Interchangeable lens, camera system, and information transmission method

Abstract

To provide an exchangeable lens that realizes a desirable imaging of a camera body having an imaging element movable to correct a blur.SOLUTION: An exchangeable lens 3 of the present invention is an exchangeable lens 3 that can be attached to a camera body 1 having an imaging element 11. The exchangeable lens 3 includes: a storage unit 45 for storing range information for a first parameter on the setting of the exchangeable lens 3 and a second parameter on the setting of the camera body 1; and a transmission unit 45 for sending the range information selected on the basis of the first parameter and corresponding to the second parameters.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an interchangeable lens, a camera body, a camera system, and an information transmission method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are camera bodies that perform shake correction by moving an image sensor provided inside the camera body so as to offset camera shake (see Patent Document 1). If the image sensor is moved significantly, the image will deteriorate. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-274242 A Summary of the Invention

[0004] The interchangeable lens of the present invention is an interchangeable lens that can be attached to a camera body having an image sensor, and is configured to include a memory unit that stores range information corresponding to a first parameter related to the settings of the interchangeable lens and a second parameter related to the settings of the camera body, and a transmission unit that transmits a plurality of pieces of range information selected based on the first parameter and corresponding to a plurality of the second parameters.

[0005] In addition, the camera body of the present invention is a camera body to which an interchangeable lens can be attached, and is configured to include a receiving unit that periodically receives multiple pieces of range information corresponding to multiple second parameters, a setting unit that performs settings related to the second parameters, and a control unit that performs control using range information selected from the received range information based on the setting of the second parameters.

[0006] Furthermore, the camera system of the present invention is a camera system having an interchangeable lens and a camera body, wherein the interchangeable lens comprises a memory unit that stores range information corresponding to a first parameter and a second parameter, a detection unit that detects a value related to the first parameter, and a transmission unit that periodically transmits to the camera body a plurality of pieces of range information selected from the range information based on the first parameter and corresponding to a plurality of the second parameters, and the camera body comprises a receiving unit that periodically receives a plurality of pieces of range information corresponding to a plurality of the second parameters, a setting unit that performs settings related to the second parameter, and a control unit that performs control using the range information selected from the received range information based on the setting of the second parameter.

[0007] Furthermore, the information transmission method of the present invention is an information transmission method for an interchangeable lens, which is configured to store information corresponding to a first parameter and a second parameter, and to transmit a plurality of pieces of the information corresponding to a plurality of the second parameters that are selected for the first parameter and not selected for the second parameter. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a camera system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining an image circle and the permitted driving range of an imaging element, in which (a) shows a state in which the imaging element is not driven, and (b) shows a state in which the imaging element 11 has been driven and the center has shifted. [Diagram 3] 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating information on a drive permission range of an image sensor held by an interchangeable lens. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a camera system according to a second embodiment. [Diagram 5] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating information on the permissible drive range when the focal length is different in each mode. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a camera system according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] (First embodiment) Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings etc. Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a camera system 100 of a first embodiment, which comprises a camera body 1 and an interchangeable lens 3. In the first embodiment, both the camera body 1 and the interchangeable lens 3 have a shake correction mechanism. In this embodiment, a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system is set as shown in the figure. Specifically, when the photographer takes a landscape image with the Z axis (in FIG. 1, the direction parallel to the optical axis of the interchangeable lens 3) horizontal, the direction toward the left side as seen from the photographer at the position of the camera body 1 is the X-plus direction, and the axis perpendicular to the Z axis and the X axis in the plane perpendicular to the Z axis is the Y-axis. The rotation direction around the Z axis is the roll direction, the rotation direction around the Y axis is the yaw direction, and the rotation direction around the X axis is the pitch direction.

[0010] (Camera system 100) The camera system 100 includes a camera body 1 and an interchangeable lens 3 that is detachably attached to the camera body 1.

[0011] (Camera body 1) The camera body 1 includes an image sensor 11, an element drive unit 12 that drives the image sensor 11 within the XY plane, an element position detection unit 13 that detects the position of the image sensor 11, a recording medium 14, a release switch 15, a mode setting unit 16, a display unit 17, a shake detection sensor 18, a body side transceiver unit 19 for communicating with the interchangeable lens 3, and a body CPU 20.

[0012] The body CPU 20 includes an imaging control unit 21 that controls imaging by the image sensor 11, an image signal processing unit 22 that processes image data captured by the image sensor 11, and a focus detection unit 23 that detects the focus state from the image data captured by the image sensor 11. The body CPU 20 also includes a sensor signal processing unit 24 that processes the signal of the shake detection sensor 18, a target position calculation unit 25 that calculates a target position of the image sensor 11 from the shake signal processed by the sensor signal processing unit 24, and an element drive amount calculation unit 26 that calculates the drive amount of the image sensor within a drive allowable range, which will be described later, based on the target position calculated by the target position calculation unit 25.

[0013] The release switch 15 is a member for performing photographing operations of the camera system 100, and is a switch with which the photographer operates the timing of the photographing operation, etc.

[0014] The shooting control unit 21 controls shooting of the image sensor 11 by pressing the release switch 15. There are two types of pressing of the release switch 15: half pressing, where the release switch 15 is pressed halfway down, and full pressing, where the release switch 15 is pressed all the way down, and the camera system 100 performs a focusing operation when the switch is half pressed, and a shooting operation when the switch is fully pressed. It is also possible to perform both the focusing operation and the shooting operation in one operation without pressing the switch halfway and full pressing.

[0015] The mode setting section 16 is an operation section operated by the photographer, and allows the photographer to select either a still image shooting mode or a moving image shooting mode. Furthermore, the mode setting unit 16 can select one of three drive modes that differ in drive control during image blur correction of the image sensor 11, which will be described later. The three drive modes are "normal mode," "active mode," and "sports mode."

[0016] "Normal mode" is a drive mode that performs the normal type of shake correction that can be used regularly. It is particularly suitable for situations such as when the photographer takes a picture while standing still. "Pre-exposure centering" of the image sensor 11, which will be described later, is performed during shooting. In "normal mode," the range over which the image sensor 11 moves to correct shake (called the "element shake correction range") is set to "large," and during shake correction the image sensor 11 can move over a wider range than when the "sports mode," which will be described later, is set.

[0017] "Active mode" is a drive mode that performs blur correction suitable for shooting while walking or while riding in a vehicle. "Active mode" is suitable for shooting when the photographer is moving and not standing still (shooting without stopping). When shooting, "pre-exposure centering" is performed, just like in "normal mode". Even in "active mode," the element blur correction range in which the image sensor 11 moves to correct blur is set to "large."

[0018] "Sports mode" is a drive mode that performs optimal image stabilization when tracking a moving subject. "Sports mode" is suitable for photographing a subject playing sports. Unlike "normal mode" and "active mode", "pre-exposure centering" is not performed in "sports mode". In "sports mode", the element stabilization range over which the image sensor 11 moves to correct shake is set to "small", and during shake correction the image sensor 11 can only move within a narrower range than when "normal mode" or "active mode" is set.

[0019] "Pre-exposure centering" refers to moving the center of the image sensor 11 to the center of the drive allowable range R2 (described later) immediately before the exposure of the image sensor 11 to generate a recorded image based on the operation of the release switch 15. In addition to immediately before the exposure to generate a recorded image, the image sensor 11 moving for blur correction can be moved to the center of the drive allowable range R2 when instructed by the photographer, such as at the start of live view. Centering is to move the center of the image sensor 11 to the center of the drive allowable range R2, thereby eliminating bias in the movable distance of the image sensor 11 in the XY plane and enabling blur correction for blur in all directions. When the release switch 15 is pressed halfway to the full, the center of the image sensor 11 is moved to the center of the drive allowable range R2, and movement for blur correction is performed from there.

[0020] The reason why "pre-exposure centering" is not performed in "sports mode" is that during continuous shooting, for example, not returning the image sensor 11 to the center after each shot provides a more stable live view image (an image based on signals continuously captured by the image sensor 11 that is continuously displayed on the display unit 17 for confirming the subject and framing) and makes framing easier. If "pre-exposure centering" is performed, the position of the subject being photographed will shift within the image. When shooting still images or videos of sports, a stable live view image also makes framing easier.

[0021] The image sensor 11 is provided on a planned focal plane of the photographing optical system of the interchangeable lens 3, and photoelectrically converts light from a subject incident via the photographing optical system of the interchangeable lens 3 to generate and output a signal based on the control of the photographing control unit 21. The image sensor 11 is composed of, for example, a CCD, a CMOS, etc. The image sensor 11 also has pixels for focus detection.

[0022] The image signal processing unit 22 performs processes such as noise processing and A / D conversion on the signal output by the imaging element 11 to generate image data. When still image shooting is selected by the mode setting unit 16, the image signal processing unit 22 creates image data for a still image (or a live view image), and when video shooting is selected, the image signal processing unit 22 creates image data for a video.

[0023] The recording medium 14 is a medium for recording image data of still or moving images created by the image signal processing unit 22, and is preferably a card memory, but may also be a built-in memory.

[0024] The display unit 17 is provided on the rear surface of the camera body 1, and is a display that displays subject images (still images, videos including live view images) based on image data created by the image signal processing unit 22, information related to operations (menus), etc. A liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, etc. may be used.

[0025] The focus detection unit 23 performs focus detection processing by a well-known split-pupil phase difference method using focus detection pixels of the image sensor 11. Alternatively, focus detection may be performed by a well-known contrast method using image data output from the image sensor 11.

[0026] Shake detection sensor 18 is disposed inside camera body 1 and detects shake applied to camera body 1, such as camera shake caused by the photographer. In this embodiment, shake detection sensor 18 includes an angular velocity sensor that detects rotational shake such as pitching, yawing, and rolling, and an acceleration sensor that detects translational shake. The angular velocity of the rotational vibration (pitching) about the X-axis, the angular velocity of the rotational vibration (yawing) about the Y-axis, the angular velocity of the rotational vibration (rolling) about the Z-axis, and the translational vibration in the XY plane are detected by the shake detection sensor 18. In this embodiment, it is sufficient that at least the translational vibration in the XY plane and the angular velocity of the rotational vibration (rolling) about the Z-axis can be detected.

[0027] The sensor signal processor 24 reads the output signal of the shake detection sensor 18, calculates a reference value based on this output signal, and performs various processes such as subtracting the reference value from the output signal.

[0028] The target position calculation unit 25 calculates a target position to which the image sensor 11 is to be moved in order to correct shake of the camera body 1, based on the output signal of the shake detection sensor 18 processed by the sensor signal processing unit 24. This target position is set to a position where the effective pixel range of the image sensor 11 (the range in which pixels for generating image data of a still image are arranged) does not go outside the permitted drive range received from the interchangeable lens 3 by the body side transmitting / receiving unit 19, which will be described later. In this embodiment, the shake corrected by the camera body 1 is the translational shake in the XY directions detected by the shake detection sensor 18, and the rotational shake in the roll direction, among the shakes of the camera body 1.

[0029] The element drive amount calculation unit 26 calculates the drive amount of the imaging element 11 for driving the imaging element 11 from the target position of the imaging element 11 detected by the target position calculation unit 25 and the position of the imaging element 11 detected by the element position detection unit 13.

[0030] The element drive unit 12 moves the image sensor 11 in each of the XY directions and the roll direction by the drive amount calculated by the element drive amount calculation unit 26. This corrects the blur applied to the camera body 1, and a blur-free image of the subject is captured. In addition, when the drive mode selected by the mode setting unit 16 of the camera body 1 is normal mode or active mode, the element drive unit 12 performs pre-exposure centering of the image sensor 11, and when the selected drive mode is sports mode, the element drive unit 12 does not perform pre-exposure centering of the image sensor 11.

[0031] The imaging element 11 is provided with an element position detection unit 13 for detecting the position of the imaging element 11. In this embodiment, the element position detection unit 13 is, for example, a Hall element and a magnet, but is not limited to this and may be a detection unit combining a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit (PSD).

[0032] When the interchangeable lens 3 is attached to the camera body 1, the body side transceiver 19 comes into contact with the lens side transceiver 46. This enables transmission and reception of signals between the camera body 1 and the interchangeable lens 3, and information is exchanged between the camera body 1 and the interchangeable lens 3. The body side transmitting / receiving unit 19 receives at least the drive permission range information of the image sensor 11 from the lens side transmitting / receiving unit 46 . In addition, the body side transceiver 19 transmits the defocus amount detected by the focus detection unit 23 and drive mode information selected by the mode setting unit 16 to the lens side transceiver 46 in order to drive the focus lens.

[0033] (Interchangeable Lens 3) Next, we will explain the interchangeable lens 3. The interchangeable lens 3 includes a zoom lens 31, a focus lens 32, a motion compensation lens 33, a zoom lens drive unit 51, a focus lens drive unit 52, a motion compensation lens drive unit 53, a zoom lens position detection unit 41, a focus lens position detection unit 42, and a motion compensation lens position detection unit 43. The interchangeable lens 3 further includes an angular velocity sensor 44, a lens storage unit 45, a lens CPU 30, and a lens side transmitting / receiving unit .

[0034] As described above, when the interchangeable lens 3 is attached to the camera body 1 , the lens side transceiver 46 comes into contact with the body side transceiver 19 , enabling transmission and reception of signals between the camera body 1 and the interchangeable lens 3 . The lens side transmitting / receiving unit 46 receives the defocus amount and drive mode information from the body side transmitting / receiving unit 19. In addition, the lens side transmitting / receiving unit 46 transmits permissible drive range information to the body side transmitting / receiving unit 19.

[0035] Lens CPU 30 includes an angular velocity signal processor 34 , a motion compensation lens target position calculator 35 , a lens drive amount calculator 36 , and an element drive permission range information generator 37 .

[0036] The zoom lens 31 is a lens group that is driven by a zoom lens driver 51, which is, for example, a zoom ring, and moves along the optical axis direction to continuously change the focal length of the interchangeable lens 3. The zoom lens driving unit 51 may be a motor that detects the rotation of the zoom ring and is driven by a signal from the lens CPU 30. Also, the zooming operation is not limited to the zoom ring, and may be performed by button operation or the like. The zoom lens position detector 41 detects the position of the zoom lens 31 .

[0037] The focus lens 32 is a lens group that is driven by a focus lens driver 52 to move in the optical axis direction and focus the subject image on the imaging surface of the imaging element 11. The focus lens driver 52 includes a drive source such as a stepping motor. The defocus amount (the amount of deviation between the position of the subject image and the imaging surface of the image sensor 11) detected by focus detection unit 23 from signals output from focus detection pixels of the image sensor 11 is transmitted from the body side transceiver 19 to the lens side transceiver 46. The lens driving amount calculation unit 36 ​​calculates the driving direction and driving amount of the focus lens 32 from the received defocus amount. The focus lens driving unit 52 drives the focus lens 32 in the calculated driving direction and driving amount. The focus lens position detection unit 42 detects the position of the focus lens.

[0038] The motion compensation lens 33 is a lens group that is driven by a motion compensation lens driver 53 such as a VCM (voice coil motor) to optically perform motion compensation, and is movable on the XY plane. The motion compensation lens 33 is driven by motion compensation lens drive unit 54 using a drive amount calculated by angular velocity signal processing unit 34, motion compensation lens target position calculation unit 35, and lens drive amount calculation unit 36 ​​based on the angular velocity detected by angular velocity sensor 44, so as to correct shake in the pitch and yaw directions. The position of motion compensation lens 33 is detected by motion compensation lens position detector 43, and the detected position information is fed back to the output of motion compensation lens target position calculator .

[0039] The angular velocity sensor 44 is a sensor that detects the angular velocity of shake occurring in the interchangeable lens 3. It is a sensor such as a vibration gyro that detects angular velocities around the X-axis (pitch) and the Y-axis (yaw). The angular velocity sensor 44 may also detect angular velocity around the Z-axis (roll).

[0040] The lens storage unit 45 stores information regarding the size of the image circle (the area where the subject image is formed at the in-focus position) corresponding to the focal length. This information is specific to the interchangeable lens and differs for each interchangeable lens. The lens storage unit 45 also stores information regarding the area within the image circle where the optical performance is within the allowable range for video and still images (referred to as the "permitted driving range").

[0041] Lens CPU 30 has an angular velocity signal processing unit 34 , a motion compensation lens target position calculation unit 35 , a lens drive amount calculation unit 36 ​​, and an element drive permission range information creation unit 37 .

[0042] The angular velocity signal processor 34 reads the output signal of the angular velocity sensor 44, calculates a reference value based on this signal, and performs various processes such as subtracting the reference value from the output signal.

[0043] Motion compensation lens target position calculation section 35 calculates the target position of motion compensation lens 33 from the output of angular velocity sensor 44 processed by angular velocity signal processing section 34 .

[0044] Lens drive amount calculation unit 36 ​​calculates the drive amount of motion compensation lens drive unit 53 from the target position calculated by motion compensation lens target position calculation unit 35 and the current position of motion compensation lens 33 detected by motion compensation lens position detection unit 43.

[0045] The motion compensation lens driving unit 53 drives the motion compensation lens 33 based on the calculated driving amount of the motion compensation lens 33 .

[0046] When motion compensation lens 33 is driven, motion compensation lens position detection unit 43 detects the movement position of motion compensation lens 33, and feeds this back to lens drive amount calculation unit 36. Lens drive amount calculation unit 36 ​​recalculates the drive amount of motion compensation lens 33 based on the feedback signal.

[0047] The lens memory unit 45 stores focal length information of the interchangeable lens 3 corresponding to the position of the zoom lens, the shooting mode (still image shooting mode, video shooting mode) corresponding to the focal length, and the allowable drive range of the image sensor 11 for each element shake correction range determined by the drive mode (normal mode, active mode, sports mode).

[0048] Next, the allowable driving range transmitted from the interchangeable lens 3 to the camera body 1 will be described. The allowable driving range information creation unit 37 acquires the focal length information of the interchangeable lens 3 corresponding to the position of the zoom lens stored in the lens storage unit 45 from the position of the zoom lens transmitted from the zoom lens position detection unit 41. Based on this focal length information, the allowable driving range of the image sensor 11 stored in the lens storage unit 45 is read out, and information on the allowable driving range to be transmitted to the camera body is generated and transmitted to the camera body 1 via the lens side transmission / reception unit 46. The interchangeable lens 3 transmits to the camera body 1 information on the allowable driving range for each shooting mode and element shake compensation range at the focal length of the interchangeable lens 3 corresponding to the position of the zoom lens. The camera body 1 selects and sets the corresponding allowable driving range from the received information on the allowable driving range based on the element shake compensation range determined from the shooting mode and driving mode set in the mode setting unit 16 of the camera body 1.

[0049] Furthermore, the lens storage unit 45 may store the permitted drive range of the image sensor 11 for each shooting mode and element shake compensation range according to the focal length and shooting distance as a two-dimensional table. In this case, the element drive permitted range information creation unit 37 acquires focal length information of the interchangeable lens 3 corresponding to the zoom lens position stored in the lens storage unit 45 from the zoom lens position sent from the zoom lens position detection unit 41. Based on this focal length information and shooting distance information calculated from the lens position sent from the focus lens position detection unit 42, the drive permitted range of the image sensor 11 for each shooting mode and element shake compensation range stored in the table of the lens storage unit 45 is read out, and information to be sent to the camera body is created.

[0050] 2 is a diagram illustrating an image circle R1 and an allowable drive range R2 of the image sensor 11. The image circle R1 is the range in which light from a subject that has passed through the interchangeable lens 3 forms an image on the imaging surface. The image circle R1 is constant regardless of the position of the motion compensation lens 33. The allowable drive range R2 is the range within the image circle R1 that satisfies the required optical performance, such as resolution, various aberrations, and peripheral light reduction. When the motion compensation lens 33 moves for motion compensation, the position or range of the allowable drive range R2 changes depending on the position of the motion compensation lens 33.

[0051] 2 shows the permissible drive range R2 when the center of the image stabilizer lens 33 is at the center of the optical axis of the interchangeable lens 3. A change in the position or range of the permissible drive range R2 means that the shape of the permissible drive range R2 becomes distorted from a circular shape, becomes smaller, or the center position shifts. The area R3 in FIG. 2 is the effective pixel area of ​​the image sensor 11.

[0052] In FIG. 2(a), when the image sensor 11 and the image blur correction lens 33 are not driven, the center C3 of the effective pixel area R3 of the image sensor 11 coincides with the center C2 of the image circle R1 and the drive permission range R2 formed by the interchangeable lens 3.

[0053] The above-mentioned pre-exposure centering refers to aligning C2 and C3 before exposure as shown in Fig. 2(a). If the center of the image circle R1 and the center of the permissible drive range R2 are misaligned (for example, if the center of the motion compensation lens 33 does not coincide with the optical axis center of the interchangeable lens 3), pre-exposure centering may be performed by aligning the center of the image sensor 11 with the center of the image circle R1 or the center of the image sensor 11 with the center of the permissible drive range R2.

[0054] 2(b) shows the image sensor 11 in a driven state. As shown in the figure, when the image sensor 11 is driven and a part of the effective pixel area R3 of the image sensor 11 goes outside the image circle R1, the protruding area A1 does not receive enough light, so a dark image is formed. Also, when the effective pixel area R3 of the image sensor 11 goes outside the drive allowable range R2, the image in the protruding area A2 is deteriorated. For example, various aberrations become worse than in the drive allowable range R2.

[0055] This permissible drive range R2 differs for each interchangeable lens 3, and even within each individual interchangeable lens 3, it differs depending on the focal length and shooting distance. As described above, the permissible drive range R2 is stored in the lens storage unit 45. Note that instead of storing the permissible drive range R2 in the lens storage unit 45, the permissible drive range R2 may be calculated each time from the focal length and the shooting distance.

[0056] Next, the operation of the camera system 100 of this embodiment will be described. An interchangeable lens 3 is attached to the camera body 1, and a main switch (power switch) (not shown) of the camera body 1 is turned ON.

[0057] When the release switch 15 is half-pressed or video shooting (including live view images) is selected by the mode setting unit 16, the focus detection unit 23 detects the amount of defocus based on image data acquired by light from a subject that is incident on the imaging surface of the image sensor 11.

[0058] The defocus amount is transmitted from the body side transceiver 19 to the lens side transceiver 46. Based on the received defocus amount, the lens driving amount calculation unit 36 ​​of the interchangeable lens 3 determines the driving direction and driving amount of the focus lens 32, and the focus lens driving unit 52 drives the focus lens 32 based on the driving direction and driving amount. The position of focus lens 32 after being driven is detected by focus lens position detector 42. Shooting distance information determined from the position of focus lens 32 may be input to element drive allowable range information generator 37. The body may calculate the movement amount and driving direction of the focus lens 32 from the detected defocus amount, and transmit information regarding the movement amount and driving direction of the focus lens 32 to the interchangeable lens 3 .

[0059] In addition, the position of the zoom lens 31 is detected by the zoom lens position detection unit 41, and focal length information corresponding to the position of the zoom lens 31 stored in the lens memory unit 45 is transmitted to the element drive permission range information creation unit 37.

[0060] The lens storage unit 45 stores two types of information for the moving image shooting mode and the still image shooting mode as the driving permission range of the image sensor 11 for each focal length, and each of these further has two different types of information for the case where the sensor shake correction range is "large" and "small". (a) The sensor image stabilization range is set to “large” when shooting video. (b) The sensor image stabilization range is set to “large” when shooting still images. (c) When shooting video, the sensor image stabilization range is set to “small.” (d) When shooting still images, the sensor image stabilization range is set to “small.” The allowable driving range information for the above four cases is stored in the lens storage unit 45. A table showing the permissible drive range R2 when shooting the four types of images (a) to (d) above for three focal lengths A, B, and C (focal length A>B>C) is shown in Fig. 3. The vertical items in Fig. 3 show the four cases (a) to (d), the horizontal items show the focal lengths, and (1) to (6) show the shape and size of the permissible drive range R2 under the above conditions. The shape of the permitted drive range R2 may be a circle, a square, a hexagon, or the like. The size of the permitted drive range R2 is the distance from the center of the circle to the circumference (the length of the radius) in the case of a circle, and the length of the perpendicular line from the center of the square to one side (half the length of one side) in the case of a square, and indicates the length from the center of the permitted drive range R2 to the periphery (edge) of the permitted drive range R2. For example, the information in (1) is that the shape is a circle and the size is 20 mm. The size of the permitted drive range R2 is (1) ≧ (2) ≧ (3) ≧ (4) ≧ (5) ≧ (6).

[0061] However, (1) to (6) are merely examples, and in Fig. 3, (a) the permissible drive range R2 when the sensor shake compensation range is "large" in video shooting (2) is the same as (b) the permissible drive range R2 when the sensor shake compensation range is "large" in still image shooting (2), but the permissible drive range R2 may be different between the two. Also, the multiple permissible drive ranges R2 of (1) to (6) may be the same. It should be noted that a table corresponding to the drive mode may be used instead of the element blur correction range.

[0062] When shooting video, a reduction in peripheral resolution as an optical performance is more tolerable than when shooting still images, so the size of the permissible drive range R2 is larger when shooting video than when shooting still images (when the focal length is the same), as shown in the table in Figure 3. Furthermore, when the element shake compensation range is "large", the size of the allowable drive range R2 is large, and when the element shake compensation range is "small", the size of the allowable drive range R2 is smaller than when the element shake compensation range is "large".

[0063] Based on the position of the zoom lens 31 detected by the zoom lens position detection unit 41, the element drive permission range information creation unit 37 selects and creates information to be sent to the camera body from the table of the lens storage unit 45 (FIG. 3). That is, the focal length corresponding to the position of the zoom lens 31 stored in the lens storage unit 45 is read out, and information on the permissible drive range R2 in the cases (a) to (d) corresponding to that focal length is extracted. For example, when the focal length in the case of FIG. 3 is A, information on (1) to (4) is extracted as information to be transmitted to the camera body 1.

[0064] The lens side transmitting / receiving unit 46 transmits information ((1) to (4) when the focal length is A) relating to the permissible drive range R2 created by the element drive allowable range information creating unit 37 to the body side transmitting / receiving unit 19. Note that in addition to the information relating to the element drive allowable range R2, focal length information, shooting distance information, and aperture value information may also be sent together. It should be noted that communication between the lens side transceiver 46 and the body side transceiver 19 is carried out at regular intervals (for example, at 1 ms intervals).

[0065] The camera body 1 selects information about the permissible drive range R2 received from the interchangeable lens 3 based on the shooting mode information set by the mode setting unit 16, which is either "still image shooting mode" or "moving image shooting mode," and the drive mode information, which is either "normal mode," "active mode," or "sports mode." As described above, the element shake compensation range is determined by the drive mode.

[0066] For example, when the "active mode" is set in the mode setting unit 16, the element shake compensation range is "large" and, if the "moving image shooting mode" is also set, it is determined that the case is (a), and the information (1) (the shape and size of the permitted driving range R2) is selected.

[0067] In the camera body 1, when shake is detected by the shake detection sensor 18, the sensor signal processing unit 24 reads the signal output from the shake detection sensor 18, calculates a reference value for shake detection based on this signal, and performs various processes such as subtracting the calculated reference value for shake detection from the signal output from the shake detection sensor 18.

[0068] The target position calculation unit 25 calculates a target position of the image sensor 11 for correcting shake of the camera body 1 based on the output signal of the shake detection sensor 18 processed by the sensor signal processing unit 24 and information on the selected drive allowable range R2 received from the lens side transceiver unit. The target position calculation unit 25 calculates the target position from information on the selected drive allowable range R2 and the output of the shake detection sensor 18, so that the target position can be restricted so that the entire effective pixel area R3 of the image sensor 11 is within the drive allowable range R2, without at least a part of the effective pixel area R3 of the image sensor 11 moving outside the drive allowable range R2.

[0069] The element drive amount calculation unit 26 calculates the drive amount of the imaging element 11 for driving the imaging element 11 based on the target position of the imaging element 11 calculated by the target position calculation unit 25 and the position of the imaging element 11 detected by the element position detection unit 13.

[0070] The sensor driver 12 drives the image sensor 11 with the calculated drive amount. Therefore, the effective pixel area R3 of the image sensor 11 does not go beyond the drive allowable range R2. Therefore, the captured image is not captured in an area with poor optical performance, so the image is not degraded. In addition, since the drive allowable range R2 is inside the image circle R1, the image is not captured outside the image circle and becomes dark.

[0071] Note that in this embodiment, lens storage unit 45 stores one type of information (table) for permissible drive range R2 regardless of whether or not shake correction is performed by blur correction lens 33 of interchangeable lens 3, but is not limited to this and may store different information (table) for permissible drive range R2 depending on whether or not shake correction is performed by blur correction lens 33. In that case, element drive allowable range information creation unit 37 selects information to send to the camera body depending on whether or not shake correction is performed by blur correction lens 33.

[0072] Information indicating whether the drive mode selected by mode setting unit 16 of camera body 1 is normal mode, active mode, or sports mode may be transmitted to lens side transmitting / receiving unit 46. Interchangeable lens 3 may determine whether the element shake compensation range is "large" or "small" from the received drive mode information, and select the information on permissible drive range R2 to be transmitted to the camera body. For example, if the received drive mode is "normal mode," the sensor shake compensation range is determined to be "large," and if the focal length is A, the information in (1) or (3) of FIG. 3 is transmitted to the camera body.

[0073] Furthermore, shooting mode information may be received from the camera body 1. If "video shooting mode" and "normal mode" are received as the shooting mode and the focal length is A, only the information (1) is sent to the camera body 1. In this case, there is no need to select information on the permissible drive range R2 in the camera body.

[0074] Furthermore, when the motion compensation lens of the interchangeable lens 3 is driven for motion compensation, as in the case of the image sensor 11, if the drive mode received by the interchangeable lens 3 is normal mode or active mode, pre-exposure centering of the motion compensation lens 33 is performed, but if the selected drive mode is sports mode, pre-exposure centering of the motion compensation lens 33 is not performed. When the motion compensation lens of interchangeable lens 3 is driven for motion compensation, position information of the motion compensation lens and information on the "maximum motion compensation lens movement range" which is the maximum movement range of motion compensation lens 33 may be sent to camera body 1. Camera body 1 calculates the drive amount for driving image sensor 11 for motion compensation, based on the position information of the motion compensation lens and the information on the maximum motion range of the motion compensation lens sent from interchangeable lens 3.

[0075] Second embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described. Fig. 4 is a block diagram of a camera system 200 of the second embodiment. The camera system 200 and the interchangeable lens 203 of the second embodiment differ from the camera system 2 and the interchangeable lens 3 of the first embodiment in that the interchangeable lens 203 does not include a motion compensation lens or a mechanism for driving the motion compensation lens.

[0076] In this embodiment, translational shake in the XY directions and rotational shake in the pitch, yaw, and roll directions are corrected by the camera body 201. In the following explanation, the same parts of the camera system 200 and the interchangeable lens 203 as those of the camera system 100 and the interchangeable lens 3 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and explanations thereof will be omitted.

[0077] In this embodiment, the element drive permission range information generating unit 37: Information on the element drive allowable range R2 for each shooting distance in each shooting mode is created: (a) video shooting mode (b) still image shooting mode. Note that it is also possible to create information on four drive allowable ranges R2 in the same way as in the first embodiment by adding conditions for the element shake compensation ranges of "large" and "small."

[0078] As shown in Figure 5, in each of the "video shooting mode" and "still image shooting mode", information on the permissible drive range R2 for focal lengths A, B, and C (A>B>C) is generated, and the information on the permissible drive range R2 corresponding to the focal length of the interchangeable lens 203 is transmitted to the camera body 201.

[0079] Information as to whether video shooting mode or still image shooting mode has been selected is input to the element drive amount calculation unit 26 of the camera body 201 from the mode setting unit 16. Either video shooting or still image shooting is selected from the information (a) and (b) received from the interchangeable lens 203, and information on the drive allowable range R2 is selected. Based on the information on the selected drive allowable range R2, the element drive amount calculation unit 26 of the camera body 201 calculates the drive amount for driving the image sensor 11, as in the first embodiment. When the element shake compensation range is set to "large" or "small," the information on the permissible drive range R2 is selected taking into consideration the drive mode (by selecting the element shake compensation range from the set drive mode).

[0080] In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the element driver 12 drives the image sensor 11 with the calculated drive amount. Therefore, the effective pixel area R3 of the image sensor 11 does not go beyond the drive permission range R2. Therefore, the captured image is not captured in an area with poor optical performance, so the image is not degraded. In addition, since the drive permission range R2 is inside the image circle R1, the image is not captured outside the image circle and becomes dark.

[0081] Third embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described. Fig. 6 is a block diagram of a camera system 300 of the third embodiment. The camera system 300 and interchangeable lens 303 of the third embodiment differ from the camera system 100 and interchangeable lens 3 of the first embodiment in that they do not include an element drive allowable range information creation unit. In the following description, the same parts of the camera system 300 and the interchangeable lens 303 as those of the camera system 100 and the interchangeable lens 3 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

[0082] In the case of an interchangeable lens 303 that does not include an element drive permission range information creation unit, the lens side transceiver unit 46 transmits focal length information to the body side transceiver unit 19. In addition, individual information about the interchangeable lens 303 stored in the lens memory unit 45 is also transmitted.

[0083] The element drive amount calculation unit 26 of the camera body 301 receives information indicating whether video shooting or still image shooting has been selected from the mode setting unit 16. Also, information indicating which mode, normal mode, active mode, or sports mode, has been selected from the mode setting unit 16. The element drive amount calculation unit 26 determines the drive allowable range R2 of the image sensor 11 based on the focal length information received from the interchangeable lens 3 and individual information of the interchangeable lens 303.

[0084] In this case, the shorter the focal length, the smaller the allowable drive range R2 is made, and the longer the focal length, the larger the allowable drive range R2 is made.This is because when the focal length of the lens is short, the change in aberration and the amount of light relative to the change in image height is larger than when the focal length is long, and further, the allowable drive range of the image sensor for correcting the same amount of blur is smaller for shorter focal lengths and is larger for longer focal lengths. Furthermore, shooting distance information may be transmitted from the interchangeable lens 303 to the camera body 301. The element drive amount calculation unit 26 may calculate the allowable drive range of the image sensor 11 based on the shooting magnification calculated using the received shooting distance information of the interchangeable lens 3.

[0085] In the third embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the element driver 12 drives the image sensor 11 with the calculated drive amount. Therefore, the effective pixel area R3 of the image sensor 11 does not go beyond the drive permission range R2. Therefore, the captured image is not captured in an area with poor optical performance, so the image is not degraded. In addition, since the drive permission range R2 is inside the image circle R1, the image is not captured outside the image circle and becomes dark.

[0086] In the above embodiment, the permitted drive range R2 of the image sensor 11 is circular, but the permitted drive range R2 stored in the lens storage unit 45 does not have to be circular. For example, the lens storage unit 45 may store, as information on the permitted drive range R2 of the image sensor 11, shape information of the permitted drive range R2 that is a square whose one side is the shorter of the permitted drive range in the long side direction of the image sensor 11 and the permitted drive range in the short side direction of the image sensor 11. The shape information of the permitted drive range R2 may be a rectangle or an ellipse. The lens side transmitter 46 transmits the permitted drive range and shape information to the camera body.

[0087] In the above embodiment, the translational shake and the rotational shake are detected and shake correction is performed, but the shake correction may be performed by detecting only one of the translational shake and the rotational shake.

[0088] In the above embodiment, different drive controls are performed for pre-exposure centering of the image sensor 11 by operating the release switch 15 depending on the drive mode (normal mode, active mode, sports mode). However, the differences in control due to the drive mode are not limited to this, and it is also possible to control the drive amount of the image sensor 11 to different amounts for the same magnitude of the shake detection signal.

[0089] In the above embodiment, multiple drive modes and multiple shooting modes can be set, but only one of the multiple modes may be provided. In this case, the lens storage unit 45 stores information on one allowable drive range R2 of the image sensor 11 for each focal length. In the above embodiment, a plurality of drive modes and a plurality of shooting modes can be set, and the allowable drive range R2 of the image sensor 11 is different for each of the plurality of modes, but the allowable drive range R2 of the image sensor 11 may be the same for each of the plurality of modes. In that case, the lens storage unit 45 may store information on the allowable drive range R2 of the image sensor 11 for each focal length.

[0090] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the information detected by the zoom lens position detection unit 41 was information on the position of the zoom lens, but it may also be the focal length value of the interchangeable lens 3. Furthermore, the lens storage unit 45 may store the permissible drive range R2 for each of a plurality of focal lengths other than the three types of focal lengths, or may store the permissible drive range R2 for each of a plurality of positions of the zoom lens.

[0091] The lens storage unit 45 may store information on the allowable drive range R2 corresponding to the focal length and shooting distance of the zoom lens. This is because the change in the allowable drive range R2 according to the shooting distance increases as the shooting magnification increases. In this case, a two-dimensional table of the focal length and the shooting distance may store multiple pieces of allowable drive range information corresponding to each shooting mode.

[0092] Furthermore, the lens storage unit 45 may store information on the permissible drive range R2 in the form of a function related to at least one of the focal length and the shooting distance.

[0093] The drive mode may be set by an operation unit provided in the interchangeable lens 3. In that case, the interchangeable lens 3 may transmit the drive mode set by the operation unit from the interchangeable lens to the camera body.

[0094] In addition, when an interchangeable lens that does not have a CPU or a mount adapter that cannot communicate with an interchangeable lens is attached, the target position setting unit of the camera body may determine the permissible drive range R2 and calculate the target position based on the focal length information set by the user from a menu.

[0095] Although the present invention has been described above using the embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope of the above embodiments. It is clear to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements can be made to the above embodiments. It is clear from the claims that such modifications and improvements, and combinations of elements of the embodiments and elements of the modified embodiments, are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] 1, 201, 301: camera body, 3, 203, 303: interchangeable lens, 11: image sensor, 12: sensor drive unit, 13: sensor position detection unit, 14: recording medium, 15: release switch, 16: mode setting unit, 17: display unit, 18: blur detection sensor, 19: body side transmission / reception unit, 20: body CPU, 21: shooting control unit, 22: image signal processing unit, 23: focus detection unit, 24: sensor signal processing unit, 25: target position calculation unit, 26: sensor drive amount calculation unit, 30: lens CPU, 31: zoom lens, 32: focus lens, 33: blur correction Lens, 34: angular velocity signal processing unit, 35: motion compensation lens target position calculation unit, 36: motion compensation lens drive amount calculation unit, 37: element drive permission range information creation unit, 41: zoom lens position detection unit, 42: focus lens position detection unit, 43: motion compensation lens position detection unit, 44: angular velocity sensor, 45: lens storage unit, 46: lens side transmitting / receiving unit, 51: zoom lens driving unit, 52: focus lens driving unit, 53: motion compensation lens driving unit, 54: motion compensation lens driving unit, 56: lens side transmitting / receiving unit, 100, 200, 300: camera system

Claims

1. An interchangeable lens that can be attached to a camera body having an image sensor, a storage unit that stores information corresponding to a first parameter relating to a state of the interchangeable lens and a second parameter relating to a control setting of the camera body; a transmitting unit that transmits a plurality of pieces of information that are selected based on the first parameter and correspond to a plurality of the second parameters; Equipped with The second parameter is an interchangeable lens that is a shooting mode set in the camera body.

2. An interchangeable lens that can be attached to a camera body having an image sensor, a storage unit that stores information corresponding to a first parameter relating to a state of the interchangeable lens and a second parameter relating to a control setting of the camera body; a transmitting unit that transmits a plurality of pieces of information that are selected based on the first parameter and correspond to a plurality of the second parameters; Equipped with The second parameter is whether the interchangeable lens is for video shooting or still image shooting.

3. An interchangeable lens that can be attached to a camera body having an image sensor, a storage unit that stores information corresponding to a first parameter relating to a state of the interchangeable lens and a second parameter relating to a control setting of the camera body; a transmitting unit that transmits a plurality of pieces of information that are selected based on the first parameter and correspond to a plurality of the second parameters; Equipped with The second parameter is an interchangeable lens that is a drive mode of image stabilization in the camera body.

4. An interchangeable lens that can be attached to a camera body having an image sensor, a storage unit that stores range information corresponding to a first parameter relating to the state of the interchangeable lens and a second parameter relating to the control settings of the camera body; a transmitter that transmits a plurality of pieces of range information selected based on the first parameter and corresponding to a plurality of second parameters, The range information is range information that indicates a movable range of the imaging element in a direction intersecting with an optical axis of the interchangeable lens.

5. The transmitter periodically transmits a plurality of pieces of range information selected based on a first parameter and corresponding to a plurality of second parameters. The interchangeable lens according to claim 4.

6. The first parameter is a focal length of the interchangeable lens. The interchangeable lens according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The first parameter is a zoom position of the interchangeable lens. The interchangeable lens according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

8. A camera system comprising an interchangeable lens described in any one of claims 1 to 7 and the camera body.

9. A method for transmitting information about an interchangeable lens attached to a camera body, comprising: storing information corresponding to a first parameter relating to the state of the interchangeable lens and a second parameter relating to a shooting mode set in the camera body; 10. A method for transmitting information, comprising transmitting a plurality of pieces of information selected for a first parameter and corresponding to a plurality of second parameters.

Images