JP6132661B2 - Imaging device, illumination device, and control method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an illumination device and an imaging device that controls the illumination device.

  Conventionally, when shooting using a lighting device that can change the irradiation direction of the irradiation light, the shooting method is to direct the irradiation light to the main subject while directing the irradiation direction to the wall or ceiling , Bounce shooting) is known.

  In bounce shooting, it is possible to irradiate the entire main subject with the illuminating light reflected and diffused by a wall or ceiling. Therefore, compared with the case where the main subject is directly irradiated with the irradiation light, the irradiation unevenness of the irradiation light is reduced, and the irradiation light hits the background around the main subject, and a good image without a sense of incongruity can be obtained. There is an advantage.

  However, when performing such bounce shooting, it is difficult for the user with little experience to adjust the irradiation direction to the optimum irradiation direction even if the user tries to adjust the irradiation direction of the irradiation light.

  Therefore, Patent Document 1 proposes a technique for capturing a plurality of images by repeatedly emitting light from a light emitting unit while changing the irradiation direction of illumination light, and outputting at least one image as a recording image.

JP 2011-118309 A

  However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the light emitting unit is repeatedly caused to emit light while changing the illumination direction of illumination light in any photographing environment, so that the probability that a wall or a ceiling exists is low. Will also emit light. For this reason, unnecessary light emission increases, and the time required to output the recording image becomes longer, and the power supply for supplying power to the light emitting unit becomes more exhausted.

  Therefore, the present invention has an object to reduce the number of test flashes when automatically deciding the optimal irradiation direction for bounce shooting by performing multiple test flashes while changing the irradiation direction. To do.

  In order to achieve the above object, an imaging apparatus according to the present invention is an imaging apparatus that controls an illumination apparatus that can change the irradiation direction of irradiation light, and obtains information related to the attitude of the illumination apparatus; Control means for controlling the illumination apparatus to irradiate irradiation light in a plurality of irradiation directions by changing the irradiation direction, and photometry of a subject when irradiation light is irradiated by the illumination apparatus Based on a plurality of photometric results obtained by the photometric means with the irradiation of a plurality of times of irradiation light whose irradiation direction is changed by the illumination device, and the illumination device irradiates the irradiation light and shoots Determining means for determining an irradiation direction when performing the operation, and the control means changes the irradiation direction with respect to the illumination device based on information on the attitude of the illumination device, and a plurality of irradiation directions. Towards And limits the irradiation of the irradiation light in the gravity direction when irradiating the illumination light.

  In order to achieve the above object, an illumination device according to the present invention is an illumination device that can change the irradiation direction of irradiation light, and includes an acquisition unit that acquires information about the posture of the illumination device, and an irradiation direction. An input unit that receives an input for instructing to irradiate the irradiation light in a plurality of irradiation directions and a control unit that controls the irradiation direction of the irradiation light, and the control unit includes the input unit When irradiating irradiation light toward a plurality of irradiation directions by changing the irradiation direction according to the input to, restricting irradiation of irradiation light in the gravitational direction based on information on the attitude of the illumination device Features.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the number of times of test light emission when the test light emission is performed a plurality of times while changing the irradiation direction to automatically determine the optimal light emission direction for bounce shooting.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a rotation amount of the light emitting unit 350 and an output signal of the encoder 352, FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating a vertical rotation amount of the light emitting unit 350, and FIG. It is the figure shown about the rotation amount of the left-right direction of the light emission part 350. FIG. FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the light emitting unit 350 is rotated. FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the light emitting unit 350 is rotated about the first axis, and FIG. It is a figure which shows the state which rotated the part 350 centering on the 2nd axis | shaft. It is the figure which showed the process of the camera microcomputer 101 until it is judged that the release switch of the input part 112 is a full depression state. It is the figure which showed the process of the camera microcomputer 101 after it was judged that the release switch of the input part 112 was fully pressed in the case of performing flash photography. It is the figure which showed the process before light emission of the flash microcomputer 310. FIG. It is the figure which showed the process of the camera microcomputer 101 and the flash microcomputer 310 in automatic bounce control. FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating automatic bounce control according to the posture of the imaging system, and FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating automatic bounce control in a state where the posture of the imaging system is the vertical position (upper left). (B) is a diagram illustrating automatic bounce control in a state where the posture of the imaging system is a vertical position (upper right).

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The imaging system of the present embodiment includes a camera body 100 that is an imaging device, a lens unit 200 that can be attached to and detached from the camera body 100, and an illumination device 300 that can be attached to and detached from the camera body 100.

  First, the configuration inside the camera body 100 will be described. A camera microcomputer (CCPU) 101 controls each part of the camera body 100. The camera microcomputer 101 is a one-chip IC circuit with a built-in microcomputer including, for example, a CPU, ROM, RAM, input / output control circuit (I / O control circuit), multiplexer, timer circuit, EEPROM, A / D converter, D / A converter, etc. It has a configuration.

  The image sensor 102 is an image sensor such as a CCD or a CMOS including an infrared cut filter and a low-pass filter, and outputs a signal corresponding to the amount of incident light. The shutter 103 is driven to shield the image sensor 102 when not photographing, and to guide a light beam to the image sensor 102 when photographing.

  The main mirror (half mirror) 104 reflects a part of light incident from a lens group 202 (to be described later) during non-photographing and forms an image on the focus plate 105. The image on the focus plate 105 is guided to the optical viewfinder 116 or the like via the pentaprism 114 and used to check the state of the subject.

  The photometric circuit 106 has a photometric sensor (AE sensor) for performing photometry of a subject in each photometric area divided into a plurality of photometric areas in the photographing screen. The focus detection circuit 107 has a focus detection sensor (AF sensor) having a plurality of distance measuring points in the shooting screen.

  The gain switching circuit 108 switches the amplification gain of the signal from the image sensor 102, and the camera microcomputer 101 sets the gain according to shooting conditions, level setting based on a charging voltage condition described later, input by the photographer, and the like.

  The A / D converter 109 converts the amplified analog signal from the image sensor 102 into a digital signal. The timing generator (TG) 110 is used to synchronize the signal from the image sensor 102 and the conversion timing of the A / D converter 109. The signal processing circuit 111 performs image processing on the image data converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 109.

  The signal line SC is an interface signal line between the camera body 100, the lens unit 200, and the illumination device 300. For example, the camera microcomputer 101 is used as a host to exchange data and transmit commands to each other.

  The input unit 112 includes various operation units such as a power switch, a shooting mode change switch, and a release switch for starting a shooting operation. A display unit 113 including a liquid crystal device and a light emitting element displays various settings, shooting information, and the like.

  The pentaprism 114 guides the light beam incident from the lens group 202 and reflected by the main mirror 104 to the AE sensor and optical viewfinder 116 of the photometry circuit 106. The sub mirror 115 guides the light beam incident from the lens group 202 and transmitted through the semitransparent portion at the center of the main mirror 104 to the AF sensor of the focus detection circuit 107.

  Next, the configuration and operation within the lens unit 200 will be described. A lens microcomputer (LPU) 201 controls the operation of each part of the lens unit 200. The lens microcomputer 201 includes, for example, a CPU, ROM, RAM, input / output control circuit (I / O control circuit), multiplexer, timer circuit, EEPROM, A / D converter, D / A converter, and the like. It has become.

  The lens group 202 is composed of a plurality of lenses, and the lens driving unit 203 moves the lens group 202 in accordance with an instruction from the lens microcomputer 201 such as focus adjustment and change of focal length.

  The encoder 204 detects the position of the lens group 202 or the driving amount of the lens group 202. By transmitting position information or drive information indicating the detection result of the encoder 204 from the lens microcomputer 201 to the camera microcomputer 101, the camera microcomputer 101 can acquire information regarding the subject distance at the time of shooting. The diaphragm 205 adjusts the amount of light incident on the image sensor 102 by changing the aperture diameter, and is controlled by the lens microcomputer 201 via the diaphragm control circuit 206.

  Next, the configuration of the illumination device 300 will be described. The battery 301 is for supplying electric power (VBAT) to each part of the lighting device 300, and the booster circuit 302 boosts the voltage of the battery 301 to several hundred volts and charges a main capacitor (not shown).

  The trigger circuit 306 outputs a trigger voltage when receiving a trigger signal from the flash microcomputer 310 when the discharge tube 307 emits light. The discharge tube 307 emits light using energy charged in the main capacitor by receiving and exciting a trigger voltage of several KV applied from the trigger circuit 306.

  The light emission control circuit 308 controls the start of light emission of the discharge tube 307 by the trigger voltage from the trigger circuit 306, and controls the stop of light emission by the output of an AND gate 311 described later. The integration circuit 309 is an integration circuit that integrates the current value generated when the photodiode 313 receives the irradiation light of the discharge tube 307, and the output of the integration circuit 309 is input to the inverting input terminal of the comparator 312 and the strobe microcomputer 310. The

  A strobe microcomputer (FPU) 310 controls the operation of each unit of the lighting device 300. The strobe microcomputer 310 is a one-chip IC circuit configuration with a built-in microcomputer including, for example, a CPU, ROM, RAM, input / output control circuit (I / O control circuit), multiplexer, timer circuit, EEPROM, A / D converter, D / A converter, etc. It has become.

  The AND gate 311 has an input not connected to the comparator 312 connected to the flash microcomputer 310 and an output connected to the light emission control circuit 308. The comparator 312 has an inverting input terminal connected to the output of the integrating circuit 309, a non-inverting input connected to the strobe microcomputer 310, and an output connected to the AND gate 311. In this way, the integration level of the integration circuit 309 is compared with the reference level set by the flash microcomputer 310, and when the integration level of the integration circuit 309 reaches the reference level, the stop of light emission is controlled.

  The photodiode 313 is a sensor that receives the irradiation light of the discharge tube 307 as described above, and receives the irradiation light of the discharge tube 307 directly or through a glass fiber or the like. The current value output from the photodiode 313 is integrated by the integration circuit 309 as described above.

  A zoom driving unit 314 including a motor driver circuit and a motor moves the optical system 317 in order to change a distance between an optical system 317 and a discharge tube 307 described later. The encoder 315 detects the position of the optical system 317 or the driving amount of the optical system 317.

  The reflector 316 reflects the light emitted from the discharge tube 307 in the irradiation direction of the light emitting unit 350. The optical system 317 is made of a transparent panel or the like, reduces the unevenness of the light emitted from the discharge tube 307, widens the irradiation range of the light emitted from the discharge tube 307, and emits light from the discharge tube 307. Further, the irradiation range can be expanded or reduced by changing the distance between the optical system 317 and the discharge tube 307.

  The input unit 320 includes various operation units such as a setting button for inputting settings of the power switch and the lighting device 300. The input unit 320 is an automatic unit for accepting an input for instructing to perform control for automatically determining the position or rotation amount of the light emitting unit 350 that is optimal for bounce shooting (hereinafter referred to as automatic bounce control). It also includes a bounce control button. Details of the automatic bounce control will be described later. The display unit 321 displays various states of the lighting device 300.

  The main body part 340 has an attachment part 370 for attaching to the camera body 100, and an input part 320 and a display part 321 are provided on the exterior. The light emitting unit 350 is connected to the main body 340 so as to be rotatable about the first axis with respect to the main body 340 and to be rotatable about the second axis. By rotating with respect to 340, the irradiation direction of the irradiation light of the lighting device 300 can be changed.

  A bounce driving unit 351 including a motor driver circuit and a motor rotates the light emitting unit 350 about the first axis and the second axis with respect to the main body unit 340. The light emitting unit 350 is rotated in response to the drive signal.

  The encoder 352 detects the position of the light emitting unit 350 or the rotation amount of the light emitting unit 350. By obtaining the output signal of the encoder 352, the strobe microcomputer 310 determines the rotation state of the light emitting unit 350 relative to the main body 340.

  An attitude detection sensor 360 including a three-axis acceleration sensor can detect the attitude of the main body 340 with respect to the direction of gravity.

  In the present embodiment, when the side where the attachment portion 370 of the main body 340 is located is the lower side, the axis provided in the left-right direction is the first axis, and the axis provided in the up-down direction is the second axis. That is, when the light emitting unit 350 is rotated about the first axis with respect to the main body 340, the light emitting unit 350 is rotated in the vertical direction (first direction) and is centered on the second axis. When the light emitting unit 350 is rotated, the light emitting unit 350 rotates in the left-right direction (second direction). In the present embodiment, when the side where the display unit 321 of the main body 340 is located is the back side, the emission surface of the optical system 317 faces the front side of the main body 340, and the emission surface of the optical system 317 is attached. A position in the direction perpendicular to the mounting surface of the part 370 is set as a reference position of the light emitting part 350. The light emitting unit 350 can be rotated upward by 90 degrees from the reference position, and can be rotated by 90 degrees from the reference position in the left direction and the right direction, respectively.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between the amount of rotation of the light emitting unit 350 and the output signal of the encoder 352. FIG. 2A is a diagram showing the amount of rotation of the light emitting unit 350 in the vertical direction. b) is a diagram illustrating the amount of rotation of the light emitting unit 350 in the vertical direction.

  The light emitting unit 350 can be rotated 90 degrees upward from the reference position. As shown in FIG. 2A, the encoder 352 is rotated in the vertical direction of the light emitting unit 350 in units of 15 degrees by the vertical encoder. The moving angle can be detected. The light emitting unit 350 can be rotated 90 degrees in the left and right directions from the reference position. As shown in FIG. 2B, the encoder 352 emits light in units of 15 degrees by the left and right encoders. The rotation angle of the part 350 in the left-right direction can be detected. In FIG. 2B, it is assumed that a positive angle indicates a rightward rotation angle, and a negative angle indicates a leftward rotation angle.

  As described above, the encoder 352 detects the vertical rotation amount and the horizontal rotation amount of the light emitting unit 350, and outputs different signals depending on the combination of the vertical rotation amount and the horizontal rotation amount. For example, when the light emitting unit 350 is rotated 45 degrees upward and 90 degrees rightward, the output signal of the encoder 352 (bit7, bit6, bit5, bit4, bit3, bit2, bit1) = (0, 1, 0) , 1, 0, 1, 0). The stroboscopic microcomputer 310 obtains such an output signal to determine the rotation state of the light emitting unit 350 with respect to the main body 340.

  3 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the light emitting unit 350 is rotated, and FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the light emitting unit 350 is rotated about the first axis, and FIG. ) Is a diagram illustrating a state in which the light emitting unit 350 is rotated about the second axis.

  The light emitting unit 350 can be rotated upward from the reference position as shown in FIG. 3A, and can be rotated leftward and rightward from the reference position as shown in FIG. 3B. is there. In the present embodiment, the rotation in the counterclockwise direction around the second axis as viewed from the upper side of the main body 340 is rotated in the left direction, and the second axis as viewed from the upper side of the main body 340. The rotation in the clockwise direction around the center is defined as the rotation in the right direction.

  Next, specific processing of the camera microcomputer 101 will be described using the flowcharts of FIGS. FIG. 4 shows the processing of the camera microcomputer 101 until it is determined that the release switch of the input unit 112 is fully pressed. FIG. 5 shows that the release switch of the input unit 112 is fully pressed. The subsequent processing of the camera microcomputer 101 is shown.

  When the power switch of the input unit 112 is turned on and the camera microcomputer 101 becomes operable, the camera microcomputer 101 starts a predetermined process from step S1 in FIG.

  First, in step S1, the camera microcomputer 101 initializes its own memory and port. Also, the state of various operation units of the input unit 112 and preset input information are read, and various settings such as the focus adjustment mode, how to determine the shutter speed, and how to determine the aperture are performed.

  In step S2, the camera microcomputer 101 determines whether or not the release switch of the input unit 112 is half-pressed (whether or not SW1 is ON), and repeats this step when it is OFF, and step when it is ON. Proceed to S3.

  In step S3, the camera microcomputer 101 communicates with the lens microcomputer 201 in the lens unit 200 via the communication line SC. Then, lens information including information relating to the focal length of the lens unit 200 (hereinafter referred to as lens focal length information), optical information necessary for focus adjustment, photometry, and the like is acquired.

  In step S <b> 4, the camera microcomputer 101 determines whether or not the illumination device 300 is attached to the camera body 100. If the illumination device 300 is attached to the camera body 100, the process proceeds to step S5, and if not, the process proceeds to step S7.

  In step S5, the camera microcomputer 101 communicates with the flash microcomputer 310 via the communication line SC, and transmits the focal length information of the lens acquired in step S3 to the flash microcomputer 310.

  Accordingly, the flash microcomputer 310 controls the irradiation range of the irradiation light by driving the zoom driving unit 314 based on the received focal length information of the lens.

  In step S6, the camera microcomputer 101 communicates with the strobe microcomputer 310 via the communication line SC. Then, the flash microcomputer 310 is instructed to output information (hereinafter referred to as bounce information) indicating the position of the light emitting unit 350 or the amount of rotation of the light emitting unit 350 with respect to the main body 340 stored in the memory of the flash microcomputer 310. Put out. The strobe microcomputer 310 outputs bounce information in accordance with instructions from the camera microcomputer 101. Based on this bounce information, the camera microcomputer 101 can determine the rotation state of the illumination device 300 (the rotation state of the light emitting unit 350 with respect to the main body unit 340). Then, the camera microcomputer 101 causes the display unit 113 to display information indicating the rotation state of the lighting device 300.

  Next, in step S7, the camera microcomputer 101 determines whether the focus adjustment mode set in step S1 is a mode for performing automatic focus adjustment (AF mode) or not (MF mode). .

  If it is AF mode in step S7, it will progress to step S8, and if it is MF mode, it will progress to step S9. In step S8, the focus detection circuit 107 is driven to perform automatic focus adjustment using a known phase difference detection method. In the automatic focus adjustment, the camera microcomputer 101 calculates the driving amount of the lens group 202 based on the output of the focus detection circuit 107. The camera microcomputer 101 communicates with the lens microcomputer 201 via the communication line SC, and transmits information regarding the calculated drive amount to the lens microcomputer 201. The lens microcomputer 201 controls the lens driving unit 203 based on the received information to drive the lens group 202 to the in-focus position, and proceeds to step S9.

In step S <b> 9, the camera microcomputer 101 performs photometry of the subject using the photometry circuit 106. Here, it is assumed that the luminance value is acquired from each of the six divided areas on the shooting screen. The luminance values of the 6 areas acquired are
EVb (i) (i = 0 to 5)
Is stored in the RAM in the camera microcomputer 101.

  In step S <b> 10, the camera microcomputer 101 performs gain setting of the gain switching circuit 108 based on information input from the input unit 112.

  In step S11, the camera microcomputer 101 determines the exposure value EVs by a known algorithm from the luminance values EVb of the plurality of areas acquired in step S9.

  In step S12, the camera microcomputer 101 determines whether or not to perform shooting with the illumination device 300 emitting light (hereinafter referred to as flash shooting) based on the photometric result of step S9, the setting of the shooting mode by the input unit 112, and the like. to decide. Then, when performing flash photography, the process proceeds to step S13, and when performing photography without causing the illumination device 300 to emit light (hereinafter referred to as non-flash photography), the process proceeds to step S16.

  In step S13, the camera microcomputer 101 determines a shutter speed Tv and an aperture value Av suitable for flash photography based on the exposure value EVs determined in step S11. The shutter speed Tv and the aperture value Av may be determined based on information input from the input unit 112. When the process of step S13 is executed, the process proceeds to step S14.

  In step S <b> 14, the camera microcomputer 101 communicates with the strobe microcomputer 310 via the communication line SC, and transmits strobe data including information on the pre-emission amount and information on the emission mode to the strobe microcomputer 310.

  Subsequently, in step S15, the camera microcomputer 101 determines whether or not the release switch of the input unit 112 is fully pressed (whether or not SW2 is ON). If it is OFF, the process returns to step S2 and step 2 and subsequent steps. Repeat the process. When ON, the process proceeds to the flash photographing process shown in FIG.

  If it is determined in step S12 that the flash photography is not performed, the process proceeds to step S16. In step S16, the camera microcomputer 101 determines the exposure determined by the shutter speed Tv and the aperture value Av suitable for non-flash photography in step S11. It is determined based on the value EVs. The shutter speed Tv and the aperture value Av may be determined based on information input from the input unit 112. When the process of step S16 is executed, the process proceeds to step S17.

  Subsequently, in step S17, the camera microcomputer 101 determines whether or not the release switch of the input unit 112 is fully pressed (whether or not SW2 is ON). If it is OFF, the process returns to step S2 and step 2 and subsequent steps. Repeat the process. When it is ON, the process proceeds to the non-flash photography process. It should be noted that the non-light emission photographing process is not directly related to the present invention and may be a well-known photographing process, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  When the process proceeds to the flash photographing process, in step S101, the camera microcomputer 101 performs photometry using the photometry circuit 106, and the luminance value of the subject when the illumination device 300 is not emitting light (hereinafter referred to as non-light emission luminance value). ) To get.

Here, the non-light-emitting luminance value of each area divided into six is
EVa (i) (i = 0 to 5)
Is stored in a RAM (not shown) in the camera microcomputer 101.

  In step S102, the camera microcomputer 101 instructs the strobe microcomputer 310 to perform pre-flash through the signal SC. In accordance with this instruction, the flash microcomputer 310 controls the light emission control circuit 308 and the trigger circuit 306 to cause the discharge tube 307 to pre-emit light. Then, the camera microcomputer 101 performs photometry using the photometry circuit 106, and obtains the luminance value of the subject (hereinafter referred to as pre-light emission luminance value) when the illumination device 300 is pre-flashed.

Here, the pre-emission luminance value of each area divided into six is
EVf (i) (i = 0 to 5)
Is stored in the RAM in the camera microcomputer 101.

  In step S103, the camera microcomputer 101 raises the main mirror 104 prior to flash photography and moves it away from the photographing optical path.

  In step S104, the camera microcomputer 101 corresponds to the pre-emission reflected light component based on the pre-emission luminance value EVf acquired in step S18 and the non-emission luminance value EVa immediately before pre-emission acquired in step S17. The reflection component luminance value EVdf (i) is calculated.

Here, the reflection component luminance value of each area divided into six is obtained from Equation 1.
EVdf (i) ← LN2 (2 ^ EVf (i) -2 ^ EVa (i)) (i = 0 to 5) Expression 1

In step S105, the camera microcomputer 101 calculates a light emission amount at the time of flash photography (hereinafter referred to as a main light emission amount). First, the camera microcomputer 101 determines which of the six divided areas is to calculate the proper main light emission amount for the subject existing in the area. In selecting an area, an area set by an operation on the input unit 112, an area where a subject that has been brought into focus by AF, or the like may be selected. Then, a proper main light emission amount is calculated for the subject existing in the determined area. At this time, the determined area is area P, the luminance value in area P is EVb (p), and the reflection component luminance position EVdf (p) in area P is appropriate for the pre-emission amount, which is information relating to the main emission amount. The relative ratio r of the main light emission amount is calculated. The relative ratio r is obtained from Equation 2 based on the exposure value EVs, the luminance value EVb, and the luminance value EVdf.
r ← LN2 (2 ^ EVs−2EVb (p)) − EVdf (p) Equation 2

  In step S <b> 106, the camera microcomputer 101 transmits a relative value r, which is information regarding the actual light emission amount, to the flash microcomputer 310 via the signal line SC.

  In step S107, the camera microcomputer 101 issues an instruction to the lens microcomputer 201 based on the aperture value Av determined in step S13, and controls the shutter 103 based on the shutter speed Tv determined in step S13.

  In step S108, in synchronization with the timing at which the entire imaging surface of the image sensor 102 is exposed by driving the shutter 103, the camera microcomputer 101 sends a light emission signal that instructs the flash microcomputer 310 to perform main light emission via the signal line SC. Send. The strobe microcomputer 310 performs main light emission control according to the light emission signal transmitted from the camera microcomputer 101. In this way, flash photography is performed.

  When the image sensor 102 is shielded by driving the shutter 103, in step S109, the camera microcomputer 101 lowers the main mirror 104 that has been retracted from the photographing optical path and obliquely installs it in the photographing optical path.

  In step S <b> 110, the camera microcomputer 101 amplifies the signal from the image sensor 102 with the gain set by the gain switching circuit 108, and converts the amplified signal into a digital signal by the A / D converter 109. Thereafter, the camera microcomputer 101 causes the signal processing circuit 111 to perform image processing such as white balance on the converted digital signal.

  Finally, in step S111, the camera microcomputer 101 records the image-processed digital signal on a recording medium (not shown) and ends the series of processes.

  Next, specific processing before the flash microcomputer 310 emits light will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the power switch of the input unit 320 is turned on and the flash microcomputer 310 becomes operable, the flash microcomputer 310 starts a predetermined process from step S101.

  First, in step S201, the flash microcomputer 310 initializes its own memory and port. In addition, the state of various operation units of the input unit 320 and preset input information are read, and settings such as a light emission mode and a light emission amount are performed.

  In step S202, the flash microcomputer 310 starts the operation of the booster circuit 302 and prepares for light emission.

  In step S203, the flash microcomputer 310 stores (stores) the focal length information of the lens acquired from the camera microcomputer 101 via the communication line SC in its own memory. If the focal length information of the lens has been stored in its own memory before this, the stored content is updated.

  In step S204, the stroboscopic microcomputer 310 causes the display unit 321 to display the focal length information of the lens stored in its own memory and information regarding the set light emission mode and light emission amount.

  In step S205, the flash microcomputer 310 operates the motor in the zoom driving unit 314 to move the optical system 317 so that the irradiation range of the light irradiated from the discharge tube 307 becomes a range corresponding to the focal length of the lens unit 200. Let

  In step S <b> 206, the flash microcomputer 310 detects the position of the light emitting unit 350 or the rotation amount of the light emitting unit 350 using the encoder 352.

  In step S207, the flash microcomputer 310 determines whether or not the charging voltage of the main capacitor has reached the voltage level necessary for the light emission of the discharge tube 307, and has reached the voltage level necessary for the light emission of the discharge tube 307. If it is determined that there is, the process proceeds to step S108.

  In step S208, the flash microcomputer 310 outputs a charge completion signal and transmits to the camera microcomputer 101 via the communication line SC that the light emitting unit 350 is ready to emit light. Then, the flash microcomputer 310 stops the operation of the booster circuit. Then, it returns to step S203 and performs the process from step S203 again.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the voltage level necessary for light emission of the discharge tube 307 has not been reached, the process proceeds to step S209. In step S209, the flash microcomputer 310 outputs a charging incomplete signal and transmits to the camera microcomputer 101 via the communication line SC that the light emitting unit 350 is not ready to emit light. Thereafter, the process returns to step S203, the main capacitor is continuously charged, and the process from step S203 is performed again.

  Next, processing of the camera microcomputer 101 and the flash microcomputer 310 in the automatic bounce control will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The flowchart of FIG. 7 is started when the automatic bounce control button of the input unit 320 is operated. When the automatic bounce control button is operated, the flash microcomputer 310 transmits information indicating that the automatic bounce control button has been operated to the camera microcomputer 101 via the signal line SC. When receiving information indicating that the automatic bounce control button has been operated, the camera microcomputer 101 starts various processes related to automatic bounce control.

  In step S300, the stroboscopic microcomputer 310 uses the posture detection sensor 360 to determine the posture of the lighting device 300 with respect to the direction of gravity. In the following description, it is assumed that the posture of the main body 340 corresponds to the posture of the lighting device 300. Then, the posture in which the lower side of the main body 340 faces the gravitational direction is the normal position, the posture in which the right side faces the gravitational direction when viewed from the back side of the main body 340 is the vertical position (upper left), and the rear side of the main body 340 The posture with the left side facing the direction of gravity when viewed from the top is the vertical position (upper right).

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating automatic bounce control according to the attitude of the imaging system. FIG. 8A is a diagram showing automatic bounce control in a state where the posture of the main body 340 is the vertical position (upper left), and FIG. 8B is a vertical position (upper right) of the main body 340. It is the figure which showed the automatic bounce control in the state which is the attitude | position of.

  In step S300, the flash microcomputer 310 transmits information regarding the determined posture of the main body 340 to the camera microcomputer 101 via the signal line SC.

  If it is determined in step S300 that the posture of the main body 340 is the normal position, the process proceeds to step S301. When it is determined that the posture of the main body 340 is the vertical position (upper left), the process proceeds to step S311. When the posture of the main body 340 is determined to be the vertical position (upper right), the process proceeds to step S321.

  In step S301, the flash microcomputer 310 drives the bounce drive unit 351 to rotate the light emitting unit 350 upward from the reference position to a predetermined angle (for example, 90 degrees). When the rotation of the light emitting unit 350 is completed, the flash microcomputer 310 transmits bounce information to the camera microcomputer 101 via the signal line SC.

  In step S <b> 302, the camera microcomputer 101 that has received the information related to the posture of the main body 340 and the bounce information instructs the flash microcomputer 310 to perform test light emission via the signal line SC. In accordance with this instruction, the flash microcomputer 310 controls the light emission control circuit 308 and the trigger circuit 306 to cause the discharge tube 307 to emit test light.

In step S303, the camera microcomputer 101 performs photometry of the subject when the irradiation light is irradiated using the photometry circuit 106, and the luminance value of the subject when the illumination device 300 emits test light (hereinafter, test light emission). To obtain the hourly luminance value). Here, the luminance value at the time of test light emission of each area divided into six in the state where the light emitting unit 350 is rotated upward in the normal position posture is
EVn1 (i) (i = 0-5)
Is stored in the RAM in the camera microcomputer 101.

  Subsequently, when proceeding to step S304, the strobe microcomputer 310 drives the bounce driving unit 351 to rotate the light emitting unit 350 leftward from the reference position to a predetermined angle (for example, 90 degrees), and Return the upward rotation angle to 0 degrees. When the rotation of the light emitting unit 350 is completed, the flash microcomputer 310 transmits bounce information to the camera microcomputer 101 via the signal line SC.

  In step S305, the camera microcomputer 101 that has received the bounce information instructs the flash microcomputer 310 to perform test light emission via the signal line SC. In accordance with this instruction, the flash microcomputer 310 controls the light emission control circuit 308 and the trigger circuit 306 to cause the discharge tube 307 to emit test light.

In step S306, the camera microcomputer 101 performs photometry of the subject when the irradiation light is emitted using the photometry circuit 106, and performs a test in a state where the light emitting unit 350 is rotated to the left in the normal position. Gets the luminance value during light emission. Here, the luminance value at the time of test light emission of each area divided into six is
EVn2 (i) (i = 0-5)
Is stored in the RAM in the camera microcomputer 101.

  Subsequently, when proceeding to step S307, the strobe microcomputer 310 drives the bounce driving unit 351 and rotates the light emitting unit 350 to a predetermined angle (for example, 90 degrees) rightward from the reference position. When the rotation of the light emitting unit 350 is completed, the flash microcomputer 310 transmits bounce information to the camera microcomputer 101 via the signal line SC.

  In step S308, the camera microcomputer 101 that has received the bounce information instructs the flash microcomputer 310 to perform test light emission via the signal line SC. In accordance with this instruction, the flash microcomputer 310 controls the light emission control circuit 308 and the trigger circuit 306 to cause the discharge tube 307 to emit test light.

In step S309, the camera microcomputer 101 performs photometry of the subject when the irradiation light is emitted using the photometry circuit 106, and performs a test in a state where the light emitting unit 350 is rotated leftward in the normal position. Gets the luminance value during light emission. Here, the luminance value at the time of test light emission of each area divided into six is
EVn3 (i) (i = 0 to 5)
Is stored in the RAM in the camera microcomputer 101.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S331. In step S331, the camera microcomputer 101 is an evaluation value in a state in which the light emitting unit 350 is rotated upward at the normal position based on EVn1 stored in the RAM in the camera microcomputer 101. The evaluation value 1 is calculated. The calculation method of the evaluation value 1 is not particularly limited. For example, a method of performing a weighting calculation with a predetermined weight on the test light emission luminance value of each area divided into six may be used. At this time, it is preferable that the weighting of the area set by the operation on the input unit 112 and the area where the subject that is in focus by AF exists is larger than the weighting of other areas. Further, the camera microcomputer 101 calculates an evaluation value 2 that is an evaluation value in a state where the light emitting unit 350 is rotated leftward at the normal position, based on EVn2 stored in the RAM in the camera microcomputer 101. Further, the camera microcomputer 101 calculates an evaluation value 3 that is an evaluation value in a state where the light emitting unit 350 is rotated rightward at the normal position, based on EVn3 stored in the RAM in the camera microcomputer 101. Since the calculation method of the evaluation value 2 and the evaluation value 3 is the same as the calculation method of the evaluation value 1, description thereof is omitted.

  Then, the camera microcomputer 101 determines whether there is an evaluation value greater than or equal to a predetermined value among the calculated evaluation value 1, evaluation value 2, and evaluation value 3, and if there is an evaluation value greater than or equal to the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step S332. If there is no evaluation value greater than or equal to the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step S334.

  In step S332, the camera microcomputer 101 compares the evaluation value 1, the evaluation value 2, and the evaluation value 3 to determine the maximum evaluation value.

  In subsequent step S333, the camera microcomputer 101 transmits information indicating the position or rotation amount of the light emitting unit 350 at which the maximum evaluation value is obtained to the strobe microcomputer 310 via the signal line SC. The stroboscopic microcomputer 310 drives the bounce driving unit 351 and rotates the light emitting unit 350 so that the position or the rotation amount indicated by the received information is obtained.

  As described above, the camera microcomputer 101 performs shooting by irradiating the irradiation device 300 with the irradiation light based on the plurality of photometric results obtained with the irradiation of the irradiation light a plurality of times with the irradiation direction changed. Determine the irradiation direction. Then, the camera microcomputer 101 performs control so that the irradiation light is emitted in the irradiation direction determined by the automatic bounce control when performing the flash photography.

  If it is determined in step S331 that there is no evaluation value equal to or greater than the predetermined value, in step S334, the camera microcomputer 101 warns that it cannot find a reflecting surface such as a wall or ceiling effective for bounce shooting in any direction. The image is displayed on the display unit 113. The camera microcomputer 101 transmits information indicating that a reflecting surface effective for bounce shooting cannot be found in any direction to the strobe microcomputer 310 via the signal line SC, and the strobe microcomputer 310 informs that fact. An image may be displayed on the display unit 321.

  If a reflecting surface effective for bounce shooting cannot be found in any direction, the strobe microcomputer 310 drives the bounce driving unit 351 in step S435 to determine a direction in which the irradiation direction is predetermined (for example, the irradiation direction at the reference position). The light emitting unit 350 is rotated until it becomes.

  When it is determined in step S300 that the posture of the main body 340 is the vertical position (upper left), in step S311, the strobe microcomputer 310 drives the bounce driving unit 351 and moves the light emitting unit 350 to the left from the reference position. It is rotated to a predetermined angle (for example, 90 degrees). When the rotation of the light emitting unit 350 is completed, the flash microcomputer 310 transmits bounce information to the camera microcomputer 101 via the signal line SC.

  In step S <b> 312, the camera microcomputer 101 that has received the information related to the posture of the main body 340 and the bounce information instructs the flash microcomputer 310 to perform the test light emission via the signal line SC. In accordance with this instruction, the flash microcomputer 310 controls the light emission control circuit 308 and the trigger circuit 306 to cause the discharge tube 307 to emit test light.

In step S313, the camera microcomputer 101 performs photometry of the subject when the irradiation light is emitted using the photometry circuit 106, and rotates the light emitting unit 350 leftward in the vertical position (upper left). The brightness value at the time of test light emission in the state is acquired. Here, the luminance value at the time of test light emission of each area divided into six is
EVl1 (i) (i = 0 to 5)
Is stored in the RAM in the camera microcomputer 101.

  Subsequently, in step S314, the flash microcomputer 310 drives the bounce driving unit 351 to rotate the light emitting unit 350 upward from the reference position to a predetermined angle (for example, 90 degrees), and Return the left rotation angle to 0 degrees. When the rotation of the light emitting unit 350 is completed, the flash microcomputer 310 transmits bounce information to the camera microcomputer 101 via the signal line SC.

  In step S315, the camera microcomputer 101 that has received the bounce information instructs the flash microcomputer 310 to perform test light emission via the signal line SC. In accordance with this instruction, the flash microcomputer 310 controls the light emission control circuit 308 and the trigger circuit 306 to cause the discharge tube 307 to emit test light.

In step S316, the camera microcomputer 101 performs photometry of the subject when the irradiation light is irradiated using the photometry circuit 106, and rotates the light emitting unit 350 upward in the vertical position (upper left). The brightness value at the time of test light emission in the state is acquired. Here, the luminance value at the time of test light emission of each area divided into six is
EV12 (i) (i = 0 to 5)
Is stored in the RAM in the camera microcomputer 101.

  When the posture of the main body 340 is the vertical position (upper left), the test light emission is not performed in the state where the light emitting unit 350 is rotated in the right direction, and the process proceeds to step S331. This is because when the light emitting unit 350 is rotated in the right direction when the posture of the main body 340 is the vertical position (upper left), the emission surface of the light emitting unit 350 faces the direction of gravity, and the emission of the light emitting unit 350 is performed. This is because there is a high possibility that there is no reflecting surface effective for bounce shooting in front of the surface. In this way, when performing the test light emission multiple times while changing the irradiation direction to automatically determine the optimal irradiation direction for bounce shooting, the test light emission is in the direction where there is a high possibility that there is no effective reflecting surface. By not performing the operation, it is possible to reduce the number of light emission times and reduce battery consumption.

  In step S331, the camera microcomputer 101 evaluates the evaluation value of the state in which the light emitting unit 350 is rotated leftward in the vertical position (upper left) based on EV11 stored in the RAM in the camera microcomputer 101. 1 'is calculated. Further, the camera microcomputer 101 evaluates the evaluation value 2 ′, which is an evaluation value of the state in which the light emitting unit 350 is rotated upward in the vertical position (upper left), based on EV12 stored in the RAM in the camera microcomputer 101. Is calculated. Since the calculation method of the evaluation value 1 ′ and the evaluation value 2 ′ is the same as the calculation method of the evaluation value 1, description thereof will be omitted.

  Then, the camera microcomputer 101 determines whether there is an evaluation value greater than or equal to a predetermined value among the calculated evaluation values 1 ′ and 2 ′. If there is an evaluation value greater than or equal to the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step S332. If there is no evaluation value equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step S334.

  In step S332, the camera microcomputer 101 compares the evaluation value 1 ′ with the evaluation value 2 ′ to determine the maximum evaluation value.

  In subsequent step S333, the camera microcomputer 101 transmits information indicating the position or rotation amount of the light emitting unit 350 at which the maximum evaluation value is obtained to the strobe microcomputer 310 via the signal line SC. The stroboscopic microcomputer 310 drives the bounce driving unit 351 and rotates the light emitting unit 350 so that the position or the rotation amount indicated by the received information is obtained.

  If it is determined in step S331 that there is no evaluation value equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step S334. To do.

  When it is determined in step S300 that the posture of the main body 340 is the vertical position (upper right), in step S321, the stroboscopic microcomputer 310 drives the bounce driving unit 351 and moves the light emitting unit 350 to the right from the reference position. It is rotated to a predetermined angle (for example, 90 degrees). When the rotation of the light emitting unit 350 is completed, the flash microcomputer 310 transmits bounce information to the camera microcomputer 101 via the signal line SC.

  In step S322, the camera microcomputer 101 that has received the information regarding the posture of the main body 340 and the bounce information instructs the flash microcomputer 310 to perform the test light emission via the signal line SC. In accordance with this instruction, the flash microcomputer 310 controls the light emission control circuit 308 and the trigger circuit 306 to cause the discharge tube 307 to emit test light.

In step S323, the camera microcomputer 101 performs photometry using the photometry circuit 106, and obtains a test light emission luminance value in a state where the light emitting unit 350 is rotated rightward in the vertical position (upper right) posture. Here, the luminance value at the time of test light emission of each area divided into six is
EVr1 (i) (i = 0 to 5)
Is stored in the RAM in the camera microcomputer 101.

  Subsequently, in step S324, the flash microcomputer 310 drives the bounce driving unit 351 to rotate the light emitting unit 350 upward from the reference position to a predetermined angle (for example, 90 degrees), and Return the rotation angle in the right direction to 0 degrees. When the rotation of the light emitting unit 350 is completed, the flash microcomputer 310 transmits bounce information to the camera microcomputer 101 via the signal line SC.

  In step S325, the camera microcomputer 101 that has received the bounce information instructs the flash microcomputer 310 to perform test light emission via the signal line SC. In accordance with this instruction, the flash microcomputer 310 controls the light emission control circuit 308 and the trigger circuit 306 to cause the discharge tube 307 to emit test light.

In step S326, the camera microcomputer 101 performs photometry using the photometry circuit 106, and obtains a test light emission luminance value in a state in which the light emitting unit 350 is rotated upward in the vertical position (upper left) posture. Here, the luminance value at the time of test light emission of each area divided into six is
EVr2 (i) (i = 0 to 5)
Is stored in the RAM in the camera microcomputer 101.

  When the posture of the main body 340 is the vertical position (upper right), the test light emission is not performed in the state where the light emitting unit 350 is rotated leftward, and the process proceeds to step S331. This is because when the light emitting unit 350 is rotated to the left when the posture of the main body 340 is the vertical position (upper right), the emission surface of the light emitting unit 350 faces the direction of gravity, and the emission of the light emitting unit 350 is performed. This is because there is a high possibility that there is no reflecting surface effective for bounce shooting in front of the surface. In this way, when performing the test light emission multiple times while changing the irradiation direction to automatically determine the optimal irradiation direction for bounce shooting, the test light emission is in the direction where there is a high possibility that there is no effective reflecting surface. By not performing the operation, it is possible to reduce the number of light emission times and reduce battery consumption.

  In step S331, the camera microcomputer 101 evaluates the evaluation value in a state where the light emitting unit 350 is rotated rightward in the vertical position (upper right) based on EVr1 stored in the RAM in the camera microcomputer 101. 1 ″ is calculated. Further, the camera microcomputer 101 evaluates the evaluation value 2 ′, which is an evaluation value in a state where the light emitting unit 350 is rotated upward in the vertical position (upper right) based on EVr2 stored in the RAM in the camera microcomputer 101. ′ Is calculated. Since the calculation method of the evaluation value 1 ″ and the evaluation value 2 ″ is the same as the calculation method of the evaluation value 1, description thereof will be omitted.

  Then, the camera microcomputer 101 determines whether there is an evaluation value greater than or equal to a predetermined value among the calculated evaluation values 1 '' and 2 '', and if there is an evaluation value greater than or equal to the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step S332. If there is no evaluation value greater than or equal to the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step S334.

  In step S332, the camera microcomputer 101 compares the evaluation value 1 ″ with the evaluation value 2 ″ and determines the maximum evaluation value.

  In subsequent step S333, the camera microcomputer 101 transmits information indicating the position or rotation amount of the light emitting unit 350 at which the maximum evaluation value is obtained to the strobe microcomputer 310 via the signal line SC. The stroboscopic microcomputer 310 drives the bounce driving unit 351 and rotates the light emitting unit 350 so that the position or the rotation amount indicated by the received information is obtained.

  If it is determined in step S331 that there is no evaluation value equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step S334. To do.

  As described above, by changing the irradiation direction of the test light emission for automatically determining the optimal irradiation direction for the bounce shooting according to the attitude of the illumination device 300, the number of light emission can be reduced and the battery consumption can be reduced. be able to.

  In addition, when the lighting device is in any posture, the irradiation device starts irradiation from a predetermined direction (in this embodiment, the direction opposite to the gravitational direction) different from the gravitational direction during automatic bounce control. The person can easily recognize the first irradiation direction. Therefore, the photographer can start the automatic bounce control while considering the surrounding situation.

  In the above embodiment, when the light emitting unit 350 is rotated in the upward direction, the right direction, and the left direction, an example in which the test light emission is performed only in a state where the light emitting unit 350 is rotated 90 degrees in each direction has been described. Test light emission may be performed at a plurality of rotation angles in the direction. For example, test light emission may be performed at three rotation angles of 60 degrees, 75 degrees, and 90 degrees in each direction. When the rotation angle is small (for example, less than 30 degrees), it is highly likely that the test light emission is directly applied to the subject and it is difficult to obtain the effect of bounce shooting. Therefore, the rotation is less than a predetermined angle (for example, 30 degrees). It is preferable not to test light emission at an angle.

  In the above embodiment, the example in which the test light emission is performed with the other direction being set to 0 degree when rotating the light emitting unit 350 in either the upward direction or the horizontal direction has been described. You may make it perform test light emission in the state which combined movement and rotation in the left-right direction. Note that the direction of the exit surface of the optical system 317 does not change even if it is rotated 90 degrees in the upward direction. It is preferable that the test angle is not changed by changing the moving angle. As described above, even when the test light emission is performed in a state where the upward rotation and the horizontal rotation are combined, the test light emission is not performed by rotating in the gravity direction. Can be reduced, and battery consumption can be reduced.

  In the above embodiment, the example in which the posture of the main body 340 is detected by the posture detection sensor 360 provided in the lighting device 300 itself has been described. However, if the position of the attachment portion 370 of the main body 340 and the position of the attachment portion of the camera main body 100 are fixed, the posture of the main body 340 with the illumination device 300 attached to the camera main body 100 is the posture of the camera main body 100. It depends on. Therefore, the posture of the main body 340 may be detected by using the posture detection sensor provided in the camera main body 100. For example, instead of the strobe microcomputer 310 determining the attitude of the main body 340 and transmitting information related to the attitude of the main body 340 to the camera microcomputer 101 via the signal line SC, the camera microcomputer 101 determines the attitude of the main body 340. May be.

  For the reasons described above, when the lighting device does not include the posture detection sensor that detects the posture of the lighting device, the lighting device side or the imaging device side acquires the detection result of the posture detection sensor included in the imaging device. Can be determined.

  In addition, when the lighting device and the imaging device each include a posture detection sensor that detects the posture of the lighting device and the imaging device, the detection result of the posture detection sensor provided in the lighting device can more accurately detect the posture of the lighting device. It is preferable to use the detection result of the posture detection sensor provided in the.

  In the above embodiment, an example in which automatic bounce control is performed by the illumination device 300 attached to the camera body 100 has been described. However, automatic bounce control is performed by the illumination device arranged at a position away from the camera body 100. May be. In this case, the camera microcomputer 101 and the flash microcomputer 310 may perform various controls by performing wireless communication.

  In the above-described embodiment, the illumination device that cannot rotate downward from the reference position has been described as an example. However, the present invention can also be applied to an illumination device that can rotate downward from the reference position.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which automatic bounce control is started by operating an automatic bounce motion control button provided in the lighting device has been described. However, the automatic bounce control is automatically performed by operating the input unit 112 of the camera body 100. Bounce control may be started.

  In the above embodiment, the optimum irradiation direction for bounce shooting is determined based on the luminance value at the time of test light emission, but the reflection component is determined from the test light emission luminance value and the non-light emission luminance value as in the case of pre-light emission. A luminance value may be obtained, and the irradiation direction may be determined based on the reflection component luminance value.

  In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the evaluation value used when determining the optimum irradiation direction for bounce shooting is calculated by weighting the luminance value at the time of test emission of each divided area. An evaluation value may be obtained based on a distribution of luminance values during test light emission in each area. For example, when performing bounce shooting, it is not preferable that the luminance value locally increases as the illumination device 300 emits light. Therefore, the smaller the variation in the luminance value at the time of test light emission in each divided area, the higher the evaluation value. The evaluation value may be calculated as follows.

  In the embodiment described above, an example in which the flash microcomputer 310 controls the rotation of the light emitting unit 350 in the automatic bounce control has been described. However, the camera microcomputer 101 may control the rotation of the light emitting unit 350. At this time, an instruction may be issued from the camera microcomputer 101 to the flash microcomputer 310, and the flash microcomputer 310 may drive the bounce drive unit 351 in accordance with the instruction of the camera microcomputer.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the imaging apparatus determines the optimal irradiation direction for bounce shooting has been described. However, the illumination apparatus includes a photometric sensor, and the illumination apparatus bounces based on the photometric result of the photometric sensor. You may determine the optimal irradiation direction for imaging | photography.

  Moreover, in said embodiment, when changing irradiation direction and irradiating irradiation light toward several irradiation directions, as an example which restricts irradiation of the irradiation light to a gravitational direction, irradiation light is not irradiated to a gravitational direction. I am doing so. However, the effect of the present invention can be obtained if the number of times of irradiation in the direction of gravity is limited as compared with the number of times of irradiation in the other direction. The number of times of irradiation in the direction may be set to a smaller number.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the irradiation direction of the irradiation light is changed by rotating the light emitting unit 350 with respect to the main body 340 is described. For example, the direction of the reflector or the direction of the discharge tube 307 is described. The structure which changes the irradiation direction of irradiation light by changing may be sufficient. Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which a plurality of light sources having different irradiation directions of irradiation light are provided and the irradiation direction of irradiation light is changed by selecting a light source to be irradiated from among the plurality of light sources.

  In the above embodiment, the lighting device using the discharge tube as the light source has been described as an example. However, the type of the light source is not limited to the discharge tube, and a lighting device using a light emitting diode or the like may be used.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to these embodiment, A various deformation | transformation and change are possible within the range of the summary.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Camera main body 101 Camera microcomputer 102 Image pick-up element 112 Input part 113 Display part 300 Illumination device 310 Strobe microcomputer 320 Input part 321 Display part 340 Main body part 350 Light emission part 351 Bounce drive part 352 Encoder 360 Posture detection sensor 370 Attachment part

Claims (14)

An imaging device that controls an illumination device capable of changing the irradiation direction of irradiation light,
Obtaining means for obtaining information on the attitude of the lighting device;
Control means for controlling the illumination device to irradiate irradiation light in a plurality of irradiation directions by changing the irradiation direction;
Photometric means for performing photometry of a subject when irradiation light is irradiated by the illumination device;
Irradiation direction when shooting is performed by irradiating the illuminating light with the illumination device based on a plurality of photometric results obtained by the photometry means with the irradiation of the illuminating device multiple times with the irradiation direction changed by the illuminating device. Determining means for determining
The control means changes the irradiation direction to the illumination device based on information on the attitude of the illumination device, and irradiates the illumination light toward a plurality of irradiation directions. An imaging device that limits irradiation.   The control means irradiates the illumination device with irradiation light in a gravitational direction when irradiating the illumination device with irradiation light toward a plurality of irradiation directions based on information on the attitude of the illumination device. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image pickup apparatus is not used. When the lighting device includes posture detection means for detecting its own posture,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires a detection result from the posture detection unit as information related to a posture of the lighting device from the lighting device. Having an attitude detection means for detecting the attitude of the imaging device;
The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires a detection result by the posture detection unit as information related to a posture of the lighting device.   The control means causes the illumination device to start irradiating irradiation light from a predetermined direction different from the gravity direction when changing the irradiation direction and irradiating the irradiation light toward a plurality of irradiation directions. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein   6. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the illumination device to irradiate irradiation light in an irradiation direction determined by the determination unit when performing photographing. The imaging apparatus of Claim 1.   The determination means calculates an evaluation value for each irradiation direction based on a plurality of photometric results obtained by the photometry means in accordance with a plurality of times of irradiation light irradiation with the irradiation direction changed by the illumination device. The irradiation direction in which the evaluation value becomes the maximum among the plurality of evaluation values is set as an irradiation direction when photographing is performed by irradiating irradiation light with the illumination device. The imaging device described in 1.   The determining means determines whether or not there is an evaluation value greater than or equal to a predetermined value among the plurality of calculated evaluation values, and when there is an evaluation value greater than or equal to the predetermined value, The imaging apparatus according to claim 7, wherein an irradiation direction having a maximum evaluation value is an irradiation direction when photographing is performed by irradiating irradiation light with the illumination device.   When there is an evaluation value greater than or equal to the predetermined value among the plurality of calculated evaluation values, the control means is configured to perform the evaluation after the irradiation of the irradiation light with a plurality of times of changing the irradiation direction by the illumination device is completed. The imaging apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the irradiation direction of the irradiation apparatus is controlled so that the irradiation direction has a maximum value.   When there is no evaluation value equal to or greater than the predetermined value among the plurality of calculated evaluation values, the control means determines in advance after the irradiation of the irradiation light with the irradiation device changing the irradiation direction is completed. The imaging apparatus according to claim 8, wherein an irradiation direction of the irradiation apparatus is controlled so as to be in a predetermined direction.   9. The imaging apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising display means for displaying a warning image when there is no evaluation value equal to or greater than the predetermined value among the plurality of calculated evaluation values. An illumination device capable of changing the irradiation direction of irradiation light,
Obtaining means for obtaining information on the attitude of the lighting device;
An input means for receiving an input instructing to irradiate irradiation light in a plurality of irradiation directions by changing the irradiation direction;
Control means for controlling the irradiation direction of the irradiation light,
When the control unit changes the irradiation direction according to the input to the input unit and irradiates the irradiation light toward a plurality of irradiation directions, the control unit performs irradiation in the direction of gravity based on information on the posture of the illumination device. An illumination device that restricts light irradiation.   The lighting device according to claim 12, wherein the acquisition unit acquires a detection result of a posture detection unit included in the mounted imaging device as information on a posture of the lighting device from the imaging device. A control method for controlling the irradiation direction of irradiation light of a lighting device,
An acquisition step of acquiring information related to the attitude of the lighting device;
An input step for receiving an input instructing to irradiate irradiation light in a plurality of irradiation directions by changing the irradiation direction;
A control step for controlling the irradiation direction of the irradiation light,
In the control step, the irradiation direction is changed according to the input in the input step, and the irradiation light is irradiated in a plurality of irradiation directions. A control method characterized by limiting light irradiation.

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