JP5453890B2 - camera - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a camera.

  Conventionally, in flash photography with a camera, in order to reduce the image of the subject's pupil in the red eye state, a small amount of light is emitted multiple times before the main flash, and the pupil of the person is closed small before So-called red-eye reduction light emission is performed (for example, see Patent Document 1). On the other hand, in flash photography using TTL automatic light control, a relatively small amount of light (hereinafter referred to as monitor light emission) is emitted before the main light emission, and the amount of light emitted by the main light emission is measured by measuring the reflected light from the subject due to the monitor light emission. Is determined (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP-A-6-289280 JP-A-9-43671

  However, if the red-eye reduction light emission and the monitor light emission are continuously performed as described above, the battery consumption of the lighting device increases. In addition, due to each light emission before the main light emission, the charging voltage of the main capacitor is lowered, and it may not be possible to return to the maximum charging voltage before the main light emission.

An object of the present invention is to provide a camera capable of suppressing the power consumption of the lighting device when continuously performed red-eye reduction and the monitor light emission to a minimum.

The present invention solves the above problems by the following means .
The invention described in claim 1 is a camera capable of transmitting and receiving various signals to and from a mounted illumination device, and the subject prior to the main light emission of the illumination device performed in synchronization with the photographing of the camera The illumination device emits red-eye reduction auxiliary light for reducing the image of the person's pupil being photographed in a red-eye state, and at least part of the light emission is the main light emission amount during the main light emission. The main light emission amount is calculated based on the auxiliary light control means that emits light as monitor auxiliary light for measuring the subject reflectance and the reflected light from the subject irradiated with the monitor auxiliary light. Main light emission amount calculating means, and main light emission control means for causing the illumination device to emit light based on the main light emission amount calculated by the main light emission amount calculation means, and the auxiliary light control means comprises: The lighting Prior to the main light emission of the device, the auxiliary light for pre-monitoring, which is controlled so as to have the same amount of light as the auxiliary light for red-eye reduction, is emitted instead of the auxiliary light for red-eye reduction, and the auxiliary light for the pre-monitoring The amount of the auxiliary light for monitoring is determined based on the above .
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the camera according to the first aspect, the auxiliary light control unit emits flash light repeatedly and repeatedly to the illumination device as the auxiliary light for reducing red eyes. A red-eye reduction light emission command signal is transmitted to the lighting device.
The invention according to claim 3 is the camera according to claim 2, wherein the auxiliary light control means transmits the red-eye reduction light emission command signal to the lighting device prior to the main light emission of the lighting device. The light emission period notification signal for notifying the light emission period of the auxiliary light for monitoring is received from the lighting device, and the light emission amount calculating means receives the light emission period notification signal from the lighting device and then receives the light emission period notification signal from the lighting device. The main light emission amount is calculated based on the reflected light from the subject irradiated with the emitted monitor auxiliary light.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the camera according to the second or third aspect, the auxiliary light control unit is the auxiliary light that is emitted last among the auxiliary light for reducing red-eye that is emitted from the illumination device. Is emitted as auxiliary light for monitoring.
The invention according to claim 5 is the camera according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary light control means flashes the illumination device as auxiliary light for the monitor for measuring the subject reflectance. A monitor light emission command signal for emitting light is continuously transmitted to the lighting device a plurality of times.
A sixth aspect of the present invention is the camera according to the fifth aspect, wherein the auxiliary light control means transmits a monitor light emission command signal transmitted last among the monitor light emission command signals transmitted continuously a plurality of times. Is recognized as a monitor light emission command signal transmitted to the lighting device in order to calculate the main light emission amount.
A seventh aspect of the present invention is the camera according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the main light emission amount calculating means is disposed on the camera side .

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a camera capable of suppressing the power consumption of the lighting device when continuously performed and red-eye reduction and the monitor light emission to a minimum.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the camera system concerning Embodiment 1 (2). 6 is a time chart for explaining an operation of flash photography in the first embodiment. 12 is a time chart for explaining the operation of flash photography in the second embodiment.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, embodiments will be described camera according to the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a camera system 1 according to the first embodiment. The camera system 1 of this embodiment includes a camera 10 and a lighting device 20 that can be attached to and detached from the camera 10.

  As shown in the figure, the camera 10 includes an imaging unit 11 on which subject light is incident, an image data processing unit 12 that performs various processes on an image signal output from the imaging unit 11, and a recording unit that records the processed image signal. 13 is configured as a digital camera. In addition, the camera 1 includes an MCU 14 that controls each unit in the camera, an operation unit 15 that is operated by the photographer, a memory 16, and a communication unit 17 that transmits and receives various signals between the lighting device 20. .

  The imaging unit 11 captures reflected light from a subject on an imaging surface and converts it into an image signal, and includes an imaging element such as a CCD or a CMOS. The reflected light from the subject is incident on the imaging unit 11 via a photographing lens (not shown) that is detachably attached to the camera 10. That is, the camera 10 of the present embodiment is configured as a lens interchangeable single-lens reflex camera.

  The image data processing unit 12 amplifies the image signal output from the imaging unit 11 and performs various image processing such as white balance adjustment, gamma correction, contour enhancement, and level adjustment. The image data processing unit 12 in this embodiment has a function as white balance adjusting means for adjusting white balance for an image signal.

  The recording unit 13 records the image signal subjected to various processes by the image data processing unit 12 on a recording medium such as a CF card or an SD card (not shown).

  The operation unit 15 is an input means for the photographer to perform various operations, and is configured by an operation member including a release button (not shown).

  The memory 16 is a nonvolatile memory that stores input information such as user settings, a program for controlling the MCU 14, initial values and setting values necessary for executing the program, and data for white balance adjustment described later. It is memory. Although not shown in the figure, a volatile memory that temporarily stores data, image signals, and the like necessary when the MCU 14 executes arithmetic processing is provided.

  The MCU 14 controls the entire camera 10, and is connected to the imaging unit 11, the image data processing unit 12, the recording unit 13, the operation unit 15, the memory 16, and the communication unit 17. In the MCU 14, when an execution signal for an autofocus (AF) operation is instructed by operating the release button, AF control for automatically focusing on a main subject and AE (automatic exposure) for automatically adjusting the exposure are performed. ) Control. When the start of shooting is instructed by operating the release button, an aperture unit (not shown) on the photographic lens side, a shutter unit (not shown) on the camera 1 side, and the like are driven at a predetermined timing, and the imaging unit 11 is driven. Is controlled to image the subject light.

  In addition, prior to the main light emission of the lighting device 20 performed in synchronization with the photographing of the camera 10, the MCU 14 provides auxiliary light for red-eye reduction for reducing the photographing of the human eye as a subject in a red-eye state. Auxiliary light control is performed to emit light from the illuminating device 20 and to emit at least part of the emitted light as auxiliary light for monitoring for measuring the subject reflectance used when calculating the main light emission amount at the time of main light emission. Yes.

  The MCU 14 transmits, as the red-eye reduction auxiliary light, a red-eye reduction light emission command signal for causing the illumination device 20 to emit auxiliary light continuously and repeatedly three times. And after transmitting this red-eye reduction light emission command signal to the illuminating device 20, the light emission period notification signal which informs the light emission period of the monitor auxiliary light is received from the illuminating device 20. In the MCU 14 of the present embodiment, among the auxiliary light for red-eye reduction emitted from the illumination device 20, the auxiliary light that is finally emitted is emitted as auxiliary light for monitoring. For this reason, the lighting device 20 transmits a light emission period notification signal at the timing of emitting the red-eye reduction auxiliary light that is finally emitted. Note that the number of times the auxiliary device emits the auxiliary light continuously and repeatedly is not limited to three times, but may be emitted at other times.

Further, the MCU 14 performs main light emission amount calculation control for calculating the main light emission amount based on the reflected light from the subject irradiated with the monitor auxiliary light emitted after receiving the light emission period notification signal from the lighting device 20; Based on the main light emission amount obtained by this calculation, main light emission control for causing the lighting device 20 to perform main light emission is performed.

  The lighting device 20 includes a light emitting unit 21 including a protector, a xenon tube, a reflector, and the like (not shown) inside, and an MCU 22 that controls each unit in the lighting device 20. Although not shown, the light emitting unit 21 is connected to a capacitor, a charge control circuit, and a flash circuit.

  The MCU 22 receives a red-eye reduction command signal from the camera 10 prior to the main light emission performed in synchronization with the photographing of the camera 10, emits red-eye reduction auxiliary light from the light emitting unit 21, and at least one of them. The light emission control is performed so that the light emitted from the unit is emitted as auxiliary light for monitoring. In the present embodiment, among the auxiliary light for red-eye reduction emitted from the light emitting unit 21, the auxiliary light that is finally emitted is emitted as auxiliary light for monitoring. The MCU 22 transmits a light emission period communication signal to the camera 10 in accordance with the light emission timing of the auxiliary light for red-eye reduction that is finally emitted. Further, when receiving an X signal described later from the camera 10, the MCU 22 controls the light emitting unit 21 to perform main light emission for flash photography.

  In addition, the lighting device 20 includes a memory 23. The memory 23 is a non-volatile memory that stores information related to the emission timing of auxiliary light for red-eye reduction and auxiliary light for monitoring. The lighting device 20 includes a communication unit 24 that transmits a light emission period communication signal and the like to the camera 10.

  Next, the operation in the case of flash photography in the camera system 1 configured as described above will be described. Here, it is assumed that the flash photographing mode in which red-eye reduction light emission and monitor light emission are continuously performed is selected.

  FIG. 2 is a time chart for explaining the operation of flash photography in the first embodiment. In FIG. 2, the light emission waveform of the light emission part 21 and the various signals transmitted / received between the camera 10 and the illuminating device 20 are shown in time series. In addition, the aperture timing of the aperture unit in the photographic lens (not shown) and the timing of the front curtain and the rear curtain of the shutter unit (not shown) on the camera 10 side are also shown.

  When the MCU 14 of the camera 1 is instructed to start shooting by operating the release button of the operation unit 15, the MCU 14 transmits a red-eye reduction light emission command signal from the communication unit 17 to the illumination device 20. The red-eye reduction light emission command signal in the present embodiment is a command signal for causing the lighting device 20 to repeatedly emit red-eye reduction auxiliary light three times. The MCU 22 of the lighting device 20 that has received the red-eye reduction light emission command signal controls the light-emitting unit 21 to emit red-eye reduction auxiliary light three times in succession. Note that the emission period of the auxiliary light for reducing red-eye is, for example, about 300 msec. In addition, between the red-eye reduction light emission and the monitor light emission, the aperture of the photographing lens is in an open state, and so-called open photometry is performed.

  On the other hand, the MCU 22 of the lighting device 20 transmits a light emission period notification signal from the communication unit 24 to the camera 10 at the timing of performing the third red-eye reduction light emission. This light emission period notification signal notifies the light emission period of the auxiliary light for monitoring. The MCU 14 of the camera 10 that has received the light emission period notification signal from the illumination device 20 recognizes that the auxiliary light emitted after the light emission period notification signal is the auxiliary light for monitoring, and is irradiated with the auxiliary light for monitoring. The main light emission amount is calculated based on the reflected light from the subject.

  After receiving the light emission period notification signal, the MCU 14 of the camera 10 controls the aperture unit (not shown) to reach the target aperture value, and also controls the shutter unit (not shown) to start running the front curtain. Let Then, after a predetermined time (for example, about 50 to 150 msec) has elapsed since the monitor light emission, the X signal is transmitted from the communication unit 17 to the illumination device 20. The X signal is a main light emission timing signal transmitted from the camera 10 to the lighting device 20. The illuminating device 20 performs main light emission for flash photography from the light emitting unit 21 by receiving the X signal from the camera 10. Thereafter, in the camera 10, the rear curtain of the shutter unit starts running and covers the screen, and the shutter operation is completed. In the photographing lens (not shown), the aperture value of the aperture unit is returned to the open state.

According to said Embodiment 1, there exist the following effects.
(1) Since at least one light emission among the red-eye reduction auxiliary lights emitted from the lighting device 20 is shared as the monitor auxiliary light, the red-eye reduction light emission and the monitor light emission are continuously performed. In addition, battery consumption required for red-eye reduction light emission can be reduced without impairing the effect of red-eye reduction light emission. In addition, since it is possible to ensure the charging time of the main capacitor before the main light emission, the maximum charging voltage can be as close as possible to the main light emission. Therefore, it is possible to minimize the power consumption of the lighting device when the red-eye reduction light emission and the monitor light emission are continuously performed.
(2) Of the auxiliary light for reducing red-eye, the auxiliary light to be emitted last is emitted as auxiliary light for monitoring, so that the light emission amount in the main light emission can be calculated more accurately.
(Embodiment 2)

  Next, Embodiment 2 will be described. Since the basic configuration of the camera system 1A according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, description will be made with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, “A” is appended to the parts constituting the configuration of the second embodiment following the reference numerals. Other equivalent parts have the same reference numerals. Hereinafter, a characteristic configuration of the second embodiment will be described.

  The MCU 14A according to the present embodiment causes the illuminating device 20A to emit flash light as auxiliary light for monitoring before measuring the main light emission of the illuminating device 20A performed in synchronization with photographing by the camera 10A. The monitor light emission command signal is transmitted to the lighting device 20A continuously three times. In the MCU 14A of the present embodiment, among the monitor light emission command signals transmitted three times, the monitor light emission command signal transmitted last is recognized as the monitor light emission command signal transmitted to the illumination device 20A in order to calculate the main light emission amount. I have to. In the present embodiment, the monitor auxiliary light emitted in response to the monitor light emission command signal other than the monitor light emission command signal to be transmitted last becomes pseudo auxiliary light for red-eye reduction light emission. Note that the number of times the auxiliary light is emitted continuously and repeatedly to the lighting device 20A is not limited to three, and may be emitted at other times.

In addition, the MCU 22A of the illumination device 20A performs a light emission control to receive a monitor light emission command signal from the camera 10A and emit auxiliary light for monitoring prior to the main light emission performed in synchronization with the photographing of the camera 10A. . In other words, the lighting device 20A according to the present embodiment only needs to have a function of emitting auxiliary light for monitoring when a monitor light emission command signal is received, and receives the red-eye reduction light-emission command signal to reduce red-eye. The function of emitting auxiliary light for use may not be provided.
In the illumination device 20A of the present embodiment, the monitor auxiliary light emitted by the monitor light emission command signal other than the monitor light emission command signal received last from the camera 10A becomes pseudo red-eye reduction light auxiliary light.

  Next, in the camera system 1A configured as described above, an operation when performing flash photography will be described. Here, it is assumed that the flash photographing mode in which red-eye reduction light emission and monitor light emission are continuously performed is selected.

  FIG. 3 is a time chart for explaining the operation of flash photography in the second embodiment. In FIG. 3, the light emission waveform of the light emitting unit 21 and the monitor light emission command signal transmitted from the camera 10A to the illumination device 20A are shown in time series. In addition, the aperture timing of the aperture unit in the photographic lens (not shown) and the timing of the front curtain and the rear curtain of the shutter unit (not shown) on the camera 10 side are also shown. Since the operations of the aperture unit and the shutter unit are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  When the start of shooting is instructed by operating the release button of the operation unit 15, the MCU 14 </ b> A of the camera 1 </ b> A continuously transmits a monitor light emission command signal from the communication unit 17 to the illumination device 20 three times. The MCU 22A of the illumination device 20A controls the light emitting unit 21 each time a monitor light emission command signal is received from the camera 1A, and emits monitor auxiliary light. Of these, the monitor auxiliary light emitted by the first and second monitor light emission command signals is pseudo auxiliary light for red-eye reduction light emission. For this reason, the light emission period by the monitor light emission command signal is, for example, about 300 msec.

  On the other hand, when the MCU 14A of the camera 1A transmits the monitor light emission command signal for the third time to the lighting device 20A, the auxiliary light emitted after transmitting the monitor light emission command signal is the auxiliary light for monitoring. Recognizing and calculating the main light emission amount based on the reflected light from the subject irradiated with the monitor auxiliary light. During this time, in the lighting device 20A, every time a monitor light emission command signal is received from the camera 1A, it is sufficient to emit auxiliary light for monitoring, and which light emission becomes auxiliary light for red-eye reduction light emission or auxiliary light for monitoring. There is no need to recognize.

The MCU 14A of the camera 10A transmits the X signal from the communication unit 17 to the lighting device 20A after a predetermined time (for example, about 50 to 150 msec) has elapsed since the third monitor light emission command signal is transmitted. The MCU 22A of the illumination device 20A receives the X signal from the camera 10A, thereby controlling the light emitting unit 21 to perform main light emission for flash photography.
According to said Embodiment 2, there exist the following effects.
(1) The monitor auxiliary light emitted from the illuminating device 20A is artificially emitted as red-eye reduction auxiliary light, and at least one of them is shared as monitor auxiliary light. When continuous red-eye reduction light emission and monitor light emission are continuously performed, battery consumption necessary for red-eye reduction light emission can be reduced without impairing the effect of red-eye reduction light emission. In addition, since it is possible to ensure the charging time of the main capacitor before the main light emission, the maximum charging voltage can be as close as possible to the main light emission. Therefore, it is possible to minimize the power consumption of the lighting device when the red-eye reduction light emission and the monitor light emission are continuously performed.
(2) Since the auxiliary light to be finally emitted is emitted as auxiliary light for monitoring, the light emission amount in the main light emission can be calculated more accurately.
(3) A general-purpose lighting device can be applied as long as the lighting device has a function of emitting auxiliary light for monitoring when a monitor light emission command signal is received. In this manner, since it is not necessary to prepare a dedicated lighting device, the user can minimize the power consumption of the lighting device even when using a hand-held lighting device.
(Deformation)

Without being limited to the embodiment described above, the present invention can be variously modified and changed as described below, and these are also within the scope of the present invention.
(1) In Embodiments 1 and 2, prior to the main light emission of the lighting device, the pre-monitoring auxiliary light controlled to have the same amount of light as the red-eye reducing auxiliary light is used instead of the red-eye reducing auxiliary light. While the light is emitted, the light amount of the auxiliary light for monitoring may be determined based on the auxiliary light for pre-monitoring. According to this, since the light quantity of the auxiliary light for monitoring can be determined more accurately, it is possible to control the light emission amount to be optimum in the main light emission.
(2) In the first and second embodiments, the auxiliary light to be emitted last is the auxiliary light for monitoring. However, the auxiliary light for monitoring is not limited to the last light emission, and may be emitted at any timing. In the second embodiment, the amount of auxiliary light for monitoring for the first and second times, which becomes pseudo auxiliary light for red-eye reduction light emission, is changed, and auxiliary light for monitor light emission is emitted for all three times of light emission. Alternatively, the reflected light from the subject may be measured, and the main light emission amount may be calculated based on each reflected light.
(3) In the first and second embodiments, the main light emission calculation for calculating the main light emission amount may be performed by the MCU of the illumination device. In that case, the illumination device includes a light receiving unit that receives reflected light from a subject irradiated with monitor auxiliary light from the light emitting unit.
(4) In Embodiments 1 and 2, the illumination device may not be attached to the camera, and may be connected by a cable or wirelessly.
(5) The present invention is not limited to the case where the illumination device is externally attached to the camera, but can also be applied to a camera with a built-in illumination device. The camera is not limited to a single-lens reflex camera, and may be a camera in which a lens barrel and a camera body are integrated. Furthermore, the present invention can be applied not only to digital cameras but also to film cameras.

  Moreover, although the said embodiment and modification can be used in combination suitably, since the structure of each embodiment is clear by illustration and description, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited by the embodiment described above.

  1, 1A: Camera system, 10, 10A: Camera, 11: Imaging unit, 12: Image data processing unit, 13: Recording unit, 14, 14A: MCU (camera), 15: Operation unit, 16: Memory (camera) , 17: communication unit (camera), 20, 20A: lighting device, 21: light emitting unit, 22, 22A: MCU (lighting device), 23: memory (lighting device), 24: communication unit (lighting device)

Claims (7)

A camera capable of transmitting and receiving various signals to and from a mounted lighting device,
Prior to the main light emission of the illuminating device performed in synchronization with the photographing of the camera, auxiliary light for reducing red-eye is emitted from the illuminating device to reduce the image of the subject's pupil in a red-eye state. And an auxiliary light control means for emitting at least part of the light emission as auxiliary light for monitoring for measuring the subject reflectance, which is used when calculating the main light emission amount during the main light emission,
A main light emission amount calculating means for calculating a main light emission amount based on reflected light from a subject irradiated with the monitor auxiliary light;
Based on the main light emission amount calculated by the main light emission amount calculation means, main light emission control means for causing the illumination device to perform the main light emission;
Equipped with a,
The auxiliary light control means includes
Prior to the main light emission of the lighting device, the auxiliary light for premonitoring controlled to have the same amount of light as the auxiliary light for reducing redeye is emitted instead of the auxiliary light for reducing redeye, Determining the amount of auxiliary light for the monitor based on the auxiliary light;
Camera characterized by. The camera according to claim 1,
The auxiliary light control means includes
Transmitting, as the auxiliary light for reducing the red eye, a red-eye reducing light emission command signal for causing the lighting device to continuously emit a flash light a plurality of times, to the lighting device;
Camera characterized by. The camera according to claim 2,
The auxiliary light control means includes
Prior to the main light emission of the lighting device, after transmitting the red-eye reduction light emission command signal to the lighting device, a light emission period notification signal for notifying the light emission period of the auxiliary light for monitoring is received from the lighting device,
The main light emission amount calculating means includes:
After receiving the light emission period notification signal from the lighting device, calculating the main light emission amount based on the reflected light from the subject irradiated with the monitor auxiliary light emitted from the lighting device;
Camera characterized by. The camera according to claim 2 or 3,
The auxiliary light control means includes
Of the auxiliary light for red-eye reduction emitted from the illumination device, the auxiliary light to be emitted last is emitted as auxiliary light for monitoring,
Camera characterized by. The camera according to claim 1, wherein
The auxiliary light control means includes
A monitor emission command signal for causing the illumination device to emit a flash as the monitor auxiliary light for measuring the subject reflectance is continuously transmitted to the illumination device a plurality of times;
Camera characterized by. The camera according to claim 5,
The auxiliary light control means includes
Recognizing a monitor light emission command signal to be transmitted last as a monitor light emission command signal to be transmitted to the illumination device in order to calculate the main light emission amount, among the monitor light emission command signals continuously transmitted a plurality of times;
Camera characterized by. It is a camera as described in any one of Claims 1-6 ,
The main light emission amount calculating means is disposed on the camera side.

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