JPH11282064A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera capable of keeping the continuity of a flashing exposure in one sequence of operations of flash bracketing, even if the charging voltage of a flash is lower than a flashing possible voltage, during flash bracketing photographing. SOLUTION: In the camera capable of setting a flash bracketing photographing mode in which the emitted light quantity of the flash is increased/ decreased by an arbitrary quantity with respect to a prescribed value, whenever flash photographing is executed, a control means for inhibiting (return) a photographing operation, when the flash bracketing photographing mode is set (step 203) and the flash charging voltage is lower than a fixed voltage (step 202) is provided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a camera having a so-called flash bracketing function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The flash bracketing function is a function capable of increasing or decreasing an amount of light emission of a flash from a predetermined value (appropriate value) for each flash photographing.
Conventionally, in a camera having this function, if the charging voltage of the flash falls below the voltage at which light emission is possible during flash bracketing shooting, shooting is performed using only external light without using the flash when the release operation is performed ( Non-flash photography).

[0003]

However, when non-flash photography is performed during flash bracketing photography as described above, one sequence of flash bracketing (for example, three photographys is taken as one sequence).
There is a problem that the continuity of the flash exposure amount is lost.

Accordingly, the present invention can maintain the continuity of the amount of flash exposure in one flash bracketing sequence even when the charging voltage of the flash falls below the voltage at which light emission is possible during flash bracketing shooting. The purpose is to provide a camera that has been optimized.

Further, the present invention achieves the above object while
It also aims to provide a camera that can avoid missing a photo opportunity.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a flash bracketing photographing mode is set in which the amount of light emitted from a flash is increased or decreased by an arbitrary amount with respect to a predetermined value for each photographing of a flash. In a possible camera, when the flash bracketing shooting mode is set, if the flash charging voltage is lower than the light emission enabling voltage, a control means for inhibiting the shooting operation is provided.

Specifically, the control means inhibits the photographing operation when the flash charging voltage is lower than the light emission enabling voltage when the flash photographing operation of at least one scene is performed in the flash bracketing photographing mode. To

Further, in the second invention of the present application, a flash bracketing photographing mode in which the flash emission amount is increased or decreased by an arbitrary amount with respect to a predetermined value for each flash photographing can be set, and continuous photographing can be performed in response to a continuous release operation. When the continuous release operation is performed in the flash bracketing shooting mode and the continuous release operation is continuously performed after the flash shooting operation of at least one scene is performed, the flash charging voltage is set to the emission possible voltage. When it is lower, a control means for inhibiting the photographing operation is provided.

Further, in the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to set a flash bracketing photographing mode for increasing or decreasing an amount of light emission of a flash to a predetermined value for each photographing of a flash, and to perform a photographing operation for each frame photographing. When the continuous shooting mode is set in the flash bracketing shooting mode for a camera that can selectively set the single shooting mode to end and the continuous shooting mode that repeats the shooting operation continuously according to the continuous release operation When the flash charging voltage is lower than the light emission enabling voltage after the flash photographing operation of at least one scene is performed, a control unit for prohibiting the photographing operation is provided.

According to the first to third aspects of the present invention, the photographing operation itself is prohibited during the flash bracketing photographing, while the charging voltage of the flash is lower than the light emission enabling voltage such as the light emission inhibiting voltage. Further, it is possible to prevent non-flash photographing from being performed during flash bracketing photographing as in a conventional camera, and it is possible to maintain continuity of the flash exposure amount during one sequence of flash bracketing.

In the second and third aspects of the present invention, when the continuous release operation is canceled after the photographing operation is prohibited and the flash charging voltage is lower than the light emission enabling voltage, the control means controls the next release. It is desirable to allow a non-flash photographing operation according to the operation so as not to miss a photo opportunity.

In the third aspect of the present invention, when a single shooting mode is set in the flash bracketing shooting mode and the flash charging voltage is lower than the light emission enabling voltage, the control means performs a non-flash shooting operation. It is desirable to allow it so as not to miss a photo opportunity.

[0013]

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows an electric configuration of a single-lens reflex camera having a flash bracketing function according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, reference numeral 100 denotes a central processing unit (hereinafter, referred to as an MPU) of a microcomputer which is control means built in the camera body. The operating frequency of the MPU 100 is determined by not dividing, dividing by 1/2, dividing by 1/16, etc. of the source oscillation circuit formed by the oscillation circuit 101 by a signal in the MPU 100.

Reference numeral 100b denotes an EEPROM serving as storage means, which can store a film counter, FE lock information, flash bracketing information, and other photographing information. An A / D converter 100c A / D converts an analog signal input from the focus detection circuit 103 and the multi-segment photometry sensor 104 as described later.

The MPU 100 includes a liquid crystal display circuit 102,
A focus detection circuit 103, a photometry circuit 104, a shutter control circuit 105, a motor control circuit 106, a film running detection circuit 107, and a switch sense circuit 108 are connected. In addition, a lens control circuit 39 disposed in the taking lens 1 is connected so as to be able to transmit a signal via a mount contact 37 shown in FIG. Further, it is connected to the external flash circuit 110 via an external flash contact 111 so that information can be transmitted.

The liquid crystal driving circuit 102 is a liquid crystal panel for displaying a focus detection area in the finder visual field.
CD15 and LCD20 in viewfinder outside viewfinder
Is controlled in accordance with a signal from the MPU 100.

The focus detection circuit 103 performs accumulation control and readout control of the focus detection area sensor 6f in accordance with the signal of the MPU 100, and stores each pixel information in the MPU 10
Output to 0. The MPU 100 performs A / D conversion of this information, performs focus detection by a well-known phase difference detection method, and sends out the detected focus detection information to the lens control circuit 39 to adjust the focus of the lens.

The photometry circuit 104 outputs an output from the photometry sensor 10 as a luminance signal of each area in the screen to the MPU 10.
Output to 0. The MPU 100 performs A / D conversion on the luminance signal and adjusts the exposure for shooting. The flash control according to the present embodiment employs a method in which a pre-emission is performed immediately before the flash emission at the time of shooting, and a flash emission amount at the time of shooting is determined. ing.

The shutter control circuit 105 includes an MPU 10
In accordance with the signal from 0, the first shutter is driven by energizing the magnet MG-1 and the second shutter is driven by energizing the magnet MG-2 to perform exposure control. The motor control circuit 106
By controlling the motor M in accordance with a signal from the MPU 100, up / down of the main mirror 2, charging of the shutter, and feeding control of the film are performed.

A film running detection circuit 107 detects whether the film has been wound up by one frame during film feeding.
A signal is sent to the MPU 100.

SW1 is turned on by a first stroke operation (half-press operation) of a release button (not shown), and photometry, A
F, a switch for starting operation. SW2 is a switch that is turned on by the second stroke operation (full press operation) of the release button to start the exposure operation.

A continuous shooting mode (continuous shooting mode) SW is a switch for setting a mode of a shooting sequence. When the continuous shooting mode SW is ON, a continuous shooting mode is set. When the continuous shooting mode SW is OFF, a single shooting mode (single shooting mode) is set. You. Other signals indicating the states of the operation members of the camera (not shown) are detected by the switch sense circuit 108 and sent to the MPU 100.

The external flash circuit 110 has a flash bracketing mode SW for setting a flash bracketing photographing mode, and a signal of this switch is sent to the MPU 100 by communication.

FIG. 2 shows the optical arrangement of the single-lens reflex camera. The same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. In this figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a photographing lens. In this drawing, two lenses 1a and 1b are shown for convenience, but actually, it is composed of many lenses.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a main mirror which is inclined or moved away from the photographing optical path according to the observation state and the photographing state. Reference numeral 3 denotes a sub-mirror, which reflects a light beam transmitted through the main mirror 2 obliquely provided with respect to the photographing optical path toward the lower side of the camera body. Reference numeral 4 denotes a shutter. Reference numeral 5 denotes a photosensitive member, which is composed of a silver halide film, a CCD, a solid-state imaging device such as a MOS type, or an imaging tube such as a vidicon.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a focus detection device, which includes a field lens 6a and reflection mirrors 6b and 6 arranged near the image plane.
c, a secondary imaging lens 6d, an aperture 6e, an area sensor 6f including a plurality of CCDs and the like, and focus detection by a well-known phase difference method.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a focusing plate disposed on a predetermined image forming plane of the photographing lens 1, and 8 denotes a pentaprism for changing a finder optical path. Reference numerals 9 and 10 denote an imaging lens and a photometric sensor for measuring the luminance of the subject in the observation screen. Imaging lens 9
Is a focusing plate 7 via a reflection optical path in a pentaprism 8.
And the photometric sensor 10 are conjugated.

Light from the subject (finder lights X1 and X2) introduced into the taking lens 1 forms an image on a focusing plate 7 via the main mirror 2 and an image on the focusing plate 7 via a pentaprism 8. To the eyepiece 11 (X1) and the imaging lens 9 (X2). At the same time, display light X
3 is combined with the finder light X1 by the half mirror 12, and these combined images reach the pupil 18 of the observer via the eyepiece 11 and are observed.

Here, the display light X3 will be described.
First, the light emitted from the backlight LED 17 enters the Fresnel lens 16 and is condensed by the Fresnel lens 16 to form a focus detection area display liquid crystal panel 15 in which display segments corresponding to a plurality of focus detection areas are formed. Incident on. The luminous flux transmitted through the focus detection area display liquid crystal panel 15 is reflected by the mirror 14, condensed by the projection lens 13, combined with the finder light X 1 by the half mirror 12, and guided to the eyepiece 11.

Reference numeral 21 denotes a finder field mask. Reference numeral 20 denotes an LCD in the finder for displaying photographing information outside the finder field of view.
-LED). LC in viewfinder
The light that has passed through D20 is guided into the viewfinder by the triangular prism 22, and allows the observer to observe the photographing information.

Reference numeral 31 denotes an aperture provided in the taking lens 1;
Denotes an aperture driving circuit, 33 denotes a lens driving motor, and 34 denotes a lens driving member including a driving gear and the like. Reference numeral 35 denotes a photocoupler, which detects the rotation of the pulse plate 36 interlocked with the lens driving member 34 and transmits the rotation to the lens focus adjustment circuit 38. Reference numeral 38 denotes a lens focus adjustment circuit,
The lens driving motor 33 is driven by a predetermined amount based on the information from the lens control circuit 5 and the information on the lens driving amount from the lens control circuit 39, and the focusing lens 1a of the photographing lens 1 is moved to the focusing position. The lens control circuit 39 controls the lens focus adjustment circuit 38 and the aperture drive circuit 32 based on information from the camera.

Next, the operation of the single-lens reflex camera of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. This camera operation corresponds to the first and third aspects of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, when the operation of the camera is started, the MPU 100 firstly executes the MP
Initialize the inside of U. Next, in step # 002,
Photographing data such as flash bracketing information
Read from EEPROM in U100.

Next, in step # 003, communication with the switch sense circuit 108 is performed to detect the switch state.

Next, in step # 004, it is determined whether or not the external flash is mounted. If the external flash is mounted, the process proceeds to step # 005, and if not, the process proceeds to step # 010. .

In step # 005, communication with the external flash is performed to obtain external flash information such as flash bracketing mode setting information and charging state information.

Next, in step # 006, if the flash bracketing shooting mode has been set, the process proceeds to step # 007, and if the flash bracketing shooting mode has not been set, step # 010.
Move to.

In step # 007, it is determined whether or not the charging voltage of the flash is lower than the voltage at which light emission is possible (whether or not charging has not been completed). If charging has not been completed, the process proceeds to step # 011, and charging is performed. If it has been completed, the process proceeds to step # 008.

In step # 008, it is determined whether or not FEB_COUNT which is a flag indicating the number of photographed scenes in the flash bracketing photographing mode is "0".
If it is 0, the process proceeds to step # 010, and if it is 0, the process proceeds to step # 009.

In step # 009, 1 is set in FEB_COUNT to indicate that the first scene is shot in the flash bracketing mode, and the flow advances to step # 011. In step # 010, since no external flash is mounted, the flash-related information is cleared. After this step, FEB_
When COUNT = 0, it can be determined that the mode is not the flash bracketing shooting mode.

In step # 011, it is determined whether or not the switch SW1 is off.
Proceeding to (EEPROM writing step), the photographing information is written into the EEPROM, and the program ends. On the other hand, when the switch SW1 is on, the process proceeds to step # 012, and a shooting preparation operation is started.

In step # 012, the exposure amount is determined by calculating the shutter speed and the aperture value of the lens based on the brightness information of the subject from the photometry circuit 104.

Next, a focus detection operation is performed in step # 013. This is because the focus detection circuit 10
3 by the phase difference detection method.

Further, in step # 014, MP
U100 adjusts the focus of the lens by controlling the lens control circuit 39 based on the focus detection state obtained by the focus detection operation. And the next step #
In step 015, the shutter speed and aperture value obtained in step # 012 and the focus detection result obtained in step # 013 are displayed in the viewfinder.
The communication with the liquid crystal display circuit 102 is performed.

In the following step # 016, the switch SW
The state of No. 2 is checked. If it is off, the process proceeds to step # 018, and if it is on, the process proceeds to step # 017 to perform release control for exposing the film.

Here, the release control will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. When the release control is started, first, in step # 201, it is determined whether or not the external flash is mounted. If the external flash is mounted, the process proceeds to step # 202. If the external flash is not mounted, the process proceeds to step # 206. .

In step # 202, it is determined whether or not charging has been completed.
The process proceeds to step 203, and if charging is completed, step # 2
Move to 04.

In step # 203, it is determined whether or not the flash bracketing shooting mode has been set. If the mode has been set, the process returns to step S203 without performing the release operation (shooting operation). The release operation is prohibited, and the process returns to step # 108 in FIG. On the other hand, if the flash bracketing shooting mode has not been set, the flow proceeds to step # 206 to start the release operation.

In step # 204, a pre-emission control of the external flash is performed, and a pre-emission amount ΔF hitting the subject is calculated from the output of the photometry circuit 104. Furthermore, the pre-emission amount at this time is received by communication with the flash,
Store as PRE_LEVEL.

Then, in step # 205, the flash emission amount is calculated. Here, the calculation of the light emission amount will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, in step # 301, FEB_C
It is determined whether or not OUNT is 0 or 1, and if it is 0 or 1, the process proceeds to step # 302, and F_COMP (light control correction amount)
= 2 ⁰ and if not 0 or 1, step # 303
Move to.

In step # 303, FEB_COUN
It is determined whether T is 2 or not, and when it is 2, the process proceeds to step # 304, where F_COMP = 2 ^−1. When T is larger than 2, the process proceeds to step # 305 and F_COMP = 2 ¹
And That is, no dimming correction is performed for the first scene in one sequence of the flash bracketing shooting mode or for the first scene in one sequence of the flash bracketing shooting mode. The light correction is multiplied by -1 step, and the dimming correction is multiplied by +1 step in the third and subsequent scenes in one sequence of the flash bracketing shooting mode.

Then, in step # 306, the main light emission amount F_OUT of the flash is calculated, and the process returns.

F_OUT = F_COMP × (PRE_L
EVEL × EVt ÷ ΔF) where F_COMP: dimming correction amount PRE_LEVEL: flash pre-flash amount EVt: target exposure amount ΔF: pre-flash amount hitting the subject Calculate with the spec value.

Returning to the flow of FIG. 4, in step # 206, the motor M is driven via the motor control circuit 106.
The main mirror 2 is raised.

Next, in step # 207, the aperture value is sent to the lens control circuit 39, and the lens is narrowed down to the specified value.

Further, in step # 208, it is determined whether or not the flash photography is performed. If the flash photography is performed, communication with the external flash is performed in step # 209, and the flash light emission amount and the start of light emission are transmitted. If it is not flash shooting, the process proceeds to step # 210, where the shutter control circuit 105 runs the front curtain.

Then, in step # 211, it is determined whether or not the set exposure time has elapsed. If not, the process loops and waits until the set exposure time has elapsed.

If the set exposure time has elapsed, the flow advances to step # 212, where the shutter control circuit 105 runs the rear curtain.

Next, in step # 213, communication with the lens control circuit 39 is performed to open the aperture.

Next, in step # 214, the motor M is driven via the motor control circuit 106, and the main mirror 2 is driven.
Down.

Next, in step # 215, it is determined whether or not flash photography has been performed. If flash photography has been performed, the process proceeds to step # 216, and if non-flash photography has been performed, the process proceeds to step # 220.

In step # 216, FEB_COUN
It is determined whether or not T> 0, and if FEB_COUNT> 0, the process proceeds to step # 217; otherwise, the process proceeds to step # 220.

In step # 217, FEB_COUN
The calculation of T = FEB_COUNT + 1 is performed, and the shooting scene count of flash bracketing is increased by one.

Then, in step # 218, the FE
It is determined whether or not B_COUNT> 3, and FEB_COUNT is determined.
If T> 3, the process proceeds to step # 219, where FEB_C
OUNT = 0, otherwise the process proceeds to step # 220. That is, the value of FEB_COUNT is 0 to
The number of shots is up to 3, and the flash bracketing takes three shots as one sequence.

When the exposure of one frame of the film is completed in this way, and it is determined in step # 220 that the film is loaded, the process proceeds to step # 221, where the film is fed by one frame, and the process proceeds to step # 222. If no film is loaded, the flow directly proceeds to step # 222.

In step # 222, it is determined whether or not the continuous shooting mode is set. If the continuous shooting mode is not set, the process proceeds to step # 223, where the switch information is read, and the process proceeds to step 224. . On the other hand, when the continuous shooting mode is set, the process returns.

In step # 224, it is determined whether or not the release operation switch SW2 is on. If it is on, the process loops to step # 223, and if it is off, the process returns. When the release control is completed as described above, FIG.
In step # 018, it is determined whether the switch SW1 is on. If it is on, the process returns to step # 003. If it is off, the process proceeds to step # 019 to store various shooting information such as flash bracketing information in the EEPROM, and the program ends.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a camera release control according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This embodiment corresponds to the invention described in claim 2, and the camera control other than the release control is the same as that of the first embodiment.

When entering the release control, first, in step # 2
01, it is determined whether or not an external flash is mounted, and if so, the process proceeds to step # 202,
If not, the process proceeds to step # 206.

In step # 202, it is determined whether or not charging has been completed.
The process proceeds to step 203, and if charging is completed, step # 2
Move to 04.

In step # 203, FEB_COUN
It is determined whether T> 1 or not, and when FEB_COUNT> 1 (after one or more scenes have been photographed), the release operation (photographing operation) is not performed, that is, the release operation is prohibited, and FIG. It returns to step # 018. On the other hand, FEB_
When COUNT = 0 (when no scene has been photographed yet), the flow shifts to step # 206 to start the release operation.

In step # 204, a pre-emission control of the external flash is performed, and a pre-emission amount ΔF applied to the subject is calculated from the output of the photometry circuit 104. Furthermore, the pre-emission amount at this time is received by communication with the flash,
Store as PRE_LEVEL.

Then, in step # 205, the first
The flash emission amount is calculated in accordance with the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 of the embodiment, and the routine goes to Step # 206.

In step # 206, the motor control circuit 1
The main mirror 2 is moved up by driving the motor M via 06.

Next, in step # 207, the aperture value is sent to the lens control circuit 39, and the lens is narrowed down to the specified value.

Further, in step # 208, it is determined whether or not the flash photography is performed. If the flash photography is performed, communication with the external flash is performed in step # 209, and the flash light emission amount and the light emission start are transmitted. If it is not flash shooting, the process proceeds to step # 210, where the shutter control circuit 105 runs the front curtain.

Then, in step # 211, it is determined whether or not the set exposure time has elapsed. If not, the process loops and waits until the set exposure time has elapsed.

If the set exposure time has elapsed, the flow advances to step # 212, where the shutter control circuit 105 runs the rear curtain.

Next, in step # 213, communication with the lens control circuit 39 is performed to open the aperture.

Next, in step # 214, the motor M is driven via the motor control circuit 106 to
Down.

Next, in step # 215, it is determined whether or not flash photography has been performed. If flash photography has been performed, the process proceeds to step # 216, and if non-flash photography has been performed, the process proceeds to step # 220.

In step # 216, FEB_COUN
It is determined whether or not T> 0, and if FEB_COUNT> 0, the process proceeds to step # 217; otherwise, the process proceeds to step # 220.

In step # 217, FEB_COUN
The calculation of T = FEB_COUNT + 1 is performed, and the shooting scene count of flash bracketing is increased by one.

Then, in step # 218, the FE
It is determined whether or not B_COUNT> 3, and FEB_COUNT is determined.
If T> 3, the process proceeds to step # 219, where FEB_C
OUNT = 0, otherwise the process proceeds to step # 220. That is, the value of FEB_COUNT is 0 to
The number of shots is up to 3, and the flash bracketing takes three shots as one sequence.

When the exposure of one frame of the film is completed as described above, and it is determined in step # 220 that the film is loaded, the process proceeds to step # 221 to feed the film for one frame, and then proceeds to step # 222. If no film is loaded, the flow directly proceeds to step # 222.

In step # 222, it is determined whether or not the continuous shooting mode is set. If the continuous shooting mode is not set, the process proceeds to step # 223, where switch information is read, and the process proceeds to step 224. . On the other hand, when the continuous shooting mode is set, the process returns.

In step # 224, it is determined whether or not the release operation switch SW2 is on. If it is on, the process loops to step # 223, and if it is off, the process returns. (Third Embodiment) Next, a camera release control according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This embodiment corresponds to the invention described in claims 4, 6 and 8, and the camera control other than the release control is the same as the first embodiment.

When entering the release control, first, in step # 2
01, it is determined whether or not an external flash is mounted, and if so, the process proceeds to step # 202,
If not, the process proceeds to step # 206.

In step # 202, it is determined whether or not charging has been completed.
The flow shifts to 206, where a release operation is started. When charging is completed, the flow shifts to step # 204.

In step # 204, a pre-emission control of the external flash is performed, and a pre-emission amount ΔF applied to the subject is calculated from the output of the photometry circuit 104. Further, the pre-emission amount at this time is received by communication with the flash, and the
_LEVEL is stored.

Then, in step # 205, the first
The flash emission amount is calculated in accordance with the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 of the embodiment, and the routine goes to Step # 206.

In step # 206, the motor control circuit 1
The main mirror 2 is moved up by driving the motor M via 06.

Next, in step # 207, the aperture value is sent to the lens control circuit 39, and the lens is narrowed down to the specified value.

Further, in step # 208, it is determined whether or not flash photography has been performed. If the flash photography has been performed, communication with an external flash is performed in step # 209, and the flash light emission amount and light emission start are transmitted. If it is not flash shooting, the process proceeds to step # 210, where the shutter control circuit 105 runs the front curtain.

Then, in step # 211, it is determined whether or not the set exposure time has elapsed. If not, the process loops and waits until the set exposure time has elapsed.

If the set exposure time has elapsed, the flow advances to step # 212, where the shutter control circuit 105 runs the rear curtain.

Next, in step # 213, communication is performed with the lens control circuit 39 to open the aperture.

Next, in step # 214, the motor M is driven via the motor control circuit 106, and the main mirror 2 is driven.
Down.

Next, in step # 215, it is determined whether or not flash photography has been performed. If flash photography has been performed, the process proceeds to step # 216, and if non-flash photography has been performed, the process proceeds to step # 220.

In step # 216, FEB_COUN
It is determined whether or not T> 0, and if FEB_COUNT> 0, the process proceeds to step # 217; otherwise, the process proceeds to step # 220.

In step # 217, FEB_COUN
The calculation of T = FEB_COUNT + 1 is performed, and the shooting scene count of flash bracketing is increased by one.

Then, in step # 218, the FE
It is determined whether or not B_COUNT> 3, and FEB_COUNT is determined.
If T> 3, the process proceeds to step # 219, where FEB_C
OUNT = 0, otherwise the process proceeds to step # 220. That is, the value of FEB_COUNT is 0 to
The number of shots is up to 3, and the flash bracketing takes three shots as one sequence.

When the exposure of one frame of the film is completed in this way, and it is determined in step # 220 that a film is loaded, the flow proceeds to step # 221, where the film is fed by one frame, and the flow proceeds to step # 222. If no film is loaded, the flow directly proceeds to step # 222.

At step # 222, it is determined whether or not the continuous shooting mode is set. If the continuous shooting mode is not set, the process proceeds to step # 223, where the switch information is read, and the process proceeds to step 224. . Step # 2
At 24, it is determined whether or not the release operation switch SW2 is on. If it is on, the process loops to step # 223, and if it is off, the process goes to step # 225. On the other hand, if the continuous shooting mode is set in step # 223, the process proceeds directly to step # 225.

In step # 225, it is determined whether or not the flash bracketing shooting mode has been set. If the flash bracketing shooting mode has been set, the process proceeds to step # 226, and otherwise returns.

At step # 226, it is determined whether or not the shooting sequence is set to the continuous shooting mode. When the continuous shooting mode is not set (when the single shooting mode is not set), the process returns. When the continuous shooting mode is set, the process proceeds to step # 227 to communicate with the external flash. To detect the charging voltage.

Then, in a step # 228, it is determined whether or not the charging voltage of the flash is lower than the light emission enabling voltage. Here, when the charging voltage is lower than the light emission enabling voltage, the process loops to step # 227. That is, the release operation is prohibited, and the control waits until the charging voltage reaches the light emission enabling voltage.

On the other hand, when the charging voltage is equal to or higher than the light emission enabling voltage (when charging is completed), the process returns to permit the next release operation in the continuous shooting mode.

As described above, in the present embodiment, step #
When the continuous shooting mode is set in the flash bracketing shooting mode from # 225 to # 228,
When the charging voltage of the flash is lower than the voltage at which the flash can be emitted, the flash charging completion wait is performed.On the other hand, when the single shooting mode is set in the flash bracketing shooting mode, the process returns from the release control program. With the release operation, non-flash shooting is possible even if the flash is not fully charged.

It is to be noted that if step # 225 is determined not to determine whether or not the flash bracketing shooting mode has been set, but to determine whether or not FEB_COUNT> 0, the flash bracketing shooting mode is not set. Also, at the end of one sequence of flash bracketing, steps # 226 to # 228
It is possible to block. In other words, it is possible to wait for the completion of charging to prohibit the release only during flash bracketing.

(Fourth Embodiment) Next, a camera release control according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This embodiment is described in claim 5.
This corresponds to the invention described in Item 7, and camera control other than release control is the same as in the first embodiment.

Upon entering the release control, first, in step # 2
01, it is determined whether or not an external flash is mounted, and if so, the process proceeds to step # 202,
If not, the process proceeds to step # 206.

In step # 202, it is determined whether or not charging has been completed.
The flow shifts to 206, where a release operation is started. When charging is completed, the flow shifts to step # 204.

In step # 204, a pre-emission control of the external flash is performed, and a pre-emission amount ΔF applied to the subject is calculated from the output of the photometry circuit 104. Further, the pre-emission amount at this time is received by communication with the flash, and the
_LEVEL is stored.

Then, in step # 205, the first
The flash emission amount is calculated in accordance with the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 of the embodiment, and the routine goes to Step # 206.

In step # 206, the motor control circuit 1
The main mirror 2 is moved up by driving the motor M via 06.

Next, in step # 207, the aperture value is sent to the lens control circuit 39, and the lens is narrowed down to the specified value.

Further, in step # 208, it is determined whether or not flash photography has been performed. If the flash photography has been performed, communication with an external flash is performed in step # 209, and the flash light emission amount and light emission start are transmitted. If it is not flash shooting, the process proceeds to step # 210, where the shutter control circuit 105 runs the front curtain.

Then, in step # 211, it is determined whether or not the set exposure time has elapsed. If not, the process loops and waits until the set exposure time has elapsed.

If the set exposure time has elapsed, the flow advances to step # 212 to cause the shutter control circuit 105 to run the rear curtain.

Next, in step # 213, communication is performed with the lens control circuit 39 to open the aperture.

Next, in step # 214, the motor M is driven via the motor control circuit 106, and the main mirror 2 is driven.
Down.

Next, in step # 215, it is determined whether or not flash photography has been performed. If flash photography has been performed, the flow proceeds to step # 216, and if non-flash photography has been performed, the flow proceeds to step # 220.

In step # 216, FEB_COUN
It is determined whether or not T> 0, and if FEB_COUNT> 0, the process proceeds to step # 217; otherwise, the process proceeds to step # 220.

In step # 217, FEB_COUN
The calculation of T = FEB_COUNT + 1 is performed, and the shooting scene count of flash bracketing is increased by one.

Then, in step # 218, the FE
It is determined whether or not B_COUNT> 3, and FEB_COUNT is determined.
If T> 3, the process proceeds to step # 219, where FEB_C
OUNT = 0, otherwise the process proceeds to step # 220. That is, the value of FEB_COUNT is 0 to
The number of shots is up to 3, and the flash bracketing takes three shots as one sequence.

When the exposure of one frame of the film is completed in this manner, and it is determined in step # 220 that the film is loaded, the flow proceeds to step # 221 to feed the film for one frame, and then proceeds to step # 222. If no film is loaded, the flow directly proceeds to step # 222.

In step # 222, it is determined whether or not the continuous shooting mode is set. If the continuous shooting mode is not set, the flow advances to step # 223 to read the switch information and shift to step 224. . Step # 2
At 24, it is determined whether or not the release operation switch SW2 is on. If it is on, the process loops to step # 223, and if it is off, the process goes to step # 225. On the other hand, if the continuous shooting mode is set in step # 223, the process proceeds directly to step # 225.

In step # 225, it is determined whether or not the flash bracketing shooting mode has been set. If the flash bracketing shooting mode has been set, the process proceeds to step # 226, and otherwise returns.

At step # 226, it is determined whether or not the shooting sequence is set to the continuous shooting mode. When the continuous shooting mode is not set (when the single shooting mode is not set), the process returns. When the continuous shooting mode is set, the process proceeds to step # 227 to communicate with the external flash. To detect the charging voltage.

Then, in a step # 228, it is determined whether or not the charging voltage of the flash is lower than the light emission enabling voltage. Here, when the charging voltage is lower than the light emission enabling voltage, the process proceeds to step # 229. In step # 229,
It is determined whether or not the switch SW2 is turned on. If the switch SW2 is on, the process loops to step # 227, and if it is off, the process returns. In step # 228, when the charging voltage of the flash is equal to or higher than the voltage at which light emission is possible (when charging is completed), the process returns to allow the next release operation in the continuous shooting mode.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the continuous shooting mode is set in the flash bracketing shooting mode in steps # 225 to # 229, when the charging voltage of the flash is lower than the light emission enabling voltage. Waits for the completion of charging of the flash, but if the switch SW2 is turned off (waiting for the release operation) while waiting for the completion of charging, the wait for the completion of charging is stopped and the process returns. Even if the flash is not fully charged, non-flash photography is possible.

It is to be noted that if step # 225 is determined not to determine whether or not the flash bracketing shooting mode is set, but to determine whether or not FEB_COUNT> 0, the flash bracketing shooting mode is not set. Also, at the end of one sequence of flash bracketing, steps # 226 to # 228
It is possible to block. In other words, it is possible to wait for the completion of charging to prohibit the release only during flash bracketing.

[0135]

As described above, according to the first to third aspects of the present invention, the photographing operation itself is prohibited while the flash charging voltage is lower than the light emission enabling voltage in the flash bracketing photographing mode setting state. Therefore, it is possible to prevent non-flash photographing from being performed during flash bracketing photographing as in a conventional camera, and it is possible to maintain continuity of the flash exposure amount during one flash bracketing sequence.

In the flash bracketing shooting mode, if the continuous shooting is not performed, the non-flash shooting operation is allowed even if the flash charging voltage is lower than the light emission enabling voltage. If the continuous release operation is stopped even if the photographing operation is prohibited, non-flash photographing is allowed, so that there is no possibility of missing a photo opportunity by prohibiting the photographing operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main part of an electric configuration built in a single-lens reflex camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an optical arrangement of the single-lens reflex camera.

FIG. 3 is a control flowchart of a series of operations of the camera.

FIG. 4 is a control flowchart of a release operation of the camera.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for calculating a flash emission amount in the camera.

FIG. 6 is a control flowchart of a release operation of the camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a control flowchart of a release operation of a camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a control flowchart of a release operation of a camera according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 MPU FEB_COUNT Flash bracketing shooting scene count flag F_OUT Flash (main) light emission F_COMP Dimming correction amount

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A camera capable of setting a flash bracketing shooting mode for increasing or decreasing a light emission amount of a flash to a predetermined value for each flash shooting, wherein a flash charging is performed when the flash bracketing shooting mode is set. A camera comprising a control unit for prohibiting a photographing operation when the voltage is lower than a light emission enabling voltage. 2. The flash control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit prohibits the photographing operation when a flash charging voltage is lower than the light emission enabling voltage when a flash photographing operation of at least one scene is performed in the flash bracketing photographing mode. The camera according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The non-flash photographing operation is permitted when the flash charging voltage is lower than the flashable voltage when the flash bracketing photographing mode is not set. 3. The camera according to 1 or 2. 4. A camera capable of setting a flash bracketing photographing mode for increasing or decreasing a light emission amount of a flash to a predetermined value for each flash photographing and capable of continuous photographing in response to a continuous release operation. When the continuous release operation is performed in the bracketing shooting mode and the continuous release operation is continuously performed after the flash shooting operation of at least one scene is performed, and the flash charging voltage is lower than the light emission enabling voltage, And a control unit for prohibiting a photographing operation. 5. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein, after the photographing operation is prohibited, when the continuous release operation is released, the non-flash photographing operation is permitted when the flash charging voltage is lower than the light emission enabling voltage. Claim 4
The camera according to. 6. A flash bracketing shooting mode in which the flash emission amount is increased or decreased by an arbitrary amount with respect to a predetermined value for each flash shooting can be set. In a camera capable of selectively setting a continuous shooting mode in which a shooting operation is continuously repeated according to a release operation, when the continuous shooting mode is set in the flash bracketing shooting mode, at least one scene is set. A camera, comprising: a control unit for prohibiting a shooting operation when a flash charging voltage is lower than a light emission enabling voltage after a flash shooting operation is performed. 7. The control unit according to claim 1, further comprising: when the flash release voltage is lower than the flashable voltage when the continuous release operation is released after the prohibition of the photographing operation, the non-flash photographing operation is permitted. Claim 6
The camera according to. 8. The control means permits a non-flash photographing operation when the single charge mode is set in the flash bracketing photograph mode and the flash charging voltage is lower than the light emission enabling voltage. The camera according to claim 6 or 7, wherein: