JPH02287335A - Flash photographing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the possibility that a shutter chance is lost in the case of consecutive photographing by allowing a flash device which completes charging the first to emit light. CONSTITUTION:A 1st charging completion decision means 1 decides the comple tion of the charging of a 1st flash IFL and a 2nd charging completion decision means 2 decides the completion of the charging of a 2nd flash OFL. When the decision means 2 decides the completion of the charging of the flash OFL before the decision means 1 decides the completion of the charging of the flash IFL, the 2nd flash OFL is allowed to emit the light under the control of a flash selection means 3. When the decision means 1 decides the completion of the charging of the 1st flash IFL before the decision means 2 decides the completion of the charging of the flash OFL, the flash selection means 3 allows the flash IFL to emit the light. Thus, the possibility that the shutter chance is lost is reduced.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a flash photographing device equipped with a plurality of flash devices, and is particularly suitable for a camera having a continuous flash photographing function.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, in a camera equipped with an internal flash, it has been proposed that when an external flash is used, the internal flash is prohibited from emitting light, and only the external flash is allowed to emit light.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In the above-mentioned conventional technology, when the external flash is installed, the internal flash is prohibited from emitting light, so even if the internal flash is fully charged, the external flash is not fully charged. In this case, there is a problem that charging the internal flash is wasted, and there is also a risk of missing a photo opportunity because the flash cannot fire even though the internal flash is fully charged.

The present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a flash emission control device that is less likely to miss a photo opportunity.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In the present invention, in order to solve the above problems, the first
As shown in the figure, in a flash photography device having a first flash IFL, a second flash OFL, and a camera body, a first charging completion determination means 1 for determining whether charging of the first flash IFL is completed; 2 flash O
The flash IFL or O which completed charging first based on the determination results of the second charging completion determination means 2 which determines the completion of charging of the FL, and the first and second charging completion determination means 1.2.
The present invention is characterized in that it is equipped with a flash selection means 3 for causing the FL to emit light.

[Effect] Hereinafter, the operation of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIG.

The first charging completion determination means 1 includes a first flash IFL.
determines whether charging is complete. The second charging completion determining means 2 determines whether or not the second flash OFL has completed charging. Before the first charging completion determining means 1 determines that the first flash IFL is fully charged,
The second flash OF is activated by the second charging completion determining means 2.
When it is determined that L is fully charged, the second flash OFL is controlled to emit light under the control of the flash selection means 3. Further, when the first flash IFL is determined to be fully charged by the first charge completion determination means 1 before the second flash OFL is determined to be fully charged by the second charge completion determination means 2, the flash Under the control of the selection means 3, the first flash rFL is controlled to emit light.

[Implementation rIA] Figure 2 shows the circuit configuration of a camera as an embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 2, CPUB is a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as "microcomputer") inside the camera body, which controls exposure control and other functions. Performs calculations for automatic focus adjustment and sequence control of the entire camera. The microcomputer CPUB is connected to various peripheral circuits and can exchange information with these peripheral circuits.

LMC is a photometry circuit, which measures the brightness BV at the center of the shooting screen.
It has a spot photometry function that measures s, and a peripheral photometry function that measures the brightness BVAN of the entire screen excluding the center of the shooting screen. The information on the center brightness BVs and the peripheral brightness BVAM is converted into digital quantities and then transmitted to the microcomputer CPUB.

DEDR is a decoder driver, and the microcomputer CPU
Based on the aperture value and shutter speed calculated in B,
It drives the leading curtain travel start magnet ICMg, the trailing curtain travel start magnet 2CMg, and the aperture control magnet FMg, and also drives the motor M for film winding and charging.

DSP is a display circuit for on-body display.
Receives display data from the microcomputer CPUB and displays the necessary information on the liquid crystal display board on the camera body.Displayed contents include, for example, shutter speed, aperture value, exposure control mode, drive mode, flash mode, film counter, etc. There is.

FIN is a display circuit for performing infinder display, and receives display data from the microcomputer CPUB.
The 9 necessary displays in the viewfinder include, for example, shutter speed, aperture value, flash charging completion display, focus display, focus detection failure display, and contrast between the center and periphery of the screen during flash photography. (differences in exposure values), flash irradiation range on the photographic screen, etc.

The ISD is a film sensitivity reading circuit that reads film sensitivity information recorded in the film cartridge or the semiconductor memory installed in the cartridge, and reads the film sensitivity information recorded in the film cartridge or the semiconductor memory installed in the cartridge.
to communicate. This information is stored in A on the microcontroller CPLIB.
Used for C operations.

Note that this circuit ISD may be equipped with a manual operation member (push button, dial, etc.) so that the film sensitivity can be manually set and changed.

EMC is an exposure correction amount setting circuit, and outputs an exposure correction amount set by a known method to the microcomputer CPUB.

AFC is a focus detection circuit, which includes a circuit for driving a CCD for focus detection that photoelectrically converts the subject light that has passed through the photographic lens, and an A/D circuit that processes the analog output of the CCD and performs signal processing.
It also includes a circuit that converts the data and supplies it to the microcomputer CPU.

AFMC is an AF motor control circuit that controls normal rotation, reverse rotation, and stop of the AF MOMO-2M2 for driving the focusing lens. This AF MOMO-2M2 rotation amount ΔN is monitored by the microcomputer CPUB, and it is possible to determine whether or not the AF MOMO-2M2 has been driven by a predetermined amount during automatic focus adjustment, and also allows the focus adjustment lens to be rotated by a predetermined amount. By knowing the amount of movement from the infinity shooting position, it is possible to calculate the shooting distance of the main subject and the shooting magnification.

OFL is an external flash that is detachably attached to a hot shoe (not shown) on the top surface of the camera body, and its circuit configuration will be described later in the explanation of FIG. 3. TMI
is a connection terminal between the external flash OFL and the camera body, and is located on the hot shoe.

IFL is an internal flash built into the camera body, and emits flash light under the control of the microcomputer CPUB. C2 is a capacitor for storing light emission energy of the internal flash IFL.

The LEC is a lens circuit built into the photographic lens, and transmits lens data unique to the photographic lens to the camera body. The contents of the lens data include, for example, the minimum aperture value (open aperture value) AVo, the maximum aperture value (aperture value relative to the minimum aperture aperture) AVmax, the focal length (aperture value relative to the minimum aperture aperture), the conversion coefficient, etc. This is a coefficient for converting the defocus ff1DF obtained by the detection circuit AFC into the driving amount ΔN of the focusing lens. TM2 is a connection terminal between the lens circuit LEC and the camera body, and is arranged at or near the lens mount. ing.

SX is a synchronization switch that is turned on when the front curtain of the focal plane shutter completes travel, and when this switch SX is turned on during front curtain synchronization photography, a light emission start signal 5XON is issued to the external flash OFL via the connection terminal TMI.

FCC is a flash dimming circuit for controlling the flash emission area, measures the amount of flash light incident from the photographing lens, and outputs a light emission stop signal FSTOP when the amount of flash light reaches a predetermined amount. This signal FST
OP is sent to the external flash OFL via the interface circuit INF and the connection terminal TMI, and causes the external flash OFL to stop emitting light. Also, this signal FSTOP
is also sent to the microcomputer CPUB, and when the microcomputer CPLIB receives this signal, it stops the built-in flash IFL from emitting light.

INF is an interface circuit, and lens circuit LI
It is arranged between the EC1 internal flash IFL, external flash OFL and the microcomputer CPUB.

Each input port P1 to P of the microcomputer CPUB is pulled up to the ")(igl+" level by a resistor not shown in the figure, and each is connected to the ground level via a separate switch.When any switch is turned on, Then,
The corresponding input port becomes "Low" level, and the microcomputer CPLIB can determine whether each switch is 0N10FF. Each switch will be explained below.

SM is the main switch, and this switch SM is ON.
When OFF, the camera becomes operational, and when OFF, the camera becomes inoperable.

Sl is a photographing preparation switch that is turned on by pressing down the first stroke of a release button (not shown), and when this switch is turned on, each operation of photometry, exposure calculation, and automatic focus adjustment is started.

S2 is O by pressing down on the second stroke of the release button.
This is the release switch that is turned on, and this switch is turned on.
Then, the exposure control operation is started.

SMD is a switch for switching exposure control mode, and each time this switch SMD is turned on, the exposure control mode is switched in the order of P mode, A mode, S mode, M mode, and P mode. Here, the P mode is a program AE mode in which the shutter speed and aperture value are automatically set on the camera side.

A mode is an aperture-priority AE mode in which only the aperture value is manually set, and the shutter speed is automatically set on the camera side. In S mode, only the shutter speed is set manually.
The aperture value is automatically set on the camera side in shutter speed priority AE mode. M mode is a manual mode in which both the shutter speed and aperture value are set manually.

This is a switch for switching the drive mode, and each time this switch SDR is turned ON, the drive mode is alternately switched between single shooting mode and continuous shooting mode.

SFM is a switch for switching flash modes, and every time this switch SFM is operated, the flash mode changes to high ff111 flash mode, automatic flash mode, rear curtain sync mode, non-flash mode, and forced flash mode. can be switched in order. Here, the forced flash mode is a mode in which the flash is always emitted, and the automatic flash mode is a mode in which the flash is automatically emitted in accordance with the intensity distribution of the subject. In both modes, the flash is emitted in synchronization with the closing of the synchro switch SX. Also, what is second curtain sync mode?
In this mode, the flash is emitted in synchronization with the start of the shutter trailing curtain. The non-light emitting mode is a mode in which flash light is not emitted under any circumstances.

5LIP is an up switch, SDN is a down switch, and when the shooting preparation switch S1 is OFF,
It is an up/down switch for setting the aperture value or shutter speed, and when the shooting preparation switch S is ON, it is used for setting the contrast between the peripheral area and the center area (Cv value) (details will be described later). It becomes an up/down switch.

SAY is the aperture setting switch, and in M mode, when the shooting preparation switch SI is OFF, the up/down switch SP is pressed while this switch SAV is ON.
When the SDN is operated, the aperture value is increased/decreased,
When the up/down switches S UP and S DN are operated while this switch SAY is set to 0FFL, the shutter speed is operated up/down.

Next, the power supply relationship will be explained.

EB is a power battery inside the body, and its direct output voltage ■o is the motor M, , M2, and magnet FM.

It is supplied to circuits and elements with large loads such as ICMg, 2CMH, and internal flash IFL.

DDB is an in-body booster circuit, which performs a boost operation when the in-body power supply control signal PWCB is at "Low" level.V14 is a high voltage (for example, 13V) used for the power supply of the CCD in the focus detection circuit AFC. , ■ is a low voltage (for example, 5V) that is supplied to the power supply line Vl through the diode D2 and serves as the power supply for the microcomputer CPLIB, interface circuit INF, and display circuits DSP and FIN, and Vo is the power supply for other circuits. This is a low voltage (for example, 5V).

C1 is a backup capacitor and is a high voltage ■H
is charged by In the camera of this embodiment, as will be described later, during charging of the internal flash IFL, the in-body power supply control signal PWCB is set to the "HiHb" level to stop the in-body booster circuit DDB. As a result, the voltages H, VL, and VC are no longer output, but the charging voltage of the capacitor C1 activates the regulator REG, and power continues to be supplied to the power supply line VD via the diode D. Therefore, the internal flash IFL
Even when the microcomputer CPUB, display circuit DSP, FI
N continues to operate. In addition, in the camera of this embodiment, an analog voltage monitor is installed so that the voltage of the backup capacitor C1 does not become lower than the minimum voltage V + (for example, 3V) at which the regulator REG operates and the microcomputer CPUB becomes inoperable. The voltage of the capacitor C1 is monitored by the terminal A/D, and when the voltage of the capacitor C1 drops to the lowest operating voltage of the regulator REG, the internal power supply control signal PWCB is set to Low level and the booster circuit DDB is activated. Internal flash I
Charging of FL is temporarily stopped, and capacitor C1 is charged again.

A/D is a terminal for monitoring the charging voltage of the capacitor C2 for storing flash light energy in the internal flash IFL, and the microcomputer CPUB determines whether the charging voltage of the capacitor C2 is higher than a predetermined voltage V2. do. I will discuss this in detail later.

FIG. 3 is a block circuit diagram showing the internal configuration of the external flash OFL.

The CPUF is a microcomputer within the flash for performing sequence control within the flash. The microcomputer CPUF connects its terminal P only when flash emission is permitted.
When the light emission start signal 5XON is input to , 3, a signal is sent to the flash light emission control circuit FLCC to start flash light emission.

EF is a power battery for flash.

MC is a capacitor for storing flash light energy in the external flash OFL.

DDF is a flash internal pressure circuit that boosts the input voltage from the power supply battery EF to charge the capacitor MC. This circuit DDF performs a boosting operation when the internal flash power supply control signal PWCF is at a low level.

CVG is a flash internal constant voltage source, constant voltage FVDD
is supplied to the low power consumption unit 4 such as the microcomputer CPUF of the external flash OFL.

M is a motor for switching the flash irradiation angle, and DR is its driver.

ZPC is a circuit that outputs position data of the flash illumination angle changing member driven by the motor M, and specifically, it is composed of a code plate on which a conductive pattern is formed and a brush that reads the code from the code plate. has been done.

FLCC is a flash light emission control circuit and includes a known flash light emission section. This circuit FLCC monitors the charging voltage of the capacitor MC, and when the charging voltage exceeds a predetermined value (for example, 300V), outputs a charging completion signal to the microcomputer CPUF in the flash. The flash light emission control circuit FLCC starts flash light emission when it receives a light emission start signal from the microcomputer CPUF, and stops flash light emission when it receives a light emission stop signal FSTOP from the flash dimming circuit FCC in the camera body.

FMS is a flash main switch for switching the external flash OFL to emit or not emit light. This switch FMS is connected to the terminal PF+ of the microcomputer CPUF and also to the pulse generator PG. Every time this flash main switch FMS switches from OFF to ON, a low level pulse is output from the pulse generator PG, and an interrupt signal is input to the interrupt terminal INTF of the microcomputer CPUF in the flash. , the flash microcomputer CPUF handles interrupt processing IN, which will be described later.
Execute TI (see Figure 16).

Note that when the internal microcomputer CPUB communicates data with the flash internal microcomputer CPUF, the internal microcomputer CPUB uses the connection terminal TMI.
'Low' level flash selection signal C3F via
L is output to the microcomputer CPU, and the microcomputer CPU
When P inputs this signal C9FL, that is, the signal line to which this signal is sent changes from the High level to the Low level.
When the level changes to "w" level, interrupt processing INT2 (see FIG. 17), which will be described later, is executed.

FBS is a bounce switch and is connected to the terminal PF2 of the microcomputer CPUF. This switch FBS is
It is turned on when the angle (irradiation direction) of a light emitting unit (not shown) is changed in order to reflect the flash light on surrounding walls, ceilings, floors, and other surfaces to indirectly illuminate the subject.

FO8 is a switch that is turned on when off-camera flash photography is performed. This switch is for example
It consists of a normally closed switch installed near the shoe (not shown) of the external flash OFL.
It is designed to turn OFF when the FL is attached to a hot shoe (not shown) on the camera body.

Note that the terminals PFI to PF4 of the microcomputer CPUP are also pulled up by resistors (not shown), similarly to the terminals P1 to P of the microcomputer CPUB.

This completes the description of the hardware configuration of the camera system to which the present invention is applied, and next the software configuration will be described with reference to flowcharts (FIGS. 4 to 17).

When the power supply battery EB is installed in the camera body, a power-on reset is applied to the microcomputer CPUB in the body, and the microcomputer CPUB starts processing from step #1 shown in FIG. In #1, it is determined whether the main switch SM is ON.

If the main switch SM is not ON at #1, stop charging at #2 and set the terminal PWCB to H7gh in case the main switch SM is turned OFF during charging.
" level and stop the operation of the booster circuit DDB. Then, in #3, reset the flags and set the initial value in the register, and in #4, transfer the data to erase the display to the display circuits DSP and FIN. Return to 1. This loop is repeated while the main switch SM is OFF. Note that the previous values may be stored in the registers. If the main switch S9 is ON in #1, then # 5
After resetting the flag with t-, the terminal PWCB is set to “
Low" level and activates the booster circuit DDB. This activates the photometry circuit LMC and starts photometry operation. Then, after executing the switch discrimination routine (see Fig. 14) in #7, the step-up circuit DDB is activated. Display circuit DSP and FI
Send display data to N and proceed to #9. In #9, it is determined whether the flash mode is a forced light emission mode.

If it is determined in #9 that the flash mode is the forced light emission mode, then in #10 the flash mode ■ subroutine (see FIG. 6) is executed, and the process moves to #11. If the flash mode is not the forced light emission mode in #9, the subroutine #10 is skipped and the process moves to #11. #1
In step 1, it is determined whether the photographing preparation switch SI is ON. If the photographing preparation switch S1 is not ON in #11, the process returns to #1 and the above operations are repeated. Furthermore, if the switch SM is ON and no switch is operated for a predetermined period of time, You may proceed to #2 in the same way as when the switch S is turned off (auto power off function).If the shooting preparation switch S is turned on in #11, initialize the COD in #12 and read the CCD. Sweeping out excess charge Next, in #13, input the film's ISO sensitivity S from the film sensitivity reading circuit SD and read the exposure compensation amount ΔSV from the exposure compensation amount setting circuit EMC.
Enter. And #14. Lens circuit LE with #15
Input lens data and flash data from C and external flash OFL, respectively.Next, in #16
The CCD performs the integral operation of D and is A/D converted in #17.
After the distance measurement calculation, the exposure calculation subroutine (see FIG. 9) is executed in #19. Then, in #20, the flash mode I subroutine (see FIG. 6) is executed. Then, the display data is transferred to the display circuits DSP and FIN, and in #21 it is determined whether the photographing preparation switch S is 0N10FF. If the photographing preparation switch S1 is not ON in #21, the process returns to #1. At #21, the shooting preparation switch S is turned on.
If it remains the same, it is determined in #22 whether or not it is in focus. If it is determined in #22 that the focus is not in focus, the focusing lens is driven in #23 based on the distance measurement value obtained in #18, and the process returns to #14 to focus the loop of #14 to #23. During this time, the shooting preparation switch S is set to O.
When it is FF, the process returns from #21 to #1.

If it is determined in #22 that the flash is in focus, a subroutine (see FIG. 13) for calculating the irradiation angle of the flash is executed in #24.

Next, in #25 shown in FIG. 5, it is determined whether the drive mode is the continuous shooting mode. As will be described later, in the continuous shooting mode, the drive mode register DRR becomes DRR=1. If #25 is continuous shooting mode (DRR-4), #
Continuous shooting flag C0NT indicates whether it is the first image of continuous shooting at 26.
Determine by F. If it is the first snapshot, C0NTF=
O, and C0NTF=1 if it is the second or subsequent shot of continuous shooting.

If C0NTF=0 in #26, it means that this is the first image of continuous shooting, and in #27 it is determined whether the flag F L OK F is 1 or not. Here, the flag FLOKF is a flash OK flag indicating that flash emission is necessary and that the external flash OFL is operable. #2
If FLOKF=1 in step 7, flash data is input from the external flash OFL in #28, and it is determined in #29 whether charging of the external flash OFL is completed based on this flash data. If charging of the external flash OFL is not completed in #29, switch S1 is set in #30.
If the switch S is ON, the process returns to #28, and if the switch S1 is OFF, the process returns to #1. Here, the state of switch S is determined by
This is to enable settings such as the exposure control mode to be made while the external flash OFL is being charged. If it is determined in #29 that the external flash OFL has been fully charged, it becomes C0N in #31.
Set TF=1 and move to #33. #27 FLOKF
If =O, it is determined that the charging of the external flash OFL is complete (
#28. Skip #29) and move on to #31.

Also, if C0NTF = 1 in #26, it means that it is the second or subsequent shot of the quick shot, so it will move directly to #33.Since it is 0 or more, in the quick shooting mode, the external flash OFL is used for the first frame. will be used preferentially.

On the other hand, if it is not continuous shooting mode in #25, that is, DrtR
If =o, the continuous shooting flag C0NTF is reset to O in #32, and the process moves to #33.

In #33, it is determined whether the release switch S2 is ON. If the release switch S2 is not ON in #33, it is determined in #34 whether the photographing preparation switch S1 is ON. At #34, the shooting preparation switch S1 is turned on.
If it remains the same, the exposure calculation subroutine (see FIG. 9) is executed in #35, and the flash mode 1 subroutine (see FIG. 6) is executed in #36. Then, the display data is transferred to the display circuits DSP and FIN, and the process returns to #33. Therefore, the focus is locked by keeping the switch S1 ON. If the photographing preparation switch S1 is not ON in #34, the process returns to #1 in FIG. on the other hand,
If release switch S2 is ON in #33, #38
Execute the exposure control subroutine (see Figure 11) with
In #39, it is determined whether the continuous shooting flag C0NTF is 1 or not. If C0NTF=1 in #39, that is, if it is a snapshot mode, the process returns to #14 in FIG. therefore,
In continuous shooting mode, images are taken continuously by keeping the release button pressed down to the second stroke. On the other hand, if C0NTF=O in #39, that is, in single shooting mode, switch SI is OFF in #40.
Wait until it becomes , then return to #1.

Next, each subroutine will be explained.

FIG. 6 shows the subroutine of flash mode 1.11. First, when the flash mode ■ subroutine is called, the flash mode register FM
Determine the flash mode based on the value of R (see Figure 14) (#S 1, #S 15 #S17. #524)
. In #S1, it is determined whether the flash mode is a forced light emission mode. If the flash mode is the forced light emission mode, the process moves to the flash mode ■ subroutine. In this subroutine (flash mode ■), #S
2 sets the flag FLF to 1, which indicates that the flash will be emitted.
Then, in the P and A modes, if the shutter speed is faster than the synchronized speed T V x, the shutter speed TV is set to the synchronized speed T V x (#33). In addition, in S and M modes, the photographer may be warned to set the shutter speed to a slow one below the synchronization speed T V x, and in #S4 the flash data from the external flash OFL is The presence or absence of the external flash OFL is determined in #S5. External flash O with #S5
If it is determined that the FL is installed, the flash main switch FMS of the external flash OFL is turned OFF in #S6.
It is determined whether or not it is N based on the flash data. If it is determined in #S6 that the flash main switch of the external flash OFL is ON,
Since the external flash OFL is operable, the flash OK flag FLOKF is set to 1 in #S7. Next, in #S8, it is determined whether the bounce switch FBS is ON or the off-camera switch FO8 is ON. #
If the bounce switch FBS is ON or the off-camera switch FO8 is ON in S8, it is determined whether charging of the external flash OFL is completed in #S9, and if charging is not completed, switch S1 is turned ON in #S10. Determine whether or not. Then, while the switch S is ON, #S4 to #S4 until charging of the external flash OFL is completed.
The loop of S9 is respectfully delayed, while switch Sl is OFF.
If so, return to #1. When charging of the external flash OFL is completed in #S9, charging routine A (see FIG. 7) is executed in #S11, and the process returns.

On the other hand, if the bounce switch FBS is OFF and the off-camera switch FOS is OFF in #S8, the one that has been fully charged first of the external flash OFL and the internal flash rFL is caused to emit light. For this purpose, it is determined in #S12 whether or not charging of the external flash ○FL has been completed, and if charging has been completed, the charging completion flag READYF is set to 1 in #S13, and the process returns.

If charging of the external flash OFL is not completed in #S12, charging routine B (see FIG. 8) is executed in #S14, and the process returns.

Also, even if the external flash OFL is not connected in #S5 or even if the external flash OFL is connected,
If the flash main switch FMS of the external flash OFL is not ON in #S6, the charging routine A (see FIG. 7) is executed in #S23, and the process returns.

Next, if the flash mode is not the forced flash mode in #S1, it is determined whether the flash mode is the automatic flash mode in #S15, and if the flash mode is the automatic flash mode, the backlight flag RL is set in #S16.
It is determined whether F (details will be described later) is 1 or not. #S
If the backlight flag is 1 in step 16, the process moves to the subroutine of flash mode (2) and performs the same operation as the forced light emission mode described above.

If the backlight flag RLF is not 1 in #S16, it means that there is no backlight condition, so the flash flag FLF is set to 0 in #S25, as in the non-light-emission mode described later.
In #S26, the charging completion flag READYF is also set to O and the process returns. In addition, in #S10, it is determined whether or not the subject is of low brightness, and if the subject is dark and there is a risk of camera shake if photographed using only natural light, the process proceeds to #S2 and flash photography is performed. good.

If the automatic light emission mode is not set in #S15, the process moves to #S17, and it is determined whether or not the rear curtain synchronization mode is set. If it is the second curtain synchronization mode, it is determined whether the mode is P mode or A mode in #S18, and if it is P mode or A mode, the flag Bull+F is set to 1 in #S19, and #S2
Move to 1. #S if not in P mode or A mode
At step 20, the flag BulbF is set to 0, and the process moves to #S21. Here, the flag BulbF is a flag that is set when bulb photography is performed. In #321, the flash flag FLF is set to 1, and then in #S22, the external flash priority flag 0UTF is set to 0.

This is because the camera system of this embodiment uses the internal flash IFL in the rear curtain synchronization mode. Then, in #S23, charging routine A (see Figure 7)
Execute and return.

If it is not the rear curtain synchronization mode in #S17, it is determined in #S24 whether the flash mode is the non-light emission mode, and if it is not the non-light emission mode, the process returns to #S1. If the flash mode is the non-emission mode in #324, the flash flag FLF is set to 0 in #S25, the charging completion flag READYF is also set to 0 in #S26, and the process returns.

FIG. 7 shows the contents of charging routine A.

In this subroutine, capacitor C2 is charged until charging of internal flash IFL is completed. When this subroutine is called, it is checked in #S30 whether charging of the internal flash IFL is completed (capacitor C
2) is determined. If charging is completed, charging is stopped in #S37. When charging is completed in #330, the booster circuit DDB is always operating, so the terminal PWCB is at the "Low" level. Then, in #S38, the charging completion flag READ
Set YF to 1 and return. On the other hand, if charging of the internal flash IFL is not completed in #S30, it is determined in #S31 whether the charging voltage of the capacitor C2 for storing light emission energy of the internal flash IFL is equal to or higher than a predetermined voltage 72.

Here, the meaning of the predetermined voltage (2) will be explained with reference to FIG. 7, the vertical axis represents the charging voltage of the capacitor C2, and the horizontal axis represents the passage of time after the start of charging Th'rfn of the internal flash IFL. It is assumed that Vmax is the charging completion level (for example, 300 V) of the capacitor C2, and reaches the charging completion level Vnax at a certain time. While the main capacitor of the flash is being charged, the power supply voltage fluctuates greatly, making it impossible to perform operations such as focus detection accurately or to drive the motor. Therefore, conventionally, the focus detection operation, winding operation, etc. were started after charging was completed, that is, after the time had passed. on the other hand,
In this embodiment, when the power supply voltage becomes stable enough to perform the focus detection operation accurately and drive the motor, the focus detection operation and the winding operation are performed in parallel with the charging operation. has started.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, the time L when charging is completed
If the focus detection operation, winding operation, etc. have already been completed in step 2, the next photographing operation can be performed immediately. In addition, even if the focus detection operation, winding operation, etc. are not completed, the camera of this embodiment can shorten the waiting time by the time (t2 b) compared to conventional cameras. Focusing on the point that the higher the voltage, the more stable the power supply voltage becomes, the charging voltage of capacitor C2 becomes the predetermined voltage V.
2 (for example, 250 V), a focus detection operation and the like are performed in parallel with the charging operation.

Returning to the charging routine A in FIG. 7, the explanation will be continued. #8
31, if the charging voltage of the capacitor C2 of the internal flash IFL is equal to or higher than the operation start voltage 72, the charging completion voltage V
In order to further increase the amount to wax, charging of the capacitor C2 is started in #S36.

Then, the terminal PWCB is set to the 'Low' level so that the focus detection operation etc. can be performed, and the booster circuit DDB is operated, and then the process returns.If the charging voltage of the capacitor C2 is lower than the operation start voltage V2, the terminal PWCB is set to the High level. After stopping the booster circuit DDB at #S32, charging of the capacitor C2 is started, and at #S33 it is determined whether the charging voltage of the backup capacitor C1 is less than a predetermined voltage 1.

Here, the predetermined voltage VI is the lowest operating voltage of the regulator REG. In this camera system, the internal microcomputer CPUB and display circuit DSP
To enable FIN to operate, power supply voltage is supplied to the microcomputer CPUB, display circuit DSP, FIN, and interface circuit INF by the regulator REG. Therefore, when the voltage of the backup capacitor C1 becomes lower than the minimum operating voltage ■1, charging of the capacitor C2 is temporarily stopped in #S34, and the terminal PWCB is set to the "Low" level to operate the booster circuit DDB, and the capacitor C1 is Recharging. Then, in #S35, when the charging voltage of the capacitor C1 reaches a predetermined value and the backup function can be sufficiently performed, the process returns to #S30. If the voltage of the backup capacitor C1 is higher than the minimum operating voltage V in #S33, #S34. #S35 is skipped.

While the capacitor C2 is being charged, this loop of #S30 to #s35 is repeated, and the charging voltage of the capacitor C2 reaches the charging completion voltage Vmax in #S30, or the charging voltage of the capacitor C2 reaches the operation start voltage 72 in #S31. If this is the case, return it.

In this embodiment, the exposure control mode cannot be set while the capacitor c2 is being charged; however, #S33
．． A switch determination subroutine may be executed during the path from #S35 back to #S30, so that the exposure control mode and the like can be set even while the capacitor c2 is being charged.

FIG. 8 shows the contents of charging routine B.

In this subroutine, the capacitor C2 is charged until either one of the external flash OFL and the internal flash IFL is completely charged.

Then, the flash that has been fully charged first will be used to emit flash light. When this subroutine is called, it is determined in #S40 whether or not the internal flash IFL has been fully charged. If the internal flash IFL has been fully charged in #S40, charging is stopped in #S53, and the charging completion flag READYF is set to 1 in #S54. In this case, since the internal flash IFL completed charging first, the external flash priority flag is set to 0UT in #S55.
Set F to O and return. Here, the flag ○UTF
is a flag that is set when causing the external flash OFL to emit light. If the internal flash IFL is not fully charged in #340, similarly to charging routine A, it is determined in #S41 whether the voltage of the capacitor C2 of the internal flash IFL is equal to or higher than the operation start voltage 72, and the operation start voltage is determined. If the voltage is higher than V2, the capacitor C2 is charged in #S52 in order to further increase the voltage to the charging completion voltage Vmax. Then, the terminal PWCB is set to "Low" level to operate the booster circuit DDB, and the process returns.

Further, if the charging voltage of the capacitor C2 is less than the operation start voltage 72, the terminal PWCB is set to “I(high”) in #S42.
After setting the level to stop the booster circuit DDB, charging is started. Next, in #S43, flash data is input from the external flash OFL, and in #S45 it is determined whether the external flash OFL has been fully charged. #S45
If the external flash OFL has been fully charged with #S
After stopping charging of the internal flash IFL at step 49,
Set the terminal PWCB to “Low” level to boost circuit DD
Activate B. Then, the charging completion flag READYF
Since the external flash ○FL has completed charging first, the external flash priority flag 0UTF is set to 1 in #S51.
Return as follows. External flash ON with #345
If L has not completed charging, it is determined in #S46 whether the voltage of the backup capacitor C1 is lower than the minimum operating voltage ■1 of the regulator REG. At #S46, the voltage of the backup capacitor C1 reaches the minimum operating voltage V.

If it is below, stop charging the capacitor C2 of the internal flash IFL in #S47, set the terminal PWCB to "Low" level, activate the booster circuit DDB, and capacitor C1
charge again. Then, in #S48, when the charging voltage of the capacitor C1 reaches a predetermined value and the backup function can be fully performed, the process returns to #S40. If the voltage of the backup capacitor C1 is not less than ■1 in #S46, skip steps #S47 and #S48 and proceed to #S4.
Return to 0. While charging capacitor C2, this #S40~#
Repeat the loop of S48 and connect the capacitor C2 at #S40.
Whether the charging voltage reaches the charging completion voltage Vmax or #S4
If the charging voltage of the capacitor C2 becomes equal to or higher than the operation start voltage 72 in step 1, or if charging of the external flash OFL is completed in #S45, the process returns. Note that, similarly to the charging routine A, the switch determination routine may be executed during the return from #S46° and #S48 to #S40.

FIG. 9 shows a subroutine for exposure calculation.

When this subroutine is called, in #S60, the brightness Bvs of the central part of the shooting screen is input from the photometry circuit LMC, and in #S61, the brightness BvAM of the part other than the central part (periphery) is inputted.
is input from the photometric circuit LMC.

After that, the brightness difference ΔBV (-BVAM
13Vs) (#562) and set the photometry completion flag L.
Set MENF to 1. Next, in #S64, ΔBV>
It is determined whether or not it is O, that is, whether or not it is backlit.

If ΔBV>O in #S64, it is determined that there is backlight, and #
In S65, the backlight flag RLF is set to 1, and the process moves to #S67. If ΔBV≦0 in #S64, it is determined that there is front light, and in #S66, the backlight flag RLF is set to O, and in #S67
to move to. In #S67, it is determined whether the exposure control mode is P mode, and if it is not P mode, the process moves to #S79, and the exposure control mode is determined based on the aperture value and/or shutter speed set in A mode, S mode, or M mode. Perform exposure calculation,
In #S80, the photometry completion flag LMENF is set to O and the process returns.

On the other hand, if it is the P mode in #S67, it is determined in #S68 whether or not the flash mode is the forced light emission mode.

If the flash mode is not forced flash mode, #S6
In step 9, it is determined whether or not the automatic light emission mode is set. If the automatic light emission mode is set, the process proceeds to #S70, and it is determined whether or not to emit flash light. In #S70, the backlight flag r
(If LF is set or the brightness value BVs at the center is less than or equal to a predetermined value (or a value that changes depending on the focal length of the lens), it is determined that flash light emission is to be performed, and the process proceeds to #S71. Otherwise, flash photography will not be performed, so the process moves to #S78, where exposure calculation is performed based only on natural light, and the process moves to #S80.
If the automatic light emission mode is not set in step 69, the process moves to #S78. Further, if the flash mode is the forced light emission mode in #S68, the process advances to #S71.

Next, exposure calculation (#S71) when firing the flash is performed.
~#577) will be explained. In #371, the up/down subroutine (see FIG. 15) is called. Here, since the photometry completion state is i (LMENF=1), the first
The process moves from #5180 to #5192 shown in FIG. 5, executes the C2 determination routine, determines the contrast (CV value) between the center and the periphery, and returns.

Here, the C■ determination routine will be explained. When proceeding to this routine, the microcomputer CPUB will perform the following steps as shown in FIG.
In #S91, it is determined whether the up switch Sup is ON, and if the up switch Sup is ON, #S9
In step 2, it is determined whether the up switch SUP has changed from OFF to ON.

And up switch S. If P changes from OFF to ON, proceed to #S93 and set CV la to 0.
Increase by 5 steps (0.5 EV) and return to #S91/\\.

If the up switch SuP is OFF in #S91, or if the up switch 5tJP is kept ON in #S92, the process proceeds to #S94, that is,
The CV value is increased by +0° SEV only when the up switch SUP changes from OFF to ON. #3
In step 94, it is determined whether the down switch SDN is ON or not, and if the down switch SON is ON, #S9
In step 5, it is determined whether the down switch SDN has changed from OFF to ON. As with the up switch SUP, only when the down switch SON changes from OFF to ON, #S96 changes the CV value by 0.5 steps (0.5EV>
decrease only. If down switch S[)N is OFF in #394, or down switch 5 in #S95
L) If N is kept ON, return.

The CV value determined by this C■ determination routine is the difference in exposure value between the peripheral part of the photographic screen that is not illuminated with flash light and the central part of the photographic screen that is illuminated with flash light during flash photography, that is, This indicates how many levels the peripheral area is exposed relative to the central area. This CV
The values will be explained with reference to FIG. 19. In addition,
Although FIG. 19 shows a backlit situation, the same applies to a frontlit situation.

FIG. 19 shows the exposure values of the peripheral part and the central part in the APEX system. In the same figure, A and B are the exposure values E VAM (= B
V AN + S V ) and E Vs (= B Vs 1 S), respectively. Then, C indicates the exposure value EV of the central part when the flash light is spot irradiated only to the central part, and if the exposure value due to only the flash light irradiated is QV, EV r= EV s+ Q It becomes V.

If a spot of flash light is irradiated only on the central part, the peripheral part will not be irradiated with flash light. Therefore, the exposure due to natural light is the peripheral brightness BVA.

The CV value can be arbitrarily set by controlling the flash light. Next, arbitrarily set C
The I+ control of the flash light to obtain the V value will be explained.

Now, assume that the shutter speed determined based on the peripheral brightness BVAM is TV, and the aperture value is AV. Since the center area is overexposed by ΔS■ than the appropriate value, the amount of light required for the center area is 2TV+AV18Sv.On the other hand, the amount of natural light incident on the center area is 2BVs.
+SV. Therefore, the amount of flash light required for the central portion is: 2TV+AV+ΔSV BVS+S■.

By the way, since the peripheral part is exposed more than the central part by CV, the peripheral part is more than the appropriate value (Δsv+cv
＞ will be overexposed. Therefore, the amount of light required in the peripheral area is 2TV+AV+Δsv+cv. However, since the peripheral area is exposed only by natural light, 2TV + AV + ΔSV + CV BVA, +5V = 2 TV + AV + A S -2B V AM
+S V CV9.2 holds true.

Therefore, the amount of flash light required at the center is 2BV
A-+S■-CV BVS+S■=2.

As is clear from this, setting the CV value uniquely determines the required amount of flash light.

Next, consider the amount of flash light required.

Out of the amount of light required for the center 2Tv + AV + ASV, the amount of flash light is 2T ■ + AV + Δ SV
The ratio of B V s-to sv is 2T■+AV+ΔSV BVs+SV2TV+-A
V+ΔSV 2BVAM1SV CV =1-2BVs+S■-(BVAM15V-CV)=1
-2CV-(BVA-BVS) =1-2CV-ΔBV, which is shown in a graph as shown in FIG. In addition, in the same figure, (a) is backlit (ΔB■〉0)
, (b) shows the case in front light (ΔBV≦O).

As is clear from the graph, the smaller the CV value, the
That is, the greater the amount of exposure of the central portion relative to the peripheral portion, the greater the amount of flash light required. In addition, the CV value is calculated as the difference ΔBV between the peripheral part 1 degree BVAM and the central part brightness BVs.
When set to
It can be seen that V = ΔBV) is obtained. Then, by making the difference in exposure amount (contrast) between the peripheral part and the central part larger than the brightness difference between the peripheral part and the central part,
Since it is impossible to further darken the center by irradiating the center with flash light, C■≦ΔBV.

The graph shown below both graphs shows the amount of light adjustment amount correction ΔEVF (A P E
The relationship between the X value) and the CV value is shown. The light adjustment amount correction amount ΔEV, (APEX value) is expressed as a logarithm with base 2 of the ratio of the flash light amount to the required light amount, CV-ΔBV ΔEV F= j! ogz(12). For example, as shown in FIG. 20(b), when the ratio of the amount of flash light is 1/2, ΔEVF=-1, and the light adjustment amount level may be corrected to the underside by one step. Also, when the ratio of the flash light amount is 1, that is,
If you want to obtain the necessary scene only with flash light (for example, when the central part is in true darkness (ΔBV--00>, or when the peripheral part is exposed in pure black (CV--■), etc.), ΔEV
F=O, and no correction of the amount of light adjustment is required. When the ratio of the flash light amount is 0, that is, when exposing only with natural light, 8EvF = -ω, that is, the light adjustment amount is corrected to the under side by ω steps so that no flash light is emitted. Make it.

As is clear from Equation 1 (%), which shows the ratio of flash light, the ratio of flash light does not depend on the exposure compensation amount ΔS■, but depends on the brightness difference ΔB between the peripheral area and the center area.
It depends only on V and its contrast value CV. In other words, the contrast is determined only by the relative relationship between the center and the periphery, and the absolute value (appropriate level) is a negative relationship.

Returning to FIG. 9, the explanation will be continued.

After determining the CV value in #S71, it is determined in #S72 whether or not there is backlight. If the backlight flag nLF is set, the process advances to #S74 and the CV value is limited to ΔBV or less.

The reason for this is that, as described above, it is impossible to make the contrast between the periphery and the center larger than the difference in brightness between the periphery and the center.

On the other hand, if the backlight flag RLF has been reset in #S72, the process advances to #S73 and the CV value is limited to (ΔBv-B or less).As a result, as shown in FIG. At least half of the image is obtained by flash light.This is to make the most of the effect of flash light in the photograph without unnecessarily restricting the flash light when there is no backlight.

Once the CV value is determined, the aperture value AVF for flash photography is determined in #S75. As mentioned above, the exposure control value is determined based on the peripheral brightness l3VA, and the aperture value AV
and shutter speed TV.
- Δ SV = BVAM + 5V - CV holds true. When shooting with flash, shutter speed T
Since V is set to the flash synchronization speed T V X,
The aperture value AVF for flash photography is: AV F= BV AM + SV-Δ5V-C
It became V-TVX.

Subsequently, in #S76, the above-mentioned dimming proof correction ΔE
Calculate VF. After that, in #S77, the CV value and the exposure correction amount ΔSV are displayed.

This display is performed in the viewfinder or on the CD panel on the top of the body using an analog scale of ±2.5 steps, as shown in FIG. In the same figure (, > (b),
The triangular mark EVT at the bottom of the scale is the exposure value EV at the center.
, and the value indicated by the triangular mark EV is ΔS
It shows V. Also, the triangle mark EV above the scale
AM indicates the peripheral exposure value EVA. and,
Both marks EVT.

The interval to EV8 indicates the CV value.

For example, Fig. 21 (,) shows Δ5V=-0,5, CV+-
1, 5, and the same figure (b) shows ΔSV=+t, CVO, 5
It shows.

FIG. 21(c) shows a modification of the display of the exposure correction amount Δsv and cv value, and displays the same values as in FIG. 21(a). In this variant, the display is done with a barcode. Each dot forming the barcode is composed of an LED panel capable of emitting two colors of red and green, for example. The dot EVT indicating the exposure value EVT in the center and the other dots emit light in different colors, for example, the dot EVT is displayed in red and the dot in the pond is displayed in green. The length of the lit barcode indicates the CV value. Note that the color of each dot may be the same, and the display type layer for the dot 1-EVT and the dot for the pond may be changed.For example, the dot 1-EVT may be made to blink and the other dots may be lit. You can let me.

After displaying the exposure correction amount ΔSV and CV value, the photometry completion flag LMENF is reset in #S80, and the process returns.

FIG. 11 shows a subroutine for exposure control. When the release button is pressed to the second stroke, the mirror is unlocked and switch S2 is turned on.
Proceed to this subroutine.

When this subroutine is called, the magnets ICMg, 2(': Mg, FMg are energized in #5100.

As a result, even when the mirror is raised and the shutter is unlocked, the shutter front curtain does not move. Furthermore, the lock of the aperture is released and the aperture starts to be narrowed down. after that,#
S The number of aperture stages from the open aperture is calculated according to the aperture value previously determined in step S1.01. If the aperture value obtained earlier in #5102 is not the open aperture value, the aperture value is set to #51 in #3103.
Wait until the number of stages determined in step 01 is narrowed down, and select #51.
At step 04, the magnet FMH is energized and turned off to stop narrowing down. If the aperture value obtained earlier in #5102 is the open aperture value, skip #5103 and immediately set #
Narrowing down is stopped in step 5104. Next, in step #5105, the previously determined flash light adjustment amount correction value ΔEVF is output to the flash light adjustment control circuit FCC. In #3106, the magnet 1CMH is de-energized and the leading shutter curtain starts running.Next, in #5107, it is determined whether the flash flag FLF is 1 or not. FL with #5107
If F=O, that is, when taking pictures using only natural light, wait for the exposure time TV determined earlier in #3108 to elapse, turn off the power to magnet 2CMg in #5109, and then set the shutter after the shutter curtain. Start running. ＃S
1.23 After the exposure is completed (after the shutter trailing curtain has completed running), the film is wound up, the shutter, mirror, and aperture are charged, and the process returns.

When the flash flag FLF is 1 in #5107,
In #3110, it is determined whether the valve flag BulbF is 1 or not. If BulbF = O, #3111
Execute the lighting routine with . In this subroutine, as shown in FIG. 12, it is determined in #5126 whether bounce photography or off-camera flash photography is to be performed. If bounce photography is to be performed in #5126 or flash photography is to be performed off-camera, the internal flash IFL is emitted in #5127, and the process returns. #51
If it is not bounce photography or off-camera photography at 26, it is determined whether the external flash priority flag 0UTF is 1 at #S L 28.

If 0UTF=0, the internal flash IFL is made to emit light in #5129, and the process returns.

#S If 0UTF=1 in 128, return as is. In addition, the shutter front curtain is #S1-t)
It started running at #S 127. #S 129
By the time the synchronization switch SX is reached, the synchronization switch SX is already turned on.

After executing the light emission routine in #5111, it is checked in #5112 whether the previously determined exposure time TV has elapsed.

If the exposure time TV has not yet elapsed, #S1.13
Then, it is determined whether or not the light emission stop signal FSTOP has been output from the flash dimming control circuit FCC. and,
If the signal FSTOP has been output, the internal flash IFL stops emitting light in #5114, and the process returns to #5112. Note that the signal FSTOP is also output to the external flash OFL, and when this signal is output, the external flash OFL also stops emitting light. Signal FST at #5113
If OP has not been output, the process returns to #5112. The above operations are repeated until the exposure time TV has elapsed.

When it is determined at $3112 that the exposure time TV has elapsed, the process proceeds to #5115, where the magnets I to 2CMH are de-energized and the shutter trailing curtain is run. Then #5
At step 116, charging routine B (see FIG. 8) is executed, and #3
After the shutter trailing curtain has completed running in step 123, the film is wound up and the shutter, mirror, and aperture are charged, and the process returns.

If BulbF=l in #5110, it is the second curtain synchronization mode, so wait for the release switch S2 to be turned off in #3117.
Then, in #5118, the internal flash IFL is caused to emit light. Then, wait in #5119 for the flash light control circuit FCC to output the light emission stop signal FSTOP,
Stop the internal flash IFL at #5120,
Move to #5121. At #S t 2 t, the magnet 2CM is de-energized and the shutter trailing curtain starts running. Then, in #5122, the above-mentioned charging routine A (see Fig. 7) is executed, and if the charging of the capacitor C2 of the internal flash IFL is completed or the charging voltage reaches the operation start voltage ■2 or higher, #5123/ ＼ Advance, and after the shutter trailing curtain has completed running, it starts winding and charging the shutter, mirror, and aperture, and then returns.

FIG. 13 shows the irradiation angle calculation routine.

When this subroutine is called, first in #5130 it is determined whether or not the flash flag FLF is 1, and then
If LF=O, return as is. FLF=1
If so, data on focal pressure @r is inputted from the lens circuit LEC in #3131, and photographing magnification β is calculated in #S, 132.

Next, the flash irradiation angle θ1 is determined. Here, the flash irradiation angle will be explained with reference to FIG. 22. The size (height or width) of the subject! , the shooting distance is d, and the flash irradiation angle is θ1. At this time, if the irradiation angle θ is set so that the flash light is irradiated only on the subject, as is clear from the figure, jan(θI/2)=N/2d. On the other hand, if the photographing magnification is β and the focal length of the lens is [, then β-r/d, so θ1= 2 jan-
'Q'・β/2r). In this example, the height is 1.
Based on a full-body photo of a person with 80cn+, β-1
800 (n+m). In other words, θ1=2 jan-'(900β/').

After determining the irradiation angle θ1, the process proceeds to #3135, and according to Table 1, focal length data fv having the same field of view as the flash irradiation angle θ determined in #3134 is determined.

Table 1 For example, if θ1-65°, fv = 281: +aU
A).

Next, in #3136, the focal pressure Nfv data is output to the external flash OFL, and in the external flash OFL, the illumination angle switching motor M3 is driven based on this focal length data. In addition, in #5136, the contents of the flash flag FLF and the external flash priority flag 0UTF are also output to the external flash OFL in order to prohibit or permit light emission of the external flash OFL. While the irradiation angle is being switched with the external flash ○FL, the flash irradiation range is displayed on the viewfinder screen in #8137 on the camera body side (described later). And #3138
In step #5139, it is determined whether or not the illumination angle switching operation has been completed. If the illumination angle switching has been completed, the program returns.

Here, the display of the flash irradiation range in #5137 will be explained using FIG. 23.

As an example, consider a case where a lens with a focal length of 281 is used. If the focal length fv having the same angles as the flash irradiation angle θ found in #3134 is 501, the viewing screen FRM
Frame F1 is displayed within the frame, and the focal length rv is 35m.
If so, frame F2 is displayed. By displaying the flash irradiation range in the photographing screen FRM in this manner, the photographing stand can easily confirm the flash irradiation range.

By the way, the narrower the irradiation range of the flash, the greater the amount of flash light irradiated per unit area, and the larger the guide number of the flash. Table 2 shows an example of the relationship between the focal length of the lens (v) and the guide number.

(Margin below) Table 2 For example, when taking a picture using a photographic lens with a focal length of 28 mm, the flash illumination angle θ required to illuminate the entire body of the main subject is different from that of a lens with a focal length of 85III+. Assuming that the angle is equal to the angle, the guide number GNo after switching the illumination angle is 32/22 = 1.4 from Table 2.
It becomes 5. Therefore, in this case, the guide number GNo is approximately 1.5 compared to the case where the entire shooting screen is irradiated.
The distance that the flash light reaches can also be increased by about 1.5 times.

FIG. 14 shows the switch discrimination routine.

#S 1.50 determines whether the exposure control mode switching switch SMD is ON, and if it is ON, #
At 5151, it is determined whether the exposure control mode register is MOR-11. If MOR=11, #81.
52, set MOR=OO, and if MOr(≠11, set MOR=MOR+1 in #8153, and move to #5155.Here, the exposure mode register MOR selects four types of exposure control modes. 2 to do
Bi-y T- register, when MOR=OO, program AE mode (P mode), when MOR=01, program AE mode (A mode), MOR
When MOR=10, shutter speed priority AE mode F (S mode) is selected, and when MOR=11, manual mode (M mode) is selected.

Thereafter, the process waits for the switch SMD to turn OFF in #5155, and then returns.

#S If the switch SMD is not ON at 150,
In #3156, it is determined whether the drive mode switching switch SDR is ON. If switch SDR is ON, drive mode registers DR, R are set in #3157.
Determine whether or not is 1, and if DRR=1, #51
58, set DR11=0, and if D RR≠1, #31
59, DRR=1. Here, DRR is a 1-bit register for selecting the drive mode, and DR
When R=O, single shot mode (single frame shooting), DRR=1
When , continuous shooting mode (continuous shooting) is selected. After that, press #SL fr I to set the drive mode switch SD.
Wait 3 for R to turn OFF and return.

If switch SDR is not ON in #3156, #
Switch SF for flash mode switching on S i 62
Determine whether M is ON. Switch SFM is O
If N, move to #5163, determine whether or not FMR is -11, and if FMR = 1.1, # S L 6
4, FMR=OO, and if F M n≠11, #5
At L65, F M R = F M n + 1 is set, and the process moves to #5167. Here, FMn is a register for selecting 4 types of flash modes 3, and when FMR=OO, forced flash mode, FM
When R=01, automatic light emission mode is selected, when FMR=10, rear curtain synchronization mode, and when FMR-11, non-light emission mode is selected. After that, in #5167 switch SF
Wait until M turns OFF and return.

#5168 has an up/down switch (Sup/5
DN) is ON or not. If neither the up switch 5LIP nor the down switch SDN is ON, the process returns as is; if either is ON, #31.
At step 69, the UP/DOWNVI routine is executed.

As shown in FIG. 15, this UP/DOWN subroutine first determines in #5180 whether or not it is LMENF1. If LMENF=1, WL shadow preparation switch Sl
is ON, the up/down switch (S up
/SON) will be used to set the contrast l-CV, the program moves to #S], 92, executes the previously described C■ determination subroutine, and returns. On the other hand, if it is L ME N FO, the switch Sl is OFF, so the up/down switch (Sup/
5ON) will be used to set the aperture value AV or shutter speed TV, and the process advances to #5181. #31
In step 81, lens data (maximum aperture value, open aperture value) is input from the lens circuit LEC in order to know the controllable range of the aperture. Then, in #5182, it is determined whether the exposure control mode is manual mode (M mode). In M mode, use #3183 to turn the aperture setting switch S.
It is determined whether or not AV is turned on, and if it is turned on, the aperture value AV is set to a predetermined value (for example, 0.5E) in #5184.
#3 according to the lens data (maximum aperture value, maximum aperture value) input in #S18].
In 185, the aperture value AV is limited, and the process moves to #S 191.

If the aperture setting switch SAV is not turned on in #5183, the shutter speed TV is increased/decreased by a predetermined value (for example, 1 EV) in #5186, and the shutter speed TV is limited in #5187, for example, 5EV≦TV≦12E.
V) and move to #5191. If #5182 is not M mode, #5188 is A mode (aperture priority AE).
mode), and if it is A mode, #S
The process moves to step 184 to set the aperture value AV. #S 1
If it is not A mode in 88, it is determined whether it is in S mode (shutter speed priority AE mode) in #5189,
If the mode is S, the process moves to #5186 and the shutter speed TV is set. If #5189 is not S mode, exposure control mode is P mode (Program AE mode)
Therefore, the process proceeds to #5191 without setting the aperture value AV and shutter speed TV at all.

In addition, when in P mode, switch S up (S DN)
is ON, the shutter -3fi degree TV may be increased (decreased) by a predetermined value (for example, 0.5 EV), and the aperture value AV may be decreased (increased) by the same value.

In this way, by operating the switch S UP+S DN, it becomes possible to perform a so-called program shift. After the above, the process waits until the up/down switch (S up/S I) is turned off in #5191 and returns.

Next, the operation of the internal flash microcomputer CPUF in the external flash OFL will be explained. When the flash main switch FMS of the external flash OFL changes from OFF to ON, the interrupt terminal INT is output by the pulse generator PG as described above.

An interruption of ；＼ occurs. When an interrupt occurs to the interrupt terminal INT, the flash microcomputer CPU
An interrupt process 1NT1 (not shown) is executed. In this interrupt processing, first, interrupts are enabled in #F1, and it is determined in #F2 whether or not the flash main switch FMS is ON. If the flash main switch FMS is ON,
Determine whether or not charging of the main capacitor MC is completed with #F3. If charging is not completed, start charging with #F4. If charging is completed, stop charging with #F5, and then #F1 respectively. Return to #F2 to flash main switch F
If MS is OFF, stop charging with #F6 and #F7
It enters a standby state waiting for the next interrupt to occur.6 Also, the flash selection signal C3F from the camera body side
When L reaches the ``Low'' level, the flash microcomputer CPUF executes the interrupt process INT2 shown in the 17th section. In this interrupt processing INT2, first, interrupts are disabled with #F10, and the flash main switch F is disabled with #F11.
Determine whether the MS is ON. If the flash main switch FMS is OFF, charging of the main capacitor MC is stopped at #F12, interrupts are enabled at #F13, and the standby state is entered at #F14. If the flash main switch FMS is ON, it is determined in #F15 whether the signal is transmitted from the flash to the camera body or from the camera body to the flash. If the signal is transmitted from the flash to the camera body, it is determined in #F16 whether or not charging of the main capacitor MC is completed.

If charging is complete, press #F17 to flash data F.
Set the third pit t-bz of the LD to 1, and if charging is not completed, set the third pit t-bz of the flash data FLD to 1 with #F18.
to [12 is set to 0 and moves to #F19. Here, the flash data FLD is 3 pins 1 to b2. b,
.

This is status data consisting of bo. At #F19, it is determined whether or not the motor M3 for switching the illumination angle is being driven. If the motor is being driven, the second bit b1 of the flash data FLD is set to 1 in #F20; if the motor is not being driven, the second bit b1 of the flash data FLD is set to O in #F21, and the process moves to #F22. . #F2
In step 2, it is determined whether the bounce switch FBS is ON or the off-camera switch FO8 is ON. Bounce switch PBS is ON or off camera switch F'O8
is ON, set the 1st bi-so 1=bo of the flash data FLD to 1 in #F23, and set the bounce switch FBS to 1.
is OFF and the off-camera switch FOS is OFF.
If so, #F24 sets the first bit b of the flash data FLD. are set to O, and the process moves to #F25. The flash data FLD obtained as above is #F2
5 to output to the camera body side, and #F36 to wait for the flash select signal C9FL to become "Higb" level. When the signal C3FL becomes “”E (high” level),
Enable interrupts with #F37 and return.

On the other hand, if #F15 indicates signal transmission from the camera body to the flash, data from the camera body is input in #F26. This data includes focal length fv data for switching the irradiation angle and flash flag FLF data.
, external flash priority 7 lag 0UTF, etc.

At #F27, flash select signal C3FL is °'H
Wait for the signal C3FL to become 'High' level.
When the level reaches “gh” level, the flash flag F is set with #F28.
Determine LF. If FLF=O, flash photography will not be performed, so prohibit flash firing with #F31.
#Proceed to F32.

If FLF=1 in #F28, flag 0U in #F29
Determine TF. If 0UTF=O, the external flash OFL will not emit light, so the process proceeds to #F31. 0UT
If P=1, the external flash OFL is caused to emit light, so light emission is permitted in #F30, and the process proceeds to #F32.

At #F32, subsequent interruptions are enabled, and the process proceeds to #F33. At #F33, the motor M for switching the irradiation angle is activated.

to drive. #F34 has code plate ZP for irradiation angle detection
A signal from C is input, and the motor M3 is driven until the irradiation angle corresponds to the focal length fv. When the switching of the irradiation angle is completed, the motor M is stopped at #F35 and the process returns.

Finally, the flags and registers used in the above embodiment are summarized in Tables 3 and 4, respectively.

(Leaving space below) Table 3 Table 4 In the embodiments described above, the internal flash IFL was fired in the t & curtain resync mode, but even in the rear curtain synchro mode, the external flash OFL was used. It's okay. For this purpose, the above embodiment may be modified as follows.

First, we will explain the hardware changes. First, delete the synchro switch SX. And the microcomputer CPUB
A signal line dedicated to the light emission start signal 5XON is provided from 5XON, and this is connected to terminals P and 3 of the microcomputer CPUF in the external flash via the connection terminal TMI.

Next, software changes will be explained. First, in the flowchart of FIG. 6, step #S22 (OUT
F=O) and proceed from #S21 to #S12. Then, in #5118 of FIG. 11, the subroutine of light emission routine J (FIG. 12) is called. The light emission routine is changed to output a light emission start signal 5XON to the external flash OFL if 0UTF=1 in #5128.

Alternatively, only the software may be changed as in the first order.

First, in #8136 (Fig. 13), the flash emission mode is also set to the external flash OFL as flash data.
Output to. Then, in #5118 (Fig. 11), the flag 0UTF is determined, and if 0UTF=1, the light emission start signal 5TART (different from SXON) is sent to the interface circuit I N r as with other flash data.
;' to output to the external flash OFL. And in the flash microcomputer CPU,
After #F26 (Fig. 17), the light emission start signal 5TART
A step is provided for determining whether or not a message has been issued.

If the signal 5TART is issued, a signal is sent to the flash dimming control circuit FLCC to cause the flash to be emitted regardless of whether one light emission is permitted or not, and the process is changed to return. If the signal 5TART is not being issued, proceed to #F27. and,
A step is provided between #F29 and #F30 to determine whether or not the light emission mode is the rear curtain synchronization mode, and if it is the rear curtain synchronization mode, the process proceeds to #F31 and prohibits flash emission. change.

It is also possible to change the hardware as shown in FIG.

When the flag 0UTF is set to Sera I~, the microcomputer C
From terminal P1° of PtJB to NAND circuit N circuit D1'
In the second curtain synchronization mode, the terminal pH is output to the NOR circuit NoR1 (indicated by negative logic), and the "t(igl+" level is output to the AND circuit ANDI).The synchro switch SX is N ' It is connected to the OR circuit N0R1.The release switch S2 is connected to the AND circuit ANDI via the one-shot circuit oS1.
It is connected to the.

When the switch S2 is turned off, the one-shot circuit O81 outputs a high-level one-shot pulse with a predetermined time width.The outputs of the NOR circuit N0R1 and the AND circuit D1 are both input to the OR circuit R1. The output of the OR circuit OR1 is input to the NAND circuit N circuit D1.The output of the NAND circuit N circuit D1 is input to the terminal TM.
Light emission start signal 5XO to external flash OFL via I
Inputted as N.

During normal flash photography using an external flash OFL, the "l-1-1i" level is output from terminal P1, and the 'Low' level is output from terminal P, so the running of the front curtain is When the process is completed and the switch SX is turned on, the output of the NAND circuit N circuit D1 becomes "Low" level. Therefore, the signal 5XON is input to the external flash OFL, and the external flash OFL emits flash light. Note that the terminal P1. Since a “Low” level is being output from the
becomes FF and goes High from one-shot circuit O81
Even if a high level pulse is output, the AND circuit ANDI continues to output a low level. Therefore, again, signal 5
XON is never output.

When in rear curtain synchronization mode using external flash OF and L, both terminals P1° + PI1 output “Hi”.
gh" level signal is output. Therefore, even if the synchro switch SX is turned on, the NOR circuit N0
R1 does not output a "'High" level, and no light emission start signal is output. After shooting is completed, switch S2 is turned off.
When this happens, the one-shot circuit O31 outputs "'Higl-
A one-shot t-pulse of level is output. Terminal pH
Since °'High" level is output from
“HiHb” level is output from D circuit circuit DI, and ○
A “High” level is output from the R circuit ORI. Since the “Higb” level is output from the terminal P1o, when the output of the OR circuit OR1 becomes the “Hi Bi]1” level, the NAND circuit N circuit D1 outputs the “Low” level, and this output becomes the light emission start signal. 5XON to the external flash OFL.
L emits light.

When the external flash OFL is not used, that is, when the flag 0UTF=O, the terminal P1° to l t, o
Since the III+t level is being output, the NAND circuit N circuit D1 continues to output the 'High' level.

Therefore, even if the switch SX is turned ON or the switch S2 is turned OFF, the light emission start signal 5XON is
is not output. Therefore, the external flash OF+- does not emit light.

By configuring a circuit that outputs the light emission start signal 5XON in this way, the external flash OFL only needs to emit flash light when the light emission start signal 5XON is input, regardless of the flash mode. Therefore, even if a conventionally known normal flash device is used instead of a dedicated flash device, flash photography similar to the flash photography device of the present invention (rear-curtain synchronization, switching between internal flash and external flash) can be achieved. It can be performed.

In addition, if TTL direct metering is performed using the flash dimming control circuit FCC and an appropriate exposure amount is obtained before switch S2 is turned OFF in rear curtain synchronization mode, the flash will flash even if switch S2 is ON. It is also possible to run the shutter trailing curtain without emitting light. By doing this, it is possible to obtain proper exposure even when shooting in rear-curtain synchronization mode under extremely bright conditions. In this case, the flash may be emitted in response to the start of the movement of the shutter trailing curtain, and the effect of the flash may be reflected in the photograph.

Further, in the above embodiment, the exposure values for the peripheral area and the central area can be freely set by combining the exposure correction value ΔS■ and the CV value.

However, the invention is not limited to this, and either the central part or the peripheral part may always be properly exposed.

In order to ensure that the center area is always properly exposed, delete the exposure compensation amount setting circuit EMC and set Δ in the control program.
It is sufficient to set 5V=O. Then, as shown by the broken line in FIG. 21(a), the mark EV may be fixed at the center of the scale. Generally, the main subject is often located at the center of the photographic screen. Therefore, if the central portion is always properly exposed, the main subject can always be properly exposed, which is particularly convenient for beginners and other people who are not accustomed to photography.

In order to ensure that the peripheral area is always properly exposed, the exposure compensation amount setting circuit EMC is deleted and the calculation in step #575 (Figure 9) of the control program is changed to AVF=BVAM+5.
Just change to V-TV. As a result, the peripheral area is properly exposed to only natural light. Then, as shown by the broken line in No. 21[](b), the mark EVAM may be fixed at the center of the scale.

Here, we will consider the amount of light required to properly expose the peripheral area.

Since the peripheral area is properly exposed, in order to bring the contrast between the peripheral area and the center to CV, the central area only needs to be underexposed by CV compared to the appropriate exposure. Therefore, the amount of light required at the center is 2TV, +AV, -CV. Therefore, the required flash light amount is 2T■・+A
V・-CV BVs+SV, and the proportion of the flash light in the light amount at the center is 1-2B V s + SV (TV x +
AVFCV)-1-2CV-ΔBV','AVF=BVA,+5V-TVX.

ΔBV=BVAM-13Vs. This is the same formula as explained in the previous example. In other words, contrast is relative and has nothing to do with absolute values.6In addition, in the above example, in front lighting, the ratio of flash light is set to 1/2 or more. In this way, the effect of the flash was reflected in the photograph as much as possible. However, steps #S72 and #373 (Fig. 9) may be deleted and the CV value may be freely set regardless of the luminance distribution of the subject (however, as mentioned above, if CV≦ΔBV ).

In addition, various modifications as described below can be made when implementing the present invention. for example,
By pre-flashing the flash and measuring the amount of incident light when the flash light is added to natural light, it is possible to freely set the amount of flash light that will give the subject an appropriate exposure, thereby determining the exposure value of the subject under flash irradiation. It is also possible to control the difference in the exposure value of the background due to natural light. In addition, a manual setting member for the irradiation range is provided on the external flash OFL, so that the areas that are illuminated by the flash and the areas that are not illuminated can be freely adjusted, and the difference in exposure value of the image area can also be adjusted. I don't mind. Furthermore, data regarding the flash irradiation range set on the flash side may be input from the flash to the camera, and the flash irradiation range may be displayed in the camera's finder. Furthermore, the photometry ranges for the center and periphery of the photographic screen may be automatically switched based on data regarding the flash irradiation range. Furthermore, the exposure value step setting means may be provided on the flash side instead of on the camera side, and data regarding the exposure value step set on the flash side may be input from the flash to the camera. It doesn't matter if it is fixed. Note that the present invention can also be applied to a camera with a built-in zoom flash. In addition, it automatically sets the flash irradiation range and the metering range for the center of the shooting screen according to the shooting magnification, and controls the flash dimming amount so that steps in the exposure value (preset or fixed) are obtained. You may do as you please.

In the above embodiment, the irradiation range of the flash light was changed depending on the photographing magnification regardless of whether the camera was backlit or frontlit. By the way, when flash light is emitted in front light, the field of view is usually very dark and the aperture aperture is set large.

Therefore, the flash light reaches relatively far. On the other hand, when the subject is backlit, the field of view is usually bright, so the aperture aperture is set small. Therefore, when the light is backlit, the distance that the flash light reaches is relatively short.

Considering the above, narrowing the irradiation range of the flash light and increasing the guide number GNo is very meaningful in backlighting, but it is meaningless in frontlighting or backlighting. Furthermore, if the irradiation range is narrowed when the brightness is low, only the subject in the center will be exposed, and the subjects in the periphery may not be exposed at all. Therefore, the irradiation range of the flash light may be changed depending on the photographing magnification only when the subject is backlit. To make this modification, in the illumination angle calculation routine (Fig. 13), a step is provided to determine the backlight flag RLF before step #3131, and when RLF=1, the process proceeds to #5131, and RLF=1. If it is O, just return.

Furthermore, in the forced flash mode, the photographer intends to reflect the effect of flash light on the photograph. Therefore, in the forced flash mode, it is desirable to make the flash light reach as far as possible. Therefore, in the above modification, the irradiation range of the flash light may be changed in accordance with the photographing magnification even in the forced light emission mode. To modify in this way, in the above modification, when RLF=O, the flash mode register F
Check MR and if FIl=OO, step #513
1, and if FMR≠00, just return.

When transformed in this way, when the brightness is low (frontlight), by setting the automatic flash mode (FMR = 01), everything within the shooting range and within the reach of the flash light will be exposed to the flash light. be able to. and,
By setting the forced flash mode (FMR=00), it is possible to irradiate only the main subject with flash light and expose only the main subject.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the flash that was charged first among the internal flash FL and the external flash OFL was emitted, but the present invention can also be applied when two external flashes are used. can. It can also be applied to cameras with two built-in flashes. or,
When lifting with three or more flashes (regardless of whether they are built-in or external), the flash that has completed charging the earliest may be set to emit light.

[Effects of the Invention] According to the present invention, in a flash photographing device equipped with a plurality of flash devices, the first flash device that is fully charged is made to emit light, so charging the other flash devices is wasted. As long as one of them is fully charged, flash photography is possible, which has the effect of reducing the risk of missing a photo opportunity, especially when taking quick shots.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The first UA is a block diagram showing the basic configuration of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a camera system as an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a circuit diagram of an external flash used in
Flowcharts 1 to 17 show the same operations as above.
Fig. 18 is a diagram showing the change over time in the charging voltage of the internal flash used in the above, Fig. 19 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the amount of dimming of the flash used in the above, Fig. 20 (a),
(b) is a diagram showing the relationship between the step in the exposure value at the periphery and the center and the ratio of flash light intensity in backlighting and frontlighting, respectively, and Figure 21 shows an example of the display on the finder display used in the above. Fig. 22 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the flash irradiation range on the subject, Fig. 231 is a diagram showing an example of display of the flash irradiation range on the infinder display section, and Fig. 24 is a part of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of an example main part. (2) FL is the first flash, OFL is the second flash, 1 is the first charging completion determination means, 2 is the second charging completion determination means, and 3 is the flash selection means. Figure 1

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) A flash photographing device including a first flash device, a second flash device, and a camera body, the first flash device including a second flash device, and a camera body.
a first charging completion determining means for determining whether charging of the flash device is complete; a second charging completion determining means determining whether charging of the second flash device is complete; and determination by the first and second charging completion determining means. A flash photographing device comprising a flash selection means for causing the flash device that has completed charging first to emit light based on the result. (2) The flash photography device according to claim 1, wherein the first flash device is built into the camera. (3) The flash photography device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second flash device is a flash device that is removably attached to the camera. (4) A plurality of flash devices, a charging completion determining means for determining whether charging is completed for each flash device, and a flash selecting means for causing the flash device that has completed charging earliest to emit light based on the determination result of the charging completion determining means. A flash photography device equipped with