Imaging device, accessory device, and control method thereof

Abstract

To provide an imaging device capable of reducing a startup time while suppressing a decrease in photometric accuracy at startup.SOLUTION: An imaging device on which an accessory device including a first optical unit and a second optical unit can be detachably and communicably attached includes photometric means for performing photometric processing based on an amount of light incident on an imaging element, and control means for requesting the start of reset operations of the first and second optical units. The control means starts calculations of parameters for adjusting the photometric processing when a first signal indicating the completion of the reset operation of the first optical unit is acquired, and starts the photometric processing when a second signal indicating the completion of the reset operation of the second optical unit is acquired.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging device, an accessory device, and control methods thereof.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in order to take a picture at a timing desired by the user, the startup time in an imaging device has been highly regarded. Particularly in a mirrorless camera, in addition to the time until live view output, the quality of the output image quality becomes important.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses an imaging device capable of shortening the startup time while improving the accuracy of the photometric result by starting the photometric process at the timing of receiving a completion notification of the reset operation of the aperture blades provided in the interchangeable lens.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the imaging device of Patent Document 1, when the reset operation of the aperture blades is completed, the influence of the focus lens position on the aperture diameter during the reset operation of the focus lens cannot be considered, and there is a concern that the photometric accuracy may decrease.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging device capable of shortening the startup time while suppressing a decrease in photometric accuracy at startup.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] An imaging device as one aspect of the present invention Includes focusing lens a first optical unit and Including apertureAn imaging device to which an accessory device comprising a second optical unit is detachably and communicatively attached, comprising a photometric means for performing photometric processing from the amount of light incident on the image sensor, and a control means for requesting the start of reset operations of the first and second optical units, wherein the control means is After the focus lens reset operation and aperture reset operation are initiated in response to the request, the focus lens When a first signal indicating the completion of the reset operation is obtained, the calculation of parameters for adjusting the photometric processing is started. aperture The system is characterized by starting photometric processing when a second signal indicating the completion of the reset operation is obtained. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an imaging device that can shorten the startup time while suppressing a decrease in photometric accuracy during startup. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the camera system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a flowchart showing the startup process of the imaging device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a flowchart showing the startup process of the accessory device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a timing chart illustrating the startup process of the camera system in the first embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a flowchart showing the startup process of the accessory device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a timing chart illustrating the startup process of the camera system in the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In each figure, the same reference numeral is used for identical components, and redundant explanations are omitted. [First Embodiment] In this embodiment, in an interchangeable lens camera system, it is possible to start calculating parameters for adjusting the photometering process at the timing when the reset operation of the focus lens is completed. Furthermore, it is possible to start the photometering process at the timing when the reset operation of both the focus lens and the aperture blades is completed. <Camera system configuration> Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the interchangeable lens camera system (hereinafter referred to as the camera system) of this embodiment. The camera system comprises a camera body (imaging device) 200 and an interchangeable lens 100 that can be attached to the camera body 200. In this embodiment, the interchangeable lens 100 is described as an example of an accessory device that can be attached to the camera body 200, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention is also applicable to other accessory devices such as an intermediate adapter inserted between the interchangeable lens 100 and the camera body 200.

[0011] The interchangeable lens 100 and the camera body 200 can be mechanically and electrically connected via a mounting mechanism, the mount 300. The mount 300 schematically represents the state in which the mount of the interchangeable lens 100 and the mount of the camera body 200 are connected, and these mounts are detachable from each other.

[0012] Communication terminals (not shown) are provided on the mounting surfaces of the mounts on both the interchangeable lens 100 and the camera body 200. When connected via the mount 300, the corresponding communication terminals make contact, enabling communication between the interchangeable lens 100 and the camera body 200 via the communication terminals. Power is supplied to the interchangeable lens 100 from the camera body 200 via a power terminal (not shown) provided on the mount 300, which enables the operation of various actuators and the lens microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as lens microcontroller) 101, which will be described later.

[0013] The interchangeable lens 100 has an optical section 103, which is an imaging optical system comprising multiple optical units. The imaging optical system includes a field lens 104, a zoom lens 105 for magnification, an aperture unit 113 for adjusting the amount of light, an image stabilization lens 116 for reducing (correcting) image shake, and a focus lens 109 for adjusting the focus, arranged in order from the subject OBJ side to the image side. The zoom lens 105 and the focus lens 109 are held by lens retaining frames 106 and 110, respectively. The lens retaining frames 106 and 110 are each guided by guide axes (not shown) so as to be movable in the optical axis direction indicated by dashed lines, and are driveable in the optical axis direction by actuators 107 and 111. The aperture unit 113 has aperture blades 113a and 113b and is driveable by an aperture actuator 114. The image stabilization lens 116 is driveable by an image stabilization actuator 117 in a direction that includes a component perpendicular to the optical axis direction.

[0014] The interchangeable lens 100 also has an operating section 120. The operating section 120 is configured according to the functions installed on the interchangeable lens 100. For example, the operating section 120 may include a manual operation ring (a so-called electronic ring) that can be rotated by the user, or a switch that allows switching between AF and MF.

[0015] Furthermore, the interchangeable lens 100 has a lens microcontroller 101. The lens microcontroller 101 can communicate with the camera body 200 via the lens communication unit 102. In addition, the lens microcontroller 101 can control the drive and acquire the status of each optical unit included in the optical unit 103 via control circuits 108, 112, 115, and 118.

[0016] The lens microcomputer 101 is a control means for controlling each member within the interchangeable lens 100 based on the state of the optical unit 103, operations of the operation unit 120, communication commands from the lens communication unit 102, etc. For example, the lens microcomputer 101 drives and controls the focus lens 109 via the control circuit 112 as necessary, and acquires the current position of the focus lens 109 via the control circuit 112. Each optical unit may need to find its initial position depending on its hardware configuration after power supply. By performing the initial position finding, the lens microcomputer 101 can correctly manage the position information of each optical unit and can drive and control it to a desired position. Note that, for initial position finding, the control circuit may include an initial position sensor. In the present embodiment, after performing the initial position finding as necessary, operating it to the control start position is also referred to as a reset operation. The reset operation time varies depending on the hardware configuration and unit state of each optical unit. The lens microcomputer 101 manages information (reset state) indicating whether each optical unit has completed the reset operation, and can transmit the reset state to the camera body 200 via the lens communication unit 102.

[0017] In the present embodiment, the focus lens 109, the aperture unit 113, and the anti-vibration lens 116 require a reset operation (hereinafter referred to as focus reset, aperture reset, and IS reset respectively), but it is not limited to this depending on the hardware configuration. For example, a reset operation of the zoom lens 105 (hereinafter referred to as zoom reset) may be required, or the focus reset may not be necessary.

[0018] The camera body 200 includes an imaging element 203, an A / D conversion circuit 204, a signal processing circuit (photometry means) 205, a recording unit 206, a camera microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as camera microcomputer) 201, a display unit 207, and an operation unit 210.

[0019] The image sensor 203 is composed of a CCD sensor, CMOS sensor, etc., and outputs an electrical signal (analog signal) by photoelectric conversion of the subject image formed by the imaging optical system of the interchangeable lens 100. The A / D conversion circuit 204 converts the analog signal from the image sensor 203 into a digital signal. The signal processing circuit 205 performs various image processing on the digital signal from the A / D conversion circuit 204 to generate a video signal. The signal processing circuit 205 also generates focus information, which indicates the contrast state of the subject image (focus state of the imaging optical system), and luminance information, which represents the exposure state, from the video signal. Hereinafter, the luminance information will be referred to as the photometric value, and the generation of luminance information will be referred to as the photometric processing. The image processing and photometric processing of the signal processing circuit 205 can be adjusted by the camera microcontroller 201, which will be described later. The signal processing circuit 205 outputs the video signal to the display unit 207, and the display unit 207 displays the video signal as a live view image used for checking composition, focus state, etc. These are just examples; for instance, the image sensor 203 may have a built-in A / D conversion circuit and output a digital signal. Alternatively, each pixel of the image sensor 203 may be composed of one microlens and two photoelectric conversion units, and the signal processing circuit 205 may use a so-called image plane phase difference detection method to calculate the focus information of the subject image from the phase difference of the outputs of each photoelectric conversion unit.

[0020] The camera microcontroller 201 is a control means that controls the camera body 200 in response to inputs from the operation unit 210, such as the power switch, image capture instruction switch, and various setting switches.

[0021] The camera microcontroller 201 transmits control commands and transmission request commands to the interchangeable lens 100 as needed via the camera communication unit 202, and also receives lens data from the interchangeable lens 100. For example, the camera microcontroller 201 can request (instruct) the start of the reset operation of each optical unit of the interchangeable lens 100 by transmitting a reset operation start request command to the interchangeable lens 100. In addition, the camera microcontroller 201 can determine the reset operation status of each optical unit by transmitting a reset operation status transmission request command for each optical unit to the interchangeable lens 100 as needed, and by receiving the reset operation status from the interchangeable lens 100. <Startup flow of the imaging device> Figure 2 is a flowchart showing the startup process of the camera body 200. This flow describes the startup process by the camera microcontroller 201, which begins when the interchangeable lens 100 is attached to the camera body 200, power is supplied, and the power switch is turned on. However, the timing of the start of the startup process is not limited to this; for example, it may also begin at the timing of recovery from auto power-off (the timing of waking from sleep mode) when the interchangeable lens 100 is attached to the camera body 200. Alternatively, it may begin at the timing when the interchangeable lens 100 is attached while the camera body 200 is running and the interchangeable lens 100 is not attached.

[0022] In step S200, the camera microcontroller 201 supplies power to the interchangeable lens 100 via a power terminal (not shown) provided on the mount 300 in order to activate it. The camera microcontroller 201 also performs initial communication with the interchangeable lens 100 via the camera communication unit 202, sending and receiving initial information based on the characteristics and functions of both the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100. In this embodiment, the initial information of the interchangeable lens 100 includes optical characteristic information. Optical characteristic information is used to accurately adjust the image processing and photometric processing of the signal processing circuit 205. For example, it includes characteristic information related to the decrease in the amount of incident light around the image height of the image sensor 203 (hereinafter referred to as peripheral light falloff) caused by the characteristics and condition of each optical unit of the optical unit 103. Based on this information, the camera microcontroller 201 adjusts the image processing and photometric processing of the signal processing circuit 205. In addition to peripheral light falloff characteristic information, the camera microcontroller 201 may also use the current optical information of each optical unit, such as the position information of the zoom lens 105 and the focus lens 109, and the current F-number information and the maximum F-number information of the aperture unit 113. This allows the camera microcontroller 201 to accurately adjust the image processing and photometric processing of the signal processing circuit 205. Hereinafter, the adjustment of the photometric processing will be referred to as photometric correction, the predetermined parameters used for photometric correction will be referred to as photometric correction parameters, and the process of calculating (calculating) the photometric correction parameters will be referred to as photometric correction parameter calculation. The photometric correction parameters are, for example, parameters (peripheral light falloff correction data) used for peripheral light falloff correction calculated based on peripheral light falloff characteristic information. Furthermore, peripheral light falloff characteristic information may be pre-recorded in a non-volatile memory area (not shown) connected to the camera microcontroller 201. In that case, the initial information of the interchangeable lens 100 may include unique ID information of the interchangeable lens 100 for reading peripheral light falloff characteristic information from the non-volatile memory area.

[0023] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the initial information of the camera body 200 may include power information that the camera body 200 supplies to the interchangeable lens 100, and the lens microcontroller 101 may control each optical unit based on the power information so that it stays within the supplied power limit.

[0024] In step S201, the camera microcontroller 201 sends a reset operation start request command to the interchangeable lens 100 via the camera communication unit 202, requesting that the reset operation of each optical unit of the interchangeable lens 100 be started.

[0025] In step S202, the camera microcontroller 201 sends a reset state transmission request command to the interchangeable lens 100 via the camera communication unit 202 in order to obtain at least the focus reset state. The camera microcontroller 201 also obtains the reset state of one or more optical units, including the focus reset state, from the interchangeable lens 100.

[0026] In step S203, the camera microcontroller 201 determines whether the focus reset is complete based on the focus reset status. If the camera microcontroller 201 determines that the focus reset is complete, it executes the process in step S204; otherwise, it executes the process in step S202.

[0027] In step S204, the camera microcontroller 201 obtains the current optical information of each optical unit of the interchangeable lens 100 from the interchangeable lens 100 via the camera communication unit 202, which is necessary for calculating the photometering correction parameters.

[0028] In step S205, the camera microcontroller 201 starts calculating the metering correction parameters.

[0029] In this embodiment, if the position information of the zoom lens 105 and the focus lens 109, and the open aperture F-number information of the aperture unit 113 are determined at the start timing of the metering process described later, the metering correction parameters can be calculated. Therefore, in step S204, the optical information necessary for calculating these metering correction parameters is acquired. At this time, if the zoom reset operation of the zoom lens 105 is not required, the zoom position information is determined, and if the focus reset operation of the focus lens 109 is completed, the focus position information is determined. Then, once the zoom position information and focus position information are determined, the open aperture F-number information after the aperture reset operation of the aperture unit 113 is completed is determined. In this embodiment, the position after the completion of the aperture reset operation is open. From the above, even if the aperture reset is not completed, if the focus reset is completed, the metering correction parameters can be calculated first. If the zoom lens 105 is configured to require a zoom reset, then in steps S202 and S203, it is also necessary to monitor the completion of the zoom reset.

[0030] Furthermore, depending on the configuration of the interchangeable lens 100, the focus position information and maximum aperture information may not be determined immediately after the focus reset is completed. In such cases, the optical information may be acquired in step S204 after a predetermined time has elapsed for this information to stabilize. In this case, it is preferable that the initial information, which is the characteristic information of the interchangeable lens 100 received in step S200, includes information regarding a predetermined interval.

[0031] In step S206, the camera microcontroller 201 sends a reset state transmission request command to the interchangeable lens 100 via the camera communication unit 202 in order to obtain at least the aperture reset state. The camera microcontroller 201 also obtains the reset state of one or more optical units, including the aperture reset state, from the interchangeable lens 100.

[0032] In step S207, the camera microcontroller 201 determines whether the aperture reset is complete based on the aperture reset status. If the camera microcontroller 201 determines that the aperture reset is complete, it executes the process in step S208; otherwise, it executes the process in step S206. The reset status monitored in steps S206 and S207 is not limited to this; for example, the IS reset status may also be monitored.

[0033] In step S208, the camera microcontroller 201 starts the photometering process. At this time, photometering correction using photometering correction parameters is also performed. If the photometering correction parameters are still being calculated, the process waits. The camera microcontroller 201 acquires the photometered value once the photometering process is complete.

[0034] In step S209, the camera microcontroller 201 starts live view output. Based on the metering value acquired in step S208 and the current F-number information (=wide open), the camera microcontroller 201 calculates TV and ISO and controls the image sensor 203 and the A / D conversion circuit 204. The camera microcontroller 201 also adjusts the image processing performed by the signal processing circuit 205 to output a video signal with appropriately controlled brightness and color to the display unit 207. The camera microcontroller 201 may also adjust the image processing performed by the signal processing circuit 205 based on the optical information acquired in step S204. <Accessory device startup flow> Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the startup process for the interchangeable lens 100. This flowchart shows the startup process by the lens microcontroller 101, which begins when power is supplied from the camera body 200 to the interchangeable lens 100 via a power terminal (not shown) provided on the mount 300.

[0035] In step S300, the lens microcontroller 101 performs initial communication with the camera microcontroller 201 via the camera body 200 and the lens communication unit 102, sending and receiving initial information based on the characteristics and functions of both the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100.

[0036] In step S301, the lens microcontroller 101 determines whether or not it has received a reset operation start request command from the camera body 200 for each optical unit. If the lens microcontroller 101 determines that it has received a reset operation start request command, it executes the process in step S302; otherwise, it executes the process in step S301 again.

[0037] In step S302, the lens microcontroller 101 starts the reset operation of each optical unit of the interchangeable lens 100.

[0038] In step S303, the lens microcontroller 101 checks the status of the reset operation of each optical unit via the control circuits 108, 112, 115, and 118, and updates the reset state indicating whether or not each optical unit has completed its reset operation.

[0039] In step S304, the lens microcontroller 101 determines whether or not it has received a reset status transmission request command for each optical unit from the camera body 200 via the lens communication unit 102. If the lens microcontroller 101 determines that it has received a reset status transmission request command, it executes the process in step S305; otherwise, it executes the process in step S306.

[0040] In step S305, the lens microcontroller 101 transmits the reset status of each optical unit to the camera body 200 via the lens communication unit 102, based on the reset status transmission request command received in step S304. The reset status is information that allows the camera body 200 to determine, for example, whether or not each optical unit has completed its reset operation.

[0041] In step S306, the lens microcontroller 101 determines whether it has received an optical information transmission request command from the camera body 200 via the lens communication unit 102, requesting the transmission of current optical information for each optical unit. If the lens microcontroller 101 determines that it has received an optical information transmission request command, it executes the process in step S307; otherwise, it executes the process in step S303.

[0042] In step S307, the lens microcontroller 101 transmits the current optical information of each optical unit to the camera body 200 via the lens communication unit 102. In this embodiment, it is preferable that the current optical information includes position information necessary for calculating the metering correction parameters. For example, this includes the position information of the focus lens 109 and the zoom lens 105, and the current F-number information and the maximum F-number information of the aperture unit 113, but is not limited to these. For example, it may also include the current position information of the image stabilization lens 116. Furthermore, for optical units whose reset operation is not yet complete at this point, it is preferable that any position information within the range that the optical unit can take is transmitted. Moreover, it is preferable that the maximum F-number information of the aperture unit 113 can be accurately obtained even if the aperture reset is not complete, as long as the focus reset is complete. <Startup process for interchangeable lens camera system> Figure 4 is a timing chart illustrating the startup process of the camera system.

[0043] In process 400, the initial communication described in steps S200 and S300 takes place. Initial information based on the characteristics and functions of both the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100 is transmitted and received between them via the mount 300.

[0044] Once the initial communication is complete, the lens reset process begins (process 401), which involves starting and monitoring the completion of reset operations for each optical unit of the interchangeable lens 100. In the lens reset process, first, the camera body 200 requests the interchangeable lens 100 to start a reset operation via the mount 300, as described in step S201 (process 402). The interchangeable lens 100, having received the request to start a reset operation, begins aperture reset, IS reset, and focus reset (process 403). During the lens reset process, the camera body 200 periodically monitors the reset status of the interchangeable lens 100 by obtaining the reset status from the interchangeable lens 100 via the mount 300 (process 404). In this embodiment, the completion of the focus reset is monitored first. Upon receiving confirmation of the completion of the focus reset, the camera body 200 begins calculating the metering correction parameters (process 405). In the metering correction parameter calculation, the current optical information of the optical units of the interchangeable lens 100 is first obtained (process 406). In this embodiment, optical information necessary for calculating photometric correction parameters can be acquired even if reset operations other than focus reset have not been completed. This makes it possible to perform photometric correction parameter calculation prior to the lens reset process, thereby shortening the startup time of the camera system.

[0045] In this embodiment, the photometric processing (process 407) is started after all optical units have been reset and the photometric correction parameters have been calculated, but this is not limited to this. For example, if the impact of the IS reset on the photometric processing is minor, the photometric processing may be started without waiting for the IS reset to be completed.

[0046] After obtaining metered values ​​through the completion of photometric processing (processing 407), the camera body 200 starts live view output (processing 408). In live view output, the image sensor 203, A / D conversion circuit 204, and signal processing circuit 205 are controlled based on the obtained metered values ​​to output a video signal with appropriately controlled brightness and color to the display unit 207. <Summary of the First Embodiment> As described above, with the configuration of this embodiment, it is possible to start calculating parameters for adjusting the metering process at the timing of completion of focus reset, and to start the metering process at the timing of completion of both focus reset and aperture reset. This makes it possible to provide an interchangeable lens camera system that can shorten the startup time while suppressing the deterioration of live view image quality at startup. [Second Embodiment] In this embodiment, in an interchangeable lens camera system (hereinafter referred to as the camera system), it is possible to control the start order of the reset operation of the optical unit according to the power supplied to the interchangeable lens. The configuration of the camera system in this embodiment is the same as that of the camera system in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the configuration common to the first embodiment will not be described, and only the different configurations will be described.

[0047] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the startup process of the interchangeable lens 100. Since the processes in steps S500 to S507 are almost the same as those in steps S300 to S307 in Figure 3, the explanation of the similar parts will be omitted, and the differences will be explained.

[0048] In step S500, the initial information received by the lens microcontroller 101 from the camera body 200 includes power supply information relating to the power supplied from the camera body 200.

[0049] In step S502, the lens microcontroller 101 starts resetting each optical unit based on the power supply information, ensuring that the operation is within the power supply limits. For example, if focus reset, aperture reset, and IS reset cannot be performed simultaneously with the supplied power, focus reset and aperture reset, which are necessary for calculating metering correction parameters, are prioritized and started first.

[0050] In step S508, the lens microcontroller 101 determines, based on the focus reset state and aperture reset state, whether or not an IS reset can be initiated, which was not performed in step S502. If the lens microcontroller 101 determines that an IS reset can be initiated, it executes the process in step S509; otherwise, it executes the process in step S503.

[0051] In step S509, the lens microcontroller 101 starts the IS reset. However, the priority of the reset operations is not limited to this; for example, if the sum of the focus reset time and aperture reset time is shorter than the IS reset time, the IS reset and aperture reset may be performed first.

[0052] Figure 6 is a timing chart illustrating the camera system startup process. Processes 600 to 608 are almost identical to processes 400 to 408 in Figure 4, so the explanation of the similar parts will be omitted, and the differences will be explained.

[0053] In this embodiment, as described in step S502, IS reset is not initiated, and focus reset and aperture reset are initiated preferentially (process 603). IS reset is initiated after focus reset is completed (process 609). If aperture reset is completed, metering processing (process 607) is initiated without waiting for IS reset to be completed. <Summary of the second embodiment> As described above, with the configuration of this embodiment, the start order of the reset operation of the optical unit can be controlled according to the power supplied to the interchangeable lens 100. This makes it possible to provide an interchangeable lens camera system that can shorten the startup time while suppressing a decrease in live view image quality at startup. [Other embodiments] The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that implements one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and by having one or more processors in the computer of that system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

[0054] Furthermore, even if the focus reset is not yet complete, the system may be configured to start calculating a correction value to correct the metering process at the time the aperture reset is completed. In this case, the interchangeable lens 100 transmits an arbitrary focus position within the range that the focus lens 109 can take as the current focus position information to the camera body 200 until the focus reset is complete.

[0055] Furthermore, the camera body 200 calculates a correction value to correct the metering process based on an arbitrary focus position. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, if the focus reset completion position is the same as the focus position when the camera body 200 is powered off, the camera body 200 stores the focus position when the power is off in a non-volatile memory area. Then, until the focus reset is completed, it may calculate a correction value to correct the metering process based on the stored focus position when the power is off. A similar method may be used when waking the interchangeable lens 100 from sleep mode.

[0056] Furthermore, the interchangeable lens 100 may predict the lens state, such as metering correction parameters and focus position information, at the focus position when the focus reset is complete, and store this predicted information in advance. Even before the focus reset is complete, the camera body 200 may be able to acquire this information from the interchangeable lens 100, and communication between the camera body 200 and the interchangeable lens 100 may be enabled.

[0057] This configuration allows for the calculation of highly accurate metering correction parameters even if the focus reset is not yet complete. This makes it possible to provide an interchangeable lens camera system that can shorten startup time while suppressing the degradation of live view image quality at startup.

[0058] Furthermore, the photometering process performed by the signal processing circuit 205 may be carried out based on the video signal after various image processing steps have been performed by the signal processing circuit 205. In this case, it is preferable that the camera body 200 adjusts the image processing of the signal processing circuit 205 based on the optical characteristic information of the interchangeable lens 100 at the timing of completion of the focus reset.

[0059] Furthermore, the aperture unit may not be of the type that adjusts the amount of light by moving aperture blades, but rather of the type that uses an element that changes the transmittance by applying a voltage, such as an electrochromic element (EC element), as the aperture to adjust the amount of light. In the case of using an EC element, aperture reset corresponds to the operation of adjusting the voltage applied to the EC element to set the transmittance of the EC element to a predetermined transmittance. <Overall Summary> According to the configuration of each embodiment, it is possible to start calculating parameters for adjusting the photometering process at the reset completion timing of any optical unit, and to start the photometering process at the reset completion timing of one or more optical units, including any optical unit. This makes it possible to have an interchangeable lens camera system that can shorten the startup time while suppressing the deterioration of live view image quality at startup.

[0060] This embodiment includes the following configurations and methods. (Composition 1) An imaging device in which an accessory device comprising a first optical unit and a second optical unit is attached in a detachable and communicative manner, A photometric means that performs photometric processing from the amount of light incident on the image sensor, The system includes control means for requesting the start of a reset operation of the first and second optical units, The imaging apparatus is characterized in that the control means starts calculating parameters for adjusting the photometric processing when it receives a first signal indicating the completion of the reset operation of the first optical unit, and starts the photometric processing when it receives a second signal indicating the completion of the reset operation of the second optical unit. (Configuration 2) The imaging apparatus according to configuration 1, characterized in that the control means acquires optical characteristic information of the accessory device before requesting the start of the reset operation, acquires the first signal, acquires position information of the first and second optical units, and calculates the parameters based on the optical characteristic information and the position information. (Composition 3) The first optical unit includes a focusing lens, The imaging apparatus according to configuration 1 or 2, characterized in that the first signal includes a signal indicating the completion of the reset operation of the focus lens. (Composition 4) The second optical unit includes an aperture, The imaging apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, characterized in that the second signal includes a signal indicating the completion of the aperture reset operation. (Composition 5) The second optical unit includes an image-stabilizing lens, The imaging apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, characterized in that the second signal does not include a signal indicating the completion of the reset operation of the vibration-damping lens. (Composition 6) The first optical unit includes an aperture, The imaging apparatus according to configuration 1 or 2, characterized in that the first signal includes a signal indicating the completion of the reset operation of the aperture blades. (Composition 7) The imaging apparatus according to configuration 2, characterized in that the control means acquires the position information after a period of time has elapsed since acquiring the first signal until the position information stabilizes. (Composition 8) The imaging apparatus according to configuration 7, characterized in that the control means acquires the time until the position information stabilizes before requesting the start of the reset operation. (Composition 9) The imaging apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, characterized in that the control means transmits information regarding the power to be supplied to the accessory device before requesting the start of the reset operation. (Composition 10) The imaging apparatus according to configuration 2, characterized in that, when the control means wakes the accessory device from the sleep state, it calculates the parameters based on the position information acquired before the accessory device entered the sleep state, before acquiring the first signal. (Composition 11) The imaging apparatus according to Configuration 1, characterized in that the control means acquires, before acquiring the first signal, optical characteristic information of the accessory device and position information of the first and second optical units that are predicted to occur after acquiring the first signal, and after acquiring the first signal, calculates the parameters based on the optical characteristic information and the position information. (Composition 12) The imaging apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 11, characterized in that the aforementioned parameter is a parameter used for correcting peripheral light falloff. (Composition 13) An accessory device that is detachably and communicatively attached to an imaging device that performs photometric processing, First optical unit and The second optical unit, An accessory device characterized by having control means that receives a request to start a reset operation of the first and second optical units, and transmits a first signal indicating that the reset operation of the first optical unit is complete and that it is possible to calculate parameters for adjusting the photometric processing, and a second signal indicating that the reset operation of the second optical unit is complete and that it is possible to execute the photometric processing. (Composition 14) The accessory device according to configuration 13, characterized in that the control means transmits optical characteristic information of the accessory device before receiving a request to start the reset operation, and transmits position information of the first and second optical units after transmitting the first signal. (Composition 15) The first optical unit includes a focusing lens, The accessory device according to configuration 13 or 14, characterized in that the first signal includes a signal indicating the completion of the reset operation of the focus lens. (Composition 16) The second optical unit includes an aperture, The accessory device according to any one of configurations 13 to 15, characterized in that the second signal includes a signal indicating the completion of the reset operation of the aperture blades. (Composition 17) The second optical unit includes an image-stabilizing lens, The accessory device according to any one of configurations 13 to 16, characterized in that the second signal does not include a signal indicating the completion of the reset operation of the vibration-damping lens. (Composition 18) The first optical unit includes an aperture, The imaging apparatus according to configuration 13 or 14, characterized in that the first signal includes a signal indicating the completion of the reset operation of the aperture blades. (Composition 19) The accessory device according to configuration 14, characterized in that the control means transmits the position information after a period of time has elapsed since transmitting the first signal until the position information stabilizes. (Composition 20) The accessory device according to configuration 18, characterized in that the control means transmits the time until the position information stabilizes before receiving a request to start the reset operation. (Composition 21) The accessory device according to any one of configurations 13 to 20, characterized in that the control means acquires information regarding the power to be supplied to the accessory device before acquiring a request to start the reset operation, and sets the priority of the reset operation based on the information regarding the power. (Composition 22) The accessory device according to configuration 13, characterized in that the control means transmits, before transmitting the first signal, optical characteristic information of the accessory device and position information of the first and second optical units that are predicted to occur after the transmission of the first signal. (Method 1) A control method for an imaging device in which an accessory device comprising a first optical unit and a second optical unit is detachably and communicatively attached, and photometric processing is performed from the amount of light incident on the image sensor, A step of requesting the start of the reset operation of the first and second optical units, When a first signal indicating the completion of the reset operation of the first optical unit is obtained, the process includes the step of starting the calculation of parameters for adjusting the photometric processing, A control method characterized by comprising the step of starting the photometric processing when a second signal indicating the completion of the reset operation of the second optical unit is obtained. (Method 2) A method for an accessory device comprising a first optical unit and a second optical unit, which is detachably and communicably mounted on an imaging device that performs photometric processing, The steps include obtaining a request to initiate a reset operation of the first and second optical units, The steps include transmitting a first signal indicating that the reset operation of the first optical unit is complete and that it is possible to calculate parameters for adjusting the photometric processing, A control method characterized by comprising the step of transmitting a second signal indicating that the reset operation of the second optical unit is complete and that the photometric processing can be performed.

[0061] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of its gist. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0062] 100 interchangeable lenses (accessory device) 200 Camera body (imaging device) 201 Camera microcontroller (control means) 203 Image sensor 205 Signal processing circuit (photometric means)

Claims

1. An imaging device to which an accessory device comprising a first optical unit including a focus lens and a second optical unit including an aperture is detachably and communicably mounted, A photometric means that performs photometric processing from the amount of light incident on the image sensor, The system includes control means for requesting the start of a reset operation of the first and second optical units, The imaging device is characterized in that the control means, after the reset operation of the focus lens and the reset operation of the aperture are started in response to the request, starts calculating parameters for adjusting the photometering process when it receives a first signal indicating the completion of the reset operation of the focus lens, and starts the photometering process when it receives a second signal indicating the completion of the reset operation of the aperture.

2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the control means acquires optical characteristic information of the accessory device before requesting the start of the reset operation, acquires the first signal, acquires position information of the first and second optical units, and calculates the parameters based on the optical characteristic information and the position information.

3. The second optical unit includes an anti-vibration lens, The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control means starts the photometric processing before acquiring a signal indicating the completion of the reset operation of the vibration-damping lens.

4. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the control means acquires the position information after a period of time has elapsed since acquiring the first signal until the position information stabilizes.

5. The imaging apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the control means acquires the time until the position information stabilizes before requesting the start of the reset operation.

6. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control means transmits information regarding the power to be supplied to the accessory device before requesting the start of the reset operation.

7. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, when the control means releases the accessory device from the sleep state, it calculates the parameters based on the position information acquired before the accessory device entered the sleep state, before acquiring the first signal.

8. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the control means acquires, before acquiring the first signal, optical characteristic information of the accessory device and position information of the first and second optical units that are predicted to occur after acquiring the first signal, and after acquiring the first signal, calculates the parameters based on the optical characteristic information and the position information.

9. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the aforementioned parameters are parameters used for correcting peripheral light falloff.

10. An accessory device that is detachably and communicatively attached to an imaging device that performs photometric processing, A first optical unit including a focus lens, A second optical unit including the aperture, An accessory device characterized by having control means for acquiring a request to start a reset operation of the first and second optical units, and transmitting a first signal indicating that the reset operation of the focus lens is complete and that it is possible to calculate parameters for adjusting the photometric processing after the reset operation of the focus lens and the reset operation of the aperture have been started in response to the request, and a second signal indicating that the reset operation of the aperture is complete and that it is possible to execute the photometric processing.

11. The accessory device according to claim 10, characterized in that the control means transmits optical characteristic information of the accessory device before receiving a request to start the reset operation, and transmits position information of the first and second optical units after transmitting the first signal.

12. The second optical unit includes an anti-vibration lens, The accessory device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the second signal does not include a signal indicating the completion of the reset operation of the vibration-damping lens.

13. The accessory device according to claim 11, characterized in that the control means transmits the position information after a period of time has elapsed since transmitting the first signal until the position information stabilizes.

14. The accessory device according to claim 13, characterized in that the control means transmits the time until the position information stabilizes before receiving a request to start the reset operation.

15. The accessory device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the control means acquires information regarding the power to be supplied to the accessory device before acquiring a request to start the reset operation, and sets the priority of the reset operation based on the information regarding the power.

16. The accessory device according to claim 10, characterized in that the control means transmits, before transmitting the first signal, optical characteristic information of the accessory device and position information of the first and second optical units that are predicted to occur after the transmission of the first signal.

17. A control method for an imaging device in which an accessory device comprising a first optical unit including a focus lens and a second optical unit including an aperture is detachably and communicably mounted, and a photometric processing is performed from the amount of light incident on an image sensor, A step of requesting the start of the reset operation of the first and second optical units, If, after the reset operation of the focus lens and the reset operation of the aperture have been initiated in response to the aforementioned request, a first signal indicating the completion of the reset operation of the focus lens has been obtained, the calculation of parameters for adjusting the photometric processing has been initiated. A control method characterized by comprising the step of starting the photometric processing when a second signal indicating the completion of the aperture reset operation is obtained.

18. A method for an accessory device that is detachably and communicably mounted on an imaging device that performs photometric processing, and comprises a first optical unit including a focus lens and a second optical unit including an aperture, The steps include obtaining a request to initiate a reset operation of the first and second optical units, The steps include: transmitting a first signal indicating that the reset operation of the focus lens and the reset operation of the aperture have been initiated in response to the request, and that the reset operation of the focus lens is complete and that the calculation of parameters for adjusting the photometric processing is possible; A control method characterized by comprising the step of transmitting a second signal indicating that the aperture reset operation is complete and that the photometric processing can be performed.

Images