JPH05216093A - Camera with function for initializing operation mode - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To decrease probability that searching operation is performed, to reduce the driving amount of a lens at the time of actual photographing, and to comply with quick photographing. CONSTITUTION:A focusing position initializing means 16 which forcibly drives the lens to a specified position in accordance with a photographing mode inputted by photographing mode input means 18, 21 by controlling lens driving means 7, 9 and 15 before the lens is driven under the control of autofocusing means 16, 17 is provided in an operation mode initializing means 22.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portrait, a landscape, a close-up, which reflects a photographing intention and a photographing purpose.
A shooting mode input means for inputting a shooting mode such as sports to the camera, and a program AE (low speed, high speed) according to the shooting mode input by the shooting mode input means, Film feeding (continuous shooting, single shooting), AF (one shot, server)
(2) Improvement of a camera with an operation mode initial setting function having an operation mode initial setting means for automatically changing the combination of various operation modes such as It is a thing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a so-called TTL method is used in which a light beam that has passed through a taking lens is guided to an automatic focus detection device to obtain a defocus amount of a subject image and the taking lens is driven to a focusing position based on the amount. Autofocus cameras are known.

Further, the photographer inputs a photographing mode (portrait, landscape, close-up, sports, etc.) that reflects the intention of photographing, the purpose of photographing, etc., so that the AE mode ( Low speed program AE, high speed program AE), film feeding (continuous shooting, single shooting), AF (one shot AF, servo A)
There is also known a camera that automatically sets itself by combining F) and the like.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, when the stop position of the taking lens is far away from the actual focusing point, the detection accuracy of the defocus amount stops. In some cases, it became undetectable. Especially when the taking lens is a high-magnification zoom lens or macro lens, the defocus amount from the near end to the infinity end of the focus is extremely large, which exceeds the detection capability of the automatic focus detection device. It was often the case. In such a case, it is necessary to forcibly drive the taking lens and search for a point where focus detection is possible, that is, a so-called search operation is required. This search operation is an unnatural lens driving operation and takes a long time. Therefore, the photographer may miss a photo opportunity, which is not preferable.

In addition, even in the above-described cameras capable of selecting various photographing modes, it is not possible to set initial positions of lenses such as a zoom position and a focus position.

In view of the above points, an object of the present invention is to reduce the probability of performing a search operation, reduce the amount of lens drive during actual photographing, and make it possible to cope with quick-shooting. It is to provide a camera with a mode initial setting function.

[0007]

According to the present invention, in the operation mode initial setting means, prior to the lens driving under the control of the autofocus means, the photographing input by the photographing mode input means is performed. A focus position initial setting means for controlling the lens driving means to forcibly drive the lens to a specific position according to the mode is provided, and a zoom position is set in the operation mode initial setting means.
Prior to the lens drive under the control of the zooming means, the lens drive means is controlled to a specific position corresponding to the shooting mode input by the shooting mode input means to perform zooming forcibly. Position initial setting means is provided.

[0008]

Before the lens is driven by the control of the autofocus means or the zooming means, it is set in advance according to the photographing mode input by the photographing mode input means. The lens is forcibly driven to a specific focus position or zoom position that is frequently photographed, and this position is used as the initial position for subsequent auto focus and zooming operations. There is.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in detail below based on the illustrated embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.
Numerals 1 and 2 are lens groups constituting a photographing lens, and a focus adjustment operation (focusing) is performed by moving the lens group 1 along the optical axis, and a view angle is changed by moving the lens group 2 along the optical axis. It is configured to perform (zooming).
Reference numeral 3 is a half mirror, and 4 is a total reflection mirror, which together constitute a known single-lens reflex camera system which performs a click return operation by the release. Reference numeral 5 denotes a film surface, which is exposed by opening and closing a shutter (not shown) in order to retract the mirrors 3 and 4 from the photographing light beam during the release operation. Reference numeral 6 denotes an auto focus unit (hereinafter referred to as AF) unit on which a light beam that has passed through the half mirror 3 and reflected by the total reflection mirror 4 is incident. This AF unit 6 is a known TTL phase difference detection type AF unit. The device is composed of a pupil division optical system and a line sensor such as a CCD. Reference numeral 17 denotes an AF calculation circuit that amplifies the image output detected by the above-mentioned line sensor and converts the amount of defocus. Here, the defocus direction (front focus or rear focus) at the current lens position and the defocus amount are determined. -The amount of waste is calculated.

Reference numerals 7 and 11 denote focusing and zooming lens driving devices, respectively, and focusing lenses 9 and 13 respectively.
The turning force of the casting motor and the zooming motor is converted into a driving force in the optical axis direction of the lens. Reference numerals 8 and 12 are pulse encoders composed of a photo interrupter and a pulse plate, and count the drive amounts of the focusing lens group 1 and the zooming lens group 2 as pulses.

Numerals 10 and 14 are focusing systems and zooming systems, respectively.
A switch for indicating the reference position of the lens system, which is switched on and off by the movement of the lens barrels of the lens groups 1 and 2 or the lens driving devices 7 and 11 in the optical axis direction, and counts the increase and decrease of pulses from this switching point. Then, the absolute values of the focusing position and the zooming position can be calculated. That is, now, it is possible to know how many meters the subject is in focus, and how many millimeters the focal length is.

Reference numeral 15 denotes the above-mentioned lens drive circuit, which performs forward rotation, reverse rotation, and brake operation of the motors 9 and 13. 1
Reference numeral 6 denotes a lens control circuit, which judges output signals from the AF calculation circuit 17 and the photographing mode switching circuit 21 to instruct the lens drive circuit 15 to be described later to drive the lens, and outputs from the pulse encoders 8 and 12. The actual lens drive amount is detected by the number of pulses to instruct the lens drive circuit 15 to stop the lens.

Reference numeral 18 denotes a photographing mode switching dial, which can be freely rotated and stopped at a specific position by a click mechanism (not shown). Reference numeral 19 denotes a brush that rotates coaxially with the photographing mode switching dial 18, and in this embodiment, it is composed of three conductor brushes that are grounded. Reference numeral 20 is a conductor pattern formed on the printed circuit board, which is the brush 19 described above.
Since it is in a one-to-one contact with the present embodiment and has a 3-bit signal pattern in this embodiment, the photographing mode switching dial 1
8 by combining with the dial click position of 8
It is possible to output different kinds of signals. A photographing mode switching circuit 21 sends a signal to the lens control circuit 16 according to the photographing mode set by the photographer by rotating the photographing mode switching dial 18 to drive the lens to a specific position. it can.

Reference numeral 22 denotes a control circuit composed of a microcomputer for controlling various operations of the camera including the lens control circuit 16, the AF arithmetic circuit 17, and the shutter control circuit described above.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing setting combinations in various photographing modes in this embodiment.

The contents of the combination are the program AE, film feeding, AF mode, and lens initial position.

Next, the contents of each selection will be described.

"Low speed program AE (PL)" In the combination of the shutter and the diaphragm at the same exposure amount,
Set the shutter speed to a slower speed (close the aperture).
Not suitable for fast-moving subjects, but has a deep depth of field.

"High-speed program AE (PH)" In the combination of the shutter and the diaphragm at the same exposure amount,
Set the shutter speed to a higher speed (open the aperture). You can shoot fast-moving subjects as well, but the depth of field is shallow.

"Single shot (S)" Only one shot is permitted by one release operation.

"Continuous shooting (C)" While the release switch is being pushed in by one release operation, any number of shots are allowed.

"One-shot AF (O)" Once the AF operation is started and once focused, the subsequent AF is prohibited.

"Servo AF" Repeatedly A
Do F.

[Automatic switching between one-shot AF and servo AF (O / S)] One-shot AF is performed when it is determined from the AF sensor output that the subject is stationary, and servo is determined when the subject is moving. It automatically switches to AF.

Next, each photographing mode will be described.

Standard program (mode in which shooting can be done safely for any shooting conditions and purposes) -High-speed program is selected for program AE to prevent camera shake-Single shot is selected to prevent inadvertent shooting・ Select AF automatic switching because you do not know whether it is a still subject or moving object shooting. ・ Since you do not know the subject position and size, the lens is at the reset position (focus at infinity, zoom at wide end) or the previous shooting state. As it is.

PORTRAIT MODE (mode for capturing beautiful facial expressions when the person is up) ・ Program AE is fast in order to blur the background and make the subject stand out (shallow depth of field). Select a program.

[Continuous shooting is selected in order not to miss the ever-changing facial expressions.

Select one-shot AF, in which AF is performed on the eyes of the person and then the composition can be easily shaken.

Medium telephoto focal length (70
The zoom initial value is set to 100 mm).

・ Focus initial position setting at a position of "3 m" which is a natural distance when photographing a person at medium telephoto. Landscape mode ・ Deep depth of field and still subject, so low speed program choose.

[Single shot] is selected because each shot is taken carefully.

One shot AF is selected so that the subject is a stationary subject and the composition can be easily shaken.

The zoom is initially set to the wide end so that the magnificent screen effect and the depth of field can be deepened.

Since the probability of capturing a distant view is high, the focus is initially set to infinity.

Close-up mode ・ Depth of field tends to be shallow in close-up photography at short distances, so
Select a slow program to increase the depth of field.

・ Since each image is taken carefully, single shot is selected.

One-shot AF for easy composition
choose.

Since the enlargement magnification is unknown, the zoom remains at the reset position (wide end) or the previous shooting state.

Even with the term "close-up", since the size of the subject is unknown, it is dangerous to initialize the focus to the shortest distance. Therefore, even if there is an object at the shortest distance, it is best to set the lens focus position to a distance that does not cause the defocus distance to exceed the AF detection limit (a distance that does not require AF search). good. Therefore, in this embodiment, the focus is initially set at the position of "1 m".

Sports mode ・ Since a high-speed shutter for stopping the movement of the subject is required,
Select a high speed program.

Select continuous shooting mode so that continuous movement can be followed.

Select one-shot AF and servo AF automatic switching mode so that you can continue to focus on a moving subject.-Shoot whether you want to shoot the whole scene (wide) or close-up (telephoto). Since I do not know the intention, the zoom is likely to shoot the distant view at the reset position (wide end) or the previous shooting state, so the focus is initially set to infinity.

Night view mode ・ Since it is dark, I want to open the diaphragm as much as possible, so I chose a high-speed program.

[Single shot] is selected in order to shoot each sheet carefully without blurring.

Since there is little possibility of moving objects, one-shot AF is selected.

Generally, in a zoom lens, it is easier to make the lens brighter on the wide side than on the telephoto side, so the zoom is initially set at the bright wide end.

In the various shooting modes described above, since the camera does not know what to shoot with the standard program, the initial position of the lens is set to the reset position or to the previous shooting state as usual. it can not be helped.
However, in other modes, the photographer inputs the photographing state and the photographing purpose into the camera, so that the size and distance of the subject can be predicted to some extent.

Therefore, by setting the initial positions of the zoom and the focus at the same time as the mode setting without depending on the AF signal or the output of other external operation input means, the photographer looks into the viewfinder. Then, you can make the lens stand by as expected or close to expectation. Even if the zoom and the focus have to be moved after that, the amount of driving is small, and the preparation for shooting is completed quickly. Further, the probability of AF search due to too much defocus amount is extremely reduced.

That is, by rotating the photographing mode switching dial 18 of FIG. 1 to select one of the photographing modes shown in FIG. 2, the photographing mode switching circuit 21 controls the lens control. The circuit 16 is instructed to set the initial lens position of the zoom and focus. Therefore, the lens control circuit 16
In order to confirm the current lens position and drive the lens to the initial position based on the signal, the lens driving circuit 15 is instructed to drive the lens, and the lens groups 1 and 2 forming the photographing lens are driven to the initial position.

After that, when the photographing operation is started, the image output detected by the AF unit 6 is converted into the defocus amount by the AF arithmetic circuit 17, and the lens driving amount is transmitted to the lens control circuit 16. However, in this case, since it has already been driven to the optimum lens initial position for that mode, A
It goes without saying that the lens drive amount based on the F signal is small.

Further, the photographing mode switching circuit 21 also transmits mode setting signals for program AE, film feeding and AF to a camera control circuit (not shown) to set various modes other than the lens. There is.

Next, the operation of the camera in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

First, the operation from the power switch on (not shown) to the power switch off (in the control circuit 22) will be described with reference to FIG.

When a power switch (not shown) is turned on, the control circuit 22 starts the operation from step 101. [Step 101] Here, the initial settings of the camera are collectively performed. [Step 102] The photographic mode set by the photographic mode switching dial 18 is read from the photographic mode switching circuit 21 and it is determined whether or not the photographic mode at this time is the standard program mode. As a result, in the case of the standard program mode, since it is not known what is to be photographed as described above, the process proceeds to step 104 with the previous lens position, for example. If another shooting mode is selected, the size, distance, etc. of the subject can be assumed to some extent, and the process proceeds to step 103. [Step 103] The lens is driven to a predetermined initial position according to the photographing mode selected in step 102 (details will be described later with reference to FIG. 4). [Step 104] The state of a release switch (not shown) is detected. If the switch is pressed, the process proceeds to step 108, and if not, the process proceeds to step 105. [Step 105] Here, the state of a distance measurement start switch (not shown) is detected, and if the switch is pressed, the process proceeds to step 115. If it is not pressed, the process proceeds to step 106.
Go to. [Step 106] The state of the power switch (not shown) is detected. If it is in the on state, the process returns to step 104 to repeat the same operation, and if it is off, the process proceeds to step 107. [Step 107] Power down processing is performed, and the operation of the camera is stopped.

If it is determined in step 104 that the release switch is pressed, the process proceeds to step 108 as described above. [Step 108] The brightness of the subject is measured based on the output from the photometric sensor (not shown), and the aperture and shutter speed corresponding to the photographing mode are calculated. [Step 109] A mirror drive actuator (not shown)
Control the data to raise Harm Mira-3. [Step 110] A diaphragm driving actuator (not shown)
Drive the diaphragm to the previously calculated diaphragm value. [Step 111] Here, a shutter driving actuator (not shown) controls the shutter according to the shutter time calculated previously. That is, exposure control is performed. [Step 112] Actuator for driving diaphragm (not shown)
To open the diaphragm. [Step 113] The half mirror 4 is moved down by a mirror driving actuator (not shown). [Step 114] An unillustrated film feeding drive actuator is driven to wind the film 5 by a predetermined amount.

When it is determined in step 105 that the distance measurement start switch (not shown) is pressed, the process proceeds to step 115 as described above. [Step 115] Here, the distance to the subject is measured based on the output from the AF unit 6, and the defocus amount is calculated. [Step 116] It is determined from the above distance measurement information whether or not it is in focus. As a result, if it is not in focus, the process proceeds to step 117, and if it is in focus, the previous step 10 is performed.
Go to 6. [Step 117] Since the subject is not in focus here, the motor 9 for the autofocus is operated to drive the lens in a predetermined position to the focus position and focus on the subject.

Next, the operation in step 103 will be described with reference to FIG.

This operation proceeds to step 103 when a photographing mode other than the standard program mode is selected in step 102 of FIG.
The operation from 1 is started. [Step 201] Lens group 1 for autofocus
Read the current position of. [Step 202] It is determined whether or not the selected photographing mode is the port mode, and if so, the process proceeds to step 203. If not, the process proceeds to step 204. move on. [Step 203] The lens group 1 is forcibly driven to a position suitable for the selected port mode (to a position of 3 m) as the initial position from the previous current position. [Step 204] The selected shooting mode is landscape mode.
It is determined whether or not it is a code, and if so, the process proceeds to step 205, and if not, step 20
Go to 6. [Step 205] The lens group 1 is forcibly driven to the position suitable for the selected landscape mode (to the ∞ position) as the initial position from the previous current position. [Step 206] It is determined whether or not the selected photographing mode is the close-up mode, and if so, the process proceeds to step 207, and if not, the process proceeds to step 208. [Step 207] The lens group 1 is forcibly driven to the position suitable for the selected close-up mode (to the position of 1 m) as the initial position from the previous current position. [Step 208] It is determined whether or not the selected shooting mode is the sports mode. If yes, the process proceeds to step 209, and if not, the process proceeds to step 210. [Step 209] The lens group 1 is forcibly driven to a position suitable for the selected sports mode (to the ∞ position) as an initial position from the previous current position. [Step 210] Here, the lens group 1 is forcibly driven to the position suitable for the selected night view mode (to the ∞ position) as the initial position from the previous current position.

When the above operation is completed, the previous step 1
Return to 04.

According to this embodiment, the photographer inputs the photographing position, the photographing purpose, etc. to the camera before photographing, and at the same time, the photographing lens is moved to the preset initial position according to the photographing mode at this time. Since it is forcibly driven, it becomes possible to stand by at the zoom position and focus position that most suit the shooting conditions. Therefore, the probability of driving the zoom lens group and the focus lens group during actual shooting is reduced,
Alternatively, even if it is necessary to drive, since the amount is small, preparation for photographing is completed quickly. Also. Defocus amount is AF
Since the probability of exceeding the detection capability is also reduced, unpleasant AF search operation is reduced, and comfortable and quick shooting can be performed.

[0063]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In the operation mode initial setting means, prior to the lens drive under the control of the autofocus means, the lens drive means is moved to a specific position according to the shooting mode input by the shooting mode input means. A focus position initial setting means for controlling and forcibly driving the lens is provided, and a photographing mode input is provided in the operation mode initial setting means prior to the lens driving by the control of the zooming means. A zoom position initial setting means for controlling the lens driving means to a specific position according to the photographing mode inputted by the means to forcibly perform zooming is provided, and an auto focus means or an auto focus means is provided. Prior to the driving of the lens by the control of the zooming means, a preset focus of high shooting frequency or zooming is set according to the shooting mode input by the shooting mode input means. − Forcibly drive the lens to a specific position on the Subsequent o the position as the initial position - Tofo - Kasuyazu - so that to perform a zooming operation.

Therefore, the probability of performing the search operation is reduced and the amount of lens drive at the time of actual photographing is reduced,
It becomes possible to adapt to quick-shooting.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a photographing mode that can be set by a camera and an initial setting value corresponding to the photographing mode according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the camera of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation in step 103 of FIG.

[Explanation of sign]

 1, 2 and lens group 6 AF unit 7 and 11 lens drive device 8 and 12 motor 15 lens drive circuit 16 lens control circuit 17 AF calculation circuit 18 shooting mode switching dial 21 shooting mode switching circuit

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A photographing mode input means for inputting information reflecting a photographing intention and a photographing purpose into a camera as a photographing mode, and a photographing mode inputted by the photographing mode input means. Depending on the operation mode, the operation mode initial setting means for changing the combination of various operation modes to initialize these operation modes,
Lens driving means for changing the focus position of the lens,
The distance to the subject is measured, and the lens driving means is controlled based on the result to focus the lens.
In a camera with an operation mode initial setting function including a to focus unit, the photographing mode is set in the operation mode initial setting unit prior to the lens driving under the control of the auto focus unit. The shooting mode entered using the
A camera with an operation mode initial setting function, characterized in that a focus position initial setting means for controlling the lens driving means to forcibly drive the lens to a specific position according to the mode is provided. 2. A photographing mode input means for inputting information reflecting a photographing intention and a photographing purpose into the camera as a photographing mode, and a photographing mode inputted by the photographing mode input means. Depending on the operation mode, the operation mode initial setting means for changing the combination of various operation modes to initialize these operation modes,
An operation mode having a lens driving means for changing the zoom position of the lens and a zooming means for controlling the lens driving means on the basis of zoom information input to the camera to perform zooming. In the camera with the mode initial setting function, the photographing mode input by the photographing mode input means is set in the operation mode initial setting means prior to the lens driving under the control of the zooming means. A camera with an operation mode initial setting function, which is provided with a zoom position initial setting means for controlling the lens driving means to a specific position according to the forced zooming.