Imaging equipment

Abstract

To provide photography equipment which is little in release time lag.SOLUTION: Photography equipment comprises: an attachment portion to which a light emitting portion emitting light illuminating a subject is attached; a photometry portion measuring light from the subject illuminated by light emission of the light emitting portion; a light emission amount determination portion determining the light emission amount of the light emitting portion associated with imaging of the subject based on the photometry of the photometry portion; and a control portion which controls the light emitting portion in such a manner that the light emitting portion emits light in first imaging, at a light emission amount determined by the light emission amount determination portion, and before second imaging after the first imaging, the light emitting portion emits light at light emission amount at which photometry having determined the light emission amount in the first imaging is performed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, when photographing using lighting, there is a photographing device that calculates the amount of actual light emission using the results of preliminary light emission (pre-flash, monitor light emission) performed before the actual photographing. Furthermore, there is a photographing device that instructs to perform a second preliminary light emission with a stronger light emission intensity than the first one if the amount of light received as a result of the first preliminary light emission is equal to or less than a predetermined value (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2003-114465 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when performing continuous shooting or other similar shooting conditions, if multiple pre-flashes are fired each time the shutter is released, the release time lag increases.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an image-taking apparatus with little release time lag. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention solves the above problems by the following solving means.

[0007] The present invention relates to an imaging device comprising: an attachment section to which an light-emitting section that emits light to illuminate a subject is attached; a photometric section that measures the light from the subject illuminated by the light emitted by the light-emitting section; a light emission amount determination section that determines the amount of light emitted by the light-emitting section for capturing an image of the subject based on the photometric measurement by the photometric section; and a control section that controls the light-emitting section to emit light in a first image capture at the amount of light emission determined by the light emission amount determination section, and to control the light-emitting section to emit light and perform photometry at the amount of light emission determined by the metering performed for the amount of light emission in the first image capture before a second image capture after the first image capture. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image-taking apparatus with a short release time lag. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a camera according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing operation timings of each unit in the present embodiment. [Diagram 3] 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of a camera control unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a camera 1 according to the present invention. Hereinafter, the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The camera 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a single-lens reflex digital still camera that includes a camera body 10 and a lens barrel 22 that is detachably attached to the camera body 10.

[0011] In the camera 1 of this embodiment, a lens barrel 22 is replaceably attached to a camera body 10. The camera body 10 is provided with an image pickup element 21 for capturing an image of a subject and recording the image. The image pickup element 21 for capturing an image of a subject may be configured with a CCD, a CMOS or the like. When taking a photograph, the quick return mirror 11 and the sub-mirror 23 are retracted to a position outside the photographing optical path as shown by the solid lines, the release switch 20 is opened, and the subject image is formed on the light receiving surface of the photographing image sensor 21 by the photographing optical system of the lens barrel 22.

[0012] At the bottom of the camera body 10, a focus detection optical system 24 for detecting the focus adjustment state of the lens barrel 22 and a distance measuring element 25 are provided. The focus detection optical system 24 guides the pair of focus detection light beams that have passed through the lens barrel 22 to the light receiving surface of the distance measuring element 25, where they form a pair of light images. The distance measuring element 25 includes, for example, a pair of CCD line sensors, and outputs a focus detection signal according to the pair of optical images.

[0013] Before shooting, the quick-return mirror 11 and sub-mirror 23 are set at positions in the shooting optical path as indicated by the dashed lines, and a pair of focus detection light beams from the lens barrel 22 pass through the half-mirror portion of the quick-return mirror 11, are reflected by the sub-mirror 23, and are directed to the focus detection optical system 24 and the distance measuring element 25.

[0014] A viewfinder optical system is provided on the top of the camera body 10. Before shooting, the quick-return mirror 11 and the sub-mirror 23 are in the positions shown by the dashed lines, and subject light from the lens barrel 22 is reflected by the quick-return mirror 11 and directed to the focusing screen 12, where an image of the subject is formed.

[0015] The liquid crystal display element 13 displays information such as a focus detection area mark superimposed on the subject image formed on the focusing screen 12, and also displays various shooting information such as an exposure value outside the subject image. The subject image on the focusing screen 12 is guided via a penta roof prism 14 and an eyepiece lens 15 to an eyepiece window 16, where the photographer can visually recognize the subject image.

[0016] Additionally, a photometry sensor 19 that captures a subject image for (subject tracking and) photometry is provided in the viewfinder optical system at the top of the camera body 10. The subject image formed on the focusing screen 12 before shooting is re-imaged on the light receiving surface of the photometry sensor 19 via the penta roof prism 14, the prism 17, and the imaging lens 18. The photometry sensor 19 outputs an image signal according to the subject image.

[0017] The photometry sensor 19 is a relatively high-resolution imaging element, and by providing RGB primary color filters, it becomes possible to obtain each of the RGB color information of the image formed.

[0018] The camera body 10 is provided with a camera control unit 30. The camera control unit 30 performs various controls and calculations for the camera 1.

[0019] When a photograph is taken by fully pressing the release switch 20 , the quick return mirror 11 rotates to the position indicated by the solid line, and subject light passes through the release switch 20 and forms an image on the image sensor 21 for photographing.

[0020] The camera body 10 is equipped with a built-in or external lighting device 26. The lighting device 26 includes a xenon tube 29, a reflector 27, and a light emission control unit 28. The light emission control unit 28 controls the light emission of the xenon tube 29 according to an instruction from the camera control unit 30.

[0021] When a photograph is taken by fully pressing the release switch, the camera control unit 30 causes the illumination device 26 to perform a preliminary light emission with the quick return mirror 11 in the dotted line position. The camera control unit 30 receives the light reflected from the subject during the pre-flash emission by the photometric sensor 19, and calculates the amount of light to be emitted during the main flash based on the amount of reflected light (pre-flash emission photometric value).

[0022] The camera control unit 30 notifies the light emission control unit 28 of the lighting device 26 of the calculated amount of main light emission, rotates the quick return mirror 11 to the solid line position, and causes the lighting device 26 to emit main light at the instructed amount of light emission at the timing of exposure for shooting.

[0023] Next, the control in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the operation timing of each unit in this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the camera control unit 30.

[0024] First, when a shooting instruction is input via the release switch 20 (t1 in FIG. 2, step S01 in FIG. 3, YES), the camera control unit 30 instructs the illumination device 26 to emit a first preliminary light emission with a predetermined light emission amount. In response to this instruction, the illumination device 26 emits the first preliminary light emission (t2 in FIG. 2, step S02 in FIG. 3).

[0025] The camera control unit 30 performs exposure by the photometry sensor 19 at the timing of the first preparatory light emission, and calculates the amount of light reflected from the subject when the first preparatory light emission is performed (photometric calculation) (step S03).

[0026] Next, it is determined whether the amount of reflected light from the first preliminary light emission is sufficient to determine the amount of light to be emitted in the main light emission, that is, whether a second preliminary light emission is necessary (step S04). If the second preliminary light emission is not required (step S04, NO), the process proceeds to step S07, and if the second preliminary light emission is required (step S04, YES), the process proceeds to step S05. The second pre-flash is emitted with a stronger light output than the first pre-flash, and is emitted when the reflected light from the subject during the first pre-flash is insufficient for sufficient photometry.

[0027] When the camera control unit 30 determines that the second pre-light emission is necessary (step S04, YES), it instructs the illumination device 26 to emit a second light emission amount, causing the illumination device 26 to perform the second pre-light emission (t3 in FIG. 2, step S05 in FIG. 3). Exposure is performed by the photometry sensor 19 at the timing of the second preparatory light emission, and the amount of light reflected from the subject when the second preparatory light emission is performed is calculated (photometric calculation) (step S06). Then, the main emission amount is determined from the reflected light amount of the second preliminary emission, the determined main emission amount is notified to the lighting device 26, and the main emission is instructed at the shooting timing (t4 in FIG. 2, step S07 in FIG. 3), thereby completing the first shooting.

[0028] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S04 that the second preliminary emission is unnecessary, the main emission amount is determined from the reflected light amount of the first preliminary emission, the determined main emission amount is notified to the lighting device 26, and the main emission is instructed at the shooting timing (step S07), thereby completing the first shooting.

[0029] After step S07, if there is no next shooting instruction within a predetermined time (step S08, NO), the process ends. After step S07, if there is a next shooting instruction within a predetermined time (step S08, YES), it is determined whether continuous shooting is in progress (step S09).

[0030] If it is determined that continuous shooting is in progress (step S9, YES), it is determined whether the preliminary emission used to determine the main emission amount at the previous shooting was the first preliminary emission or the second preliminary emission (step S10).

[0031] If the main emission amount was determined by the second preliminary emission at the previous time (step S10, second preliminary emission), an instruction is sent to the lighting device 26 to perform the second preliminary emission (t5 in FIG. 2, step S11 in FIG. 3). Then, exposure is performed by the photometric sensor 19 at the emission timing of the second preliminary emission, and the reflected light amount from the subject when the second preliminary emission is performed is calculated (photometric calculation) (step S12).

[0032] Next, it is determined whether the reflected light amount by the second preliminary emission is sufficient to determine the emission amount of the main emission, that is, whether the first preliminary emission is necessary (step S13). If the first preliminary emission is unnecessary (step S13, NO), the process proceeds to step S16. If the second preliminary emission is necessary (step S13, YES), the process proceeds to step S14. The first preparatory light emission is performed with a weaker light intensity than the second preparatory light emission, and the weak first preparatory light emission is performed when the light reflected from the subject is too bright during the second preparatory light emission.

[0033] If the camera control unit 30 determines that the first pre-flash is not necessary (step S13, NO), it determines the amount of main flash from the amount of reflected light of the second pre-flash, notifies the lighting device 26 of the determined amount of main flash, and instructs the lighting device 26 to emit a main flash at the shooting timing (t6 in Figure 2, step S16 in Figure 3), thereby completing the shooting of the second image.

[0034] When the camera control unit 30 determines that the first preliminary light emission is necessary (step S13, YES), it instructs the illumination device 26 to emit a first preliminary light emission (step S14). At the timing of the first preliminary light emission, exposure is performed by the photometric sensor 19, and the amount of light reflected from the subject when the first preliminary light emission is performed is calculated (photometric calculation) (step S15). Then, the amount of main light emission is determined from the amount of reflected light of the first preparatory light emission, the determined amount of main light emission is notified to the illumination device 26, and main light emission is instructed at the shooting timing (step S16), thereby completing the shooting of the second image.

[0035] If it is determined in step S09 that continuous shooting is not in progress (step S9, NO), and if the amount of actual light emission was determined in the first preparatory light emission last time (step S10, first preparatory light emission), the illumination device 26 is instructed to emit the first preparatory light (step S17), as in the first photograph.

[0036] The camera control unit 30 performs exposure by the photometry sensor 19 at the timing of the first preparatory light emission, and calculates the amount of light reflected from the subject when the first preparatory light emission is performed (photometric calculation) (step S18). Next, it is determined whether the amount of reflected light from the first preliminary light emission is sufficient to determine the amount of light to be emitted in the main light emission, that is, whether a second preliminary light emission is necessary (step S19). If the second preliminary light emission is not required (step S19, NO), the process proceeds to step S22, and if the second preliminary light emission is required (step S19, YES), the process proceeds to step S20.

[0037] When the camera control unit 30 determines that the second pre-light emission is necessary (step S20, YES), it instructs the illumination device 26 to emit the second pre-light emission, causing the illumination device 26 to emit the second pre-light emission (step S20). At the timing of the second pre-emission, exposure is performed by the photometry sensor 19, and the amount of light reflected from the subject when the second pre-emission is performed is calculated (photometric calculation) (step S21). Then, the amount of main light emission is determined from the amount of reflected light of the second preparatory light emission, the determined amount of main light emission is notified to the illumination device 26, and main light emission is instructed at the shooting timing (step S22), thereby completing the shooting of the second image.

[0038] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S19 that the second preparatory light emission is not necessary, the amount of main light emission is determined from the amount of reflected light of the first preparatory light emission, the determined amount of main light emission is notified to the lighting device 26, and main light emission is instructed at the shooting timing (step S22), thereby completing the shooting of the second image.

[0039] After steps S16 and S22, the process returns to step S08. If no instruction for the next shooting is given within a predetermined time (step S08, NO), the process ends. After step S07, if a next shooting instruction is given within a predetermined time (step S08, YES), the above-mentioned steps S09 and after are repeated. In FIG. 2, t7 corresponds to S11 in the third shooting, t8 corresponds to S13, and t9 corresponds to S16.

[0040] As described above, according to this embodiment, when the shooting conditions are similar to those of the previous shooting, such as during continuous shooting, the pre-emission performed last time is performed first, and if the result is good, another pre-emission is not performed. Therefore, multiple pre-emissions are not performed when they are not necessary, and shooting can be performed with little release time lag.

[0041] (Variations) The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and variations are possible as described below, which are also within the scope of the present invention. In this embodiment, the case where continuous shooting is in progress has been described, but similar processing can also be performed in the following cases. If the current shooting is performed within a certain time period after the previous shooting ·AE (Auto Exposure) Locked Bracket shooting in progress MF (Manual Focus) - When scene recognition determines that the scene is the same as the previous one When the subject detection means determines that the subject position and size are the same as when the previous photograph was taken If the shooting distance is determined to be the same as the previous time The embodiments and modifications may be used in appropriate combination, but detailed description thereof will be omitted. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1: camera, 10: camera body, 11: quick return mirror, 19: photometric sensor, 20: release switch, 21: imaging element for photographing, 22: lens barrel, 26: lighting device, 30: camera control unit

Claims

1. a mounting portion to which a light emitting portion that emits light to illuminate a subject is attached; a photometry unit that measures light from the subject illuminated by the pre-emission of the light emitting unit; a light emission amount determination unit that determines a light emission amount of the light emission unit associated with capturing an image of the subject based on the photometry of the photometry unit; a control unit that performs a first control to cause the light-emitting unit to emit light in a first image pickup with the amount of light emission determined by the light-emission amount determination unit, and to perform photometry by pre-emitting the light-emitting unit with an amount of light emission equal to the amount of pre-emission determined for the amount of light emission in the first image pickup before a second image pickup following the first image pickup; An imaging device comprising:

2. A control unit that controls the lighting device to emit light; a sensor that receives reflected light from a subject illuminated by a preliminary light emission of the lighting device; having The control unit is causing the illumination device to perform the pre-emission for a second image capture after the first image capture with the same light emission amount as the pre-emission used for determining the light emission amount of the main light emission for the first image capture; Filming equipment.

3. A control unit that controls the lighting device to emit light; a sensor that receives reflected light from a subject illuminated by a preliminary light emission of the illumination device; having The control unit is causing the illumination device to perform the pre-emission for a second image pickup after the first image pickup with the same light emission amount as the pre-emission for the first image pickup; when the amount of light emitted by the main light emission for the second image capture can be determined based on the amount of light reflected from the subject by the pre-light emission for the second image capture, no other pre-light emission is performed before the second image capture. Filming equipment.

4. The imaging device according to claim 1, The control unit is When the light emission amount determination unit can determine the light emission amount by the photometry accompanying the first pre-emission, the light emission unit is caused to emit light at the light emission amount determined by the light emission amount determination unit without causing the light emission unit to emit a second pre-emission at a light emission amount different from the first pre-emission. Filming equipment.

5. The imaging device according to claim 1, The control unit is The light emitting unit is caused to pre-emit light at least once, photometry is performed by the photometry unit, the light emitting unit is caused to emit light in association with the first imaging at the amount of light determined by the light emission amount determination unit, and before the second imaging after the first imaging, the light emitting unit is controlled to pre-emit light at the amount of light when the photometry that determined the amount of light associated with the first imaging is performed. Filming equipment.

6. The imaging device according to claim 1, The control unit is In the control for capturing an image of the subject illuminated by the light-emitting unit a plurality of times, when an interval between captures is a predetermined time, the first control is performed. Filming equipment.

7. The imaging device according to claim 4, The control unit is When the light emission amount determination unit cannot determine the light emission amount by the photometry accompanying the first pre-emission, the light emission unit is caused to perform the second pre-emission with a light emission amount different from that of the first pre-emission, and photometry is performed. Filming equipment.

8. The imaging device according to claim 6, The control unit is In the control of capturing an image of the subject pre-emitted by the light-emitting unit a plurality of times, if the next image is not captured within a predetermined time, the light-emitting unit is pre-emitted with a predetermined light emission amount that is not dependent on the light emission amount used in the photometry that determined the light emission amount in the previous image capture and photometry is performed before the next image capture after the predetermined time. Filming equipment.

9. The imaging device according to claim 2, The control unit is When the amount of light emitted by the illumination device can be determined by photometry associated with the preliminary light emission, the illumination device is caused to emit light at the amount of light emitted that was determined by photometry associated with the previous preliminary light emission, without causing the illumination device to emit the next preliminary light emission. Filming equipment.

10. The imaging device according to claim 2, The control unit is The illumination device is caused to emit light one or more times and photometry is performed by the sensor, the illumination device is caused to emit light in association with the first imaging at an amount of light determined based on the photometry by the sensor, and before a second imaging is performed after the first imaging, the illumination device is controlled to emit light at an amount of light when the amount of light associated with the first imaging is determined by the photometry. Filming equipment.

11. The imaging device according to claim 2, The control unit is a first control for performing photometry by causing the illumination device to perform pre-emission with an amount of light emission equal to the amount of light emission in the first image capture and causing the illumination device to perform pre-emission with an amount of light emission equal to the amount of light emission in the first image capture when an interval between images is a predetermined time in the control for capturing an image of the subject illuminated by the illumination device a plurality of times; Filming equipment.

12. The imaging device according to claim 9, The control unit is When the amount of light emitted cannot be determined by the photometry associated with the first preparatory light emission, the lighting device is caused to emit a second preparatory light emission with a light emission amount different from that of the first preparatory light emission, and photometry is performed. Filming equipment.

13. The imaging device according to claim 11, The control unit is In the control for capturing an image of the subject illuminated by the pre-emission of the illumination device a plurality of times, if the next image is not captured within a predetermined time, the illumination device is pre-emitted with a predetermined light emission amount independent of the light emission amount used in the photometry for determining the light emission amount in the previous image capture and photometry is performed before the next image capture after the predetermined time. Filming equipment.

14. The imaging device according to claim 3, The control unit is The illumination device is controlled so as to pre-emit light at least once and measure the light intensity with the sensor, and the illumination device is controlled to pre-emit light in association with the first imaging at an amount of light determined based on the light intensity measured by the sensor, and before the second imaging after the first imaging, the illumination device is controlled to pre-emit light at an amount of light determined when the light intensity measured in association with the first imaging is measured. Filming equipment.

15. The imaging device according to claim 3, The control unit is a first control for performing photometry by causing the illumination device to perform pre-emission with an amount of light emission equal to the amount of light emission in the first image capture and causing the illumination device to perform pre-emission with an amount of light emission equal to the amount of light emission in the first image capture when an interval between images is a predetermined time in the control for capturing an image of the subject illuminated by the illumination device a plurality of times; Filming equipment.

16. The imaging device according to claim 3, The control unit is When a light emission amount can be determined by photometry accompanying the pre-emission of the first image capture, the lighting device is caused to emit light with the light emission amount determined by photometry accompanying the pre-emission of the first image capture without causing the lighting device to emit a next pre-emission. Filming equipment.

17. The imaging device according to claim 14, The control unit is When the amount of light emitted cannot be determined by the photometry associated with the first preparatory light emission, the lighting device is caused to emit a second preparatory light emission with a light emission amount different from that of the first preparatory light emission, and photometry is performed. Filming equipment.

18. The imaging device according to claim 15, The control unit is In the control for capturing an image of the subject illuminated by the pre-emission of the illumination device a plurality of times, if the next image is not captured within a predetermined time, the illumination device is pre-emitted with a predetermined light emission amount independent of the light emission amount used in the photometry for determining the light emission amount in the previous image capture and photometry is performed before the next image capture after the predetermined time. Filming equipment.

Images