JP2011091664A - Camera system with autofocus function, and lens system - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus that prevents focusing on a subject unintended by a cameraman when AF is continuously executed in a video selection state.
A lens apparatus having an autofocus function is provided with photographing state input means for inputting a signal indicating a photographing state of the lens apparatus. When it is determined that the input signal from the photographing state input unit is in the non-selected state, the first focus range is set as the movable range of the focus lens 106 with reference to the current in-focus point. When the input signal from the photographing state input means is the video selection state, the second focal range that is narrower than the first focal range is set as the movable range of the focus lens 106 with reference to the current focal point.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus having an autofocus function.

  As the video content used for broadcasting is becoming higher definition, the performance of the photographic lens and camera body used in the TV camera system has become very high. On the other hand, if the cameraman performs manual focus adjustment with the naked eye with reference to the image of the viewfinder, a situation in which speed and accuracy are insufficient is caused. Therefore, in addition to the conventional manual focus (hereinafter referred to as MF) system, the need for an autofocus (hereinafter referred to as AF) function has increased, and broadcasting cameras and lenses having the AF function have appeared. In order to realize the AF function for broadcasting use, highly accurate focus detection is indispensable. In addition, in order to perform high-precision focus adjustment by AF, it is necessary to control the position of the focus plane within the depth of field. The depth of field refers to a range where the focus appears to be within a certain range before and after the focused point. It is known that the depth of field is determined by the allowable confusion circle δ possessed by the lens, the focal length f, the aperture value Fno, and the focus distance L. When focusing on the distance L, the distance D1 that is in focus farther than the distance L is called the rear depth of field, and the distance D2 that is in focus on the near side is called the front depth of field. It is given by equation (2). The depth of field is a range D1 + D2 in which both are combined.

Back depth of field D1 = δ · Fno · L ² / (f ² −δ · Fno · L) (1)
Forward depth of field D2 = δ · Fno · L ² / (f ² + δ · Fno · L) (2)
By the way, as the AF method, there are a contrast method, a phase difference detection method, an external measurement method, and the like. The contrast method described in Patent Document 1 generates a focus evaluation value by accumulating high-frequency components of a video signal within a screen area among video signals obtained from an image sensor so that the focus evaluation value is maximized. Focus adjustment is performed automatically. As a result, it is known that the best focus that maximizes the sharpness of an image captured by the image sensor can be obtained.

  In the phase difference detection method described in Patent Document 2, a light beam from a subject that has passed through different exit pupil regions of a photographing lens is formed on a pair of line sensors, and a pair of images obtained by photoelectrically converting the subject image. The relative defocus amount of the image signal is obtained to directly calculate the defocus amount of the subject. Based on this, the focus adjustment lens for focusing is driven, so that focusing can be performed quickly. Therefore, when an AF system based on the phase difference method is applied for broadcasting use, there is an advantage that the next scene can be quickly created as compared with the conventional MF.

JP 2002-365517 A JP-A-9-274130

  However, video used for broadcasting is highly public, and high quality video is required. That is, there is a problem in broadcasting that there is a part that is largely out of focus in the broadcast video. In particular, if a large amount of out-of-focus occurs during broadcasting at a shooting site where live broadcasting is performed, this will cause problems in broadcasting. In addition, when performing continuous AF using a broadcasting lens having an AF function, if a subject other than the currently focused subject enters the selected focus state detection area, the cameraman's There is a risk of focusing on another subject unintentionally.

  FIG. 15 shows an example of a certain photographed image. For subject A and subject B, the screen area to be AF target is set as shown in FIG. Now, assuming that the subject B is focused, there is a possibility that the subject A existing in the same screen area is focused. At this time, if the difference in distance from the lens with respect to each subject is in a range wider than the depth of field, subject B is blurred by focusing on subject A from subject B. By the way, in a main shooting site represented by a shooting studio, a plurality of cameras are generally used. Each camera is always shooting, and each video signal to be shot is input to a video selection device represented by a switcher. A video selection device selects and outputs one video from a plurality of videos to be shot, thereby performing live broadcasting or recording. When live broadcasting or recording is being performed, there is a function for notifying the camera that is sending the selected video signal that the video is being selected. As described above, at the shooting site, there are many shooting scenes that may cause problems in broadcasting when the video is selected.

  When shifting to the video selection state during the use of AF, it may be switched from AF to MF by a manual operation of the photographer, but this requires troublesome work. Furthermore, since the transition to the video selection state is performed by an operator or system other than the cameraman, the cameraman himself cannot determine in advance the timing when the video selection state is entered. That is, it is different from a stand-alone system that is operated by the cameraman himself and becomes VTR or video recording. Therefore, in order to reduce the burden on the photographer, it is desirable that an AF function suitable for both the case where the image is not selected and the case where the image is selected is realized.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus that prevents focusing on a subject unintended by a cameraman when AF is continuously executed in a video selection state.

  In order to achieve the above object, the movable optical member for adjusting the focus, the focus detection means having one or more focus detection areas, and the movable optical member is driven by the focus information from the focus detection means. When the input signal from the shooting state input means is in a non-selection state, the control means has a control means for focusing and a shooting state input means for inputting the shooting state from the outside. Uses the first focus range as a movable range with reference to the current in-focus point, and when the input signal from the photographing state input means is in the video selection state, the control means is narrower than the first with respect to the current in-focus point. The second focus range is a movable range.

  Further objects and other features of the present invention will be made clear by the preferred embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce erroneous focusing on an unintended subject when in the video selection state. In addition, it is possible to perform AF operations suitable for the video selection state and the non-selection state without the cameraman being conscious.

1 is a configuration diagram of an imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a schematic flowchart of an imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment. The AF process flowchart of 1st Example. Setting example of focus drive range. Example of setting the focus drive range (illustration). The MF process flowchart of 1st Example. 1 is a configuration diagram of an imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment (another example). FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart of an imaging apparatus according to a second embodiment. The AF process flowchart of 2nd Example. The flowchart of the update process of the screen area | region AREA-CONT of 2nd Example. Captured image and screen area setting example (non-selected state). Example of shot image and screen area setting (when moving to video selection state). Shooting image and screen area setting example (when changing focal length). Captured image and screen area setting example (after setting the screen area). An example of a photographed image.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(AF focus lens drive range restriction (distance restriction))
(Overall block diagram explanation)
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image pickup apparatus in a first embodiment to which the present invention is applicable. Reference numeral 100 denotes a lens apparatus with an autofocus function. Reference numeral 200 denotes a camera device. Reference numeral 300 denotes video selection information transmission means. The lens apparatus 100 can be attached to and detached from the camera apparatus 200, and an image can be taken out from an imaging element (not shown) inside the camera apparatus 200.

  A focus designation unit 101 is connected to the lens apparatus 100 and outputs a focus position control signal corresponding to the operation amount. As an example of use of the focus specifying means 101, focus demand can be cited. Reference numeral 102 denotes an in-focus state detecting unit capable of detecting an in-focus state at a plurality of points in the screen shot at 100. Examples of the in-focus state detection unit 102 include a phase difference sensor and an external measurement sensor. Reference numeral 103 denotes an AF switch for turning on / off the autofocus function of the lens apparatus 100. Reference numeral 104 denotes an in-focus range setting means for setting an in-focus state detection range in the shooting screen.

  Reference numeral 105 denotes video selection status display means for displaying that the video shot by the imaging apparatus is in the video selection status. An example of the video selection state display means 105 is a tally lamp. The role of the tally lamp will be briefly explained. In a television studio in which a broadcasting lens / camera is used, photographing is generally performed using a plurality of broadcasting lenses / cameras. At that time, by illuminating the tally lamp, it plays a role to let the performer, who is the subject to be photographed, which broadcast lens / camera is picked up. . The video selection information sending means 300 sends this video selection state to the photographing apparatus. An example of the video selection information sending means 300 is a tally switch. Video selection information from the tally switch which is the video selection information sending means 300 is input to the lens device 100 via the camera device 200.

  Reference numeral 106 denotes a focus lens which is a movable optical member, and reference numeral 107 denotes a driving unit for driving the focus lens 106. The drive means 107 is composed of an actuator (not shown), a drive circuit, a D / A converter, and the like. Reference numeral 108 denotes means for detecting the position of the focus lens 106. The position detection means 108 includes an encoder (not shown) and a counter that counts the encoder output. A potentiometer may be used instead of the encoder and counter. Although only the focus lens 106 is shown in FIG. 2, the iris mechanism and zoom lens group (not shown) have the same configuration. Reference numeral 109 denotes a focus control means for generating a focus control signal using the output from the focus designating means 101 and the output from the in-focus state detecting means 102. Reference numeral 110 denotes a drive limit amount setting means for setting the range of the focus lens 106 and the AF screen area.

  The AF switch 103 and the focusing range setting unit 104 may be configured in the focus designation unit 101.

(Explanation of autofocus processing flowchart)
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of a series of operations of the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment. The outline of the operation of the imaging apparatus will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the lens apparatus 100 is turned on, the initialization operation of the internal register of the focus control unit 109 and the communication buffer with the focus designating unit 101 is performed in S101. Next, focus control data MF-CONT corresponding to the operation amount of the focus designating unit 101 is input from the focus designating unit 101 in S102.

  In S103, the screen area for detecting the focus state is input by the focus range setting means 104. The focus area setting unit 104 can set a screen area for detecting a focus state for an arbitrary area in the shooting screen.

  In step S104, data FOCUS-POS corresponding to the current position of the focus lens 106 is input from the position detection unit 108. Similarly, an iris mechanism position IRIS-POS (not shown) and a zoom lens group position ZOOM-POS are input.

  In S105, the value of the focus control data FOCUS-CONT is copied to the focus control data buffer FOCUS-BUF, and the process proceeds to S201.

  Next, in S201, the state of the AF switch 103 is determined. If the AF mode is set, the process proceeds to S107, and if the MF mode is set, the process proceeds to S108.

  In S107, AF processing 1 corresponding to the input content from the video selection information sending means 300 is performed, and the target position of the focus lens 106 is calculated. In S108, MF processing for setting the MF-CONT input in S102 as the target position of the focus lens 106 is performed. Details of S107 and S108 will be described later.

  In S109, the screen area input in S103 is displayed. In S110, the focus lens 106 is driven by the driving unit 107 so that the target position calculated in S201 and S107 is obtained. Then, the process returns to S102. The above processing is repeated while the lens apparatus 100 is powered on.

(S107 flowchart explanation of AF processing 1)
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing details of the S107AF process 1 of FIG. Details of the AF process 1 in S107 will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In S201, it is a step of determining the state of the video selection information sending means 300, specifically, the input state of the tally switch is determined. If the input of the tally switch that is the video selection information sending means 300 is OFF, that is, if the video shot by the lens apparatus 100 is in the non-selected state, the process proceeds to S210, and the tally lamp that is the video selection status display means 105 is turned off. , Proceed to S211. In S211, the focus drive range calculation coefficient LIM-A when the photographed image is in the non-selected state is read from the drive limit amount setting unit 110, set in the buffer LIM, and the process proceeds to S204.

  In S201, when the tally switch input as the video selection information sending unit 300 is ON, that is, when the lens apparatus 100 is in the video selection state, the video selection state display unit 105 is turned on in S202. Then, the process proceeds to S203, the focus drive range calculation coefficient LIM-B in the video selection state is read from the drive limit amount setting means 110, set in the buffer LIM, and the process proceeds to S204.

  In S204, the front depth of field D1 and the rear depth of field D2 are calculated from the IRIS-POS and ZOOM-POS input in S104 of FIG. 2 using Equation (1). Then, the focus drive range limit amounts MOD and INF are calculated by a function f (LIM, D) corresponding to the values of LIM and depths of field D1 and D2. The relationship between LIM and D1, D2 and MOD, INF is shown in equations (3) and (4). When the LIM value is LIM-A or LIM-B, INF-A, MOD-A, INF-B, or MOD-B is calculated.

INF = f (LIM, D1) (3)
MOD = f (LIM, D2) (4)
Returning to the flowchart of FIG. In S205, an AF evaluation value is input from the focus state detection unit 102 corresponding to the screen area selected by the focus range setting unit 104. In step S206, focus control data AF-CONT for focusing on the subject is calculated based on the AF evaluation value.

  In S207, AF-CONT calculated in S206 is set in the focus control data FOCUS-CONT. As described above, when the AF switch 103 is set to the AF mode, the focus control data AF-CONT calculated from the output of the focus state detection unit 102 is used, so that an AF function that always brings the subject into focus is provided. Realized.

  In S208, whether the focus control data FOCUS-CONT is equal to or less than the closest focus drive range limit data value MOD-LIM, or the focus control data FOCUS-CONT is equal to or greater than the infinite side focus drive range limit data value INF-LIM. Determine whether or not. In S208, if any one is true, the process proceeds to S209.

  In step S209, the focus control data FOCUS-CONT is replaced with the value of the focus control buffer FOCUS-BUF, and this AF process ends. As described above, when the FOCUS-COUNT is out of the range from the MOD-LIM to the INF-LIM, the FOCUS-COUNT one cycle before saved in the FOCUS-BUF in S105 of FIG. 2 is reset as the target value. . As a result, it is possible to reduce the possibility of focusing on a subject (subject A in FIG. 5) other than the currently focused subject (subject B in FIG. 5).

  On the other hand, in S208, the focus control data FOCUS-CONT is smaller than the infinity-side focus drive range limit data value INF-LIM, and the focus control data FOCUS-CONT is less than the infinity-side focus drive range limit data value MOD-LIM. If it is larger, the AF process is terminated.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the current position of the focus lens 106 and the drive range in the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the focus drive range limit amounts MOD-A and MOD-B, and INF-A and INF-B are set so as to satisfy the relations of the expressions (5) and (6), respectively. Further, the focus drive range limited positions MOD-LIM and INF-LIM are calculated using the equations (7) and (8). However, MOD-LIM and INF-LIM satisfy the expressions (9) and (10). If the conditions are not satisfied, the closest end position is set in MOD-LIM and the infinite end is set in INF-LIM. The position shall be set. When MOD-A is set for MOD and INF-A is set for INF, the close end position may be set for MOD-LIM, and the infinite end position may be set for INF-LIM.

MOD-A ≧ MOD-B (5)
INF-A ≧ INF-B (6)
MOD-LIM = FOCUS-POS-MOD (7)
INF-LIM = FOCUS-POS + INF (8)
MOD-LIM ≧ (closest end position) (9)
INF−LIM ≦ (infinite end position) (10)
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the driving range B set when the video selection information sending unit 300 is ON is narrower than the driving range A set when the video selection information sending unit 300 is OFF. . FIG. 5 shows a photographed image when the subject B is in focus. In this way, by limiting the focus drive range to a narrower range when the video selection information sending means 300 is ON, even if the subject A is in the screen area for detecting the focus state, the current focus is achieved. The possibility of focusing on a subject (subject A in FIG. 5) other than the subject (subject B in FIG. 5) can be reduced.

(S201 MF processing flowchart description)
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing details of the S108MF process of FIG. Details of the MF processing in S108 will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In S301, the state of the tally switch that is the video selection information sending means 300 is determined. If the tally switch that is the video selection information sending means 300 is OFF, that is, if the video shot by the lens apparatus 100 is in the non-selected state, the process proceeds to S303, the tally lamp that is the video selection status display means 105 is turned off, and S304 Proceed. On the other hand, if the tally switch that is the video selection information sending unit 300 is ON in S301, that is, if the lens apparatus 100 is in the video selection state, the tally lamp that is the video selection state display unit 105 is turned on in S302. Subsequently, in S304, the drive range calculation coefficient LIM-M is read from the drive limit amount setting means 110, set in the buffer LIM, and the process proceeds to S305.

  In S305, the same processing as in S204 of FIG. 3 is performed. However, MOD-LIM is the closest end and INF-LIM is the infinite end.

  Next, the process proceeds to S306. In S306, the MF-CONT input from the focus designating unit 101 in S102 of FIG. 2 is set in the focus control data FOCUS-CONT. As described above, when the AF switch 103 is set to the MF mode, an MF function for manually operating the focus lens 106 by the focus designation unit 101 is provided.

  In step S307, it is determined whether the focus control data FOCUS-CONT is equal to or less than the closest focus drive range limit data value MOD-LIM. If the focus control data FOCUS-CONT is equal to or less than the closest focus drive range limit data value MOD-LIM, the process proceeds to S308. In S308, the focus control data FOCUS-CONT is replaced with the value of MOD-LIM, and this MF process is terminated.

  In S307, if the focus control data FOCUS-CONT is larger than the closest focus drive range limit data value MOD-LIM, the process proceeds to S309. In S309, it is determined whether the focus control data FOCUS-CONT is greater than or equal to the infinite focus drive range limit data value INF-LIM. If the focus control data FOCUS-CONT is greater than or equal to the infinite focus drive range limit data value INF-LIM, the process proceeds to S310. In S310, the focus control data FOCUS-CONT is replaced with the value of INF-LIM, and this MF process is terminated. On the other hand, if the focus control data FOCUS-CONT is smaller than the infinite focus drive range limit data value INF-LIM in S309, nothing is done and this MF process is terminated. Thus, when FOCUS-CONT falls outside the range of MOD-LIM to INF-LIM, the target value of FOCUS-CONT is reset so that it is within the range of MOD-LIM to INF-LIM in S308 and S310. Set.

(Summary)
As described above, when the video selection information sending unit 300 is ON in the AF mode, the driving range of the focus lens 106 is narrower than that when the video selection information sending unit 300 is OFF, and focus control outside the driving range is performed. By invalidating the data, focusing on an unintended subject can be reduced. Further, in addition to the phase difference sensor and the external measurement sensor which are examples of the focus state detection unit 102 shown in the present embodiment, a focus detection unit using a video signal may be used. FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram in the case of using a focus detection means based on a video signal. Reference numeral 201 denotes an imaging signal output unit that is configured inside the camera device and outputs a video signal to the lens device 100. By inputting the video signal output from the imaging signal output unit 201 to the in-focus state detection unit 102, the same effect can be obtained by performing the processing of the first embodiment using the contrast AF.

  Further, the driving speed of the focus lens 106 may be variable depending on whether the photographing apparatus is in a video selection state or in a non-selection state. Specifically, by setting the drive speed of the focus lens 106 when the image is in the video selection state to be slower than the drive speed of the focus lens 106 when the photographing apparatus is in the non-selected state, On the other hand, it is possible to reduce the possibility of quick focusing.

  As described above, by implementing the present invention, it is possible for the cameraman to perform an autofocus operation suitable for each of the video selection state and the non-selection state without being aware of the video selection state.

(Explanation of AF frame size variable / switching)
The configuration of the second embodiment is the same as that shown in FIG. The configuration diagram when the present embodiment is applied by the contrast AF system is the same as that shown in FIG.

  FIG. 8 is an outline of a series of operations of the lens apparatus 100 in the present embodiment. When the lens is powered on, the same processing as S101 and S102 shown in FIG. 2 is executed, and the process proceeds to S401.

  In S401, the screen area parameter AREA-POS is input by the focus range setting means 104, and the process proceeds to S104. Subsequently, S104 and S105 of FIG. 8 are performed. S104 and S105 are the same as the processing shown in FIG.

  In step S201, the state of the AF switch 103 is determined. If the AF mode is set, the process proceeds to step S402. If the MF mode is set, the process proceeds to step S108. In S <b> 402, AF processing 2 is performed after the setting of the screen area is changed according to the input content from the video selection information sending unit 300, and the target position of the focus lens 106 is calculated. S108 is as described above. Details of S402 will be described later.

  In S109, the screen area is displayed as described above, and in S110, the focus lens 106 is driven. Then, the process returns to S102. The above processing is repeated while the lens apparatus 100 is powered on.

  FIG. 11 shows a screen area range setting example. Now, the screen area is set as shown in FIG. 11, and the AREA-POS includes the center coordinates (POS-X, POS-Y) of the screen area and parameters (A, KA) indicating the size of the screen area. include. A indicates the vertical length of the screen area, and KA indicates the horizontal length of the screen area. Here, K is a constant, and the following equation (11) is established.

A / KA = 1 / K (constant) (11)
(S402 flowchart explanation of AF process 2)
FIG. 9 shows the details of the S402AF process 2 of the AF process flowchart of FIG.

  In S201, the state of the tally switch that is the video selection information sending means 300 is determined. If the video selection information sending unit 300 is OFF, that is, if the video shot by the lens apparatus 100 is in a non-selected state, the process proceeds to S210, the tally lamp as the video selection state display unit 105 is turned off, and the process proceeds to S211. In S211, the focus drive range calculation coefficient LIM-A when the photographed image is in the non-selected state is read from the drive limit amount setting unit 110, set in the buffer LIM, and the process proceeds to S502. In S502, AREA-POS is set in the screen area control data AREA-CONT, and the process proceeds to S204. Similarly to the screen area parameter AREA-POS, the screen area control data AREA-CONT includes the target center coordinates (X, Y) of the screen area and parameters (SIZE-CONT-X, SIZE-CONT) indicating the size of the screen area. -Y) is included.

  In S201, when the tally switch that is the video selection information sending unit 300 is ON, that is, when the lens apparatus 100 is in the video selection state, the tally lamp that is the video selection state display unit 105 is turned on in S202. Then, the process proceeds to S203, and the focus drive range calculation coefficient LIM-B in the video selection state is read from the drive limit amount setting unit 110, set in the buffer LIM, and the process proceeds to S501. In S501, the screen area control data AREA-CONT is set, and the process proceeds to S204. Details of S501 will be described later.

  In S204, S205, S206, S207, S208, and S209, the same processing as in FIG. 3 is performed, and the AF processing is terminated.

(S501 Screen area AREA-CONT setting process flowchart description)
FIG. 10 shows details of the update of the S501 screen area AREA-CONT in the AF processing flowchart of FIG.

  In step S601, it is determined whether the state of the tally switch that is the video selection information sending unit 300 has been switched from the non-selected state to the video selection state. If it is determined in step S601 that the photographed video has not been selected from the non-selected state, the flow proceeds to step S602. Next, in S602, the value of ZOOM-POS is stored in ZOOM-TEMP indicating the position of a zoom lens group (not shown). ZOOM-TEMP is for storing the position of a zoom lens group (not shown) when the lens apparatus 100 is switched from the non-selected state to the video selected state. On the other hand, if it is determined in S601 that the video selection state is the video selection state, that is, if the video selection state continues, no processing is performed and the process proceeds to S603.

In step S603, the size of the screen area is calculated. First, the variable parameters (b, Kb) of the screen area necessary for the calculation and the variable constant α are loaded. Then, Expression (12) and Expression (13) are performed, and after the calculation, they are stored in the size (a, Ka) of the screen area. In equation (12), the difference between ZOOM-TEMP and ZOOM-POS is taken, and the sum of b and α multiplied by b is substituted for a.
a = b + b · α ((ZOOM−TEMP) − (ZOOM−POS)) (12)
Ka = a · K (K: constant) (13)
In step S604, the result calculated in step S603 is set in each parameter of the AREA-CONT. AREA-POS (POS-X, POS-Y) is set in the AREA-CONT screen area target center coordinates (X, Y). Further, (a, Ka) is set to the target values (SIZE-CONT-X, SIZE-CONT-Y) of the screen area size of the AREA-CONT. Here, it is assumed that the relationship among parameters a, Ka, A, and KA indicating the size of the screen area satisfies the following expression (14).

A ≧ a (14)
In this way, when shifting to the video selection state, by setting the size of the screen area to be narrow, it is possible to reduce the probability that a subject other than the subject intended by the photographer exists in the screen region. Further, when the zoom lens group (not shown) moves after shifting to the video selection state, by changing the size of the screen area according to the amount of position fluctuation of the zoom lens group, for example, the zoom lens group (not shown) When moving to the wide side, the ratio of the subject to the screen area can be made substantially the same. A specific example is given regarding the above description.

  FIG. 11 is a setting example of a captured image and a screen area before shifting to the video selection state. As shown in the figure, a screen area is set for the subject A. FIG. 12 is an example of screen area setting at the time of transition to the video selection state. When the video selection state is shifted, it can be seen that the screen area of FIG. 12 is narrower than the screen area of FIG. As a result, the ratio of the subject in the screen area is larger in the subject B, and the possibility of focusing on the subject A can be reduced. Here, it is assumed that the cameraman moves a zoom lens group (not shown) to the wide side. Then, a screen area setting example at the time of changing the focal length as shown in FIG. 13 is obtained. At this time, since the angle of view becomes wide, the area of the subject B existing in the screen area may be reduced. Then, the subject A may be focused. Therefore, by performing the update process of the screen area shown in FIG. 10, the screen area becomes a narrower area, and the effect shown in FIG. 14 is obtained.

  Thus, in the AF mode, when the tally switch that is the video selection information sending unit 300 is ON, the drive range of the focus lens 106 is made narrower than when the tally switch that is the video selection information sending unit 300 is OFF. In addition, the screen area by the focusing range selection unit 104 is set to be narrow. Thereby, focusing on an unintended subject can be reduced. Therefore, by implementing the present invention, it is possible for the cameraman to perform an autofocus operation suitable for each of the video selection state and the non-selection state without being aware of the presence or absence of the video selection state.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Lens apparatus 101 Focus designation | designated means 102 Focus state detection means 103 AF switch 104 Focus range setting means 105 Image | video selection state display means 106 Focus lens 107 Drive means 108 Position detection means 109 Focus control means 110 Drive limit amount setting means 200 Camera Device 201 Imaging signal output means 300 Video selection information sending means

Claims (4)

A movable optical member that performs focus adjustment, and a focus detection means having one or more focus detection areas;
Control means for driving the movable optical member from the focus information from the focus detection means to bring it into focus;
An imaging apparatus having imaging state input means for inputting an imaging state from outside,
When the input signal from the shooting state input means is not selected,
The control means sets the first focus range as a movable range based on the current in-focus point,
When the input signal from the shooting state input means is the video selection state,
The image pickup apparatus, wherein the control means sets a second focus range narrower than the first focus range as a movable range based on a current in-focus point. When the input signal from the shooting state input means is not selected,
The control means uses the current focus state detection region as a reference and the first region as the focus state detection region,
When the input signal from the shooting state input means is the video selection state,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit sets a second area narrower than the first area based on a current focus state detection area as a focus state detection area.   3. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input signal from the photographing state input unit is a tally signal. When the input signal from the photographing state input means is in a non-selected state, the control means performs focus adjustment at a first speed,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the input signal from the photographing state input unit is a video selection state, the control unit performs focus adjustment at a second speed slower than the first.

Images