 A

  In recent digital cameras, in wireless flash photography in which it is difficult to predict the photographing result, test photographing is first performed, and a plurality of wireless flash devices are often set independently according to the result of the test photographing. Therefore, it is required to smoothly check the photographing result and set each wireless flash device. However, the method disclosed in Patent Document 1 assumes a film camera, and does not particularly describe confirmation of a photographing result after a photographing operation.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and in a camera capable of performing wireless flash photography, a camera capable of quickly changing the setting of each wireless flash device and confirming the effect thereof, and An object is to provide a control method thereof.

In order to achieve the above object, the camera according to the first aspect of the present invention is a camera capable of performing a photographing operation using one or a plurality of remotely disposed illumination devices. Display means for selectively displaying conditions , grouping means for grouping one or more of the plurality of lighting devices into one lighting group, and operating conditions for the one or more lighting groups on the display means. A setting means for changing the setting of the displayed operation condition in the displayed state, and a communication means for instructing the lighting device by wireless communication of the operation condition set by the setting means prior to the photographing operation And the latest photographed image is displayed on the display means after the photographing operation is completed, and the movement of the one or more lighting groups by the setting means is performed at a predetermined timing thereafter. Characterized by comprising a control means for switching the display mode of the display means as configuration changes are possible conditions.

In order to achieve the above object, a camera control method according to a second aspect of the present invention is a camera control method capable of performing a photographing operation using one or a plurality of remotely disposed illumination devices. One or more of the plurality of lighting devices are grouped into one lighting group , and the operating conditions of the one or more lighting groups displayed on the display device are changed. Prior to the shooting operation, the lighting device is instructed to the set operating conditions by wireless communication, and the latest shot image is displayed on the display means after the shooting operation is finished, and then a predetermined predetermined At this timing, the display form of the display device is switched so that the operating condition of the one or more lighting groups can be changed.

  According to the present invention, in a camera capable of performing wireless flash photography, it is possible to provide a camera capable of quickly changing the setting of each wireless flash device and confirming the effect thereof, and a control method thereof. .

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment]
First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is an external view of a camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Here, FIG. 1A shows a top perspective view of the camera, and FIG. 1B shows a rear perspective view of the camera.

  The cameras shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B are single-lens reflex type cameras as an example. That is, the camera 100 has a camera body 1 and a lens unit 2 configured to be detachable from the camera body 1, and when the lens unit 2 is attached to the camera body 1, both operate in cooperation. It is supposed to be. In this embodiment, the camera 100 functions as a master flash device in a wireless flash system described later.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the camera body 1 is provided with a built-in flash 3, operation members 4a to 4h, a finder unit 5, and a rear LCD panel 6.

  The built-in flash 3 is composed of a light emitting unit composed of, for example, a xenon (Xe) tube, a light emitting circuit for causing the light emitting unit to emit light, and the like. This built-in flash 3 is a pop-up built-in flash that is normally housed in the camera body 1 and pops up as shown in FIG. 1A when flash light is emitted.

  The operation members 4 a to 4 h are various operation members for the user to operate the camera 100. Here, the operation member 4a is a release button, and is an operation member for operating a two-stage switch of a 1st release switch that is turned on by a half-press operation and a 2nd release switch that is turned on by a full-press operation. When the 1st release switch is turned on, photographing preparation operations such as automatic focus control (AF) and automatic exposure control (AE) are executed. Further, when the 2nd release switch is turned on, the photographing operation is executed. The operation member 4b is an electronic dial, and is an operation member used when various numerical values are set and changed. The operation member 4c is a cross button, and is composed of four buttons, upper, lower, left and right, and a center OK button. The cross button 4c is an operation member used for selecting or determining an item when the camera menu is opened. The operation member 4d is an ISO button. The ISO button 4d is an operation member for changing the ISO sensitivity of the image sensor at the time of shooting. The ISO button 4d is a button used in combination with the electronic dial 4b, and the ISO sensitivity value can be set by rotating the electronic dial 4b while pressing the ISO button 4d. The operation member 4e is an exposure correction button. The exposure correction button 4e is a button used in combination with the electronic dial 4b, and the exposure correction value can be set by rotating the electronic dial 4b while pressing the exposure correction button 4e. The operation member 4f is an INFO button. By operating the INFO button 4f, the display form (details will be described later) of the rear LCD panel 6 can be selected. The operation member 4g is a menu button. When the menu button 4g is pressed, a menu screen for various settings can be displayed on the rear LCD panel 6. The operation member 4h is a power button. The power of the camera 100 can be turned on or off by operating the power button 4h.

  The viewfinder unit 5 is an optical viewfinder unit for observing a subject. The viewfinder unit 5 is configured such that light that has passed through the optical system inside the lens unit 2 can be observed through the eyepiece 5a using an optical system such as a mirror or a pentaprism provided in the camera body 1. Has been.

  The rear LCD panel 6 is provided on the rear surface of the camera body 1 and is a display unit for displaying various images such as a menu image and a screen for confirming various information and setting values in addition to a captured image and a live view image. is there.

  FIG. 2 is an external view of the illumination device (external flash device) that constitutes the wireless flash system according to the present embodiment together with the camera 100. This external flash device functions as a slave flash device in a wireless flash system described later.

  An external flash device 200 shown in FIG. A hot shoe 17 is provided at a lower portion of the flash body 11, and the flash body 11 is fixed to the flash stand 12 by engaging the hot shoe 17 with a hot shoe receiving portion 18 provided on the flash stand 12. It is possible. In addition, the flash body 11 can be mounted on the hot shoe receiver of the camera 100, and in this case, the external flash device 200 can be used as a light source for flash emission instead of the built-in flash 3.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the flash body 11 is provided with a slave sensor 13, a light control sensor 14, and a mode switch 15. Further, a light emitting unit 16 is rotatably attached to the flash body 11.

  When the external flash device 200 is used as a slave flash device, the slave sensor 13 receives a signal flash light from the camera 100 as a master flash device, and generates an electrical signal by photoelectrically converting the received signal flash light. Let

  The light control sensor 14 is a light control sensor for flash light control. In a wireless flash system, which will be described later, TTL light control for controlling the dimming of each external flash device using a TTL sensor on the camera side, and dimming control for each external flash device using a sensor on the external flash device side It is possible to perform two dimming controls of flash side control dimming. The light control sensor 14 is a sensor used for flash-side control light control. The light control sensor 14 receives the reflected light of the flash light from the subject at the time of pre-light emission that emits flash light toward the subject before shooting. An electrical signal is generated by photoelectrically converting the reflected light.

  The mode switch 15 is a switch for setting the operation mode of the external flash device 200. There are three modes of operation: “TTL”, “M”, and “RC”. Here, “TTL (Through The Lens)” and “M (Manual)” which are normal modes are operation modes when the flash main body 11 is mounted on the camera 100 and used. Note that “TTL” is an operation mode in which dimming control is performed using the TTL sensor on the camera side, and “M” is an operation mode in which dimming control is performed using the dimming sensor 14 on the external flash device 200 side. . Furthermore, “RC (Remote Control)” which is a lighting device control mode is an operation mode when the external flash device 200 is used as a slave flash device of a wireless flash system.

  The light emitting unit 16 is a flash light emitting unit in the external flash device 200. The light emitting unit 16 is provided with a lock release button 16a. While the lock release button 16a is being pressed, the light emitting unit 16 can be rotated with respect to the flash body 11. The user can change the direction of the light emitting unit 16, that is, the light emitting direction of the flash light, by rotating the light emitting unit 16 in the vertical and horizontal directions while pressing the lock release button 16 a.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a wireless flash system according to the present embodiment using the camera shown in FIG. 1 and the external flash device shown in FIG.

  In the example of FIG. 3, a subject OBJ is present in front of the camera 100 serving as a master flash. Further, external flash devices 200a to 200c assigned to different groups are arranged as slave flash devices for the subject OBJ. Of these three external flash devices, the external flash device 200a is a group A flash device, the external flash device 200b is a group B flash device, and the external flash device 200c is a group C flash device. In any of these external flash devices, the mode switch 15 is set to “RC”.

  In such a configuration, each external flash device is controlled to emit light according to the signal flash light from the camera 100. Here, in the example of FIG. 3, one external flash device belongs to one group, but a plurality of external flash devices may be assigned to one group. In this case, the same flash control is performed for the external flash devices belonging to the same group.

  Hereinafter, the wireless flash system of this embodiment will be further described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a circuit block configuration inside the camera shown in FIG. Here, about the same structure as FIG. 1, the description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same referential mark as FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the lens unit 2 has a lens drive control circuit 101. The lens drive control circuit 101 performs drive control such as focus and diaphragm of a lens (not shown) provided in the lens unit 2 based on an instruction from the body drive control circuit 104 of the camera body 1.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the camera body 1 includes a flash control circuit 102, a clock circuit 103, a body drive control circuit 104, a TTL dimming circuit 105, an imaging circuit 106, an image processing circuit 107, And a recording medium 108. Further, the body drive control circuit 104 is connected to the operation member 4 (operation members 4a to 4h shown in FIG. 1) and the rear LCD panel 6 that are exposed outside the camera body 1.

  The flash control circuit 102 performs light emission control of the built-in flash 3 under the control of the body drive control circuit 104.

  The clock circuit 103 is a clock oscillation circuit using a crystal oscillator, for example, and generates a clock signal for operating the body drive control circuit 104. In general, since there are many portions in the camera body 1 that require high-accuracy time control, it is desirable that the clock circuit 103 be composed of a crystal oscillation circuit or the like that is expensive but has high accuracy.

  The body drive control circuit 104 is a digital circuit that operates according to the clock signal generated by the clock circuit 103. The body drive control circuit 104 controls the operation of each block in the camera body 1 and the lens drive control circuit 101 in the lens unit 2 in response to the operation of the operation member 4. Furthermore, when performing wireless flash photography in the present embodiment, the body drive control circuit 104 issues a light emission instruction for wireless data communication to the external flash device to the flash control circuit 102.

  The TTL dimming circuit 105 is a dimming circuit for determining the main light emission amount of the built-in flash 3. This TTL light control circuit 105 is a flash from a subject passing through a lens (not shown) in the lens unit 2 at the time of pre-light emission (light emission with a small amount of light performed before photographing to determine the amount of flash light for photographing). Measure reflected light. Based on the photometric result in the TTL light control circuit 105, the body drive control circuit 104 determines the main light emission amount (flash emission amount for photographing) of the built-in flash 3.

  The imaging circuit 106 includes an imaging element and its drive circuit. The imaging circuit 106 receives light from a subject passing through a lens (not shown) in the lens unit 2 and photoelectrically converts the received reflected light to generate an electrical signal (image signal). The image signal is converted into a digital signal (image data) and output to the image processing circuit 107.

  The image processing circuit 107 performs digital image processing on the image data obtained by the imaging circuit 106 and records the image data on the recording medium 108 when capturing an image. Further, when the image is reproduced, the image processing circuit 107 reads the image data recorded on the recording medium 108 and generates data to be displayed on the rear LCD panel 6 from the read image data.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an internal circuit block configuration of the external flash device shown in FIG. Here, the same components as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the flash main body 11 includes a flash control circuit 202, a clock circuit 203, and a data detection circuit 204. Further, the flash control circuit 202 is connected to the light control sensor 14 and the mode switch 15 that are exposed outside the flash main body 11, and the data detection circuit 204 is connected to the slave sensor 13.

  The flash control circuit 202 performs various controls such as flash emission according to information from sensors such as the slave sensor 13 and the light control sensor 14 and operations from the mode switch 15.

  The clock circuit 203 generates a clock signal for operating the digital unit of the flash control circuit 202. This clock signal is also used as a reference clock signal for measuring in the data detection circuit 204 the pulse interval of the signal flash light received by the slave sensor 13. Note that since the external flash device 200 has fewer functions that require time control with higher accuracy than the camera 100, the clock circuit 203 may be an inexpensive one using, for example, a ceramic vibrator.

  The data detection circuit 204 counts the pulse interval of the signal flash light output from the slave sensor 13 using the clock signal of the clock circuit 203 and outputs the count data to the flash control circuit 202 as control data from the camera 100. To do.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the light emitting unit 16 includes a light emitting circuit 205 and a flash light emitting unit 206. The light emitting circuit 205 is composed of a capacitor or the like, accumulates energy for causing the flash light emitting unit 206 to emit light, and causes the flash light emitting unit 206 to emit light based on an instruction from the flash control circuit 202. The flash light emitting unit 206 is a light emitting unit configured with, for example, a xenon (Xe) tube.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state of screen transition when the rear LCD panel 6 of the camera 100 serving as the master flash device is in a shooting standby state. The display shown in FIG. 6 is switched every time the INFO button 4f is pressed.

  The DSP 1 is a display during normal shooting. In the display of the DSP 1, items that are often confirmed in normal shooting (in the example of FIG. 6, shooting mode, date, ISO sensitivity, white balance setting, flash setting, image processing setting, photometry mode setting, distance measurement mode) , AF / MF (manual focus) setting, single shooting / continuous shooting setting, current recording medium 108 type, image quality mode setting, remaining number of shots) are displayed. Further, when the setting item is selected and determined by the cross button 4c in the state where this display is made, the setting of various items can be changed on the display.

  The DSP 2 is in a state in which the display of the rear LCD panel 6 is turned off. The display is turned off in order to save power consumption or when light from the rear LCD panel 6 gets in the way when looking through the viewfinder.

  The DSP 3 is a dedicated display when performing wireless flash photography. The DSP 3 is displayed only when the wireless flash control mode (hereinafter, this mode is referred to as RC mode) is selected from a menu screen (not shown). In the display of the DSP 3, slave flash setting for each group shown in FIG. 3 (in the example of FIG. 6, setting of the dimming mode and flash emission amount for each group) and fast second time synchronized light emission (FP) on / off Various operating conditions such as communication channels used during wireless flash photography can be displayed in a matrix, and the operating conditions of each external flash device can be changed while viewing the display on the DSP 3 using the cross button 4c as with the DSP 1. Is possible.

  As described above, the display of the DSP 3 is a display that can be changed only when the RC mode is selected. When the RC mode is not selected, the DSP 3 is not displayed and only the DSP 1 and the DSP 2 are changed. In the state in which the RC mode is selected, wireless flash photography can be performed in any of the DSP1, DSP2, and DSP3 states.

  Hereinafter, wireless flash photography will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a form of wireless communication using flash light in the wireless flash system shown in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the camera 100 that is the master flash device emits light 10 times for each imaging. Of the ten times of light emission, the first light emission is SFL1, and the light emission after the first time is SFL2,..., SFL10. The light emission interval between SFL1 and SFL2 is T (DT1), and thereafter, T (DT2), T (DT3), TM1, TM2, T (DT4), T (DT5), T (DT6), TM3, TM4 And In this example, the external flash device, which is a slave flash device, performs pre-flash in synchronization with SFL5 and performs main flash in synchronization with SFL10.

  The data detection circuit 204 counts each light emission interval using the clock signal of the clock circuit 203 and outputs the count data to the flash control circuit 202 as control data from the camera 100.

  In the period of T (DT1), common data is sent to each group such as a communication channel and on / off setting of high-speed second time synchronized light emission. In the subsequent period of T (DT2) and T (DT3), data of the light emission mode (TTL / AUTO / M) of each group is sent. Data DT1, DT2, and DT3 taken out by the data detection circuit 204 in each period are each composed of 3-bit data, and each data is expressed by a light emission interval obtained by adding 0.5 ms per bit to an offset of 5 ms. ing.

  In addition, data corresponding to the amount of light emission of each group is sent during the period of T (DT4), T (DT5), and T (DT6). Data DT4, DT5, and DT6 extracted by the data detection circuit 204 in each period are each composed of 5-bit data, and each data is expressed by a light emission interval obtained by adding 0.25 ms per bit to an offset of 5 ms. Yes.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the data corresponding to the channel and the light emission mode is configured with a smaller number of bits than the data corresponding to the flash light emission amount or the camera aperture value and the ISO sensitivity data for determining the light emission amount. In addition, the time resolution of data is set twice as large, in other words, the allowable amount of time error is set to double.

  Each data is constituted by adding a time corresponding to each data to a predetermined offset time of 5 ms. In this case, T (DT1), T (DT2), and T (DT3) are 5 ms (in the case of data 0) at the shortest and 8.5 ms (in the case of data 7). Further, T (DT4), T (DT5), and T (DT6) are 5 ms at the shortest (in the case of data 0) and 12.75 ms (in the case of data 31) at the longest.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a shooting standby operation in the RC mode of the camera 100 that plays the role of a master flash in the wireless flash system shown in FIG.

  The operation of FIG. 8 is started when the power of the camera 100 is turned on by the power button 4h. First, when the power of the camera 100 is turned on by the power button 4h, a shooting standby state is set (step S801). In this shooting standby state, the body drive control circuit 104 determines whether the menu button 4g has been operated by the user (step S802). In the determination in step S802, the shooting standby state is continued until the menu button 4g is operated.

  On the other hand, when the menu button 4g is operated in the determination in step S802, the body drive control circuit 104 causes the rear LCD panel 6 to display a menu screen. Thereafter, various setting changing operations on the menu screen are executed in accordance with the user's operation of the cross button 4c (step S803). When the menu item is selected and the setting is changed by the user, the body drive control circuit 104 determines whether the RC mode is set by the user (step S804). If the RC mode is not set in the determination in step S804, the body drive control circuit 104 displays the screen before opening the menu screen on the rear LCD panel 6 (step S806), and then returns to the shooting standby state. On the other hand, when the RC mode is set in the determination in step S804, the body drive control circuit 104 displays the screen indicated by DSP3 in FIG. 6 on the rear LCD panel 6 (step S805). That is, when the RC mode is set by the user, a dedicated display screen that can be displayed only in the RC mode is displayed.

  9 to 12 are flowcharts illustrating the operation of the imaging control in the RC mode of the camera 100. This operation is executed when the release button 4a is pressed and the 1st release switch is turned on when the RC mode is set.

  When the user half-presses the release button 4a, the 1st release switch is turned on. When the body drive control circuit 104 detects this, the body drive control circuit 104 executes AF and AE operations (step S901). After the AF and AE operations are completed, the body drive control circuit 104 determines whether the 2nd release switch is turned on by the user fully pressing the release button 4a (step S902). In the determination in step S902, the process waits until the 2nd release switch is turned on. On the other hand, when the 2nd release switch is turned on in the determination in step S902, the body drive control circuit 104 determines DT1 from the channel and light emission mode used for communication with each external flash device set in advance before photographing. , DT2, DT3 and the time corresponding to these values are determined (step S903).

  Next, the body drive control circuit 104 controls the flash control circuit 102 to start light emission for communication using the built-in flash 3. For this purpose, first, SFL1 is emitted (step S904). After performing the light emission of SFL1, the body drive control circuit 104 determines whether T (DT1), which is a time corresponding to DT1, has elapsed (step S905), and waits until T (DT1) has elapsed. In step S905, after confirming that T (DT1) has elapsed, the body drive control circuit 104 performs the next light emission SFL2 (step S906). After performing SFL2 emission, the body drive control circuit 104 determines whether T (DT2), which is a time corresponding to DT2, has elapsed (step S907), and waits until T (DT2) has elapsed. In step S907, after confirming that T (DT2) has elapsed, the body drive control circuit 104 performs the next light emission SFL3 (step S908). After performing the light emission of SFL3, the body drive control circuit 104 determines whether T (DT3), which is a time corresponding to DT3, has elapsed (step S909), and waits until T (DT3) has elapsed. In step S909, after confirming that T (DT3) has elapsed, the body drive control circuit 104 performs the next light emission SFL4 (step S910). Thus, transmission of DT1, DT2, and DT3 is completed.

  Next, the body drive control circuit 104 performs trigger light emission for a pre-light emission instruction. That is, after the light emission of SFL4, the body drive control circuit 104 determines whether or not a predetermined time T (TM1) necessary for each external flash device to determine the reception data and prepare for the pre-light emission has elapsed (step S1). S911), and waits until T (TM1) elapses. In step S911, after confirming that T (TM1) has elapsed, the body drive control circuit 104 performs light emission of SFL5, which is trigger light emission for pre-light emission (step S912). After the light emission of SFL5, pre-light emission is performed by each external flash device. In response to this, the body drive control circuit 104 uses the TTL light control circuit 105 to measure the subject illuminated by the pre-flash (step S913), and based on the photometry result, each external flash device is used during the main flash. A light emission amount to be emitted or a numerical value (aperture value and subject distance for calculating the light emission amount) corresponding thereto is determined. Further, according to the determined value, the values of data DT4, DT5, DT6 to be transmitted to each external flash device and the time corresponding to this value are calculated (step S914).

  After calculating DT4, DT5, and DT6, the body drive control circuit 104 determines whether or not a predetermined time T (TM2) necessary to prepare each external flash device to receive the next data has elapsed (step S1). S915), and waits until T (TM2) elapses. In step S915, after confirming that T (TM2) has elapsed, the body drive control circuit 104 performs the next SFL6 emission (step S916). By the light emission of SFL6, transmission of data for light emission control of each external flash device is started.

  After performing the light emission of SFL6, the body drive control circuit 104 determines whether T (DT4), which is a time corresponding to DT4, has elapsed (step S917), and waits until T (DT4) has elapsed. In step S917, after confirming that T (DT4) has elapsed, the body drive control circuit 104 performs the next light emission SFL7 (step S918). After performing the light emission of SFL7, the body drive control circuit 104 determines whether T (DT5) corresponding to DT5 has elapsed (step S919) and waits until T (DT5) elapses. In step S919, after confirming that T (DT5) has elapsed, the body drive control circuit 104 performs the next light emission SFL8 (step S920). After performing the light emission of SFL8, the body drive control circuit 104 determines whether T (DT6) corresponding to DT6 has elapsed (step S921) and waits until T (DT6) has elapsed. In step S921, after confirming that T (DT6) has elapsed, the body drive control circuit 104 emits SFL9, which indicates the end of data transmission (step S922).

  Since the data transmission to each external flash device has been completed, the photographing operation is executed thereafter. After the light emission of SFL9, the body drive control circuit 104 starts mirror-up of a quick return mirror (not shown) (step S923), and when the mirror-up is completed, starts running the front curtain of a focal plane shutter (not shown) ( Step S924). After starting the travel of the front curtain, the body drive control circuit 104 determines whether the travel of the front curtain is completed (step S925) and waits until the travel of the front curtain is completed. In the determination in step S925, when the travel of the front curtain is completed, the body drive control circuit 104 performs light emission of SFL10 which is light emission that is trigger light emission for main light emission (step S926). In synchronization with the light emission of the SFL 10, each external flash unit performs the main light emission.

  After the light emission of SFL10, the body drive control circuit 104 starts running the trailing curtain of the focal plane shutter (step S927). After starting the trailing curtain, the body drive control circuit 104 determines whether the trailing curtain has been completed (step S928) and waits until the leading curtain has been completed. In the determination in step S928, when the running of the rear curtain is completed, the body drive control circuit 104 determines that shooting has been completed. The body drive control circuit 104 reads out image data from the imaging circuit 106 by the image processing circuit 107 (step S929), and causes the image processing circuit 107 to execute digital image processing (step S930). After completing the image processing, the body drive control circuit 104 writes the image data after the image processing into the recording medium 108 (step S931). Thereby, the wireless flash photographing operation ends.

  13 to 17 are flowcharts showing the operation of the external flash device in the RC mode. 13 to 17 are executed when the mode switch 15 of each external flash device is set to “RC”.

  When the mode switch 15 is set to “RC”, the flash control circuit 202 turns on the slave sensor 13 (step S1001) and waits for a signal from the slave sensor 13 (step S1002). When the signal from the slave sensor 13 is detected in the determination of step S1002, in other words, when the signal flash light from the camera 100 is detected, the flash control circuit 202 recognizes the reception of SFL1, and The timer is reset and started (step S1003).

  After the timer starts counting, the flash control circuit 202 waits for the next signal (ie, SFL2) from the slave sensor 13 (step S1004). When the signal from the slave sensor 13 is detected in the determination in step S1004, the flash control circuit 202 recognizes the light reception of SFL2, and reads the value of the timer in the data detection circuit 204 (step S1005). Subsequently, the flash control circuit 202 resets and starts a timer in the data detection circuit 204 (step S1006). After that, the flash control circuit 202 calculates the value of DT1 from the timer value read from the data detection circuit 204 using a time-data correspondence table or equation (step S1007).

  When the calculation of DT1 is completed, the flash control circuit 202 waits for the next signal from the slave sensor 13 (ie, SFL3) (step S1008). When the signal from the slave sensor 13 is detected in the determination in step S1008, the flash control circuit 202 recognizes the light reception of SFL3 and reads the value of the timer in the data detection circuit 204 (step S1009). Subsequently, the flash control circuit 202 resets and starts a timer in the data detection circuit 204 (step S1010). Thereafter, the flash control circuit 202 calculates the value of DT2 from the timer value read from the data detection circuit 204 by using a time-data correspondence table or a correspondence expression (step S1011). When the calculation of DT2 is completed, the flash control circuit 202 waits for the next signal (ie, SFL4) from the slave sensor 13 (step S1012). When the signal from the slave sensor 13 is detected in the determination in step S1012, the flash control circuit 202 recognizes the light reception of SFL4 and reads the value of the timer in the data detection circuit 204 (step S1013). Subsequently, the flash control circuit 202 resets and starts a timer in the data detection circuit 204 (step S1014). Thereafter, the flash control circuit 202 calculates the value of DT3 from the timer value read from the data detection circuit 204, using a time-data correspondence table or correspondence equation (step S1015). As described above, each external flash device completes reception of the data of the channel and the emission mode for each group transmitted by the camera 100.

  When the calculation of DT3 is completed, the flash control circuit 202 waits for the next signal (ie, SFL5) from the slave sensor 13 (step S1016). When the signal from the slave sensor 13 is detected in the determination in step S1016, the flash control circuit 202 recognizes the light reception of SFL5. In this case, since the flash control circuit 202 recognizes the trigger signal for the pre-flash from the camera 100, the timer is immediately reset and started (step S1017), and then the pre-flash is executed (step S1018). It is assumed that the amount of light emitted during pre-emission is fixed to a certain value in advance.

  After the pre-flash, the flash control circuit 202 waits for the next signal (ie, SFL6) (step S1019). SFL6 emits light indicating the start of data transmission after DT4. If the signal from the slave sensor 13 is detected in the determination in step S1019, the flash control circuit 202 recognizes the light reception of SFL6 and resets and starts the timer in the data detection circuit 204 (step S1020). Thereafter, the flash control circuit 202 waits for the next signal (ie, SFL7) (step S1021). When the signal from the slave sensor 13 is detected in the determination in step S1021, the flash control circuit 202 recognizes the light reception of SFL7 and reads the value of the timer in the data detection circuit 204 (step S1022). Subsequently, the flash control circuit 202 resets and starts a timer in the data detection circuit 204 (step S1023). Thereafter, the flash control circuit 202 calculates the value of DT4 from the timer value read from the data detection circuit 204 by using a time-data correspondence table or a correspondence expression (step S1024). When the calculation of DT4 is completed, the flash control circuit 202 waits for the next signal (ie, SFL8) from the slave sensor 13 (step S1025). If it is determined in step S1025 that the signal from the slave sensor 13 is detected, the flash control circuit 202 recognizes the light reception of SFL8 and reads the value of the timer in the data detection circuit 204 (step S1026). Subsequently, the flash control circuit 202 resets and starts a timer in the data detection circuit 204 (step S1027). Thereafter, the flash control circuit 202 calculates the value of DT5 from the timer value read from the data detection circuit 204 by using a time-data correspondence table or a correspondence expression (step S1028). When the calculation of DT5 is completed, the flash control circuit 202 waits for the next signal (ie, SFL9) from the slave sensor 13 (step S1029). When the signal from the slave sensor 13 is detected in the determination in step S1029, the flash control circuit 202 recognizes the light reception of SFL9 and reads the value of the timer in the data detection circuit 204 (step S1030). Subsequently, the flash control circuit 202 resets and starts a timer in the data detection circuit 204 (step S1031). Thereafter, the flash control circuit 202 calculates the value of DT6 from the timer value read from the data detection circuit 204 by using a time-data correspondence table or equation (step S1032). Since each external flash device has received all the data as described above, the flash control circuit 202 adopts data corresponding to the channel and group set for itself among the received data, and emits light during the main flash. The amount or the data corresponding thereto is determined (step S1033).

  After determining the light emission amount during the main light emission, the flash control circuit 202 waits for the next signal (ie, SFL10) from the slave sensor 13 (step S1034). When the signal from the slave sensor 13 is detected in the determination in step S1034, the flash control circuit 202 executes main light emission (step S1035). Thereby, the wireless flash photographing operation ends.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the display operation of the rear LCD panel 6 during wireless flash photography as described above. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a state of screen transition according to the operation of FIG.

  First, in a shooting standby state such as immediately after the RC mode is selected on the menu screen of the camera 100, the body drive control circuit 104 causes the rear LCD panel 6 to display the screen of the DSP 3 as shown in FIG. Step S1101). In this shooting standby state, every time the INFO button 4f is pressed, the screen changes as shown in FIG.

  In the RC mode shooting standby state, the body drive control circuit 104 determines whether or not the first release switch is turned on by a half-press operation of the release button 4a by the user (step S1102), and when the first release switch is turned on. The wireless flash photographing operation as shown in FIGS. 9 to 12 is executed (step S1103). After the wireless flash photographing is completed, the body drive control circuit 104 displays the image obtained by photographing on the rear LCD panel 6 on the full screen as shown in FIG. 19 (step S1104). Hereinafter, a display form in which the latest photographed image is displayed on the rear LCD panel 6 on the full screen is referred to as a photographing result confirmation image display 1.

  After performing the photographing result confirmation image display 1, the body drive control circuit 104 determines whether or not the 1st release switch is turned on again (step S1105). If it is determined in step S1105 that the 1st release switch is turned on, the process returns to step S1103 to immediately shift to the shooting operation.

  On the other hand, if the first release switch is not turned on in the determination in step S1105, the body drive control circuit 104 determines whether the OK button of the cross button 4c has been operated (step S1106). If the OK button is operated in the determination in step S1106, the body drive control circuit 104 stops the photographing result confirmation image display 1 and displays the screen of the DSP 3 shown in FIG. 19 (step S1107). That is, even during execution of the photographing result confirmation image display 1, it is possible to display a display screen for performing various settings of wireless flash photographing immediately by a predetermined operation.

  In step S1106, when the OK button is not operated, the body drive control circuit 104 determines whether a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds) has elapsed (step S1108). If it is determined in step S1108 that the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S1105. On the other hand, when the predetermined time has elapsed in the determination in step S1108, the body drive control circuit 104 stops the photographing result confirmation image display 1 and causes the rear LCD panel 6 to display the screen of the DSP 3 shown in FIG.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, in the wireless flash photographing that optimizes the setting value for setting the operation condition of each external flash device while performing test photographing, and realizes the optimum expression of the image, The display screen of the latest captured image and the screen for performing various settings in wireless flash shooting can be switched alternately and instantaneously, so that the setting value can be optimally matched within a short time. .

  When wireless flash shooting is performed, a confirmation image of the shooting result is automatically displayed, and then the wireless flash control setting change screen is automatically displayed within a predetermined time. There is no need to do it. Thereby, the user can concentrate on various settings related to shooting, confirmation of a shot image, and wireless flash shooting.

  Further, since the photographing result is displayed on the entire screen of the rear LCD panel 6 as the photographing result confirmation image display 1, it is possible to confirm the entire photographed image quickly and in detail.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the display form of the photographing result confirmation screen. That is, in the second embodiment, when the wireless flash shooting setting is changed, the image before the setting change and the image after the setting change are replaced with the shooting result confirmation image display 1 described in the first embodiment. This is different from the first embodiment in that the photographing result confirmation image display 2 for displaying two images on the same screen is performed.

  Note that the configuration of the camera 100 and the external flash device 200 and the operation of wireless flash photography are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the display operation of the rear LCD panel 6 during wireless flash photography according to the second embodiment. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a photographing result confirmation image display 2 performed in the second embodiment.

  Here, in FIG. 20, the same operations as those in FIG. 18 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. In FIG. 20, when the 1st release switch is turned on from the shooting standby state, the body drive control circuit 104 of the camera 100 performs wireless flash shooting. After the wireless flash shooting, the body drive control circuit 104 determines whether the shooting is after the wireless flash shooting setting has been changed (step S1301). Note that the first shooting is a shooting in which no setting is changed.

  In the determination in step S1301, when the shooting is not performed after the setting is changed, the body drive control circuit 104 performs a shooting result confirmation image display 1 for displaying the latest captured image as shown in FIG. 19 (step S1104). ). On the other hand, in the determination in step S1301, when the shooting is performed after the setting is changed, the body drive control circuit 104 performs a shooting result confirmation image display 2 as shown in FIG. 21 (step S1302). The shooting result confirmation image display 2 is an image display when shooting while changing the setting. For example, the image before the setting change is reduced and displayed on the upper left, and the currently shot image is displayed larger. As a result, when the wireless flash shooting setting is changed and shooting is performed, the effect of the setting change can be grasped by confirming the difference in brightness and shadow appearance from the previous image.

  Here, in step S1302, when images before and after the setting change are simultaneously displayed and then re-photographing is performed without changing the setting, step S1301 is branched to step S1104, and the photographing result confirmation image display 1 is performed.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, in shooting after changing the setting, the image before the setting change and the image after the setting change can be confirmed on the same screen. It is easy to confirm the effect of changing the settings.

  In addition, since the images before and after the setting are displayed simultaneously only when the setting is changed, if the setting is not changed, the image taken at that time can be checked in detail on the full screen, and the operation before shooting is performed. You can view the optimal shooting confirmation screen corresponding to

  As a modification of the second embodiment, switching between the photographing result confirmation image display 1 and the photographing result confirmation image display 2 may be fixed to any one according to the user's preference without automatically switching. By doing so, the display form of the photographing result confirmation image does not change depending on whether or not the setting is changed, which is preferable for a user who does not want to change the display form of the photographing result confirmation image.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The third embodiment is different from the first and second embodiments in the display form of the setting change screen for the operating condition of the external flash device 200 in wireless flash photography. That is, in the third embodiment, when there is a change in wireless flash shooting setting, the image before the setting change and the image after the setting change are displayed together on the operation condition setting change screen, and When the changed numerical value is displayed.

  Note that the configuration of the camera 100 and the external flash device 200 and the operation of wireless flash photography are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the display operation of the rear LCD panel 6 during wireless flash photography according to the third embodiment. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing screen transitions accompanying the operation of FIG.

  In FIG. 22, only a different part from FIG. 18 is demonstrated. In a shooting standby state such as immediately after the RC mode is selected on the menu screen of the camera 100, the body drive control circuit 104 displays the DSP3 or DSP3A screen shown in FIG. 23 on the rear LCD panel 6 (step S1501). . Here, immediately after the RC mode is selected, since no image is acquired, the screen of the DSP 3 is displayed.

  Thereafter, when wireless flash photography is performed and an image is acquired, the body drive control circuit 104 performs photographing result confirmation image display 1. Thereafter, when the OK button is pressed in the determination in step S1106 or when a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds) has elapsed in the determination in step S1108, the body drive control circuit 104 acquires the current captured image after the setting change. (Step S1502). If it is determined in step S1502 that the setting has not been changed, the DSP3 screen is displayed (step S1503), and then the process returns to step S1501 to enter a shooting standby state. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1502 that the setting has been changed, the DSP 3A screen shown in FIG. 23 is displayed (step S1504), and the process returns to step S1501 to enter a shooting standby state.

  In the present embodiment, when wireless flash shooting is performed, after the shooting result confirmation image display 1 is performed, only when the shooting at that time is shooting after changing the setting, an OK button operation or elapse of a predetermined time is received. Then, the captured image and the operating condition setting change screen are displayed on the same screen. At this time, the DSP 3A displays which item the numerical value after changing the setting is, for example, as indicated by reference numeral 301, and the setting value before and after the setting change is indicated by, for example, reference numeral 302. Display.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, when there is a wireless flash shooting setting change, the image before the setting change and the image after the setting change are combined on the operation condition setting change screen. And the numerical value changed at that time is also displayed, so that it is easy to reset the numerical value for the next shooting.

  As a modification of the third embodiment, the DSP 3 and the DSP 3A may not be automatically switched and fixed to any one according to the user's preference. By doing so, the display form of the operation condition setting change screen does not change depending on whether or not the setting is changed, which is preferable for users who do not want to change the form of the operation condition setting change screen.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The fourth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the RC mode on / off is automatically set according to the display form of the rear LCD panel 6.

  Note that the configuration of the camera 100 and the external flash device 200 and the operation of wireless flash photography are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a state of screen transition of the rear LCD panel 6 of the camera 100 during shooting standby according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 24, in the fourth embodiment, the displays of DSP1, DSP2, and DSP3 are switched every time the INFO button 4f is pressed, as in the first embodiment. Then, the RC mode is set according to switching to the DSP 3.

  According to the fourth embodiment described above, the RC mode on / off setting is switched depending on the display form of the rear LCD panel 6, which is convenient for the user who frequently switches the RC mode on / off.

[Fifth Embodiment]
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The fifth embodiment is different from the above-described embodiments in that an external flash device is used as a light source of the master flash device instead of the built-in flash 3.

  FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a circuit block configuration inside an external flash device serving as a light source of the master flash device in the fifth embodiment. Similarly to the external flash device 200 shown in FIG. 5, the external flash device 400 shown in FIG. 25 includes the flash body 11 and the light emitting unit 16. The flash main body 11 of the external flash device 400 has a flash control circuit 202 and a clock circuit 203. Further, the back LCD panel 18 and the operation member 19 that are exposed outside the flash main body 11 are connected to the flash control circuit 202. The light emitting unit 16 includes a light emitting circuit 205 and a flash light emitting unit 206.

  In FIG. 25, the same components as those in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. The rear LCD panel 18 is a display unit that is provided on the rear surface of the flash main body 11 and displays various images such as a screen for confirming various information and setting values related to flash photography. The operation member 19 is various operation members such as a power switch and a cross button for the user to operate the external flash device 400.

  In the fifth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 26, the hot shoe 17 provided at the lower part of the flash main body 11 of the external flash device 400 and the hot shoe receiving part 7 provided at the upper part of the camera 100 are engaged. Accordingly, the external flash device 400 can be attached to the camera 100, whereby the body drive control circuit 104 of the camera 100 and the flash control circuit 202 of the external flash device 400 are connected to be able to communicate.

  Here, in the fifth embodiment, the time control of the signal flash light for data transfer is performed by counting the clock signal generated in the clock circuit 203 in the flash control circuit 202. The signal flash lights SFL1 to SFL10 are emitted in accordance with instructions from the body drive control circuit 104 of the camera 100.

  In the fifth embodiment, when the external flash device 400 set to the RC mode is attached to the camera 100 and the power of the external flash device 400 is turned on, the operation mode of the camera 100 is also forcibly set to the RC mode. Migrate to Since the setting of wireless flash photography at this time is performed on the setting change screen displayed on the rear LCD panel 18 of the external flash device 400 as shown in FIG. 27, the rear LCD panel of the camera 100 is shown in FIG. 6, DSP3 is not displayed even in the RC mode, and DSP1 and DSP2 are switched every time the INFO button 4f is pressed. However, in order to indicate to the user that the operation mode of the camera is currently set to the RC mode, an RC mark as indicated by reference numeral 501 is displayed when the DSP 1 is displayed.

  Note that the photographing result confirmation image display after the wireless flash photographing is performed is performed on the rear LCD panel 6 of the camera 100.

  As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, the operation flash setting change screen of the external flash device 200 can be displayed on the external flash device 400 attached to the camera 100. As a result, an operation condition setting change screen is displayed on the external flash device 400, and other setting change screens such as the DSP 1 are displayed on the camera 100.

  Further, when using the RC mode, it is only necessary to attach the external flash device 400 to the camera 100, and it is not necessary to select the RC mode from the menu screen of the camera 100, so the RC mode and the non-RC mode are used separately. Convenient to.

  Here, a battery is not shown in the external flash device 400 shown in FIG. 25, but a battery may be incorporated. By incorporating a battery in the external flash device 400, power for flash emission can be supplied within the external flash device 400, so that battery consumption on the camera 100 side can be suppressed.

[Sixth Embodiment]
Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The sixth embodiment is a modification of the fifth embodiment, and differs in that wireless flash shooting is set not on the external flash device 400 side but on the camera side.

  FIG. 29 is a diagram showing an internal circuit block configuration of an external flash device serving as a light source of the master flash device according to the sixth embodiment. The external flash device 400 flash body 11 shown in FIG. 29 has a flash control circuit 202. Further, the flash control circuit 202 is connected to the power switch 20 that is exposed outside the flash body 11. The light emitting unit 16 includes a light emitting circuit 205 and a flash light emitting unit 206. Here, only the parts different from FIG. 25 in FIG. 29 will be described. As shown in FIG. 30, the power switch 20 is provided on the back surface of the external flash device 400, for example, and is a switch for switching on / off the power supply of the external flash device 400.

  Also in the sixth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 26, the hot shoe 17 provided at the lower part of the flash body 11 of the external flash device 400 and the hot shoe receiving part 7 provided at the upper part of the camera 100 are engaged. Accordingly, the external flash device 400 can be attached to the camera 100, whereby the body drive control circuit 104 of the camera 100 and the flash control circuit 202 of the external flash device 400 are connected to be able to communicate.

  Here, in the sixth embodiment, the time control of the signal flash light for data transfer is not performed on the external flash device 400 side, and the clock signal generated in the clock circuit 103 in the camera 100 is used as the body drive control circuit. This is done by counting at 104.

  In the sixth embodiment, since the operation condition setting change screen is displayed on the camera 100 side, the external flash device 400 may not have the rear LCD panel 18.

  When the external flash device 400 of this embodiment is attached to the camera 100 and the power is turned on, the camera 100 is set to the RC mode. The display form at this time is almost the same as the display form shown in FIG. 6 of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. However, in order to indicate to the user that the operation mode of the camera is set to the RC mode by mounting the external flash device 400, RC marks as indicated by reference numerals 601 and 602 are displayed when DSP1 and DSP3 are displayed.

  As described above, according to the sixth embodiment, similarly to the fifth embodiment, when the RC mode is used, it is only necessary to attach the external flash device 400 to the camera 100. This is convenient when the RC mode and the non-RC mode are properly used. Further, since the rear LCD panel 18 or the like is not required for the external flash device 400, a smaller and less expensive master flash device can be configured as compared with the fifth embodiment.

  Here, a battery is not shown in the external flash device 400 shown in FIG. 29, but a battery may be incorporated. By incorporating a battery in the external flash device 400, power for flash emission can be supplied within the external flash device 400, so that battery consumption on the camera 100 side can be suppressed.

  Although the present invention has been described above based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and applications are naturally possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

  For example, the setting change screen for the operating condition of the external flash device 200 in wireless flash photography may be a similar screen in the menu screen in addition to the screen switched by the INFO button 4f. In this case, after shooting, the screen may automatically shift to a setting change screen for operating conditions in the menu screen, or may be instantaneously shifted to that screen by a predetermined operation. The communication means between the master flash device and the slave flash device is not limited to a flash device using flash emission of a xenon tube. For example, an LED or the like may be used.

  Further, the above-described embodiments include various stages of the invention, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some configuration requirements are deleted from all the configuration requirements shown in the embodiment, the above-described problem can be solved, and this configuration requirement is deleted when the above-described effects can be obtained. The configuration can also be extracted as an invention.

1 is an external view of a camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an external view of an external flash device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the wireless flash system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the circuit block structure inside a camera. It is a figure which shows the circuit block structure inside an external flash apparatus. It is a figure which shows the mode of the screen transition at the time of imaging | photography standby of the back LCD panel of the camera which functions as a master flash apparatus. It is a figure which shows the form of the radio | wireless communication by the flash light of a wireless flash system. It is a flowchart shown about the imaging | photography standby operation at the time of RC mode of a camera. It is FIG. 1 of the flowchart shown about the operation | movement of imaging | photography control in RC mode of a camera. It is FIG. 2 of the flowchart shown about the operation | movement of imaging | photography control in RC mode of a camera. It is FIG. 3 of the flowchart shown about the operation | movement of imaging | photography control in RC mode of a camera. It is FIG. 4 of the flowchart shown about the operation | movement of imaging | photography control in RC mode of a camera. It is FIG. 1 of the flowchart shown about the operation | movement at the time of RC mode of an external flash apparatus. It is FIG. 2 of the flowchart shown about the operation | movement at the time of RC mode of an external flash apparatus. It is FIG. 3 of the flowchart shown about the operation | movement at the time of RC mode of an external flash apparatus. It is FIG. 4 of the flowchart shown about the operation | movement at the time of RC mode of an external flash apparatus. It is FIG. 5 of the flowchart shown about the operation | movement at the time of RC mode of an external flash apparatus. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a display operation of a rear LCD panel of the camera at the time of wireless flash photography according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the mode of the screen transition of the back LCD panel of the camera according to the operation | movement of FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a display operation of a rear LCD panel of a camera at the time of wireless flash photography according to the second embodiment. It is a figure which shows the imaging | photography result confirmation image display 2 performed in 2nd Embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a display operation of a rear LCD panel of a camera at the time of wireless flash photography according to a third embodiment. It is a figure which shows the mode of the screen transition of the back LCD panel of a camera accompanying the operation | movement of FIG. It is a figure which shows the mode of the screen transition of the back LCD panel of the camera at the time of imaging | photography standby in 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the circuit block structure inside the external flash apparatus in 5th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows a mode when the external flash apparatus used as a master flash apparatus in 5th Embodiment is mounted | worn with and used for a camera. It is a figure which shows the mode of the screen transition of the back LCD panel of the camera at the time of imaging | photography standby in 5th Embodiment. It is the figure shown about the screen displayed on the back LCD panel of an external flash apparatus at the time of imaging | photography standby in 5th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the circuit block structure inside the external flash apparatus in 6th Embodiment. It is the figure shown about the power switch provided in an external flash apparatus. It is a figure which shows the mode of the screen transition at the time of imaging | photography standby of the back LCD panel of the camera in 6th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, Camera body, 2 ... Lens unit, 3 ... Built-in flash, 4a-4h, 19 ... Operation member, 5 ... Finder unit, 6, 18 ... Rear LCD panel, 11 ... Flash main body, 12 ... Flash stand, 13 ... Slave Sensor 14, Dimming sensor 15, Mode switch 16, Light emitting unit 17, Hot shoe, 20 Power switch, 100 Camera 101 Lens control circuit 102 Flash control circuit 103 203 Clock Circuit 104... Body drive control circuit 105 105 TTL dimming circuit 106 image pickup circuit 107 image processing circuit 108 recording medium 200, 400 external flash device 202 flash control circuit 204 data detection Circuit 205 ... Light emitting circuit 206 ... Flash light emitting unit

Claims (7)

In a camera capable of performing a photographing operation using one or a plurality of remotely arranged lighting devices,
Display means for selectively displaying images and operating conditions of the lighting device ;
Grouping means for grouping one or more of the plurality of lighting devices into one lighting group;
Setting means for changing the setting of the displayed operating conditions in a state where the operating conditions of the one or more lighting groups are displayed on the display means;
Prior to the photographing operation, communication means for instructing the lighting device by wireless communication the operation condition set by the setting means;
The latest photographed image is displayed on the display unit after the photographing operation is finished, and the setting unit can change the setting of the operation condition of the one or more lighting groups at a predetermined timing thereafter. Control means for switching the display form of the display means;
A camera comprising:   The camera according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined timing is a timing at which a predetermined time has elapsed after the latest photographed image is displayed on the display unit.   The camera according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined timing is a timing at which a predetermined operation member is operated after the latest photographed image is displayed on the display unit.   The camera according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the wireless communication uses visible light or infrared light.   The camera according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the communication means is a flash device built in the camera or an external flash device detachably attached to the camera. The one or more lighting groups perform pre-flash and main flash,
Perform the above pre-flash and main-flash metering with the camera,
The camera according to claim 1, wherein the camera adjusts the amount of main light emission of the illumination group according to the photometry of the pre-light emission. In a camera control method capable of performing a shooting operation using one or a plurality of remotely arranged lighting devices,
Group one or more of the lighting devices into one lighting group,
In a state where the operating conditions of the one or more lighting groups are displayed on the display device, the setting of the displayed operating conditions is changed,
Prior to the shooting operation, the operation condition set above is instructed to the lighting device by wireless communication,
Display the latest photographed image on the display means after the photographing operation ends,
At a predetermined timing thereafter, the display mode of the display device is switched so that the setting change of the operating condition of the one or more lighting groups is possible.
A camera control method.

Images