Imaging device, imaging method and program

Abstract

An imaging device equipped with an imaging system includes an imaging lens optical system which images an object, a flash emitting unit which synchronizes imaging in the imaging system to emit a flash having not less than a prescribed luminance in a charged state not less than a prescribed charged state by power to be charged, and a control unit which determines a charging amount of the charged state of the flash emitting unit and which controls imaging to be performed by using the flash emitting unit with an imaging sensitivity of the imaging lens optical system set in accordance with the charging amount of the charged state in imaging by the imaging lens optical system.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-285739, filed Sep. 30, 2005, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to an imaging device, an imaging method and a program particularly appropriate to a digital camera to carry out flash imaging.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]In general, not exclusively limited to a digital still camera or a silver film camera, but it is usual to control an imaging operation for still image imaging with a flash that is an auxiliary light source emitted. Namely, when the flash is fully emitted one time for imaging, the imaging operation is controlled so as to disable the next flash imaging until a charged state of a large-capacity capacitor to emit the flash reaches an emission allowable amount after the precedin...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging device, an imaging method and a program capable of performing imaging without missing a photo opportunity.

[0011]An imaging method according to another preferred aspect of the present invention of an imaging device equipped with an imaging unit which images an object, and an auxiliary light source which synchronizes with imaging by the imaging unit to emit a flash having not less than prescribed luminance in a state not less than a prescribed charged state by power to be charged, the imaging method includes a determining step of determining a charging amount from the charged state of the auxiliary light source, and an imaging control step of increasing imaging sensitivity of the imaging unit in response to the charging amount to perform imaging by using the auxiliary light source in imaging by the imaging unit.

[0012]A program according to another preferred aspect of the present invention to be executed on a computer built in an imaging device equipped with an imaging unit which images an object, and an auxiliary light source which synchronizes with imaging by the imaging unit to emit a flash having not less than prescribed luminance and at not less than a prescribed charged state by power to be charged, the program includes a determining step of determining a charging amount from the charged state of the auxiliary light source, and an imaging control step of increasing imaging sensitivity of the imaging unit in response to the charging amount to perform imaging by using the auxiliary light source in imaging by the imaging unit.

[0013]Thereby, it becomes possible to perform the imaging without missing the photo opportunity.

Problems solved by technology

Therefore, specifically, in a state that a battery for a power source has been consumed, it takes time until the next flash imaging becomes possible after carrying out the flash imaging once, and photo opportunities are probably missed frequently.

However, if the battery has been consumed and if imaging which needs the flash emission is performed, the technique still dose not solve a defect such that there is every possibility of taking a time to charge the flash and missing a photo opportunity.