JPH0247637A - Action controller for camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve continuity at the time of zooming consecutive photographing by setting photographing in the longest focal distance as the last one when it is necessary to emit light by means of an electronic flashing device in the longest focal distance. CONSTITUTION:The title camera is provided with the electronic flashing device 101 which automatically emits the light if the need arises, a zooming consecutive photographing mode setting means 102 and a zooming consecutive photographing means 104 for performing the consecutive photographing of specified number of frames while successively changing the focal distance of a photographic lens to specified position previously set at the time of setting a zooming consecutive photographing mode. Furthermore, a dicision means 105 for deciding whether or not it is necessary to emit the light by means of flashing device 101 in the longest focal distance, out of the focal distances previously set, and a control means 106 for controlling the consecutive photographing means 104 so that photographing in the longest focal distance is set as the last one in the case of deciding that the light emission is necessary are also equipped. Since the need of the light emission generally increases as the focal distance becomes longer, a case that the light emission is necessary only for photographing in the longest focal distance is considered. In such a case, charging is performed simultaneously with photographing in other focal distance. Thus, the continuity of the zooming consecutive photographing can be improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A. Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to an operation control device for a camera capable of so-called zoom continuous shooting in which the focal length is changed frame by frame.

B. Conventional technology For example, by operating an operating member such as a zoom continuous shooting button to set the zoom continuous shooting mode and then pressing a release button, the focal length of the zoom lens is sequentially changed to a predetermined value and a predetermined frame is set. Cameras have been proposed that are capable of so-called zoom continuous shooting, in which multiple images are taken in succession.

C0 Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, when performing such zoom continuous shooting using an electronic flash device that fires automatically when necessary, it is necessary to fire the electronic flash device just before shooting at each focal length. If the main capacitor for light emission is started to be charged at that point when it is necessary, the following problems arise.

■For frames that require flashing (particularly when the focal length is long, the possibility of flash photography is higher than when the focal length is short), photography cannot be performed until charging is complete, and continuity during continuous shooting may be affected. Missed.

01 During continuous zoom shooting, there is a possibility that there are frames where flash photography is performed and frames where flash photography is not performed. It is inconvenient to have fun.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a camera operation control device that improves the continuity of continuous zoom shooting and allows shooting to be performed under the same brightness conditions.

To explain with reference to FIG. 1(a), which is a means-claim correspondence diagram for solving the D1 problem,
The camera operation control device according to the invention of claim 1 includes: an electronic flash device 101 that automatically emits light when necessary; a zoom continuous shooting mode setting means 102 that sets a zoom continuous shooting mode; A zoom continuous shooting means 104 that performs zoom continuous shooting for continuously shooting a predetermined number of frames while sequentially changing the focal length of the photographing lens to a preset predetermined position in conjunction with the operation of the operating member 103, and a preset focal point. determining means 10 for determining whether or not the electronic flash device 1010 needs to emit light at least at the longest focal length among the distances;
5, and a control means 106 for controlling the zoom continuous shooting means 104 so that when it is determined by the determination means 105 that the electronic flash device 101 needs to emit light, the continuous zoom shooting means 104 is photographed at the longest focal length. Be equipped.

Further, to explain with reference to FIG. 1(b), the camera operation control device according to the invention of claim 2 includes the above-mentioned electronic flash device 101, zoom continuous shooting mode setting means 102, zoom continuous shooting means 104, Judgment means 105 and judgment means 105
Even if it is determined that it is necessary for the electronic flash device 101 to emit light according to i! The camera also includes a light emission control means 206 that causes the electronic flash device to emit light when all frames are photographed when it is determined that the light emission of 101 is necessary.

Further, to explain with reference to FIG. 1(c), the camera operation control device according to the invention of claim 3 includes the above-mentioned electronic flash device 101, zoom continuous shooting mode setting means 102 for setting the zoom continuous shooting mode, The zoom continuous shooting means 104, the determining means 105, and the electronic flash bag W10
If it is determined that the light emission of step 1 is unnecessary, the zoom continuous shooting means 1 performs zoom continuous shooting in order from the longest focal length.
04.

E0 Effect (1) The invention determining means 105 of claim 1 determines whether or not the electronic flash bag @101 needs to emit light for at least the longest focal length among the predetermined focal lengths. When the determining means 105 determines that it is necessary to emit light from the electronic flash device lot, the control means 106 performs continuous zoom shooting so that the photographing at the longest focal length becomes the last photograph. In general, the longer the focal length, the more the need for flashing increases, so there may be cases where flashing is required only when shooting at the longest focal length, and in such cases, charging may be done in parallel when shooting at other focal lengths. If you do so, there is a high possibility that charging will be completed when shooting at the longest focal length, improving the continuity of continuous zoom shooting.

(2) The invention light emission control means 206 of claim 2 determines that the light emission of the electronic flash bag W101 is necessary for the longest focal length by the determination means 105.
Even in the case where it is determined, the electronic flash device 101 is prohibited from emitting light during photography at each focal length. Alternatively, when it is determined that the electronic flash device 101 needs to emit light, the electronic flash device 101
1 to emit light. According to this, during zoom continuous shooting, shooting is performed under similar brightness conditions at all focal lengths.

(3) When the determination means 105 determines that the electronic flash device 101 does not need to emit light, the control means 306 of the invention controls continuous zoom shooting in order from the longest focal length. As a result, if the composition is such that the main subject fits within the frame at the longest focal length, the main subject will be prevented from protruding from both sides even if the focal length is short during continuous zoom shooting. A first embodiment of the present invention will be described based on FIGS.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views of the camera according to the present invention seen from the front and rear, respectively. A zoom lens barrel 1 having a zoom lens LE is provided on the front of the camera.

It can protrude from the position shown by the solid line to the position shown by the two-dot chain line. Further, above the zoom lens barrel 1, a distance measuring window 2. Finder window 3. Light emitting windows 4 of electronic flash devices are arranged side by side.

Further, the top surface of the camera is provided with a liquid crystal display board 6 that displays various shooting information, and a release button 7. Zooming button 8. A flash mode switching button 9 and a zoom continuous shooting mode setting button 10 are provided. The zooming button 8 is used to command zooming up and zooming down of the lens barrel 1.

The flash mode switching button 9 is used to switch between three flash modes, which will be described later. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a display LED 12 is provided near the finder 11 provided on the back of the camera.

Figure 4 shows the control system of this camera.

In FIG. 4, the control circuit 21 includes switches SW1 to S.
W6 are connected to each other. Switch SWI, SW
2 are switches that are turned on in conjunction with the operation of the release button 7 in FIG.
turns on.

Switch SW3. SW4 is a switch that is turned on in conjunction with the operation of the zooming button 8, and when one end of the seesaw-type zooming button 8 is pressed, the switch SW3 is turned on.
is turned on, and when the other end is pressed, the switch SW4 is turned on. These switches SW3. SW4 is never turned on at the same time.

In addition, switch SW5. SW6 is the flash mode switching button 9
and switches that are turned on in conjunction with the operation of the zoom continuous shooting mode setting button 10, the details of which will be described later.

The control circuit 21 also includes a photometric circuit 22 . Distance measurement circuit 23.
A focal length detection circuit 24 is connected as well as a light emission control circuit 25 of an electronic flash device (not shown). The photometry circuit 22 receives light from a subject and outputs luminance information about its brightness (subject brightness) to the control circuit 21, and the distance measurement circuit 23 outputs distance measurement information about the distance to the subject (subject distance). It is calculated and output to the control circuit 21.

The focal length detection circuit 24 detects the focal length of the photographic lens. The light emission control circuit 25 charges a main capacitor for light emission (not shown) in response to a charging signal from the control circuit 21. A light emitting tube (not shown) is caused to emit light in response to a light emission start signal from the light emitting device.

Further, the control circuit 21 includes an exposure control circuit 26, a display control circuit 27, a focusing motor 31, a zooming motor 32 . A motor drive circuit 28 of the film winding motor 33 is connected thereto. The motor drive circuit 28 performs focusing by driving the photographing lens to a predetermined focusing position using a motor 31 in response to a focusing signal from the control circuit 21, and performs zooming in response to a zoom up signal or a zoom down signal from the control circuit 21. By driving the motor 32, the zoom lens barrel 1 (FIG. 2) is driven to perform zoom up and zoom down.Furthermore, the film is wound up by the winding motor 33. The control circuit 21 outputs a zoom up signal while the switch SW3 is on due to the operation of the zooming button 8, and outputs a zoom down signal while the switch SW4 is on. Exposure control circuit 26
In response to a command from the control circuit 21, an exposure control device (not shown) such as an aperture shutter is driven to take a photograph.

The above-mentioned liquid crystal display board 6 (FIG. 2) and LED 12 (FIG. 3) are connected to the display control circuit 27, respectively.
Various photographic information such as aperture value and shutter speed are displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 6 according to commands from the control circuit 21.

Further, the control circuit 21 sets the zoom continuous shooting mode when the switch SW6 is turned on by operating the zoom continuous shooting mode setting button 1o, and displays a message to that effect on the liquid crystal display board 6 via the display control circuit 27. , Fully press switch S
Continuous zoom shooting is performed when W2 is turned on.

Here, continuous zoom shooting refers to continuous shooting of a predetermined number of frames while sequentially changing the focal length of the lens barrel 1 (FIG. 2) to a preset predetermined position. In the camera of this embodiment, when the zoom continuous shooting mode is set, continuous shooting is performed at three focal lengths: the shortest focal length W, the middle focal length M, and the longest focal length T. , T, for example, are shown as AVr AMy AT in FIGS. 5(a), 5(b), and 5(c), respectively.

Next, the light emission of the electronic flash device in this embodiment will be explained.

In the camera of this embodiment, three flash modes can be set: forced flash mode, automatic flash mode, and flash prohibition mode. When the above-described zoom continuous shooting mode and automatic light emission mode are set, the control circuit 21 controls each focal length W, M.

It is determined whether or not it is necessary to emit light for T, and if necessary, the electronic flash device is automatically emitted at the time of photographing. In addition, the forced flash mode is a mode that fires the flash at the longest focal length T if it is necessary to fire the flash when shooting at all focal lengths W, M, and T, and the flash prohibition mode fires the flash at the longest focal length T. This mode prohibits light emission when shooting at all focal lengths W, M, and T even if it is necessary.

Switching between these flash modes is performed by operating the flash mode switching button 9 shown in FIG. That is, when the switch SW5 is turned on once by pressing the flash mode selection button 9, the forced flash mode is set, when it is turned on again, the automatic flash mode is set, and when it is turned on again, the flash prohibition mode is set by the control circuit 21. Ru. Further, the control circuit 21 causes the liquid crystal display panel 6 to display which flash mode is currently set.

Next, the control procedure by the control circuit 21 will be explained based on the flowcharts of FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b), FIGS. 7 and 8.

This program is started when the zoom continuous shooting mode setting button 10 is operated and the switch SW6 is turned on.

First, in step S1, zoom continuous shooting mode is set, and in step S2, a display to that effect is displayed on the liquid crystal display board 6. Next, in step S3, it is determined whether or not the half-press switch SWI is on. If the determination is negative, the process remains in step S3 until the determination is positive, and if the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step S4. In step S4, the subject brightness calculated by the photometry circuit 22 is read, and then in step S5, it is determined whether or not light emission is necessary when photographing at the longest focal length T. This is determined based on the subject brightness read in step S4, the film sensitivity information, and the open F value of the photographing lens when the lens barrel 1 is driven to the focal length T.

If step S5 is denied, step S in FIG. 6(b)
31, the lens barrel 1 is driven to the focal length T by the motor 32 via the motor drive circuit 28 (FIG. 4) in order to perform zoom continuous shooting from the longest focal length T. This is controlled by a detection signal from focal length detection circuit 24. Next, in step S32, the subject brightness at this point is read from the photometry circuit 22, and at the same time, in step S33, the subject distance is read from the distance measuring circuit 23, and the process proceeds to step S34.

In step S34, it is determined whether or not the fully pressed switch SW2 is on. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S41.

In step S41, it is determined whether the half-press switch SWI is on or not, and if an affirmative determination is made, the process returns to step S34,
If a negative determination is made, it is determined in step S42 whether even one frame has been photographed so far. If a negative determination is made in step S42, the process returns to step S3 in FIG. 6(a), and if an affirmative determination is made, the zoom continuous shooting mode is canceled in step S43, and the process is terminated.

When an affirmative determination is made in step S34, focusing is performed in step S35. That is, the lens drive amount for focusing the photographic lens on the subject is calculated based on the subject distance read in step S33, and a focusing signal corresponding to this lens drive amount is output to the motor drive circuit 28. The motor drive circuit 28 drives the photographing lens to the in-focus position using the motor 31 based on the focusing signal.

Next, the process advances to step S36 to perform photographing. That is,
An exposure value is calculated based on the subject brightness read in step S32, film sensitivity information input, etc., and based on this exposure value, an exposure control device (not shown) such as an aperture or shutter is controlled via the exposure control circuit 26. drive Next, in step S37, a winding signal is output to the motor drive circuit 28, the motor 33 winds up the film by one frame, and the process proceeds to step S338.

In step 338, it is determined whether the lens barrel 1 is at the shortest focal length W based on the detection signal from the focal length detection circuit 24. If an affirmative determination is made, the zoom continuous shooting mode is canceled and the process is continued in step S40. Terminate it. If a negative determination is made in step S38, the lens barrel 1 is driven to the next focal length M or W in step S39, and the process returns to step S32 to repeat the above-described process.

On the other hand, if step S5 in FIG. 6(a) is affirmed,
That is, if it is determined that light emission is necessary for the longest focal length T, the process proceeds to step S6, and the LED 12 is caused to emit light via the display control circuit 27, indicating that flash light emission is necessary at the focal length T. Warnings will be given.

Next, in steps 87 to S9, the flash mode is determined.
The flash mode may be set before the zoom continuous shooting mode is set, or may be arbitrarily selected by the photographer in accordance with the warning processed in step S6. First, in step S7, it is determined whether the flash mode is the forced flash mode or not. When it is determined that the flash mode is the forced flash mode, step S7 in FIG.
Performs processing below IO. If a negative determination is made in step S7, the process proceeds to step S8, and it is determined whether or not the flash mode is a light emission prohibition mode. If an affirmative determination is made, the processing from step 856 onward in FIG. 8, which will be described later, is performed. If step S8 is negative, the process proceeds to step S9, where it is determined whether the flash mode is automatic flash mode or not, and if negative, step S7
Returning to step S10, if an affirmative determination is made, the process advances to step S10.

In step S10, a charging signal is output to the light emission control circuit 25 to start charging the main capacitor (not shown),
Next, the process advances to step Sll. In step Sll, the lens barrel 1 is driven to the focal length W in order to start the zoom continuous shooting mode from the shortest focal length W. Next, in step S12, the subject brightness is read from the photometry circuit 22, and in step S13, the subject distance is read from the distance measuring circuit 23, and the process proceeds to step S14.

In step S14, it is determined whether the full-press switch SW2 is on, and if the answer is negative, it is determined in step 828 whether the half-press switch SWI is on.

If step 828 is determined to be affirmative, the process returns to step S14, and if the result is negative, it is determined in step S29 whether even one frame has been photographed so far, and if the result is negative, the process returns to step S3, and if it is determined to be affirmative. In step S30, the zoom continuous shooting mode is canceled and the process is ended.

If an affirmative determination is made in step S14, the process advances to step S15 in FIG. 6(b), and according to the subject brightness read in step S12 and the above-mentioned focal length detection signal, it is determined that the electronic flash device needs to emit light at the current focal length. Determine whether it exists or not. If a negative determination is made, in step S16 the photographing lens is driven to the in-focus position to perform focusing, and in step S17 the exposure control device (not shown) is driven to take a photograph, and then in step 318 one frame of film is loaded. After winding up the winder, the process proceeds to step S19.

On the other hand, if step S15 is affirmatively determined, that is, if it is determined that flash light emission is necessary at the current focal length, in step S22, the photographing lens is driven to the in-focus position and focusing is performed. In step S23, it is determined whether charging is completed. If the determination in step S23 is negative, the process remains in step S23 until the determination is affirmative, and if the determination is positive, charging is stopped in step S24. After that, flash photography is performed in step S25, that is, an exposure control device (not shown) is driven via the exposure control circuit 26, and a light emission signal is output to the light emission control circuit 25 to cause the light emitting tube (not shown) to emit light. urge Thereafter, the film is wound up by one frame in step S26, charging is started in step S27, and the process proceeds to step S19.

In step S19, it is determined whether the lens barrel 1 is at the focal length T or not based on the focal length detection signal described above. If a negative determination is made in step S19, the process advances to step S20, and the next focal path M
The lens barrel 1 is driven to M or T, the process returns to step 512 (FIG. 6(a)), and the above-described process is repeated until an affirmative determination is made in step S19. If step S19 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S21, cancels the zoom continuous shooting mode, and ends the process.

According to the above procedure, when flash emission is required at the longest focal length T, continuous zoom shooting is started from the shortest focal length W, and in the order of W-+M+T, that is, as shown in FIG.
), (b), and (Q) are photographed in the order of screens indicated by A W rAM and AT. In other words, the photographing at the focal length T is the final one. In general, even if the subject brightness is the same, the longer the focal length, the larger the aperture F-number, and the more likely it will be necessary to fire a flash. Therefore, even if a flash is necessary at focal length T, at focal length M or W It may not be necessary. In such a case, if you start shooting at the shortest focal length W and charge the camera in parallel, there is a high possibility that charging will be completed by the time you shoot at the focal length T, leading to interruptions in shooting due to charging wait time. You can perform zoom continuous shooting without any trouble.

On the other hand, if light emission is not required at the focal length T, continuous zoom shooting is started from the longest focal length T, and shooting is performed in the order of T-)M→W. Screen Av in FIG.

As you can see from AMp AT, the longer the focal length, the narrower the angles become. Therefore, if you take pictures in order from the shortest focal length WLW, the subject that was on the screen at focal length W will be on the screen at focal length M or T. There is a possibility that it will fall out. As mentioned above, when shooting starts from the longest focal length RT, if the composition is set in advance so that the subject fits within the frame at the longest focal length IT, the subject will also be visible at focal lengths M and W. does not protrude from the screen.

The above describes the process when the flash mode is the automatic flash mode, but if step S7 in FIG. 6(a) is affirmative, that is, when the flash mode is the forced flash mode, the process shown in FIG. 7 is performed. be exposed. That is, first, charging is started in step SIO, and then, in step S44, it is determined whether or not charging is completed. If a negative determination is made in step S44, the process remains in step S44 until a positive determination is made, and if an affirmative determination is made, charging is stopped in step S45.

Next, in order to start continuous zoom shooting from the longest focal length T, the lens barrel 1 is driven to the focal length T in step S46, and in step S12. In S13, the subject brightness and subject distance are respectively read. After that, step S1
When it is determined in step 4 that the full-press switch SW2 is on, after focusing in step S47, flash photography is performed in the same manner as described above in step S48, and the film is wound up by one frame in step S49, and then in step S5
Go to 0. In step S50, it is determined whether or not the lens barrel 1 is in the focal path MW. If affirmative, the process is terminated after canceling the zoom continuous shooting mode in step S51, and if negative, charging is started again in step S52. do. Next, in step S53, it is determined whether or not charging has been completed, and if a negative determination is made, the process remains in step S53 until a positive determination is made;
If an affirmative determination is made, the process advances to step S54. Step S5
In Step 4, charging is stopped, and in Step S55, the lens barrel 1 is driven to the next focal length M or W, and the process returns to Step S12.

If step S14 is negative, step 32 described above
8 to S30 are performed.

According to the above procedure, by selecting the forced flash mode when a flash is required at the longest focal length T, the flash will be fired at all focal lengths T, M, and W.
It is possible to photograph the pieces under the same brightness conditions.

Further, if step S8 in FIG. 6(a) is affirmed, that is, if the flash mode is the flash prohibition mode, the eighth
Proceeding to step 356 in the figure, the lens barrel 1 is driven to the focal length T. Next, in steps S12 and S13, the subject brightness and subject distance are respectively read, and then, in step S14, when it is determined that the full-press switch SW2 is on,
After focusing in step S57, step 85
Photographing is performed at 8. At this time, all focal lengths T,
Prohibit flash emission with M and W. Therefore, in this case as well, all three frames are photographed under the same brightness conditions, as described above.

In the configuration of the above embodiment, the zoom continuous shooting mode setting button 10. Switch SW6. The control circuit 21 controls the zoom continuous shooting mode setting means 102, the release button 7 controls the release operation member 103, the control circuit 21 and the motor drive circuit 28 control the zoom continuous shooting means 104, and the control circuit 21 controls the determination means 105.
and control means 106, respectively.

Note that in the above, three preset focal lengths W, M,
Although an example is shown in which zoom continuous shooting is performed at T, the number of these focal lengths may be two, or four or more.

Effects of the G1 Invention According to the invention of claim 1, when the electronic flash device needs to emit light at the longest focal length, the longest focal length is the last to shoot, so other focal lengths can be used. If you charge the camera in parallel when shooting at the maximum focal length, there is a high possibility that charging will be completed when shooting at the longest focal length, improving the continuity of continuous zoom shooting.

Further, according to the invention of claim 2, even if the electronic flash device is required to emit light at the longest focal length, the electronic flash device is prohibited from emitting light when all frames are photographed, or the electronic flash device is prevented from emitting light at the longest focal length. If flashing is required, the electronic flash device is turned on when all the frames are photographed, so that all the frames are photographed under the same brightness conditions, resulting in photographs with a similar atmosphere.

Furthermore, according to the invention of claim 3, when the electronic flash device does not need to emit light at the longest focal length, continuous zoom shooting is performed in order from the longest focal length. If the composition is such that the main subject fits within the screen, the main subject will be prevented from protruding from the screen during continuous zoom shooting.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIGS. 1(a), (b), and (c) are complaint correspondence diagrams. 2 to 8 show one embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views of the camera seen from the front and rear, respectively, FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the control system, and FIG. Figure (a), (
b) and (c) are diagrams showing examples of photographic screens at each focal length, respectively, and Figs. 6(a) and (b), Figs. 7 and 8
The figure is a flowchart showing the processing procedure by the control circuit. 7: Release button 10: Zoom continuous shooting mode setting button 21: Control circuit 22: Photometry circuit 24: Focal length detection circuit 25: Light emitting circuit 28: Motor drive circuit 32: Zooming motor 101: Electronic flash device 102: Zoom continuous shooting mode Setting means 103 Nirellis operation member 104: Zoom continuous shooting means 1o5: Determination means 106.306: Control means 206: Light emission control means SWI to SW6: Switch

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1) an electronic flash device that automatically emits light when necessary; a zoom continuous shooting mode setting means that sets a zoom continuous shooting mode; zoom continuous shooting means for performing zoom continuous shooting for continuously shooting a predetermined number of frames while sequentially changing the focal length of the photographing lens to a preset predetermined position; and at least the longest focal length among the preset focal lengths. a determination means for determining whether or not the electronic flash device needs to emit light; A camera operation control device comprising: control means for controlling the zoom continuous shooting means so that the zoom continuous shooting means is the last one. 2) an electronic flash device that automatically fires the flash when necessary; a zoom continuous shooting mode setting means for setting the zoom continuous shooting mode; zoom continuous shooting means that performs zoom continuous shooting for continuously shooting a predetermined number of frames while sequentially changing the image to a preset predetermined position; and the electronic flash device for at least the longest focal length among the preset focal lengths. a determination means for determining whether or not the electronic flash device is required to emit light; and/or a light emission control means for causing the electronic flash device to emit light when photographing all the frames when it is determined that the electronic flash device needs to emit light. . 3) an electronic flash device that automatically fires the flash when necessary; a zoom continuous shooting mode setting means for setting the zoom continuous shooting mode; zoom continuous shooting means that performs zoom continuous shooting for continuously shooting a predetermined number of frames while sequentially changing the image to a preset predetermined position; and the electronic flash device for at least the longest focal length among the preset focal lengths. a determining means for determining whether or not it is necessary to emit light from the electronic flash device; 1. A camera operation control device comprising: control means for controlling zoom continuous shooting means.