Camera body and camera system

Abstract

To generate instructions to an interchangeable lens using appropriate information.SOLUTION: A camera body comprises: an imaging portion for capturing an image; an input portion to which data on a position of a focus lens and an identifier indicating reliability of the data, are input; a generation portion that generates instructions about driving the focus lens using the input data and information about a deviation between an imaging surface and an imaging position of an optical system; a first communication portion that transmits the instructions to the interchangeable lens in first communication with the interchangeable lens; a second communication portion that receives the data and the identifier from the interchangeable lens in second communication with the interchangeable lens; and a control portion that independently controls the first communication and the second communication. The second communication portion receives the data and the identifier a plurality of times during one capturing, and the generation portion generates instructions using one or more pieces of data received during one capturing. The generation portion generates instructions using the data of the identifier indicating the presence of reliability and generates instructions without using the data of the identifier indicating the absence of reliability.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a camera body and a camera system. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known technology for sending information indicating the state of an interchangeable lens to a camera body (see Patent Document 1). However, if the content of the sent data is inappropriate, there is a risk that the accuracy of control using that data will decrease. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2000-105402 A Summary of the Invention

[0004] A camera body according to a first aspect of the present invention is a camera body to which an interchangeable lens having a focus lens can be attached and detached, and includes an imaging unit that captures an image of a subject formed on an imaging surface by the optical system of the interchangeable lens, an input unit to which data regarding the position of the focus lens and an identifier indicating reliability of the data are input, a creation unit that creates instructions regarding the drive of the focus lens using at least the data input to the input unit and information regarding a deviation between the imaging surface and an imaging position of the optical system, a first communication unit that performs first communication with the interchangeable lens and transmits the instructions to the interchangeable lens, and a second communication unit that performs a second communication different from and having a shorter cycle than the first communication, and receives the data and the identifier from the interchangeable lens, and a control unit that independently controls the first communication by the first communication unit and the second communication by the second communication unit, wherein the second communication unit receives the data and the identifier multiple times during one imaging by the imaging unit, and the creation unit creates the instruction using at least one of the data received during one imaging, and the creation unit creates the instruction using the data of the identifier that indicates the reliability, and creates the instruction without using the data of the identifier that indicates the unreliability. A camera system according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises the camera body according to the first aspect and the interchangeable lens. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0005] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of the camera system. [Diagram 2] 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of movement trajectories of a plurality of focusing lenses. [Diagram 3] 1 is a timing chart illustrating command data communication and hotline communication. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the timing of command data communication. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the timing of hotline communication. [Figure 6]FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of information included in hotline data. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the focus lens position, the focal length, and the shooting distance. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the timing of automatic focus adjustment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0006] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 is a block diagram explaining the essential configuration of a camera system 1. An interchangeable lens 3 is detachable from a camera body 2 using a bayonet structure. When the camera body 2 and the interchangeable lens 3 are coupled, a terminal provided on the body-side mount and a terminal provided on the lens-side mount come into physical contact with each other and are electrically connected.

[0007] <Camera body> The camera body 2 has a body side control unit 230, a body side communication unit 240, a power supply unit 250, an image sensor 260, a signal processing unit 270, an operation member 280, and a display unit 285.

[0008] The imaging element 260 is, for example, a solid-state imaging element such as a CMOS image sensor, a CCD image sensor, etc. The imaging element 260 photoelectrically converts a subject image on an imaging surface 260S in response to a control signal from the body side control unit 230, and outputs a signal. The image sensor 260 has a photoelectric conversion unit for image generation and a photoelectric conversion unit for focus detection. The image capturing pixel signals generated by the photoelectric conversion unit for image generation are used to generate image data by the signal processing unit 270. The detection pixel signals generated by the photoelectric conversion unit for focus detection are used by the signal processing unit 270 for focus detection processing that detects the imaging state of the interchangeable lens 3, in other words, the focus of the interchangeable lens 3.

[0009] The signal processing unit 270 performs a predetermined image processing on the imaging pixel signals output from the imaging element 260 to generate image data. The generated image data is recorded in a predetermined file format on a storage medium (not shown) or used for image display by the display unit 285. The signal processing unit 270 also performs a predetermined focus detection processing on the detection pixel signals output from the imaging element 260 to calculate the defocus amount (the amount of deviation between the focal position of the interchangeable lens 3 and the imaging surface 260S). The signal processing unit 270 is connected to the body side control unit 230, the imaging element 260, and the display unit 285.

[0010] The body side communication unit 240 performs predetermined communication with the lens side communication unit 340 of the interchangeable lens 3. The body side communication unit 240 includes a first body side communication unit 240a and a second body side communication unit 240b. The first body side communication unit 240a performs command data communication, which will be described later, and the second body side communication unit 240b performs hotline communication, which will be described later. The body side first communication unit 240a is connected to the body side control unit 230, and information transmitted from the camera body 2 to the interchangeable lens 3 by command data communication is created by the body side control unit 230. The body side second communication unit 240b is connected to the body side control unit 230, and information transmitted from the interchangeable lens 3 to the camera body 2 by hotline communication is transmitted to the body side control unit 230.

[0011] The body side control unit 230 is composed of a microcomputer and its peripheral circuits, etc. The body side control unit 230 executes a control program stored in a storage unit 235 to control each unit in the camera body 2. The body side control unit 230 is connected to a body side communication unit 240, a power supply unit 250, an image sensor 260, a signal processing unit 270, an operation member 280, and a display unit 285. The body side control unit 230 includes a storage unit 235. Recording and reading of data in the storage unit 235 is controlled by the body side control unit 230. The storage unit 235 stores control programs and the like executed by the body side control unit 230. The body side control unit 230 controls the entire camera body 2, such as image processing, and generates instructions for moving members included in the interchangeable lens 3. The body side first control unit 230 includes a first calculation unit 231 that calculates the position of the focusing lens 361a included in the interchangeable lens 3 based on information transmitted from the body side communication unit 240, and a second calculation unit 232 that calculates the drive amount of the focusing lens 361a based on the defocus amount output from the signal processing unit 270 and the position of the focusing lens 361a calculated by the first calculation unit 231.

[0012] The power supply unit 250 converts the voltage of a battery (not shown) into a voltage used by each part of the camera system 1, and supplies it to each part of the camera body 2 and the interchangeable lens 3. The power supply unit 250 can switch the power supply on and off for each power supply destination according to an instruction from the body side control unit 230.

[0013] An operation member 280 including a release button, an operation switch, etc. is provided on the exterior surface of the camera body 2. A user operates the operation member 280 to give instructions for shooting, setting shooting conditions, etc. The operation member 280 sends an operation signal to the body side control unit 230 according to the user's operation. The display unit 285 is configured with, for example, a liquid crystal display panel. In response to an instruction from the body side control unit 230, the display unit 285 displays an image based on image data processed by the signal processing unit 270, an operation menu screen, and the like.

[0014] <Interchangeable lenses> The interchangeable lens 3 has a lens side control unit 330 , a lens side communication unit 340 , a lens side storage unit 350 , an imaging optical system 360 , a lens driving unit 370 , a zoom operation ring 375 , and an aperture driving unit 380 .

[0015] The lens side control unit 330 is composed of a microcomputer and its peripheral circuits, etc. The lens side control unit 330 executes a control program stored in the lens side storage unit 350 to control each unit of the interchangeable lens 3. The lens side control unit 330 is directly or indirectly connected to the lens side communication unit 340, the lens side storage unit 350, the lens driving unit 370, the zoom operation ring 375, and the aperture driving unit 380.

[0016] The lens-side storage unit 350 is configured with a non-volatile storage medium. The lens-side storage unit 350 is controlled by the lens-side control unit 330 to record and read data. The lens-side storage unit 350 can store control programs and the like executed by the lens-side control unit 330, as well as data indicating the model name of the interchangeable lens 3 and data indicating the optical characteristics of the imaging optical system 360. One example of the optical characteristics is the position of the focusing lens 361a in the optical axis O direction according to the focal length and shooting distance.

[0017] The imaging optical system 360 forms a subject image on an image formation surface (imaging surface 260S). The optical axis O of the imaging optical system 360 approximately coincides with the center position of the imaging surface 260S. At least a part of the imaging optical system 360 is configured as a movable member such that its position within the interchangeable lens 3 can be moved. The imaging optical system 360 is composed of, for example, a focusing lens 361a as a moving member, a zoom lens 361c as a moving member, and an aperture 362. The lens driving unit 370 moves a moving member and includes lens driving units 370a and 370c. Each of the lens driving units 370 includes an actuator, a driving mechanism, and a position detector for the moving member. In the present embodiment, position information of the moving member is periodically created based on signals from the position detector and the actuator of the lens driving unit 370. Also, based on signals from the position detector and the actuator of the lens driving unit 370, movement states such as whether the moving member is being moved, the moving direction of the moving member, and whether the moving member is stopped are periodically recognized. The period in which the position information of the moving member is created and the period in which the movement state of the moving member is recognized can be made shorter than the period of the hotline communication.

[0018] The focusing lens 361a is configured to be able to move forward and backward in the direction of the optical axis O by the lens driving unit 370a. By moving the focusing lens 361a, the focal position of the imaging optical system 360 is adjusted. The driving instructions such as the moving direction, moving amount, and moving speed of the focusing lens 361a may be based on instructions from the body side control unit 230, or the lens side control unit 330 may give instructions in consideration of the instructions from the body side control unit 230. When the stepping motor and the origin detector are used in the lens driving unit 370a, the position of the focusing lens 361a is configured to be detectable by the number of pulses (moving amount) of the stepping motor and the detection result of the origin detector. In FIG. 1, one focusing lens 361a is shown, but as shown in FIG. 2, the focal position of the imaging optical system 360 may be adjusted by moving a plurality of focusing lenses 363 and 364. In that case, it may be provided with a plurality of lens driving units 370a for driving each of the focusing lenses 363 and 364 in the direction of the optical axis O. FIG. 2 shows the positions of the focusing lenses 363 and 364 when the shooting distance at focal lengths W~M~T (W<M<T) is infinity. In FIG. 2, the positions of the respective focusing lenses 363 and 364 are indicated by the coordinates of P (a numerical value corresponding to the shooting distance, a symbol corresponding to the focal length).

[0019] The zoom lens 361c is configured to be movable forward and backward in the direction of the optical axis O by the lens driving unit 370c or the zoom operation ring 375. The focal length of the imaging optical system 360 changes as the zoom lens 361c moves. The movement direction, movement amount, movement speed, etc. of the zoom lens 361c are instructed by the lens side control unit 330, or are determined by a driving force mechanically transmitted from the zoom operation ring 375. The position of the zoom lens 361c is configured to be detectable by an encoder of the lens driving unit 370c, etc.

[0020] The diaphragm 362 has a plurality of diaphragm blades as movable members, and adjusts the amount of light incident on the image sensor 260 by an opening formed by the plurality of diaphragm blades. The diaphragm drive unit 380 is composed of a motor and an diaphragm drive mechanism, and the diaphragm 362 is configured so that the aperture diameter (aperture value) can be changed by the diaphragm drive unit 380 or manual operation. The aperture diameter of the diaphragm 362 is configured so that it can be detected by an encoder of the diaphragm drive unit 380 or the like. Position information of the diaphragm blades as movable members is generated as the aperture diameter by the diaphragm drive unit 380 or the lens side control unit 330.

[0021] The zoom operation ring 375 is provided, for example, on the outer barrel of the interchangeable lens 3. The user performs a zoom operation to change the focal length of the interchangeable lens 3 using the zoom operation ring 375. An operation signal corresponding to the user's zoom operation may be sent from the zoom operation ring 375 to the lens side control unit 330.

[0022] The lens side communication unit 340 performs predetermined communication with the body side communication unit 240. The lens side communication unit 340 includes a first lens side communication unit 340a and a second lens side communication unit 340b. The first lens side communication unit 340a is connected to a terminal for performing command data communication, and the second lens side communication unit 340b is connected to a terminal for performing hotline communication. The first lens-side communication unit 340a is connected to the lens-side control unit 330, and information transmitted from the interchangeable lens 3 to the camera body 2 by command data communication is created by the lens-side control unit 330. The second lens-side communication unit 340b is also connected to the lens-side control unit 330, and information transmitted from the interchangeable lens 3 to the camera body 2 by hotline communication is created by the lens-side control unit 330, the second lens-side communication unit 340b, etc.

[0023] The arrows between the lens side communication unit 340 and the body side communication unit 240 in FIG. 1 indicate the flow of signals. The lens side first communication unit 340a outputs a signal indicating whether the interchangeable lens 3 is capable of command data communication (hereinafter, RDY signal) and a data signal (hereinafter, DATAL signal) to the body side first communication unit 240a. The body side first communication unit 240a outputs a clock signal (hereinafter, CLK signal) and a data signal (hereinafter, DATAB signal) for command data communication to the lens side first communication unit 340a. The second lens side communication section 340b outputs a clock signal (hereinafter, HCLK signal) and a data signal (hereinafter, HDATA signal) for hotline communication to the second body side communication section 240b. Hotline communication is one-way data communication from the interchangeable lens 3 to the camera body 2, while command data communication is two-way data communication between the interchangeable lens 3 and the camera body 2.

[0024] <Communication details> The camera system 1 has two independent communication systems for command data communication and hotline communication, so each type of communication can be performed in parallel. In other words, the camera body 2 and the interchangeable lens 3 can start and end hotline communication while performing command data communication. It is also possible to perform command data communication while performing hotline communication. Therefore, the interchangeable lens 3 can continuously transmit data to the camera body 2 by hotline communication even during command data communication. For example, even if the time required for command data communication becomes longer due to an increase in the amount of data, hotline communication can be performed at the necessary timing. Furthermore, even while the camera body 2 is receiving data via hotline communication, it can send various instructions and requests to the interchangeable lens 3 at any time via command data communication, and can receive data from the interchangeable lens 3 at any time.

[0025] 3 is a timing chart illustrating command data communication and hotline communication. After issuing an instruction to start hotline communication via command data communication, the camera body 2 periodically receives data from the interchangeable lens 3 via hotline communication, for example, from time t1 onwards. Furthermore, the camera body 2 transmits and receives data to and from the interchangeable lens 3 through command data communication. In detail, the camera body 2 receives various data that it has instructed the interchangeable lens 3 to transmit between times t2 and t3 and between times t9 and t10, transmits various data to the interchangeable lens 3 between times t5 and t6 and between times t12 and t13, and transmits instructions to the interchangeable lens 3 regarding movement control of movable members, such as an instruction to start shake correction, an instruction to drive the aperture, and an instruction to drive the focus, at times t4, t7, t8, and t11 in between, respectively.

[0026] In this embodiment, command data communication involves a large variety of data to be transmitted and received, and also involves a high frequency of instructions to the interchangeable lens 3. Depending on the type of data, the time required for transmission and reception can be long, and the time required for transmitting and receiving various types of data from time t2 to t3, from time t5 to t6, from time t9 to t10, and from time t12 to t13 is longer than the time required for transmitting instructions at times t4, t7, t8, and t11.

[0027] For example, in response to an instruction from the camera body 2 sent by command data communication, the interchangeable lens 3 transmits data indicating information about the interchangeable lens 3 (focal length, shooting distance, aperture value, etc.) to the camera body 2. The interchangeable lens 3 further receives data indicating information about the camera body 2 (frame rate, camera body 2 settings, etc.) transmitted from the camera body 2.

[0028] Command data communication takes a long time to send and receive, and is sent and received frequently, making it difficult to continuously communicate data in short cycles. In contrast, hotline communication uses a communication terminal different from the communication terminal used for command data communication, so data communication from the interchangeable lens 3 to the camera body 2 can be performed continuously in short cycles. For example, hotline communication can be performed for a desired period from the end of the startup process of the camera body 2 until the cut-off process, including during exposure. Instructions to start and end hotline communication are transmitted from the camera body 2 to the interchangeable lens 3 by command data communication, but this is not the case.

[0029] <Command data communication explanation> Next, command data communication will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 illustrates the timing of the RDY signal, the CLK signal, the DATAB signal, and the DATAL signal. In one command data communication, after one command packet 402 is sent from the camera body 2 to the interchangeable lens 3, one data packet 406, 407 is transmitted and received between the camera body 2 and the interchangeable lens 3, respectively.

[0030] The lens side first communication unit 340a sets the potential of the RDY signal to L level at the start of command data communication (t21). When the RDY signal is at L level, the body side first communication unit 240a starts outputting the CLK signal 401. The frequency of the CLK signal 401 is, for example, 8 MHz. The body side first communication unit 240a outputs a DATAB signal including a command packet 402 of a predetermined length in synchronization with the clock signal 401. The command packet 402 is indicated by switching between H level and L level. The body side first communication unit 240a outputs the CLK signal 401 for a period corresponding to the data length of the command packet 402, and then stops outputting the CLK signal (t22). The command packet 402 includes, for example, synchronization data, data for identifying which command data communication it is, data indicating an instruction from the camera body 2, data indicating the data length of the subsequent data packet 406, data for checking communication errors, etc. Instructions included in the command packet 402 include, for example, an instruction from the camera body 2 to the interchangeable lens 3 to drive a movable member, an instruction from the camera body 2 to the interchangeable lens 3 to transmit data, etc. The interchangeable lens 3 can determine the presence or absence of a communication error by checking whether the data for checking a communication error contained in the command packet 402 matches a value calculated from the received command packet 402 . Upon completing reception of the command packet 402, the first lens side communication section 340a sets the RDY signal to H level, and the lens side control section 330 starts the first control process 404 based on the command packet 402 (t22).

[0031] When the first control process 404 by the lens side control unit 330 is completed, the first lens side communication unit 340a can set the RDY signal to L level (t23). When the input RDY signal becomes L level, the first body side communication unit 240a outputs a CLK signal 405.

[0032] The body side first communication unit 240a outputs a DATAB signal including a data packet 406 in synchronization with the CLK signal 405. Moreover, the lens side first communication unit 340a outputs a DATAL signal including a data packet 407 of a predetermined length in synchronization with the CLK signal 405. The data packets 406, 407 are indicated by switching between H level and L level. After outputting the CLK signal 405 for a period equivalent to the data length of the data packet 406, the body side first communication unit 240a stops outputting the CLK signal (t24). The data packets 406 and 407 are variable-length data of m bytes having the amount of data indicated by the command packet 402. The data packets 406 and 407 include data for synchronization, data indicating information about the camera body 2, data indicating information about the interchangeable lens 3, data for communication error check, and the like. The data packet 406 sent from the camera body 2 to the interchangeable lens 3 includes data indicating the drive amount of the movable members, data for conveying settings and operating conditions within the camera body 2, and the like. The data packet 407 transmitted from the interchangeable lens 3 to the camera body 2 includes data indicating the model name information of the interchangeable lens 3, data indicating the movement state of movable parts within the interchangeable lens 3, data regarding optical characteristics such as the focal length of the interchangeable lens 3, and the like. The receiving device (interchangeable lens 3 or camera body 2) can determine whether or not a communication error has occurred by checking whether the data for checking a communication error contained in data packets 406, 407 matches the value calculated from the received data packets 406, 407. When the transmission and reception of the data packets 406, 407 is completed, the first lens side communication unit 340a sets the RDY signal to H level, and the lens side control unit 330 starts the second control process 408 based on the data packets 406, 407 (t24).

[0033] (Explanation of the first and second control processes) Next, an example of the first control process 404 and the second control process 408 of the command data communication will be described. For example, it is assumed that the command packet 402 includes an instruction to drive the focusing lens 361a. As a first control process 404, the lens side control unit 330 generates a data packet 407 indicating that the instruction to drive the focusing lens 361a has been received.

[0034] Next, as second control process 408, the lens side control unit 330 issues an instruction to the lens driving unit 370a to move the focusing lens 361a by the movement amount indicated by the data packet 406. This starts movement of the focusing lens 361a in the direction of the optical axis O. When the lens side control unit 330 issues an instruction to move the focusing lens 361a to the lens driving unit 370a, the lens side first communication unit 340a sets the RDY signal to L level (t25) as completing the second control process 408.

[0035] Also, for example, it is assumed that the command packet 402 includes an instruction to start hotline communication. As a first control process 404, the lens side control unit 330 generates a data packet 407 indicating that the instruction to start hotline communication has been received. Next, as a second control process 408, the lens side control unit 330 causes the lens side second communication unit 340b to start hotline communication. When the lens side first communication unit 340a starts hotline communication, it sets the RDY signal to L level (t25) as the second control process 408 being completed.

[0036] <Hotline communication explanation> Next, hotline communication will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 illustrates the timing of the HCLK signal and the HDATA signal. In one hotline communication, one HDATA signal 503 is transmitted from the interchangeable lens 3 to the camera body 2 in synchronization with one HCLK signal 502.

[0037] In the camera system 1 according to this embodiment, matters related to hotline communication are determined in advance between the interchangeable lens 3 and the camera body 2 before transmitting and receiving a hotline communication start instruction. Matters related to hotline communication include, for example, the data length (number of bytes) of the HDATA signal transmitted in one hotline communication, the data and its order to be included in the HDATA signal, the clock frequency and period (Tinterval in FIG. 5) of the HCLK signal, and the communication time in one period (Ttransmit in FIG. 5). In this embodiment, the frequency of the HCLK signal is 2.5 MHz, the data length of one hotline communication is longer than the command packet 402, the period of one hotline communication is 1 millisecond, and the communication time in one period is less than 75% of the transmission interval, but is not limited to these. Note that one hotline communication refers to data transmission performed in one period of hotline communication, and is different from the period from the hotline communication start instruction to the hotline communication end instruction by command data communication from the camera body 2.

[0038] First, the operation of the lens-side second communication unit 340b in hotline communication will be described. When an instruction to start hotline communication is received by command data communication before time t31, the lens-side second communication unit 340b starts outputting an HCLK signal to the camera body 2 (t31). The HCLK signal is periodically output from the interchangeable lens 3, and is shown as HCLK signals 502, 502', ... in Fig. 5.

[0039] The lens-side second communication unit 340b outputs an HDATA signal in synchronization with the HCLK signal. The HDATA signal is indicated by switching between H level and L level. One HDATA signal has a predetermined data length, and is indicated in FIG. 5 as N bytes each including 8 bits D0 to D7. One HDATA signal may include an unused bit area or an unused byte area to make it a fixed length. A predetermined initial value is input to the unused bit area or the unused byte area. The HDATA signal is output from the interchangeable lens 3 periodically in synchronization with the HCLK signals 502, 502', ..., and is indicated in FIG. 5 as HDATA signals 503, 503', .... When the second lens side communication unit 340b completes transmission of the HDATA signal (t32), it stops outputting the HCLK signal until time t34 when it starts transmitting the next HDATA signal. The period from time t31 to t32 is considered to be one hotline communication, and the period from time t31 to t34 is considered to be one cycle of the hotline communication. The second lens side communication unit 340b starts the second hotline communication from time t34. The second lens side communication section 340b continues the hotline communication periodically until an instruction to end the hotline communication is transmitted from the camera body 2 by command data communication.

[0040] The lens side second communication unit 340b transmits HDATA signals 503, 503', ... to the body side second communication unit 240b via a built-in serial communication unit. The lens side second communication unit 340b efficiently transfers data stored in a data area of ​​a memory (not shown) as an HDATA signal, for example, using a DMA (Direct Memory Access) function. The DMA function is a function that automatically accesses data in the memory without the intervention of a CPU.

[0041] Next, the operation of the body side second communication unit 240b in hotline communication will be described. In this embodiment, when the initialization process at power-on is completed, or when the body side second communication unit 240b determines to transmit a hotline communication start instruction by command data communication, it makes the HDATA(B) terminal and the HCLK(B) terminal wait in a receiving state.

[0042] When the second body-side communication unit 240b completes reception of a predetermined length of data (t32) within a predetermined time Terror0 from the start time t31 (time t33) after the interchangeable lens 3 starts transmitting the HDATA signal, the second body-side communication unit 240b determines that the communication was successful and determines that the data was received. The predetermined time Terror0 is a time that allows for a margin in the communication time Ttransmit in one cycle, and is, for example, 80% of one cycle. After receiving one HDATA signal, the second body-side communication unit 240b keeps the HDATA(B) terminal and the HCLK(B) terminal in a waiting state for reception, and starts receiving the next HDATA signal when one cycle has elapsed since time t31 (t34).

[0043] If the body side second communication unit 240b does not complete reception of a specified length of data within a specified time Terror0 after the lens side second communication unit 340b starts transmitting the HDATA signal, the body side second communication unit 240b discards the received data, assuming that communication was not successful (a communication error). In hotline communication, it is preferable that the communication time (Ttransmit) in one period does not exceed 75% so that communication error processing can be performed between each period (between time t33 and t34), but this is not limited.

[0044] <Hotline Data> The hotline data 90 includes information (position information) relating to the positions of movable members inside the interchangeable lens 3, and information used to control the movement of the movable members. This information is expressed in the form of numerical values ​​or identifiers by the lens side control unit 330, the lens side second communication unit 340b, etc., and is included in the hotline data 90. Since the hot run data 90 transmitted in one hot line communication includes at least one each of position information and information used for movement control, the camera body 2 can acquire the position information and the information used for movement control in one hot line communication. Here, for example, when position information and information used for movement control are received in separate communications, it is necessary to match the timing at which the position information is created in the camera body 2 with the timing at which the information used for movement control is created. However, according to this embodiment, since multiple pieces of information are sent in one hot line communication, the camera body 2 can easily take multiple pieces of information into account.

[0045] The hotline data 90 includes, for example, first data 91 related to the focusing lens 361a. In this embodiment, information related to the focusing lens 361a as a moving member is included in the hotline data 90, but information related to other moving members may be included. Also, information related to a plurality of moving members (for example, information related to the focusing lens 361a and information related to the aperture 362) may be included in one hotline data 90.

[0046] (Explanation of the first data 91) FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating information included in the first data 91. As shown in FIG. The first data 91 includes data 91a on the position of the focusing lens 361a as position information. The first data 91 includes at least one of the following information used for the movement control of the focusing lens 361a: data 91b on the reliability of the data 91a, data 91c on the movement state of the focusing lens 361a, data 91d on whether the focusing lens 361a is in the designed position, data 91e on the operation state of the operation member, and data 91f on the operation status with respect to the focusing drive instruction. Here, the movement control of the focusing lens 361a is focus drive control, etc., and the information used for the movement control of the focusing lens 361a is information that can be taken into consideration when the focus drive instruction is created by the camera body 2. The information used for the movement control of the focusing lens 361a may be information that can affect the result of the automatic focus adjustment, regardless of whether it is actually taken into consideration by the camera body 2.

[0047] The data 91a includes a numerical value representing position information of the focusing lens 361a in the direction of the optical axis O detected by the lens driving unit 370a. The position information may be an absolute position of the focusing lens 361a in the direction of the optical axis O, a relative position such as the amount of movement of the focusing lens 361a in the direction of the optical axis O, or a shooting distance determined from the position of the focusing lens 361a. The data 91a may include a value representing the current position of the focusing lens 361a, for example, by associating values ​​from 0 to 255 with each position of the focusing lens 361a from infinity to the closest end at each focal length. The data 91a may also be represented by the number of pulses output from the lens driving unit 370a, which is preferable because it makes it easier to create the data 91a. Furthermore, when the focal position of the imaging optical system 360 is adjusted by using a plurality of focusing lenses 363, 364, the data 91a may be one piece of position information selected from the plurality of focusing lenses 363, 364, or may be one piece of virtual lens position information taking into account the positions of the plurality of focusing lenses 363, 364. Even when a plurality of focusing lenses 363, 364 are provided, the data length of the hotline data 90 can be fixed regardless of the number of focusing lenses by using one piece of position information (data 91a) of a moving member. Therefore, there is an advantage that there is no need to transmit the number of focusing lenses 363, 364 to the camera body 2 in order to determine the data length of the hotline data 90.

[0048] The data 91c relates to the movement state of the focusing lens 361a, and is expressed by an identifier indicating whether the focusing lens 361a is moving, an identifier indicating whether the focusing lens 361a is in a state where it can be moved, an identifier indicating the movement direction of the focusing lens 361a, etc.

[0049] The data 91d includes, for example, an identifier indicating whether the focusing lens 361a is in a designed position, and an identifier indicating whether the focusing lens 361a is moving along a movement trajectory in which speed is prioritized over a designed movement trajectory (movement trajectory when optical performance is prioritized). The designed position of the focusing lens 361 is, for example, a position in the optical axis O direction that is uniquely determined from the focal length and shooting distance. In general, the interchangeable lens 3 is designed to set the position of the focusing lens 361a in the optical axis O direction according to the focal length and shooting distance to achieve desired optical performance. However, when the moving speed of the focusing lens 361a is prioritized over optical performance, such as in zoom tracking or initialization operation, the focusing lens 361a may move via a position different from the originally set position, resulting in a movement trajectory different from the designed movement trajectory. In that case, when the focusing lens 361a is not within the designed movement range (for example, the area below the L0 curve in the graph of FIG. 7), the optical performance of the interchangeable lens 3 may be degraded. In this embodiment, during zoom tracking, an identifier indicating that the focusing lens 361a is not in the designed position is selected to facilitate the selection of the identifier, but this is not limited to the above. The interchangeable lens 3 can transmit whether or not the focusing lens 361a is in the designed position via hotline communication, and the camera body 2 can perform processing that takes into account the fact that the focusing lens 361a is not in the designed position, i.e., the possibility of a decrease in optical performance.

[0050] The data 91b includes an identifier indicating whether the data 91a, which is location information, is valid or not. The body side control unit 230 can know the reliability of the data 91a (location information) from the data 91b. In addition, when the focal position is adjusted by a plurality of focusing lenses 363, 364, if the relative positions of the focusing lenses 363, 364 in the direction of the optical axis O differ from the designed positions, the lens side control unit 330 cannot define the shooting distance, and the reliability of the data 91a decreases. That is, in FIG. 2, when the zoom operation is performed from the focal length W to the focal length T via the focal length M, the moving trajectory of the focusing lens 363 when the optical performance is prioritized coincides with the moving trajectory when the speed is prioritized, so the focusing lens 363 moves from P(0,W) to P(0,T) via P(0,M), and the numerical value indicating the position in the direction of the optical axis O remains unchanged at 0. On the other hand, when the moving trajectory of the focusing lens 364 when the optical performance is prioritized does not coincide with the moving trajectory when the speed is prioritized, and the focusing lens 364 moves with the speed priority such as zoom tracking, the focusing lens 364 moves from P'(0,W) to P'(0,T) via P'(191,M), and the numerical value indicating the position in the direction of the optical axis O changes from 0 to 191, etc. Then, the numerical values ​​indicating the positions in the direction of the optical axis O of the focusing lens 363 and the focusing lens 364 do not match, and the shooting distance cannot be defined. In such a case, the lens side control unit 330 determines the data 91a as the upper and lower limit values ​​of the limited range, sets the data 91d as an identifier indicating that zoom tracking is in progress, and sets the data 91b as an identifier indicating that position information is invalid. In this embodiment, when multiple focusing lenses 363, 364 are provided, the identifier indicating that position information is invalid is uniformly selected from the data 91b during zoom tracking to facilitate the selection of the identifier, but this is not limited thereto.

[0051] The data 91e relates to the operational state of an operating member such as the zoom operation ring 375. The operational state of the operating member is represented by an identifier indicating whether the operating member is being operated, an identifier indicating the operating direction of the operating member, an identifier indicating the operating speed of the operating member, and the like. When the zoom operation ring 375 is rotated to perform a zoom operation, the lens side control unit 330 selects an identifier indicating that the operating member is being operated and an identifier indicating the operating direction in the data 91e, and recognizes that the zoom lens 361c has been moved in the direction of the optical axis O and the focal length of the imaging optical system 360 has changed. The data 91e selected by the lens side control unit 330 is transmitted by hotline communication, and the focal length recognized by the lens side control unit 330 is also transmitted by command data communication based on a transmission instruction from the camera body 2. When the body side control unit 230 repeatedly receives the focal length of the imaging optical system 360 through command data communication, if the body side control unit 230 receives an identifier indicating that the zoom operation ring 375 is being operated in the hotline communication data 91e between each command data communication, the body side control unit 230 may change the focal length (focal length values ​​0 to 5 in FIG. 7) recognized by the body side control unit 230, taking into consideration the identifier indicating the operation direction of the operation member contained in the data 91e. In this way, since the body side control unit 230 also recognizes the change in focal length through hotline communication, it is possible to, for example, make the focal length table referred to when creating a focus drive instruction appropriate, thereby improving the accuracy of various controls. Here, when performing a zoom operation, it is necessary to perform so-called zoom tracking in order to change the focal length without changing the shooting distance. FIG. 7 shows the relationship between the focal length (wide corresponds to 0, and tele corresponds to 5), the shooting distance (infinity corresponds to L0, and close corresponds to L4), and the position (design value) of the focusing lens 361a in the direction of the optical axis O. The lens side storage unit 350 stores a table showing the relationship between the shooting distance and the position of the focusing lens 361a in the direction of the optical axis O for each focal length of 0 to 5. In this embodiment, the position of the focusing lens 361a in the direction of the optical axis O is expressed by a numerical value corresponding to the number of pulses of the lens driving unit 370a. For example, if the focusing lens 361a is at P(0,1) in FIG. 7 before the zoom operation, the lens driving unit 370a must move the focusing lens 361a to positions such as P(0,2), P(0,3), ... in FIG. 7 by zoom tracking. In this way, when a zoom operation is performed, zoom tracking must be performed, and there is a possibility that the focusing lens 361a is moved with priority given to speed during zoom tracking. In that case, for example, if the focusing lens 361a is moved to pass along the straight line connecting P(0,1) and P(0,5) in Fig. 7, it may not pass through the designed position on the curve L0, and the optical performance of the imaging optical system 360 may deteriorate. However, according to this embodiment, the camera body 2 recognizes that a zoom operation is being performed through hotline communication, and can recognize that the focusing lens 361a may not be in the designed position.

[0052] The data 91f is expressed by an identifier indicating whether the interchangeable lens 3 is executing a drive instruction, an identifier indicating whether the interchangeable lens 3 is in a state capable of receiving a drive instruction, an identifier indicating whether the interchangeable lens 3 has completed execution of a drive instruction, and the like, with respect to the operating status in response to a focusing drive instruction. In this embodiment, an identifier indicating a state in which a drive instruction cannot be executed and reception is not possible is selected during zoom tracking, but this is not limited to this. According to this embodiment, the camera body 2 can recognize that a drive instruction has been executed by hotline communication at a fast cycle, and can perform processing after the execution is completed quickly. For example, in the case of a focus drive instruction, the processing after the execution is completed includes a process of notifying the user that the subject is in focus after the drive instruction, and the user can quickly recognize that the subject is in focus and prevent missing a shutter opportunity. Furthermore, an ID number or the like for recognizing a drive instruction transmitted by the camera body 2 may be included in the data 91. When the interchangeable lens 3 is drive-controlled based on a drive instruction from the camera body 2, an ID number or the like included in the command packet 402 of that drive instruction may be included in the data 91. Even when the same type of drive instruction, such as a focus drive instruction, is periodically transmitted from the camera body 2, it is possible to transmit to the camera body 2 information about the timing of the output drive instruction based on which the interchangeable lens 3 is operating.

[0053] <Auto focus adjustment explanation> An example of automatic focus adjustment with zoom tracking will be described below with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a timing chart showing an example of the timing of automatic focus adjustment. Fig. 8 shows an example in which the operation of capturing an image for monitoring, called a live view image, is repeated at a frame rate of, for example, 1 / 60 seconds. 8, hotline communication is started, and hotline data 90 is periodically transmitted from the interchangeable lens 3 to the camera body 2 at times t61, t62, .... Also, at time t61 in FIG. 8, the interchangeable lens 3 is executing a focus drive instruction of operation ID2, and the zoom ring 375 is operated by the user. From time t61, the zoom ring 375 continues to be rotated, changing the shooting distance, and at times t65 and t71, an operation signal for the zoom ring 375 is output, changing the focal length recognized by the lens side control unit 330 in a stepped manner. Also, in FIG. 8, the distance between the subject and the camera body 2 does not change, and the position of the focusing lens 361a in the optical axis O direction is adjusted by zoom tracking associated with the operation of the zoom ring 375. In addition, in FIG. 8, the position information of data 91a is expressed by a numerical value ranging from 0 at the close end to 255 at the infinity end. Therefore, immediately after time t65 (time t65') when the focal length recognized by the lens side control unit 330 changes in a stepped manner, the numerical value of data 91a changes significantly even if the position of focusing lens 361a in the direction of optical axis O has not changed.

[0054] The reason why the data 91a changes at time t65' in Fig. 8 will be described below with reference to Fig. 7. In Fig. 7, values ​​from 0 to 255 are assigned to each position of the focusing lens 361a from infinity to the closest end at each focal length to indicate the position in the optical axis O direction of the focusing lens 361a. Therefore, the numerical value included in the data 91a is 0 at P(0,0), P(0,1), ..., P(0,5) in Fig. 7. Similarly, the numerical value included in the data 91a is 255 at P(4,0), P(4,1), ..., P(4,5) in Fig. 7. 7 at a focal length of 2 and an imaging distance of L0, the value of data 91a as position information of the focusing lens 361a is 0. Therefore, the value of data 91a is 0 until time t64. Next, if the focal length changes to 1 at time t65 without changing the position of the focusing lens 361a, the value of the data 91a changes from 0, which corresponds to P(0,2) in FIG. 7, to 63, which corresponds to P(1,1), due to a change in the table to be referenced, and the numerical value of the data 91a transmitted at time t65' changes suddenly. That is, the lens side control unit 330 recognizes that the shooting distance has changed to L1 by referring to the table for focal length 1. Then, the lens side control unit 330 moves the focusing lens 361a to P(0,1), where the value of the data 91a corresponds to 0, in order to return the shooting distance to L0 before the zoom operation by zoom tracking. Zoom tracking is performed between times t65' and t66, and the value of the data 91a changes from 63 to 0. Furthermore, the greater the discrepancy between the period of hotline communication and the timing of command data communication, the greater the discrepancy between the timing (t65) of transmitting data 91e indicating the detection of a zoom operation and the timing (t65') of the start of zoom tracking. However, in the case of this embodiment, in addition to data 91d and data 91a indicating the start of zoom tracking, data 91e can also be transmitted, so that the camera body 2 can recognize the zoom tracking operation with greater accuracy.

[0055] The signal processing unit 270 generates a live view image by performing a predetermined image processing on the imaging pixel signals output from the imaging element 260 each time an accumulation is completed. In addition, the signal processing unit 270 calculates a defocus amount based on the focus detection pixel signals output from the imaging element 260 each time an accumulation is completed, and outputs the calculated defocus amount to the second calculation unit 232. The first calculation unit 231 of the body side control unit 230 calculates the position of the focusing lens 361a based on the hotline data 90 transmitted by hotline communication, and outputs it to the second calculation unit 232. The second calculation unit 232 calculates the driving amount of the focusing lens 361a based on the input defocus amount and the position (current position) of the focusing lens 361a. Here, in this embodiment, when calculating the drive amount based on the focus detection pixel signals output during accumulation up to time t63, at least one piece of position information of the focusing lens 361a transmitted by hotline communication indicated by times t61, t62, ... included in the accumulation time is used. In this way, the drive amount of the focusing lens 361a can be calculated using the position information of the focusing lens 361a at the times included in the accumulation time, improving the accuracy of focus adjustment. The body side control unit 230 transmits the drive amount based on the focus detection pixel signals output during accumulation up to time t63 and the hotline data 90 between times t61 and t63 as a focus drive instruction of operation ID4 in command data communication at time t64. Next, when calculating the drive amount based on the focus detection pixel signals output during accumulation between times t63 and t64, at least one piece of position information of the focusing lens 361a transmitted by hotline communication indicated by times t61, t62, ... included in the accumulation time is used. Furthermore, when the body side control unit 230 receives data 91e indicating that the zoom operation ring 375 is operated by hotline communication between the end of accumulation and the completion of calculation (for example, time t65), the body side control unit 230 changes the focal length table of the imaging optical system 360 to be referenced, taking into consideration the identifier of the operation direction of the zoom operation ring 375 included in the data 91e. Therefore, after time t65, the body side control unit 230 can calculate the drive amount according to the changed focal length table, and can improve the accuracy of the next focus drive instruction. According to this embodiment, as shown at times t63, t64, t67, t68, t70, and t73, the body side control unit 230 sends a focus drive instruction with an operation ID attached for each accumulation. The interchangeable lens 3 starts driving the focusing lens 361a based on the focus drive instruction with the new operation ID, and sends the operation ID being executed by hotline communication. Although not shown in FIG. 8, the camera body 2 may perform command data communication for each accumulation to obtain information such as the focal length required for focus detection processing from the interchangeable lens 3. Also, the operation ID and operation status may be sent to the camera body 2 by both command data communication and hotline communication.

[0056] When an operation signal of the zoom operation ring 375 is output at time t65, the lens side control unit 330 changes the identifier of data 91e and transmits to the camera body 2 via hotline communication that a zoom operation has been performed. Moreover, from times t65' to t66 during zoom tracking, the lens side control unit 330 changes the identifier of data 91d, and transmits to the camera body 2 via hotline communication that zoom tracking is in progress. Moreover, from times t65 to t66 after the zoom operation is detected until zoom tracking ends, the lens side control unit 330 changes the identifier of data 91f, and transmits to the camera body 2 via hotline communication that a focus drive instruction cannot be executed. When calculating the driving amount of the focusing lens 361a based on the focus detection pixel signals accumulated from time t64 to t67, the body side control unit 230 may calculate the driving amount without using the position information (data 91a) of the hotline data 90 including the data 91d indicating that zoom tracking is in progress or the data 91f indicating that the focus drive instruction cannot be executed. That is, the body side control unit 230 may calculate the driving amount using highly reliable position information transmitted between times t64 to t65 and t66 to t67. Alternatively, the body side control unit 230 may output to the interchangeable lens 3 a focus drive instruction based on the focus detection pixel signals accumulated from time t64 to t67, with information indicating that the focus drive instruction was created from less reliable position information ("Inappropriate" in FIG. 8). In this case, the interchangeable lens 3 may discard the received focus drive instruction, and indicate that the operation ID has been completed at time t69 while leaving the operation ID as the previous operation ID5. Furthermore, if hotline data with unreliable position information is included between times t64 and t67 when focus detection pixel signals are accumulated, the body side control unit 230 may be configured not to output a focus drive instruction at the timing of next command data communication.

[0057] Generally, in the automatic focus adjustment process, when zoom tracking is performed during accumulation, the position of the focusing lens 361a changes, and the accuracy of the calculation result of the drive amount may decrease. However, according to this embodiment, since the hotline data 90 includes information on the reliability of the position information, the camera body 2 can take appropriate measures, such as not using unreliable position information when calculating the drive amount, not outputting a focus drive instruction based on the focus detection pixel signal accumulated when hotline data 90 indicating a decrease in reliability is received, and outputting a focus drive instruction with information indicating that the focus drive instruction was created based on the focus detection pixel signal accumulated when hotline data 90 indicating a decrease in reliability is received.

[0058] According to the above-described embodiment, the following advantageous effects can be obtained. The camera body 2 receives position information of the movable member and the movement state or reliability of the position information of the movable member via hotline communication, so that movement control of the movable member can be easily performed by taking into account at least one of the movement state or reliability. The camera body 2 can determine whether or not to send instructions to the interchangeable lens 3 through command data communication based on at least one of its moving state and reliability, making it easier to determine whether or not instructions are necessary to the interchangeable lens 3 and also preventing the sending of unnecessary instructions, thereby reducing the burden on communication processing. Since the camera body 2 receives position information of the focusing lens 361a and the moving state or reliability of the position information of the focusing lens 361a each time via hotline communication, it can easily create instructions regarding the drive of the focusing lens 361a. The camera body 2 receives information about a zoom operation via hotline communication, and is therefore able to recognize the zoom operation at an earlier timing than command data communication, and is able to recognize the position of the focus lens 361a according to the focal length after the zoom operation, thereby improving the accuracy of focus drive instructions. The camera body 2 can create instructions to the interchangeable lens 3 using position information with a certain level of reliability or higher from among the hotline data 90 received during accumulation, so the accuracy of instructions to the interchangeable lens 3 can be improved. The camera body 2 can also add the moving state or reliability contained in the hotline data 90 received during accumulation to instructions to the interchangeable lens 3 and send them. The interchangeable lens 3 can execute instructions (or discard instructions) taking into account the moving state or reliability. Therefore, at least one of the camera body 2 and the interchangeable lens 3 can perform control taking into account the moving state or reliability, and the difference in processing load between the interchangeable lens 3 and the camera body 2 can be reduced. When an instruction from the camera body 2 includes information indicating that a moving member is moving, the interchangeable lens 3 can also correct the amount of movement of the focusing lens 361a by referring to a table corresponding to the latest focal length, for example.

[0059] The interchangeable lens 3 periodically transmits information regarding the position of the movable member and information used to control the movement of the movable member to the camera body 2 via an independent communication system, thereby improving the accuracy of the movement control performed by the camera body 2.

[0060] The interchangeable lens 3 transmits the reliability of the position information to the camera body 2 together with the position information as information used for movement control, so the camera body 2 can easily consider the reliability of the position information. Furthermore, the interchangeable lens 3 expresses the reliability of the position information with an identifier indicating whether the position information is valid or invalid, so that the interchangeable lens 3 can easily select an identifier and the camera body 2 can easily recognize the reliability of the position information. Furthermore, the interchangeable lens 3 can express the possibility of deterioration of the optical performance of the imaging optical system 360 with an identifier and easily transmit this to the camera body 2 by hotline communication. The camera body 2 can take into consideration the information used for movement control of the movable member together with the position information and take measures such as not using unreliable position information or indicating that the drive instruction signal was created from unreliable position information.

[0061] The interchangeable lens 3 can include multiple types of information other than position information in the hotline data 90, and can appropriately select the number and type of information that can be notified to the camera body 2 by hotline communication. Because the camera body 2 can receive multiple pieces of information in one hotline communication, there is no need to consider the timing of obtaining each piece of information, as opposed to receiving multiple pieces of information through multiple communications, making movement control easy.

[0062] The interchangeable lens 3 outputs the HCLK signal for hotline communication together with the HDATA signal, and therefore can take the lead in hotline communication. Also, the camera body 2 outputs the CLK signal for command data communication together with the DATAB signal, and therefore can take the lead in command data communication. Therefore, the camera body 2 and the interchangeable lens 3 can each take the lead in two independent communication systems.

[0063] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned contents. Other embodiments conceivable within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention are also included within the scope of the present invention.

[0064] (Variation 1) In the above description, an example has been described in which the DMA function is used in hotline communication. Instead of using the DMA function, the hotline data 90 may be generated through the intervention of a CPU. In the first modification, the transmission of the HDATA signal is performed by the lens-side second communication unit 340b, and the generation of the hotline data 90 is performed by the lens-side control unit 330. By configuring in this manner, the hotline communication and the generation of the hotline data 90 can be performed in parallel without using the DMA function. However, the generation of the hotline data 90 is performed in a period not exceeding one cycle of the hotline communication.

[0065] (Variation 2) In the above example of hotline communication, the data transfer direction of clock synchronous communication using only two signal lines, the HCLK signal line and the HDATA signal line, is unidirectional, from the interchangeable lens 3 to the camera body 2, but one more signal line may be added to enable bidirectional data transfer. Alternatively, the input and output of the HDATA signal line may be configured to be switchable, allowing bidirectional data communication.

[0066] The hotline communication is not limited to clock synchronous communication, and UART (Asynchronous Communication) may be used. In addition to the clock signal line and the data signal line, a handshake signal line or a CS (chip select) signal line may be added so that the lens side control unit 330 and the body side control unit 230 can be configured to synchronize the timing of starting communication.

[0067] (Variation 3) In the above embodiment, the data 91d is described as including an identifier indicating whether zoom tracking is in progress or not and an identifier indicating that movement is being prioritized over speed, but this is not limited to the above. Other examples of when the focusing lens 361a is not in the designed position include when the lens driving unit 370a is being initialized, when an error has occurred in the interchangeable lens 3, when the focusing lens 361a is being driven for a reason other than focus adjustment, etc.

[0068] (Variation 4) In the above embodiment, the data 91b has been described as including an identifier indicating that the camera is equipped with multiple focusing lenses 363, 364 and is unreliable during zoom tracking, but this is not limited to the above. The data 91b may include a numerical value corresponding to the reliability of the data 91a, or may include an identifier indicating whether the position information of one focusing lens is valid or invalid. Furthermore, the lens side control unit 330 is not limited to the number of focusing lenses, and may include an identifier indicating "invalid" in the data 91d when the information corresponding to the shooting distance (indicated by a numerical value from 0 to 255 in this embodiment) cannot be determined.

[0069] (Variation 5) If the predetermined number of data 91b includes an identifier indicating "invalid", the camera body 2 may reduce the amount of calculation processing by not calculating the defocus amount or the drive amount. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1... camera system, 2... camera body, 3... interchangeable lens, 90... hotline data, 91... data, 230... body side control unit, 235... storage unit, 240... body side communication unit, 270... signal processing unit, 330... lens side control unit, 340... lens side communication unit, 350... lens side storage unit, 360... imaging optical system, 370... lens driving unit, 375... zoom operation ring

Claims

1. A camera body to which an interchangeable lens having a focus lens can be attached and detached, an imaging unit that captures a subject image formed on an imaging surface by an optical system of the interchangeable lens; an input unit to which data relating to the position of the focus lens and an identifier indicating reliability of the data are input; a generation unit that generates an instruction for driving the focus lens by using at least the data input to the input unit and information regarding a deviation between the imaging surface and an imaging position of the optical system; a first communication unit that performs first communication with the interchangeable lens and transmits the instruction to the interchangeable lens; a second communication unit that performs second communication with the interchangeable lens, the second communication being different from the first communication and having a shorter cycle than the first communication, and receives the data and the identifier from the interchangeable lens; a control unit that independently controls the first communication by the first communication unit and the second communication by the second communication unit; Equipped with The second communication unit receives the data and the identifier a plurality of times during one imaging by the imaging unit, the creation unit creates the instruction using at least one of the data received during one imaging session; the creation unit creates the instruction by using the data of the identifier indicating that the identifier is reliable, and creates the instruction without using the data of the identifier indicating that the identifier is unreliable. Camera body.

2. the clock signal of the first communication is output from the camera body to the interchangeable lens, the clock signal of the second communication is output from the interchangeable lens to the camera body, The camera body according to claim 1 , wherein the data and the identifier are repeatedly input to the input section in synchronization with the clock signal of the second communication.

3. a start instruction and an end instruction of the second communication are transmitted to the interchangeable lens by the first communication, The camera body according to claim 1 , wherein the data and the identifier are input to the input section by performing the second communication.

4. The terminal used for the first communication is different from the terminal used for the second communication, 4. A camera body according to claim 1, wherein while the instruction is being sent to the interchangeable lens in the first communication, the data and the identifier can be received from the interchangeable lens in the second communication.

5. The camera body according to claim 1 , wherein the identifier indicates whether the data is reliable or not.

6. the first communication unit transmits, to the interchangeable lens, information indicating that the instruction has been created based on the data with low reliability attached to the instruction; 6. A camera body according to claim 1.

7. The input unit receives a moving state of the focus lens, the movement state indicates whether or not the focus lens is moving, the creation unit creates the instruction based on a focal length of the optical system that has changed due to the movement of the focus lens when the movement state indicates that the focus lens has moved.

7. A camera body according to claim 1.

8. The creation unit creates the instruction so as to include information based on the reliability.

8. A camera body according to claim 1.

9. A camera system comprising the camera body according to claim 1 and the interchangeable lens.

Images