JP2003092691A - Electronic camera, control method, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To confirm a bracketed photographed image after performing bracketing photographing in which image processing parameters such as an exposure value and a white balance adjustment value are changed, the bracketing photographed image, and a correction value An electronic camera and a control method having a configuration capable of easily identifying the electronic camera. A photographing means having an auto bracketing photographing mode for taking a plurality of frames by changing the value of an image processing parameter for performing a predetermined process on a photographed image for each photographing, and in the auto bracketing photographing mode, When displaying the captured bracketing captured image, along with information on image processing parameters processed for the displayed bracketed captured image,
Display means for displaying information on the correction amount.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic camera having an auto-bracketing (automatic stepwise exposure) function for continuously shooting while automatically changing an exposure value and a white balance adjustment value.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, with a still camera using a silver salt film, when it is difficult to determine an appropriate exposure such as a dusk scene or a subject with high reflectance, it is possible to expose the same scene. Taking several frames while slightly changing,
So-called automatic exposure bracketing (automatic exposure bracketing) photography is performed in which a frame with an appropriate exposure is selected from among them.

Even when an electronic still camera using a CCD or the like is used as a photographing device, the situation regarding exposure is the same. If an image is photographed with an improper exposure amount, a dark image (underexposed) or an image that is too bright on the contrary is obtained. Since only (overexposure) can be obtained, in situations where it is difficult to determine the exposure, autobracketing shooting will be performed as with a silver halide camera.

As a method for setting such an auto bracketing mode, conventionally, an auto bracketing setting mode is selected and an operation member such as an electronic dial is operated to set a correction amount for performing auto bracketing photography. Set. Then, the normal shooting mode is returned to, and the exposure value for shooting is determined. Then, with respect to this exposure value, the set correction amount and exposure are changed (the shutter speed and the aperture value are changed), and the photographing is automatically performed.

Further, as a characteristic of electronic cameras, CC
There is a method of performing bracketing shooting by changing at least one of image processing parameters such as D gain, gamma characteristic, and white balance. For example, the exposure value is automatically changed by changing the gain or gamma characteristic of CCD. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-004380 discloses a method of performing automatic bracketing photography.

Further, there is disclosed a method for automatically changing the white balance adjustment value, which is one of the image processing parameters, to perform auto bracketing photography.

[0007] These disclosed gazettes have a function of displaying a photographed image including a bracketing photographed image on an external display so that the photographer can confirm it after the photographing is finished.

[0008]

However, there is no information display for identifying the image as the auto-bracketing shot image in the image confirmation after the auto-bracketing shot for changing the exposure value and the adjustment value of the white balance described above. , There were the following problems.

Since it is not possible to easily identify which photographed image is a bracketing photographed image, the photographer spends extra time searching for this bracketing photographed image.

Since the correction amount is not displayed, it is difficult to identify the bracketing photographed image when the correction amount is small.

[0012] It is difficult to identify which image processing parameter corresponds by image confirmation after performing auto-bracketing photography with a plurality of image processing parameters.

Since the correction amount is not displayed, there is a problem that the correction amount and the change in the photographed image cannot be associated with each other.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, and is a photographed image after auto-bracketing photography in which image processing parameters such as an exposure value and a white balance adjustment value are changed. In confirmation,
An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic camera and a control method that are configured to easily distinguish between a bracketing captured image and a correction value.

[0014]

The present invention can solve the above-mentioned problems by providing the following constitutions.

(1) A photographing means having an auto-bracketing photographing mode for changing a value of an image processing parameter for performing a predetermined process on a photographed image for each photographing and photographing a plurality of frames, and the auto-bracketing photographing. In the case of displaying a bracketing shot image taken in the mode, the display device has a display unit for displaying information about an image processing parameter to be processed for the displayed bracketing shot image and information about the correction amount. A characteristic electronic camera.

(2) When the photographer sets the reference value of the image processing parameter, the display means displays information about the reference value together with the image processing parameter, and the camera automatically sets the reference value of the image processing parameter. The electronic camera according to item (1), wherein the reference value is not displayed when set to.

(3) When the photographer sets the reference value of the image processing parameter, the display means displays the information regarding the correction amount by a numerical value relative to the reference value. The electronic camera according to item (1) above.

(4) When the camera automatically sets the reference value of the image processing parameter, the display means displays a numerical value representing the correction amount in the information regarding the correction amount as an absolute value. The electronic camera according to (1) above.

(5) The display means displays the information on the correction amount as information indicating no correction when the displayed bracketing shot image is shot based on the reference value of the image processing parameter. The electronic camera as described in (1) above, which is characterized in that.

(6) The display means displays the information about the image processing parameter and the information about the correction amount simultaneously on the same screen as the bracketing shot image to be displayed. Electronic camera.

(7) The above-mentioned image processing parameter is a white balance adjustment value.
Electronic camera described.

(8) The electronic camera described in (1) above, wherein the image processing parameter is an exposure value.

(9) Shooting means having an auto-bracketing shooting mode for shooting a plurality of frames by changing the value of an image processing parameter for performing a predetermined process for each shot image, and the auto-bracketing shooting In the case of displaying a bracketing shot image shot in the mode, a control method of an electronic camera having a display unit that displays information about an image processing parameter corresponding to the displayed bracketing shot image and information about the correction amount Therefore, in the step of displaying, when the photographer sets the reference value of the image processing parameter, the information about the reference value is displayed together with the image processing parameter, and the value is relative to the reference value. Information regarding the correction amount is displayed, and the image processing parameter When setting the reference value the camera automatically, without displaying the information on the reference value, also,
In the information regarding the correction amount, a numerical value indicating the correction amount is displayed as an absolute value, and when the displayed bracketing shot image is shot based on the reference value of the image processing parameter, the correction amount regarding the correction amount is displayed. In the electronic device, a step of displaying information indicating no correction in the information, and displaying information regarding the correction amount together with information regarding the image processing parameter on the same screen as the displayed bracketing photographed image. How to control the camera.

(10) A storage medium storing a program for realizing the electronic camera control method described in the above item (9).

That is, according to the first aspect of the invention, the photographer can simultaneously identify the correction amount together with the image processing parameter corresponding to the same screen as the auto-bracketing photographed image.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the image processing parameter whose reference value can be set by the photographer displays the image processing parameter and the reference value, and the image processing parameter automatically set by the camera is the image processing parameter. Since only the processing parameter is displayed, it is possible to distinguish between the externally set reference value and the automatically set reference value.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the correction amount information is displayed as a relative value with respect to the reference value when the reference value is an image processing parameter that can be set by the photographer. The correction amount can be relatively determined.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the correction amount information is displayed as an absolute numerical value of the correction amount in the case of an image processing parameter in which the camera automatically sets the reference value. It is possible to judge the corrected photographed image as an absolute value without knowing it.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, since the correction amount information is displayed even in the reference value photographed image without correction, it can be seen that it is a bracketing photographed image.

[0030]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of an electronic camera according to the present invention will be described below.

FIG. 1 is an external top view of a single-lens reflex electronic camera according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an external rear view of an single-lens reflex electronic camera according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control system of the single-lens reflex electronic camera in the embodiment according to the invention.
(A), (b), (c) is an explanatory view showing an example of an image displayed on the upper surface liquid crystal display part of the single-lens reflex type electronic camera in the embodiment according to the present invention, and FIG. 5 is related to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the ISO bracketing setting operation of the single-lens reflex type electronic camera in the embodiment, and FIG. 6 is the I of the single-lens reflex type electronic camera in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a sequence control operation in SO bracketing photography, and FIG.
4 is a flowchart showing a detailed control operation of the photographing processing in FIG. 4, FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a display example of an ISO bracketing photographed image of the single-lens reflex type electronic camera in the embodiment according to the present invention, (a) is a reference value A display example of a photographed image photographed at minus 1 stage (equivalent to ISO100) with respect to ISO200, (b) is a display example of a photographed image photographed at a reference value (no correction amount), and (c) is a reference value ISO20.
9 (a), 9 (b), and 9 (c) show the display examples of the images photographed in the plus 1 stage (corresponding to ISO400) with respect to 0, WB ( (White balance) FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of a bracketing shot image, and FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an image displayed on the rear liquid crystal display unit of the single-lens reflex type electronic camera in the embodiment according to the present invention.

The embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to an example of a single-lens reflex type electronic camera.

In this embodiment, a detachable recording device is used as the recording means, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the recording device may be incorporated in the same manner.

1 and 2 show a "single-lens reflex type electronic camera" which is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is an external top view of a single-lens reflex type electronic camera according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an external rear view of the same electronic camera.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, 100 is a camera body, and 111 is an eyepiece window for finder observation. 11
Reference numeral 2 is an AE (automatic exposure) lock button, and 113 is an AF (autofocus) focus detection point selection button.

Reference numeral 114 denotes a release button for performing a photographing operation, which has a structure in which SW1 is turned on in the first stroke and SW2 is turned on in the second stroke.

Reference numeral 115 denotes a main electronic dial which is a first operation means, and sends a 2-bit signal having a 90 ° phase shift to the microcomputer (MPU) 1 to detect the rotation direction and the number of rotation clicks. .

By detecting the rotation direction and the number of rotation clicks, it is possible to input a numerical value to the camera or switch the photographing mode in combination with other operation buttons.

Incidentally, this information setting method is disclosed in JP-A-58-6.
Since it is known in Japanese Patent No. 3922 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 60-103331, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, 117 is a photographing mode selection button, 118 is an AF mode selection button, and 119.
Is a metering mode selection button that also functions as a flash compensation button.

For example, if the main electronic dial 115 is rotated while pressing the photographing mode selection button 117, T
The order is changed to v priority → Av priority → manual → program → Tv priority → Av priority → manual → program ... and the mode intended by the photographer can be set.

When the main electronic dial 115 is rotated in the reverse direction, the mode is changed as follows: program → manual → Av (aperture) priority → Tv (shutter) priority → program → ...

When Tv priority is set as a mode by the photographing mode selection button 117 and the electronic dial 115, the Tv value (shutter speed) desired by the photographer is set by rotating the main electronic dial 115. can do.

When Av priority is set as the mode by the photographing mode selection button 117 and the main electronic dial 115, the main electronic dial 115 is rotated to set the Av value (aperture value) desired by the photographer. Can be set.

By pressing the AF (auto focus) mode selection button 118 and the photometry mode selection button 119 at the same time, the ISO bracketing setting mode in which the ISO value and the ISO bracketing can be set is selected. The ISO bracketing setting mode will be described later in detail.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, reference numeral 120 denotes an LCD monitor device (liquid crystal display) as a display means for displaying a photographed image.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 121 denotes a monitor switch for turning on / off the LCD monitor device 120.

LCD monitor device 12 in the present embodiment
Since 0 is a transmissive type, the image cannot be visually recognized only by driving the LCD monitor device, and a backlight illuminating device (not shown) must be provided on the back surface of the image.

1 and 2, reference numeral 116 is a sub electronic dial which has the same function as the main electronic dial 115 and which is a second operation means. When the manual mode is set by the shooting mode selection button 117 and the main electronic dial 115, the aperture value is input, and in the program mode (P) / shutter priority mode (Tv) / aperture priority mode (Av), the proper exposure is measured. On the other hand, an exposure correction amount for changing the control exposure amount of the camera is input and set.

In FIG. 2, 122 is a dial lock switch for locking the input function of the sub electronic dial 116, and 123 is a main switch for prohibiting all operations of the electronic camera.

Reference numeral 124 denotes a menu button for selecting a mode at the time of displaying an image on the LCD monitor device 120 or at the time of initial setting of the camera. When selecting each mode, the menu button 124 is held down while the sub button is pressed. The electronic dial 116 is rotated to select the desired mode. When the desired mode is selected, release the menu button 124 to complete the selection.

Reference numeral 140, which is arranged on the upper surface of the camera, and 140A, which is arranged on the rear surface of the camera, are external liquid crystal display devices which are liquid crystal display devices having an external display function for displaying photographing conditions and the like. Reference numeral 125 denotes a white balance (hereinafter abbreviated as WB) mode selection button for selecting white balance adjustment from an auto white balance mode, a fluorescent lamp mode, a strobe mode, and the like, which can be operated simultaneously with the main electronic dial 115 and the sub electronic dial 116. WB mode selection and WB bracketing shooting settings can be made. The WB bracketing setting mode will be described in detail later.

Reference numeral 126 denotes a recording image quality selection button for selecting the recording of the image to be photographed from large / fine (F / L), large / normal (N / L), small / fine (F / S), etc. The recording format is JPEG). Also,
The WB mode, the recording image quality mode, etc. are displayed on the external liquid crystal display device 140A arranged on the back surface.

The taking lens 200 is replaceable with respect to the camera body 100 via a body mount (not shown).

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the "single-lens reflex type electronic camera" in the embodiment according to the present invention.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 1 is a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as MPU) of a microcomputer which is a control means built in the camera body.

The MPU 1 includes an AF drive circuit 12, an aperture drive circuit 13, a mirror drive circuit 14, a focus detection circuit 16,
The shutter drive circuit 17, the video signal processing circuit 11, the switch sense circuit 21, the photometric circuit 23, and the liquid crystal display drive circuit 24 are connected. The MPU 1 sequentially controls each element and the above circuit in a predetermined order.

Reference numeral 200 denotes a taking lens, and the AF (autofocus) driving circuit 12 is composed of, for example, a stepping motor, and the CCD 7 is brought into focus by changing the focus lens position in the taking lens 200 under the control of the MPU 1. .

The diaphragm drive circuit 13 is composed of, for example, an auto iris, and changes the diaphragm 2 under the control of the MPU 1 to change the optical diaphragm value.

The main mirror 4 guides the subject image formed by the taking lens 200 to the pentaprism (pentagonal roof prism) 3 and allows a part of it to pass through the focus detection sensor 1 through the submirror 5 described later.
It is for leading to 5. And the mirror drive circuit 14
Thus, the position where the subject image can be observed with the viewfinder and the retract position where the subject image is retracted from the optical path of the subject light flux at the time of shooting are configured to be movable.

The sub-mirror 5 reflects the subject light that has passed through a part of the main mirror 4, and the focus detection sensor 15
It is for guiding the subject image to. This submirror 5
Is linked with the main mirror 4 or the mirror drive circuit 14 of the main mirror 4, and guides the subject light to the focus detection sensor 15 when the main mirror 4 is in a position where the subject image can be observed by the finder. It is configured to be movable to a position and to a retracted position that retracts from the optical path of the subject light flux during shooting.

The mirror drive circuit 14 is composed of, for example, a DC motor and a gear train, and drives the main mirror 4 and the sub mirror 5 under the control of the MPU 1.

The pentaprism (pentagonal roof prism) 3 is an optical member for converting the subject image guided by the main mirror 4 into an erect image and reflecting it.

The subject light flux that has passed through the taking lens 200 passes through the diaphragm 2, is reflected by the main mirror 4, is guided to the pentaprism 3, and the subject image can be observed through the eyepiece window 111.

Further, the light is also guided to the photometric sensor 22. The light flux transmitted through the main mirror 4 is reflected by the sub mirror 5 and is re-imaged on the detection surface of the focus detection sensor 15 placed at a position substantially equivalent to the CCD 7 surface.

The optical image is converted into an electric image signal and supplied to the focus detection circuit 16.

The focus detection circuit 16 controls the accumulation and readout of the focus detection sensor 15 according to the signal from the MPU 1 and outputs pixel information to the MPU 1.

The MPU 1 performs focus detection calculation by the well-known phase difference detection method based on the image signal of the subject image from the focus detection circuit 16 to form an image forming surface by the taking lens 200 and a planned image forming surface such as a film surface. , The defocus amount and the defocus direction are obtained.

Then, the MPU 1 uses the AF drive circuit 12 based on the calculated defocus amount and defocus direction.
The focus lens position in the photographing lens 200 is changed via the and to drive to the in-focus position.

A mechanical shutter device 6 includes a front blade group 6a (not shown) that blocks the light flux of the subject during finder observation and retracts from the optical path of the subject light flux in response to a release signal during imaging, and starts exposure. It is a focal plane shutter that is retracted from the optical path of the subject light flux and has a rear blade group 6b (not shown) that shields the subject light flux at a predetermined timing after the start of the front blade group 6a (not shown) during image pickup. . Further, the mechanical shutter device 6 is controlled by a shutter drive circuit 17 which receives a command from the MPU 1.

In this embodiment, the case where both the leading blade group 6a and the trailing blade group 6b are provided has been described. However, when the exposure is started with only one shielding member, the light flux of the subject is changed. A configuration may be adopted in which the optical path is retracted, and after the photographing is completed, the optical path of the subject light flux is blocked again.

Reference numeral 7 is a solid-state image pickup element for picking up a subject image formed by the taking lens 200 and converting it into an electric signal. A CCD, which is a known two-dimensional image pickup device, is used as the solid-state image pickup element. CCD as the imaging device
Type, MOS type, CID type, CPD type, etc., and any type of image pickup device may be adopted, but in the present embodiment, a photoelectric conversion element (photosensor) is used.
Are arranged two-dimensionally, and an interline CCD image pickup device is adopted in which the signal charges accumulated in each sensor are output via a vertical transfer path and a horizontal transfer path.

A clamp / CDS (correlated double sampling) circuit 8 performs basic analog processing before A / D conversion, and can also change the clamp level.

Reference numeral 9 is an AGC (automatic gain adjustment device), which is A /
Performs basic analog processing before D conversion, and
It is also possible to change the basic GC level. The AGC basic level is set to a value corresponding to the ISO setting described later.
In other words, if the ISO value (exposure value) is changed, AGC
The basic level of will be changed.

Reference numeral 10 is an A / D converter, which is an analog CCD
7 Output signal is converted to digital signal.

The CCD 7, the clamp / CDS circuit 8,
The AGC 9 and the A / D converter 10 constitute an image pickup means.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a video signal processing circuit which is an image processing means, and image processing by hardware such as white balance characteristic, gamma characteristic, filter processing, monitor display information synthesizing processing and the like on the digitized image data of the CCD 7. In charge of overall.

The image data for monitor display from the video signal processing circuit 11 is displayed on the LCD monitor 120 which is an image display means via the LCD drive circuit 25.

These functions are switched by exchanging data with the MPU 1, and it is possible to output to the MPU 1 white balance information, gain information, etc. of the output signal of the CCD 7, which is one of the image processing parameters, if necessary. ,
The MPU 1 performs white balance adjustment and gain adjustment based on the information.

In addition, according to an instruction from the MPU 1, the buffer memory 27 is passed through the memory controller 26 without doing anything.
It is also possible to save the image data in. The video signal processing circuit 11 also has a function of performing compression processing such as JPEG.

Further, in the case of continuous shooting, the image data is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 27 which is the image storage means, and when the processing time is long, the unprocessed image data is read out through the memory controller 26, and the video signal processing circuit is read. Image processing and compression processing are performed at 11 to increase the continuous shooting speed. The number of continuous shots largely depends on the capacity of the buffer memory 27.

In the memory controller 26, the unprocessed digital image data input from the video signal processing circuit 11 is stored in the buffer memory 27, and the processed digital image is recorded in the memory 28 which is an image recording means, or the reverse. The image data is output from the buffer memory 27 or the memory 28 to the video signal processing circuit 11.

The memory controller 26 is also capable of recording the image sent through the external interface 29 in the memory 28 and outputting the image recorded in the memory 28 through the external interface 29. The memory 28 is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the camera body.

Reference numeral 21 denotes a switch sense circuit, which controls each part according to the operating state of each switch.

Reference numeral 114a denotes a switch SW1 which is turned on by the first stroke of the release button 114. 114
The switch b2 is turned on by the second stroke of the release button 114. When the switch SW2 is turned on, the release operation is started.

The main electronic dial 115, the sub electronic dial 116, the photographing mode selection button 117, the AF
Mode selection button 118, metering mode selection button 119
Is connected, and the state of each button / SW is transmitted to MPU1.

Reference numeral 23 denotes a photometric circuit, which outputs the output from the photometric sensor 22 to the MPU 1 as a luminance signal of each area in the screen.
Output to. The MPU 1 A / D-converts the luminance signal and calculates the exposure at the time of shooting.

Reference numeral 24 is a liquid crystal display drive circuit, which is responsive to the display contents command of the MPU 1 to display external liquid crystal display devices 140 and
0A and the in-viewfinder liquid crystal display 30 are driven. Further, the liquid crystal display drive circuit 24 can set a specific segment to a blinking display state according to an instruction from the MPU 1.

Reference numeral 31 denotes a power supply unit which supplies necessary power to each IC (integrated circuit) and drive system.

Next, a setting method for ISO bracketing photography will be described with reference to FIGS.

In the present embodiment, the ISO bracketing shooting is only the correction of the gain for the shot image without changing the exposure time (without changing the shutter speed or the aperture value) for simplification of the description. Exposed with (IS
The bracketing shooting is performed by changing the value of (O), but of course, the bracketing shooting may be performed by changing the shutter speed and the aperture value.

In this embodiment, the ISO value is changed by changing the gain of the CCD, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the gamma value may be changed, for example.

In step S100 of FIG. 5, it is determined whether both the AF mode selection button 118 and the AE mode selection button 119 are turned on. If it is determined that it is turned on, the process proceeds to step S101, and the ISO bracketing setting mode is set. At this time, the external liquid crystal display device 140 has the display shown in FIGS. 4 (a), (b), and (c).

In FIG. 4, FIG. 4A shows an initial state. When the operation described in detail later is performed, FIG.
(B) The display will change from then on.

In the display screen of FIG. 4, 140a indicates the set ISO value (exposure value). 140
“B” represents the amount of ISO bracketing correction by dots, and represents 1/3 of 1 dot. Reference numeral 140c shows the bracketing correction amount in a 7-segment display.

Returning to FIG. 5, in steps S102 and S104, the input to the main electronic dial 115 and the sub electronic dial 116 are discriminated. When no input is made, the process proceeds to step S107.

When the input of the main electronic dial 115 is confirmed in step S102, step S103.
Change the ISO value. 1 in FIG. 4 at this time
If the initial value is ISO200, the display of 40a is displayed every time the main electronic dial 115 is rotated by one click.
200 → 250 → 320 → 400 ... 1600 up to 1
/ Increases by 3 steps. When operated in the reverse rotation direction, 1600 → 1250 → 1000 → 800 ...
It decreases by 200 and 1/3.

Returning to FIG. 5, when the input of the sub electronic dial 116 is confirmed in step S104, step S104 is performed.
At 105, the bracketing correction amount is determined.

The display of 140b in FIG. 4 at this time is as follows.
From the state of FIG. 4A showing the initial state, each time the sub electronic dial 116 is rotated by one click, it changes by one dot. FIG. 4B shows the state of dots when the sub electronic dial 116 is operated by one click from the initial state of FIG. 4A, and FIG. 4C shows the sub electronic dial 11.
Reference numeral 6 indicates a state in which two clicks have been performed from the initial state.

When the sub electronic dial 116 is rotated in the opposite direction, the state shown in FIG. 4C is changed to that shown in FIG.
The state changes to the state of (a) one dot at a time.

The display of 140c also corresponds to the display of dots, and every time the sub electronic dial 116 is rotated by 1 click, 0.0 → 0.3 → 0.7 → ... → 3.0 1 /
It changes in 3 steps. If you rotate it in the opposite direction,
It changes in the order of 3.0 → 2.7 → 2.3 → ... → 0.0.

Returning to FIG. 5, in step S105, the IS
When the O bracketing is corrected, step S1
In 06, set the ISO bracketing flag,
The variable N = 0 is stored in the memory in the MPU 1, and the process proceeds to step S107. When this flag is set, ISO bracketing shooting described later is performed. In short,
When the sub electronic dial 116 is operated and the bracketing correction amount is set in the ISO setting mode, ISO bracketing shooting is performed.

In step S107, the AF mode selection button (SW) 118 and the AE mode selection button (SW)
It is determined whether or not 119 is turned off. If not turned off, the operation described above is repeated, and if it is determined that it is turned off, the ISO bracketing setting mode is ended.

Next, the shooting sequence of ISO bracketing will be described with reference to FIG.

SW1 is turned on in step S201 of FIG.
If it is determined that it is turned on, the process proceeds to step S202.

In step S202, the MPU 1 calculates the exposure value (calculates the shutter speed and aperture value) based on the data output from the photometric circuit 23.

The photometric circuit 23 performs a known photometric calculation weighted on a photometric area (not shown) including a focused focus detection area to calculate an exposure value.

At the same time, the MPU 1 calculates and determines the lens drive amount based on the focus information output from the focus detection circuit 16, and the AF drive circuit 12 is used to determine the taking lens 20.
Drive a part of the lens of 0 to adjust the focus.

In step S203, it is determined whether SW2 is turned on. When it is determined that the switch is not turned on, the process returns to step S201 and the operation already described is repeated. When it is determined in step S203 that the switch is turned on, the process proceeds to step S204.

The photographing process in step S204 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

FIG. 7 shows a detailed flowchart of the photographing process in step S204 of FIG.

In FIG. 7, in step S301, the mirror drive circuit 14 moves the main mirror 4 and the sub mirror 5 to the mirror-up position according to an instruction from the MPU 1.

In step S302, the MPU 1 drives the aperture 2 by the aperture drive circuit 13 to the aperture value calculated in step S202 of FIG.

In step S303, the MPU1
After performing the charge clearing operation of the CCD 7, step S3
04, the charge accumulation of the CCD 7 is started, and step S30
Go to 5.

In step S305, the shutter drive circuit 17 drives the front blade group 6a (not shown) in the mechanical shutter device 6 (the shutter opens), and C
The exposure of the CD 7 is started (step S306).

At step S307, the MPU 1
It is determined whether or not the exposure time of the CCD 7 calculated in step S202 of FIG. 6 has ended. When it is determined that the exposure time has expired, the process proceeds to step S308.

In step S308, the shutter drive circuit 17 drives the rear blade group 6b (not shown) in the mechanical shutter device 6 according to the instruction of the MPU 1, closes the shutter, and ends the exposure of the CCD 7.

In step S309, the diaphragm driving circuit 13 drives the diaphragm 2 to the full aperture value, and in step S310, the main mirror 4 and the sub mirror 5 are moved to the mirror-down position by the mirror driving circuit 14.

In step S311, it is determined whether or not the set charge accumulation time has elapsed, and if it is determined that it has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S312.

In step S312, the MPU1
The charge accumulation in the CCD 7 is completed, and then step S31
At 3, the charge signal as the image pickup signal is read from the CCD 7.

When the series of processing is completed, the process returns to FIG.
The photographing processing routine step S204 is ended, and the process proceeds to step S205.

In step S205, step S in FIG.
At 106, it is determined whether the ISO bracketing flag is set. When the ISO bracketing flag is not set, the process proceeds to step S208 and the operation described later is performed.

When the ISO bracketing flag is set, the process proceeds to step S206.

In step S206, the MPU 1 sets the variable N
If N = 0, the process proceeds to step S207, and the amount corresponding to the bracketing correction amount (gain adjustment amount) set in step S106 of FIG.
Corrects the gain to the under side.

If N = 1, the process proceeds to step S208, and the AGC 9 performs correction with a gain corresponding to the ISO value set in step S103 of FIG. 5 (ISO
Standard setting).

If N = 2, the process proceeds to step S209 and the amount corresponding to the bracketing correction amount (gain adjustment amount) set in step S106 of FIG.
Corrects the gain to the over side (ISO over setting).

Next, in step S210, the video signal processing circuit 11 performs predetermined image processing and then compression processing, and the process proceeds to step S211 and image data for displaying an image is supplied to the LCD drive circuit. 25, the process proceeds to step 216, and after completion of the image capturing, the process proceeds to step S217 for displaying a captured image on the LCD monitor 120. In step S211, the memory controller 26
Records the compressed data in the memory 28 and moves to step S212.

At step S212, the MPU 1
The state of the ISO bracketing flag stored in the internal memory of the MPU 1 is checked, and if the ISO bracketing flag is set, the process proceeds to step S213.
If the ISO bracketing flag is cleared, a series of shooting ends.

In step S213, the MPU 1 sets N = N + 1 for the variable N and proceeds to step S214.

In step S214, the MPU 1 sets the variable N
Determines whether N has reached N = 3, the variable N is N = 3
If it is determined that the value has not reached, step S20
4, the next shooting is performed, and if it is determined that N = 3 has been reached, the ISO bracketing execution flag is cleared in the next step S215, and the shooting ends.

Next, the image display after the completion of ISO bracketing photography will be described with reference to FIG.

FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C are image displays after the completion of ISO bracketing photography displayed on the LCD monitor 120, 201 is a photographed image, and 202 is recorded image quality information (in this case, large image information). / Fine: Recorded by F / L), 203 (Tv) is shutter speed information, 204
(Av) is aperture value information, 205 is shooting date information,
Reference numeral 206 denotes ISO value information, which is image processing parameter information, and reference value information at the time of ISO bracketing shooting, 20
7 shows the selected WB mode information, and 208 shows the correction amount information at the time of ISO bracketing photography. Figure 8
(A) is a minus one step (IS
A photographed image photographed at (O100 equivalent) is displayed, and the reference value is the same as the normal photographed image on the display unit that displays the ISO value in the normal photographed image. Parameter information ISO and standard value 200 are displayed, and the correction amount of minus one step is-
A relative numerical value of 1 is displayed immediately next to the reference value display to indicate that the image is a bracketing shot image and the correction amount for the reference value at the same time so that the relative correction amount and the corrected shot image change. It is configured to understand the correspondence with.
FIG. 8B shows a photographed image photographed with a reference value (no correction amount). The image processing parameter information and the reference value are displayed as ISO 200 as in FIG. 8A, and ± 0 is displayed. Is displayed next to the reference value display 208a, and ISO is displayed.
The reference value photographed image of the bracketing photography can be identified. FIG. 8C shows the reference value ISO2.
00 is a plus one stage (equivalent to ISO400), and the image processing parameter information and the reference value are the same as those of ISO2 shown in FIGS. 8 (a) and 8 (b).
00 is displayed, and the correction amount is indicated by a relative value of +1 in a relative value of +1 so that it is immediately adjacent to the reference value 208b so that the bracketing photographed image and the correction amount with respect to the reference value can be instantly identified. It is possible to know the correspondence between various correction amounts and changes in the corrected shot image.

Next, the setting method of WB (white balance) bracketing photography and the photographed image display will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to (a), (b), (c) and FIG.

Since the photographing method is the same as the ISO bracketing photographing including the photographing flow, the description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 10 shows an external liquid crystal display device 1 arranged on the back surface.
40A is a view showing a display form of 40A, and 210 is a WB mode display, and displays AWB mode, fluorescent lamp mode, strobe mode and the like as icons (pictograms). Reference numeral 211 denotes a recording image quality mode display, 212 denotes a seven segment display for displaying a file number and a folder number, and the figure is in a fully lit state for the sake of explanation. (Originally only the selected mode is displayed)
For the setting method of WB bracketing shooting, when the WB mode selection button 125 is pressed, the previously selected mode of the WB mode 210 is displayed, and a horizontal bar display at the center of the seven segment 212 and left and right horizontal bars of the vertical bar display. Is displayed for each three. In this state, by rotating the main electronic dial 115, the WB mode is sequentially selected and displayed for each click, and when the WB mode selection button 125 is no longer pressed, the mode at that time is selected. Further, by rotating the sub electronic dial 116 by one click while the WB mode selection button 125 is pressed, the left and right horizontal bars immediately adjacent to the central vertical bar display of the seven segment 212 are changed to a circle (○) display ± 1 stage. Is displayed as a correction amount of, and the circle (○) is further moved to the left and right by further rotating by one click, and displayed as a correction amount of ± 2 steps, and when the WB mode selection button 125 is stopped from being pressed, WB bracketing shooting is set. In this embodiment, the WB mode is set to AWB, the bracketing correction amount (gain adjustment amount) is set to ± 2 steps, and the correction amount of the white balance (WB) adjustment value is set to ± 3 steps.

The correction amount is set to 100 Kelvin (corresponding to 5 mired of the color temperature conversion filter) with respect to the standard color temperature per step, and negative (red) correction and positive (blue) correction are performed. 9 (a), (b),
(C) is a photographed image display of the LCD monitor 120 after WB bracketing photography, description of the same numbers is omitted, and only the part relating to WB bracketing photography image display will be described. FIG. 9A shows a photographed image photographed at minus 200 Kelvin with respect to the reference value, and the reference value is the same as the normal photographed image on the display unit for displaying the selected WB mode. AWB is displayed as an icon (pictogram). Since the standard value is the color temperature value automatically calculated by the camera, the color temperature automatically calculated by the camera cannot be determined by the photographer even if the numerical value is displayed, so the WB bracketing standard is used. An icon (pictogram) is displayed as a value so that the photographer can easily recognize it.

The correction amount of minus 200 Kelvin is displayed as -2, and the fact that WB is photographed at minus 200 Kelvin is displayed immediately next to the reference value display as an absolute value, and it is a bracketing photographed image and the correction amount. Is instantly identified, and the color temperature change of the corrected photographed image is known. FIG. 9B shows a photographed image photographed with a reference value (no correction amount), and the reference value is shown in FIG.
Similarly to the above, the AWB is displayed as an icon (pictogram), and the display of ± 0 is displayed immediately next to the reference value display 209a so that it can be identified as the reference value photographed image of the WB bracketing photography.

FIG. 9C shows a photographed image photographed at plus 200 Kelvin with respect to the reference value. The reference value is the AWB icon (pictogram) as in FIGS. 9A and 9B. ) Is displayed and the correction amount of plus 200 Kelvin is +
2 is displayed and WB is photographed with plus 200 Kelvin is displayed in absolute value immediately next to the reference value display 209b so that it can be instantly distinguished from the bracketing photographed image and the correction amount. The color temperature change of the image is known.

In this embodiment, the correction amount is displayed as a one-digit numerical value so that the display is easy to see, but the same effect can be obtained by displaying the numerical value of the correction amount itself. Further, in this embodiment,
Although the explanation has been given with the ISO bracketing shooting and the WB bracketing shooting, the invention can be applied to the bracketing shooting with other image processing parameters changed.

The storage medium for storing the program for realizing the electronic camera control method according to this embodiment is, for example, FD, HD, CD-ROM, CD-R.
Such as magnetic disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks (M
O), or a non-volatile storage device such as a magnetic tape. However, the type of storage medium is not limited.

[0141]

As described above, according to the first invention of the present application, the photographing is performed in the bracketing photographing in which the value of at least one image processing parameter information is corrected for each photographing and plural frames are photographed. By displaying the corrected image processing parameter information and the correction amount information when displaying the bracketing shot image, the photographer can easily identify the bracketing shot image. Further, it becomes possible to easily identify which image processing parameter is corrected and which is the bracketing captured image. Further, it becomes possible to compare the correction amount with the captured image.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the reference value set by the photographer's intention is displayed in the image processing parameter information, and the automatically set reference value, which is difficult to understand even if the numerical value is displayed, is not displayed. Therefore, the display is easy for the photographer to understand when checking the image.

According to the third, fourth and fifth inventions, when the reference value is displayed in the correction amount information, it is displayed as a relative numerical value with respect to the reference value. If the change can be judged relatively and the reference value is not displayed, the correction amount is displayed with the set absolute value, so the absolute value image with the set correction value is displayed. Since it can be determined by, it is possible to easily compare the image and the correction amount.

Further, since the correction value information is displayed even in the reference value photographed image, it can be discriminated that it is the reference value image of the bracketing photographed image, and the image comparison with the corrected image can be facilitated. Is. Further, since the image processing parameter information can also be used as the image processing parameter display at the time of normal photographing, the display device can be downsized and the like.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external top view of a single-lens reflex type electronic camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external rear view of a single-lens reflex type electronic camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of the single-lens reflex type electronic camera in the embodiment according to the present invention.

4A, 4B, and 4C are explanatory views showing an example of an image displayed on the upper liquid crystal display unit of the single-lens reflex type electronic camera in the embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an ISO bracketing setting operation of the single-lens reflex type electronic camera in the embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a sequence control operation in ISO bracketing photography of a single-lens reflex type electronic camera in the embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a detailed control operation of the photographing process in step S204 of FIG.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a display example of an ISO bracketing photographed image of the single-lens reflex type electronic camera in the embodiment according to the present invention, FIG. 8A is photographed at a minus one stage (equivalent to ISO100) with respect to a reference value ISO200. The display example of the taken image, (b) is the display example of the taken image taken with the reference value (no correction amount), and (c) is the image taken with one step (ISO400 equivalent) to the reference value ISO200. Display example of captured image

9A, 9B, and 9C are explanatory views showing a display example of a WB (white balance) bracketing shot image of the single-lens reflex type electronic camera in the embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an image displayed on the rear liquid crystal display unit of the single-lens reflex type electronic camera in the embodiment according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Microcomputer (MPU) 2 aperture 3 Penta prism (Pentagonal roof prism) 4 main mirror 5 sub-mirror 6 Mechanical shutter device 7 CCD 8 Clamp / CDS circuit 9 AGC (Automatic gain adjuster) 10 A / D converter 11 Video signal processing circuit 12 AF drive circuit 13 Aperture drive circuit 14 Mirror drive circuit 15 Focus detection sensor 16 Focus detection circuit 17 Shutter drive circuit 21 Switch sense circuit 22 Photometric sensor 23 Photometric circuit 24 LCD drive circuit 25 LCD drive circuit 26 Memory controller 27 buffer memory 28 memory 29 External interface 30 LCD in viewfinder 31 power supply 100 camera body 114 Release button 115 Main electronic dial 116 Sub electronic dial 117 Shooting mode selection button 118 AF mode selection button 119 Metering mode selection button 120 LCD monitor device 125 WB mode selection button 126 Recording quality selection button 140,140A External liquid crystal display device 200 shooting lens

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H04N 5/235 H04N 5/235 9/04 9/04 B // H04N 101: 00 101: 00 F term ( Reference) 2H002 EB09 FB51 FB55 FB70 GA06 GA32 GA33 HA11 JA07 2H054 AA01 2H102 AA00 AA13 AA16 AA57 AA71 AB00 BB08 BB22 BB23 BB24 BB25 BB26 5C022 AA13 AB01 AC01 AC13 AC31 AC69 CA00 5BB1244BB02 BB0813 BB01BB01 BB0216BB01

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A photographing means having an auto-bracketing photographing mode for changing a value of an image processing parameter for performing a predetermined processing on a photographed image for each photographing and photographing a plurality of frames, and the auto-bracketing photographing mode. In the case of displaying the bracketing shot image captured in, together with the information about the image processing parameter processed for the displayed bracketing shot image,
An electronic camera, comprising: a display unit that displays information regarding the correction amount. 2. When the photographer sets a reference value of the image processing parameter, the display unit displays information about the reference value together with the image processing parameter, and the camera automatically sets the reference value of the image processing parameter. 2. When setting, the reference value is not displayed.
Electronic camera described. 3. The display means, when the photographer sets a reference value of the image processing parameter, displays the information about the correction amount with a numerical value relative to the reference value. Item 1. The electronic camera according to Item 1. 4. The display means, when a camera automatically sets a reference value of the image processing parameter, displays a numerical value representing the correction amount in the information regarding the correction amount as an absolute value. The electronic camera according to claim 1. 5. The display means displays, when the displayed bracketing shot image is shot based on a reference value of the image processing parameter, information regarding the correction amount as information indicating no correction. Claim 1
Electronic camera described. 6. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit simultaneously displays information about the image processing parameter and information about the correction amount on the same screen as the displayed bracketing shot image. camera. 7. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the image processing parameter is a white balance adjustment value. 8. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the image processing parameter is an exposure value. 9. A photographing means having an auto-bracketing photographing mode for photographing a plurality of frames by changing a value of an image processing parameter for performing a predetermined process on a photographed image every photographing, and the auto-bracketing photographing mode. In the case of displaying the bracketing shot image captured in, the electronic camera control method has a display unit for displaying the information about the correction amount together with the information about the image processing parameter corresponding to the displayed bracketing shot image. In the displaying step, when the photographer sets the reference value of the image processing parameter, information about the reference value is displayed together with the image processing parameter, and the correction is performed by a numerical value relative to the reference value. It is supposed to display the information on the quantity, and When the camera automatically sets the quasi-value, the information regarding the reference value is not displayed, and the numerical value indicating the correction amount in the information regarding the correction amount is displayed as an absolute value, which is further displayed. When a bracketing photographed image is photographed based on the reference value of the image processing parameter, information indicating no correction is displayed in the information regarding the correction amount, and the same bracketing photographed image is displayed on the same screen. A method of controlling an electronic camera, comprising the step of displaying information on the correction amount together with information on the image processing parameter. 10. A storage medium storing a program for realizing the electronic camera control method according to claim 9.