JPH05289149A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable the greater emission of light than the quantity generated in a stroboscopic device and to evade the enlargement of a camera as a whole by loading a small size accessary incorporating an auxiliary capacitor to a camera main body. CONSTITUTION:The auxiliary capacitor 503 for increasing the quantity of light emission is provided in the accessary 2 constituted to be freely attachable to/ detachable from the camera main body 1 incorporating a stroboscopic device and the auxiliary capacitor 503 in the accessary 2 and a main capacitor 115 in the camera main body 1 can be connected. Thus, when the auxiliary capacitor 503 in the accessary 2 is connected to the main capacitor 115 in the camera main body 1 by loading the accessary 2 to the camera main body 1, the quantity of light emission of the stroboscope can be increased by increasing the charging capacity. Furthermore, since at this time the accessary 2 attached to the exterior of the camera is an extremely small-sized one with only the volume by the auxiliary capacitor 503, the great enlargement of the camera is prevented.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical device such as a camera, and more particularly, to a camera body having a flash light emitting tube, a main capacitor, and a strobe control circuit built therein, and an auxiliary capacitor for supplying electric charge to the flash light emitting tube. And an optical device such as a camera having an accessory control circuit built-in accessory detachably attached to the camera body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in compact cameras, a small strobe device is built in the camera body, and recently, a single-lens reflex camera is also increasing in number. And, even though these devices have a light emitting tube, a condenser, a light emission control circuit, and the like as a strobe device, they are laid out without impairing the size of the conventional camera, and the conventional camera and an external strobe were carried around. Compared with, the camera is much more portable and convenient.

[0003]

However, in the conventional camera with a built-in strobe, there is a limit to the size of the built-in light emitting capacitor due to the space inside the camera, and the strobe guide number cannot be increased. .. Therefore, the guide number of a normal small external strobe is about 25 to 35, while the guide number of a built-in strobe is about 10 to 18 in most cases. The top was also dissatisfied. Therefore, in shooting situations that require a certain amount of strobe light, an external strobe must be attached even though it is a camera with a built-in strobe, in which case the weight and size of the built-in strobe are wasted. However, the portability was rather poor.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new camera which solves the above-mentioned problems inherent in conventional cameras.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an auxiliary capacitor for increasing the light emission amount in an accessory which is detachably attached to a camera body having a built-in strobe device. Is provided so that the auxiliary capacitor in the accessory and the main capacitor in the camera body can be connected. As a result, when the accessory is attached to the camera body and the auxiliary capacitor in the accessory is connected to the main capacitor in the camera body, the amount of light emitted from the strobe can be increased by increasing the charging capacity. Also, at this time, the accessory that is externally attached to the camera is extremely small, with only the volume of the auxiliary capacitor,
It is possible to prevent the camera from significantly increasing in size.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the following problems encountered when implementing the camera as described above are solved as follows.

(I) In the above-mentioned camera according to the present invention,
Since the structure that increases the charging capacity by connecting the auxiliary capacitor to the main capacitor in the camera body, when the main capacitor in the camera body is at the charge completion level,
If you connect an auxiliary capacitor that is not charged,
The electric charge of the in-camera capacitor may flow into the auxiliary capacitor, which may cause a phenomenon that the voltage level of the in-camera capacitor, which was once at the charge completion level, is significantly reduced. For this reason, when the auxiliary capacitor is connected to the camera in the charging completed state, the preparation for shooting is not completed until the charging is completed again, and there is a problem that the quick shooting property is impaired. Further, if flash photography is performed in this state, there is a problem in that the flash does not fire, or even if it fires, the amount of light is significantly insufficient.

Therefore, according to the present invention, charge detecting means for detecting the charge states of the in-camera capacitor and the auxiliary capacitor in the accessory is provided, and each of the capacitors is independently charged and controlled. The light emission control can be performed even when the capacitor is in the charging completed state and the other is not charged yet.

(Ii) When the charging capacity is increased by connecting the auxiliary capacitor in the camera according to the present invention described above, since the power supply and the circuit in the camera body are the same as those of the conventional camera with a built-in flash, the charging capacity is increased. However, there is a problem that the charging time also increases. In addition, once the auxiliary capacitor is attached and connected, the large-capacity capacitor must be charged even in a situation where a large amount of emitted light is not required, so the inconvenience of having to wait for a long charging time for shooting Occurs.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides
Even if an accessory with an auxiliary capacitor that can be attached to the camera body that has a built-in flash unit and can be connected to the camera body is attached to the camera, the connection between the auxiliary capacitor in the accessory and the main capacitor in the camera body is cut off. By providing a switch circuit to enable, the charging capacity of the strobe system can be switched as needed.

(Iii) In the camera according to the present invention as described above, when the camera body and the accessory are separated from each other, the high voltage connection parts of the respective parts are exposed. There is a risk that you will get an electric shock if you touch.
Considering the use of the terminal on the camera body side with no accessories attached, it is desirable to arrange the high-voltage connection portion at a position deeper than the outer surface of the camera body. Therefore, the connection terminal on the accessory side inevitably has a configuration protruding from the joint surface with the camera body, and when handling the accessory, a finger touching the connection terminal is likely to cause an electric shock.

Therefore, in the camera of the present invention, at least the high-voltage connecting portion on the accessory side among the connecting portions for connecting the camera body and the high-voltage portion of the strobe circuit of the accessory is interlocked with the attachment operation of the accessory to the camera body. Configured to move forward and backward. With this configuration, when the accessory is separated from the camera body, the high-voltage connection part on the accessory side does not retract to the recessed position inside the accessory and is not exposed on the outer surface of the accessory, so the auxiliary capacitor inside the accessory is charged. Even if it is in a state, you can prevent accidentally touching the high voltage terminal.

(Iv) In the camera of the present invention as described above, the capacitance of the strobe system is naturally increased in the state where the auxiliary capacitor is connected. Therefore, in this state, when the battery voltage of the power source is lowered, the camera alone is used. Compared to the state, the charging time of the capacitor is significantly longer, and it is difficult to prepare for shooting.
Therefore, the present invention adopts the following configuration in order to solve such a problem. That is, even when the auxiliary capacitor is connected to the camera body, when it is detected that the battery voltage in the camera body has dropped, only the strobe capacitor in the camera body is charged, and charging of the auxiliary capacitor is prohibited. It is configured to.

With such a structure, only the capacitor in the camera body is charged when the battery voltage drops, and it is possible to prevent an unduly long charging time.

As explained in (v) (iii),
In the camera of the present invention, the connection terminal provided on the accessory is inevitably configured to protrude beyond the coupling surface with the camera body, and thus there is a risk that the camera user may touch the terminal and receive an electric shock. Therefore, in the present invention, after the accessory is removed from the camera body, the electric charge accumulated in the auxiliary capacitor in the accessory is automatically discharged.
That is, in an accessory having the auxiliary capacitor,
A resistor for consuming the charge of the auxiliary capacitor is provided, and a switch means for automatically connecting the resistor and the auxiliary capacitor is provided, and after the accessory is removed from the camera body, the switch means causes the resistance to change. And the auxiliary capacitor are automatically connected so that the electric charge of the auxiliary capacitor is consumed by the resistor.

Therefore, according to this structure, since the charge of the auxiliary capacitor is discharged after the accessory is detached from the camera body, even if the high voltage connection portion of the accessory is touched by mistake, no electric shock will occur. ..

(Vi) In the above-described camera of the present invention, if the accessory is used while mounted on the camera body, a large capacity capacitor is always used. Therefore, in a shooting situation where the distance to the subject is very short (for example, macro shooting), a large amount of light is not required.
Since the discharge of the large-capacity capacitor is always stopped midway, the responsiveness of light emission control deteriorates, and as a result, there is a risk that an overexposed photograph can always be taken in macro photography.

Therefore, in the present invention, when the subject distance determining means determines that the subject distance is less than or equal to a predetermined value, or when it is determined from the lens information that the mounted lens is a macro lens, the auxiliary condenser and the camera. The auxiliary capacitor is automatically disconnected from the strobe circuit by the means for disconnecting the connection with the main capacitor in the main body to prohibit the discharge.

Therefore, according to the structure of the present invention, it is possible to prevent overexposure due to deterioration of light emission controllability when performing close-up photography with an accessory (auxiliary capacitor) connected to the camera body.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, the mechanical structure and function of a camera configured by applying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 to 19.

14 to 19, reference numeral 1 is a camera body of a single-lens reflex camera with a built-in strobe, and 2 is an accessory that is detachably attached to the bottom of the camera body 1 (also serves as a part of a grip in this embodiment). ),

Reference numeral 1a is a grip portion of the camera body 1, 1b is a mount for mounting a photographing lens (not shown), and 1c is a front cover. On the top of the camera body 1, a built-in flash light emitting section 3 is provided. FIG. 14 shows a state in which the light emitting unit 3 is popping up, and when not in use, it can be stored at a position (not shown) hidden behind the front cover 1c. Inside the light emitting unit 3, a light emitting tube 3a and a light diffusing plate 3b are attached to the front surface thereof.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a strobe circuit built in the camera body 1. Reference numeral 4a is a main capacitor for light emission, which is housed inside a film winding cylinder (not shown). Below the strobe circuit 4, a connector 4c for supplying electric charge from the accessory 2 to the camera body 1 and for communication is provided, and an opening 1d provided at the bottom of the camera body 1
It is installed in a recessed position inside. Reference numeral 5 denotes a switch for determining attachment of an accessory, which is provided at a position facing the opening 1e for accessory determination provided in the camera body 1. 1f is a screw hole for attaching the accessory 2 or a tripod.

Next, the mechanical structure of the accessory 2 will be described.

The outer box 2a of the accessory 2 is provided with a discrimination pin 2b for transmitting the accessory type to the camera body side. Inside the accessory 2, a sub-capacitor 6a for supplementarily supplying electric charge to the strobe 3 built in the camera body is built in, and the circuit 6 connected to the capacitor 6a is provided in the strobe 3 in the camera body 1. It is provided so that it can be connected to the circuit 4. Reference numeral 7 denotes a mounting screw, which is integrally configured with a screw portion 7a screwed into the screw hole 1f of the camera body 1, a rotation operation portion 7b, a shaft 7c and a transmission gear 7d, and a base plate 8 and a retaining ring. Although the movement in the axial direction is restricted by 7e, it is rotatable. Reference numeral 9 is a friction first gear, which meshes with a transmission gear 7d of the mounting screw 7. Reference numeral 10 denotes a friction second gear in which a gear portion 10a and a shaft 10b are integrally formed, and are rotatably sandwiched between a base plate 8 and an upper base plate 11. Reference numeral 12 denotes a friction spring, which is arranged between the retaining ring 13 and the friction first gear 9 in a compressed state, and transmits a compression force to the friction first gear 9. Further, the first gear 9 (hereinafter abbreviated as a first gear) transmits this compression force to the friction second gear 10 (hereinafter referred to as a second gear) so that the first gear 9 and the second gear 10 are connected to each other. It is possible to rotate integrally with the second gear due to the frictional force generated at the same time, and it is also possible to rotate around the second gear shaft 10b. Reference numeral 14a denotes a clutch gear, which is axially movable from a position in which it meshes with the gear portion 10a of the second gear 10 to a position in which it disengages, but maintains meshing with a spur gear portion 15a (described later) of the drive gear 15. It is supposed to do. The drive gear 15 is composed of a spur gear portion 15a and a worm gear portion 15b. Worm gear part 15b
Engages with the worm gear portion 16a of the connector 16. In addition, the connector 16 has a sub-capacitor 6a.
A connection pin 16b for transmitting the electric charge of (1) to the camera body side and for performing communication is implanted. The pin 16b is connected to the strobe circuit 6 by a lead wire 17. The outer periphery 16c of the connector 16 is fitted with the cylindrical wall 2c provided inside the outer box 2a. Reference numeral 16e is a groove for preventing rotation. Rotation of the connector 16 in the rotational direction is restricted by the groove 16e and a rib 2d provided in a part of the wall 2c, and the connector 16 can move only in the vertical direction.

Reference numeral 18 denotes an attachment / detachment detection pin, which can be moved vertically between a guide plate 19 attached to the side wall 2d of the outer box 2 and the outer box 2a. The upper end 18a of the detection pin 18 is normally the outer box 2
It projects from a. Reference numeral 20 is a lever, which is rotatable around a shaft 20a. Reference numeral 21 denotes a return spring, one end of which is hooked on the projecting portion 8a of the base plate and the other end of which is hooked on the standing bent portion 20b of the lever 20 to urge the lever 20 clockwise. The lever 20 has an upper left end 2
Since 0c is in contact with the lower end 18b of the detection pin 18 described above, the detection pin 18 is always pushed upward. The lower left end 20d of the lever 20 pushes down the attachment / detachment detection switch 22 when the lever 20 rotates counterclockwise.
A leaf spring 23 is fixed to the arm portion 12 of the lever 20, and a tip portion 23a is inserted into a groove 14c provided on a shaft 14b of the clutch gear 14a, and pushes the clutch gear 14a downward. .. Therefore, the transmission between the clutch gear 14 and the second gear 10 is separated. The lever 20 has a notch 20e in the upper portion thereof, and the drive portion 24b of the connector cover 24 is sandwiched between the cover 20 and the outer box 2a. The cover 24 is rotatable around a shaft 24b.

A state in which the accessory 2 is attached to the camera body 1 in the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 19.

When the accessory 2 is attached to the camera body 1, the discrimination pin 2 is inserted into the camera body opening 1e,
The camera body 1 and the accessory 2 are positioned. At this time, the accessory discriminating switch 5 is pushed up to notify that the accessory is attached to the camera body side. at the same time,
The upper end 18a of the attachment / detachment detection pin 18 is pushed down by the bottom of the camera body 1, and the lower end 18b is the left end 2 of the lever 20.
Push 0c down. Therefore, the lever 20 pivots counterclockwise around the shaft 20a against the urging force of the return spring 21. The lower left end 20d of the lever 20 pushes down the attachment / detachment detection switch 22 provided inside the accessory, and notifies the accessory side that it is in the attached state. Further, since the lever 20 moves the drive portion 24a of the connector cover 24 to the left, the cover 24 rotates clockwise around the rotation shaft 24b, and the connector 16 on the accessory side is exposed. The leaf spring 23 fixed to the lever 20 is the clutch gear 1
4 is moved to a position where it meshes with the friction second gear 10. However, it remains in mesh with the drive gear 15.

After that, by turning the tightening operation member 7b counterclockwise in FIG. 17, the accessory side mounting screw 7a is screwed into the camera body side mounting screw hole 1f.

At this time, the transmission gear 7d rotates counterclockwise integrally with the operating portion 7b, so that the friction first gear 9 rotates clockwise. The friction second gear 10 integrally rotates clockwise due to friction with the first gear 9. Clutch gear 14
Since a is pushed upward by the leaf spring 23,
The second gear 1 is in mesh with the second gear 10.
Rotate counterclockwise by engagement with 0. Since the drive gear 15 is always in mesh with the clutch gear 14a, it rotates clockwise. Therefore, since the worm gear portion 16a of the connector 16 meshes with the worm gear portion of the drive gear, the connector 16 ascends along the cylindrical wall 2c provided in the accessory outer box and projects from the accessory outer box 2a. The connection pin 16b is the connector 4c on the camera body side.
Start to insert. After that, the stopper 16d is attached to the wall 2c.
At that point, the further rise stops and the connection of the connector is completed. However, since the stroke required for the tightening operation is set to be longer than the stroke required for connecting the connector, the rotating operation member 7b must be further rotated, but 10 times from the time when the rise of the connector 16 is stopped. Since the rotations of the gears 14, 14, and 15 are also stopped, the friction first gear 9 and the second gear 10 start slipping, and the first gear idles and the tightening operation is completed without breaking the other gears. Then, the accessory 2 is attached to the camera body 1.

On the contrary, when the accessory 2 is detached from the camera body 1, it is detached by the operation which is completely opposite to the above-mentioned operation, but the detaching stroke of the attaching screw 7a is still more than the stroke required for detaching the connector at this time. Is set to be longer, the fastening screw 7a is first loosened from the screw hole 1f and then removed after the connector is completely removed. When the screw 7a is pulled out from the screw hole 1f, the accessory 2 is detached from the camera body 1, and the lever 20 is returned to the return spring 2
1, the clutch gear 14a is rotated clockwise by the leaf spring 2
It is pushed downward by 3 and disengaged from the friction second gear 10, and the initial state is restored.

As described above, the camera of the present invention is provided with the auxiliary capacitor 6a in the accessory 2 which is detachably attached to the camera body 1 having the built-in strobe device, and the auxiliary capacitor 6a in the accessory 2 is provided. And the main capacitor 4a in the camera body 1 can be connected. As a result, the accessory 2 is attached to the camera body 1
When the condenser 6a in the accessory 2 is connected to the main condenser 4a in the camera body 1, the amount of light emitted from the strobe can be increased by increasing the charging capacity. Further, since the accessory externally attached to the camera body has a small volume corresponding to the external condenser, it is possible to avoid a large increase in the size of the camera.

In the camera of the present invention, at least the high-voltage connection terminal on the accessory side of the connection terminals for connecting the camera body and the high-voltage portion of the strobe circuit of the accessory interlocks with the attachment operation of the accessory to the camera body. When the accessory is separated from the camera body, the high-voltage connection terminal on the accessory side retracts to a position in the accessory where it cannot be touched, so the high-voltage connection terminal may be exposed on the outer surface of the accessory. Therefore, even if the strobe capacitor in the accessory is charged, it is possible to prevent accidental touching of the high voltage terminal.

Next, with reference to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the electrical construction of the camera of the present invention will be described. <Embodiment 1> In FIG. 1, 1 is a camera body, 2 is an accessory such as a grip detachably attached to the camera body 1, 101 is a power switch, 102 is a battery, and 104 is an output voltage boosted from the battery 102. A booster circuit that generates an output, 103 is a constant voltage source that generates a constant voltage Vcc for the control circuit by the voltage supplied from the battery 102, 105 is a diode that rectifies the output of the booster circuit 104, and 106 and 107 are main capacitors 115. Further, 108 and 109 are capacitors for voltage detection and DC blocking, and 114 is a diode for blocking backflow from the main capacitor 115, and resistors for detecting the charging voltage of the capacitor 503 for increasing the amount of light in the grip 500. The resistors 106 and 107 and the capacitors 108 and 109 form a voltage detection unit 100, and the voltage division of the resistors 106 and 107 is input to the input terminal sen1 of the flash control circuit 133.

Reference numeral 123 is a flash discharge tube that emits light by the discharge charge of the main capacitor 115 and capacitor 503, 21 is a trigger transformer for applying a light emission trigger to the control electrode of the flash discharge tube 123, and 120 is the primary side of the transformer 121. Is connected to the trigger capacitor, 122 is a limiting coil for limiting the current flowing in the flash discharge tube 123, 1
Reference numeral 16 is a resistor connected to the anode of the thyristor 117 and is connected to the positive electrode of the capacitor 120, 117 is a light emitting thyristor for causing the capacitor 120 to generate a trigger, 118 and 119 are resistors connected to the gate of the thyristor 117, Is. The resistor 119 is connected to the output port STcR of the flash control circuit 133, and the gate trigger pulse output from the control circuit 133 is applied to the gate of the thyristor 117 via the resistor 119. Resistor 116, thyristor 11
The circuit section including 7, resistors 118 and 119, capacitor 120, and transformer 121 constitutes a light emitting circuit section 300 for causing the flash discharge tube 123 to start light emission.

Reference numeral 124 denotes a thyristor for stopping light emission for commutating (turning off) the thyristor 117 to stop light emission of the light emitting tube 123 after the light emission of the flash light emitting tube 123 is started, and 125 is a gate of the thyristor 124 and a flash control circuit. A resistor connected between the output terminal SPcR of 133 and a resistor 126 connected between the gate of the thyristor 124 and the ground line.
The light emission stop circuit portion 400 is formed by 25 and the resistor 126. When a pulse signal is applied from the output terminal SPcR of the flash control circuit 133 to the gate of the thyristor 124 via the resistor 125 after the flash arc tube 123 starts to emit light, the thyristor 124 is turned on and a gap between the anode and the cathode of the thyristor 124 is generated. It becomes conductive, and the current flowing through the flash tube 123 is stopped.

The accessory 2 configured to be detachably attached to the camera body 1 is provided with connecting terminals G2 and G4 connected to the main flash circuit in the camera body 1, and the accessory 2 Is attached to the camera body 1, the terminals G2 and G4 are connected to the connection terminals g2 and g4 of the strobe circuit of the camera body 1, and the capacitor 503 in the accessory 2 is connected through the terminals. It is connected to a strobe circuit in the camera body 1.

Reference numeral 128 denotes a switch that is automatically closed when the accessory 2 is attached to the camera body 1, and a pulse signal generated by closing the switch 128 is input to the input terminal GS of the flash control circuit 133. It is supposed to be done. A resistor 127 is connected to the contact of the switch 128, and the constant voltage source Vcc is connected to the resistor 127.

Reference numeral 130 denotes a known dimming circuit, which is connected to the input terminal SP and the output terminal ST of the flash control circuit 133. Reference numeral 129 is a known SPD (silicon photodiode) for detecting the brightness of the field, and SPD1
The output of 29 is input to the dimming circuit 131. When the ST signal input from the flash control circuit 133 to the dimming circuit 131 changes from a low level (hereinafter abbreviated as LL) to a high level (hereinafter abbreviated as HL), the dimming circuit 131 outputs itself. The built-in photometric integration capacitor (not shown) starts charging, and SPD1
When the field brightness detected by 29 reaches an appropriate value, the flash control circuit 133 is changed by changing the output signal SP to the flash control circuit 133 from HL to LL.
Give permission to stop light emission.

Reference numeral 131 denotes a display circuit, which is the main capacitor 115.
And the completion of mounting the accessory 2 on the camera body 1 are displayed. Reference numeral 132 is a so-called X contact that works in conjunction with a strobe operation button (not shown).

The flash control circuit 133 has a microcomputer, a latch circuit, etc. built therein, and controls the start and stop of light emission of the flash tube 123, the charging voltage of the main capacitor 115 and the auxiliary capacitor 503,
Control of the display circuit 131, control of the dimming circuit 130, detection of opening / closing of the X contact (switch 132), detection of attachment of the accessory 2 and the like are performed. In addition, the flash control circuit 13
3 is connected to the booster circuit 104 via the OSc output terminal, and causes the booster circuit 104 to start the boosting operation by setting the output signal of the output terminal to HL. The flash control circuit 133 is supplied with a constant voltage Vcc for circuit operation from the constant voltage circuit 103.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the operation of the electrical configuration shown in FIG. 1. The electrical operation of this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

When the power switch 101 is turned on, the power battery 102 is connected to the constant voltage circuit 103 and the constant voltage circuit 103 is connected.
The constant voltage Vcc is output. As a result, power is supplied to the Vcc terminal of the flash control circuit 133 (hereinafter abbreviated as control circuit). Then, the latch circuit (not shown) in the control circuit 133 is reset, and the control circuit 133 is in the initial state <steps # 1, # 2>.

Next, it is judged whether or not the switch 128 for judging whether or not the accessory 2 having the built-in capacitor 503 is attached is turned on <step #
3>, the control circuit 1 when the switch 128 is off
Since HL is input to the GS terminal 33, the process proceeds to step # 6. When the switch 128 is on, LL is input to the GS terminal of the control circuit 133, so the accessory 2
The GE bit indicating that the is attached is set to "1"<step#4>. (Holding by the latch circuit in the control circuit 133).

Next, a signal is sent from the DP terminal of the control circuit 133 to indicate that the accessory 2 has been attached, and the display circuit 13
Displayed at 1 <Step # 5>.

Next, the voltage detection unit 100 detects the charging voltage charged in the main capacitor 115 and the capacitor 503 by the input voltage to the input terminal sen1 of the control circuit 133, and the first charge completion level required for light emission. Determine if (charging completion level 1) is reached <Step #
6>.

When the voltage is equal to or lower than the first charge completion voltage required for light emission (when the charge is not completed), the process proceeds to step # 7, and when the charge is completed, the process proceeds to step # 8.

In step # 7, the OS of the control circuit 133 is
HL is output from the terminal c to the booster circuit 104 to perform boosting operation, the main capacitor 115 and the capacitor 503 are charged through the diode 105 and the diode 114 <step # 7>, and the process returns to step # 6.

When the input voltage of the input terminal sen1 of the control circuit 133 reaches the charge completion level 1 suitable for light emission, the charge completion bit C is detected by the latch circuit in the control circuit 133 based on the detection result (charge completion) at the input terminal sen1.
"1" is stored in HG1 <step # 8>.

Next, the charging voltage charged in the main capacitor 115 and the capacitor 503 is detected again by the voltage detection unit 100 at the input terminal sen1 of the control circuit 133, and the second charging completion level (charging completion), which is the full charging level, is detected. Determine if you have reached Level 2) <Step #
9>.

When the charging completion level 2 has not been reached, the process proceeds to step # 12, and when the charging completion level 2 has been reached, the process proceeds to step # 10.

If the charge completion level 2 has been reached, the latch circuit in the control circuit 133 latches that the input signal to the input terminal sen1 has reached the second charge completion level, and the CHG2 bit is set to "1". Is stored <step # 10>.

Next, the OSc signal of the control circuit 133 is set to HL.
To LL to stop the operation of the booster circuit 104 <step # 11>.

Next, the SWX switch 132 (hereinafter referred to as SWX
The control circuit 133 determines whether or not (abbreviated as X) is pressed <step # 12>.

When the switch 1 is pressed when the SWX is not pressed, the process proceeds to step # 3, and when the switch 1 is off, the process ends (step # 13).

If SWX is pressed in step # 12, the next step of light emission / dimming operation is started.

When the SWX is turned on, the charge detection latch of the control circuit 133 is first reset <step # 14>.

Next, the ST signal of the control circuit 133, which is a dimming start signal, is changed from LL to HL to start dimming <step # 15>.

Further, the light emission start signal is sent to S of the control circuit 133.
A pulse is output from the TcR terminal <step # 16>.

As a result, the thyristor 117 is turned on by being applied to the gate of the thyristor 117 via the resistor 119, the electric charge of the capacitor 120 charged at the time of boosting is discharged, and the pulse is input to the primary side of the transformer 121. When a high-voltage pulse is generated on the secondary side of the flash lamp, the flash discharge tube 123 is triggered and emits light <step # 17>.

The emitted light is reflected by the subject (not shown),
The light is detected by the SPD 129, and the output of the SPD 129 is judged by the dimming circuit 130 to determine whether it reaches a proper light amount <step # 18>. When it is judged to be proper, the dimming circuit 130 outputs a light emission stop signal SP. Signal output is H
From L to LL, the control circuit 133 is caused to stop emitting light <step # 19>.

Next, in order to stop the light emission, the control circuit 133
Pulse output from the SPcR terminal of <Step # 2
0>, the charge discharged from the main capacitor 115 and the capacitor 503 is bypassed to the thyristor 124 by being applied to the gate of the thyristor 124 via the resistor 125 and turning on the thyristor 124, and the light emission is stopped <Step # 21>. .. Then return to step # 1.

<Second Embodiment> FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the electrical construction of a camera of the second embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, the components indicated by the same numbers as in FIG. 1 are the same as the components of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

In the camera body 1A and the accessory 2A of this embodiment, three connection terminals g1 and g2 and g4 (camera side connection terminals) and a connection terminal G are provided on the mutual coupling surfaces.
1 and G2 and G4 (accessory side connection terminals) are provided.

A capacitor 113 and resistors 111 and 112 for voltage detection are provided as circuit elements connected to the connection terminal g1 in the camera body 1A, and the terminal g is formed by a parallel circuit composed of the capacitor 113 and the resistors 111 and 112.
A voltage detection circuit for detecting a voltage between 1 and g4 (voltage of an auxiliary capacitor 503 described later) is configured. Then, a wiring for detecting the voltage division between the resistors 111 and 112 is connected to the second input terminal sen2 of the flash control circuit 133, and terminals g1 and g4 (ground terminals) are connected.
The detected voltage value between the input terminal and the input terminal se of the control circuit 133 is
It is designed to be input to n2.

The terminal g1 is also a terminal for charging the auxiliary capacitor 503 in the accessory 2A.
A rectifying diode 110 connected to the output terminal of the booster circuit 104 is connected to the.

On the other hand, the terminal g2 is the same as the connection terminal g2 of the first embodiment already described, and the circuit element connected to the terminal g2 is the voltage detecting resistors 106 and 107 of the main capacitor 115 and the capacitors 109 and 108. , Rectifying diode 105, and the like. That is, in this embodiment,
The voltage detection circuit and the power supply circuit for the main capacitor 115 in the camera body 1A and the voltage detection circuit and the power supply circuit for the auxiliary capacitor 503 in the accessory 2A are separated from each other.

In the accessory 2A of this embodiment, two diodes 501 and 5 are provided on the positive electrode side of the capacitor 503.
02 are connected in antiparallel to each other. That is, the cathode of the diode 501 is connected to the positive electrode of the capacitor 503, and the anode is connected to the connection terminal G1. On the other hand, the diode 502 has an anode connected to the positive electrode of the capacitor 503 and a cathode connected to the connection terminal G2. Therefore, the power supply circuit for the capacitor 503 and the discharge circuit for the capacitor 503 are separated.

Reference numeral 600 denotes an accessory having no built-in auxiliary capacitor, which is configured to be detachably attached to the camera body 1A, as in the accessory 2A. The connection surface of the accessory 600 is provided with connection terminals G′1 and G′2 that come into contact with the connection terminals g1 and g2 of the camera body 1A, and both terminals G′1 and G′2 are connected to each other by a diode 601. Therefore, the direct current can flow only from the terminal G'1 to the terminal G'2.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the control operation and function of the camera of this embodiment. The operation of the image pickup apparatus of this embodiment will be described below with reference to this drawing and FIG. When the power switch 101 is turned on, the power battery 102 is connected to the constant voltage circuit 103, and the constant voltage circuit 103 outputs the constant voltage Vcc. As a result, power is supplied to the Vcc terminal of the flash control circuit 133 (hereinafter abbreviated as control circuit). Then, the latch circuit (not shown) in the control circuit 133 is reset, and the control circuit 133 is in the initial state <steps # 1, # 2>.

Next, it is judged whether or not the switch 128 for judging whether or not the accessory 2A having the built-in capacitor 503 is attached is turned on <step # 3>, and the switch 128 is turned off. In this case, since HL is input to the GS terminal of the control circuit 133, step # 6
Go ahead. When the switch 128 is on, LL is input to the GS terminal of the control circuit 133, so the GE bit indicating that the accessory 2A is attached is set to "1"<step#4>. (Holding by the latch circuit in the control circuit 133).

Next, a signal is sent from the DP terminal of the control circuit 133 to display that the accessory 2A has been attached to the display circuit 1
Display at 31 <Step # 5>.

Next, the voltage detection unit 100 detects the charging voltage charged in the main capacitor 115 and the capacitor 503 by the input voltage to the input terminal sen1 of the control circuit 133, and the first charge completion level required for light emission. Determine if (charging completion level 1) is reached <Step #
6>.

When the voltage is equal to or lower than the first charge completion voltage required for light emission (when the uncharge is completed), the process proceeds to step # 7, and when the charge is completed, the process proceeds to step # 8.

At step # 7, the OS of the control circuit 133
HL is output from the c terminal to the booster circuit 104 to perform a boosting operation, the main capacitor 115 and the capacitor 503 are charged through the diode 105 and the diode 114 <step # 7>, and the process returns to step # 6.

When the input voltage of the input terminal sen1 of the control circuit 133 reaches the charge completion level 1 suitable for light emission, the charge completion bit C is detected by the latch circuit in the control circuit 133 based on the detection result (charge completion) at the input terminal sen1.
"1" is stored in HG1 <step # 8>.

Next, it is determined whether or not the accessory 2A is attached / detached. When GE = "1", the process proceeds to step # 102, and when the accessory 2A is not attached (that is, when the accessory 600 is attached). Proceed to Step # 9 <Step # 101>.

Further, it is judged whether or not the input voltage of the terminal sen2 (voltage of the capacitor 503 in the accessory 2A) has reached a certain voltage capable of emitting light <step # 10.
2>, when it reaches a certain level or higher, "1" is stored in the charging completion bit CHG3 of the terminal sen2 by a latch circuit (not shown) in the control circuit 133 <step # 103>.

Next, the charging voltage charged in the main capacitor 115 and the capacitor 503 is detected again by the voltage detection unit 100 at the input terminal sen1 of the control circuit 133, and the second charge completion level (charge completion level) which is the full charge level is detected. Determine if you have reached Level 2) <Step #
9>.

If the charging completion level 2 has not been reached, the process proceeds to step # 12, and if the charging completion level 2 has been reached, the process proceeds to step # 10.

When the charge completion level 2 is reached, the latch circuit in the control circuit 133 latches that the input signal to the input terminal sen1 has reached the second charge completion level, and the CHG2 bit is set to "1". Is stored <step # 10>.

Next, the OSc signal of the control circuit 133 is set to HL.
To LL to stop the operation of the booster circuit 104 <step # 11>.

Next, SWX (SW for the switches 132 and below)
The control circuit 133 determines whether or not (abbreviated as X) is pressed <step # 12>.

If the switch 1 is pressed when the SWX (switch 132) is not pressed, the process proceeds to step # 3, and when the switch is off, the process is ended <step # 13>.

If the SWX is pressed in step # 12, the light emission and dimming operations of the next step are performed.

When SWX is turned on, the charge detection latch of the control circuit 133 is first reset <step # 14>.

Next, the ST signal of the control circuit 133, which is a dimming start signal, is changed from LL to HL to start dimming <step # 15>.

Further, the light emission start signal is sent to the S of the control circuit 133.
A pulse is output from the TcR terminal <step # 16>.

As a result, the thyristor 117 is turned on by being applied to the gate of the thyristor 117 via the resistor 119, and the electric charge of the capacitor 120 charged at the time of boosting is discharged, so that a pulse is input to the primary side of the transformer 121. Further, when a high-voltage pulse is generated on the secondary side of the transformer, the flash discharge tube 123 is triggered to emit light <step # 17>.

The emitted light reflects off the subject (not shown),
The light is detected by the SPD 129, the light output of the SPD 129 is judged by the light control circuit 130 to determine whether it reaches an appropriate light amount <step # 18>, and when it is judged to be proper, the light control circuit 130 outputs the light emission stop signal SP Signal output is H
From L to LL, the control circuit 133 is caused to stop emitting light <step # 19>.

Next, in order to stop the light emission, the control circuit 133
Pulse output from the SPcR terminal of <Step # 2
0>, the charge discharged from the main capacitor 115 and the capacitor 503 is bypassed to the thyristor 124 by being applied to the gate of the thyristor 124 via the resistor 125 and turning on the thyristor 124, and thus the light emission is stopped <Step # 21>. .. Then return to step # 1.

As described above, in the camera of this embodiment, the charging detecting means is provided independently for each of the internal condenser of the camera body and the auxiliary condenser, and the respective condensers are controlled to be charged independently. Thus, even if one of the capacitors is in a charging completed state and the other is not charged yet, the light emission control can be performed.

<Third Embodiment> FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the electrical construction of a third embodiment of the photographing apparatus of the present invention. In addition,
In this figure, the circuit elements indicated by the same numbers as in FIG. 1 are the same as the circuit elements of the embodiment of FIG.

In this embodiment, the electrical configurations of the camera body 1B and the accessory 2B differ from those of the second embodiment in the following points. That is, the accessory 2 of this embodiment
In B, a thyristor 504 is connected instead of the diode 502 in the accessory 2A, and the thyristor 50 is connected.
A one-shot circuit 520 is connected as the fourth gate drive circuit. In this embodiment, the one-shot circuit 520 includes a CR series circuit including a capacitor 506 and a resistor 507, a bidirectional thyristor 509 serially connected to the CR series circuit, and a bidirectional thyristor 50 as shown in the present embodiment.
It is composed of resistors 510 and 511 connected to the gate of N9, and a resistor 508 connected in parallel to the bidirectional thyristor 509 and connected to the connection terminal G4 (ground terminal). The resistor 510 is connected to the connection terminal G3 provided on the accessory 2B, and the resistor 511 is connected to the connection terminal G4. That is, the accessory 2B of the present embodiment has a connection terminal G1 for charging the capacitor 503, a connection terminal G2 for discharging current from the capacitor 503, and a connection terminal for signal transmission for driving the one-shot circuit 520. G3, a connection terminal G4 for grounding,
Is provided on the coupling surface with the camera body 1B.

On the other hand, the camera body 1B of this embodiment has a terminal g3 connected to the connection terminal G3, and the terminal g3
A wire for sending a one-shot circuit drive signal is connected between the output terminal CTR of the flash control circuit 133 and the terminal g3.

The flash control circuit 133 outputs the output terminal CT.
When the signal level of R is changed from LL to HL, the bidirectional thyristor 509 conducts in the direction of arrow a and the charge accumulated in the electrode plate of the capacitor 506 is discharged. As a result, a gate-on pulse is applied to the gate of the thyristor 504. When applied, the thyristor 504 turns on and the capacitor 5
The charge accumulated in 03 is released and the thyristor 50
4 and the flash discharge tube 1 through the connection terminals G2 and g2.
23 into the anode.

In this embodiment, the discharge timing from the capacitor 503 in the accessory 2B can be changed by the control of the thyristor 504, so that a wider variety of light emission control can be performed as compared with the embodiment of FIG.

Of course, as the gate control circuit of the thyristor 504, a circuit configuration other than the one-shot circuit shown in the figure can be adopted. In addition, thyristor 504
It goes without saying that a reverse conducting thyristor, an IGBT, a GTO thyristor or the like can be used instead of the.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the operation of this embodiment. The operation of this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

When the power switch 101 is turned on, the power battery 102 is connected to the constant voltage circuit 103 and the constant voltage circuit 103 is connected.
The constant voltage Vcc is output. As a result, power is supplied to the Vcc terminal of the flash control circuit 133 (hereinafter abbreviated as control circuit). Then, the latch circuit (not shown) in the control circuit 133 is reset, and the control circuit 133 is in the initial state <steps # 1, # 2>.

Next, it is determined whether or not the switch 128 for determining whether or not the accessory 2B having the built-in capacitor 503 is attached <step # 3>, and the switch 128 is off. In this case, since HL is input to the GS terminal of the control circuit 133, step # 6
Go ahead. When the switch 128 is on, LL is input to the GS terminal of the control circuit 133, so the GE bit indicating that the accessory 2B is attached is set to "1"<step#4>. (Holding by the latch circuit in the control circuit 133).

Next, a signal is sent from the DP terminal of the control circuit 133 to indicate that the accessory 2B has been attached to the display circuit 1
Display at 31 <Step # 5>.

Next, the voltage detection unit 100 detects the charging voltage charged in the main capacitor 115 and the capacitor 503 by the input voltage to the input terminal sen1 of the control circuit 133, and the first charge completion level required for light emission. Determine if (charging completion level 1) is reached <Step #
6>.

When the voltage is equal to or lower than the first charge completion voltage required for light emission (when the uncharge is completed), the process proceeds to step # 7, and when the charge is completed, the process proceeds to step # 8.

At step # 7, the OS of the control circuit 133 is
HL is output from the c terminal to the booster circuit 104 to perform a boosting operation, the main capacitor 115 and the capacitor 503 are charged through the diode 105 and the diode 114 <step # 7>, and the process returns to step # 6.

When the input voltage of the input terminal sen1 of the control circuit 133 reaches the charge completion level 1 suitable for light emission, the charge completion bit C is detected by the latch circuit in the control circuit 133 based on the detection result (charge completion) at the input terminal sen1.
"1" is stored in HG1 <step # 8>.

Next, it is judged whether or not the accessory is attached / detached, and the G
When E = “1”, the process proceeds to step # 102, and when the accessory 2B is not attached, the process proceeds to step # 9 <step # 101>.

Further, it is judged whether or not the input voltage of the terminal sen2 (voltage of the capacitor 503 in the accessory 2B) has reached a certain voltage capable of emitting light <step # 10.
2>, when it reaches a certain level or higher, "1" is stored in the charging completion bit CHG3 of the terminal sen2 by a latch circuit (not shown) in the control circuit 133 <step # 103>.

Next, the charging voltage charged in the main capacitor 115 and the capacitor 503 is detected again at the input terminal sen1 of the control circuit 133 by the voltage detection unit 100, and the second charging completion level (charging completion level), which is the full charging level, is detected. Determine if you have reached Level 2) <Step #
9>.

If the charging completion level 2 has not been reached, the process proceeds to step # 12, and if the charging completion level 2 has been reached, the process proceeds to step # 10.

When the charge completion level 2 is reached, the latch circuit in the control circuit 133 latches that the input signal to the input terminal sen1 has reached the second charge completion level, and the CHG2 bit is set to "1". Is stored <step # 10>.

Next, the OSc signal of the control circuit 133 is set to HL.
To LL to stop the operation of the booster circuit 104 <step # 11>.

Next, SWX (SW for switch 132 and below)
The control circuit 133 determines whether or not (abbreviated as X) is pressed <step # 12>.

If the switch 1 is pressed when the SWX (switch 132) is not pressed, the process proceeds to step # 3, and when the switch is off, the process ends (step # 13).

If SWX is pressed in step # 12, the next step of light emission and dimming operation is performed.

When the SWX is turned on, the charge detection latch of the control circuit 133 is first reset <step # 14>.

It is determined whether or not the accessory 2B is attached, and if GE = 1, proceed to step # 202,
If GE = 0, step # if not accessory 2B
Proceed to 15 <Step # 201>.

Next, when the output level of the CTR terminal of the control circuit 133 is changed from LL to HL, a pulse is generated at the connection terminals g3 and G.
3 is applied to the one-shot circuit 520 to activate the one-shot circuit 520, and the one-shot pulse output from the circuit 520 turns on the thyristor 504 <step # 202>.

As a result, the main capacitor 115 and the sub capacitor 503 are connected to the anode of the discharge tube 123.
The one-shot circuit 520 operates as follows.
That is, when the pulse generated from the CTR terminal of the control circuit 133 is applied to the gate of the bidirectional thyristor 509 and the bidirectional thyristor 509 is turned on, the capacitor 506 is turned on.
The charge accumulated in the thyristor 5 is discharged and applied as a gate trigger pulse of the thyristor 504.
04 is turned on.

Next, the ST signal of the control circuit 133 which is a dimming start signal is changed from LL to HL to start dimming <step # 15>.

Further, the control circuit 13 outputs the light emission start signal pulse.
The data is output from the STcR terminal 3 (step # 16).

The thyristor 117 is turned on by being applied to the gate of the thyristor 117 via the resistor 119, and the electric charge of the capacitor 120 charged at the time of boosting is discharged, so that a pulse is input to the primary side of the transformer 121 and further. When a high-voltage pulse is generated on the secondary side of the transformer, the flash discharge tube 123 is triggered to emit light <step # 17>.

The emitted light reflects off the subject (not shown),
The light is detected by the SPD 129, the light output of the SPD 129 is judged by the light control circuit 130 to determine whether it reaches an appropriate light amount <step # 18>, and when it is judged to be proper, the light control circuit 130 outputs the light emission stop signal SP Signal output is H
From L to LL, the control circuit 133 is caused to stop emitting light <step # 19>.

Next, in order to stop the light emission, the control circuit 133
Pulse output from the SPcR terminal of <Step # 2
0>, the charge discharged from the main capacitor 115 and the capacitor 503 is bypassed to the thyristor 124 by being applied to the gate of the thyristor 124 via the resistor 125 and turning on the thyristor 124, and thus the light emission is stopped <Step # 21>. .. Then return to step # 1.

As described above, in the camera of this embodiment, the auxiliary capacitor 503 and the capacitor 115 in the camera body are attached even when the accessory is attached to the camera body.
By providing a switch means (thyristor 504) for cutting off the connection of (1), the charging capacity of the strobe system can be switched as necessary.

<Fourth Embodiment> FIG. 7 shows a fourth camera of the present invention.
It is a figure showing the electric composition in an example. In this figure, the circuit elements indicated by the same numbers as those in FIG. 5 are the same as the circuit elements in the embodiment of FIG.

In this embodiment, the accessory has the same configuration as the accessory 2B of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 5, but the camera body 1C differs from the camera body 1B of the third embodiment in the following points.

That is, in the camera body 1C of the present embodiment, the switch circuit 134 is provided in the power supply circuit for the capacitor 503 in the accessory 2B, and the switch circuit 134 controls the control circuit based on the information such as the remaining capacity of the battery 102. It is automatically controlled by 133.

As shown in FIG. 7, the switch circuit 1
34 is a PNP transistor 135 whose emitter is connected to the cathode of the diode 110 and whose collector is connected to the connection terminal g1, and whose collector is connected to the base of the transistor 135 and whose emitter is connected to the ground line. The NPN transistor 136 whose base is connected to the output terminal CTR2 of the control circuit 133.
It consists of and. 137 is a base resistance of the transistor 135, and 138 is a base resistance of the transistor 136.

When the control circuit 133 detects that the remaining capacity of the battery 102 is lower than a predetermined value after the accessory 2B is attached to the camera body 1C as shown in the figure, the signal level of the output terminal CTR2 is set to LL. To HL to turn the transistor 136 off by applying it to the base of the NPN transistor 136. When the transistor 136 turns off, the base current of the PNP transistor 135 disappears and the transistor 135 also turns off. Turns off.

That is, in this embodiment, the control circuit 133 is configured to automatically stop charging the in-accessory capacitor 503 when the remaining capacity of the battery 102 is low.

Next, the electrical operation of the camera of this embodiment having the configuration of FIG. 7 will be described with reference to FIG.

When the power switch 101 is turned on, the power battery 102 is connected to the constant voltage circuit 103 and the constant voltage circuit 103 is connected.
The constant voltage Vcc is output. As a result, power is supplied to the Vcc terminal of the flash control circuit 133 (hereinafter abbreviated as control circuit). Then, the latch circuit (not shown) in the control circuit 133 is reset, and the control circuit 133 is in the initial state <steps # 1, # 2>.

Next, it is determined whether or not the switch 128 for determining whether or not the accessory 2B having the built-in capacitor 503 is attached <step # 3>, and the switch 128 is off. In this case, since HL is input to the GS terminal of the control circuit 133, step # 6
Go ahead. When the switch 128 is on, LL is input to the GS terminal of the control circuit 133, so the GE bit indicating that the power-up grip 500B is attached is set to "1"<step#4>. (Control circuit 13
Hold by latch circuit in 3).

Next, a signal is sent from the DP terminal of the control circuit 133 to display on the display circuit 131 that the grip 500B is attached <step # 5>.

Next, in the battery check circuit, the battery 10
2 is detected <Step # 5-2>, and if the battery voltage is lower than a predetermined value, <Step # 5-3> proceeds to Step # 6. If the battery voltage is equal to or higher than the predetermined value, the switch circuit 134 Turn on.

That is, the output level of the CTR2 terminal of the control circuit 133 is changed from LL to HL, a positive pulse is applied to the base of the transistor 136 of the switch circuit 134, and the switch circuit 134 is turned on.

When the voltage of the battery 102 is lower than the predetermined value, the switch circuit 134 is turned off, and when the voltage of the battery 102 is not lower than the predetermined value, the switch circuit 134 is turned on. That is,
In the figure, the control circuit 133 sets the output of the CTR2 terminal to H level.
When set to L, a positive pulse is applied to the base of the transistor 136 via the resistor 138 to turn on the transistor 136, and thus the transistor 135 via the resistor 137.
Current flows to the base of the transistor 135 and turns on,
As a result, the transistor 135 and the connection terminals g1 and G1
The diode 110 is connected to the capacitor 503 via the diode 501 and the capacitor 503 is charged from the booster circuit 104.

Next, the voltage detection unit 100 controls the charging voltage of the main capacitor 115 and the capacitor 503 to the control circuit 133.
It is detected by the input voltage to the input terminal sen1 of (1) and it is determined whether or not it has reached the first charge completion level (charge completion level 1) required for light emission <step # 6>.

If the voltage is equal to or lower than the first charge completion voltage required for light emission (when no charge is completed), the process proceeds to step # 7. If the charge is completed, the process proceeds to step # 8.

At step # 7, the OS of the control circuit 133
HL is output from the c terminal to the booster circuit 104 to perform a boosting operation, the main capacitor 115 and the capacitor 503 are charged through the diode 105 and the diode 114 <step # 7>, and the process returns to step # 6.

When the input voltage of the input terminal sen1 of the control circuit 133 reaches the charge completion level 1 suitable for light emission, the charge completion bit C is detected by the latch circuit in the control circuit 133 based on the detection result (charge completion) at the input terminal sen1.
"1" is stored in HG1 <step # 8>.

Next, it is determined whether or not the accessory is attached / detached, and the GE
If "1", the process proceeds to step # 102. If the accessory 2B is not attached, the process proceeds to step # 9 <step # 101>.

Further, it is judged whether or not the input voltage of the terminal sen2 (voltage of the capacitor 503 in the accessory 2B) has reached a certain voltage capable of emitting light (step # 10).
2>, when it reaches a certain level or higher, "1" is stored in the charging completion bit CHG3 of the terminal sen2 by a latch circuit (not shown) in the control circuit 133 <step # 103>.

Next, the voltage detection unit 100 controls the charging voltage of the main capacitor 115 and the capacitor 503 to the control circuit 133.
It is detected again at the input terminal sen1 of the above, and it is judged whether or not it has reached the second charge completion level (charge completion level 2) which is the full charge level <step # 9>.

If the charging completion level 2 has not been reached, the process proceeds to step # 12, and if the charging completion level 2 has been reached, the process proceeds to step # 10.

When the charge completion level 2 is reached, the latch circuit in the control circuit 133 latches that the input signal to the input terminal sen1 has reached the second charge completion level, and the CHG2 bit is set to "1". Is stored <step # 10>.

Next, the OSc signal of the control circuit 133 is set to HL.
To LL to stop the operation of the booster circuit 104 <step # 11>.

Next, SWX (switch 132, hereinafter S
The control circuit 133 determines whether WX is abbreviated) (step # 12).

If the switch 1 is pressed when the SWX (switch 132) is not pressed, the process proceeds to step # 3, and when the switch is off, the process ends (step # 13).

If the SWX is pressed in step # 12, the light emission and dimming operation of the next step is proceeded to.

When the SWX is turned on, the charge detection latch of the control circuit 133 is first reset <step # 14>.

Next, the control circuit 133 which is a dimming start signal.
The ST signal of is changed from LL to HL to start dimming <step # 15>.

Further, the light emission start signal is sent to S of the control circuit 133.
A pulse is output from the TcR terminal <step # 16>.

As a result, the thyristor 117 is turned on by being applied to the gate of the thyristor 117 via the resistor 119, and the electric charge of the capacitor 120 charged at the time of boosting is discharged, so that a pulse is input to the primary side of the transformer 121. Further, when a high-voltage pulse is generated on the secondary side of the transformer, the flash discharge tube 123 is triggered to emit light <step # 17>.

The emitted light reflects off the subject (not shown),
The light is detected by the SPD 129, and the output of the SPD 129 is judged by the dimming circuit 130 to determine whether it reaches a proper light amount <step # 18>. When it is judged to be proper, the dimming circuit 130 outputs a light emission stop signal SP. Signal output is H
From L to LL, the control circuit 133 is caused to stop emitting light <step # 19>.

Next, in order to stop the light emission, the control circuit 133
Pulse output from the SPcR terminal of <Step # 2
0>, the charge discharged from the main capacitor 115 and the capacitor 503 is bypassed to the thyristor 124 by being applied to the gate of the thyristor 124 via the resistor 125 and turning on the thyristor 124, and thus the light emission is stopped <Step # 21>. .. Then return to step # 1.

As described above, in the camera of this embodiment, even when the auxiliary capacitor 503 is connected to the camera body 1C, when it is detected that the battery voltage in the camera body 1C has dropped, the main body in the camera body 1C is detected. Capacitor 115
Only the capacitor 115 in the camera body is charged when the battery voltage drops because the auxiliary capacitor 503 is prohibited from being charged.
It is possible to prevent unreasonably long charging time.

<Fifth Embodiment> Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the electrical construction of a fifth embodiment of the camera of the present invention. In this figure, the circuit elements indicated by the same numbers as those in FIG. 5 are the same as the circuit elements in the embodiment of FIG.

In this embodiment, the camera body 1B has the same structure as that of the third embodiment, but the accessory 2C differs from the accessory 2B of the third embodiment in the following points. That is, the accessory 2C of this embodiment is different from the accessory 2B in that the resistor 512 and the switch 515 are provided in parallel with the one-shot circuit 520 and the capacitor 503 described above. The switch 515 is a switch which is turned on when the accessory 2C is detached from the camera body 1B, and when the accessory 2C is attached to the camera body 1B, the switch 515 is off as shown in the figure.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the electrical operation of the image pickup apparatus of this embodiment. The operation will be described below with reference to FIGS. 10 and 9.

When the power switch 101 is turned on, the power battery 102 is connected to the constant voltage circuit 103 and the constant voltage circuit 103 is connected.
The constant voltage Vcc is output. As a result, power is supplied to the Vcc terminal of the flash control circuit 133 (hereinafter abbreviated as control circuit). Then, the latch circuit (not shown) in the control circuit 133 is reset, and the control circuit 133 is in the initial state <steps # 1, # 2>.

Next, it is determined whether or not the switch 128 for determining whether or not the accessory 2C having the built-in capacitor 503 is attached <step # 3>, and the switch 128 is off. In this case, since HL is input to the GS terminal of the control circuit 133, step # 6
Go ahead. When the switch 128 is on, LL is input to the GS terminal of the control circuit 133, so the GE bit indicating that the accessory 2C is attached is set to "1"<step#4>. (Holding by the latch circuit in the control circuit 133).

Next, a signal is sent from the DP terminal of the control circuit 133 to display that the accessory 2C has been attached to the display circuit 1
Display at 31 <Step # 5>.

Next, the voltage detection unit 100 detects the charging voltage charged in the main capacitor 115 and the capacitor 503 by the input voltage to the input terminal sen1 of the control circuit 133, and the first charge completion level required for light emission. Determine if (charging completion level 1) is reached <Step #
6>.

When the voltage is equal to or lower than the first charge completion voltage required for light emission (when the uncharge is completed), the process proceeds to step # 7, and when the charge is completed, the process proceeds to step # 8.

At step # 7, the OS of the control circuit 133 is
HL is output from the c terminal to the booster circuit 104 to perform a boosting operation, the main capacitor 115 and the capacitor 503 are charged through the diode 105 and the diode 114 <step # 7>, and the process returns to step # 6.

Here, when the accessory 2C is detached from the camera body 1B while the auxiliary capacitor 503 is charged to some extent after charging is completed (even during charging), the switch 5 is released.
15 is turned on (22 in FIG. 19 is turned on mechanically), and the auxiliary capacitor 503 is discharged (discharged) via the resistor 512.

When the input voltage of the input terminal sen1 of the control circuit 133 reaches the charge completion level 1 suitable for light emission, the charge completion bit C is detected by the latch circuit in the control circuit 133 based on the detection result (charge completion) at the input terminal sen1.
"1" is stored in HG1 <step # 8>.

Next, it is judged whether or not the accessory is attached / detached, and G
When E = “1”, the process proceeds to step # 102, and when the accessory 2C is not attached, the process proceeds to step # 9 <step # 101>.

Further, it is judged whether or not the input voltage of the terminal sen2 (voltage of the capacitor 503 in the accessory 2C) has reached a certain voltage capable of emitting light (step # 10).
2>, when it reaches a certain level or higher, "1" is stored in the charging completion bit CHG3 of the terminal sen2 by a latch circuit (not shown) in the control circuit 133 <step # 103>.

Next, the voltage detection unit 100 controls the charging voltage of the main capacitor 115 and the capacitor 503 to the control circuit 133.
It is detected again at the input terminal sen1 of the above, and it is judged whether or not it has reached the second charge completion level (charge completion level 2) which is the full charge level <step # 9>.

If the charging completion level 2 has not been reached, the process proceeds to step # 12, and if the charging completion level 2 has been reached, the process proceeds to step # 10.

When the charge completion level 2 is reached, the latch circuit in the control circuit 133 latches that the input signal to the input terminal sen1 has reached the second charge completion level, and the CHG2 bit is set to "1". Is stored <step # 10>.

Next, the OSc signal of the control circuit 133 is set to HL.
To LL to stop the operation of the booster circuit 104 <step # 11>.

Next, SWX (SW for switch 132 and below)
The control circuit 133 determines whether or not (abbreviated as X) is pressed <step # 12>.

If the switch 1 is pressed when the SWX (switch 132) is not pressed, the process proceeds to step # 3, and when the switch is off, the process ends (step # 13).

If SWX is pressed in step # 12, the next step of light emission and dimming operation is performed.

When the SWX is turned on, the charge detection latch of the control circuit 133 is first reset <step # 14>.

Next, the control circuit 133 which is a dimming start signal.
The ST signal of is changed from LL to HL to start dimming <step # 15>.

Further, the light emission start signal is sent to the S of the control circuit 133.
A pulse is output from the TcR terminal <step # 16>.

As a result, the thyristor 117 is turned on by being applied to the gate of the thyristor 117 via the resistor 119, and the electric charge of the capacitor 120 charged at the time of boosting is discharged, so that a pulse is input to the primary side of the transformer 121. Further, when a high-voltage pulse is generated on the secondary side of the transformer, the flash discharge tube 123 is triggered to emit light <step # 17>.

The emitted light reflects off the subject (not shown),
The light is detected by the SPD 129, and the output of the SPD 129 is judged by the dimming circuit 130 to determine whether it reaches a proper light amount <step # 18>. When it is judged to be proper, the dimming circuit 130 outputs a light emission stop signal SP. Signal output is H
From L to LL, the control circuit 133 is caused to stop emitting light <step # 19>.

Next, in order to stop the light emission, the control circuit 133
Pulse output from the SPcR terminal of <Step # 2
0>, the charge discharged from the main capacitor 115 and the capacitor 503 is bypassed to the thyristor 124 by being applied to the gate of the thyristor 124 via the resistor 125 and turning on the thyristor 124, and thus the light emission is stopped <Step # 21>. .. Then return to step # 1.

As described above, according to the configuration of this embodiment,
When the accessory 2C is removed from the camera body 1B, the electric charge accumulated in the capacitor 503 is automatically released and the voltage of the capacitor 503 decreases, so that the risk of electric shock is eliminated.

<Sixth Embodiment> Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the electrical construction of the sixth embodiment of the camera of the present invention. In this figure, the circuit elements indicated by the same numbers as those in FIG. 7 are the same as the circuit elements of the embodiment shown in FIG.

In this embodiment, the accessory 2B is the fourth one shown in FIG.
Although the same as that of the embodiment, the camera body 1D is different from that of the fourth embodiment, and the output of the lens information circuit 140 is input to the flash control circuit 133. The lens information circuit 140 is a circuit for inputting the zoom position of the lens, the focal length of the lens, distance information to the subject, etc. to the flash control circuit 133, and is configured to receive information from a microcomputer or the like in an interchangeable lens (not shown). Has been done.

Next, the electrical operation of the image pickup apparatus of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

When the power switch 101 is turned on, the power battery 102 is connected to the constant voltage circuit 103 and the constant voltage circuit 103 is connected.
The constant voltage Vcc is output. As a result, power is supplied to the Vcc terminal of the flash control circuit 133 (hereinafter abbreviated as control circuit). Then, the latch circuit (not shown) in the control circuit 133 is reset, and the control circuit 133 is in the initial state <steps # 1, # 2>.

Next, it is judged whether or not the switch 128 for judging whether or not the accessory 2B having the built-in capacitor 503 is attached is turned on <step # 3>, and the switch 128 is turned off. In this case, since HL is input to the GS terminal of the control circuit 133, step # 6
Go ahead. When the switch 128 is on, LL is input to the GS terminal of the control circuit 133, so the GE bit indicating that the accessory 2B is attached is set to "1"<step#4>. (Holding by the latch circuit in the control circuit 133).

Next, a signal is sent from the DP terminal of the control circuit 133 to display that the accessory 2B has been attached to the display circuit 1
Display at 31 <Step # 5>.

By a lens focal length detection circuit (not shown),
Detect the focal length of the attached lens <Step # 5-2>,
If it is on the macro side or if the distance to the subject is short, the accessory built-in accessory mounting bit is returned to "0"<step#5-3>, the sub-capacitor 5
03 is prohibited and the in-grip thyristor 504 is not turned on. If not at step # 5-2, the process proceeds to step # 6.

Next, the voltage detection unit 100 detects the charging voltage charged in the main capacitor 115 and the capacitor 503 by the input voltage to the input terminal sen1 of the control circuit 133, and the first charge completion level required for light emission. Determine if (charging completion level 1) is reached <Step #
6>.

When the voltage is equal to or lower than the first charge completion voltage required for light emission (when the uncharge is completed), the process proceeds to step # 7, and when the charge is completed, the process proceeds to step # 8.

At step # 7, the OS of the control circuit 133 is
HL is output from the c terminal to the booster circuit 104 to perform a boosting operation, the main capacitor 115 and the capacitor 503 are charged through the diode 105 and the diode 114 <step # 7>, and the process returns to step # 6.

When the input voltage of the input terminal sen1 of the control circuit 133 reaches the charge completion level 1 suitable for light emission, the charge completion bit C is detected by the latch circuit in the control circuit 133 based on the detection result (charge completion) at the input terminal sen1.
"1" is stored in HG1 <step # 8>.

Next, it is judged whether or not the accessory is attached / detached, and the G
When E = “1”, the process proceeds to step # 102, and when the accessory 2B is not attached, the process proceeds to step # 9 <step # 101>.

Also, it is judged whether or not the input voltage of the terminal sen2 (voltage of the capacitor 503 in the accessory 2B) has reached a certain voltage capable of emitting light (step # 10).
2>, when it reaches a certain level or higher, "1" is stored in the charging completion bit CHG3 of the terminal sen2 by a latch circuit (not shown) in the control circuit 133 <step # 103>.

Next, the charging voltage charged in the main capacitor 115 and the capacitor 503 is detected again by the voltage detection unit 100 at the input terminal sen1 of the control circuit 133, and the second charging completion level (charging completion level), which is the full charging level, is detected. Determine if you have reached Level 2) <Step #
9>.

If the charging completion level 2 has not been reached, the process proceeds to step # 12, and if the charging completion level 2 has been reached, the process proceeds to step # 10.

When the charge completion level 2 has been reached, the latch circuit in the control circuit 133 latches that the input signal to the input terminal sen1 has reached the second charge completion level, and the CHG2 bit is set to "1". Is stored <step # 10>.

Next, the OSc signal of the control circuit 133 is set to HL.
To LL to stop the operation of the booster circuit 104 <step # 11>.

Next, SWX (switches 132 and below have SW
The control circuit 133 determines whether or not (abbreviated as X) is pressed <step # 12>.

If the switch 1 is pressed when the SWX (switch 132) is not pressed, the process proceeds to step # 3, and when the switch is off, the process ends (step # 13).

If SWX is pressed in step # 12, the next step of light emission and dimming operation is performed.

When the SWX is turned on, the charge detection latch of the control circuit 133 is first reset <step # 14>.

[0209] Next, the control circuit 133 which is a dimming start signal.
The ST signal of is changed from LL to HL to start dimming <step # 15>.

Further, the light emission start signal is sent to the S of the control circuit 133.
A pulse is output from the TcR terminal <step # 16>.

As a result, the thyristor 117 is turned on by being applied to the gate of the thyristor 117 via the resistor 119, and the electric charge of the capacitor 120 charged at the time of boosting is discharged, so that a pulse is input to the primary side of the transformer 121. Further, when a high-voltage pulse is generated on the secondary side of the transformer, the flash discharge tube 123 is triggered to emit light <step # 17>.

The emitted light is reflected by the subject (not shown),
The light is detected by the SPD 129, and the output of the SPD 129 is judged by the dimming circuit 130 to determine whether it reaches a proper light amount <step # 18>. When it is judged to be proper, the dimming circuit 130 outputs a light emission stop signal SP. Signal output is H
From L to LL, the control circuit 133 is caused to stop emitting light <step # 19>.

Next, in order to stop the light emission, the control circuit 133
Pulse output from the SPcR terminal of <Step # 2
0>, the charge discharged from the main capacitor 115 and the capacitor 503 is bypassed to the thyristor 124 by being applied to the gate of the thyristor 124 via the resistor 125 and turning on the thyristor 124, and thus the light emission is stopped <Step # 21>. .. Then return to step # 1.

As described above, in the camera of this embodiment, when the subject distance determining means determines that the subject distance is less than or equal to a predetermined value, or when it is determined from the lens information that the mounted lens is a macro lens. Is provided with means for disconnecting the connection between the auxiliary capacitor and the capacitor in the camera body, so that the discharge of the auxiliary capacitor can be prohibited.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent overexposure due to deterioration of light emission controllability when performing close-up photography with the auxiliary capacitor connected to the camera of this embodiment.

[0216]

As described above, according to the camera of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

(A) By mounting a small accessory having a built-in auxiliary capacitor on the camera body, it is possible to emit light larger than the amount of light emitted from the strobe device built into the camera body, and to increase the size of the entire camera significantly. Can be avoided.

(B) Since the auxiliary capacitor in the accessory and the main capacitor in the camera body can be separately controlled for charging and discharging, there is no fear that the charge of one capacitor will flow into the other capacitor. Even when the accessory is attached to the camera body, the charging time does not significantly increase, and the light emission amount is always appropriately controlled according to the shooting situation.

(C) Since the switch means for connecting and disconnecting the main capacitor in the camera main body and the auxiliary capacitor in the accessory is provided, it is possible to automatically use both capacitors depending on the photographing condition and the charging state. it can.

(D) Since the high-voltage connection terminal for a capacitor provided in the accessory is automatically retracted and retracted into a recessed position inside the accessory when the accessory is removed from the camera body, There is no risk of electric shock by touching the connection terminal with your finger.

(E) After the accessory is removed from the camera body, the electric charge accumulated in the auxiliary capacitor is automatically consumed as heat energy.
There is no fear of electric shock.

(F) Even if close-up flash photography is performed with the accessory mounted on the camera body, the flash control circuit automatically controls the light emission amount according to the type of the taking lens and the focal length. There is no risk of over-exposure because it is used.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an electrical configuration of a first embodiment of a flash control system of a camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation in the electrical configuration shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an electrical configuration of a second embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the electrical configuration shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an electrical configuration of a third embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a flowchart showing an operation in the electrical configuration shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an electrical configuration of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation in the electrical configuration shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an electrical configuration of a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation in the electrical configuration shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an electrical configuration of a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 and

13 is a flowchart showing an operation in the electrical configuration shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a front view of the main body of the camera of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a partially cutaway plan view of the camera accessory of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a partially cutaway plan view of the accessory not attached to the camera body.

FIG. 17 is a partially cutaway plan view of the accessory with the accessory attached to the camera body.

FIG. 18 is a cutaway side view in the vicinity of a connection terminal of the accessory.

FIG. 19 is a partially cutaway front view of the front side of the camera with the accessory attached to the camera body.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D ... Camera body 2, 2A, 2B, 2C ... Accessory 3 ... Strobe light emitting section 123, 3a ... Arc tube 4 ... Strobe circuit 4a ... Main capacitor 503, 6a ... Auxiliary capacitor 7 ... Accessories mounting Screw for

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A flash arc tube, a main capacitor for supplying electric charge to the flash arc tube, a control circuit for controlling the operations of the flash arc tube and the main capacitor, the flash arc tube, the main capacitor and the flash capacitor. A camera body with a built-in strobe having a camera side connection terminal for electrically connecting a strobe device composed of a control circuit and other electrical devices to other equipment, and the camera side connection terminal And an auxiliary capacitor connected to the flash tube through the connection terminal and configured to be detachably attached to the camera body. camera. 2. The connection terminal provided on the accessory is an automatically immersive type that automatically retreats to a place in the accessory that cannot be touched by hand when the accessory is removed from the camera body. 2. The accessory according to claim 1, wherein the accessory is a connection terminal. 3. A flash arc tube, a main capacitor for supplying electric charge to the flash arc tube, a control circuit for controlling the operation of the flash arc tube and the main capacitor, the flash arc tube, the main capacitor and the flash capacitor. A strobe device including a control circuit and a connection terminal for electrically connecting other electrical devices to other equipment and the like, and a strobe built-in type camera body, which is connected to the camera side connection terminal A camera including: a connection terminal; and an accessory configured to be detachably attached to the camera body, the accessory having a connection terminal and an auxiliary capacitor connected to the flashlight emission tube via the connection terminal. A camera provided with a charging state detecting means and a charging / discharging control means of the main capacitor, and a charging state detecting means and a charging / discharging control means of the auxiliary capacitor. 4. A flash arc tube, a main capacitor for supplying electric charge to the flash arc tube, a control circuit for controlling the operations of the flash arc tube and the main capacitor, the flash arc tube, the main capacitor and the flash capacitor. A strobe device including a control circuit and a connection terminal for electrically connecting other electrical devices to other equipment and the like, and a strobe built-in type camera body, which is connected to the camera side connection terminal A camera including: a connection terminal; and an accessory configured to be detachably attached to the camera body, the accessory having a connection terminal and an auxiliary capacitor connected to the flashlight emission tube via the connection terminal. An auxiliary capacitor connection detecting means for detecting that the auxiliary capacitor is connected to the strobe device in the camera body when the accessory is attached to the camera body; Camera, characterized in that a display means for displaying that is connected to Saga該 flash device, is provided. 5. A flash arc tube, a main capacitor for supplying electric charge to the flash arc tube, a control circuit for controlling the operations of the flash arc tube and the main capacitor, the flash arc tube, the main capacitor and the flash capacitor. A strobe device including a control circuit and a connection terminal for electrically connecting other electrical devices to other equipment and the like, and a strobe built-in type camera body, which is connected to the camera side connection terminal A camera including: a connection terminal; and an accessory configured to be detachably attached to the camera body, the accessory having a connection terminal and an auxiliary capacitor connected to the flashlight emission tube via the connection terminal. And a switch means for electrically disconnecting the connection between the strobe device and the auxiliary capacitor when the accessory is mounted on the camera body. . 6. The camera according to claim 5, wherein the switch means is provided in the accessory, and control means for operating the switch means is provided in the camera body. 7. A flash arc tube, a main capacitor for supplying electric charges to the flash arc tube, a control circuit for controlling the operation of the flash arc tube and the main capacitor, the flash arc tube, the main capacitor and the flash capacitor. A strobe device including a control circuit and a connection terminal for electrically connecting other electrical devices to other equipment and the like, and a strobe built-in type camera body, which is connected to the camera side connection terminal A camera including: a connection terminal; and an accessory configured to be detachably attached to the camera body, the accessory having a connection terminal and an auxiliary capacitor connected to the flashlight emission tube via the connection terminal. Switch means for electrically disconnecting the connection between the strobe device and the auxiliary capacitor when the accessory is attached to the camera body, and the control circuit is provided with the switch means. Power supply voltage detection means for detecting the power supply voltage in the camera body is provided, and the switch means is operated when the power supply voltage detection means detects that the voltage of the power supply is lower than a predetermined value. A camera characterized in that the discharge circuit of the auxiliary capacitor is cut off. 8. The control circuit has a function of operating the switch means in accordance with the type of a photographing lens mounted on the camera body and the focal length of the photographing lens to cut off the discharge circuit of the auxiliary capacitor. The camera according to claim 5, wherein 9. The accessory according to claim 1, wherein the accessory is provided with a discharging means for automatically discharging the accumulated charge of the auxiliary capacitor when the accessory is removed from the camera body.