JP2006058367A - Optical equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem that the closest range in which focusing can be performed in common in all the focal distances must be set though photography can be performed in a range where the photography feasible closest range on a short focus side is shorter than a close range on a long focus side when setting the closest range in which focusing can be performed in all the focal distances, because distance display is provided in a manual focus ring mechanism. <P>SOLUTION: The optical equipment has a 1st display member on which a focusing distance is displayed and whose movable extent is mechanically regulated, an operation member operated endlessly, a display member position detection means for detecting an absolute position in the movable extent of the display member, a ring operation detection means for detecting information concerning the operation of the operation member, a display member driving source for driving the display member, a focal distance detection means, and a control means. The control means variably sets the end of the movable extent on the close side of the display member on the inner side than the mechanical regulation extent in accordance with the focal distance. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  Conventionally, a so-called rear focus (inner focus) having a zoom lens and a focus lens that is arranged on the image plane side of the zoom lens and corrects the image plane variation (compensator function) and moves as the zoom lens moves. An imaging device such as a digital camera or a video camera capable of exchanging a lens using a zoom lens or having a lens integrally is known.

  In the above-described imaging device using the rear focus zoom lens, the focus lens is driven by a focus drive signal from the camera side to perform focus adjustment. In addition, the zoom lens is driven by a zoom drive signal generated by the operation of the zoom switch on the camera side, and the focus lens is driven to perform zooming so as to correct image plane fluctuations accompanying zooming.

  Here, in order to improve the shooting operation, an imaging apparatus configured to manually perform focus adjustment and zoom operation has been proposed.

  As an imaging device that uses the above-mentioned rear focus zoom type optical system and allows manual focus adjustment, the focus lens is driven by a motor and moved according to the rotation operation of the manual focus ring. There is a disclosure of an imaging apparatus configured to rotate a manual focus ring by a motor when the focus lens is moved (see Patent Document 1). This Patent Document 1 also discloses that distance display is printed on the outer periphery of the manual focus ring, and an index is provided on the fixed portion to display the distance to the subject.

Further, in the above-described rear focus zoom type optical system, it is known that the subject distance in focus differs depending on the variator position (that is, the focal length) of the photographing lens even at the same focus lens position. Yes. For this reason, in a video camera tower imaging device in which these zoom types are applied as imaging lenses, generally, the closest subject distance that can be captured is set closer to the shorter focal length (patent) Reference 2).
JP-A-6-186467 ([0006], [0007], FIG. 1 etc.) Special registration No. 03176082 ([0009], FIG. 13, FIG. 15 etc.)

  However, in the technique described in the conventional patent document 1, since the distance display is provided in the manual focus ring mechanism, the distance display is common to all focal lengths at the rotation end on the closest distance side of the ring. In the case of the shortest distance that can be focused on (for example, 80 cm in FIG. 13 of Reference 2), the shortest focusable distance is particularly close to the zoom lens type. Although it is possible to shoot, especially at the wide end, it is possible to focus on the subject just before the lens. The problem that cannot be done is left.

  In view of this point, when the distance display at the close end of the focus ring mechanism is set to a distance that can be focused on the wide side (for example, 0 cm in FIG. 13 of Reference 2), the middle to telephoto Even if the manual focus ring is set at the displayed position in the area on the side, there remains a problem that the subject at that distance cannot be focused.

  Furthermore, the operation of the focus lens during autofocus operation includes fine and high-speed operations such as wobbling (operation that vibrates the lens in the direction of the optical axis) that is used in TV AF autofocus using these lenses. Even if you try to make the manual focus ring follow each of these actions, there will be a follow-up delay, and there will be a problem that even if the operator is holding down the manual focus ring during autofocus operation, it will not be possible to follow. Yes.

  The present invention provides an optical apparatus that can maintain the correspondence between the movement of a movable lens and the movement of an operation member that is externally operated, and can improve operability.

  An optical apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a first display member that displays a focusing distance and whose movable range is mechanically restricted, an operation member that can be operated endlessly, and within the movable range of the display member. Display member position detection means for detecting the absolute position of the display member, ring operation detection means for detecting information relating to operation of the operation member, display member drive source for driving the display member, focal length detection means, and control means, The control means variably sets the movable range end on the near side of the display member inside the mechanical regulation range according to a focal length.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to maintain the correspondence between the movement of the focus lens and the movement of the operation member that is externally operated, and the state where the display subject distance is always in focus can be achieved. Therefore, it is possible to provide an optical apparatus that can improve operability.

  In particular, the display distance and the actual focus distance can always match even when using a rear focus type photographic lens that changes the closest distance (MOD) that can be photographed depending on the focal length often used in video cameras. is there.

  Furthermore, it is also considered to maintain the in-focus distance during AF using the one-shot AF operation key received only at the AF position.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the optical apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a first embodiment of an optical apparatus of the present invention. The present invention is applied to a zoom mechanism of an imaging apparatus such as a digital still camera or a video camera equipped with a rear focus zoom lens optical system. The form which applied is shown. Here, the rear focus zoom lens optical system according to the present embodiment has a variable power lens (variator lens) and a variable power lens that is arranged on the image plane side of the variable power lens and performs variable power according to the variable power operation (zoom) of the variable power lens. It is configured to have a focus lens that moves in the optical axis direction so as to correct the accompanying image plane variation (compensator action) and moves in the optical axis direction for focus adjustment. For example, from the object side, a fixed positive first 4-group rear focus zoom type comprising a lens group, a negative second lens group that moves by zooming operation, a fixed positive third lens group, a positive fourth lens group that moves for compensator action and focus The optical system is applied. In FIG. 1, the variator lens group 14 and the focus lens group 16 are shown, and the other lens groups are not shown.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a focus ring that is an operation member that is manually operated from the outside, and reference numeral 2 denotes an arrow that indicates that the focus ring can rotate endlessly (without rotation restriction). Reference numeral 3 denotes a display ring having a distance display on the outer periphery. In this drawing, the ring is shown as a ring shape similar to the focus ring. However, in the present embodiment, it is not necessary to be a ring shape, It may be in the form of a flat plate, but in any case, a distance display is written. Reference numeral 5 denotes an AF position display provided at the end of ∞ of the distance display. 6 is a display for an appropriate distance from ∞ to the closest distance. Here, if the closest shooting distance at the wide end is, for example, 2 cm immediately before the lens, it is displayed in this display ring shape until the display is 2 cm or 0.02 m. Has been. Reference numeral 7 denotes a pulse encoder that detects the rotation state of the focus ring. A “comb” is provided between the photo interrupter and the light emitting / receiving element of the photo interrupter so as to repeat shielding and transmission in synchronization with the rotation of the ring. Means using a "tooth" or means using a rotary output type pulse encoder via a gear train are conceivable. As the pulse encoder, the above-mentioned optical type and magnetic type such as MR sensor Hall sensor can be considered. Reference numeral 8 denotes a switch for switching between auto focus (AF) and manual focus (MF), which includes a slide switch leaf switch and the like, and allows the photographer to select AF and MF by an external operation unit (not shown). . Reference numeral 9 denotes an absolute encoder for the display ring, which detects which distance the display ring displays or whether the display ring is at the AF position. Reference numeral 10 denotes a display ring drive source. A known actuator such as a DC motor, a linear motor, or a step motor is used as the display ring drive source. Here, when the step motor is used, the above-described display ring absolute position encoder 9 is connected to the step motor. A method of continuously counting the number of drive input pulses from the starting position may be used. In this case, the starting position may be determined by using a photo interrupter not shown here, or by applying a predetermined pulse in the same direction for a predetermined time so that the display ring is brought into contact with a rotatable end position.

  The display ring may or may not have a rotation end. However, in carrying out the present invention, the focus ring 1 can be touched by an operator and, of course, is rotated. The display ring part cannot be touched by the operator.

  Reference numeral 11 denotes a CPU. Reference numeral 12 denotes data provided in the CPU 11 that indicates the positional relationship between the focus lens and the variator lens for performing a zoom operation with the subject distance in focus according to the subject distance. This is the locus memory. Normally, the related data for several subject distances is stored, and from these data, zooming can be performed without defocusing for a subject at an arbitrary distance.

  A zoom drive source 13 drives a variator lens group for zooming in the direction of the optical axis through a mechanism (not shown) while holding the optical axis with high accuracy. Reference numeral 14 denotes a variator lens that is driven thereby (shown here as a convex lens, but a concave lens may be used). A zoom encoder 15 detects a variator position. This is equivalent to detecting the focal length. As with the display ring described above, when a step motor is used as a zoom drive source, the number of input pulses to the step motor is continuously counted from the starting position determined by a photo interrupter or the like. The function of the zoom encoder 15 can also be used.

  Reference numeral 16 denotes a focus lens group (shown here as a convex lens, but a concave lens may be used). Since it is a rear focus lens, not only the focus function but also to maintain the focus at the same distance during zooming Since it also has a function as a compensator, it is optimally driven in the direction of the optical axis in conjunction with the operation of the variator lens in order to keep a predetermined relationship based on the above-mentioned locus memory during the zoom operation. Alternatively, when the subject distance is changed, driving is performed to obtain a correct focus at a new subject distance.

  Reference numeral 17 denotes an image sensor such as a CCD or C-MOS sensor. As described above, 18 is a drive source for moving the focus lens 16 in the optical axis direction, and 19 is a focus lens position detection encoder for detecting the absolute position of the focus lens in the optical axis direction. As described above, when the step motor is used as the focus lens drive source, the function of the focus position detection encoder 19 can be achieved by continuously counting the drive pulses input from the start position to the step motor. It becomes.

  Reference numeral 20 denotes a tele-wide switch for the operator to perform a zoom operation, and is a seesaw type switch as shown in the figure, and has a known function such that the zoom speed setting is variable depending on the amount of pressing.

  4 is an index for determining the distance display, and 21 is a window made of a transparent material such as acrylic for reading the numerical value on the display ring indicated by the index.

The operation of the first embodiment of the present invention having the above block configuration will be described below.
here
(1) During AF operation
(2) When the focus ring is rotated at a predetermined speed v or less with manual focus
(3) When the focus ring is rotated at the specified speed v or higher with manual focus
(4) The subject distance in focus with manual focus is closer to the closest distance that can be taken at all focal lengths, and zooming from that state to a focal length where focusing at that distance is impossible The four operating situations will be described.

(1) During AF operation When the AF / MF switching SW (switch) is on the AF side by the operator, the state of this switch is captured by the CPU 11. In response to this, the CPU 11 drives the display ring drive source 10 to drive the display ring to a position where the display index 4 points to the AF display 5 on the display ring. At this time, it is confirmed by the output of the display ring absolute position encoder that the indicator correctly indicates the AF display. For this purpose, the positional relationship between the display ring absolute position encoder and the display is stored in the CPU 11 in advance. When the AF / MF switching SW is in AF, this cannot be accepted even if the focus ring 1 is operated.

(2) When the focus ring is rotated at a predetermined speed v or less with manual focus
When the focus ring 1 is rotated when the AF / MF switching SW (switch) is on the MF side, the rotation direction and rotation speed are detected by the minute angular displacement detection pulse encoder and transmitted to the CPU 11. At this time, the fastest rotational angular velocity at which the display ring can be driven is v (° / sec). This v is a speed at which the device can be driven, including various environmental conditions and posture differences in which the device is used. When a stepping motor is used for the display ring drive source 10, the maximum speed v (° / sec) at which the display ring can be driven is determined by the maximum speed that does not step out, including the above environmental conditions and posture conditions.

  The focus lens group 16 is driven by the focus lens drive source to follow the subject distance indicated by the index when the display ring is driven at v (° / sec). Generally, when the focal length is on the longest focal side (telephoto end side), the amount of movement of the focus lens for refocusing with respect to the subject distance change becomes large. Even if the maximum speed v (° / sec) of the display ring is determined as described above, the focus lens 16 is moved to the focus lens position that is focused on a new subject distance every time the display changes at that speed. Assuming that the speed cannot be output to the focus lens drive source 18, in this case, as v, the focus lens drive source generally replaces the speed with the rotation speed of the display ring from the highest speed that can be driven at the telephoto end. Is determined.

  When the focus ring 1 is driven by the photographer at a speed equal to or less than v, since the value v is determined as described above, the focus ring 1 and the display ring 3 move at the same rotational angular speed, so two rings Moves without a sense of incongruity as if they were one. As an example, in order to move from the state where the display ring shows ∞ in the shortest focal length state to 0.02 m (assuming this distance is the closest distance), a step motor is used as the display ring drive source. Assuming that 1000 input pulses are required for this, here, for the sake of simplicity, the rotation angle at which the step motor of the display ring drive source 10 is driven by one input pulse and the minute angular displacement detection Assuming that the rotation angle required for the output of the pulse encoder to change by one pulse is the same, each time the minute angular displacement detection pulse encoder changes by one pulse, the display ring drive source is moved in a predetermined direction by one pulse, The focus range that focuses on the subject distance indicated by the absolute position encoder of the display ring detected by that focal length. 16 position determined of, as the focus lens 16 comes to its position, to drive the focus lens driving source. At this time, whether or not the focus lens is at the target position is detected by the focus lens position detection encoder 19. The focal length is detected by the zoom encoder 15. Further, as a result of these operations, even after the subject distance that is displayed and in focus is ∞, the operator further rotates the focus ring 1 in the ∞ direction, or conversely, the subject distance that is displayed and focused. Indicates the closest possible focus distance at the focal length, and when the focus ring 1 is rotated further in the close-up direction even when the focus is in focus, the zoom is The drive source and the display ring drive source are not operated at all. Such an operation can be visually recognized because the display ring does not follow the focus ring and the display ring does not drive even if the focus ring is driven. In addition, a display similar to the display ring may be displayed on the electronic viewfinder, or may be provided with a display indicating that the display is already at ∞ or the closest end, a buzzer sound, and the like. As described above, in a rear focus lens used in a video or digital camera, the closest distance that can be photographed varies depending on the focal length, and therefore the movable range on the closest distance side on which the display ring is movable varies depending on the focal length. For example, when the focal length is at the shortest focal length, the display ring is movable up to 0.02 m display, and it is actually possible to focus on that distance. For example, when the focal length is the longest focal length, the display ring is movable up to 0.8 m display, and the focus can actually be focused only up to that distance.

  (3) When the focus ring is rotated at a predetermined speed v or higher with manual focus. In this case, as described in the description of (2) above, the rotational angular velocities of the focus ring and the display ring cannot follow the same. Therefore, even if the focus ring is operated at v or higher, the CPU 11 operates the display ring and the focus lens drive source in place of the same operation as when the focus ring is operated at the speed of v. With this configuration, although the integral rotation operation of the focus ring and the display ring is broken, the display and the actual focus when the operation ring is operated at a high speed, which is not considered in the above-mentioned document 1, etc. Problems such as a shift in the matching distance and a delay in following are solved.

  (4) The subject distance in focus with manual focus is closer to the closest distance that can be taken at all focal lengths, and zooming from that state to a focal length where focusing at that distance is impossible If. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a positional relationship according to the subject distance between the variator lens group of the rear focus lens and the focus lens group disclosed in Document 2 and the like. In the present invention of FIG. 1, when the zoom operation is performed from a state where the AF / MF switching SW is on the MF side and the closest focusing distance that can be shot at that focal length is in focus, the distance is set to that distance. It becomes impossible to keep focusing. In such a case, for example, assuming that the closest shooting distance is 0.02 cm at the wide end, and this distance is in focus, the variator lens group and the focus lens group are located at the point P1 in FIG. Will be doing. When zooming is performed in the direction in which the focal length becomes longer from here, the focal length fW to fM1 rides on a 0.02 m trajectory (22 in FIG. 2) that can maintain a focused state at 0.02 m. Since the lens group is driven while maintaining the positional relationship, the subject distance that is in focus does not change even if the focal length is changed. Therefore, even if the zoom switch 20 in FIG. 1 is operated, the CPU performs zoom driving. The relationship 22 in FIG. 2 may be maintained while optimally driving the source and the focus lens drive source. When the zoom operation is continued from fM1, the closest distance at which focusing can be performed gradually changes from 0.02 m to 0.8 m (80 cm) during fM2. Therefore, in FIG. 2, the focus lens drive source stops and the zoom lens drive source drives the variator lens to change the focal length from fM1 to fM2 from point P2 to point P3, and the CPU is more finely focused. While reading the distance information from the zoom encoder 15, the display ring driving ring is driven so that the closest distance that can be photographed set at each focal length is displayed. As a result, in P3, the in-focus distance is 80 cm. If the zoom operation is further performed on the long focal point side from here, the focus lens and the variator lens are driven while maintaining the relationship of the 80 cm locus 23 in FIG. 2 from P3 to P4. Since the display remains at 80 cm, the display ring is not driven. Similarly, when zooming from the short focal length side to the long focal length side even at other subject distances, in this example, it is more than the closest distance that can be focused at the full focal length of 80 cm. However, when zooming is performed from a state where the focal point is closer to the closest distance, the distance trajectory is 80 cm in this example from the focal length where the focus lens position FN reaches the same focus lens position FN as point P2 or P3 to fM2. In this period, the display ring is driven by the display ring driving source. In the zoom operation from the long focal length to the short focal length direction, it is not possible to focus on the subject distance that is in focus. Must not. For example, if the focus is on 80 cm at fT, the CPU controls the drive source so as to maintain the relationship of focusing on that distance, such as P4 to P3 and P5.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the focus lens drive and the display ring drive in the case (4) of the first embodiment of the present invention. Start at step 24. In step 25, it is detected whether the state of the AF / MF selector switch is AF or MF. As a result of the detection, when it is on the AF side, step 26 is reached. In step 26, it is detected whether or not the display ring indicates AF. If the AF position is not indicated, the display ring drive source is moved in step 28 so that the display becomes AF. If the display indicates AF, the display ring drive source is stopped in step 27. If it is detected in step 25 that MF is selected, the current focal length is read in step 29. Next, at step 30, the current display ring instruction distance is read from the output of the display ring absolute position encoder. In step 31, it is determined whether the indicated distance of the display ring is within a distance range that can be focused at the focal length. If it is out of range (that is, if a distance closer to the closest distance at the focal length is indicated), step 32 is reached and the display ring is driven in a direction within the range at the focal length. In step 33, it is determined whether or not an instruction has been reached for the closest possible distance (MOD) that can be photographed at the focal length. If so, the display ring drive source is stopped at step 34.

  If it is determined in step 31 that the subject distance indicated by the display ring is within the distance range in which focusing is possible with the focal length, step 35 is reached. In step 35, the focus lens position that focuses on the subject distance indicated by the display ring at the focal length is calculated and determined as the “target focus lens position”. In step 36, it is determined whether or not the target position determined in step 35 and the actual focus lens position are present. If there is a deviation, the focus lens drive source is driven in step 38 in such a direction that the deviation is zero. If there is no deviation, the focus lens drive source is stopped in step 37.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart for driving the display drive source except for the case (4). Start from step 39. In step 40, the operating speed and direction of the focus ring are detected. In step 41, it is determined whether or not the focus ring has been operated as a result of the detection in step 40. If no operation is detected, the process returns to step 40. As a result of the detection in step 40, if it is determined in step 41 that the focus ring has been operated (changed), the process proceeds to step 42. In step 42, the position of the display ring is read from the output of the display absolute position encoder. Next, the focal length is read. This is detected by the zoom encoder.

  In step 44, it is determined whether the display ring is located at the closest possible photographing distance at the focal length detected in step 43, that is, whether the display ring is located at the infinite end common to all focal lengths. Is done. If the display ring is not in the near end or infinite end state, that is, if the display ring is positioned between both ends, the determination in step 44 is N, and step 47 is reached. On the other hand, it is at the closest end at that focal length (for example, when 0.02 m is displayed when the focal length is at fW in FIG. 2 and when 0.8 m is displayed at fM2), or at the infinite end (infinite display). ) At step 44, the determination at step 44 is Y, and step 45 is reached. In step 45, whether the direction of operation of the focus ring detected in step 40 is the close direction when the display is already at the close end, or is the infinite direction when the display is already at the infinite end, Is detected. As such, even if the display is already at the end, even if there is a ring operation in that direction, it is not accepted. Therefore, the determination in step 45 is Y, and in step 46, the display ring drive source is stopped. In other words, even if a drive operation in the end direction is performed on the operation ring even though it is at the end, this operation is not accepted and the display ring is not driven.

  If the determination in step 45 is N, step 47 is reached. The maximum speed at which the display ring can be driven is V (° / sec), and the rotation speed of the focus ring detected in step 40 is v (° / sec). If v <V, go to step 48 or drive the display ring at v. That is, since both the display ring and the operation ring move at a speed of v, the operation ring and the display ring operate as if they are an integral part. On the other hand, if the determination in step 47 is N, even if the display ring is driven at the speed of v, the ring cannot be moved at that speed, so the display ring is driven at V which is the maximum speed that can be moved.

  The configuration and flowchart of the embodiment of the present invention have been described above with reference to FIGS. The CPU in FIG. 1 detects the absolute position of the display ring that is driven and controlled according to the flowcharts described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 by the absolute position encoder 9, and between this detection result and the subject distance in focus. The position of the focus lens is driven and controlled so that no deviation occurs.

(Second embodiment)
In the first embodiment described above, the rotational angular velocities of v and V are compared, and when the operation ring is operated at a speed that the display ring cannot follow, the display ring is driven at the maximum drivable speed. As a result, the display ring and the operating ring are configured so that the display ring driving source does not malfunction, although the display ring and the operating ring are driven at different speeds. For example, when a step motor is used as the display ring drive source, a display absolute position encoder can be configured by continuously counting the number of input pulses of the step motor from the starting position. If a step-out occurs as a result of driving the step motor in (a situation where the step motor does not respond correctly to the input step), the encoder detection may also shift, and the display and actual There arises a problem that the subject distance in focus does not match.

  However, in the first embodiment, the relationship between the rotational angular velocities of the display ring and the operation ring is considered as described above, but the focus lens driving source that drives the focus lens whose position is changed based on the instruction of the display ring. The specification of is not mentioned. When a linear actuator that can be driven at a relatively high speed is used as the focus lens drive source, it may be easy to drive following the position of the display ring. However, a step motor is used as the focus lens drive source as in the previous example. In the case of using, there is a possibility of causing a step-out even if a drive command of too high speed is given. As is clear from FIG. 2, when changing the in-focus distance from an infinite distance to 0.8 m, for example, the focus lens may be moved from P6 to P5 at the wide end, while from P7 to P4 at the tele end. Therefore, the position of the focus lens must be moved by a large amount compared to the wide end. For example, in this case (from infinite to 0.8 m), even if the tele side is instructed to change the in-focus distance at the same operating ring (or display ring) drive speed than the wide side, The speed used by the focus lens drive source to follow the change is required to be higher as the telephoto side becomes closer. Therefore, when the display changes at the maximum usable speed of the assumed display ring, the focus lens drive source is used at the tele end (or in this example, the macro range from 0.8 m to 0.02 m at the wide end). If it is possible to follow the maximum speed, there is no problem as long as it is possible to follow, but if it is difficult to follow, the movement of the focus ring may not follow the movement of the display ring. Therefore, in the second embodiment of the present invention, the maximum operating speed VF of the focus lens driving source is also taken into consideration so that there is no deviation in the distance between the display and the actual focus.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the second embodiment with respect to FIG. In the second embodiment, V is determined at step 50. Here, V is determined from the maximum usable speed of the focus lens drive source at the focal length as described above, and determines the maximum followable speed of the focus display ring that can be handled. When the focal distance is wide, the display ring is driven. Depending on the capability of the source, it is determined by the capability of the focus lens drive source on the tele side (in some cases).

  (Third Embodiment) The distance display on the display ring cannot be viewed by the photographer at the same time as the viewfinder when looking into the electronic viewfinder. Therefore, considering such a case, distance display can be performed on the electronic viewfinder based on the detection result of the display ring absolute position encoder. FIG. 5 shows a distance display in the electronic viewfinder at block 51 with respect to the block diagram of FIG.

  (Embodiment 4) When the AF / MF selector switch is on the AF side, AF operation is performed, operation of the operation ring is not accepted, and the display is fixed to indicate AF. In this case, it is unclear in the first to third embodiments how to turn off AF in order to maintain a certain focus state according to the operator's intention. In the block diagram of FIG. 6, a one-shot AF operation key is provided in the block 52. This is composed of a slide switch or a push switch, etc., and AF is performed by performing a predetermined operation such as switching the slide switch from the AF operation state to the “focus holding” side or pressing the push switch (or pressing once). The focus lens is fixed in a state where the operation is performed while being in the position. Alternatively, if zooming is performed from that state, the zoom is performed while maintaining a state where the distance is in focus. In this way, after focusing on the desired subject by autofocus, if this key is operated, unnecessary focus movement (for example, something that crosses the subject when it crosses in front of the subject) When the focus lens moves so as to be in focus, or when the desired subject moves out of the focus area due to the image creation intention, it is possible to avoid an operation in which the focus on the desired subject is shifted.

  The first to fourth embodiments described above can also be configured in a lens in which the photographing lens can be exchanged with respect to the imaging apparatus main body. In this case, communication is performed between the microcomputer provided on the lens side and the microcomputer provided on the imaging apparatus main body side via the electronic mount. For example, in the case of the third embodiment described above, subject distance information is sent from the lens to the imaging apparatus body through communication between these microcomputers, and the distance is displayed on the electronic viewfinder on the imaging apparatus side.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an optical apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating characteristics of a zoom lens common to the present invention. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the optical apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the optical apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the optical apparatus of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which shows the structure of the optical instrument of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which shows the structure of the optical device of the 4th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Operation ring 5 Display ring 14 Variator lens group 16 Focus lens group 9 Display ring absolute position encoder 11 CPU
12 Trajectory memory 13 Zoom drive source 18 Focus lens drive source 20 Zoom key 10 Display ring drive source

Claims (1)

A first display member whose in-focus distance is displayed and whose movable range is mechanically restricted, and an operation member operable endlessly;
Display member position detecting means for detecting an absolute position within the movable range of the display member;
A ring operation detecting means for detecting information relating to the operation of the operation member;
A display member drive source for driving the display member;
A focal length detection means;
Control means, and
The control device for an optical apparatus, wherein the control means variably sets a movable range end on the near side of the display member inside the mechanical regulation range according to a focal length.

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