JP3061437B2 - A system consisting of a camera and an external strobe not connected to the camera - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system comprising a camera and a strobe for transmitting information using a pre-emission emitted from a camera or an external strobe to control the exposure flash of the external strobe.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, as a device used for auxiliary lighting at the time of photographing with a camera or the like, there is a small slave strobe that emits light in synchronization with strobe light emitted by a camera. The strobe is used to enhance the expression effect of a photograph by devising lighting on a subject, or to compensate for a shortage of a built-in strobe light amount of a camera.

[0003]

However, since the above-mentioned conventional slave strobe is not connected to the camera by a cord or the like, its arrangement is simple, but it is synchronized with the emission of the strobe provided in the camera. However, it was difficult to obtain a photograph with proper exposure because it only emitted light with a preset guide (G) number.

Therefore, it is conceivable to change the amount of light of the slave strobe in accordance with the F number of the lens attached to the camera or the distance between the strobe and the subject, but the operation becomes complicated and not easy.

Further, it has been impossible to emit light only from the slave strobe and not to emit light from the camera.

[0006] For this reason, it has been difficult for anyone other than those who have acquired the technique to take effective pictures by devising the lighting of the subject. Further, a system in which the slave strobe is connected to the camera body via a synchro cable to exchange exposure information may impair the portability which is a characteristic of a compact camera.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an external strobe light emission timing and light emission other than light emission during exposure of a camera.
An object of the present invention is to provide a system including a camera and a strobe not connected to a camera, which emits information for controlling the amount of light emitted from an external strobe, thereby appropriately emitting light from the external strobe by a release operation.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a pre-emission means capable of continuously emitting a plurality of pre-emissions, and a light emission amount to be emitted by a non-connected external strobe.
The light emission amount calculating means for calculating the value, and the light emission amount calculating means
Data conversion that converts the calculated light emission value into time data
Means and time data converted by the data conversion means.
The pre-emission means emits light a plurality of times at appropriate time intervals
And a control means for performing such control .

Further, a plurality of pre-emissions can be continuously emitted.
Pre-flash means and a non-connected external strobe
A light emission amount calculating means for calculating a light emission amount value;
Data for converting the light emission amount value calculated by the calculating means into time data.
Data conversion means and the time converted by the data conversion means.
The pre-emission means is fired multiple times at time intervals according to the data
Control means for controlling light emission, and receiving pre-emission
Light receiving means and a plurality of pre-emissions received by the light receiving means;
A switch that controls the amount of light emitted from the external flash according to the flash interval
Provided is a camera system configured with a strobe light amount control unit .

[0010]

According to the system of the present invention comprising a camera and a strobe (external strobe) not connected to the camera, pre-emission is performed a plurality of times at predetermined intervals between the camera and the external strobe, and emission timing and emission amount control are performed. Information is transmitted.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention. Film sensitivity information (hereinafter referred to as S
v information) 2 and F number information at the time of light emission (hereinafter referred to as Av information) 3, subject distance information (hereinafter referred to as Dv information) 30, and time information from reference timing to light emission (hereinafter referred to as tT information) 4. These are values obtained from the shutter mechanism of the camera, the characteristics of the lens, and the DX code of the film.

Each of the above-mentioned information is inputted to the pre-emission interval calculating means 5 and converted into a pre-emission light emission interval time according to a predetermined method described later. Emit light multiple times at intervals. Here, the pre-light emission is light emission performed before exposure, and is light emission with a small amount of light emitted from a part of the energy stored in the main capacitor or light emission with a large amount of LED.

The light emission member 8 emits light by the pre-emission control means 6 in synchronization with the reference timing generated by the reference timing generation means 7 at the start of exposure. A light receiving means 10 is provided in the external strobe 9, and when pre-emission (or reflected light from the subject of pre-emission) is received, waveform shaping is performed, and based on the signal, light amount control information detection means 11 is provided. Detects light amount control information related to Sv information and Av information.

When the light emitting timing is detected by the light receiving timing detecting means 12 from the light receiving means 10, the flash controlling member 13 causes the strobe light emitting member 14 to emit strobe light based on the light quantity control information.

FIG. 2 shows a configuration when the first embodiment is used. Prior to photographing, the photographing camera 1 irradiates the subject 15 with pre-emission according to a predetermined protocol. At this time, the external strobe 9 detects the pre-emission reflected from the subject 15, decodes necessary information according to the protocol, and controls the emission and the amount of emitted light in synchronization with the exposure of the camera.

Thus, the photographer can irradiate the subject with the strobe from a free direction without performing a complicated operation for properly adjusting the exposure of the external strobe, thereby enabling photographing. The width can be expanded.

With respect to the pre-emission used as a means for communication from the camera to the strobe of the present invention, the pre-emission for pupil contraction disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 01-282708 filed by the same applicant is also used. May be.

As an example of this, a specific circuit is shown in FIG. According to FIG. 3, the xenon tube 16 and the IGBT (I
nsulated Gate Bipolar Tra
nsistor) 17 is connected in series, and its IGBT
Are connected to a main capacitor 18 at both ends. Said I
The GBT is an element capable of flowing a large current by applying a voltage to the gate, and the gate is controlled by the gate control circuit 20.

In the control method using this circuit, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4, first, a high voltage of about 40 V is applied to the gate by the gate control circuit (step S1), and IG
After turning on the BT, a trigger is generated by the trigger generation circuit (step S2). As a result, the xenon tube 16 starts to emit light, and waits for a pre-emission time (step S3).
Then, the light emission is stopped by setting the gate voltage to 0 V (step S4).

Therefore, the amount of pre-emission light is changed by changing the pre-emission time to change the light emission time. Further, the amount of strobe light during exposure can be controlled by the same circuit. Such a pre-emission is IG
An element such as a thyristor other than the BT may be used. As shown in FIG. 5, on / off of the LED 18 may be controlled by switching of the transistor 17.

FIG. 6 shows a time chart of the light emission operation of the camera and the external strobe. The camera of the present embodiment is a lens shutter camera, and controls the exposure time and the light emission timing based on the ON / OFF of an AE switch which is a reference timing of exposure.

The pre-emission is performed four times, and the interval t1 between the first and second shots corresponds to the strobe light amount control information, and the interval tT between the second and third shots is the time from the reference timing to the light emission. The fourth light is emitted simultaneously with the reference timing. By adjusting the reference timing before opening,
Since the fourth pre-emission shines before opening, it does not affect the exposure.

The external strobe is t after the fourth pre-flash.
The main light is emitted after T, and at this time, the light amount is controlled based on the light amount control information obtained from t1. It is light quantity control information, but from the formula of G number,

[0024]

(Equation 1)

Log2GNo2 = log2FNo2 + log2d2 + log2S (100) -log2S (2) where Gv = log2GNo2, Av = log2FNo2, Dv = log2d2 Sv = log2S, Sv (100) ) = Log2S (100) (3) Gv = Au + Dv + Sv (100) -Sv (4) Here, the Dv value is the distance from the camera to the subject, but since the distance between the external strobe and the subject is generally considered to be not much different, the Gv value obtained by the equation (4) is converted to the time t1 and sent.

Here, any method can be used to convert the value into t1. In this embodiment, for the purpose of simple calculation, as shown in Table 1, each light amount control of Sv, Dv, Av, and Gv is performed. A standard table in which information is associated with time data of a pre-emission interval is used.

[0027]

[Table 1]

By converting the Av at the time of light emission of the camera, the Dv of the subject distance, and the film Sv to be used in accordance with the standard table of Table 1, calculating the equation (4), an appropriate Gv is obtained.
The time t1 corresponding to the value is obtained. For example, Av = 4
(F number = 4.0), Dv = 3 (2.8 m), Sv
When t = 7 (ISo 400), t1 = 1.3 + 0.6 + 0.3−0.5 = 1.7 ms.

Although this time is tT, in order to reduce the release time lag by making the interval between the second shot and the third shot equal to the time tT, the interval between the second shot and the third shot is set to an integral number.
Or a logarithmically compressed value may be used.

FIG. 7 shows a flowchart (REL) of the operation after release on the camera side of the present invention.

First, distance measurement and photometry are performed (step S1).
0), the amount of extension of the lens (step S11) and the Dv value are calculated based on the distance measurement result (step S1).
2).

A DX code is input (step S13),
An Sv value is obtained (step S14), and a second time is calculated from the Sv value and the photometric value (step S15). Further, a time tT until light emission (step S16) and an Av value at the time of light opening are obtained (step S17).

These calculation methods are described in JP-A-02-032.
It can be easily calculated by the method described in JP-A-194-194.

The respective Av values and Dv obtained above
The value and the Sv value are matched with the standard table of Table 1 as described above, and t1 = Av + Dv + Sv (100) -Sv is calculated to obtain the time t1 (step S18).

In the flowchart, after the lens is extended (step S19), the first pre-light emission is performed (step S20), the time t1 waits (step S21), and the second pre-light emission (step S22). Then, a further pre-light emission is performed for the third time (step S24).

Next, shutter control is started (step S2).
5) Wait for the exposure time to change from on to off before exposure (step S26). When the AE switch is turned off (YES), 4
Pre-emission of the first shot is performed (step S27), and the process proceeds to the second time reproduction. Whether the time until light emission has elapsed (step S2
8) A check is performed. When the time until light emission has elapsed (YES), it is checked whether or not the flash mode is off (step S29). When the mode is other than the off mode, main light emission is performed (step S30).

Next, whether or not the time has elapsed (step S31)
A check is performed, and when the time reaches the second time, the shutter control is terminated (step S32), and after one frame has been wound up, the process returns and the release process is terminated.

Next, the operation on the strobe side will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the normal strobe side determines whether or not the pre-flash from the camera has been emitted (step S4).
0).

Here, when the pre-emission is received, the timer is started (step S41) and the second pre-emission is waited (step S42), and when the second emission is performed (YE).
S) The count value between the first shot and the second shot is set in t1 (step S43).

Next, the range of t1 is determined (step S44), and when 80 ms ≦ t1 ≦ 3 ms, it is normal,
Otherwise, it is determined to be abnormal, and the process returns to step S40.
Since it is a value corresponding to the light amount Gv at the time t1, at normal time,
After the timer is started (step S45), the flash emission time is obtained from t1 (step S46).

Therefore, if the circuit of the light emitting section on the external strobe side has the configuration shown in FIG. 3, the light quantity can be easily controlled by having a table of the time t1 and the light emitting time.

Further, it is checked whether or not the third pre-emission has been emitted (step S47). When the third emission has been emitted (YES), the count value between the second and third emission is counted as tT. (Step S48).

Here, the interval tT between the second and third shots is 1 ms.
It is checked whether it is within the range of ≦ tT ≦ 40 ms (step S49), and if abnormal, the process returns to step S40.

It is checked whether or not the fourth pre-emission, which is the next reference timing, has been emitted (step S5).
0), when pre-emission is performed (YES), time t until light emission is performed
After waiting for T (step S51), the main flash light emission is started (step S52), and after waiting for the light emission time (step S5).
3) Stop light emission (step S54), and step S4
Return to zero.

In this embodiment, when the camera is set to the strobe off mode and the image is taken, the camera does not emit the main light and only the external strobe emits light. Become.

Next, as a second embodiment, a system having a photometry circuit on the strobe side will be described. In the first embodiment, it is assumed that the distance between the camera and the subject and the distance between the external strobe and the subject are substantially equal. However, a problem arises if accurate exposure is to be performed.

The difference from the first embodiment is the meaning of t1. In the second embodiment, t1 is Av + Sv (100)-
As information corresponding to Sv, information excluding information related to distance is transmitted to the strobe.

Such an external strobe is provided with an integrating circuit shown in FIG.

This integrating circuit includes operational amplifiers OP1 and SB
The gate is turned off from on at the start of light emission by the integration circuit 25 composed of C, a capacitor, and an integration start gate, and integration is started. Further, a judgment value is calculated or referred to in a table from the light amount control information t122 from the camera, and the value is converted into a judgment voltage by a D / A circuit, and is compared by the integration output comparator OP2.

The output of the integrating circuit rises due to the amount of light reflected from the object of the strobe, and the output of the integrating circuit exceeds the judgment voltage.
The output of P2 is inverted, and light emission is stopped by the light emission stop circuit. The external strobe can be controlled with an appropriate light amount by creating a determination voltage at t1 corresponding to the ISO sensitivity of the camera and the aperture and performing integration with a light amount including distance information of reflected light from the subject.

However, when both the external strobe and the built-in flash are fired, if the external strobe and the built-in strobe are fired at the same time, the light intensity cannot be accurately adjusted on the side of the external strobe. The main flash is emitted at the timing after the external strobe is fired. That is, the built-in flash of the camera is caused to emit light after a time ts obtained by adding the longest emission time of the external flash to the time tT from the reference timing sent to the emission of the external flash to the external flash. By doing so, the dimming of the external strobe is performed accurately.

In the first embodiment, the detection of the pre-emission is performed based on the reflected light from the object, but in the second embodiment,
If the external strobe is within the irradiation angle of the camera-side strobe, the pre-flash may be directly received.

FIG. 10 shows a situation when the camera and the strobe system of the third embodiment are used. In the first and second embodiments, the communication is one-way from the camera to the strobe. Depending on the direction of the external strobe, the camera is released.
Although it is possible that the external strobe does not emit light, the third embodiment proposes a system in which bidirectional communication is performed to ensure that the external strobe also emits light when exposure is performed.

The external flash has a built-in remote control function, and information is sent from the external flash to the camera by the remote control. You can use the external flash to pre-flash and convey information to the camera, but portrait photography is a common case of using the external flash.In this case, if the external flash fires before exposure, the subject will be surprised. There is a high possibility that the portrait photographing will be spoiled, for example, if the eyes are inadvertently moved or the line of sight is inadvertently moved. Therefore, a remote controller using invisible infrared light is used.

Regarding such a remote control method, a remote control function for transmitting codes 0 to 7 to the camera is built in the external strobe by a method described in Japanese Patent Application No. 02-205556 filed by the same applicant. And These codes are switched by the mode switch of the external strobe, the remote switch's transmission is started by the release switch of the external strobe, and the camera changes the pre-flashing method according to the received code, so that the necessary information can be changed. Send to an electronic flash and fire an external flash in synchronization with the exposure.

Table 2 summarizes the codes of the remote controller according to the present embodiment, the pre-emission intervals of the camera corresponding to the codes, the method and characteristics of main light emission, and FIG. 11 shows a time chart of each code.

[0058]

[Table 2]

Here, code 0 indicates that the pre-emission is two shots and the first and second shots t1 are values corresponding to Av-Sv + Dv, and the external strobe emits light simultaneously with the main emission of the camera. The pre-emission of the codes 1 and 2 is the first and second times t1 of the four shots, and the time t1 of the first shot is Av-Sv +
Dt is a value corresponding to Dv, the second and third times tT are times from the reference timing to light emission, and the fourth time is the reference timing. Then, the strobe emits light tT time after the fourth emission.

However, in the case of code 1, the camera side also emits the main light under one stage, but in the case of code 2, it does not emit the main light.

The pre-light emission of codes 3 and 4 is 5
The time t1 of the first and second shots is a value corresponding to Av-Sv, and the distance information Dv is sent at the time t2 of the second and third shots, and the time of the third and fourth shots is tT. The light is emitted tT time after the fifth light emission. The code 3 emits the main light of the camera, and the code 4 does not emit the main light. The strobe side can measure the distance or integrate the amount of reflected light on the strobe side without using the distance information t2 to make the exposure proper.

Codes 5 and 6 are the same as codes 4 and 5 at t1 and t2, but the under amount of light on the camera side is sent at the third and fourth time t3.

The under amount is also corresponded to t3 according to Table 1. For example, when t3 = 0.5 ms, it indicates that the exposure of the camera is two steps under.

The fourth and fifth shots emit light at time tT, and emit light after tT time from the sixth shot. With this code, the underside of the camera can be supplemented with an external strobe.

Code 7 is a code output when the external strobe is half-pressed. The camera turns on the LED in F or emits the PCV to notify the user that communication is normally performed. Thus, the user can confirm the communication.

FIG. 12 shows a schematic configuration diagram of the third embodiment. The difference between the third embodiment and the first embodiment will be described.

Third Embodiment In an external strobe, a mode selecting means is added to change the value of the code "CODE" of the remote control and to transmit it to the remote control transmitting circuit.

When the release switch 35 is half-pressed, the spot visible light generator 33 emits visible light. When the release switch is pressed halfway, the data of code 7 is transmitted from the remote control transmission circuit, and the value of "CODE" is transmitted with the second release.

The transmission signal from the external strobe is received by the remote control receiving circuit 31 on the camera side, and the code "CODE" of the remote control is detected.
When the “CODE” is “1, 3, 5”, the main light emission prohibiting means 29 prohibits the main light emission. Also, "COD
According to the value of E ", the number of times of the pre-flash is calculated based on the film sensitivity information 2, the F number 3 at the time of flash, the time information 4 from the reference timing to the flash, the G number information 27 of the built-in flash, and the subject distance information 30. The calculation unit 5 calculates the interval and the number of times of the pre-emission, and the pre-emission control unit 6 causes the light emitting member 8 to perform the pre-emission.

When the value of "CODE" is 0 to 6, shutter control is started by the shutter control means 32.
As a result, the reference timing is generated from the reference timing generation means 7, and when the value of "CODE" is 1 to 6, pre-emission is performed at that timing. When the subject distance is long according to the subject distance information 30, the amount of pre-emission light is increased.

In the light amount control information detecting means of the external strobe, a detecting method and information to be detected change according to the mode.

In the flowcharts of FIGS. 13 and 14, the third
3 shows a main operation (main flow) of the camera of the embodiment.

First, normally, predetermined display items are displayed (step S60), and camera operations such as exposure, mode change, and rewind (step S62) are performed depending on the presence or absence of a camera operation (step S61).

Then, the presence or absence of the remote control signal is checked (step S63). If the remote control signal does not arrive, the predetermined display items of step S60 are displayed. However, when the remote control signal arrives (step S64), the received “COD”
It is determined whether or not “E” is “7” (step S65).
When DE "is" 7 "(YES), the communication is confirmed.
The PCV is sounded (step S66), and step S60 is performed.
Return to

When this "CODE" is other than "7", (N
O), a process for exposure is performed.

In this case, a distance measurement value, a photometry value, and a DX code are input (step S67), and Dv and Sv are obtained. Further, the calculation of the second time (step S68), the time tT until the external strobe light is calculated (step S69),
The v value is calculated (step S70), the amount of main emission is calculated (step S71), and the amount of pre-emission is calculated (step S72).

When the method of controlling the light amount of the external strobe light is controlled according to the table of the light emission time similarly to the first embodiment, the light emission timings of the built-in strobe and the external strobe may be the same, but the second embodiment In the case of a dimmable external strobe as in the example, the time tT until the external strobe emits light
As a result, the time ts until the built-in flash is emitted is extended by the emission time of the external flash. In the case of code 0, simultaneous light emission is performed, so it is better to use a light emission time table.

After the lens is extended (step S7)
3), the value of “CODE” is determined (step S7)
4). In this determination, when “CODE” = 0, 1, 2,
A value corresponding to Av-Sv + Dv is put in t1 (step S79). However, when "CODE" = 3, 4, 5, and 6, Av-Sv (step S75) in t1, and D in t2.
The value corresponding to v is entered (step S76), and the amount of under light is calculated (step S77), and then the value corresponding to the amount of under light is entered at t3 (step S78).
According to the code, the pre-emission causes t1 to t3.
Is sent, and when CODE is not 0, the time tT is also sent as the pre-emission interval (steps S81 to S86). Thereafter, shutter control is started (step S89). Then, the state of the AE switch, which is the reference timing, is determined (step S90).
O), when the code is other than "CODE" = 0, pre-emission is further performed (step S92). An exposure timer is started (step S93). Next, it is determined whether or not the time tT has elapsed (step S94).
The value of “DE” is determined (step S95).
If E ″ = 0, 2, 4, and 6, main light emission is performed while controlling the light amount so as to be one step lower (step S9).
6). If the external strobe side is also one stage lower, both strobe lights will be appropriate.

Next, the time is checked (step S9).
7) When a predetermined time has elapsed, the shutter control is terminated (step S98), and one frame is wound up (step S9).
9) Return to the normal display loop.

FIG. 15 shows a circuit for detecting the pre-emission of an external strobe, and FIG. 16 is a time chart showing the output waveform of each circuit of the detection circuit. The output of the light receiving element 43 is logarithmically compressed by the photometric logarithmic compression circuit 38, and the level shift circuit 3
9 and to the sample and hold circuit 42 via the gate 41. By turning off the gate 41 after the remote control transmission, the luminance before the emission of the pre-emission is latched by the sample and hold circuit 42. Since the luminance difference between the pre-emission and the pre-emission can be sufficiently determined by about 1.5 steps, the logarithmic compression level is shifted by 1.5 steps by the level shift circuit 39, and this value is compared with the sampled and held value by the comparator 40. To output a square wave d.

The timing for turning off the gate of the sample hold may be any time before the pre-emission, but here, it turns on when remote control communication starts, and turns off when remote control transmission ends.

Next, the operation of the external strobe side of the third embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

When the power is turned on, "CODE" is initialized to "0" (step S111), and it is determined whether or not the mode switch is turned on (step S112). Each time the mode switch is turned on, "CODE" is turned on. Is added to "1", and when it becomes "7", it is returned to "0" (step S1).
13).

Next, the charging voltage is checked (step S1).
14), charging at less than 330 V (step S115);
The charging is stopped at 330 V or higher (step S116).
The completion of the charging is indicated by an LED (step S
117).

Then, it is checked whether the release switch provided on the external strobe is pressed halfway (step S11).
8). Until the switch is half-pressed (NO), the mode switch process, the charge check, and the LCD display process are performed. However, when pressed halfway (YES), the spot-illuminated LED
Is turned on (step S119) to illuminate the center position of the strobe light. This may also be used by increasing the visible light component of the wavelength of the LED that outputs far-infrared light for remote control. Since a red LED can easily obtain a bright luminance with a relatively small current, a red LED is used here.

Thus, the photographing can be performed after confirming the irradiation position of the external strobe.

After the LED is turned on, the remote control is transmitted (step S120). In this case, "CODE" is set to "7" in order to transmit a half-press on the strobe side.

Whether half-pressing is off or not (step S121)
Then, the state of the second release further depressed from the half-press is checked (step S123). When the half-press is turned off (NO), the LED for spot irradiation is turned off (step S122).

When the second release is turned on (YES), the LED for spot irradiation is turned off (step S124), the charging voltage is checked (step S125), and charging is stopped (step S126). The sample hold gate is turned on (step S127), the remote control is transmitted (step S128), and the sample hold gate is turned off (step S129), so that the luminance at the time of the remote control transmission is latched.

Further, "1" is added to the number of pre-emissions (step S130), reception of pre-emission is started (step S131), and information of t1 to t3 is input according to "CODE" (step S132). ~ Step S13
6).

Then, it is determined whether or not "CODE" is "0" (step S137). If "CODE" is not "0" (NO), the value of tT is also inputted, and the light amount corresponding to "CODE" is input. The control value is determined (steps S138 to S143), and the light emission is performed while controlling the light amount tT time after the pre-emission at the reference timing.

If "CODE" = 0 in step S137 (YES), the light amount control value is determined (step S14).
4) With the main light emission of the camera (step S14)
5) Emit light while controlling the light amount (step S1)
46).

Here, the camera-side under amount used when “CODE” = 5, 6 in Table 2 is the difference between the required Gv value obtained by the equation (4) and the Gv value of the strobe in the camera. An under luminance component other than the strobe light intensity may be added.

When exposure correction is performed on the camera side, it can be easily sent by adjusting the time of t1 corresponding to Av-Sv + Dv or Av-Sv according to the amount of correction.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that various modifications and applications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0096]

As described in detail above, according to the system including the camera and the strobe of the present invention, the camera transmits information to the external strobe mechanically independent from the camera by using pre-emission. By doing so, the photographer can perform daylighting photography from any direction with a simple operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a situation in which the camera and the strobe system of the first embodiment are used.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a specific circuit of communication means from a camera to a strobe;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a gate control operation in a gate control circuit.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing switching of a transistor.
It is a circuit diagram which controls on / off of LED.

FIG. 6 is a time chart showing a light emitting operation of a camera and an external strobe.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a release operation (REL) on the camera side.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation on the strobe side.

FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram showing an integration circuit provided in an external strobe.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a situation in which a camera and a strobe system according to a third embodiment are used.

FIG. 11 is a time chart showing an output waveform of each code of a pre-emission of a camera.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a third embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a first half of a flowchart showing a main operation (main flow) of the camera of the third embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a second half of a flowchart showing a main operation (main flow) of the camera of the third embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a circuit diagram showing a circuit unit provided in the external strobe for detecting pre-emission.

FIG. 16 is a time chart illustrating output waveforms of respective circuits included in the detection circuit unit of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a first half of a flowchart showing an operation on the external strobe side of the third embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a latter half of a flowchart showing the operation of the external strobe side of the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Camera, 2 ... Film sensitivity information, 3 ... F number information, 4 ... Time information from reference timing to light emission, 5 ...
Pre-emission interval calculation means, 6: pre-emission control means, 7: reference timing generation means, 8: light emitting member, 9: external strobe, 10: light receiving means, 12: light emission timing detection means,
13 ... light emission control means, 14 ... strobe light emitting member, 15 ...
Subject, 30 ... Subject distance information.

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A pre-emission means capable of continuously emitting a plurality of pre-emissions and a light emission amount value to be emitted by a non-connected external strobe are calculated.
A light emission amount calculating means, and a light emission amount value calculated by the light emission amount calculating means,
Data conversion means for converting, when a response to the converted time data by the data converting means
Control the pre-emission means to emit light multiple times at intervals
And a control unit for performing the operation. 2. A pre-emission means capable of continuously emitting a plurality of pre-emissions, and a light emission amount value to be emitted by an unconnected external strobe are calculated.
A light emission amount calculating means, and a light emission amount value calculated by the light emission amount calculating means,
Data conversion means for converting, when a response to the converted time data by the data converting means
Control the pre-emission means to emit light multiple times at intervals
Control means, a light receiving means for receiving the pre-emission, and a light- receiving means for receiving the pre-emission a plurality of times.
Strobe light control to control the amount of light emitted from an external strobe
And a control means . 3. A pre-emission means capable of continuously emitting a plurality of pre-emissions, a lens shutter, and an aperture value for determining an aperture value of the lens shutter during photographing.
The external strobe that is not connected is fired according to the determination means and the aperture value.
Calculating means, the light emission timing calculated by said calculation means time data for calculating the emission timing that
Data conversion means for converting, when a response to the converted time data by the data converting means
Control the pre-emission means to emit light multiple times at intervals
A pre-emission control means for receiving light, a light- receiving means for receiving the pre-emission light, and a light-emission interval for a plurality of pre-emissions received by the light-receiving means.
After a delay from the exposure reference timing
A flash control hand that controls the external flash to fire
And a step . 4. An external flash further includes a remote controller
A transmission circuit, and the remote control transmission circuit is connected to the camera.
And transmitting photographing information in response to the request.
The camera system according to claim 3.