JPH0437826A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] This invention is based on AEB (Auto Exposur
The present invention relates to a camera capable of continuously repeating shadow and AEB shooting, and particularly relates to a camera configured such that a reference exposure value automatically changes according to changes in shooting conditions during continuous AEB shooting.

[Conventional technology] Modern cameras are highly electronically controlled. For example, the camera is configured to automatically perform shooting techniques that were previously performed by professional photographers with the touch of a button. There are also more cameras.

The camera manufactured and sold by the present applicant is one of such highly electronically controlled cameras, and is equipped with a well-known AEB photographing function.

The AEB photography function is a function that continuously and automatically performs photography using an appropriate n ratio value, overexposure photography, and underexposure photography.

A known camera with an AEB photographing function manufactured by the present applicant is configured to perform the following operations during continuous AEB photographing.

In other words, when performing AEB continuous shadows (repeatedly performing AEBli% shadows), the camera shutter operates continuously as the photographer continues to press the camera's release button, resulting in underexposed shots and correct exposure values. Photographing with overexposure and photographing with overexposure are automatically and continuously performed in this order. Then, once the photographer stops pressing the release button, the shooting will be temporarily stopped depending on the condition of the aircraft at that moment (for example, if the shooting was underexposed, the shooting will be underexposed). When the photographer presses the release button again, the camera resumes shooting from the properly exposed image of the aircraft, and the exposure reference value used before the release button was stopped is used as the reference value for the exposure value at that time.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Known cameras that operate as described above have the following problems. That is, in the known camera as mentioned above, A
If the camera operator stops pressing the release button during continuous EB shooting and then presses it again, shooting will resume from the shooting step in the AEB shooting cycle before he stopped pressing the release button. The exposure value determined based on the photometric value measured before the first shooting starts is used as the appropriate exposure value even after shooting resumes.
The surrounding conditions may have changed between the time you start shooting for the first time and the time you resume shooting, so in such cases, the appropriate exposure value will no longer correspond to the surrounding conditions after shooting resumes. Probability is high.

Especially when the subject is a moving object, the brightness of the subject often changes greatly as the subject moves, and the more △EB shadows there are, the more the surrounding environment and the subject's situation change. Therefore, there is a high possibility that the appropriate exposure value based on the photometric value measured before the start of the first photographing will no longer be the appropriate exposure value after the photographing is restarted.

Therefore, in the known camera, when AEB photography is restarted by pressing the release button again, there is a high possibility that the exposure of the image after restarting will not be appropriate.

On the other hand, in known cameras, when the release button is pressed again to resume AEB photography, the AEB photography cycle resumes where it was before the release was interrupted. After restarting, the camera starts photographing with appropriate exposure. However, such a configuration is not necessarily preferable. This is because when the release is interrupted, the photographer is generally waiting for a new photo opportunity, so when the release is resumed, it is desirable to first take a shot with the proper exposure. be.

When a photo opportunity arrives and the photographer quickly releases the shutter, an overexposed or underexposed photo will be taken first, and depending on subsequent changes in the surrounding conditions, a properly exposed photo will be taken in the same situation as the overexposed photo. You may not be able to take pictures.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to solve the above problems and to
To provide a camera configured to be able to perform photography with appropriate exposure even after resuming shooting (after resuming release operation) when photographing is interrupted during continuous photographing and then restarted.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In the improved camera according to the present invention, when AEB continuous imaging is restarted, photometry is newly performed, a new standard exposure value is determined based on the photometric value, and the standard exposure value is adjusted to the standard exposure value. Based on this, AEB continuous shooting is restarted. After photographing is resumed, first, photographing is performed using the reference output value, and then underexposure and overexposure photographing are performed in this order.

[Function] In the improved camera according to the present invention, when restarting AEB continuous imaging, the photometry device performs photometry, a new standard exposure value is determined based on the photometric value, and AEB continuous shooting is performed using the standard exposure value. Since the AEB continuous shooting control means for starting the AEB continuous shooting when the release is resumed is provided, even during the AEB continuous shooting after the release is resumed, shooting is performed with an appropriate exposure corresponding to the surrounding situation. Furthermore, since the first photograph after the release is resumed is taken at the proper exposure, there is no risk of failing to take a picture with the proper exposure.

[Examples] Examples of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the electrical configuration of a camera according to the present invention.

In Fig. 2, 1 is a microcomputer that controls the operation of the entire camera, and 2 is a motor for driving the optical system inside the lens barrel (lens drive motor and aperture blade drive motor).
3 is a liquid crystal display circuit that drives the liquid crystal of the camera's liquid crystal display device; 4 is a switch sense circuit that detects the states of various detection switches; and 5 is a strobe light emission control circuit that controls the strobe device. light control circuit, 6
1 is a focus detection circuit that detects the focus of the photographic lens; 7 is a photometry circuit that includes a built-in photometry element; 8 is a shutter control circuit that controls shutter drive; and 9 is a feed motor control that controls the film introduction motor. In the circuit, SWI is the switch that starts the camera operation, SW2 is the switch that is turned on in conjunction with the pressing operation of the release button, and the X contact is the switch that is turned on when the front curtain of the shutter finishes running.
It is.

The double line drawn between the microcomputer 1 and each circuit is a serial data bus DBtJS provided between the input/output port of the microcomputer 1 and each of the circuits. Data communication is performed between 1 and each circuit. Moreover, the two-dot chain lines drawn between the microcomputer 1 and each circuit are control signals for controlling each circuit by the microcomputer 1.

While the lens mork control circuit 2 receives the LCOM signal from the microcomputer 1, the data bus DBtJS
It performs serial communication with the microcomputer l via. Motor drive information is received and received through serial communication, and the motor in the lens barrel is driven and controlled using that information. At the same time, various information about the lens (focal length, etc.)
is sent to the microcomputer 1 via serial communication.

The liquid crystal display circuit 3 is a circuit for driving a liquid crystal display (not shown) for informing the photographer of various photographic information of the camera, such as shutter speed, aperture value, ISO sensitivity, number of film sheets, etc. 3 is connected to the data bus D while receiving the DPCOM signal from the microcomputer 1.
Start BUS and perform serial communication with microcomputer 1. Display data is received and received through serial communication, and the liquid crystal display is driven according to the data.

The switch sense circuit 4 is a circuit that reads the status of switches used by the photographer to set various shooting conditions and the status of the switches indicating the status of the camera and sends it to the microcomputer l.
While receiving the SWCOM signal from the microcomputer 1, the data bus DBUS is started and switch data is sent to the microcomputer 1 through serial communication.

The strobe light emission control circuit 5 controls strobe light emission and TTL.
This is a circuit that controls the light emission stop function by dimming, and while the circuit 5 is receiving the STCOM signal from the microcomputer 1, it performs serial communication with the microcomputer via the data bus DBLIS, and receives data related to strobe control. and performs various controls on the strobe device.

The focus detection circuit 6 is a line sensor for performing AF using the existing phase difference detection method, and a circuit unit for reading out the accumulation thereof, and is read fli1 by the microcomputer 1.

The photometry circuit 7 performs photometry of the subject and sends the photometry output to the microcomputer under the control of the microcomputer l. The microcomputer l converts the sent photometric output into A/
It is converted to D and used for setting exposure conditions (aperture, shutter speed).

The shutter control circuit 8 controls the movement of the leading and trailing shutter curtains (not shown) according to control signals from the microcomputer 1.

The feeding circuit 9 feeds (winds and rewinds) the film in accordance with control signals from the microcomputer 1.

The switch SWI is a switch that is linked to a button that starts the operation of the camera, and when the microcomputer 1 recognizes that the switch SW1 has been turned on, the microcomputer 1 starts photometry, distance measurement, and display.

Switch SW2 is linked to the camera's release button.
When the microcomputer 1 recognizes that SW2 has been turned on, the exposure operation starts.

The X contact turns ON when the shutter's first curtain completes its travel.
L, serves to notify the strobe light emission control circuit 5 of the timing of strobe light emission.

Next, the operation of the camera of this embodiment will be explained with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 1 and FIGS. 3 to 7.

+1011: First, with the power supply connected to the microcomputer 1, it is determined whether the switch SWI is in the OFF state or the ON state. Here, when the switch SWI is in the OFF state, the power is turned to 0FFL, and when the switch SWI is in the ON state, the process proceeds to +1021 to perform photometry and distance measurement.

(102): Photometry/Distance Measurement and Calculation (103): After photometry/distance measurement, it is determined whether the switch SW2 is in the OFF state or the ON state.

When the switch SW2 is in the OFF state, +1041 switch SWI is ON10FF judged and the switch S
When W2 is in the ON state, the process moves to the release sequence after +1051.

(0N10F of switch SW2 of 1041/f103+
If the switch SW2 is in the OFF state in the F judgment, it is determined whether the switch SWI is in the OFF state or in the ON state. If switch SWI is OFF, turn off the power.
FF, and if the switch SWI is ON, the process returns to (102) photometry/distance measurement.

(105) ・(Appropriate value calculated by photometry with 102+ (
Aperture value and shutter speed value to obtain proper exposure)
In contrast, set the aperture value and shutter speed value in consideration of the amount of correction set in AEB. AEB correction is ±1
FIG. 3 shows an example 1 in which three images are taken, including the appropriate one.

FIG. 4 shows an example 2 in which the AEB is corrected in one step, only the underside is corrected, and four shots are taken, including the appropriate one. In the case of Example 1 shown in Fig. 3, the values are 1>, <-1>, <+1>, <appropriate><-1><+1><appropriate>, etc. until switch SW2 is turned OFF once. I can continue. Also, 4
In the case of example 2 shown in the figure, <appropriate>, <-1>, <-2>
, <-3>, <suitable>, <-1>, <-2>, <-3>
, <proper> ・ can be continued until the switch SW2 is turned off once. Here, "appropriate" means an appropriate value determined by the latest photometry. Furthermore, when performing AEB exposure, the first sheet is exposed with "proper" exposure.

[106): Expose with the aperture value and shutter speed determined in (105).

(1071: Here, it is determined whether the switch SW2 is OtJ or OFF, and when the switch 5Vv2 is ON, the AEBi light is emitted continuously for the number of AEB sheets (Proceed to 1081. When OFF, A
Go to flio) for initialization of EB processing.

(108): Decrement the number of A E B sheets. The number of AEB cards mentioned here is 3 for 1 each of legal, over and under, 5 for 2 each of legal, over and under, and 7 for 63 and 63 over and under.
This is the number of sheets.

Further, the number of cards may be 2 if there is one correct and over or under, 3 if two are correct and over or under, 4 if three are correct and over or under, and so on.

(1091: A E B Determine whether the number of sheets is 0 or not. If it is not 0, follow the AEB process in (105) and +
Take 1061 exposures and continue with AEB 1% shadows. When it is 0, it returns to flol) for proper exposure photometry, and after the photometry and distance measurement in (102) (if it is determined that switch SW2 is ON in 1031, the latest photometry value measured at +1021 is returned). Continue AEB photography using .

flo): If sW2 is released and turned off during AEB shooting, the number of AEB shots is returned to the set value even if the number of AEB shots remains during AEB shooting. In other words, the next time AEB exposure is performed, exposure will be performed from the <appropriate value>.

FIG. 5 compares the conventional example and the present example in Example 1 shown in FIG. In the conventional example, when switch SW2 is pressed and is in the ON state, <proper 1>, <-1>, <+
1>, <appropriate>.

<-L>, <+1>, <proper>... with switch SW2
It continues until it is turned off once. Switch SW2 is 1
Degree 0FFI, very suitable>.

The order of <-1> and <+1> remains unchanged. In other words,<
-1> Once switch SW2 is turned off after shooting,
The next time the camera is released again, AEB photography starts from +1>, whereas in this embodiment, if switch SW2 is released even once and turned off, switch SW2 is turned on next time.
When AEB shooting starts, select AEB from <Proper>.
It can be seen from FIG. 5 that a photograph is taken.

Similar to FIG. 5, FIG. 6 compares the conventional example and the present example in Example 2 shown in FIG. 4. In the conventional example, when switch SW2 is in the ON state, <proper>, <-1>
, <-2>.

<-3>, <appropriate>, <-1>, <-2>.

<-3>, <proper>, switch SW2 is turned off once
You can continue until you get F. Even if the switch SW2 is turned off once, the values are 1>, <-1>.

The order of <-2> and <-3> remains unchanged. In other words, <
-1>l If switch SW2 is turned off once after the shadow,
The next time the camera is released again, A E B shooting starts from SW2>, whereas in this embodiment, the switch SW2
If it is released even once and turned off, then switch SW
When 2 is pressed to start AEB shooting with ONL,
It can be seen from FIG. 6 as well as from FIG.

The ☆ marks in FIGS. 5 and 6 indicate appropriate values using the latest photometric values at that time.

FIGS. 5 and 6 of Example 1 show the case where when the release button is kept pressed, the release continues and the AEB exposure continues. FIG. 7 shows an embodiment configured such that even if the release button is kept pressed, the release stops when the AEB set number of images is completed, even if the release button is kept pressed.

FIG. 7 compares the conventional example and the present example in Example 2 shown in FIG. 4. In the conventional example, when switch SW2 is pressed and in the ON state, <proper>, <-1>, <-
2> After <-3> is photographed and <-3> is photographed, the release does not occur even if switch SW2 is turned on. (Here, the number of AEB sheets is 4.) In the conventional example, when the switch SW2 is pressed and is in the ON state, <proper>,
Images up to <-1> are taken and switch SW2 is turned off once.
If you release the camera again, the remaining number of AEB shots will be 2.
The pieces <-2> and <-3> are released.

Here, the release stops even if the switch SW2 is ON.

In contrast, in this embodiment, when the switch SW2 is pressed and remains in the ON state, the
After <-3> is captured and <-3> is photographed, the release does not occur even if switch SW2 is turned on. This is the same as the conventional example, but switch SW2 is turned off once during AEB shooting (for example, after shooting <-1>).
After that, when switch SW2 is pressed again to start AEB photography, the exposure is not from <-2>, but from
FIG. 7 shows that from <proper>, AEB photography exposes for the number of AEB settings. In addition, ☆ in the diagram of Figure 7
The mark indicates the appropriate value using the latest photometric value at that time.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, in the camera of the present invention, after the release is resumed, the exposure value is set based on a new photometric value, so the situation is different between before the release is interrupted and after the release is resumed. There is no risk that the exposure will be inappropriate even when the shutter is released, and even after the release is resumed, you can continue taking pictures with an exposure appropriate for the situation. Furthermore, after the release is resumed, photography is first performed with proper exposure, so there is no risk of failing to take a picture with optimal exposure at the desired shutter opportunity.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a flowchart showing the characteristic operation of the camera of the invention, Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the electrical configuration of the camera of the invention, and Figs. Figures 5 to 7, which are diagrams showing examples of photographing conditions when photographing is performed, show the release button operation status and exposure changes during release interruption AEB continuous shooting in the camera of the present invention and a known camera. This is the diagram shown. l... Microcomputer 2... Lens motor control device 3... Liquid crystal display circuit 4... Switch sense circuit 5... Strobe light emission dimming control circuit 6... Focus detection circuit 7... Photometry circuit 8... Shutter control circuit 9... Feed motor control circuit 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Chapter 4 TV priority: Shutter speed priority exemption Figure 5 Figure 7

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A light metering device, an AEB (automatic gradual exposure) shooting control device, and a continuous shooting device. In a camera capable of AEB continuous shooting, when the release button is pressed again after the pressing operation of the release button is temporarily interrupted, the photometry means is caused to perform new photometry, and the photometry obtained by the photometry means is performed. The camera is characterized by being provided with an AEB continuous shooting control means for controlling release restart to perform AEB shooting using the new appropriate exposure value as a reference value after starting shooting with a new appropriate exposure value based on the new photometric value. Camera to do.