JPH086120A - Camera and stroboscopic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To always adjust the illuminating angle of irradiating light to an optimum value and simultaneously to accurately display the set information of a camera side. CONSTITUTION:The stroboscopic device is provided with an adjusting means ZMT adjusting the illuminating angle of the irradiating light, an illuminating angle adjustment instructing means FPU setting the illuminating angle of the irradiating light based on focal distance information and picture size information which are obtained first and second information input means FPU and instructing the adjusting means ZMT to adjust the illuminating angle and a display means DSP setting the illuminating angle of the irradiating light based on the picture size information and the actual focal distance information on the side of the stroboscopic device, to adjust the illuminating angle by the adjusting means ZMT and displaying at least the focal distance information out of it and the picture size information obtained by the first and second information input means FPU. Then, the actual focal distance information of a photographic lens is displayed on the display means DSP regardless of the picture size of the camera.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera whose screen size can be switched, a strobe device having a function of changing the irradiation angle of irradiation light mounted (built-in) on the camera, or a screen. The present invention relates to a strobe device having a function of changing an irradiation angle of irradiation light that can be mounted on various cameras having different sizes.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional strobe device, the screen range, that is, the irradiation angle, of the irradiation light is fixed, but in recent years, the focal length of the lens, that is, the photographing angle of view, is changed. Those that can change the irradiation angle have been put into practical use. Further, the camera outputs information on the focal length of the lens attached to the strobe device, and based on this information, the irradiation angle that is variable in the strobe device is automatically set to an optimum value. Many things have been commercialized.

By the way, in the case where the irradiation angle is automatically set to the optimum value based on the information of the focal length of the lens, if the screen size of the camera to which the strobe device is mounted is always constant, this is set. It can be set uniquely, but in other cases, that is, in the case of strobe devices that can be attached to cameras with different screen sizes, it is best to try to set the irradiation angle only based on the information on the focal length of the lens. Cannot be set to any value.

Here, an example of the focal length of the lens corresponding to several screen sizes and field angles will be described with reference to FIG. In Figure 8, popular "35 mm format", "6 x 4.5 format" using Brownie film, 35
Taking "half-format" as an example, which uses half the screen size of millimeter format,
The diagonal angles of view of the shooting screen are 84 °, 63 °, and 46 °, respectively.
It represents the approximate focal length of the taking lens at which the angle becomes 28 °.

Since the irradiation angle of the strobe device should be determined according to the angle of view, as is apparent from FIG.
In the case of a strobe device that can be attached to cameras having different screen sizes, the irradiation angle cannot be set to an optimum value based on only the information on the focal length of the lens.

[0006]

As a proposal for solving such a problem, there is Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-13886. According to this proposal, the information on the focal length of the lens corresponds to the screen size. Converted to the converted focal length,
This is output to a strobe device to set the irradiation angle to an optimum value.

However, in this example, since the focal length information sent to the strobe device is a converted value, when displaying this on the strobe device, a value different from the actual focal length of the photographing lens is used. This is not desirable because it is likely to cause confusion for the user.

(Object of the Invention) An object of the present invention is to provide a camera and a strobe device which can always adjust the irradiation angle of irradiation light to an optimum value and can accurately display setting information on the camera side. It is to be.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first information output means for outputting focal length information of a photographing lens to a strobe device, and a screen size of a camera for the strobe device. In order to adjust the irradiation angle suitable for the screen size of the camera by providing a second information output means for outputting information, conventionally, focal length information obtained by converting actual focal length information in correspondence with the screen size is used. This is achieved by outputting the information. Instead of outputting the actual focal length information and screen size information from the camera, the strobe device adjusts the irradiation angle.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, first information input means for inputting focal length information of the photographing lens from the camera and second information input means for inputting screen size information of the camera from the camera. Adjusting means for adjusting the irradiation angle of the irradiation light, and determining the irradiation angle of the irradiation light on the basis of the focal length information and the screen size information obtained by the first and second information input means. An irradiation angle adjustment instruction means for instructing the adjustment of the irradiation angle is provided, and the irradiation angle of the irradiation light is determined by the strobe device side based on the screen size information and the actual focal length information, and the irradiation angle is adjusted by the adjustment means. I am trying to make it.

The present invention according to claim 3 further comprises display means for displaying at least focal length information of focal length information and screen size information obtained from the first information input means and the second information input means. The actual focal length information of the taking lens is displayed on the display means regardless of the screen size of the provided, mounted or built-in camera.

[0012]

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

FIG. 1 is a mechanism diagram showing the outline of a camera and a strobe device mounted on the camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, FLS is a strobe (flash) device, CMR is a camera, and LNS is a lens.

Inside the strobe device FLS, a condenser lens CL, a light emitting element XE such as a xenon tube, and a booster circuit DCC for boosting the voltage of a battery (not shown) to a voltage level necessary for the light emitting element XE to emit light. , Display DS
P, irradiation angle adjusting motor ZM for moving and changing the irradiation angle of the irradiation light by moving the condenser lens CL
There is a strobe control microcomputer FPU for controlling T, the booster circuit DCC, the display DSP, the irradiation angle adjusting motor ZMT and the like according to a predetermined program.

In the camera CMR, a penta prism PP, a focusing screen FS, a main mirror MR,
An optical system including a sub-mirror SMR, a photoelectric conversion element SPD1 for obtaining brightness information of a subject for exposure control, a photoelectric conversion element SPD2 for obtaining light quantity information of a film surface FLM for controlling the light emission amount of a strobe device. From the sub-mirror SMR, the distance-measuring photoelectric conversion element AFS for obtaining the defocus information of the object by receiving the light flux from the sub-mirror SMR, and the sensor elements of the distance-measuring photoelectric conversion element AFS and these sensor elements. Is provided with a camera control microcomputer CPU for controlling the operation of the mechanism (not shown) of each part of the camera according to a predetermined program.

In the lens LNS, a focus lens drive motor FMT and an aperture drive motor DM for driving the focus lens group to adjust the focus.
T, a zoom encoder ZEC for knowing the focal length of the lens when a zoom operation is performed, and the above-described focus lens drive motor FMT and diaphragm drive motor DM
There is provided a lens control microcomputer LPU which controls the operation with T according to a predetermined program and receives information from the zoom encoder ZEC.

The strobe control microcomputer FPU, the camera control microcomputer CPU, and the lens control microcomputer LPU are connected by a communication line SC, and the camera control microcomputer CPU is used as a host to exchange data and commands. Can be transmitted.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the display contents of the display DSP provided in the strobe device FLS. As shown in FIG.
Information on the "HALF", "35", and "6x4.5" segments that are selectively lit based on the screen size information of the camera and the focal length corresponding to the irradiation angle set in the strobe device FLS. There is a 3-digit 7-segment group that displays.

Next, a specific operation of the camera control microcomputer CPU will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

When a power switch (not shown) is turned on to enable the camera control microcomputer CPU to operate, the camera control microcomputer CPU operates as shown in FIG.
A predetermined operation is started from step 1. [Step 1] Initialize its own memory and port. [Step 2] It is checked whether or not the first stroke switch SW1 of the release switch (not shown) is turned on. If the first stroke switch SW1 is off, the process stays in this step. When the first stroke switch SW1 is turned on thereafter, the process proceeds to step 3. [Step 3] Lens Control Microcomputer L
Communication is performed with the PU via the communication line SC to obtain lens focal length information and optical information necessary for distance measurement and photometry. [Step 4] It is checked whether or not the strobe device FLS is attached to the camera, and if the strobe device FLS is attached to the camera CMR, the process proceeds to step 5. [Step 5] Communicates with the strobe control microcomputer FPU through the communication line SC, and outputs the screen size information of the camera stored in its own memory to the strobe control microcomputer FPU. [Step 6] Communication is performed with the strobe control microcomputer FPU through the communication line SC, and the focal length information of the lens obtained in step 3 is output to the strobe control microcomputer FPU. [Step 7] A signal from the distance measuring photoelectric conversion element AFS is input to obtain defocus information of the subject.

In step 4, the camera CMR is used.
If the strobe device FLS is not attached to step S4, the process proceeds from step S4 to step S7. [Step 8] The lens drive amount is calculated based on the subject defocus information obtained in step 7 above,
This is sent to the lens control microcomputer LPU through the communication line SC to command the focus lens to be driven. This brings the lens into focus. [Step 9] The photometric output of the photoelectric conversion element SPD1 is input to obtain the brightness information of the subject. [Step 10] It is checked whether the strobe control microcomputer FPU outputs a charge completion signal. If the strobe control microcomputer FPU outputs the charge completion signal, step 11
Go to step 12 if not output.

The determination result of whether or not the strobe control microcomputer FPU is outputting the charge completion signal in this step is stored in the subsequent step because it is used. [Step 11] A shutter speed and an aperture value suitable for flash photography are determined based on the photometric output obtained in step 9 above. [Step 12] A shutter speed and an aperture value suitable for natural light photography are determined based on the photometric output obtained in step 9 above.

When either step 11 or step 12 is executed, the process proceeds to step 13. [Step 13] It is checked whether or not the second stroke switch SW2 of the release switch (not shown) is turned on. If it is off, the process returns to step 2 and the above steps are repeated. On the other hand, if it is turned on, the process proceeds to step 14 in FIG. [Step 14] A motor (not shown) is driven to raise the main mirror MR and the sub-mirror SMR. [Step 15] Step 11 or Step 1 above
The information of the aperture value determined in 2 is sent to the lens control microcomputer LPU through the communication line SC to command the aperture drive. As a result, the narrowing operation is performed. [Step 16] The front curtain of the shutter is run. As a result, exposure is started. [Step 17] Step 11 or Step 1 described above
Based on the information on the shutter speed determined in 2, counting of the opening / closing time of the shutter is started. [Step 18] It is checked whether or not the determination result stored in step 10 is that the strobe control microcomputer FPU is outputting a charge completion signal. As a result, if the strobe control microcomputer FPU is outputting the charge completion signal, the process proceeds to step 19. [Step 19] Communication is performed through the communication line SC, and a flash emission start signal is output to the flash control microcomputer FPU. This allows
Flash firing starts. [Step 20] The output signal of the photoelectric conversion element SPD2 is monitored to obtain the light quantity information of the film surface FLM,
Check if the flash output has reached a sufficient level. As a result, if the flash emission amount has reached a sufficient level, the process proceeds to step 21. [Step 21] Communication is performed through the communication line SC, and a strobe emission stop signal is output to the strobe control microcomputer FPU. This allows
Flash firing is stopped.

If the amount of stroboscopic light emission has not reached a sufficient level in step 20, the process proceeds to step 22 without passing through step 21. [Step 22] It is checked whether or not the counting of the shutter opening / closing time started in the above step 17 is finished, and if the counting of time is finished, step 23
If not, return to step 20 and repeat the above steps. [Step 23] The rear curtain of the shutter is run. This completes the exposure. [Step 24] Communicate with the lens control microcomputer LPU through the communication line SC to instruct to open the diaphragm. [Step 25] The motor (not shown) is driven to lower the main mirror MR and the sub-mirror SMR, and the shutter is charged. [Step 26] A motor (not shown) is driven to wind the film.

After this, the process returns to step 1 of FIG. 3 and the above steps are repeated.

If the result of determination in step 18 is that the strobe control microcomputer FPU does not output the charging completion signal, the process proceeds from step 18 to step 27. [Step 27] It is checked whether or not the counting of the shutter opening / closing time started in step 17 above is finished. If the counting of time is finished, the process proceeds to step 23. If not, the counting is finished. Wait for

This completes the description of the specific operation of the camera control microcomputer CPU.

Next, the specific operation of the strobe control microcomputer FPU will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When a power switch (not shown) is turned on and the strobe control microcomputer FPU becomes operable, the strobe control microcomputer FPU starts a predetermined operation from step 31. [Step 31] Initialize its own memory and port. At this time, as will be described later, the screen size information and the lens focal length information, which are obtained by communication from the camera controlling microcomputer CPU and are stored in its own memory, are common values, for example 35
A value of 50 mm is stored for the time being as the mm size and the focal length information of the lens. [Step 32] The step-up circuit DCC is started to prepare for light emission. [Step 33] It is checked whether the screen size information of the camera is transmitted from the camera control microcomputer CPU through the communication line SC. If the screen size information of the camera has been transmitted, the process proceeds to step 34. [Step 34] The screen size information transmitted from the camera control microcomputer CPU is stored in its own memory. If the screen size information was stored in its own memory before this, the stored contents would be updated.

If the screen size information of the camera has not been transmitted in step 33, step 3
Proceed to step 35 without passing through 4. [Step 35] It is checked whether the focal length information of the photographing lens is transmitted from the camera control microcomputer CPU through the communication line SC. If the focal length information of the photographing lens is transmitted, step 36 is performed.
Go to. [Step 36] The focal length information of the photographing lens transmitted from the camera control microcomputer CPU is stored in its own memory. If the focal length information of the taking lens is stored in its own memory before this, the stored contents will be updated.

If the focal length information of the taking lens has not been transmitted in step 35, the process proceeds to step 37 without passing through step 36. [Step 37] The optimum strobe irradiation angle position is selected based on the screen size information of the camera and the focal length information of the photographing lens stored in the memory of itself.

As an example of the method of selecting the position of the irradiation angle of the strobe, there is a method in which a table as shown in FIG. 6 is stored in advance in the memory of the strobe control microcomputer FPU.

In FIG. 6, it is possible to select four positions for the strobe irradiation angle, and in "position 1", the irradiation angle covers the angle of view of the 24 mm lens in "35 mm format", and the "position 2 "is 3
The irradiation angle covers the angle of view of the 35 mm lens in 5 mm format, and 5 in "35 mm format" at "Position 3".
When the irradiation angle covers the angle of view of the 0 mm lens, and the irradiation angle covers the angle of view of the 85 mm lens in "35 mm format" at "Position 4", "35 mm format" and "6 × 4.5 format" It is a table showing which irradiation angle position should be selected according to the focal length of the lens in each of the "and" half size screen sizes.

Based on this table, it is possible to select the optimum position of the strobe irradiation angle based on the screen size information and the focal length information of the taking lens. [Step 38] The irradiation angle adjusting motor ZMT is driven so that the irradiation angle of the strobe is at the irradiation angle position selected in step 37. [Step 39] The screen size information of the camera and the focal length information of the taking lens, which are stored in its own memory, are displayed on the display DSP. [Step 40] It is determined whether or not the boosted voltage has reached the voltage level required for the light emission of the light emitting element XE, and if it is determined that it has reached the voltage level required for the light emission of the light emitting element XE, the step Proceed to 41. [Step 41] The charging completion signal is output so that the camera control microcomputer CPU can know that the strobe is ready to emit light. [Step 42] It is checked whether the light emission start signal is output from the camera control microcomputer CPU. If the light emission start signal is not output, the process returns to step 32 and the above steps are repeated. On the other hand, if the light emission start signal is output, step 4
Go to 3. [Step 43] A trigger signal is applied to a light emission starting element (not shown) to start flash emission. [Step 44] It is checked whether or not the light emission stop signal is output from the camera control microcomputer CPU. If the light emission stop signal has not been output yet, the process proceeds to step 45. [Step 45] It is checked whether the strobe has emitted the maximum amount of light emission. If the strobe has not emitted the maximum amount of light emission, the process returns to step 44 and the above steps are repeated. On the other hand, if the flash emits the maximum amount of light, the process proceeds to step 46.

Even when the light emission stop signal is detected in step 44, the process proceeds to step 46. [Step 46] A trigger signal is applied to a light emission stopping element (not shown) to stop the light emission of the strobe. After this, the process returns to step 32 and the above steps are repeated.

In step 40, the booster circuit DCC is used.
If it is determined that the boosted voltage does not reach the voltage level required for the light emitting element XE to emit light, step 4
Proceed to 7. [Step 47] The charge completion signal is turned off so that the camera control microcomputer CPU can know that the strobe is not ready to emit light.

The above is the description of the operation of the strobe control microcomputer FPU.

(Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment described above,
The strobe irradiation angle is 4 positions, and the optimum strobe irradiation angle position is selected from the 4 positions according to the screen size information and the focal length information of the photographing lens based on the table stored in the memory. I explained an example. However, the present invention is not limited to the first embodiment, and can be applied to the case where the irradiation angle of the strobe is not limited to several positions but can be continuously variable.

In the case where a larger number of positions can be selected instead of a few positions in which the strobe irradiation angle is limited, and more types of screen size information are available, as described in the first embodiment. Such a table has a large storage amount, which is uneconomical in terms of memory capacity.
In such a case, as the operation of the microcomputer FPU for strobe control, it is appropriate to operate as shown in the flowchart of FIG. The configurations of the camera CMR, the lens LNS, and the strobe device FLS are the same as those in FIG.

Most of the flowchart of FIG. 7 is the same as the flowchart of FIG. 6, and steps that perform the same operation are assigned the same numbers, and the description thereof is omitted for simplicity.

The flowchart of FIG. 7 differs from the flowchart of FIG. 6 in that steps 48 and 49 of FIG. 7 are added instead of step 37 of FIG. [Step 48] The strobe control microcomputer FPU obtains a conversion factor from the screen size information of the camera stored in its own memory and multiplies it by the focal length information of the taking lens stored in its own memory. The focal length information is also converted.

Returning to FIG. 8, for example, if the focal length of "6 × 4.5 size" is multiplied by a coefficient of 0.6, the focal length of "35 mm size" equivalent to the angle of view can be obtained. Also, if the "half size" focal length is multiplied by a factor of 1.4, a 35 mm size focal length equivalent to the angle of view can be obtained.

In this way, if the conversion factor of the focal length corresponding to the screen size information of each camera is stored,
There is no need to tabulate and store the strobe irradiation angle positions corresponding to all screen sizes as in the embodiment of FIG.

That is, it is only necessary to store a table of focal lengths and irradiation angle positions of 35 mm format as a reference, each table, and a focal length conversion coefficient corresponding to screen size information of each camera. [Step 49]
The optimum irradiation angle position is obtained from the converted focal length information obtained in step 48.

Thereafter, the irradiation angle is adjusted in step 38,
Information is displayed in the next step 39. The focal length displayed in step 39 is the actual focal length, that is, the camera control microcomputer CPU.
It is the focal length information sent by communication and stored in its own memory, not the focal length information converted in step 48. Therefore, the focal length of the lens and the focal length displayed on the strobe-side display DSP are matched.

(Correspondence between Invention and Embodiment) In each of the above embodiments, the camera control microcomputer CPU corresponds to the first and second information output means of the present invention, and the strobe control microcomputer FPU of the present invention. Corresponding to the first and second information input means and the irradiation angle adjustment instruction means of
The irradiation angle adjusting motor ZMT corresponds to the adjusting means of the present invention.

[0048]

As described above, according to the present invention described in claim 1, the first information output means for outputting the focal length information of the photographing lens to the strobe device, and the camera for the strobe device. The second information output means for outputting the information of the screen size is provided, and the actual focal length information and the screen size information are output from the camera so that the strobe device side can adjust the irradiation angle. .

According to the second aspect of the present invention, based on the adjusting means for adjusting the irradiation angle of the irradiation light and the focal length information and the screen size information obtained by the first and second information inputting means. The irradiation angle of irradiation light is determined, and an irradiation angle adjustment instructing means for instructing the adjustment means to adjust the irradiation angle is provided
The strobe device determines the irradiation angle of the irradiation light on the basis of the screen size information and the actual focal length information, and causes the adjusting means to adjust the irradiation angle.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, display means for displaying at least the focal length information of the focal length information and the screen size information obtained from the first and second information input means is provided. Regardless of the screen size of the mounted or built-in camera, the display means displays the actual focal length information of the taking lens.

Therefore, the irradiation angle of the irradiation light can be always adjusted to an optimum value, and the setting information on the camera side can be accurately displayed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a mechanism diagram showing an outline of a camera to which a first embodiment of the present invention is applied and a strobe device attached to the camera.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a display provided in the strobe device of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the camera control microcomputer shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a continuation of the operation of FIG.

5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the strobe control microcomputer shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a table for setting an irradiation angle from screen size information and focal length information in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the strobe control microcomputer in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an example of a focal length of a lens corresponding to a screen size and an angle of view.

[Explanation of symbols]

 FLS strobe device CMR camera LNS lens FPU strobe control microcomputer CPU camera control microcomputer LPU lens control microcomputer DSP display XE light emitting element ZMT irradiation angle adjustment motor

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A first information output means for outputting focal length information of a photographing lens to a strobe device, and a second information output means for outputting information of a screen size of a camera to the strobe device. A camera. 2. A first information input means for inputting focal length information of a photographing lens from a camera, a second information input means for inputting screen size information of the camera from a camera, and an irradiation angle of irradiation light is adjusted. Adjusting means for determining the irradiation angle of the irradiation light on the basis of the focal length information and the screen size information obtained by the first and second information inputting means, and instructing the adjusting means to adjust the irradiation angle. A strobe device having adjustment instruction means. 3. A display means for displaying at least focal length information out of focal length information and screen size information obtained from the first information input means and the second information input means. Item 2. The strobe device according to item 2. 4. The strobe device according to claim 2, wherein the irradiation angle adjustment instructing means has a storage means for storing in advance the relationship between the irradiation angle and the focal length in each screen size.