Interchangeable lens and camera body

Abstract

This interchangeable lens is attachable to a camera body, and is provided with: a variable magnification optical system capable of varying magnification; an operation member for receiving an operation instructing the magnification of the variable magnification optical system from a user; a detection unit for detecting the operation received by the operation member; a transmission unit for transmitting information indicating the operation detected by the detection unit to the camera body; a control unit for performing in-lens control for controlling the magnification of the variable magnification optical system on the basis of the information indicating the operation detected by the detection unit; and a reception unit for receiving, from the camera body, a signal indicating whether the in-lens control can be performed.

Description

Interchangeable lenses and camera bodies

[0001] Regarding interchangeable lenses and camera bodies.

[0002] An accessory that can be attached to and detached from a camera body is known (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-117380

[0004] According to a first aspect, the interchangeable lens is an interchangeable lens that can be attached to a camera body, and comprises: a variable magnification optical system; an operating member that accepts operations from a user to instruct the user to change the magnification of the variable magnification optical system; a detection unit that detects the operations accepted by the operating member; a transmission unit that transmits information indicating the operation detected by the detection unit to the camera body; a control unit that performs in-lens control to control the magnification of the variable magnification optical system based on the information indicating the operation detected by the detection unit; and a receiving unit that receives a signal from the camera body indicating whether the in-lens control is possible.

[0005] According to a second aspect, the camera body is a camera body to which an interchangeable lens having a variable magnification optical system can be attached, and is equipped with a receiving unit that receives an operation signal indicating an operation on an operating member provided on the interchangeable lens, and a transmitting unit that transmits information indicating whether or not in-lens control, in which a first control unit provided on the interchangeable lens controls the variable magnification optical system, is possible based on the operation of the operating member provided on the interchangeable lens.

[0006] The configurations of the embodiments described below may be modified as appropriate, and at least a portion of the configuration may be replaced with other components. Furthermore, components that are not particularly limited in terms of their placement may be placed in any position that can achieve their function, not limited to the placement disclosed in the embodiments.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of a camera system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram schematically illustrating the electrical connection between a camera body and an interchangeable lens. FIG. 3A is an example timing chart illustrating the timing of command data communication, and FIG. 3B is an example timing chart illustrating the timing of hotline communication. FIGS. 4A and 4B are conceptual diagrams for explaining the extended and mixed modes, respectively. FIGS. 5A to 5D are diagrams for explaining an overview of high-resolution zoom. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by the body-side control unit. FIG. 7 is a flowchart (part 1) illustrating an example of extended-mode cooperation processing. FIG. 8 is a flowchart (part 2) illustrating an example of extended-mode cooperation processing. FIG. 9 is a flowchart (part 3) illustrating an example of extended-mode cooperation processing. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of mixed-mode cooperation processing. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of normal processing. FIG. 12 is a flowchart (part 1) illustrating an example of processing executed by the lens-side control unit. FIG. 13 is a flowchart (part 2) showing an example of processing executed by the lens-side control unit. FIG. 14 is a diagram explaining the zoom lens drive speed relative to the amount of depression of the zoom lever and the zoom speed setting on the camera body. FIGS. 15(A) and 15(B) are diagrams explaining changes in the optical zoom position and the electronic zoom position in the mixed system. FIG. 16(A) is a diagram showing the state of the optical zoom and the electronic zoom before a first operation is input, FIG. 16(B) is a diagram showing an image displayed on the display unit before the first operation is input, FIG. 16(C) is a diagram showing the state of the optical zoom and the electronic zoom after the first operation is input, and FIG. 16(D) is a diagram showing an image displayed on the display unit after the first operation is input. FIGS. 17(A) and 17(B) are diagrams showing a modified example of the mixed system, and FIG. 17(C) is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the amount of operation of the body-side operation unit or the lens-side operation unit and the electronic zoom position.

[0008] A camera system 1 according to one embodiment will now be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the camera system 1. Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a schematic diagram of the electrical connection between a camera body 2 and an interchangeable lens 3.

[0009] 1, the camera system 1 includes a camera body 2 and an interchangeable lens 3 that is detachable from the camera body 2. The interchangeable lens 3 is an example of an accessory. The camera system 1 is capable of capturing not only still images but also videos.

[0010] (Camera Body 2) The camera body 2 includes a body mount 21, a body terminal holder 22, a body control unit 23, a body communication unit 24, a body memory unit 25, a power supply unit 26, an image sensor 27, a display unit 28, and a body operation unit 29.

[0011] 2 , the body-side communication unit 24 includes a first body-side communication unit 24a and a second body-side communication unit 24b. The first body-side communication unit 24a performs command and data communication, which is bidirectional communication described below, with the interchangeable lens 3, and the second body-side communication unit 24b performs hotline communication, which is unidirectional communication described below, with the interchangeable lens 3. The first body-side communication unit 24a and the second body-side communication unit 24b are connected to a group of body-side terminals (described below) provided in the body-side terminal holding unit 22 and the body-side control unit 23.

[0012] The body-side storage unit 25 is a non-volatile storage medium. The body-side storage unit 25 is connected to the body-side control unit 23. Predetermined control programs and the like to be executed by the body-side control unit 23 are stored in the body-side storage unit 25 in advance. The body-side control unit 23 controls the camera body 2 by reading the control programs from the body-side storage unit 25 and executing the programs. The body-side storage unit 25 also stores various setting information for the camera system 1.

[0013] The power supply unit 26 has a power source and supplies power to the inside of the camera body 2 and the interchangeable lens 3. The power supply unit 26 is connected to a group of body side terminals (described later) provided on the body side terminal holding unit 22 and the body side control unit 23.

[0014] The image sensor 27 is a solid-state image sensor such as a CCD or CMOS, and has a plurality of pixels that receive light and output signals. The image sensor 27 is connected to the body-side control unit 23, captures an image of a subject, and outputs an image signal to the body-side control unit 23.

[0015] The body-side control unit 23 is composed of a microcomputer and its peripheral circuits, etc. The body-side control unit 23 generates image information based on an imaging signal output from at least a partial area of ​​the imaging surface of the image sensor 27, and displays an image based on the image information on the display unit 28. The body-side control unit 23 also performs electronic zoom control (electronic magnification control) to change the size of the partial area and change the range of the image displayed on the display unit 28. The body-side control unit 23 also performs optical zoom control (optical magnification control) to control the magnification of the imaging optical system 36 of the interchangeable lens 3 according to the settings of the camera body 2. Details of the processing performed by the body-side control unit 23 will be described later. The body-side control unit 23 also has functions other than those described above, but detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0016] The display unit 28 is a display installed on, for example, the rear surface of the camera body 2, and displays various settings for the camera system 1, through images, etc. The display unit 28 may be an electronic viewfinder.

[0017] The body-side operation unit 29 includes various operation members such as a release button 29a, a zoom lever 29b, a zoom button 29c, a dial (not shown), and a power button (not shown), and receives input of various instructions to the camera system 1. If the camera body 2 is equipped with a touch panel, the body-side operation unit 29 may include the touch panel.

[0018] 2, the body-side terminal holding unit 22 has an LDET(B) terminal, a VBAT(B) terminal, a PGND(B) terminal, a V33(B) terminal, a GND(B) terminal, an RDY(B) terminal, a DATAB(B) terminal, a CLK(B) terminal, a DATAL(B) terminal, an HCLK(B) terminal, and an HDATA(B) terminal. These 11 body-side terminals are collectively referred to as a body-side terminal group.

[0019] The LDET(B) terminal is a terminal used to detect attachment / detachment of the interchangeable lens 3. The LDET(B) terminal is connected to the body-side control unit 23 via a resistor R2. A power supply V33 supplied from the power supply unit 26 via a resistor R1 is connected between the resistor R2 and the body-side control unit 23, and the LDET(B) terminal is pulled up.

[0020] The VBAT(B) terminal, PGND(B) terminal, V33(B) terminal, and GND(B) terminal are power supply terminals connected to the power supply unit 26. In FIG. 2 , the direction of the supplied power is indicated by an arrow. The VBAT(B) terminal is a terminal used to supply power to the interchangeable lens 3. The power supplied via the VBAT(B) terminal drives a first drive unit 37 and a second drive unit 38 of the interchangeable lens 3, which will be described later. Note that in FIG. 2 , the first drive unit 37 and the second drive unit 38 are collectively referred to as the drive unit. The operation of the first drive unit 37 and the second drive unit 38 requires a voltage and current greater than those of the lens-side control unit 33, and the voltage applied by the power supply unit 26 to the VBAT(B) terminal is approximately 10 V at most. The PGND(B) terminal is a ground terminal corresponding to the VBAT(B) terminal.

[0021] The V33(B) terminal is a terminal used to supply power to the interchangeable lens 3. The lens side control unit 33 is operated by power supplied from the power supply unit 26 via the V33(B) terminal. Each unit, such as the lens side control unit 33, operates at a lower voltage and current than the first drive unit 37 and the second drive unit 38. The voltage applied by the power supply unit 26 to the V33(B) terminal is approximately 3.3 V at maximum. The GND(B) terminal is a ground terminal corresponding to the V33(B) terminal.

[0022] The RDY(B), DATAB(B), CLK(B), and DATAL(B) terminals are connected to the body-side first communication unit 24a and are used for command and data communication (described later). The HCLK(B) and HDATA(B) terminals are connected to the body-side second communication unit 24b and are used for hotline communication. In Figure 2, the arrows indicate the flow of signals.

[0023] The potential of the RDY(B) terminal indicates whether or not the interchangeable lens 3 is capable of command data communication. The DATAB(B) terminal is a terminal from which a data signal is output to the interchangeable lens 3. The CLK(B) terminal is a terminal from which a clock signal is output to the interchangeable lens 3. The DATAL(B) terminal is a terminal to which a data signal from the interchangeable lens 3 is input.

[0024] The HCLK(B) terminal is a terminal to which a clock signal is input from the interchangeable lens 3. The HDATA(B) terminal is a terminal to which a data signal is input from the interchangeable lens 3.

[0025] (Interchangeable Lens 3) Returning to FIG. 1 , the interchangeable lens 3 includes a lens-side mount 31, a lens-side terminal holding unit 32, a lens-side control unit 33, a lens-side communication unit 34, a lens-side memory unit 35, an imaging optical system 36, a first driving unit 37, a second driving unit 38, and a lens-side operation unit 39.

[0026] The lens side control unit 33 is composed of a microcomputer and its peripheral circuits, etc. As shown in Fig. 2, the lens side communication unit 34 includes a first lens side communication unit 34a and a second lens side communication unit 34b. The first lens side communication unit 34a performs command and data communication (described below) with the camera body 2, and the second lens side communication unit 34b performs hotline communication (described below) with the camera body 2. The first lens side communication unit 34a and the second lens side communication unit 34b are connected to the lens side control unit 33 and a group of lens side terminals (described below) provided in the lens side terminal holding unit 32.

[0027] The lens-side storage unit 35 is a non-volatile storage medium. The lens-side storage unit 35 is connected to the lens-side control unit 33. The lens-side storage unit 35 stores in advance predetermined control programs and the like to be executed by the lens-side control unit 33. The lens-side control unit 33 controls the interchangeable lens 3 by reading the control programs from the lens-side storage unit 35 and executing the programs.

[0028] The imaging optical system 36 forms a subject image on the imaging plane of the image sensor 27. The optical axis OA of the imaging optical system 36 substantially coincides with the center positions of the lens-side mount 31 and the body-side mount 21 (described later). The imaging optical system 36 in FIG. 1 generally includes a zoom lens 36a, a focus lens 36b, and a lens 36c. The zoom lens 36a is a lens that changes the focal length (photographic angle of view). The focus lens 36b is a lens that adjusts the imaging position of the subject image.

[0029] The first drive unit 37 is connected to the lens side control unit 33 and has an actuator (not shown) and the like. The first drive unit 37 drives the zoom lens 36a in the optical axis OA direction (+Z direction, −Z direction) using this actuator and the like. In other words, the interchangeable lens 3 according to this embodiment is a power zoom lens.

[0030] The second drive unit 38 is connected to the lens-side control unit 33 and has an actuator (not shown) and the like. The second drive unit 38 drives the focus lens 36b in the direction of the optical axis OA (+Z direction, −Z direction) using the actuator and the like. Note that although the zoom lens 36a, the focus lens 36b, and the lens 36c are each illustrated as a single lens in FIG. 1, they may each be a lens group including multiple lenses.

[0031] The lens-side operation unit 39 includes a zoom ring 39 a and a zoom lever 39 b, and receives input of various instructions for the imaging optical system 36. The amount of operation of the zoom ring 39 a is detected by a detection unit 391 such as an encoder, for example, and input to the lens-side control unit 33.

[0032] 2, the lens side terminal holding unit 32 has an LDET(L) terminal, a VBAT(L) terminal, a PGND(L) terminal, a V33(L) terminal, a GND(L) terminal, an RDY(L) terminal, a DATAB(L) terminal, a CLK(L) terminal, a DATAL(L) terminal, an HCLK(L) terminal, and an HDATA(L) terminal. These 11 lens side terminals are collectively referred to as the lens side terminal group.

[0033] When the interchangeable lens 3 is attached to the camera body 2, the body-side terminals and lens-side terminals are electrically connected as shown by the dashed lines in Fig. 2. Specifically, the LDET(B) terminal is connected to the LDET(L) terminal, the VBAT(B) terminal is connected to the VBAT(L) terminal, the PGND(B) terminal is connected to the PGND(L) terminal, the V33(B) terminal is connected to the V33(L) terminal, and the GND(B) terminal is connected to the GND(L) terminal. Also, the RDY(B) terminal is connected to the RDY(L) terminal, the DATAB(B) terminal is connected to the DATAB(L) terminal, the CLK(B) terminal is connected to the CLK(L) terminal, and the DATAL(B) terminal is connected to the DATAL(L) terminal. The HCLK(B) terminal is connected to the HCLK(L) terminal, and the HDATA(B) terminal is connected to the HDATA(L) terminal. The functions of the individual lens-side terminals are the same as those of the corresponding body-side terminals, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0034] The LDET(L) terminal is grounded via a resistor R3. When the LDET(L) terminal comes into contact with the LDET(B), the potential of the LDET(B) terminal is pulled down. The VBAT(L) terminal and the PGND(L) terminal are connected to a first drive unit 37 and a second drive unit 38. A so-called bypass capacitor C1 is connected between the VBAT(L) terminal and the PGND(L) terminal.

[0035] The V33(L) terminal and the GND(L) terminal are connected to various parts such as the lens side control unit 33. A bypass capacitor C2 is connected between the V33(L) terminal and the GND(L) terminal.

[0036] The RDY(L) terminal, DATAB(L) terminal, CLK(L) terminal, and DATAL(L) terminal are connected to the lens side first communication unit 34a, and the HCLK(L) terminal and HDATA(L) terminal are connected to the lens side second communication unit 34b.

[0037] (Command data communication) After a control command (command) from the body-side control unit 23 is sent to the lens-side control unit 33 of the interchangeable lens 3, the control content (control data) from the body-side control unit 23 and the response content (response data) from the lens-side control unit 33 are sent and received in parallel. This is called command data communication. Command data communication is full-duplex communication. This command data communication is performed by digital data communication using the RDY(B) terminal, RDY(L) terminal, DATAB(B) terminal, DATAB(L) terminal, CLK(B) terminal, CLK(L) terminal, DATAL(B) terminal, and DATAL(L) terminal via the first body-side communication unit 24a and the first lens-side communication unit 34a.

[0038] The body-side control unit 23 transmits various control commands and control details to the interchangeable lens 3 by command data communication via the body-side communication unit 24 and the lens-side communication unit 34, and transmits and receives various information to and from the interchangeable lens 3 by receiving response details from the interchangeable lens 3. The control commands referred to here are, for example, commands to transmit lens information. Examples of the various information received from the interchangeable lens 3 include model information of the interchangeable lens 3, a linkage function compatibility flag (described below), the detection resolution of the zoom ring 39a, and information indicating optical characteristics such as the focal length of the imaging optical system 36. Examples of the various information transmitted to the interchangeable lens 3 include control details such as the lens drive amount and model information of the camera body 2. Note that the control commands also include commands to drive the zoom lens 36a. The lens-side control unit 33 receives various control commands from the body-side control unit 23, acquires various information from the body-side control unit 23, and transmits various information to the body-side control unit 23 by command data communication.

[0039] 3A is an example of a timing chart showing the timing of command data communication. At the start of command data communication (T1), the body-side control unit 23 first checks the signal level of the RDY (B) terminal. The signal level of the RDY (B) terminal indicates whether the lens-side control unit 33 is able to perform command data communication. If the lens-side control unit 33 is unable to perform command data communication, it sets the signal level (potential) of the RDY (L) terminal to a high level (H level). If the lens-side control unit 33 is able to perform command data communication, it sets the signal level (potential) of the RDY (L) terminal to a low level (L level) via the lens-side communication unit 34.

[0040] If the signal level of the RDY(B) terminal is low (L) at the start of command data communication (T1), the body-side control unit 23 outputs a clock signal 401 from the CLK(B) terminal via the first body-side communication unit 24a. That is, the body-side control unit 23 transmits the clock signal 401 to the lens-side control unit 33 via the CLK(B) terminal and the CLK(L) terminal. The frequency at which the clock signal 401 in FIG. 3A alternates between high and low levels is, for example, 8 MHz.

[0041] The body-side control unit 23 outputs a body-side command signal 402, which is a control command, from the DATAB(B) terminal in synchronization with the clock signal 401. That is, the body-side control unit 23 transmits the body-side command signal 402 to the lens-side control unit 33 via the DATAB(B) terminal and the DATAB(L) terminal. The body-side command signal 402, indicated by switching between high and low levels of DATAB in FIG. 3A, is a signal indicating control that the body-side control unit 23 instructs the lens-side control unit 33 via command data communication. The body-side command signal 402 is, for example, a signal requesting model information about the interchangeable lens 3, a signal requesting information indicating the detection resolution of the zoom ring 39a of the interchangeable lens 3, a signal indicating an instruction to drive the zoom lens 36a, or a signal indicating an instruction to drive the focus lens 36b.

[0042] When the lens-side control unit 33 receives the body-side command signal 402 via the first lens-side communication unit 34a, it performs an inspection process to check for a communication error in the body-side command signal 402 using an error detection code (e.g., checksum data) included in the body-side command signal 402. The lens-side control unit 33 then sets the signal level of the RDY (L) terminal to high (H) (T2). If the signal level of the RDY (B) terminal is high, the body-side control unit 33 does not transmit the body-side command signal 402. The lens-side control unit 33 starts a first control process 404 based on the instructions of the received body-side command signal 402.

[0043] For example, if the received body-side command signal 402 requests specific information about the interchangeable lens 3, the lens-side control unit 33 executes, as a first control process 404, a process of generating the requested information as a lens-side data signal 407. Furthermore, if the received body-side command signal 402 is a signal indicating an instruction to drive the zoom lens 36a, the lens-side control unit 33 executes, as a first control process 404, a process of generating a signal indicating that a signal indicating an instruction to drive the zoom lens 36a has been received.

[0044] When the first control process 404 is completed, the lens side control unit 33 sets the signal level of the RDY(L) terminal to low level (L level) via the lens side communication unit 34 (T3). When the signal level of the RDY(B) terminal becomes low level, the body side control unit 23 outputs a clock signal 405 from the CLK(B) terminal. That is, the body side control unit 23 transmits the clock signal 405 to the lens side control unit 33 via the CLK(B) terminal and the CLK(L) terminal. Furthermore, when the signal level of the RDY(B) terminal is high level, the body side control unit 23 does not transmit or receive the body side data signal 406 or the lens side data signal 407.

[0045] The body-side control unit 23 outputs a body-side data signal 406 from the DATAB(B) terminal via the first body-side communication unit 24a in synchronization with the clock signal 405. That is, the body-side control unit 23 transmits the body-side data signal 406 to the lens-side control unit 33 via the DATAB(B) terminal and the DATAB(L) terminal. The body-side data signal 406 is a signal representing a control parameter of the body-side command signal 402. For example, if the body-side command signal 402 is a signal representing an instruction to drive the zoom lens 36a, the corresponding body-side data signal 406 is a signal representing the amount of drive of the zoom lens 36a. Furthermore, the body-side data signal 406 is a signal representing, for example, information required by the lens-side control unit 33 in command data communication (such as model information of the camera body).

[0046] Furthermore, when a clock signal 405 is input to the CLK(L) terminal, the lens-side control unit 33 outputs a lens-side data signal 407 from the DATAL(L) terminal in synchronization with the clock signal 405. The lens-side data signal 407, indicated by switching between high and low levels of DATA in FIG. 3A, is a signal that the lens-side control unit 33 transmits to the body-side control unit 23 through command data communication. For example, if the body-side command signal 402 is a signal requesting model information of the interchangeable lens 3, the corresponding lens-side data signal 407 is a signal representing the model information of the interchangeable lens 3. Furthermore, for example, if the received body-side command signal 402 is a signal representing an instruction to drive the zoom lens 36a, the corresponding lens-side data signal 407 is a signal representing the reception of a signal representing an instruction to drive the zoom lens 36a.

[0047] When the lens-side control unit 33 has completed transmission of the lens-side data signal 407, it sets the signal level of the RDY(L) terminal to high again (T4). The lens-side control unit 33 starts a second control process 408 (described below) based on the instruction in the received body-side data signal 406. For example, if the received body-side command signal 402 is a signal instructing to drive the zoom lens 36a, the lens-side control unit 33 executes, as the second control process 408, a process of moving the zoom lens 36a to the position specified in the body-side data signal 406.

[0048] When the second control process 408 is completed, the lens side control unit 33 sets the RDY (L) terminal to low level via the lens side communication unit 34 (T5).

[0049] The communications performed at the above-described times T1 to T5 constitute one command data communication. In one command data communication, the body side control unit 23 transmits a body side command signal 402 and a body side data signal 406. In other words, the body side command signal 402 and the body side data signal 406 together constitute one piece of control data.

[0050] As described above, the lens side control unit 33 receives control data from the body side control unit 23 and transmits response data to the body side communication unit 24 in parallel. In other words, command data communication is so-called full-duplex communication.

[0051] (Hotline communication) Another communication system is communication in which data is sent one way from the lens-side control unit 33 of the interchangeable lens 3 to the body-side control unit 23 of the camera body 2, and this is called hotline communication. Hotline communication is data communication between the body-side control unit 23 and the lens-side control unit 33 using the HCLK(B) terminal, HCLK(L) terminal, HDATA(B) terminal, and HDATA(L) terminal via the body-side second communication unit 24b and the lens-side second communication unit 34b.

[0052] The body-side control unit 23 acquires information about the state of the interchangeable lens 3 from the lens-side control unit 33 of the interchangeable lens 3 via hotline communication. Information about the state of the interchangeable lens 3 includes, for example, the position of the focus lens 36b, the position of an image stabilization lens (not shown), the position of the aperture, etc. In the following description, information about the state of the interchangeable lens 3, including, for example, the position of the focus lens 36b, the position of an image stabilization lens (not shown), the position of the aperture, etc., may be referred to as lens state information.

[0053] The image stabilization lens is a member that can be moved (driven) to include a component in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction, and the aperture is a member that can be moved (driven) to change the size of the opening through which the light beam passes.

[0054] Hotline communication is a communication in which, when an instruction to start communication is sent from the camera body 2 via command data communication, the lens side control unit 33 autonomously sends lens data to the body side control unit 23, regardless of (independent from) the command data communication, until an instruction to end communication is sent.

[0055] FIG. 3B is an example timing chart showing the timing of hotline communication. When the lens-side control unit 33 receives a command to start hotline communication from the body-side control unit 23 of the camera body via command data communication (T6), it performs generation processing 501. This processing acquires the status of the interchangeable lens 3 at a sampling period of, for example, 1 millisecond and generates a lens signal 503 for hotline communication. When generation of the lens signal 503 is completed (T7), the lens-side control unit 33 outputs a clock signal 502 from the HCLK(L) terminal via the second lens-side communication unit 34b. That is, the clock signal 502 is transmitted to the body-side control unit 23 via the HCLK(L) terminal and the HCLK(B) terminal. The frequency at which the clock signal 502 in FIG. 3B alternates between high and low levels is, for example, 8 MHz to 20 MHz. That is, the frequency of the clock signal 502 for hotline communication is approximately the same as or higher than the frequency of the clock signal 401 for command data communication.

[0056] The lens side control unit 33 outputs the lens signal 503 (e.g., information regarding the position of the focus lens 36b) generated in the generation process 501 from the HDATA(L) terminal via the lens side second communication unit 34b in synchronization with the clock signal 502. In other words, the lens side control unit 33 transmits the lens signal 503 to the body side control unit 23 via the lens side second communication unit 34b, the HDATA(L) terminal, the HDATA(B) terminal, and the body side second communication unit 24b.

[0057] 3B, the lens signal 503, indicated by switching between high and low levels of HDATA, is a signal that the lens side control unit 33 transmits to the body side control unit 23 via hotline communication. The output of the clock signal 502 and lens signal 503 ends at timing T8. The lens side control unit 33 repeats transmitting lens data via hotline communication at regular intervals (e.g., every 1 millisecond) until it receives an instruction to stop transmitting the lens signal 503 via command data communication.

[0058] Command data communication and hotline communication can be performed in part or in whole in parallel. That is, the body-side control unit 23 and the lens-side control unit 33 can start or end hotline communication while command data communication is being performed. Also, command data communication can be started or ended while hotline communication is being performed.

[0059] As explained above, hotline communication is carried out independently of command data communication. The lens-side control unit 33 transmits information regarding the state of the interchangeable lens 3 to the body-side control unit 23 via hotline communication, regardless of command data communication. This allows the body-side control unit 23 to continuously monitor the state of the interchangeable lens 3 even during command data communication. This allows the body-side control unit 23 to continuously monitor the position of the focus lens 36b, enabling high-speed autofocus control, for example. The same applies to image stabilization control and aperture control.

[0060] Furthermore, the body-side control unit 23 can issue various instructions to the interchangeable lens 3 at any timing through command data communication, even while the lens-side control unit 33 is performing hotline communication.

[0061] As described above, the interchangeable lens 3 according to this embodiment is a power zoom lens that changes the focal length (photographic angle of view) by driving the zoom lens 36a in the direction of the optical axis OA using the first drive unit 37. To improve the convenience of the power zoom lens, the camera body 2 according to this embodiment is equipped with a linking function that links the interchangeable lens 3 and the camera body 2 when the interchangeable lens 3 is a power zoom lens.

[0062] In this embodiment, an "extended type" and a "mixed type" are provided as linkage methods between the interchangeable lens 3 and the camera body 2.

[0063] 4A and 4B are conceptual diagrams for explaining the extend and mix types, respectively. In FIGS. 4A and 4B, OZW indicates the wide-angle end of the optical zoom, and OZT indicates the telephoto end of the optical zoom. Also, HRZW indicates the wide-angle end of the electronic zoom, and HRZT indicates the telephoto end of the electronic zoom. In this embodiment, the electronic zoom is a so-called high-resolution zoom, which allows zooming without degradation of image quality when the number of pixels (e.g., 4k) during shooting without using electronic zoom is smaller than the number of pixels (e.g., 8k) possessed by the image sensor 27.

[0064] Figures 5(A) to 5(D) are diagrams for explaining an overview of high-resolution zoom. Figure 5(A) shows an example of an image recorded in the body-side storage unit 25 when electronic zoom is not being used, and Figure 5(B) is a diagram showing pixels 27a on the imaging surface of the image sensor 27 used to generate the image shown in Figure 5(A). Figure 5(C) shows an example of an image recorded in the body-side storage unit 25 when the electronic zoom position is at the telephoto end, and Figure 5(D) is a diagram showing pixels 27a on the imaging surface of the image sensor 27 used to generate the image shown in Figure 5(C). In Figures 5(B) and 5(D), the pixels 27a used to generate the image are indicated by hatching.

[0065] When electronic zoom is used, imaging begins at 8k. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5(D), when electronic zoom is used, the density of pixels on the imaging surface used to generate image information captured in a first region R10 of the imaging surface is higher than the density of pixels on the imaging surface used to generate image information captured in a second region R20, which is larger than the first region R10, when electronic zoom is not used, as shown in FIG. 5(B). The number of pixels 27a used to generate an image stored in the body-side storage unit 25 when electronic zoom is not used is approximately the same as the number of pixels 27a used to generate an image stored in the body-side storage unit 25 when the electronic zoom is positioned at the telephoto end. When the electronic zoom is positioned at a middle position between the wide-angle end and the telephoto end, signals output from pixels (e.g., 6k) used to generate image information captured in a region between the first region R10 and the second region R20 are combined or thinned to generate image information of the same size (4k) as the image information output when electronic zoom is not used. That is, the resolution of image information generated based on signals output from pixels 27a included in a first region R10 of the imaging surface is equal to the resolution of image information generated based on signals output from pixels 27a included in a second region R20 larger than the first region R10. This allows zooming without degradation of image quality in high-resolution zoom. The number of pixels used for imaging (pixel density) may be changed depending on the electronic zoom position so that image information has a predetermined size. 8k imaging may be initiated not only when electronic zoom is used, but also when a setting is made that allows electronic zoom to be used. For example, when an extended zoom is set, 8k imaging may also be performed in the optical zoom range.

[0066] Returning to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the linkage system will now be described. The extend system is a function that first performs optical zoom when a zoom operation is received from either the body-side operation unit 29 or the lens-side operation unit 39, and then transitions directly to electronic zoom when the focal length exceeds the telephoto end of the optical zoom. In other words, this function enables seamless transition between optical zoom and electronic zoom with the operation of a single operation member. For example, suppose the zoom ring 39a of the interchangeable lens 3 is rotated toward the telephoto end. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4A, optical zoom is performed first, and when the focal length of the imaging optical system 36 reaches the telephoto end, electronic zoom begins. At this time, the size of the area (at least a portion of the area) of the imaging surface of the image sensor 27 corresponding to the image displayed on the display unit 28 decreases as the zoom ring 39a is rotated toward the telephoto end.

[0067] The mixed system is a function that performs optical zoom and electronic zoom in parallel when a zoom operation is received via either the body-side operation unit 29 or the lens-side operation unit 39. For example, suppose the zoom ring 39a of the interchangeable lens 3 is rotated in the telephoto direction. In this case, as shown in Figure 4(B), the optical zoom position and the electronic zoom position each change from the position indicated by the dotted triangle to the position indicated by the solid triangle.

[0068] In this embodiment, it is also possible not to link the interchangeable lens 3 with the camera body 2. Processing when the interchangeable lens 3 and the camera body 2 are not linked will be described later.

[0069] Next, the processing executed by the body-side control unit 23 of the camera body 2 and the lens-side control unit 33 of the interchangeable lens 3 to realize the above-mentioned "extended type" and "mixed type" will be described in detail.

[0070] 6 to 11 are flowcharts showing an example of processing executed by the body-side control unit 23, and FIGS. 12 and 13 are flowcharts showing an example of processing executed by the lens-side control unit 33.

[0071] The process in Fig. 6 begins when the camera body 2 is powered on. In the process in Fig. 6, the body-side control unit 23 first determines whether or not the interchangeable lens 3 is attached to the camera body 2 (step SB11). When the interchangeable lens 3 is not attached to the camera body 2, the signal level of the LDET(B) terminal is pulled up and is at a high level. When the body-side control unit 23 detects that the signal level of the LDET(B) terminal is at a high level, it determines that the interchangeable lens 3 is not attached to the camera body 2 (step SB11 / NO). When the interchangeable lens 3 is not attached, the body-side control unit 23 does not supply power to the VBAT(B) terminal and V33(B) terminal from the power supply unit 26.

[0072] When the interchangeable lens 3 is attached to the camera body 2, the signal level of the LDET(B) terminal is pulled down to low. If the signal level of the LDET(B) terminal is low, the body-side control unit 23 determines that the interchangeable lens 3 is attached. If the interchangeable lens 3 is attached to the camera body 2 (step SB11 / YES), the body-side control unit 23 causes the power supply unit 26 to start supplying power to the V33(B) terminal (step SB13).

[0073] When power supply to the V33(B) terminal starts, power is supplied to the lens-side control unit 33 of the interchangeable lens 3 via the V33(L) terminal, and the lens-side control unit 33 starts operating. As a result, the lens-side control unit 33 starts the processing shown in FIG.

[0074] Once the lens-side control unit 33 has started operating, it authorizes initial communication via command and data communication with the body-side control unit 23. After the lens-side control unit 33 authorizes the initial communication, the body-side control unit 23 starts the initial communication. The initial communication includes a signal requesting the lens-side control unit 33 to supply power to the VBAT(L) terminal. When a signal requesting power supply to the VBAT(L) terminal is sent from the lens-side control unit 33 to the body-side control unit 23, the body-side control unit 23 supplies power to the VBAT(B) terminal, and initialization processing is performed between the camera body 2 and the interchangeable lens 3 ( FIG. 6 : step SB15, FIG. 12 : step SL11).

[0075] During the initialization process, information necessary for various operations of the camera system 1, such as shooting and focus adjustment, is exchanged between the camera body 2 and the interchangeable lens 3. For example, during the initialization process, information regarding the drive resolution of the zoom lens 36a included in the interchangeable lens 3 is sent to the camera body 2. This is to prevent a situation in which, when the body-side control unit 23 issues a power zoom command (described in detail below) instructing the zoom lens 36a to be driven, the zoom lens 36a cannot be driven because the command value from the body-side control unit 23 is smaller than the drive resolution of the zoom lens 36a. Also, during the initialization process, for example, the speeds at which the zoom lens 36a can be driven (maximum and minimum speeds) are sent to the camera body 2. This is to prevent, when the body-side control unit 23 issues a power zoom command instructing the zoom lens 36a to be driven, the body-side control unit 23 issues an instruction to drive the zoom lens 36a so that the drive speed of the zoom lens 36a is within the range from the maximum speed to the minimum speed. In the initialization process, for example, the zoom lens 36a and the focus lens 36b of the interchangeable lens 3 are moved to their respective positions before the power was turned off or to their default positions.

[0076] When the initialization process ( FIG. 6 : step SB15) is completed, the body-side control unit 23 requests the lens-side control unit 33 via command data communication to transmit the detection resolution of the zoom ring 39a and a flag indicating whether the zoom ring 39a is compatible with the cooperation function (cooperation function compatibility flag), and waits until it receives the detection resolution of the zoom ring 39a and the cooperation function compatibility flag ( FIG. 6 : step SB17 / NO). The detection resolution of the zoom ring 39a is information indicating the number of pulses output per rotation of the zoom ring 39a. By obtaining the detection resolution of the zoom ring 39a, the body-side control unit 23 can perform electronic zoom control and the like according to the amount of operation of the zoom ring 39a.

[0077] Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 12, in response to a request from the body side control unit 23, the lens side control unit 33 transmits the detection resolution of the zoom ring 39a and the collaboration function compatibility flag to the body side control unit 23 via the lens side first communication unit 34a (step SL13).

[0078] 6 , when the body-side control unit 23 receives the detection resolution of the zoom ring 39a and the cooperation function support flag via the first body-side communication unit 24a (step SB17 / YES), it transmits an instruction to turn on the power zoom ring flag and the power zoom lever flag to the lens-side control unit 33 via the first body-side communication unit 24a (step SB19). The power zoom ring flag indicates whether or not in-lens control is possible, in which the lens-side control unit 33 controls the drive of the zoom lens 36a based on operation information of the zoom ring 39a when the zoom ring 39a of the interchangeable lens 3 is operated. ON indicates that in-lens control is possible. The power zoom lever flag indicates whether or not in-lens control is possible, in which the lens-side control unit 33 controls the drive of the zoom lens 36a based on operation information of the zoom lever 39b when the zoom lever 39b of the interchangeable lens 3 is operated. ON indicates that in-lens control is possible.

[0079] Next, the body-side control unit 23 determines whether the attached interchangeable lens 3 supports the link function (step SB21). The body-side control unit 23 can determine whether the attached interchangeable lens 3 supports the link function based on the link function support flag received in step SB17.

[0080] If the attached interchangeable lens 3 does not support the link function (step SB21 / NO), the body side control unit 23 executes normal processing (step SB29) which will be described later.

[0081] On the other hand, if the attached interchangeable lens 3 is compatible with the link function (step SB21 / YES), the body side control unit 23 checks the settings for the link function of the camera body 2 (step SB23).

[0082] If the "extend type" is set in the camera body 2, the body side control unit 23 executes the extend type cooperation process (step SB25). Figures 7 to 9 are flowcharts showing an example of the extend type cooperation process.

[0083] In the extended-type cooperation process, first, the body-side control unit 23 sends an instruction to turn on the power zoom ring flag and the power zoom lever flag to the lens-side control unit 33 via the first body-side communication unit 24a (step SB251).

[0084] Next, the body side control unit 23 executes the processes of steps SB252 and SB253 and the processes of steps SB254 to SB272 in parallel.

[0085] First, the processing of steps SB252 and SB253 will be described. In this embodiment, the body-side control unit 23 repeatedly requests the lens-side control unit 33 to transmit batch transmission information at regular intervals. This batch transmission information includes various information used by the body-side control unit 23 to control the camera system 1, such as operation information for the lens-side operation unit 39 and control focal length information indicating the position of the zoom lens 36a.

[0086] The operation information of the lens side operation unit 39 includes the operation amount and operation direction (telephoto direction or wide angle direction) of each of the zoom ring 39a and zoom lever 39b included in the lens side operation unit 39.

[0087] The control focal length information is, for example, information indicating the focal length (mm) calculated from the position of the zoom lens 36a (an integer from 0 to 100) in which the magnification range of the imaging optical system 36 is divided into 100 parts, with the wide end being 0 and the telephoto end being 100.

[0088] As described above, the body-side control unit 23 repeatedly requests batch transmission information at regular intervals, and therefore the body-side control unit 23 repeatedly receives operation information of the lens-side operation unit 39 (step SB252) and the control focal length (step SB253) at regular intervals from the lens-side control unit 33. However, the body-side control unit 23 can interrupt the repeated requests for batch transmission information to execute command data communication such as driving instructions to the interchangeable lens 3 or requests for information not included in the batch transmission information.

[0089] In parallel with receiving the operation information of the lens operation unit 39 and the control focal length information, the body side control unit 23 determines whether or not operation of the body side operation unit 29 has been detected (step SB254).

[0090] If operation of the body-side operation unit 29 is detected (step SB254 / YES), the body-side control unit 23 generates zoom lens drive information and sends it to the lens-side control unit 33 (step SB255). If the operated body-side operation unit 29 is, for example, the zoom button 29c, the body-side control unit 23 sends zoom lens drive information to the lens-side control unit 33, including the drive speed and drive direction (telephoto direction, wide-angle direction) of the zoom lens 36a, and a drive start command. The drive speed of the zoom lens 36a when the zoom button 29c is operated can be set by the user on the camera body 2. Furthermore, when operation of the zoom button 29c is finished, the body-side control unit 23 sends zoom lens drive information to the lens-side control unit 33 to stop driving the zoom lens 36a.

[0091] Furthermore, if the operated body-side operation unit 29 is, for example, the zoom lever 29b, the body-side control unit 23 transmits two pieces of information, the amount the zoom lever 29b is pressed and the zoom speed set in the camera body 2 when the zoom lever 29b is operated, to the lens-side control unit 33 as zoom lens drive information. The zoom speed can be set by the user in the camera body 2. The lens-side control unit 33 determines the drive speed of the zoom lens 36a in the interchangeable lens 3 based on these two pieces of information, the amount the zoom lever 29b is pressed and the zoom speed set in the camera body 2, and controls the drive of the zoom lens 36a. Figure 14 is a diagram for explaining the drive speed of the zoom lens 36a relative to the amount the zoom lever 29b is pressed and the zoom speed set in the camera body 2.

[0092] For example, as shown in Figure 14, if the zoom speed can be set in five stages (A to E) on the camera body 2 and the amount of depression of the zoom lever is divided into four stages (0 to 3), the drive speed of the zoom lens 36a is defined as 0, 1A to 1E, 2A to 2E, and 3A to 3E depending on the combination of the amount of depression of the zoom lever 29b and the zoom speed set on the camera body 2. For example, if the amount of depression of the zoom lever 29b is 2 and the zoom speed set on the camera body 2 is B, the drive speed of the zoom lens 36a is 2B. The stages 0 to 3 representing the amount of depression of the zoom lever correspond to the degree of operation determined by the amount of operation of the operating member (amount of depression of the zoom lever). Furthermore, the zoom speed set on the camera body 2 corresponds to the degree of drive speed of the zoom lens 36a.

[0093] A drive speed of 0 for the zoom lens 36a indicates that the zoom lens 36a is not driven. Drive speed 2A is faster than drive speed 1A, and drive speed 3A is faster than drive speed 2A. Drive speed 1B is faster than drive speed 1A, drive speed 1C is faster than drive speed 1B, drive speed 1D is faster than drive speed 1C, and drive speed 1E is faster than drive speed 1D. The same applies to drive speeds 2A to 2E and drive speeds 3A to 3E. Drive speed 3E may be faster than drive speed 1E or may be the same speed. Note that the amount of depression of the zoom lever 29b and the zoom speed set in the camera body 2 may be repeatedly transmitted from the body-side control unit 23 to the lens-side control unit 33 as part of the batch transmission information.

[0094] Furthermore, if the operated body-side operation unit 29 is a dial or a touch panel, the body-side control unit 23 transmits information indicating the amount of operation per unit time, i.e., the operation speed of the operation member (dial or touch panel), to the lens-side control unit 33 as zoom lens drive information. The amount of operation per unit time may be repeatedly transmitted from the body-side control unit 23 to the lens-side control unit 33 as one piece of batch transmission information, or the amount of operation per unit time may be repeatedly transmitted from the body-side control unit 23 to the lens-side control unit 33 from the start of operation of the body-side operation unit 29 until the operation is finished. The lens-side control unit 33 controls the drive of the zoom lens 36a based on the zoom lens drive information. Alternatively, instead of the amount of operation per unit time, the amount of drive of the zoom lens 36a per unit time may be periodically transmitted. The periodically transmitted amount of operation per unit time and the amount of drive of the zoom lens 36a per unit time may also be transmitted from the body-side control unit 23 to the lens-side control unit 33 as one piece of batch transmission information.

[0095] Next, the body-side control unit 23 acquires control focal length information (step SB256). The control focal length information may be acquired from periodically received batch transmission information, or the control focal length information included in the batch transmission information may be stored in the body-side storage unit 25 and acquired from the body-side storage unit 25.

[0096] Next, the body side control unit 23 determines whether the optical zoom position is at the telephoto end (step SB257). If the optical zoom position is not at the telephoto end (step SB257 / NO), the process returns to step SB254 in FIG.

[0097] On the other hand, if the optical zoom position is at the telephoto end (step SB257 / YES), the body-side control unit 23 determines whether the body-side operation unit 29 was operated in the telephoto direction (step SB258). If the body-side operation unit 29 was not operated in the telephoto direction (step SB258 / NO), the process returns to step SB254 in Fig. 7. As explained in Fig. 4A, in the extend type, if the optical zoom position is at the telephoto end and further operation is performed in the telephoto direction, the process switches to electronic zoom. However, if the body-side operation unit 29 is not operated in the telephoto direction, there is no need to switch to electronic zoom.

[0098] If the operation of the body-side operation unit 29 is in the telephoto direction (step SB258 / YES), the body-side control unit 23 sends an instruction to set the power zoom ring flag and power zoom lever flag to OFF to the lens-side control unit 33 via the first body-side communication unit 24a (step SB259), and proceeds to step SB260 in Fig. 8. This prohibits in-lens control in the interchangeable lens 3.

[0099] If no operation of the body-side operation unit 29 has been detected (step SB254 / NO), the body-side control unit 23 determines whether the operation amount of the lens-side operation unit 39 is 0 ( FIG. 9 : step SB268). The operation amount of the lens-side operation unit 39 can be obtained from the operation information of the lens-side operation unit 39 included in the batch transmission information that is periodically received.

[0100] If the operation amount of the lens-side operation unit 39 is 0 (step SB268 / YES), this means that neither the body-side operation unit 29 nor the lens-side operation unit 39 has been operated. In this case, the body-side control unit 23 returns to step SB254 in FIG. 7.

[0101] If the operation amount of the lens-side operation unit 39 is not 0 (step SB268 / NO), the body-side control unit 23 acquires control focal length information (step SB269). The control focal length information may be acquired from periodically received batch transmission information, or the control focal length information included in the batch transmission information may be stored in the body-side storage unit 25 and acquired from the body-side storage unit 25.

[0102] In the extend system, when the lens-side operation unit 39 is operated, internal lens control is performed until the optical zoom position reaches the telephoto end, i.e., the lens-side control unit 33 executes control to drive the zoom lens 36a based on the operation information of the lens-side operation unit 39. Therefore, when the operation amount of the lens-side operation unit 39 is not 0, the body-side control unit 23 acquires control focal length information to determine whether the position of the zoom lens 36a moved by internal lens control is at the telephoto end.

[0103] Next, the body side control unit 23 determines whether the optical zoom position is at the telephoto end (step SB270). If the optical zoom position is not at the telephoto end (step SB270 / NO), the process returns to step SB254 in FIG.

[0104] On the other hand, if the optical zoom position is at the telephoto end (step SB270 / YES), the body-side control unit 23 determines whether the lens-side operation unit 39 was operated in the telephoto direction (step SB271).

[0105] If the operation of the lens side operation unit 39 is not in the telephoto direction (step SB271 / NO), the process returns to step SB254 in Fig. 7. As explained in Fig. 4A, in the extend type, if the optical zoom position is at the telephoto end and the operation is further performed in the telephoto direction, the system switches to electronic zoom, but if the operation of the lens side operation unit 39 is not in the telephoto direction, there is no need to switch to electronic zoom.

[0106] If the lens-side operation unit 39 is operated in the telephoto direction (step SB271 / YES), the body-side control unit 23 sends an instruction to set the power zoom ring flag and power zoom lever flag to OFF to the lens-side control unit 33 via the first body-side communication unit 24a (step SB272), and proceeds to step SB260 in Fig. 8. This prohibits in-lens control in the interchangeable lens 3. In this way, information indicating whether in-lens control is possible (power zoom ring flag and power zoom lever flag) is determined based on control focal length information indicating the focal length and operation information (operation signal).

[0107] 4A, in the extend system, when the optical zoom position is at the telephoto end and further operation in the telephoto direction is performed, the system switches to electronic zoom. Therefore, if the optical zoom position is at the telephoto end (YES in step SB257) and the body-side operation unit 29 is operated in the telephoto direction (YES in step SB258), or if the optical zoom position is at the telephoto end (YES in step SB270) and the lens-side operation unit 39 is operated in the telephoto direction (YES in step SB271), the system switches to electronic zoom. Therefore, to prohibit the lens-side control unit 33 from driving the zoom lens 36a, an instruction to set the power zoom ring flag and power zoom lever flag to OFF is sent to the lens-side control unit 33.

[0108] The body-side control unit 23 determines whether or not an operation of the body-side operation unit 29 has been detected (FIG. 8: step SB260).

[0109] If no operation of the body-side operation unit 29 has been detected (step SB260 / NO), the body-side control unit 23 determines whether the operation amount of the lens-side operation unit 39 is 0 (step SB264). The operation amount of the lens-side operation unit 39 can be obtained from the operation information of the lens-side operation unit 39 included in the batch transmission information that is periodically received.

[0110] If the operation amount of the lens side operation unit 39 is 0 (step SB264 / YES), neither the body side operation unit 29 nor the lens side operation unit 39 has been operated, so the process returns to step SB260.

[0111] If the amount of operation of the lens side operation unit 39 is not 0 (step SB264 / NO), the body side control unit 23 performs electronic zoom processing to enlarge or reduce at least a portion of the area of ​​the imaging surface of the image sensor 27 (the area corresponding to the image displayed on the display unit 28) depending on the amount of operation of the lens side operation unit 39 (step SB265).

[0112] Next, the body side control unit 23 determines whether the electronic zoom position is at the wide end (step SB266). If the electronic zoom position is not at the wide end (step SB266 / NO), the process returns to step SB260.

[0113] On the other hand, if the electronic zoom position is at the wide end (step SB266 / YES), the body-side control unit 23 determines whether the lens-side operation unit 39 was operated in the wide-angle direction (step SB267).Whether the lens-side operation unit 39 was operated in the wide-angle direction can be determined from the operation information of the lens-side operation unit 39 included in the batch transmission information that is periodically received.

[0114] If the operation of the lens operation unit 39 is not in the wide-angle direction (NO in step SB267), the process returns to step SB260. As explained in Fig. 4A, in the extend system, if the electronic zoom position is at the wide-angle end and the operation is further in the wide-angle direction, the system switches to optical zoom. However, if the operation of the lens operation unit 39 is not in the wide-angle direction, there is no need to switch to optical zoom.

[0115] On the other hand, if the operation of the lens side operation unit 39 is in the wide direction (step SB267 / YES), the process returns to step SB251 in FIG. 7 and an instruction to turn on the power zoom lens flag and the power zoom lever flag is sent to the lens side control unit 33.

[0116] As shown in FIG. 4A , with the extend system, when the electronic zoom position is at the wide-angle end and further operation is performed in the wide-angle direction, the system switches to optical zoom. Therefore, if the electronic zoom position is at the wide-angle end (YES in step SB266) and the lens-side operation unit 39 is operated in the wide-angle direction (YES in step SB267), the system switches to optical zoom. Therefore, when the lens-side operation unit 39 is operated, an instruction to turn the power zoom ring flag and power zoom lever flag ON is sent to the lens-side control unit 33 so that the lens-side control unit 33 can drive the zoom lens 36 a (so that in-lens control is possible) based on the operation information of the lens-side operation unit 39.

[0117] Incidentally, when operation of the body-side operation unit 29 is detected (step SB260 / YES), the body-side control unit 23 performs electronic zoom processing to enlarge or reduce at least a portion of the area of ​​the imaging surface of the image sensor 27 (the area corresponding to the image displayed on the display unit 28) depending on the amount of operation of the body-side operation unit 29 (step SB261).

[0118] Next, the body side control unit 23 determines whether the electronic zoom position is at the wide end (step SB262). If the electronic zoom position is not at the wide end (step SB262 / NO), the process returns to step SB260.

[0119] On the other hand, if the electronic zoom position is at the wide end (step SB262 / YES), the body side control unit 23 determines whether the operation of the body side operation unit 29 was in the wide direction (step SB263).

[0120] If the operation on the body side operation unit 29 is not for the wide direction (step SB263 / NO), the process returns to step SB260.

[0121] On the other hand, if the operation on the body-side operation unit 29 is in the wide-angle direction (YES in step SB263), the process returns to step SB251 in FIG. 7 and an instruction to turn on the power zoom lens flag and power zoom lever flag is sent to the lens-side control unit 33. If the electronic zoom position is at the wide-angle end and further operation in the wide-angle direction is performed, the electronic zoom will be switched to optical zoom. By turning on the power zoom lens flag and power zoom lever flag, in-lens control becomes possible.

[0122] The extended mode cooperation process is repeatedly executed while the power of the camera body 2 is ON until the cooperation mode setting is changed.

[0123] Next, a description will be given of the case where the camera body 2 is set to the mixed mode. As shown in Fig. 6, when the camera body 2 is set to the mixed mode, the body side control unit 23 executes the mixed mode cooperation process (step SB31).

[0124] 10 is a flowchart showing the details of the mixed-type cooperation processing. In the mixed-type cooperation processing, first, the body-side control unit 23 sends an instruction to the lens-side control unit 33 to set the power zoom ring flag and the power zoom lever flag to OFF (step SB311). In the mixed type, even when the lens-side operation unit 39 is operated, the body-side control unit 23 controls both optical zoom and electronic zoom, so this is to prohibit in-lens control. In the mixed-type cooperation processing, the body-side control unit 23 executes mixed control, which performs optical zoom control while performing electronic zoom control. In mixed control, electronic zoom control and optical zoom control are performed simultaneously (in parallel).

[0125] After step SB311, the body side control unit 23 executes the processes of steps SB312 and SB313 and the processes of steps SB314 to SB319 in parallel.

[0126] The body-side control unit 23 receives operation information of the lens-side operation unit 39 from the lens-side control unit 33 (step SB312). The body-side control unit 23 also receives control focal length information from the lens-side control unit 33 (step SB313). As described above, the body-side control unit 23 repeatedly requests the lens-side control unit 33 to transmit batch transmission information at regular intervals. Therefore, the body-side control unit 23 repeatedly receives operation information of the lens-side operation unit 39 and control focal length information from the lens-side control unit 33 at regular intervals.

[0127] In parallel with the processing of steps SB312 and SB313, the body side control unit 23 determines whether or not an operation of the body side operation unit 29 has been detected (step SB314).

[0128] If no operation of the body-side operation unit 29 has been detected (step SB314 / NO), the body-side control unit 23 determines whether the operation amount of the lens-side operation unit 39 included in the batch transmission information is 0 (step SB317). If the operation amount of the lens-side operation unit 39 included in the batch transmission information is 0 (step SB317 / YES), the process returns to step SB314.

[0129] If the amount of operation of the lens operation unit 39 is not 0 (step SB317 / NO), the body-side control unit 23 executes electronic zoom processing based on the amount of operation of the lens operation unit 39 (step SB318). The body-side control unit 23 also issues a power zoom command that instructs driving of the zoom lens 36a according to the amount of operation of the lens operation unit 39 (step SB319). The power zoom command is sent to the lens-side control unit 33 via the first body-side communication unit 24a.

[0130] In the mixed system, when the lens side operation unit 39 or the body side operation unit 29 is operated, the optical zoom position and the electronic zoom position are changed at the same rate based on the amount of operation. This point will be explained below.

[0131] 15A and 15B are diagrams for explaining changes in the optical zoom position and the electronic zoom position in the mixed system. In the following example, it is assumed that the zoom ring 39a is operated.

[0132] 15A is a diagram showing an example of the optical zoom position and the electronic zoom position before the zoom ring 39a is operated. The optical zoom position is the position of the zoom lens 36a (an integer from 0 to 100) obtained by dividing the magnification range of the imaging optical system 36 into 100, with the wide-angle end being 0 and the telephoto end being 100. The electronic zoom position is also obtained by dividing the magnification range of the electronic zoom into 100, with the wide-angle end being 0 and the telephoto end being 100. Therefore, for example, if the magnification range of the imaging optical system 36 is 4x and the magnification range of the electronic zoom is 2x, the optical zoom magnification at optical zoom position: 10 and the electronic zoom magnification at electronic zoom position: 10 will be different, but the rate of change of the optical zoom magnification and the rate of change of the electronic zoom will be equal when the optical zoom position and the electronic zoom position are each increased by 1.

[0133] For example, suppose that rotating the zoom ring 39a by 100 degrees moves the optical zoom position from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end. If the optical zoom position and electronic zoom position before operating the zoom ring 39a are both 30, and the zoom ring 39a is rotated 10 degrees toward the telephoto end, the body-side control unit 23 changes the electronic zoom position to 40 in step SB318. Furthermore, in step SB319, the body-side control unit 23 issues a power zoom command that includes a drive command position of 40 for the zoom lens 36a and a drive maintenance target time that indicates the time required to move the zoom lens 36a to the drive command position: 40. The drive maintenance target time is set to a time that takes into account the timing at which the body-side control unit 23 can issue the next power zoom command and that allows the position of the zoom lens 36a to be continuously changed without causing discomfort to the user. The power zoom command is issued periodically. The body-side control unit 23 determines the drive speed (magnification speed) of the zoom lens 36a based on, for example, operation information of the zoom ring 39a, and can calculate the target drive maintenance time (information indicating the magnification speed) from the drive amount from the current position of the zoom lens 36a to the drive instruction position and the drive speed of the zoom lens 36a.

[0134] As a result of the processing of steps SB318 and SB319, the optical zoom position and the electronic zoom position both become 40, as shown in FIG. 15B . Therefore, changing the electronic zoom position and the optical zoom position at the same rate means changing the electronic zoom position and the optical zoom position by the same normalized value within the normalized optical zoom magnification range and the normalized electronic zoom magnification range. This can also be said as equating the rate at which the size of a portion of the imaging surface of the image sensor 27 corresponding to the image displayed on the display unit 28 is changed with the rate at which the magnification of the imaging optical system 36 is changed. Note that in this embodiment, the change in magnification (optical zoom position and electronic zoom position) in response to an operation is assumed to be constant.

[0135] After the processing of step SB319, the process returns to step SB314.

[0136] If operation of the body operation unit 29 is detected (step SB314 / YES), the body control unit 23 executes electronic zoom processing (step SB315) based on the amount of operation of the body operation unit 29. The body control unit 23 also issues a power zoom command for driving the zoom lens 36a based on the amount of operation of the body operation unit 29 (step SB316).

[0137] After the processing of step SB316, the process returns to step SB314.

[0138] The mixed-type cooperation process is executed repeatedly while the power of the camera body 2 is ON until the cooperation mode setting is changed. In the mixed-type cooperation process, a power zoom command is issued regardless of whether the body-side operation unit 29 or the lens-side operation unit 39 is operated, and regardless of the type of operation member of the body-side operation unit 29 or the lens-side operation unit 39. This allows the body-side control unit 23 to accurately control the drive of the zoom lens 36a, and to coordinate the magnification change operations of the electronic zoom and the optical zoom.

[0139] Next, a case where the camera body 2 is set to "no cooperation" will be described. As shown in Fig. 6, when the camera body 2 is set to "no cooperation," the body side control unit 23 executes normal processing (step SB29). Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing the details of the normal processing.

[0140] In normal processing, first, the body-side control unit 23 sends an instruction to the lens-side control unit 33 to set the power zoom ring flag and the power zoom lever flag to ON (step SB291). In this embodiment, in the case of "no cooperation," when the lens-side operation unit 39 is operated, the lens-side control unit 33 performs intra-lens control, in which the lens-side control unit 33 controls the drive of the zoom lens 36a based on operation information from the lens-side operation unit 39. Note that when the body-side operation unit 29 is operated, the lens-side control unit 33 performs extra-lens control, in which the lens-side control unit 33 controls the drive of the zoom lens 36a based on instructions from the body-side control unit 23.

[0141] After step SB291, the body-side control unit 23 executes the processes of steps SB292 and SB293 and steps SB294 and SB295 in parallel. The body-side control unit 23 receives operation information of the lens-side operation unit 39 from the lens-side control unit 33 (step SB292). The body-side control unit 23 also receives control focal length information from the lens-side control unit 33 (step SB293). As described above, the body-side control unit 23 repeatedly requests the lens-side control unit 33 to transmit batch transmission information at regular intervals. Therefore, the body-side control unit 23 repeatedly receives operation information of the lens-side operation unit 39 and control focal length information from the lens-side control unit 33 at regular intervals.

[0142] In parallel with the processing of steps SB292 and SB293, the body side control unit 23 determines (step SB294) whether or not it has detected an operation of the body side operation unit 29. If the body side control unit 23 has not detected an operation of the body side operation unit 29 (step SB294 / NO), it repeats the processing of step SB294 until it detects an operation of the body side operation unit 29.

[0143] If operation of the body-side operation unit 29 is detected (step SB294 / YES), the body-side control unit 23 transmits zoom lens drive information for driving the zoom lens 36a to the lens-side control unit 33 based on the amount of operation of the body-side operation unit 29, as in step SB255 (step SB295). Note that in this embodiment, in normal processing, the zoom lens 36a is driven to change the optical zoom magnification regardless of whether the lens-side operation unit 39 or the body-side operation unit 29 is operated, but this is not limited to this. For example, when the lens-side operation unit 39 is operated, the lens-side control unit 33 may drive the zoom lens 36a to change the optical zoom magnification, and when the body-side operation unit 29 is operated, the body-side control unit 23 may change the electronic zoom magnification.

[0144] Next, we will explain the processing of the lens side control unit 33. After completing the processing of step SL13 in Fig. 12, the lens side control unit 33 executes the processing of steps SL15 and SL17, the processing of steps SL21 and SL23, and the processing of steps SL31 to SL35 in parallel.

[0145] The lens-side control unit 33 does not have information about the linkage method set in the camera body 2. Therefore, in this embodiment, the lens-side control unit 33 controls the drive of the zoom lens 36a based on whether in-lens control is possible (ON / OFF states of the power zoom ring flag and power zoom lever flag) and whether a power zoom command or zoom ring drive information has been received from the body-side control unit 23. Immediately after the power to the camera body 2 is turned on, the power zoom ring flag and power zoom lever flag are set to ON by the processing of step SB19 (see FIG. 6 ) of the body-side control unit 23.

[0146] Thereafter, based on the cooperation method or focal length and operation information, the body-side control unit 23 issues an instruction to turn the power zoom ring flag and power zoom lever flag ON or OFF (steps SB251 and SB259 in FIG. 7 , step SB311 in FIG. 10 , step SB291 in FIG. 11 , etc.). Meanwhile, the lens-side control unit 33 receives the instruction to turn the power zoom ring flag and power zoom lever flag ON or OFF, and executes processing based on the settings of the power zoom ring flag and power zoom lever flag.

[0147] Therefore, the lens-side control unit 33 periodically determines whether or not it has received the power zoom ring flag and power zoom lever flag (step SL15 / NO). If the lens-side control unit 33 receives the power zoom ring flag and power zoom lever flag (step SL15 / YES), it sets the power zoom ring flag and power zoom lever flag according to the instruction (ON or OFF) from the body-side control unit 23 (step SL17) and returns to step SL15. The processes of steps SL15 and SL17 are repeatedly executed until the power of the camera body 2 is turned off.

[0148] In parallel with the processing of steps SL15 and SL17, the lens side control unit 33 detects the amount of operation of the lens side operation unit 39 (step SL21). The amount of operation may be zero.

[0149] The lens-side control unit 33 transmits the operation information of the lens-side operation unit 39 and the control focal length information indicating the position of the zoom lens 36a to the body-side control unit 23 as batch transmission information (step SL23). The processes of steps SL21 and SL23 are also repeated at regular intervals.

[0150] In parallel with the processing of steps SL15 and SL17 and the processing of steps SL21 and SL23, the lens side control unit 33 determines whether or not it has detected operation of the lens side operation unit 39 (step SL31). If it has detected operation of the lens side operation unit 39 (step SL31 / YES), the lens side control unit 33 determines whether or not the power zoom ring flag and power zoom lever flag are ON (step SL32).

[0151] If the power zoom ring flag and power zoom lever flag are ON (step SL32 / YES), the lens control unit 33 executes the power zoom operation (step SL33). Specifically, the lens control unit 33 executes in-lens control to drive the zoom lens 36a based on the amount of operation of the lens operation unit 39. After the power zoom operation is completed, the process returns to step SL31.

[0152] On the other hand, if operation of the lens-side operation unit 39 is detected (step SL31 / YES) but the power zoom ring flag and power zoom lever flag are OFF (step SL32 / NO), the lens-side control unit 33 cannot perform internal lens control. In this case, the lens-side control unit 33 performs external lens control to drive the zoom lens 36a in accordance with instructions from the body-side control unit 23, or the body-side control unit 23 performs electronic zoom processing based on the amount of operation of the lens-side operation unit 39. Therefore, the lens-side control unit 33 determines whether a power zoom command has been received (step SL34). If the camera body 2 is set to the "extend" mode, the fact that the power zoom ring flag and power zoom lever flag are OFF means that the optical zoom position is at the telephoto end and electronic zoom is being performed. In this case, the body-side control unit 23 does not send a power zoom command, so the determination in step SL34 is NO.

[0153] If a power zoom command has not been received (step SL34 / NO), the process returns to step SL31.

[0154] On the other hand, when the camera body 2 is set to "mixed," optical zoom and electronic zoom are performed in parallel, and therefore a power zoom command is sent from the body-side control unit 23. Accordingly, when the lens-side control unit 33 receives the power zoom command from the body-side control unit 23 via the first lens-side communication unit 34a (step SL34 / YES), it performs a power zoom operation in accordance with the instructions in the power zoom command (step SL35). Specifically, it moves the zoom lens 36a to the drive command position for the zoom lens 36a included in the power zoom command. At this time, the drive speed of the zoom lens 36a is set so that the time it takes for the zoom lens 36a to reach the drive command position is the same as or slightly longer than the drive maintenance target time.

[0155] After step SL35 is completed, the process returns to step SL31.

[0156] If the lens-side control unit 33 has not detected operation of the lens-side operation unit 39 (step SL31 / NO), it determines whether it has received a power zoom command or zoom lens drive information from the body-side control unit 23 (step SL36). In the "extend type," if the body-side operation unit 29 is operated without the lens-side operation unit 39 being operated, the body-side control unit 23 generates and transmits zoom lens drive information based on the operation of the body-side operation unit 29 unless the optical zoom position is at the telephoto end. In the "mixed type," if the body-side operation unit 29 is operated without the lens-side operation unit 39 being operated, the body-side control unit 23 issues a power zoom command based on the operation of the body-side operation unit 29. In addition, in the "non-cooperation" type, if the body-side operation unit 29 is operated, the body-side control unit 23 generates and transmits zoom lens drive information based on the operation of the body-side operation unit 29. Note that if the body-side operation unit 29 is not operated, the body-side control unit 23 does not issue zoom lens drive information.

[0157] If neither a power zoom command nor zoom lens drive information has been received from the body-side control unit 23 (step SL36 / NO), the process returns to step SL31. On the other hand, if either a power zoom command or zoom lens drive information has been received from the body-side control unit 23 (step SL36 / YES), the process performs a power zoom operation based on the power zoom command or zoom lens drive information (step SL37), and then returns to step SL31.

[0158] As described above in detail, according to this embodiment, the camera system 1 includes the image sensor 27 having an imaging surface that captures an image formed by the variable magnification imaging optical system 36, and the body-side control unit 23. The body-side control unit 23 generates image information based on a signal output from at least a partial area of ​​the imaging surface, and performs electronic zoom control to change the size of that partial area in parallel with the magnification change of the imaging optical system 36. More specifically, the body-side control unit 23 performs mixed control, performing electronic zoom control while also performing optical zoom control to change the magnification of the imaging optical system 36. Because optical zoom and electronic zoom are performed in parallel, the change in angle of view is greater due to the electronic zoom, and a larger zoom magnification can be obtained, compared to when only optical zoom is performed.

[0159] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the imaging surface has a plurality of pixels 27a that receive light and output signals, and the resolution of image information generated based on signals output from pixels included in a first region R10 of the imaging surface is equal to the resolution of image information generated based on signals output from pixels included in a second region R20 that is larger than the first region R10. This allows electronic zooming to be performed without degrading image quality.

[0160] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the camera system 1 includes a lens-side operation unit 39 that accepts magnification variation instructions, and a body-side communication unit 24 that communicates with the interchangeable lens 3 that includes the imaging optical system 36. The body-side communication unit 24 (first body-side communication unit 24a) receives operation information of the lens-side operation unit 39 (information regarding the amount of operation of the lens-side operation unit 39) from the interchangeable lens 3, and the body-side control unit 23 performs mixed control based on the operation information of the lens-side operation unit 39. In other words, the body-side control unit 23 performs electronic zoom control based on the operation information of the lens-side operation unit 39, and also performs optical zoom control based on the operation information of the lens-side operation unit 39. This allows the user to perform optical zoom and electronic zoom in parallel by operating the lens-side operation unit 39.

[0161] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the body side communication unit 24 receives information indicating the speed at which the imaging optical system 36 can be driven when changing the magnification of the imaging optical system 36. This allows the body side communication unit 24 to instruct the zoom lens 36a to be driven within the range of speeds at which the imaging optical system 36 (zoom lens 36a) can be driven.

[0162] In this embodiment, the body communication unit 24 receives information indicating the time required to change the magnification of the imaging optical system 36 from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end when the imaging optical system 36 is driven at the highest speed. In this embodiment, the body communication unit 24 receives information indicating the time required to change the magnification of the imaging optical system 36 from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end when the imaging optical system 36 is driven at the lowest speed. This makes it possible to instruct the imaging optical system 36 (zoom lens 36a) to be driven within the range of speeds at which the imaging optical system 36 (zoom lens 36a) can be driven.

[0163] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the body-side communication unit 24 (first body-side communication unit 24a) receives operation information (magnification change instruction) of the lens-side operation unit 39 from the interchangeable lens 3, and the body-side control unit 23 transmits a power zoom command to the interchangeable lens 3 (lens-side control unit 33) based on the operation information of the lens-side operation unit 39. The power zoom command includes a drive instruction position for the zoom lens and a drive maintenance target time determined from the drive speed of the zoom lens 36a. As a result, when the lens-side operation unit 39 of the interchangeable lens 3 is operated, the body-side control unit 23 can control the drive of the zoom lens 36a and change the focal length.

[0164] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the interchangeable lens 3 is an interchangeable lens 3 that can be attached to the camera body 2, and includes: a variable magnification imaging optical system 36; a lens-side operation unit 39 that accepts operations from the user instructing the user to change the magnification of the imaging optical system 36; a detection unit 391 that detects the operations accepted by the lens-side operation unit 39; a lens-side communication unit 34 (first lens-side communication unit 34a) that transmits information indicative of the operations detected by the detection unit 391 to the camera body 2 and receives from the camera body 2 a power zoom command (instruction signal) instructing the user to change the magnification of the imaging optical system 36; and a first drive unit 37 that drives the zoom lens 36a based on the power zoom command received by the lens-side communication unit 34. As a result, when the lens-side operation unit 39 of the interchangeable lens 3 is operated, the zoom lens 36a can be driven to change the focal length in accordance with the instruction (power zoom command) from the camera body 2.

[0165] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the interchangeable lens 3 is equipped with a lens-side control unit 33 that performs lens-external control to control the magnification of the imaging optical system 36 based on a power zoom command (instruction signal) received by the lens-side communication unit 34, and lens-internal control to control the magnification of the imaging optical system 36 based on information indicating an operation detected by the detection unit 391. This makes it possible to realize both the extended type and the mixed type.

[0166] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the lens side communication unit 34 receives a signal indicating whether or not in-lens control is permitted from the camera body 2. As a result, for example, when in-lens control is not permitted, if the camera is of the extended type, electronic zoom processing is performed when the lens side operation unit 39 is operated, and if the camera is of the mixed type, lens outside control can be performed to drive the zoom lens 36a in accordance with instructions from the body side control unit 23.

[0167] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the lens-side operation unit 39 receives an operation to instruct a magnification change of the imaging optical system 36 and includes a zoom ring 39a that rotates around the optical axis OA of the imaging optical system 36, and the lens-side communication unit 34 transmits information indicating the number of pulses output per rotation of the zoom ring 39a (detection resolution) to the camera body 2. This allows the body-side control unit 23 to determine a drive instruction position for the zoom lens 36a based on the amount of operation of the zoom ring 39a (the number of pulses detected by the detection unit 391).

[0168] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the interchangeable lens 3 is an interchangeable lens 3 that can be attached to the camera body 2, and includes: a variable magnification imaging optical system 36; a lens-side operation unit 39 that receives a user's operation to instruct changing the magnification of the imaging optical system 36; a detection unit 391 that detects the operation received by the lens-side operation unit 39; a lens-side communication unit 34 that transmits information indicating the operation detected by the detection unit 391 to the camera body 2; and a lens-side control unit 33 that performs in-lens control to control changing the magnification of the imaging optical system 36 based on the information indicating the operation detected by the detection unit 391. The lens-side communication unit 34 receives a signal from the camera body 2 that indicates whether or not in-lens control is possible. This makes it possible to realize an extend system in which the lens-side control unit 33 drives the zoom lens 36a to perform optical zooming to change the focal length of the imaging optical system 36 until the optical zoom position reaches the telephoto end, and then performs electronic zooming on the camera body 2 side when the optical zoom position reaches the telephoto end.

[0169] Furthermore, in this embodiment, regardless of whether the received information indicates whether in-lens control is possible, the lens-side communication unit 34 transmits information indicating the operation detected by the detection unit 391 to the camera body 2. This allows the body-side control unit 23 to determine whether the power zoom lens flag and power zoom lever flag need to be set ON or OFF.

[0170] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the lens side communication unit 34 receives a signal prohibiting in-lens control (power zoom ring flag and power zoom lever flag: OFF), it receives an instruction signal (power zoom command) from the camera body 2 instructing the zoom ratio of the imaging optical system 36 to be changed, and the lens side control unit 33 performs lens outside control to control the zoom ratio of the imaging optical system 36 based on the instruction signal (power zoom command) received by the lens side communication unit 34. This makes it possible to realize a mixed system.

[0171] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the lens-side communication unit 34 receives a signal prohibiting control within the lens, the lens-side control unit 33 does not change the magnification of the imaging optical system 36. This allows the body-side control unit 23 to control the entire camera system 1.

[0172] In this embodiment, the lens-side operation unit 39 (zoom ring 39a or zoom lever 39b) can be operated in the telephoto direction and in the wide-angle direction opposite to the telephoto direction, and when further operation in the telephoto direction is input after the imaging optical system 36 has reached the telephoto end due to operation in the telephoto direction, the lens-side communication unit 34 receives a signal prohibiting control within the lens. This makes it possible to realize an extend type in which electronic zoom is performed on the camera body 2 side.

[0173] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the lens side operation unit 39 includes a zoom ring 39a and a zoom lever 39b that is different from the zoom ring 39a, and the lens side communication unit 34 repeatedly transmits the operation amount of the zoom ring 39a and the operation amount of the zoom lever 39b to the camera body 2. This allows the body side control unit 23 to determine whether the power zoom lens flag and the power zoom lever flag need to be turned ON or OFF.

[0174] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the camera body 2 can be fitted with an interchangeable lens 3 having an imaging optical system 36, and is equipped with a body-side communication unit 24 that receives operation information indicating an operation on a lens-side operation unit 39 included in the interchangeable lens 3, and the body-side communication unit 24 that transmits information indicating whether or not in-lens control is available, in which the lens-side control unit 33 included in the interchangeable lens 3 controls the imaging optical system 36, based on the operation of the lens-side operation unit 39 included in the interchangeable lens 3. This makes it possible to realize the extended type and mixed type described above.

[0175] In this embodiment, the camera body 2 also includes an image sensor 27 having an imaging surface that captures an image of the imaging optical system 36, and a body-side control unit 23 that generates image information based on a signal output from at least a partial area of ​​the imaging surface. The body-side control unit 23 performs electronic zoom control to change the size of at least a partial area of ​​the imaging surface based on an operation signal indicating an operation on the lens-side operation unit 39. This allows the user to perform electronic zoom by operating the lens-side operation unit 39, thereby improving user convenience.

[0176] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the body-side control unit 23 transmits information prohibiting in-lens control to the interchangeable lens 3, it controls the imaging optical system 36 based on the operation of the lens-side operation unit 39. This makes it possible for the body-side control unit 23 to control the entire camera system 1.

[0177] In this embodiment, when electronic zoom control is performed, the body-side control unit 23 prohibits in-lens control, which allows the body-side control unit 23 to control the entire camera system 1.

[0178] In this embodiment, the camera body 2 can be set to perform mixed control (mixed system), which performs both electronic zoom control and optical zoom control, and the body-side control unit 23 prohibits in-lens control when the mixed system is set. This allows the body-side control unit 23 to control the entire camera system 1, thereby realizing the mixed system.

[0179] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the camera body 2 is equipped with multiple types of operating members (body-side operating unit 29) that can be operated to instruct the operation of the zoom lens 36a provided in the interchangeable lens 3, and the body-side control unit 23 that transmits instructions to drive the zoom lens 36a to the interchangeable lens 3, and varies the instructions depending on the operated operating member. This makes it possible to transmit to the interchangeable lens 3 an appropriate instruction depending on the operated operating member.

[0180] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the operated body-side operation unit 29 is the zoom button 29c, the body-side control unit 23 transmits zoom lens drive information including the drive speed of the zoom lens 36a, the drive direction of the zoom lens 36a (telephoto direction, wide-angle direction), and an instruction to start driving the zoom lens 36a to the lens-side control unit 33. This allows the user to drive the zoom lens 36a by operating the zoom button 29c.

[0181] Furthermore, in this embodiment, if the operated body-side operation unit 29 is, for example, the zoom lever 29b, the body-side control unit 23 transmits two pieces of information, the amount the zoom lever 29b is pressed and the zoom speed set in the camera body 2 when the zoom lever 29b is operated, as zoom lens drive information to the lens-side control unit 33. This allows the user to drive the zoom lens 36a by operating the zoom lever 29b.

[0182] Furthermore, in this embodiment, if the operated body-side operation unit 29 is a dial or a touch panel, the body-side control unit 23 periodically transmits information indicating the amount of operation per unit time, i.e., the operation speed of the operation member (dial or touch panel), as zoom lens drive information to the lens-side control unit 33. This allows the user to drive the zoom lens 36a by operating the dial or touch panel.

[0183] In the above embodiment, in the case of the mixed system, when a first operation is input to instruct to temporarily reduce the magnification of the image displayed on the display unit 28, the body-side control unit 23 may increase the size of the area on the image sensor 27 corresponding to the image displayed on the display unit 28 to a size that was there before the first operation was input, while maintaining the magnification (focal length) of the imaging optical system 36, and when a second operation is input to instruct to restore the magnification of the image displayed on the display unit 28 to its original size, while maintaining the magnification of the imaging optical system 36. This point will now be described.

[0184] Fig. 16(A) is a diagram showing the state of the optical zoom and electronic zoom before the first operation is input, and Fig. 16(B) is a diagram showing the image displayed on the display unit 28 before the first operation is input. Fig. 16(C) is a diagram showing the state of the optical zoom and electronic zoom after the first operation is input, and Fig. 16(D) is a diagram showing the image displayed on the display unit 28 after the first operation is input. Note that the first operation is, for example, an operation of pressing a predetermined operating member on the camera body 2.

[0185] As shown in Fig. 16A, before the first operation is input, the optical zoom position and the electronic zoom position are at the same position. At this time, it is assumed that the image shown in Fig. 16B is displayed on the display unit 28.

[0186] Here, when the first operation is input, the body-side control unit 23 moves the electronic zoom position toward the wide-angle side while maintaining the optical zoom position, as shown in Fig. 16(C). This causes the range of the image displayed on the display unit 28 to expand, as shown in Fig. 16(D). The extent to which the electronic zoom position is moved toward the wide-angle side when the first operation is input may be determined by default, or may be set by the user. Furthermore, for example, the electronic zoom position may be moved toward the wide-angle side in stages depending on the number of times the first operation is input.

[0187] When the second operation is input, the body-side control unit 23 returns the electronic zoom position to the position before the first operation was input, while maintaining the optical zoom position. This reduces the range of the image displayed on the display unit 28, as shown in Fig. 16(A). The second operation is, for example, pressing a predetermined operating member on the camera body 2. The predetermined operating member may be the same as or different from the operating member that accepts the first operation.

[0188] This allows the viewable range (the range of the image displayed on the display unit 28) to be temporarily widened by simply pressing a predetermined operating member, for example, making it easy to recapture the subject.

[0189] In the above embodiment, the body-side control unit 23 performs mixed control over the entire magnification range of the imaging optical system 36, but this is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Fig. 17A, when the zoom ring 39a is operated from the wide-angle side to the telephoto side (when changing magnification from the wide-angle side to the telephoto side), the body-side control unit 23 may perform optical zoom control, mixed control, and electronic zoom control in that order. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 17B, mixed control may be performed over a portion of the magnification range of the imaging optical system 36.

[0190] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the electronic zoom position was changed at a constant rate in response to the amount of operation of the body-side operation unit 29 or the lens-side operation unit 39. However, this is not limited to this. Fig. 17C is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the amount of operation of the body-side operation unit 29 or the lens-side operation unit 39 and the electronic zoom position. In the above-described embodiment, as shown by the dotted line in Fig. 17C, the body-side control unit 23 changed the electronic zoom position at a constant rate in response to the amount of operation of the body-side operation unit 29 or the lens-side operation unit 39. However, as shown by curves CV1 and CV2, for example, the rate of change in the electronic zoom position relative to the amount of operation of the body-side operation unit 29 or the lens-side operation unit 39 may be biased. For example, when the zoom lens 36a starts moving, the drive speed of the zoom lens 36a may be slow. Therefore, the rate of change in the electronic zoom position may be increased when the zoom lens 36a starts moving to compensate for the delay in the drive speed of the zoom lens 36a.

[0191] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, in the mixed system (combined control), the body-side control unit 23 performs both electronic zoom control and optical zoom control, but this is not limiting. For example, the lens-side control unit 33 may perform optical zoom control, and the body-side control unit 23 may perform electronic zoom control in parallel with the optical zoom control of the lens-side control unit 33. In this case, the body-side control unit 23 may control the electronic zoom based on the amount of operation of the lens-side operation unit 39 or the body-side operation unit 29, or, if the interchangeable lens 3 cannot detect the amount of operation of the lens-side operation unit 39, may control the electronic zoom based on the control focal length transmitted from the lens-side control unit 33.

[0192] The above-described embodiment is a preferred example of implementation, but is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist, and any constituent elements may be combined.

[0193] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 camera system 2 camera body 3 interchangeable lens 23 body side control unit 24 body side communication unit 24a first body side communication unit 24b second body side communication unit 27 imaging element 28 display unit 29 body side operation unit 34 lens side communication unit 34a first lens side communication unit 34b second lens side communication unit 36 ​​imaging optical system 36a zoom lens 36b focus lens 37 first drive unit 39 lens side operation unit OA optical axis

Claims

1. An interchangeable lens that can be attached to a camera body, comprising: a variable magnification optical system; an operating member that accepts operations from a user instructing the user to change the magnification of the variable magnification optical system; a detection unit that detects the operation accepted by the operating member; a transmission unit that transmits information indicating the operation detected by the detection unit to the camera body; a control unit that performs in-lens control that controls the magnification of the variable magnification optical system based on the information indicating the operation detected by the detection unit; and a receiving unit that receives a signal indicating whether or not the in-lens control is possible from the camera body.

2. The interchangeable lens according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter transmits information indicating the operation detected by the detector to the camera body, regardless of whether the in-lens control received by the receiver is possible or not.

3. The interchangeable lens of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein when the receiving unit receives a signal prohibiting the in-lens control, the receiving unit receives an instruction signal from the camera body instructing the variable magnification optical system to change magnification, and the control unit performs extra-lens control to control the magnification of the variable magnification optical system based on the instruction signal received by the receiving unit.

4. The interchangeable lens according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the receiving unit receives a signal prohibiting control within the lens, the control unit does not change the magnification of the variable magnification optical system.

5. An interchangeable lens as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the operating member can be operated in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction, and when an operation in the first direction is further input after the variable magnification optical system has reached the telephoto end by operation in the first direction, the receiving unit receives a signal prohibiting the in-lens control.

6. An interchangeable lens as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the operating member comprises a first operating member and a second operating member different from the first operating member, and the transmission unit repeatedly transmits the operation amount of the first operating member and the operation amount of the second operating member to the camera body.

7. A camera body to which an interchangeable lens having a variable magnification optical system can be attached, comprising: a receiving unit that receives an operation signal indicating an operation of an operating member provided on the interchangeable lens; and a transmitting unit that transmits information indicating whether or not in-lens control in which a first control unit provided on the interchangeable lens controls the variable magnification optical system is possible, based on the operation of the operating member provided on the interchangeable lens.

8. A camera body as described in claim 7, comprising: an imaging unit having an imaging surface for capturing an image of the variable magnification optical system; a generation unit for generating image information based on a signal output from at least a portion of the area of ​​the imaging surface; and a second control unit for performing electronic variable magnification control to change the size of the at least a portion of the area of ​​the imaging surface based on the operation signal.

9. A camera body as described in claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the receiving unit receives information indicating a focal length of the interchangeable lens, and the information indicating whether or not in-lens control is possible is determined based on the information indicating the focal length and the operation signal.

10. A camera body as described in claim 8, wherein the second control unit, when sending information prohibiting the in-lens control to the interchangeable lens, controls the variable magnification optical system based on the operation of the operating member provided on the interchangeable lens.

11. The camera body according to claim 8, wherein the second control unit inhibits the in-lens control when the electronic magnification control is performed.

12. A camera body as described in claim 8, claim 10, or claim 11, comprising: a setting unit capable of setting a mixed control for performing optical magnification control to change the magnification of the variable magnification optical system while performing the electronic magnification control; and the second control unit prohibits the in-lens control when the setting unit is set to perform the mixed control.

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