JP2006133621A - Camera system and camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera that has a satisfactory responsiveness to a camera operation even in use of an intermediate adapter and is inexpensive, and to provide a camera system. <P>SOLUTION: The camera system includes: a camera body (11); a photographic lens (12) attachable to the camera main body via an adapter; and a communicating means (150) disposed in the camera main body and capable of communicating with the photographic lens and adapter independently. The communicating means periodically communicates with the photographic lens. The communicating means communicates with the adapter with a predetermined timing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for enhancing the responsiveness of camera operation and inexpensively in a camera and a camera system using an intermediate adapter.

  There are intermediate adapters, such as so-called intermediate rings, bellows, and teleconverters, that allow close-up and telephoto shooting by inserting a member between the camera and the lens. Some of these intermediate adapters are provided with a variable length function or the like so that the photographing magnification at the time of close-up photographing is variable.

When such an intermediate adapter is used, the values of the shooting magnification, effective FNO, exit pupil distance, and the like differ depending on the length of the intermediate adapter. Based on the length information, it is necessary to correct the imaging magnification, effective FNO, exit pupil distance, and the like. For example, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, two types of communication lines are provided between the lens and the intermediate adapter, and the lens performs correction. In the technique described in Patent Document 2, the camera performs correction by continuously performing communication with the lens and communication with the intermediate adapter.
Japanese Patent No. 2769524 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-92373

  However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 requires a communication line, so that space is required, which further increases costs. Further, when an adapter having a variable length is used, a correction value corresponding to the adapter length information is always calculated, so that the communication load of the lens microcomputer increases, resulting in a deterioration in the responsiveness of the camera operation.

  Even in the technique described in Patent Document 1, since communication with the lens and the adapter is always required, the communication load of the camera microcomputer and the lens microcomputer is increased, and as a result, the response of the camera operation is deteriorated.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a camera and a camera system that have good camera operation responsiveness and are inexpensive even when an intermediate adapter is used.

In order to solve the above problems, a camera system according to claim 1 of the present invention is provided in a camera body, a photographing lens that can be attached to the camera body via an adapter, the camera body, A photographic lens and a communication means capable of communicating independently with the adapter, wherein the communication means periodically communicates with the photographic lens, and communicates with the adapter at a predetermined timing. Execute.

  In the camera system according to claim 2 of the present invention, in the camera system according to the invention described above, the predetermined timing is a timing immediately before the photographing operation.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera system comprising: a camera body; a photographing lens that can be attached to the camera body via an adapter; and the photographing lens and the adapter provided in the camera body. And communication means capable of independently communicating information on each state, the communication means performs a communication operation with the photographing lens at a first frequency, and the adapter with the first frequency. The communication operation is executed at a second frequency less than that.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera main body which can be mounted in combination with a photographing lens and an adapter, and the camera main body, which is in the camera main body, relating to each state of the photographing lens and the adapter Communication means for receiving information independently from each other, wherein the communication means performs a communication operation with the photographing lens at a first frequency, and the adapter has a second frequency less than the first frequency. Perform communication operations at a frequency.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the camera according to the above-described invention, the communication means changes the second frequency according to the type of the adapter.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the camera according to the above-described invention, the communication content of the information related to the state of the adapter varies depending on the type of the adapter.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a camera and a camera system that have good camera operation responsiveness and are inexpensive.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a camera to which the present invention is applied. That is, a part of the camera is cut to schematically show the internal configuration.

  The camera 1 includes a camera main body 11 and a lens barrel 12 that are separately configured, and both the camera main body 11 and the lens barrel 12 are configured to be detachable from each other. The lens barrel 12 is configured by holding therein a photographing optical system 12a composed of a plurality of lenses and their driving mechanisms.

  For example, the photographing optical system 12a transmits a light beam from the subject so that an image of the subject formed by the subject light beam is formed at a predetermined position (on a photoelectric conversion surface of an image sensor described later). These are constituted by a plurality of optical lenses or the like.

  The lens barrel 12 is disposed so as to protrude toward the front surface of the camera body 11. In addition, the camera body 11 includes various components and the like, and is a connecting member for disposing the lens barrel 12 holding the imaging optical system 12a so as to be detachable. This is a so-called single-lens reflex camera having an optical system mounting portion 11a provided on the front surface thereof.

  That is, an exposure opening having a predetermined aperture capable of guiding the subject light flux into the camera body 11 is formed at a substantially central part on the front side of the camera body 11, and the periphery of the exposure opening A photographing optical system mounting portion 11a is formed in the portion.

  On the outer surface side of the camera main body 11, the above-described photographing optical system mounting portion 11a is disposed on the front surface, and the camera main body 11 is operated to a predetermined position such as an upper surface or a back surface. For example, a release button 17 for generating an instruction signal or the like for starting a photographing operation is provided.

  Inside the camera body 11, various components, for example, a finder device 13 that constitutes a so-called observation optical system, and a shutter mechanism that controls the irradiation time of the subject luminous flux on the photoelectric conversion surface of the image sensor, etc. A plurality of circuit boards (only the main circuit board 16 is illustrated) including the imaging unit 15 including the shutter unit 14 and the like, and the main circuit board 16 on which various electric members constituting the electric circuit are mounted. A lens / adapter attachment / detachment detection switch (not shown), which is a switch for detecting when a lens or an adapter is attached, is disposed at a predetermined position.

  The viewfinder device 13 receives a reflecting mirror 13b configured to bend the optical axis of a subject light beam transmitted through the photographing optical system 12a and guide the light beam to the observation optical system side, and a light beam emitted from the reflecting mirror 13b. A pentaprism 13a that forms an erect image and an eyepiece 13c that forms an image in an optimum form for magnifying and observing the image formed by the pentaprism 13a are formed.

  The reflecting mirror 13b is configured to be movable depending on a position retracted from the optical axis of the photographing optical system 12a and a predetermined position on the optical axis. In a normal state, the reflecting mirror 13b is arranged on the optical axis of the photographing optical system 12a. They are arranged with a predetermined angle with respect to the optical axis, for example, an angle of 45 degrees.

  As a result, when the camera 1 is in the normal state, the subject luminous flux that has passed through the photographing optical system 12a is bent by the reflecting mirror 13b, and is reflected by the pentaprism 13a disposed above the reflecting mirror 13b. Reflected to the side.

  On the other hand, while the camera 1 is performing a photographing operation, the reflecting mirror 13b moves to a predetermined position retracted from the optical axis of the photographing optical system 12a. Guided to the side. The shutter unit 14 may be the same as that generally used in conventional cameras, such as a focal plane type shutter mechanism and its drive circuit.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a camera to which the present invention is applied. That is, this camera system is mainly composed of a camera body 11, a lens barrel 12 as an interchangeable lens, and a macro converter 300 as an intermediate adapter, and a desired lens mirror with respect to the front surface of the camera body 11. The cylinder 12 and the macro converter 300 are set to be detachable.

  The lens barrel 12 is controlled by a lens control microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as Lμcom) 205. The camera body 11 is controlled by a body control microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as “Bμcom”) 150. The macro converter 300 is controlled by a macro converter control microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as Mμcom) 301. The Lμcom 205, Bμcom 150, and Mμcom 301 are electrically connected so that the body communication connector 206 and the adapter communication connector B302 can communicate with each other when they are combined, and the lens communication connector 207 and the adapter communication connector L303 can communicate with each other. Connected. The adapter communication connector B302 and the adapter communication connector L303 are electrically connected via the switch 304 so that they can communicate with each other. In this case, the Lμcom 205 and Mμcom 301 operate as a camera system while cooperating with the Bμcom 150 in a dependent manner.

  In the lens barrel 12, a photographing optical system 12a and a diaphragm 203 are provided. The photographing optical system 12a is driven by a DC motor (not shown) in the lens driving mechanism 202. The diaphragm 203 is driven by a stepping motor (not shown) in the diaphragm drive mechanism 204. Lμcom 205 controls each of these motors in accordance with a command from Bμcom 150.

  In the macro converter 300, a ring length variable operation member 306, a ring length variable mechanism 307, and a ring length detection mechanism 308 are further provided. The ring length variable operation member 306 is a member operated by the user to change the ring length. The ring length variable mechanism 307 is a mechanical mechanism that changes the ring length in accordance with the operation of the user. The ring length detection mechanism 308 detects the ring length using, for example, an encoder, and outputs the detection result to the Mμcom 301.

  In communication between the camera body 11 and the macro converter 300, the body communication connector 206 and the adapter communication connector B302 are communicably connected, and the Bμcom 150 and the Mμcom 301 communicate via these connectors. Regarding communication between the camera body 11 and the lens 12, the lens communication connector 207 and the adapter communication connector L303 are communicably connected, and the body communication connector 206 and the adapter communication connector B302 communicate with each other via the switch 304. Connected as possible. B.mu.com 150 and L.mu.com 205 communicate via these connectors.

  The adapter communication connector B302 and the switch 304 are connected by two types of lines (communication line and communication switching line). The Bμcom 150 can control whether the communication line is connected to the Lμcom 205 or the Mμcom 301 by operating the switch 304 by adding a signal to the communication switching line. Therefore, the Bμcom 150 determines which of the Lμcom 205 and the Mμcom 301 communicates, and controls with the initiative.

  In the camera body 11, the following constituent members are arranged as shown. For example, a single-lens reflex system component (penta prism 13a, reflecting mirror 13b, eyepiece 13c, sub mirror 114) as an optical system, a focal plane shutter 14 on the optical axis, and a reflected light beam from the sub mirror 114 And an AF sensor unit 116 for automatically measuring the distance.

  In addition, an AF sensor driving circuit 117 for driving and controlling the AF sensor unit 116, a mirror driving mechanism 118 for driving and controlling the reflecting mirror 13b, and a spring force for driving the front curtain and the rear curtain of the shutter 14 are charged. A shutter charge mechanism 119, a shutter control circuit 120 that controls the movement of the front curtain and the rear curtain, and a photometry circuit 121 that performs photometry based on the light flux from the pentaprism 13a.

  On the optical axis, an image sensor 27 for photoelectrically converting a subject image that has passed through the optical system is provided as a photoelectric converter.

  The camera system also includes an image processing controller that performs image processing using an interface circuit 123 connected to the image sensor 27, a liquid crystal monitor 124, an SDRAM 125 provided as a storage area, a flash ROM 126, a recording medium 127, and the like. 128, and an electronic image display function as well as an electronic recording display function can be provided.

  As other storage areas, for example, a non-volatile memory 129 made of EEPROM is provided as a non-volatile storage means for storing predetermined control parameters necessary for camera control so as to be accessible from the Bμcom 150.

  Further, the Bμcom 150 is provided with an operation display LCD 151 and a camera operation switch (SW) 152 for notifying the user of the operation state of the camera by display output. The camera operation SW 152 is a switch group including operation buttons necessary for operating the camera, such as a release SW, a mode change SW, and a power SW. Furthermore, a power supply 154 and a power supply circuit 153 that converts the voltage of the power supply into a voltage required by each circuit unit constituting the camera system and supplies the power supply circuit 153 are provided. The lens / adapter attachment / detachment detection switch 160 detects that the lens 12 or the macro converter 300 is attached.

  Next, the operation of the camera system configured as described above will be described. Each part of the camera system operates as follows.

  First, the image processing controller 128 takes in the image data from the image sensor 27 by controlling the interface circuit 123 in accordance with a command of Bμcom 150. This image data is converted into a video signal by the image processing controller 128 and output and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 124. The user can confirm the captured image from the display image on the liquid crystal monitor 124.

  The SDRAM 125 is a memory for temporarily storing image data, and is used as a work area when image data is converted. The image data is set to be stored in the recording medium 127 after being converted into JPEG data.

  The mirror driving mechanism 118 is a mechanism for driving the reflecting mirror 13b to the UP position and the DOWN position. When the reflecting mirror 13b is at the DOWN position, the light flux from the photographing optical system 12a is in the pentagonal relationship with the AF sensor unit 116 side. The light is divided and guided to the prism 13a side.

  The output from the AF sensor in the AF sensor unit 116 is transmitted to the Bμcom 150 via the AF sensor driving circuit 117 and a known distance measurement process is performed.

  The eyepiece 13c adjacent to the pentaprism 13a allows the user to see the subject, while a part of the light beam that has passed through the pentaprism 13a is guided to a photosensor (not shown) in the photometry circuit 121, where it is detected. A well-known photometric process is performed based on the light quantity.

  Next, the operation of the camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a schematic flowchart showing the operation procedure of the camera.

  When the main power switch of the camera is turned on, various initial settings for operating the camera are executed in step S01. Then, the lens adapter mounting process (FIG. 4) shown in step S02 is executed. This lens / adapter mount process is a process for performing initial communication required when a lens or an adapter is attached to the camera.

  In steps T01 to T02 in FIG. 4, the flag is initialized. That is, the lens flag is set to no lens and the adapter flag is set to no adapter. In step T03, communication with the adapter is attempted. If Yes in step T04, that is, if there is no response from the adapter, the processing of step T10 is executed assuming that the adapter is not attached.

  If No in step T04, that is, if a response is transmitted from the adapter, adapter specific data (described later) is received and stored in steps T05 to T06. In steps T07 to T08, the adapter state (described later) is received and stored. In step T09, the adapter flag is assumed to be an adapter.

  Subsequently, in step T10, communication with the lens is attempted. In the case of Yes in step T11, that is, when there is no response from the lens, it returns that the lens is not attached. If No in step T11, that is, if a response is transmitted from the lens, lens specific data (described later) is received and stored in steps T12 to T13. In step T14, the lens flag is returned as having a lens.

  In this way, the lens / adapter mounting process detects whether or not a lens or adapter is attached to the camera, and if attached, executes a process of acquiring data necessary for subsequent processing.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the lens state change flag is reset to 0 in step S03.

  If Yes in step S04, that is, if a release operation has been performed, a release process is executed in step S05. Next, in step S06, various information set by the user operating the camera state SW152 and the like is detected.

  In steps S07 to 09, when the camera is set to the monitor mode, the monitor mode process for displaying the subject image on the monitor is performed, and when the monitor mode is switched to the shooting mode, the process of step S10 is performed.

  In step S10, photometric processing is performed based on subject brightness, and then lens / adapter state reception processing (FIG. 5) shown in step S11 is executed. The lens / adapter status reception process is a process of receiving necessary data according to information on the presence or absence of the lens or adapter in the lens / adapter mount process (FIG. 4).

  In step T21 of FIG. 5, it is checked whether or not a lens is attached based on the lens flag. If No in step T21, that is, if a lens is mounted, in step T22, a lens state (described later) is received, and whether or not there is a change in the lens state is determined from the data.

  If Yes in step T23, that is, if the lens state has changed, the lens state change flag is set (= 1) in step T24, and the process returns. By setting the lens state change flag (= 1), the lens / adapter mount process (FIG. 4) receives the new lens specific data.

  If No in step T23, that is, if the lens state has not changed, it is checked in step T25 whether there is an adapter based on the adapter flag. If yes in step T25, that is, if there is no adapter, the process returns.

  On the other hand, if No in step T25, that is, if there is an adapter, it is checked in step T26 whether the adapter is a state-fixed adapter. If the adapter is in a fixed state, it is not necessary to receive data related to the adapter again, so step T32 is executed.

  If No in step T26, that is, if the adapter is not a fixed adapter, the adapter status is received and stored every time this lens / adapter status reception process is activated five times in steps T27 to T31. In this way, it is possible to reduce the load on the camera by receiving the adapter state every predetermined number of times without receiving the adapter state every time it is activated. The five times may be designated as a variable in the camera, and may be received every predetermined number of times.

  In step T32, calculation for correcting lens information such as effective FNo, exit pupil distance, and magnification is executed based on the received adapter state data. The correction value calculated here is used for exposure, distance measurement, and the like.

  On the other hand, if Yes in step T21, that is, if there is no lens, a lens state (described later) is received in step T33. This is to cope with a case where a lens is newly attached. In step T34, it is checked whether a new lens is attached.

  If Yes in step T34, that is, if a new lens is attached, the lens state change flag is set (= 1) in step T24, and the process returns. By setting the lens state change flag (= 1), the lens / adapter mount process (FIG. 4) receives the new lens specific data. On the other hand, if No in step T34, that is, if no new lens is attached, the process returns.

  Returning to FIG. 3, in steps S12 to S13, an exposure calculation is executed based on the photometric result and the state of the lens or the adapter, and the resulting aperture value and shutter value are displayed on the operation display LCD 151. To do. Then, in steps S14 to S16, whether or not automatic focus adjustment is possible is displayed on the operation display LCD 151, and then waits for 100 ms to check on / off of the power switch.

  If the power switch is on, the process returns to the beginning, and in steps S17 and S18, it is checked whether the lens state change flag is set (= 1) and whether the state of the lens / adapter attachment / detachment detection switch 160 is changed. . If any of these changes, the lens adapter mount process (FIG. 4) shown in step S02 is executed to newly acquire data relating to the lens or adapter. If there is no change in any of these, the processes in steps S04 to S16 are executed again.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the contents of data received by the camera.

  In the lens state reception, “lens state data” such as a lens aperture / focus state and various data used by the camera are received. In lens-specific data reception, “lens identification data” such as whether or not a zoom lens, and data such as a focal length and a closest shooting distance are received.

  In adapter status reception, "adapter status data" indicating whether the adapter is operating normally, "current aperture value", "current adapter length", "current magnification", and "adapter damage information" are received. . In this adapter status reception, the items in FIG. 6 are received for all adapters regardless of the adapter type.

  In adapter-specific data reception, “adapter identification data” such as whether the magnification is fixed or whether the length is variable, and adapter-specific data such as maximum / minimum magnification and adapter length are received.

[Second Embodiment]
In the second embodiment, the communication mode between the camera 11 and the lens 12 and between the camera 11 and the adapter is different from that in the first embodiment. Accordingly, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of the camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention. That is, this camera system mainly includes a camera body 11, a lens barrel 12 as an interchangeable lens, and a teleconverter 400 as an intermediate adapter, and a desired lens mirror with respect to the front surface of the camera body 11. The tube 12 and the teleconverter 400 are set to be detachable.

  The lens barrel 12 is controlled by a lens control microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as Lμcom) 205. The camera body 11 is controlled by a body control microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as “Bμcom”) 150. The teleconverter 400 is controlled by a teleconverter control microcomputer 401 (hereinafter referred to as Tμcom). The Lμcom 205, Bμcom 150, and Tμcom 401 are electrically connected so that the body communication connector 206 and the adapter communication connector B402 can communicate with each other when they are combined, and further, the lens communication connector 207 and the adapter communication connector L403 can communicate with each other. Connected. The adapter communication connector B 402 and the adapter communication connector L 403 are electrically connected via the switch 404 so that they can communicate with each other. In this case, the Lμcom 205 and the Tμcom 401 operate as a camera system while cooperating with the Bμcom 150 in a dependent manner.

  In the teleconverter 400, a variable magnification operation member 406, a variable magnification mechanism 407, and a magnification detection mechanism 408 are further provided. The magnification variable operation member 406 is a member operated by the user to change the magnification. The variable magnification mechanism 407 is a mechanical mechanism that changes the magnification according to the operation of the user. The magnification detection mechanism 408 detects the magnification using, for example, an encoder, and outputs the detection result to the Tμcom 401.

  For communication between the camera body 11 and the teleconverter 400, the body communication connector 206 and the adapter communication connector B402 are communicably connected, and the Bμcom 150 and the Tμcom 401 communicate via these connectors. Regarding the communication between the camera body 11 and the lens 12, the lens communication connector 207 and the adapter communication connector L403 are communicably connected, and further, the body communication connector 206 and the adapter communication connector B402 can communicate with each other via the switch 404. It is connected to the. B.mu.com 150 and L.mu.com 205 communicate via these connectors.

  The Bμcom 150 and the body communication connector 206 are connected by two types of lines (communication line and adapter interrupt control line). The adapter communication connector B402 and the Tμcom 401 are connected by an adapter interrupt control line, and the adapter communication connector B402 and the switch 404 are connected by a communication line.

  The Bμcom 150 can control whether the Tμcom 401 operates the switch 404 to connect the communication line to the Lμcom 205 or the Tμcom 301 by adding a signal to the adapter interrupt control line. Therefore, the Bμcom 150 determines which of the Lμcom 205 and the Tμcom 401 communicates, and controls with the initiative.

  Next, the operation of the camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, the lens / adapter state reception process is different from that of the first embodiment. Accordingly, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of lens / adapter state reception processing according to the second embodiment.

  In step T41 of FIG. 8, it is checked whether or not a lens is attached based on the lens flag. If No in step T41, that is, if a lens is mounted, in step T42, a lens state (described later) is received, and it is checked from the data whether there is a change in the lens state.

  If Yes in step T43, that is, if the lens state has changed, the lens state change flag is set (= 1) in step T44, and the process returns. By setting the lens state change flag (= 1), the lens / adapter mount process (FIG. 4) receives the new lens specific data.

  If No in step T43, that is, if the state of the lens has not changed, it is checked in step T45 whether an adapter is attached based on the adapter flag. If Yes in step T45, that is, if no adapter is attached, the process returns.

  On the other hand, if No in step T45, that is, if an adapter is attached, the control parameter n is updated (added 1) in step T46, and whether or not the adapter is a state-fixed adapter is checked in step T47. . The type of adapter can be specified by referring to adapter identification data in the adapter specific data.

  If Yes in step T47, that is, if the adapter type is a state-fixed adapter, it is not necessary to frequently receive the adapter state. Accordingly, in steps T61 to T64, every time this lens / adapter status reception process is activated 20 times, the adapter status is received and stored.

  If Yes in step T48, that is, if the adapter type is a variable length extension tube, the adapter status is received and stored every time this lens / adapter status reception process is activated 10 times in steps T49 to T52. . In step T53, calculation for correcting lens information such as effective FNo, exit pupil distance, and magnification is executed based on the newly received adapter state data. The correction value calculated here is used for exposure, distance measurement, and the like. The variable length extension tube refers to an adapter whose distance between the lens and the camera is variable, for example, an adapter used when performing close-up photography.

  If Yes in step T55, that is, if the adapter type is a variable magnification teleconverter, the adapter status is received and stored every time this lens / adapter status reception process is activated five times in steps T56 and T50 to T52. To do. In step T53, calculation for correcting lens information such as effective FNo, exit pupil distance, and magnification is executed based on the newly received adapter state data. The correction value calculated here is used for exposure, distance measurement, and the like. The variable magnification teleconverter refers to an adapter for changing the focal length of a lens, such as a zoom converter.

  If Yes in step T58, that is, if the adapter type is an aperture control adapter, the adapter status is received and stored every time this lens / adapter status reception process is started three times in steps T59 and T50 to T52. . In step T53, calculation for correcting lens information such as effective FNo, exit pupil distance, and magnification is executed based on the newly received adapter state data. The correction value calculated here is used for exposure, distance measurement, and the like. The aperture control adapter is an adapter that is used when aperture control cannot be performed with a single lens. For example, it is used for a microscope, an astronomical telescope, and the like.

  On the other hand, if Yes in step T41, that is, if no lens is attached, a lens state (described later) is received in step T66. This is to cope with a case where a lens is newly attached. In step T67, it is checked whether a new lens is attached.

  If Yes in step T67, that is, if a new lens is attached, the lens state change flag is set (= 1) in step T44, and the process returns. By setting the lens state change flag (= 1), the lens / adapter mount process (FIG. 4) receives the new lens specific data. On the other hand, if No in step T67, that is, if a new lens is not attached, the process returns.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the contents of the adapter state reception data received by the camera of the second embodiment when various adapters as described above are connected to the camera.

  In adapter status reception, “adapter status data” indicating whether the adapter is operating normally is received regardless of the type of adapter, but other items are “current aperture value”, “current adapter length”, For "current magnification", only items necessary for the type of adapter are received. Therefore, since the amount of reception is smaller than that in the first embodiment, the communication load of the camera can be reduced.

[Third Embodiment]
In the third embodiment, the communication timing is different from that of the first embodiment. That is, the camera and the lens communicate with each other at the same timing as in the first embodiment, but the camera and the adapter differ from the first embodiment in that communication is performed at the time of shooting. Accordingly, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the operation of the camera according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 10 is a schematic flowchart showing the operation procedure of the camera.

  In step S21, when the main power switch of the camera is turned on, various initial settings for operating the camera are executed. Then, the lens / adapter mounting process (FIG. 4) shown in step S22 is executed. This lens / adapter mounting process is a process for performing initial communication required when a lens or an adapter is attached to the camera. Since it has already been described, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  In step S23, if the lens is attached to the camera, the lens state change flag is reset to zero. If Yes in step S24, that is, if a release has been performed, a release process (FIG. 11) is executed in step S25. In the third embodiment, the adapter state is received in this release process.

  In step T71 of FIG. 11, two states, a lens state and an adapter state, are received. This process is performed by the lens shown in FIG. Since this is the same as the adapter status reception process, detailed description thereof is omitted. Then, in steps T72 to T75, the lens is driven based on the distance measurement result, and photometry is performed to calculate the exposure. Since the correction calculation corresponding to the lens or adapter has already been performed in the lens / adapter state reception process in step T71, the exposure calculation using the correction value is performed. In steps T76 to T78, when the two-stage release is operated, an exposure process is performed according to the exposure calculation result.

  Returning to FIG. 10, in step S <b> 26, various information set by the user using the camera state SW 152 or the like is detected.

  In steps S27 to S29, when the camera is set to the monitor mode, the monitor mode process for displaying the subject image on the monitor is performed, and when the monitor mode is switched to the shooting mode, the process of step S30 is executed.

  In step S30, photometric processing is performed based on subject brightness, and then lens state reception processing (FIG. 12) shown in step S31 is executed. The lens state reception process is a process of receiving necessary data according to the information on the presence / absence of the lens in the lens / adapter mount process (FIG. 4). In the third embodiment, reception is not performed for the adapter, but is received only for the lens.

  In step T81 in FIG. 12, it is checked whether or not a lens is attached based on the lens flag. If No in step T81, that is, if a lens is mounted, in step T82, the lens state is received, and it is checked from the data whether there is a change in the lens state.

  If Yes in step T83, that is, if the lens state has changed, the lens state change flag is set (= 1) in step T84, and the process returns. By setting the lens state change flag (= 1), the lens / adapter mount process (FIG. 4) receives the new lens specific data.

  If No in step T83, that is, if the lens state has not changed, in step T85, calculation for correcting lens information such as effective FNo, exit pupil distance, and magnification is performed based on the received lens state data. Execute. The correction value calculated here is used for exposure, distance measurement, and the like.

  On the other hand, if Yes in step T81, that is, if there is no lens, a lens state (described later) is received in step T86. This is to cope with a case where a lens is newly attached. In step T87, it is checked whether a new lens is attached.

  If Yes in step T87, that is, if a new lens is attached, the lens state change flag is set (= 1) in step T84, and the process returns. By setting the lens state change flag (= 1), the lens / adapter mount process (FIG. 4) receives the new lens specific data. On the other hand, if No in step T87, that is, if no new lens is attached, the process returns.

  Returning to FIG. 10, in steps S32 to S33, an exposure calculation is executed based on the photometric result and the state of the lens or adapter, and the resulting aperture value and shutter value that can be taken are displayed on the operation display LCD 151. To do. In Steps S34 to S36, whether or not automatic focus adjustment is possible is displayed on the operation display LCD 151, and then waits for 100 ms to check whether the power switch is on or off.

  If the power switch is on, the process returns to the beginning, and in steps S37 and S38, it is checked whether the lens state change flag is set (= 1) and whether the state of the lens / adapter attachment / detachment detection switch 160 is changed. . If any of these changes, the lens adapter mount process (FIG. 4) shown in step S22 is executed to newly acquire data relating to the lens or adapter. If there is no change in any of these, the processes in steps S24 to S36 are executed again.

[Effects of the present embodiment]
In the present embodiment, status communication with the adapter is performed only when the adapter is variable in length, and adapter status communication is not performed when the adapter is fixed in length.

  When the adapter is variable in length, communication is performed every predetermined number of times without performing communication every time. In other words, communication is performed with a longer interval than the lens state communication and with a reduced number of communications.

  Further, the frequency of communication can be changed according to the type of adapter. For this reason, communication can be performed at an appropriate frequency.

  Only necessary items are communicated according to the type of adapter. As a result, the communication load can be rationally reduced.

  In addition, the camera can reduce the communication load by performing status communication with the adapter only immediately before the release.

  Further, since no special communication line is required between the lens and the intermediate adapter, the camera can be configured at low cost.

  Each function described in the above embodiment may be configured using hardware, or may be realized by reading a program describing each function into a computer using software. Each function may be configured by appropriately selecting either software or hardware.

  Furthermore, each function can be realized by causing a computer to read a program stored in a recording medium (not shown). Here, as long as the recording medium in the present embodiment can record a program and can be read by a computer, the recording format may be any form.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Further, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, you may combine suitably the component covering different embodiment.

1 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a camera to which the present invention is applied. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a camera to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a schematic flowchart showing an operation procedure of a camera. Schematic flowchart of lens adapter mount processing. FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart of lens adapter state reception processing. The figure which shows the content of the data which a camera receives. The block diagram which shows the system configuration | structure of the camera of other embodiment which concerns on this invention. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the lens adapter status reception process of other embodiment. The figure which shows the content of adapter status reception data. FIG. 2 is a schematic flowchart showing an operation procedure of a camera. The flowchart which shows the procedure of a release process. FIG. 5 is a schematic flowchart showing lens state reception processing.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Camera, 11 ... Camera main-body part, 12 ... Lens barrel, 150 ... Bmicrocom, 205 ... Lmicrocom, 206 ... Communication connector, 300 ... Macro converter, 301 ... Mmicrocom, 400 ... Teleconverter, 401 ... Tmicrocom.

Claims (6)

The camera body,
A taking lens that can be attached to the camera body via an adapter;
In the camera body, the photographing lens, and comprising a communication means capable of independently communicating with the adapter,
The camera system according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit periodically performs a communication operation with the photographing lens and performs a communication operation with a predetermined timing with the adapter.   The camera system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined timing is a timing immediately before a photographing operation. The camera body,
A taking lens that can be attached to the camera body via an adapter;
In the camera body, the photographing lens, and the adapter, and communication means capable of independently communicating information about each state with each adapter,
The communication means performs a communication operation with the photographing lens at a first frequency, and performs a communication operation with the adapter at a second frequency lower than the first frequency. . A camera body that can be mounted in combination with a taking lens and an adapter;
In the camera body, the photographing lens, and the adapter and communication means for receiving information on each state independently of each other, and
The communication means performs a communication operation with a first frequency with the photographing lens, and performs a communication operation with a second frequency less than the first frequency with the adapter.   The camera according to claim 4, wherein the communication unit changes the second frequency according to a type of the adapter.   The camera according to claim 4, wherein the communication content of the information related to the state of the adapter varies depending on the type of the adapter.

Images