JP2709375B2 - Auto focus camera - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (a) Technical Field The present invention relates to an autofocus camera, and more specifically, a flash device for projecting auxiliary light based on a predetermined guide number to a subject is built in or attachable. The present invention relates to an automatic focusing camera having a normal shooting mode for performing a normal shooting operation.

(B) Conventional technology In recent years, camera operation has been automated, and an autofocus camera has not only an autofocus mechanism but also an autoexposure mechanism and a flash device interlocked with the autoexposure mechanism (hereinafter, referred to as "strobe"). Are widely used in practice. Among them, the strobe is built into the camera body, and when the strobe is not used, the camera is more compact.
The strobe is stored inside the camera body, and only when used,
It is a so-called pop-up type strobe which is configured to automatically protrude by a predetermined length according to a predetermined protruding behavior to prevent the occurrence of the so-called red-eye effect (however, the protruding is performed automatically. However, storage is generally performed manually by an operator.)

In many cases, distance measurement and photometry are performed by pressing the release button of the camera to the first stroke, and the pop-up strobe is used according to the photometry data at this time. Is determined based on the distance measurement data and the photometry data obtained by the distance measurement and photometry of the first stroke by pressing the release button up to the second stroke. An operation is performed. At this time, if the strobe is popped up (projected), it is configured to emit light. In other words, the pop-up strobe does not emit light when stored, but emits light when projected, as a matter of course.

By the way, when a night scene is photographed as a subject, the subject is generally a distant view like the background and the like, and is a distance treated as infinity (hereinafter abbreviated as “∞”) in the automatic focusing mechanism. Therefore, it is not a mistake to consider the distance that the strobe light projected from the strobe cannot reach. In such a case, it is reasonable to think that the strobe is not allowed to emit light.

However, as mentioned above, this type of strobe is
Unless a manual operation for storage is performed, the strobe remains in a protruding state. If an attempt is made to photograph a night view in this state, the strobe is not fired according to the above-described idea. Therefore, the operator (user) is anxious about a malfunction or an operation error because the flash does not emit light even though the strobe pops up. In other words, the uniqueness of emitting light when the strobe is in the protruding state and not emitting light when in the stowed state is lost, giving rise to a problem of giving the operator an unnecessary sense of anxiety.

Also, if the camera is configured to always emit light when it protrudes, like a conventional strobe, when shooting a night view,
There is a case where it is desired to arrange a person at a relatively short distance with the night view as a background. For example, when taking a commemorative photo of children in the background of a giant ferris wheel at an amusement park at night, which of the background and the children should be focused on?
It's not always easy to determine which subject will give you better exposure if you adjust the exposure.
There has been no camera with a function that satisfies these requirements at the same time.

(C) Object The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a camera operator with a sense of unnecessary anxiety and a relatively short distance to a night view at infinity. It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic focusing camera capable of simultaneously photographing a subject located at a proper position and a proper exposure.

(D) Configuration In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a flash device for projecting auxiliary light based on a predetermined guide number to a subject is built in or attachable to the device. In an autofocus camera having a normal shooting mode for performing a shooting operation, a photometric unit that measures the brightness of the subject and outputs photometric data corresponding to the brightness, and measures a distance to the subject by measuring a distance to the subject. Distance measuring means for outputting data; aperture value calculating means for calculating an aperture value corresponding to the aperture diameter of an aperture to which an appropriate exposure is given by flashmatic calculation based on the distance measurement data and the guide number; and a shutter also serving as an aperture Light emission control means for controlling light emission timing so that the flash device emits light when the member is opened to an opening diameter corresponding to the aperture value; Lens driving means for driving a focusing lens between the infinity position and the closest position on the optical axis corresponding to the infinity position and the closest position, a night view shooting mode for performing an operation for shooting a night view, and the normal A photographing mode setting means for selectively setting any one of a photographing mode, and when the flash device emits light in the night scene photographing mode, the focusing lens is moved to the infinity regardless of the distance measurement data. The flash device is driven to a position to hold the position, and the flash device emits light at the emission timing controlled by the emission control means.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an automatic focusing device having a built-in or attachable flash device for projecting auxiliary light based on a predetermined guide number to a subject, and having a normal shooting mode for performing a normal shooting operation. A camera for measuring the brightness of the subject and outputting photometric data corresponding to the brightness; a distance measuring means for measuring the distance to the subject and outputting the corresponding distance data; An aperture value calculating means for calculating an aperture value corresponding to an aperture diameter of an aperture to which an appropriate exposure is given by flashmatic calculation based on the distance data and the guide number, and a shutter member also serving as an aperture until the aperture value corresponding to the aperture value. Light emission control means for controlling the light emission timing so that the flash device emits light when opened, and corresponding to the infinity position and the close position of the subject Lens driving means for driving a focusing lens between an infinity position and a close position on an axis, and a depth of focus of the photographic optical system determined from the aperture value calculated by the flashmatic operation and a focal length of the photographic lens Depth determining means for determining whether or not the subject is in the shooting mode, and a shooting mode setting means for selectively setting one of the night view shooting mode and the normal shooting mode for performing an operation for shooting a night view. When the flash device emits light in the night view shooting mode, when the subject is within the depth of focus, the focusing lens is driven to the infinity position regardless of the distance measurement data. When the subject is not within the depth of focus, the position of the focusing lens is moved from the infinity position to the nearest side and corrected, and the In the light emitting timing is controlled by the control means is obtained by characterized by being configured so as to emit the flash device.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an automatic focusing camera according to the present invention, and FIGS. 2 to 4 are flowcharts showing the operation sequence of the embodiment shown in FIG.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a strobe system as a flash device for projecting auxiliary light based on a preset guide number to a subject (not shown), and 1a, 1b, and 1c all constitute the strobe system 1. Of these, 1a is a circuit unit that receives a light emission signal (TS) and a state signal (TUS) at an input terminal and outputs a charge completion signal (COK) from an output terminal, and 1b is a part of the circuit unit 1a. A main condenser 1c for generating a high voltage; a light emitting section 1c driven by the circuit section 1a and projecting auxiliary light when the light emitting signal (TS) is inputted; and the strobe system 1 is not used when the strobe system 1 is not used. (Not shown), and is provided with a protruding behavior, which is locked by a locking member (not shown) to maintain the stored state,
By releasing the lock, the camera is configured to project outside the camera body.

2 is a magnet for releasing the locking of the locking member, 2a
Is a magnet drive circuit for driving the magnet 2 upon receiving a start signal (STR) at the input end.

Reference numeral 3 denotes a pop-up system, which is interlocked with the above-described strobe system 1, and has a common contact 3a grounded, as shown in FIG. 1, a down contact 3b opened (no connection), and an up contact 3c.
When the common contact 3a is connected to at least the light emitting portion 1c of the strobe system 1 projects from the up contact 3c (POP UP)
The state signal (TUS) at L level indicating that the state signal is being output is output.

Reference numeral 4 denotes an open contact 4a in conjunction with a lens barrier (both not shown) for opening and closing the front of the taking lens of the camera body.
Is grounded, closed contact 4b is connected to power supply + V and common contact
This is a lens barrier open / close switch having 4c. RL1 and RL2 are release switches each having one end connected to the common contact 4c of the barrier opening / closing switch 4 and are linked with a release button (not shown) of the camera body. When the release button is half-pressed (first stroke). Release switch
RL1 is turned ON, and RL1 is fully pressed (second stroke).
RL2 is configured to be in the ON state while being in the ON state.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a switch input unit that has the other ends of the release switches RL1 and RL2 connected to the input terminals, outputs corresponding release signals (RL1) and (RL2), and transfers a control signal (CTL) to the input / output terminals. It is.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a photometric unit as a photometric unit that receives the release signal (RL1) at an input terminal, measures the brightness of the subject, and outputs corresponding photometric data (AE). Reference numeral 7 denotes a distance measuring unit as a distance measuring unit that receives a light measurement end signal (FIN) at an input terminal, measures a distance to a subject, and outputs corresponding distance measurement data (AF).

Reference numerals 8 and 9 constitute essential parts of the embodiment. Among them, reference numeral 8 denotes an aperture terminal (SB), photometric data (AE), charge completion signal (COK), and status signal described later at an input terminal. (TUS), the ROM in which the darkest data corresponding to the state where the brightness of the subject is the lowest, strobe second time data for opening and closing the shutter at a fixed time when using the strobe, and the above ROM are stored. It has a memory MR1 such as RAM for temporarily storing photometric data (AE), etc.
E) and a close signal (CS) corresponding to the darkest data, a light emission control means for controlling light emission of the strobe system 1 by a light emission signal (TS), and transmitting and receiving the control signal (CTL) to an input / output terminal. As a light emission control unit. The output end also outputs the photometric end signal (FIN), the output timing of which will be described later.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a ROM in which the distance measurement data (AF) and the status signal (TUS) are received at an input terminal, and data of a guide number of the strobe system 1 and ∞ position data of a photographing lens are stored therein. It has a memory MR2 consisting of RAM for temporarily storing ranging data (AF) etc., receives the above status signal (TUS), and when this is at L level, it is based on ranging data (AF) and guide number data. A so-called flashmatic (hereinafter abbreviated as “FM”) calculation is performed to calculate an aperture value corresponding to the aperture diameter of the aperture to which an appropriate exposure is given, and the calculated aperture value is used as an aperture signal (SB). Output, and the above ranging data (AF)
Is output as drive data (DV) as it is, and an FM operation unit as an aperture value calculation means for transmitting and receiving the control signal (CTL) to an input / output terminal. Depth determination means for determining whether or not the subject is within the depth of focus determined by the distance and F number, film sensitivity, the aperture value, etc., correcting the position data, and outputting the data again as drive data (DV). As a depth determination unit. In addition, a winding signal (W
D) is also output, but will be described later in detail.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a lens control unit that receives drive data (DV) at an input end and controls a stepping motor 10a that drives a photographic lens (not shown) including a focusing lens.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a film feeding unit which receives the winding signal (WD) and controls a winding motor 11a which winds a film (not shown). Reference numeral 12 receives the release signal (RL2) and the closing signal (CS), and controls the opening and closing operations of a shutter member (hereinafter simply referred to as a shutter member) 12a also serving as an aperture. Is a shutter control unit that outputs a synchro signal (SYC) which becomes H level at the point of time and becomes L level at the time of closing.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a general control unit that controls the light emission control unit 8, the FM calculation unit 9, the depth determination unit 9a, and the switch input unit 5 by transmitting and receiving the control signal (CTL) described above.

The input terminals for receiving the state signal (TUS) of the circuit unit 1a, the light emission control unit 8, and the FM operation unit 9, the switch input unit 5
The input terminals to which the other ends of the release switches RL1 and RL2 are connected are each configured to be pulled up internally, so that the signal levels of these input terminals normally maintain the H level, When inverted to L level, it becomes effective as a signal input.

14 to 16 are one of the main parts of the present invention, of which one end is connected to the common contact 4c of the lens barrier open / close switch 4 and the other end is connected to the pull-up input end of the switch input unit 5. A photographing mode switch (hereinafter simply referred to as a “mode switch”) 15 as a photographing mode setting means comprising a push button switch is provided in the switch input unit 5 described above, and each time a signal from the mode switch 14 is received. The state is reversed. For example, a mode flag 16 composed of a T-type flip-flop, for example, receives a mode signal (m) corresponding to the state of the mode flag 15 and displays a currently set photographing mode, for example, a photographing mode composed of a liquid crystal display or the like. Display (hereinafter simply referred to as "mode display")
It is.

The mode flag is cleared in the initial state and becomes the L level indicating the normal photographing mode. When the mode switch 14 is pressed once (operated), it is inverted to the H level indicating the night view mode, and when the mode switch 14 is pressed again, the L level is again displayed. It is configured to be inverted.

Further, the start signal (STR) is configured to be output from a luminance determination unit (not shown) when the photometric data (AE) falls below a predetermined reference value or when backlight is determined.

FIG. 5 is an aperture characteristic diagram showing the aperture characteristic of the shutter member 12a and the light emission timing of the flash system 1.

In FIG. 5, the vertical axis S represents the opening diameter of the shutter member 12a, and the horizontal axis t represents time. Reference numeral 17 denotes a characteristic curve indicating an opening characteristic. Among the characteristic curves 17, 18 denotes a rising portion indicating an opening operation of the shutter member 12a, 19 denotes a flat portion indicating the maximum opening diameter S4, and 20 denotes a closing operation of the shutter member 12a. It is a descending part. That is, the shutter member 12a
, The maximum opening diameter S4 is reached at time t4, this state is maintained until t5 (the period between t4 and t5 is referred to as the maximum opening time), the closing is started from t5, and the closing is completed at t6. .

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the night view mode. Reference numeral 21 denotes a camera, 1 denotes the above-described strobe system (when protruding), 22 denotes a subject at a relatively short distance L1, 23 denotes a night view of a large ferris wheel at a long distance L2, and 24 denotes an image projected from the strobe system 1. Strobe light.

The operation of the present embodiment thus configured will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. First, a normal photographing mode (hereinafter, simply referred to as “normal mode”) showing a normal photographing operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. The mode flag 15 is set to an initial state.

First, when the operator opens the lens barrier of the camera main body, the lens barrier open / close switch 4 is also moved to the first position.
The state shown in the figure, that is, the common contact 4 is connected to the open contact 4a. Then, the operator pushes a release button (not shown) to the first stroke to make a half-push state,
Release switch RL1 closes. At this point, the flowchart of FIG. 2 starts from "RL1-ON". Then, in the first conditional branch "is night scene mode?", The switch input unit 5 checks the mode flag 15, and since the mode is the normal mode in this case, the light emission control unit 8 and the FM are controlled via the control signal (CTL). The operation unit 9 is notified of the normal mode, and at the same time, a release signal (RL1) corresponding to the release switch RL1 is output, and the flow branches to NO.

In the next “photometry operation”, the photometry unit that has received the release signal (RL1) starts photometry, and outputs photometry data (AE) corresponding to the luminance of the subject. And the photometric data (AE)
Assume that it was EV5.

In the next “light emission preparation operation”, the light emission control unit 8
Receiving the photometric data (AE), and stores it in the memory MR1. On the other hand, a luminance determination unit (not shown) compares, for example, the reference value of EV9 with the above EV5. In this case, since the photometry data (AE) is lower, a start signal (STR) is output,
Magnet drive circuit 2 receiving the start signal (STR)
Since a drives the magnet 2 to release the locking of the locking member, the strobe system 1 protrudes from the camera body due to the protruding behavior provided, and the common contact 3a of the pop-up switch 3 is shown in FIG. Is switched from the down contact 3b to the up contact 3c. The circuit unit 1a of the strobe system 1 receiving the L-level state signal (TUS) output from the pop-up switch 3 starts charging the main capacitor 1b, and the circuit unit 1a determines that the charging capacitor 1b has a predetermined voltage (for example, 400 V). Continue charging until When a predetermined voltage is reached, a charge completion signal (COK) is output.

In the next “ranging operation”, the charge completion signal (CO
K) receives the light emission control unit 8 and outputs a photometry end signal (FIN). Upon receiving the signal, the distance measurement unit 7 starts distance measurement and outputs distance measurement data (AF) corresponding to the distance to the subject. I do. Now, assuming that the distance to the subject was 8m, this distance measurement data (AF)
The FM operation unit 9 that has received the information stores it in the memory MR2.

In the next conditional branch “is a protruding state?”, The FM operation unit 9 checks the state signal (TUS), branches to YES when it is in the L level and knows that it is in the protruding state, and executes the next “FM calculation execution”. Assuming that the guide number of the strobe system 1 given in advance is Gn, the f-number (≒ aperture value) is calculated by the calculation as follows: f-number = Gn / 8 [m] An aperture signal (SB) is output to the light emission control unit 8. Depth judging unit 9a in the next “Is it within focus depth?”
Determines whether the subject of 8 m is within the focus luminance. In this case, assuming that the distance is within the depth, the distance measurement data (AF) corresponding to the above 8 m is output again as drive data (DV), and the flowchart branches to YES.

Upon receiving the drive data (DV), the lens control unit 10 controls the stepping motor 10a in the next “lens drive” to drive the photographing lens to the in-focus position corresponding to the above-mentioned 8m. Then, the flowchart of FIG.
Move to the figure.

In FIG. 2, the operation from the above-mentioned "projecting state?" Branching to YES to the above-mentioned "ranging data correction" will be described below.
It will be referred to as “calculation / correction operation”. The operation in FIG. 2 as a whole is referred to as a “photographing preparation operation”.

Now, referring to FIG. 3, in the first conditional branch “RL1 operation continued?” And the next conditional branch “RL2 operation present?”, The general control unit 13 performs switch input via the control signal (CTL). Check the state of the release switches RL1 and RL2 in the part 5. In other words, as described above, if the operator holds the release button in a half-pressed state, "RL2 operation performed?" Branches to NO, returns to "RL1 operation continued?", And thereafter repeats this operation. . When the half-pressed state is released, "RL1 operation continuation?" Branches to NO, and at the next "lens initial position", the general control unit 13 instructs the FM calculation unit 9 to that effect, and performs the FM calculation. The unit 9 outputs the data of the initial position as drive data (DV), and upon receiving the data, the lens control unit 10 drives the photographing lens to the initial position (for example, a position on the close distance side). Then, all the operations are completed by the next “END”.

When the release button is further pressed from the half-pressed state to the second stroke, the release switch RL1 and RL2 are closed, and the switch input unit 5 outputs the corresponding release signals (RL1) and (RL2) respectively. Then, the flowchart branches to “YES” in the above “RL2 operation?”.
Shutter control unit 12 receiving this release signal (RL2)
In the next "shutter opening operation", the shutter member 12a having the shutter blade also serving as the aperture blade starts to open at a time point t0 as shown by the rising portion 18 in FIG. 5, and the synchronizing signal (SYC) is set to the H level. Start up. On the other hand, the FM operation unit 9 that has received the rising edge of the synchro signal (SYC) stores this fact in the memory MR2, while the light emission control unit 8 that has received the synchro signal receives the next conditional branch “POP UP?” Then, the signal level of the state signal (TUS) is checked. Since the signal level is L level in this case, the flowchart branches to YES, and the timing corresponding to the aperture signal (SB) in the next "flash emission", for example, At time t2 in FIG. 5, a light emission signal (TS) is output, and the circuit unit 1a that has received this signal causes the light emission unit 1c to start emitting light.

On the other hand, when the status signal (TUS) is at the H level, that is, when the strobe system 1 is housed in the camera body, the light emission control unit 8 does not output the light emission signal (TS) and the light emission unit 1c emits light. Do not start. In other words, this latter operation is based on the “POP UP?”
Corresponds to the case of branching to NO.

The luminance of the subject increases upon receiving the auxiliary light projected from the light emitting unit 1c. The photometric unit 6 measures the change (increase) in the luminance every moment, and outputs the corresponding photometric data (AE) to the light emission control unit. 8 is output. In the next “shutter closing operation”, the shutter control unit 12 compares a predetermined strobe time and the above-mentioned metering data (AE), and if the metering data (AE) is faster than the strobe second, the shutter time elapses. At the time, or in the opposite case, after a lapse of time corresponding to the photometric data (AE), a close signal (CS) is output to the shutter control unit 12, and the shutter member 12a is closed.

In the next “mode flag clear”, the sync signal (SY
C) The control signal (CTL) from the FM operation unit 9 that has detected the fall of
, The switch input unit 5 clears the mode flag 15, but since the mode flag 15 is in the initial state, nothing is changed in this case.

Next, the above-described “lens initial position” is executed, and in the next “film feeding”, the FM calculation unit 9 refers to the memory MR2,
As described above, the fact that the sync signal (SYC) has risen is stored, that is, the fact that the shooting has been performed is stored. Therefore, when the fall of the sync signal (SYC) is detected, winding is performed. Output signal (WD). In response to this, the film feeding unit 11 drives the winding motor 11a to wind up one frame of film that has been shot. Then, the next “END” ends all operations.

In the above description, the photometry data (AE) is the second reference value EV9
The case of the following EV5 was described, but the photometric data (A
When E) is equal to or larger than the reference value EV9, the above-described “light emission preparation operation” and “calculation / correction operation” of the photographing preparation operation shown in FIG. 2 and “strobe light emission” in FIG. 3 are omitted. (Not executed).

Next, a night view mode which is a main part of the present invention will be described. First, the night view mode setting operation will be described with reference to FIG. When desired, the operator presses the mode switch 14. At this point, the flowchart in FIG.
ON ”. At the next "night scene mode flag ON", the mode flag 15 is inverted to the H level in response to the output of the mode switch 14, and the mode signal (m) rises to the H level. The mode display 16 receiving this will display the next “Night view mode display”.
The characters or symbols indicating the night view mode are displayed, and the night view mode setting operation ends with the next “END”. Then, the operator knows from the display that the camera has been set to the night view mode.

Here, when the release button is half-pressed, the release switch (RL1) is closed, and the flow chart of FIG. 2 starts from "RL1-ON", and through the control signal (CTL),
The switch input unit 5 notifies the light emission control unit 8 and the FM calculation unit 9 of the night view mode. In other words, the “night scene mode?” Branch to YES, and the light emission control unit 9 determines in advance the light intensity data (AE) corresponding to the lowest luminance light intensity data (AE) stored in the ROM in the next “light intensity data substitution”. Dark data (for example, EV2
Is transferred to (assigned to) the memory MR1. In the next conditional branch “POP DOWN?”, The light emission control unit 8 sends the status signal (TU
Check S). If the status signal (TUS) is at L level, the process branches to NO, and if it is at H level, the process branches to YES. In this case, it is assumed that the H level, that is, the strobe system 1 is in the housed state. In the next “substitution of distance measurement data”, the FM calculation unit 9 moves (substitutes) the position data corresponding to the position measurement data (AF) stored in the ROM in advance to the memory MR2. Next, in the "protruding state?"
Checks the status signal (TUS) and branches to NO. At the next “lens drive”, the lens drive unit 10 receives the drive data (DV) having the content (Focal lens) to the ∞ position.

Next, the operation shifts to that of FIG. 3, but the operation overlapping with the normal mode described above will be omitted as appropriate and the description will proceed. When the operator presses the release button to the second stroke, the "shutter open operation" is executed from time t0 by the release signal (RL2), the next "POP UP?" Branches to NO, and the next "shutter close operation" Starts at time t5 based on the close signal (CS) corresponding to the darkest data and ends at time t6. At the next "mode flag clear", the mode flag 15 is cleared and inverted to the L level. Accordingly, the mode signal (m) falls to the L level, and the mode display 16 displays the night view mode to the normal mode. The contents are switched. Hereinafter, the “lens initial position” and the “film feeding” are executed, and the processing ends with END.

Next, the night view mode when the "POP DOWN?" Branching to "NO" in FIG. 2 will be described, but operations overlapping with the normal mode described above will be omitted as appropriate. Execute the “light emission preparation operation” and the “distance measurement operation”, and execute the “FM operation”, and the FM operation unit 9 calculates the aperture value corresponding to the distance measurement data (AF) and outputs the aperture signal (SB) At the same time, the position data in the ROM is transferred to the memory MR2. Assuming that the subject is within the depth of focus, the lens control unit 10 receives drive data (DV) containing the above-mentioned position data in “lens drive”.
Drives the taking lens to the ∞ position. Therefore, the night view 23 at a long distance L2 is focused. Here, it is assumed that the operator has pressed the release button to the second stroke. Assuming that the light emission timing based on the aperture signal (SB) corresponding to the distance L1 to the subject 22 in FIG. 6 is time t1 in FIG. 5, "flash emission" is performed at this time, but the shutter member 12a
Is much earlier than the time t4 when the maximum opening diameter S4 becomes
Will emit light with a small aperture diameter of S1, which means
This means that the aperture is equivalently stopped down, and the depth of focus is increased. Therefore, the subject 22 to which the strobe light 24 emitted from the time point t1 for the time ΔT1 is irradiated falls within the depth of focus and is in focus. Since the close signal (CS) is not output until the time corresponding to the darkest data (time from time t0 to time t5) elapses, the maximum aperture diameter from time t4
S4 is held, and the "shutter closing operation" starts from time t5 to t6
Ends with That is, with the sufficiently long maximum opening time t4 to t5 corresponding to the darkest data, the night scene 23 to which the strobe light 24 does not reach can be photographed with almost proper exposure.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the strobe system 1 is popping up (protruding) in the night view mode, the photographing lens is driven to the position ∞ regardless of the distance measurement data (AF). Since the aperture value is calculated based on the distance measurement data (AF) to control the light emission timing of the strobe system 1, the night view 23 at a long distance L2 and the subject 22 at a relatively short distance L1 are calculated. Each of them has an advantage that it is possible to perform in-focus shooting with proper exposure within the same screen, and thus it is possible to expand the shooting range and shooting opportunities.

Also, since the flash system 1 always emits light with the second stroke of the release button when the flash system 1 is popping up in the night view mode, and does not emit light when it is not popped up, the exception is made. There is no need to provide, and there is an advantage that it does not cause unnecessary anxiety and confusion to the operator.

Further, in order to maintain the uniqueness, even if the strobe light 24 is emitted at the time of the pop-up, not only the harmful effect that the subject 22 at the short distance L1 becomes overexposed but also the proper exposure and the There is an advantage that shooting can be performed with good focus.

Also, in the night view mode, when the flash system 1 is not popped up, the flash is not fired, the position data is substituted into the distance measurement data (AF), and the darkest data is substituted into the photometry data (AE). Since the configuration is made so that the strobe light does not reach, it is unnecessary to uselessly emit the strobe light for a distant view (night view) where the strobe light does not reach, and the night view can be shot with proper exposure and good focus. .

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment,
Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

For example, a night view (distant subject) in the night view mode
By focusing on the subject 22, the subject 22 at the short distance L1
If the distance does not fall within the focal depth of the photographing optical system, that is, if the conditional branch “is within the focal depth?” Is branched to NO in FIG. MR2
The position data may be corrected to the nearest side. In this case, it is possible to prevent the subject 22 from being out of focus, and there is an advantage that it is not necessary to force the night scene 23 to be greatly sacrificed.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the flash system 1 in which the light emission preparation operation such as pop-up and charging is automatically performed.
The strobe system 1 is not limited to the built-in type, but may be a so-called external type which is used by being attached to the camera, or may be a type which is fixedly built-in without pop-up. Alternatively, a forced light emission type in which the light emission preparation operation is started by manual operation of the light emission button may be used. In particular, in the case of using the flash system of the forced light emission type, since the above-mentioned uniqueness is maintained, there is no need to provide an exception that the light emission button is not pressed even when the light emission button is pressed in the night view mode, giving anxiety and confusion to the operator. There is an advantage that there is no.

In addition, in the "substitution of photometric data" in FIG. 2, it is described that the darkest data stored in the ROM is moved to the memory MR1, but the data is not limited to the darkest data, but may be fixed time, and the photometry may be performed. If the night view 23 is possible, photometry may be performed and the photometric data (AE) may be used.

Further, a CAS switch 25 may be connected to the input terminal of the light emission control unit 8 so that various information of the film represented by the ISO sensitivity can be read from the film cartridge.

(E) Effect As described in detail above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the flash device is caused to emit light in the night scene shooting mode, the focusing lens is set to infinity without using the distance measurement data from the distance measurement means. The flash device is driven to a distant position, and the flash timing of the flash device is configured to emit light when the aperture is opened to an aperture diameter corresponding to an aperture value obtained based on the distance measurement data and the guide number. The described invention is configured to correct the position of the focusing lens at the infinity position when the subject is not within the depth of focus when the flash device emits light in the night view mode, Without causing unnecessary anxiety and confusion to the camera operator,
It is possible to provide an automatic focusing camera capable of photographing a night view at a distance corresponding to infinity and a subject located at a relatively short distance in the same screen with good focus and proper exposure.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an autofocus camera according to the present invention, FIGS. 2 to 4 are flowcharts showing the operation sequence of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and FIG.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the aperture characteristics of the shutter member and the emission timing of the strobe system. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the night view mode. 1 strobe system, 1a circuit section, 1b main capacitor, 1c light emitting section, 2 magnet, 2a magnet drive circuit, 3 pop-up switch, 4 lens barrier open / close switch, RL1, RL2 release switch, 5 switch input section, 6 photometry section, 7 distance measurement section, 8 light emission control section, 9 FM calculation section, 9a depth determination section, 10 ... Lens control unit, 11 ... Film feeding unit, 12 ... Shutter control unit, 13 ... General control unit, 14 ... Shooting mode switch (mode switch), 15 ... Shooting mode flag (Mode flag), 16… Shooting mode indicator (mode indicator), 21… Camera 22… Subject, 23… Night view, 25… CAS switch.

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. An autofocus camera having a built-in or attachable flash device for projecting auxiliary light based on a predetermined guide number to a subject and having a normal shooting mode for performing a normal shooting operation. Photometric means for measuring the luminance and outputting the corresponding photometric data; distance measuring means for measuring the distance to the subject and outputting the corresponding distance measuring data; Aperture value calculating means for calculating an aperture value corresponding to the aperture diameter of the aperture to which an appropriate exposure is given by flashmatic calculation based on the flash device, and the flash device when the aperture / shutter member is opened to the aperture diameter corresponding to the aperture value. Light emission control means for controlling light emission timing so as to emit light, and an infinity position on the optical axis corresponding to an infinity position and a close position of the subject. A lens driving unit that drives the focusing lens between the closest position and a shooting mode setting unit that selectively sets one of the night scene shooting mode and the normal shooting mode for performing an operation for shooting a night scene. When the flash device emits light under the night view shooting mode,
The focusing lens is driven to the infinity position irrespective of the distance measurement data to hold the position, and the flash device is caused to emit light at the light emission timing controlled by the light emission control means. Features an autofocus camera. 2. A self-focusing camera having a built-in or attachable flash device for projecting auxiliary light based on a predetermined guide number to a subject and having a normal shooting mode for performing a normal shooting operation. Photometric means for measuring the luminance and outputting the corresponding photometric data; distance measuring means for measuring the distance to the subject and outputting the corresponding distance measuring data; Aperture value calculating means for calculating an aperture value corresponding to the aperture diameter of the aperture to which an appropriate exposure is given by flashmatic calculation based on the flash device, and the flash device when the aperture / shutter member is opened to the aperture diameter corresponding to the aperture value. Light emission control means for controlling light emission timing so as to emit light, and an infinity position on the optical axis corresponding to an infinity position and a close position of the subject. Lens driving means for driving a focusing lens between the closest position, and the subject enters the depth of focus of the photographic optical system determined by the aperture value calculated by the flashmatic operation and the focal length of the photographic lens. A depth determining means for determining whether or not the night scene is photographed, and a photographing mode setting means for selectively setting one of a night scene photographing mode for performing an operation for photographing the night scene and the normal photographing mode. When the flash device emits light under the mode, if the subject is within the depth of focus, the focusing lens is driven to the infinity position regardless of the distance measurement data to maintain this position, When the object is not within the depth of focus, the position of the focusing lens is moved from the infinity position to the closest side to make correction, and is controlled by the light emission control means. It is the auto focus camera, characterized by being configured so as to emit the flash device by the light emission timing.