Lens apparatus and image pickup system including the lens apparatus

Abstract

A lens apparatus includes: a switch for switching between single and plural modes for using lens apparatus singularly and plurally, respectively; a communication unit to communicate with external device; a unit to set all elements to first state in single mode and set the respective elements to second or third state in plural mode; a control source output unit to output, for each state of the elements, control source information for determining a control command to drive the element; and a unit to determine a command for controlling drive of the elements based on the control source information determined by the control source output portion, wherein in the second state, control commands for corresponding elements are output to other lens apparatuses through the communication unit, and in the third state, the control source output portion outputs control source information different from that in the first and second states.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A lens apparatus comprising:
 an optical element;   a controller configured to control drive of the optical element;   a communication unit configured to communicate with another lens apparatus;   a setting unit configured to setting the optical element to one of priority driving state including a master driving state and a slave driving state;   a determination unit configured to determine a control command for controlling drive of the optical element based on information that specifies a priority order to be used to preferentially select a control command from the controller or the another lens apparatus,   wherein the communication unit outputs, when the optical element is set in the master driving state, a control command for the corresponding optical element of the another lens apparatus,   wherein the determination unit determines, when the optical element is set in the slave driving state, the control command based on information different from information in the master driving state.   
     
     
         15 . The lens apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein control command from the another lens apparatus in the master driving state has a highest priority among information in the slave driving state. 
     
     
         16 . The lens apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein in the slave driving state, the determination unit disables the control commands other than the control commands from other lens apparatuses in the information. 
     
     
         17 . The lens apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein in the slave driving state, the determination unit disables the control commands from specific control sources of the at least one optical elements of the plurality of lens apparatuses in the information. 
     
     
         18 . The lens apparatus according to  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a setting changing unit that changes setting information related to one or more control sources of the plurality of control sources,   wherein in the slave driving state, a change in the setting information related to disabled control sources by the setting changing unit is not permitted.   
     
     
         19 . The lens apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the at least one optical element includes a zoom lens that changes an angle of field, a focus lens that adjusts a focus, an image stabilization mechanism, an iris, an extender lens inserted to and removed from an optical path, and a micro lens.