Imaging apparatus, imaging apparatus control method, lens apparatus, and lens apparatus control method

Abstract

An imaging apparatus, to which a lens apparatus can be attached, includes an imaging unit that executes charge accumulation in synchronization with a reference signal and generates an imaging signal, a control unit that controls the data communication with an attached lens apparatus and executes focus detection by using data received from the lens apparatus. The control unit executes data communication with the lens apparatus in a first communication mode in which predetermined data is periodically communicated in synchronization with the reference signal. When a predetermined operation that instructs preparation for still image shooting is being carried out by a user, the control unit changes the first communication mode to a second communication mode in which the control unit executes data communication with the lens apparatus out of synchronization with the reference signal.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An imaging apparatus to which a lens apparatus can be attached, comprising:
 an imaging unit configured to execute charge accumulation in synchronization with a reference signal and generates an imaging signal;   a control unit configured to control data communication with an attached lens apparatus, and execute focus detection by using data received from the lens apparatus;   wherein the control unit executes data communication with the lens apparatus in a first communication mode in which predetermined data is periodically communicated in synchronization with the reference signal, and   wherein when a predetermined operation that instructs preparation for still image shooting is carried out by a user, the control unit changes the first communication mode to a second communication mode in which the control unit executes data communication with the lens apparatus out of synchronization with the reference signal.   
     
     
         2 . The imaging apparatus according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein, in the first communication mode, after executing a first communication in synchronization with the reference signal, the control unit executes a second communication before executing the first communication that is in synchronization with the next reference signal, and   wherein the control unit executes focus detection based on data received from the lens apparatus in the first communication, and transmits a control command based on the result of the focus detection to the lens apparatus in the second communication.   
     
     
         3 . The imaging apparatus according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein, in the second communication mode, the control unit requests communication of data to the lens apparatus at an arbitrary timing.   
     
     
         4 . The imaging apparatus according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the control unit continues the second communication mode while the predetermined operation is being carried out by a user.   
     
     
         5 . The imaging apparatus according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the reference signal is a signal that is output in synchronization with a frame rate.   
     
     
         6 . The imaging apparatus according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the reference signal is a vertical synchronization signal.   
     
     
         7 . The imaging apparatus according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the control unit executes data communication with the lens apparatus in the first communication mode until the predetermined operation is carried out by a user.   
     
     
         8 . The imaging apparatus according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the control unit changes the second communication mode to the first communication mode after a recording process of an image in still image shooting has completed.   
     
     
         9 . The imaging apparatus according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the control unit continues the second communication mode while an operation that instructs continuous shooting is being carried out by a user.   
     
     
         10 . The imaging apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an optical view finder configured so that a subject is observed; and   a display unit configured to display a captured image;   wherein, in a mode in which a captured image is displayed on the display unit, the control unit changes the mode to a mode in which the subject is observed by using the optical view finder when the predetermined operation is carried out by a user.   
     
     
         11 . The imaging apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a switch unit that enables operation in a first state and a second state,   wherein, when the switch unit is moved to the first state, the control unit executes a preparatory operation for still image shooting, and when the switch unit is moved to a second state, the control unit executes an imaging process and a recording process of an image; and   wherein, in the first communication mode, when the switch unit is moved to the first state, the control unit changes the first communication mode to the second communication mode.   
     
     
         12 . The imaging apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a detection unit configured to detect contact,   wherein when a predetermined operation is carried out via the detection unit by a user in the first communication mode, the control unit changes the first communication mode to the second communication mode.   
     
     
         13 . The lens apparatus attached to imaging apparatus according to  claim 1 , comprising:
 an imaging optical system; and   a lens control unit configured to control data communication with the imaging apparatus to which the lens apparatus is attached and control the drive of the imaging optical system by using data received from the imaging apparatus.   
     
     
         14 . An imaging apparatus to which a lens apparatus can be attached, comprising:
 an imaging unit configured to execute charge accumulation in synchronization with a reference signal and generate an imaging signal;   a control unit configured to control data communication with an attached lens apparatus, and execute focus detection by using data received from the lens apparatus;   wherein the control unit executes data communication with the lens apparatus in a first communication mode in which predetermined data is periodically communicated in synchronization with the reference signal, and   wherein when a predetermined operation that instructs changing of the focus detection mode is carried out by a user, the control unit changes the first communication mode to a second communication mode in which the control unit executes data communication with the lens apparatus out of synchronization with the reference signal.   
     
     
         15 . The imaging apparatus according to  claim 14 ,
 wherein the control unit executes focus detection by using wobbling control in the first communication mode, and executes focus detection by a method that differs from the wobbling control in the second communication mode.   
     
     
         16 . The lens apparatus attached to the imaging apparatus according to  claim 14 , comprising:
 an imaging optical system; and   a lens control unit configured to control data communication with the imaging apparatus to which the lens apparatus is attached and controls the drive of the imaging optical system by using data received from the imaging apparatus.   
     
     
         17 . A lens apparatus that can be attached to an imaging apparatus that includes an imaging unit configured to execute charge accumulation in synchronization with a reference signal and generate an imaging signal, comprising
 an imaging optical system; and   a lens control unit configured to control data communication with an imaging apparatus to which the lens apparatus is attached and control the drive of the imaging optical system by using data received from the imaging apparatus;   wherein the lens control unit executes communication with the imaging apparatus in a first communication mode in which predetermined data is periodically communicated in synchronization with the reference signal received from the imaging apparatus, and   wherein when a predetermined operation that instructs preparation for still image shooting to the imaging apparatus is carried out by a user, the lens control unit changes the first communication mode to the second communication mode in which the lens control unit executes data communication with the imaging apparatus out of synchronization with the reference signal.   
     
     
         18 . The lens apparatus according to  claim 17 ,
 wherein, in the first communication mode, after executing a first communication in synchronization with the reference signal, the lens control unit executes a second communication before executing the first communication that is in synchronization with the next reference signal, and   wherein the lens control unit transmits information about the position of the imaging optical system to the imaging apparatus in the first communication, and receives information about the drive of the imaging optical system from the imaging apparatus in the second communication.   
     
     
         19 . The lens apparatus according to  claim 17 ,
 wherein, in the second communication mode, the lens control unit transmits data according to a request from the imaging apparatus at an arbitrary timing.   
     
     
         20 . The lens apparatus according to  claim 17 ,
 wherein the lens control unit continues the second communication mode while the predetermined operation to the imaging apparatus is being carried out by a user.   
     
     
         21 . The lens apparatus according to  claim 17 ,
 wherein the reference signal is a signal that is output in synchronization with a frame rate.   
     
     
         22 . The lens apparatus according to  claim 17 ,
 wherein the reference signal is a vertical synchronization signal.   
     
     
         23 . The lens apparatus according to  claim 17 ,
 wherein the lens control unit executes data communication with the imaging apparatus in the first communication mode until the predetermined operation to the imaging apparatus is carried out by a user.   
     
     
         24 . The lens apparatus according to  claim 17 ,
 wherein the lens control unit changes the second communication mode to the first communication mode after a recording process of an image in still image shooting has completed in the imaging apparatus.   
     
     
         25 . The lens apparatus according to  claim 17 ,
 wherein the lens control unit continues the second communication mode while an operation that instructs the imaging apparatus to execute continuous shooting is being carried out by a user.   
     
     
         26 . A lens apparatus that can be attached to an imaging apparatus that includes an imaging unit configured to execute charge accumulation in synchronization with a reference signal and generate an imaging signal, comprising:
 an imaging optical system; and   a lens control unit configured to control data communication with an imaging apparatus to which the lens apparatus is attached and control the drive of the imaging optical system by using data received from the imaging apparatus;   wherein the lens control unit executes communication with the imaging apparatus in a first communication mode in which predetermined data is periodically communicated in synchronization with the reference signal received from the imaging apparatus, and   wherein when a predetermined operation that instructs the imaging apparatus to change the focus detection mode is carried out by a user, the lens control unit changes the first communication mode to the second communication mode in which the lens control unit executes data communication with the imaging apparatus out of synchronization with the reference signal.   
     
     
         27 . A control method that is executed on an imaging apparatus to which a lens apparatus can be attached and that includes an imaging unit configured to execute charge accumulation in synchronization with a reference signal and generate an imaging signal, comprising:
 controlling, in a communication step, data communication with an attached lens apparatus; and   executing, in a control step, focus detection by using data received from the lens apparatus,   wherein, in the communication step, data communication with the lens apparatus is executed in a first communication mode in which predetermined data is periodically communicated in synchronization with the reference signal, and   wherein when a predetermined operation that instructs preparation for still image shooting is carried out by a user, in the communication step, a communication mode is changed from the first communication mode to a second communication mode in which data communication with the lens apparatus is executed out of synchronization with the reference signal.   
     
     
         28 . A control method that is executed on an imaging apparatus to which a lens apparatus can be attached and that includes an imaging unit configured to execute charge accumulation in synchronization with a reference signal and generate an imaging signal, comprising:
 controlling, in a communication step, data communication with an attached lens apparatus; and   executing, in a control step, focus detection by using data received from the lens apparatus,   wherein, in the communication step, data communication with the lens apparatus is executed in a first communication mode in which predetermined data is periodically communicated in synchronization with the reference signal; and   wherein when a predetermined operation that instructs a change of the focus detection mode is carried out by a user, in the communication step, a communication mode is changed from the first communication mode to a second communication mode in which data communication with the lens apparatus is executed out of synchronization with the reference signal.   
     
     
         29 . A control method that is executed on a lens apparatus that includes an imaging optical system and that can be attached to an imaging apparatus including an imaging unit configured to execute charge accumulation in synchronization with a reference signal and generate an imaging signal, comprising:
 controlling, in a communication step, data communication with an imaging apparatus to which the lens apparatus is attached; and   controlling, in a control step, the drive of the imaging optical system by using data received from the imaging apparatus,   wherein, in the communication step, communication with the imaging apparatus is executed in a first communication mode in which predetermined data is periodically communicated in synchronization with the reference signal received from the imaging apparatus, and   wherein when a predetermined operation that instructs preparation for still image shooting to the imaging apparatus is carried out by a user, in the communication step, a communication mode is changed from the first communication mode to a second communication mode in which data communication with the imaging apparatus is executed out of synchronization with the reference signal.   
     
     
         30 . A control method that is executed on a lens apparatus that includes an imaging optical system and that can be attached to an imaging apparatus including an imaging unit configured to execute charge accumulation in synchronization with a reference signal and generate an imaging signal, comprising:
 controlling, in a communication step, data communication with an imaging apparatus to which the lens apparatus is attached; and   controlling, in a control step, the drive of the imaging optical system by using data received from the imaging apparatus,   wherein, in the communication step, communication with the imaging apparatus is executed in a first communication mode in which predetermined data is periodically communicated in synchronization with the reference signal received from the imaging apparatus, and   wherein when a predetermined operation that instructs the imaging apparatus to change the focus detection mode is carried out by a user, in the communication step, a communication mode is changed from the first communication mode to a second communication mode in which data communication with the imaging apparatus is executed out of synchronization with the reference signal.