JP2006019852A - Image pickup device, zoom image pickup method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily confirm and trace a moving object in a distant place, and to optically magnify the moving object in a distant place to easily photograph an excellent video image, and in actual photographing, by optically zooming up to a desired relative magnification factor previously set by a photographer and by photographing the object, in a wide range outside an actual photographing range at a desired magnification factor. <P>SOLUTION: This device is characterized by a configuration in which a CPU 101 performs the following control. A relative magnification factor to be set is stored in a storage unit 110. A zoom-in operation is performed in which a photographing lens in an image input unit 106 is moved so as to be away from an image receiving unit 102 by a distance corresponding to the relative magnification factor value to be set in the storage unit 110, and the photographed image is optically enlarged when a photographing instruction is performed with a photographing shutter button 109. A zoom-out operation is performed in which the unit 102 is caused to receive an image immediately after completion of the zoom-in operation, and immediately after the image reception, the photographing lens is brought back to the state before zoom-in operation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus capable of shooting a still image such as a silver salt camera and a digital camera, a zoom shooting method, and a program.

  In a real-image zoom finder camera such as a single-lens reflex camera, when shooting a subject at a long distance, such as a soccer athlete, during a game, there is a case of telephoto shooting using a zoom lens. It is very difficult to follow a moving subject with a camera, and various imaging techniques have been proposed.

  Usually, as a photographer's technique, a method of shooting with the telephoto state zoomed out to some extent (Method 1) or using both eyes to grasp the whole image with the opposite eye to the eye looking into the viewfinder, A method of consciously switching to the eye that has been peeped or shooting with both eyes superimposed (Method 2), or a method of tracking the subject in a zoomed-out state and manually zooming in at the moment of shooting (Method 3) There is a technique such as.

  The above method 1 is a technique that avoids taking a greatly enlarged image, and cannot take a greatly enlarged image. Further, in the above method 2, the skill level of the photographer is required, and the larger the telephoto size, the more difficult the photographer can photograph. Further, in Method 3, there is a concern about a delay in shooting time for manually zooming in, disturbance in subject tracking due to camera shake due to manual movement, and disturbance in video during shooting, and the skill of the photographer is required.

  As described above, in the past, since shooting was performed by using a shooting technique that requires skill, a general user who does not have the skill has to move a subject with a large zoom-up motion as described above. It was very difficult to shoot.

  Note that Patent Document 1 has been proposed as a method that does not require the skill as described above.

Patent Document 1 proposes a method of receiving a whole image to a certain extent, tracking a subject by a photographer's line of sight, moving a frame by electronic zoom, and electronic zoom shooting inside the frame.
JP-A-5-130477

  However, the method of Patent Document 1 requires a subject tracking device based on image recognition, such as a digital signal processing circuit, a motion detection circuit, and an image enlargement interpolation circuit, and the manufacturing cost of the camera itself is high because of the addition of the device. There was a problem of becoming.

  Further, the close-up of the subject by line-of-sight input described in Patent Document 1 is a method of digitally photographing a wider range of subjects intended by the photographer, and digitally processing the digitally photographed image to close up the subject. However, the pixels of the close-up image become rough, and there is a problem that the image quality (pixel) performance of the original device cannot be maximized.

  Furthermore, the method of Patent Document 1 is a photographing method in a digital camera, and has a problem that it cannot be applied to a silver salt camera.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to store a set relative magnification value in a storage means, and when an imaging instruction is given by a shooting shutter button. In addition, a zoom-in operation for optically enlarging the captured image by moving the photographing lens away from the imaging unit by a distance corresponding to the relative magnification value set in the storage unit is performed immediately after the zoom-in operation is completed. By controlling the operation of the imaging apparatus to perform a zoom-out operation for returning the photographing lens to a state before the zoom-in operation immediately after the imaging, the actual photographing range at a photographer's desired magnification It is possible to easily check and track a subject at a long distance with movement in a wide range outside of By taking a picture with optical zoom-up to the magnification, even a general photographer who does not have a skilled shooting technique can optically enlarge a subject at a long distance with movement, which is excellent It is to provide an imaging apparatus, a zoom imaging method and a program applicable to both a silver salt camera and a digital camera.

  The present invention provides an imaging lens, an imaging unit for imaging a subject image incident from the imaging lens, an imaging instruction unit for instructing imaging by the imaging unit, and an image formed on the imaging unit by the imaging lens. In an imaging apparatus having a lens zoom unit that can move the photographic lens by power so as to optically enlarge or reduce a subject image to be recorded, a storage unit that stores a set relative magnification value; and And a control unit that controls the lens zoom unit so as to perform a zoom-in operation for moving the photographic lens away from the imaging unit by a distance corresponding to the stored relative magnification value.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily check and track a subject at a long distance in motion in a wide range outside the actual shooting range at a magnification desired by the photographer, and at the time of actual shooting, Because the photographer optically zooms in to the desired relative magnification set in advance by the photographer, even a general photographer who does not have a skillful photographing technique can select a subject at a long distance with movement. Optically magnified, it can easily shoot excellent images, and can be applied to both silver salt cameras and digital cameras.

  In addition, since the photographer zooms in on the desired relative magnification preset by the photographer, the photographer can zoom in to the intended relative magnification at the timing intended by the photographer, and zoom in. It is possible to prevent missing a photo opportunity due to troublesome operations.

  Further, since zooming out to the original magnification at the end of shooting, it is possible to suppress shooting errors such as losing sight of the subject after zooming in and missing the next photo opportunity.

  Also, since the photographer zooms in on the desired relative magnification preset by the photographer in conjunction with the zoom-in instruction, and performs the photographing operation in conjunction with the photographing instruction, the desired relative magnification is set at the timing intended by the photographer. It is possible to zoom in and take a picture at an intended timing, and it is possible to prevent a photo opportunity from being missed by taking time for a zoom-in operation or the like.

  Further, since zooming out to the original magnification in conjunction with the zoom-out instruction, the zoomed-in state can be maintained until the timing intended by the photographer, so that continuous image shooting or the like can be performed in the zoomed-in state.

  In addition, since the actual shooting area can be confirmed together with the subject, the subject can be easily placed in the actual shooting range after zooming up at the time of shooting. The occurrence of mistakes can be suppressed.

  In addition, the relative magnification at the time of zooming up (relative magnification with respect to the current magnification) can be set while visually confirming in the actual shooting area over the subject, so the relative magnification at the time of zooming up can be set by the photographer's intention. The relative magnification can be easily set, and as a result, the subject is captured, so that unnecessary zoom-out / zoom-in operations such as confirmation of the desired magnification can be prevented, and the photographer's awareness can be tracked and the shutter operated. Can only focus on.

  Therefore, when performing telephoto shooting, it is possible to easily track even a subject at a long distance that moves, and to link a shooting instruction and a zoom operation to a subject at a long distance that moves. However, it is possible to take an excellent image that is easily optically enlarged.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of a still camera to which the imaging apparatus showing an example of the first embodiment according to the present invention can be applied.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a still camera. The still camera 100 includes a CPU 101, an image receiving unit 102, a subject confirmation unit 104, a lens zoom unit 105, an image input unit (lens or the like) 106, an operation unit 107, a storage unit 110, a ROM 111, and the like.

  The image input unit 106 is an optical system composed of a plurality of imaging lenses such as a zoom lens and a focus lens, and will be described later with reference to a zooming operation of the lens zoom unit 105 or a manual zooming operation by a photographer. As shown in FIG. 3, the input magnification can be optically changed by moving the lens position.

  The lens zoom unit 105 includes a motor or the like (not shown) inside. When an instruction for enlargement zoom or reduction zoom is transmitted from the CPU 101, the lens zoom unit 105 drives the motor according to the instruction for enlargement zoom or reduction zoom, and will be described later. As shown in FIG. 4, by performing a zooming operation that changes the lens focal length by moving a lens or the like in the image input unit 106, the input magnification by the image input unit 106 is optically changed.

  The image receiving unit 102 receives and captures image light transmitted through the image input unit 106. The image receiving unit 102 may be any of a CCD sensor, a CMOS sensor, an image receiving unit including a silver salt film and a shutter, and the CCD sensor will be described below as an example.

  The image light transmitted through the image input unit 106 is imaged on the CCD sensor surface on the image receiving unit 102 which is a subsequent image sensor, and is converted into a video signal by photoelectric conversion. The video signal photoelectrically converted from the CCD sensor is converted into digital image data by A / D conversion, and the digital image data is divided into color difference and luminance to perform various processing, correction, and image compression / decompression (not shown). An image processing unit is provided. This image processing unit is similarly provided even when the image receiving unit 102 is a CMOS sensor (that is, when the still camera 100 is a digital camera).

  Next, the subject confirmation unit 104 transmits the image input unit 106 and confirms (visual confirmation (viewing)) video light (that is, a captured image) to be received by the image receiving unit 102. The subject confirmation unit 104 is configured by a finder (a peep lens), a pentaprism, a mirror, or the like (shown in FIG. 3 described later) or a display. When the above-described image receiving unit 102 is a digital camera such as a CCD sensor or a CMOS sensor, the subject confirmation unit 104 may be either a finder or the like or a display. (It may be configured to include both), and when the image receiving unit 102 is a silver halide film, the subject confirmation unit 104 is configured by a finder or the like. Hereinafter, a case where the subject confirmation unit 104 is configured with a finder or the like will be described as an example.

  The operation unit 107 includes various buttons (mode input button 103, relative magnification input dial 108, shooting shutter button 109) and switches for performing function settings and operations related to still shooting.

  The mode input button 103 is for changing the shooting mode. The relative magnification input dial 108 is a dial-type operation unit that can be rotated in the “+” direction and the “−” direction. A relative zoom magnification (relative magnification value 302) shown in FIGS. It is for setting. The shooting shutter button 109 has two states, a “half-pressed” state and a “full-pressed” state, in addition to an “open” state in which the button is not pressed. Pre-exposure, main exposure, An instruction to zoom in / out the lens zoom unit 105 is transmitted to the CPU 101.

  The ROM 111 stores various programs including the programs shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 9 to 13 for the CPU 101 to operate. The storage unit 110 can store various settings of the still camera 100 and can be used as a work area of the CPU 101.

  The CPU 101 controls the entire camera operation by loading various programs stored in the ROM 111 or other recording media (not shown) into the work area of the storage unit 110 and executing them.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the external appearance of the still camera 100 shown in FIG. 1, and the same components as those in FIG.

  3 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a schematic configuration of the still camera 100 shown in FIG. 1, and the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the light input from the image input unit 106 is reflected by a mirror that is provided inside the camera body and is inclined at 45 degrees, and can be confirmed by the subject confirmation unit 104 (above the mirror). The LCD 112 and the pentaprism are led to the finder 104).

  When the photographing shutter button 109 is pressed (fully pressed), as shown in FIG. 3B, first, the mirror placed at 45 degrees jumps upward, and then immediately before the image receiving unit 102. A shutter is opened. Thereby, the light input from the image input unit 106 is received (photographed) by the image receiving unit 102.

  Note that the LCD 112 provided in the subject confirmation unit 104 may be installed anywhere in the optical path until the light reflected by the mirror reaches the viewfinder, and the position shown in FIG. It may be provided between the pentaprism and the viewfinder instead of between the prisms).

  Further, the LCD 112 allows light input from the image input unit 106 to pass through and allows the subject image to be viewed from the viewfinder when not drawn. Further, the LCD 112 displays a shooting frame 202 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 to be described later by display control from the CPU 101. A user looking through the viewfinder can take a shooting frame 202 as shown in FIGS. Is recognized on the subject image. At this time, a part of the storage unit 110 is used as a memory for bit-developing display data to be displayed on the LCD 112 of the subject confirmation unit 104.

  In the case where the subject confirmation unit 104 is configured not by a finder or the like but by a display, the above-described function of the LCD 112 (display function of the photographing frame 202) is also used by the display, and the CPU 101 is displayed on the display. Assume that control is performed so that the image information of the subject that has been received and image-processed by the image receiving unit 102 and the shooting frame 202 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are combined and displayed.

  4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the relationship between the zooming operation of the image input unit 106 and the lens focal length by the lens zoom unit 105 shown in FIG. 1, and the same components as those in FIG. It is.

  4A, 4 </ b> B, and 4 </ b> C, L <b> 1, L <b> 2, and L <b> 3 indicate lens focal lengths, and correspond to the distance from the lens closest to the subject of the image input unit 106 to the image receiving unit 102.

  The lens focal lengths L1, L2, and L3 are L1 <L2 <L3, and the imaging magnification increases in the order of (a), (b), and (c).

  As described above, the lens zoom unit 105 can change the photographing magnification by moving the lens in the image input unit 106 and changing the lens focal length.

  Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the sport telephoto still shooting mode in the imaging apparatus of the present invention will be described.

  First, the sport telephoto still shooting mode in the imaging apparatus of the present invention will be described. In the sports telephoto still shooting mode, when shooting is instructed by the user, the image input unit 106 is optically zoomed in based on a preset relative magnification value, and the zoomed-up subject is selected. This is a shooting mode for shooting.

  As a result, the photographer is not zoomed in until just before the shooting instruction, so that a subject at a long distance with movement can be easily tracked with a wide field of view, and the camera zooms in optically in conjunction with the shooting instruction. Thus, even a general photographer who does not have a skilled photographing technique can easily photograph (capture) an excellent image obtained by optically enlarging a subject at a long distance with movement. . Hereinafter, it demonstrates in detail using FIG. 5, FIG.

  5 and 6 are schematic diagrams showing a captured image received by the image receiving unit 102 and an image that can be confirmed by the subject confirmation unit 104 before photographing in the sport telephoto still photographing mode in the imaging apparatus of the present invention. 5 corresponds to the case where the relative magnification value is large, and FIG. 6 corresponds to the case where the relative magnification value is small. The same components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in the sports telephoto still shooting mode of the present embodiment, the photographer can check the image 201 with the subject checking unit 104 before shooting (before the shutter button is “fully pressed”). It is. In this way, the subject is not zoomed up until immediately before the shooting instruction, and thus a subject at a long distance with movement can be easily tracked with a wide field of view.

  At this time, the imaging frame 202 is visually recognized in the image 201. This imaging frame 202 is displayed on the LCD 112 based on the set relative magnification value 302, and the range indicated by the imaging frame 202 is shown. This image corresponds to the image 203 that is zoomed in at the time of shooting. With this shooting frame 202, the subject can be easily placed in the shooting range after zooming up at the time of shooting.

  In the sport telephoto still shooting mode of the present embodiment, since the lens in the image input unit 106 optically zooms, the same zoom image 203 as that at the time of shooting is checked from the subject checking unit 104 immediately before the shutter is opened. It becomes possible.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a memory map of the storage unit 110 illustrated in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the storage unit 110 includes a nonvolatile memory 300 and a RAM 310.

  The nonvolatile memory 300 stores shooting frame coordinate information 301 described later, a relative magnification value 302 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a mode 303 indicating a shooting mode, and the like. The RAM 310 is an area that the CPU 101 can use as a work area.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the relationship between the relative magnification value 302 set in the storage unit 110 shown in FIG. 7 and the lens focal length at the time of shooting.

  Here, for example, using a telephoto lens (comprising the image input unit 106 and the lens zoom unit 105) whose focal length can be changed between 75 mm and 300 mm, the focal length before photographing is “200 mm”. The case will be described as an example.

  When the relative magnification value 302 is set to “0”, the zoom movement at the time of shooting is not performed, and the image is shot at the focal length “200 mm”.

  Next, when the relative magnification value 302 is set to “10”, the lens focal length at the time of photographing is zoomed in by “+100 mm”, and photographing is performed at the lens focal length “300 mm”.

  Further, when the focal length before shooting is the maximum “300 mm”, even if the relative magnification value 302 is set to other than “0”, further zooming is not possible. The zoom movement at the time of shooting is not performed, and the image is shot at the focal length “300 mm”. In that case, the CPU 101 can change the size of the shooting frame 202 (FIGS. 5 and 6) that can be checked by the subject checking unit 104 in accordance with the movement of the lens focal length at the time before shooting by the lens zoom unit 105. Be controlled. That is, when the setting is such that the lens is not moved, the shooting frame 202 is enlarged to the same size as the image image 201 recognized by the subject confirmation unit 104.

  When the lens focal length is returned to the original “200 mm”, the photographing frame 202 shows the size of the focal length according to the relative magnification value 302. For example, when the relative magnification value 302 is set to “10”, it indicates a focal length size of “300 mm”. Note that the above-described numerical values are examples, and are not necessarily the ratios.

  Hereinafter, the control operation in the imaging apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the first control processing operation in the imaging apparatus of the present invention, and corresponds to the control processing operation when the relative magnification input dial 108 is operated. Note that the processing of this flowchart is realized by the CPU 101 shown in FIG. 1 loading a program stored in the ROM 111 or other recording medium (not shown) into a work area on the storage unit 110 and executing it. In the figure, S101 to S106 indicate steps.

  First, when a relative magnification input event occurs in the state where the mode 303 is the sport telephoto still shooting mode, the CPU 101 starts the processing of the flowchart of FIG. In step S101, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the relative magnification input dial 108 has been turned in the "+" direction. If it is determined that the input dial 108 has been turned in the "+" direction, the process proceeds to step S103. Proceed with the process.

  In step S <b> 103, the CPU 101 stores a value obtained by adding “1” to the value of the relative magnification setting value 302 set (stored) in the storage unit 110 illustrated in FIG. 7 as a new relative magnification setting value 302. And the process proceeds to step S103.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines in step S101 that the relative magnification input dial 108 is not turned in the “+” direction, the process proceeds to step S102, where the CPU 101 determines that the relative magnification input dial 108 is “ It is determined whether or not it is turned in the “−” direction.

  If the CPU 101 determines in step S102 that the relative magnification input dial 108 has been turned in the "-" direction, the process proceeds to step S104, and the CPU 101 is set in the storage unit 110 shown in FIG. A value obtained by subtracting “1” from the relative magnification setting value 302 is set in the storage unit 110 as a new relative magnification setting value 302, and the process proceeds to step S105.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines in step S102 that the relative magnification input dial 108 has not been turned in the "-" direction, the process directly proceeds to step S105.

  Next, in step S105, the CPU 101 determines the shooting frame 202 in the image 201 newly displayed on the subject confirmation unit 104 based on the relative magnification setting value 302 set in the storage unit 110 illustrated in FIG. The coordinates are calculated and stored as shooting frame coordinate information 301 in the storage unit 110.

  Next, in step S106, the CPU 101 performs control to display the shooting frame 202 on the subject confirmation unit 104 based on the coordinates of the shooting frame 202 (shooting frame coordinate information 301) calculated in step S105. finish.

  Although not shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9, when calculating the coordinates of the shooting frame 202 in step S105, the lens focal length during shooting based on the relative magnification value 302 exceeds the maximum focal length, and thus the relative When it is determined that zooming cannot be performed up to the magnification value 302, a relative magnification value that can be actually zoomed is calculated from the focal length of the current lens and the maximum focal length of the lens, and based on the calculated relative magnification. It is assumed that control is performed so as to calculate the coordinates of the shooting frame 202.

  In addition, when the focal length of the current lens is changed by the photographer with the coordinates of the shooting frame 202 calculated in this way, the coordinates of the shooting frame 202 are calculated again and displayed again. Shall be controlled.

  Further, although not shown in the flowchart, when the power is turned on and the mode 303 is set to the sport telephoto still shooting mode, or the mode 303 is not changed to the sport telephoto still shooting mode, the mode is changed to the sport telephoto still shooting mode. In this case, the CPU 101 reads out the shooting frame coordinate information 301 shown in FIG. 7 from the storage unit 110 and controls to display the shooting frame 202 based on the shooting frame coordinate information 301 on the subject confirmation unit 104. And

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the second control processing operation in the imaging apparatus of the present invention, and corresponds to the control processing (first shooting processing) operation when the shooting shutter button 109 is operated. Note that the processing of this flowchart is realized by the CPU 101 shown in FIG. 1 loading a program stored in the ROM 111 or other recording medium (not shown) into a work area on the storage unit 110 and executing it. In the figure, S301 to S304 indicate steps.

  First, when a shooting shutter button input event occurs while the mode 303 is the sport telephoto still shooting mode, the CPU 101 starts the processing of the flowchart of FIG. In step S301, the CPU 101 determines whether the state change of the shooting shutter button 109 is a change from the “half-pressed” state to the “full-pressed” state, and the “half-pressed” state to the “fully pressed” state. If it is determined that the change is not, the process is terminated as it is. It should be noted that the processing may be terminated after performing a predetermined processing (not shown) (for example, processing such as preliminary exposure).

  On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines in step S301 that the state change of the shooting shutter button 109 is a change from the “half-pressed” state to the “full-pressed” state, in step S302, the CPU 101 stores the storage unit. The relative magnification value 302 is read from 110, and the lens in the image input unit 106 is moved away from the image receiving unit 102 by a zoom amount based on the read relative magnification value 302 (lens focal length at the time of shooting shown in FIG. 8). Control is performed so that the lens zoom unit 105 is instructed to move and zoom in. In addition, when the lens focal length at the time of photographing based on the relative magnification value 302 exceeds the maximum focal length, control is performed so as to zoom to the maximum focal length.

  Next, in step S <b> 303, the CPU 101 controls the video input from the image input unit 106 to be received and captured by the image receiving unit 102.

  Next, in step S304, the CPU 101 moves the lens in the image input unit 106 closer to the image receiving unit 102 by the amount of zoom based on the relative magnification value 302 (lens focal length at the time of shooting shown in FIG. 8). Then, control is performed so as to instruct the lens zoom unit 105 to zoom out, and the process ends. In step S302, if the lens focal length at the time of shooting based on the relative magnification value 302 exceeds the maximum focal length, and zooming can only be performed up to the maximum focal length, in step S304, in step S302. Control to zoom out to the focal length before zooming.

  As described above, an object at a long distance in motion in a wide range outside the actual shooting range at a magnification desired by the photographer without zooming in until shooting is instructed by the shooting shutter button 109. The image input unit 106 is optically zoomed up to a desired relative magnification set in advance by the photographer in conjunction with a photographing instruction by the photographing shutter button 109, while allowing easy confirmation and tracking. Therefore, even a general photographer who does not have a skilled photographing technique can easily shoot (capture) excellent images by optically enlarging a subject at a long distance with movement. It can be applied to both silver halide cameras and digital cameras.

  In addition, in order to zoom in to the desired relative magnification preset by the photographer in conjunction with the photographing instruction by the photographing shutter button 109, the photograph is zoomed in to the intended relative magnification at the timing intended by the photographer. Therefore, it is possible to prevent missing a photo opportunity due to troublesome zoom-in operations and the like.

  Furthermore, by enabling the subject confirmation unit 104 to check the photographing frame 202 together with the subject, the subject can be easily placed in the actual photographing range after zooming up at the time of photographing. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of shooting mistakes such as

  In addition, since the relative magnification at the time of zooming up (relative magnification with respect to the current magnification) can be set while confirming with the photographing frame 202, the relative magnification at the time of zooming up can be easily set to the relative magnification intended by the photographer. Can be set.

  Therefore, it is possible to prevent a useless zoom-out / zoom-in operation such as confirming a desired magnification because the subject is captured, and the photographer's consciousness can be concentrated only on the tracking of the subject and the shutter operation.

  In addition, since control is performed to zoom out to the original magnification (return to the wide-side magnification) upon completion of photographing, the subject is lost after zooming in, and a photographing mistake such as missing the next photo opportunity is missed. Can be suppressed.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, when a shooting instruction is issued by the shooting shutter button 109, the image input unit 106 is zoomed in by a zoom amount based on the relative magnification value 302, and a video input from the image input unit 106 is received. The configuration has been described in which the image input unit 106 is zoomed out, imaged, and zoomed out so that the image input unit 106 is zoomed out by the zoom amount based on the relative magnification value 302. The zoom-in operation, the imaging operation, and the zoom-out operation may be individually performed in accordance with the state change of the shutter button 109 for use. The embodiment will be described below.

  Hereinafter, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 11, a control operation in the imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the third control processing operation in the imaging apparatus of the present invention, and corresponds to the control processing (second shooting processing) operation when the shooting shutter button 109 is operated. Note that the processing of this flowchart is realized by the CPU 101 shown in FIG. 1 loading a program stored in the ROM 111 or other recording medium (not shown) into a work area on the storage unit 110 and executing it. In the figure, S401 to S406 indicate steps.

  First, when a shooting shutter button input event occurs in the state in which the mode 303 is the sport telephoto still shooting mode, the CPU 101 starts the processing of the flowchart of FIG. In step S <b> 401, the CPU 101 determines whether the state change of the shooting shutter button 109 is a change from the “open” state to the “half-pressed” state, and changes from the “open” state to the “half-pressed” state. If it is determined that the change has occurred, in step S402, the CPU 101 reads the relative magnification value 302 from the storage unit 110, and the amount of zoom based on the read relative magnification value 302 (at the time of shooting shown in FIG. 8). Control is performed to instruct the zoom lens unit 105 to zoom in by moving the lens in the image input unit 106 away from the image receiving unit 102 by the lens focal length), and the process ends. In addition, when the lens focal length at the time of photographing based on the relative magnification value 302 exceeds the maximum focal length, control is performed so as to zoom to the maximum focal length. In addition, after zooming in, a predetermined process (not shown) (for example, a process such as preliminary exposure) may be performed.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines in step S401 that the state change of the photographing shutter button 109 is not a change from the “open” state to the “half-pressed” state, the CPU 101 causes the photographing shutter button 109 to be in step S403. It is determined whether the state change 109 is a change from the “half-pressed” state to the “full-pressed” state.

  In step S403, if the CPU 101 determines that the state change of the shooting shutter button 109 is a change from the “half-pressed” state to the “full-pressed” state, in step S404, the CPU 101 causes the image input unit 106 to change. The image input unit 102 is controlled to receive the image received by the image receiving unit 102, and the process ends.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines in step S403 that the state change of the shooting shutter button 109 is not a change from the “half-pressed” state to the “full-pressed” state, in step S405, the CPU 101 It is determined whether or not the state change of the button 109 is a change from the “half-pressed” state to the “open” state.

  If the CPU 101 determines in step S405 that the state change of the shooting shutter button 109 is a change from the “half-pressed” state to the “open” state, the CPU 101 sets the relative magnification value 302 in step S406. The lens zoom unit 105 is instructed to move the lens in the image input unit 106 closer to the image receiving unit 102 and zoom out by an amount based on the zoom amount (lens focal length at the time of shooting shown in FIG. 8). Then, the process is terminated. In step S404, if the lens focal length at the time of photographing based on the relative magnification value 302 exceeds the maximum focal length and only zooming up to the maximum focal length is possible, in step S406, in step S404. Control to zoom out to the focal length before zooming.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines in step S405 that the state change of the photographing shutter button 109 is not a change from the “half-pressed” state to the “opened” state, the process ends.

  As described above, an image is input to a desired relative magnification preset by the photographer in conjunction with a zoom-in instruction (change in state from “open” to “half-press”) by the shooting shutter button 109. Since the unit 106 is optically zoomed in, it is possible to easily check and track a subject at a long distance in motion in a wide range outside the actual photographing range at a magnification desired by the photographer until the zoom-in instruction. At the same time, even by a general photographer who does not have a skillful photographing technique, photographing is performed in conjunction with a photographing instruction by the photographing shutter button 109 (change in state from “half-press” to “full-press”). It is possible to easily shoot (capture) excellent images by optically expanding an object at a long distance with movement, and can be applied to both a silver salt camera and a digital camera.

  In addition, since the photographer zooms in to a desired relative magnification preset by the photographer in conjunction with a zoom-in instruction by the photographing shutter button 109 and performs a photographing operation in conjunction with the photographing instruction by the photographing shutter button 109, the photographing is performed. It is possible to zoom in to the intended relative magnification at the timing intended by the person and take a picture at the intended timing, and it is possible to prevent missing a photo opportunity due to troublesome zoom-in operations and the like.

  Furthermore, by enabling the subject confirmation unit 104 to check the photographing frame 202 together with the subject, the subject can be easily placed in the actual photographing range after zooming up at the time of photographing. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of shooting mistakes such as

  In addition, since the relative magnification at the time of zooming up (relative magnification with respect to the current magnification) can be set while confirming with the photographing frame 202, the relative magnification at the time of zooming up can be easily set to the relative magnification intended by the photographer. Can be set.

  Therefore, it is possible to prevent a useless zoom-out / zoom-in operation such as confirming a desired magnification because the subject is captured, and the photographer's consciousness can be concentrated only on the tracking of the subject and the shutter operation.

  Further, in order to control to zoom out to the original magnification (return to the wide-side magnification) in conjunction with a zoom-out instruction (change in state from “half-pressed” to “open”) by the shooting shutter button 109, Since the zoomed-in state can be maintained until the timing intended by the photographer, continuous image shooting or the like can be performed in the zoomed-in state.

[Third Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, a configuration is described in which a series of operations such as a zoom-in operation, an imaging operation, and a zoom-out operation are performed in accordance with a change in the state of the shooting shutter button 109. In the second embodiment, shooting is performed. In the above description, the zoom-in operation, the imaging operation, and the zoom-out operation are individually performed according to the change in the state of the shutter button 109. However, the first operation that performs a series of operations of the zoom-in operation, the imaging operation, and the zoom-out operation is described. A sports telephoto still shooting mode and a second sports telephoto still shooting mode that performs zoom-in operation, imaging operation, and zoom-out operation individually may be provided, and may be configured to be selectable by mode switching. The embodiment will be described below.

  Hereinafter, the control operation of the imaging apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the fourth control processing operation in the imaging apparatus of the present invention, and corresponds to the control processing operation when the mode input button 103 is pressed. Note that the processing of this flowchart is realized by the CPU 101 shown in FIG. 1 loading a program stored in the ROM 111 or other recording medium (not shown) into a work area on the storage unit 110 and executing it. In the figure, S201 to S205 indicate steps.

  First, when a mode input event occurs, the CPU 101 starts the processing of the flowchart of FIG. In step S201, the CPU 101 reads the mode 303 stored in the storage unit 110 and determines whether or not the mode 303 is “0”. If it is determined that the mode 303 is “0”, in step S202. , “1” is set in the mode 303, and the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the CPU 101 determines in step S201 that the mode 303 is not “0”, in step S203, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the mode 303 is “1” and is “1”. In step S205, “2” is set in the mode 303, and the process ends.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines in step S203 that the mode 303 is not “1”, “0” is set in the mode 303 in step S204, and the process ends.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the fifth control processing operation in the imaging apparatus of the present invention, and corresponds to the control processing operation when the photographing shutter button 109 is operated. Note that the processing of this flowchart is realized by the CPU 101 shown in FIG. 1 loading a program stored in the ROM 111 or other recording medium (not shown) into a work area on the storage unit 110 and executing it. In the figure, S501 to S506 indicate steps.

  First, when a shooting shutter button input event occurs, the CPU 101 starts the processing of the flowchart of FIG. In step S501, the CPU 101 reads the mode 303 stored in the storage unit 110, determines whether the mode 303 is “1”, and determines that the mode 303 is “1”. It is determined that the first sports telephoto still shooting mode is set, and in step S502, the first shooting process (the process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 10) is executed, and the process ends.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines in step S501 that the mode 303 is not “1”, it determines in step S503 whether or not the mode 303 is “2”, and the mode 303 is “2”. Is determined, the second sport telephoto still shooting mode is determined to be set, and in step S504, the second shooting process (the process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 11) is executed, and the process ends. To do.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines in step S503 that the mode 303 is not “2”, it determines that neither the first or second sports telephoto still shooting mode is set, and in step S505, the CPU 101 Determines whether the state change of the shooting shutter button 109 is a change from the “half-pressed” state to the “full-pressed” state, and is not a change from the “half-pressed” state to the “fully pressed” state. If it is determined, the process is terminated as it is. It should be noted that the processing may be terminated after performing a predetermined processing (not shown) (for example, processing such as preliminary exposure).

  On the other hand, when the CPU 101 determines in step S505 that the state change of the shooting shutter button 109 is a change from the “half-pressed” state to the “full-pressed” state, in step S506, the CPU 101 performs image input. Control is performed to open the shutter so that the image input unit 102 receives the video input from the unit 106, and the process ends.

  As described above, in the imaging apparatus of the present embodiment, the first sports telephoto still shooting mode that performs a series of operations of zoom-in operation, imaging operation, and zoom-out operation in response to a shooting instruction by the shooting shutter button 109 is provided. Since the second sports telephoto still shooting mode that performs zoom-in operation, imaging operation, and zoom-out operation individually according to the state change of the shutter button for shooting 109 is provided and can be used by switching, the skilled shooting technique Even a general photographer who does not have a camera can easily perform a series of operations such as zooming in, shooting, and zooming out, and continuous shooting after zooming in on a moving subject at a long distance Can provide a flexible and easy zoom-in photography means, Also to the deviation can be applied.

[Fourth Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, the configuration in which the zoom magnification at the time of shooting is set as a relative magnification has been described. However, the zoom magnification at the time of shooting is stored as an absolute zoom magnification and stored at the time of shooting. You may comprise so that it may image | photograph with the zoom magnification of the absolute value which was set. The embodiment will be described below.

  Hereinafter, the control operation of the imaging apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of a sixth control processing operation in the imaging apparatus of the present invention, and corresponds to the control processing operation when the zoom magnification value is set as an absolute value. The processing of this flowchart is executed by the CPU 101 shown in FIG. 1 loading a program stored in the ROM 111 or other recording medium (not shown) into a work area on the storage unit 110 and executing it. In the figure, S601 to S603 indicate each step.

  When setting the zoom magnification with an absolute value, first, in S601, a person sets the zoom magnification to an appropriate magnification in advance. The setting method is the same as in FIG. 9 in which a person moves the lens zoom unit 105 while looking at the display device 104 and zooms, or by turning the relative magnification input dial 108 on the photographing frame 202 displayed on the display device 104. There are ways to set it.

  In step S <b> 602, the CPU 101 receives a zoom magnification storage instruction and acquires the current zoom magnification (absolute value).

  In step S <b> 603, the CPU 101 stores the acquired zoom magnification value (absolute value) in the storage unit 110.

  The operation at the time of shooting in this embodiment is as shown in FIG. 13, but the relative magnification value 302 in FIG. 7 corresponds to the zoom magnification value (absolute value) stored in the storage unit 110.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the seventh control processing operation in the imaging apparatus of the present invention, and corresponds to the control processing operation when the photographing shutter button 109 is operated in the present embodiment. The processing of this flowchart is executed by the CPU 101 shown in FIG. 1 loading a program stored in the ROM 111 or other recording medium (not shown) into a work area on the storage unit 110 and executing it. In the figure, S701 to S704 indicate each step.

  First, when a shooting shutter button input event occurs while the mode 303 is the sport telephoto still shooting mode, the CPU 101 starts the processing of the flowchart of FIG. In step S701, the CPU 101 determines whether the state change of the shooting shutter button 109 is a change from the “half-pressed” state to the “full-pressed” state, and the “half-pressed” state to the “fully pressed” state. If it is determined that the change is not, the process is terminated as it is. It should be noted that the processing may be terminated after performing a predetermined processing (not shown) (for example, processing such as preliminary exposure).

  On the other hand, when the CPU 101 determines in step S701 that the state change of the shooting shutter button 109 is a change from the “half-pressed” state to the “full-pressed” state, in step S702, the CPU 101 stores the storage unit. The zoom lens unit 105 reads the zoom magnification value (absolute value) from 110 and moves the lens in the image input unit 106 so that the lens focal length corresponds to the read zoom magnification value (absolute value). Control to give instructions. Note that the lens focal length before the zoom operation is stored in the work area of the storage unit 110 before the zoom operation in step S702.

  Next, in step S <b> 703, the CPU 101 controls the image input unit 106 to receive and capture the video input from the image input unit 106.

  Next, in step S <b> 704, the CPU 101 instructs the zoom lens unit 105 to move the lens in the image input unit 106 so that the lens focal length before the zoom-in operation stored in the work area of the storage unit 110 is reached. To finish the process.

  As described above, an object at a long distance in motion in a wide range outside the actual shooting range at a magnification desired by the photographer without zooming in until shooting is instructed by the shooting shutter button 109. The image input unit 106 can be optically adjusted to a desired zoom magnification (absolute value) set in advance by the photographer in conjunction with a photographing instruction by the photographing shutter button 109 while easily checking and tracking. By zooming in and shooting, even a general photographer who does not have skilled shooting technology can easily shoot excellent images by optically expanding a subject at a long distance in motion. And can be applied to both a silver salt camera and a digital camera.

  Further, in order to zoom in to a desired zoom magnification (absolute value) preset by the photographer in conjunction with a photographing instruction by the photographing shutter button 109, the zoom-in is performed at the intended magnification at the timing intended by the photographer. Thus, it is possible to prevent missing a photo opportunity due to troublesome zoom-in operations and the like.

  Therefore, it is possible to prevent a useless zoom-out / zoom-in operation such as confirming a desired magnification because the subject is captured, and the photographer's consciousness can be concentrated only on the tracking of the subject and the shutter operation.

  In addition, since control is performed to zoom out to the original magnification (return to the wide-side magnification) upon completion of photographing, the subject is lost after zooming in, and a photographing mistake such as missing the next photo opportunity is missed. Can be suppressed.

  Furthermore, even when the magnification of the camera is changed while following the subject, it is possible to photograph at a desired zoom magnification (absolute value) set in advance at the time of photographing.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the imaging apparatus of the present invention is applied to a still camera is described as an example. However, as long as the imaging apparatus is capable of capturing a still image, a video camera, other types The present invention is applicable to a photographing machine or the like.

  As described above, in each of the embodiments described above, in a camera that captures a still image using a telephoto zoom lens, when the shutter is pressed, the target frame can be automatically zoomed in and captured.

  In addition, all the structures which combined said each embodiment are also contained in this invention.

  Moreover, it is needless to say that the configuration and contents of the various data described above are not limited to this, and may be configured with various configurations and contents according to applications and purposes.

  As described above, each embodiment has been described. However, the present invention can take an embodiment as a system, apparatus, method, program, recording medium, or the like, and specifically includes a plurality of devices. The present invention may be applied to a system including a single device.

  The configuration of a data processing program that can be read by the imaging apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the memory map shown in FIG.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a recording medium (storage medium) that stores various data processing programs that can be read (read) by the imaging apparatus according to the present invention.

  Although not specifically shown, information for managing a program group stored in the recording medium, for example, version information, creator, etc. is also stored, and information depending on the OS on the program reading side, for example, a program is identified and displayed. Icons may also be stored.

  Further, data depending on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, when a program or data to be installed is compressed, a program to be decompressed may be stored.

  The functions shown in FIGS. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 in this embodiment may be performed by the imaging apparatus by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when an information group including a program is supplied to the imaging apparatus from a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external recording medium via a network. Is.

  As described above, the recording medium in which the program code of the software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded is supplied to the imaging apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the imaging apparatus is stored in the recording medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by reading and executing the code.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the recording medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the recording medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD-ROM, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM, A silicon disk or the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the imaging apparatus, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code However, it goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Further, after the program code read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted in the imaging device or a function expansion unit connected to the imaging device, the program code is read based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  Further, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or apparatus. In this case, by reading a recording medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention into the system or apparatus, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention.

  Furthermore, by downloading and reading a program represented by software for achieving the present invention from a server, database, or the like on a network using a communication program, the imaging apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention. .

1 is a block diagram showing an example of an internal configuration of a still camera to which an imaging apparatus showing an example of a first embodiment according to the present invention can be applied. It is a perspective view which shows an example of the external appearance of the still camera shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of schematic structure of the still camera shown in FIG. It is a schematic diagram explaining the relationship between the zooming operation of the image input unit by the lens zoom unit shown in FIG. 1 and the lens focal length. It is a schematic diagram which shows the image which can be confirmed in the imaging | photography image received by the image-receiving part in the sport telephoto still photography mode in the imaging device of this invention, and the to-be-photographed object confirmation part before imaging | photography. It is a schematic diagram which shows the image which can be confirmed in the imaging | photography image received by the image-receiving part in the sport telephoto still photography mode in the imaging device of this invention, and the to-be-photographed object confirmation part before imaging | photography. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a memory map of a storage unit illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the relative magnification value set to the memory | storage part shown in FIG. 7, and the lens focal distance at the time of imaging | photography. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 1st control processing operation | movement in the imaging device of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 2nd control processing operation | movement in the imaging device of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 3rd control processing operation | movement in the imaging device of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 4th control processing operation | movement in the imaging device of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 5th control processing operation | movement in the imaging device of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 6th control processing operation in the imaging device of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 7th control processing operation | movement in the imaging device of this invention. It is a figure explaining the memory map of the recording medium (storage medium) which stores the various data processing program which can be read (read) with the imaging device which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

101 CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 102 Image receiving part 103 Mode input button 104 Subject confirmation part 105 Lens zoom part 106 Image input part 107 Operation part 108 Relative magnification input dial 109 Shooting shutter button 110 Storage part 111 ROM

Claims (12)

An imaging lens, an imaging unit for receiving and capturing an image of a subject incident from the imaging lens, an imaging instruction unit for instructing imaging by the imaging unit, and an image formed on the imaging unit by the imaging lens In an imaging apparatus having a lens zoom means capable of moving the photographing lens by power so as to optically enlarge or reduce a subject image,
Storage means for storing a set zoom magnification value;
Control means for controlling the lens zoom means so as to perform a zoom-in operation for moving the photographing lens away from the imaging means by a distance corresponding to a zoom magnification value stored in the storage means;
An imaging device comprising:   2. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein when the imaging instruction is given by the imaging instruction unit, the zoom-in operation is performed, and the imaging unit performs control after the zoom-in operation is completed. Imaging device.   The imaging unit according to claim 2, wherein the control unit controls the lens zoom unit to perform a zoom-out operation for returning the photographing lens to a state before the zoom-in operation after imaging after the zoom-in operation. apparatus. The imaging instruction means can change to a plurality of states including first to third states,
The control means causes the lens zoom means to perform a zoom-in operation when the imaging instruction means changes from the first state to the second state, and the imaging instruction means changes from the second state to the third state. The image pickup unit is caused to pick up an image when the image is changed to an image, and when the image pickup instruction unit changes from the third state to the first state, a zoom-out operation is performed to return the photographing lens to the state before the zoom-in operation. 2. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lens zoom means is controlled as described above. Zoom-in instruction means for instructing zoom-in by the lens zoom means, and zoom-out instruction means for instructing zoom-out by the lens zoom means,
The control means causes the lens zoom means to perform a zoom-in operation when a zoom-in instruction is given by the zoom-in instruction means, and when the zoom-out instruction is given by the zoom-out instruction means, The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lens zoom unit is controlled to perform a zoom-out operation for returning to a state before the operation. An image display means capable of displaying an image, and a subject confirmation means for visually confirming a composite image of a subject image incident from the photographing lens and an image displayed on the image display means,
The control means controls the image display means to display an image indicating an imaging region after the zoom-in operation according to a zoom magnification value stored in the storage means. The imaging device according to any one of the above. Setting means for setting the zoom magnification value;
The control means causes the image display means to display an image indicating the imaging region after the zoom-in operation according to the changed zoom magnification value in response to the zoom magnification value being changed by the setting means. The imaging apparatus according to claim 6, wherein control is performed as follows. The image pickup means is an image pickup element for picking up a subject image incident from the photographing lens, or a shutter means for entering or blocking a subject image input from the silver salt film and the photographing lens to the silver salt film. A silver salt imaging means comprising:
8. The finder means for visualizing a subject image that is incident on the photographing lens and passes through the image display means outside the imaging time of the imaging means. The imaging device described. The image pickup means is an image pickup device that picks up a subject image incident from the photographing lens,
The control means displays, on the image display means, a composite image of an image showing the imaging area after the zoom-in operation according to a zoom magnification value stored in the storage means and a subject image formed on the imaging element. The imaging apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein control is performed so that An imaging lens, an imaging unit for receiving and imaging a subject image incident from the imaging lens, an imaging instruction unit for instructing imaging by the imaging unit, and an optical image of the subject image formed on the imaging unit In a zoom imaging method in an imaging apparatus having a lens zoom means for moving the photographing lens so as to be enlarged or reduced automatically,
A setting step for setting the zoom magnification value to be set in the storage means;
When the imaging instruction is given by the imaging instruction unit, a zoom-in operation is performed on the lens zoom unit to move the photographing lens away from the imaging unit by a distance corresponding to a zoom magnification value set in the storage unit. Zoom in step
After completing the zoom-in operation by the zoom-in step, the imaging step for causing the imaging means to image,
A zoom-out step for causing the lens zoom means to perform a zoom-out operation for returning the photographing lens to a state before the zoom-in operation by the zoom-in step after the imaging step;
A zoom imaging method characterized by comprising: A photographic lens, an imaging unit for receiving and capturing a subject image incident from the photographic lens, and a plurality of states including the first to third states, and imaging by the imaging unit can be instructed In a zoom imaging method in an imaging apparatus, comprising: an imaging instruction unit; and a lens zoom unit that moves the photographing lens so as to optically enlarge or reduce a subject image formed on the imaging unit.
A setting step for setting the zoom magnification value to be set in the storage means;
A zoom-in operation for moving the photographic lens away from the imaging unit by a distance corresponding to a zoom magnification value set in the storage unit when the imaging instruction unit changes from the first state to the second state. Zoom-in step for causing the lens zoom means to perform,
An imaging step for causing the imaging means to take an image when the imaging instruction means changes from the second state to the third state;
A zoom-out step for causing the lens zoom unit to perform zoom-out processing for returning from the zoomed-in state to the state before zooming in when the imaging instruction unit changes from the third state to the first state;
A zoom imaging method characterized by comprising:   The program for performing the zoom imaging method described in Claim 10 or 11.

Images