JPH0882827A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a camera capable of rapidly performing a processing such as a photometric operation and an AF operation, etc., by reducing a current consumption and an useless communication time. CONSTITUTION: The mounting of an interchangeable lens is detected by a microcomputer 1 for the camera through a lens detection circuit 11, then, by supplying a power to the lens, lens information is read out by a microcomputer 16 installed in the lens so as to discriminate the kind of the mounted lens, the lens information is read out and stored only in the case a single lens is mounted. At photometry, a power is supplied to the lens so as to read out the information in the case the mounted lens is a zoom lens, on the other hand, an AE calculation is performed by the photometric value of a photometry circuit 6 by using the stored data in the case the mounted lens is the single lens. At range-finding, the power is supplied to the lens so as to read out the information in the case the mounted lens is the zoom lens, on the other hand, in the case the mounted lens is the single lens, an AF lens driving quantity is calculated by the measured value of a focus detecting unit 8 by using the stored data, and then, the lens is energized and the lens is driven by a focus driving circuit 17 so as to perform the AF.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera with interchangeable lenses for exchanging electrical signals between the camera and the lens.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a lens-replaceable camera that uses a lens having an electric circuit in the lens, there is a camera that detects the mounting of the lens on the camera and supplies power to the electric circuit of the lens. Invented and commercialized. This type of camera is also disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-295237.

In these cameras, while the camera body is performing operations such as photometry, power is supplied to the lens to operate a circuit in the lens to constantly read information from the lens.
For example, when the zoom lens is operated, lens information such as the open F number changes. Even in the case of a zoom lens whose information changes depending on the state of the lens, accurate lens information is always transmitted to the camera.

Therefore, even if the lens is operated during repeated photometry, the photometry can be accurately performed, the zoom position of the zoom strobe can be controlled according to the focal length of the operated lens, and the auto focus can be performed. Since the lens data for performing the operation also changes in real time in accordance with the lens operation, it is possible to perform accurate focus position adjustment.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, even if any lens is attached while the camera body is operating, power is always supplied to the lens and the lens internal circuit is operated to operate the lens. Since the data of is always read, there is a problem that the lens consumes useless energy when a lens such as a single lens in which the lens data does not change is attached, and because communication is always performed. There is also a problem that the time required for communication is wasted.

Therefore, an object of the present invention as set forth in claim 1 is to reduce unnecessary communication time between a camera and a lens in a camera with interchangeable lenses to enable rapid processing of the camera, and to perform photometry and autofocus. It is to provide a camera that realizes high speed.

The object of the present invention set forth in claim 4 is to:
It is an object of the present invention to provide a camera in which the lens can be exchanged so that the power consumption of the lens is not wasted and the overall current consumption is reduced.

The object of the present invention set forth in claim 9 is to:
In a camera with interchangeable lenses, we provide a camera that reduces the overall current consumption without unnecessary power supply to the lens, reduces unnecessary communication time between the camera and lens, and enables quick processing. Especially.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention according to claim 1 provides a first lens in which information of an interchangeable lens changes according to a change of a lens state,
Means for distinguishing the second lens whose information on the interchangeable lens does not change depending on the state of the lens, and read the lens information repeatedly during the operation of the camera when the first lens is attached to the camera body. When the lens is attached to the camera body, a reading means for reading the information of the lens is provided only when the lens is attached and when the camera system is reset.

Further, the present invention as set forth in claim 2 is characterized in that the first lens is a zoom lens and the second lens is a single lens.

Further, the present invention as set forth in claim 3 is characterized in that during operation of the camera, photometry for shooting preparation, distance measurement operation, release and film feeding operation are in progress.

Further, in the present invention according to claim 4, the information of the interchangeable lens changes according to the change of the state of the lens.
Means for distinguishing the second lens whose information of the interchangeable lens and the information of the interchangeable lens does not change according to the state of the lens, means for putting the interchangeable lens in a normal operation state or a low power consumption state, and the first lens attached to the camera body. When the second lens is attached to the camera body, the lens is always switched to the normal operation state during the operation of the camera. The gist is that a switching means for switching to a normal operation state is provided.

Further, the present invention according to claim 5 is that the normal operation state is a state in which power is supplied to the lens, and the low power consumption state is a state in which power supply to the lens is stopped. I am trying.

Further, the present invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that the normal operation state is a circuit operation start state in the lens, and the low power consumption state is a circuit operation stop state in the lens. .

Further, the present invention as set forth in claim 7 is characterized in that the first lens is a zoom lens and the second lens is a single lens.

Further, the present invention as set forth in claim 8 is characterized in that during the operation of the camera, the photometry for shooting preparation, the distance measurement operation, the release and the film feeding operation are in progress.

Further, according to the present invention as defined in claim 9, the information of the interchangeable lens changes according to the change of the state of the lens.
Means for distinguishing the second lens whose information of the interchangeable lens and the information of the interchangeable lens does not change depending on the state of the lens, means for putting the interchangeable lens in a normal operation state or a low power consumption state, and the first lens attached to the camera body. When the camera is in operation, the lens is always switched to the normal operation state and the information in the lens is repeatedly read during the operation of the camera, and when the second lens is attached to the camera body, the camera system is reset at the time of attachment. The present invention is characterized in that a switching read-out means for reading out information in the lens is provided only when the lens is switched to the normal operation state only when the lens is driven and when the lens is mounted, when the camera system is reset, and when the lens is driven.

Furthermore, the present invention according to claim 10 is that the normal operation state is a state in which power is supplied to the lens, and the low power consumption state is a state in which power supply to the lens is stopped. I am trying.

Furthermore, the present invention as set forth in claim 11 is characterized in that the normal operation state is a circuit operation start state in the lens, and the low power consumption state is a circuit operation stop state in the lens. .

The twelfth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the first lens is a zoom lens and the second lens is a single lens.

Further, the present invention as set forth in claim 13 is characterized in that during operation of the camera, photometry for shooting preparation, distance measurement operation, release and film feeding operation are in progress.

[0022]

According to the present invention, the type of the interchangeable lens is discriminated by the means for discriminating whether the information of the interchangeable lens is the first lens which changes according to the change of the lens state or the second lens which does not change. , The read-out means is the first lens attached
In case of the second lens, the lens information is read repeatedly during the operation of the camera, and in the case of the second lens, the lens information is read only when the lens is attached and when the camera system is reset. The information of the lens can be read, and the useless communication time between the camera and the lens can be reduced when the second lens is attached.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the information of the interchangeable lens changes according to the change of the state of the lens.
If the mounted lens is the first lens, the switching means always switches the lens to the normal operation state while the camera is operating, and the mounted lens is In the case of the second lens, the lens is switched to the normal operation state only when the lens is attached, the camera system is reset, and the lens is driven. Therefore, when the second lens is attached, it is possible to reduce wasteful power consumption of the circuit inside the lens. Current consumption can be reduced.

According to the present invention as defined in claim 9, the information of the interchangeable lens changes according to the change of the state of the lens.
The type is discriminated by the means for discriminating whether the lens is the second lens or the second lens which does not change, and the switching read-out means repeatedly switches the lens to the normal operating state during the operation of the camera when the mounted lens is the first lens. Reads the information in the lens, and when the mounted lens is the second lens, switches the lens to the normal operating state only when the lens is mounted, when the camera system is reset, and when the lens is driven. When the lens is mounted, the camera system is reset, and the lens is driven. Since the information in the lens is read out only when the first lens is attached, the information in the lens can be accurately read out, and when the second lens is attached, useless power consumption of the circuit inside the lens and useless communication between the camera and the lens are possible. Time and time can be saved.

[0025]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an electrical control block diagram of the camera body and zoom lens of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, a control circuit 1 by a microcomputer controls the operation of the entire camera. RAM, ROM, E are provided inside the microcomputer 1.
A memory such as an EPROM is built-in (it may be externally attached), and this EEPROM stores various setting values of the camera, lens information, and the like. Further, SW2 for operating the shutter is connected to the microcomputer 1, and when SW2 is turned on in a state where a predetermined condition is satisfied, shutter control is performed and exposure is started.

The strobe control circuit 2 comprises a strobe light emission control circuit (not shown) and a zoom strobe control circuit for controlling the irradiation angle according to the focal length of the lens. The strobe light emission control circuit controls the light emission and dimming of the strobe, and is a circuit that accumulates electric charge for light emission, a xenon tube that is a light emitting part, a trigger circuit, a circuit that stops light emission, a film surface reflection photometry circuit, It is composed of an integrating circuit, etc., and the flashing of the strobe is started by turning on the X contact which is turned on by the front curtain of the shutter unit. The zoom strobe control circuit is a circuit that changes the irradiation angle by moving the reflector or the like according to the focal length because the necessary and appropriate strobe irradiation angle differs depending on the focal length of the mounted lens. Circuit.

The liquid crystal display circuit 3 is a circuit for displaying various photographing information of the camera such as shutter speed and aperture control value, and DBUS while receiving a display signal from the microcomputer 1.
Serial communication is performed via (connection bus), and liquid crystal display is performed according to the communication content.

The feeding circuit 4 controls a film feeding motor (not shown) in accordance with a control signal from the microcomputer 1 to wind and rewind the film, and the shutter control circuit 5 controls the shutter unit (in accordance with the control signal from the microcomputer 1). (Not shown). The photometric circuit 6 is a type that divides the sensor screen into a plurality of areas, and is a circuit that performs TTL photometry of the brightness of the subject in each area and sends it to the microcomputer 1.

The switch detection circuit 7 is always supplied with power together with the liquid crystal display circuit 3, and in a normal camera, SW1 which is interlocked with the first stroke for starting the preparation for photographing of the release button of the camera, and others (not shown). You can always read the switch that determines the exposure mode and the switch that determines the automatic focusing (AF) mode of the camera. When the switch is switched, the switch detection circuit 7 performs serial communication via DBUS to communicate each switch information to the microcomputer 1.

The focus detection unit 8 detects from the image signal of the subject obtained through the taking lens which position the subject is in focus by the taking lens by calculation by the phase difference detection method. The battery 9 is a power source for each part of the camera and each part of the lens. The entire camera system is reset when the battery is installed by replacing the battery.

The DC / DC converter 10 stabilizes the output voltage of the battery 9 which changes depending on the load condition and supplies the stabilized output voltage to each part of the camera and the lens. The DC / DC converter 10 is controlled by the microcomputer 1, and the DC / DC converter 10 is stopped when the microcomputer 1 operates with a low-speed clock and can operate with the output of the battery 9 as it is without requiring a stabilized power supply. To do. DC / DC converter 1 when stopped
The voltage of the battery 9 is directly output from 0 to reduce the power consumption.

The lens detection circuit 11 detects the state of lens attachment / detachment and the lens attachment / detachment operation, inputs them to the microcomputer 1, and controls the power supply to the attached lens according to an instruction from the microcomputer 1. The power supply terminal 12 is a terminal for supplying power from the camera to the lens, and when the lens is attached, power is supplied from the lens detection circuit 11. The lens mounting detection terminal 13 of the camera is connected to the lens side terminal when the lens is mounted. Reference numeral 14 is a ground terminal on the camera side. The communication terminal 15 on the camera side is 1
The terminals 5a, 15b, and 15c perform serial communication with the lens.

On the other hand, on the lens side, the microcomputer 16 in the lens communicates with the camera-side microcomputer 1 to drive focus, diaphragm, and zoom according to the instruction of the camera, and also communicate information unique to the lens to the camera.

The focus drive circuit 17 drives a focus lens (not shown) in accordance with an instruction from the in-lens microcomputer 16, and the focus position detection section 18 detects the position and movement amount of the focus lens driven by the focus drive circuit 17.

The diaphragm drive circuit 19 is the microcomputer 1 in the lens.
The diaphragm is driven according to the instruction of 6, and the position and movement amount of the diaphragm driven by the diaphragm drive circuit 19 are detected by the diaphragm position detector 20.

The zoom position detector 21 detects the position and movement amount of a zoom lens (not shown).

The power supply terminal 22 of the lens receives power from the power supply terminal 12 of the camera. The lens-side lens mounting detection terminal 23 is for the camera to detect lens mounting by being normally connected to the lens mounting detection terminal 13 of the camera. The lens side ground terminal 24 is connected to the camera ground terminal 14 and is connected to the lens mounting detection terminal 23.

Each terminal 25 of the communication terminal 25 with the camera body
a, 25b, 26c and camera side 15a, 15b, 15c
Are connected to each other for serial communication between the lens and the camera microcomputer.

FIG. 2 is an electric control block diagram of the camera body and the single lens of the present invention. 2, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted.

In FIG. 2, the microcomputer 26 in the single lens communicates with the microcomputer 1 of the camera to drive focus, diaphragm, and zoom according to the instruction of the camera, and also communicates lens-specific information to the camera.

The focus drive circuit 27 drives the focus lens according to an instruction from the microcomputer 26 in the lens, and the focus position detection unit 28 detects the position and movement amount of the focus lens driven by the focus drive circuit 27.
The diaphragm drive circuit 29 drives the diaphragm according to an instruction from the microcomputer 26 in the lens, and the diaphragm position detection unit 30 drives the diaphragm drive circuit 29.
The position and movement amount of the diaphragm driven by are detected.

When the lens side power supply terminal 31 receives power from the camera power supply terminal 12 and the lens side lens mounting detection terminal 32 is normally connected to the camera side lens mounting detection terminal 13, the camera mounts the lens. Detect. The terminals 34a, 34b, 34c of the communication terminal 34 and the terminals 15a, 15b, 15c of the camera are connected to perform serial communication between the lens and the microcomputer of the camera.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of the operation at the time of detecting the lens mounting of the present invention. Based on FIG. 3, a process relating to a means for distinguishing the interchangeable lens of the present invention, in which the interchangeable lens is attached to the camera and the microcomputer 1 detects the lens attachment through the lens detection circuit 11, will be described.

First, the operation of the camera is started by performing a predetermined initialization operation for operating various circuits in the camera, operating the DC / DC converter 10, and the like (S10).
1), the power supply control circuit of the lens detection circuit 11 is controlled to start power supply to the lens (S102).

By communicating with the microcomputer 16 or 26 in the lens through the communication terminal 15 and the communication terminal 25 or 34 of the lens, the lens information is read out to judge whether the mounted lens is a zoom lens or a single lens, and the mounted lens is a zoom lens. If so, the process directly proceeds to S106 (S103). When the mounted lens is a single lens, necessary data in the lens is read (S104). EEP the read data
It is stored in the ROM (S105).

By communication, the microcomputer 16 or 26 in the lens
Then, the power supply control circuit of the lens detection circuit 11 is controlled to stop the power supply to the lens, and the power supply of the lens is turned off (S106).

Various operations for ending the operation of the camera are performed,
The operation of the DC / DC converter 10 is stopped, the camera operation is stopped, and the process ends (S107).

As described above, the type of the mounted lens is discriminated by the means for distinguishing the interchangeable lens, the lens data is read out in the case of the single lens and the data is stored in the memory in the camera, and only the lens is mounted in the case of the zoom lens. A determination is made and the mounting operation is ended.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of the photographing operation of the camera of the first embodiment of the present invention. Next, the photographing operation relating to the switching means for switching the power supply to the lens by ON / OFF will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, only when a lens capable of communication between the camera and the lens is attached, a case where an incommunicable lens or the like outside the scope of the present invention is attached is excluded.

The switch detection circuit 7 detects the ON of the SW1 for starting the photographing preparation, and the DC / DC converter 10
To start the operation by initializing each part of the camera (S111).

The switch SW1 for starting photometry and distance measurement is turned off.
After that, the time of a photometric timer, which is a timer for performing photometry for a certain period of time, is set (S112).

The photometric circuit 6 measures the luminance of the object to perform photometry, and based on the photometric value, the film speed and lens information are used to perform automatic exposure control calculation to determine the shutter speed and aperture value (S113). ).

The state of SW1 is detected (S114). S
If W1 is ON, the position of the object is measured by the focus detection unit 8 in order to perform the distance measuring operation for measuring the distance of the object, and the lens driving amount for focusing is determined from the lens information to determine the lens microcomputer 16 or 26. Then, a focus drive command is sent to the lens to operate the lens for focusing (S115). In this case, the in-lens microcomputer 16 or 26 that has received the drive command operates the focus drive circuit 17 or 27 to drive the focus of the lens, and drives the lens by the amount instructed by the microcomputer 1.

It is determined whether the release switch SW2 is ON (S116), and if it is OFF, the process returns to S112. SW2 is O
If the result is N, power is supplied to the lens, the aperture value calculated in S113 is communicated to the in-lens microcomputer 16 or 26, and a drive command is sent to the lens to perform an operation of reducing the aperture to a predetermined value. At this time, the microcomputer 16 or 26 in the lens controls the diaphragm drive circuit 19 or 29 based on the command of the microcomputer 1 to perform the operation of diaphragm down to a predetermined value. When the diaphragm is stopped down to a predetermined value, the microcomputer 1 controls the shutter control circuit 5 at the shutter speed calculated in S113 to perform the exposure operation at the predetermined shutter speed. When the exposure operation is completed, an aperture opening command is sent to the in-lens microcomputer 16 or 26, and the feeding circuit 4 is operated to feed the film to feed one film of the photographed film to open the aperture. After that, an operation stop command is sent to the in-lens microcomputer 16 or 26, the power supply circuit of the lens detection circuit 11 is controlled to stop the power supply to the lens, and one release operation is completed (S117). ).

The state of SW1 is detected (S118). S
If W1 is ON, the process returns to S112. If SW1 is OFF, the operation of the camera ends (S120).

If SW1 is OFF in S114, S1
It is determined whether the timer set in 12 is operating, and if it is operating, the process returns to S113 to continue the photometric operation,
If the photometric timer has expired, the operation of the camera is terminated (S119). As a result, photometry is continued for a certain period of time after the SW1 is turned off.

In the ending procedure in S120, various operations for ending the camera operation are performed, the operation of the DC / DC converter 10 is stopped, and the operation of the camera is stopped.

FIG. 5 is a detailed operation flowchart of the photometry / calculation shown in FIG. Next, details of photometry / calculation relating to the operations of the reading means and the switching reading means will be described with reference to FIG.

Here, it is determined whether the mounted lens is a zoom lens or a single lens based on the data in the memory that is stored when the lens mounting is detected (S121). If the lens is a zoom lens,
The power supply circuit in the lens detection circuit 11 is controlled to supply power to the lens to activate the lens microcomputer 16 (S122). Information at the current focal length in the lens is read and stored in the RAM or the like (S123). The lens detection circuit 11 turns off the power supply to the lens (S1).
24). If the lens determination result of S121 is a single lens, the lens information is read from the previously stored EEPROM and stored in the RAM or the like (S125).

The photometric circuit 6 measures the brightness of the object to perform photometry (S126). AE calculation for determining the shutter speed and the aperture value is performed based on the film sensitivity information and the read lens information (S127). The shutter speed and aperture value determined by the calculation in S127 are displayed on the liquid crystal panel via the liquid crystal display circuit 3, and the photometry / calculation ends (S1).
28).

FIG. 6 is a detailed operation flowchart of the distance measurement / lens drive shown in FIG. Next, the details of the distance measuring / lens driving operation relating to the operations of the reading means and the switching reading means will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the focus detection unit 8 is operated to detect the focus position of the object to detect the position (S1).
31).

At the time of detecting the lens mounting, the mounted lens is judged from the information which is discriminated and detected and stored (S132). When the zoom lens of FIG. 1 is mounted, the power supply circuit in the lens detection circuit 11 is controlled to supply power to the lens, and the microcomputer 16 in the lens is activated (S133).
Information necessary for AF according to the current focal length in the lens is read out and stored in the RAM or the like (S134). The lens detection circuit 11 turns off the power supply to the lens (S13).
5). If the determination in S132 above is for a single lens,
The data stored in the EEPR0M is read and stored in the RAM or the like (S136).

Position information of the object measured in S131,
Based on the read lens information on the RAM, the lens drive amount for focusing by moving the lens to the in-focus position obtained by distance measurement is calculated (S137). It is determined whether or not the calculated lens drive amount is 0 for which the lens may not be driven at all (S138). When it is 0, the operation ends. When it is not 0, power is supplied to drive the lens (S13
9).

It communicates with the microcomputer 16 or 26 in the lens to send the lens drive amount and drive command. The microcomputer in the lens which has received the lens driving command is the focus control circuit 17 or 2
7 is controlled to drive the lens focus by the instructed amount, the microcomputer 1 is notified of the drive end, and the process is ended (S14).
0). Upon receiving the drive end notification, the microcomputer 1 turns off the lens power from the lens detection circuit 11 and ends the distance measurement / lens drive processing (S141).

As described above, in the present embodiment, in the case of a lens whose lens information changes depending on the focal length of the zoom lens or the like, the lens data for performing photometry calculation, distance measurement and lens drive calculation is supplied to the lens as power. Read from the lens,
In case of a single lens etc. where the lens information does not change,
Each operation is performed without supplying power to the lens by using the information read in the EEPROM by the lens attachment detection in advance.

In addition, since power is supplied only when the lens is operated for some reason such as driving the lens, wasteful power consumption can be reduced and extra communication time between the camera and the lens can be reduced. it can.

When the entire camera system is reset due to battery replacement or the like, the memory of the entire camera may be lost, so the above-described series of processes when the lens is attached are executed again.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the shooting operation of the camera of the second embodiment of the present invention. Based on FIG. 2, of the second embodiment,
The photographing operation relating to the switching means improved so that the switching operation for turning on / off the power supply to the lens is performed in the main procedure of the photographing operation, not in the subroutine, will be described.

The structure of the camera body and lens of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and FIG. 1 shows the case where a zoom lens is attached, and FIG. 2 shows the case where a single lens is attached. . Further, the lens mounting detection process for determining the mounted lens is similar to the process shown in FIG. Also, the first
Lenses that are not directly related to the present invention, such as lenses that cannot communicate as in the embodiments, are excluded.

First, when the SW1 is turned on, the DC / DC converter 10 is activated to start the supply of stabilized power to each part of the camera, and at the same time, initialize each part of the camera to start the operation (S151).

Whether the mounted lens is a zoom lens or a single lens is determined based on the data stored when the lens mounting is detected (S152). S1 for single lens
Proceed to 54. Lens detection circuit 11 for zoom lenses
The internal power supply circuit is controlled to supply power to the lens to activate the lens microcomputer 16 (S153).

After the photometry / distance measurement start switch SW1 is turned off, the time of the photometry timer for performing photometry for a certain period of time is set (S154).

The brightness of the subject is measured by the photometric circuit 6 to perform photometry, and the automatic exposure control is calculated from the film sensitivity and lens information based on the photometric value to determine the shutter speed and aperture value (S155). .

The state of SW1 is detected (S156). S
When W1 is ON, the position of the subject is measured by the focus detection unit 8 in order to perform the distance measuring operation for measuring the distance of the subject, and the lens drive amount for focusing is determined based on the lens information. By communicating with the internal microcomputer 16 or 26, a focus drive command is sent to the lens to operate the lens and focus is performed (S157). The microcomputer in the lens which has received the lens drive command operates the focus drive circuit 17 or 27 to drive the lens by the amount instructed by the microcomputer 1.

It is determined whether the release SW2 is ON (S15
8), when OFF, returns to S154. If SW2 is ON, the aperture value calculated in S155 is set to the microcomputer 16 in the lens.
Alternatively, it communicates to 26 and sends a lens drive command to reduce the aperture to a predetermined value. The microcomputer in the lens controls the diaphragm drive circuit 19 or 29 to diaphragm the diaphragm to a predetermined value, and the microcomputer 1 operates the shutter control circuit 5 at the shutter speed determined in S155.
Is controlled to perform an exposure operation at a predetermined shutter speed. When the exposure operation is completed, an aperture opening command is sent to the lens microcomputer, the feeding circuit 4 is operated to feed the film, the photographed film is fed by one frame, and the release operation is waited until the aperture is opened. It ends (S159).

The state of the photometry / distance measurement switch SW1 is detected (S160). If SW1 is ON, the process returns to S154. If SW1 is OFF in the detection of S156, S
It is determined whether the photometric timer set in 154 is operating (S
161). If OFF, go to S164.

If the photometric timer is operating, the type of the mounted lens is determined from the stored data (S162), and if it is a zoom lens, the process returns to S155. Supply power for single lens is O
FF is performed (S163). As a result, photometry is performed for a certain period of time even after SW1 is turned off.
Further, when the single lens is attached, communication with the lens is not required, so the power supply is turned off. The power ON / OFF processing is also improved so as to be performed within the main procedure of camera operation.

It is determined whether power is supplied to the mounted lens (S164).

The power supply to the lens is turned off via the power supply circuit (S165).

Various operations for ending the operation of the camera are performed, the DC / DC converter 10 is stopped, and the operation of the camera is stopped (S166).

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the details of the photometry / calculation processing shown in FIG. Next, the operation of photometry / calculation related to the processing of the lens information reading means will be described with reference to FIG.

The type of the mounted lens is judged from the stored data when the lens mounting is detected (S171). In the case of a zoom lens, the information at the current focal length is read from the in-lens microcomputer 16 and stored in the RAM or the like (S172). In the case of a single lens, the lens information of EEPROM is R
It is stored in AM and the power is not supplied to the lens (S1
73).

The photometric circuit 6 measures the brightness of the object to perform photometry (S174).

The AE calculation for determining the shutter speed and the aperture value is performed from the film sensitivity information and the lens information on the RAM (S175).

The shutter speed and aperture value determined in S175 are displayed on the liquid crystal panel through the liquid crystal display circuit 3, and the photometry / calculation ends (S176).

As described above, in the case of the zoom lens, the data of the AE calculation is read from the lens by supplying the power to the lens, and in the case of the single lens, the power is not supplied to the lens and the data of the already stored EEPROM is used. I am trying to calculate.

FIG. 9 is a detailed flowchart of the distance measuring / lens driving process shown in FIG. Next, based on FIG.
The distance measuring / lens driving operation relating to the processing of the lens information reading means and the switching reading means will be described.

First, the focus detection unit 8 is operated to detect the focus position of the object to detect the position (S1).
81).

The type of mounted lens is determined from the information detected and stored at the time of lens mounting detection (S182). In the case of a zoom lens, the information necessary for AF at the current focal length is read from the in-lens microcomputer 16 and stored in the RAM (S183). In the case of a single lens, the information is read from the previously stored EEPROM and stored in the RAM (S
184).

The lens drive amount for focusing is calculated from the position information of the object measured in S181 and the lens information on the RAM (185).

It is checked whether the lens power source is on (S186). If the power is on, the process directly proceeds to S188. If the lens is not powered, turn it on
Yes (S187).

In order to drive the lens, it communicates with the in-lens microcomputer 16 or 26 and transmits the lens drive amount and drive command. The microcomputer in the lens is the focus drive circuit 1
By controlling 7 or 27, the focus of the lens is driven by the instructed amount, and the drive end is returned. The microcomputer 1 confirms the end of driving and ends the operation (S188).

As described above, in this embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, when the zoom lens is used, the power is supplied to the lens to read the data, and when the single lens is used, the data in the EEPROM is used to replace the battery. In addition to performing the processing when the lens is attached again when the is reset, since it is programmed to turn ON / OFF the power supply to the lens, which is the processing of the switching means, within the main procedure of the camera photographing operation, More accurate switching operation is performed.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 10 is an operation flowchart at the time of detecting lens mounting according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Also in the case of the third embodiment, the configurations of the camera body and the lens are the same as those of the first and second embodiments, the case of the zoom lens is FIG. 1, and the single lens is FIG.

The third embodiment is similar to the microcomputer 16 in the lens.
Even when power is being supplied to 26 and 26, it has a so-called HALT mode for reducing the current consumption, and switches to the HALT mode in response to an instruction from the microcomputer 1 to stop the circuit operation in the lens to reduce the power consumption. Can be.

Therefore, this operation starts from the normal operation state in which the lens is supplied with power and the circuit in the lens is operating.
Switching to a low power consumption state where the circuit in the lens enters the HALT mode and the operation is stopped while the power is being supplied,
This is an operation related to the processing of the switching means.

First, a predetermined initialization operation for operating various circuits in the camera and the operation of the DC / DC converter 10 are started to start the operation of the camera (S201).

Power supply to the lens is started via the lens detection circuit 11 (S202).

Communication with the in-lens microcomputer 16 or 26 is performed through the communication terminals 15 and 25 or 34 to read the lens information and determine the type of the mounted lens (S203). When the mounted lens is a single lens, necessary data in the lens is read (S204). EEP the read data
It is stored in the ROM (S205).

The microcomputer 16 or 2 in the lens is communicated by
6 is set to the HALT mode to switch to the low power consumption state in which the operation of the lens circuit is stopped (S206).

Various operations for stopping the operation of the camera are performed, the DC / DC converter 10 is stopped, the operation of the camera is stopped, and the lens attachment detection processing is ended (S20).
7).

The lens mounting detection operation in this case is the same as the detection operation of FIG. 3 except that the lens power supply stop is changed to the processing of the lens HALT.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the photographing operation of the camera of the third embodiment of the present invention. The photographing operation relating to the processing of the switching means by the HALT mode switching will be described with reference to FIG. It should be noted that lenses that are not directly related to the present invention, such as lenses that cannot communicate, as in the previous embodiment, are excluded.

When the SW1 is turned on, the operation of the camera is started (S211).

The type of the mounted lens is determined from the stored data (S212). When using a single lens, the process proceeds to S214. In the case of a zoom lens, the HALT of the in-lens microcomputer 16 is released and activated by communication to bring the lens circuit into a normal operation state (S213).

The photometric timer is set (S214).

The brightness is measured by the photometric circuit 6 to calculate and determine the shutter speed and aperture value (S215).

The state of SW1 is detected (S216). O
If FF, proceed to S221. If SW1 is ON, the distance measurement operation is performed, and the lens drive amount is set to the microcomputer 16 or 26 in the lens.
Send focus drive command. The lens microcomputer drives the lens by the instructed drive amount (S217).

It is determined whether SW2 is ON (S218). O
If FF, return to S214. If SW2 is ON, the release operation similar to that in the previous embodiment is performed (S219).

Then, the state of SW1 is detected (S22).
0). If it is ON, the process returns to S214, and if it is OFF, the process proceeds to S224.

If SW1 is OFF in S216, it is determined whether or not the photometric timer is in operation, and if completed, the process proceeds to S224 (S221).

If the photometric timer is in operation, the type of the attached lens is judged from the stored data, and if it is a zoom lens, S12.
It returns to 5 (S222). When the lens is a single lens, a HALT command is sent to the in-lens microcomputer 26 to stop the circuit operation, and the process returns to S215 (S223).

It is determined whether the mounted lens is in the HALT state (S
224), the microcomputer 26 in the lens when it is not HALT
A HALT command is sent to put the lens circuit in the HALT state (S225).

The operation of the camera is stopped by the same procedure as in the previous embodiment (S226).

As described above, in FIG. 11, the ON / OFF switching of the power supply in the process of FIG. 7 of the previous embodiment is HALT.
It replaces state switching.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing details of the photometry / calculation processing shown in FIG. The photometric operation relating to the operation of the reading means of the camera will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the type of mounted lens is determined from the stored data (S231). In case of a zoom lens, the information at the current focal length is read out from the microcomputer 16 in the lens RAM
(S232). In the case of a single lens, the information of the previous EEPROM is stored in the RAM (S233).

The brightness of the subject is measured by the photometric circuit 6 to perform photometry (S234).

AE calculation is performed from the film sensitivity information, RAM lens information, etc. (S235). The shutter speed and aperture value based on the AE calculation result are displayed on the liquid crystal panel and the process is terminated (S236).

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing details of the distance measurement / lens drive processing shown in FIG. Based on FIG.
The distance measuring / lens driving processing relating to the operation of the lens information reading means and the switching reading means will be described.

Distance measurement is performed by the focus detection unit 8 (S
241), the type of the mounted lens is determined from the stored data (S242). In the case of a zoom lens, the information necessary for AF at the current focal length is read from the microcomputer 16 in the lens and stored in the RAM (S243). If it is a single lens, the information in the previous EEPROM is read and stored in the RAM (S244).

From the distance measurement information obtained in S241 and the RAM information, the drive amount of the lens for focusing is calculated (S245).

It is determined whether or not the microcomputer in the lens is in the HALT state (S246). If it is in the HALT state, the microcomputer in the lens is activated from the HALT state and switched to the normal operation state (S247).

To drive the lens, the microcomputer 1 sends a lens drive amount and a drive command to the in-lens microcomputer 16 or 26, and the in-lens microcomputer drives the lens by the instructed amount and returns the drive end. The microcomputer 1 confirms the end of driving and finishes (S248).

As described above, in the present embodiment, in a lens such as a zoom lens in which information from the lens changes, a circuit in the lens is activated when necessary, and data is read out from the lens in a normal operation state to perform calculation. In the case of a single lens whose data does not change, the lens is in the low power consumption state using the data previously read in the EEPROM.
Since the calculation is performed in the LT mode and the lens is set to the HALT mode when it is not necessary to communicate with the lens, useless power consumption is suppressed and unnecessary communication time can be reduced.

If the camera system is reset due to battery replacement or the like, the stored contents may be lost, and therefore the process for mounting the lens is repeated.

[0131]

As described above, according to claims 1 to 3,
In the camera of the present invention shown in FIG. 2, a means for distinguishing a lens, such as a zoom lens, whose lens information changes according to a change in the lens state, from a lens, which does not change, such as a single lens, and a zoom lens are attached to the camera body. In this case, the reading means reads out lens information repeatedly during camera operation such as photometry and distance measurement, and reads out lens information only when a single lens is attached, when the lens is attached, and when the camera system is reset. It is possible to reduce unnecessary communication time between the camera and the lens, enable quick processing of the camera, and realize high-speed photometry and AF.

Further, the camera of the present invention as defined in claims 4 to 8 is a means for distinguishing a lens whose lens information changes according to a change in the lens state from a zoom lens and a lens which does not change like a single lens. , A means to put the interchangeable lens in a normal operating state and a low power consumption state by supplying power to the lens and stopping it, or starting and stopping the circuit inside the lens, The lens is always switched to the normal operating state, and when the single lens is mounted, the lens is switched to the normal operating state only when the lens is mounted, when the camera system is reset, and when the lens is driven. When there is no need for communication, the power supply to the lens is stopped, or the circuit inside the lens is stopped to put the system into a low power consumption state. In which current consumption can be reduced for.

Further, the camera of the present invention as defined in claims 9 to 13 is a means for distinguishing a lens whose lens information changes according to a change of the lens state from a zoom lens and a lens which does not change like a single lens. , Means for putting the interchangeable lens in a normal operating state and a low power consumption state by supplying power to the lens and stopping or in-lens circuit starting and stopping,
When a zoom lens is attached, the lens is switched to the normal operating state at all times during camera operation such as photometry and distance measurement, and the information in the lens is read out repeatedly, and when a single lens is attached, the lens is attached and the camera stem is read. The lens is switched to the normal operating state only when the lens is reset and the lens is driven, and the switching read-out means for reading the information in the lens only when the lens is mounted and when the camera system is reset and the lens is driven is used. By suppressing the supply, reducing the overall current consumption and reducing the wasteful communication time between the camera and the lens, it is possible to quickly process the camera operation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an electrical control block diagram of a camera body and a zoom lens according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an electrical control block diagram of the camera body and the single lens of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an operation flowchart when the lens mounting detection of the camera of the present invention is performed.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a shooting operation of the camera of the first embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a flowchart showing details of photometry / calculation processing shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing details of distance measurement / lens drive processing shown in FIG.

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

8 is a flowchart showing details of photometry / calculation processing shown in FIG. 7. FIG.

9 is a flowchart showing details of distance measurement / lens drive processing shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is an operation flowchart when the lens mounting detection of the camera of the third embodiment of the present invention is performed.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a shooting operation of the camera of the third embodiment of the present invention.

12 is a flowchart showing details of photometry / calculation processing shown in FIG.

13 is a flowchart showing details of the distance measurement / lens drive processing shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Microcomputer of camera body 2 Strobe control circuit 3 Liquid crystal display circuit 4 Feeding circuit 5 Shutter control circuit 6 Photometric circuit 7 Switch detection circuit 8 Focus detection unit 9 Battery 10 DC / DC converter 11 Lens detection circuit 16, 26 In-lens micro Computer 17,27 Focus drive circuit 19,29 Aperture drive circuit 21 Zoom position detector

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A means for discriminating between a first lens whose interchangeable lens information changes according to a change in the lens state and a second lens whose interchangeable lens information does not change according to the lens state, and said first lens. When the second lens is attached to the camera body, the lens information is read repeatedly during the operation of the camera, and when the second lens is attached to the camera body, the lens information is read only when the camera is attached and when the camera system is reset. A camera comprising a reading means for reading. 2. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the first lens is a zoom lens, and the second lens is a single lens. 3. The camera according to claim 1, wherein during operation of the camera, photometry for shooting preparation, distance measurement operation, release, and film feeding operation are in progress. 4. A means for distinguishing between a first lens whose interchangeable lens information changes according to a change in the lens state and a second lens whose interchangeable lens information does not change according to the lens state, and a normal operation of the interchangeable lens. And a means for bringing the lens into a low power consumption state, and when the first lens is attached to the camera body, the lens is always switched to the normal operation state while the camera is operating, and the second lens is used for the camera body. A camera comprising a switching means for switching the lens to the normal operation state only when the lens is mounted, when the camera system is reset, and when the lens is driven. 5. The camera according to claim 4, wherein the normal operation state is a state in which power is supplied to the lens, and the low power consumption state is a state in which power supply to the lens is stopped. 6. The camera according to claim 4, wherein the normal operation state is a circuit operation start state in the lens, and the low power consumption state is a circuit operation stop state in the lens. 7. The camera according to claim 4, wherein the first lens is a zoom lens, and the second lens is a single lens. 8. The camera according to claim 4, wherein during operation of the camera, photometry for shooting preparation, distance measurement operation, release, and film feeding operation are in progress. 9. A means for discriminating between a first lens whose interchangeable lens information changes according to a change in the lens state and a second lens whose interchangeable lens information does not change according to the lens state, and a normal operation of the interchangeable lens. A state or a low power consumption state, and when the first lens is attached to the camera body, the lens is constantly switched to the normal operation state during the operation of the camera to repeatedly read the information in the lens, When the second lens is attached to the camera body, the lens is switched to the normal operation state only when the lens is attached, when the camera system is reset and when the lens is driven, when the lens is attached, when the camera system is reset and the lens is driven A camera comprising a switching read means for reading information in the camera. 10. The normal operation state is a state in which power is supplied to the lens, and the low power consumption state is a state in which power supply to the lens is stopped.
The listed camera. 11. The camera according to claim 9, wherein the normal operation state is a circuit operation start state in the lens, and the low power consumption state is a circuit operation stop state in the lens. 12. The camera according to claim 9, wherein the first lens is a zoom lens and the second lens is a single lens. 13. The camera according to claim 9, wherein during operation of the camera, photometry for shooting preparation, distance measurement operation, release, and film feeding operation are in progress.