JPH0943684A - Camera system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a photographer to easily confirm whether or not light pre-emission for FE lock is performed. SOLUTION: In this camera system where photometry is performed by making a stroboscope pre-emit light in accordance with the operation of a switch before the main light emission by the stroboscope; a display element ill for AE lock and a display element 42 using a stroboscope are lighted when an FE lock switch is operated.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera system that adjusts the amount of light emitted from a strobe so that proper exposure can be automatically obtained while the strobe is used.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various camera systems as described above have been proposed in the past. In such a camera system, an appropriate amount of light emission is obtained by measuring the light reflected on the film surface of the light reaching the film surface during exposure. So-called TT
L dimming is commonly used. In this TTL dimming, as shown in FIG. 6, the reflected light of the object image formed on the film surface 9 through the main mirror 2 including the taking lens 32 and the half mirror is reflected by the dimming sensor 24 through the imaging lens 23. Measure light. Then, when the integrated amount of the photometric value reaches a predetermined amount, the strobe light emission is stopped and the light emission amount is controlled.

However, since the TTL light control uses diffused reflected light from the film surface, there is a problem that stable exposure cannot be obtained if the reflectance of the film surface differs depending on the type of film. Incidentally, JP-A-4-331935
Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2003-242242 proposes a method of performing pre-flashes before the main flash of a strobe to perform photometry and correcting TTL dimming at the time of main flashing. However, the problem arises in that TTL dimming is used. There is no change.

Further, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 6-250255 proposes a method in which pre-light emission is performed before main light emission to perform photometry, and the main light emission amount is controlled based on the photometric value.

However, in the method proposed in this publication, the main light emission amount is set to a predetermined value in advance, so that the energy for main light emission is insufficient when the charge capacity of the capacitor for storing the electric charge for strobe light emission is small. There are drawbacks such as.

Therefore, the applicant of the present invention performs photometry during pre-flashing with a sensor attached to a strobe, calculates the target main flashing amount based on this photometric value, and at the time of main flashing, the actual main flashing amount. Is measured by the sensor on the strobe side, and when the actual main light emission amount reaches the target main light emission amount, the main light emission is stopped to obtain stable exposure regardless of the film type, and the strobe light emission capacitor We have already proposed a method to obtain a sufficient amount of main light emission by controlling the amount of pre-light emission according to the charge capacity.

Further, the applicant of the present invention performs FE light emission and photometry according to the operation of a predetermined switch before operating the release button, and fixes the photometric value at the time of pre-light emission to determine the main light emission amount. We are proposing a camera system with functions. According to this FE lock, an appropriate stroboscopic exposure of the main subject can be obtained even if the framing is changed after pre-flashing and metering the main subject with the same feeling as in the AE lock by partial photometry. . Note that the pre-flash for FE lock is performed before the release button is operated, so that the person who is the subject does not feel glare or mistaken for the end of shooting.
It is desirable that the pre-emission amount be as small as possible.

[0008]

However, if the pre-emission amount is small, it is difficult for the photographer to confirm whether or not the pre-emission for the FE lock is really performed.

Therefore, a first object of the present invention is to provide a camera system capable of clearly informing the photographer that the FE lock is functioning.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, in the first invention of the present application, a camera system for performing pre-flash light emission in response to a switch operation before main flash light emission is performed. In the above, there is provided display means for performing a predetermined display when the switch is operated.
That is, the function to fix the photometric value by pre-flash (FE
By operating the switch for operating the lock, a predetermined display is performed to clearly inform the photographer that the FE lock is functioning.

The display means is composed of a first display element for displaying that the photometric value is fixed (so-called AE lock works) and a second display element for displaying that the use of the strobe is selected. It is desirable to display a predetermined display. In other words, by combining two display elements that originally display different functions to display the FE lock,
By eliminating the need to newly provide a display unit dedicated to the FE lock, and by combining the AE lock display, which is a function close to the FE lock, and the flash use display, the F display can be clearly displayed.
It is desirable to display the E-lock.

It is also desirable to provide such a display means in the finder so that the photographer can recognize that the FE lock has worked while looking through the finder.

It is desirable that the pre-light emission at the time of FE lock is performed by the flat light emission in which the light emission intensity is kept substantially constant.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view mainly illustrating the optical configuration of a strobe control camera system implemented by applying the present invention to a single-lens reflex camera.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a camera body in which optical parts, mechanical parts, electric circuits, films and the like necessary for taking a picture are stored. Reference numeral 2 denotes a main mirror, and the main mirror 2 is obliquely installed in the photographing optical path or is moved away from the photographing optical path according to the observation state and the photographing state. Further, the main mirror 2 is a half mirror, and even when the main mirror 2 is obliquely installed in the photographing optical path, approximately half of the light rays from the subject are transmitted to the focus detection optical system described later.

Reference numeral 3 is a focusing plate arranged on the planned image forming planes of the taking lenses 12 to 14, and reference numeral 4 is a penta roof prism for changing the finder optical path. Reference numeral 5 denotes a finder, and the photographer can observe the photographing screen by observing the focusing plate 3 through the finder 5. Reference numerals 6 and 7 are an imaging lens and a multi-division photometric sensor for measuring the subject brightness in the observation screen, respectively. The imaging lens 6 is multi-division with the focusing plate 3 via the reflection optical path in the penta roof prism 4. The photometric sensor 7 is associated with the conjugate.

Reference numeral 8 in FIG. 1 is a shutter. A photosensitive member 9 is formed of a silver salt film or the like.
Reference numeral 25 is a sub-mirror, and the sub-mirror 25 bends a light beam from a subject downward to make the focus detection unit 2
We are leading to 6.

In the focus detection unit 26, a secondary imaging mirror 27, a secondary imaging lens 28, a focus detection line sensor 29, etc. are arranged. Secondary imaging mirrors 27 and 2
The secondary imaging lens 28 forms a focus detection optical system,
In this focus detection optical system, the secondary image forming surface of the photographing optical system is connected to the focus detection line sensor 29. The focus detection unit 26 realizes an automatic focus detection device by controlling the focus adjustment mechanism of the photographing lens by detecting the focus state of the subject in the photographing screen by a known phase difference detection method by the processing of an electric circuit described later. are doing. This automatic focus detection device
The focus state of three predetermined points on the screen is detected.

Reference numeral 10 is a mount contact which serves as an interface between a known camera and a lens, and 11 is a lens barrel mounted on the camera body. Reference numerals 12 to 14 are photographing lenses, 12 is a first group lens, and the first group lens 12 moves left and right on the optical axis to adjust the focus position of the photographing screen. 13 is a second lens group,
The group lens 13 moves left and right on the optical axis to change the magnification of the photographing screen and change the focal length of the photographing lens.
Reference numeral 14 is a third group fixed lens. Reference numeral 15 is a photographic lens diaphragm.

Reference numeral 16 denotes a first-group lens driving motor, which controls the operation of the motor 16 in accordance with the automatic focusing operation,
The focus position can be automatically adjusted by moving the first lens group 12 to the left or right. Reference numeral 17 denotes a lens diaphragm drive motor, and by controlling the operation of this motor 17, the photographing lens diaphragm can be opened or closed.

Reference numeral 18 denotes an external strobe, which is attached to the camera body 1 and controls light emission in accordance with a signal from the camera. Also, this strobe 18
Has a function (bounce function) that can change the direction of the light emitting unit regardless of the optical axis of the taking lens.

Reference numeral 19 is a xenon tube, and this xenon tube 19 converts current energy into luminescence energy.
Reference numerals 20 and 21 respectively denote a reflection plate and a Fresnel, which have a role of efficiently condensing emission energy toward a subject. 22 is a camera body 1 and an external strobe 18
It is a well-known contact point that interfaces with the.

Reference numeral 30 is a glass fiber, and this glass fiber 30 guides the light emitted by the xenon tube 19 to a sensor (PD1) 31 for monitoring. Sensor (P
D1) 31 is for directly measuring the light amount of pre-flash and main light emission of the strobe, and is used for controlling the main light emission amount. Reference numeral 32 is a sensor (PD2) for monitoring the light emitted by the xenon tube 19. Sensor (PD
2) With the output of 32, the light emission current of the xenon tube 19 can be limited so that the strobe emits flat light. 3
Reference numeral 3 is a sensor for detecting the direction of the light emitting portion of the external strobe 18 by the bounce function.

In FIG. 1, only the optical mechanical member is shown among the members necessary for realizing the present invention, and the electric circuit member is necessary, but it is omitted here.

FIG. 3 shows an electric circuit block diagram of the camera system of this embodiment. In this figure, the members shown in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals.

The MPU 100 performs a required arithmetic processing operation based on the clock generated by the oscillator 101.

The EEPROM 100b stores a film counter and other photographing information. A / D converter 100c
Converts the analog signals from the focus detection circuit 105 and the photometry circuit 106 from analog to digital. MPU100 is A / D
Various states are set by signal processing the A / D value from the converter 100c.

The MPU 100 includes a focus detection circuit 105,
A photometry circuit 106, a shutter control circuit 107, a motor control circuit 108, a film running detection circuit 109, a switch sense circuit 110, and an LCD drive circuit 111 are connected. Further, the MPU 100 mounts the mount contact 10 between the MPU 100 and the lens control circuit 112 arranged in the photographing lens.
Signal is transmitted via the contact point 22 with the strobe control circuit 102 arranged in the external strobe 18.

The line sensors 29 are three sets of line sensors Li corresponding to the three distance measuring points on the finder described above.
It is a known CCD line sensor composed of ne-L, Line-C, and Line-R. Focus detection circuit 105
Performs the storage control and the read control of these line sensors 29 according to the signal from the MPU 100, and outputs the respective pixel information to the MPU 100. MPU100 is
This pixel information is A / D converted and focus detection is performed by the well-known phase difference detection method. Further, the MPU 100 adjusts the focus of the lens by exchanging signals with the lens control circuit 112 based on the focus detection information.

The photometric circuit 106 outputs the output from the multi-division photometric sensor 7 obtained by dividing the screen into six areas, as described above, as the luminance signal of each area in the screen.
Output to The photometric circuit 106 outputs the luminance signal in both the steady state in which the strobe light is not pre-emitted toward the subject and the pre-emission state in which the pre-emission is performed. M
The PU 100 A / D-converts this luminance signal, and calculates the aperture value for adjusting the exposure for shooting, the shutter speed, and the flash main light emission amount during exposure.

The shutter control circuit 107 uses the MPU 10
According to the signal from 0, the shutter front curtain (MG-1),
The shutter rear curtain (MG-2) is run to control the exposure operation.

The motor control circuit 108 controls the motor M in accordance with a signal from the MPU 100 to obliquely move / retract (up / down) the main mirror 2, charge a shutter, and feed a film.

The film running detection circuit 109 detects whether or not the film has been wound up by one frame at the time of feeding the film, and sends a signal to the MPU 100.

SW1 is the first release button (not shown).
It is turned on by a stroke to start photometry and AF. S
W2 is turned on by the second stroke of the release button to start the exposure operation. Signals from SW1, SW2 and other operation members of the camera (not shown) are detected by the switch sense circuit 110 and sent to the MPU 100.

The liquid crystal display circuit 111 controls the display of the in-viewfinder LCD 24 specifically shown in FIG. 2 and the monitor LCD 42 not specifically shown in accordance with a signal from the MPU 100.

The lens control circuit 112 communicates with the MPU 100 via the lens mount contact 10 to operate the first group lens drive motor 16 and the lens diaphragm motor 17 to control the focus adjustment and diaphragm of the lens. Reference numerals 35 and 36 denote a photodetector and a pulse plate, respectively, and the lens control circuit 112 counts the number of pulses of the pulse plate 36 via the photodetector 35 to obtain position information of the first group lens. Focus adjustment can be performed. Also,
Based on the position information of the first group lens, the absolute distance information of the subject is transmitted to the MPU 100.

The strobe control circuit 200 is the MPU 100.
Is a circuit for emitting strobe light toward a subject in accordance with a signal from, and controls the amount of light emission, the emission intensity of flat emission, and the emission time.

Reference numeral 201 denotes a DC / DC converter. This converter 201 boosts the battery voltage according to an instruction from the strobe control circuit 200, and the main capacitor C1 has about 3 voltage.
Can store 00V.

R1 / R2 are voltage dividing resistors provided for the strobe control circuit 200 to monitor the voltage of the main capacitor C1. The strobe control circuit 200 indirectly monitors the voltage of the capacitor C1 by A / D converting the divided voltage by the A / D converter 202,
The DC / DC converter 201 can be stopped to stop boosting, or the current charging voltage can be monitored and transmitted to the MPU 100.

Reference numeral 203 denotes a trigger circuit, which is instructed by the MPU 100 at the time of exposure to cause the flash control circuit 200.
The trigger is output via. Due to this trigger, the charge energy stored in the main capacitor C1 is discharged in the xenon tube 19, and strobe light emission is started.

Reference numeral 204 is a light emission stop circuit. The light emission stop circuit 204 is turned on at the time of the above-mentioned trigger output to start the light emission of the xenon tube 19, and the output of the comparator 205 or the comparator 206 and the strobe control circuit 20.
It is turned off by a signal from 0 to stop the emission of light from the xenon tube 19.

33 is a sensor for detecting the direction of the light emitting portion including the xenon tube 19 as described above.
The output of No. 3 can be read out via the strobe control circuit 200.

Next, the circuit will be described in detail while explaining the operation of the strobe.

<Regarding Flat Light Emission> The strobe control circuit 200 sets a predetermined value in the D / A converter 207. At this time, since the xenon tube 19 has not started to illuminate yet, the photocurrent of the monitor sensor 32 (PD2) is small, and the output of the monitor circuit 209 input to the inverting input terminal of the comparator 206 is low. Therefore, the output from the comparator 206 to the light emission stop circuit 204 becomes HI.

When the xenon tube 19 starts emitting light upon outputting a trigger, the emission intensity immediately rises, and the photocurrent of the monitor sensor 32 (PD2) increases to increase the monitor circuit 2.
09 output rises and comparator 206 output goes LO
W.

When the output of the comparator 206 becomes LOW, the light emission stop circuit 204 operates and the discharge loop of the xenon tube 19 is broken, but the diode D1 and the coil L1 form a circulation loop, and the light emission intensity does not drop instantaneously. Gradually falls.

When the emission intensity drops, the monitor sensor 3
Since the photocurrent of 2 (PD2) decreases, the output of the comparator 206 turns to HI again, the discharge loop of the xenon tube 19 is formed, and the emission intensity increases. in this way,
The output of the comparator 206 causes the light emission intensity to repeatedly increase and decrease in a short cycle, and as a result, flat light emission control for continuing light emission at a substantially constant light emission intensity is performed.

The end of the flat light emission is performed by the strobe control circuit 200 directly outputting a signal to the light emission stop circuit 204.

The emission intensity of flat emission is D / A
By varying the voltage input to the non-inverting input terminal of the comparator 206 according to the digital value given to the converter 207, the operating point of the photocurrent of the monitor sensor 32 (PD2) is changed and controlled to a desired value. To be done. The light emission time is also controlled to a desired time.

<Regarding Pre-Light Emission and Integration> In the pre-light emission, the aforementioned flat light emission is performed with a predetermined light emission intensity for a predetermined time.

At this time, the monitor sensor 31 (PD1) measures the light emission photometric brightness of the xenon tube 19, the strobe control circuit 200 instructs the integrator circuit 211 to start integration, and the integrator circuit 211 outputs the output from the monitor circuit 210. Start the integration of luminescence. The light emission stop circuit 204 receives the output of the comparator 205 to which the output of the integrating circuit 211 is input to the inverting input terminal, but this is set to be ignored by the signal from the strobe control circuit 200. Therefore, it does not interfere with the control of the flat light emission described above.

After the pre-emission for a predetermined time is finished, the strobe control circuit 200 integrates the pre-emission.
The output of is subjected to A / D conversion by the A / D converter 202, and the integrated value is read as a digital value.

<Main emission control> MPU100
Is an appropriate integrated value of the main light emission amount from the integrated value of the pre-flash described above, the brightness value of the reflected light of the subject from the multi-division photometric sensor 7 at the time of the pre-flash, and the D / A via the flash control circuit 200. The appropriate integrated value is set in the converter 207. Next, the MPU 100 sets the integration circuit 211 to the initial state and causes the trigger circuit 203 to start light emission.

The light emission brightness of the xenon tube 19 measured by the monitor sensor 31 (PD1) is integrated by the integrating circuit 211, and when the integrated output reaches the set proper integrated value, the output of the comparator 205 switches from HI to LOW. The light emission stop circuit 204 stops light emission. At this time, the output of the comparator 206 is set to be ignored by the signal from the strobe control circuit 200. In this way, the light emission amount of the main light emission can be controlled to the appropriate light emission amount calculated.

Next, the operation flow of the MPU 100 will be described with reference to FIG. First, in FIG. 2A, when the operation of the camera is started, in step 1 (# 01), the input / output ports and variables are initialized. Step 2 (#
In 02), lens information such as focus information and open F number is read from the lens 11. In step 3 (# 03), the strobe information such as the guide number and strobe state is read from the strobe 18.

Next, in step 4 (# 04), it is determined whether or not the direction of the strobe light emitting portion has changed due to the bounce function, based on the output of the sensor 33 in the strobe information. At this time, if the direction of the strobe light emitting portion has changed, the process proceeds to step 5 (# 05), and FELK (FE lock)
The flag is cleared (= 0), and if not changed, the process proceeds to step 6 (# 06).

In step 6 (# 06), the states of the respective operation switches of the camera (not shown) other than SW1 and SW2 are read in through the switch sense circuit 110, and various shooting modes such as shutter speed determination and aperture determination are selected. Make settings.

In step 7 (# 07), it is determined whether or not the switch SW1 for the first stroke of the release button is ON. If it is OFF, the process proceeds to step 8 (# 08). In step 8 (# 08), it is determined whether or not the photometry timer (a timer for continuing photometry for 6 seconds after SW1 is turned off) is counting. If counting is in progress, the process proceeds to step 12 (# 12), and if counting is complete, the process proceeds to step 9 (# 09).

At step 9 (# 09), SW1 is OF
It is determined whether or not it has just changed to F, and if it has not changed to F, the process proceeds to step 11 (# 11) to clear the FELK flag and end the flow. On the other hand, if it is immediately after the change, the process proceeds to step 10, the counting of the photometric timer is started, and the process proceeds to step 12 (# 12).

At step 12 (# 12), the value 6 on the screen is displayed.
The subject brightness value of one area is obtained from the photometric circuit 106.

In step 13 (# 13), the exposure amount is determined by a known algorithm from the subject brightness values in the above six areas, and the shutter speed value and the aperture value are determined according to the set photographing mode.

In step 14 (# 14), it is determined whether or not the FELK switch is ON. If it is OFF, the process proceeds to step 18 (# 18), and if it is ON, the process proceeds to step 15 (# 15).

In step 15 (# 15), F which will be described later is executed.
ELK display is performed. In step 16 (# 16), pre-emission is performed to perform photometry. The contents of this processing will be described later.

At step 17 (# 17), the FELK flag is set (= 1).

In step 18 (# 18), it is determined whether or not the switch SW2 for the second stroke of the release button is ON. If it is OFF, step 19 (# 1
In step 9), focus detection operation is performed. This is due to the well-known phase difference detection method by the focus detection circuit 105 as described above. Furthermore, in this step 19, the lens control circuit 112 is controlled according to the focus state detected by the focus detection operation to adjust the focus of the lens.

There are three points for focus detection on the screen as described with reference to FIG. 2, but which of these points the subject should be focused on may be set by the photographer or may be set in a near range. A well-known automatic selection algorithm method based on the point priority as a basic idea may be used.

From step 19 (# 19) to step 2
Returning to (# 02), the steps up to this point are repeated as long as SW1 is ON or the photometric timer is counting.

At step 18 (# 18), SW2
When is ON, the process proceeds to step 20 (# 20).

In step 20 (# 20), pre-light emission and photometry are performed. This step 20 is step 16
This is executed by using the same pre-light emission photometry processing subroutine as in (# 16).

In step 26 (# 26) of the above-mentioned subroutine shown in FIG. 2B, it is judged whether or not the FELK flag is set, and when it is set, the subroutine is terminated as it is. If not set, the process proceeds to step 27 (# 27) to open the lens diaphragm. The reason for performing this opening process is that the aperture of the lens may be narrowed down by a function such as confirmation of the depth of the subject.

In step 28 (# 28), the information on the charging voltage of the current strobe main capacitor C1 is obtained by the information transmission from the strobe control circuit 200, and at the same time,
Information is transmitted from the control circuit 112 to obtain absolute distance information of the subject from the camera. In addition, subject brightness information from the photometric circuit 106 is obtained.

In step 29 (# 29), the light emission amount of pre-light emission is determined based on the obtained charging voltage information, absolute distance information, and subject brightness information.

In step 30 (# 30), the strobe control circuit 200 is instructed to control the pre-emission by flat emission so that the determined pre-emission amount is achieved.

In step 31 (# 31), at the same time as the pre-light emission, the reflected light of the object is measured by the multi-division photometric sensor 7. To explain the operation at this time in more detail,
The brightness of the subject is measured by the multi-division photometric sensor 7 immediately before the pre-flash is also emitted, and the difference between the photometric value at the pre-flash and the photometric value immediately before the pre-flash is calculated to obtain only the flash for the pre-flash. Get the reflected light from the subject.

During the pre-flash, the strobe control circuit 200 measures the direct light of the xenon tube 19 with the monitor sensor 31 (PD1), integrates it with the integrating circuit 211, and integrates the pre-flash with the integrated value. Is A / D converted and read. Then, the subroutine ends.

Returning to the main flow, step 21 (#
In 21), an appropriate integral value of the main light emission is calculated from the integrated value of the pre-light emission, the photometric value of the subject reflected light of the pre-light emission, the exposure value and the like.

In step 22 (# 22), the main mirror 2 is raised before the exposure operation, and the sub mirror 25 is moved away from the photographing optical path.

In step 23 (# 23), the lens control circuit 11 sets the aperture value based on the determined exposure amount.
2 is issued, and the shutter control circuit 107 is driven so that the shutter speed value becomes a predetermined value.

In step 24 (# 24), the main light emission of the strobe is controlled via the strobe control circuit 200 during the exposure in synchronization with the driving of the shutter. This main light emission is suppressed to the light emission amount obtained by the calculation in step 13 (# 13).

When the exposure operation is completed in this way, in step 25 (# 25), the main mirror 2 that has been retracted from the photographing optical path is moved down to be obliquely arranged in the photographing optical path.
The lens aperture is released, the motor control circuit 108 and the film running detection circuit 109 wind up one frame of film, and the process returns to step 2 (# 02).

In this embodiment, when the FELK switch is not operated, the aperture of the lens is opened immediately before the exposure operation, pre-light emission and photometry are performed, and the main light emission amount (target value) is determined. Main light emission and exposure operations are performed. At this time, if SW2 is left ON, continuous shooting is performed, and pre-emission is performed each time immediately before exposure. The light emitting operation of performing pre-light emission immediately before each exposure is called a collective light emission mode.

When the FELK switch is operated, the aperture of the lens is opened regardless of the exposure operation (that is, before the release switch is operated), pre-light emission and photometry are performed to set the main light emission amount (target value). Decide, then S
When W2 is turned on, the main light emission and the exposure operation with the determined light emission amount are performed. At this time, SW
When 2 is left ON, continuous shooting is performed, but pre-flash is not performed each time immediately before exposure, only main flash is performed, and the main flash amount during continuous shooting is controlled to be the same.
Note that the operation for performing continuous shooting with the photometric value of the first pre-flash thus fixed is called the FE lock mode.

As can be seen from steps 4 and 5, when the direction of the strobe light emitting portion is changed by the bounce function after the FELK switch is operated, the FE lock mode is released and the collective light emission mode is set.

Next, the display operation of this camera will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. Here, FIG.
FIG. 4A shows a display state of the monitor LCD 42 when the FELK switch is operated, and FIG.
LC in the viewfinder when the FELK switch is operated
The display state of D24 is shown. In addition, FIG.
LCD 42 for monitor before operating the FELK switch
5B shows the display state of the in-viewfinder LCD 24 before operating the FELK switch.

When the FE lock mode is set by operating the FELK switch, as shown in FIG. 4B, the mark 41 that originally displays the AE lock is displayed in the viewfinder.
Then, the mark 42 indicating that the flash is used is lit for a predetermined time. That is, the FE lock mode setting is displayed by illuminating both of the marks 41 and 42 at the same time. In this way, the FE lock mode setting is
By displaying using the AE lock mark 41 and the strobe use mark 42, which are functions close to the lock function, the photographer can clearly recognize that the FE lock mode has been set. It should be noted that the predetermined time referred to here may be any time that can be reliably recognized by the photographer.

Moreover, since the AE lock mark 41 and the strobe use mark 42 are also used in the camera having no FE lock function, it is not necessary to newly provide the FE lock mark.

Furthermore, by performing such a display in the viewfinder, the photographer can confirm that the FE lock mode has been set without fail while gazing at the viewfinder.

On the other hand, the monitor LCD 42 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (a), the "FEL" mark indicating the setting of the FE lock mode is displayed. This allows the photographer to confirm the setting of the FE lock mode when the camera is fixed to a tripod and the photograph is taken without looking through the viewfinder.

(Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment, the FE lock mode is set in the finder with A
Although the E-lock mark 41 and the strobe use mark 42 are displayed by lighting at the same time, the 7-segment mark 43 of “FEL” may be displayed for a predetermined time as shown in FIG. 4C.

In addition to the "FEL" display 43, the AE lock mark 41 and the strobe use mark 4 are also displayed.
2 may be turned on.

The present invention can be applied to a camera system that uses an image recording medium other than film, and can also be applied to a camera system that uses an image recording medium in which shooting information can be written by a method other than magnetic.

Further, the present invention may be used by combining the above-described embodiments and modified examples, or their technical elements as needed.

Moreover, the present invention is applicable to various types of cameras such as a single-lens reflex camera, a lens shutter camera, a video camera, optical devices other than the camera, and other devices, and these cameras, optical devices and other devices. The present invention can also be applied to devices applied to the above or elements constituting these.

(Relationship Between Embodiment and Claims) MPU 100 and strobe control circuit 20 in the above embodiment
0, the main capacitor C1, the xenon tube 19, the light emission stop circuit 204, and the like constitute a strobe for performing pre-light emission and main light emission as claimed in the claims. Further, the multi-division photometric sensor 7 and the photometric circuit 106 in the embodiment are
It corresponds to means for performing photometry in the scope of claims.

The FELK switch in the above embodiment corresponds to the switch in the claims. Further, the in-viewfinder LCD 24 and the monitor LCD 42 in the embodiment correspond to the display means in the claims,
AE lock mark 41 and strobe use mark 42
Respectively correspond to the first and second display elements in the claims.

The above is the correspondence relationship between each configuration of the present invention and each configuration of the embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the configurations of these embodiments, and the mechanism or the embodiment described in the claims is not limited thereto. Any structure may be used as long as the function of the structure can be achieved.

[0097]

As described above, according to the present invention, for example, a predetermined display is made when the FE lock switch is operated. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to clearly inform the photographer that the FE lock is functioning even if the amount of pre-emission light for the FE lock is small.

If the display means for the EF lock is composed of the display element for the AE lock and the display element for the strobe, it is not necessary to newly provide the display means for the FE lock. In addition, the FE lock can be clearly displayed by combining the AE lock display, which is a function similar to the FE lock, and the flash use display.

If such a display means is provided in the finder, it is possible for the photographer to recognize that the FE lock has worked while looking through the finder.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of an optical system of a camera system that is a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a control flowchart of the camera system.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an electric circuit of the camera system.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an LCD display of the camera system.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an LCD display of the camera system.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram of a conventional TTL light control optical system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 7 Multi-division photometric sensor 19 Xenon tube 31 Monitor sensor 41 AE lock mark 42 Strobe use mark 43 FE lock mark

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A camera system for performing photometry by pre-flashing the strobe according to a switch operation before main strobe light emission, wherein display means for performing a predetermined display when the switch is operated. A camera system having. 2. The camera system according to claim 1, wherein the switch is a switch for activating a function of fixing a photometric value by the pre-emission. 3. The display means performs the predetermined display by a first display element that displays that the photometric value is fixed and a second display element that displays that the use of the strobe is selected. The camera system according to claim 2, wherein: 4. The camera system according to claim 1, wherein the display unit is provided in a finder. 5. The camera system according to claim 1, wherein the pre-light emission is performed by flat light emission in which light emission intensity is kept substantially constant.