JPH0534771A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To allow a photographer who is accustomed to an externally fitted stroboscope to operate a camera without the sense of incongruity and without misoperation by substantially invalidating the input of the correction value of a built-in stroboscope by mounting the externally fitted stroboscope. CONSTITUTION:In the case that the externally fitted stroboscope is not connected, it is discriminated whether the set correction value of the light quantity of flash light is zero or not and blanching is executed. On the other hand, in the case that the externally fitted stroboscope is connected, the correction value is inputted to a microcomputer 1 through an external stroboscopic interface 5 and set as the correction value of the light quantity of the control flash light in the case that the externally fitted stroboscope is provided with a correction value set means for the light quantity of the flash light and the correction value is inputted. In such a case, even when the correction value of the light quantity of the flash light is set on the camera side, the value is not set as the control value of the light quantity of the flash light (light control). When the externally fitted stroboscope is not connected and the set correction value of the light quantity of the flash light is zero, the set correction value of the light quantity of natural light is interlocked so as to be set to the correction value of the light quantity of the control flash light.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera and a combination of a camera and a flash light emitting means used in combination with an external flash light emitting means generally called a strobe.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are various types of photography, such as photography performed under natural light in the daytime, so-called stroboscopic photography performed by directing a flash of light toward a subject in the dark, so-called daytime synchronized photography performed by mixing natural light and flashlight. It is performed under various conditions.

In addition to the normal shooting under common sense exposure (hereinafter referred to as "proper exposure" for convenience) under the above-mentioned conditions, for example, for the purpose of the photographer to perform advanced photographic expression, In some cases, so-called under-correction is performed to make the exposure smaller than the proper exposure, or so-called over-correction is made to increase the exposure, and the function to correct the exposure according to the photographer's intention is provided. Various cameras have been proposed. Further, since the correction as described above is intended to realize the photographer's intention to shoot under an exposure condition different from the normal condition, for example, in daytime synchronized shooting, shooting is performed by mixing natural light and flash light. When performing it, if natural light is undercorrected and flash is taken with normal light amount or over light amount, if natural light amount correction and flash light amount correction can be performed independently, it is possible to realize more advanced photographic expression, Since a wide range can be achieved depending on the photographer's intention, a camera having a mechanism that can independently and independently correct the light amount (exposure) correction and the flash light amount correction for natural light has been proposed.

[0004]

By the way, the operation mechanism for performing the exposure correction and the flash light amount correction as described above is as follows.
Generally, a light amount correction mechanism for natural light amount, which is one of the operation mechanisms, is provided in the camera body, while an operation mechanism for correcting the flash light amount is provided by a so-called strobe which is external to the camera. Since it is often used as a flash, it is usually installed on this strobe, but in recent years, many cameras with a built-in strobe have been proposed and are on the market. It is becoming possible to see cameras that can be used with an external flash.

As described above, the device configuration itself of the camera has become quite complicated. Therefore, on the one hand, depending on the selection, even a non-specialist can realize advanced photographic expression with a relatively simple operation. (In the following description, the case where the camera body is referred to as “camera” independently and the case where the peripheral body such as a strobe and the camera body are combined are collectively referred to as “camera”. However, on the other hand, the ratio of users (photographers, operators) who are familiar with the mechanism of the camera and the case classification of the shooting conditions is usually relatively small, so in a simple operation scene The camera configuration that requires more complicated operations than before is
It may be a camera that is rather inconvenient for beginners.

For example, in the case of a camera with a built-in strobe, in which the external strobe can be attached, the case where the attached external strobe is equipped with flash light amount correction means, The operation method may be completely different from the case where the external strobe attached is not equipped with the flash light amount correction means, but the person using the camera always recognizes the difference in the format of the external strobe in such a case. Since it is rare to do this, a camera that needs to perform an operation corresponding to each different situation after judging whether or not the external strobe has a flash light amount correction means is a beginner. It becomes rather inconvenient for me, and I cannot take the picture I want.

According to the present invention, taking into account such functional improvement of the camera and the difference in ability and recognition of the person who actually uses the camera, even beginners or the like are less likely to make mistakes in photographs, and It was made for the purpose of providing a camera with a function capable of setting shooting conditions according to the desire, and a combination of the camera and peripheral equipment, even for a skilled person who desires a more advanced photographic expression. is there.

[0008]

In order to achieve each of the above objects, the present inventor has completed the present invention as set forth in the claims of the claims.

According to the invention, it has a built-in strobe,
In addition, in a camera to which an external strobe can be attached, whether or not the external strobe is provided with a flash light amount correction means, the external strobe is attached so that the correction value input of the built-in strobe is substantially achieved. Therefore, the photographer who is accustomed to using the conventional externally attached strobe can handle the strobe without feeling uncomfortable and erroneous.

Further, for daytime synchronized photography without using an external strobe, since the amount of natural light and the amount of flash light of the built-in strobe can be set independently, a high-level photographic expression can be realized.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electric circuit shown for explaining the configuration of a camera to which the present invention is applied. A camera having the electric circuit block shown in FIG. It has a so-called known AE function,
In addition, the camera has a known AF function. AE above
As the basic part of the mechanism for the function or AF function, the method or mechanism already known before the present application can be directly adopted.

As described above, the electric circuit block illustrated as an embodiment in FIG. 1 for explaining a concrete example of the present invention is the same as the electric circuit block shown in FIG. An example of a necessary configuration when a control operation is performed by a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as "microcomputer 1") will be described.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a lens control circuit, which controls the aperture of the taking lens (not shown) in this example based on a command from the microcomputer 1. That is, this lens control circuit 2
While receiving the LCOM signal from the microcomputer 1, DBU
Serial communication is performed via S, and a motor (not shown) is controlled according to the communication content to control movement of the photographing lens and aperture control. The microcomputer 1 also receives lens focal length information, distance information, and other various correction information.

Reference numeral 3 denotes a liquid crystal display circuit, which displays shooting information such as shutter speed and aperture control value. That is, while receiving the DPCOM signal from the microcomputer 1,
Serial communication is performed via DBUS, and a liquid crystal display is performed according to this communication content. Further, the liquid crystal display circuit 3 displays the state of light amount correction as shown in FIG. 6, which will be described later.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a switch sense circuit which, together with the liquid crystal display circuit 3, is always supplied with power, and switches SW1 and SW2 (not shown) interlocked with the stroke of the release button of the camera and other switches (not shown). The switch sense circuit 4 sends a signal to a DC / DC converter (not shown) to start up the DC / DC converter when the switch is switched. Let This DC / DC converter supplies power to other circuits including the microcomputer 1. The switch sense circuit 4 is
While receiving the SWCOM signal from the microcomputer 1, DB
Serial communication via US, DC from microcomputer 1
When the command from the / DC converter is received, the output of the DC / DC converter is turned off. Further, the microcomputer 1 receives each switch information.

An external strobe interface 5 is provided so as to exchange data with an external strobe (not shown) which is detachable from the camera. For example,
When the dimming correction value is set by the switch on the external strobe side, the microcomputer 1 can receive the dimming correction value by exchanging this data. Information about whether or not an external strobe is connected is also input to the microcomputer 1.

Reference numeral 6 is a control circuit for the strobe built into the camera, which controls the strobe light emission and dimming (a part of the means for controlling the emission stop). This can be configured by an existing circuit, for example, a circuit for storing electric charge for light emission,
It is composed of a xenon tube which is a light emitting part, a trigger circuit, a circuit for stopping light emission, and the like. In this example, an X contact that is turned on when the front curtain of the shutter unit runs is provided, and when the X contact is turned on, flashing of an external strobe or a built-in strobe is started.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a light control circuit, which comprises a circuit for measuring the light reflected on the film surface and photoelectrically converting it, a circuit for integrating the photoelectrically converted signal, and a circuit for comparing the integrated value with a predetermined value. . Then, this light control circuit starts integration by the START1 signal from the external strobe interface 5 (or the START2 signal from the built-in strobe control circuit 6), and when the integrated value reaches a predetermined value, STOP
A signal is output to stop flashing of an external strobe (or a built-in strobe).

Reference numeral 8 denotes a photometric circuit, which is provided so as to measure the brightness of the object under natural light and send it to the microcomputer 1.

A shutter control circuit 9 is provided so as to control the operation of a shutter unit (not shown) according to a control signal from the microcomputer 1.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the sensor arrangement for the photometry circuit 8 and the dimming circuit 7 described above. In this figure, 21 is a taking lens, 22 is a main mirror, and natural light is emitted before the exposure operation. When the brightness of the object is measured at the position shown in the figure, during the exposure operation, it jumps up by a mechanical mechanism (not shown) to project the object image on the film surface of 25.
At this time, the light diffusely reflected from the film surface 25 is partially input to the light control sensor 26, and this becomes the light measurement sensor input of the light control circuit 7 in FIG.

On the other hand, when the main mirror 22 before the exposure operation is at the position shown in the figure, the subject image is projected on a diffusion plate 23 called a focus plate. The projected subject image is reflected by 24 pentaprisms and reflected by the photometric sensor 2
7 is input to the photometric sensor 8 of the photometric circuit 8 of FIG.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic structure of the camera of this embodiment. In this figure, 28 is a release button, 29 is a shutter speed setting dial, 30 is a liquid crystal display, and 31 is a light amount setting operation. It is a light quantity correction value setting dial as a means, and sets the correction value of the natural light quantity,
It is possible to set a correction value for the amount of flash light.

The release button 28 is pressed to depress the switch SW (not shown) in the first stroke.
1 is turned on, power is supplied to each of the circuits for photometry described above, and the switch SW2 is turned on in the second stroke to further press the circuits to start the exposure control of the camera.

Reference numeral 32 denotes a finder for confirming the image of the subject with the eyes of the photographer before the exposure operation through the penta prism 24 described with reference to FIG. Reference numeral 33 is an accessory shoe for mounting an external strobe (not shown), which is provided with a sensor (not shown). When an external strobe is mounted, this is detected and this information is sent to the control described later. Used.

Reference numeral 34 is a light emitting portion of a built-in strobe, which emits a flash of light toward an object during an exposure operation.

Reference numeral 35 denotes a selection button, which includes the light quantity correction value setting dial 31 and the shutter speed setting dial 2 described above.
It is used to switch the contents of the correction value set by 9. The contents of this function and operation will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the display in the above-mentioned liquid crystal display circuit 3, and FIG. 4A shows a state in which all possible displays are displayed, and the portion indicated by reference numeral 41 is It is a display section indicating whether or not the film is in the cartridge, and when the display in this figure is visible, it indicates that the film is in the cartridge chamber.

Reference numeral 42 denotes a display unit for displaying the exposure amount correction value of the subject, which serves both as the exposure amount correction value by natural light and the exposure amount correction value (flash control value) by flash light emission. Will be described later.

Reference numeral 43 is a display section for displaying a counter value of the number of films.

Reference numeral 44 is a display unit for displaying the aperture control value.

45 is the exposure time (shutter speed)
A display unit for displaying the control value or the film ISO sensitivity. In this example, when the ISO display is made at the portion indicated by reference numeral 46, the film ISO sensitivity is displayed, and when there is no ISO display, the exposure time control value is displayed. Is provided.

Reference numeral 47 denotes a mark displayed when the dimming correction value set when setting the dimming correction value is not 0 (that is, when the correction value is set). In this example, this mark is displayed by a graphic of "arrow and +/-".

Reference numeral 48 is a portion showing the state of the photometric mode, and the types of the photometric mode and the display forms corresponding thereto will be described later.

The specific operation of the light amount correction performed in this example having the above-mentioned configuration and the display state of the display 29 will be described.

Now, assuming that the selection button 35 is in the initial state, at this time, the natural light quantity correction value can be changed by turning the correction dial. At this time, the display section 42 of the liquid crystal display 29 is, for example, as shown in FIG.
Assuming that the display is 0.5 steps (this indicates that the natural light quantity correction value is set to -0.5 steps), by turning the correction dial 31, for example, -0.5
The display and setting can be changed like → -1 step → -1.5 step. If you turn it in the opposite direction, -0.5
→ ± 0 steps → +0.5 steps → +1 steps The display and settings can be changed.

The present example is also characterized in that the aperture (AV) value can be changed by turning the setting dial 29 shown in FIG. That is, assuming that the aperture value currently displayed on the display unit 44 of FIG. 4B is 5.6, by turning the setting dial 29, the displayed value and the set value can be displayed as, for example, 5.6 → 8 → 11. By changing it and turning it in the opposite direction, 5.6 → 4 →
The display and set values can be changed as in 2.8.

In the above description of the operation for changing the aperture value, the description has been given for the case of the automatic exposure mode in which the aperture (AV) value is prioritized. In the case of a camera that can be switched to the speed (TV) value priority automatic exposure mode, by rotating the setting dial 29 in the state where the shutter speed (TV) value priority automatic exposure mode is switched. For example, it is naturally possible to correct the (TV) 125 displayed on the display unit 45 of FIG. 4 (b).

Next, the state in which the selection button 35 is pressed in this example will be described. In this case, it is provided that the flash light amount correction value is changed by turning the correction dial 31. However, the operation flow in this case is on condition that the external strobe is not attached, which will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 4C is a diagram for explaining the above, and the display unit 42 shown in the figure is now -1.5 steps (that is, the flash light amount correction value is set to -1.5 steps). When the correction dial 31 is turned while pressing the selection button 35 as described above in this state, the correction value and its display are, for example, -1.5 step → -2.0 step, or -1.5 step.
Step → Change to -1.0 step.

As can be seen from the above figures (b) and (c), in the camera of this example, control is performed so that the correction value of the dimming light amount is not displayed when the selection button is not pressed. A sequence of circuits is constructed. For this reason, it is unclear as it is whether the dimming light amount correction is performed, which is inconvenient for the photographer. Therefore, in the present example, the above-described graphic display of the arrow 47 of the mark 47 and +/- is performed to display that the dimming correction value is not 0 (zero). Therefore, FIG. 4 illustrating this example.
Since the mark 47 is graphically displayed in (b), it can be seen from these displays that the dimming correction value is input.

Further, in this example, the metering mode is switched by turning the setting dial 29 while pressing the selection button. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining this, showing the state of the metering mode in which the display section 48 is selected at that time, and the mark in FIG. 5A is the evaluation metering mode and the mark in FIG. 5B. Is the partial metering mode, Fig. 5 (c)
Mark indicates the average metering mode. Here,
The evaluation photometry mode is a mode in which the screen is multi-divided and each photometry output is calculated by a predetermined algorithm, and photometry control is performed based on this. The partial light metering mode is a mode in which light metering control is performed based on the object light metering value of only the center portion of the screen. Further, the average photometry mode refers to a mode in which photometry control is performed based on a value obtained by simply averaging photometric values obtained by dividing the screen into multiple areas.

In this example, the metering mode is changed from (a) to (b) to (c) to (a) in FIG. 5 by turning the setting dial 29 while pressing the selection button.
Alternatively, they are provided so that they can be switched as in (a) → (c) → (b) → (a). Selection of these operating conditions is shown in the diagram of FIG.

The operation of the camera of this example corresponding to the above operation will be described below with reference to FIG.

When power is supplied to each circuit by pressing the first stroke of the release button, the photometry circuit 8 measures the brightness of the object in step 1 in the flow of FIG. 7A, and the data is sent to the microcomputer 1. send. In step 2,
From the switch sense circuit 3, the states of the switches and the two dials 29 and 31 are transmitted to the microcomputer 1, and the microcomputer 1 which receives the states performs the various settings described above. In step 3, the display contents according to various settings are displayed on the liquid crystal display circuit 3.
Is displayed on the liquid crystal display 32.

While the power of the camera is turned on, the above steps 1 to 3 are repeated.

When the release button 28 described with reference to FIG. 3 is pushed to the second stroke during the above operation, the switch SW2 is turned on, and the microcomputer 1 causes the interrupt operation of the flow shown in FIG. 7B. Do. That is, first, in step 4, the lens control circuit 2 performs a focusing operation. Next, in step 5, the dimming control value is set. This is a step of setting a predetermined control value for comparing the photoelectrically converted signal with the integrated value, and the flash light emission amount of the subject is controlled by the setting of this control value.

In step 6, shutter operation (exposure) is performed. Shutter exposure time (shutter speed)
Is a value determined based on the photometric value and the setting values for various shooting conditions. Further, in the mode in which the flash light is emitted, the external strobe or the built-in strobe automatically starts flashing by the shutter operation, and the flashing is automatically ended by the integrated value of the dimming circuit 7, whereby a predetermined exposure amount is obtained. .

Next, a case where an external flash is attached to the above camera will be described.

FIG. 8 is a table for explaining a selection operation according to the presence / absence of attachment of an external type external strobe and the presence / absence of a flash light amount (light control) correction value setting means of the external strobe.

FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 show step 2 of FIG.
This is a detailed description of the routine for setting the correction value for the amount of natural light and the correction value setting routine for the amount of flash light performed in the setting operation.

In FIG. 9, steps 201 and 20
Reference numeral 2 denotes a step in which the switch sense circuit 4 reads the rotation amount of the correction value setting dial 31 and the rotation amount of the setting dial 29 and inputs the same to the microcomputer. Next, at step 203, it is determined whether the selection button 35 is pressed (ON state) or the initial state (OFF state where no button is pressed), and the process branches.

When the selection button 35 is pressed (turned on) in the above step 203, the process proceeds to step 204,
The natural light amount correction value corresponding to the input rotation amount of the correction value setting dial 31 is changed, and the correction value is set. Next, at step 205, the aperture (AV) value is changed according to the rotation amount of the setting dial 29, and the aperture (AV) value is set.

On the other hand, in step 203 above, the select button 3
If 5 is not pressed (off), go to step 206,
The flash light amount correction value is changed according to the input rotation amount of the correction value setting dial 31, and the correction value is set. Next, in step 207, the photometric mode is changed and set according to the rotation amount of the setting dial 29. However, as described above, the correction value setting of the flash light amount is effective only when the external external strobe is not attached.

When the above step 205 or 207 is completed, the branched flows merge to proceed to step 208 of FIG.

In step 208, it is determined whether or not an external strobe is connected to the accessory shoe 33, and the process branches depending on the determination result. For this purpose, the accessory shoe 33 shown in FIG. 3 is provided with a switch (not shown) which is turned on when an external strobe is connected, and the switch sense circuit 4 reads the state of the switch,
The fact that this signal is input to the microcomputer 1 for determination is as described above. In the above case, if the external strobe is not connected, the flow proceeds to step 209 and the setting is made in step 206. The process branches depending on whether the flash light amount setting correction value is 0 or not. On the other hand, if an external strobe is connected, step 21
If the external strobe (not shown) has the flash light amount correction value setting means and the correction value is input,
It is input to the microcomputer 1 through the external strobe interface 5 and set as a control flash light amount correction value. In this case, even if the flash light amount correction value is set on the camera side, this is not set as the flash light amount (dimming) control value.

If the external strobe is not connected in step 208 and the flash light amount setting correction value set in step is 0, the process proceeds to step 211.
In this example, the natural light amount setting correction value set in step 204 is set to the control flash light amount correction value.

If the external strobe is not connected in step 208 and the flash light amount setting correction value set in step is not 0, the process proceeds to step 212 in this example, and the flash light amount setting correction value set in step 206 is executed. Is set as it is to the control flash light amount correction value.

When step 210, step 211 or step 212 is completed, the branched flows are merged again and the process proceeds to step 213. In this step 213,
The natural light intensity setting correction value set in step 204 is set as the control natural light intensity correction value.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart for explaining a part of the display operation in step 3 of FIG.

In this flow, first, step 301
The selection button 35 is being pressed with (on)
Or the initial state (off state in which the button is not pressed) is determined, and the process branches depending on the determination result.

If the selection button 35 is pressed (turned on) in step 301, the process proceeds to step 302.
The display as shown in FIG. Displayed in this figure are the correction value of the amount of natural light, the metering mode, the light adjustment correction mark, the shutter speed (TV value), and the film counter value.

On the other hand, when the selection button 35 is not pressed (OFF) in step 301, the process proceeds to step 303,
The display as shown in FIG. Displayed here are the correction value of the amount of flash light, the metering mode, and the dimming correction mark.

In the camera of the present embodiment described above, as can be seen from the chart of FIG. 8, when the camera is not equipped with an external external strobe (first case), the external strobe is installed. However, if this does not include the flash light quantity correction value setting means (second case), there are three situations in which the external strobe is attached and the flash light quantity correction value setting means is provided (third case). And in the first case,
The common correction value setting means provided in the camera is used to independently correct the amount of natural light and the amount of flash light. In the second case, the correction of the amount of flash light is prohibited, In this case, the flash light amount can be corrected by the correction means provided in the external strobe, and the flash light amount can be corrected when an externally attached external strobe is used. It matches the photographer's experience, and since even beginners can easily get used to the operation, there is an advantage that there is little danger of taking a picture different from the intended photographic expression, while on the other hand, daytime synchronized shooting It is also equipped with a mechanism for independently performing the exposure compensation of the natural light amount and the compensation of the flash light amount to realize advanced photographic expression in time, so it is excellent for photographers who do not have to worry about relatively complicated operations. And there is an effect that can have combined the effect that it is photography.

[0066]

According to the present invention, the exposure correction can be determined by a simple operation in the natural light only shooting or the dark synchro shooting, while the natural light amount and the flash light amount can be independently corrected in the daytime synchro shooting. Advanced photographic expression is also possible, which has the effect that simple operation and advanced photographic expression can be realized at the same time.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an electric block of a camera including a light amount correction control mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an arrangement of an optical system and a sensor used for light amount correction control in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an external view showing an outline of the camera of the embodiment.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C are views for explaining the display states of the liquid crystal display device in the same example.

5A, 5B, and 5C are views for explaining a display state of a liquid crystal display in a photometric mode.

FIG. 6 is a table for explaining control contents given by a correction value setting dial or the like in the embodiment.

7A and 7B are flowcharts for explaining an outline of the overall operation of the camera of the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a chart explaining different selection situations given by correction value setting in the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a correction value setting routine in the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the continuation of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a display operation routine of the display device in the camera of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Microcomputer, 2 ... Lens control circuit, 3 ...
Liquid crystal display circuit, 4 ... Switch sense circuit, 5 ...
External strobe interface, 6 ... Built-in strobe control circuit, 7 ... Dimming circuit, 8 ... Photometric circuit, 9 ...
.. Shutter control circuit, 31 ... Correction value setting dial, 42 ... Correction value display section, 47 ... Flash light amount correction presence / absence mark

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A first built-in flash light emitting means for emitting a flash toward a subject, an assembly part prepared for mounting an externally attached second flash light emitting means, and a flash light emission. A light emission amount control means for controlling the light emission amount of the flash light to a predetermined amount by photometry, and a first device provided in the camera so that a value for correcting the light emission amount of the first flash light emission device can be manually input. And a first light emission control amount changing unit for changing the control amount of the light emission amount control unit based on the correction value input to the first correction value input unit. Detecting means for producing an output by detecting that the second flash light emitting means is attached to the assembling portion, and prohibiting the control amount change by the first light emission control amount changing means based on the output of the detecting means. A camera provided with means. 2. A camera according to claim 1 and a second flash light emitting means mounted on the camera, wherein the second flash light emitting means manually inputs a value for correcting the light emission amount. A second light emission control amount for changing the control amount of the light emission amount control means based on the correction value input to the second correction value input means. A combination of a camera and an external flash light emitting means, which is provided with a changing means. 3. The combination of a camera and an external flash light emitting means according to claim 2, wherein the first light emission control amount changing means and the second light emission control amount changing means are common.