JPH05127271A - Method for producing print photograph - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To finish a print photograph in such a way that the density of a main object is made appropriate by performing printing and exposure by using identification information and photographing information recorded in the case of photographing. CONSTITUTION:The identification information is recorded on a frame which is appropriately exposure-controlled on a camera side and it is read on a printer side. Printing is not performed for the frame where the identification information is recorded based on the image density of film 38 but printing and exposure are performed with fixed exposure with respect to the density of the main object decided based on the sensitivity characteristic of the kind of the color film 38, so that the printed image faithful to the main object is obtained. Since the density of the main object of the image on the film 38 exposed based on the main object is fixed, high-quality print is easily obtained. Furthermore, the exposure is decided for a frame to which appropriate exposure control is not performed on the camera side based on the detected image density of the film 38. Thus, the well-finished print photograph is obtained.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for producing a print photograph, and more particularly to a method for producing a print photograph for printing exposure using identification information and photographing information recorded during photographing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional photographic printing method, first, a basic exposure amount is determined based on an average density of each frame of a negative film (for example, LATD (Large Screen Transmission Density)), and then each frame of the negative film is determined. The exposure correction amount was calculated by using the image density information of 1., and the appropriate exposure amount was determined from these.

[0003]

However, in the above conventional method, correction is required when the density of the main subject is farther than the average density of the entire frame, but the position of the main subject on the frame is unknown. Therefore, the density of the main subject cannot be accurately grasped. Therefore, there is a problem in that accurate correction cannot be performed. In particular, when the position of the main subject is not in the center, it is difficult to estimate the density of the main subject, and the accuracy of correction is reduced. Further, conventionally, the exposure amount is probabilistically determined by using a statistical method, and there is a limit in improving print quality. Further, even if the camera side performs high-precision exposure control for photographing, this is not reflected in the exposure amount determination at the time of printing, and there is almost no difference from the low-function camera.

By the way, recently, the automatic exposure control of the camera has been made highly accurate, and the exposure is controlled so that the image recorded on each frame of the film has an appropriate density. For example, the exposure amount of the camera can be easily determined by manually or automatically focusing the main portion according to the photographer's intention of photographing, and highly accurate exposure control is possible. Therefore, it is possible to perform printing exposure (for example, exposure for a certain period of time) with a constant exposure amount that is preset according to the type of color paper used and the print magnification, without photometrically measuring each frame of the negative film as in the conventional method. It will be possible. However, in the case of simply printing exposure uniformly for a fixed time, as described above, when the density of the main subject is far from the average density of the entire frame, the main subject cannot be finished with the optimum density. There's a problem.

The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the density of a main subject can be properly finished.
Moreover, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for creating a print photograph in which the drawback that the print quality depends on the exposure control accuracy of the camera is eliminated.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention described in claim 1 is, in a photographic printer, detecting the image density of a photographed frame and determining the printing exposure amount based on this image density information. Without using the first printing method of printing and printing based on the image density information of the film,
A second printing method, in which a predetermined exposure amount is corrected according to the film type and printed, can be selected.
Alternatively, the identification information for selecting the second printing method is recorded on a recording medium, and when the photographic printer is used for printing, the identification information is read, and the first or second printing method is selected based on the identification information. It was done.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the identification information is recorded on a frame photographed with an appropriate exposure amount based on a main subject on the camera side, and the identification information is detected on the photographic printer side. In some cases, the second printing method is selected.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the identification information is recorded on a frame photographed under a photographing condition in which the exposure control accuracy of the camera is low, and when the photographic printer detects the identification information. In addition, the first printing method is selected.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, it is determined that the identification information cannot be followed by the exposure control of the camera with respect to the exposure amount determined by the exposure amount determination unit by measuring the field on the camera side. The frames recorded under the shooting conditions are recorded, and the photographic printer detects the first information when this identification information is detected.
The print method is selected.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the identification information is recorded for a frame photographed under a photographing condition in which insufficient flash light emission or excessive flash light emission occurs on the camera side, and the identification information is detected. When this is done, the first printing method is selected.

According to the invention of claim 6, the identification information is photographed under photographing conditions in which the photometric element size on the camera side is larger than the face of the person projected on the photometric device and proper photometry is difficult. The first printing method is selected when the identification information is detected.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in a photographic printer, the image density of a photographed frame is detected, the printing exposure amount is determined based on the image density information, and printing is performed.
And the second printing method in which the predetermined exposure amount is corrected according to the film type and printed without being based on the image density information of the film, the camera can take a picture and take a frame at the same time. Identification information for correspondingly selecting the first or second printing method is recorded on a recording medium, and the identification information is recorded for a frame photographed with an appropriate exposure amount based on a main subject on the camera side. The first identification information and the frames recorded on the camera side under the photographing conditions with low exposure control accuracy of the camera and the frames photographed on the camera side under the photographing conditions not based on the main subject are recorded. When the first identification information is detected on the photo printer side, the second printing method is selected, and when the second identification information is detected, the first print information is selected. It is obtained so as to select the door way.

According to the invention of claim 8, instead of recording the identification information designating the first or second printing method on the camera side, the photographing information is recorded on a recording medium and the photographic printer side records it. , When shooting a photo, the shooting information is read out, and based on this shooting information, a frame shot under the shooting conditions in which the camera side shoots with a proper exposure amount based on the main subject, or the camera side exposes the camera It was decided whether the frame was shot under low control accuracy shooting conditions, and the second print method was selected for frames shot with the proper exposure amount, and under the shooting conditions with low exposure control accuracy. The first printing method is selected for frames.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. 2 shows a camera for recording identification information for selecting a printing method. As we all know,
On the front of the camera body (not shown), the light emitting diode 1
A light projecting unit including 0 and a lens 11, and a light receiving unit including a lens 12 and a distance measuring image line sensor (hereinafter, simply referred to as distance measuring line sensor) 13 are arranged.
When the release button 15 is pressed halfway down, the controller 14 causes the light emitting diode 10 to emit light and projects the spot light in the near infrared region toward the main subject 16. The light reflected by the main subject 16 is measured by the line sensor 13 for distance measurement.
Incident on. The distance measuring circuit 17 is a photometric line sensor 13
The object distance is obtained from the incident position of and the object distance is sent to the lens setting unit 19.

A known diaphragm mechanism 21 and shutter mechanism 22 are arranged behind the taking lens 20. The photometric unit 23 includes a lens 24 and an image area sensor 25, and measures the subject brightness (BV) when the release button 15 is half pressed.

As shown in FIG. 3, the image area sensor 25 divides the photographic scene into a matrix of 7 × 5, and among these areas A1 to A35, areas A10 to A12, which are located in the central portion of the photographic scene. A17-A19, A2
4 to A26, the spot photometric areas SP1 to S
P9 is arranged. At the time of shooting, as shown in FIG. 3, with the main subject 16 in the center of the screen, the release button 15 is half-pressed to lock the focus. The subject brightness signals from the spot photometric areas SP1 to SP9 are sent to the exposure control circuit 30 when the focus is locked. The exposure control circuit 30 uses the brightness signal and the film sensitivity signal from each of the areas SP1 to SP9 to determine the light value (LV).
Is calculated, and the diaphragm drive unit 31 and the shutter drive unit 32 are program-controlled.

An identification information generation circuit 35 is connected to the exposure control circuit 30. Identification information generation circuit 35
Emits an identification signal when the exposure control circuit 30 controls the exposure based on the main subject, and sends it to the information writing unit 36. In addition, the identification information generation circuit 35 includes the exposure control circuit 30.
Is based on the light value, the diaphragm drive unit 31 and the shutter drive unit 32.
When controlling the, when the light value is out of the program control range, or under the shooting condition where proper photometry cannot be performed, the identification signal is not issued. Specifically, when the camera function cannot follow the exposure amount determined by the exposure control circuit 30 after photometry of the subject, there are insufficient flash light emission or excessive flash light emission. The shortage of stroboscopic light emission is caused when the guide number or the subject distance is larger than the maximum aperture value or the aperture value determined by the exposure control circuit 30, as in the case of stroboscopic light photography or night scene photography at a relatively long subject distance. Occur. In addition, excessive flash light emission occurs when excessive exposure is performed due to a hollow or the like as a result of photometry of a dark background different from the main subject in close-up flash light emission. A case where it is difficult to perform appropriate photometry is a case where the size of the spot photometric area of the image area sensor 25 is larger than the human face projected on the image area sensor (for example, twice). Furthermore, the size of the spot metering area is not larger than the human face projected on the image area sensor (for example, less than twice), and the brightness difference in the field is large (for example, 8 EV or more). This is because, in this case, it is highly possible that the background is considerably affected by the exposure determination, and proper photometry cannot be performed.

When the release button 15 is further depressed from the half-depressed state, the controller 14 generates a photographing start signal. This photographing start signal is sent to the lenslet unit 19, and the photographing lens 20 is extended according to the subject distance information from the distance measuring circuit 17 to adjust the focus. Further, when the setting of the taking lens 20 is completed, the controller 14
A signal is sent to the diaphragm drive unit 31 and the shutter drive unit 32 to operate them. As a result, the shutter 22 is opened for a predetermined time after the diaphragm 21 is adjusted according to the brightness of the subject, and the image of the subject is transferred onto the negative film 38 by the taking lens 20.

The information writing section 36 drives the LED 37 at the time of shutter release to record the identification information as a digital code in the margin above the image recording frame 38b of the negative film 38.

FIG. 4 shows a negative film 3 in which photographing information is recorded.
8 is shown. Perforations 38a are perforated at regular intervals in the negative film 38, and one frame is fed by detecting the perforations 38a by a sensor of a winding stop device. Corresponding to each perforation 38a, each frame 38b is recorded on the photosensitive emulsion surface of the negative film 38. In addition, a digital coded barcode 38c is recorded in a blank portion on the side opposite to the perforation formation position of each frame 38b.

FIG. 5 shows a photographic printer. The white light emitted from the light source 45 is emitted from the cyan filter 46,
After passing through the magenta filter 47 and the yellow filter 48, the mixture enters the mixing box 49. These color correction filters 46 to 48 are fixed at fixed positions during normal frame printing. When the operator inputs a correction amount from the keyboard 50 for a frame that requires a special correction, the filter adjusting unit 5 corresponding to this correction amount.
1, the amount of filters inserted into the optical path 52 is adjusted,
As a result, the three color light components of the printing light and their intensities are adjusted. The mixing box 49 is formed by attaching diffusion plates to both ends of a rectangular tube whose inner surface is a mirror surface.

The film carrier 55 is arranged at the print position, and the developed negative film 38 is set therein. The negative film 38 is illuminated with the light transmitted through the mixing box 49. This transmitted light is imaged on the photosensitive emulsion surface of the color paper 58 by the printing lens 57 when the shutter 56 is opened, and is printed and exposed. The shutter 56 is opened by the shutter drive unit 60 for a certain period of time. Further, the film carrier 55 is provided with a film mask 61 at the print position in order to ensure the flatness of the negative film 38. As is well known, the film mask 61 has an opening corresponding to the size of the frame. When the negative film 38 is transferred, the film mask 61 is lifted by a solenoid (not shown), and the negative film 38 is pressed during printing. ing.

A bar code reader 65 is arranged in front of the print position, and when the negative film 38 is sent to the print position, the identification information recorded on each frame is read. The read identification information is sent to the decoder 66, decoded into identification signal data that can be used by the printer, and then sent to the controller 67. The controller 67 is composed of a well-known microcomputer, and sequentially controls each unit according to a program stored in a built-in ROM. Further, two exposure amount calculation units 70 and 71 are connected to the controller 67, and these exposure amount calculation units 70 and 71 are selected according to a frame in which identification information is recorded and a frame in which identification information is not recorded. The printing target frame is printed and exposed by changing the printing method.

The first exposure amount calculation unit 70 is selected for the frame in which the identification code is recorded, that is, in the case where the exposure control is performed on the camera side with emphasis on the main portion photometric data, and the exposure amount calculation unit 70 is selected. Exposure is performed for a certain period of time based on the exposure amount calculated by the unit 70. This first exposure amount calculation unit 70
In this case, the exposure amount is determined based on the sensitivity characteristic of the film type, and the predetermined exposure amount is corrected for printing without determining the exposure amount based on the image density. For example, the film sensitivity called ISO-100 of A maker is actually
The SO display is 120, and the film called ISO-100 of B maker has only 70 in the ISO display. For example, the sensitivity characteristics differ depending on the type of film.
When the proper exposure is done with the camera, the main subject density on the film will be different. Therefore, correction based on this film type is necessary. In the first exposure amount calculation unit 70, the following exposure amount calculation formula, which simplifies the principle of correction, is used.

[0025]

[Equation 1] logEj = Km (Bkj) + Bnj + Kj

Here, each symbol is as follows. Ej: printing exposure amount Km: exposure amount correction coefficient determined by the extension magnification Bkj: predetermined basic exposure amount Bnj: corrected exposure amount determined by the sensitivity characteristics of the film type Kj: sensitivity characteristics and development processing characteristics of the exposure optical system and color paper Corrected exposure amount j determined by: one of the three primary colors R, G, B

The second exposure amount calculation unit 71 is selected in the case of a frame in which an identification code is not recorded, and is calculated by this exposure amount calculation unit 71 and based on the exposure amount, the same light quality adjustment as in the conventional case is performed. Printing exposure is performed. As is well known, a characteristic value calculation unit 73 that calculates a characteristic value based on photometric data from the scanner 72 is connected to the second exposure amount calculation unit 71. The scanner 72 is arranged at a position facing the print target frame of the film carrier 55,
It is composed of a lens and an image area sensor.
The scanner 72 performs three-color separation photometry on each point of the frame to be printed and sends it to the characteristic value calculation unit 73. The characteristic value calculation unit 73 calculates the LATD, the maximum value, the minimum value, etc. based on the photometric data from the scanner 72, and sends this to the exposure amount calculation unit 71. The exposure amount calculation unit 71 obtains the exposure amount by the following calculation formula 2 based on various characteristic values.

[0028]

## EQU00002 ## logEj = Km.Cj (Dj-Dnj) + Bnj + Kj

Here, each symbol is as follows. Cj: Slope value, a coefficient for adjusting the density or tint of the print image depending on the image density of the print target frame Dj: LATD value of the print target frame Dnj: LATD value of the standard film (reference LATD value) Dj, Dnj In place of using the LATD value, it is possible to use, for example, the highlight image density without the shadow portion of the image.

FIG. 1 shows a procedure for producing a print photograph of this embodiment. First, the camera is pointed at the subject and the release button 15 is half-depressed to set the focus lock state. When the focus is locked, automatic exposure control is performed based on the brightness values of the spot photometric areas SP1 to SP9. After that, when the composition is changed by changing the direction of the camera and the release button is further depressed, the diaphragm 21 and the shutter 22 are program-controlled, and the photographing is performed with the optimum exposure amount according to the brightness of the focus-locked subject. .. Further, at the position corresponding to the frame to be photographed, identification information indicating that the image is photographed under the optimum photographing condition is recorded in the form of bar code on the photosensitive emulsion surface of the film. Further, as described above, this identification information is not recorded for the frames photographed without proper exposure control.

After the photographing is finished, the photographed film 38 is submitted to the developing place, and printing is performed after the film development. At the time of printing, first, as shown in FIG. 5, the barcode 38c (see FIG. 4) recorded on the film 38 is read by the barcode reader 65. Then, the read bar code signal is converted into identification information by the decoder 66 and sent to the controller 67.

The controller 67 selects the first or second exposure amount calculation units 70 and 71 based on this identification information. That is, for the frame in which the identification information is recorded, the first exposure amount calculation unit 70 is selected and the exposure amount calculation unit 7 is selected.
The exposure amount of 0 is calculated, and the controller 67 performs printing exposure based on this. In this printing exposure, since the exposure amount is uniformly determined by the sensitivity characteristics of the type of color film, the exposure is a timer exposure which is the printing exposure for a fixed time. In this timer exposure, each color filter is inserted into the optical path so that the exposure amount for each color is obtained, the light quality is adjusted, and printing is performed for a fixed time. Instead of this, a color filter that cuts the colored light from the color that has reached the exposure amount for each color may be inserted into the optical path and baked.

The controller 67 selects the second exposure amount calculation section 71 for the frames in which the identification information is not recorded. In this case, the scanner 72 operates to measure the three-color image density at each point of the frame to be printed, and sends this to the characteristic value calculation unit 73. The characteristic value calculator 73 calculates the LATD value of the frame to be printed and sends it to the second exposure amount calculator 71. Second exposure amount calculation unit 71
Determines the exposure amount by using the exposure amount calculation formula of the above formula 2, and sends this exposure amount to the controller 67. Controller 67
Is the filter set value based on the calculated exposure amount,
Based on this, the filter adjusting unit 51 is controlled to adjust the three-color intensity of the printing light, and printing exposure (light adjustment exposure) is performed.

In the above embodiment, the formula 1 is used as the exposure calculation formula that simplifies the principle of correction, but in addition to this, the corrected exposure amount Blj determined by the photographing light source type is also used in the formula 1.
It is also possible to use the following formula in which the corrected exposure amount Bcj determined by the type of camera is added, or to perform exposure control with higher accuracy.

[0035]

## EQU3 ## logEj = Km (Bkj) + Bnj + Blj + Bcj + Kj

Further, in the above embodiment, the bar code 38c is used as the identification information, but it is also possible to record the optical mark or the magnetic mark only on the frame photographed with proper exposure. Further, the identification information is optically recorded on the photosensitive emulsion surface of the film, but in addition to this, a magnetic recording layer may be formed on the film and magnetically recorded thereon. In addition to forming the magnetic recording layer in the area other than the image recording portion, the magnetic recording layer may be formed over the entire surface of the film base opposite to the photosensitive emulsion layer by using a transparent magnetic material. As the magnetic recording layer made of a transparent magnetic material, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,302,523, 3,782,947 and 5 can be used.
It is preferable to use the transparent magnetic base shown in No. 279945. Further, the position information of the main part may be electrically recorded on an electronic recording medium such as an IC memory built in the film cartridge or an IC card mounted on the camera.

Further, in the above embodiment, it is determined whether or not the proper exposure is performed on the camera side, and the identification information is recorded based on the determination result. May be recorded and read out by the printer side, and the camera side may determine whether or not the frame is shot with proper exposure. The shooting information includes whether or not strobe light is emitted, subject brightness, aperture, shutter speed, shooting magnification, subject distance, and the like. Further, the identification information may be automatically recorded, or the identification information may be manually input by a photographer's key input. In this case, the identification information may be recorded only on the frames to be printed using the first exposure amount calculation unit. As a result, a print image corresponding to the conditions photographed by the photographer can be obtained, and a print photograph reflecting the photographer's intention can be obtained.

[0038]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The identification information is recorded on the frame whose exposure is properly controlled on the camera side, and this is read on the printer side, and the frame on which the identification information is recorded is printed without printing based on the film image density. A print image faithful to the main subject can be obtained by performing the print exposure with a constant exposure amount with respect to the main subject density determined by the sensitivity characteristic of the type of film. As a result, in particular, color ferria does not occur and color reproduction faithful to the subject can be performed. Also,
Since the main subject density of the film image exposed based on the main subject is constant, it is possible to easily obtain high-quality prints with a high yield rate by determining the exposure amount without the printer based on the film image density. become. Furthermore,
For frames for which proper exposure control cannot be performed on the camera side, the film image density is detected as in the past and the exposure amount is determined based on this, so even for frames that were not shot with proper exposure. It is possible to obtain printed photographs with good finish. In this way, since the two printing methods are selected and applied according to the shooting conditions, it is possible to improve the yield of printed photographs (the yield of non-defective products).

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a main part of a method for creating a print photograph according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing an identification information recording camera used in the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing an image area sensor of the camera.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a negative film on which identification information is recorded.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a photographic printer used in the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 20 Photographic Lens 21 Aperture 22 Shutter 25 Image Area Sensor 35 Identification Information Generation Circuit 36 Information Writing Section 38 Negative Film 38c Bar Code (Identification Information) 58 Color Paper 65 Bar Code Reader 70 First Exposure Amount Calculation Section 71 Second Exposure Quantity calculation unit

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A photographic printer, comprising: a first printing method of detecting an image density of a photographed frame, determining a printing exposure amount based on the image density information, and printing; and a method not based on the image density information of a film. To make it possible to select the second printing method that corrects the predetermined exposure amount according to the film type and prints, and to select the first or second printing method in the camera in accordance with the frame to be photographed as well as taking a picture. Record the identification signal of
A method for creating a print photograph, characterized in that, when printing is performed using the photographic printer, the identification information is read, and the first or second printing method is selected based on the identification information. 2. The method for producing a print photograph according to claim 1, wherein the identification information is recorded on a frame photographed under a photographing condition in which a proper exposure amount is photographed on the camera side based on a main subject, A method of creating a printed photograph, characterized in that the second printing method is selected on the photographic printer side when the identification information is detected. 3. The method for producing a print photograph according to claim 1, wherein the identification information is recorded for a frame photographed under a photographing condition with low exposure control accuracy of the camera, and the identification information is recorded on the photo printer side. A method of creating a print photograph, characterized in that the first print method is selected when is detected. 4. The method of producing a print photograph according to claim 3, wherein the identification information is controlled by the exposure control of the camera with respect to the exposure amount determined by the exposure amount determination unit by photometry of the field on the camera side. A photographed image is recorded on a frame photographed under a photographing condition determined to be impossible, and when the photo printer detects this identification information, the first print method is selected. How to make. 5. The method for producing a print photograph according to claim 4, wherein the identification information is recorded for a frame photographed under a photographing condition in which stroboscopic light emission is insufficient or excessive stroboscopic light emission occurs on the camera side. A method of creating a print photograph, characterized in that the first print method is selected when the identification information is detected. 6. The method for producing a print photograph according to claim 4, wherein the identification information is photographed because the photometric element size on the camera side is larger than the face of a person projected on the photometric device and proper photometry is difficult. A method for producing a print photograph, characterized in that a frame photographed under the condition is recorded, and when the identification information is detected, the first print method is selected. 7. A photographic printer, the first printing method of detecting the image density of a photographed frame, determining the printing exposure amount based on this image density information, and printing, without relying on the image density information of the film. To make it possible to select the second printing method that corrects the predetermined exposure amount according to the film type and prints, and to select the first or second printing method in the camera in accordance with the frame to be photographed as well as taking a picture. Record the identification information of the
The identification information is first identification information recorded for frames shot with an appropriate exposure amount based on the main subject on the camera side, and frames shot under shooting conditions with low camera exposure control accuracy on the camera side. And the second identification information recorded for the frame photographed under the photographing condition not based on the main subject on the camera side. When the first identification information is detected on the photographic printer side, the second identification information is recorded. The method for creating a printed photograph, wherein the first printing method is selected when the second printing information is detected and the second identification information is detected. 8. A photographic printer, the first printing method of detecting the image density of a photographed frame, determining the printing exposure amount based on this image density information and printing, and without using the image density information of the film. The second printing method, in which the predetermined exposure amount is corrected according to the type of film and printed, can be selected, and at the time of taking a picture with the camera, the shooting information corresponding to the shooting frame is recorded on a recording medium, and the photo printing is performed. , Read the shooting information, and based on this shooting information, a frame shot under the shooting conditions in which the camera side shoots with an appropriate exposure amount based on the main subject,
The camera determines whether the frame was shot under shooting conditions with low exposure control accuracy of the camera, and selects the second print method for frames shot with an appropriate exposure amount to shoot with low exposure control accuracy. A method for creating a print photograph, characterized in that the first print method is selected for frames photographed under the conditions.