JPH05241061A - Zoom controller for camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily execute zoom operation at the time of using plural cameras far positioned by receiving the value of focal distance from another camera and driving and controlling a zoom lens in accordance with the value. CONSTITUTION:On a photographing lens 2 side, a focal point detecting circuit 36 outputs the value of the focal distance detected by a focal distance detector 35 to a CPU 31 in a lens. The CPU 31 executes zoom control in accordance with the value of the focal distance, and also the value of the focal distance is transmitted to a lens communication circuit 23 on a camera side through the lens communication circuit 32. The CPU 21 on the camera side transmits the value of the focal distance to another camera through the camera communication circuit 26, a connector 13, and a communication cable. The CPU 21 on the camera side being a reception side transmits the value of the focal distance received to the CPU 31 in the lens through the lens communication circuits 23, and 32. The CPU 31 drives and controls a motor driving circuit 33 in accordance with the value and the zoom lens 30 is moved by a zooming motor 34.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a zoom control device for a single lens reflex camera, a compact camera, a video camera or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When shooting using two cameras of the same type, for example, two single-lens reflex cameras, in order to perform a zoom operation of a zoom lens provided in each camera, each zoom lens is operated. Had to do.

[0003]

When the two cameras are placed at positions separated from each other, it is necessary to go to the respective positions and perform a zoom operation, which is a troublesome work. In addition, when taking a panoramic photograph using two cameras, the focal lengths of the photographing lenses provided in the respective cameras are required to be the same. But,
It is economically difficult to align a plurality of the same photographing lenses. Therefore, a combination of a single focus lens and a zoom lens or a combination of a plurality of different zoom lenses can be considered, but it is difficult to perform zooming so that the focal lengths of these zoom lenses are accurately adjusted.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to simplify the zoom operation when using a plurality of cameras.

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention includes a motor, and a zoom drive means for driving the zoom lens by the rotation of the motor, and a focal length from another camera. Camera receiving means for receiving the value,
Zoom drive control means for causing the zoom drive means to control the drive of the zoom lens according to the value of the focal length received by the camera reception means.

[0006]

According to the above arrangement, the camera receiving means receives the focal length value from the other camera, and the zoom drive control means controls the zoom lens drive according to the focal length value. Since the zoom drive is performed for this purpose, and therefore the zoom drive is performed, there is no need to perform the zoom operation by going to each of the above-described distant positions, and the labor of the zoom operation can be saved.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a top view of two single-lens reflex cameras 1 and 3 as seen from above. In FIG. 1, 2 is a taking lens mounted on one camera 1 and 4 is a mounting lens on the other camera 3. It is a shooting lens. Reference numeral 5 is a communication cable for electrically connecting both cameras 1 and 3.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged top view of the camera 1 shown in FIG. The upper surface of the other camera 3 is also provided in the same manner as in FIG. 2, and the description of the upper surface of the camera 3 is omitted here. In FIG. 2, a power lever 6, a release button 7, a liquid crystal display device 8, a mode setting button 9, a zoom setting button 10, an increment button 11, and a decrement button 12 are provided on the top of the camera 1, and a connector 13 is provided. Is provided on the front surface of the camera 1. The wide-angle button 14 and the telephoto button 15
It is provided above the taking lens 2 which is a zoom lens. The power lever 6 can be slid on and off. When the power lever 6 is turned on, the power of the circuit of the camera is turned on, and this turning on also activates a program to be described later. The release button 7 can be pressed in two steps. Halfway pressing of the first step performs exposure calculation, and full pressing of the second step releases.

The mode setting button 9 located on the right side in the figure can be pressed, and the mode setting button 9 is used to set a reception mode, a transmission mode or a zoom setting transmission mode which will be described later. The zoom setting button 10 can also be pushed in and is used to set the focal length of the zoom lens. The increment button 11 and the decrement button 12 located on the left side in the figure can also be pressed, and the increment button 11 is used to set the mode or value to the next state, and conversely to the decrement to set the previous state. The button 12 is used. By pressing the increment button 11 or the decrement button 12 while the mode setting button 9 is being pressed, a reception mode, a transmission mode, or a zoom setting transmission mode, which will be described later, is set. Further, while the zoom setting button 10 is being pressed, the increment button 11 or the decrement button 12
By pressing the button, the focal length of the zoom lens is set. The connector 13 is provided so as to be connectable to the communication cable 5 in FIG. The wide-angle button 14 and the telephoto button 15 can also be pushed in. The wide-angle button 14 is used to zoom the zoom lens 2 to the wide-angle side, and the telephoto button 15 is used to zoom to the telephoto side. When the taking lens 2 is a single focus lens, the wide-angle button 14 and the telephoto button 15 are not provided.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a zoom control device for a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. A block 2 indicated by a dotted line in the figure shows a photographing lens, and the circuits 32, 33 to 36 and devices 31, 35 surrounded by the block 2 are provided on the photographing lens 2 side in FIG. Each circuit and the like shown on the right side in FIG. 3 are provided on the camera 1 side. In the figure, a CPU (central processing unit) 21 includes a photometric circuit 22 and a lens communication circuit 23.
Are connected. The photometric circuit 22 is connected to a light receiving element 24 that receives subject light that has passed through the lens 30, calculates luminance information regarding the luminance of the subject based on a detection signal of the light receiving element 24, and outputs the result to the CPU 21. .. When the taking lens 2 is mounted on the camera 1, the lens communication circuit 23 is connected to the lens communication circuit 32 on the taking lens 2 side. Further, the CPU 21 includes a motor drive circuit 28 for the film winding / rewinding motor 29, an exposure control circuit 25, a half-press switch SW1 and a release switch SW2 which are turned on in association with the pressing operation of the release button 7 in FIG.
And are connected.

The CPU 21 turns on the half-press switch SW1 by half-pressing the release button 7 to turn on the photometry circuit 2
2 is activated, and then the release switch SW2 is turned on by the full-press operation so that the CPU 21 causes the exposure control circuit 2 to operate.
An exposure control unit such as a diaphragm and a shutter (not shown) is driven via 5, and photographing is performed by this drive. Next, the CPU 21 causes the motor drive circuit 28 to drive the motor 29.
Rotate to wind the film into one frame. When a rewinding operation member (not shown) is operated, the CPU 21 causes the motor drive circuit 28 to rotate the motor 29 in the reverse direction, thereby rewinding the film.

Further, a display circuit 27, a camera communication circuit 26 and switches SW3 to SW7 are connected to the CPU 21, and the display circuit 27 is connected to the liquid crystal display device 8 in FIG. The camera communication circuit 26 is connected to the connector 13 in FIG. 2, and when the communication cable 5 in FIG. 1 is connected to another camera 3 via the connector 13, communication between the cameras is performed. The connector 13, the CPU 21, and the camera communication circuit 26 constitute the above-mentioned camera receiving means.

The switch SW3 is a power lever 6 shown in FIG.
2 is a main switch which is turned on in association with the sliding operation of the switch SW4. The switch SW4 is interlocked with the mode setting button 9 shown in FIG. To do. The switch SW5 is interlocked with the zoom setting button 10 in FIG.
The switch SW5 is turned on when is pressed, and turned off when the finger is released. The switches SW6 and SW7 are interlocked with the increment button 11 and the decrement button 12, respectively, and the increment button 11 and the decrement button 12 are similar to the above.
When is pressed, the switches SW6 and SW7 are turned on, and when the finger is released, the switches are turned off.

On the photographing lens 2 side, the CPU inside the lens
Reference numeral 31 is connected to the lens communication circuit 32 and the motor drive circuit 33. As described above, when the taking lens 2 is connected to the camera 1, the lens communication circuit 32 on the taking lens 2 side is changed to the lens communication circuit on the camera 1 side. 23 is connected.
The motor drive circuit 33 is connected to a zooming motor 34 that performs zooming, and the motor drive circuit 33 and the zooming motor 34 constitute the above zoom drive means. A focal length detection circuit 36 and switches SW8 and SW9 are connected to the in-lens CPU 31. A focal length detection device 35 such as an encoder for detecting the operation of the zooming motor 34 is connected to the focus detection circuit 36, and the value of the detected focal length is used as C in the lens.
Output to the PU 31 to control zooming, and the lens communication circuit 32 causes the lens communication circuit 23 on the camera 1 side.
Send to. Lens communication circuits 23 and 32, CP in lens
U31, the focal length detection device 35, and the focal length detection circuit 36 constitute the above-mentioned zoom drive control means.

The switches SW8 and SW9 are interlocked with the wide-angle button 14 and the telephoto button 15 of FIG. 2, respectively, and are turned on when the wide-angle button 14 and the telephoto button 15 are pressed, and turned off when the finger is released. When the switch SW8 is turned on by pressing the wide-angle button 14, the zoom lens 30 is moved to the wide-angle side.
The in-lens CPU 31 drives the motor 34 via the motor drive circuit 33, and the in-lens CPU 31 moves the motor drive circuit 33 so that the zoom lens 30 is moved to the telephoto side by turning on the switch SW9 by pressing the telephoto button 15. Drive control of the motor 34 is carried out via. In the case of a single focus lens, the motor drive circuit 33, the zooming motor 34, the focal length detection device 35, the focal length detection circuit 36, and the switches SW8 and SW9 are not provided, and the fixed focal length value is in the lens. It is written in the ROM of the CPU 31, and the written focal length value is transmitted by the lens communication circuit 32 to the lens communication circuit 23 on the camera 1 side.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the sequence of operations when the CPU 21 on the camera 1 side operates as a main routine, and the operation of this flowchart will be described below. It should be noted that the inside of the other camera 3 and the taking lens 4 in FIG. 1 is also configured in the same manner as in FIG. 3, and the CPU 21 on the camera 3 side also operates in the same manner as in the flowchart of FIG. The description of the operation is omitted.

First, when the power switch SW3 in FIG. 3 is turned on by the sliding movement of the power lever 6 of the camera,
The CPU 21 is activated, and then the CPU 21 executes a lens communication process as a subroutine. This state is shown in step 41 in FIG. When the CPU 21 detects that the switch SW4 is on or off and the mode setting button 9 in FIG. 2 is pressed, the CPU 21 proceeds to step 43 by turning on the switch SW4. When the mode setting button 9 is not pressed, the switch SW4 is turned off and the CPU 21 proceeds to step 44.

In step 43, the CPU 21 executes a mode setting process as a subroutine, and then the CP
U21 returns to step 41. In step 44, the CP
It is determined by U21 whether or not the switch SW5 is on, and if the zoom setting button 10 in FIG. 2 is pressed, the CPU 21 proceeds to step 45 by turning on the switch SW5. When the zoom setting button 10 is not pressed, the switch SW5 is turned off and the CPU 21 proceeds to step 46.

In step 45, the CPU 21 executes a zoom setting process as a subroutine, and in step 46.
Then, the CPU 21 executes a camera communication process as a subroutine, and thereafter, the CPU 21 executes the next step 4
Proceed to 7. In step 47, the CPU 21 detects the value of the variable MODE, and the value is “0”, “1” or “2”, and the reception mode, the transmission mode and the zoom setting transmission mode are assigned to the respective values. Has been.
If the reception mode is set, it is determined that the value of the variable MODE is equal to "0", and the CPU 21 causes the step 48 to proceed.
If the transmission mode or the zoom value setting transmission mode is set and the reception mode is not set, the variable M
It is determined that the value of ODE is not equal to "0", and the CPU2
1 proceeds to step 50.

In step 48, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the variables F1 and F2 are not equal to each other, and the variable F1
Is the wide-angle side focal length value of the taking lens mounted on the camera, and F2 is the telephoto side focal length value of the taking lens described above. If the zoom lens is attached, it is determined that the variables F1 and F2 are not equal, and the CPU 21
Advances to the next step 49, and if the single focus lens is attached or the photographing lens is not attached, the variable F1
And F2 are determined to be equal, the CPU 21 proceeds to step 50.

In step 49, the CPU 21 sends the value of the variable F to the CPU 31 on the photographing lens side via the lens communication circuits 23 and 32 in FIG. The value of the variable F indicates the value of the focal length to be set, and the setting will be described later. In step 50, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the switch SW1 is turned on. When the release button 7 in FIG. 2 is pressed halfway, the CPU 21 proceeds to step 51 by turning on the switch SW1 and presses the release button 7 again. When not performing, the CPU 21 is turned off by turning off the switch SW1.
Returns to step 41.

By pressing the above halfway button, the CPU 21 proceeds to step 51 to calculate the aperture value and the shutter speed to be controlled. Specifically, by turning on the switch SW1, the CP
U21 activates the photometric circuit 22 in FIG. 3, and the CPU 21 calculates the aperture value and shutter speed described above based on the output (luminance information) of the photometric circuit 22. Next step 5
2, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the switch SW2 is ON, and when the release button 7 is fully pressed, the CPU 21 proceeds to step 53 due to the switch SW2 being ON, and the release button 7 is fully pressed. When not performing, the switch SW2 is turned off and the CPU 21
Returns to step 41.

In step 53, the CPU 21 drives an exposure control member such as an aperture and a shutter (not shown) via the exposure control circuit 25 in FIG. 2 according to the calculated aperture value and shutter speed. Photographing is performed by driving. In step 54, the CPU 21 causes the motor drive circuit 28 to drive the motor 29 to wind the film by one frame, after which the CPU 21 returns to step 41.

When one of the cameras 1 and 3 is designated as the transmitting side and the other camera is designated as the receiving side,
Of the steps 41 to 50 in FIG. 4, when the CPU 21 of the camera on the transmission side operates, the CPU 21 of the camera on the reception side operates according to the order of the steps shown in FIG. It is operated according to the sequence of steps shown in 10 (b).

In FIG. 5, the CPU 21 on the camera 1 side is shown in FIG.
It is a flowchart when executing the processing of lens communication with the taking lens 2 in accordance with step 41 therein, and the processing procedure of lens communication will be described using this flowchart. The CPU 21 on the camera 3 side in FIG.
Since the lens communication process is executed with the taking lens 4 as in the flowchart of FIG.

When the switch SW3 is turned on by the sliding movement of the power supply lever 6 described above, the CPU 21 is activated and it is determined whether or not communication with the taking lens 2 is possible, and the state is shown in FIG. This is shown in step 61. When the taking lens 2 is attached to the camera 1, communication with the taking lens 2 becomes possible by connecting the lens communication circuits 23 and 32 shown in FIG. 3, and the CPU 21 detects that communication is possible. Go to step 62 of. If the photographing lens is not attached, the CPU 21 proceeds from step 61 to step 42 in FIG.

In step 62, the lens communication circuit 23,
CPU 32 of the taking lens 2
The actual focal length, the wide-angle side focal length, and the telephoto side focal length are received from the respective focal lengths, and the respective focal lengths are set to variables F0, F1,
Read into F2. For example, if the attached taking lens 2 is a zoom lens with a focal length of 35 mm to 105 mm,
When zooming to the position of mm, the above variables are F0 = 50, F1 = 35, and F2 = 105, respectively. Also,
If the taking lens is a single focus lens, the variables F0, F1,
F2 are all equal. After reading the variables F0, F1 and F2 described above, the CPU 21 proceeds to step 42 in FIG. It should be noted that the CPU 21 of the designated camera on the transmission side described above.
Alternatively, both of the CPUs 21 of the cameras on the receiving side execute the lens communication processing according to the flowchart of FIG.

In FIG. 6, the CPU 21 on the camera 1 side is shown in FIG.
It is a flowchart when performing the mode setting process according to step 43 in the inside, and the process procedure of the mode setting will be described using this flowchart. The CPU on the side of the camera 3 in FIG. 1 also executes the mode setting process as in the flowchart of FIG. 6, and thus the description of the setting will be omitted.

When the switch SW4 in FIG. 3 is turned on by pressing the mode setting button 9 described above, the CPU 21 displays a mode symbol corresponding to the value of the variable MODE on the liquid crystal display via the display circuit 27 in FIG. It is displayed on the device 8, and this state is shown in step 71 in FIG. In step 72, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the switch SW6 is turned on. If the increment button 11 is pressed while the mode setting button 9 is being pressed, the switch SW6 is turned on and the CPU 21 advances to step 73. If the switch SW6 is off without pressing the increment button 11, the CPU 21 proceeds to step 79.

In step 73, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the value of the variable MODE is smaller than "2". In the reception mode or the transmission mode described above, the value of the variable MODE is lower than "2". Determined to be small, CP
When U21 proceeds to step 74, and in the zoom value setting transmission mode described above, it is determined that the value of the variable mode is "2", and the CPU 21 proceeds from step 73 to step 76.

In step 74, the CPU 21 causes the variable M
By adding "1" to the value of ODE and calculating the value, the transmission mode or the zoom setting transmission mode is set. In step 75, the CPU 21 displays the symbol “MODE = 1” or “MODE = 2” on the liquid crystal display device 8 via the display circuit 27 according to the value of the added variable MODE. Display it, go to the next step 76,
The CPU 21 determines whether or not the value of the variable MODE is equal to “1”. When the addition mode changes the reception mode to the transmission mode, it is determined that the value is equal to "1", the CPU 21 proceeds to step 77, and the addition also results in the zoom setting value transmission mode "2". If so, the CPU proceeds to step 78.

In step 77, the value of the variable F0 is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 8 by the CPU 21 via the display circuit 27, the value of the variable F0 is the zoom position of the zoom lens 30, and the CPU 21 displays the value in FIG. During execution of the lens communication based on step 41 of No. 4, in the lens CP via the communication circuits 23 and 32 of FIG. 3 by step 62 of FIG.
Indicates the value of variable F0 received from U31.

By displaying the value of the variable F0, the CPU 2
1 advances to step 78, the ON or OFF of the switch SW6 is detected again, and if the increment button 11 is continuously pressed, the CPU 21 repeats the operation of step 78, and when the finger is released from the increment button 11, the switch SW6 is released. Is turned off, the CPU 21 returns to step 71.

In step 72, when the increment button 11 is not pressed, the switch SW6 is turned off, so that the CPU 21 proceeds to step 79 to switch to the switch S.
Detects whether W7 is on or off. If the decrement button 12 is pressed during the pressing operation of the mode setting button 9, the CPU 21 proceeds to step 80 by turning on the switch SW7, and if the decrement button 12 is not pressed,
When the switch SW7 is turned off, the CPU 21 returns to step 41 in FIG.

In step 80, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the variable MODE is larger than "0", and when the transmission mode or the zoom setting transmission mode is set,
It is determined that the value of the variable MODE is larger than “0”,
The CPU 21 proceeds to step 81. In the reception mode, the value of the variable MODE is determined to be "0", and the CPU 21 proceeds to step 83.

At step 81, the CPU 21 makes the variable MO
"1" is subtracted from the value of DE, and this subtraction sets the reception mode or the transmission mode. Next step 82
Then, the CPU 21 determines that the above-mentioned subtracted variable MOD
Depending on the value of E, "MODE = 0" or "MODE =
The symbol "1" is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 8 via the display circuit 27, the process proceeds to the next step 83, and the CPU 21 determines whether or not the value of the variable MODE is equal to "1". When the zoom value setting transmission mode is changed to the transmission mode by the above-described subtraction, it is determined to be equal to "1", the CPU 21 proceeds to step 84, and the result of the subtraction described above is also the reception mode " If it is “0”, the CPU proceeds to step 85.

In step 84, as in step 77, the CPU 21 causes the display circuit 27 to display the variable F0.
The value of is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 8. With this display,
The CPU 21 proceeds to step 85 and switches SW again.
When the decrement button 12 continues to be pressed after detecting ON or OFF of 7, the CPU 21 repeats the operation of step 85, and when the finger is released from the decrement button 12, the switch SW7 is turned off and the CPU 21 proceeds to step 71. Return to.

In the above mode setting, the flowchart of FIG. 6 is performed to set one camera to the transmission side or the reception side, and one of the cameras 1 and 3 is set to the transmission side. Is the variable M according to step 74.
Until the value of ODE becomes “1” or “2”, the increment button 1
1 is pressed, or the decrement button 12 is pressed in parallel with the pressing operation of the mode setting button 9 until the value of the variable MODE becomes "1" in step 81. To set the other one of the cameras 1 and 3 to the receiving side, the decrement is performed in parallel with the pressing operation of the mode setting button 9 until the value of the variable MODE becomes “0” in step 81. Press the button 12.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart when the CPU 21 of the camera set on the transmission side executes the zoom setting processing in accordance with step 45 in FIG. 4, and the zoom setting is performed using this flow chart. The processing procedure of will be described. By pressing the zoom setting button 10 as described above, FIG.
When the inner switch SW5 is turned on, the CPU 21 causes
It is determined whether or not the value of the variable MODE is equal to "2", and this state is shown in step 91 in FIG. When the reception mode or transmission mode is set, the variable MO
It is determined that the value of DE is not equal to "2", and the CPU2
1 proceeds from step 91 to step 46 in FIG. 4, and when the zoom setting transmission mode is set, it is determined that the value of the variable MODE is equal to “2”, and the CPU 2
1 proceeds to step 92.

In this step 92, the CPU 21 causes the liquid crystal display device 8 to display the value of the variable FD via the display circuit 27, and proceeds to the next step 93, in which the CPU 21 detects whether the switch SW6 is on or off. .. Variable FD
The value of is the focal length of the zoom lens set by the photographer himself, and the setting is performed as follows. First, in step 93, while pressing the zoom setting button 10,
When the increment button 11 is pressed, the CPU 21 proceeds to step 94 by turning on the switch SW6, and the switch SW6 is not pressed.
When is off, the CPU 21 proceeds to step 98.

The value of the above-mentioned variable FD is, for example, 20 to 3
When it is selectable up to 00, the CPU 21 determines in step 94 whether the value of the variable FD is smaller than 300. If the value of the variable FD is 299 or less, the CPU 21 executes step 95. If the value of the variable FD is 300, the CPU 21 proceeds to step 96. In step 95, the CPU 21 adds "1" to the value of the variable FD, and the maximum value of this calculated value is 300.
In step 96, the CPU 21 displays the value of the variable FD on the liquid crystal display device 8 via the display circuit 27. Further proceeding to step 97, the CPU 21 detects again whether the switch SW6 is on or off, and if it is still on, the CPU 21 repeats the operation of step 97, and if the finger is released from the increment button 11, the switch S
When W6 is turned off, the CPU 21 returns to step 93.

If the CPU 21 is separated from the increment button 11 during the operation of step 93, the switch SW6
When the switch 21 is turned off, the CPU 21 proceeds to step 98 to detect whether the switch SW7 is turned on or off. When the decrement button 12 is pressed while the zoom setting button 10 is being pressed, the switch 21 is turned on and the CPU 21 proceeds to step 99. If the switch SW7 is turned off without pressing the decrement button 12, the CPU 21 proceeds to step 1
Go to 03.

At step 99, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the value of the variable FD is larger than 20, and if the value of the variable FD is 21 or more, the CPU 21 makes the step 1
00, and if the value of the variable FD is 20, the CPU
21 proceeds to step 101. In step 100, C
The PU 21 subtracts “1” from the value of the variable FD, and the calculated value has a minimum value of 20. In step 101, the CPU 21 displays the value of the variable FD on the liquid crystal display device 8 via the display circuit 27. Further proceeding to step 102, the CPU 21 detects again whether the switch SW7 is on or off, and if it is still on, CP
When U21 repeats the operation of step 102 and releases the finger from the decrement button 12, the switch SW7 is turned off, and the CPU 21 returns to step 93.

At step 98, when the switch SW7 is off, the CPU 21 proceeds to step 103,
When it is detected again that the switch SW5 is on or off, and the zoom setting button 10 is continuously pressed, the CPU 21 returns to step 93, and when the finger is released from the zoom setting button 10 and the switch SW5 is turned off, the CPU 21 returns to FIG. Proceed to step 46 inside.

As described above, the flowchart of FIG.
While the value of the variable FD is 20 to 300, the focal length of the zoom lens can be set. FIG. 8 shows C on the camera 1 side.
4 is a flowchart when the PU 21 executes a camera communication process with the other camera 3 according to step 46 in FIG. 4, and the camera communication process procedure will be described using this flowchart. Incidentally, the camera 3 also
Similar to the flowchart in FIG. 8, a camera communication process with one of the cameras 1 is performed, so description of this process is omitted.

In step 44 in FIG. 4 or step 103 in FIG. 7, when the finger is released from the zoom setting button 10, the switch SW5 is turned off and the CPU 21
Proceeding to step 111 in FIG. 8, it is detected whether or not communication with the other third camera is possible. When the power of the camera 3 is on, the CPU 21 of the camera 1 can communicate with the other camera 3 via the camera communication circuit 26 in FIG. 3, the connector 13 and the communication cable 5 in FIG. It is detected that the CPU 21 detects that there is a step 112.
Proceed to. Further, when the above-mentioned communication is impossible because the power source of the camera 3 is off or the like, the CPU 21 proceeds from step 111 to step 124 in FIG.

In step 112, the CPU 21 receives the value of the variable MODE from the other camera 3 and outputs the variable MOD.
Substituting it in E2, proceeding to the next step 113, CPU2
Based on 1, it is determined whether or not the value of the variable MODE on the camera 1 side is not equal to “0”. If the transmission mode or the zoom setting transmission mode is set in step 74 or step 81 in FIG. 6, it is determined that the value of the variable MODE is not equal to “0”, the CPU 21 proceeds to step 114, and the reception mode is changed. If set, CPU21
Proceeds to step 125.

At step 114, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the value of the variable MODE2 on the camera 3 side is equal to "0", and if the receiving mode is selected on the camera 3 side, the value of the variable MODE2 is "0". If the CPU 21 determines that it is equal to 0 ”and the transmission mode or the zoom value setting transmission mode is set,
The CPU 21 proceeds to step 124. In step 115, the CPU 21 receives the variable F1 from the camera 3, substitutes it into the variable FW, and proceeds to the next step 116, where the CPU
21 receives the variable F2 from the camera 3 and substitutes it into the variable FT. Further, the process proceeds to step 117, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the value of the variable MODE on the camera 1 side is equal to “2”, and if the zoom setting transmission mode is set, the CPU 21 proceeds to step 118. If the transmission mode is set again, the CPU 21 executes step 1
Proceed to 19.

At step 118, the CPU 21 substitutes the value of the variable FD into the variable F, and at step 119 C
The PU 21 substitutes the value of the variable F0 (actual focal length) into the variable F. The value of the variable FD is calculated by the CPU 21 in FIG.
During execution of zoom setting based on step 45 in FIG.
The value of the variable FD set in Step 95 or Step 100 is shown. Further, the CPU 21 is used as a zoom setting unit that sets the value of the focal length (F0 or FD) for transmission to another camera.

Proceeding to the next step 120, the CPU 21
Thus, the value of the variable F becomes the variable FW (the variable F on the camera 3 side).
It is determined whether or not the value is equal to or more than the value of 1), and when the value of the variable F is equal to or more than the wide-angle side focal length of the zoom lens on the camera 3 side, an affirmative determination is made and the CPU 21 determines in step 1
If the determination is negative, the CPU 21 proceeds to step 123. In step 121, the CPU 21 causes the value of the variable F to be the variable FT (variable F2 on the camera 3 side).
If the value of the variable F is less than the telephoto side focal length of the zoom lens on the camera 3 side, an affirmative decision is made and the CPU 21 proceeds to step 122, and a negative decision is made. Then, the CPU 21 makes a step 12
Go to 3.

In step 122, the CPU 21 sets the value F of the variable set in step 118 or step 119.
(= F0 or FD) is transmitted to the other camera 3 side via the camera communication circuit 26 and the connector 13, and then C
The PU 21 proceeds to step 47 in FIG. CPU mentioned above
Reference numeral 21 constitutes, together with the camera communication circuit 26 and the connector 13, not only the above-mentioned camera receiving means but also a camera transmitting means for transmitting the focal length value to another camera.

In step 123, the fact that the value F of the variable is out of the zoomable range of the zoom lens on the camera 3 side is displayed by the CPU 21 on the liquid crystal display device 8 via the display circuit 27, and thereafter, The CPU 21 proceeds to step 47 in FIG. When the taking lens 4 on the camera 3 side is a single focus lens, the values of the variables F1 and F2 are equal to each other as described above, and the CPU 21 on the camera 1 side
However, in step 115 and step 116, the above-mentioned variable F1 and variable 2 are received from the camera 3 and the variable F is received.
Substituting for W and FT, the respective variables FW and FT become equal, but when the value is different from the value of the variable F selected in step 118 or step 119, step 120
Alternatively, a negative determination is made in step 121, and therefore the process proceeds to step 123, where the CPU 21 causes the display circuit 27
A warning is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 8 via. CPU mentioned above
21, the display circuit 27, and the liquid crystal display device 8 constitute a warning means.

If it is determined in step 111 that communication with the camera 3 side is impossible, and if the transmission mode or the zoom value setting transmission mode is set in the camera 3 side in step 114, the CPU 21 causes the CPU 21 to execute step 124.
, The value of the variable F0 is assigned to the variable F, and thereafter,
The CPU 21 proceeds to step 47 in FIG. Step 1
In 13, when the reception mode is set on the camera 1 side, the CPU 21 proceeds from step 113 to step 125.
Then, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the value of the variable MODE2 on the camera 3 side received in step 112 is not equal to “0”. If the transmission mode or zoom setting transmission mode is set on the camera 3 side, the CPU 2
1 proceeds to step 126, and if the reception mode is also set on the camera 3 side, the CPU 21 causes step 128 to proceed.
Go to.

In step 126, the CPU 21 transmits the values of the variables F1 and F2 on the camera 1 side to the other camera 3,
The camera 3 receives the values of F1 and F2 from the camera 1 in steps 115 and 116. Upon receipt of this, the camera 3 is given the steps 117 to 12
In the same way as the loop up to 2, the CPU 1 proceeds to step 127, the CPU 21 receives the value of the variable F transmitted from the camera 3 side in step 122, and then the variable F
To step 47 in FIG.

In step 125, the other camera 3
If the reception mode is also set, the CPU 21 substitutes the value of the variable F0 on the camera 1 side into the variable F in step 128, and thereafter the CPU 21 executes step 4 in FIG.
Proceed to 7. In the camera communication described above, among the steps in FIG. 8, when the CPU 21 of the camera on the transmission side operates, the CPU 21 of the camera on the reception side operates according to the order of the steps shown in FIG. Operate according to the sequence of steps shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a view of FIG. 3 arranged on the photographing lens 2 side.
Is a flowchart showing the sequence of operations when the CPU 31 in the CPU operates, and the CPU is described using this flowchart.
The operation of 31 will be described. Since the CPU 31 in the taking lens 4 in FIG. 1 operates in the same manner as in the flowchart of FIG. 9, the description of the operation will be omitted.

First, the main switch SW3 on the camera 1 side
Is turned on, the CPU 21 and the lens communication circuits 23 and 32 are turned on.
The in-lens CPU 31 is activated via, and the process proceeds to step 131 in FIG. 9 where the CPU 31 causes the variables F0, F1, F
2 is transmitted to the CPU 21 on the camera 1 side via the lens communication circuits 32 and 23, and the variables F0, F1, F2 are received by the CPU 21 on the camera 1 side in step 62 in FIG. Proceeding to the next step 132, the CPU 31
Through the lens communication circuits 23, 32
It is detected whether or not the value of the variable F is received from the PU 21.

The value of this variable F is the CP of the camera on the transmission side.
U21 substitutes the variable F0 or FD in steps 118 and 119 in FIG. 8, transmits it to the camera on the receiving side in step 122, and the CPU 21 of the camera
Is the value of the variable F received in step 127.

The value of this variable F is the value of step 49 in FIG.
9 is transmitted to the in-lens CPU 31 via the lens communication circuits 23 and 32 by the CPU 21 of the camera, the CPU 31 receives the value of the variable F, and FIG.
From step 132 in the process to step 133, the CPU 21 of the camera does not transmit, and the CPU 31 in the lens does not transmit.
If not received, the CPU 31 determines in step 132
Then, the process proceeds to step 137.

In step 133, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the value of the variable F is equal to the value of the variable F0. If the value of the variable F is not equal to the actual focal length of the zoom lens 30, the CPU 31 is determined. Proceeds to step 134, and if they are equal, proceeds to step 137. Step 13
In 4, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the value of the variable F is larger than the value of the variable F0. If the value of the variable F is larger than the actual focal length, the CPU 31 proceeds to step 135 and the value of the variable F again. Is smaller than the actual focal length, the CPU 31 proceeds to step 136.

In step 135, the CPU 31 drives and controls the motor drive circuit 33 shown in FIG. 3 to cause the motor 34 to zoom the zoom lens 30 to the telephoto side, and the zoom causes the focal length detection device 35 to move to the motor. Three
4, the focal length detection circuit 36 detects the value of the focal length based on the detected amount of rotation, and outputs the focal length value to the CPU 31. Until the value of the variable F becomes equal to the value of the detected focal length, the CPU 21 operates by repeating the loop of step 135, step 133, step 134, and step 135.

In step 136, the CPU 31 drives and controls the motor drive circuit 33 in FIG. 3 to cause the motor 34 to zoom the zoom lens 30 to the wide-angle side, and the zoom causes the focus distance to be detected via the focal length detection device 35. The distance detection circuit 36 detects the value of the focal length. Until the value of the variable F becomes equal to the value of the detected focal length, the CPU 21 operates by repeating the loop of step 136, step 133, step 134 and step 136.

The loop of steps 133 to 136 shows the operation for the camera on the receiving side to automatically perform zoom drive in accordance with the value of the variable F transmitted from the camera on the transmitting side. It will automatically zoom until it becomes equal to the actual focal length value. During this zoom, if the actual focal length of the zoom lens 30 becomes equal to the value of the variable F, the focal length detecting device 3
5, the CPU 31 detects that the value of the focal length detected by the focal length detection circuit 36 is equal to the value of the variable F, and then the CPU 31 stops the drive of the motor 34 via the motor drive circuit 33, thereby zooming. Drive control is completed. At this time, the CPU 31 executes step 13
Proceed to step 137 from step 3.

When the CPU 21 of the camera does not transmit the value of the variable F to the in-lens CPU 31, the in-lens CPU 3
1 does not receive, the process proceeds from step 132 to step 137, and the CPU 31 detects ON or OFF of the switch SW8 in FIG. When the wide-angle button 14 in FIG. 2 is pressed, the CPU 31 proceeds to step 138 by turning on the switch SW8, and when the switch SW8 is off without pressing the wide-angle button 14, the CPU 31 moves to step 140.
Proceed to.

In step 138, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the value of the variable F0 is larger than the value of the variable F1, and the focal length detecting device 35 detects it via the focal length detecting circuit 36 in FIG. If the actual focal length is larger than the focal length on the wide angle side, the CPU 31 proceeds to step 139. If the actual focal length becomes equal to the focal length on the wide angle side, the CPU 31 does not zoom further and the CPU 31 makes a step. Return to 137. Step 13
In 9, the CPU 31 drives and controls the motor drive circuit 33 in FIG. 3 to cause the motor 34 to zoom the zoom lens 30 to the wide-angle side.
Return to 7.

During the operation of step 137, the wide-angle button 1
When the finger is released from 4, the switch SW8 is turned off and C
The PU 31 proceeds to step 140 to detect ON or OFF of the switch SW9 in FIG. 3, and detects the telephoto button 15 in FIG.
When switch SW9 is turned on by pressing
31 proceeds to step 141, and when the switch SW9 is off, the CPU 31 returns to step 131. In step 141, the value of the variable F0 is changed to the variable F by the CPU 31.
It is determined whether the value is smaller than the value of 2, and the actual focal length detected by the focal length detecting device 35 via the focal length detecting circuit 36 in FIG. If it is smaller, the CPU 31 causes the step 142 to be executed.
When the actual focal length becomes equal to the focal length on the telephoto side, do not zoom further and move to CP.
U31 returns to step 140. In step 142,
The CPU 31 drives and controls the motor drive circuit 33 in FIG. 3 to cause the motor 34 to zoom the zoom lens 30 to the telephoto side, after which the CPU 31 returns to step 140. The loop from step 137 to step 142 is
The operation | movement when performing zoom drive manually is shown.

The operation of the camera on the transmitting side and the camera on the receiving side will be briefly described by summarizing the respective flowcharts of FIGS. 4 to 9 as shown in FIG. "S in the figure
61 ”indicates step 61 in FIG. 5,“ S131 ”indicates step 131 in FIG. 9, and the numbers following“ S ”in FIG.
It is shown in any of FIG.

According to the above procedure, when the transmission mode is set, the CPU 21 executes the camera communication as shown in FIG.
When the value of the variable F0 (actual focal length) is substituted for the variable F in step 119, and the zoom setting transmission mode is set, the zoom setting button 10 and the increment button 11 or the decrement button 12 are pressed. Accordingly, the CPU 21 sets the value of the variable FD in step 95 or step 100 in FIG. 7, and the CPU 21 substitutes the value of the variable FD set in the above into the variable F in step 118 in FIG.

Depending on the value of the variable F set in step 118 or step 119, the receiving camera can be zoomed as follows. The camera on the receiving side receives the value of the variable F from the camera on the transmitting side in step 127 in FIG. 8, and the photographing lens attached to the camera on the receiving side also receives step 49 in FIG. Then, the value of the variable F is transmitted. The taking lens receives the value of the variable F in step 132 in FIG. 9 and causes the CPU 31 in the lens to perform step 13 in FIG. 9 so as to be equal to the value of the variable F0 on the taking lens side.
The loop from 3 to step 136 is repeated to automatically perform zooming.

Therefore, when the other camera is in the transmission mode, the zoom lens of the camera in which the reception mode is set is zoomed so as to be equal to the focal length of the photographing lens attached to the other camera, and the other camera. Is in the zoom setting transmission mode, the zoom is performed so as to be equal to the focal length set for the camera. Furthermore, if one of the cameras is set to the transmission mode or the zoom setting transmission mode, a negative determination is made in step 47 in FIG. 4, and the zoom lens attached to the one camera is not automatically zoomed. Absent. At this time, by pressing the wide-angle button 14 or the telephoto button 15 described above, step 139 in FIG.
Based on step 142, zoom driving will be performed manually. However, it is essential for the present invention to automatically drive the zoom on the receiving side camera according to the value of the focal length received from the transmitting side camera. In addition to manually driving the zoom as described above, when the zoom setting transmission mode is set, the camera on the transmission side transmits the value of the focal length set as described above to the camera on the reception side and However, it is also possible to automatically drive the zoom in accordance with the value of the focal length set above, and this does not impede the object of the present invention.

Even if the transmitting camera is a single focus lens, as long as the focal length value is within the zoomable range of the zoom lens provided in the receiving camera, the receiving camera is The zoom drive may be automatically performed according to the value of the focal length of the focusing lens, and even in this example, the object of the present invention can be achieved. According to the above embodiment, when the transmission mode is set, the actual focal length of the photographing lens of the camera is transmitted to the receiving camera, and the camera has the same value as the received focal length. Since the zoom is performed automatically as described above, panoramic shooting can be performed using a plurality of cameras without aligning shooting lenses having the same focal length, which is extremely economical. In addition to the actual focal length, it is possible to set a different focal length different from the actual focal length by setting the above-described zoom setting transmission mode, and perform zooming accordingly. For example, even if the taking lens has an actual focal length of 40 mm with respect to the transmitting side camera, the taking lens provided in the receiving side camera has a focal length twice as long as the transmitting side focal length (80 mm). ) May be set, and zooming can be performed according to the setting, so that the degree of freedom in shooting is improved.

If the focal length value set by the camera on the transmitting side exceeds the zoomable range of the zoom lens mounted on the camera on the receiving side, the camera on the transmitting side is warned as described above. Even if the taking lens mounted on the receiving side camera is a single focus lens, if the focal length of the above setting is different from the focal length of the single focus lens, a warning is issued to the transmitting side camera. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a shooting failure from occurring.

Further, although not mentioned in the above embodiment,
When the camera on the receiving side automatically zooms according to the focal length value received from the camera on the transmitting side, the power supply (battery) provided to the camera on the receiving side may cause some cause (battery exhaustion or If the zoom drive is stopped due to a failure or the like), the CPU 21 of the camera on the transmission side is
Through the camera communication circuit 26, the connector 13 and the cable communication shown in FIG. 1, it is detected that the camera on the reception side cannot operate, and the CPU 21 of the camera on the transmission side detects the detection through the display circuit 27. A warning may be displayed on the liquid crystal display device 8, and the photographing can be interrupted by this warning display.

Further, the CPU 21, the camera communication circuit 26 and the connector 13 in FIG. 3 constitute an operation detecting means,
Further, the CPU 21, the exposure control circuit 25, a diaphragm and a shutter (not shown) may constitute a photographing control means, and photographing may be performed as follows. When a full-press operation for shooting is applied to the shooting operation member provided on one camera, that is, the release button 7, the one camera is operated by the CPU 21 thereof based on step 53 in FIG. Of the CPU2 of the other camera.
Reference numeral 1 is an operation detection unit that detects the above-described full-press operation from one of the cameras. As a result of this detection, the CPU 21 of the other camera causes step 53 in FIG.
Based on the above, an exposure control member such as a diaphragm and a shutter is driven via the exposure control circuit 25 in FIG. 3, and this driving also causes the other camera to shoot. Therefore, not only the above-described zoom driving but also the full-pressing operation for photographing is performed on the one camera, whereby the trouble can be saved.

However, when the above-mentioned transmission mode or zoom setting transmission mode is set for one camera and the above-mentioned reception mode is set for the other camera, the CPU 31 in the lens and the lens communication circuit in FIG. 32, 23 and the CPU 21 constitute a zoom driving completion detecting means,
If it is carried out as follows, it is possible to prevent a shooting failure.

The other camera uses the step 133 in FIG.
-While zooming according to the loop of step 136, even if the CPU 21 of the same camera detects a full-press operation from one of the cameras, the CPU 21 causes the exposure control circuit 25 to prohibit exposure control, C on the lens side
When the PU 31 stops the driving of the zooming motor 34 via the motor drive circuit 33 as described above, the CPU 21 detects the completion of the zoom drive control via the lens communication circuits 32 and 23. Upon detection of the full-press operation, the CPU 21 causes the exposure control circuit 25 to perform exposure control for photographing, based on step 53 in FIG. 4, whereby photographing is performed. Therefore, even if the receiving side camera detects a full-press operation from the transmitting side camera before the zoom driving is completed, the receiving side camera does not take a picture, thereby preventing a photographing error. be able to.

The present invention can be applied not only to a single-lens reflex camera, but also to two video cameras having a zoom function. At this time, the lens communication circuit 32 on the photographing lens side in FIG. The lens communication circuit 23 is integrated, and one video camera or the other video camera operates according to the flowchart of FIG. 9 from step 41 to step 49 in FIG. It is also possible to receive the focal length value (F0 or FD) from the video camera on the transmission side and automatically perform zoom drive.

When the photographer himself wants to control the photographing as well, the motor drive circuit 28 and the motor 2 shown in FIG. 3 are driven to run the video disk or the video tape.
9 is used, and a recording device for forming a recording pattern on the above-mentioned video disk or video tape according to an image signal is attached to the device in FIG. It is also possible to configure the above-mentioned photographing control means by this recording device and to control photographing as follows by this constitution.

A pressing operation for photographing is performed on the photographing operation member provided in the transmitting side video camera set to the transmission mode or the zoom setting transmission mode, for example, the “START / STOP button”. In addition, the CPU 21 of the video camera on the transmission side causes the motor drive circuit 28 to drive the video disk or the video tape for running, and also forms a recording pattern on the above-described recording device as the shooting. At the same time, the CPU 21 of the video camera on the reception side detects the above-mentioned pressing operation from the video camera on the transmission side as an operation detection means.

When the video camera on the receiving side is performing zoom drive by repeating the loop of steps 133 to 136 in FIG. 9, the CPU 21 of the video camera
However, even if the pressing operation described above is detected, the motor drive circuit 28
In addition to prohibiting driving, the recording apparatus is also prohibited from forming a recording pattern, so that photographing is not performed. The in-lens CPU 31 in FIG. 3 uses the motor drive circuit 33 to drive the zooming motor 34 in the same manner as described above.
When the drive is stopped, the CPU 21 detects the completion of zoom drive through the integrated lens communication circuit, and by this detection and the above-described pressing operation detection, the CPU 21
In the same manner as described above, the motor drive circuit 28 is used to drive the video disk or the video tape to run for shooting.
In addition to the above, the recording device also forms a recording pattern, so that the pressing operation is detected from the transmitting video camera before the receiving video camera has completed zoom driving. However, the video camera on the receiving side does not shoot.

When the video camera on the receiving side automatically zooms in accordance with the value of the focal length received from the video camera on the transmitting side, the power source (battery or the like) provided on the video camera on the receiving side may be used. If the zoom drive is stopped due to some reason (battery consumption or failure), the CPU 21 of the video camera on the transmission side, the camera communication circuit 26 in FIG.
3 and the cable communication in FIG. 1, it is detected that the video camera on the receiving side cannot operate, and the CPU 21 of the video camera on the transmitting side detects the detection by the liquid crystal display device 8 via the display circuit 27. A warning may be displayed, and shooting can be interrupted as in the above.

Further, the above-mentioned zoom setting transmission mode is set to the video camera on the transmission side, another focal length different from the actual focal length is set, and after the transmission, the video camera on the reception side sets the above-mentioned setting. It is needless to say that zooming can be automatically performed according to the focal length of, and the degree of freedom of shooting can be improved as described above. In this example,
Although the case where two cameras are directly connected has been shown, it is easy to connect three or more cameras by adding a connection device between each camera. Further, in the present embodiment, the respective cameras are connected by the communication cable 5, but it is also possible to communicate by cordless, that is, wirelessly. Further, the present invention is not limited to the combination of the taking lens and the camera having an interchangeable taking lens, and can be implemented by a camera (for example, a compact camera or the like) having a fixed zoom lens like the video camera. Further, the control procedure of this embodiment can be performed from an external accessory such as a personal computer.

[0083]

As described above, according to the present invention, one camera can receive the value of the focal length from the other camera and perform the zoom drive, and for that purpose, the respective sets of the cameras are set. There is no need to move to the position, the work of zooming can be simplified, and operability can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a top view showing the top surfaces of two cameras.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged top view of the camera in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a zoom control device for a camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a main routine when the CPU 21 of the camera in FIG. 3 operates.

5 shows a processing procedure of a subroutine when the CPU 21 of the camera executes lens communication based on step 41 in FIG.

FIG. 6 shows a processing procedure of a subroutine when the CPU 21 of the camera executes mode setting based on step 43 in FIG.

7 shows a processing procedure of a subroutine when the CPU 21 of the camera executes zoom setting based on step 45 in FIG.

FIG. 8 shows a processing procedure of a subroutine when the CPU 21 of the camera executes communication with another camera based on step 46 in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when the CPU 31 of the photographing lens mounted on the camera operates.

FIG. 10A is a CPU 2 of the camera on the transmission side.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the sequence of steps when the process of the main routine is executed, and the steps in the diagram are picked up from FIG. Further, FIG. 10B is a diagram showing the sequence of steps when the CPU 21 of the camera on the receiving side executes the processing of the main routine, and the steps in FIG. 10 are also picked up from FIG.

FIG. 11A is a CPU 2 of the camera on the transmission side.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the order of steps when camera communication is executed as a subroutine, and the steps in FIG. 1 are picked up from FIG. Also, FIG. 11 (b)
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an order of steps when the CPU 21 of the camera on the receiving side executes camera communication as described above,
The steps in the figure are also picked up from FIG.

FIG. 12 is a table summarizing the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 to 9 and briefly describing the operation when the CPU 21 on the transmission side and the reception side operates, and the numbers following “S” in FIG. It corresponds to one of the reference numerals of each step of FIGS. 4 to 9. For example, "S61" means step 6 in FIG.
1 is shown.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 3 camera 2, 4 shooting lens 5 communication cable 9 mode setting button 10 zoom setting button 11 increment button 12 decrement button 21 camera side CPU 23 camera side lens communication circuit 24 lens side lens communication circuit 26 camera communication circuit 30 Zoom lens 31
Lens side CPU 34 Zooming motor 35 Focal length detection device 36 Focal length detection circuit SW1 to SW9 switches

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A zoom driving means including a motor, for zooming a zoom lens by rotating the motor, a camera receiving means for receiving a focal length value from another camera, and a camera receiving means for receiving the focal length value from another camera. A zoom control device for a camera, comprising: a zoom drive control unit that controls the zoom drive unit to drive the zoom lens according to a value of the focal length. 2. An operation detection means for detecting an operation when an operation for shooting is applied to an operation member for shooting provided in the other camera, and the zoom drive control means for driving the zoom drive. Zoom drive completion detection means for detecting whether or not the drive control of the zoom lens has been completed for the means, and when the zoom drive control means is performing drive control of the zoom lens on the zoom drive means, Even if the operation detecting unit detects the operation for the photographing, the photographing is prohibited, the zoom drive completion detecting unit detects completion of the drive control of the zoom lens, and the operation detecting unit detects the operation. The zoom control device for a camera according to claim 1, further comprising: a photographing control unit that performs photographing when an operation for photographing is detected. 3. A zoom setting means for setting the value of the focal length of the photographing lens, and a camera transmitting means for transmitting the value of the focal length selected by the zoom setting means to another camera. And the zoom control device of the camera. 4. When the value of the focal length transmitted by the camera transmitting means is outside the zoomable range of a zoom lens provided in the other camera, a warning means is provided for giving a warning. The zoom control device for a camera according to claim 3. 5. A warning means is provided for issuing a warning when the value of the focal length transmitted by the camera transmitting means is different from the value of the focal length of the single focus lens provided in the other camera. The zoom control device for a camera according to claim 3. 6. The zoom control device for a camera according to claim 3, further comprising warning means for giving a warning when the other camera cannot operate even by a power source provided in the other camera.