JP7071228B2 - Imaging system, imaging device, lighting device and control method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to control of a lighting device in an imaging system having an imaging device and a lighting device.

When the brightness of the subject is low, the camera as an image pickup device that shoots a still image of the subject shoots with high shooting sensitivity, or shoots by irradiating the subject with light by a strobe device that is a lighting device. There is something to control.

Patent Document 1 discloses a method of switching the photographing sensitivity depending on the focus position of the photographing lens.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-193498

However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is a possibility that the photographing sensitivity is set high even when the image quality is prioritized and the photographing sensitivity is not desired to be increased. On the other hand, if the shooting sensitivity is always set low, it is necessary to increase the amount of light emitted by the lighting device, and when the lighting device is made to emit light for continuous shooting, the shooting interval may become longer due to charging of the lighting device and heat dissipation control. There is.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to enable the shooting conditions to be set according to the user's intention when using the lighting device.

In order to achieve the above object, the image pickup system according to the present invention is an image pickup system having an image pickup device and a lighting device, and is a first image system in which the light emission amount of the lighting device is automatically set and the shooting sensitivity is automatically set. A first mode in which the mode and a second mode in which the light emission amount of the lighting device is automatically set and the shooting sensitivity is automatically set with priority given to higher shooting sensitivity than the first mode can be selected. A selection means, a communication means for wireless communication, a wireless communication mode in which the communication means communicates with a lighting device different from the lighting device, and the communication means does not communicate with a lighting device different from the lighting device. A second selection means capable of selecting a non-communication mode, and when either the second mode or the wireless communication mode is selected, the second mode and the wireless communication mode are the other. It is characterized by having a control means for controlling so as not to be selected.

According to the present invention, when using the lighting device, it is possible to set the shooting conditions according to the intention of the user.

The figure which shows the structural example of the image pickup system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the operation of the image pickup system which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the operation of the strobe device 300 concerning the transmission / reception of the information between the camera body 100 and the strobe device 300 which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the operation of the strobe device 300 concerning the transmission / reception of the information between the camera body 100 and the strobe device 300 which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the operation of the strobe device 300 concerning the transmission / reception of the information between the camera body 100 and the strobe device 300 which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the operation of the strobe device 300 concerning the transmission / reception of the information between the camera body 100 and the strobe device 300 which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an imaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and includes a camera body unit 100, a lens unit 200, and a strobe device 300. A detachable lens unit 200 is mounted on the front surface of the camera body 100, which is an image pickup device, and the camera body 100 and the lens 200 are electrically connected via a mount contact group 103. A strobe device 300, which is a removable lighting device, is mounted on the upper surface of the camera body 100, and the camera body 100 and the strobe device 300 are electrically connected via a strobe contact group 109. In the following embodiment, an imaging system in which the lens unit and the strobe device can be attached to and detached from the camera body unit will be described, but at least one of the lens unit and the strobe device is integrated with the camera body unit. But it may be.

First, the configuration of the camera body 100 will be described. The camera control unit 101 is a microcomputer that controls the operation of each unit of the camera body unit 100 according to a program stored in the memory.

The image pickup element 102 is a CMOS sensor or a CCD sensor that converts light from a subject incident through the photographing lens 202 into an electric signal to generate image data, and outputs the generated image data to the camera control unit 101.

The shutter 104 is arranged between the image pickup element 102 and the photographing lens 202, and operates according to the instruction of the camera control unit 101. The shutter 104 is composed of a front curtain and a rear curtain composed of a plurality of shutter blades. The image sensor 102 is exposed when the front curtain travels and the shutter opening opens, and the image sensor 102 is exposed when the rear curtain travels and the shutter opening closes. The element 102 is shielded from light. The exposure time of the image sensor 102 may be controlled by using a so-called electronic shutter instead of at least one of the front curtain and the rear curtain of the shutter 104.

The camera operation unit 105 includes an operation member operated by the user, detects an operation performed by the user via a button, a switch, a dial, a connected device, or the like attached to the camera body unit 100, and responds to an operation instruction. The signal is output to the camera control unit 101. For example, the camera operation unit 105 has an instruction signal (hereinafter referred to as SW1 signal) emitted when the user half-presses the release button and an instruction signal (hereinafter referred to as SW2 signal) emitted when the release button is fully pressed. Is output to the camera control unit 101.

The camera display unit 106 displays shooting information and a shot image on a display screen such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel according to an instruction from the camera control unit 101.

The camera control unit 101 controls the operation of the camera body 100 and gives instructions to the lens unit 200 and the strobe device 300 based on the output signal of the camera operation unit 105. When the SW1 signal is output from the camera operation unit 105, the camera control unit 101 drives the image sensor 102 to acquire image data, and measures the brightness of the subject from the acquired image data. Then, the exposure control values such as the shutter speed, the aperture value, and the ISO sensitivity used at the time of shooting are determined from the measurement result. The determined exposure control value is displayed on the display screen of the camera display unit 106. When the SW2 signal is output from the camera operation unit 105, the camera control unit 101 drives the aperture 203 of the lens unit 200, sets the sensitivity (ISO sensitivity) of the image sensor 102, and controls the shutter 104 to take an image. The exposure of the element 102 is started. After the exposure is completed, the camera control unit 101 displays the captured image on the display screen of the camera display unit 106 based on the image data acquired from the image sensor 102, and writes the image data to the image storage unit 107 such as a memory card. Take control.

Next, the configuration of the lens unit 200 will be described.

The lens control unit 201 is a microcomputer that controls the operation of each unit of the lens unit 200 according to a program stored in the memory. The photographing lens 202 is composed of a single lens or a plurality of lenses including a focus lens for adjusting the focus, and forms a subject image on the image pickup element 102. Further, a diaphragm 203 for adjusting the amount of light incident on the image pickup device 102 is provided. The lens control unit 201 controls the photographing lens 202 and the aperture 203 according to an instruction from the camera control unit 101 via the mount contact group 103.

Next, the configuration of the strobe device 300 will be described.

The strobe control unit 301 is a microcomputer that controls the operation of each unit of the strobe device 300 according to a program stored in the memory. The strobe control unit 301 can communicate with the camera control unit 101 via the strobe contact group 109, receives a light emission instruction and camera information from the camera control unit 101, and transmits the strobe information to the camera control unit 101. The light emitting unit 302 includes a discharge tube as a light source, a light emitting capacitor, a light emitting circuit, and a light emitting optical system, and can perform flash light emission. The light source may be an LED or the like that can continuously emit light.

The strobe operation unit 303 includes an operation member operated by the user, detects an operation performed by the user via a button, a dial, or the like attached to the strobe device 300, and outputs a signal corresponding to the operation instruction to the strobe control unit. Output to 301. For example, an automatic dimming mode in which the camera automatically determines the amount of light emitted by the user operating the strobe operation unit 303, and a continuous shooting priority automatic adjustment in which the camera automatically determines the amount of light emitted suitable for continuous shooting. You can set the light mode and the manual flash mode in which the user specifies the amount of flash. The continuous shooting priority automatic dimming mode is a mode in which the amount of light emitted is prioritized over the automatic dimming mode so that continuous light emission is possible over the automatic dimming mode.

The strobe display unit 304 displays a light emission mode or the like on a display screen such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel according to an instruction from the strobe control unit 301. The optical pulse receiving unit 305 receives the optical pulse emitted from the light emitting unit of another strobe device or communication device, and outputs the reception result to the strobe control unit 301.

The light emitting unit 302 drives a light emitting circuit according to the instruction of the strobe control unit 301, emits light by discharging the energy charged in the light emitting capacitor to the discharge tube, and emits light by emitting the strobe light as a subject via the light emitting optical system. Irradiate to. The amount of light emitted may be set by a user operation on the strobe operation unit 303, or may be acquired by communication from the camera control unit 101 via the strobe contact group 109. The strobe control unit 301 can receive a control signal from the camera control unit 101 via the strobe contact group 109 and cause the light emitting unit 302 to emit light in synchronization with the exposure operation of the camera body unit 100. Further, the strobe control unit 301 converts data into a predetermined pattern, drives the light emitting unit 302 to emit light from the optical pulse pattern toward another strobe device or communication device, thereby communicating with another strobe device or communication device. Data can be sent to the device. The strobe control unit of the strobe device on the receiving side can receive data by analyzing the pattern of the optical pulse received by the optical pulse receiving unit. For example, when the received data is a light emitting command, the strobe control unit of the strobe device on the receiving side drives the light emitting unit to emit light according to the light emitting command.

The radio wave transmission / reception unit 306 is a wireless module that enables bidirectional communication using frequencies in the 2,4 GHz band, for example. Data can be transmitted and received in the same manner as the above-mentioned communication using light. Here, when communicating with another strobe device by optical pulse or radio wave, instead of communicating directly with the receiving unit of the other strobe device, the communication device connected to the other strobe device is used as the receiving unit. You may communicate as.

An optical wireless mode in which a light emitting unit 302 is used to emit an optical pulse pattern toward another strobe device or communication device, and a radio wave wireless mode in which a radio wave transmission / reception unit 306 is used to transmit radio waves to another strobe device or communication device. The mode can be set separately from the light emission mode. For example, by operating the strobe operation unit 303 on the communication mode selection screen, the optical wireless mode, the radio wave wireless mode, and the wireless OFF mode (non-communication mode) can be selectively set.

(First Embodiment)
Hereinafter, the operation of the imaging system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart mainly showing the operation of the camera control unit 101. For example, the operation is started when the output signal of the camera operation unit 105 is a SW1 signal.

First, in step S201, the camera control unit 101 transmits camera information to the strobe device 300. The camera information transmitted here is information including the light emission mode information of the strobe device supported by the camera.

In step S202, the camera control unit 101 receives strobe information from the strobe device 300. The strobe information received here is information including the flash mode of the strobe device, and indicates whether the strobe device is set to the automatic flash mode, the continuous shooting priority automatic flash mode, or the manual flash mode. including. Details of the transmission and reception of the information described in steps S201 and S202 will be described later.

In step S203, the camera control unit 101 determines whether or not the light emission mode of the strobe device received in step S202 is the continuous shooting priority automatic dimming mode. If it is the continuous shooting priority automatic dimming mode, the process proceeds to step S204, and if it is not the continuous shooting priority automatic dimming mode, the process proceeds to step S207.

In step S204, the camera control unit 101 determines whether or not continuous shooting is set. If continuous shooting is set, the process proceeds to step S205, and if not, the process proceeds to step S207. The continuous shooting shooting setting can be set by the user operating the camera operation unit 105, and the set value (high speed / low speed of continuous shooting speed, etc.) is displayed on the camera display unit 106.

In step S205, the camera control unit 101 determines whether it is an automatic setting mode in which the shooting sensitivity (ISO sensitivity) is automatically set, or a manual setting mode in which the user sets the ISO sensitivity to an arbitrary value. If it is the automatic setting mode, the process proceeds to step S207, and if it is the manual setting mode, the process proceeds to step S206. The ISO sensitivity setting mode and the setting value in the manual setting mode can be set by the user operating the camera operation unit 105, and the mode and the setting value are displayed on the camera display unit 106.

In step S206, the camera control unit 101 changes the ISO sensitivity setting mode from the manual setting mode to the automatic setting mode. By automatically setting the ISO sensitivity, the camera control unit 101 can freely change the ISO sensitivity by the exposure control value calculation described later. Further, the camera control unit 101 prohibits the user from changing the ISO sensitivity. At this time, in order to indicate to the user that the ISO sensitivity setting cannot be changed, for example, a warning display such as blinking the ISO sensitivity displayed on the camera display unit 106 or changing the display color may be performed. ..

In step S207, the camera control unit 101 performs photometric control for measuring the brightness of the subject. In the photometric control, for example, the image sensor 102 is driven to acquire image data, and the brightness of the subject is measured from the acquired image data. In addition, in a configuration having a photometric sensor, the brightness of the subject may be measured from the light reception result of the photometric sensor.

In step S208, the camera control unit 101 calculates an exposure control value such as a shutter speed, an aperture value, and an ISO sensitivity to be used at the time of shooting from the photometric result obtained in step S207. For the calculation of the exposure control value, for example, a known method for calculating using a program diagram stored in advance may be used.

In step S209, the camera control unit 101 determines whether or not the light emission mode of the strobe device received in step S202 is the continuous shooting priority automatic dimming mode. If it is the continuous shooting priority automatic dimming mode, the process proceeds to step S210, otherwise the process proceeds to step S211.

In step S210, the camera control unit 101 performs an operation of adding a predetermined value to the ISO sensitivity calculated in step S208, and determines the calculation result as a new ISO sensitivity. The calculation of adding a predetermined value to the ISO sensitivity calculated in step S208 is an example of a method of increasing the ISO sensitivity, and may be a different method. For example, by using the second program diagram whose ISO sensitivity is higher than that of the first program diagram used in step S208 in step S210, the ISO sensitivity calculated in step S210 is higher than the ISO sensitivity calculated in step S208. It may be made higher. Further, the predetermined value used in step S209 may be a fixed value or a value that changes according to the ISO sensitivity calculated in step S208.

The camera control unit 101 displays the shutter speed, the aperture value, and the ISO sensitivity calculated in steps S208 and S210 on the camera display unit 106. By displaying the image on the camera display unit 106, the user can confirm the exposure control value at the time of shooting.

In step S211th, the camera control unit 101 determines whether or not a shooting instruction has been given. For example, if the user fully presses the release button and the SW2 signal is ON, it is determined that a shooting instruction has been given. If it is determined that the shooting instruction has been given, the process proceeds to step S212, and if not, the process returns to step S201 and the process is repeated.

In step S212, the camera control unit 101 executes shooting using the shutter speed, aperture value, and ISO sensitivity calculated in steps S208 and S210, and ends this process. When the light emission mode of the strobe device is the automatic dimming mode or the continuous shooting priority automatic dimming mode, the camera control unit 101 determines the strobe light emission amount and transmits the strobe light emission amount to the strobe control unit 301 via the strobe contact group 109. The strobe light emission amount is, for example, pre-flashing between SW2 operation and shooting, and at the same time driving the image sensor 102 to acquire image data, and the acquired image data and the shutter speed, aperture value, and ISO sensitivity at the time of shooting. It is determined by using a known method.

Subsequently, the operation of the strobe device 300 relating to the transmission / reception of information between the camera body 100 and the strobe device 300 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 3 is mainly a sequence relating to step S201 and step S202 of FIG.

In step S301, the strobe control unit 301 displays the flash mode selection screen on the strobe display unit 304 in response to the user's operation on the strobe operation unit 303. The light emission mode to be displayed includes an automatic light control mode, a continuous shooting priority automatic light control mode, and a manual light emission mode. The user can select any flash mode from the displayed flash modes by the strobe operation unit 303. The light emitting mode may be set by a dial that does not display the light emitting mode selection screen.

In step S302, the strobe control unit 301 changes (sets) the flash mode according to the user's operation on the strobe operation unit 303.

In step S303, the strobe control unit 301 determines whether or not the strobe device 300 is connected to the camera body unit 100 via the strobe contact group 109. If it is determined that the camera is connected to the camera body 100, the process proceeds to step S304, and if not, step S303 is repeated.

In step S304, the strobe control unit 301 receives camera information from the camera body unit 100. The camera information received here is information including the light emission mode information of the strobe device supported by the camera.

In step S305, the strobe control unit 301 determines whether the light emission mode changed in step S302 is the continuous shooting priority automatic dimming mode. If it is the continuous shooting priority automatic dimming mode, the process proceeds to step S306, otherwise the process proceeds to step S309.

In step S306, the strobe control unit 301 determines from the camera information received in step S304 whether or not the connected camera body unit 100 is compatible with the continuous shooting priority automatic dimming mode. If it corresponds, the process proceeds to step S307, and if not, the process proceeds to step S308.

In step S307, the strobe control unit 301 makes the wireless mode unselectable. The wireless mode (wireless communication mode) includes both the optical wireless mode and the radio wave wireless mode described above, and when the wireless mode cannot be selected, neither the optical wireless mode nor the radio wave wireless mode can be selected. The method of indicating that the wireless mode cannot be selected is that the user does not display the wireless mode, changes the display color to the wireless OFF mode, displays a predetermined icon in the vicinity of the wireless mode, etc. on the communication mode selection screen. Any method that can be recognized will do.

In step S308, the strobe control unit 301 changes the light emission mode to the automatic dimming mode. The light emission mode may be changed temporarily or continuously. Here, the temporary change is to set the light emission mode to the automatic dimming mode only while connected to the camera, and to return the light emission mode to the continuous shooting priority automatic dimming mode when the connection with the camera is detected. It is an operation.

In step S309, the strobe control unit 301 makes the wireless mode selectable.

In step S310, the strobe control unit 301 transmits strobe information including information indicating the light emission mode set in the camera control unit 101, and ends this process.

As described above, when the flash mode of the strobe device is the continuous shooting priority automatic dimming mode, the ISO sensitivity is increased (higher) to suppress the flash output of the strobe device, which is suitable for continuous shooting. Flash photography can be performed with the exposure control value and the amount of light emitted. Further, since the change of the ISO sensitivity is completed before the shooting instruction, the user can shoot while checking the shooting sensitivity before shooting.

Furthermore, even if the ISO sensitivity is set to the manual setting mode, if the flash mode of the strobe device is detected to be the continuous shooting priority automatic dimming mode, the ISO sensitivity is changed to the automatic setting, and the user can set the ISO sensitivity by himself / herself. Eliminates the hassle of changing.

Further, by making it possible to independently set the continuous shooting priority automatic dimming mode as the light emitting mode, it is possible to explicitly show to the user that the ISO sensitivity control of the camera is different from other light emitting modes.

Furthermore, when attached to a camera that does not support continuous shooting priority automatic dimming mode, the user can change the light emission mode by himself by automatically changing the light emission mode to the automatic dimming mode. It disappears. Then, by displaying the changed light emission mode, the user can easily confirm the light emission mode at the time of shooting.

Further, when the flash mode of the strobe device is the continuous shooting priority automatic dimming mode, the strobe device cannot select the wireless mode. The wireless mode is a mode used when a strobe device arranged at a position away from the camera body 100 is fired to perform flash photography, and is used when an image with an emphasis on the shadow of a subject or background is photographed. .. Therefore, by considering that the mode prioritizes image quality over the shooting interval of continuous shooting and making it impossible to select the wireless mode in the case of continuous shooting priority automatic dimming mode, the shooting sensitivity is automatically set when shooting with priority on image quality. It can be suppressed by setting it high.

(Second embodiment)
Next, the operation of the strobe device 300 relating to the transmission / reception of information between the camera body 100 and the strobe device 300 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 4 is mainly a sequence relating to step S201 and step S202 of FIG. Since the imaging system of this embodiment has the same configuration as that of FIG. 1, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In step S401, the strobe control unit 301 determines whether or not the strobe device 300 is connected to the camera body unit 100 via the strobe contact group 109. If it is determined that the camera is connected to the camera body 100, the process proceeds to step S402, and if not, step S401 is repeated.

In step S402, the strobe control unit 301 receives camera information from the camera body unit 100. The camera information received here is information including the light emission mode information of the strobe device supported by the camera.

In step S403, the strobe control unit 301 determines from the camera information received in step S402 whether or not the connected camera supports the continuous shooting priority automatic dimming mode. If it corresponds, the process proceeds to step S404, and if it does not correspond, the process proceeds to step S405.

In step S404, the strobe control unit 301 makes it possible to select the continuous shooting priority automatic dimming mode among the light emission modes that can be controlled by the strobe device 300.

In step S405, the strobe control unit 301 makes it impossible to select the continuous shooting priority automatic dimming mode among the light emission modes that can be controlled by the strobe device 300.

In step S406, the strobe control unit 301 displays a selection screen showing the selectable light emission modes determined in steps S404 and S405 according to the user's operation on the strobe operation unit 303. The flash mode selection screen may be displayed on the strobe display unit 304 or may be displayed on the camera display unit 106. When displaying on the camera display unit 106, the strobe control unit 301 transmits the selectable light emission mode to the camera control unit 101 via the strobe contact group 109. The method of indicating the non-selectable light emission mode is recognized by the user, such as not displaying the non-selectable light emission mode, changing the selectable light emission mode and the display color, and displaying a predetermined icon in the vicinity of the non-selectable light emission mode. Any method is possible.

In step S407, the strobe control unit 301 changes (sets) the flash mode according to the operation of the user to the strobe operation unit 303 or the camera operation unit 105.

In step S408, the strobe control unit 301 determines whether the light emission mode changed in step S407 is the continuous shooting priority automatic dimming mode. If it is the continuous shooting priority automatic dimming mode, the process proceeds to step S409, otherwise the process proceeds to step S410.

In step S409, the strobe control unit 301 makes the wireless mode unselectable. The method of indicating that the wireless mode cannot be selected is that the user does not display the wireless mode, changes the display color to the wireless OFF mode, displays a predetermined icon in the vicinity of the wireless mode, etc. on the communication mode selection screen. Any method that can be recognized will do.

In step S410, the strobe control unit 301 makes the wireless mode selectable.

In step S411, the strobe control unit 301 transmits strobe information including information indicating the light emission mode set in the camera control unit 101, and ends this process.

As described above, when the strobe device is set to the continuous shooting priority automatic dimming mode, the user cannot select the wireless mode. As a result, it is possible to suppress the automatic setting of high shooting sensitivity during shooting in which image quality is prioritized.

Further, by preventing the user from selecting a flash mode that the connected camera does not support, it is possible to prevent a mismatch between the control of the camera body and the control of the strobe device.

Furthermore, even if the flash mode of the strobe device is set by operating the camera body, the same control as when operating the strobe device is performed according to the user's intention regardless of the user's operation target. You can set the shooting conditions.

(Third embodiment)
Next, the operation of the strobe device 300 relating to the transmission / reception of information between the camera body 100 and the strobe device 300 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 5 is mainly a sequence relating to step S201 and step S202 of FIG. Since the imaging system of this embodiment has the same configuration as that of FIG. 1, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In step S501, the strobe control unit 301 displays the communication mode selection screen on the strobe display unit 304 in response to the user's operation on the strobe operation unit 303. The mode displayed here is a wireless OFF mode, an optical wireless mode, a radio wave wireless mode, or the like. The user can select either mode by the strobe operation unit 303.

In step S502, the strobe control unit 301 changes (sets) the communication mode according to the user's operation on the strobe operation unit 303.

In step S503, the strobe control unit 301 determines whether or not the strobe device 300 is connected to the camera body unit 100 via the strobe contact group 109. If it is determined that the camera is connected to the camera body 100, the process proceeds to step S504, and if not, step S503 is repeated.

In step S504, the strobe control unit 301 receives camera information from the camera body unit 100. The camera information received here is information including the light emission mode information of the strobe device supported by the camera.

In step S505, the strobe control unit 301 determines from the camera information received in step S504 whether or not the connected camera body unit 100 is compatible with the continuous shooting priority automatic dimming mode. If it corresponds, the process proceeds to step S506, and if not, the process proceeds to step S507.

In step S506, the strobe control unit 301 determines the communication mode changed in step S502. If it is a wireless mode (optical wireless mode or radio wave wireless mode), the process proceeds to step S507, otherwise the process proceeds to step S508.

In step S507, the strobe control unit 301 cannot select the continuous shooting priority automatic dimming mode among the light emission modes that can be controlled by the strobe device 300. The method of indicating the non-selectable light emission mode may be the same method as in step S406 of FIG. 4, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In step S508, the strobe control unit 301 can select the continuous shooting priority automatic dimming mode from the light emission modes that can be controlled by the strobe device 300.

In step S509, the strobe control unit 301 transmits strobe information including communication mode information to the camera control unit 101, and ends this process.

As described above, when the strobe device is set to the wireless mode, the continuous shooting priority automatic dimming mode cannot be selected by the user. As a result, it is possible to suppress the automatic setting of high shooting sensitivity during shooting in which image quality is prioritized.

Further, by preventing the user from selecting a flash mode that the connected camera does not support, it is possible to prevent a mismatch between the control of the camera body and the control of the strobe device.

(Fourth Embodiment)
Next, the operation of the strobe device 300 relating to the transmission / reception of information between the camera body 100 and the strobe device 300 according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 6 is mainly a sequence relating to step S201 and step S202 of FIG. Since the imaging system of this embodiment has the same configuration as that of FIG. 1, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In step S601, the strobe control unit 301 determines whether or not the strobe device 300 is connected to the camera body unit 100 via the strobe contact group 109. If it is determined that the camera is connected to the camera body 100, the process proceeds to step S602, and if not, step S601 is repeated.

In step S602, the strobe control unit 301 receives camera information from the camera body unit 100. The camera information received here is information including the light emission mode information of the strobe device supported by the camera.

In step S603, the strobe control unit 301 displays the communication mode selection screen on the strobe display unit 304 in response to the user's operation on the strobe operation unit 303. The communication mode displayed here is a wireless OFF mode, an optical wireless mode, a radio wave wireless mode, or the like. The user can select the communication mode by the strobe operation unit 303.

In step S604, the strobe control unit 301 changes (sets) the communication mode according to the user's operation on the strobe operation unit 303.

In step S605, the strobe control unit 301 determines from the camera information received in step S602 whether or not the connected camera body unit 100 supports the continuous shooting priority automatic dimming mode. If it corresponds, the process proceeds to step S606, and if not, the process proceeds to step S607.

In step S606, the strobe control unit 301 determines the communication mode changed in step S604. If it is a wireless mode (optical wireless mode or radio wave wireless mode), the process proceeds to step S607, otherwise the process proceeds to step S608.

In step S607, the strobe control unit 301 cannot select the continuous shooting priority automatic dimming mode among the light emission modes that can be controlled by the strobe device 300. The method of indicating the non-selectable light emission mode may be the same method as in step S406 of FIG. 4, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In step S608, the strobe control unit 301 can select the continuous shooting priority automatic dimming mode from the light emission modes that can be controlled by the strobe device 300.

In step S609, the strobe control unit 301 transmits strobe information including communication mode information to the camera control unit 101, and ends this process.

As described above, when the strobe device is set to the wireless mode, the continuous shooting priority automatic dimming mode cannot be selected by the user. As a result, it is possible to suppress the automatic setting of high shooting sensitivity during shooting in which image quality is prioritized.

Further, by preventing the user from selecting a flash mode that the connected camera does not support, it is possible to prevent a mismatch between the control of the camera body and the control of the strobe device.

Furthermore, even if the flash mode of the strobe device is set by operating the camera body, the same control as when operating the strobe device is performed according to the user's intention regardless of the user's operation target. You can set the shooting conditions.

As described above, in the above four embodiments, when either the continuous shooting priority automatic dimming mode or the wireless mode is selected, the other of the continuous shooting priority automatic dimming mode and the wireless mode is not selected. To control. As a result, it is possible to suppress the automatic setting of high shooting sensitivity during shooting in which image quality is prioritized, and it is possible to set shooting conditions according to the user's intention.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and the above embodiments can be combined, and various modifications and modifications can be made within the scope of the gist thereof. For example, although the strobe device having the optical wireless mode and the radio wave wireless mode as the communication mode has been described, the strobe device may not have either of the communication modes. Further, the wired communication mode may be provided as the communication mode, and when the wired communication mode is set, the same control as when the wireless mode in the above embodiment is set may be performed.

Further, in the above embodiment, the image pickup system in which the strobe device has a transmission / reception unit has been described. It may be an image pickup system that controls the light emission of the strobe device. Alternatively, it may be an imaging system in which a communication device is attached to the camera body and light emission control of a strobe device at a distant position is performed by using the transmission / reception unit of the attached communication device.

Further, in the above embodiment, the strobe control unit may execute at least a part of the processing executed by the camera control unit, or the camera control unit may execute at least a part of the processing executed by the strobe control unit. You may do so.

100 Camera body 101 Camera control 105 Camera operation 106 Camera display 300 Strobe device 301 Strobe control 302 Light emitting unit 303 Strobe operation 304 Strobe display 305 Radio wave transmission / reception 306 Optical pulse receiver

Claims (8)

An image pickup system having an image pickup device and a lighting device.
Priority is given to the first mode in which the light emission amount of the lighting device is automatically set and the shooting sensitivity is automatically set, and the light emission amount of the lighting device is automatically set and the shooting sensitivity is higher than that in the first mode. A second mode in which the shooting sensitivity is automatically set, and a first selection means in which the shooting sensitivity can be selected, and
Communication means for wireless communication and
A second mode in which the communication means can select a wireless communication mode in which communication with a lighting device different from the lighting device is performed, and a non-communication mode in which the communication means does not communicate with a lighting device different from the lighting device. Selection method and
It is characterized by having a control means for controlling so that when either one of the second mode and the wireless communication mode is selected, the other of the second mode and the wireless communication mode is not selected. Imaging system. Has display means,
The control means is characterized in that the form of display regarding the second mode by the display means is changed depending on whether the wireless communication mode is selected or the non-communication mode is selected. The imaging system according to claim 1. The control means causes the display means to display a display relating to the second mode when the non-communication mode is selected, and displays a display relating to the second mode when the wireless communication mode is selected. The imaging system according to claim 2, wherein the display means does not display the image. Has display means,
The control means is characterized in that the form of display regarding the wireless communication mode by the display means is changed between when the first mode is selected and when the second mode is selected. The imaging system according to claim 1. When the first mode is selected, the control means causes the display means to display a display related to the wireless communication mode, and when the second mode is selected, the control means displays a display related to the wireless communication mode. The imaging system according to claim 4, wherein the display means does not display the image. The first mode, which automatically sets the light emission amount of the lighting device and automatically sets the shooting sensitivity, and the first mode, which automatically sets the light emission amount of the lighting device and gives priority to higher shooting sensitivity than the first mode, are used for shooting. A second mode in which the sensitivity is automatically set, a first selection means in which the sensitivity can be selected, and
A second selection means capable of selecting a wireless communication mode in which communication with the lighting device is performed by the communication means for wireless communication and a non-communication mode in which communication is not performed with the lighting device by the communication means.
It is characterized by having a control means for controlling so that when either one of the second mode and the wireless communication mode is selected, the other of the second mode and the wireless communication mode is not selected. Image pickup device. A lighting device that can be attached to and detached from the image pickup device.
A first selection means capable of selecting a first light emission mode in which the light emission amount is automatically set by the image pickup apparatus and a second light emission mode in which light emission with priority given to a light emission amount smaller than that of the first mode. When,
A second selection means capable of selecting a wireless communication mode in which communication with another lighting device is performed by a communication means for wireless communication and a non-communication mode in which communication is not performed with another lighting device by the communication means.
Having a control means for controlling so that when either one of the second light emitting mode and the wireless communication mode is selected, the other of the second light emitting mode and the wireless communication mode is not selected. A lighting device featuring. It is a control method of an image pickup system having an image pickup device and a lighting device.
Priority is given to the first mode in which the light emission amount of the lighting device is automatically set and the shooting sensitivity is automatically set, and the light emission amount of the lighting device is automatically set and the shooting sensitivity is higher than that in the first mode. A second mode that automatically sets the shooting sensitivity, and a first selection step that allows you to select
A wireless communication mode in which communication with a lighting device different from the lighting device is performed by the communication means for wireless communication and a non-communication mode in which communication is not performed with the lighting device different from the lighting device by the communication means can be selected. With a second selection step,
In the first selection step and the second selection step, when one of the second mode and the wireless communication mode is selected, the second mode and the other of the wireless communication modes are selected. A control method for an imaging system, characterized in that it is not selected.

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