Accessory device, control method, and program

Abstract

To provide an accessory apparatus capable of reflecting a user's intention in an AF function implemented between a camera body and an interchangeable lens.SOLUTION: An accessory device according to the present disclosure is detachably attached between an image capturing apparatus and an interchangeable lens. The accessory device includes: communication means for performing first communication with the image capturing apparatus and second communication with the interchangeable lens; operation means for receiving a predetermined operation that operates a predetermined function that assists an AF (autofocus) operation by the image capturing apparatus; and control means for implementing the predetermined function for the AF operation by controlling transmission of a control command to the interchangeable lens via the second communication, based on the predetermined operation, and the control command for the AF operation from the image capturing apparatus that has received via the first communication. Here, in order to control transmission of the control command to the interchangeable lens, the control means, according to the predetermined operation, does not transmit, to the interchangeable lens, a control amount related to focus for the AF operation included in the control command, or changes the control amount and transmits the changed control amount.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an accessory device, a control method, and a program that are mounted between a camera body and an interchangeable lens.

Background Art

[0002] In a lens interchangeable camera system in which an interchangeable lens, which is an accessory device, can be attached to an imaging device (hereinafter also referred to as a camera body), the camera body and the interchangeable lens communicate with each other. In addition, the accessory device includes not only an interchangeable lens but also a wide converter or a teleconverter (extender) that is attached between the camera body and the interchangeable lens to change the focal length of the interchangeable lens by attaching one or more thereof. Further, a mount converter that changes the flange back length to an appropriate length by being mounted between an interchangeable lens with a short flange back mount and a camera body is also known as an accessory device.

[0003] Patent Document 1 proposes an adapter device that is interposed between a camera body and an interchangeable lens having different communication methods and mediates communication so as to realize an AF (autofocus) function by controlling focus adjustment by the interchangeable lens. Further, Patent Document 2 proposes an apparatus that assists the AF function when the focus adjustment accuracy of the interchangeable lens is low by changing the overall length of the adapter device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] According to Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, the AF function can be assisted by an adapter device. However, no consideration has been given to the case where the adapter can be operated by the user.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an accessory device that can reflect the user's intention in the AF function realized between the camera body and the interchangeable lens.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To solve this problem, for example, the accessory device of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, an accessory device detachably mounted between an imaging device and an interchangeable lens, comprising communication means for performing first communication with the imaging device and second communication with the interchangeable lens, operation means for receiving a predetermined operation for operating a predetermined function that assists the AF (autofocus) operation by the imaging device, and control means for realizing the predetermined function for the AF operation by controlling transmission of the control command for the AF operation from the imaging device received via the first communication to the interchangeable lens via the second communication. The control means, in order to control transmission of the control command to the interchangeable lens, does not transmit or changes the control amount regarding focus for the AF operation included in the control command according to the predetermined operation and transmits it to the interchangeable lens.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it becomes possible to provide an accessory device that can reflect the user's intention in the AF function realized between the camera body and the interchangeable lens.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Although a plurality of features are described in the embodiments, not all of these plurality of features are essential to the invention, and the plurality of features may be arbitrarily combined. Further, in the accompanying drawings, the same or similar configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0011] <Configuration of Camera System> FIG. 1 shows a functional configuration example of an imaging system (referred to as a camera system) including a camera body 200 as an example of an imaging device in the present embodiment, an interchangeable lens 100, and an adapter device (simply referred to as an adapter) 300 as an example of an accessory device. The camera body 200 of the present embodiment can be used with both the interchangeable lens 100 and the intermediate adapter 300 attached. In the example shown in FIG. 1, a camera system is shown when one intermediate adapter 300 is attached between the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100. However, a plurality of adapters may be connected and attached between the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100.

[0012] Note that one or more of the functional blocks shown in FIG. 1 may be realized by hardware such as an ASIC or a programmable logic array (PLA), or may be realized by a processor such as a CPU or an MPU executing software. Further, it may be realized by a combination of software and hardware.

[0013] In the camera system of this embodiment, communication is performed between the camera body 200, the interchangeable lens 100, and the intermediate adapter 300 using a plurality of communication methods. The camera body 200, the interchangeable lens 100, and the intermediate adapter 300 transmit control commands and data (information) via their respective communication circuits 112, 208, and 303. Specifically, the camera system of this embodiment has a path for communication via the first communication units 1121, 2081, and 3031 of the camera body 200, the interchangeable lens 100, and the intermediate adapter 300. The camera system also has a path for communication via the second communication units 1122, 2082, and 3032 of the camera body 200, the interchangeable lens 100, and the intermediate adapter 300. Further, the first communication units 1121, 2081, 3031 and the second communication units 1122, 2082, 3032 support a plurality of communication methods. These communication units can select an optimal communication method for various situations by synchronizing with each other and switching to the same communication method according to the type of data to be communicated and the communication purpose. Note that the communication method, the communication circuit, and the communication path are not limited to this embodiment, and any other form may be used as long as communication is possible between the camera body 200, the interchangeable lens 100, and the intermediate adapter 300. For example, the communication path may be either the first communication unit or the second communication unit.

[0014] First, a more specific configuration of the interchangeable lens 100, the camera body 200, and the intermediate adapter 300 will be described. The interchangeable lens 100 and the intermediate adapter 300 are mechanically and electrically connected via a mount 400, which is a coupling mechanism. Similarly, the intermediate adapter 300 and the camera body 200 are mechanically and electrically connected via a mount 401, which is a coupling mechanism. Note that the mount 400 schematically shows a state in which the mount of the interchangeable lens 100 and the mount of the intermediate adapter 300 are coupled, and these mounts are detachable from each other. Also, the mount 401 schematically shows a state in which the mount of the intermediate adapter 300 and the mount of the camera body 200 are coupled, and these mounts are detachable from each other.

[0015] On the mount surfaces of the mounts respectively provided on the interchangeable lens 100, the intermediate adapter 300, and the camera body 200, communication terminals described later are provided. In a state where each unit is connected via the mount, such as the mount 400 or the mount 401, the corresponding communication terminals come into contact with each other. Thereby, the interchangeable lens 100, the camera body 200, and the intermediate adapter 300 can communicate with each other via the communication terminals (described later) provided on the mounts 400 and 401.

[0016] The interchangeable lens 100 and the intermediate adapter 300 obtain power from the camera body 200 via power terminals (not shown) provided on the mounts 400 and 401. Then, the interchangeable lens 100 and the intermediate adapter 300 supply power necessary for operation to various actuators described later, the lens microcomputer 111, and the adapter microcomputer 302.

[0017] The interchangeable lens 100 has an imaging optical system. The imaging optical system includes, in order from the subject 150 side toward the intermediate adapter 300 side, a field lens 101, a zoom lens 102, a diaphragm unit 114, an anti-shake lens 103, and a focus lens 104 that performs focus adjustment. The zoom lens 102 magnifies the subject image, and the diaphragm unit 114 adjusts the amount of light received by the imaging element 201. The anti-shake lens 103 reduces image blur caused by camera shake (such as hand shake) by shifting in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the imaging optical system.

[0018] The zoom lens 102 and the focus lens 104 are respectively held by lens holding frames 105 and 106. The lens holding frames 105 and 106 are guided to be movable in the optical axis direction (indicated by a dashed line in the figure) by guide shafts (not shown). Then, the lens holding frames 105 and 106 are driven in the optical axis direction by stepping motors 107 and 108. The stepping motors 107 and 108 move the zoom lens 102 and the focus lens 104 in synchronization with drive pulses, respectively.

[0019] The lens microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as the lens microcontroller) 111 is a lens control unit that controls the operations of each part within the interchangeable lens 100. The lens microcontroller 111 may control the operations of each part within the interchangeable lens 100 by, for example, executing a program. The lens microcontroller 111 receives control commands and transmission request commands transmitted from the camera body 200 or the intermediate adapter 300 via the lens communication circuit 112. The lens microcontroller 111 performs lens control corresponding to the control commands and transmits lens data corresponding to the transmission request commands to the camera body 200 or the intermediate adapter 300 via the lens communication circuit 112. Also, in response to commands related to zooming and focusing among the control commands, the lens microcontroller 111 outputs drive signals to the zoom drive circuit 119 and the focus drive circuit to drive the stepping motors 107 and 108. Thereby, zoom processing for controlling the zoom operation by the zoom lens 102 and AF (auto focus) processing for controlling the focus adjustment operation by the focus lens 104 are performed.

[0020] The aperture unit 114 includes aperture blades 114a and 114b. The states (positions) of the aperture blades 114a and 114b are detected by the hall element 115. The output from the hall element 115 is input to the lens microcontroller 111 via the amplifier circuit 122 and the A / D conversion circuit 123. The lens microcontroller 111 outputs a drive signal to the aperture drive circuit 121 based on the input signal from the A / D conversion circuit 123 to drive the aperture actuator 113. Thereby, the light amount adjustment operation by the aperture unit 114 is controlled.

[0021] Furthermore, the lens microcontroller 111 drives the anti-shake actuator 126 via the anti-shake drive circuit 125 in response to camera shake detected by a shake sensor (not shown) such as a vibration gyro provided within the interchangeable lens 100. The anti-shake actuator 126 includes, for example, a voice coil motor. Thereby, anti-shake processing for controlling the shift operation (anti-shake operation) of the anti-shake lens 103 is performed.

[0022] In addition, the interchangeable lens 100 includes a manual operation ring (so-called electronic ring) 130 that can be rotated by the user and a ring rotation detector 131. The ring rotation detector 131 is configured by, for example, a photo interrupter that outputs a two-phase signal in response to the rotation of the manual operation ring 130. The lens microcomputer 111 can detect the rotation operation amount (including the direction) of the manual operation ring 130 using the two-phase signal output from the ring rotation detector 131.

[0023] The intermediate adapter 300 is, for example, an extender for changing the focal length, and includes a zoom lens 301 and an adapter microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as adapter microcomputer) 302. In the present embodiment, the case where the intermediate adapter 300 is an extender will be described as an example, but it may also be a wide converter for changing the focal length or a mount converter for changing the flange back length.

[0024] The adapter microcomputer 302 is an adapter control unit that controls the operations of each part within the intermediate adapter 300. The adapter control unit may also be referred to as an accessory control unit or a communication control unit. The adapter microcomputer 302 may control the operations of at least a part of each part within the intermediate adapter 300 by executing a program. The adapter microcomputer 302 receives a control command or a transmission request command transmitted from the camera body 200 via the adapter communication circuit 303. When the adapter microcomputer 302 receives a control command for the intermediate adapter 300 from the camera body 200, it performs adapter control corresponding to the control command. Further, when the adapter microcomputer 302 receives a transmission request command from the camera body 200, it transmits adapter data corresponding to the transmission request command to the camera body 200 via the adapter communication circuit 303.

[0025] Further, when the adapter microcomputer 302 receives a command for the interchangeable lens 100, after performing communication conversion processing as necessary, it transmits a control command or a transmission request command to the interchangeable lens 100 via the adapter communication circuit 303 as necessary. Further, the adapter microcomputer 302 transmits a control command or a transmission request command to the interchangeable lens 100 via the adapter communication circuit 303 as necessary based on operations of the adapter operation unit 320 described later and the like.

[0026] Also, the adapter microcomputer 302 receives lens data corresponding to a transmission request command to the interchangeable lens 100 from the interchangeable lens 100 via the adapter communication circuit 303. In this case, after performing communication conversion processing as necessary, the adapter microcomputer 302 transmits the lens data to the camera body 200 via the adapter communication circuit 303 as necessary.

[0027] Also, similar to the interchangeable lens 100, the intermediate adapter 300 has an adapter operation ring (so-called electronic ring) 310 as an operation member that can be rotationally operated by the user and a ring rotation detector 311. Similar to the ring rotation detector 131 of the interchangeable lens 100, the ring rotation detector 311 is also constituted by, for example, a photointerrupter that outputs a two-phase signal in response to the rotation of the adapter operation ring 310. The adapter microcomputer 302 can detect the amount of rotational operation (including the direction) of the adapter operation ring 310 using the two-phase signal output from the ring rotation detector 311.

[0028] Furthermore, the intermediate adapter 300 has an adapter operation unit 320 other than the adapter operation ring 310. The operation members included in the adapter operation unit 320 are, for example, switches, buttons, touch panels, etc., and may have one or more operation members.

[0029] Also, the intermediate adapter 300 has an adapter notification unit 330 for notifying the user of information. The notification members included in the adapter notification unit 330 are, for example, LEDs, LCDs (liquid crystal displays), speakers, vibrators, etc., and may have one or more notification members.

[0030] Also, the intermediate adapter 300 has an adapter storage unit 340 for storing information. The adapter storage unit 340 may be, for example, a non-volatile memory. The adapter storage unit 340 stores focus reproduction target position information for driving the focus position for reproduction, information communicated between the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100 for warning determination, and the like. Each piece of information stored in the adapter storage unit 340 will be described later.

[0031] The camera body 200 includes an imaging element 201 such as a CCD sensor or a CMOS sensor, an A / D conversion circuit 202, a signal processing circuit 203, a recording unit 204, a camera microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a camera microcontroller) 205, and a display unit 206.

[0032] The imaging element 201 photoelectrically converts a subject image formed by the imaging optical system in the interchangeable lens 100 and outputs an electrical signal (analog signal). The A / D conversion circuit 202 converts the analog signal from the imaging element 201 into a digital signal. The signal processing circuit 203 performs various image processes on the digital signal from the A / D conversion circuit 202 to generate a video signal. Also, the signal processing circuit 203 generates focus information indicating the contrast state (focus state of the imaging optical system) of the subject image and luminance information representing the exposure state from the video signal. The signal processing circuit 203 outputs the video signal to the display unit 206, and the display unit 206 displays the video signal as a live view image used for confirmation of the composition, focus state, and the like.

[0033] The camera microcomputer 205 as the camera control unit controls the camera body 200 in response to inputs from operation members 207 such as an imaging instruction switch and various setting switches. The camera microcomputer 205 transmits control commands and transmission request commands to the interchangeable lens 100 or the intermediate adapter 300 via the camera communication circuit 208 as necessary. Also, the camera microcomputer 205 receives lens data or adapter data from the interchangeable lens 100 or the intermediate adapter 300. For example, the camera microcomputer 205 transmits a control command regarding a focus adjustment operation to the interchangeable lens 100 in response to the focus information generated by the signal processing circuit 203. Further, the camera microcomputer 205 transmits, for example, a transmission request command for acquiring lens data regarding a focus adjustment operation to the interchangeable lens 100 and receives the lens data regarding the focus adjustment operation from the interchangeable lens 100.

[0034] <Communication path of the first communication> Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the communication path configured among the camera first communication unit 2081 of the camera microcomputer 205, the adapter first communication unit 3031 of the adapter microcomputer 302, and the lens first communication unit 1121 of the lens microcomputer 111 in the present embodiment will be described. In the following description, the communication performed on this communication path is also referred to as the first communication.

[0035] FIG. 2(a) shows an example of a communication path for the first communication. The adapter first communication unit 3031 and the lens first communication unit 1121 communicate with each other via signal lines connected through communication terminals provided on the mount 400. The communication terminals provided on the mount 400 include LCLK11211, DCL11212, DLC11213, LCLK30311, DCL30312, and DLC30313. Also, the adapter first communication unit 3031 and the camera first communication unit 2081 communicate with each other via signal lines connected through communication terminals provided on the mount 401. The communication terminals provided on the mount 401 include RTS30314, DCL30315, DLC30316, RTS20811, DCL20812, and DLC20813. In the present embodiment, the adapter first communication unit 3031 and the lens first communication unit 1121 communicate using a communication method A (described later), which is a 3-wire clock synchronous serial communication method. On the other hand, the adapter first communication unit 3031 and the camera first communication unit 2081 communicate using a 3-wire asynchronous synchronous serial communication method, which is a different communication method B (described later) from the communication method A.

[0036] Figure 2(b) shows an example of an embodiment different from that of Figure 2(a) in the communication path of the first communication. The adapter first communication unit 3031 and the lens first communication unit 1121 communicate using a signal line connected via a communication terminal provided on the mount 400. In this embodiment, the communication terminals provided on the mount 400 include RTS11214, DCL11215, DLC11216, RTS30317, DCL30318, and DLC30319. The adapter first communication unit 3031 and the camera first communication unit 2081 communicate using a signal line similar to that in Figure 2(a) connected via a communication terminal provided on the mount 401. The communication terminals provided on the mount 401 include RTS30314, DCL30315, DLC30316, RTS20811, DCL20812, and DLC20813. In the example shown in Figure 2(b), both the adapter first communication unit 3031 and the lens first communication unit 1121, and the adapter first communication unit 3031 and the camera first communication unit 2081 communicate using communication method B, which is a three-wire asynchronous synchronous serial communication method. Note that the combination of the communication path and the communication method is not limited to these examples, and other combinations may be used. For example, both the adapter first communication unit 3031 and the lens first communication unit 1121, and the adapter first communication unit 3031 and the camera first communication unit 2081 may communicate using communication method A.

[0037] <Communication waveform of communication method A of the first communication> Referring to the communication waveform shown in Figure 3, communication method A, which is a three-wire clock synchronous serial communication method of the first communication in this embodiment, will be described. Communication method A is a communication method implemented between a communication main for transmitting a control command or a data transmission request command and a communication sub for transmitting data in response to the data transmission request command. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2(a), the adapter first communication unit 3031 serves as the communication main and the lens first communication unit 1121 serves as the communication sub to communicate.

[0038] The clock signal LCLK is mainly used as a data synchronization clock signal from the main communication to the sub-communication. The communication signal DCL is used for data transmission such as control commands and data transmission request commands from the main communication to the sub-communication. The data signal DLC is used for data transmission from the sub-communication to the main communication. In communication mode A, the main communication and the sub-communication communicate in a full-duplex communication mode (full-duplex mode) that transmits and receives mutually and simultaneously in synchronization with the common clock signal LCLK.

[0039] Figure 3(a) shows the waveform of the communication signal of one frame, which is the minimum communication unit. The main communication outputs a clock signal LCLK with a set of 8-cycle pulses, and transmits the communication signal DCL to the sub-communication in synchronization with the clock signal LCLK. At the same time, the main communication receives the data signal DLC output from the sub-communication in synchronization with the clock signal LCLK. In this way, 1 byte (8 bits) of data is transmitted and received between the main communication and the sub-communication in synchronization with a set of clock signals LCLK. The period of this 1-byte data transmission and reception is called a data frame. After the data frame, a communication standby period is inserted by the communication standby request information (hereinafter simply referred to as the communication standby request) BUSY notified from the sub-communication to the main communication. This communication standby period is called a BUSY frame. A communication unit consisting of a data frame and a BUSY frame is called one frame.

[0040] Figure 3(b) shows the waveform of the communication signal composed of 3 frames. In Figure 3(b), during the period (T1) of 3 frames, the main communication transmits the command CMD1 to the sub-communication and receives 2 bytes of data DT1a and DT1b corresponding to the command from the sub-communication. Between the main communication and the sub-communication, the type and number of bytes of the data DT corresponding to each command CMD are determined in advance. In the first frame, after transmitting the clock signal LCLK, the main communication transmits the command CMD1 corresponding to the data DT1a and DT1b for which transmission is requested as the communication signal DCL. The data signal DLC in this frame is treated as invalid data.

[0041] Subsequently, after the communication main outputs the clock signal LCLK for 8 cycles, it switches the communication terminal state on the communication main side from the output format to the input format. After the switching of the communication terminal state on the communication main side is completed, the communication sub switches the communication terminal state on the communication sub side from the input format to the output format. Then, the communication sub sets the signal level of the clock signal LCLK to LOW in order to notify the communication main of the communication standby request BUSY. The communication main maintains the communication terminal state in the input format during the period when the communication standby request BUSY is notified, and pauses communication with the communication sub.

[0042] During the notification period of the communication standby request BUSY, the communication sub generates the data DT1a corresponding to the command CMD1. After completing the preparation for transmission as the data signal DLC of the next frame, the communication sub sets the signal level of the clock signal LCLK to HIGH in order to notify the communication main of the release of the communication standby request BUSY. When the communication main recognizes the release of the communication standby request BUSY, it receives the data DT1a from the communication sub by transmitting 1 frame of the clock signal LCLK to the communication sub. Subsequently, similarly, the communication main receives the data DT1b.

[0043] Figure 3(c) shows the waveform of the communication signal composed of 4 frames. In Figure 3(c), during the period (T2) of 4 frames, the communication main transmits the command CMD2 to the communication sub and receives the corresponding 3-byte lens data DT2a, DT2b, and DT2c from the communication sub. The communication sub notifies the communication main of the communication standby request BUSY in the first frame, but does not notify the communication main of the communication standby request BUSY from the second frame to the fourth frame. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the interval between frames.

[0044] <Communication waveform of communication method B of the first communication> Referring to the communication waveform shown in FIG. 4, the communication method B, which is a three-wire step synchronization serial communication method for the first communication in this embodiment, will be described. The communication method B is a communication method implemented between a communication main body that transmits a control command or a data transmission request command and a communication sub that transmits data in response to the data transmission request command. In the embodiment of FIG. 2(a), the camera first communication unit 2081 serves as the communication main body and the adapter first communication unit 3031 serves as the communication sub to communicate. Also, in the embodiment of FIG. 2(b), between the camera body 200 and the intermediate adapter 300, the camera first communication unit 2081 serves as the communication main body and the adapter first communication unit 3031 serves as the communication sub to communicate. Further, between the intermediate adapter 300 and the interchangeable lens 100, the adapter first communication unit 3031 serves as the communication main body and the lens first communication unit 1121 serves as the communication sub to communicate.

[0045] The communication request signal RTS is used to indicate the start timing of transmission and reception from the communication main body to the communication sub. The communication signal DCL is used for data transmission such as a control command or a data transmission request command from the communication main body to the communication sub. The data signal DLC is used for data transmission from the communication sub to the communication main body.

[0046] In the communication method B, the communication main body and the communication sub do not transmit and receive data synchronized with a common clock signal as in the communication method A, but perform transmission and reception at a predefined communication bit rate. The communication bit rate indicates the amount of data that can be transferred per second and is expressed in units of bps (bits per second). The communication main body and the communication sub communicate using a full-duplex communication method (full-duplex system) in which transmission and reception are performed mutually and simultaneously.

[0047] Figure 4(a) shows the waveform of a communication signal for one frame, which is the minimum communication unit in communication mode B. When data transmission and reception are not in progress, the communication request signal RTS is HIGH. When the communication main sets the communication request signal RTS to the LOW level, data transmission and reception are started. When the communication sub detects that the communication request signal RTS has changed to the LOW level, it starts data output to the data signal DLC. Furthermore, when the communication main detects that the data signal DLC has output the start bit ST, it starts data output to the data signal DCL.

[0048] The data format of the data signal DLC will be described in more detail. One frame of DLC is composed of the first half data frame followed by the BUSY frame. In the non-transmission state where data is not being transmitted, the signal level is HIGH. The communication sub-notifies the communication main of the start of transmission of the data signal DLC for one frame by setting the signal level to LOW for only one bit period. This one-bit period is called the start bit ST, and the data frame starts from this bit. Subsequently, the communication sub-transmits one byte of data in the 8-bit period from the second bit to the ninth bit. The bit array of the data is in the MSB first format, starting from the highest-order data D7, followed by data D6, data D5 in sequence, and ending with the lowest-order data D0. One-bit parity PA information is added to the tenth bit. The data frame starting from the start bit ST ends by setting the signal level to HIGH during the period of the stop bit SP indicating the end of one frame. A BUSY frame is added after the stop bit SP. The period of the BUSY frame is the period during which the communication sub-notifies the communication main of the communication standby request BUSY. As shown by DLC (with BUSY) in the figure, the signal level is LOW until the communication standby request BUSY is released. When there is no need to notify the communication main of the communication standby request BUSY from the communication sub, a data format that constitutes one frame without providing a BUSY frame is also defined as shown by DLC (without BUSY) in the figure. That is, as the data format of the data signal DLC, it is possible to select whether to notify the communication standby request BUSY according to the processing status of the communication sub or not.

[0049] Here, a method for identifying the presence or absence of the communication standby request BUSY performed by the communication main unit will be described. The communication main unit defines either the DLC (BUSY absent) in the figure and the bit positions B1 and B2 within the waveform of the DLC (BUSY absent) as the specified position P for identifying the presence or absence of the communication standby request BUSY. By selecting the specified position P from the bit positions B1 and B2, it is possible to solve the problem that the processing time until the signal level becomes LOW to notify the communication standby request BUSY differs after the data frame of the data signal DLC due to the processing performance of the communication sub-unit. Which of the bit positions B1 and B2 is to be the specified position P shall be determined in advance by communication between the communication main unit and the communication sub-unit. Note that the specified position P does not necessarily have to be selected from either of the bit positions B1 and B2, and it may be selected from later bit positions according to the processing capabilities of both microcontrollers.

[0050] Next, as a supplement regarding the BUSY frame, the point that the BUSY frame is added to the data signal DLC in communication method B will be described. In communication method A, the BUSY frame is added to the clock signal LCLK. In communication format A, the clock signal LCLK output by the communication main unit and the communication standby request BUSY notified by the communication sub-unit are communicated using the same signal line. Therefore, collision prevention between the outputs of the communication main unit and the communication sub-unit is realized by time-divisionally allocating the output available period. In order to surely prevent collisions between the outputs, an output prohibition period during which any output is prohibited is inserted between the completion of the output of the clock signal LCLK by the communication main unit and the timing when the communication sub-unit is allowed to output the communication standby request BUSY. However, inserting the output prohibition period during which communication is not possible reduces the effective communication speed. In communication method B, since the BUSY frame is added to the data signal DLC which is a dedicated output signal of the communication sub-unit, the above problem does not occur.

[0051] The data format of the communication signal DCL will be described. Since the specifications of the data frames from ST to B2 are common between the communication signal DCL and the data signal DLC, detailed descriptions will be omitted. Note that, unlike the data signal DLC, it is prohibited to add a BUSY frame to the communication signal DCL. Figure 4(b) shows the waveform corresponding to Figure 3(b) in communication mode B. That is, during a period of 3 frames (T1), the communication main unit transmits the command CMD1 to the communication sub-unit and receives the corresponding 2-byte data DT1a and DT1b from the communication sub-unit. Figure 4(c) shows the waveform corresponding to Figure 3(c) in communication mode B. That is, during a period of 4 frames (T2), it shows the waveform when the communication main unit transmits the command CMD2 to the communication sub-unit and receives the corresponding 3-byte lens data DT2a, DT2b, and DT2c from the communication sub-unit.

[0052] <Communication path of the second communication> Next, with reference to Figure 5, the communication path of the second communication will be described. The second communication path is configured between the camera second communication unit 2082 of the camera microcomputer 205, the adapter second communication unit 3032 of the adapter microcomputer 302, and the lens second communication unit 1122 of the lens microcomputer 111 in this embodiment. The communication performed on this communication path is also referred to as the second communication.

[0053] The adapter second communication unit 3032 and the lens second communication unit 1122 communicate with each other using a signal line connected via a communication terminal provided on the mount 400. The communication terminals provided on the mount 400 include CS11221, DATA11222, CS30321, and DATA30322. The adapter second communication unit 3032 and the camera second communication unit 2082 communicate with each other using a signal line connected via a communication terminal provided on the mount 401. The communication terminals provided on the mount 401 include CS30323, DATA30324, CS20821, and DATA20822. In the present embodiment, both the adapter second communication unit 3032 and the lens second communication unit 1122, and the adapter second communication unit 3032 and the camera second communication unit 2082 communicate with each other in communication method C, which is a two-wire step-synchronous serial communication method. Communication method C will be described later.

[0054] Note that the above is an example of an embodiment in the communication path of the second communication, and the combination of the communication path and the communication method is not limited to this, and another combination may be used. For example, the adapter second communication unit 3032 and the lens second communication unit 1122 may communicate in communication method C, and the adapter second communication unit 3032 and the camera second communication unit 2082 may communicate in communication method A.

[0055] <Communication waveform of the second communication> With reference to the communication waveform shown in FIG. 6, communication method C, which is a two-wire step-synchronous serial communication method of the second communication in the present embodiment, will be described. Communication method C is a communication method implemented between a communication main that transmits a control command or a data transmission request command and one or more communication subs that perform data transmission in response to the data transmission request command. In the communication performed between the camera second communication unit 2082 and the adapter second communication unit 3032 shown in FIG. 5, the camera second communication unit 2082 serves as the communication main, and the adapter second communication unit 3032 serves as the communication sub. Also, in the communication performed between the adapter second communication unit 3032 and the lens second communication unit 1122, the adapter second communication unit 3032 serves as the communication main, and the lens second communication unit 1122 serves as the communication sub.

[0056] For communication methods A and B, which are one-to-one communications between the main communication unit and the sub-communication unit, communication method C is a one-to-many communication in which the main communication unit can communicate with a plurality of sub-communication units. Therefore, for example, another adapter second communication unit (not shown) may be connected between the camera second communication unit 2082 and the adapter second communication unit 3032. In that case, the camera second communication unit 2082 can communicate with both adapter second communication units.

[0057] Communication method C implements one-to-many communication by switching between a broadcast communication mode and a P2P communication mode. The broadcast communication mode is a mode in which data is transmitted simultaneously from the main communication unit to all connected sub-communication units. The P2P communication mode is a mode in which data transmission and reception are performed with any one of the sub-communication units connected to the main communication unit.

[0058] In the broadcast communication mode, the control signal CS is used from the main communication unit to the sub-communication unit to indicate the start timing of transmission and reception. Also, the communication signal DATA is used for data transmission such as a control command or a data transmission request command from the main communication unit to the sub-communication unit.

[0059] Also, in the P2P mode, the control signal CS is used for the data reception completion notification between the main communication unit and the sub-communication unit. And the communication signal DATA is used for data transmission such as a control command or a data transmission request command from the main communication unit to the sub-communication unit, and is also used for data transmission from the sub-communication unit to the main communication unit.

[0060] In communication method C, like communication method B, transmission and reception are performed at a predefined communication bit rate. The main communication unit and the sub-communication unit communicate in a half-duplex communication method (half-duplex system) that performs two-way communication on a single data signal line by alternately switching transmission and reception.

[0061] Figure 6(a) shows the communication waveform of the communication signal DATA for one frame, which is the minimum communication unit in communication method C. Referring to Figure 6(a), the communication data format of communication method C will be described. The communication data format is common to both broadcast communication and P2P communication. Here, the communication speed to be used for communication is determined in advance, and the communication data format in the case of performing so-called synchronous communication in which transmission and reception are performed at the communication bit rate according to the determination will be described.

[0062] First, in the non-transmission state where no data is being transmitted, the signal level is maintained at HIGH. Next, in order to notify the data receiving side of the start of data transmission, the signal level is set to LOW for a 1-bit period. This 1-bit period is called the start bit ST. Subsequently, 1 byte of data is transmitted in an 8-bit period from the 2nd bit to the 9th bit. The bit array of the data starts from the most significant data D7 in the MSB first format, followed by data D6, data D5, …, data D1, and ends with the least significant data D0. A 1-bit parity PA information is added to the 10th bit, and finally, by setting the signal level to HIGH during the period of the stop bit SP indicating the end of the transmitted data, the 1-frame period starting from the start bit ST ends.

[0063] The above is an example of an embodiment of the communication data format in communication method C, and other communication data formats may be used. For example, the bit array of the data may be LSB first or 9-bit long, and the parity PA information may not be added. Also, the communication data format may be switched between the broadcast communication mode and the P2P communication mode.

[0064] Next, with reference to FIG. 6(b), the communication formats of broadcast communication and P2P communication will be described. In broadcast communication, in order for the communication main unit to notify the communication sub-unit of starting broadcast communication, after setting the signal level of the control signal CS to LOW, the communication main unit then outputs the data to be transmitted to the communication signal DATA. On the other hand, the communication sub-unit sets the signal level of the control signal CS to LOW at the timing when it detects the start bit ST input from the communication signal DATA. At this point, since the communication main unit has already set the signal level of the control signal CS to LOW, the signal level of the control signal CS does not change.

[0065] After that, when the communication main unit finishes outputting the stop bit SP, it releases the LOW state of the control signal CS. After the communication sub-unit receives the data input from the communication signal DATA until the stop bit SP, it performs analysis of the received data and internal processing associated with the received data. Then, after preparations for receiving the next data are completed, the communication sub-unit releases the LOW output of the signal level of the control signal CS, so that the signal level of the control communication CS becomes HIGH. After that, by confirming that the signal level of the control communication CS has become HIGH, the communication main unit can detect that the reception process of the communication sub-unit has been completed and can determine that preparations for the next communication are complete. In this way, the signal transmitted by the control signal CS in broadcast communication functions as a signal indicating the start and execution of the broadcast communication mode.

[0066] The P2P communication mode is a communication mode in which the communication main unit designates one of a plurality of communication sub-units and performs one-to-one communication (individual communication) in which data is transmitted and received only between the designated communication sub-unit. To realize the P2P communication mode, the communication main unit has means capable of designating a communication partner in P2P communication. In this embodiment, for example, the communication main unit can designate the communication partner in P2P communication by transmitting the identification information of the communication sub-unit designated as the communication partner in P2P communication in the broadcast communication mode.

[0067] In P2P communication, first, the communication main outputs the data to be sent to the communication sub of the communication partner as a communication signal DATA. Next, after the communication main finishes outputting the stop bit SP, it sets the signal level of the control signal CS to LOW. Then, after the communication main completes the data reception preparation from the communication sub, it releases the LOW output of the signal level of the control signal CS.

[0068] After detecting the LOW level of the control signal CS, the communication sub designated as the P2P communication partner analyzes the received data input from the communication signal DATA and performs internal processing associated with the received data. Next, after confirming that the signal level of the control signal CS has returned to HIGH, the communication sub designated as the P2P communication partner outputs the data to be sent as the communication signal DATA. Then, after the communication sub finishes outputting the stop bit SP of the last byte of the data to be sent, it sets the signal level of the control signal CS to LOW. The communication sub designated as the P2P communication partner releases the LOW output of the signal level of the control signal CS after the data reception preparation from the communication main is completed. Note that the communication sub not designated as the P2P communication partner does not output signals to the control signal CS and the communication signal DATA. As described above, the signal transmitted by the control CS in P2P communication functions as a status notification signal indicating the end of data transmission and the standby request for the next data transmission.

[0069] <Appearance of the intermediate adapter> Next, with reference to FIG. 7, the appearance of the intermediate adapter 300 as an example of the adapter device will be described. The operation member 701 is an operation ring corresponding to the adapter operation ring 310. The operation members 702 to 708 correspond to the adapter operation unit 320 and include buttons and the like. The operation members 702 to 708 may be in the form of buttons, for example, or may be in other forms such as a touch-sensitive panel. The LED 709 is an example of the adapter notification unit 330 and notifies the user of the operating state of the function by light, for example.

[0070] The operation member 702 sets the sensitivity indicating the focus drive speed in the autofocus control realized in this embodiment, or the relationship between the operation amount of the adapter operation ring 310 and the focus drive amount in the manual focus control. The operation member 703 is an AF stop button that is operated to realize the focus temporary stop function realized in this embodiment. The operation member 704 is a reset button that is operated to realize the storage and playback drive of the focus position (the position of the focus lens) realized in this embodiment. The operation member 705 is a focus position storage button that is operated to realize the storage and playback drive of the focus position realized in this embodiment. The operation member 706 is a playback drive button that is operated to realize the storage and playback drive of the focus position realized in this embodiment. The operation member 707 is a focus movement button used for the purpose of restricting the focus drive range to the infinity side in this embodiment, or for driving the focus to the infinity side in the manual focus control. The operation member 708 is a focus movement button used for the purpose of restricting the focus drive range to the closest side in this embodiment, or for driving the focus to the closest side in the manual focus control.

[0071] <Camera System Startup Sequence> Next, the startup sequence of the camera system will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. 8. The processing of this startup sequence is executed when the power of the camera body 200 is turned on in a state where the intermediate adapter 300 of this embodiment, the interchangeable lens 100 to which the adapter is attached, and the camera body 200 are combined.

[0072] In S801, when the camera body 200 is powered on, the power supply to the interchangeable lens 100 is started. The power to the interchangeable lens 100 is supplied via the mount 400, the mount 401, and the intermediate adapter 300.

[0073] In S802, the interchangeable lens 100 initializes the parameters of the focus position information (hereinafter referred to as "FPC information") that responds to the camera body 200. The parameters of the FPC information are initialized, for example, starting from the current physical focus position (the position of the focus lens). This "FPC information" is a parameter that is exchanged as communication data between the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100. Note that the FPC information only needs to be able to update the starting position at any time between the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100 as described in S814 to S818 below, and does not necessarily have to be a parameter indicating the absolute position of the focus lens 104. On the other hand, in order to realize the "function of storing and reproducing and driving the focus position at an arbitrary position" realized in this embodiment, the intermediate adapter 300 stores the "focus reference position information" described below in order to manage the absolute position of the focus lens 104.

[0074] In S803, the camera body 200 requests authentication information for grasping the functions of the interchangeable lens 100 from the interchangeable lens 100. This communication is transmitted to the intermediate adapter 300 via the mount 401, and the intermediate adapter 300 converts the request for authentication information into a communication protocol that the interchangeable lens 100 supports. In S804, the intermediate adapter 300 requests authentication information from the interchangeable lens 100 via the mount 400 using the converted communication protocol.

[0075] In S805, the interchangeable lens 100 transmits the authentication information to the intermediate adapter 300 via the mount 400 as a response to the request for authentication information. The authentication information includes information about the functions of the interchangeable lens 100. The intermediate adapter 300 converts the response to the request for authentication information into a communication protocol that the camera body 200 supports. At this point, the intermediate adapter 300 can grasp the functions of the currently attached interchangeable lens 100. In S806, the intermediate adapter 300 transmits the response to the camera body 200 via the mount 401 using the converted communication protocol for the response to the request for authentication information.

[0076] In S807, the "focus reference position information" managed by the intermediate adapter 300 itself is initialized using the "FPC information". That is, both the "FPC information" exchanged between the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100 and the "focus reference position information" managed by the intermediate adapter 300 are initialized to the same value at this point. Also, separately from the "focus reference position information", the intermediate adapter 300 manages the "focus relative change amount", which is the relative change amount of the focus lens 104 from the reference position. The intermediate adapter 300 also initializes the "focus relative change amount" in this process.

[0077] After that, when the AF operation is started by operating the operation member 207 of the camera body 200, in S808, the camera body 200 transmits a focus drive command, which is a control command, to the intermediate adapter 300. In S809, the focus drive command is transmitted to the interchangeable lens 100 through the communication protocol conversion process by the intermediate adapter 300. When the interchangeable lens 100 receives this communication request, it drives the focus lens 104. Further, the interchangeable lens 100 changes the "FPC information" managed by the interchangeable lens 100 by a value corresponding to the driving amount of the focus lens 104.

[0078] In S810 and S811, an "FPC information" acquisition request is transmitted to the interchangeable lens 100 through the communication protocol conversion process by the intermediate adapter 300. When the interchangeable lens 100 receives this acquisition request, it responds with the "FPC information" managed by the interchangeable lens 100. This response is transmitted to the camera body 200 through the communication protocol conversion process by the intermediate adapter 300 in S812 and S813.

[0079] In S814, the camera body 200 sends an initialization request for the "FPC information". As described above, the "FPC information" does not necessarily indicate the absolute position of the focus lens 104, and it is assumed that it can be reset starting from the current position according to the convenience of the camera body 200. When the intermediate adapter 300 detects that an initialization request for the "FPC information" has been notified from the camera body 200, it performs the following processes of S815 to S817 before sending the request to the interchangeable lens 100.

[0080] In S815, the intermediate adapter 300 makes a request to acquire the latest "FPC information" from the interchangeable lens 100. In S816, when the interchangeable lens 100 receives the "FPC information" acquisition request, it responds to the intermediate adapter 300 with the latest "FPC information" managed internally in the interchangeable lens 100. In S817, the intermediate adapter 300 offsets and rewrites the "focus reference position information" stored in the intermediate adapter 300 itself by the amount of the latest "FPC information" acquired in S816.

[0081] In S818, an initialization of the "FPC information" is requested to the interchangeable lens 100 via the communication protocol conversion by the intermediate adapter 300. When the interchangeable lens 100 receives this request, it initializes the "FPC information" it manages. At this point, the "FPC information" exchanged between the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100 and the "focus reference position information" managed by the intermediate adapter 300 have different values. The "FPC information" is a parameter with the current focus position as the reference (0). In contrast, the "focus reference position information" managed by the intermediate adapter 300 is information indicating the position of the focus lens 104 determined at the time of S807. Regarding the process of updating the "focus reference position information" managed inside the adapter in S814 to S818 using the latest "FPC information", it will be described later with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 20.

[0082] <AF Stop Function> In the camera system of Embodiment 1, the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100 are connected via an intermediate adapter 300 having an AF stop function. With reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. 9, the processing of the camera system having the AF stop function in the present embodiment will be described.

[0083] First, the AF stop function will be described. Generally, when an AF start button provided on the camera body 200 or the interchangeable lens 100 is pressed by the user, or when the shutter button is half-pressed, etc., the camera system starts AF. Alternatively, when the camera body 200 detects a change in the shooting situation, etc., it may automatically start (follow) AF. The AF stop function is a function for temporarily stopping the AF operation.

[0084] For example, in the present embodiment, while an operation member 703 (AF stop button) provided on the intermediate adapter 300 is pressed, the intermediate adapter 300 stops the AF follow operation, so that it is possible to fix the focus at the timing intended by the user. Note that the method of operating the AF stop function is not limited to this, and for example, the start and end of the AF stop function may be switched each time the operation member is pressed.

[0085] When the AF operation is started by operating the operation member 207 of the camera body 200, at S901 and S902, a focus drive command is transmitted from the camera body 200 to the interchangeable lens 100 via communication protocol conversion processing by the intermediate adapter 300. When the interchangeable lens 100 receives the focus drive command, it drives the focus lens 104 and updates the focus information managed by the interchangeable lens 100. The focus information includes, in addition to the aforementioned FPC information, information such as a focus drive state indicating whether the focus lens 104 is being driven, and AF / MF information indicating that the interchangeable lens 100 is in the AF state or the MF state.

[0086] In S903, the camera body 200 transmits a focus information request to the intermediate adapter 300. In S904, the focus information request is transmitted to the interchangeable lens 100 through the communication protocol conversion process by the intermediate adapter 300. When the interchangeable lens 100 receives this focus information request, it responds with the focus information managed by the interchangeable lens 100. In S905, the intermediate adapter 300 transmits the focus information to the intermediate adapter 300 as a response to the focus information request. In S907, the focus information is communicated to the camera body 200 through the communication protocol conversion process by the intermediate adapter 300. Also, in S906, the intermediate adapter 300 updates the focus information stored by the intermediate adapter 300 itself based on the latest focus information obtained in S905.

[0087] When the operation of the AF stop function is started by the operation member 703 of the intermediate adapter 300, in S908, the intermediate adapter 300 updates the adapter state setting stored by the intermediate adapter 300 itself. The adapter state setting is information including AF stop function state information indicating whether the AF stop function is operating. In S908, the intermediate adapter 300 updates the AF stop function state information to a value representing "operating". Then, in S909, the intermediate adapter 300 transmits a focus stop command to the interchangeable lens 100. This is to fix the focus at the position intended by the user by immediately stopping the focus lens 104 if it was being driven. Note that the method of fixing the focus is not limited to this. For example, in the case where it can be determined from the focus information that the focus lens 104 has stopped, the process of S909 may not be performed. Also, for example, by transmitting an MF prohibition command (a command to prohibit driving of the focus lens by manual focus) to the interchangeable lens 100, it is possible to prevent a change in focus caused by the user inadvertently operating the manual operation ring 130 or the like.

[0088] The AF operation is started by operating the operation member 207 of the camera body 200. When the AF stop function of the intermediate adapter 300 is operating, even if the intermediate adapter 300 receives a focus drive command at S910, the intermediate adapter 300 does not perform communication protocol conversion processing for the focus drive command. Note that the processing when the intermediate adapter 300 receives a focus drive command while the AF stop function is operating is not limited to this. For example, the intermediate adapter 300 may convert the focus information it stores into information indicating a state different from the latest focus information received from the interchangeable lens 100. Also, for example, the intermediate adapter 300 may return a response corresponding to the focus drive command to the camera body 200 without transmitting the focus drive command to the interchangeable lens 100. Alternatively, the intermediate adapter 300 may transmit a focus drive command with the position of the focus lens fixed to the interchangeable lens 100.

[0089] Also, even when the AF stop function of the intermediate adapter 300 is operating, at S911, the camera body 200 transmits a focus information request. Then, at S912, the focus information request is transmitted to the interchangeable lens 100 through communication protocol conversion processing by the intermediate adapter 300. When the interchangeable lens 100 receives this focus information request, it responds with the focus information managed by the interchangeable lens 100. This response is communicated to the camera body 200 through communication protocol conversion processing by the intermediate adapter 300 at S913 and S915. Also, at S914, the intermediate adapter 300 updates the focus information it stores based on the latest focus information acquired at S913. Note that the intermediate adapter 300 may convert the focus information it stores into information indicating a state different from the latest focus information acquired at S913. For example, even if the focus information from the interchangeable lens 100 indicates an AF state, the intermediate adapter 300 may update the focus information it stores to an MF state and transmit information indicating the MF state to the camera body 200.

[0090] When the operation member 703 of the intermediate adapter 300 terminates the operation of the AF stop function, at S916, the intermediate adapter 300 updates the AF stop function state information in the adapter state setting stored in the intermediate adapter 300 itself to a value indicating "not in operation".

[0091] Next, with reference to FIG. 10, a series of operations of the intermediate adapter 300 having the AF stop function in the present embodiment will be described. This series of operations shows the control operations related to the AF stop function of the adapter microcomputer 302 in the intermediate adapter 300 during normal operation after completing the startup sequence described above with reference to FIG. 8. Note that this series of operations may be realized by the adapter microcomputer 302 executing a program, and is started when the operation member 703 of the intermediate adapter 300 is pressed.

[0092] At S1001, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether to start the AF stop function. For example, when the AF stop function state information is "not in operation", the adapter microcomputer 302 detects the pressing of the operation member 703 and determines to start the AF stop function. Note that the method for determining the start of the AF stop function is not limited to this. If the adapter microcomputer 302 determines to start the AF stop function, it transitions to S1002; otherwise, it transitions to S1004.

[0093] At S1002 and S1003, the adapter microcomputer 302 updates the adapter state setting stored in the intermediate adapter 300 itself and transmits a focus stop command to the interchangeable lens 100 to start the AF stop function. Since the processing contents of S1002 and S1003 are the same as those of S908 and S909 described above, the details are omitted.

[0094] In S1004, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether to end the AF stop function. For example, when the AF stop function status information is "operating", the adapter microcomputer 302 detects that the operation member 703 is not pressed, and thus determines to end the AF stop function. Note that the method for determining the end of the AF stop function is not limited to this. If the adapter microcomputer 302 determines to end the AF stop function, it transitions to S1005; otherwise, it transitions to S1006.

[0095] In S1005, the adapter microcomputer 302 ends the AF stop function by updating the adapter state setting stored in the intermediate adapter 300 itself. Note that since this process is the same as S916 described above, the details are omitted.

[0096] In S1006, if the adapter microcomputer 302 detects communication from the camera body 200 to the interchangeable lens 100, it transitions to S1007 to perform communication protocol conversion processing. If the adapter microcomputer 302 does not detect communication, it transitions to the start of this series of operations again, that is, S1001, to repeat this control process.

[0097] In S1007, the adapter microcomputer 302 analyzes the communication content from the camera body 200. If the communication content is a focus drive command, it transitions to S1008; otherwise, it transitions to S1011. In S1008, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether the AF stop function status information is "operating". If it is "operating", it transitions to S1010; otherwise, it transitions to S1009. In S1009, the adapter microcomputer 302 converts the communication content to the communication protocol corresponding to the interchangeable lens 100 and transmits a focus drive command to the interchangeable lens 100. In S1010, the adapter microcomputer 302 does not transmit a focus drive command to the interchangeable lens 100. Since the details are the same as S910 described above, they are omitted. After the processing of S1009 or S1010 is completed, it transitions to the start of this flow again, that is, S1001, to repeat this control process.

[0098] In S1011, the adapter microcomputer 302 analyzes the communication content from the camera body 200. If the communication is a focus information request, it transitions to S1012; otherwise, it transitions to S1016. In S1012, the adapter microcomputer 302 converts the communication content into the communication protocol corresponding to the interchangeable lens 100, transmits a focus information request to the interchangeable lens 100, and receives focus information from the interchangeable lens 100. Since this process is the same as the aforementioned S904 and S905, or the aforementioned S912 and S913, the details are omitted. In S1013, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether the AF stop function status information is "operating". If it is "operating", it transitions to S1014; otherwise, it transitions to S1015. In S1014, the adapter microcomputer 302 updates the focus information stored in the intermediate adapter 300 itself based on the acquired focus information. Since this process is the same as the aforementioned S914, the details are omitted. In S1015, the adapter microcomputer 302 transmits the focus information stored in the intermediate adapter 300 itself in the protocol corresponding to the camera body 200. Since this process is the same as the aforementioned S915, the details are omitted. After the process of S1015 ends, in order to repeatedly execute this control process, it resumes from the start of this process, that is, it transitions to S1001.

[0099] In S1016, the adapter microcomputer 302 analyzes the communication content received from the camera body 200, converts it into the communication protocol corresponding to the interchangeable lens 100, and transmits the communication to the interchangeable lens 100. At this time, if there is a response to the communication from the interchangeable lens 100, it waits until the response is received. Also, if a response is required for the camera body 200, it transmits the response in the communication protocol corresponding to the camera body 200. When the processes of S1006, S1009, S1010, S1015, and S1016 end, the adapter microcomputer 302 may end this process, or it may resume from the start to repeatedly execute this process, that is, it may transition to S1001.

[0100] As described above, according to this embodiment, the intermediate adapter 300 first receives an operation for operating a predetermined function (AF stop function) that assists the AF operation by the camera body 200. Then, based on the operation and a control command (focus drive command) for the AF operation from the camera body, by controlling the transmission of the control command to the interchangeable lens, the AF stop function for the AF operation is realized. In particular, the intermediate adapter 300 does not transmit the control amount related to the focus for the AF operation included in the control command to the interchangeable lens in order to control the transmission of the control command to the interchangeable lens. In this way, by using an intermediate adapter having an AF stop function, it becomes possible to provide a camera system having an AF stop function even when the camera body or the interchangeable lens does not have an AF stop function. In other words, the user's intention can be reflected in the AF function realized between the camera body and the interchangeable lens.

[0101] (Embodiment 2) Next, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, the camera body and the interchangeable lens are connected via an intermediate adapter having an AF drive range change function. However, the configuration of the camera system of this embodiment can be made substantially the same as that of Embodiment 1. Therefore, the same reference numerals will be given to the configurations and processes that are the same as or substantially the same as those in the above-described embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted, and the differences will be mainly described.

[0102] <AF drive range change function> First, the AF drive range change function will be described. The AF drive range change function is a function that can shorten the AF search time or improve the subject tracking performance by restricting the drive range of the focus lens by the AF operation to an arbitrary range. For example, in the present embodiment, when the intermediate adapter 300 receives the pressing of the operation member 707 by the user, it sets a restriction so as not to drive the focus lens 104 toward the infinity side from the position of the focus lens 104 at that time. When the intermediate adapter 300 receives the pressing of the operation member 707 by the user again, it releases the set restriction. Also, when the operation member 708 is similarly pressed by the user, the intermediate adapter 300 sets a restriction so as not to drive the focus lens 104 closer than the position of the focus lens 104 at that time. When the operation member 708 is pressed again by the user, the intermediate adapter 300 releases the set restriction. Note that the method of operating the AF drive range change function is not limited to this. For example, instead of the focus position at the time when an arbitrary setting button is pressed, a range of a predetermined width set in advance based on the focus position at the time of pressing may be set as the drive range. Or, an arbitrary position set in advance may be set as the drive range without depending on the focus position at the time of pressing.

[0103] Next, with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. 11, the processing of the camera system having the AF drive range change function of the present embodiment will be described. In this camera system, the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100 are connected via an intermediate adapter 300 having the AF drive range change function.

[0104] When the AF drive range is set by pressing the operation member 707 or the operation member 708 of the intermediate adapter 300, in S1101 and S1102, the intermediate adapter 300 acquires the latest "FPC information" from the interchangeable lens 100. At this time, the intermediate adapter 300 can manage the absolute position of the focus lens 104 based on the "focus position information" obtained by adding the latest "FPC information" to the above-mentioned "focus reference position information".

[0105] In S1103, the intermediate adapter 300 updates the AF drive range state of the adapter state setting stored in the intermediate adapter 300 itself to a value indicating "being set", and sets the AF drive range based on the "focus position information". The AF drive range is composed of the infinity side limit position and the closest side limit position. When the AF drive range state is "being set", the intermediate adapter 300 controls the focus lens 104 to be within the AF drive range. For example, when the user operation is the AF drive range setting by the operation member 707, the intermediate adapter 300 sets the infinity side limit position based on the "focus position information". Also, for example, when the user operation is the AF drive range setting by the operation member 708, the intermediate adapter 300 sets the closest side limit position based on the "focus position information". Note that the method of setting the AF drive range is not limited to this. The intermediate adapter 300 may set the AF drive range to an arbitrarily set range based on the "focus position information" at the time when an arbitrary setting button is pressed. Or, the intermediate adapter 300 may set the AF drive range to an arbitrarily set position without depending on the "focus position information" at the time when an arbitrary setting button is pressed. Further, for example, when the operation member is operated to set the infinity side limit position closer to the closest side than the closest side limit position, this operation may be ignored. The same applies when attempting to set the closest side limit position. Also, at this time, the intermediate adapter 300 may turn on the LED provided in the adapter notification unit 330 to notify the user that the setting of the AF drive range has been ignored. Note that the method of notifying the user that the AF drive range has been released via the adapter notification unit 330 is not limited to this, and for example, the fact that the AF drive range has been released may be displayed on the LCD provided in the adapter notification unit 330.

[0106] When the AF operation is started by operating the operation member 207 of the camera body 200, at S1104, a focus drive command, which is a control command for the interchangeable lens 100, is transmitted from the camera body 200 to the intermediate adapter 300. Then, the intermediate adapter 300, for which the AF drive range state is "being set", converts at S1105 the focus drive amount to be transmitted to the interchangeable lens 100 so that it falls within the AF drive range. Details of the conversion process of the focus drive amount will be described later with reference to FIG. 13. Then, at S1106, the intermediate adapter 300 transmits a force drive command to the interchangeable lens 100 using the converted focus drive amount. When receiving this force drive command, the interchangeable lens 100 drives the focus lens 104 and updates the focus information managed by the interchangeable lens 100. The focus information includes, in addition to the above-described FPC information, infinity end information indicating whether the position of the focus lens 104 is at the infinity-side end of the drivable range, closest end information indicating whether the position of the focus lens 104 is at the closest-side end of the drivable range, and other information.

[0107] In S1107 and S1108, the focus information request from the camera body 200 is transmitted to the interchangeable lens 100 through the communication protocol conversion process by the intermediate adapter 300. When the interchangeable lens 100 receives this focus information request, it responds with the focus information managed by the interchangeable lens 100. This response is transmitted from the interchangeable lens 100 to the camera body 200 through the communication protocol conversion process by the intermediate adapter 300 in S1109 and S1111. Also, in S1110, the intermediate adapter 300 updates the focus information stored in the intermediate adapter 300 itself based on the latest focus information obtained in S1109. Note that the intermediate adapter 300 may convert the focus information stored in the intermediate adapter 300 itself into information indicating a state different from the latest focus information obtained in S1109. For example, even if the infinity end information from the interchangeable lens 100 indicates a state where it is not at the infinity end, if the "focus position information" is equal to the infinity side limit position, the infinity end information stored in the intermediate adapter 300 itself may be updated to a state where it is at the infinity end. Then, the intermediate adapter 300 may transmit to the camera body 200 that it is in a state of being at the infinity end. Also, the intermediate adapter 300 can operate in the same way for the closest side.

[0108] When the AF drive range status is "being set" and the operation member 707 or 708 of the intermediate adapter 300 is pressed to release the AF drive range, the intermediate adapter 300 updates the AF drive range status to a value indicating "not being set" at S1112. Further, the intermediate adapter 300 clears the AF drive range. Also, the intermediate adapter 300 may update the focus information stored by itself to information that matches the latest focus information. Note that the method of releasing the AF drive range is not limited to the operation by the operation member. For example, the intermediate adapter 300 may release the AF drive range in response to detecting that the interchangeable lens 100 has been removed, or may release the AF drive range in response to the zoom lens 102 of the interchangeable lens 100 being driven (the imaging optical system has changed). Also, the intermediate adapter 300 may turn on the LED provided in the adapter notification unit 330 to notify the user that the AF drive range has been released. Note that the method of notifying the user that the AF drive range has been released via the adapter notification unit 330 is not limited to this. The intermediate adapter 300 may, for example, display a message indicating that the AF drive range has been released on the LCD provided in the adapter notification unit 330.

[0109] Furthermore, with reference to FIG. 12, a series of operations of the intermediate adapter 300 having the AF drive range change function in the present embodiment will be described. This series of operations shows the control operations related to the AF drive range change function of the adapter microcomputer 302 in the intermediate adapter 300 during normal operation after the startup sequence described above in FIG. 8 has been completed. Note that this series of operations may be realized by the adapter microcomputer 302 executing a program, and is started when the operation member 707 or 708 of the intermediate adapter 300 is pressed.

[0110] In S1201, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether to set the AF drive range. If the adapter microcomputer 302 determines to set the AF drive range, it proceeds to S1202; otherwise, it proceeds to S1203. In S1202, the adapter microcomputer 302 sets the AF drive range. Since the method for determining the start of setting the AF drive range in S1201 and the method for setting the AF drive range in S1202 are the same as those from S1101 to S1103 described above, the details are omitted.

[0111] In S1203, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether to cancel the AF drive range. If the adapter microcomputer 302 determines to cancel the AF drive range, it proceeds to S1204; otherwise, it proceeds to S1205. Since the method for determining to cancel the AF drive range in S1203 and the method for canceling the AF drive range in S1204 are the same as S1112 described above, the details are omitted.

[0112] In S1205, when the adapter microcomputer 302 detects communication from the camera body 200 to the interchangeable lens 100, it proceeds to S1206 to perform communication protocol conversion processing. If the adapter microcomputer 302 does not detect communication, it proceeds to S1201, that is, resumes from the start of this series of operations to repeat this control process.

[0113] In S1206, the adapter microcomputer 302 analyzes the communication content from the camera body 200. If the communication content is a focus drive command, it proceeds to S1207; otherwise, it proceeds to S1210. In S1207, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether the AF drive range state is "being set". If the AF drive range state is "being set", the adapter microcomputer 302 proceeds to S1208; otherwise, it proceeds to S1209. In S1208, the adapter microcomputer 302 converts the focus drive amount to be transmitted to the interchangeable lens 100 so that it falls within the AF drive range, and then proceeds to S1209. Details of the conversion process of the focus drive amount will be described later with reference to FIG. 13. In S1209, the adapter microcomputer 302 transmits a focus drive command to the interchangeable lens 100 using the communication protocol corresponding to the interchangeable lens 100.

[0114] In S1210, the adapter microcomputer 302 analyzes the communication content from the camera body 200. If the communication is a focus information request, it proceeds to S1211; otherwise, it proceeds to S1215. In S1211, the adapter microcomputer 302 converts the communication content to the communication protocol corresponding to the interchangeable lens 100 and transmits a focus information request to the interchangeable lens 100. Also, the adapter microcomputer 302 receives focus information from the interchangeable lens 100 and proceeds to S1212. Details of S1210 are the same as those of S1107 and S1108 described above, so the details are omitted. In S1212, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether the AF drive range state is "being set". If the AF drive range state is "being set", the adapter microcomputer 302 proceeds to S1213; otherwise, it proceeds to S1214.

[0115] In S1213, the adapter microcomputer 302 updates the focus information stored in the intermediate adapter 300 itself based on the received focus information. Details of S1213 are the same as those of S1110 described above, so the details are omitted. In S1214, the adapter microcomputer 302 transmits the focus information stored in the intermediate adapter 300 itself using the communication protocol corresponding to the camera body 200. Details of S1214 are the same as those of S1111 described above, so they are omitted.

[0116] At S1215, the adapter microcomputer 302 analyzes the communication content received from the camera body 200, converts it to the communication protocol corresponding to the interchangeable lens 100, and transmits the communication content to the interchangeable lens 100. At this time, if there is a response to the communication from the interchangeable lens 100, the adapter microcomputer 302 waits until the response is received. Also, when a response is required for the camera body 200, the camera body 200 transmits the response in the communication protocol corresponding to it. When the processes of S1205, S1209, S1214, and S1215 are completed, the adapter microcomputer 302 may end this process, or may transition from the start to resume, that is, transition to S1201, to repeatedly execute this process.

[0117] Referring further to FIG. 13, the operation of the focus lens 104 when the AF drive range state of the camera system including the intermediate adapter 300 having the AF drive range change function in the present embodiment is "being set" will be described. From the closest end to the infinity end in FIG. 13 indicates the range in which the focus lens 104 can be driven. At this time, the current position information of the focus lens 104 is transmitted as "FPC information" to the intermediate adapter 300 and the camera body 200. Also, inside the intermediate adapter 300, the absolute position of the focus lens 104 is managed with the aforementioned "focus position information".

[0118] When the AF drive range state is "being set", inside the intermediate adapter 300, the AF drive range composed of the closest-side limit position F13NL and the infinity-side limit position F13FL is managed. The AF drive range is set based on the "focus position information" and is set within the range from the closest end to the infinity end. Also, the closest-side limit position F13NL is set closer to the closest side than the infinity-side limit position F13FL.

[0119] For example, consider a case where when the "focus position information" is F130, the camera body 200 sends a focus drive command with a focus drive amount directed toward F131. In this case, the intermediate adapter 300 converts it to a focus drive amount directed toward F132 based on the "focus position information" so as not to exceed the closest-side limit position F13NL, and then sends a focus drive command to the interchangeable lens 100. Also, when the focus drive command sent by the camera body 200 is a search drive that does not indicate a focus drive amount directed toward the closest end, the intermediate adapter 300 also sends a focus drive command to the interchangeable lens 100 so as not to exceed the closest-side limit position F13NL. Specifically, the intermediate adapter 300 calculates a focus drive amount directed toward F134 based on the "focus position information", and then sends a focus drive command specifying the focus drive amount to the interchangeable lens 100.

[0120] Also, for example, consider a case where when the "focus position information" is F130, the camera body 200 sends a focus drive command with a focus drive amount directed toward F133. In this case, the intermediate adapter 300 converts it to a focus drive amount directed toward F134 based on the "focus position information" so as not to exceed the infinity-side limit position F13FL, and then sends a focus drive command to the interchangeable lens 100. Also, when the focus drive command sent by the camera body 200 is a search drive that does not indicate a focus drive amount directed toward the infinity end, the intermediate adapter 300 also sends a focus drive command to the interchangeable lens 100 so as not to exceed the infinity-side limit position F13FL. Specifically, the intermediate adapter 300 calculates a focus drive amount directed toward F134 based on the "focus position information", and then sends a focus drive command specifying the focus drive amount to the interchangeable lens 100. In this way, the focus lens 104 of the interchangeable lens 100 is controlled so as not to exceed the AF drive range managed by the intermediate adapter 300 itself.

[0121] As described above, according to this embodiment, the intermediate adapter 300 first receives an operation for operating an AF drive range change function that assists the AF operation by the camera body 200. Then, based on the operation and a control command (focus drive command) for the AF operation from the camera body, the intermediate adapter 300 controls the transmission of the control command to the interchangeable lens, thereby realizing the AF drive range change function. In particular, the intermediate adapter 300 changes the control amount (focus drive amount) related to focus for the AF operation included in the control command so as to fall within a predetermined drive range of the focus lens of the interchangeable lens 100 and transmits it to the interchangeable lens 100. By using the intermediate adapter having the AF drive range change function in this way, it is possible to provide a camera system having the AF drive range change function even when the camera body or the interchangeable lens does not have the AF drive range change function. In other words, the user's intention can be reflected in the AF function realized between the camera body and the interchangeable lens.

[0122] (Embodiment 3) Next, Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, the camera body and the interchangeable lens are connected via an intermediate adapter having an AF speed setting function. However, the configuration of the camera system of this embodiment can be substantially the same as that of the above-described embodiment. Therefore, the same reference numerals are assigned to the configurations and processes that are the same as or substantially the same as those of the above-described embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted, and the differences will be mainly described.

[0123] <AF speed setting function> First, the AF speed setting function will be described. The AF speed setting function is a function that can increase or decrease the AF speed by changing the driving speed of the focus lens by the AF operation to an arbitrary speed setting. For example, in the present embodiment, when one button of the operation member 702 provided in the intermediate adapter 300 is pressed, the AF speed becomes faster at an arbitrary magnification. Also, when the other button provided in the intermediate adapter 300 is pressed, the AF speed becomes slower at an arbitrary magnification. Note that the method of operating the AF speed setting function is not limited to this. For example, the intermediate adapter 300 has a plurality of steps of AF speed magnification (for example, five steps of 1 / 4 times, 1 / 2 times, equal magnification, 2 times, and 4 times), and the intermediate adapter may sequentially switch the magnification each time the setting button is pressed.

[0124] Next, with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. 14, the processing of the camera system having the AF speed setting function in the present embodiment will be described. In this camera system, the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100 are connected via an intermediate adapter 300 having the AF speed setting function.

[0125] When the operation member 702 of the intermediate adapter 300 is operated and the AF speed setting is changed, in S1401, the intermediate adapter 300 updates the AF speed setting state of the adapter state setting stored in the intermediate adapter 300 itself to a value indicating "being set". Also, the intermediate adapter 300 arbitrarily sets the AF speed setting. At this time, the AF speed setting is a magnification applied to the driving speed of the focus lens when the intermediate adapter 300 converts the focus drive command from the camera body 200 into the communication protocol corresponding to the interchangeable lens 100. Note that the specification of the AF speed setting is not limited to this. For example, when converting to the communication protocol corresponding to the interchangeable lens 100, it may be managed as a value for replacing the focus drive speed. If it is detected that the interchangeable lens 100 is a lens that cannot specify the focus speed, in this case, the intermediate adapter 300 may turn on the LED provided in the adapter notification unit 330 to notify the user that the AF speed setting cannot be set. The method of notifying the user that the AF speed setting cannot be set via the adapter notification unit 330 is not limited to this. The intermediate adapter 300 may display on the LCD provided in the adapter notification unit 330, for example, that the AF speed setting cannot be set.

[0126] When the AF operation is started by the user's operation of the operation member 207 of the camera body 200, in S1402, the focus drive command, which is a control command for the interchangeable lens 100, is transmitted from the camera body 200 to the intermediate adapter 300. Thereafter, the intermediate adapter 300, whose AF speed setting state is "being set", in S1403, converts the focus drive speed to be transmitted to the interchangeable lens 100 based on the AF speed setting. Thereafter, in S1404, the intermediate adapter 300 transmits the focus drive command to the interchangeable lens 100 using the converted focus drive speed. When receiving this focus drive command, the interchangeable lens 100 drives the focus lens 104 and updates the focus information managed by the interchangeable lens 100. The focus information is information including the aforementioned FPC information and the like.

[0127] In S1405 and S1406, a focus information request from the camera body 200 is transmitted to the interchangeable lens 100 via communication protocol conversion processing by the intermediate adapter 300. When the interchangeable lens 100 receives this focus information request, it responds with the focus information managed by the interchangeable lens 100. This response is transmitted from the interchangeable lens 100 to the camera body 200 via communication protocol conversion processing by the intermediate adapter 300 in S1407 and S1409. Also, in S1408, the intermediate adapter 300 updates the focus information stored in the intermediate adapter 300 itself based on the latest focus information acquired in S1407.

[0128] When the AF speed setting state is "being set" and the AF speed setting is canceled by operating the operation member 702 of the intermediate adapter 300 or the like, the intermediate adapter 300 updates the AF speed setting state to a value indicating "not being set" in S1410. Also, the intermediate adapter 300 clears the AF speed setting. Note that the method of canceling the AF speed setting is not limited to operating the operation member. For example, the intermediate adapter 300 may cancel the AF speed setting when the interchangeable lens 100 is removed, or may cancel the AF speed setting even when the imaging optical system changes due to driving of the zoom lens 102 of the interchangeable lens 100. Also, the LED provided in the adapter notification unit 330 may be lit to notify the user that the AF speed setting has been canceled. The method of notifying the user that the AF speed setting has been canceled via the adapter notification unit 330 is not limited to this, and the intermediate adapter 300 may display on the LCD provided in the adapter notification unit 330 that the AF speed setting has been canceled, for example.

[0129] Furthermore, referring to FIG. 15, a series of operations of the intermediate adapter 300 having the AF speed setting function in the present embodiment will be described. The process described here shows the control process related to the AF speed setting function of the adapter microcomputer 302 in the intermediate adapter 300 during normal operation after completing the startup sequence described above with reference to FIG. 8. Note that this series of operations may be realized by the adapter microcomputer 302 executing a program, and is started when the operation member 702 of the intermediate adapter 300 is pressed.

[0130] In S1501, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether to change the AF speed setting. If the adapter microcomputer 302 determines to change the AF speed setting, it transitions to S1502; otherwise, it transitions to S1503. Since the method for determining the start of changing the AF speed setting in S1501 and the method for changing the AF speed setting in S1502 are the same as those of S1401 described above, the details are omitted.

[0131] In S1503, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether to cancel the AF speed setting. If the adapter microcomputer 302 determines to cancel the AF speed setting, it transitions to S1503; otherwise, it transitions to S1504. Since the method for determining the cancellation of the AF speed setting in S1503 and the method for canceling the AF speed setting in S1504 are the same as those of S1410 described above, they are omitted.

[0132] In S1504, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether it has detected communication from the camera body 200 to the interchangeable lens 100. When the adapter microcomputer 302 detects communication from the camera body 200, it transitions to S1505 to perform communication protocol conversion processing. On the other hand, when the adapter microcomputer 302 does not detect communication, this process may end, or it may transition back to the start, that is, S1501, to repeat this process.

[0133] In S1505, the adapter microcomputer 302 analyzes the communication content from the camera body 200. If the communication is a focus drive command, it transitions to S1506; otherwise, it transitions to S1509. In S1506, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether the AF speed setting function is operating. The adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether the AF speed setting state is "being set". If it is "being set", it transitions to S1507; otherwise, it transitions to S1508. In S1507, the adapter microcomputer 302 converts the focus drive speed to be transmitted to the interchangeable lens 100 based on the AF speed setting (i.e., converts the focus drive amount). In S1508, the adapter microcomputer 302 transmits a focus drive command to the interchangeable lens 100 using the communication protocol corresponding to the interchangeable lens 100. After the processing in S1508 is completed, the adapter microcomputer 302 may end this processing or may transition back to the start, that is, S1501, to repeat this processing.

[0134] In S1509, the adapter microcomputer 302 analyzes the communication content from the camera body 200. If the communication is a focus information request, it transitions to S1510; otherwise, it transitions to S1514. In S1510, the adapter microcomputer 302 converts the communication content into the communication protocol supported by the interchangeable lens 100, transmits a focus information request to the interchangeable lens 100, receives focus information from the interchangeable lens 100, and then transitions to S1511. Since the details are the same as those in S1405 and S1406 described above, the details are omitted. In S1511, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether the AF speed setting state is "being set". If it is "being set", it transitions to S1512; otherwise, it transitions to S1513. In S1512, the adapter microcomputer 302 updates the focus information stored in the intermediate adapter 300 itself based on the received and acquired focus information. Since the details are the same as those in S1408 described above, the details are omitted. In S1513, the adapter microcomputer 302 transmits the focus information stored in the intermediate adapter 300 itself in the communication protocol supported by the camera body 200. Since the details are the same as those in S1409 described above, the details are omitted. After the processing in S1513 is completed, the adapter microcomputer 302 may end this process or may transition back to the start, that is, S1501, to repeat this process.

[0135] In S1514, the adapter microcomputer 302 analyzes the communication content received from the camera body 200, converts it into the communication protocol supported by the interchangeable lens 100, and transmits the communication to the interchangeable lens 100. At this time, if there is a response to the communication from the interchangeable lens 100, it waits until the response is received. Also, if a response is required for the camera body 200, it transmits the response in the communication protocol supported by the camera body 200. After the processing in S1214 is completed, the adapter microcomputer 302 may end this process or may transition back to the start, that is, S1501, to repeat this process.

[0136] As described above, according to this embodiment, the intermediate adapter 300 first receives an operation to operate an AF speed change function that assists the AF operation by the camera body 200. Then, based on the operation and a control command (focus drive control) for the AF operation from the camera body, the transmission of the control command to the interchangeable lens is controlled to realize the AF speed change function. In particular, the intermediate adapter 300 changes the drive speed of the focus lens included in the control command and transmits it to the interchangeable lens 100. In this way, by using an intermediate adapter having an AF speed setting function, it is possible to provide a camera system having an AF drive range change function even when the camera body or the interchangeable lens does not have an AF drive range change function. In other words, the user's intention can be reflected in the AF function realized between the camera body and the interchangeable lens.

[0137] (Embodiment 4) Next, Embodiment 4 will be described. In the camera system of this embodiment, the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100 are connected via an intermediate adapter 300 having a focus fine adjustment function. However, the configuration of the camera system of this embodiment can be substantially the same as that of the above-described embodiment. Therefore, the same reference numerals are given to the configurations and processes that are the same as or substantially the same as those of the above-described embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted, and the differences will be mainly described.

[0138] <Focus fine adjustment function> First, the focus fine adjustment function will be described. Generally, when shooting a scene such as the starry sky, the camera body is fixed to a tripod, and the focus is often finely adjusted using the MF function without using the AF function. For example, the focus can be finely adjusted by operating a manual operation ring. However, with this method, it is difficult to operate the fine manual operation ring, and it may be difficult to finely adjust the focus. Another example is a method of controlling the camera body from a smartphone application to perform fine focus adjustment. However, it tends to take time until the camera body can be controlled from the application, and there is a possibility of missing a shutter chance because shooting cannot be done immediately. Furthermore, this function can only be used with camera bodies supported by the application.

[0139] The focus fine adjustment function is a function that can finely adjust the focus without requiring delicate operations. For example, in this embodiment, when the operation member 707 or 708 provided in the intermediate adapter 300 is pressed, the focus lens 104 is driven toward the infinity side and the closest side respectively according to the number of times pressed. By doing so, it becomes possible to finely adjust the focus without making delicate adjustments like those of a manual operation ring. Note that the focus fine adjustment function is not limited to this. For example, a method of continuously driving the focus little by little while the operation member is being pressed may also be used. Furthermore, it is not necessary to be limited to the function of fine adjustment. For example, a configuration that largely drives the focus for rough adjustment may be adopted.

[0140] Next, with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. 16, the processing of the camera system having the focus fine adjustment function in this embodiment will be described. First, the processes of S901 to S907 are executed in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment, and the focus information of the interchangeable lens 100 is transmitted to the intermediate adapter 300 and the camera body 200.

[0141] When the operation member 707 or 708 provided in the intermediate adapter 300 is operated and the operation of the focus fine adjustment function is started, at S1601, the intermediate adapter 300 transmits a focus drive command to the interchangeable lens 100. By the intermediate adapter 300 transmitting a minute focus drive amount to the interchangeable lens 100 for each operation on the operation member 707 or 708, the user can perform fine adjustment of the focus without complicated operations. Also, the intermediate adapter 300 may transmit information indicating that the interchangeable lens 100 is in the MF state to the camera body 200. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the camera body 200 from transmitting an unnecessary focus drive command to the interchangeable lens 100. Note that the appropriate focus drive amount varies depending on each lens, which will be described later. In the above example, the case of using the operation members 707 and 708 is given as an example, but it is not necessary to be limited to this configuration. For example, an electronic ring such as the operation member 701 having a click feeling or a lever (not shown) may be used. Since the user operating the operation member 707 or 708 means that the user wants to use the focus fine adjustment function, the intermediate adapter 300 may set a period after completion of S1601 as a period during which the AF operation S1603 is not performed (not shown). Alternatively, the intermediate adapter 300 may set a period during which, even when receiving a focus drive command for a certain period from the time when it receives the start of the focus fine adjustment function by the operation member 707 or the like, the S1603 is not performed. At this time, the intermediate adapter 300 may convert the focus information stored in the intermediate adapter 300 itself into information indicating a state different from the latest focus information acquired at S905. Here, the focus information may include, in addition to the aforementioned FPC information, a focus drive state indicating whether the focus lens 104 is being driven, AF / MF information indicating whether the interchangeable lens 100 is in the AF state or the MF state, and the like. For example, even if the focus information from the interchangeable lens 100 indicates the AF state, the intermediate adapter 300 may update the focus information stored in the intermediate adapter 300 itself to the MF state and transmit it to the camera body 200 as the MF state.By notifying the camera body 200 of the MF state, unnecessary focus drive commands can be suppressed. Further, in the case of a camera body 200 that cannot perform shooting in the AF mode depending on the camera, shooting is also possible in the MF state.

[0142] After the focus fine adjustment using the focus fine adjustment function of the intermediate adapter 300 is completed, an AF operation is performed according to the operation on the camera body 200. When the AF operation is started by operating the operation member 207 of the camera body 200, at S1602 and S1603, the focus drive command from the camera body 200 is transmitted to the interchangeable lens 100 through the communication protocol conversion process by the intermediate adapter 300. When receiving this focus drive command, the interchangeable lens 100 drives the focus lens 104 and updates the focus information managed by the interchangeable lens 100.

[0143] Thereafter, at S1604 and 1605, the focus information request from the camera body 200 is transmitted to the interchangeable lens 100 through the communication protocol conversion process by the intermediate adapter 300. When receiving this focus information request, the interchangeable lens 100 responds with the focus information managed by the interchangeable lens 100. This response is transmitted to the camera body 200 through the communication protocol conversion process by the intermediate adapter 300 at S1606 and S1608. Also, at S1607, the intermediate adapter 300 updates the focus information stored in the intermediate adapter 300 itself based on the latest focus information acquired at S1606. Through the above operations, the focus fine adjustment function temporarily operates during the adapter operation, and then it can return to the AF operation based on the instruction from the camera body 200.

[0144] Furthermore, with reference to FIG. 17, a series of operations of the intermediate adapter 300 having the focus fine adjustment function in the present embodiment will be described. Note that this series of operations may be realized by the adapter microcomputer 302 executing a program.

[0145] In S1701, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether or not the operation member 702 provided in the intermediate adapter 300 has been pressed. If the operation member 702 has been pressed, the adapter microcomputer 302 proceeds to S1702; if it has not been pressed, the adapter microcomputer 302 proceeds to S1703. In S1702, the adapter microcomputer 302 changes the coefficient of the focus drive amount. Details will be described later in S1708.

[0146] In S1703, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether the operation member 707 or 708 provided in the intermediate adapter 300 has been pressed (whether the focus fine adjustment function has been started). If the operation member 707 or 708 has been pressed, the adapter microcomputer 302 proceeds to S1704; if not, it proceeds to S1701. In S1704, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether communication is occurring from the camera body 200 to the interchangeable lens 100. If communication is occurring, the adapter microcomputer 302 proceeds to S1705; if not, it proceeds to S1708. In S1705, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether the data to be transmitted from the camera body 200 to the interchangeable lens 100 is data related to focus drive. Data related to focus drive refers to, for example, a focus drive command or a focus stop command. If the data related to the transmission from the camera body 200 to the interchangeable lens 100 is data related to focus drive, the adapter microcomputer 302 proceeds to S1706; otherwise, it proceeds to S1707. In S1706, the adapter microcomputer 302 operates so that the intermediate adapter 300 behaves in the same way as when data related to focus drive is not transmitted to the interchangeable lens 100. For example, the adapter microcomputer 302 may discard the data without transmitting a request from the intermediate adapter 300 to the interchangeable lens 100. Alternatively, the adapter microcomputer 302 may send meaningless data (specifically, data that does not drive focus) from the intermediate adapter 300 to the interchangeable lens 100. This is because the user is trying to finely adjust the focus, and if the focus is inadvertently driven, the user may become confused. Although not shown, if the focus lens 104 is not driven from the current state, a command to stop the focus drive may be sent to the interchangeable lens 100.

[0147] In S1707, the adapter microcomputer 302 waits until the communication transmitted from the camera body 200 to the interchangeable lens 100 is completed. For example, when the adapter microcomputer 302 recognizes that the communication of the focus information request is being made, it waits until this communication is completed. By doing so, it becomes possible to transmit a focus drive command from the intermediate adapter 300 to the interchangeable lens 100 so that no inconsistency occurs in the camera system.

[0148] In S1708, the adapter microcomputer 302 transmits an amount of focus drive corresponding to the operation of the operation member 707 or 708 provided in the intermediate adapter 300 from the intermediate adapter 300 to the interchangeable lens 100. For example, in response to the depression of the operation member 707, the adapter microcomputer 302 transmits data to the interchangeable lens 100 so as to drive the focus lens 104 to the infinity side. Similarly, the adapter microcomputer 302 transmits data to the interchangeable lens 100 so as to drive the focus lens 104 to the closest side in response to the depression of the operation member 708. At this time, the usability is improved by reflecting the coefficient of the focus drive amount updated by the adapter microcomputer 302 in S1702 in the drive amount. For example, in S1702, it is conceivable that the adapter microcomputer 302 simply performs an operation of changing the magnification of the focus drive amount to 1 / 4 times, 1 / 2 times, 1 time, 2 times, 4 times. The user selects the coefficient of the focus drive amount as desired according to the type of lens, focal length, aperture value, etc. In this way, an appropriate focus fine adjustment function can be provided for one depression of the operation member 707 or 708. Further, the adapter microcomputer 302 may ensure that the focus lens 104 is driven by notifying the interchangeable lens 100 that it is in the AF state at the first point in time of this series of processes. What is shown here is merely an example, and it is widely known that the depth of field (the range of the distance on the subject side where the subject appears to be in focus in the photo) changes depending on the pixel size, focal length, and aperture value. Therefore, a configuration may be adopted in which the adapter microcomputer 302 makes a determination based on those pieces of information and changes the coefficient. Furthermore, a configuration may be adopted in which a change to the coefficient of the focus drive amount is received from an external device (not shown) such as a smartphone. Also, although an example of changing the coefficient of the focus drive amount has been given, a configuration of changing the focus drive speed may be adopted. Further, when it is inconvenient if the focus drive sound is recorded during video recording, a configuration may be adopted in which a limit is imposed on the focus drive amount or the focus drive speed.

[0149] In addition, in this series of operations, when the camera body 200 transmits data to the interchangeable lens 100 during the transmission of focus drive data from the intermediate adapter 300 to the interchangeable lens 100, it is necessary to suspend the communication between the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100. In the case of the first communication, the communication pause period can be expressed by a BUSY frame. Therefore, while transmitting the focus drive data from the intermediate adapter 300 to the interchangeable lens 100, the BUSY frame may be continuously maintained in the communication between the camera body 200 and the intermediate adapter 300.

[0150] In S1709, the adapter microcomputer 302 resumes the transmission held from the camera body 200 to the interchangeable lens 100 if it is suspended. When the process of S1709 ends, the adapter microcomputer 302 may end this process, or may transition from the start to resume, that is, to S1701, in order to repeatedly execute this process.

[0151] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the intermediate adapter 300 first receives an operation for operating a focus fine adjustment function that assists the AF operation by the camera body 200. Then, based on the operation and the control command for the AF operation from the camera body, the focus fine adjustment function is realized by controlling the transmission of the control command to the interchangeable lens. In particular, the intermediate adapter 300 controls the focus lens of the interchangeable lens based on the operation related to the focus fine adjustment function while suppressing the transmission of the control command to the interchangeable lens 100. In this way, by using an intermediate adapter having a focus fine adjustment function, it becomes possible to provide a camera system having a focus fine adjustment function regardless of the combination of the camera body and the interchangeable lens. In other words, the user's intention can be reflected in the AF function realized between the camera body and the interchangeable lens.

[0152] (Embodiment 5) Next, Embodiment 5 will be described. In the camera system of this embodiment, the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100 are connected via an intermediate adapter 300 having an MF function. However, the configuration of the camera system of this embodiment can be substantially the same as that of the above-described embodiment. Therefore, the same reference numerals will be given to the configurations and processes that are the same as or substantially the same as those of the above-described embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted, and the differences will be mainly described.

[0153] <MF function> In this embodiment, even when the camera body 200 is set to the AF mode, the focus lens 104 is driven according to the operation amount by operating the operation member 701 provided on the intermediate adapter 300. This is because there are situations where it is desirable to be able to perform MF operations during imaging in the AF mode by the camera body 200. For example, when the subject has low luminance or low contrast and it is difficult to focus by AF, it is desirable that the user can quickly focus by MF operation. With the intermediate adapter 300 of this embodiment, the user can quickly focus without switching the setting of the camera body 200 from the AF mode to the MF mode even in such a scene.

[0154] Next, with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. 18, the processing of the camera system having the MF function in this embodiment will be described. First, the processes of S901 to S907 are executed in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment, and the focus information of the interchangeable lens 100 is transmitted to the intermediate adapter 300 and the camera body 200.

[0155] When the operation member 701 provided in the intermediate adapter 300 starts the operation of the MF function, at S1801, the intermediate adapter 300 transmits a focus drive command to the interchangeable lens 100. The intermediate adapter 300 realizes an operation as if the manual operation ring 130 provided in the interchangeable lens 100 is operated by changing the focus drive amount according to the operation amount of the operation member 701. For example, when the user rotates the manual operation ring 130 slightly, the focus lens 104 can be driven with a small MF operation amount, and when rotated largely, it can be driven with a large MF operation amount. At this time, the intermediate adapter 300 may transmit to the camera body 200 that the lens body is in the MF state, so as not to transmit an unnecessary focus drive command from the camera body 200 to the interchangeable lens 100. Note that the appropriate drive amount of focus varies depending on each lens, which will be described later. Although the case of using the operation member 701 is taken as an example, the present embodiment does not necessarily have to be limited to this configuration. For example, a configuration in which the MF operation amount is changed according to the length of pressing the operation member 707 or 708, or a configuration in which the MF operation amount is changed according to the operation amount of a lever (not shown) may be used. Since the user operating the operation member 701 means that the user wants to use the MF function, a certain period after S1801 is completed may be set as a period during which the AF operation S1803 is not performed (not shown). Alternatively, from the time when the intermediate adapter 300 receives the start of the MF function by the operation member 701 or the like, a certain period may be set as a period during which the focus drive command is received but S1803 is not performed. At this time, the intermediate adapter 300 may convert the focus information stored in the intermediate adapter 300 itself into information indicating a state different from the latest focus information acquired at S1806. The focus information includes, in addition to the above-described FPC information, information such as a focus drive state indicating whether the focus lens 104 is being driven, and AF / MF information indicating whether the interchangeable lens 100 is in the AF state or the MF state. For example, even if the focus information from the interchangeable lens 100 indicates the AF state, the intermediate adapter 300 may update the focus information stored in the intermediate adapter 300 itself to the MF state and transmit it to the camera body 200 as the MF state.By notifying the camera body 200 of the MF state, unnecessary focus drive commands can be suppressed. Further, in the case of a camera body 200 that cannot perform shooting in the AF mode depending on the camera, shooting is also possible in the MF state.

[0156] After the MF function of the intermediate adapter 300 is completed, an AF operation is performed in response to an operation of the operation member 207 of the camera body 200. When the AF operation is started by operating the operation member 207 of the camera body 200, at S1802 and 1803, a focus drive command is transmitted to the interchangeable lens 100 through the communication protocol conversion process by the intermediate adapter 300. When receiving this focus drive command, the interchangeable lens 100 drives the focus lens 104 and updates the focus information managed by the interchangeable lens 100.

[0157] At S1804 and S1805, a focus information request from the camera body 200 is transmitted to the interchangeable lens 100 through the communication protocol conversion process by the intermediate adapter 300. When receiving this focus information request, the interchangeable lens 100 responds with the focus information managed by the interchangeable lens 100. This response is transmitted to the camera body 200 through the communication protocol conversion process by the intermediate adapter 300 at S1806 and S1808. Also, at S1807, the intermediate adapter 300 updates the focus information stored in the intermediate adapter 300 itself based on the latest focus information acquired at S1806. Through the above operations, the focus function temporarily operates when the adapter is operated, and then can return to the AF operation based on an instruction from the camera body 200.

[0158] Furthermore, with reference to FIG. 19, a series of operations of the intermediate adapter 300 that can temporarily provide the MF function even when the setting of the camera body 200 in the present embodiment is in the AF mode will be described. Note that this series of operations may be realized by the adapter microcomputer 302 executing a program.

[0159] In S1901, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether or not the operation member 702 provided in the intermediate adapter 300 has been pressed. If the operation member 702 has been pressed, the adapter microcomputer 302 proceeds to S1902; if not, it proceeds to S1903. In S1902, the adapter microcomputer 302 changes the coefficient of the focus drive amount. Details will be described later in S1908.

[0160] In S1903, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether or not the operation member 701 provided in the intermediate adapter 300 has been operated. If the operation member 701 has been operated, the adapter microcomputer 302 proceeds to S1904; if not, it proceeds to S1901. In S1904, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether or not communication has occurred from the camera body 200 to the interchangeable lens 100. If communication has occurred, the adapter microcomputer 302 proceeds to S1905; if not, it proceeds to S1907. In S1905, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether or not the data to be transmitted from the camera body 200 to the interchangeable lens 100 is data related to focus drive. As described above, the data related to focus drive refers to, for example, a focus drive command or a focus stop command. If the data is related to focus drive, the adapter microcomputer 302 proceeds to S1906; otherwise, it proceeds to S1907. In S1906, the adapter microcomputer 302 operates so that the intermediate adapter 300 behaves in the same way as when data related to focus drive is not transmitted to the interchangeable lens 100. The specific example may be the same as that described for the focus fine adjustment function in Embodiment 4.

[0161] In S1907, the adapter microcomputer 302 waits until the communication transmitted from the camera body 200 to the interchangeable lens 100 is completed. For example, if the intermediate adapter 300 recognizes that communication for a focus information request is being made, it waits until this communication is completed. By doing so, it becomes possible to transmit a focus drive command from the intermediate adapter 300 to the interchangeable lens 100 so that no inconsistency occurs in the camera system.

[0162] In S1908, the adapter microcomputer 302 transmits the amount of focus drive corresponding to the operation of the operation member 701 provided in the intermediate adapter 300 from the intermediate adapter 300 to the interchangeable lens 100. At this time, the usability is improved by reflecting the coefficient of the focus drive amount updated in S1902 in the drive amount. For example, in S1902, a configuration in which the adapter microcomputer 302 simply changes the magnification of the focus drive amount to 1 / 4 times, 1 / 2 times, 1 time, 2 times, or 4 times can be considered. The user selects the coefficient of the focus drive amount as desired according to the type of lens, focal length, aperture value, etc. In this way, an MF function in which the relationship between the operation amount of the operation member 701 and the focus drive amount is appropriately set can be provided. Further, the adapter microcomputer 302 may ensure that the focus lens 104 is driven by notifying the interchangeable lens 100 of the AF state at the beginning of this step. What is shown here is merely an example, and it is widely known that the depth of field (the range of the distance on the subject side where the subject appears to be in focus in the photograph) changes depending on the pixel size, focal length, and aperture value. Therefore, a configuration in which the adapter microcomputer 302 makes a determination based on that information and changes the coefficient may be used. Furthermore, a configuration in which the coefficient of the focus drive amount can be changed from an external device (not shown) such as a smartphone may be acceptable. Also, although an example of changing the coefficient of the focus drive amount has been given, a configuration in which the focus drive speed is changed may be used. Further, when it is inconvenient for the focus drive sound to be recorded during video recording, a configuration may be adopted in which a limit is imposed on the focus drive amount or the focus drive speed.

[0163] Note that in this series of operations, when the camera body 200 is transmitting data to the interchangeable lens 100 while the focus drive data is being transmitted from the intermediate adapter 300 to the interchangeable lens 100, it is necessary to suspend the communication between the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100. In the case of the first communication, since the communication pause period can be expressed by the BUSY frame, the BUSY frame may be continuously maintained in the communication between the camera body 200 and the intermediate adapter 300 while the focus drive data is being transmitted from the intermediate adapter 300 to the interchangeable lens.

[0164] In S1909, when the adapter microcomputer 302 has suspended transmission from the camera body 200 to the interchangeable lens 100, it resumes the transmission. When the processing of S1909 ends, the adapter microcomputer 302 may end this processing, or may transition from the start to resume, that is, transition to S1901, in order to repeatedly execute this processing.

[0165] As described above, according to the present embodiment, an operation related to a temporary MF function that assists the AF operation by the camera body 200 is received. Then, based on the operation and a control command for the AF operation from the camera body, the transmission of the control command to the interchangeable lens is controlled to realize the MF function. In particular, the intermediate adapter 300 controls the focus lens of the interchangeable lens based on an operation related to the MF function while suppressing the transmission of the control command to the interchangeable lens 100. In this way, it becomes possible to provide a camera system that can temporarily provide the MF function when executing the AF function regardless of the combination of the camera body and the interchangeable lens. In other words, the intention of the user can be reflected in the AF function realized between the camera body and the interchangeable lens.

[0166] (Embodiment 6) Furthermore, Embodiment 6 will be described. In the camera system of the present embodiment, the intermediate adapter 300 realizes the storage and playback drive of the focus position. The configuration of the camera system of the present embodiment can be substantially the same as that of the above-described embodiment. Therefore, the same reference numerals are given to the configurations and processes that are the same as or substantially the same as those of the above-described embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted, and the differences will be mainly described.

[0167] <Operation of the Intermediate Adapter 300 at the Time of Executing the Initialization Process of "FPC Information"> Referring to FIG. 20, a series of operations for updating the "focus reference position information" managed inside the intermediate adapter 300 when the initialization process of "FPC information" is performed between the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100 will be described. Note that this series of operations may be realized by the adapter microcomputer 302 executing a program.

[0168] In S2001, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines the communication content from the camera body 200 and determines whether it is a communication of an initialization request for "FPC information". If the communication by the adapter microcomputer 302 is a communication related to the initialization request, it proceeds to S2002; otherwise, it repeats the process of S2001.

[0169] In S2002, the adapter microcomputer 302 performs a process of acquiring the latest "FPC information" for the interchangeable lens 100. This process is performed before requesting the initialization of "FPC information" for the interchangeable lens 100. In S2003, the adapter microcomputer 302 re - stores the "focus reference position information" stored in the intermediate adapter 300 itself, offset by the amount of the latest "FPC information" acquired in S2002. In S2004, the adapter microcomputer 302 converts the communication protocol for the initialization request of the "FPC information" detected in S2001 and then transmits it to the interchangeable lens 100.

[0170] By performing the above - mentioned process, even if focus drive control is performed between the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100, the intermediate adapter 300 can grasp the absolute position of the focus with the "focus position information". At this time, the intermediate adapter 300 can obtain the "focus position information" by adding up the "focus reference position information" it manages and the "FPC information" exchanged between the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100.

[0171] However, as will be described later in the warning display subroutine 2502 shown in FIG. 25B, when zoom driving is performed, an error may occur between the focus position as the actual in-focus plane and the "FPC information" due to the mechanical structure. Alternatively, depending on the type of actuator that drives and controls the focus lens 104, an error may occur between the focus position as the actual in-focus plane and the "FPC information" when the focus driving is repeatedly performed. The intermediate adapter 300 manages the focus position information based on the "FPC information" exchanged between the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100. As a result, the reliability of the "focus reference position information" managed by the intermediate adapter 300 may decrease. In such a case, the intermediate adapter 300 performs the update process of the "focus reference position" described in FIG. 21A in response to the pressing of the reset button (operation member 704) of the "focus reference position" provided in the intermediate adapter 300.

[0172] <Update Process of "Focus Reference Position Information" of Intermediate Adapter 300> Next, with reference to FIG. 21A, the update process of the "focus reference position" will be described. Note that this series of operations may be realized by the adapter microcomputer 302 executing a program. In S2101, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether there is a trigger for updating the "focus reference position" inside the intermediate adapter 300. The trigger corresponds to, for example, the pressing of the operation member 704. If the adapter microcomputer 302 detects the trigger, it proceeds to S2102; otherwise, it repeats the process of S2101.

[0173] In S2102, the adapter microcomputer 302 starts the update process of the "focus reference position" between the intermediate adapter 300 and the interchangeable lens 100. As will be described later after S2112, which is a detailed description of S2107, the intermediate adapter 300 cannot receive focus driving from the camera body 200 during this process. Therefore, the adapter microcomputer 302 will disguise the state of the interchangeable lens 100 to the camera body 200 as if it is, for example, in manual focus.

[0174] In S2103, the adapter microcomputer 302 communicates to prohibit the manual focus (MF) operation for the interchangeable lens 100. This process is for preventing the "FPC information" within the interchangeable lens 100 from being changed by the MF operation of the interchangeable lens 100 during the update of the "focus reference position information" managed by the intermediate adapter 300, which will be described below.

[0175] In S2104, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether the interchangeable lens 100 is a lens capable of allowing the absolute reference position of the focus lens 104 to be confirmed. The adapter microcomputer 302 makes this determination based on the authentication information notified from the interchangeable lens 100 to the intermediate adapter 300 in S805. As an example of a lens capable of confirming the absolute reference position of such a focus lens 104, a lens configuration equipped with a device capable of detecting with high precision an absolute position called a reset sensor at a specific position within the focus drive range can be cited. With such a lens, it is possible to reconfirm the absolute position of the focus by driving the focus lens 104 to the arrangement position of the aforementioned reset sensor. When the intermediate adapter 300 determines based on the authentication information that the lens is equipped with a lens capable of confirming the absolute reference position of the focus, it proceeds to S2105; otherwise, it proceeds to S2106.

[0176] In S2105, the adapter microcomputer 302 requests the intermediate adapter 300 to confirm the absolute reference position of the focus unit for the interchangeable lens 100. In S2106, the adapter microcomputer 302 transmits a request to drive the focus lens 104 to the infinity end or the closest end to the interchangeable lens 100 from the intermediate adapter 300. In S2107, the adapter microcomputer 302 performs a process of waiting for the focus lens 104 to stop and a process for ignoring the focus drive request from the camera body 200. Details will be described with reference to FIG. 21B.

[0177] In S2108, the adapter microcomputer 302 is in a state where the focus lens 104 has hit and stopped at the infinite end or the closest end. In this state, the adapter microcomputer 302 requests the initialization of "FPC information" for the interchangeable lens 100 and initializes the "focus reference position information" managed by the intermediate adapter 300 itself. At this point, the "FPC information" exchanged between the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100 and the "focus reference position information" managed by the intermediate adapter 300 are initialized to the same value again.

[0178] In S2109, the adapter microcomputer 302 initializes the "relative focus change amount" managed inside the intermediate adapter 300. The "relative focus change amount" is a parameter indicating the change amount of the focus lens as a difference value from the "focus reference position information", and the details will be described later. In S2110, the adapter microcomputer 302 initializes various "warning determination parameters" for determining a state where the accuracy of the playback drive of the focus position cannot be guaranteed, which will be described later in the warning display subroutine 2502 shown in FIG. 25B. In S2111, the adapter microcomputer 302 ends the update process of the "focus reference position information" between the intermediate adapter 300 and the interchangeable lens 100. The adapter microcomputer 302 releases the prohibition of the MF operation (processing for not accepting a focus drive request from the camera body 200) set in S2102.

[0179] Subsequently, the focus stop confirmation process (S2112 - S2319) by the intermediate adapter 300 in S2107 will be described with reference to FIG. 21B.

[0180] In S2112, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether communication from the camera body 200 has occurred. If any communication has occurred, the adapter microcomputer 302 proceeds to S2113; if not, it transitions to S2120. In S2113, the adapter microcomputer 302 checks the communication content from the camera body 200. Specifically, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether the detected communication is a communication for inquiring about the state of a switch for switching between the AF function and the MF function provided in the interchangeable lens 100. If the communication is a communication for inquiring about the AF and MF states, the adapter microcomputer 302 proceeds to S2114; otherwise, it proceeds to S2115.

[0181] In S2114, the adapter microcomputer 302 communicates to the camera body 200 that the MF function is set. Thereby, during the period until the update of the "focus reference position information" of the adapter implemented in this series of operations is completed, it is possible to prevent a focus drive request from occurring from the camera body 200.

[0182] In S2115, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether the communication content from the camera body 200 is a focus drive request. If the communication content is a focus drive request, it proceeds to S2116; otherwise, it proceeds to S2117. In S2116, the adapter microcomputer 302 transmits information indicating that focus drive is impossible to the camera body 200. In S2117, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether the communication content from the camera body 200 is a focus drive request. If the communication content is a focus drive request, the adapter microcomputer 302 proceeds to S2118; otherwise, it proceeds to S2119. In S2118, the adapter microcomputer 302 does not perform the communication with the interchangeable lens 100 even if the intermediate adapter 300 receives this communication. In S2119, the adapter microcomputer 302 performs the communication with the interchangeable lens 100 after performing communication protocol conversion for the communication requested from the camera body 200. Also, the adapter microcomputer 302 performs communication protocol conversion for the response from the interchangeable lens 100 and responds to the camera body 200.

[0183] In S2120, the adapter microcomputer 302 inquires about the focus state of the interchangeable lens 100. In S2121, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether the lens focus has stopped based on the response of the interchangeable lens 100 to S2120. If the response from the interchangeable lens 100 indicates that the focus has not stopped, the adapter microcomputer 302 proceeds to S2112 to repeat the process of FIG. 21B. If the focus has stopped, it proceeds to S2108 (ending this subroutine).

[0184] Through the above processing, it is possible to cancel the error between the actual position of the focus lens 104 and the "FPC information" exchanged between the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100 due to the drive error when the focus lens 104 is repeatedly driven.

[0185] Regarding the process of hitting the focus at the infinite end or the closest end in S2106, it may be done as follows. For example, based on optical data such as subject distance information obtained by eavesdropping on the communication between the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100, or by the intermediate adapter 300 communicating independently with the interchangeable lens 100, it may be determined whether to hit the infinite end or the closest end.

[0186] Also, the intermediate adapter 300 may determine based on the authentication information of the interchangeable lens 100 obtained in S805 whether an actuator such as a stepping motor, which is likely to cause a driving error, is mounted. The adapter microcomputer 302 can determine whether to perform an operation of hitting the focus at the infinite end or the closest end based on the characteristics of the actuator. Also, when an actuator that is less likely to cause a focus driving error is mounted, instead of performing the process of hitting the focus at the end, it may be stopped at the current focus position to update the "focus reference position". In that case, it is discriminated by the authentication information received by the intermediate adapter 300 from the interchangeable lens 100 in S805.

[0187] <Operation of Focus Reproduction Target Position Storage Process> Next, with reference to FIG. 22, the process when the operation member 705 (focus position storage button) provided in the intermediate adapter 300 is pressed will be described. Note that this series of operations may be realized by the adapter microcomputer 302 executing a program.

[0188] In S2201, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether it has detected the pressing of the operation member 705. If it has detected the pressing of the operation member 705, it starts the subsequent process to update the "relative focus change amount" managed by the intermediate adapter 300 (proceeds to S2202). If the adapter microcomputer 302 has not detected the pressing of the operation member 705, it repeats the process of S2201.

[0189] In S2202, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether a communication request from the camera body 200 has been transmitted to the intermediate adapter 300 at the timing when it detects the pressing of the operation member 705 in S2201. If the adapter microcomputer 302 is performing communication processing at this timing, it proceeds to S2203; if not, it proceeds to S2208.

[0190] In S2203, the adapter microcomputer 302 analyzes the communication command group transmitted from the camera body 200, determines the delimiter of communication with a data length of the smallest meaningful unit, converts the communication protocol for the communication with the data length, and communicates with the interchangeable lens 100. Such processing is performed because the communication commands implemented between the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100 can communicate by concatenating communication commands with arbitrary data lengths as shown in FIG. 4(b), for example.

[0191] In S2204, the adapter microcomputer 302 performs communication with the interchangeable lens 100 for obtaining "FPC information" after performing the communication in S2203, regardless of the communication request from the camera body 200. In S2205, the adapter microcomputer 302 performs communication with the interchangeable lens 100 for obtaining "zoom position information" after performing the communication in S2204, regardless of the communication request from the camera body 200. This "zoom position information" is used for determination for warning display when there is a possibility that the accuracy to the drive position decreases during playback drive. The warning display will be described later in the description of the warning display subroutine 2502 shown in FIG. 25B. In S2206, the adapter microcomputer 302 communicates between the intermediate adapter 300 and the interchangeable lens 100 for the remaining communication commands of the communication command group from the camera body 200 that were executed interruptively in S2204 and 2205.

[0192] In S2207, the adapter microcomputer 302 acquires "FPC information" and "zoom position information", which are responses to the communication performed by interruption in S2204 and 2205, from the received data responded by the interchangeable lens 100, and responds the remaining received data to the camera body 200. In S2208, since there is no communication request from the camera body 200, the adapter microcomputer 302 performs acquisition processing of "FPC information" and "zoom position information" between the intermediate adapter 300 and the interchangeable lens 100.

[0193] In S2209, based on the "FPC information" acquired from the interchangeable lens 100 in S2204 or S2208, the adapter microcomputer 302 stores the relative change amount from the "focus reference position information" as the "focus relative change amount" in the adapter storage unit 340.

[0194] In S2210, the adapter microcomputer 302 stores, in the adapter storage unit 340, as the "focus reproduction target position", the value obtained by adding the "focus reference position" and the "focus relative change amount" managed by the intermediate adapter 300 itself. The reason for separately managing the "focus reference position" and the "focus relative change amount" in this way is as follows. That is, as described above with reference to FIG. 20, the "FPC information" communicated between the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100 may be initialized at an arbitrary timing by an instruction from the camera body 200. For this reason, it is because the "focus reference position" may be offset in order to determine the absolute position information of the focus using the "FPC information" after initialization.

[0195] In S2211, the adapter microcomputer 302 detects the attitude information and temperature information of the current interchangeable lens 100, and stores them in the adapter storage unit 340. Specifically, the attitude information of the interchangeable lens 100 is information such as when the camera body 200 is held in the correct position, in the vertical position, or held downward or upward. Since the camera body 200, the intermediate adapter 300, and the interchangeable lens 100 are all in the mounted state, the intermediate adapter 300 may detect the attitude information detected by any of the devices. For example, in the case of a configuration in which the attitude information is transmitted from the camera body 200 to the interchangeable lens 100, the intermediate adapter 300 can obtain the information by eavesdropping on the communication content. Alternatively, in the case of a configuration in which the attitude information is transmitted from the interchangeable lens 100 to the camera body 200, the information can be obtained by communicating a request for obtaining the attitude information from the intermediate adapter 300 to the interchangeable lens 100 in the same procedure as in S2205. Also, the intermediate adapter 300 may be able to detect the attitude information. The same applies to the method of obtaining the temperature information. These attitude information and temperature information are used for the determination for warning display described later in the warning display subroutine 2502 of FIG. 25B.

[0196] In S2212, the adapter microcomputer 302 initializes the "focus drive counter" managed by the intermediate adapter 300. This information manages the history of the drive and stop processes of the focus lens 104 of the interchangeable lens 100. It is used for the determination for warning display described later in the warning display subroutine 2502 of FIG. 25B, which is realized by monitoring the control error when the drive and stop processes are repeated.

[0197] Here, the communication processes of S2203 to 2207 described above will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 23. FIG. 23 illustrates the communication content carried out between the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100 when the operation member 705 (focus position memory button) is pressed, which is determined in S2202.

[0198] The broken line portion 2301 illustrates an example of communication carried out between the camera body 200 and the intermediate adapter 300. The DCL (DCA) at 2302 indicates the communication data transmitted from the camera body 200 to the intermediate adapter 300. Also, the DLC (DAC) at 2303 indicates the communication data transmitted from the intermediate adapter 300 to the camera body 200. The data of DCL (DCA) shows a case where the command 1 (CMD1) with a data length of 3 bytes shown at 2304, the command 2 (CMD2) with a data length of 2 bytes shown at 2305, and the command 3 (CMD3) with a data length of 5 bytes shown at 2305 are communicated continuously. As response values corresponding to these three communication commands, three response values of 2307, 2308, and 2309, which are the data of DLC (DAC), are communicated continuously from the intermediate adapter 300 to the camera body 200. That is, the response value for the communication at 2304 has a relationship with 2307. At this time, each communication command and the data length have a one-to-one relationship, and the intermediate adapter 300 can determine the data length of each command by interpreting the communication commands from the camera body 200.

[0199] On the other hand, the broken line portion 2310 illustrates an example of communication carried out between the intermediate adapter 300 and the interchangeable lens 100 when the pressing of the operation member 705 is detected between the communication of the command 1 at 2304 and the communication of the command 2 at 2305.

[0200] The DCL (DAL) at 2311 indicates the communication data transmitted from the intermediate adapter 300 to the interchangeable lens 100. Also, the DLC (DLA) at 2312 indicates the communication data transmitted from the interchangeable lens 100 to the intermediate adapter 300. The command 1 with a data length of 3 bytes shown at 2313 is the communication data in which the intermediate adapter 300 converts the communication protocol and communicates the communication command transmitted from the camera body 200 shown at 2304. Similarly, the command 2 shown at 2314 corresponds to the communication at 2305, and the command 3 shown at 2315 has a corresponding relationship with the communication at 2306.

[0201] When the intermediate adapter 300 receives Command 1, converts the communication protocol, and detects the pressing of the operation member 705 while performing the communication of 2313, it performs the communication of 2316 with the interchangeable lens 100 before performing the communication of 2314. As a result, four pieces of data, namely 2317, 2318, 2319, and 2320, are responded from the interchangeable lens 100 to the intermediate adapter 300. Since 2320 is not the communication requested and performed from the camera body 200, for the three pieces of data of 2317, 2318, and 2319, the intermediate adapter 300 converts the communication protocol and communicates with the camera body 200. More specifically, the data of 2317 is transmitted to the camera body 200 as the data of 2307. Similarly, the data of 2318 corresponds to 2308, and the data of 2319 corresponds to 2309.

[0202] Through the above processing, the intermediate adapter 300 can acquire "FPC information" from the interchangeable lens 100 at the fastest timing when the operation member 705 is pressed, and can store the real-time focus position information when the operation member 705 is pressed.

[0203] Note that in the acquisition of "FPC information" performed in S2203, it is possible to store the focus position with higher accuracy when the delay from the timing when the operation member 705 (focus position memory button) is pressed is small. For this reason, in the above example, it is performed between the intermediate adapter 300 and the interchangeable lens 100 in a form that interrupts the communication command group from the camera body 200. However, regarding the acquisition of the zoom position information in S2204, it may be performed between the intermediate adapter 300 and the interchangeable lens 100 after performing a series of communication command groups from the camera body 200.

[0204] Also, in this embodiment, as an example, a method of managing two parameters, namely, a "focus reference position" and a "relative focus change amount", is described for the intermediate adapter 300 to manage the absolute position information of the focus lens 104 of the interchangeable lens 100. However, they may be managed as "focus position information" obtained by adding them together. In this case, when detecting the initialization request communication of the "FPC information" from the camera body 200 as described with reference to FIG. 20, the "focus reference position" may be offset with the current value of the "FPC information" in the same manner as the process of S2003.

[0205] As will be described later in the explanation of FIG. 25A, when zoom driving is performed, an error may occur between the focus position as the actual in-focus plane and the "FPC information" due to the mechanical structure. Therefore, after zoom driving, the accuracy of the playback drive of the focus position may decrease. On the contrary, when zoom driving is performed without performing focus driving after storing the focus playback target position described above with reference to FIG. 22, the focus position after zoom driving is re-stored as the focus playback target position. Thereby, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the accuracy of the playback drive of the focus position.

[0206] Referring to FIG. 24, the above-described process will be explained. Note that this series of operations may be realized by the adapter microcomputer 302 executing a program. Note that the focus playback target position has already been stored in the process of FIG. 22.

[0207] In S2401, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether the focus lens 104 of the interchangeable lens 100 has changed from the stopped state to the driving state. This determination may be made by eavesdropping on the communication carried out between the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100, or may be made by periodically checking the communication for the focus drive state between the intermediate adapter 300 and the interchangeable lens 100. When the adapter microcomputer 302 detects a change in the drive state of the focus lens 104, it transitions to S2402; otherwise, it transitions to S2405.

[0208] In S2402, the adapter microcomputer 302 increments the "focus drive counter" managed by the intermediate adapter 300 itself. Note that this "focus drive counter" is initialized at S2212 during the focus position storage operation in FIG. 22. In S2403, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether the "focus drive counter" incremented in S2402 exceeds a predetermined number of times. This determination is made in order to perform the warning display described later in FIG. 25B when the focus drive and stop processes are carried out a predetermined number of times or more. This is because an error may occur between the focus position as the actual in-focus plane and the "FPC information" when the focus drive is repeatedly carried out depending on the type of actuator that controls the drive of the focus lens 104.

[0209] In S2404, the adapter microcomputer 302 enables the "warning display flag" to be managed. In S2405, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether the zoom drive of the interchangeable lens 100 has occurred. This determination may be made by intercepting the communication carried out between the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100, or may be made by periodically carrying out communication to check the zoom drive state between the intermediate adapter 300 and the interchangeable lens 100. When the adapter microcomputer 302 detects the drive state of the zoom lens 102, it proceeds to S2406; otherwise, it returns to S2401. In S2406, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether the "focus drive counter" managed by the intermediate adapter 300 is 0. When the counter is 0, the adapter microcomputer 302 transitions to S2407. The case where the counter is 0 corresponds to the case where the zoom drive is carried out without the focus drive being carried out after the storage of the "focus reproduction target position". On the other hand, when the counter is not 0 (i.e., corresponding to the case where the focus drive is carried out after the storage of the "focus reproduction target position"), it transitions to S2409.

[0210] In S2407, the adapter microcomputer 302 waits for the drive of the zoom lens 102 of the interchangeable lens 100 to stop. In S2408, the storage of the "focus reproduction target position" shown in FIG. 24 is redone. In S2409, the adapter microcomputer 302 enables the "warning display flag" managed by the intermediate adapter 300 in the same manner as in S2404. After finishing the processes of S2408 and S2409, the adapter microcomputer 302 returns to S2401.

[0211] By the above processing, when the zoom drive is carried out without carrying out the focus drive after carrying out the "focus reproduction target position" storage, it becomes possible to automatically redo the "focus reproduction target position" storage, and the usability can be improved. At this time, the processing can proceed without carrying out the warning display in the warning display subroutine 2502 described later in FIG. 25B.

[0212] Next, with reference to FIG. 25A, a series of operations when the operation member 706 (playback drive button) provided in the intermediate adapter 300 is pressed will be described. Note that this series of operations may be realized by the adapter microcomputer 302 executing a program.

[0213] In S2501, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether it has detected the pressing of the operation member 706. If the operation member 706 is pressed, the adapter microcomputer 302 proceeds to S2502; otherwise, it repeats the process of S2501. In S2502, the adapter microcomputer 302 executes a subroutine for warning display. This subroutine will be described later with reference to FIG. 25B. In S2503, the adapter microcomputer 302 starts the focus playback drive process between the intermediate adapter 300 and the exchange lens 100. In S2504, the adapter microcomputer 302 executes a subroutine (focus stop confirmation process) for waiting for the drive stop of the focus lens 104 of the exchange lens 100 by the intermediate adapter 300. This subroutine is the same as the process described in S2112 - S2121 of FIG. 21B.

[0214] In S2505, the adapter microcomputer 302 acquires "FPC information" from the exchange lens 100 in a state where the focus lens 104 has stopped in S2504, and updates the "relative focus change amount" managed by the intermediate adapter 300. In S2506, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether the setting of the focus drive speed has been changed by the operation member 702 of the intermediate adapter 300. Note that this speed setting is the same as the content described in FIG. 14. If the speed setting has been changed, the adapter microcomputer 302 proceeds to S2507; otherwise, it proceeds to S2508.

[0215] In S2507, the adapter microcomputer 302 requests focus driving for the interchangeable lens 100. At this time, the adapter microcomputer 302 generates absolute position information of the focus lens 104 from the speed set in S2506, the "relative focus change amount" updated in S2505, and the "focus reference position information" stored in advance. Further, a difference value between the absolute position information of the focus lens 104 and the "focus playback target position" stored in FIG. 22 is obtained, and focus driving is requested for the interchangeable lens 100 so as to cancel the difference value.

[0216] In S2508, this step is a case where the focus speed is not set in the intermediate adapter 300 or the focus speed setting is canceled. The adapter microcomputer 302 continues the speed of the focus driving request previously made from the camera body 200 to the interchangeable lens 100. Alternatively, the adapter microcomputer 302 may request focus driving for the interchangeable lens 100 at the maximum speed.

[0217] In S2509, the adapter microcomputer 302 performs communication to acquire the driving state of the focus lens 104 from the interchangeable lens 100. In S2510, the state of the focus lens 104 acquired in S2509 is determined, and if it is an abnormal state where focus cannot be driven, warning processing is performed in S2511. Details of the warning processing will be described with reference to FIG. 21B. As an example of the focus abnormal state here, it is assumed that the focus lens 104 cannot operate due to external factors such as an impact on the focus unit or being pressed by hand.

[0218] In S2512, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether the operating member 706 has been released. If the operation has been released, the process proceeds to S2513. If the operation continues, it is determined in S2514 whether the driving of the focus lens 104 has stopped. The adapter microcomputer 302 repeats the process from S2509 until the driving of the focus lens 104 stops, and then transitions to S2515 when the focus lens 104 stops.

[0219] In S2515, the adapter microcomputer 302 acquires "FPC information" in the state where the focus lens 104 has stopped from the interchangeable lens 100. In S2516, it is determined based on the "FPC information" acquired in S2515 whether the focus lens could be driven to the target focus position specified in S2506. If the adapter microcomputer 302 cannot drive the focus lens to the target focus position, it performs warning processing in S2517. Examples of such cases where the focus lens cannot be driven to the focus position include cases where the interchangeable lens 100 is set to have a limit on the focus driving range.

[0220] If the focus lens 104 has not stopped in S2514, the adapter microcomputer 302 transitions to S2518 and determines whether the user has performed an operation to change the focus speed setting, similar to S2506. If the focus speed setting is changed, the adapter microcomputer 302 notifies the interchangeable lens 100 of the changed focus driving speed information in S2519. Then, the process is executed again from S2509 regardless of the presence or absence of the user operation. The change in the speed setting during this playback drive will be described later with reference to FIG. 27. In S2513, the adapter microcomputer 302 cancels the process for suppressing the focus driving request from the camera body 200 performed in the subroutine 2504 and ends this series of operations.

[0221] <Warning Display Determination Process in Intermediate Adapter 300> Next, referring to FIG. 25B, a subroutine for the warning display determination process of S2502 will be described. Note that this series of operations may be realized by the adapter microcomputer 302 executing a program.

[0222] In S2520, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether the focus position storage process described in FIG. 22 has been performed. If the focus position storage process has not been performed yet, it transitions to the warning display process of S2524. On the other hand, if the focus position storage process has been performed, it transitions to S2521.

[0223] In S2521, the adapter microcomputer 302 compares the attitude information when the playback drive button of the operation member 706 is pressed with the attitude information acquired during the focus position storage process in S2211 to determine whether there is a difference. Regarding the method of acquiring the attitude information, similar to S2211, it may be any of acquisition from the camera body 200, acquisition from the interchangeable lens 100, or detection of the attitude information provided in the intermediate adapter 300.

[0224] In S2522, the adapter microcomputer 302 compares the temperature information when the playback drive button of the operation member 706 is pressed with the temperature information acquired during the focus position storage process in S2211 to determine whether there is a difference of a predetermined value or more. The threshold for this temperature information difference comparison may be switched according to the type of actuator that drives the focus lens 104 (stepping motors 107 and 108 in FIG. 1). Regarding the method of acquiring the temperature information, similar to S2211, it may be any of acquisition from the camera body 200, acquisition from the interchangeable lens 100, or detection of the temperature information provided in the intermediate adapter 300. In S2523, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether the "warning display flag" managed by the intermediate adapter 300 is valid. If the flag is valid, it proceeds to S2524; otherwise, it ends this series of operations.

[0225] In S2524, it is determined that there is a possibility that the driving accuracy may decrease when performing the focus playback drive process by any of S2520 to S2523. Therefore, the adapter microcomputer 302 notifies the user of the warning situation through the adapter notification unit 330. The adapter microcomputer 302 may prompt the camera body 200 to display an error, for example, by not conforming to the communication format shown in FIG. 23 in the communication with the camera body 200. The focus playback drive process may continue even when the warning display process is performed, or the playback drive process may be stopped at this point.

[0226] By the above-described process of the focus position playback operation, the focus can be driven from the focus position at the time of pressing the playback drive button to the focus position for playback drive stored in advance by the intermediate adapter. Also, as a case where the accuracy of the focus playback drive may decrease, it is possible to display a warning to the user by determining the zoom position change, the attitude change, the temperature change, the number of focus drive times, and the like.

[0227] Next, with reference to FIG. 26, how the focus position operates by the above update process and the like will be described. The above update process and the like include the update process of the "focus reference position information" according to FIG. 21A, the behavior at the time of the focus position storage button operation according to FIG. 22, and the behavior at the time of the focus position playback operation according to FIG. 25A.

[0228] The horizontal axis of the graph 2601 shown in FIG. 26 represents time, and the vertical axis represents the position of the focus lens 104. First, when the camera startup process is performed at the timing 2602 shown on the horizontal axis, in the above-described S807, the intermediate adapter 300 determines the "focus reference position" managed by the intermediate adapter 300. At the same time, the "FPC information" communicated between the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100 is set to zero. The focus reference position (1) at 2603 on the vertical axis indicates that the intermediate adapter 300 manages this focus position as the reference position.

[0229] The change in the focus position shown in section 2604 indicates the change in the focus lens 104 due to a focus drive instruction to the interchangeable lens 100 via the intermediate adapter 300 based on the autofocus control from the camera body 200, or a manual focus operation.

[0230] When an update operation of the focus reference position by the user is received at the timing shown at 2605 on the horizontal axis, a focus stop waiting process (the process of S2606 in FIG. 26) (explained in S2107 of FIG. 21A) is performed. After confirming that the focus lens 104 has stopped in this process, the intermediate adapter 300 re - stores the focus position on the vertical axis 2607 as the "focus reference position". Note that FIG. 26 shows the case where the mounted lens is a lens capable of confirming the absolute reference position determined in S2104, and shows the case where there is a reset sensor at the focus position of 2607. At this time, the "FPC information" communicated between the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100 is set to zero.

[0231] In section 2608, the user changes the focus position by autofocus control or manual focus control in the same way as in section 2604. When the intermediate adapter 300 detects an initialization request for FPC information from the camera body 200 at the timing shown at 2609 on the horizontal axis, the "focus reference position" stored by the intermediate adapter 300 is updated by the process of FIG. 20. The focus position on the vertical axis 2610 is the focus position when the initialization request for the FPC is detected. Also, the value of the "FPC information" that the intermediate adapter 300 acquires from the interchangeable lens 100 in S2002 is the difference component from 2607 which is the "focus reference position (2)" shown at 2611. Also, the amount by which the "focus reference position information" is offset in S2003 corresponds to the value of 2611.

[0232] After that, when the intermediate adapter 300 receives the operation of the focus position memory button by the user at the timing shown at 2612 on the horizontal axis, it acquires "FPC information" from the interchangeable lens 100 in the process of S2203 or S2208 in FIG. 22. At this time, the latest "FPC information" is acquired without stopping the focus position. The zero position of the "FPC information" at this point is the focus position at 2610, and the "FPC information" acquired at the timing of 2612 on the horizontal axis is the focus change amount shown at 2613. And the current focus position at this timing is the focus position shown at 2614, which is the same position as the focus playback target position stored by the intermediate adapter 300. Therefore, 2615, which is the difference between the current focus position and the focus reference position, is stored by the intermediate adapter 300 as the "relative focus change amount".

[0233] In section 2616, similar to section 2604, the user changes the focus position by auto focus control or manual focus control. When the intermediate adapter 300 receives the playback drive operation by the user at the timing shown at 2617 on the horizontal axis, it performs the focus stop waiting process (focus stop confirmation process of S2504) at 2618. The "FPC information" at this focus stop position is the difference from the zero position 2610 of the "FPC information" shown at 2619. After the focus stops, a focus playback drive 2620 is performed on the focus playback target position by the process of S2506. The focus drive amount 2622 at this time can be obtained by the following relationship. Focus drive amount 2622 = {Focus playback target position 2614 - (Focus reference position (2) 2607 + Relative focus change amount 2621)} In this way, it becomes possible to realize the focus position memory and playback drive by the user operation.

[0234] Next, referring to FIG. 27, the focus operation when an operation to change the focus speed setting during focus playback drive described in S2518 is performed will be described. The horizontal axis of the graph 2701 shown in FIG. 27 represents time, and the vertical axis represents the position of the focus lens 104. At the start of this focus operation, the focus lens 104 is at the "current focus position" shown on the vertical axis 2702. A case of driving from this focus position to the "focus playback target position" shown on the vertical axis 2703 will be described as an example.

[0235] At the timing shown by 2704 on the horizontal axis, when the focus speed setting operation of the intermediate adapter 300 is performed, the intermediate adapter 300 stores the set value. Thereafter, the focus speed setting is changed at each timing shown on the horizontal axis. For example, speed 1, speed 2, speed 3, speed 4, and speed 5 are selectable, and the speed is sequentially set to be slower starting from speed 1. This process corresponds to S2506 shown in FIG. 25A.

[0236] Next, at the timing shown by 2705 on the horizontal axis, a focus playback drive operation is performed. By this operation, focus drive at the fast speed setting set at 2704 is started (2706). Next, at the timing shown by 2707 on the horizontal axis, when the focus speed setting operation of the intermediate adapter 300 is performed, the intermediate adapter 300 stores the set value and communicates the change in speed setting to the interchangeable lens 100. This process corresponds to 2518 shown in FIG. 25A. By this operation, the focus drive switches to a speed setting slightly slower than the speed set at 2704 (2708). Thereafter, when the speed setting change operation is performed at the timings of 2709, 2710, and 2711 on the horizontal axis, the intermediate adapter 300 gradually switches the speed of the focus playback drive to a lower speed. In the example shown in FIG. 27, the operation of gradually slowing down the speed setting has been described, but it is also possible to increase the speed setting, or to appropriately switch between high speed and low speed. Through the above operations, it becomes possible to control the speed of the focus playback drive according to the user operation.

[0237] (Embodiment 7) Next, Embodiment 7 will be described. In Embodiment 6, the storage and reproduction drive of the focus position by user operation were realized. In this embodiment, the intermediate adapter 300 automatically performs focus reproduction drive during the exposure period, thereby realizing focus drive between exposures. However, the configuration of the camera system of this embodiment can be substantially the same as that of the above-described embodiment. Therefore, for the configurations and processes that are the same as or substantially the same as those of the above-described embodiment, the same reference numerals are assigned and the description is omitted, and the differences will be mainly described.

[0238] <Series of operations during still image shooting> Referring to FIG. 28, a series of operations during still image shooting in this embodiment will be described. Note that this series of operations may be realized by the adapter microcomputer 302 executing a program.

[0239] In S2801, the adapter microcomputer 302 performs a series of operations (focus reproduction target position storage process) shown in FIG. 22. In S2802, the adapter microcomputer 302 monitors the communication from the camera body 200 and determines whether the current shooting mode of the camera body 200 is the still image shooting mode. If the adapter microcomputer 302 determines that it is not the still image shooting mode, this process ends (or returns to S2801), and if not, it proceeds to S2803.

[0240] In S2803, the adapter microcomputer 302 monitors the communication from the camera body 200 and monitors the exposure time information in the still image shooting of the camera body 200. In S2804, the adapter microcomputer 302 acquires the latest "FPC information" from the interchangeable lens 100. In S2805, the adapter microcomputer 302 monitors the communication from the camera body 200 and determines whether the exposure start information for still image shooting is being communicated. If the exposure start information has not yet been communicated, the adapter microcomputer 302 returns to S2802; otherwise, it proceeds to S2806. In S2806, the adapter microcomputer 302 calculates the driving speed when driving the focus during the exposure. For example, the adapter microcomputer 302 calculates the driving speed based on the exposure time acquired in S2803, the latest "FPC information" acquired in S2804, and the focus driving amount calculated from the reproduction target position information stored in S2801. In S2807, the adapter microcomputer 302 performs the focus reproduction driving process shown in FIG. 25A.

[0241] Regarding the operation described with reference to FIG. 28, a supplementary explanation will be given with reference to FIG. 29. In the graph 2901 shown in FIG. 29, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the position of the focus lens 104. 2902 on the vertical axis indicates the focus reproduction target position stored in S2801. It is assumed that this focus reproduction target position has been recorded by the user before the still image shooting operation.

[0242] 2903 on the vertical axis indicates the position of the focus lens 104 before the still image shooting. The timing of 2904 on the horizontal axis is the timing of the exposure start. The intermediate adapter 300 determines this timing information from the information communicated from the camera body 200 to the interchangeable lens 100 (corresponding to the process of S2803).

[0243] In the process of S2807 described above, by the intermediate adapter 300 communicating a focus drive request to the interchangeable lens 100, the focus lens 104 operates as shown in 2905. As the focus drive amount and drive speed at this time, the values obtained in S2806 are used. Exposure ends at the timing of 2906 on the horizontal axis.

[0244] In this way, by performing the operation of the intermediate adapter 300 in which the user stores the focus playback drive position in advance, it becomes possible to easily realize focus drive control during exposure by still image shooting.

[0245] (Other Embodiments) The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. Further, it can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0246] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, claims are attached to disclose the scope of the invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0247] 101 Interchangeable lens, 104 Focus lens, 106 Lens holding frame, 108 Stepping motor, 111 Lens microcomputer, 112 Lens communication circuit, 120 Focus drive circuit, 200 Camera body, 300 Intermediate adapter, 320 Operation unit

Claims

1. An accessory device detachably mounted between an imaging device and an interchangeable lens, comprising: communication means for performing first communication with the imaging device and second communication with the interchangeable lens; operation means for receiving a predetermined operation for operating a predetermined function that assists the AF (auto focus) operation by the imaging device; control means for realizing the predetermined function for the AF operation by controlling transmission of the control command for the AF operation from the imaging device received via the first communication to the interchangeable lens via the second communication based on the predetermined operation and the control command; and the control means controls transmission of the control command for the AF operation included in the control command to the interchangeable lens by not transmitting or changing the control amount related to focus for the AF operation according to the predetermined operation and transmitting it to the interchangeable lens. The accessory device is characterized by this.

2. The accessory device according to claim 1, wherein when the predetermined operation is a first operation for operating a function of stopping the AF operation, the control amount is not transmitted to the interchangeable lens.

3. The accessory device according to claim 2, wherein when the predetermined operation is the first operation, the control means further transmits a command for stopping driving of the focus lens of the interchangeable lens to the interchangeable lens via the second communication.

4. The accessory device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein when the predetermined operation is the first operation, the control means further transmits a command for prohibiting driving of the focus lens of the interchangeable lens by manual focus to the interchangeable lens via the second communication.

5. The accessory device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein when the predetermined operation is the first operation, the control means further transmits information indicating that it is in the manual focus state to the imaging device via the first communication.

6. The accessory device according to claim 1, wherein when the predetermined operation is a second operation for operating a function of limiting a driving range of the focus lens by the AF operation, the control means changes the control amount so as to fall within a predetermined driving range of the focus lens of the interchangeable lens.

7. The control means sets the infinity end of the predetermined driving range of the focus lens based on the absolute position of the focus lens of the interchangeable lens. The accessory device according to claim 6, characterized in that.

8. The control means sets the closest end of the predetermined driving range of the focus lens based on the absolute position of the focus lens of the interchangeable lens. The accessory device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that.

9. The control means sets, as the predetermined driving range, a range with a predetermined width from the reference position based on the absolute position of the focus lens of the interchangeable lens at the time when the second operation is received. The accessory device according to claim 6, characterized in that.

10. The control means sets a predetermined position as the infinity end and the closest end of the predetermined driving range. The accessory device according to claim 6, characterized in that.

11. When the absolute position of the focus lens of the interchangeable lens is at the infinity end of the predetermined driving range, the control means notifies the imaging device via the first communication that the focus lens is at the infinity end. The accessory device according to claim 7, characterized in that.

12. When the absolute position of the focus lens of the interchangeable lens is at the closest end of the predetermined driving range, the control means notifies the imaging device via the first communication that the focus lens is at the closest end. The accessory device according to claim 8, characterized in that.

13. The control means cancels the change to be within the predetermined driving range in response to receiving the second operation again in the operation means while the predetermined driving range is set. The accessory device according to any one of claims 6 to 12, characterized in that.

14. The control means cancels the change to be within the predetermined driving range in response to detecting that the interchangeable lens has been removed while the predetermined driving range is set. The accessory device according to any one of claims 6 to 12, characterized in that.

15. The control means cancels the change to be within the predetermined driving range in response to the zoom lens of the interchangeable lens being driven while the predetermined driving range is set. The accessory device according to any one of claims 6 to 12, characterized in that.

16. The accessory device according to any one of claims 13 to 15, further comprising notification means for notifying the user that the control means has canceled the change to be within the predetermined driving range.

17. The accessory device according to claim 1, wherein when the predetermined operation is a third operation for operating a function of changing the driving speed of the focus lens by the AF operation, the control means changes the driving speed of the focus lens included in the control amount.

18. The accessory device according to claim 17, wherein when the control means converts the control amount having the driving speed of the focus lens as the first driving speed to have the driving speed of the focus lens as the second driving speed, the second driving speed is calculated by multiplying the first driving speed by a predetermined magnification.

19. The accessory device according to claim 18, wherein after the control means converts the control amount so that the driving speed of the focus lens becomes the second driving speed, the control means stops the conversion of the control amount in response to receiving the third operation.

20. The accessory device according to any one of claims 17 to 19, further comprising notification means for notifying the user that the driving speed of the focus lens cannot be changed when the control means detects that the driving speed of the focus lens by the AF operation cannot be changed.

21. The accessory device according to claim 1, wherein when the predetermined operation is a fourth operation for operating a function of finely adjusting the driving of the focus lens, the control means does not transmit the control amount to the interchangeable lens, and transmits the driving amount of the interchangeable lens corresponding to the fourth operation to the interchangeable lens via the second communication.

22. The accessory device according to claim 1, wherein when the predetermined operation is a fifth operation for temporarily operating manual focus, the control means does not transmit the control amount to the interchangeable lens, and transmits the driving amount of the interchangeable lens corresponding to the fifth operation to the interchangeable lens via the second communication.

23. A control method for an accessory device detachably attached between an imaging device and an interchangeable lens, the accessory device including communication means for performing first communication with the imaging device and second communication with the interchangeable lens, the control method comprising: An operation step of receiving a predetermined operation for assisting an AF (auto focus) operation by the imaging device and operating a predetermined function; A control step of realizing the predetermined function for the AF operation by controlling the transmission of the control command to the interchangeable lens via the second communication based on the predetermined operation and the control command for the AF operation from the imaging device received via the first communication; and, In the control step, in order to control the transmission of the control command to the interchangeable lens, a control amount related to focus for the AF operation included in the control command is not transmitted to the interchangeable lens or is changed and transmitted to the interchangeable lens according to the predetermined operation. A control method characterized by this.

24. A program for causing a computer to function as each means of the accessory device according to any one of claims 1 to 22.

Images