Image pickup system, control method thereof, storage medium, and program product

Abstract

The invention provides an imaging system, a control method thereof, a storage medium, and a program product. The image pickup system includes: a lens apparatus including an aperture, an aperture driver, an aperture value setting member for setting a first aperture value according to a user operation, and a first controller for controlling the aperture driver; and an image pickup apparatus including a second controller for setting a second aperture value based on the photometric value, the second aperture value being set after the aperture driver is controlled to drive the aperture to the first aperture value via the first controller when the image pickup mode is switched from the second mode to the first mode. And switching the aperture control body from the second controller to the first controller in a first mode in which the first controller controls the aperture driver to drive the aperture to a first aperture value, and in a second mode in which the second controller controls the aperture driver via the first controller to drive the aperture to a second aperture value.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Aspects of the present embodiment relate to an imaging system capable of selectively controlling a diaphragm value of a diaphragm provided in a lens device by each of the lens device and an imaging device, a control method thereof, and a storage medium storing a control program thereof. BACKGROUND

[0002] As an imaging device that captures an image with an image sensor, an imaging device having a still image capturing mode that captures a subject as a still image alone and a moving image capturing mode that captures a subject as a moving image (video) composed of consecutive frame images is common. Further, an imaging system capable of selectively controlling a diaphragm value of a diaphragm provided in a lens device (a replaceable lens) detachable from an imaging device is known on the lens device side and the imaging device side (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-076807).

[0003] In the moving image capturing mode, it is desirable for a user on the lens device side to immediately drive the diaphragm in conjunction with a change in the diaphragm value to record a process of a scene transition. On the other hand, in the still image capturing mode, it is desirable for the lens device to drive the diaphragm based on a diaphragm drive instruction from the imaging device side.

[0004] Here, the user can start recording a moving image by pressing a moving image recording button in a state where the still image capturing mode is set. In this case, it is necessary to switch from the still image capturing mode to the moving image capturing mode, and at this time, it is necessary to communicate between the imaging device and the lens device to switch a diaphragm control subject from the imaging device to the lens device. SUMMARY

[0005] Therefore, aspects of the present embodiment provide an imaging system including: a lens device including a diaphragm, a diaphragm driver configured to drive the diaphragm, a diaphragm value setting member configured to set a first diaphragm value in accordance with a user operation, and a first controller configured to control the diaphragm driver; and an imaging device including a second controller configured to: set a second diaphragm value based on a light measurement value, when an imaging mode is switched from a second mode to a first mode, after the diaphragm driver is controlled via the first controller to drive the diaphragm to the first diaphragm value, switch a diaphragm control subject from the second controller to the first controller, wherein in the first mode, the first controller controls the diaphragm driver to drive the diaphragm to the first diaphragm value, and in the second mode, the second controller controls the diaphragm driver via the first controller to drive the diaphragm to the second diaphragm value.

[0006] Other features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of an imaging system according to an embodiment.

[0008] Figure 2 is an external perspective view showing a lens unit constituting the imaging system.

[0009] Figure 3 is a diagram showing a live view operation of the imaging system.

[0010] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an aperture control processing performed during the live view operation of the imaging system.

[0011] Figure 5 is a diagram showing an aperture drive speed table in a manual aperture mode.

[0012] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an aperture control subject judgment processing of S404 in Figure 4

[0013] Figure 7 is a timing chart showing a processing of switching an aperture control subject from a camera controller to a lens controller according to an embodiment.

[0014] Figure 8 is a timing chart showing a processing of switching an aperture control subject from a lens controller to a camera controller according to a reference example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Embodiments will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. A plurality of features are described in the embodiments, but are not limited to a disclosure requiring all such features, and a plurality of such features can be appropriately combined. Furthermore, in the drawings, the same reference signs are given to the same or similar configurations, and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0016] <First Embodiment>

[0017] Figure 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of an imaging system 1 according to an embodiment. The imaging system 1 includes an imaging device 100 (hereinafter referred to as “camera 100”) and a lens device 200 (hereinafter referred to as “lens unit 200”).

[0018] ​The camera 100 includes a shutter 101, an image sensor 102, an analog signal processor 103, a camera controller (second controller) 104, a shutter controller 111, a timing generator 112, a communication terminal 113, an image display unit 114, a memory controller 115, a memory 116, and an operation unit 117. The lens unit 200 includes a lens system 201, an aperture 202, a focus drive 203, an aperture drive 204, a lens controller (first controller) 205, a communication terminal 206, and an aperture position obtaining unit 207.

[0019] First, the configuration of the camera 100 will be described. It is assumed that the camera 100 is a mirrorless single-lens camera. In the present embodiment, the shutter 101 is configured as a mechanical shutter that controls the exposure time of a light beam passing through the lens unit 200 to the image sensor 102 by mechanically moving a front curtain and a rear curtain and is normally in an open state. The camera controller 104 controls the drive of the shutter 101 via the shutter controller 111.

[0020] The image sensor 102 is, for example, a CMOS sensor or a CCD sensor. A subject light beam incident on the lens unit 200 is imaged on an image pickup surface of the image sensor 102, and the image sensor 102 photoelectrically converts an optical image of the subject into an analog electric signal and outputs the analog electric signal to the analog signal processor 103. In addition to the image pickup pixels, the image sensor 102 includes a plurality of focus detection pixels that photoelectrically convert an image formed by a light beam split from the light beam from the lens unit 200.

[0021] The timing generator 112 generates a signal for controlling the timing of reset or signal readout in the image sensor 102 under the control of the camera controller 104 and supplies the signal to the image sensor 102. The timing generator 112 sets the time of incidence of the subject light beam on the image sensor 102, that is, realizes a so-called electronic shutter function. The analog signal processor 103 converts the analog electric signal sent from the image sensor 102 into a digital signal (image signal) by A / D conversion and outputs the digital signal to the camera controller 104. The analog signal processor 103 can be incorporated in the image sensor 102.

[0022] The camera controller 104 is a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and performs various data processing by executing a program stored in the ROM and performs overall control in the camera system 1 and the camera 100. Various setting values set by the user for controlling the operation of the camera 100 are stored in a rewritable storage content storage medium such as an EEPROM or the like included in the camera controller 104.

[0023] The operation unit 117 is constituted by buttons, switches, a touch panel, and the like that receive operations of a user, and notifies the camera controller 104 of input operations of the user. The operation unit 117 includes, for example, a power switch, an AF instruction button, a mode setting dial, a release button, a moving image button, a flicker detection instruction button, and the like. The communication terminal 113 is connected to the communication terminal 206 of the lens unit 200, thereby enabling communication between the camera controller 104 and the lens controller 205. In the following description, unless specifically mentioned, communication between the camera controller 104 and the lens controller 205 is performed through the communication connection via the communication terminals 113 and 206.

[0024] The image display unit 114 is a back monitor or an EVF constituted by using an LCD panel, for example, and displays various information such as a captured image and a shooting condition. The memory controller 115 stores image data of a captured image (still image or moving image) in the memory 116, and, conversely, reads out the image data stored in the memory 116, and supplies the image data to the camera controller 104. The memory 116 is a memory card detachable from the camera 100, for example, and mainly stores image data of a captured image (still image or moving image).

[0025] Next, functional units (software configuration) of the camera controller 104 will be described. The camera controller 104 includes a digital gain unit 105, an image processor 106, a photometry processor 107, an exposure controller 108, a focus detection processor 109, and a flicker detection processor 110 as functional units that perform various data processing.

[0026] The digital gain unit 105 adds a digital gain to a digital signal transmitted from the analog signal processor 103, and outputs the digital signal to the image processor 106.

[0027] The image processor 106 applies image processing such as WB processing, pixel interpolation processing, color conversion processing, and compression / decompression processing to a digital signal output from the digital gain unit 105, to generate image data. The generated image data is stored in the memory 116 via the memory controller 115. The image processor 106 performs D / A conversion on image data transmitted from the memory controller 115, to generate an image signal to be displayed on the image display unit 114.

[0028] The photometry processor 107 calculates a luminance value (photometry value) of a subject image based on a digital signal output from the digital gain unit 105, and outputs the calculated luminance value to the exposure controller 108.

[0029] The exposure controller 108 calculates exposure control values including an aperture value Av, a shutter speed Tv, and a gain amount Sv based on the luminance value sent from the photometry processor 107. The aperture value Av is a control value of the aperture 202 of the lens unit 200. The shutter speed Tv is a value for controlling the time for which a light beam is incident on the image sensor 102 using an electronic shutter function or a mechanical shutter function. The gain amount Sv indicates the size of the gain added by the analog signal processor 103 or the digital gain unit 105.

[0030] The focus detection processor 109 detects a phase difference between image pairs based on the digital signals of the focus detection pixels output from the analog signal processor 103, and performs focus detection processing of the imaging optical system based on the detected phase difference.

[0031] The flicker detection processor 110 detects the frequency of a flickering light source using data of frame images output from the analog signal processor 103 as continuous shots.

[0032] In the following description, it is assumed that the camera controller 104 performs various controls and processing other than the processing performed by the above-described digital gain unit 105, the image processor 106, the photometry processor 107, the exposure controller 108, the focus detection processor 109, and the flicker detection processor 110.

[0033] Next, the lens unit 200 will be described. The lens unit 200 is a so-called interchangeable lens that is attachable to and detachable from the camera 100. The lens unit 200 can be integrated with the camera 100 (not detachable). In this case, the functions of the lens controller 205 are generally integrated into the camera controller 104. However, in the present embodiment, the lens controller 205 and the camera controller 104 coexist because it is necessary to switch the control subject of the aperture 202 between the camera controller 104 and the lens controller 205.

[0034] The lens system 201 is composed of a plurality of lens groups such as a zoom lens group, a focus lens group, and an image stabilization lens, and images incident light from a subject field on the imaging surface of the image sensor 102. The aperture 202 controls the amount of incident light (the amount of light received by the image sensor 102) guided to the image sensor 102 by controlling the opening diameter. The aperture driver 204 drives the aperture 202 according to a control signal from the lens controller 205.

[0035] The focus drive 203 controls the position of the focus lens group constituting the lens system 201 in the direction of the optical axis of the lens system 201 in accordance with a control signal from the lens controller 205, thereby performing a focus operation on a subject. The communication terminal 206 is connected to the communication terminal 113 of the camera 100, thereby enabling communication between the lens controller 205 and the camera controller 104. The aperture position acquisition unit 207 detects information (specifically, an effective aperture value (actual F value)) related to the actual position (opening diameter) of the aperture 202.

[0036] The lens controller 205 controls the components of the lens unit 200. For example, the lens controller 205 acquires the effective aperture value of the aperture 202 detected by the aperture position acquisition unit 207, and transmits the acquired effective aperture value to the camera controller 104. The lens controller 205 switches the drive mode of the aperture 202 between a manual aperture drive mode (first mode) and an automatic aperture drive mode (second mode). The manual aperture drive mode and the automatic aperture drive mode will be described with reference to Figure 2 The manual aperture drive mode and the automatic aperture drive mode will be described.

[0037] Figure 2 is an external perspective view showing the lens unit 200. The lens unit 200 includes a fixed barrel 210 and an aperture drive ring (aperture value setting member) 208 attached to the fixed barrel 210 in a rotatable manner about the optical axis shown by a broken line in both directions shown by double-headed arrows. The aperture drive ring 208 is equipped with a scale 209. A plurality of settable aperture values (F values) and "automatic" indicating that the aperture value is set by the camera 100 are printed or engraved on the fixed barrel 210.

[0038] In a state in which the user rotates the aperture drive ring 208 to align the scale 209 with one of the aperture values printed on the fixed barrel 210 (a state in which the aperture drive ring 208 is operated to a first range), the drive mode for controlling the aperture 202 is set to the manual aperture drive mode. On the other hand, in a state in which the user rotates the aperture drive ring 208 to align the scale 209 with "automatic" printed on the fixed barrel 210 (a state in which the aperture drive ring 208 is operated to a second range), the drive mode for controlling the aperture 202 is set to the automatic aperture drive mode.

[0039] In the manual aperture drive mode, the user can set an aperture value to be instructed to the lens controller 205 by rotating the aperture drive ring 208 to align the scale 209 with one of the desired aperture values printed on the fixed lens barrel 210. The lens controller 205 functions as a control body of the aperture control to drive the aperture 202 by controlling the aperture driver 204, i.e., controlling the opening diameter, so as to be set to the aperture value (hereinafter referred to as "set aperture value") set by the user through the rotational operation of the aperture drive ring 208. At this time, the lens controller 205 determines a speed for driving the aperture 202 based on an amount of deviation between the current effective aperture value of the aperture 202 and the set aperture value (first aperture value) so that the greater the amount of deviation, the higher the speed at which the driving control of the aperture 202 will be performed. This will be described later with reference to Figure 5

[0040] When the user rotates the aperture drive ring 208 to align the scale 209 from one of the aperture values with "AUTO" printed on the fixed lens barrel 210, the driving mode of the aperture 202 is switched from the manual aperture drive mode to the automatic aperture drive mode. In the automatic aperture drive mode, the camera controller 104 functions as a control body of the aperture 202 and drivingly controls the aperture 202 via the lens controller 205. Although details will be described later, in the automatic aperture drive mode, the lens controller 205 controls the aperture driver 204 so that the opening diameter of the aperture 202 will coincide with the target aperture value transmitted from the camera controller 104.

[0041] Next, the live view operation of the camera 100 will be described. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the live view operation of the camera 100.

[0042] The frame images 305 to 309 composed of digital signals should be generated in order according to the charges read from the image sensor 102. First, the light metering processor 107 performs light metering calculations 310 and 311 for calculating the luminance value (light metering value Bv) of the subject image based on the frame images 305 and 306. Then, the exposure controller 108 performs exposure calculations 312 and 313 for calculating the exposure control value based on the light metering values calculated by the light metering calculations 310 and 311 and the program chart stored in the ROM in advance. As described above, the exposure control value is composed of the aperture value Av, the shutter speed Tv, and the gain amount Sv. The exposure controller 108 also performs exposure settings 314 and 315 for transmitting the exposure control values (Av, Tv, and Sv) calculated by the exposure calculations 312 and 313 to the image sensor 102, the analog signal processor 103, and the digital gain unit 105. Thus, the exposure control values (Av, Tv, and Sv) calculated by the exposure calculations 312 and 313 are reflected to the frame images 308 and 309, respectively.

[0043] ​In the period between the vertical synchronization signals VD301 and VD302 output from the timing generator 112, the photometry calculation 310 and the exposure calculation 312 for the frame image 305 are performed. The exposure setting 314 is performed in the period between the vertical synchronization signals VD302 and VD303. The exposure control value set in the exposure setting 314 is reflected to the frame image 308 which is the image data accumulated in the period between VD303 and VD304.

[0044] Similarly, in the period between VD302 and VD303, the photometry calculation 311 and the exposure calculation 313 for the frame image 306 are performed, the exposure setting 315 is performed in the period between VD303 and VD304, and the exposure control value set in the exposure setting 315 is reflected to the frame image 309.

[0045] In this way, since the exposure of the frame images 308 and 309 generated later is controlled based on the photometry value and the exposure control value calculated from the frame images 305 and 306 generated in advance, even if the brightness of the subject image changes, frame images with appropriate exposure amounts can be obtained.

[0046] Next, the aperture control performed during the live view operation of the camera 100 will be described. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the aperture control processing performed during the live view operation of the camera 100. Each processing (step) in the flowchart indicated by the S number is realized by the camera controller 104 executing a predetermined program stored in the ROM and generally controlling the operation of each part of the imaging system 1.

[0047] When it is detected that the power switch, which is one element of the operation unit 117, is turned on, the camera controller 104 activates the imaging system 1 to start the live view operation, and starts the photometry calculation 310 and the exposure calculation 312 as the reference Figure 3 The processing described is a part of the exposure calculation and the exposure setting. After the live view operation is started, the processing according to the flowchart is repeatedly performed.

[0048] In S400, the camera controller 104 reads the charge accumulated in the image sensor 102 and obtains the frame image.

[0049] In S401, the camera controller 104 obtains the effective aperture value from the lens controller 205.

[0050] In S402, the camera controller 104 obtains the set aperture value (one of the plurality of aperture values or "auto") of the aperture drive ring 208 from the lens controller 205.

[0051] In S403, the camera controller 104 performs the photometry calculation of the photometry processor 107, and obtains a photometry value as a calculation result.

[0052] In S404, the camera controller 104 performs aperture control subject judgment processing. Details of the processing in S404 will be described later. In the aperture control subject judgment processing, it is judged whether the camera controller 104 or the lens controller 205 should be used as an aperture control subject (in other words, whether the aperture control subject needs to be set).

[0053] In S405, the camera controller 104 branches the processing according to the aperture control subject judged in S404. For example, when the camera controller 104 judges that the camera controller 104 should be used as the aperture control subject in S404, the camera controller 104 branches the processing to S406 in S405. On the other hand, when the camera controller 104 judges that the lens controller 205 should be used as the aperture control subject in S404, the camera controller 104 branches the processing to S409 in S405. Figure 4 In S406, the camera controller 104 and the lens controller 205 are abbreviated as "camera" and "lens", respectively.

[0054] In S406, the camera controller 104 judges whether to switch the aperture control subject. Specifically, in a state where the lens controller 205 is being used as the aperture control subject, when it is judged in S404 that the camera controller 104 should be used as the aperture control subject, it is judged in S406 to switch the aperture control subject. On the other hand, in a state where the camera controller 104 is being used as the aperture control subject, when it is judged in S404 that the camera controller 104 should be used as the aperture control subject, it is judged in S406 not to switch the aperture control subject.

[0055] When it is judged to switch the aperture control subject (YES in S406), the camera controller 104 performs the processing in S407, and then performs the processing in S408. When it is judged not to switch the aperture control subject (NO in S406), the camera controller 104 performs the processing in S408 without performing the processing in S407.

[0056] In S407, the camera controller 104 performs processing of switching the aperture control subject from the lens controller 205 to the camera controller 104. Specifically, the camera controller 104 transmits an instruction (hereinafter referred to as a "switching instruction") to the lens controller 205 to switch the aperture control subject from the lens controller 205 to the camera controller 104. When the switching instruction is received from the camera controller 104, the lens controller 205 shifts to a mode in which the lens controller 205 drives the aperture 202 according to the instruction from the camera controller 104. That is, a shift from the manual aperture drive mode to the automatic aperture drive mode is performed. In the automatic aperture drive mode, the camera controller 104 forcibly controls the lens controller 205 so that the effective aperture value of the aperture 202 coincides with the target aperture value instructed from the camera controller 104. When the processing in S407 is completed, the camera controller 104 performs the processing in S408.

[0057] In S408, the camera controller 104 calculates an exposure control value to obtain a live view image (frame image). Specifically, the exposure controller 108 obtains a target aperture value Av, a shutter speed Tv, and a gain amount Sv on the basis of the light metering value obtained in the latest S403 and a program chart stored in advance in the ROM, and notifies the camera controller 104 of the target aperture value (second aperture value) Av. Note that, in S408, only the setting of the target aperture value as information related to S409 is described. Figure 4

[0058] In S409, the camera controller 104 drives the aperture 202 via the lens controller 205 to achieve the target aperture value Av notified from the exposure controller 108 in S408, and thus the processing of one routine ends.

[0059] When the camera controller 104 determines in S404 that it is necessary to set the aperture control subject to the lens controller 205, the camera controller 104 branches the processing to S410 in S405.

[0060] In S410, the camera controller 104 determines whether to switch the aperture control subject. When it is determined to switch the aperture control subject (YES in S410), the camera controller 104 performs the processing in S411. On the other hand, when it is determined not to switch the aperture control subject (NO in S410), the camera controller 104 performs the processing in S417.

[0061] ​The determination method in S410 is similar to the determination method in S406. In a state where the lens controller 205 is serving as the aperture control master, when it is determined in S404 that the lens controller 205 should serve as the aperture control master, it is determined in S410 not to switch the aperture control master. On the other hand, in a state where the camera controller 104 is serving as the aperture control master, when it is determined in S404 that the lens controller 205 should serve as the aperture control master, it is determined in S410 to switch the aperture control master.

[0062] In S411, the camera controller 104 determines whether or not the amount of deviation between the effective aperture value and the set aperture value obtained in the latest S401 and S402 is equal to or greater than a predetermined step number. When it is determined that the amount of deviation between the aperture values is equal to or greater than the predetermined step number (YES in S411), the camera controller 104 executes the processing in S412. When it is determined that the amount of deviation between the aperture values is less than the predetermined step number (NO in S411), the camera controller 1011 executes the processing in S415. The predetermined step number can be, for example, one step.

[0063] In S412, the camera controller 104 calculates an exposure control value at the time of obtaining a frame image of live view. Specifically, the exposure controller 108 sets the set aperture value obtained in the latest S402 as a target aperture value Av. Then, the exposure controller 108 calculates a shutter speed Tv and a gain amount Sv based on the set target aperture value Av, the photometry value obtained in the latest S403, and a program chart stored in advance in a ROM. The camera controller 104 notifies the lens controller 205 of the target aperture value Av calculated by the exposure controller 108 in this way. Note that, in the present embodiment, the target aperture value Av is notified to the lens controller 205 in S412. Figure 4 Only the setting of the target aperture value as information related to S413 is described in S412.

[0064] In S413, the camera controller 104 causes the lens controller 205 to perform high-speed drive control of the aperture 202. Specifically, the camera controller 104 drive-controllingly controls the aperture 202 via the lens controller 205 so that the aperture 202 is set to the target aperture value Av notified to the lens controller 205 in S412. At this time, the drive speed of the aperture 202 is desirably the maximum speed that is controllable, and is set to a speed that is at least higher than the speed at which the lens controller 205 drives the aperture 202 as the aperture control master in the manual aperture drive mode.

[0065] Here, the aperture drive speed table 500 in the manual aperture drive mode is as shown in FIG. 5. In S413, the aperture 202 is drive-controllingly controlled at a speed higher than 20 / 8 (steps / sec) defined in the aperture drive speed table 500. Note that ΔAv represents the amount of deviation between the aperture values. Figure 5 In S413, the aperture 202 is drive-controllingly controlled at a speed higher than 20 / 8 (steps / sec) defined in the aperture drive speed table 500. Note that ΔAv represents the amount of deviation between the aperture values.

[0066] In S414, the camera controller 104 sends a switching instruction to the lens controller 205 to switch the aperture control subject from the camera controller 104 to the lens controller 205. Upon receiving the switching instruction from the camera controller 104, the lens controller 205 causes the lens unit 200 to shift to the manual aperture drive mode in which the aperture 202 is driven by the operation of the aperture drive ring 208. Thus, the processing of one routine ends.

[0067] In the manual aperture drive mode, first, when the set aperture value is changed by the user's operation of the aperture drive ring 208, the lens controller 205 calculates the deviation amount ΔAv between the effective aperture value obtained from the aperture position obtaining unit 207 and the set aperture value set with the aperture drive ring 208. Then, the lens controller 205 determines the drive speed of the aperture 202 by referring to the aperture drive speed table 500, and controls the aperture driver 204 so that the effective aperture value of the aperture 202 coincides with the set aperture value set with the aperture drive ring 208. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, the drive speed (step / sec) of the aperture 202 increases as the deviation amount ΔAv between the effective aperture value and the set aperture value increases, and decreases as the deviation amount ΔAv decreases. For example, when the effective aperture value of the aperture 202 is F2 and the set aperture value set in the aperture drive ring 208 is F4, the deviation amount ΔAv is two steps, which corresponds to the case of "ΔAv≥ 12 / 8" in FIG. 5, and a drive speed of 20 / 8 (step / sec) is obtained. Figure 5 Figure 5

[0068] When the result of the determination in S411 is "No", in S415, the camera controller 104 calculates the exposure control value at the time of obtaining the frame image for live view. The processing in S415 is the same as that in S412, and thus the description thereof will be omitted. Note that only the setting of the "target aperture value" as information related to S416 is described in S415 of FIG. 4. Figure 4

[0069] In S416, the camera controller 104 drives the aperture 202 via the lens controller 205 to achieve the target aperture value Av, and then executes the processing in S414. In S416, the aperture 202 is driven at a drive speed corresponding to the deviation amount ΔAv obtained from the aperture drive speed table 500 in S411. When the predetermined number of steps used as the criterion for determination in S411 is one step, the drive speed of the aperture 202 in S416 is 10 / 8 (step / sec) or less.

[0070] ​​​When the result of the determination in S410 is "No", in S417, the camera controller 104 calculates the exposure control value at the time of obtaining the live view image (frame image). Specifically, the exposure controller 108 calculates the shutter speed Tv and the gain amount Sv based on the effective aperture value obtained in the latest S401, the metering value obtained in the latest S403, and a program chart stored in advance in the ROM. Here, since the lens controller 205 is used as the aperture control subject and the manual aperture drive mode is maintained, the processing of one routine ends without issuing a drive instruction from the camera controller 104 to the lens controller 205.

[0071] As described above, after starting the live view operation, the processing of the present flowchart is repeatedly executed. That is, when the processing of one routine is completed through any one of S409, S414, and S417, the processing from S400 is executed again.

[0072] Next, the processing of determining the aperture control subject in S404 will be described. Figure 6 Fig. 19 is a flowchart showing the aperture control subject determination processing in S404.

[0073] In S601, the camera controller 104 determines whether the set aperture value obtained in S402 is "automatic". When the set aperture value is determined to be "automatic" (Yes in S601), the camera controller 104 executes the processing in S605. When the set aperture value is determined not to be "automatic" (No in S601), the camera controller 104 executes the processing in S602.

[0074] In S602, the camera controller 104 determines whether the imaging mode is the still image capturing mode. When the imaging mode is determined to be the still image capturing mode (Yes in S602), the camera controller 104 executes the processing in S603. When the imaging mode is determined not to be the still image capturing mode (No in S602), the camera controller 104 executes the processing in S606. In the case where the result of the determination in S602 is "No", the moving image capturing mode is assumed to be the imaging mode. In the moving image capturing mode, frame images captured continuously are recorded continuously, and a process of a scene change is recorded.

[0075] In S603, the camera controller 104 determines whether or not the focus detection processing is being executed. For example, when an instruction of the AF operation is received due to the operation of the AF instruction button which is one component of the operation unit 117, the camera controller 104 determines that the focus detection processing is being executed. When it is determined that the focus detection processing is being executed (Yes in S603), the camera controller 104 executes the processing in S605. When it is determined that the focus detection processing is not being executed (No in S603), the camera controller 104 executes the processing in S604.

[0076] In S604, the camera controller 104 determines whether or not the flicker detection processing (flicker light source detection processing) is being executed. For example, when a flicker detection instruction is received due to the operation of the flicker detection instruction button which is one component of the operation unit 117, the camera controller 104 determines that the flicker detection processing is being executed. When it is determined that the flicker detection processing is being executed (Yes in S604), the camera controller 104 executes the processing in S605. When it is determined that the flicker detection processing is not being executed (No in S604), the camera controller 104 executes the processing in S606.

[0077] In S605, the camera controller 104 determines that the camera controller 104 should serve as the aperture control subject, and ends the processing.

[0078] In S606, the camera controller 104 determines that the lens controller 205 should serve as the aperture control subject, and ends the processing.

[0079] Note that when the result of the determination in S602 is "No", it is assumed as described above that the imaging mode is the moving image capturing mode. In the moving image capturing mode, high responsiveness to a change operation of the aperture value setting by the user via the aperture drive ring 208 is desired. Therefore, it is desired that the lens controller 205 functions as the control main body of the aperture 202 in the moving image capturing mode. In addition, since the detection accuracy of the focus detection processing by the image plane phase difference AF is generally reduced when the aperture is on the small aperture side, it is desired that the aperture 202 is controlled by the camera controller 104 to control the aperture 202 suitable for the focus detection processing. Therefore, when the result of the determination in S603 is "Yes", it is desired that the camera controller 104 functions as the aperture control main body. In the flicker detection processing, an image having appropriate brightness cannot be obtained depending on the brightness of the subject image, and the detection accuracy is reduced. Therefore, it is desired that the aperture 202 is controlled by the camera controller 104 to control the aperture suitable for the flicker detection processing. In this way, when the result of the determination in S604 is "Yes", it is desired that the camera controller 104 functions as the aperture control main body. On the other hand, even in the still image capturing mode, when the results of the determinations in S603 and S604 are both "No", it is assumed that the still image capturing standby state in which no special processing is performed in the camera 100. In this case, from the viewpoint of enhancing the response to the operation of changing the aperture value setting by the user via the aperture drive ring 208, it is desired in the present embodiment that the lens controller 205 functions as the control main body of the aperture 202.

[0080] As described above, during the live view operation, the control main body of the aperture 202 is appropriately switched in the imaging system 1 depending on the setting of the aperture drive ring 208 and the operation of the imaging system 1. The usefulness of the processing of the flowchart in S604 will be described below in comparison with a reference example (comparative example). Figure 4

[0081] First, a reference example for the present disclosure will be described. For example, in the moving image capturing mode in which a process of a scene transition is recorded by continuously recording frame images continuously captured, it is desired that the aperture drive control is immediately performed in response to a setting change of the aperture value by the user. On the other hand, in the still image capturing mode in which an image is recorded individually, it is desired that the drive control of the aperture 202 is performed in response to an aperture drive instruction on the camera 100 side. In this way, it is desired that the camera controller 104 functions as the aperture control main body in the still image capturing mode, and the lens controller 205 functions as the aperture control main body in the moving image capturing mode.

[0082] ​Here, the user can start recording a moving image by pressing the moving image button in a state where the aperture control subject is set to the camera controller 104. In this case, the aperture control subject is switched from the camera controller 104 to the lens controller 205, and moving image recording is started. However, at this time, there is a problem that the recording delay from the pressing of the moving image button to the start of moving image recording is lengthened. This problem will be described with reference to Figure 8 to describe this problem.

[0083] Figure 8 is a timing chart showing the process of switching the aperture control subject from the camera controller 104 to the lens controller 205 according to the reference example.

[0084] When the user operates the operation unit 117 and generates a moving image recording start request 801, the camera controller 104 notifies the exposure controller 108 of the recording mode switching preparation 802. As described above, when the recording mode is switched from the still image photographing mode to the moving image photographing mode, the aperture control subject needs to be switched from the camera controller 104 to the lens controller 205. Therefore, the exposure controller 108 notifies the lens controller 205 of the aperture control subject switching instruction 803.

[0085] In response to the switching instruction 803, the lens controller 205 notifies the exposure controller 108 of the aperture control subject switching completion 803a indicating that the aperture control subject is switched from the camera controller 104 to the lens controller 205. When the aperture control subject switching completion 803a is received, the exposure controller 108 notifies the camera controller 104 of the recording mode switching preparation completion 802a, and the camera controller 104 switches the recording mode to the moving image photographing mode.

[0086] In response to the switching of the aperture control subject to the lens controller 205, the lens controller 205 notifies the aperture driver 204 of the aperture drive instruction 804 so that the set aperture value (F22 in this example) set with the aperture drive ring 208 is realized. The aperture driver 204 receives the aperture drive instruction 804 and drives the aperture 202 according to the aperture drive control 805. Figure 8

[0087] For example, in a state where the recording mode is the still image photographing mode, the aperture 202 should be controlled to the aperture value determined by the camera controller 104 (F22 in this example). However, in the reference example, the aperture 202 is controlled to the aperture value set with the aperture drive ring 208 (F22 in this example) after the recording mode is switched to the moving image photographing mode. Therefore, there is a problem that the recording delay from the pressing of the moving image button to the start of moving image recording is lengthened. Figure 8 ​F2) in order to suppress deterioration in the ability to inhibit a specific camera function. In this case, the drive control is performed by the aperture drive control 805 so that the aperture value is changed from F2 to F22. At this time, since it is desirable to smoothly drive the aperture 202 in consideration of the image quality in live view, it is necessary to drive the aperture 202 at a low speed in the moving image capturing mode in which the lens controller 205 serves as the aperture control subject.

[0088] Subsequently, the camera controller 104 notifies the exposure controller 108 of the moving image recording preparation 806. The moving image needs to be recorded at the aperture value desired by the user (set by the user). Therefore, the exposure controller 108 completes the process of the moving image recording preparation 806, and notifies the camera controller 104 when the driving of the aperture 202 to the set aperture value (F22) set with the aperture drive ring 208 is completed. Figure 8

[0089] In this control, time is taken until the drive control of the aperture drive control 805 to drive the aperture 202 is completed. Therefore, the process of the moving image recording preparation 806 takes time, and the imaging delay from the instruction to start the moving image recording until the actual start of the moving image recording becomes long.

[0090] The sequence in which this problem is solved according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 7 Figure 7 is a timing chart showing the process of switching the aperture control subject from the camera controller 104 to the lens controller 205 according to the embodiment. At this time, the process is performed along the route of S404, S405, S410, and S411 of the flowchart in Figure 4

[0091] When the moving image recording start request 701 is generated by the user operation, the camera controller 104 notifies the exposure controller 108 of the imaging mode switching preparation 702. At this time, before switching the aperture control subject, the exposure controller 108 notifies the lens controller 205 of the high-speed aperture drive instruction 703 in order to quickly achieve the set aperture value (F22) set with the aperture drive ring 208. When the high-speed aperture drive instruction 703 is received, the lens controller 205 notifies the aperture driver 204 of the aperture drive instruction 704. When the aperture drive instruction 704 is received, the aperture driver 204 drives the aperture 202 at high speed according to the aperture drive control 705. At this time, the driving speed of the aperture 202 is desirably the maximum speed that is controllable, and therefore the aperture 202 can quickly achieve the target aperture value (F22). Figure 7 Figure 7 In this case, the drive control is performed by the aperture drive control 805 so that the aperture value is changed from F2 to F22. At this time, since it is desirable to smoothly drive the aperture 202 in consideration of the image quality in live view, it is necessary to drive the aperture 202 at a low speed in the moving image capturing mode in which the lens controller 205 serves as the aperture control subject.

[0088] Subsequently, the camera controller 104 notifies the exposure controller 108 of the moving image recording preparation 806. The moving image needs to be recorded at the aperture value desired by the user (set by the user). Therefore, the exposure controller 108 completes the process of the moving image recording preparation 806, and notifies the camera controller 104 when the driving of the aperture 202 to the set aperture value (F22) set with the aperture drive ring 208 is completed. Figure 8

[0089] In this control, time is taken until the drive control of the aperture drive control 805 to drive the aperture 202 is completed. Therefore, the process of the moving image recording preparation 806 takes time, and the imaging delay from the instruction to start the moving image recording until the actual start of the moving image recording becomes long.

[0090] The sequence in which this problem is solved according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 7 Figure 7 is a timing chart showing the process of switching the aperture control subject from the camera controller 104 to the lens controller 205 according to the embodiment. At this time, the process is performed along the route of S404, S405, S410, and S411 of the flowchart in Figure 4

[0091] When the moving image recording start request 701 is generated by the user operation, the camera controller 104 notifies the exposure controller 108 of the imaging mode switching preparation 702. At this time, before switching the aperture control subject, the exposure controller 108 notifies the lens controller 205 of the high-speed aperture drive instruction 703 in order to quickly achieve the set aperture value (F22) set with the aperture drive ring 208. When the high-speed aperture drive instruction 703 is received, the lens controller 205 notifies the aperture driver 204 of the aperture drive instruction 704. When the aperture drive instruction 704 is received, the aperture driver 204 drives the aperture 202 at high speed according to the aperture drive control 705. At this time, the driving speed of the aperture 202 is desirably the maximum speed that is controllable, and therefore the aperture 202 can quickly achieve the target aperture value (F22). Figure 7 Figure 7 In this case, the drive control is performed by the aperture drive control 805 so that the aperture value is changed from F2 to F22. At this time, since it is desirable to smoothly drive the aperture 202 in consideration of the image quality in live view, it is necessary to drive the aperture 202 at a low speed in the moving image capturing mode in which the lens controller 205 serves as the aperture control subject.

[0088] Subsequently, the camera controller 104 notifies the exposure controller 108 of the moving image recording preparation 806. The moving image needs to be recorded at the aperture value desired by the user (set by the user). Therefore, the exposure controller 108 completes the process of the moving image recording preparation 806, and notifies the camera controller 104 when the driving of the aperture 202 to the set aperture value (F22) set with the aperture drive ring 208 is completed. Figure 8

[0089] In this control, time is taken until the drive control of the aperture drive control 805 to drive the aperture 202 is completed. Therefore, the process of the moving image recording preparation 806 takes time, and the imaging delay from the instruction to start the moving image recording until the actual start of the moving image recording becomes long.

[0090] The sequence in which this problem is solved according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 7 Figure 7 is a timing chart showing the process of switching the aperture control subject from the camera controller 104 to the lens controller 205 according to the embodiment. At this time, the process is performed along the route of S404, S405, S410, and S411 of the flowchart in Figure 4

[0091] When the moving image recording start request 701 is generated by the user operation, the camera controller 104 notifies the exposure controller 108 of the imaging mode switching preparation 702. At this time, before switching the aperture control subject, the exposure controller 108 notifies the lens controller 205 of the high-speed aperture drive instruction 703 in order to quickly achieve the set aperture value (F22) set with the aperture drive ring 208. When the high-speed aperture drive instruction 703 is received, the lens controller 205 notifies the aperture driver 204 of the aperture drive instruction 704. When the aperture drive instruction 704 is received, the aperture driver 204 drives the aperture 202 at high speed according to the aperture drive control 705. At this time, the driving speed of the aperture 202 is desirably the maximum speed that is controllable, and therefore the aperture 202 can quickly achieve the target aperture value (F22). Figure 7 Figure 7 In this case, the drive control is performed by the aperture drive control 805 so that the aperture value is changed from F2 to F22. At this time, since it is desirable to smoothly drive the aperture 202 in consideration of the image quality in live view, it is necessary to drive the aperture 202 at a low speed in the moving image capturing mode in which the lens controller 205 serves as the aperture control subject.

[0088] Subsequently, the camera controller 104 notifies the exposure controller 108 of the moving image recording preparation 806. The moving image needs to be recorded at the aperture value desired by the user (set by the user). Therefore, the exposure controller 108 completes the process of the moving image recording preparation 806, and notifies the camera controller 104 when the driving of the aperture 202 to the set aperture value (F22) set with the aperture drive ring 208 is completed. Figure 8

[0089] In this control, time is taken until the drive control of the aperture drive control 805 to

[0092] When the driving control of the aperture 202 to the set aperture value (F22 in this example) set by the aperture driving ring 208 is completed, the exposure controller 108 notifies the lens controller 205 of an aperture control subject switching instruction 706 to switch the aperture control subject to the lens controller 205. Then, when the aperture control subject is switched to the lens controller 205, the exposure controller 108 notifies the camera controller 104 of the completion of the shooting mode switching preparation 702. Upon receiving the completion notification, the camera controller 104 switches the shooting mode from the still image capturing mode to the moving image capturing mode. Figure 7

[0093] Subsequently, the camera controller 104 notifies the exposure controller 108 of a moving image recording preparation 707. At this time, the aperture control subject has been switched to the lens controller 205. The aperture 202 has also been driven to the set aperture value (F22 in this example) set by the aperture driving ring 208. That is, the preparation for recording a moving image has been completed. Therefore, the exposure controller 108 immediately notifies the camera controller 104 of the completion of the moving image recording preparation 707, and the camera controller 104 starts the moving image recording upon receiving the completion notification. Figure 7

[0094] As described above, in the present embodiment, when the shooting mode is switched from the still image capturing mode to the moving image capturing mode, the aperture 202 is driven at high speed so that the aperture 202 achieves the set aperture value set by the aperture driving ring 208, and then the aperture control subject is switched from the camera controller 104 to the lens controller 205. In comparison with the reference example in Figure 8 , this can shorten the time required for the preparation to start the moving image recording. That is, when an instruction to start the moving image recording is issued according to the user operation in the still image capturing mode, the shooting delay until the moving image recording is actually started can be shortened.

[0095] In the above-described embodiment, the lens controller 205 is determined to be used as the aperture control subject when the focus detection or the flicker detection is not performed in the still image capturing mode. In contrast, for a user who hardly captures a moving image and a user who generally sets the aperture value to automatic when capturing a still image, it is desirable that the camera controller 104 be used as the control subject of the aperture 202 in the still image capturing mode. Therefore, for example, the imaging system 1 can be configured so that, from the menu setting of the camera 100, by the user operation, regardless of the operation state of the imaging system 1, the camera controller 104 is used as the control subject of the aperture 202 in the still image capturing mode.

[0096] Other Embodiments

[0097] ​​Embodiments of the present application can also be implemented by a method in which software (computer program product including a computer program) that performs the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or an apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (central processing unit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU)) of the system or the apparatus reads out and executes the computer program.

[0098] While the present disclosure has been described with reference to example embodiments, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the disclosed example embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be construed in the broadest sense to encompass all the modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

[0099] This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-068158, filed April 19, 2024, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Claims

1. An imaging system comprising: a lens device including: an aperture; an aperture driver configured to drive the aperture; an aperture value setting member configured to set a first aperture value in accordance with a user operation; and a first controller configured to control the aperture driver; and an imaging device including: a second controller configured to: set a second aperture value based on a light measurement value; switch an aperture control subject from the second controller to the first controller after the aperture driver is controlled via the first controller to drive the aperture to the first aperture value when an imaging mode is switched from a second mode to a first mode, wherein in the first mode the first controller controls the aperture driver to drive the aperture to the first aperture value, and in the second mode the second controller controls the aperture driver via the first controller to drive the aperture to the second aperture value.

2. The camera system according to claim 1, wherein the lens device includes a detection unit configured to detect an effective aperture value of the aperture, and wherein, when switching from the second mode to the first mode, in a case where an amount of deviation between the effective aperture value and the first aperture value is equal to or greater than a predetermined step number, the second controller controls the aperture driver to drive the aperture at a maximum drive speed that can be controlled.

3. The camera system of claim 2, wherein, the lens device further includes a memory configured to store a table defining a drive speed of the aperture for the amount of deviation, and wherein, when switching from the second mode to the first mode, in a case where the amount of deviation is less than the predetermined step number, the second controller controls the aperture driver to drive the aperture at a drive speed defined for the amount of deviation in the table.

4. The camera system according to claim 3, wherein in the first mode, the first controller controls the aperture driver to drive the aperture at a drive speed defined for the amount of deviation in the table.

5. The camera system according to claim 1, wherein the second controller determines the first controller as the aperture control subject in a moving image capturing mode, and determines the second controller as the aperture control subject in a still image capturing mode.

6. The camera system of claim 1, wherein, in the moving image capturing mode, or when a focus detection process and a flicker detection process are not being run in the still image capturing mode, the second controller determines the first controller as the aperture control subject, and wherein, when the focus detection process or the flicker detection process is being run in the still image capturing mode, the second controller determines the second controller as the aperture control subject.

7. The camera system according to claim 1, wherein the aperture value setting member is switchable between a first range in which the aperture control subject is set to the first controller and the first aperture value is set to the aperture, and a second range in which the aperture control subject is set to the second controller.

8. A control method for an image pickup system including a lens device equipped with an aperture, an aperture driver for driving the aperture, and a first controller, and an image pickup device equipped with a second controller, the control method comprising: detecting a state of the image pickup system during a live view operation; determining whether a mode is set to a first mode in which the first controller controls the aperture driver to drive the aperture to a first aperture value set in accordance with a user operation or to a second mode in which the second controller controls the aperture driver via the first controller to drive the aperture to a second aperture value set based on a light measurement value, in accordance with the detected state; and when switching the mode from the second mode to the first mode based on the determination, switching an aperture control subject from the second controller to the first controller after the second controller controls the aperture driver via the first controller to drive the aperture to the first aperture value.

9. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a control program that causes a computer to execute a control method for an image pickup system including a lens device equipped with an aperture, an aperture driver for driving the aperture, and a first controller, and an image pickup device equipped with a second controller, the control method comprising: detecting a state of the image pickup system during a live view operation; determining whether a mode is set to a first mode in which the first controller controls the aperture driver to drive the aperture to a first aperture value set in accordance with a user operation or to a second mode in which the second controller controls the aperture driver via the first controller to drive the aperture to a second aperture value set based on a light measurement value, in accordance with the detected state; and when switching the mode from the second mode to the first mode based on the determination, switching an aperture control subject from the second controller to the first controller after the second controller controls the aperture driver via the first controller to drive the aperture to the first aperture value.

10. An image pickup system comprising: a first controller; and a second controller configured to: determine whether a mode is set to a first mode in which the first controller controls an aperture driver to drive an aperture to a first aperture value set in accordance with a user operation or to a second mode in which the second controller controls the aperture driver via the first controller to drive the aperture to a second aperture value set based on a light measurement value, in accordance with a state of the image pickup system; and ​ ​ ​ ​ When the mode is switched from the second mode to the first mode based on the judgment, after the second controller controls the aperture driver via the first controller to drive the aperture to the first aperture value, the aperture control subject is switched from the second controller to the first controller.

11. A computer program product including a control program that causes a computer to execute a control method for an imaging system including a lens device equipped with an aperture, an aperture driver for driving the aperture, and a first controller, and an imaging device equipped with a second controller, the control method comprising: detecting a state during a live view operation of the imaging system; judging whether a mode is set to a first mode in which the first controller controls the aperture driver to drive the aperture to a first aperture value set in accordance with a user operation or a second mode in which the second controller controls the aperture driver via the first controller to drive the aperture to a second aperture value set based on a photometry value, in accordance with the detected state; and When the mode is switched from the second mode to the first mode based on the judgment, after the second controller controls the aperture driver via the first controller to drive the aperture to the first aperture value, the aperture control subject is switched from the second controller to the first controller. ​

Images