JPH09120092A - Wireless storoboscopic system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To confirm a light quantity required for photographing and the appropriate setting of main and sub stroboscopes without exposing film by displaying whether the appropriate light quantity is obtained in the case of test light emission. SOLUTION: In the case where a test light emission SW 6 is depressed, the stroboscope emits light without exposing film. The main stroboscope 2 connected to a camera 1 intermittently emits a small quantity of light according to a light emission start signal outputted from the camera 1. When the stroboscope 2 intermittently emits the light, the sub stroboscope 3 receives direct light from the stroboscope 2 or reflected light from a subject and repeats small light emission every time the small light emission by the stroboscope 2 is detected. A main LED 7 disposed in the stroboscope 2 is lighted when the appropriate light quantity is obtained. A sub LED 8 disposed in the stroboscope 3 is lighted when the intermittent light emission is performed by the specified maximum number of light emitting times. Therefore, an operator can confirm the respective states according to the lighting of the respective LEDs 7 and 8 disposed in the stroboscopes 2 and 3.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wireless strobe system including a camera, a main strobe, and an auxiliary strobe, and wirelessly controlling strobe emission and performing test firing. Is.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various techniques have been proposed for the purpose of using a plurality of strobes to simultaneously emit light from the strobes to illuminate a subject and perform proper exposure. In such a technique, the camera integrates the reflected light from the strobe illumination, and when the appropriate amount is reached, all the strobes stop emitting light.

Further, today, in order to avoid the trouble of connecting the camera and the strobe by wiring, only the main strobe is connected to the camera and a plurality of other sub strobes are used wirelessly without being connected to the camera. The so-called "wireless strobe system" is also being researched and developed.

That is, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 56-150736, a single-lens reflex camera of the TTL photometric system
During test flash, the shutter curtain does not run and the light intensity is integrated,
There is disclosed a technique capable of confirming whether or not the strobe light is sufficient before photographing.

Further, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 4-343336 discloses a technique for a wireless multi-flash photographing system, which has a test light emission mode that does not accompany a release operation and can confirm whether a wireless flash operates before photographing.

[0006]

However, the technique disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 56-150736 is not related to the wireless multi-flash photographing system, but when controlling a plurality of strobes wirelessly, a sub strobe is used. Is not checked to see if it is installed in a position that can correctly detect the intermittent flash of the main strobe.

Further, in the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-343336, the sub-strobe is not controlled so as to repeat a small light emission each time the main strobe detects a small light emission. With the control method in which the auxiliary strobe fires each time the main strobe is detected, the intensity of the main strobe decreases in the latter half of the emission, making it difficult for the sub-strobe to detect the main strobe's emission. Even if the sub-flash fires, the flashing time is very short, so it is not clear if the intermittent flashing of the main strobe could be recognized to the end. Further, in the test light emission, it is not checked whether or not the light amount necessary for photographing is obtained.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to take a photograph without performing a film exposure, because both the main strobe and the subsidiary strobe emit intermittently during test firing before photographing. It is to confirm whether or not the necessary amount of light can be obtained and whether or not the main strobe and the sub strobe are installed at positions where the sub strobe accurately operates.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, a wireless strobe system according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a camera, a main strobe which is used by being built in or connected to the camera, A sub-strobe that is used without being connected to a camera, a light control unit provided in either the camera or the main strobe, and a strobe provided in either the camera or the main strobe without performing film exposure. It has a display means for displaying whether or not an appropriate amount of light has been obtained at the time of test light emission for emitting light and performing a dimming operation,
It is characterized in that the emission of the sub-strobe is controlled wirelessly.

In the wireless strobe system according to the second aspect, the main strobe and the sub strobe are
The display means performs a predetermined display by a dimming signal output by the dimming means when the main strobe emits a predetermined maximum number of times of light emission by repeating intermittent small light emission.

Further, the wireless strobe system according to the third aspect is such that a camera, a main strobe used by being built in or connected to the camera, a detecting means for detecting an optical signal of the main strobe, and a detecting means of the detecting means. A sub-strobe used without being connected to the camera, a dimming means provided in either the camera or the main strobe, and a first display means for performing a predetermined display by output. Or, it has a second display means provided on either of the main strobes and displaying whether or not an appropriate amount of light has been obtained at the time of test light emission in which the strobe is emitted without performing film exposure to perform a dimming operation, and wirelessly. It is characterized in that the emission of the sub-strobe is controlled.

In the wireless strobe system according to the fourth aspect, the main strobe and the sub strobe repeatedly perform intermittent small flashes, and the detection means emits light of a predetermined maximum number of flashes of the main strobe. It is characterized in that a predetermined display is performed by the first display means when is detected.

The first to fourth modes as described above have the following effects. That is, in the wireless strobe system according to the first aspect of the present invention, the display means displays whether or not the proper amount of light has been obtained during the test light emission in which the strobe is caused to emit light without performing film exposure and the light control operation is performed.

In the wireless strobe system according to the second aspect, intermittent small light emission is repeatedly performed by the main strobe and the sub strobe, and when the main strobe emits light of a predetermined maximum number of times of light emission. The display by the display unit is controlled by the dimming signal output from the dimming unit.

Further, in the wireless strobe system according to the third aspect, the detection means detects the optical signal of the main strobe, and when the first display means detects the maximum light emission of the main strobe, a predetermined display is performed.

In the wireless strobe system according to the fourth aspect, intermittent small flashes are repeatedly performed by the main strobe and the auxiliary strobe, and the detecting means emits light of a predetermined maximum number of times of emission of the main strobe. When is detected, the predetermined display is performed by the first display means.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a wireless strobe system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and a usage state when performing multi-flash photography by the wireless strobe system will be described. In the figure, the camera 1 is provided with a release button 5 and a test light emission SW 6, and when the release button 5 is pressed, a normal photographing mode is set and film exposure is performed.

On the other hand, when the test light emission SW6 is pressed, the test light emission mode is set, and the strobe light is emitted without film exposure. A main strobe 2 is connected to the camera 1, and the main strobe 2 intermittently emits a small amount of light (see (1) in FIG. 1) in response to a light emission start signal output from the camera.

On the other hand, the auxiliary strobe 3 is not connected to the camera 1, but is fixed by the strobe fixing base 4. When the main strobe 2 emits light intermittently, the sub strobe 3 receives the direct light of the main strobe 2 or the reflected light from the subject (see (2) in FIG. 1), and each time a small light emission of the main strobe 2 is detected. Small light emission (see (3) in FIG. 1) is repeated.

When the main strobe 2 receives the light emission stop signal from the camera 1 or emits a small amount of light of a predetermined maximum number of times, it stops the intermittent light emission, and the auxiliary strobe 3 also emits light accordingly. Stop. In addition, the main strobe 2 mentioned above
Is provided with a main LED 7, which is turned on when an appropriate amount of light is obtained. Secondary LED on the secondary strobe 3
8 is provided and is turned on when the intermittent light emission is performed a predetermined maximum number of times.

Therefore, the operator is required to use the strobes 2 and 3 described above.
Each state can be confirmed by turning on the LEDs 7 and 8 arranged in the. That is, if the LED 8 of the sub-strobe 3 is turned on, the sub-strobe 3 is installed at a position where the intermittent flash of the main strobe 2 can be accurately recognized.

In the configuration of FIG. 1, the main strobe 2 is shown clipped on to the camera 1. However, since the camera 1 and the main strobe 2 are connected by a connection cord, the main strobe 2 is separated from the camera 1. The main strobe 2 may be installed in a different place. Further, in the configuration of FIG. 1, the case where the number of the sub-strobes 3 is one is shown, but it goes without saying that the number of the sub-strobes 3 may be plural.

Hereinafter, FIG. 2 shows a sectional structure of a camera in the wireless strobe system of this embodiment, and FIG. 3 shows a time chart at the time of stroboscopic light emission at the time of photographing. The operation during film exposure during shooting will be described.

When the release button 5 is pressed by the operator, the aperture 15 is narrowed down to the set aperture value, the quick return mirror 10 is moved up to a predetermined position, the shutter front curtain 13 is run, and the film 14 is moved to the photographing lens. Exposure is performed by the subject light that has passed through 9, and the light amount integration is started (FIG. 3).
(F)).

After the shutter front curtain 13 has finished traveling and the shutter has been fully opened, the camera 1 outputs a light emission start signal (see FIG. 3 (a)) and receives the light emission start signal. 2 starts intermittent light emission (Fig. 3
(C)).

The sub-strobe 3 emits a small amount of light each time it detects emission from the second small emission of the main strobe 2 (FIG. 3).
(See (d) and (e)). The subject light reflected by the film 14 is received by the light receiving element 11, and when the light amount integration value reaches an appropriate value, the camera 1 ends the light amount integration (see FIG. 3 (f)) and outputs a light emission stop signal. (Fig. 3
(See (b)), the shutter rear curtain 12 travels to complete the film exposure.

The main strobe 2 which has received the light emission stop signal
Stops the intermittent light emission (see FIG. 3C) and turns on the main LED 7 indicating that the proper light amount is obtained in synchronization with it (see FIG. 3G). Along with this, the sub-strobe 3 stops detecting the light emission of the main strobe 2 and thus stops the light emission (see FIGS. 3D and 3E). The sub LED 8 of the sub strobe 3 is not turned on here (see FIG. 3 (h)).

When the proper amount of light is not obtained, the strobe stops the light emission after a predetermined maximum number of light emission,
Since the main strobe 2 does not receive the light emission stop signal from the camera 1, the main LED 7 is not turned on. In this way, the camera 1 lowers the quick return mirror 10 to return the diaphragm 15 to the open state, and ends a series of release operations.

Next, referring to the time chart of FIG.
The operation during test light emission when light intensity integration is performed without film exposure by pressing the test light emission SW6 will be described. Note that description will be given here on the premise of the configuration of FIG. 2 described above.

When the operator presses the test light emission SW 6, the diaphragm 15 is narrowed down to the set aperture value, the quick return mirror 10 is raised to a predetermined position, a light emission start signal is output, and light quantity integration is started (FIG. Four
(See (a) and (f)). Then, the main strobe 2 that receives the light emission start signal from the camera 1 starts intermittent light emission (see FIG. 4C).

The auxiliary strobe 3 emits a small amount of light each time it detects light emission from the second small emission of the main strobe 2 (FIG. 4 (d),
(E)). At this time, since the shutter front curtain 13 does not run, the film 14 is not exposed by the subject that has passed through the taking lens 9, and the light receiving element 11 causes the shutter front curtain 13 to move.
The subject light reflected by is received. The reflection surface of the shutter front curtain 13 has the same photometric value when reflected by the film 14 and the photometric value when reflected by the front curtain 13.

The camera 1 integrates the amount of light received by the light receiving element 11 from the start to the end of the test light emission (FIG. 4 (f)).
reference). The camera 1 does not output the light emission stop signal even if the integrated value of the light amount becomes an appropriate value, and the main strobe 2 emits light for a predetermined maximum number of times of light emission and then stops the intermittent light emission (FIG. 4).
(B)). Since the auxiliary strobe 3 does not detect the light emission of the main strobe 2, the light emission is stopped (Fig. 4 (d),
(E)).

Thus, when the light emission is completed, the mirror is lowered, the diaphragm is returned to the open state, and the test light emission is completed. After the light emission of the strobe is completed, the camera 1 outputs a light emission stop signal if the proper light amount is obtained, and the main strobe 2 which receives the signal turns on the main LED 7 indicating that the proper light amount is obtained (FIG. 4). (See (g)).

When the proper amount of light is not obtained, the main strobe 2 does not receive the light emission stop signal from the camera 1, so the main LED 7 is not turned on. Further, when the sub-strobe 3 has emitted a predetermined maximum number of times of light emission, that is, when all the main strobe 2 has emitted a predetermined maximum number of times of light emission, the sub-LED 8 is turned on (see FIG. 4 (h)).

Therefore, it is possible to judge whether or not the strobe light amount necessary for photographing can be obtained by whether or not the main LED 7 is turned on by the test light emission, and whether or not the sub LED 3 is turned on determines whether or not the sub strobe 3 is turned on. It is possible to confirm whether or not it is installed at a position where the intermittent light emission of 2 can be correctly recognized.

Here, FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the main strobe 2 and the sub strobe 3 for performing multi-flash control wirelessly. In the figure, the CP of the strobe
The U20 determines whether or not it is connected to the camera 1 through the terminal L. When the strobe is connected to the camera 1, the terminal L becomes GND level, and when it is not connected, it becomes open. The strobe system operates as the main strobe 2 when connected to the camera 1 and as the sub strobe 3 when not connected.

The terminals X and TTL are terminals for transmitting a light emission start signal and a light emission stop signal from the camera 1 to the main strobe 2. A light emission start signal from the camera is output from the terminal X, and a light emission stop signal from the camera is output from the terminal TTL and is input to the CPU 20 of the main strobe. XS in the camera
W is an electrical or mechanical switch that is turned on at the emission start timing, and TTL SW is an electrical or mechanical switch that is turned on at the emission stop timing.

Normally, X SW is off, so
The terminal X is in the open state, and when the X SW is turned on at the light emission start timing, the terminal X becomes the GND level. Similarly, since the TTL SW is normally OFF, the terminal TTL is in an open state, and when the TTL SW is turned ON at the light emission stop timing, the terminal TTL becomes G.
ND level. The power supply circuit 16 is a known circuit that creates a power supply Vcc for driving the CPU 20 from the voltage of the battery BAT and charges the main capacitor 22 shown in FIG. 6 with electric energy required for light emission.

Further, the circuit configuration of the light emitting section 17 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. In the figure, the emission control circuit 2
6 switches the IGBT 24 by switching between “H” and “L” of the signal STSW output from the CPU 20.
It is a known circuit for turning on and off. Although an IGBT is used in this embodiment, a thyristor or MO
A switching element such as an S-FET may be used. The trigger circuit 25 is a known circuit that puts the discharge tube 23 into an excited state when the signal TRG is output from the CPU 20. With the main capacitor 22 charged, a signal STSW is output to turn on the IGBT 24, and the discharge tube 23 is triggered to emit light.

The circuit configuration of the detection section 18 is as shown in FIG. That is, when the main strobe emits light and the reflected light or the direct light of the main strobe is incident on the photodiode PD1, a voltage is generated across the resistor R1 and is input to the differentiating circuit including the capacitor C1 and the resistor R2. The output of which the stationary light component has been cut by the differentiating circuit is A / D converted by the comparator COMP1, and the signal MSTSI
It is input to the CPU 20 as G.

Further, the circuit configuration of the display unit 19 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. That is, the display unit 19 includes the LED 1 and the resistor R3, and the LED 1 is turned on by setting the output of the terminal DSP of the CPU 20 to "L". This LE
D1 corresponds to the main LED 7 and the sub LED 8. here,
Although the example in which the LED is used as the display unit is shown, an LCD or the like may be used.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, in this embodiment, the quick return mirror is raised during the test light emission as in the case of photographing, and the reflected light of the subject light from the shutter front curtain is received. However, the mirror does not have to be raised during the test flash.

A part of the mirror may be a half mirror, and the subject light transmitted through the half mirror may be reflected by the auxiliary mirror so that the light can be received by the light receiving element.
A second light receiving element for test light emission may be arranged near the eyepiece of the finder, and photometry may be performed by this second light receiving element.

Further, instead of the TTL metering type camera, a camera of a type in which the film exposure optical system and the photometric optical system are different may be used, and it is also applicable when the main strobe performs light control.

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, it is possible to confirm whether or not the strobe light amount necessary for photographing can be obtained by performing the test light emission without film exposure, and in the wireless multi-flash photographing system. , It is possible to confirm whether the optical signal of the main strobe for controlling the emission of the sub-strobe is in a positional relationship between the main strobe and the sub-strobe so that the sub-strobe can be accurately recognized.

[0046]

According to the present invention, in the test flash before photographing, both the main strobe and the auxiliary strobe emit intermittently, and it is confirmed whether or not the amount of light necessary for photographing can be obtained without film exposure. It is possible to provide a wireless strobe system that confirms whether or not the main strobe and the sub strobe are installed at a position where the sub strobe accurately operates.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a wireless strobe system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional configuration of a camera in the wireless strobe system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a time chart showing an operation when strobe light is emitted during shooting according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a time chart showing an operation during test light emission when light intensity integration is performed without film exposure by pressing the test light emission SW6.

FIG. 5 is the main strobe 2 for wirelessly controlling multiple lights.
3 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a sub-strobe 3 and FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of a light emitting unit 17.

7 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of a detection unit 18. FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of a display unit 19.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Camera, 2 ... Main strobe, 3 ... Sub strobe, 4 ... Strobe fixed base, 5 ... Release button, 6 ... Test flash SW,
7 ... Main LED, 8 ... Sub LED.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A camera, a main strobe used in or connected to the camera, a sub-strobe used without being connected to the camera, and a control provided on either the camera or the main strobe. A light means and a display means provided on either the camera or the main strobe for displaying whether or not an appropriate amount of light has been obtained during a test light emission in which the strobe is caused to emit light without performing film exposure to perform a dimming operation. The wireless strobe system is characterized by wirelessly controlling the light emission of the sub-strobe. 2. The main strobe and the sub strobe repeatedly emit intermittent small flashes, and when the main strobe emits a predetermined maximum number of flashes, a dimming signal output by a dimming unit is displayed. The wireless strobe system according to claim 1, wherein the means provides a predetermined display. 3. A camera, a main strobe used by being built in or connected to the camera, detecting means for detecting an optical signal of the main strobe, and a first display for performing a predetermined display by the output of the detecting means. A sub-strobe used without being connected to the camera, a dimming means provided on either the camera or the main strobe, and a film provided on either the camera or the main strobe. A second display means for displaying whether or not an appropriate amount of light has been obtained during a test light emission in which a strobe is emitted to perform a light control operation without performing exposure, and the emission of the sub-strobe is wirelessly controlled. Characteristic wireless strobe system. 4. The main strobe and the sub-strobe repeatedly perform intermittent small flashes, and when the detection means detects a predetermined maximum number of flashes of the main strobe,
4. The wireless strobe system according to claim 3, wherein the first display means provides a predetermined display.