Lens device, image pickup device, control method, and storage medium

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a lens device, an image pickup device, a control method, and a storage medium. A lens device attachable to an image pickup device includes an imaging optical system and a communicator configured to communicate with the image pickup device. The communicator transmits first information for calculating a depth of field and second information for normalizing the depth of field to a display format of a display unit of the image pickup device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a lens device and an image pickup device, each of which is configured to drive a focusing lens during focusing. Background Art

[0002] An image pickup device such as a digital still camera and a digital video camera can focus on an object by driving a focusing lens. Japanese Patent Publication No. (“JP”) 2016-45350 discloses a method of displaying image pickup distance information, which displays a combination of an image pickup distance calculated based on the position of the focusing lens and optical information of an imaging optical system, and a depth of field calculated based on permissible-circle-of-confusion information.

[0003] The method disclosed in JP 2016-45350 can display the depth of field on a display unit of an interchangeable lens, but cannot display the depth of field on a display unit of a camera body (such as an electronic viewfinder and a rear liquid crystal display). Therefore, the user needs to check the depth of field displayed on the display unit of the interchangeable lens after viewing the display unit of the camera body away from it, which reduces the operability. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention provides a lens device, an image pickup device, a control method of the lens device, a control method of the image pickup device, and a storage medium, each of which is configured to display information about the depth of field on a display unit of a camera body, thereby improving the operability of the user.

[0005] A lens device attachable to an image pickup device according to one aspect of the present invention includes an imaging optical system and a communicator configured to communicate with the image pickup device. The communicator transmits first information for calculating the depth of field and second information for normalizing the depth of field to a display format of a display unit of the image pickup device to the image pickup device.

[0006] An image pickup device attachable to the lens device according to another aspect of the present invention includes an image sensor, a calculator configured to calculate the depth of field based on first information transmitted from the lens device and storage information stored in the image pickup device, and a display unit configured to normalize the depth of field based on second information transmitted from the lens device and display information about the depth of field.

[0007] A control method corresponding to the above lens device and a storage medium storing the control method of the lens device, and a control method corresponding to the above image pickup device and a storage medium storing the control method of the image pickup device also constitute another aspect of the present invention.

[0008] Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an image pickup device according to various embodiments.

[0010] Figure 2 Illustrates electronic cam data for respective image shooting distances according to various embodiments.

[0011] Figure 3 Illustrates a distance display bar according to various embodiments.

[0012] Figure 4 Illustrates a distance display bar displayed on a display unit of a camera body.

[0013] Figure 5A and Figure 5B Illustrates a display position of the distance display bar specified in pixels.

[0014] Figure 6 Illustrates an example of a distance display bar divided into 100 parts according to the first embodiment.

[0015] Figure 7 is an approximate expression for calculating depth of field according to the first embodiment.

[0016] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing a display process of depth of field according to the first embodiment.

[0017] Figure 9 Illustrates an example of depth of field superimposed on the distance display bar according to the first embodiment.

[0018] Figure 10 Illustrates an enlarged display example of a part of the distance display bar according to the second embodiment.

[0019] Figure 11 Illustrates another enlarged display example of a part of the distance display bar according to the second embodiment.

[0020] Figure 12 Illustrates an enlarged display example of a distance display bar divided into 100 parts according to the second embodiment.

[0021] Figure 13A and Figure 13B Shows a flowchart showing an enlarged display process of the distance display bar according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Now, with reference to the accompanying drawings, a detailed description of embodiments according to the present invention will be given.

[0023] A description of the configuration of the image pickup device according to each embodiment will now be given. Figure 1 is a block diagram of the image pickup device 10. The image pickup device 10 includes a camera body (image pickup device body) 200 and an interchangeable lens (lens device) 100 attachable to the camera body 200.

[0024] The interchangeable lens 100 is mechanically and electrically connected to the camera body 200 via a mounting member (not shown). The interchangeable lens 100 receives power supply from the camera body 200 via a power supply terminal (not shown) provided on the mounting member. The interchangeable lens 100 uses the power received from the camera body 200 to operate various actuators and the lens microcomputer 111, which will be described later. The camera body 200 communicates with the interchangeable lens 100 via a communication terminal (not shown) provided on the mounting member, and controls the interchangeable lens 100 by transmitting a control command to the interchangeable lens 100.

[0025] The camera body 200 includes an image sensor 201, a signal processing circuit 202, a recording processor (processing unit) 203, a display unit 204, an operation unit 205, and a camera microcomputer 206, where the image sensor 201 includes a phase difference AF sensor and the like. The image sensor 201 includes a CMOS sensor or a CCD sensor, photoelectrically converts an object image (optical image) formed by the imaging optical system in the interchangeable lens 100, and outputs an electrical signal (analog signal). The analog signal output from the image sensor 201 is converted into a digital signal by an A / D conversion circuit (not shown).

[0026] The signal processing circuit 202 performs various image processes on the digital signal from the A / D conversion circuit and generates a video signal. The signal processing circuit 202 generates a contrast state of the object image based on the video signal, such as focus information indicating the focusing state of the imaging optical system and brightness information indicating the exposure state. The signal processing circuit 202 outputs the video signal to the display unit 204, and the display unit 204 displays the video signal as a live-view image for confirming composition, focusing state, etc. The signal processing circuit 202 outputs the video signal to the recording processor 203. The recording processor 203 stores the video signal as still image or moving image data in an external memory or the like.

[0027] The camera microcomputer 206, which serves as a camera controller (control unit or device), controls the camera body 200 in response to inputs from the imaging instruction switch, various setting switches, etc. included in the operation unit 205. The camera microcomputer 206 includes a (camera) communicator (communication unit or device) configured to communicate with the interchangeable lens 100. The camera microcomputer 206 transmits control commands related to the light amount adjustment operation of the aperture (aperture diaphragm) unit 103 based on brightness information and the focusing operation of the focusing lens 105 based on focusing information to the lens microcomputer 111 via the communicator. As will be described later, the camera microcomputer 206 includes a calculator that calculates the depth of field based on the first information transmitted from the interchangeable lens 100 and the third information (stored information) stored in the camera body 200.

[0028] The interchangeable lens 100 includes an imaging optical system (101 to 105), various controllers (control units or devices) that each control a corresponding actuator configured to drive the imaging optical system, an operation ring 110 for operating the focusing lens 105, and a lens microcomputer 111.

[0029] The lens microcomputer 111 is a lens controller that controls the operation of each component in the interchangeable lens 100. The lens microcomputer 111 includes a (lens) communicator (communication unit or device) configured to communicate with the camera body 200, receives control commands transmitted from the camera body 200 via the communicator, and accepts a transmission request for lens data. The lens microcomputer 111 provides lens control corresponding to the control commands and transmits lens data corresponding to the transmission request to the camera body 200. Among the various control commands, the lens microcomputer 111 outputs commands to the aperture controller 107 and the focusing lens controller 109 in response to commands related to light amount adjustment and commands related to focusing. The aperture controller 107 and the focusing lens controller 109 drive the aperture unit 103 and the focusing lens 105 respectively according to the commands from the lens microcomputer 111. This configuration provides the light amount adjustment process of the aperture unit 103 and the autofocus process for controlling the focusing operation of the focusing lens 105. The lens microcomputer 111 outputs a command to the focusing lens controller 109 based on the operation amount of the operation ring 110 to drive the focusing lens 105 and controls the focusing operation.

[0030] The imaging optical system includes a field lens 101, a zoom lens 102 configured to provide magnification change, an aperture unit 103 configured to adjust the light amount, an image stabilization lens 104, and a focusing lens 105 configured to provide focusing. The zoom lens 102 can be along Figure 1It moves in the direction of the optical axis OA (optical axis direction) indicated by the dashed line in the figure, and is driven in the optical axis direction when the user operates a zoom unit connected to a zoom mechanism (not shown). Thus, magnification change (zooming) is performed by moving the zoom lens 102 to change the focal length of the imaging optical system.

[0031] The zoom lens position detector (detection unit or device) 106 uses a position detection sensor such as a variable resistor to detect the position of the zoom lens, and outputs position data of the zoom lens 102 to the lens microcomputer 111. The position data output from the zoom lens position detection unit 106 is used by the lens microcomputer 111 for zoom tracking control and the like, which will be described later.

[0032] The aperture unit 103 includes sensors such as aperture blades and a Hall element. The state of the aperture blades is detected by the above sensors and output to the lens microcomputer 111. According to a command from the lens microcomputer 111, the aperture controller 107 outputs a drive signal to drive an actuator such as a stepping motor and a voice coil motor. Thus, the amount of light can be adjusted by the aperture unit 103.

[0033] The image stabilization lens 104 moves in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis OA of the imaging optical system and reduces image blur caused by camera shake or the like. In response to shake detected by a shake sensor such as a vibration gyroscope (not shown), the image stabilization lens controller 108 outputs a drive signal to drive an image stabilization actuator according to a command from the lens microcomputer 111. This configuration can provide an image stabilization process for controlling the shift operation of the image stabilization lens 104.

[0034] The focusing lens 105 can move in the optical axis direction, uses a position detection sensor such as a light interrupter to detect the position of the focusing lens 105, and outputs position data to the lens microcomputer 111. The focusing lens controller 109 outputs a drive signal to drive an actuator such as a stepping motor according to a command from the lens microcomputer 111, and moves the focusing lens 105 during focusing.

[0035] The focusing lens 105 corrects the image plane fluctuation caused by the magnification change due to the zoom lens 102. The rear focusing type magnification change optical system provides zoom tracking control, which moves the focusing lens 105 to correct the image plane fluctuation that occurs when the zoom lens 102 is moved for magnification change and maintains the focused state.

[0036] Now referring to Figure 2 , a description of the zoom tracking control will be given. Figure 2 Electronically cam data (tracking curve) for each image shooting distance (the distance from the image plane to the object plane (object)) is illustrated. In Figure 2In [the figure], the horizontal axis represents the position of the zoom lens 102 (zoom lens position), and the vertical axis represents the position of the focusing lens 105 (focusing lens position). For zoom tracking control, a memory (internal memory), not shown, installed on the lens microcomputer 111 stores information on electronic cam data (tracking curve). As Figure 2 shown therein, the electronic cam data is data showing the relationship between the zoom lens position and the focusing lens position set to maintain the in-focus state according to the image capture distance. The lens microcomputer 111 outputs a control command to the focusing lens controller 109 based on the electronic cam data, and drives the focusing lens 105 for tracking control.

[0037] In each embodiment, the electronic cam data is created based on the focusing sensitivity, which is the amount of image plane movement of the focusing lens 105 relative to the unit drive amount. As Figure 2 shown therein, the electronic cam data actually stored in the memory is data corresponding to a plurality of representative image capture distances A to C, and data indicating the focusing lens position relative to the representative zoom lens position (representative point). The focusing lens position corresponding to a zoom lens position other than the representative point can be calculated by calculating the ratio of the distances to a plurality of representative points close to the zoom lens position and performing linear interpolation based on the ratio.

[0038] In both the autofocus (AF) that provides autofocus and the manual focus (MF) that provides manual focus, the image pickup device 10 according to each embodiment can drive the focusing lens 105 during focusing. In AF, the camera microcomputer 206 calculates the in-focus position of the focusing lens 105 based on the AF evaluation value corresponding to the video signal generated by the image sensor 201, and sends a control command related to focusing to the lens microcomputer 111 via the camera communicator. The lens microcomputer 111 outputs a command to the focusing lens controller 109 in response to the control command transmitted from the camera microcomputer 206, and drives the focusing lens 105 to control the focusing operation. In MF, the lens microcomputer 111 outputs a command to the focusing lens controller 109 according to the operation amount of the operation ring 110, drives the focusing lens 105, and controls the focusing operation.

[0039] Now referring to Figure 3 , a description will be given of the distance index (index of distance information) according to the position of the focusing lens 105 in the interchangeable lens 100, which is displayed on the display unit 204 of the camera body 200. Figure 3 The distance index in each embodiment is illustrated. As Figure 3As shown, the distance indicator includes a lens driving area that is the driving range of the focusing lens 105, a distance scale indicator that indicates the distance, and a lens position that indicates the focusing position of the focusing lens 105. The distance indicator includes a lens non-drivable area and a lens drivable area that indicate that the lens driving area changes according to the focal length and the like. Hereinafter, they will be collectively referred to as the "distance indicator bar". In Figure 3 In the example shown, the focusing lens 105 is drivable so as to focus on an object from about 0.2 m to infinity. Due to settings such as zooming, the focusing area for objects closer than 0.2 m is set as a non-drivable area. The current focusing lens 105 is at the focusing position of an object at 3 m.

[0040] Figure 3 The restricted area shown in is an area where AF is not available. For example, restricting the image shooting distance close to the image pickup device 10 can provide quick focusing on distant objects. Therefore, when the user previously knows the distance range of the object in advance, the user can limit the AF range by setting, and the AF non-available area is displayed as a restricted area. Alternatively, since it is impossible to accurately calculate the AF evaluation value due to the optical performance of the interchangeable lens 100, AF is not available and an MF dedicated area indicating that MF is available is shown. In the MF dedicated area, the minimum image shooting distance changes according to the position of the zoom lens 102, and the image shooting distance position of the AF available area on the WIDE (wide angle) side becomes the MF dedicated area on the TELE (telephoto) side, and this area can be switched depending on the zoom position.

[0041] First Embodiment

[0042] A description of a first embodiment according to the present invention will now be given. Without considering differences in the specifications (performance and methods) of the interchangeable lens 100 (such as a wide-angle lens and a telephoto lens) and differences in the specifications (such as the number of pixels) of the display unit 204 of the camera body 200, the following problems occur when attempting to display an indicator of distance information.

[0043] Figure 4 The distance information (distance display bar) displayed on the display unit 204 of the camera body 200 is illustrated. In addition to the distance information, the display unit 204 also displays a video signal obtained by the signal processing circuit 202, which performs various image processes on the signal obtained by the image sensor 201 as a result of photoelectric conversion of the image formed by the interchangeable lens 100. The display unit 204 also displays the camera mode, shutter speed, aperture value (F-number), exposure compensation, ISO speed, etc. as the set values of the camera body 200.

[0044] To achieve Figure 4, the lens microcomputer 111 transmits information of "0.2m", "0.5m", "1m", "3m", and "∞" to the camera microcomputer 206 as representative indicators of the distance information. The display position of each representative indicator needs to be transmitted at the same time. It is assumed that the left end of the distance display bar is the display start position, and a command is issued in an image resolution unit such as "100 pixels" from the display start position. Then, the lens microcomputer 111 needs to recognize the total length of the distance display bar in advance.

[0045] Figure 5A and Figure 5B The display position of the distance display bar specified in pixel units is illustrated. For example, suppose that when the number of effective pixels of the display unit 204 of the camera body 200 increases, the lens microcomputer 111 does not recognize the total length of the distance display bar and conveys the same information as above. Although an attempt is made to Figure 5A The display shown in , but the display is as Figure 5B is compressed, and the distance information cannot be accurately displayed. Accordingly, the lens microcomputer 111 needs to acquire the total length (number of pixels) of the distance display bar from the camera microcomputer 206 to calculate the information of the representative indicator position based on the acquired total length (number of pixels) of the distance display bar, and send it to the camera microcomputer 206. When the items to be displayed on the display unit 204 of the camera body 200 cover not only the representative indicators but also the lens driving range and the limit range, the interchangeable lens 100 needs to perform calculation processing so as not to negatively affect the driving control such as focusing, aperture driving and image stabilization. In addition, any delay in conveying the display information may cause display delay and impair the usability for the user. Therefore, it is necessary to suppress the communication volume of the display information and the processing load of each calculation.

[0046] Therefore, in the present embodiment, the lens microcomputer 111 transmits not only information (first information) suitable for the specification of the interchangeable lens 100 but also, as necessary, a normalized value (second information) to the camera microcomputer 206. Thus, the information corresponding to the interchangeable lens 100 can be correctly displayed on the display unit 204 of the camera body 200.

[0047] Reference now Figure 6 , a normalized description will be given. Figure 6 An example of a distance display bar displayed on the display unit 204 of the camera body 200 and divided into 100 parts is illustrated. Figure 6As shown, when the entire distance display bar is equally divided, the left end is set to 1 and the right end is set to 100, and "0.2 m" is placed at position "7" as a representative index. As other information, the representative index "0.5 m" is placed at position "37", the representative index "1 m" is placed at position "62", the representative index "3 m" is placed at position "83", the representative index "∞" is placed at position "96", the lens non-drivable area covers up to position "7", the restricted area covers up to position "37", and the lens position is placed at position "83". The lens microcomputer 111 transmits this information (layout information) to the camera microcomputer 206. This information includes the normalized values from 1 to 100 obtained by the lens microcomputer 111 based on various information such as the distance information held by the interchangeable lens 100. The camera microcomputer 206 displays the distance information on the display unit 204 based on the information received from the lens microcomputer 111.

[0048] Now referring to Figure 7 , a description of the depth of field will be given. Figure 7 shows an expression (approximate expression) for calculating the depth of field. The depth of field is the distance at which the image appears to be in focus. The depth of field is calculated by the camera microcomputer 206 using Figure 7 the expression shown. Information (third information) used as a reference for whether the object is in focus, that is, information about the diameter δ of the circle of confusion and information about the set aperture value F (F-number at the time of imaging) are stored in a memory (such as the internal memory of the camera microcomputer 206) in the camera body 200.

[0049] On the other hand, information about the focal length f and information about the object distance L (first information) vary according to the position of the focusing lens 105 or the zoom lens 102, and are stored in a memory (such as the internal memory of the lens microcomputer 111) in the interchangeable lens 100. Therefore, the camera body 200 needs to receive this information from the interchangeable lens 100 through communication. The camera body 200 calculates the depth of field based on this information, and the depth of field calculated herein is the absolute distance of the depth of field. Since the camera body 200 displays the normalized information (second information) transmitted from the interchangeable lens 100 as it is on the display unit 204, it is necessary to normalize and display the absolute distance information. The normalization calculation is performed by the interchangeable lens 100. Therefore, the camera body 200 receives, through communication, the second information (such as the coefficients of the approximate expression (polynomial approximation)) for normalizing the depth of field of the absolute distance from the interchangeable lens 100, performs the normalization calculation of the depth of field, and displays it on the display unit 204. For example, the second information is the coefficients of an approximate expression (such as polynomial approximation) for normalizing the distance information of the in-focus range calculated using the first information to display it on the display unit 204.

[0050] The first information is not limited to the object distance (the distance from the front principal point position to the object (object plane)), but can be the image capture distance (the distance from the image plane to the object). That is, the first information can include at least one of the focal length, the image capture distance, the object distance, and the front principal point position.

[0051] Now referring to Figure 8 , a description of the process of displaying the depth of field on the display unit 204 of the camera body 200 will be given. Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the display process of the depth of field.

[0052] First, in step S101, the camera microcomputer 206 of the camera body 200 requests the initial information required for the distance display bar from the lens microcomputer 111 of the interchangeable lens 100. The initial information is information that does not change depending on the state of the interchangeable lens 100, and includes values of representative indices, positions of representative indices, information required for normalization, and the like. Next, in step S102, the camera microcomputer 206 determines whether the reception of the initial information requested in step S101 has been completed. If the reception of the initial information has not been completed, then step S20 is repeated. On the other hand, if the reception of the initial information has been completed, then the process proceeds to step S103.

[0053] In step S103, the camera microcomputer 206 requests the current information (current distance display information) required for displaying the distance display bar from the interchangeable lens 100. The current information is information that changes depending on the state of the interchangeable lens 100, and includes information such as a lens non-drivable area, a restricted area, a lens position, a focal length, an object distance, and the like. This information is, for example, information that changes depending on the position of the zoom lens 102 and the position of the focusing lens 105. Next, in step S104, the camera microcomputer 206 determines whether the reception of the current distance display information requested in step S103 has been completed. If the reception of the current distance display information has not been completed, then the process returns to step S103. On the other hand, if the reception of the current distance display information has been completed, then the process proceeds to step S105.

[0054] In step S105, the camera microcomputer 206 calculates the depth of field based on the current distance display information received from the interchangeable lens 100 in step S103 and Figure 7 the expression shown in

[0055] Next, in step S107, the camera microcomputer 206 determines whether the display of the distance display bar is valid. When the display of the distance display bar is valid, the camera microcomputer 206 displays the distance display bar on the display unit 204 (or updates the display information of the display unit 204 if it is already being displayed), and moves to step S103. As described above, the camera microcomputer 206 periodically requests information (first information) from the interchangeable lens 100 that varies according to the state of the interchangeable lens 100. The camera microcomputer 206 changes the display information of the display unit 204 based on the information received from the interchangeable lens 100. On the other hand, if the display of the distance display bar is invalid in step S107, the process proceeds to step S109. In step S109, the camera microcomputer 206 does not display the distance on the display unit 204.

[0056] As described above, this embodiment separates the processing performed by the interchangeable lens 100 and the processing performed by the camera body 200, and minimizes the communication volume. Thus, this embodiment can display the depth of field on the display unit 204 of the camera body 200 without negatively affecting the drive control of the interchangeable lens 100, and improves the operability of the user.

[0057] The information on the maximum F-number may be included in the initial information received in step S101 or the current distance display information received in step S103. In this case, as Figure 9 shown, the maximum depth of field based on the maximum F-number that can be set by the interchangeable lens 100 can be displayed, for example, in a different color or pattern while being superimposed on the distance display bar. The absolute value of the depth of field calculated in step S105 can be displayed numerically on the distance display bar. The position to be displayed numerically can be calculated by the above normalization process.

[0058] Second Embodiment

[0059] A description of a second embodiment according to the present invention will now be given. When Figure 8 the depth of field calculated in step S105 in Figure 6As shown, in a configuration where a display distance display bar is divided into 100 parts while being displayed, when the depth of field is less than the minimum display unit "1" of the distance display bar, it is difficult to display the depth of field, and even if the depth of field of "1" is displayed, its visibility is poor. For example, when the interchangeable lens 100 is a macro lens, assuming that it is possible to image with a shallow depth of field, the depth of field is not always displayed, and it is difficult for the user to visually recognize the depth of field. Therefore, the present embodiment provides a magnified display in which a part of the distance display bar is magnified and displayed. The magnified display is a display process that improves visibility by displaying a locally magnified distance display bar when the depth of field is too narrow to be displayed on the normal distance display bar, or when it cannot be displayed with good visibility due to its narrow width.

[0060] Figure 10 and Figure 11 illustrates an example of a distance display bar that is partially magnified and displayed. Figure 10 illustrates an example in which the lens position indicator currently placed at the 3m position is centered, and the near side is set to 2.8m and the infinite far side is set to 3.3m. Figure 11 illustrates an example in which a newly displayed example is added to the top of the distance display bar. The magnified display unit displays indicators indicating the depth of field on the left and right sides of the lens position indicator, so that the representative indicator value moves instead of moving the position of the lens position indicator.

[0061] Figure 10 and Figure 11 The examples in require supplementary processing in the magnified display dimension because the index width of the normalized depth of field is expressed in units of 100 parts of the entire distance display bar and is not suitable for display. For example, in the first embodiment, it is normalized to a value from "1" to "100" in the normalization calculation and displayed while truncating the decimal point, but there is a method of using it as the index width of the magnified display without truncation.

[0062] More specifically, in the magnified display in the range from "80" to "90" in the overall index dimension, the gap between "80" and "90" is further divided into 100 parts, as Figure 12 shown. Figure 12 illustrates an example of a distance display bar that is magnified and displayed and divided into 100 parts. When the current depth of field value is "83.3" and the rear depth of field value is "86.5", before truncating the decimal point after the normalization calculation, the range from "33" to "65" in the magnified display dimension is set as the depth of field. This method can correctly display the depth of field even in the magnified display.

[0063] The normalization information of the depth of field transmitted from the interchangeable lens 100 for display on the distance display bar is optimized to display the distance display bar while the distance display bar is divided into 100 parts, such that the depth of field in the enlarged display may not be accurately displayed. In this case, the camera body 200 may request information for displaying the depth of field in the enlarged display on the distance display bar from the interchangeable lens 100, receive the information, and perform calculations based on the information for the enlarged display received from the interchangeable lens 100.

[0064] Since the depth of field is generally shallow during macro imaging, the camera body 200 may switch between turning on and off the enlarged display depending on the position of the focusing lens 105 in the interchangeable lens 100. Since the camera body 200 determines that the calculation method often makes mistakes during macro imaging, the calculation method may be switched to a more accurate calculation method instead of using Figure 7 the approximate expression shown in. The method of expressing the depth of field in the enlarged display may use various modifications, such as methods of using various supplementary calculations in the camera body 200, methods in which the interchangeable lens 100 has information for the enlarged display, and methods using combinations thereof.

[0065] Now referring to Figure 13A and Figure 13B , a description of the enlarged display process of the distance display bar in the present embodiment will be given. Figure 13A and Figure 13B show a flowchart of the enlarged display process of the distance display bar. Since Figure 13A the steps S201 to S206 in Figure 8 are the same as the steps S101 to S106 in

[0066]

[0067] In step S207, the camera microcomputer 206 determines whether the normalized depth of field calculated in step S206 is equal to or less than a specific value (or a predetermined value). If the normalized depth of field is equal to or less than the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step S208. In step S208, the camera microcomputer 206 turns on the enlarged display flag. Next, in step S210, the camera microcomputer 206 performs the enlarged display process. If necessary, the camera microcomputer 206 requests information for the enlarged display from the interchangeable lens 100 and performs calculations related to the enlarged display based on the information transmitted from the interchangeable lens 100. When the camera microcomputer 206 completes the enlarged display process, the process proceeds to step S211. On the other hand, if the normalized depth of field in step S207 is greater than the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step S209. In step S209, the camera microcomputer 206 turns off the enlarged display flag and moves to step S211.

[0068] In step S211, the camera microcomputer 206 determines whether the display of the distance display bar is valid. If the display of the distance display bar is valid, the process proceeds to step S212. In step S212, the camera microcomputer 206 displays the distance display bar on the display unit 204 and updates the display information if it has already been displayed. Next, in step S213, the camera microcomputer 206 determines whether the magnification display flag is on. If the magnification display flag is on, the process proceeds to step S214. On the other hand, when the magnification display flag is off, the process proceeds to step S215.

[0069] In step S214, the camera microcomputer 206 displays the magnification display unit and updates the display information of the magnification display unit if it has already been displayed. Similar to the first embodiment, the camera microcomputer 206 periodically requests information (first information) that varies depending on the state of the interchangeable lens 100 from the interchangeable lens 100 and periodically changes the display information of the display unit 204 based on the received information. In step S215, the camera microcomputer 206 does not display the magnification display unit.

[0070] If the display of the distance display bar is invalid in step S211, the process proceeds to step S216. In step S216, the camera microcomputer 206 does not display the distance.

[0071] In this embodiment, the second information varies according to the display width of the display unit 204 (or according to the magnification display). When the depth of field is less than a predetermined value, the camera microcomputer 206 can switch the display format (or method) in the display unit 204 (to the magnification display). When the position of the focusing lens 105 is closer to the proximal end (short distance end or near end) than a predetermined position (or in the case of macro imaging), the camera microcomputer 206 can switch the display format (to the magnification display). When the position of the focusing lens 105 is closer to the proximal end than a predetermined position, the camera microcomputer 206 can switch the calculation method (approximate expression) of the depth of field (or in the case of macro imaging).

[0072] Even when the width of the depth of field displayed on the distance display bar is narrow, this embodiment can improve the visibility for the user by magnification display.

[0073] Other embodiments

[0074] One or more embodiments of the present invention can also be implemented by a computer of a system or apparatus that reads and executes computer-executable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium (which may also be more fully referred to as a "non-transitory computer-readable storage medium") to perform the functions of one or more embodiments in the above-described one or more embodiments and / or includes one or more circuits (e.g., an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or more embodiments in the above-described one or more embodiments, and by a method executed by the computer of the system or apparatus that reads and executes computer-executable instructions from a storage medium, for example, to perform the functions of one or more embodiments in the above-described one or more embodiments and / or control one or more circuits to perform the functions of one or more embodiments in the above-described one or more embodiments. The computer may include one or more processors (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessing unit (MPU)), and may include a network of separate computers or separate processors to read and execute the computer-executable instructions. The computer-executable instructions may be provided to the computer from a network or a storage medium, for example. The storage medium may include, for example, one or more of a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a storage device of a distributed computing system, an optical disk (such as a compact disk (CD), a digital versatile disk (DVD), or a Blu-ray disk (BD) TM ), a flash device, a memory card, and the like.

[0075] Embodiments of the present invention can also be implemented by a method in which software (a program) for performing the functions of the above-described embodiments is provided to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and the computer or the central processing unit (CPU) or the microprocessing unit (MPU) of the system or apparatus reads and executes the program.

[0076] As described above, in each embodiment, the lens device (interchangeable lens 100) includes a communicator (lens microcomputer 111). The communicator transmits first information for calculating the depth of field and second information for normalizing the depth of field to the display format of the display unit 204 of the image pickup device (camera body 200) to the image pickup device. The image pickup device includes a calculator (camera microcomputer 206) and a display unit 204. The calculator calculates the depth of field based on the first information transmitted from the lens device and the storage information stored in the image pickup device. The display unit 204 normalizes the depth of field based on the second information transmitted from the lens device and displays information about the depth of field.

[0077] Each embodiment provides a lens device, an image pickup device, a control method of the lens device, a control method of the image pickup device, and a storage medium, each of which can display information on depth of field on a display unit of a camera body and improve user operability.

[0078] Although the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the appended claims should be given the broadest interpretation so as to cover all such modifications as well as equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. A lens device that can be attached to an image pickup device, the lens device comprising: An imaging optical system; And A communicator configured to communicate with the image pickup device, Characterized in that the communicator transmits lens information obtained by normalizing information about the imaging optical system to the display format of the display unit of the image pickup device, first information used by the image pickup device to calculate the depth of field, and second information used by the image pickup device to normalize the depth of field to the display format of the display unit to the image pickup device, and Wherein the display unit displays the lens information and information about the depth of field normalized by the second information.

2. The lens device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first information includes at least one of focal length, image shooting distance, object distance, and front principal point position.

3. The lens device according to claim 1, wherein The first information is information periodically requested from the image pickup device to the lens device.

4. The lens device according to claim 1, wherein The first information varies according to the position of the focusing lens or zoom lens in the imaging optical system.

5. The lens device according to claim 1, wherein, The second information is a coefficient in an approximate expression for normalizing the distance information within the focus range calculated using the first information so as to display the distance information on the display unit.

6. The lens device according to claim 1, wherein The second information varies according to the display width of the display unit.

7. The lens device according to claim 1, wherein The first information used by the image pickup device is used to calculate the absolute distance corresponding to the depth of field, and the second information used by the image pickup device is used to normalize the absolute distance to the display format.

8. The lens device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The second information includes a coefficient in an approximate expression for normalizing the absolute distance within the focus range calculated using the first information.

9. The lens device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The lens information is at least one piece of information about the position of the non-drivable range of the lens, the position of the limit range, and the position of the lens displayed in the display unit.

10. An image pickup device that can be attached to a lens device, the lens device including an imaging optical system, the image pickup device comprising: An image sensor; A display unit; A communicator configured to communicate with the lens device; And A calculator configured to calculate the depth of field, Characterized in that the communicator receives lens information obtained by normalizing information about the imaging optical system to the display format of the display unit of the image pickup device, first information used by the image pickup device to calculate the depth of field, and second information used by the image pickup device to normalize the depth of field to the display format of the display unit of the image pickup device, and Wherein the calculator calculates the depth of field based on the first information and third information stored in the image pickup device, Wherein the display unit displays the lens information and information about the depth of field normalized by the second information.

11. The image pickup device according to claim 10, characterized in that, The stored information includes information about the diameter of the circle of confusion and information about the F-number.

12. The image pickup device according to claim 10, characterized in that, When the depth of field is less than a predetermined value, the calculator switches the display format of the display unit.

13. The image pickup device according to claim 10, wherein, When the position of the focusing lens in the lens device is closer to the proximal end than a predetermined position, the calculator switches the display format.

14. The image pickup device according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that, When the position of the focusing lens in the lens device is closer to the proximal end than a predetermined position, the calculator switches the calculation method of the depth of field.

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