JPH06194723A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable the simulation of photographing operation without inhibiting the stroboscopic emission under the condition that the current consumption of a power source battery is being reduced. CONSTITUTION:A judging means 5 for judging whether or not the normal photographing is performed on the surface of a film when the release operation is performed, and light emission quantity control means 3, 4, 5 for changing the stroboscopic emission quantity of a stroboscope, which has a stroboscope dimming function, in the case where an irregular photographing is judged by the judging means 5 are provided, and irregular photographing is judged in the case where a film is not leaded at a predetermined position and in the case where a back cover is opened, and the stroboscopic emission quantity is changed, namely, the light emission quantity is reduced in comparison with the light emission quantity of the normal photographing.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement of a camera in which a strobe device capable of stroboscopic light control is incorporated or externally attached.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At the present time, so-called stroboscopic photography in which a strobe is caused to emit light is generally used for photographing in a dark place or during backlighting in the daytime, and a strobe device for realizing the so-called strobe device is also known.

Further, a switching element is inserted so as to bypass the light emission current path of the strobe (see FIG. 2), or a switching element is inserted in series in the light emission current path (see FIG. 3) to emit strobe light. A so-called strobe light control device that changes the amount is also known.

In a camera incorporating these strobe devices, the photographer does not always move the camera by performing a release operation in order to take a picture. Instead, he or she may move the camera to get used to the operation of the camera, or I often used it to check the operation of the camera.

In addition, there are cases where a camera function is demonstrated at the time of sale at a store, and in that case, it is required to operate the camera as a function of the camera.

However, since stroboscopic light emission requires a large amount of energy, if a large amount of stroboscopic light emission is performed for operations that are not originally intended for a camera driven by a battery, the battery capacity will decrease, and In shooting, the charging time was extended and missed a photo opportunity, and it was determined that the battery could not be used when checking the battery, and the shooting operation was prohibited and disabled.

Therefore, in order to avoid the above-mentioned drawbacks, in JP-A-59-91427 and US Pat. No. 4,545,666, stroboscopic light emission is not performed until the film is completely fed, or the frequency of stroboscopic light emission is set. The technique of lowering is disclosed.

[0008]

However, in the apparatus proposed above, the operation of the camera cannot be confirmed completely, or it is very difficult to do. In addition, if the above technology is used, the flash will be emitted in the original shooting, but the flash will not be emitted under the above-mentioned conditions (under pseudo shooting). I sometimes made the photographer feel very uncomfortable and distrustful of feeling bad.

As another problem, in stroboscopic photography, a large amount of electric energy is radiated instead of light energy in order to properly expose the subject. Therefore, flash photography is generally very dazzling.

Therefore, although stroboscopic photography is carried out for the above-mentioned reason even when photographing is not properly performed during the original photographing operation of the camera, the stroboscopic light emission amount is desired to be reduced as much as possible. It was

As an example of such a camera, there is a camera having a so-called autofocus function for measuring a distance to a subject. Although this autofocus function is very convenient, it cannot always measure all distances, and when distances are close, the distance measurement data is often erroneous or infinite.

For this reason, when approaching a person's face in a large size, not only a normal strobe device but also a strobe light control device that gives feedback according to the distance measurement result has a particularly large strobe light emission amount. It becomes very dazzling.

In general, stroboscopic light emission is meaningless at a long distance where stroboscopic light does not reach. Therefore, there is a demand for a camera that suppresses the stroboscopic light emission amount as much as possible for checking battery capacity or stroboscopic light emission. It was

(Object of the Invention) A first object of the present invention is to provide a camera capable of performing a pseudo photographing operation without inhibiting the flash light emission while reducing the power consumption of the power supply battery. .

A second object of the present invention is to provide a camera capable of performing eye-friendly shooting and reducing unnecessary flash light emission even if close-up shooting is erroneously performed. is there.

[0016]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided a discriminating means for discriminating whether or not a regular photographing is carried out on a film surface when a release operation is carried out, and the discrimination means is not the regular photographing. If the film is not loaded at a predetermined position, the film is fed in advance if the film is not loaded at a predetermined position. If not, or if the back lid is open, it is determined that the shooting is not normal, and the strobe light emission amount is changed, that is, the light emission amount is reduced as compared with the normal light emission amount.

Further, according to the present invention, the distance measuring result by the distance measuring means for measuring the distance to the object is outside the photographable range, or
If it is outside the range where the flash can be photographed, and if it is outside the range where the flash can be photographed or outside the range where the strobe can be photographed, a judgment means is provided to judge that the photographing is not normal. Or, if it is outside the strobe shooting range, that is, if the distance measurement result is abnormal or is not within the effective distance range, it is determined that the shooting is not normal and the flash emission amount is compared to that of the normal shooting. I try to reduce it.

[0018]

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

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a camera equipped with a strobe device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a stroboscopic light emitting means for discharging electric charge stored in a main capacitor or the like by exciting a xenon tube and at the same time generating light, and 2 denotes a main capacitor rather than a battery of a camera or the like. Strobe charging means including a booster circuit for charging the electric charges to the electric flash, 3 is a strobe light control means for adjusting the amount of strobe light emission by discharging or blocking the electric charge of the main capacitor during the strobe light emission. Reference numeral 4 is a strobe control means for controlling charging, light emission and dimming of the strobe.

The reference numeral 5 designates a microprocessor for sending control signals to the strobe control means 4, controlling film feeding, reading various switch information, and controlling the photographing operation of the camera including the distance measuring operation. Is. Reference numeral 6 is a film feeding means for feeding the film idly and winding it up to a predetermined number of frames, or winding or rewinding one frame for each photographing, and 7 detects whether or not the film is loaded in a predetermined place. A film loading detection switch 8 is a back cover switch that detects whether the back cover is open or closed. Reference numeral 9 is an active type distance measuring device that irradiates a subject with light and calculates the distance from the reflected light, or 2
This is a passive type distance measuring device that calculates the distance by the correlation of the subject brightness distribution input via two optical systems.

2 and 3 are circuit diagrams showing the structures of the strobe light emitting means 1, the strobe charging means 2, the strobe light adjusting means 3 and the like.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a so-called parallel dimming circuit for controlling the amount of light emission by causing the strobe light control means 1 to discharge electric charges by bypassing the electric charges to another path during strobe light emission, and FIG. This is an example of a so-called serial light control circuit in which the light control unit 1 controls the light emission amount by blocking the electric charge itself during strobe light emission.

In these figures, 10 is a strobe battery, 11 is a known strobe boosting circuit for boosting the voltage of the battery 10 and charging the main capacitor 22 with electric charges,
Reference numeral 12 is a resistor for suppressing current, 13 is a Zener diode for detecting a charging voltage, 14 is a transistor for detecting that the main capacitor 22 is charged and stopping the operation of the strobe boosting circuit 11, and 15 and 16 are resistors, The strobe charging circuit 2 is composed of the strobe booster circuit 11 to the resistor 16.

Reference numeral 17 is a known strobe emission control means for exciting the xenon tube 19, 18 is a choke coil for extending the strobe emission time and suppressing the discharge current of the main capacitor 22, and 19 is a xenon tube for strobe emission. The strobe light emission control circuit 17 to the xenon tube 19 constitute the strobe light emission means 1.

Reference numeral 22 is a main capacitor for charging the electric charge of the battery 10 boosted by the strobe charging means 2 and supplying a current to the strobe light emitting means 1 at a predetermined timing.

Further, in FIG. 2, the thyristor 20 is turned on during the strobe light emission to adjust the light emission amount by bypassing the light emission charge to another path, and the strobe light control circuit 21 for turning on the thyristor 20 is used. The strobe light control means 3 of FIG. 3 is configured to be inserted in series with the main capacitor 22 and the xenon tube 19 in FIG. 3, and is turned on at the start of strobe light emission, and is switched off during light emission to adjust the amount of light emission such as IGBT switching Element 2
3 and a strobe light control circuit 24 for controlling ON / OFF of the switching element 23.
Are configured.

The control signals output from the microprocessor 5 for controlling the strobe device constructed as described above are indicated by A, B, C and D.

The control signal A is a signal for starting strobe boosting. The control signal B is a signal (charging voltage detection signal) for detecting the current at that time by the resistors 15 and 16 although the zener diode 13 causes a current breakdown when the main capacitor 22 reaches a predetermined voltage.
4 is a signal (strobe charge prohibition signal) for turning on 4 to stop the operation of the strobe boosting circuit 11. The control signal C is a signal for strobe light emission at a predetermined timing (strobe light emission signal), and the control signal D is a signal for stopping light emission during strobe light emission (strobe light emission stop signal).

In the strobe device constructed as shown in FIG. 2 described above, it becomes possible to control the strobe light emission amount and sufficiently check the function thereof, and at the same time, to suppress the light emission amount and have an effect of being eye-friendly. (Details will be described later).

In addition to the effect of the strobe device shown in FIG. 2, the strobe device constructed as shown in FIG. 3 further has an energy saving effect of reducing energy during stroboscopic light emission and not reducing battery capacity so much. This is possible (because of the configuration in which the light emission current path is cut off).

FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing how the amount of light emitted from the strobe changes with time.

In FIG. 4 (a), a strobe light emission signal (control signal C) is input at time X, reaches the maximum light intensity at time W, and thereafter the light emission intensity gradually decreases.

This state is a so-called full light emission state in which the main capacitor 22 of the strobe device is completely discharged, and the energy is the emission energy. The amount of stroboscopic light emission at this time corresponds approximately to this area.

In FIG. 4 (b), the strobe light emission signal is input at the time point X, and the light emission stop signal (control signal D) is input at the time point Y after the elapse of the time T. Therefore, the strobe light emission brightness is sharp. It will decrease.

This state is a so-called strobe light control state, and the area surrounded by the curve is obviously smaller than that in the full light emission state of FIG. 4A, and therefore, the strobe light emission amount is also reduced.

Next, the operation of the camera equipped with the strobe device shown in FIG. 2 or 3 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the camera when the strobe light emission amount is calculated in advance from the distance measurement data and the photometry data.

First, when a release switch (not shown) is turned on (step 101), the state of the film loading detection switch 7 indicating whether or not a film is loaded is detected (step 102), and if the film is loaded. If not, regardless of the results of the distance measurement operation (step 104) and the photometry operation (step 105) performed later, the strobe light emission amount becomes a predetermined value (for example, the strobe light emission amount as shown in FIG. 4B). (Step 103). Also,
If the film is loaded (step 102), the normal strobe light emission amount is set based on the result of the distance measuring operation (step 104) or the photometric operation (step 105) performed later.

Next, the AF lens is extended and focused (step 106), the shutter is opened and exposure is started (step 107). Then, the flash light is emitted when the aperture value reaches a predetermined value (step 108).

Then, in step 103,
Alternatively, after a lapse of time determined based on the results of the distance measuring operation (step 104) and the photometric operation (step 105) (step 109), a strobe light emission stop signal (control signal D) is output to stop strobe light emission ( Step 1
10).

Then, after a predetermined time, the shutter is closed (step 111), the AF lens is retracted to the initial position (step 112), the film is wound by one frame (step 113), and a series of operations is completed.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the camera when the strobe light emission amount is detected in real time and the strobe light emission is stopped when the predetermined light emission amount (appropriate light emission amount) is reached. The same operation parts as those in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same step numbers.

When the shutter is opened in step 107 and the strobe light is emitted thereafter (step 108), the amount of light emitted at that time is compared with a predetermined value (appropriate value) by a strobe light emission amount detection circuit (not shown) (step 114). If it is detected that the light emission amount is not suitable for the predetermined light emission amount, after a predetermined time elapses (step 109), the process proceeds to step 110 to output a strobe light emission stop signal to stop the strobe light emission (step 110). ). If it is suitable for the predetermined amount of light emission within the predetermined time, the process proceeds from step 114 to step 110 to output the strobe light emission stop signal and similarly stop the strobe light emission.

Thereafter, as in FIG. 5, the shutter is closed after a predetermined time (step 111), the AF lens is retracted to the initial position (step 112), and the film is wound by one frame (step 113), and a series of steps is performed. Ends the operation.

As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 above, in the case where the film is not loaded and the regular photography is not performed,
In order to reduce the amount of light emitted while strobe light is emitted, that is, the state shown in FIG. 4 (a) is obtained during the original shooting, but in such a state, the amount of light emitted is as shown in FIG. 4 (b).
This makes it possible to take pictures that are easy on the eyes and do not waste battery energy.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the operation of the camera of the second embodiment of the present invention.

Since the circuit structure of the camera and the strobe device provided are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted here, and those in which the tens digit and the ones digit of the step numbers are the same as in the first embodiment. The operation is the same as in the example (FIGS. 5 and 6).

In FIG. 7, as a means for determining whether or not a regular photograph is taken, it is determined by whether the back cover is open or closed. That is, it is determined whether the back cover is open or closed (step 215), and if it is open, the strobe light emission amount is set to a predetermined value (step 203). If it is closed, the normal strobe light emission amount is set based on the results of the distance measuring operation (step 204) and the photometric operation (step 205) performed later.

The subsequent steps are the same as in the first embodiment.

(Third Embodiment) FIGS. 8 and 9 are flow charts showing the operation of the camera of the third embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment as well, the circuit structure of the camera and the strobe device provided are the same as those in the first embodiment, and will therefore be omitted.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the film idling operation.

First, when the back cover is closed from the open state (step 301), it is next determined whether or not a film is loaded (step 302). The operation is started (step 303). Then, it is determined whether or not the film has been skipped (step 304), and if it has succeeded, a skip feed completion flag is set (step 305),
On the other hand, if unsuccessful, the idling completion flag is cleared (step 306).

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the operation of the camera of the third embodiment of the present invention. The ones in which the tens digit and the ones digit of the step numbers are the same as those in the first embodiment (FIG.
This is the same as the operation in FIG. 6).

In FIG. 9, it is determined whether or not the photograph is taken normally by the idling completion flag set in FIG. That is, the jump feed completion flag is set (that is, the film is not skipped, or the film jump has failed), or the skip feed complete flag is cleared (that is, the film is skipped). It is determined whether or not the blank feed is completed and the normal photographing is possible (step 416). If the blank feed completion flag is cleared, the flash light emission amount is set to a predetermined value ( On the other hand, if the idling completion flag is set, the distance measuring operation to be performed later (step 40)
4) Based on the result of the photometric operation (step 405), the regular flash emission amount is set.

The subsequent steps are the same as in the first embodiment.

(Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the actual distance to the subject and the distance measurement data from the distance measuring device 9.

Here, the distance to the object and the distance measurement data have a one-to-one correspondence within the normal distance measurement possible range, and accurate distance measurement operation can be performed.

However, when the object is extremely close to the camera, the image is projected by the light-receiving sensor surface, and an erroneous distance measurement result is output, or no signal comes. Or, a signal indicating that distance measurement is impossible is output.

Further, when the subject is at a considerable distance, particularly in the active type distance measuring device, the received light signal becomes weak and the distance data cannot be calculated, so that the signal of a predetermined distance (in this case, infinite position) is transmitted. It will output.

As described above, the current distance measuring device cannot cover the entire distance measuring range.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the operation of the camera according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention which is based on the function of the distance measuring device as described above.

In this embodiment as well, the circuit structure of the camera and the strobe device provided are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore omitted. First, when a release switch (not shown) is turned on (step 501). A distance measuring operation is performed (step 502). Then, it is determined whether or not the result of the distance measurement is within the distance measurement possible range (distance measurement effective range) described in FIG. 10 (step 5).
03), if it is within the range that can be measured, it is then determined whether or not it is within the range in which the AF lens can be moved (step 504). Is within the range of the effective distance, and is also within the range of the effective angle of view when the subject is too close (step 505). If it is within the effective range, the operation is advanced to the photometry operation (step 507) and thereafter.

Further, the above step 503, step 50
4. In step 505, if it is determined that even one of the photographs is not within the effective range, it is determined that the photograph is not proper proper photographing, and the strobe light emission amount is set to a predetermined value (step 506). .

Next, the photometric operation (step 507), AF
After the lens is extended (step 508), the shutter is opened to start the exposure (step 50).
9) The strobe is caused to emit light when the predetermined aperture value is reached (step 510), and the result of the distance measurement operation (step 502) or photometry operation (step 507) for the predetermined time determined in step 506. After a lapse of a predetermined time calculated based on (step 511), the flash emission is stopped (step 512).

Then, after a predetermined time, the shutter is closed (step 513), the AF lens is retracted to the initial position (step 514), the film is wound up by one frame (step 515), and a series of operations is completed.

According to each of the above embodiments, it is possible to determine whether or not the film is actually (normally) photographed on the film surface, and change the stroboscopic light emission amount based on the result, thereby making the camera It is possible to execute a series of camera operations without prohibiting the stroboscopic light emission and reducing the current consumption of the battery capacity at the time of pseudo shooting at a store or demonstrating at a store.

If the result of the distance measurement is abnormal, or if the result is not within the effective distance range, a system is adopted in which the amount of strobe light emission is reduced so that even if a stroboscopic image is accidentally taken on the face. This makes it possible to take pictures that are easy on the eyes and reduce unnecessary flash emission for a subject at a long distance.

(Modification) In this embodiment, the camera having the built-in strobe device has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the camera can be equipped with an external strobe device having a strobe light control means. It goes without saying that it is okay.

[0071]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When the release operation is performed, a determination unit that determines whether or not the regular shooting is performed on the film surface, and if the determination unit determines that the shooting is not the regular shooting, the strobe light control function is activated. The flash device has a light emission amount control means for changing the light emission amount of the strobe, and if the film is not loaded at a predetermined position, the film has not been fed in an empty state, or the back cover is open. If so, it is determined that the shooting is not the normal shooting, and the strobe light emission amount is changed, that is, the light emission amount is reduced as compared with the normal shooting.

Therefore, it is possible to perform the pseudo photographing operation without inhibiting the flash light emission while reducing the power consumption of the power supply battery.

Further, according to the present invention, the distance measurement result by the distance measuring means for measuring the distance to the object is outside the photographable range,
Or, it detects whether it is out of the strobe shooting range,
When the photographing range is out of the photographing range or the stroboscopic photographing range is outside, a discriminating means for discriminating that the photographing is not the normal photographing is provided, and when the photographing range is outside or the stroboscopic photographing range is outside, that is, When the distance measurement result is abnormal or is not within the effective distance range, it is determined that the shooting is not a normal shooting, and the strobe light emission amount is reduced as compared with the normal shooting amount.

Therefore, even if a close-up shot is erroneously performed, the eye-friendly shot can be performed and useless stroboscopic light emission can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a configuration of a flash device included in the camera of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing another example of the configuration of a flash device included in the camera of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing how the amount of strobe light emitted from the strobe device of FIGS. 2 and 3 changes over time.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the camera of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing another example of the operation of the camera of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation of the camera of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a film idling operation of the camera of the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a main operation of the camera of the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a relationship between distance measurement data obtained by a general distance measuring device and a subject distance.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation of the camera of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, which is equipped with the distance measuring device as shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Strobe light emitting means 2 Strobe charging means 3 Strobe light adjusting means 4 Strobe control means 5 Microprocessor 6 Feeding device 7 Film loading detection switch 8 Back cover switch 9 Distance measuring device

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A discriminating means for discriminating whether or not a normal photographing is carried out on a film surface when a release operation is carried out, and when the discriminating means judges that the photographing is not a normal photographing, A camera provided with a light emission amount control means for changing a flash light emission amount in a strobe device having a strobe light control function. 2. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the discriminating means is means for discriminating that the photographing is not a normal photographing when the film is not loaded in a predetermined position. 3. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the discriminating means is means for discriminating that the photographing is not a normal photographing when the film has not been idly fed. 4. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the discriminating means is means for discriminating that the photographing is not normal when the back cover is open. 5. It is detected whether or not the result of distance measurement by the distance measuring means for measuring the distance to the object is outside the photographing range or the stroboscopic photographing range, and is outside the photographing range or The camera according to claim 1, wherein the camera is means for determining that the photographing is not a normal photographing when the photographing is outside the stroboscopic photographing possible range.