JP2003101877A - Photographing device, photographing method, computer readable recording medium and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image matched with a purpose of photographing in emitting strobe light and photographing an object. SOLUTION: At least one of a strobe 141 incorporated in a digital camera 100 and an external strobe 160 attached on the outside is selected as the strobe to be used for photographing and a gain value is set by using a guide number of the selected strobe and a voltage value of a main capacitor 2 provided in the selected strobe. Thus, photographing of the image of high image quality is enabled though snapshooting property is sacrificed in the case of requiring the image of the high image quality, photographing full of the snapshooting property is enabled though image quality is somewhat sacrificed in the case of requiring the snapshooting property and the image matched with the purpose of photographing is obtained.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photographing device, a photographing method, a computer-readable recording medium, and a computer program, and is particularly suitable for photographing a subject by emitting strobe light. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a digital camera having a built-in strobe device has been known. The built-in strobe device cannot increase the capacity of the main capacitor connected to the flash tube in order to downsize the camera,
There is a limit to the guide number, and there is a limit to the shooting distance when shooting is performed using the strobe device.

[0003]

In order to solve the above problems, the sensitivity of the image pickup device is increased (specifically, the gain value of the signal level of the image signal is increased) to achieve the reaching distance of the strobe light. Was.

However, when the gain value is increased, the noise component of the image pickup device is also amplified, and the picked-up image becomes dirty.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is a first object of the present invention to obtain an image suitable for the purpose of photographing when photographing a subject by emitting strobe light. The purpose of. When a high-quality image is required, high-quality images can be taken even if the quick-shooting property is sacrificed. On the other hand, when the quick-shooting property is required, the image quality is sacrificed to some extent. Even so, the second purpose is to make it possible to shoot with a high degree of rapidity.

[0006]

The photographing apparatus of the present invention has a built-in strobe and is capable of mounting an external strobe having a large guide number, and detects the guide numbers of the built-in strobe and the external strobe respectively. The gain value of the image pickup device is changed according to the detected guide number.
Another feature of the present invention is to control the light emission of the built-in strobe and the external strobe, and to change the gain value of the image sensor according to the change of the guide number due to the individual light emission and the multiple light emission. It has a feature. Further, another feature of the present invention is a photographing apparatus capable of mounting a plurality of strobes for emitting strobe light to a subject at the time of photographing, and for photographing the subject from the plurality of strobes. It is characterized in that the sensitivity of the image sensor is changed by setting a gain value of the signal level of the image signal according to the subject based on the function of the selected strobe. Another feature of the present invention is a photographing device in which a plurality of strobes that emit strobe light can be attached when photographing a subject, and the strobe used for photographing the subject is selected from the plurality of strobes. Based on the function of the strobe selected by the selecting means, the gain adjusting means for adjusting the signal level of the image signal according to the subject, and the gain adjusting means for controlling the light emission of the selected strobe. Image pickup sensitivity setting means for setting the gain value of the signal level of the image signal adjusted by the means and changing the sensitivity of the image pickup device. Another feature of the present invention is that it has guide number detecting means for detecting the guide number of the strobe selected by the selecting means, and the imaging sensitivity setting means is the strobe detected by the guide number detecting means. It is characterized in that the sensitivity value of the image sensor is changed by setting the gain value of the signal level of the image signal by using the guide number of. Another feature of the present invention is that the image pickup sensitivity setting means sets the gain value of the image pickup element by the composite guide number of the plurality of strobes when a plurality of strobes are selected by the selecting means. It is characterized by that. Another feature of the present invention is that it has voltage detection means for detecting the voltage of the main capacitor of the strobe selected by the selection means, and the imaging sensitivity setting means is detected by the voltage detection means. The gain of the signal level of the image signal is set according to the voltage value of the main capacitor of the strobe, and the sensitivity of the image sensor is changed. Further, another feature of the present invention is that a charge completion display for changing the charge completion display of the strobe selected by the selecting means in accordance with the gain value of the signal level of the image signal set by the imaging sensitivity setting means. It is characterized by having means. Another feature of the present invention is that at least one of the plurality of strobes is incorporated. Another feature of the present invention is that at least one of the plurality of strobes is
One is an external strobe that is externally attached to a strobe attachment part for attaching an external strobe. Another feature of the present invention is that it has a light emission prohibiting means for prohibiting the strobe light built in the camera from emitting strobe light when an external strobe is attached to the strobe attachment portion. It is characterized by that.

The photographing method of the present invention is a photographing method for photographing a subject using at least one of a built-in strobe and an external strobe, wherein the guide numbers of the built-in strobe and the external strobe are respectively detected, It is characterized in that the gain value of the image sensor is changed according to the detected guide number. Another feature of the present invention is to control the light emission of the built-in strobe and the external strobe, and to change the gain value of the image sensor according to the change of the guide number due to the individual light emission and the multiple light emission. It has a feature. Further, another feature of the present invention is that, in a shooting method for shooting a subject by emitting strobe light, the subject is selected based on a function of a strobe selected from a plurality of strobes for shooting the subject. An image pickup method characterized by changing the sensitivity of an image pickup device by setting a gain value of a signal level of an image signal according to. Further, another feature of the present invention is that in a shooting method of shooting a subject by emitting strobe light, a strobe used for shooting the subject is selected from a plurality of strobes, and the strobe of the selected strobe is selected. An image signal adjusted by the gain adjustment process based on a selection process for controlling light emission, a gain adjustment process for adjusting the signal level of the image signal according to the subject, and a function of the strobe selected by the selection process. The image pickup sensitivity setting process for changing the sensitivity of the image pickup device is performed by setting the gain value of the signal level. Further, another feature of the present invention is that a guide number detection process for detecting the guide number of the strobe selected by the selection process is performed, and the imaging sensitivity setting process is performed by the guide of the strobe detected by the guide number detection process. The number is used to set the gain value of the signal level of the image signal to change the sensitivity of the image sensor. Further, according to another feature of the present invention, in the imaging sensitivity setting process, when a plurality of strobes are selected by the selection process, a gain value of an image sensor is set by a composite guide number of the plurality of strobes. Is characterized by. Another feature of the present invention is that voltage detection processing is performed to detect the voltage of the main capacitor of the strobe selected by the selection processing, and the imaging sensitivity setting processing is performed by the strobe detected by the voltage detection processing. The gain value of the signal level of the image signal is set in accordance with the voltage value of the main capacitor, and the sensitivity of the image pickup device is changed.
Further, another feature of the present invention is a charging completion display process for changing the charging completion display of the strobe selected by the selection process according to the gain value of the signal level of the image signal set by the imaging sensitivity setting process. It is characterized by performing.

A computer-readable recording medium of the present invention is characterized by recording a program for causing a computer to function as each of the above means. Another feature of the present invention is that a program for causing a computer to execute any one of the methods described above is recorded.

A computer program of the present invention is characterized by causing a computer to function as each of the above means. Another feature of the present invention is characterized by causing a computer to execute any one of the methods described above.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, embodiments of a photographing apparatus and a photographing method of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The image capturing apparatus according to the present embodiment has a built-in strobe and an external strobe attached externally.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a digital camera provided as an image pickup apparatus according to this embodiment. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a digital camera, and the digital camera 100 of the present embodiment has a mechanical mechanism 10 including a lens system 101, an aperture / filter unit, and the like.
2, CCD 103, CDS circuit 104, variable gain amplifier (AGC amplifier) 105, A / D converter 106, IPP
107, DCT 108, coder 109, MCC 11
0, DRAM 111, PC card interface 11
2, CPU 121, first display unit 122, operation unit 12
3, second display unit 124, SG (control signal generation) unit 12
6, a strobe control unit 140 for controlling strobe light emission under the control of the CPU 121, a built-in strobe charging / light emission unit 141 built in the camera controlled by the strobe control unit 140, an external strobe connection unit 142, and a battery 128. , DC-DC converter 129, EEPR
An OM 130, a focus driver 131, a focus pulse motor 132, a zoom driver 133, a zoom pulse motor 134, and a motor driver 135 are provided.

A detachable PC card 150 is connected via the PC card interface 112.
Furthermore, IPP107, DCT108, MCC110,
The CPU 121 and the first display unit 122 are the bus 170.
Connected by.

The lens unit comprises a lens system 101 and a mechanical mechanism 102 including a diaphragm / filter unit,
The mechanical shutter provided in the mechanical mechanism 102 performs simultaneous exposure of two fields.

The lens system 101 comprises, for example, a varifocal lens, and is composed of a focus lens system 101a and a zoom lens system 101b.

The focus driver 131 is the CPU 12
The focus pulse motor 132 is driven according to the control signal supplied from the focus lens system 101a.
Is moved in the optical axis direction.

The zoom driver 133 operates the zoom pulse motor 1 according to the control signal supplied from the CPU 121.
34 is driven to move the zoom lens system 101b in the optical axis direction.

Further, the motor driver 135 is the CPU 1
The mechanical mechanism 102 is driven according to the control signal supplied from the control unit 21, and, for example, the aperture value of the aperture is set.

A CCD (charge coupled device) 103 converts an image input through the lens units 101 and 102 into an electric signal (analog image data).

CDS (correlated double sampling) circuit 10
Reference numeral 4 is a circuit for reducing noise in the CCD image pickup device.

The AGC amplifier 105 also has a function as a gain adjusting means for correcting the level of the signal subjected to the correlated double sampling in the CDS circuit 104. The gain of the AGC amplifier 105 is set by the CPU 121 by setting setting data (control voltage) in the AGC amplifier 105 via a D / A converter incorporated in the CPU 121.

Further, the A / D converter 106 converts the analog image data input from the CCD 103 via the AGC amplifier 105 into digital image data. That is, the output signal of the CCD 103 passes through the CDS circuit 104 and the AGC amplifier 105, and the A / D converter 106
The optimum sampling frequency (eg NTSC
It is converted into a digital signal at an integer multiple of the signal subcarrier frequency.

The IPP which is a digital signal processing unit
(Image Pre-Processor) 107, DCT (Discrete Co
sine Transform) 108, and coder (Huffman En
A coder / decoder) 109 is provided for color difference (Cb, Cb) of the digital image data input from the A / D converter 106.
r) and luminance (Y) are separately processed for various processing, correction, and image compression / expansion.

In addition, MCC (Memory Card Controlle)
r) 110 temporarily stores the compressed image and records it in the PC card 150 or reads it from the PC card 150 via the PC card interface 112.

The CPU 121 is, for example, the EEPROM 1
According to the program stored in 30, the DRAM 111
Is used as a work area, an instruction from the operation unit 123,
Alternatively, all operations inside the digital camera 100 are controlled according to an external operation instruction from a remote controller (not shown) or the like. Specifically, the CPU 121 controls the image capturing operation and the automatic exposure (AE).
Operation, automatic white balance (AWB) adjustment operation, A
Controls the F operation and the like.

The camera power source is, for example, Ni-C.
d, nickel hydride, a battery 12 such as a lithium battery
8 is input to the DC-DC converter 129 and is supplied to the inside of the digital camera 100.

The first display section 122 includes an LCD, an LED,
It is realized by EL or the like, and displays captured digital image data, decompressed recorded image data, and the like.

The operation section 123 is provided with buttons for performing function selection, photographing instruction, and other various settings from the outside. In addition, the digital camera 100 is provided with a second display unit 124 that displays an operation state of the operation unit 123, a result of AF described later, and completion of strobe charging. Further, the EEPROM 130 has a CPU
Adjustment data and the like used when the 121 controls the operation of the digital camera 100 are written therein.

The strobe control section 140 is a strobe selecting means 200 for selecting at least one of a built-in strobe built in the digital camera 100 and an external strobe externally attached to the digital camera 100, and the strobe selecting means. Charge voltage detecting means 201 for detecting the charging voltage of the main capacitor of the strobe selected by 200, and after the discharge tube of the strobe selected by the strobe selecting means 200 is made to emit light, the reflected light from the subject is metered and metered. When the measured light amount reaches a predetermined level, the strobe light control unit 202 for stopping the light emission of the strobe discharge tube, and a CPU interface (CPU I / I) for exchanging strobe-related signals with the CPU 121.
F) 203 is provided.

Although not shown, the strobe light control section 202 receives a reflected light of strobe light from a subject and converts it into an electric signal, the electric signal and the CPU 121.
And a comparison unit for stopping the light emission of each strobe light emitting tube when the electric signal becomes larger than the light control value.

The built-in strobe charging / light emitting section 141 is connected to the strobe control section 140.

The external strobe 160 is connected to the strobe controller 140 via an external strobe connector 142.

The built-in flash charging / light emitting unit 141 is
As shown in FIG. 2, the main capacitor 2 charged by the booster circuit 1 based on the signal from the strobe selection means 200.
, A voltage detection circuit 3 for detecting the charging voltage of the main capacitor, a strobe light emission circuit 4 for emitting strobe light in accordance with a light emission control signal from the strobe selection means 200, and an interface (I) for exchanging signals with the strobe control section 140. / F) 5 is provided.

The external strobe 160 is shown in FIG.
It has a circuit like. 3, the same numbers as in FIG. 2 indicate the same functions. Other external strobe 16
0 is the strobe CPU 9 that controls the strobe,
A charging completion display unit 6 for displaying the charging state of the main capacitor 2, an operation unit 7 for setting various modes of the external strobe, and a charging completion display unit 8 for displaying the operation state are provided.

Digital camera 100 (CPU 121)
Is a recording mode in which image data obtained by capturing an image of a subject is recorded in the PC card 150, a display mode in which image data recorded in the PC card 150 is displayed, and the captured image data in the first display unit 122. It is equipped with a monitoring mode that is displayed directly on the screen.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a specific configuration of the IPP 107. As shown in FIG. 4, the IPP 107 includes a color separation unit 1071 that separates the digital image data input from the A / D converter 106 into R, G, and B color components.
A signal interpolating unit 1072 for interpolating the separated R, G, B image data, a pedestal adjusting unit 1073 for adjusting the black level of each R, G, B image data, and each R, B image A white balance adjustment unit 1074 that adjusts the white level of data, a digital gain adjustment unit 1075 that corrects each R, G, and B image data with a gain set by the CPU 121, and a R, G, and B image data A gamma conversion unit 1076 that performs γ conversion, a matrix unit 1077 that separates RGB image data into a color difference signal (Cb, Cr) and a luminance signal (Y), a color difference signal (Cb, Cr), and a luminance signal (Y). Create a video signal based on and
And a video signal processing unit 1078 for outputting to the display unit 122.

Further, the IPP 107 detects the luminance data (Y) of the image data after the pedestal adjustment by the pedestal adjustment unit 1073, and a predetermined frequency component of the luminance data (Y) detected by the Y calculation unit 1079. Band pass filter (BPF) 1080 that passes only
And an AF evaluation value circuit 1081 that outputs the integrated value of the brightness data (Y) that has passed through the BPF 1080 to the CPU 121 as an AF evaluation value, and a digital count value corresponding to the brightness data (Y) detected by the Y calculation unit 1079. AE evaluation value circuit 1082 which outputs to CPU 121 as an evaluation value
And a Y calculation unit 1083 that detects the brightness data (Y) of each of the R, G, and B image data after the gain adjustment by the digital gain adjustment unit 1075, and the brightness data (Y) of each color detected by the Y calculation unit 1083. AWB evaluation value circuit 1084 which counts each and outputs as the AWB evaluation value of each color to the CPU 121, and a CPU interface (CPU I / F) 1085 which is an interface with the CPU 121.
And a DCT interface (DCTI / F) 1086 which is an interface with the DCT 108.

Next, the AF control will be described. In AF control, after the shutter speed and gain are set, the focus pulse motor 132 is driven for a prescribed pulse in the 1VD period. During this specified pulse drive, IPP
The digital video signal obtained in 107 is processed to obtain a luminance signal. The high-frequency component of this brightness signal is integrated to obtain the AF evaluation value, and the peak of this AF evaluation value is the in-focus position.

Next, regarding the operation of the strobe photographing processing,
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, when the release button is pressed halfway (step S201), whether the built-in flash previously determined by the operation unit 123 and the second display unit 124 is built in,
The flag FLG is set to 1 (step S203), 2 (step S204), and 3 (step S205) depending on whether it is externally attached or both (step S202).

Then, the main capacitor 2 is selected according to the output of the strobe selection means 200 and charging is started (steps S206, S207, S208).

Steps S202, S203, S20
4, the processing performed in S205 is performed by the digital camera 100.
The selection means configured by the computer system of.

Next, the guide number is calculated according to the value of the flag FLG to determine the gain of the AGC amplifier 105. That is, if FLG = 1 or 2,
Gains corresponding to the respective guide numbers G ₁ and G ₂ are set, and if FLG = 3, the composite guide number is calculated based on the equation 1.

[0043]

[Equation 1]

Then, the calculated composite guide number is set as a corresponding gain (step S209).

The processing performed in this step S209 is
This is performed by the guide number detection means and the imaging sensitivity setting means which are configured by the computer system of the digital camera 100.

Subsequently, the CPU 121 responds to the output of the charging voltage detecting means 201, which is a circuit for detecting the charging voltage of the main capacitor 2, via the SG unit 126 to the CCD 10.
The gain of the AGC amplifier 105 of No. 3 is further changed as shown in FIG. 6 (step S210), and when the gain reaches a predetermined value, the second display unit 12 displays the indication of completion of charging.
4 or the charging completion display portion 6 (step S21)
1).

The processing performed in step S210 is as follows.
This is performed by the voltage detection unit and the imaging sensitivity setting unit that are configured by the computer system of the digital camera 100.

When the charging voltage reaches the first predetermined voltage V ₁ , the CPU 121 sets the gain of the AGC amplifier 105 to A, and simultaneously displays the charging completion indication and the flash light reaching distance on the second display section 124. The strobe device (strobe used for photographing) is set to the light-emission enabled state (step S212). As the charging further progresses, the AGC amplifier 1 is linked to the charging voltage up to the full charging voltage (V ₂ ) as shown in FIG.
The gain (B) of 05 is changed, and the display of the second display unit 124 or the charge completion display unit 6 is also changed.

As described above, by displaying the charging completion state, the user can grasp the charging completion state and easily determine what kind of image quality the picture can be taken.

The processing performed in steps S211 and S212 is performed by the charging completion display means configured by the computer system of the digital camera 100.

Next, AF processing is performed (step S21).
3). The specific processing of the AF processing is irrelevant to the operation of selecting a strobe and shooting, and will not be described here.

Then, when the release key is fully pressed (step S214), the CPU 121 sends a light emission control signal to the selected strobe, causes the strobe light emitting tube to emit light, and performs strobe photographing (step S215).

As a result, the subject is irradiated with strobe light. Then, while the strobe light is being emitted, the light receiving unit of the strobe light control unit 202 receives the reflected light of the strobe light from the subject, converts it into an electrical signal, and outputs it.

In response to this, the comparison unit of the strobe light control unit 202 receives the electric signal input from the light receiving unit and the CPU.
The dimming value (reference value) set by 121 is compared, and when the electric signal becomes larger than the dimming value, the light emission of the strobe arc tube is stopped. Further, the level of the image data is adjusted according to the gain value set in the AGC amplifier 105.

The processing performed in step S215 is as follows.
This is performed by the selection means configured by the computer system of the digital camera 100.

At the same time, the image data corresponding to the subject is captured by the CCD 103, and the CDS circuit 104,
AGC amplifier 105, A / D converter 106, IPP10
7, DCT 108, coder 109, and MCC 11
Image data is recorded in the PC card 150 via 0 or the like.

The strobe control section 140 serves as a light emission prohibiting means for controlling the built-in strobe 140 to prohibit the strobe light from being emitted when the external strobe connection section 142 is connected to the external strobe 160. It also has the function of.

As described above, in the present embodiment, at least one of the small built-in flash charging / light emitting unit 141 and the external flash 160 is selected, and according to the guide number of the selected flash. Since the gain value of the image sensor is set, it is possible to obtain an image that matches the purpose of shooting.

Specifically, when the small built-in strobe charging / light emitting section 141 is used, it is possible to extend the reach of strobe light even if the image quality is sacrificed.
While it is possible to shoot with a high degree of quickness, a high-quality image can be obtained by reducing the gain value of the image sensor when using the large external strobe 160 that is externally attached. Further, when both strobes 141 and 160 are selected, a higher quality image can be obtained by further reducing the gain value of the image sensor.

Further, since the gain value is changed according to the charging voltage of the built-in strobe charging / light emitting section 141 and the main capacitor 2 provided in the external strobe 160 externally attached, the external strobe 160 and a plurality of strobes 14 are provided.
Even when 1, 160 is selected as the strobe to be used for shooting, it is possible to improve the quick-shooting property even if the image quality is somewhat sacrificed, and the main capacitor 2 is sufficiently charged to increase the gain value of the image sensor. By reducing the size, a higher quality image can be obtained.

In FIG. 6, the charging voltage and the AGC amplifier 1 are
The gain of 05 is linked continuously,
By using a comparator in the voltage detection circuit, the charging completion display is changed to 12 by gradually changing to A, B, C and D as shown in FIG.
It does not matter if it is displayed in 4 steps. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the digital camera having the structure in which each of the built-in strobe and the external strobe is provided has been described, but the same control is performed even when a plurality of units are provided. You can

(Other Embodiments of the Present Invention) In order to operate various devices in order to realize the functions of the above-described embodiments, a computer in an apparatus or system connected to the various devices is operated in the above-described embodiment. Supply the program code of software to realize the function of
What is carried out by operating the above various devices according to a program stored in the computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus is also included in the scope of the present invention.

Further, in this case, the program code itself of the software realizes the function of the above-described embodiment, and the program code itself and a means for supplying the program code to the computer,
For example, a recording medium storing such program code constitutes the present invention. As a recording medium for storing the program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-RO.
M, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

Further, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by executing the supplied program code by the computer, but also the OS (operating system) or other OS in which the program code is operating in the computer. Needless to say, the program code is also included in the embodiments of the present invention when the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized in cooperation with application software or the like.

Further, after the supplied program code is stored in the memory provided in the function expansion board of the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board or function expansion unit is instructed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the present invention also includes a case where the CPU or the like included in the above performs a part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

[0066]

As described above, according to the present invention, the gain value of the signal level of the image signal corresponding to the subject is based on the function of the strobe selected for photographing the subject from the plurality of strobes. Is set so that the sensitivity of the image sensor is changed, so that it is possible to obtain an image suitable for the purpose of photographing.

Specifically, whether or not the image quality is sacrificed to extend the reach of the strobe light to perform shooting with rich quickness,
Alternatively, it is possible to perform shooting by selecting one of shooting in which a good quality photograph is obtained by reducing the gain value of the image sensor. Furthermore, when a plurality of strobes are selected, the best quality photograph can be obtained by further reducing the gain value of the image sensor.

According to another feature of the present invention, the voltage of the main capacitor of the strobe selected for photographing is detected, the gain value is set according to the detected voltage, and the sensitivity of the image sensor is changed. Therefore, even if you select a large external flash or multiple flashes for shooting, you can sacrifice the image quality and shoot with a quick-shooting property, and also enough main condenser By charging and reducing the gain value of the image sensor, it is possible to obtain a better quality photograph. Further, according to another feature of the present invention, according to the gain value of the signal level of the image signal set at the time of setting the imaging sensitivity, the charging completion display of the strobe selected for shooting is changed, The charge completion state can be grasped, and it is possible to easily judge what kind of image quality can be taken.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention and showing a configuration example of a photographing device.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention and showing an example of a circuit of a built-in flash charging / light emitting unit.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention and showing an example of an external external strobe circuit.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention and showing an example of a specific configuration of a digital signal processing unit.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a flash photography process according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram showing an example of a relationship between a charging voltage of a main capacitor provided in a strobe and a gain value of an AGC amplifier.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram showing another example of the relationship between the charging voltage of the main capacitor provided in the strobe and the gain value of the AGC amplifier.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Booster circuit 2 Main capacitor 3 Voltage detection circuit 4 Strobe lighting circuit 7 Operation part 8 Charge complete display 9 Strobe CPU 100 digital camera 103 CCD 105 AGC amplifier 107 digital signal processing unit 111 DRAM 121 CPU 123 Operation part 124 Second display unit 126 control signal generator 130 EEPROM 140 Strobe control unit 141 Built-in flash charging / light emitting unit 142 External strobe connection 160 external strobe 200 Strobe selection means 201 Charge voltage detecting means 202 Strobe light control section

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G03B 15/03 G03B 15/03 X 15/05 15/05 17/18 17/18 B // H04N 101: 00 H04N 101: 00 F Term (reference) 2H002 AB04 AB05 AB07 AB08 BB00 BB05 BB08 CD00 CD11 EB00 FB38 FB64 GA31 JA07 ZA01 2H053 AA03 AB03 AC00 AC13 AC14 AD00 AD21 BA00 BA71 BA72 CA21 CA41 DA03 DA06 2H102 AA56 5A71022 AB20 AC03 AC15 AC42 AC69

Claims (23)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup apparatus having an internal strobe and capable of mounting an external strobe having a large guide number, wherein each of the built-in strobe and the external strobe is detected as a guide number, and an image is picked up according to the detected guide number. An imaging device characterized in that a gain value of an element is changed. 2. The light emission control of the built-in strobe and the external strobe is performed, and the gain value of the image pickup device is changed according to the change of the guide number due to each of the single light emission and the multiple light emission. Shooting device. 3. A photographing device capable of mounting a plurality of strobes for emitting strobe light to a subject at the time of photographing, wherein the strobe selected for photographing the subject among the plurality of strobes has a function. Based on the above, the image pickup apparatus is characterized in that a gain value of a signal level of an image signal according to the subject is set and the sensitivity of the image pickup device is changed. 4. A photographing apparatus capable of mounting a plurality of strobes for emitting strobe light when photographing a subject, wherein the strobe used for photographing the subject is selected from among the plurality of strobes, and the selected strobe is emitted. Based on the function of the strobe selected by the selecting unit, and the gain adjusting unit that adjusts the signal level of the image signal according to the subject. An image pickup apparatus comprising: an image pickup sensitivity setting unit that sets a gain value of a signal level and changes a sensitivity of an image pickup element. 5. A guide number detecting means for detecting the guide number of the strobe selected by the selecting means, wherein the imaging sensitivity setting means uses the guide number of the strobe detected by the guide number detecting means.
The imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the gain value of the signal level of the image signal is set to change the sensitivity of the image sensor. 6. The image pickup sensitivity setting means sets the gain value of the image pickup device according to a composite guide number of the plurality of strobes when a plurality of strobes are selected by the selecting means. The imaging device described in. 7. A voltage detecting means for detecting the voltage of the main capacitor of the strobe selected by the selecting means, wherein the imaging sensitivity setting means has a voltage value of the main capacitor of the strobe detected by the voltage detecting means. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a gain value of a signal level of the image signal is set according to the above, and the sensitivity of the image pickup device is changed. 8. A charging completion display means for changing the charging completion display of the strobe selected by the selecting means according to the gain value of the signal level of the image signal set by the imaging sensitivity setting means. The image capturing apparatus according to claim 4. 9. The photographing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the plurality of strobes is incorporated. 10. At least one of the plurality of strobes is an external strobe externally mounted to a strobe mounting portion for mounting an external strobe. The imaging device described. 11. The light emission prohibiting means for prohibiting the flash light from being emitted from the strobe built in the camera when an external strobe is attached to the strobe attachment portion. The imaging device described in. 12. A photographing method for photographing a subject using at least one of an internal strobe and an external strobe, wherein the guide numbers of the internal strobe and the external strobe are respectively detected, and the detected guide number is set to the detected guide number. An image pickup method characterized in that a gain value of an image pickup element is changed according to the image pickup element. 13. The gain value of the image pickup device is changed according to the change of the guide number due to the individual light emission and the plurality of light emission, respectively, by controlling the light emission of the built-in strobe and the external strobe. How to shoot. 14. A photographing method for photographing a subject by emitting strobe light, based on a function of a strobe selected from a plurality of strobes for photographing the subject, a signal of an image signal corresponding to the subject. An imaging method characterized by setting a level gain value and changing the sensitivity of an image sensor. 15. A photographing method for photographing a subject by emitting strobe light, the selection process comprising: selecting a strobe used for photographing the subject from a plurality of strobes; and controlling the emission of the selected strobe. , A gain adjustment process for adjusting the signal level of the image signal according to the subject, and a gain value of the signal level of the image signal adjusted by the gain adjustment process based on the function of the strobe selected by the selection process. An imaging method, comprising: setting and performing an imaging sensitivity setting process for changing the sensitivity of the imaging device. 16. A guide number detection process for detecting a guide number of a strobe selected by the selection process is performed, and the imaging sensitivity setting process uses the guide number of the strobe detected by the guide number detection process.
The imaging method according to claim 15, wherein a gain value of a signal level of the image signal is set to change the sensitivity of the image sensor. 17. The image pickup sensitivity setting process, when a plurality of strobes are selected by the selection process, sets the gain value of the image pickup device by a composite guide number of the plurality of strobes. The shooting method described in. 18. A voltage detection process of detecting a voltage of a main capacitor of a strobe selected by the selection process is performed, and the imaging sensitivity setting process uses a voltage value of a main capacitor of the strobe detected by the voltage detection process. The gain value of the signal level of the image signal is set accordingly, and the sensitivity of the image pickup device is changed.
7. The photographing method according to any one of 7. 19. A charging completion display process for changing the charging completion display of the strobe selected by the selection process in accordance with the gain value of the signal level of the image signal set by the imaging sensitivity setting process is performed. Claims 15 to 1
The imaging method according to any one of 8 above. 20. A computer-readable recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to function as each unit according to any one of claims 4 to 11 is recorded. 21. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for causing a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 12 to 19. 22. A computer program for causing a computer to function as each unit according to any one of claims 4 to 11. 23. A computer program for causing a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 12 to 19.