JP4853071B2 - Focus adjustment device and camera - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a focus adjustment device and a camera having the same.

Conventionally, a hybrid AF that uses two different focus adjustment methods together is known. Patent Document 1 below discloses a hybrid AF composed of so-called phase difference AF and contrast AF in which an AF area for contrast AF and an AF area for phase difference AF are associated one-to-one. Yes.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-39196

  Originally, the AF area in contrast AF can be arbitrarily set in the shooting screen, but the conventional hybrid AF has a problem that the AF area for contrast AF is limited.

A focus adjustment device according to a first aspect of the present invention has a plurality of first focus detection areas spaced apart from each other in a screen by an optical system, and detects a focus adjustment state of the optical system in the plurality of first focus detection areas. A plurality of first focus detection means for outputting a focus detection signal for each of the plurality of first focus detection areas, and a plurality of second focus detection areas having a size straddling a plurality of first focus detection areas adjacent to each other. And a second focus detection area setting means for setting the position of the optical system in the second focus detection area set by the second focus detection area setting means, and a system different from the first focus detection means. The focus adjustment of the optical system based on the focus adjustment state by at least one of the second focus detection means that detects and outputs a focus detection signal, and the first focus detection means and the second focus detection means When a plurality of the first focus detection areas are included in the second focus detection area set by the focus adjustment means to be performed and the second focus detection area setting means, a plurality of the first focus detection areas included in the second focus detection area Area selection means for selecting at least one first focus detection area from the first focus detection area, and the area selection means selects the second focus detection area when selecting the first focus detection area. The first focus detection area having the largest area of the overlapping portion between each of the plurality of first focus detection areas and the second focus detection area included in the focus detection area is selected, and the focus adjusting means is When the area selection means selects the first focus detection area, the focus detection signal of the first focus detection means and the second focus detection means relating to the selected first focus detection area Based on the focus detection signal, and performs focus adjustment of the optical system.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera having a plurality of first focus detection areas spaced apart from each other within a screen of the photographing optical system, and detecting a focus adjustment state of the photographing optical system in the plurality of first focus detection areas. A first focus detection means for outputting a focus detection signal for each of the plurality of first focus detection areas, and a second focus detection area having a size straddling the plurality of first focus detection areas adjacent to each other. The second focus detection area setting means for setting a plurality of positions, and the first focus detection means for the focus adjustment state of the photographing optical system in the second focus detection area set by the second focus detection area setting means. Based on at least one of second focus detection means for detecting in a different manner and outputting a focus detection signal; focus detection signal for the first focus detection means; and focus detection signal for the second focus detection means. Focus adjusting means for adjusting the focus of the imaging optical system, a first imaging mode suitable for imaging an object at infinity, and a second imaging mode suitable for imaging an object at a finite distance. When a plurality of the first focus detection areas are included in the second focus detection area set by the settable photographing mode setting means and the second focus detection area setting means, the second focus detection areas are included. Area selection means for selecting at least one first focus detection area from a plurality of first focus detection areas, wherein the area selection means, when selecting the one first focus detection area, When the shooting mode setting means sets the first shooting mode, that of the first focus detection means related to a plurality of first focus detection areas included in the second focus detection area. Among these focus detection signals, a first focus detection area corresponding to a focus detection signal for adjusting the focus on the object at the infinity side is selected, and the shooting mode setting means sets the second shooting mode. A focus for adjusting the focus on the subject closest to the finite distance among the focus detection signals of the first focus detection means in the plurality of first focus detection areas included in the second focus detection area. A first focus detection area corresponding to a detection signal is selected, and the focus adjustment means, when the area selection means selects the first focus detection area, the first focus detection area related to the selected first focus detection area. The focus of the photographing optical system is adjusted based on the focus detection signal of the focus detection means and the focus detection signal of the second focus detection means.
A focus adjustment apparatus according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is a first focus detection means for detecting a focus adjustment state of the optical system for a plurality of first focus detection areas set in a screen by the optical system, and the first focus. A second focus detection means for detecting a focus adjustment state of the optical system with respect to a second focus detection area set in the screen by a method different from the detection means; and the first focus detection means and the second focus detection means. When the focus adjustment unit that adjusts the focus of the optical system based on the focus adjustment state detected by at least one of the optical system and the second focus detection area includes a plurality of the first focus detection areas, the first focus detection area Area selection means for selecting a focus detection area to be the focus adjustment target, wherein the area selection means includes a plurality of the first focus included in the second focus detection area. A focus detection area having the largest area overlapping with the second focus detection area is selected from the output areas, and the focus adjustment unit selects the first focus detection area when the area selection unit selects the first focus detection area. Focus adjustment of the optical system is performed based on a focus adjustment state detected by the first focus detection unit and a focus adjustment state detected by the second focus detection unit with respect to the first focus detection area. And
A focus adjustment device according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is a first focus detection means for detecting a focus adjustment state of the optical system with respect to a plurality of first focus detection areas set in a screen by the optical system, and the first A second focus detection means for detecting a focus adjustment state of the optical system with respect to a second focus detection area set in the screen in a manner different from the focus detection means, and the first and second focus When the focus adjustment unit that performs focus adjustment of the optical system based on the focus adjustment state by the detection unit and the second focus detection area includes a plurality of the first focus detection areas, the second focus detection area d the area that overlaps with the second focus detection area among the plurality of the first focus detection area is to select a maximum focus detection area as a selected focus detecting area of interest of the focusing contained A A selection means, said focusing means, based on the focus detection signal of the focus detection signal and the second focus detection unit of the first focus detection unit related to the selected focus detecting area, focusing of the optical system It is characterized by performing .
According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a focus adjusting apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, the first focus detecting means for detecting the focus adjustment state of the optical system with respect to a plurality of first focus detection areas set in the screen by the optical system, A second focus detection means for detecting a focus adjustment state of the optical system with respect to a second focus detection area set in the screen in a manner different from the focus detection means, and the first and second focus When the focus adjustment unit that performs focus adjustment of the optical system based on the focus adjustment state by the detection unit and the second focus detection area includes a plurality of the first focus detection areas, the second focus detection area An area selecting means for selecting the first focus detection area to be the focus adjustment based on the center coordinates of the first focus detection area and the center coordinates of the second focus detection area included in Wherein the focus adjustment means, based on the focus detection signal of the focus detection signal and the second focus detection unit of the first focus detection unit related to the first focus detection area selected by said area selection means The focus adjustment of the optical system is performed .

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a focus adjustment apparatus that uses two different focus detection methods in which the setting of the second ranging area is not limited.

―First embodiment―
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a camera with a focus adjusting device will be described with reference to the drawings. The camera according to this embodiment performs focus detection / adjustment by selecting one of phase difference AF, contrast AF, and hybrid AF using both AFs.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a main configuration of a camera according to the present invention. A lens barrel 110 having a photographic lens 120 is attached to the camera body 10 in a replaceable manner. In the lens barrel 110, a photographic lens 120 including lens groups 120a to 120c, an AF drive motor 130, and a diaphragm 140 are provided. A focus adjustment lens 120b is driven by the AF drive motor 130.

  Inside the camera body 10, an image sensor 20 for imaging a subject is provided. As the image sensor 20, a CCD, a CMOS, or the like is used. A quick return mirror 70 is disposed between the photographing lens 120 and the image sensor 20 to reflect the subject light that has passed through the photographing lens 120 to the viewfinder optical system. Part of the subject light is transmitted through the semi-transmissive region of the quick return mirror 70, reflected downward by the sub-mirror 80, further reflected by the mirror 81, and then incident on the phase difference focus detection element 100.

  The phase difference focus detection element 100 includes, for example, a pupil division type focus detection optical system that divides a focus detection light beam into a pair of focus detection light beams that pass through different regions of the exit pupil of the photographing lens 120, and a pair of divided pairs. And a pair of CCD line sensors that output a light reception signal corresponding thereto. The light reception signal output from the CCD line sensor is input to the control circuit 300. As will be described later, the control circuit 300 obtains the focus adjustment state based on the light reception signal and drives the focus adjustment lens 120b to the in-focus position. A lens drive signal is output.

  On the other hand, the subject light reflected by the quick return mirror 70 forms an image on a finder screen 90 provided at a position optically equivalent to the image sensor 20. The subject image formed on the finder screen 90 can be observed through the pentaprism 30 and the eyepiece 50, and is formed on the light receiving surface of the photometric element 40 from the pentaprism 30. At the time of shooting, the quick return mirror 70 moves from the optical path of the subject light to the outside of the optical path, and a subject image is formed on the image sensor 20.

  The control circuit 300 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, and various peripheral circuits. As shown in FIG. 1, the control circuit 300 functionally includes a CCD control unit 220 that controls the phase-difference focus detection element 100 and an image plane shift amount (with respect to the planned focal plane of the photographing lens 120) Hereinafter, the defocus amount calculation unit 240 that calculates the defocus amount), the contrast calculation unit 230 that calculates the focus evaluation value based on the imaging signal output from the image sensor 20, and the focus based on the defocus amount. A lens drive amount calculation unit 250 that calculates the drive amount of the adjustment lens 120b, a lens drive control unit 260 that drives the focus adjustment lens 120b based on the calculation result of the lens drive amount calculation unit 250, and a contrast as described later. And an area determining unit 280 that selects any one of the phase difference AF areas existing in the AF area based on a predetermined condition.

  The defocus amount calculation unit 240 performs a well-known defocus amount calculation described below based on the accumulated signal output from the CCD control unit 220. That is, each of the subject images by the pair of defocus amount detection light beams that pass through different areas of the exit pupil of the photographing lens 120 is formed on each of the pair of CCD line sensors. The pair of subject images on the CCD line sensor approach each other in a so-called front pin state in which the photographing lens 120 forms a sharp image of the subject before the planned focal plane, and conversely forms a sharp image of the subject behind the planned focal plane. In the so-called rear pin state, they move away from each other. In a focused state that connects a sharp image of the subject on the planned focal plane, the pair of subject images relatively match. Therefore, the correlation output of the signals output from the pair of CCD line sensors is calculated to calculate the relative positional deviation amount (relative interval) between the two images, thereby obtaining the focus adjustment state of the taking lens 120, that is, the defocus amount. It is done.

  The contrast calculation unit 230 selects an image pickup signal for the contrast AF area among the image pickup signals output from the image pickup device 20, extracts a high-frequency component from the image pickup signal, and performs a known focus evaluation value calculation. In a focused state in which the photographing lens 120 forms a sharp image on the image sensor 20, blurring of the edge of the subject image is minimized and the contrast is maximized, so that the focus evaluation value is also maximized.

  The lens drive amount calculation unit 250 calculates the lens drive amount based on the defocus amount calculated by the defocus amount calculation unit 240. Based on the lens driving amount calculated by the lens driving amount calculation unit 250, the lens driving control unit 260 drives and controls the AF driving motor 130. The AF drive motor 130 moves the focus adjustment lens 120b in the optical axis direction in accordance with a signal from the lens drive control unit 260, thereby adjusting the focus adjustment state.

  The lens drive control unit 260 drives the focus adjustment lens 120b to a position where the focus evaluation value calculated by the contrast calculation unit 230 is maximized while driving the lens by controlling the AF drive motor 130 (so-called hill climbing method). ). In the hill-climbing method, the lens driving amount calculation unit 250 determines a lens driving step and outputs it to the lens driving control unit 260. As a focus adjustment method based on the focus evaluation value, a method is used in which the focus adjustment lens 120b is scanned in advance from the nearest distance to infinity to calculate the relationship of the focus evaluation value to the lens position, and focus adjustment is performed based on this relationship. It may be used.

  The camera includes a phase difference AF mode switch 200. By operating this, an AF selection signal is transmitted to the control circuit 300, and the AF mode can be set to “phase difference AF”. The phase difference AF mode switch 200 is not limited to a mechanical switch, and may be set on a menu screen. The camera is also provided with a start switch 210 that responds to a half-press operation of the release button, a contrast AF area selection operation unit 270, and a scene selector 290. When the start switch 210 is turned on, a signal is transmitted to the control circuit 300, and photometry, focus detection, and the like are started. Further, by operating the contrast AF area selection operation unit 270, the contrast AF area can be set in correspondence with an arbitrary position in the shooting screen.

  By operating the scene selector 290, it is possible to select shooting condition settings (shooting modes) corresponding to various shooting scenes such as auto mode, portrait mode, landscape, and close-up. When a shooting mode corresponding to the state of the subject is selected, a scene selection signal is output from the scene selector 290 to the control circuit 300.

Next, FIG. 2 shows an arrangement example of AF areas.
In FIG. 2, a plurality of phase difference AF areas 1 a to 1 z (hereinafter collectively referred to as “1”) are provided. The quadrangular regions 2a to 2z (hereinafter collectively referred to simply as reference numeral 2) indicated by broken lines overlapping with the areas 1a to 1z are on the primary image plane of a pair of line sensors for phase difference AF. Represents the image of Usually, when phase difference AF is used, focus adjustment is performed on at least one of these AF areas. For example, based on the defocus amounts of all the AF areas, the focus adjustment is performed by adopting the defocus amount of the AF area that captures the closest object. In this case, various methods can be adopted such as using a defocus amount of each AF area while giving a large weight to the defocus amount on the closest side. A frame 3 indicated by a bold line is an AF area when using contrast AF. As described above, the contrast AF area selection unit 270 allows the photographer to manually set the contrast AF area 3 at an arbitrary position.

  The positions of the respective phase difference AF areas 1a to 1z are coordinated in a two-dimensional coordinate system with any point on the screen as the origin, and the coordinates of the phase difference AF areas 1a to 1z are in the form of a table or the like. Are stored in a predetermined area of the area determination unit 280. The points to be coordinated may be the points at the four corners of the respective phase difference AF areas 1a to 1z, or the center points and the lengths of the respective sides. In addition, the area determination unit 280 determines, for example, the position of the center point or the four corner points of the region of the contrast AF area 3 on the screen based on the signal value of the setting instruction by the operation of the contrast AF area selection operation unit 270. Coordinate in the dimensional coordinate system.

  The area determination unit 280 compares the coordinates of the contrast AF area 3 obtained as described above with the coordinates of the phase difference AF area 1 stored as data. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, in the two-dimensional coordinate system on the screen, if the plurality of phase difference AF areas 1a, 1b, 1e, and 1f and the contrast AF area 3 overlap, they overlap. The area of the area is calculated for each phase difference AF area 1a, 1b, 1e and 1f. Based on the calculation result, in the case of FIG. 2, the phase difference AF area 1f having the largest overlapping area is determined as the phase difference AF focus detection region, and is output to the defocus amount calculation unit 240 as selection area information. The phase difference AF focus detection area may be determined according to the distance between the center coordinates of the phase difference AF area 1 and the center coordinates of the contrast AF area 3.

Next, the operation of the camera configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. This flowchart shows a procedure performed by executing a focus detection / adjustment control program in the control circuit 300 of FIG.
In step S101 of FIG. 3, it is determined based on the signal from the AF mode switch 200 whether or not the phase difference AF mode has been selected by the photographer's switching operation. If the phase difference AF selection signal is not received and it is determined that the phase difference AF mode is not selected, it is determined that the contrast AF mode is selected, and the process proceeds to step S102. If the phase difference AF mode is selected, the process proceeds to step S107. In step S107, focus detection is performed by a known method using phase difference AF, and focus adjustment is performed based on the detection result.

  In step S102, based on the signal from the contrast AF area selection operation unit 270, it is determined whether or not the position of the contrast AF area 3 for performing focus adjustment by contrast AF has been set. If it is determined that the position of the contrast AF area 3 has been set, the process proceeds to step S103. If it is determined that the position of the contrast AF area 3 is not set, the process waits until the photographer sets the position of the contrast AF area 3.

  In step S103, it is determined whether or not the contrast AF area 3 selected in step S102 overlaps the phase difference AF area 1 as shown in FIG. If it is determined that the contrast AF area 3 overlaps the phase difference AF area 1, the process proceeds to step S104. If it is determined that the contrast AF area 3 does not overlap the phase difference AF area 1, the process proceeds to step S109, and focus adjustment is performed by a known method using contrast AF.

  In step S104, it is determined whether there are a plurality of phase difference AF areas 1 overlapping the contrast AF area 3 selected in step S102. If it is determined that there are a plurality of phase difference AF areas 1 that overlap with the contrast AF area 3, the process proceeds to step S105. If it is determined that there is one phase difference AF area 1 that overlaps with the contrast AF area 3, step S105 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S106.

  In step S105, as described above, for each phase difference AF area overlapping with the contrast AF area 3, the area of the overlapping portion is calculated. Based on the calculation result, the phase difference AF area having the maximum area value (for example, the phase difference AF area 1f in FIG. 2) is selected, and the process proceeds to step S106.

  In step S106, it is determined whether or not the defocus amount has been calculated by the selected phase difference AF area, for example, the phase difference AF sensor 2f corresponding to the phase difference AF area 1f in FIG. If it is determined that the defocus amount has not been calculated, the process proceeds to step S109, and focus adjustment is performed by a known method using contrast AF as described above. If it is determined that the defocus amount has been calculated, the process proceeds to step S108.

  In step S108, focus adjustment is performed by hybrid AF using a combination of phase difference AF and contrast AF. For example, only the lens driving direction is determined by phase difference AF, and contrast AF is performed. Alternatively, after calculating the defocus amount by the phase difference AF, the focus adjustment lens 120b is driven to the vicinity of the in-focus position, and then the focus adjustment lens 120b is positioned by the contrast formula so that the focus evaluation value is maximized.

As described above, according to the camera of the first embodiment, the following operational effects can be obtained.
(1) In hybrid AF that uses two methods of phase difference AF and contrast AF, when a plurality of phase difference AF areas 1 are included in the contrast AF area 3 set by the manual operation of the photographer, the overlapping area Based on this, the phase difference AF area 1 to be subjected to focus adjustment is selected, and focus detection / adjustment by hybrid AF is performed. Accordingly, the phase difference AF area 1 corresponding to the contrast AF area 3 can be set in the hybrid AF among the plurality of phase difference AF areas 1. As a result, even when the phase difference AF area 1 is set at discrete positions within the shooting screen, the contrast AF area 3 that can be used for hybrid AF can be set at any position within the shooting screen. .

(2) When a plurality of phase difference AF areas 1 are included in the contrast AF area 3, the phase difference AF area 1 having the largest area overlapping with the contrast AF area 3 is selected, and focus detection / adjustment by hybrid AF is performed. I did it. Therefore, it is possible to perform focus detection / adjustment by hybrid AF using the phase difference AF area 1 that is closest to the position of the contrast AF area 3 set by the photographer, that is, close to the position of the main subject aimed by the photographer. .

-Second embodiment-
When the contrast AF area 3 and the plurality of phase difference AF areas 1 overlap, the camera with the focus adjustment device of the second embodiment selects the phase difference AF area 1 based on the shooting scene selected by the scene selector 290. To do. The operation of this camera will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. In the flowchart of FIG. 4, processes having the same contents as the processes in the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 are assigned the same process numbers, and differences will mainly be described. Further, the components are the same as those of the camera with a focus adjusting device according to the first embodiment.

  If step S104 of FIG. 4 is affirmed, that is, if it is determined that there are a plurality of phase difference AF areas that overlap with the contrast AF area 3, the process proceeds to S201. If it is determined that there is one phase difference AF area 1 that overlaps with the contrast AF area 3, step S104 is denied and the process proceeds to step S106.

  In step S201, the photographic scene is confirmed and the phase difference AF area 1 is selected based on the photographic scene, and the process proceeds to step S106.

Hereinafter, the process of confirming the shooting scene and selecting the phase difference AF area 1 based on the shooting scene will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
In step S301, based on the signals from the phase difference AF sensors 2 corresponding to all the phase difference AF areas 1 that overlap with the contrast AF area 3, the defocus amount calculation unit 240 demultiplexes each phase difference AF area. The focus amount is calculated and the process proceeds to step S302.

  In step S302, it is determined whether or not the shooting scene selected by the scene selector 290 is a shooting mode in which a distant subject such as a landscape mode is set as a main subject, for example, a shooting mode giving priority to infinity. judge. If it is determined that the shooting mode prioritizes infinity, step S302 is affirmed and the process proceeds to step S304, and the defocus amount calculated in the phase difference AF area 1 overlapping with the contrast AF area 3 is determined. Selects the most infinite phase difference AF area 1.

  If it is determined in step S302 that the shooting mode does not prioritize infinity, step S302 is denied and the process proceeds to step S303. In step S303, it is determined whether or not the shooting scene selected by the scene selector 290 is a shooting mode such as a close-up mode in which a close subject is set as a main subject or a shooting mode in which close proximity is prioritized. To do. If it is determined that the shooting mode is to set the closest subject as the main subject or the shooting mode to prioritize the close-up, the process proceeds to step S305, and the phase difference AF area 1 overlapping the contrast AF area 3 is selected. The phase difference AF area 1 where the calculated defocus amount is closest is selected.

  If it is determined in step S303 that the shooting mode in which the closest subject is set as the main subject or the shooting mode in which the closeness is prioritized is not set, the process proceeds to step S306 and overlaps with the contrast AF area 3 as described above. The phase difference AF area 1 having the largest area is selected.

According to the camera according to the second embodiment described above, the following functions and effects can be obtained in addition to the functions and effects similar to those of the camera according to the first embodiment.
When the range of the contrast AF area 3 includes a plurality of phase difference AF areas 1, the phase difference AF area 1 is selected based on the shooting mode set by the scene selector 290. That is, when a mode for photographing a relatively far subject such as a landscape is selected, the phase difference AF area 1 in which the farthest subject is present is selected, and a relative mode such as a close-up mode is selected. When the mode for photographing the closest subject is selected, the phase difference AF area 1 in which the closest subject exists is selected. Therefore, even when the contrast AF area 3 and the plurality of phase difference AF areas 1 overlap, focus detection / adjustment by hybrid AF using the phase difference AF area 1 optimum for the photographing scene desired by the photographer. It can be performed.

The camera of the above embodiment can be modified as follows.
(1) When there are a plurality of phase difference AF areas 1 having a maximum area in a region overlapping with the contrast AF area 3, all of them may be selected. In this case, if the lens drive direction (defocus direction) is the same by the defocus amount calculated based on the plurality of phase difference AF areas 1, the focus adjustment lens 120b is driven in that direction, and then the contrast AF is performed. Focus adjustment may be performed.

(2) When there are a plurality of phase difference AF areas 1 having a maximum area in a region overlapping with the contrast AF area 3, any of the phase difference AF areas 1 depends on the focus adjustment state by the phase difference AF. You may make it not select. That is, if the lens driving direction (defocus direction) is different, no phase difference AF area 1 is selected, and focus adjustment by phase difference AF is not performed, and only focus adjustment by contrast AF is performed.

(3) When the contrast AF area 3 and the plurality of phase difference AF areas 1 overlap, for example, the main subject is detected by analyzing the scene at the time of shooting, and the phase difference AF area 1 in which the main subject exists is selected. May be.

(4) The arrangement position and quantity of the phase difference AF area 1 are not limited to the arrangement position and quantity shown in FIG.
(5) Although the hybrid AF based on the combination of the phase difference AF and the contrast AF has been described, the present invention is not limited to this combination, and the present invention can be applied to various hybrid AFs that combine two different AF methods. Further, the embodiments of the phase difference AF and the contrast AF are not limited to those described above.

(6) In the present embodiment, the lens barrel has been described as a replaceable camera. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a lens-integrated camera may be used.

  In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as long as the characteristics of the present invention are not impaired, and other forms conceivable within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention are also within the scope of the present invention. included. That is, according to the present invention, when a plurality of phase difference AF areas 1 (first distance measurement areas) are included in the contrast AF area 3 (second distance measurement area), the phase difference AF area is based on the above-described conditions. Any form may be adopted as long as it is characterized by selecting any one of them.

It is a block diagram of the camera which incorporated the focus adjustment apparatus of this invention. It is a figure explaining arrangement | positioning of a ranging area. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of 1st embodiment by this invention. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of 2nd embodiment by this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the photography scene confirmation operation | movement in 2nd embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Phase difference AF area 3 Contrast AF area 10 Camera body 20 Image sensor
100 phase difference type focus detection element 220 CCD control unit 230 defocus amount calculation unit 240 contrast calculation unit
270 Contrast AF area selection operation unit 280 Area determination unit 290 Scene selector 300 Control circuit

Claims (13)

A plurality of first focus detection areas spaced apart from each other in a screen by the optical system, detecting a focus adjustment state of the optical system in the plurality of first focus detection areas, and for each of the plurality of first focus detection areas; First focus detection means for outputting a focus detection signal;
Second focus detection area setting means for setting a second focus detection area having a size across a plurality of first focus detection areas adjacent to each other at a plurality of positions in the screen;
Second focus detection that detects a focus adjustment state of the optical system in the second focus detection area set by the second focus detection area setting means by a method different from that of the first focus detection means, and outputs a focus detection signal. Means,
Focus adjusting means for performing focus adjustment of the optical system based on a focus adjustment state by at least one of the first focus detection means and the second focus detection means;
When a plurality of the first focus detection areas are included in the second focus detection area set by the second focus detection area setting means, a plurality of first focus detection areas included in the second focus detection area are included. And an area selection means for selecting at least one first focus detection area from the inside,
The area selecting means selects each of the plurality of first focus detection areas and the second focus detection areas included in the second focus detection area when selecting the one first focus detection area. Select the first focus detection area where the area of the overlapping part is the largest,
When the area selection unit selects the first focus detection area, the focus adjustment unit includes a focus detection signal of the first focus detection unit and the second focus detection unit regarding the selected first focus detection area. And a focus adjustment device for adjusting the focus of the optical system based on the focus detection signal. The focus adjustment apparatus according to claim 1,
The first focus detection means includes a pair of phase difference detection sensors that receive a pair of light beams that have passed through different regions of the exit pupil of the optical system,
The focus adjustment apparatus, wherein the second focus detection unit includes an image sensor that detects a contrast of an optical image by the optical system. The focusing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The plurality of first focus detection areas are substantially equal in size to each other,
When the first focus detection area does not exist in the second focus detection area, the focus adjustment unit adjusts the focus of the optical system based on a focus detection signal of the second focus detection unit. Focus adjustment device. In the focus adjustment apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
In the case where a plurality of the first focus detection areas are included in the second focus detection area, and there are a plurality of first focus detection areas having the largest area of the overlapping portion, the area selecting means Select a plurality of first focus detection areas with the largest area,
The focus adjusting unit is configured to generate the optical signal based on the focus detection signal of the first focus detection unit and the focus detection signal of the second focus detection unit with respect to the plurality of first focus detection areas selected by the area selection unit. A focus adjustment device for adjusting the focus of a system. The focus adjustment apparatus according to claim 4.
When the focus detection signals of the first focus detection means regarding the plurality of first focus detection areas selected by the area selection means indicate different directions with respect to the moving direction of the optical system, the focus adjustment is performed. The means adjusts the focus of the optical system based on the focus detection signal of the second focus detection means without being based on the respective focus detection signals of the first focus detection means.   A camera comprising the focus adjustment device according to claim 1. A plurality of first focus detection areas separated from each other in a screen by the photographing optical system, and a plurality of first focus detections are detected by detecting a focus adjustment state of the photographing optical system in the plurality of first focus detection areas. First focus detection means for outputting a focus detection signal for each area;
Second focus detection area setting means for setting a second focus detection area having a size across a plurality of first focus detection areas adjacent to each other at a plurality of positions in the screen;
A second focus detection signal is output by detecting the focus adjustment state of the photographing optical system in the second focus detection area set by the second focus detection area setting means by a method different from that of the first focus detection means. A focus detection means;
A focus adjustment unit that performs focus adjustment of the imaging optical system based on at least one of a focus detection signal of the first focus detection unit and a focus detection signal of the second focus detection unit;
A shooting mode setting means capable of setting a first shooting mode suitable for shooting a subject at infinity and a second shooting mode suitable for shooting a subject at a finite distance;
When a plurality of the first focus detection areas are included in the second focus detection area set by the second focus detection area setting means, a plurality of first focus detection areas included in the second focus detection area are included. And an area selection means for selecting at least one first focus detection area from the inside,
The area selection means is included in the second focus detection area when the shooting mode setting means sets the first shooting mode when selecting the one first focus detection area. Selecting the first focus detection area corresponding to the focus detection signal for adjusting the focus on the object at the infinity side, from among the focus detection signals of the first focus detection means for the plurality of first focus detection areas, When the shooting mode setting means sets the second shooting mode, each focus detection of the first focus detection means in a plurality of first focus detection areas included in the second focus detection area. A first focus detection area corresponding to a focus detection signal for adjusting a focus on a subject closest to the finite distance is selected from the signals;
When the area selection unit selects the first focus detection area, the focus adjustment unit includes a focus detection signal of the first focus detection unit and the second focus detection unit regarding the selected first focus detection area. And a focus adjustment signal of the photographing optical system. The camera according to claim 7, wherein
The first focus detection means includes a pair of phase difference detection sensors that receive a pair of light beams that have passed through different regions of the exit pupil of the optical system,
The camera according to claim 2, wherein the second focus detection unit includes an image sensor that detects a contrast of an optical image by the optical system. The camera according to claim 7 or 8,
The plurality of first focus detection areas are substantially equal in size to each other,
When the first focus detection area does not exist within the second focus detection area set by the second focus detection area setting means, the focus adjustment means uses the focus detection signal of the second focus detection means. A camera characterized in that the focus of the optical system is adjusted based on the camera. The camera according to claim 7, wherein
When the shooting mode setting means sets neither the first shooting mode nor the second shooting mode, the area selecting means includes a plurality of first focal points included in the second focus detection area. A camera, wherein a first focus detection area having a largest area of an overlapping portion between each of the plurality of first focus detection areas and the second focus detection area is selected from the detection areas. First focus detection means for detecting a focus adjustment state of the optical system for a plurality of first focus detection areas set in a screen by the optical system;
Second focus detection means for detecting a focus adjustment state of the optical system with respect to a second focus detection area set in the screen in a manner different from the first focus detection means;
Focus adjusting means for performing focus adjustment of the optical system based on a focus adjustment state detected by at least one of the first and second focus detection means;
An area selection means for selecting a focus detection area to be the focus adjustment target from the first focus detection area when the second focus detection area includes a plurality of the first focus detection areas;
The area selecting means selects a focus detection area having a maximum area overlapping with the second focus detection area from among the plurality of first focus detection areas included in the second focus detection area;
The focus adjustment means, when the area selection means selects the first focus detection area, the focus adjustment state detected by the first focus detection means with respect to the selected first focus detection area and the second focus detection area. based on the focusing condition detected by the focus detection means, focusing equipment which is characterized in that the focusing of the optical system. First focus detection means for detecting a focus adjustment state of the optical system for a plurality of first focus detection areas set in a screen by the optical system;
A second focus detection means for detecting a focus adjustment state of the optical system with respect to a second focus detection area set in the screen in a manner different from the first focus detection means;
Focus adjusting means for adjusting the focus of the optical system based on the focus adjustment state by the first and second focus detection means;
When a plurality of the first focus detection areas are included in the second focus detection area, the second focus detection area among the plurality of first focus detection areas included in the second focus detection area. And an area selection means for selecting a focus detection area having the largest overlapping area as a selected focus detection area to be the focus adjustment target ,
The focus adjustment unit adjusts the focus of the optical system based on a focus detection signal of the first focus detection unit and a focus detection signal of the second focus detection unit relating to the selected focus detection area. Focus adjustment device. First focus detection means for detecting a focus adjustment state of the optical system for a plurality of first focus detection areas set in a screen by the optical system;
A second focus detection means for detecting a focus adjustment state of the optical system with respect to a second focus detection area set in the screen in a manner different from the first focus detection means;
Focus adjusting means for adjusting the focus of the optical system based on the focus adjustment state by the first and second focus detection means;
When a plurality of the first focus detection areas are included in the second focus detection area, the center coordinates of the first focus detection area and the second focus detection area included in the second focus detection area based on the center coordinates and a area selection means for selecting the first focus detection area of interest of the focus adjustment,
The focus adjusting means is based on the focus detection signal of the first focus detection means and the focus detection signal of the second focus detection means related to the first focus detection area selected by the area selection means, A focus adjustment device that performs focus adjustment of an optical system .

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