Accessory device, control method, and program

Abstract

To provide an adapter apparatus that enables more user-friendly MF operations.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; first operation means for receiving a predetermined operation related to a manual focus operation; setting means for setting a degree to which a driving amount of a focus lens of the interchangeable lens is made effective with respect to an operation amount in the first operation means; and control means for transmitting the driving amount or driving speed of the focus lens of the interchangeable lens to the interchangeable lens via the second communication according to the predetermined operation and the degree that is set.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 16

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art In a lens-interchangeable camera system in which an interchangeable lens can be attached to an imaging device (hereinafter also referred to as a camera body), there is known a technique for adjusting focus by autofocus (AF) or manual focus (MF).

[0003] Patent Document 1 proposes a camera system in which manual focusing is possible by operating a focus operation ring on an interchangeable lens during AF operation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-207363 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In Patent Document 1, for example, the user can perform MF operation to focus on a subject other than the subject targeted by AF. However, Patent Document 1 does not take into consideration the possibility of combining camera bodies with various characteristics and interchangeable lenses, and further improvements in usability regarding MF operation are desired.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an adapter device that enables more user-friendly MF operation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve this problem, for example, an accessory device of the present invention has the following configuration: That is, the accessory device is detachably attached between an imaging device and an interchangeable lens, and includes communication means for performing first communication with the imaging device and second communication with the interchangeable lens, first operation means for accepting a predetermined operation related to manual focus operation, setting means for setting a degree to which a drive amount of a focus lens of the interchangeable lens is validated in response to an operation amount of the first operation means, and control means for transmitting a drive amount or drive speed of the focus lens of the interchangeable lens to the interchangeable lens via the second communication in accordance with the predetermined operation and the set degree. and a second operation means for receiving a first operation different from the predetermined operation, and the setting means changes the degree in accordance with the first operation. It is characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an adapter device that enables more user-friendly MF operation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the arrangement of a camera system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a communication path of the first communication in the first embodiment. [Figure 3] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing communication waveforms of a communication method A of the first communication in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing communication waveforms of the communication method B of the first communication in the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a communication path of the second communication in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing communication waveforms of a communication method C of the second communication in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 3A and 3B are diagrams showing an example of the appearance of an intermediate adapter according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a startup sequence of the camera system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 5A to 5C are diagrams for explaining the sequence of an AF stop function of the camera system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the AF stop function of the intermediate adapter according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining the sequence of the AF drive range change function of the camera system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the AF drive range change function of the intermediate adapter according to the second embodiment. [Figure 13] 10A to 10C are diagrams for explaining the operation of the AF drive range change function of the camera system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the sequence of an AF speed setting function of a camera system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 15] 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the AF speed setting function of the intermediate adapter according to the third embodiment. [Figure 16] 10A to 10C are diagrams for explaining the sequence of the focus fine adjustment function of the camera system according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 17] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of a focus fine adjustment function of a camera system according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 18] 13A to 13C are diagrams for explaining the sequence of a temporary MF function of a camera system according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 19] 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of a temporary MF function of a camera system according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 20] 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of updating the "focus reference position information" stored in the intermediate adapter according to the sixth embodiment. [Figure 21A] 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of updating the "focus reference position" stored in the intermediate adapter according to the sixth embodiment. [Figure 21B] 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of a focus stop confirmation process by an intermediate adapter according to the sixth embodiment. [Figure 22] 13 is a flowchart for explaining processing for storing a focus position in the sixth embodiment. [Figure 23] 13A and 13B are diagrams for explaining a process of replacing communication data by an intermediate adapter in the sixth embodiment. [Figure 24] 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of a process for restoring a focus position during a zoom operation after the focus position has been stored in the sixth embodiment. [Figure 25A] 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of a playback operation of a focus position in the sixth embodiment. [Figure 25B] 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of a warning display process in the sixth embodiment. [Figure 26] 13A to 13C are diagrams for explaining a focus operation when a focus position storing and reproducing operation is performed in the sixth embodiment. [Figure 27] 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating a focus operation when the speed setting of the intermediate adapter is switched during focus reproduction drive in the sixth embodiment. [Figure 28] 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the inter-exposure focus drive process when capturing a still image in the seventh embodiment. [Figure 29] 13A to 13C are diagrams for explaining the focus operation of the inter-exposure focus drive during still image shooting in the seventh embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF 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 scope of the invention claimed. Although multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of these multiple features are necessarily essential to the invention, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

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

[0012] 1 may be realized by hardware such as an ASIC or a programmable logic array (PLA), by a processor such as a CPU or an MPU executing software, or 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 multiple 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 communication paths via 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 communication paths via second communication units 1122, 2082, and 3032 of the camera body 200, the interchangeable lens 100, and the intermediate adapter 300. The first communication units 1121, 2081, and 3031 and second communication units 1122, 2082, and 3032 support multiple communication methods. These communication units synchronize with each other and switch to the same communication method depending on the type of data being communicated and the purpose of the communication, allowing the optimum communication method to be selected for various situations. Note that the communication method, communication circuit, and communication path are not limited to those in this embodiment and may be of another form as long as communication is possible between the camera body 200, interchangeable lens 100, and intermediate adapter 300. For example, the communication path may be either the first communication unit or the second communication unit.

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

[0015] Communication terminals, which will be described later, are provided on the mount surfaces of the mounts of each of the interchangeable lens 100, the intermediate adapter 300, and the camera body 200. When the units are connected via a mount, such as mount 400 or mount 401, the corresponding communication terminals come into contact with each other. This enables the interchangeable lens 100, the camera body 200, and the intermediate adapter 300 to communicate with each other via the communication terminals (described later) provided on the mounts 400, 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, 401. The interchangeable lens 100 and the intermediate adapter 300 then supply power necessary for operation to various actuators (described below), 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 to the intermediate adapter 300 side, a field lens 101, a zoom lens 102, an aperture unit 114, an anti-vibration lens 103, and a focus lens 104 that adjusts focus. The zoom lens 102 changes the magnification of the subject image, and the aperture unit 114 adjusts the amount of light received by the image sensor 201. The anti-vibration lens 103 reduces image blur caused by camera shake (hand shake, etc.) by shifting in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the imaging optical system.

[0018] The zoom lens 102 and the focus lens 104 are held by lens holding frames 105 and 106, respectively. The lens holding frames 105 and 106 are guided by guide shafts (not shown) so as to be movable in the optical axis direction (indicated by dashed lines in the figure). 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, respectively, in synchronization with drive pulses.

[0019] The lens microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as lens microcomputer) 111 is a lens control unit that controls the operation of each unit within the interchangeable lens 100. The lens microcomputer 111 may control the operation of each unit within the interchangeable lens 100 by, for example, executing a program. The lens microcomputer 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 microcomputer 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. In addition, in response to commands related to magnification and focusing among the control commands, the lens microcomputer 111 outputs drive signals to the zoom drive circuit 119 and the focus drive circuit to drive the stepping motors 107 and 108. This performs zoom processing that controls the magnification change operation by the zoom lens 102 and AF (autofocus) processing that controls the focus adjustment operation by the focus lens 104.

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

[0021] Furthermore, the lens microcomputer 111 drives an anti-shake actuator 126 via an anti-shake drive circuit 125 in response to camera shake detected by a shake sensor (not shown) such as a vibration gyro provided inside the interchangeable lens 100. The anti-shake actuator 126 includes, for example, a voice coil motor. This performs anti-shake processing that controls the shift operation (anti-shake operation) of the anti-shake lens 103.

[0022] The interchangeable lens 100 also has a manually operated 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, for example, by a photointerrupter that outputs a two-phase signal in response to the rotation of the manually operated ring 130. The lens microcomputer 111 can detect the amount of rotation (including the direction) of the manually operated 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 this 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 that changes the focal length, or a mount converter that changes the flange back length.

[0024] The adapter microcomputer 302 is an adapter control unit that controls the operation of each unit 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 operation of at least some of the units within the intermediate adapter 300 by executing a program. The adapter microcomputer 302 receives control commands and transmission request commands 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. Furthermore, 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] Furthermore, when the adapter microcomputer 302 receives a command for the interchangeable lens 100, it performs communication conversion processing as necessary and then transmits a control command or a transmission request command to the interchangeable lens 100 as necessary via the adapter communication circuit 303. Furthermore, 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 an adapter operation unit 320, which will be described later, etc.

[0026] The adapter microcomputer 302 also 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, the adapter microcomputer 302 performs communication conversion processing as necessary, and then transmits the lens data to the camera body 200 via the adapter communication circuit 303 as necessary.

[0027] Similarly 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 rotated 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 configured, for example, by 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 rotation (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 of the adapter operation unit 320 are, for example, switches, buttons, touch panels, etc., and may have one or more operation members.

[0029] Intermediate adapter 300 also has adapter notification unit 330 for notifying the user of information. The notification member included in adapter notification unit 330 is, for example, an LED, an LCD (liquid crystal display), a speaker, a vibrator, or the like, and may include one or more notification members.

[0030] The intermediate adapter 300 also 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 information such as focus regeneration target position information for regenerating and driving the focus position, and information communicated between the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100 for warning determination. The information stored in the adapter storage unit 340 will be described later.

[0031] The camera body 200 has 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 camera microcomputer) 205, and a display unit 206.

[0032] The image sensor 201 photoelectrically converts the 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 image sensor 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. The signal processing circuit 203 also generates focus information indicating the contrast state of the subject image (the focus state of the imaging optical system) and luminance information indicating 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 to check the composition, focus state, etc.

[0033] The camera microcomputer 205, which serves as a camera control unit, controls the camera body 200 in response to input from an operation member 207, such as an image capture 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 as necessary via a camera communication circuit 208. The camera microcomputer 205 also 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 related to focus adjustment operation to the interchangeable lens 100 in response to focus information generated by the signal processing circuit 203. The camera microcomputer 205 also transmits a transmission request command to the interchangeable lens 100 to acquire lens data related to focus adjustment operation, and receives lens data related to focus adjustment operation from the interchangeable lens 100, for example.

[0034] <First communication route> 2, a description will be given of the communication path configured between 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 this embodiment. In the following description, communication performed over this communication path will also be referred to as first communication.

[0035] 2(a) shows an example of a communication path for first communication. The adapter first communication unit 3031 and the lens first communication unit 1121 communicate with each other via a signal line connected via a communication terminal provided on the mount 400. The communication terminals provided on the mount 400 include LCLK11211, DCL11212, DLC11213, LCLK30311, DCL30312, and DLC30313. The adapter first communication unit 3031 and the camera first communication unit 2081 communicate with each other via a signal line 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 this embodiment, the adapter first communication unit 3031 and the lens first communication unit 1121 communicate using communication method A (described later), which is a three-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 communication method B (described later), which is a three-wire start-stop synchronous serial communication method and is different from communication method A.

[0036] FIG. 2(b) shows an example of a communication path for first communication, different from that shown in FIG. 2(a). 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 shown in FIG. 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. 2(b), 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 both communicate using communication method B, which is a three-wire asynchronous serial communication method. Note that the combinations of communication paths and communication methods are not limited to these examples, and other combinations may be used. For example, 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 both communicate using communication method A.

[0037] <Communication waveform of communication method A of the first communication> Communication method A, which is a three-wire clock-synchronized serial communication method for first communication in this embodiment, will be described with reference to the communication waveforms shown in Fig. 3. Communication method A is a communication method implemented between a main communication unit that transmits control commands and data transmission request commands, and a sub communication unit that transmits data in response to data transmission request commands. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2(a), communication is performed by the adapter first communication unit 3031 as the main communication unit and the lens first communication unit 1121 as the sub communication unit.

[0038] The clock signal LCLK is mainly used as a data synchronization clock signal from the communication main to the communication sub. The communication signal DCL is used to transmit data such as control commands and data transmission request commands from the communication main to the communication sub. The data signal DLC is used to transmit data from the communication sub to the communication main. In communication method A, the communication main and communication sub communicate using a full-duplex method in which they transmit and receive data mutually and simultaneously in synchronization with a common clock signal LCLK.

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

[0040] Figure 3(b) shows the waveform of a communication signal consisting of three frames. In Figure 3(b), during a three-frame period (T1), the communication main transmits a command CMD1 to the communication sub and receives two bytes of data DT1a and DT1b corresponding to the command from the communication sub. The type and number of bytes of data DT corresponding to each command CMD are predetermined between the communication main and the communication sub. In the first frame, the communication main transmits a clock signal LCLK, and then transmits a command CMD1 corresponding to the data DT1a and DT1b requested to be transmitted as a communication signal DCL. The data signal DLC in this frame is treated as invalid data.

[0041] Next, the communication main outputs the clock signal LCLK for eight cycles, and then switches the communication terminal state on the communication main side from output format to input format. After the communication sub-side has completed switching the communication terminal state on the communication main side, it switches the communication terminal state on the communication sub-side from input format to output format. Then, the communication sub-side sets the signal level of the clock signal LCLK to LOW to notify the communication main side of a communication standby request BUSY. The communication main-side maintains the communication terminal state in input format while the communication standby request BUSY is being notified, and suspends communication to the communication sub-side.

[0042] The communication sub generates data DT1a corresponding to the command CMD1 during the period when the communication standby request BUSY is notified. After the communication sub is ready to send the next frame of data signal DLC, it sets the signal level of the clock signal LCLK to HIGH to notify the communication main that the communication standby request BUSY has been released. When the communication main recognizes that the communication standby request BUSY has been released, it receives data DT1a from the communication sub by sending one frame of the clock signal LCLK to the communication sub. Subsequently, the communication main receives data DT1b in the same manner.

[0043] Figure 3(c) shows the waveform of a communication signal consisting of four frames. In Figure 3(c), during a four-frame period (T2), the main communication sends a command CMD2 to the sub communication and receives the corresponding three bytes of lens data DT2a, DT2b, and DT2c from the sub communication. The sub communication notifies the main communication of a communication standby request BUSY in the first frame, but does not notify the main communication of a communication standby request BUSY in the second through fourth frames. This makes it possible to shorten the time between frames.

[0044] <Communication waveform of communication method B of the first communication> With reference to the communication waveforms shown in FIG. 4, communication method B, which is a three-wire asynchronous serial communication method for the first communication in this embodiment, will be described. Communication method B is a communication method implemented between a main communication unit that transmits control commands and data transmission request commands, and a sub communication unit that transmits data in response to data transmission request commands. In the embodiment of FIG. 2(a), the camera first communication unit 2081 serves as the main communication unit, and the adapter first communication unit 3031 serves as the sub communication unit for communication. In addition, in the embodiment of FIG. 2(b), communication occurs between the camera body 200 and the intermediate adapter 300, with the camera first communication unit 2081 serving as the main communication unit, and the adapter first communication unit 3031 serving as the sub communication unit. In addition, communication occurs between the intermediate adapter 300 and the interchangeable lens 100, with the adapter first communication unit 3031 serving as the main communication unit, and the lens first communication unit 1121 serving as the sub communication unit for communication.

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

[0046] In communication method B, the main and sub communication devices do not send and receive data in synchronization with a common clock signal as in communication method A, but rather send and receive at a predetermined communication bit rate. The communication bit rate indicates the amount of data that can be transferred in one second, and is expressed in bps (bits per second). The main and sub communication devices communicate using a full-duplex method, in which data is sent and received reciprocally and simultaneously.

[0047] Figure 4(a) shows the waveform of a communication signal for one frame, which is the smallest communication unit in communication method B. When no data is being transmitted or received, the communication request signal RTS is HIGH. Data transmission or reception begins when the communication main sets the communication request signal RTS to LOW level. When the communication sub detects that the communication request signal RTS has changed to LOW level, it begins outputting data to the data signal DLC. Furthermore, when the communication main detects that the data signal DLC has output a start bit ST, it begins outputting data to the data signal DCL.

[0048] The data format of the data signal DLC is explained in more detail below. One DLC frame consists of a first data frame followed by a BUSY frame. When not transmitting data, the signal level is HIGH. The communication sub notifies the communication main of the start of transmission of one frame of the data signal DLC by setting the signal level to LOW for a one-bit period. This one-bit period is called the start bit ST, and the data frame begins with this bit. The communication sub then transmits one byte of data in the eight-bit period from the second bit to the ninth bit. The data is arranged in MSB-first format, starting with the most significant data D7, followed by data D6, data D5, and finally the least significant data D0. One bit of parity PA information is added to the tenth bit. The data frame, which began with the start bit ST, ends when the signal level is set to HIGH during the stop bit SP, which indicates the end of a frame. A BUSY frame is added after the stop bit SP. The BUSY frame is the period during which the communication sub notifies the communication main of a communication standby request BUSY. As shown by DLC (BUSY present) in the diagram, the signal level remains LOW until the communication standby request BUSY is released. If there is no need for the communication sub to notify the communication standby request BUSY, a data format that configures one frame without a BUSY frame is also specified, as shown by DLC (BUSY absent) in the diagram. In other words, as the data format of the data signal DLC, it is possible to select whether or not to notify the communication standby request BUSY depending on the processing status of the communication sub.

[0049] Here, we will explain how the communication main determines whether a communication standby request BUSY exists. The communication main defines either bit position B1 or B2 in the DLC (no BUSY) or DLC (no BUSY) waveform in the figure as the specified position P for determining whether a communication standby request BUSY exists. By selecting bit position B1 or B2 as the specified position P, we can solve the problem of the processing time required for the signal level to go LOW to notify the communication standby request BUSY after the data frame of the data signal DLC has elapsed, depending on the processing performance of the communication sub. Whether bit position B1 or B2 will be the specified position P is determined in advance through communication between the communication main and communication sub. Note that the specified position P does not have to be selected from either bit position B1 or B2; it may be selected from a later bit position depending on the processing capabilities of both microcontrollers.

[0050] Next, as a supplementary explanation of the BUSY frame, in communication method B, the BUSY frame is added to the data signal DLC. In communication method A, the BUSY frame is added to the clock signal LCLK. In communication method A, the clock signal LCLK output by the main communication device and the communication standby request BUSY sent by the sub communication device are communicated using the same signal line. Therefore, collisions between the outputs of the main communication device and the sub communication device are prevented by allocating output enable periods in a time-sharing manner. To reliably prevent collisions between outputs, an output inhibit period is inserted between the time when the main communication device completes output of the clock signal LCLK and the time when the sub communication device is permitted to output the communication standby request BUSY. However, inserting an output inhibit period during which communication is not possible reduces the effective communication speed. In communication method B, the BUSY frame is added to the data signal DLC, which is a dedicated output signal for the sub communication device, so the above problem does not occur.

[0051] The data format of the communication signal DCL will be described. The communication signal DCL and the data signal DLC share the same data frame specifications from ST to B2, so a detailed description will be omitted. Unlike the data signal DLC, adding a BUSY frame to the communication signal DCL is prohibited. Figure 4(b) shows a waveform equivalent to Figure 3(b) in communication method B. That is, during a three-frame period (T1), the main communication transmits a command CMD1 to the sub communication and receives the corresponding two-byte data DT1a and DT1b from the sub communication. Figure 4(c) shows a waveform equivalent to Figure 3(c) in communication method B. That is, during a four-frame period (T2), the main communication transmits a command CMD2 to the sub communication and receives the corresponding three-byte lens data DT2a, DT2b, and DT2c from the sub communication.

[0052] <Second communication path> Next, the communication path of the second communication will be described with reference to Fig. 5. In this embodiment, 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. Communication performed on this communication path is also referred to as second communication.

[0053] The adapter second communication unit 3032 and the lens second communication unit 1122 communicate 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 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 this embodiment, 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 both communicate using communication method C, which is a two-wire asynchronous serial communication method. Communication method C will be described later.

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

[0055] <Second communication waveform> With reference to the communication waveforms shown in Fig. 6, communication method C, which is a two-wire asynchronous serial communication method for the second communication in this embodiment, will be described. Communication method C is a communication method implemented between a main communication unit that transmits control commands and data transmission request commands and one or more sub communication units that transmit data in response to data transmission request commands. In the communication 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 main communication unit, and the adapter second communication unit 3032 serves as the sub communication unit. Furthermore, in the communication between the adapter second communication unit 3032 and the lens second communication unit 1122, the adapter second communication unit 3032 serves as the main communication unit, and the lens second communication unit 1122 serves as the sub communication unit.

[0056] Note that while communication method A and communication method B are one-to-one communication between a main communication and a sub communication, communication method C is one-to-many communication that allows communication between a main communication and multiple sub communication. 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 performs one-to-many communication by switching between broadcast communication mode and P2P communication mode. Broadcast communication mode is a mode in which data is sent simultaneously from the communication main to all connected communication sub-systems. P2P communication mode is a mode in which data is sent and received between the communication main and any one of the connected communication sub-systems.

[0058] In the broadcast communication mode, the control signal CS is used to indicate the start timing of transmission and reception from the main communication to the sub communication, and the communication signal DATA is used to transmit data such as control commands and data transmission request commands from the main communication to the sub communication.

[0059] In P2P mode, the control signal CS is used by the main and sub-communications to notify the completion of data reception, and the communication signal DATA is used to transmit data such as control commands and data transmission request commands from the main communication to the sub-communications, as well as data from the sub-communications to the main communication.

[0060] In communication method C, transmission and reception are performed at a predetermined communication bit rate, just like communication method B. The main communication and sub communication alternate between transmission and reception, thereby communicating in a half-duplex manner, which performs two-way communication over a single data signal line.

[0061] Fig. 6(a) shows the communication waveform of communication signal DATA for one frame, which is the smallest communication unit in communication method C. The communication data format of communication method C will be described with reference to Fig. 6(a). The communication data format is common to broadcast communication and P2P communication. Here, we will describe the communication data format for so-called asynchronous communication, in which the communication speed to be used for communication is determined in advance and transmission and reception are performed at the communication bit rate in accordance with that determination.

[0062] First, in a non-transmitting state where no data is being transmitted, the signal level is maintained at HIGH. Next, to notify the data receiving side that data transmission has begun, the signal level is set to LOW for one bit period. This one bit period is called the start bit ST. Next, one byte of data is transmitted over the next eight-bit period from the second bit to the ninth bit. The data is arranged in MSB-first format, starting with the most significant data D7, followed by data D6, data D5, ..., data D1, and ending with the least significant data D0. One bit of parity PA information is added to the tenth bit, and finally, the signal level is set to HIGH for the stop bit SP period, which indicates the end of the transmitted data, thereby completing one frame period that began with the start bit ST.

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

[0064] Next, the communication formats for broadcast communication and P2P communication will be described with reference to Figure 6(b). In broadcast communication, the main communication unit notifies the sub communication unit that broadcast communication is about to begin by setting the signal level of the control signal CS to LOW, and then outputs the data to be transmitted in the communication signal DATA. Meanwhile, the sub communication unit sets the signal level of the control signal CS to LOW when it detects the start bit ST input from the communication signal DATA. At this point, the main communication unit has already set the signal level of the control signal CS to LOW, so the signal level of the control signal CS does not change.

[0065] After that, when the communication main has finished outputting the stop bit SP, it releases the LOW signal from the control signal CS. After the communication sub receives the data input from the communication signal DATA up to the stop bit SP, it analyzes the received data and performs internal processing associated with the received data. Then, after it is ready to receive the next data, the communication sub releases the LOW signal level output of the control signal CS, causing the signal level of the control communication CS to become HIGH. After that, by confirming that the signal level of the control communication CS has become HIGH, the communication main can detect that the communication sub's reception processing has been completed and can determine that it is ready to perform the next communication. In this way, the signal transmitted by the control signal CS in broadcast communication functions as a signal indicating the start and execution of broadcast communication mode.

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

[0067] In P2P communication, first, the communication master outputs the data to be sent to the communication slave of the communication partner to the communication signal DATA. Next, after the communication master finishes outputting the stop bit SP, it sets the signal level of the control signal CS to LOW. Then, after the communication master is ready to receive data from the communication slave, 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 other party in P2P communication 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 other party in P2P communication outputs the data to be transmitted to the communication signal DATA. Then, after completing the output of the stop bit SP of the last byte of data to be transmitted, the communication sub sets the signal level of the control signal CS to low. After completing preparations to receive data from the communication main, the communication sub designated as the other party in P2P communication cancels the low output of the signal level of the control signal CS. Note that communication subs not designated as the other party in P2P communication do not output signals to the control signal CS and communication signal DATA. As described above, the signal transmitted by the control signal CS in P2P communication functions as a status notification signal indicating the end of data transmission and a request to wait for the next data transmission.

[0069] <Appearance of intermediate adapter> Next, the appearance of intermediate adapter 300 as an example of an adapter device will be described with reference to Figure 7. Operation member 701 is an operation ring equivalent to adapter operation ring 310. Operation members 702 to 708 include buttons and the like equivalent to adapter operation unit 320. Operation members 702 to 708 may be in the form of buttons, for example, but may also be in other forms, such as being configured as a touch-sensitive panel. LED 709 is an example of adapter notification unit 330, and notifies the user of the operating status of functions, for example, by light.

[0070] The operation member 702 sets the focus drive speed in the autofocus control implemented in this embodiment, or the sensitivity indicating the relationship between the operation amount of the adapter operation ring 310 and the focus drive amount in manual focus control. The operation member 703 is an AF stop button operated to implement the focus pause function implemented in this embodiment. The operation member 704 is a reset button operated to implement the focus position (focus lens position) storage and playback drive implemented in this embodiment. The operation member 705 is a focus position storage button operated to implement the focus position storage and playback drive implemented in this embodiment. The operation member 706 is a playback drive button operated to implement the focus position storage and playback drive implemented in this embodiment. The operation member 707 is a focus movement button used to limit the focus drive range implemented in this embodiment to the infinity side, or to drive the focus toward infinity in manual focus control. The operation member 708 is a focus movement button used to limit the focus drive range implemented in this embodiment to the close-up side, or to drive the focus toward the close-up side in 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 in Fig. 8. The processing of this startup sequence is executed when the camera body 200 is powered on in a state in which 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 turned on, it starts supplying power to the interchangeable lens 100. 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 parameters of focus position information (hereinafter referred to as "FPC information") that is sent back to the camera body 200. The parameters of the FPC information are initialized, for example, so that the current physical focus position (position of the focus lens) is used as the starting point. This "FPC information" is a parameter exchanged as communication data between the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100. Note that the FPC information need not necessarily be a parameter indicating the absolute position of the focus lens 104, as long as it allows the starting point position to be updated as needed between the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100, as will be described in S814 to S818 below. On the other hand, in order to realize the "function of storing and reproducing the focus position at an arbitrary position" realized in this embodiment, the intermediate adapter 300 stores "focus reference position information," which will be described later, in order to manage the absolute position of the focus lens 104.

[0074] In S803, the camera body 200 requests authentication information from the interchangeable lens 100 to identify the functions of the interchangeable lens 100. This communication is sent to the intermediate adapter 300 via the mount 401, and the intermediate adapter 300 converts the request for authentication information into a communication protocol supported by the interchangeable lens 100. 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 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 supported by the camera body 200. At this point, the intermediate adapter 300 can determine the functions of the currently attached interchangeable lens 100. In S806, the intermediate adapter 300 transmits the response to the request for authentication information to the camera body 200 via the mount 401 using the converted communication protocol.

[0076] In S807, the "focus reference position information" managed by the intermediate adapter 300 itself is initialized using the "FPC information." That is, 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 both initialized to the same value. In addition to the "focus reference position information," the intermediate adapter 300 also manages a "focus relative change amount," which is the amount of relative change of the focus lens 104 from the reference position. The intermediate adapter 300 also initializes the "focus relative change amount" in this processing.

[0077] Thereafter, when 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 after undergoing communication protocol conversion processing by the intermediate adapter 300. Upon receiving this communication request, the interchangeable lens 100 drives the focus lens 104. Furthermore, the interchangeable lens 100 changes the "FPC information" managed by the interchangeable lens 100 by a value corresponding to the drive amount of the focus lens 104.

[0078] In S810 and S811, a request to obtain "FPC information" is transmitted to the interchangeable lens 100 after undergoing communication protocol conversion processing by the intermediate adapter 300. Upon receiving this request, the interchangeable lens 100 responds with "FPC information" managed by the interchangeable lens 100. This response is transmitted to the camera body 200 after undergoing communication protocol conversion processing by the intermediate adapter 300 in S812 and S813.

[0079] In S814, the camera body 200 transmits an initialization request for "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 "FPC information" has been notified from the camera body 200, it performs the following processes of S815 to S817 before transmitting the request to the interchangeable lens 100.

[0080] In S815, the intermediate adapter 300 makes a request to obtain 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 stores again 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 "FPC information" is requested to the interchangeable lens 100 through 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 by referring to the flowchart of FIG. 20.

[0082] <AF Stop Function> In the camera system of the first embodiment, the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100 are connected via an intermediate adapter 300 that has an AF stop function. The processing of the camera system with the AF stop function in this embodiment will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of Fig. 9.

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

[0084] For example, in this embodiment, the intermediate adapter 300 can fix the focus at the timing intended by the user by stopping the AF tracking operation while the operation member 703 (AF stop button) provided on the intermediate adapter 300 is pressed. Note that the method for operating the AF stop function is not limited to this, and for example, the AF stop function may be switched between starting and ending each time the operation member is pressed.

[0085] When AF operation is started by operating the operating member 207 of the camera body 200, in S901 and S902, a focus drive command is transmitted from the camera body 200 to the interchangeable lens 100 after communication protocol conversion processing by the intermediate adapter 300. Upon 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. In addition to the above-mentioned FPC information, the focus information includes a focus drive status indicating whether the focus lens 104 is being driven, and AF / MF information indicating whether the interchangeable lens 100 is in AF or MF mode.

[0086] In S903, the camera body 200 sends a focus information request to the intermediate adapter 300. In S904, the focus information request is transmitted to the interchangeable lens 100 after undergoing communication protocol conversion processing by the intermediate adapter 300. Upon receiving this focus information request, the interchangeable lens 100 responds with focus information managed by the interchangeable lens 100. In S905, the intermediate adapter 300 sends focus information to the intermediate adapter 300 in response to the focus information request. In S907, the focus information is communicated to the camera body 200 after undergoing communication protocol conversion processing by the intermediate adapter 300. Furthermore, in S906, the intermediate adapter 300 updates the focus information stored in itself based on the latest focus information acquired 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 status setting stored in the intermediate adapter 300 itself. The adapter status setting is information including AF stop function status information indicating whether the AF stop function is operating. In S908, the intermediate adapter 300 updates the AF stop function status information to a value indicating "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 is currently being driven. Note that the method for fixing the focus is not limited to this. For example, if it can be determined from the focus information that the focus lens 104 is stopped, the processing of S909 does not need to be performed. Furthermore, for example, by transmitting an MF prohibit command (a command prohibiting manual focus operation of the focus lens) to the interchangeable lens 100, it is possible to prevent changes in focus due to unintentional user operation of the manual operation ring 130 or the like.

[0088] AF operation is initiated by operating the operating member 207 of the camera body 200. When the AF stop function of the intermediate adapter 300 is active, even if the intermediate adapter 300 receives a focus drive command in S910, the intermediate adapter 300 does not perform communication protocol conversion processing for the focus drive command. Note that this does not apply to the processing when the intermediate adapter 300 receives a focus drive command while the AF stop function is active. For example, the intermediate adapter 300 may convert the focus information stored therein 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 to the interchangeable lens 100 a focus drive command converted to a state in which the position of the focus lens is fixed.

[0089] Furthermore, even if the AF stop function of the intermediate adapter 300 is operating, the camera body 200 transmits a focus information request in S911. Then, in S912, the focus information request is transmitted to the interchangeable lens 100 after undergoing communication protocol conversion processing by the intermediate adapter 300. Upon receiving this focus information request, the interchangeable lens 100 responds with focus information managed by the interchangeable lens 100. This response is communicated to the camera body 200 after undergoing communication protocol conversion processing by the intermediate adapter 300 in S913 and S915. Also, in S914, the intermediate adapter 300 updates the focus information stored in itself based on the latest focus information acquired in S913. Note that the intermediate adapter 300 may convert the focus information stored in itself to information indicating a state different from the latest focus information acquired in 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 stored in the intermediate adapter 300 itself to an MF state and transmit information indicating that the MF state is in effect 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, referring 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 operation 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 in 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, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines to start the AF stop function by detecting the pressing of the operation member 703 when the AF stop function state information is "not in operation". 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 terminate the AF stop function. For example, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines to terminate the AF stop function by detecting that the operation member 703 is not pressed when the AF stop function status information is "operating." Note that the method for determining whether to terminate the AF stop function is not limited to this. If the adapter microcomputer 302 determines to terminate the AF stop function, the process proceeds to S1005; otherwise, the process proceeds 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. Note that this process is similar to S916 described above, and therefore details are omitted.

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

[0097] In S1007, the adapter microcomputer 302 analyzes the communication content from the camera body 200, and if the communication content is a focus drive command, the process transitions to S1008; if not, the process transitions to S1011. In S1008, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether the AF stop function status information is "operating." If the information is "operating," the process transitions to S1010; if not, the process transitions to S1009. In S1009, the adapter microcomputer 302 converts the communication content into a communication protocol supported by 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. Details are the same as in S910 described above, and are therefore omitted. When the processing of S1009 or S1010 is completed, the process resumes from the start of this flow, i.e., transitions to S1001, in order to repeatedly execute this control processing.

[0098] At S1011, the adapter microcomputer 302 analyzes the communication content from the camera body 200. If the communication is a focus information request, the process proceeds to S1012; otherwise, the process proceeds to S1016. At S1012, the adapter microcomputer 302 converts the communication content into a communication protocol supported by the interchangeable lens 100, transmits a focus information request to the interchangeable lens 100, and receives focus information from the interchangeable lens 100. This process is similar to S904 and S905, or S912 and S913, and therefore details are omitted. At S1013, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether the AF stop function status information is "operating." If the information is "operating," the process proceeds to S1014; otherwise, the process proceeds to S1015. At S1014, the adapter microcomputer 302 updates the focus information stored in the intermediate adapter 300 itself based on the acquired focus information. This process is similar to S914, and therefore details are omitted. In S1015, the adapter microcomputer 302 transmits the focus information stored in the intermediate adapter 300 itself using a protocol supported by the camera body 200. This process is similar to S915 described above, so details will be omitted. When the process of S1015 ends, this process is restarted from the start, that is, the process transitions to S1001, in order to repeatedly execute this control process.

[0099] In S1016, the adapter microcomputer 302 analyzes the communication content received from the camera body 200, converts it into a 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, the adapter microcomputer 302 waits until it receives the response. Furthermore, if a response is required from the camera body 200, the adapter microcomputer 302 transmits the response in a communication protocol supported by the camera body 200. When the processing of S1006, S1009, S1010, S1015, and S1016 is completed, the adapter microcomputer 302 may end this processing, or may resume from the start to repeatedly execute this processing, that is, 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. Thus, by using an intermediate adapter having an AF stop function, even when the camera body or the interchangeable lens does not have an AF stop function, it becomes possible to provide a camera system having an AF stop function.

[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 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.

[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 AF search time or improve subject tracking performance by limiting the drive range of the focus lens during AF operation to a desired range. For example, in this embodiment, when the intermediate adapter 300 receives a user's press of the operation member 707, it sets a limit so that the focus lens 104 is not driven toward infinity beyond the current position of the focus lens 104. When the intermediate adapter 300 receives a user's press of the operation member 707 again, it releases the set limit. Similarly, when the user presses the operation member 708, the intermediate adapter 300 sets a limit so that the focus lens 104 is not driven toward the closest position beyond the current position of the focus lens 104. When the user presses the operation member 708 again, the intermediate adapter 300 releases the set limit. Note that the method for operating the AF drive range change function is not limited to this. For example, instead of the focus position at the time an arbitrary setting button is pressed, the drive range may be set to a range of a predetermined width that is preset based on the focus position at the time the button is pressed. Alternatively, any predetermined position may be set as the driving range, not based on the focus position at the time of pressing.

[0103] Next, the processing of the camera system having the AF drive range change function of this embodiment will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of Fig. 11. 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, for example, 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 using "focus position information" obtained by adding the latest "FPC information" to the aforementioned "focus reference position information."

[0105] In step S1103, the intermediate adapter 300 updates the AF drive range status of the adapter status setting stored in the intermediate adapter 300 itself to a value indicating "setting," and sets the AF drive range based on the "focus position information." The AF drive range is composed of an infinity limit position and a close-up limit position. When the AF drive range status is "setting," the intermediate adapter 300 controls the focus lens 104 so that it fits within the AF drive range. For example, if the user operates the operation member 707 to set the AF drive range, the intermediate adapter 300 sets the infinity limit position based on the "focus position information." Also, for example, if the user operates the operation member 708 to set the AF drive range, the intermediate adapter 300 sets the close-up limit position based on the "focus position information." Note that the method for setting the AF drive range is not limited to this. The intermediate adapter 300 may set the AF drive range to any predetermined range based on the "focus position information" at the time when any setting button is pressed, for example. Alternatively, the intermediate adapter 300 may set the AF drive range to a predetermined arbitrary position, without being based on the "focus position information" at the time when an arbitrary setting button is pressed. Furthermore, for example, if an operating member is operated to set the infinity limit position closer to the closest limit position, this operation may be ignored. The same applies when an attempt is made to set the closest limit position. In this case, the intermediate adapter 300 may notify the user that the AF drive range setting has been ignored by turning on an LED provided in the adapter notification unit 330. Note that the method of notifying the user that the AF drive range has been canceled via the adapter notification unit 330 is not limited to this; for example, the fact that the AF drive range has been canceled may be displayed on an LCD provided in the adapter notification unit 330.

[0106] When AF operation is started by operating the operation member 207 of the camera body 200, 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 in S1104. Then, in S1105, the intermediate adapter 300, whose AF drive range state is "setting," converts the focus drive amount to be transmitted to the interchangeable lens 100 so that it falls within the AF drive range. Details of the focus drive amount conversion process will be described later with reference to FIG. 13. Then, in S1106, the intermediate adapter 300 transmits a force drive command to the interchangeable lens 100 using the converted focus drive amount. Upon 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 FPC information described above, infinity end information indicating whether the position of the focus lens 104 is at the infinity end of the driveable range, and close end information indicating whether the position of the focus lens 104 is at the close end of the driveable range.

[0107] In S1107 and S1108, a focus information request from the camera body 200 is transmitted to the interchangeable lens 100 after undergoing communication protocol conversion processing by the intermediate adapter 300. Upon receiving this focus information request, the interchangeable lens 100 responds with focus information managed by the interchangeable lens 100. This response is then transmitted from the interchangeable lens 100 to the camera body 200 after undergoing communication protocol conversion processing by the intermediate adapter 300 in S1109 and S1111. Also, in S1110, the intermediate adapter 300 updates the focus information stored therein based on the latest focus information acquired in S1109. Note that the intermediate adapter 300 may convert the focus information stored therein to information indicating a state different from the latest focus information acquired in S1109. For example, even if the infinity end information from the interchangeable lens 100 indicates a state not at the infinity end, if the "focus position information" is equal to the infinity side limit position, the infinity end information stored therein may be updated to indicate that the focus is at the infinity end. The intermediate adapter 300 may then transmit information indicating that it is at the infinity end to the camera body 200. The intermediate adapter 300 can also operate in the same way on the close-up side.

[0108] When the AF drive range state 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 state 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 display, for example, a message indicating that the AF drive range has been released on the LCD provided in the adapter notification unit 330.

[0109] Furthermore, referring 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 or not to set the AF drive range. If the adapter microcomputer 302 determines to set the AF drive range, it transitions to S1202, and if not, it transitions to S1203. In S1202, the adapter microcomputer 302 sets the AF drive range. The method of determining whether to start setting the AF drive range in S1201 and the method of setting the AF drive range in S1202 are the same as S1101 to S1103 described above, and therefore details will be 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 transitions to S1204, and if not, it transitions to S1205. The method of determining whether to cancel the AF drive range in S1203 and the method of canceling the AF drive range in S1204 are the same as those in S1112 described above, and therefore details will be omitted.

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

[0113] In S1206, the adapter microcomputer 302 analyzes the communication content from the camera body 200, and if the communication content is a focus drive command, the process transitions to S1207; if not, the process transitions to S1210. In S1207, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether the AF drive range state is "setting." If the state is "setting," the adapter microcomputer 302 transitions to S1208; if not, the process transitions 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 transitions to S1209. Details of the focus drive amount conversion process will be described later with reference to FIG. 13. In S1209, the adapter microcomputer 302 transmits the focus drive command to the interchangeable lens 100 using a communication protocol supported by the interchangeable lens 100.

[0114] In S1210, the adapter microcomputer 302 analyzes the communication content from the camera body 200, and if the communication is a focus information request, the process transitions to S1211; if not, the process transitions to S1215. In S1211, the adapter microcomputer 302 converts the communication content into a communication protocol supported by the interchangeable lens 100 and transmits a focus information request to the interchangeable lens 100. The adapter microcomputer 302 also receives focus information from the interchangeable lens 100 and transitions to S1212. The details of S1210 are the same as those of S1107 and S1108 described above, so further details are omitted. In S1212, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether the AF drive range state is "setting." If the AF drive range state is "setting," the adapter microcomputer 302 transitions to S1213; if not, the adapter microcomputer 302 transitions to S1214.

[0115] At S1213, the adapter microcomputer 302 updates the focus information stored in the intermediate adapter 300 itself based on the received focus information. The details of S1213 are the same as those of S1110 described above, and therefore will not be repeated here. At S1214, the adapter microcomputer 302 transmits the focus information stored in the intermediate adapter 300 itself using a communication protocol supported by the camera body 200. The details of S1214 are the same as those of S1111 described above, and therefore will not be repeated here.

[0116] In S1215, the adapter microcomputer 302 analyzes the communication content received from the camera body 200, converts it into a communication protocol supported by 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 it receives the response. Also, if a response is required from the camera body 200, it transmits the response in a communication protocol supported by the camera body 200. When the processing of S1205, S1209, S1214, and S1215 is completed, the adapter microcomputer 302 may end this processing, or may restart from the start to repeatedly execute this processing, that is, transition to S1201.

[0117] 13, the operation of the focus lens 104 when the AF drive range state is "setting" in a camera system equipped with an intermediate adapter 300 having the AF drive range change function of this embodiment will be described. The range over which the focus lens 104 can be driven is indicated from the closest end to the infinity end in FIG. 13. At this time, information about the current position of the focus lens 104 is transmitted to the intermediate adapter 300 and the camera body 200 as "FPC information." Furthermore, within the intermediate adapter 300, the absolute position of the focus lens 104 is managed using the aforementioned "focus position information."

[0118] When the AF driving range state is "setting," the intermediate adapter 300 manages an AF driving range consisting of a close-up limit position F13NL and an infinity limit position F13FL. The AF driving range is set based on "focus position information" and is set within the range from the close-up end to the infinity end. Furthermore, the close-up limit position F13NL is set closer to the infinity limit position F13FL.

[0119] For example, consider a case where the "focus position information" is F130 and the camera body 200 transmits a focus drive command with a focus drive amount toward F131. In this case, the intermediate adapter 300 converts the focus drive amount to F132 based on the "focus position information" so as not to exceed the closest limit position F13NL, and then transmits the focus drive command to the interchangeable lens 100. Also, even if the focus drive command transmitted by the camera body 200 is a search drive that does not specify a focus drive amount toward the closest end, the intermediate adapter 300 transmits a focus drive command to the interchangeable lens 100 so as not to exceed the closest limit position F13NL. Specifically, the intermediate adapter 300 calculates a focus drive amount toward F134 based on the "focus position information," and then transmits a focus drive command to the interchangeable lens 100 that specifies the focus drive amount.

[0120] Also, for example, consider a case where the "focus position information" is F130 and the camera body 200 transmits a focus drive command with a focus drive amount toward F133. In this case, the intermediate adapter 300 converts the focus drive amount to F134 based on the "focus position information" so as not to exceed the infinity limit position F13FL, and then transmits the focus drive command to the interchangeable lens 100. Also, even if the focus drive command transmitted by the camera body 200 is a search drive that does not specify a focus drive amount toward the infinity end, the intermediate adapter 300 transmits a focus drive command to the interchangeable lens 100 so as not to exceed the infinity limit position F13FL. Specifically, the intermediate adapter 300 calculates the focus drive amount toward F134 based on the "focus position information," and then transmits 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 transmission of the control command to the interchangeable lens is controlled to realize the AF drive range change function. In particular, the intermediate adapter 300 changes the control amount (focus drive amount) related to the 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 an intermediate adapter having such an AF drive range change 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.

[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 made 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 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 drive speed of the focus lens during AF operation to an arbitrary speed setting. For example, in this embodiment, when one of the buttons on the operation member 702 provided on the intermediate adapter 300 is pressed, the AF speed increases by an arbitrary magnification. When the other button on the intermediate adapter 300 is pressed, the AF speed decreases by an arbitrary magnification. Note that the method for operating the AF speed setting function is not limited to this. For example, the intermediate adapter 300 may have multiple AF speed magnification levels (for example, five levels: 1 / 4x, 1 / 2x, 1x, 2x, and 4x), and the intermediate adapter may switch the magnification level in order each time the setting button is pressed.

[0124] Next, processing of a camera system having an AF speed setting function according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of Fig. 14. In this camera system, a camera body 200 and an interchangeable lens 100 are connected via an intermediate adapter 300 having an 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 status of the adapter status setting stored in the intermediate adapter 300 itself to a value indicating "setting." The intermediate adapter 300 also arbitrarily sets the AF speed setting. At this time, the AF speed setting is a multiplier by which the focus lens drive speed is multiplied when a focus drive command from the camera body 200 is converted into a communication protocol supported by the interchangeable lens 100. The AF speed setting specification is not limited to this; for example, the AF speed setting may be managed as a value that replaces the focus drive speed when the interchangeable lens 100 converts into a communication protocol supported by the interchangeable lens 100. If the intermediate adapter 300 detects that the interchangeable lens 100 is a lens for which the focus speed cannot be specified, the intermediate adapter 300 may light up an LED provided in the adapter notification unit 330 to notify the user that the AF speed setting is not settable. The method of notifying the user that the AF speed setting is not settable via the adapter notification unit 330 is not limited to this. The intermediate adapter 300 may display, for example, on an LCD provided in the adapter notification unit 330, that the AF speed setting is not available.

[0126] When the user operates the operation member 207 of the camera body 200 to start AF operation, in S1402 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. Thereafter, in S1403, the intermediate adapter 300, whose AF speed setting state is "setting," 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 a force drive command to the interchangeable lens 100 using the converted focus drive speed. Upon 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 that includes the above-mentioned FPC information and the like.

[0127] In S1405 and S1406, the focus information request from the camera body 200 is transmitted to the interchangeable lens 100 through the 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 through the 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 obtained 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 the 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, a series of operations of the intermediate adapter 300 having the AF speed setting function in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 15. The processing described here shows control processing related to the AF speed setting function of the adapter microcomputer 302 in the intermediate adapter 300 that is in 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 initiated when the operating member 702 of the intermediate adapter 300 is pressed.

[0130] In S1501, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether or not to change the AF speed setting. If the adapter microcomputer 302 determines that the AF speed setting should be changed, the process proceeds to S1502; otherwise, the process proceeds to S1503. The method of determining whether to start changing the AF speed setting in S1501 and the method of changing the AF speed setting in S1502 are the same as those in S1401 described above, and therefore details will be omitted.

[0131] In S1503, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether to cancel the AF speed setting. If the adapter microcomputer 302 determines that the AF speed setting should be canceled, it transitions to S1503, and if not, it transitions to S1504. The method of determining whether to cancel the AF speed setting in S1503 and the method of canceling the AF speed setting in S1504 are the same as those in S1410 described above, and therefore will not be described further.

[0132] In S1504, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether communication from the camera body 200 to the interchangeable lens 100 has been detected. If 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, if the adapter microcomputer 302 does not detect communication, it may end this processing, or may restart from the start to repeatedly execute this processing, that is, transition to S1501.

[0133] At S1505, the adapter microcomputer 302 analyzes the content of the communication from the camera body 200, and if the communication is a focus drive command, the process transitions to S1506; if not, the process transitions to S1509. At 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 "setting," and if it is "setting," the process transitions to S1507; if not, the process transitions to S1508. At 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). At S1508, the adapter microcomputer 302 transmits the focus drive command to the interchangeable lens 100 using a communication protocol supported by the interchangeable lens 100. When the processing of S1508 ends, the adapter microcomputer 302 may end this processing, or may restart this processing from the start, that is, transition to S1501, in order to repeatedly execute this processing.

[0134] At S1509, the adapter microcomputer 302 analyzes the communication content from the camera body 200. If the communication is a focus information request, the process proceeds to S1510; otherwise, the process proceeds to S1514. At S1510, the adapter microcomputer 302 converts the communication content into a communication protocol supported by the interchangeable lens 100, transmits a focus information request to the interchangeable lens 100, and receives focus information from the interchangeable lens 100. The process proceeds to S1511. Details are the same as those of S1405 and S1406 described above, and therefore will not be repeated here. At S1511, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether the AF speed setting status is "setting." If it is "setting," the process proceeds to S1512; otherwise, the process proceeds to S1513. At S1512, the adapter microcomputer 302 updates the focus information stored in the intermediate adapter 300 itself based on the received and acquired focus information. Details are the same as those of S1408 described above, and therefore will not be repeated here. In S1513, the adapter microcomputer 302 transmits the focus information stored in the intermediate adapter 300 itself using a communication protocol supported by the camera body 200. The details are the same as those of S1409 described above, so they will not be repeated here. When the processing of S1513 is completed, the adapter microcomputer 302 may end this processing, or may restart from the start to repeatedly execute this processing, i.e., transition to S1501.

[0135] In S1514, the adapter microcomputer 302 analyzes the communication content received from the camera body 200, converts it into a 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, the adapter microcomputer 302 waits until it receives the response. Furthermore, if a response is required from the camera body 200, the adapter microcomputer 302 transmits the response in a communication protocol supported by the camera body 200. When the processing of S1214 is completed, the adapter microcomputer 302 may end this processing, or may resume from the start to repeatedly execute this processing, that is, transition to S1501.

[0136] As described above, according to this embodiment, the intermediate adapter 300 first accepts an operation to activate an AF speed change function that assists the AF operation by the camera body 200. Then, based on this operation and a control command for AF operation (focus drive control) from the camera body, the intermediate adapter 300 controls the transmission of a control command to the interchangeable lens, thereby realizing the AF speed change function. In particular, the intermediate adapter 300 changes the focus lens drive speed included in the control command and transmits it to the interchangeable lens 100. In this way, by using an intermediate adapter with an AF speed setting function, it is possible to provide a camera system with an AF drive range change function even if the camera body or interchangeable lens does not have the AF drive range change function.

[0137] (Embodiment 4) Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. In the camera system of this embodiment, a camera body 200 and an 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, configurations and processes that are the same or substantially the same as those of the above-described embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals and will not be described again, and the following description will focus on the differences.

[0138] <Focus fine adjustment function> First, let's explain the focus fine-tuning function. Generally, when photographing scenes such as starry skies, the camera body is fixed to a tripod and the focus is fine-tuned using the MF function without using the AF function. For example, the focus can be fine-tuned by operating the manual control ring. However, this method can be difficult because it is difficult to operate the manual control ring so precisely, making fine focus adjustments difficult. Another example is a method of controlling the camera body from a smartphone application and fine-tuning the focus. However, it tends to take some time for the application to be able to control the camera body, which can result in missing a photo opportunity because the image cannot be captured immediately. Furthermore, this function can only be used with cameras that are compatible with the application.

[0139] The focus fine adjustment function is a function that allows fine adjustment of focus without requiring delicate operation. For example, in this embodiment, when the operating member 707 or 708 provided on the intermediate adapter 300 is pressed, the focus lens 104 is driven toward infinity or toward close range, respectively, depending on the number of times the operating member is pressed. This allows fine adjustment of focus without the need for delicate adjustments such as with a manual operation ring. Note that the focus fine adjustment function is not limited to this, and may also be a method that continues to drive the focus little by little while the operating member is pressed. Furthermore, it is not necessary to be limited to a fine adjustment function, and a configuration that drives the focus by a large amount for coarse adjustment, for example, may be used.

[0140] Next, the processing of the camera system having a focus fine adjustment function in this embodiment will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of Fig. 16. First, the processing of S901 to S907 is executed in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment, and 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 on the intermediate adapter 300 is operated to start the focus fine adjustment function, the intermediate adapter 300 transmits a focus drive command to the interchangeable lens 100 in S1601. The intermediate adapter 300 transmits a small focus drive amount to the interchangeable lens 100 with each operation of the operation member 707 or 708, allowing the user to fine-tune the focus without requiring delicate operations. The intermediate adapter 300 may also transmit information to the camera body 200 that the interchangeable lens 100 is in MF mode. This prevents the camera body 200 from transmitting unnecessary focus drive commands to the interchangeable lens 100. The appropriate focus drive amount differs for each lens, as will be discussed later. While the above example uses the operation members 707 and 708, this configuration is not limited to this. For example, an electronic ring or lever (not shown), such as the operation member 701, may be used. Because the user's operation of the operation member 707 or 708 indicates a desire to use the focus fine-adjustment function, the intermediate adapter 300 may not perform S1603, which is the AF operation, for a certain period of time after completion of S1601 (not shown). Alternatively, the intermediate adapter 300 may not perform S1603, even if it receives a focus drive command, for a certain period of time from the time when it receives a command to start the focus fine-adjustment function via the operation member 707 or the like. At this time, the intermediate adapter 300 may convert the focus information stored in itself to information indicating a state different from the latest focus information acquired in S905. Here, the focus information may include, in addition to the FPC information described above, a focus drive state indicating whether the focus lens 104 is being driven, AF / MF information indicating whether the interchangeable lens 100 is in an AF state or an MF state, and so on. 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 stored in itself to an MF state and transmit the MF state to the camera body 200.Unnecessary focus drive commands can be suppressed by notifying the camera body 200 of the MF state. Furthermore, depending on the camera, even if the camera body 200 is not capable of shooting in AF mode, shooting becomes possible by being in the MF state.

[0142] After the focus fine adjustment is completed using the focus fine adjustment function of the intermediate adapter 300, AF operation is performed in response to an operation on the camera body 200. When AF operation is started by operating the operation member 207 of the camera body 200, in S1602 and S1603, a focus drive command from the camera body 200 is transmitted to the interchangeable lens 100 via a communication protocol conversion process by the intermediate adapter 300. Upon 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, in S1604 and S1605, a focus information request from the camera body 200 is transmitted to the interchangeable lens 100 after undergoing communication protocol conversion processing by the intermediate adapter 300. Upon receiving this focus information request, the interchangeable lens 100 responds with focus information managed by the interchangeable lens 100. This response is transmitted to the camera body 200 after undergoing communication protocol conversion processing by the intermediate adapter 300 in S1606 and S1608. Also, in S1607, the intermediate adapter 300 updates the focus information stored in itself based on the latest focus information acquired in S1606. With the above operations, the focus fine adjustment function operates temporarily when the adapter is operated, and thereafter it is possible to return to AF operation based on instructions from the camera body 200.

[0144] Furthermore, a series of operations of the intermediate adapter 300 having a focus fine adjustment function in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 17. 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 on the intermediate adapter 300 has been pressed. If the operation member 702 has been pressed, the adapter microcomputer 302 proceeds to S1702, and if not, 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 or not the operation member 707 or 708 provided on the intermediate adapter 300 has been pressed (whether the focus fine adjustment function has started). If the operation member 707 or 708 has been pressed, the adapter microcomputer 302 proceeds to S1704; if not, the adapter microcomputer 302 proceeds to S1701. In S1704, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether or not 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, the adapter microcomputer 302 proceeds to S1708. In S1705, 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. Data related to focus drive refers to, for example, a focus drive command or a focus stop command. If the data transmitted from the camera body 200 to the interchangeable lens 100 is data related to focus drive, the adapter microcomputer 302 proceeds to S1706; otherwise, the adapter microcomputer 302 proceeds to S1707. In S1706, the adapter microcomputer 302 operates to cause the intermediate adapter 300 to behave as if the data related to focus drive had not been transmitted to the interchangeable lens 100. For example, the adapter microcomputer 302 may discard the request so that it is not transmitted from the intermediate adapter 300 to the interchangeable lens 100. Alternatively, the adapter microcomputer 302 may send meaningless data (specifically, data that does not cause focus drive) from the intermediate adapter 300 to the interchangeable lens 100. This is because the user is attempting to fine-tune the focus, and accidentally driving the focus could confuse the user. Although not shown, if the focus lens 104 is not to be driven from its current state, a command to stop focus drive may be sent to the interchangeable lens 100.

[0147] In S1707, the adapter microcomputer 302 waits until the communication from the camera body 200 to the interchangeable lens 100 is complete. For example, if the adapter microcomputer 302 recognizes that a focus information request is being communicated, it waits until this communication is complete. In this way, it becomes possible to send a focus drive command from the intermediate adapter 300 to the interchangeable lens 100 so that inconsistencies do not occur in the camera system.

[0148] In S1708, the adapter microcomputer 302 transmits a focus drive amount corresponding to the operation of the operation member 707 or 708 provided on the intermediate adapter 300 from the intermediate adapter 300 to the interchangeable lens 100. For example, in response to pressing of the operation member 707, the adapter microcomputer 302 transmits data to the interchangeable lens 100 to drive the focus lens 104 toward the infinity side. Similarly, in response to pressing of the operation member 708, the adapter microcomputer 302 transmits data to the interchangeable lens 100 to drive the focus lens 104 toward the close-up side. At this time, usability is improved by the adapter microcomputer 302 reflecting the focus drive amount coefficient updated in S1702 in the drive amount. The focus drive amount coefficient is the degree to which the focus drive amount is valid for the operation amount of the operation member, and in this embodiment, it is set to determine how much the focus lens is driven for one operation of the operation member 707 or 708. For example, in S1702, the adapter microcomputer 302 could simply change the focus drive amount coefficient from 1 / 4x, 1 / 2x, 1x, 2x, to 4x. For example, the user can use the operation member 702 to select a desired focus drive amount coefficient based on the lens type, focal length, aperture value, etc. This allows for an appropriate focus fine-tuning function to be provided with a single press of the operation member 707 or 708. The adapter microcomputer 302 may also notify the interchangeable lens 100 that it is in AF mode at the beginning of this series of processes, ensuring that the focus lens 104 is driven reliably. The above is merely an example. It is widely known that the depth of field (the range of distances within the subject field at which a photograph appears to be in focus) varies depending on the camera's pixel size, lens focal length, and aperture value. Therefore, the adapter microcomputer 302 may determine and change the coefficient based on the configuration related to the interchangeable lens's depth of field, such as the focal length and effective aperture, and the camera's configuration related to the depth of field, such as the pixel size of the image sensor. For example, it is conceivable to relatively increase the coefficient of the focus drive amount as the depth of field becomes deeper, and relatively decrease the coefficient of the focus drive amount as the depth of field becomes shallower.Furthermore, the configuration may be such that changes to the coefficient of the focus drive amount are accepted from an external device (not shown) such as a smartphone. Although the example of changing the coefficient of the focus drive amount has been given, the configuration may also be such that changes are made to the focus drive speed. Furthermore, if it would be inconvenient for the focus drive sound to be recorded during video recording, the configuration may also be such that limitations are placed on the focus drive amount or the focus drive speed.

[0149] In this series of operations, if the camera body 200 transmits data to the interchangeable lens 100 while focus drive data is being transmitted from the intermediate adapter 300 to the interchangeable lens 100, it is necessary to suspend communication between the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100. In the case of the first communication, a communication pause period can be expressed by a BUSY frame. For this reason, it is sufficient to continue maintaining the BUSY frame in communication between the camera body 200 and the intermediate adapter 300 while focus drive data is being transmitted from the intermediate adapter 300 to the interchangeable lens 100.

[0150] In S1709, the adapter microcomputer 302 resumes transmission from the camera body 200 to the interchangeable lens 100 if it is on hold. When the processing of S1709 is completed, the adapter microcomputer 302 may end this processing, or may restart from the start to repeatedly execute this processing, i.e., transition to S1701.

[0151] As described above, according to this embodiment, the intermediate adapter 300 receives an operation of the focus fine adjustment function for MF operation and sets a coefficient of the focus drive amount. Then, according to the operation of the focus fine adjustment function and the coefficient of the focus drive amount, the drive amount (or drive speed) of the focus lens is transmitted to the interchangeable lens, thereby realizing the focus fine adjustment function. At this time, even if the intermediate adapter 300 receives a control command for the AF operation from the camera body, it does not transmit the control command to the interchangeable lens 100. On the other hand, the intermediate adapter 300 may notify the camera body that it is in the MF state. 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. That is, such an adapter can provide a more convenient MF operation.

[0152] (Embodiment 5) Furthermore, 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 are given to the configurations and processes that are the same or substantially the same as those of the above-described embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted, and the differences will be mainly described.

[0153] <MF function> In this embodiment, even when the camera body 200 is set to AF mode, the focus lens 104 is driven according to the amount of operation by operating the operating member 701 provided on the intermediate adapter 300. This is because there are situations in which it is desirable to be able to perform MF operation while the camera body 200 is capturing images in AF mode. For example, when the subject has low brightness or low contrast and it is difficult to focus using AF, it is desirable for the user to be able to quickly focus using MF operation. The intermediate adapter 300 of this embodiment allows the user to quickly focus even in such scenes without having to switch the setting of the camera body 200 from AF mode to MF mode.

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

[0155] When the operation of the MF function is initiated by the operation member 701 provided on the intermediate adapter 300, in S1801, the intermediate adapter 300 transmits a focus drive command to the interchangeable lens 100. The intermediate adapter 300 realizes an operation similar to that performed when the manual operation ring 130 provided on 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 by a small MF operation amount, and when the user rotates the manual operation ring 130 more, the focus lens 104 can be driven by 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 that unnecessary focus drive commands are not transmitted from the camera body 200 to the interchangeable lens 100. Note that the appropriate focus drive amount differs for each lens, as will be described later. Note that while the case where the operation member 701 is used has been given as an example, this embodiment is not necessarily limited to this configuration. For example, the MF operation amount may be changed according to the length of time the operation member 707 or 708 is pressed, or according to the operation amount of a lever (not shown). Because the user's operation of the operation member 701 indicates a desire to use the MF function, a certain period of time after completion of S1801 may be set as a period of time during which the AF operation, S1803, is not performed (not shown). Alternatively, the intermediate adapter 300 may set a certain period of time from the time when the start of the MF function is accepted by the operation member 701 or the like, during which S1803 is not performed, even if a focus drive command is accepted. At this time, the intermediate adapter 300 may convert the focus information stored therein into information indicating a state different from the latest focus information acquired in S1806. The focus information includes, in addition to the FPC information described above, a focus drive state indicating whether the focus lens 104 is being driven, AF / MF information indicating whether the interchangeable lens 100 is in an AF state or an MF state, and the like. 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 stored in the intermediate adapter 300 itself to an MF state and transmit this to the camera body 200 as an 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 according to the 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 processing by the intermediate adapter 300. When the interchangeable lens 100 receives this focus drive command, it 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 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 to the camera body 200 through the communication protocol conversion processing 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 it can return to the AF operation based on the instruction from the camera body 200.

[0158] Furthermore, referring 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 on the intermediate adapter 300 has been pressed. If the operation member 702 has been pressed, the adapter microcomputer 302 proceeds to S1902, and if not, the adapter microcomputer 302 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 the operation member 701 provided on the intermediate adapter 300 has been operated. If the operation member 701 has been operated, the adapter microcomputer 302 proceeds to S1904; if not, the adapter microcomputer 302 proceeds to S1901. In S1904, 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 S1905; if not, the adapter microcomputer 302 proceeds to S1907. In S1905, 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. As described above, data related to focus drive refers to, for example, a focus drive command or a focus stop command. If the data is data related to focus drive, the adapter microcomputer 302 proceeds to S1906; if not, the adapter microcomputer 302 proceeds to S1907. In S1906, the adapter microcomputer 302 operates so that the intermediate adapter 300 behaves in the same manner as when data related to focus drive has not been transmitted to the interchangeable lens 100. Specific examples may be the same as those described for the focus fine adjustment function in the fourth embodiment.

[0161] In S1907, the adapter microcomputer 302 waits until the communication from the camera body 200 to the interchangeable lens 100 is completed. For example, if the intermediate adapter 300 recognizes that a focus information request communication is being made, it waits until this communication is completed. In this way, it becomes possible to send a focus drive command from the intermediate adapter 300 to the interchangeable lens 100 so that inconsistencies do not occur in the camera system.

[0162] In S1908, the adapter microcomputer 302 transmits the focus drive amount, which corresponds to the operation of the operation member 701 provided on the intermediate adapter 300, from the intermediate adapter 300 to the interchangeable lens 100. At this time, usability is improved by reflecting the focus drive amount coefficient updated in S1902 in the drive amount. As described above, the focus drive amount coefficient is the degree to which the focus drive amount is validated relative to the operation amount of the operation member. In this embodiment, for example, it is set to determine how much the focus lens is driven relative to the rotation of the operation member 701. For example, in S1902, the adapter microcomputer 302 can simply change the focus drive amount magnification to 1 / 4, 1 / 2, 1, 2, or 4. The user can use the operation member 702 to select a desired focus drive amount coefficient depending on the lens type, focal length, aperture value, etc. In this way, an MF function can be provided in which the relationship between the operation amount of the operation member 701 and the focus drive amount is appropriately set. Furthermore, the adapter microcomputer 302 may notify the interchangeable lens 100 that it is in the AF state at the beginning of this step, thereby ensuring that the focus lens 104 is driven reliably. The above is merely an example, and it is widely known that the depth of field (the range of distances toward the subject side within which a photograph appears to be in focus) varies depending on the pixel size, focal length, and aperture value. Therefore, the adapter microcomputer 302 may determine and change the coefficient based on the configuration related to the depth of field of the interchangeable lens, such as the focal length and effective aperture of the interchangeable lens, and the configuration related to the depth of field of the camera, such as the pixel size of the image sensor. For example, it is conceivable to relatively increase the coefficient of the focus drive amount as the depth of field increases, and decrease the coefficient of the focus drive amount as the depth of field decreases. Furthermore, the coefficient of the focus drive amount may be changed from an external device (not shown), such as a smartphone. While the example of changing the coefficient of the focus drive amount has been given, the focus drive speed may also be changed. Furthermore, if it would be inconvenient to have the focus drive sound recorded during video recording, the focus drive amount or the focus drive speed may be limited.

[0163] It should be noted that in this series of operations, if the camera body 200 is transmitting data to the interchangeable lens 100 while focus drive data is being transmitted from the intermediate adapter 300 to the interchangeable lens 100, it is necessary to suspend communication between the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100. In the case of the first communication, a communication pause period can be expressed by a BUSY frame, so it is sufficient to continue maintaining a BUSY frame in communication between the camera body 200 and the intermediate adapter 300 while focus drive data is being transmitted from the intermediate adapter 300 to the interchangeable lens.

[0164] In S1909, the adapter microcomputer 302 resumes transmission from the camera body 200 to the interchangeable lens 100 if it is on hold. When the processing of S1909 is completed, the adapter microcomputer 302 may end this processing, or may restart from the start to repeatedly execute this processing, that is, transition to S1901.

[0165] As described above, according to this embodiment, the intermediate adapter 300 accepts MF operations and sets a coefficient for the focus drive amount. The MF function is realized by transmitting the drive amount (or drive speed) of the focus lens to the interchangeable lens in accordance with the MF operation and the coefficient for the focus drive amount. In this case, even if the intermediate adapter 300 receives a control command for AF operation from the camera body, it does not transmit the control command to the interchangeable lens 100. Alternatively, the intermediate adapter 300 may notify the camera body that it is in the MF state. In this way, by using an intermediate adapter with MF functionality, it is possible to temporarily provide the MF function when executing the AF function, regardless of the combination of camera body and interchangeable lens. In other words, such an adapter can provide more user-friendly MF operation.

[0166] (Embodiment 6) Next, a sixth embodiment will be described. In the camera system of this embodiment, the intermediate adapter 300 realizes the storage of the focus position and the playback drive. The configuration of the camera system of this embodiment can be substantially the same as that of the above-described embodiments. Therefore, the same reference numerals will be used to designate the same or substantially the same configurations and processes as those of the above-described embodiments, and a description thereof will be omitted, and the following description will focus on the differences.

[0167] <Operation of the intermediate adapter 300 when performing initialization processing of "FPC information"> 20, a series of operations for updating the "focus reference position information" managed within the intermediate adapter 300 when the "FPC information" initialization process 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 content of the communication from the camera body 200 and determines whether it is a communication requesting initialization of the "FPC information." If the communication is a communication related to the initialization request, the adapter microcomputer 302 proceeds to S2002; if not, the adapter microcomputer 302 repeats the processing of S2001.

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

[0170] By performing the above-described processing, the intermediate adapter 300 can grasp the absolute focus position from the "focus position information," even if focus drive control is performed between the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100. In this case, the intermediate adapter 300 can determine the "focus position information" by adding together the "focus reference position information" that 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 zooming is performed, an error may occur between the focus position as the actual focal 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, repeated focus driving may result in an error between the focus position as the actual focal plane and the "FPC information." Because the intermediate adapter 300 manages focus position information using the "FPC information" exchanged between the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100, the reliability of the "focus reference position information" managed by the intermediate adapter 300 may decrease as a result. In such a case, the intermediate adapter 300 performs a "focus reference position" update process, which will be described in FIG. 21A, in response to pressing a "focus reference position" reset button (operation member 704) provided on the intermediate adapter 300.

[0172] <Update Process of “Focus Reference Position Information” of Intermediate Adapter 300> Next, the process of updating the "focus reference position" will be described with reference to FIG. 21A. This series of operations may be realized by the adapter microcomputer 302 executing a program. In S2101, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether or not there is a trigger for updating the "focus reference position" inside the intermediate adapter 300. The trigger corresponds to, for example, pressing the operation member 704. If the adapter microcomputer 302 detects a trigger, it proceeds to S2102; otherwise, it repeats the process of S2101.

[0173] In S2102, the adapter microcomputer 302 starts processing to update the "focus reference position" between the intermediate adapter 300 and the interchangeable lens 100. As will be described later from S2112 onwards, which is a detailed explanation of S2107, during this processing the intermediate adapter 300 is unable to accept focus drive from the camera body 200. For this reason, the adapter microcomputer 302 will disguise the state of the interchangeable lens 100 to the camera body 200 as being in manual focus, for example.

[0174] In S2103, the adapter microcomputer 302 communicates with the interchangeable lens 100 to prohibit manual focus (MF) operation. This processing is performed to prevent the "FPC information" in the interchangeable lens 100 from being changed by MF operation of the interchangeable lens 100 while the "focus reference position information" managed by the intermediate adapter 300, which will be described below, is being updated.

[0175] In S2104, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether the interchangeable lens 100 is a lens capable of confirming the absolute reference position of the focus lens 104. The adapter microcomputer 302 performs this lens determination based on the authentication information notified to the intermediate adapter 300 by the interchangeable lens 100 in S805. An example of a lens capable of confirming the absolute reference position of the focus lens 104 is a lens configuration equipped with a device capable of detecting the absolute position with high accuracy, called a reset sensor, at a specific position within the focus drive range. With such a lens, it is possible to reconfirm the absolute focus position by driving the focus lens 104 to the position where the reset sensor is located. If the intermediate adapter 300 determines based on the authentication information that the lens is capable of confirming the absolute reference position of the focus, the process proceeds to S2105; otherwise, the process proceeds to S2106.

[0176] In S2105, the adapter microcomputer 302 requests the interchangeable lens 100 from the intermediate adapter 300 to confirm the absolute reference position of the focus unit. In S2106, the adapter microcomputer 302 sends a request from the intermediate adapter 300 to the interchangeable lens 100 to drive the focus lens 104 to the infinity end or the close end. In S2107, the adapter microcomputer 302 performs processing to wait for the focus lens 104 to stop and processing to ignore 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 the infinity end or the close end and is stopped. In this state, the adapter microcomputer 302 requests the interchangeable lens 100 to initialize the "FPC information," and also 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 again initialized to the same value.

[0178] In S2109, the adapter microcomputer 302 initializes the "focus relative change amount" managed within the intermediate adapter 300. The "focus relative change amount" is a parameter that indicates the amount of change in the focus lens as a difference value from the "focus reference position information," and will be described in detail later. In S2110, the adapter microcomputer 302 initializes various "warning determination parameters" that are used to determine a state in which the accuracy of playback drive of the focus position cannot be guaranteed, as will be described later in the warning display subroutine 2502 shown in FIG. 25B. In S2111, the adapter microcomputer 302 ends the process of updating the "focus reference position information" between the intermediate adapter 300 and the interchangeable lens 100. The adapter microcomputer 302 cancels the prohibition on MF operation that was set in S2102 (processing that prevents focus drive requests from the camera body 200 from being accepted).

[0179] Next, 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 has occurred from the camera body 200. If any communication has occurred, the adapter microcomputer 302 proceeds to S2113; if not, the adapter microcomputer 302 transitions to S2120. In S2113, the adapter microcomputer 302 checks the content of the communication from the camera body 200. Specifically, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether the detected communication is a communication 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 inquiring about the AF and MF states, the adapter microcomputer 302 proceeds to S2114; if not, the adapter microcomputer 302 proceeds to S2115.

[0181] In S2114, adapter microcomputer 302 notifies camera body 200 that the MF function has been set. This prevents focus drive requests from being issued from camera body 200 from then on until the update of the adapter's "focus reference position information" performed in this series of operations is completed.

[0182] In S2115, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether the communication content from the camera body 200 is a focus drive request, and if so, proceeds to S2116; otherwise, proceeds to S2117. In S2116, the adapter microcomputer 302 transmits information to the camera body 200 indicating that focus drive is not possible. 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, proceeds to S2119. In S2118, even if the intermediate adapter 300 receives this communication, the adapter microcomputer 302 does not perform this communication with the interchangeable lens 100. In S2119, the adapter microcomputer 302 performs communication protocol conversion for the communication requested from the camera body 200 and then performs this communication with the interchangeable lens 100. Furthermore, the adapter microcomputer 302 performs communication protocol conversion on the response from the interchangeable lens 100 and sends the response 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 processing of FIG. 21B, and if the focus has stopped, the adapter microcomputer 302 proceeds to S2108 (terminating this subroutine).

[0184] By 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, which is accumulated due to the driving error when the focus lens 104 is repeatedly driven.

[0185] The process of hitting the focus at the infinity end or the closest end in S2106 may be performed as follows: For example, the determination of whether to hit the focus at the infinity end or the closest end may be made based on optical data such as subject distance information obtained by intercepting communication between the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100, or by the intermediate adapter 300 communicating independently with the interchangeable lens 100.

[0186] The intermediate adapter 300 may also determine whether or not the interchangeable lens 100 is equipped with an actuator that is prone to driving errors, such as a stepping motor, based on the authentication information of the interchangeable lens 100 obtained in S805. The adapter microcomputer 302 can determine whether or not to perform an operation to push the focus to the infinity end or the close-up end, based on the characteristics of the actuator. Furthermore, if the interchangeable lens 100 is equipped with an actuator that is less likely to produce focus driving errors, the adapter may stop the focus at the current focus position without performing a process to push the focus to the end, and the "focus reference position" may be updated. In this case, the intermediate adapter 300 makes the determination based on the authentication information received from the interchangeable lens 100 in S805.

[0187] <Focus Regeneration Target Position Storage Processing Operation> 22, a description will be given of the processing that occurs when the operation member 705 (focus position storage button) provided on the intermediate adapter 300 is pressed. 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 pressing of the operation member 705, and if it has detected pressing of the operation member 705, it starts the subsequent processing (proceeds to S2202) to update the "relative focus change amount" managed by the intermediate adapter 300. If it has not detected pressing of the operation member 705, the adapter microcomputer 302 repeats the processing of S2201.

[0189] In S2202, at the timing when the pressing of the operation member 705 was detected in S2201, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether or not a communication request from the camera body 200 has been sent to the intermediate adapter 300. If communication processing is being performed at this timing, the adapter microcomputer 302 proceeds to S2203, and if communication processing is not being performed, the adapter microcomputer 302 proceeds to S2208.

[0190] In S2203, the adapter microcomputer 302 analyzes the group of communication commands sent from the camera body 200, determines the delimiter of the communication of the smallest meaningful unit of data length, converts the communication protocol for the communication of that data length, and communicates it to the interchangeable lens 100. The reason for performing this processing is that the communication commands exchanged between the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100 can be communicated by concatenating communication commands of any data length, for example, as shown in (b) of Figure 4.

[0191] In S2204, after performing the communication of S2203, the adapter microcomputer 302 communicates with the interchangeable lens 100 to obtain "FPC information," regardless of a communication request from the camera body 200. In S2205, after performing the communication of S2204, regardless of a communication request from the camera body 200, the adapter microcomputer 302 communicates with the interchangeable lens 100 to obtain "zoom position information." This "zoom position information" is used to determine whether a warning is displayed if there is a possibility that the accuracy of the drive position has decreased 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 the remaining communication commands from the group of communication commands from the camera body 200 that were executed by interrupting in S2204 and S2205.

[0192] In S2207, the adapter microcomputer 302 acquires the "FPC information" and "zoom position information" that are responses to the communication that was interrupted and executed in S2204 and S2205 from the received data returned from the interchangeable lens 100, and returns the remaining received data to the camera body 200. In S2208, because the adapter microcomputer 302 is in a state where no communication request has been issued from the camera body 200, it performs processing to acquire the "FPC information" and "zoom position information" between the intermediate adapter 300 and the interchangeable lens 100.

[0193] In S2209, 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 based on the "FPC information" acquired from the interchangeable lens 100 in S2204 or S2208.

[0194] In S2210, the adapter microcomputer 302 stores the value obtained by adding together the "focus reference position" and "relative focus change amount" managed by the intermediate adapter 300 itself as the "focus regeneration target position" in the adapter storage unit 340. The reason why the "focus reference position" and the "relative focus change amount" are managed separately in this way is as follows: That is, as described above in FIG. 20 , the "FPC information" communicated between the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100 may be initialized at any time in response to an instruction from the camera body 200. For this reason, the "focus reference position" may be offset when determining absolute focus position information using the initialized "FPC information."

[0195] In S2211, the adapter microcomputer 302 detects the current attitude information and temperature information of the interchangeable lens 100 and stores them in the adapter storage unit 340. The attitude information of the interchangeable lens 100 specifically refers to information such as whether the camera body 200 is held in the upright position, in the vertical position, or whether it is facing downward or upward. Because the camera body 200, the intermediate adapter 300, and the interchangeable lens 100 are all attached, the intermediate adapter 300 can detect the attitude information detected by any of these devices. For example, if the attitude information is configured to be transmitted from the camera body 200 to the interchangeable lens 100, the intermediate adapter 300 can obtain the information by intercepting the communication content. Alternatively, if the attitude information is configured to be transmitted from the interchangeable lens 100 to the camera body 200, the intermediate adapter 300 can obtain the information by transmitting a request for attitude information from the intermediate adapter 300 to the interchangeable lens 100 using a procedure similar to S2205. The intermediate adapter 300 may also be capable of detecting the attitude information. The same applies to the method of obtaining temperature information. The posture information and temperature information are used in the warning display subroutine 2502 in FIG. 25B to determine whether to display a warning, which will be described later.

[0196] In S2212, the adapter microcomputer 302 initializes the "focus drive counter" managed by the intermediate adapter 300. This information manages the history of drive and stop processing of the focus lens 104 of the interchangeable lens 100. This information is used to determine whether to display a warning, which will be described later, in the warning display subroutine 2502 in FIG. 25B, which is realized by monitoring control errors when drive and stop processing are repeated.

[0197] The communication processing of S2203 to S2207 described above will now be described in more detail with reference to Fig. 23. Fig. 23 shows an example of the content of communication carried out between the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100 when the operation member 705 (focus position storage button) is pressed, as determined in S2202.

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

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

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

[0201] When the intermediate adapter 300 receives command 1, converts the communication protocol, and detects that the operation member 705 has been pressed while performing communication 2313, it performs communication 2316 with the interchangeable lens 100 before performing communication 2314. As a result, four pieces of data 2317, 2318, 2319, and 2320 are returned from the interchangeable lens 100 to the intermediate adapter 300. Because communication 2320 is not performed in response to a request from the camera body 200, the communication protocol for the three pieces of data 2317, 2318, and 2319 is converted and communicated from the intermediate adapter 300 to the camera body 200. More specifically, the data 2317 is transmitted to the camera body 200 as data 2307. Similarly, the data 2318 corresponds to 2308, and the data 2319 corresponds to 2309.

[0202] Through the above processing, the intermediate adapter 300 is able to obtain "FPC information" from the interchangeable lens 100 as quickly as possible when the operating member 705 is pressed, and is able to store real-time focus position information when the operating member 705 is pressed.

[0203] Note that when acquiring the "FPC information" in S2203, the shorter the delay from the timing when the operation member 705 (focus position storage button) is pressed, the more accurate the focus position can be stored. For this reason, in the example described above, the acquisition is performed between the intermediate adapter 300 and the interchangeable lens 100 by interrupting the group of communication commands from the camera body 200. However, the acquisition of zoom position information in S2204 may also be performed between the intermediate adapter 300 and the interchangeable lens 100 after the series of communication commands from the camera body 200 has been executed.

[0204] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example has been described in which the intermediate adapter 300 manages two parameters, the "focus reference position" and the "relative focus change amount," in order to manage absolute position information of the focus lens 104 of the interchangeable lens 100. However, these may also be managed as a combined "focus position information." In this case, when an "FPC information" initialization request communication from the camera body 200 is detected as described in FIG. 20, the "focus reference position" can be offset by the current "FPC information" value, as in the processing 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 focal plane and the "FPC information" due to the mechanical structure. Therefore, after zoom driving, the accuracy of the focus position reproduction driving may decrease. In response to this, if zoom driving is performed without performing focus driving after storing the focus reproduction target position described above in FIG. 22, the focus position after zoom driving is re-stored as the focus reproduction target position. This makes it possible to prevent a decrease in the accuracy of the focus position reproduction driving.

[0206] The above-mentioned processing will be described with reference to Fig. 24. Note that this series of operations may be realized by the adapter microcomputer 302 executing a program. Note that the focus regeneration target position has already been stored in the processing of Fig. 22.

[0207] In S2401, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether the focus lens 104 of the interchangeable lens 100 has changed from a stopped state to a driven state. This determination may be made by intercepting communication between the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100, or may be made by communication that periodically checks the focus drive state between the intermediate adapter 300 and the interchangeable lens 100. If the adapter microcomputer 302 detects a change in the drive state of the focus lens 104, it transitions to S2402, and if not, it transitions to S2405.

[0208] In S2402, the adapter microcomputer 302 counts up a "focus drive counter" managed by the intermediate adapter 300 itself. Note that this "focus drive counter" was initialized in S2212 during the focus position storage operation in FIG. 22. In S2403, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether the "focus drive counter" counted up in S2402 has exceeded a predetermined number of times. This determination is made in order to display a warning, which will be described later in FIG. 25B, when focus drive and stop processing has been performed a predetermined number of times or more. This is because, when focus drive is repeatedly performed depending on the type of actuator that drives and controls the focus lens 104, an error occurs between the focus position as the actual focal plane and the "FPC information."

[0209] In S2404, the adapter microcomputer 302 activates the "warning display flag" that it manages. In S2405, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether zoom driving of the interchangeable lens 100 has occurred. This determination may be made by intercepting communication between the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100, or by periodically performing communication between the intermediate adapter 300 and the interchangeable lens 100 to check the zoom driving status. If the adapter microcomputer 302 detects that the zoom lens 102 is in a driving state, it proceeds to S2406; otherwise, it returns to S2401. In S2406, the adapter microcomputer 302 determines whether the "focus driving counter" managed by the intermediate adapter 300 is 0. If the counter is 0, the adapter microcomputer 302 transitions to S2407. The counter being 0 corresponds to the case where zoom driving was performed without focus driving after the "focus regeneration target position" was stored. On the other hand, if the counter is not 0 (that is, if focus driving is performed after the "focus regeneration target position" is stored), the process proceeds 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 adapter microcomputer 302 re-stores the "focus regeneration target position" shown in Fig. 24. In S2409, the adapter microcomputer 302 enables the "warning display flag" managed by the intermediate adapter 300, as in S2404. After completing the processes of S2408 and S2409, the adapter microcomputer 302 returns to S2401.

[0211] By the above processing, if zoom driving is performed without focus driving after the "focus regeneration target position" has been stored, it is possible to automatically re-store the "focus regeneration target position," thereby improving usability. In this case, processing can proceed without displaying a warning in the warning display subroutine 2502 described later in FIG. 25B.

[0212] 25A, a series of operations that occur when the operation member 706 (playback drive button) provided on 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 pressing of the operation member 706 has been detected. If the operation member 706 has been pressed, the adapter microcomputer 302 proceeds to S2502; if not, the adapter microcomputer 302 repeats the processing of S2501. In S2502, the adapter microcomputer 302 executes a subroutine for displaying a warning. This subroutine will be described later with reference to FIG. 25B. In S2503, the adapter microcomputer 302 starts focus regeneration drive processing between the intermediate adapter 300 and the interchangeable lens 100. In S2504, the adapter microcomputer 302 executes a subroutine (focus stop confirmation processing) for waiting for the intermediate adapter 300 to stop driving the focus lens 104 of the interchangeable lens 100. This subroutine is the same as the processing described in S2112 to S2121 of FIG. 21B.

[0214] In S2505, the adapter microcomputer 302 acquires from the interchangeable lens 100 the "FPC information" in the state in which the focus lens 104 was 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 focus drive speed setting has been changed by the operation member 702 of the intermediate adapter 300. Note that this speed setting is the same as that described with reference to FIG. 14. If the speed setting has been changed, the adapter microcomputer 302 proceeds to S2507, and if not, proceeds to S2508.

[0215] In S2507, the adapter microcomputer 302 requests focus drive from 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 "focus relative change amount" updated in S2505, and the pre-stored "focus reference position information." Furthermore, the adapter microcomputer 302 calculates the difference between the absolute position information of the focus lens 104 and the "focus regeneration target position" stored in FIG. 22, and requests focus drive from the interchangeable lens 100 to cancel this difference.

[0216] In S2508, this step is performed when a focus speed setting has not been made or when the focus speed setting has been canceled in the intermediate adapter 300. The adapter microcomputer 302 continues the focus drive speed that was previously requested from the camera body 200 to the interchangeable lens 100. Alternatively, the adapter microcomputer 302 may request the interchangeable lens 100 to drive the focus at the maximum speed.

[0217] In S2509, the adapter microcomputer 302 communicates with the interchangeable lens 100 to acquire the drive status of the focus lens 104. In S2510, the status of the focus lens 104 acquired in S2509 is determined, and if an abnormal state in which the focus cannot be driven is detected, a warning process is executed in S2511. Details of this warning process will be described with reference to FIG. 21B. An example of an abnormal focus state here is when the focus lens 104 cannot operate due to an external factor such as an impact on the focus unit or being held down by hand.

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

[0219] In S2515, the adapter microcomputer 302 acquires "FPC information" from the interchangeable lens 100 while the focus lens 104 is stopped. In S2516, it is determined based on the "FPC information" acquired in S2515 whether or not the focus lens was able to 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 executes warning processing in S2517. An example of a case where the focus lens cannot be driven to such a focus position is when the interchangeable lens 100 is set to impose a limit on the focus driveable range.

[0220] If the focus lens 104 is not stopped in S2514, the adapter microcomputer 302 transitions to S2518, where, as in S2506, it determines whether the user has performed an operation to change the focus speed setting. If the focus speed setting has been changed, in S2519 the adapter microcomputer 302 notifies the interchangeable lens 100 of the changed focus drive speed information. Then, regardless of whether the user has performed the operation, it executes the processing again from S2509. This change in speed setting during playback drive will be described later with reference to FIG. 27. In S2513, the adapter microcomputer 302 cancels the processing for suppressing focus drive requests from the camera body 200, which is being performed in subroutine 2504, and ends this series of operations.

[0221] <Warning Display Determination Process in the Intermediate Adapter 300> Next, the subroutine of the warning display determination process of S2502 will be described with reference to Fig. 25B. 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 or not the focus position storage process described in Fig. 22 has been performed, and if the focus position storage process has not yet been performed, the process proceeds to warning display process in S2524. On the other hand, if the focus position storage process has been performed, the process proceeds 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, and determines whether there is a difference. As with S2211, the attitude information may be acquired from the camera body 200, from the interchangeable lens 100, or by detecting attitude information provided in the intermediate adapter 300.

[0224] In S2522, the adapter microcomputer 302 compares the temperature information obtained when the playback drive button of the operation member 706 was pressed with the temperature information acquired during the focus position storage process in S2211, and determines whether there is a difference equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The threshold for comparing the difference in temperature information may be switched depending on the type of actuator that drives the focus lens 104 (stepping motors 107 and 108 in FIG. 1). As in S2211, the temperature information may be acquired from the camera body 200, from the interchangeable lens 100, or by detecting 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 enabled. If the flag is enabled, the process proceeds to S2524; if not, the process ends this series of operations.

[0225] In S2524, because it has been determined in any of S2520 to S2523 that there is a possibility that the drive accuracy will decrease when performing the focus regeneration drive process, adapter microcomputer 302 notifies the user of a warning condition via adapter notification unit 330. In communication with camera body 200, adapter microcomputer 302 may prompt camera body 200 to display an error by not following the communication format shown in Fig. 23, for example. Even when warning display processing is performed, focus regeneration drive processing may continue, or the regeneration drive processing may be stopped at this point.

[0226] The above-described focus position regeneration operation process makes it possible to drive the focus from the focus position when the regeneration drive button is pressed to the regeneration drive focus position pre-stored in the intermediate adapter. Furthermore, if there is a possibility that the accuracy of the focus regeneration drive may be reduced, a warning can be displayed to the user by determining changes in zoom position, posture, temperature, the number of focus drives, etc.

[0227] Next, with reference to Fig. 26, we will explain how the focus position behaves through the above-mentioned update process etc. Note that the above-mentioned update process etc. includes the update process of the "focus reference position information" in Fig. 21A, the behavior when the focus position storage button is operated in Fig. 22, and the behavior when the focus position playback operation is performed in Fig. 25A.

[0228] 26, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the position of the focus lens 104. First, at timing 2602 shown on the horizontal axis, the camera startup process is performed, and in step S807 described above, 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) on the vertical axis 2603 indicates that the intermediate adapter 300 manages this focus position as the reference position.

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

[0230] When the user's operation to update the focus reference position is accepted at the timing indicated by 2605 on the horizontal axis, the intermediate adapter 300 performs focus stop wait processing (processing of S2606 in FIG. 26) (explained in S2107 in FIG. 21A). After confirming that the focus lens 104 has stopped in this processing, the intermediate adapter 300 re-stores the focus position on the vertical axis 2607 as the "focus reference position." Note that FIG. 26 shows a case in which the attached lens is a lens whose absolute reference position can be confirmed as determined in S2104, and a case in which a reset sensor is located at the focus position of 2607. At this point, the "FPC information" communicated between the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100 is set to zero.

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

[0232] Thereafter, when the intermediate adapter 300 receives an operation of the focus position storage button by the user at the timing indicated by 2612 on the horizontal axis, it acquires "FPC information" from the interchangeable lens 100 by processing 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 time is the focus position indicated by 2610, and the "FPC information" acquired at the timing indicated by 2612 on the horizontal axis is the focus change amount indicated by 2613. The current focus position at this timing is the focus position indicated by 2614, which is the same position as the focus regeneration 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 "focus relative change amount."

[0233] In section 2616, as in section 2604, the user changes the focus position using autofocus control or manual focus control. When the intermediate adapter 300 accepts a playback drive operation by the user at the timing indicated by 2617 on the horizontal axis, it performs focus stop wait processing at 2618 (focus stop confirmation processing at S2504). The "FPC information" at this focus stop position is the difference amount from the zero position 2610 of the "FPC information" indicated by 2619. After the focus is stopped, focus playback drive 2620 is performed to the focus playback target position by the processing of S2506. The focus drive amount 2622 at this time can be calculated using the following relationship. Focus drive amount 2622 = {Focus playback target position 2614 - (focus reference position (2) 2607 + focus relative change amount 2621)} In this way, it is possible to realize the focus position storage and playback drive by user operation. Note that, although the present embodiment has been described in terms of a case where only one focus position is stored, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and multiple focus positions may be stored.

[0234] Next, referring to Fig. 27, a description will be given of the focus operation when an operation to change the focus speed setting during focus regeneration drive, as described in S2518, is performed. The horizontal axis of graph 2701 shown in Fig. 27 represents time, and the vertical axis represents the position of focus lens 104. When this focus operation starts, focus lens 104 is at the "current focus position" indicated on vertical axis 2702. An example will be described in which drive is performed from this focus position to the "focus regeneration target position" indicated on vertical axis 2703.

[0235] When the focus speed setting operation of the intermediate adapter 300 is performed at the timing shown at 2704 on the horizontal axis, 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 can be selected, with the speeds being set in order of decreasing speed starting from speed 1. This process corresponds to S2506 shown in FIG. 25A.

[0236] Next, a focus reproduction drive operation is performed at the timing indicated by 2705 on the horizontal axis. This operation initiates focus drive at the high speed setting set in 2704 (2706). Next, when a focus speed setting operation is performed on the intermediate adapter 300 at the timing indicated by 2707 on the horizontal axis, the intermediate adapter 300 stores the setting value and notifies the interchangeable lens 100 of the change in speed setting. This process corresponds to 2518 in FIG. 25A. This operation switches to focus drive at a speed setting slightly slower than the speed set in 2704 (2708). Thereafter, when a speed setting change operation is performed at the timings indicated by 2709, 2710, and 2711 on the horizontal axis, the intermediate adapter 300 gradually switches the focus reproduction drive speed to a slower speed. Note that, although the example shown in FIG. 27 describes an operation to gradually slow the speed setting, it is also possible to increase the speed setting or switch between a high speed and a low speed as appropriate. The above operations make it possible to control the focus reproduction drive speed in response to user operations.

[0237] (Embodiment 7) Next, a seventh embodiment will be described. In the sixth embodiment, the user's operation was used to store the focus position and drive the focus again. In this embodiment, the intermediate adapter 300 automatically performs focus regeneration 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 embodiments. Therefore, the same reference numerals will be used to designate configurations and processes that are the same or substantially the same as those of the above-described embodiments, and a description thereof will be omitted, and the differences will be mainly described.

[0238] A series of operations during still image capture in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 28. 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 the series of operations (focus replay target position storage processing) shown in Fig. 22. In S2802, the adapter microcomputer 302 monitors communication from the camera body 200 and determines whether the current shooting mode of the camera body 200 is still image shooting mode. If the mode is not still image shooting mode, the adapter microcomputer 302 ends this processing (or returns to S2801), and if not, proceeds to S2803.

[0240] In S2803, the adapter microcomputer 302 monitors communications from the camera body 200 to monitor exposure time information for still image capture by 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 communications from the camera body 200 to determine whether exposure start information for still image capture has been communicated. If exposure start information has not yet been communicated, the adapter microcomputer 302 returns to S2802; otherwise, the adapter microcomputer 302 proceeds to S2806. In S2806, the adapter microcomputer 302 calculates the drive speed for focus drive during exposure. For example, the adapter microcomputer 302 calculates the drive speed based on the exposure time acquired in S2803, the latest "FPC information" acquired in S2804, and the focus drive 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] The operation described with reference to Fig. 28 will be further supplementarily described with reference to Fig. 29. In graph 2901 shown in Fig. 29, the horizontal axis represents time and the vertical axis represents the position of focus lens 104. 2902 on the vertical axis represents the focus playback target position stored in S2801. It is assumed that this focus playback target position was recorded by the user before the still image shooting operation.

[0242] The vertical axis 2903 indicates the position of the focus lens 104 before capturing a still image. The horizontal axis 2904 indicates the timing at which exposure starts. This timing information is determined by the intermediate adapter 300 from information communicated from the camera body 200 to the interchangeable lens 100 (corresponding to the processing of S2803).

[0243] When the intermediate adapter 300 transmits a focus drive request to the interchangeable lens 100 (in the processing of S2807 described above), the focus lens 104 operates as shown in 2905. The values ​​obtained in S2806 are used as the focus drive amount and drive speed at this time. Exposure ends at the timing of 2906 on the horizontal axis.

[0244] In this way, by the user operating the intermediate adapter 300 in advance to store the focus reproduction drive position, it becomes possible to easily realize focus drive control during exposure when taking still images.

[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. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0246] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[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 that is detachably attached between an imaging device and an interchangeable lens, a communication means for performing a first communication with the imaging device and a second communication with the interchangeable lens; a first operation means for receiving a predetermined operation related to a manual focus operation; a setting means for setting a degree to which a driving amount of a focus lens of the interchangeable lens is valid in response to an operation amount of the first operation means; a control means for transmitting a drive amount or a drive speed of a focus lens of the interchangeable lens to the interchangeable lens via the second communication in accordance with the predetermined operation and the set degree; a second operation means for receiving a first operation different from the predetermined operation, The accessory device is characterized in that the setting means changes the degree in response to the first operation.

2. An accessory device that is detachably attached between an imaging device and an interchangeable lens, a communication means for performing a first communication with the imaging device and a second communication with the interchangeable lens; a first operation means for receiving a predetermined operation related to a manual focus operation; a setting means for setting a degree to which a driving amount of a focus lens of the interchangeable lens is valid in response to an operation amount of the first operation means; a control means for transmitting a drive amount or a drive speed of a focus lens of the interchangeable lens to the interchangeable lens via the second communication in accordance with the predetermined operation and the set degree, The accessory device, wherein the setting means changes the degree in accordance with configurations relating to the depth of field of the interchangeable lens and the imaging device.

3. 3. The accessory device according to claim 2, wherein the configuration relating to the depth of field of the interchangeable lens includes the focal length or the effective aperture of the interchangeable lens.

4. The accessory device according to claim 2 , wherein the configuration relating to the depth of field of the imaging device includes a pixel size of an imaging element of the imaging device.

5. An accessory device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that when the control means transmits to the interchangeable lens the drive amount or drive speed of the focus lens of the interchangeable lens in accordance with the specified operation and the set degree, it does not transmit to the interchangeable lens a control command regarding focus drive received from the imaging device via the first communication.

6. The accessory device according to claim 5, characterized in that the control means does not transmit to the interchangeable lens a control command regarding focus drive received from the imaging device via the first communication for a certain period of time after accepting the specified operation.

7. 7. The accessory device according to claim 5, wherein the control command relating to focus drive received from the imaging device includes a command to drive a focus lens of the interchangeable lens or a command to stop the focus lens.

8. The accessory device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that when the control means transmits to the interchangeable lens a drive amount or drive speed of the focus lens of the interchangeable lens in accordance with the specified operation and the set degree, it notifies the imaging device via the first communication that the interchangeable lens is in a manual focus state.

9. The accessory device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the control means suspends the first communication when transmitting to the interchangeable lens the drive amount or drive speed of the focus lens of the interchangeable lens in accordance with the specified operation and the set degree.

10. The accessory device according to claim 1 , wherein the predetermined operation includes an operation of rotating an operating member.

11. The accessory device according to claim 1 , wherein the predetermined operation includes an operation of pressing down an operating member.

12. A control method for an accessory device detachably attached between an imaging device and an interchangeable lens, the accessory device having a communication means for performing first communication with the imaging device and second communication with the interchangeable lens, a first operation means for accepting a predetermined operation related to a manual focus operation, and a second operation means for accepting a first operation different from the predetermined operation, the control method comprising: a setting step of setting, by a setting means, a degree to which a driving amount of a focus lens of the interchangeable lens is enabled in response to an operation amount of the first operation means; a control step of transmitting, by a control means, a drive amount or a drive speed of a focus lens of the interchangeable lens to the interchangeable lens via the second communication in accordance with the predetermined operation and the set degree, The accessory device control method, wherein the setting step changes the degree in response to the first operation.

13. A control method for an accessory device detachably attached between an imaging device and an interchangeable lens, wherein the accessory device has communication means for performing first communication with the imaging device and second communication with the interchangeable lens, and first operation means for accepting a predetermined operation related to manual focus operation, and the control method comprises: a setting step of setting, by a setting means, a degree to which a driving amount of a focus lens of the interchangeable lens is enabled in response to an operation amount of the first operation means; a control step of transmitting, by a control means, a drive amount or a drive speed of a focus lens of the interchangeable lens to the interchangeable lens via the second communication in accordance with the predetermined operation and the set degree, The accessory device control method, wherein the setting step changes the degree in accordance with configurations related to the depth of field of the interchangeable lens and the imaging device.

14. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the accessory device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

Images