JP2020003759A - Focus adjustment device, and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a focus adjustment device capable of fully reflecting the photographer's intention.SOLUTION: The focus adjustment device includes: setting means that sets multiple focus detection areas in a shooting screen; focus detection means that calculates the focus detection result from each focus detection area; and selection means that selects the area to be focused from the multiple focus detection results. The selection means has multiple determination criteria as to whether to continue the area to be focused according to the photographer's settings.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a focus adjustment device for an imaging optical system.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, focus detection in a single-lens reflex camera has mainly been performed by a phase difference detection method in which a part of an imaging light beam to an optical finder is guided to a focus detection sensor to detect an amount of focus shift. On the other hand, the same focus detection can be performed by the imaging sensor, and the focus adjustment of the imaging optical system by the phase difference detection method can be performed while watching the output image of the imaging sensor (referred to as LV or live view).

  Regardless of either of these different AF methods, it is required for the focus adjustment function of the imaging apparatus to specify the “main subject” that the photographer wants to focus on and to focus on it.

  For example, consider the goal scene of a race in a sports day or the like as shown in FIG. Do you want to aim and focus on the right player who finishes at the top, or do you want to focus on the target player (eg, my child) even if you are overtaken just before the left goal and become second place? , Need to be identified.

  Some products currently available on the market allow the user to select settings such as "priority on the front", "auto", and "priority on the center". However, "auto" also has a constraint such as "first in the vicinity of the center", and the basic is that the center area is prioritized, and cannot be matched to a main subject other than the center area from the beginning. In addition, “priority on the front” is also “always priority on the front”, and there is a concern about an obstacle in front of the main subject.

  On the other hand, Patent Literature 1 discloses that there are a plurality of setting items in order to enable an optimum focus detection operation for causing the focus to follow the movement of a subject, and different setting values are combined in each AF operation mode. This is a content that focuses on keeping the focus on the target subject, but it cannot be said that "priority is given to the front."

JP 2012-237809 A

  In the prior art as described above, the premise and the aim of the specific area priority are still biased to the setting which is limited, and it cannot be said that the intention of the photographer is sufficiently answered, and each data for the current focus detection is not provided. It is thought that the photographer's intention cannot be sufficiently obtained by using the scene analysis alone.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a focus adjustment device which enables selection of an area serving as a main subject which can sufficiently reflect the intention of a photographer.

  In order to achieve the above object, the technical features of the present invention include: a setting step of setting a plurality of focus detection areas in a shooting screen; a focus detection step of calculating a focus detection result from each of the focus detection areas; Selecting a region to be a focus adjustment target from a plurality of focus detection results, and in the selection step, determining whether to continue the region to be a focus adjustment target according to a setting of a photographer. It is characterized by having a plurality of judgment criteria relating to

  According to the present invention, it is possible to sufficiently reflect a photographer's intention that cannot be obtained sufficiently at present.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an operation flow in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a single-lens reflex camera provided with an optical finder according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a single-lens reflex digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a layout diagram of a focus detection area according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a detailed explanatory view of a problem to be solved by the present invention. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of set values relating to subject transfer characteristics in the present invention. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an operation flow in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an operation flow in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an operation flow in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an operation flow in the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure of the goal scene in a man race.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the optical arrangement of the interchangeable lens type digital single-lens reflex camera according to the embodiment of the present invention. This is a digital camera provided with an image sensor 2108. Reference numeral 2100 denotes a camera main body, and 2200 denotes a photographing lens main body.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 2101 denotes a main mirror, which is obliquely provided in a photographing optical path in an optical viewfinder observation state and retracts outside the photographing optical path in a photographing state. The main mirror 2101 is a half mirror. When the main mirror 2101 is arranged obliquely in the photographing optical path, it transmits approximately half of the light from the subject to a focus detection optical system described later.

  Reference numeral 2102 denotes a part of the finder optical system, which is a focus plate disposed on a predetermined imaging plane of the photographing lens 2200, and 2103 is a pentaprism for changing the finder optical path. Reference numeral 2104 denotes an eyepiece, and a photographer can observe the photographing screen by observing the focus plate 2102 from a window behind the eyepiece 2104.

  Reference numeral 2105 denotes an imaging lens, and reference numeral 2106 denotes a photometric sensor for measuring the brightness of a subject in a finder observation screen. The imaging lens 2105 conjugates the focus plate 2102 and the photometric sensor 2106 via a reflection optical path in the pentaprism 2104. Reference numeral 2107 denotes a focal plane shutter.

  An image sensor 2108 uses an image sensor such as a CCD or a CMOS sensor. The image sensor 2108 is arranged on a predetermined imaging plane of the photographing lens 2200.

  Reference numeral 2109 denotes a sub-mirror which, like the main mirror 2101, is obliquely provided in the photographing optical path in the viewfinder observation state and retracts outside the photographing optical path in the photographing state. The sub-mirror 2109 bends the light beam transmitted through the obliquely arranged main mirror 2101 downward and guides it toward a focus detection unit 2110 described later.

  2110 is a focus detection unit provided with a focus detection sensor. The focus detection unit 2110 detects the focus adjustment state of the photographing lens 2200 by a phase difference detection method, and the detection result is sent to a microcomputer for a camera that controls a focus adjustment mechanism of the photographing lens.

  Next, the configuration of the taking lens 2200 will be described.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 2201 denotes a first group lens among the lenses forming the group, and a first group lens 2201 is a focus lens that moves back and forth on the optical axis to adjust a focus position of a shooting screen. Reference numeral 2202 denotes a second group lens among the lenses forming the group. The second group lens 2202 changes the focal length of the photographing lens 2200 by moving back and forth on the optical axis, and performs magnification change of the photographing screen. Lens. Reference numeral 2203 denotes a third group lens among the lenses forming the group, and the third group lens 2203 is a fixed lens. Reference numeral 2204 denotes an aperture.

  Reference numeral 2205 denotes an AF driving circuit which moves the first lens unit 2201 as a focus lens in the optical axis direction, and is configured by a DC motor or a stepping motor, and moves back and forth by an AF operation. Reference numeral 2206 denotes a zoom drive circuit that moves the second lens unit 2202 in the optical axis direction, and is configured by a DC motor or a stepping motor, and moves the variable power lens 2202 back and forth.

  Reference numeral 2207 denotes an aperture drive circuit, which is configured by a DC motor or a stepping motor, and drives the aperture 2204 so as to change the aperture diameter.

  Reference numeral 2208 denotes a lens mount contact group serving as a communication interface between the camera body 2100 and the photographing lens 2200.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the single-lens reflex digital camera according to the embodiment of the present invention. For the sake of explanation, the same numbers are used for the description that overlaps with the description of FIG.

  Reference numeral 2200 denotes a photographing lens (a group of lens groups), and reference numeral 2204 denotes an aperture.

  Reference numeral 2205 denotes an AF driving circuit. The AF drive circuit 2205 is configured by, for example, a DC motor or a stepping motor, and focuses by changing the focus lens position of the photographing lens 2200 under the control of the microcomputer 3122.

  Reference numeral 2206 denotes a zoom drive circuit. The zoom drive circuit 2206 is configured by, for example, a DC motor or a stepping motor, and changes the focal length of the photographic lens 2200 by changing the position of the zoom lens of the photographic lens 2200 under the control of the microcomputer 3122.

  Reference numeral 2207 denotes an aperture driving circuit. The aperture driving circuit 2207 drives the aperture 2204. The amount to be driven is calculated by the microcomputer 3122, and changes the optical aperture value. That is, the aperture value is determined on the camera side, and is set on the lens side according to an instruction (command) from the camera side.

  Reference numeral 2101 denotes a main mirror for switching a light beam incident from the photographing lens 2200 between the finder side and the image sensor side. The main mirror 2101 is normally disposed so as to reflect the light flux to the finder section, but when imaging is performed, the main mirror 2101 jumps upward to guide the light flux to the image sensor 2108 and escapes from the light flux. I do. The main mirror 2101 is a half mirror so that a central portion thereof can transmit a part of the light, and a part of the light flux is transmitted so as to be incident on a sensor for performing focus detection.

  Reference numeral 2103 denotes a pentaprism constituting a finder. The finder optical system is constituted by a focus plate (2102), an eyepiece lens (2104) and the like.

  Reference numeral 2106 denotes a photometric sensor that obtains a part of the light beam guided to the finder and measures brightness.

  Reference numeral 2107 denotes a focal plane shutter, and 3111 denotes a shutter drive circuit which drives the focal plane shutter 2107. The opening time of the shutter is controlled by the microcomputer 3122.

  Reference numeral 2108 denotes an image sensor. As the imaging sensor 2108, a CCD, a CMOS sensor, or the like is used, and converts a subject image formed by the imaging lens 2200 into an electric signal.

  Reference numeral 2109 denotes a sub-mirror for reflecting the light beam transmitted from the main mirror 2101 and guiding it to a sensor for focus detection (disposed in a focus detection circuit 3110 in a focus detection unit 2110).

  Reference numeral 3110 denotes a focus detection circuit. The light beam transmitted through the central portion of the main mirror 2101 and reflected by the sub-mirror 2109 reaches a sensor for performing photoelectric conversion disposed inside the focus detection circuit 3110. The defocus amount used for the focus adjustment is obtained by calculating the correlation amount of the sensor output. The microcomputer 3122 evaluates the calculation result and instructs the AF driving circuit 2205 to drive the focus lens (2201).

  Reference numeral 3112 denotes a clamp circuit, 3113 denotes an AGC circuit, and the clamp circuit 3112 and the AGC circuit 3113 perform basic analog signal processing before A / D conversion. Through the video signal processing circuit 3115, the microcomputer 3122 changes the clamp level and the AGC reference level.

  3114 is an A / D converter. The A / D converter 3114 converts an analog output signal of the image sensor 2108 into a digital signal. The converted signal is an image signal that is a photographing result.

  Reference numeral 3115 denotes a video signal processing circuit, which is realized by a logic device such as a gate array.

  Reference numeral 3116 denotes a TFT drive circuit, and reference numeral 3117 denotes a TFT (liquid crystal) monitor.

  3118 is a memory controller, 3119 is a memory, 3120 is an interface connectable to an external computer or the like, and 3121 is a buffer memory.

  The video signal processing circuit 3115 performs filter processing, color conversion processing, and gamma processing on the digitized image data, performs compression processing such as JPEG, and outputs the result to the memory controller 3118. The video signal processing circuit 3115 can also output a video signal from the imaging sensor 2108 and image data reversely input from the memory controller 3118 to the TFT monitor 3117 through the TFT driving circuit 3116. Switching of these functions is performed according to an instruction from the microcomputer 3122. The video signal processing circuit 3115 can output information such as exposure information of a signal of the image sensor 2108 and white balance to the microcomputer 3122 as necessary. The microcomputer 3122 instructs white balance and gain adjustment based on the information. In the case of the continuous shooting operation, the shooting data is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 3121 as an unprocessed image, the unprocessed image data is read out through the memory controller 3118, and the video signal processing circuit 3115 performs image processing and compression processing. Note that the number of continuous image shots depends on the size of the buffer memory 3121.

  The memory controller 3118 stores the unprocessed digital image data input from the video signal processing circuit 3115 in the buffer memory, and stores the processed digital image data in the memory 3119. Conversely, it outputs image data from the buffer memory 3121 and the memory 3119 to the video signal processing circuit unit 3115. The memory 3119 may be removable. The memory controller 3118 can output an image stored in the memory 3119 to an external monitor or the like via the interface 3120.

  Reference numeral 3122 denotes a microcomputer, and 3123 denotes an operation member. The operation member 3123 informs the microcomputer 3122 of its state, and the microcomputer 3122 controls each section according to a change in the operation member.

  3124 is a switch 1 (hereinafter SW1) and 3125 is a switch 2 (hereinafter SW2). SW1 and SW2 are switches that are turned on and off by operating a release button, and are each one of the input switches of the operation member 3123. When only SW1 is on, the release button is half-pressed. In this state, the AF operation and the photometry operation are performed. When both SW1 and SW2 are on, the release button is fully pressed, and the release button for recording an image is turned on, and shooting is performed in this state. While SW1 and SW2 are kept ON, a continuous shooting operation is performed. In addition, switches (not shown) such as an ISO setting button, an image size setting button, an image quality setting button, and an information display button are connected to the operation member 3123, and the state of the switch is detected.

  Reference numeral 3126 denotes a liquid crystal drive circuit, 3127 denotes an external liquid crystal display member, and 3128 denotes a liquid crystal display member in a finder. The liquid crystal drive circuit 3126 drives the external liquid crystal display member 3127 and the liquid crystal display member 3128 in the finder according to the display content command of the microcomputer 3122. A backlight such as an LED (not shown) is disposed on the liquid crystal display member 3128 in the finder, and the LED is also driven by the liquid crystal driving circuit 3126. The microcomputer 3122 checks the capacity of the memory through the memory controller 3118 based on the predicted value data of the image size according to the ISO sensitivity, the image size, and the image quality set before the shooting, and checks the remaining number of shootable images. Can be calculated. It can also be displayed on the external liquid crystal display member 3127 and the liquid crystal display member 3128 in the viewfinder as needed.

  Reference numeral 3129 denotes a non-volatile memory (EEPROM), which can save data even when the power of the camera is not turned on.

  Reference numeral 3130 denotes a power supply unit. The power supply unit 3130 supplies necessary power to each IC and drive system.

  FIG. 4 is a photographing screen, that is, the positional relationship between the entire surface (0) of the image sensor 2108 and the focus detection areas (seven areas 1 to 7) by the focus detection sensors arranged in the focus detection unit 2110 and the focus detection circuit 3110. Is shown. An object of the present invention is to determine which of these seven areas is to be treated as an area of a “main subject” to be subjected to focus adjustment based on what kind of criterion, reflecting the intention of the photographer.

  FIGS. 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating how the focus detection areas in FIG. 4 capture the subject in the goal scene in the race of FIG. 11 described above with respect to three cases (A) to (C).

  In FIG. 5 (A), the focus detection area (4) at the center of the entire surface (0) of the shooting screen captures the player who finishes at the top. Therefore, when aiming at this player, the central area priority is given. Also, a result that reflects the intention of the photographer is obtained even when the photographer gives priority to the photographer. However, this is not the case if you are aiming for a late-going player on the left.

  On the other hand, in FIG. 5 (B), the focus detection area (4) in the center of the entire surface (0) of the shooting screen captures a player who finishes on the left side with a delay. If the priority is given to the central area, the result reflects the intention of the photographer. However, the goal tape in front is also applied, and it is desirable to adjust the focus based on the result of the focus detection area (1) immediately above. Although the result does not reflect the photographer's intention in the near side priority, if the player is aiming for the goal player at the head on the right side, the focus is adjusted based on the result of the focus detection area (5) or (6), and the photographer is focused. The result reflects the intention of the user.

  However, even when aiming for the player who finishes first at the front with priority given to the player, an unrelated person suddenly makes a goal at the top, especially when shooting from a place slightly away from the goal as shown in FIG. 5 (C). The player may enter the shooting screen in front of the player. In this case, if the focus is suddenly adjusted based on the result of the focus detection area (6), the result will be different from the photographer's intention.

(Example)
Hereinafter, the focus adjusting device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

  First, by pressing a menu button (not shown), a mode for changing various camera settings is entered, and a screen for setting the “subject transfer characteristic” is selected from among settings relating to the focus adjustment function, as shown in FIG. Settings related to subject transfer characteristics can be made. Here, the photographer can set any one of three criteria (0, +1, +2) as a criterion for selecting a focus detection area to be focused as a "main subject". In the present embodiment, “sticky = 0: standard” is set to keep focusing on the target object, while “quickness = + 2” is set to always give priority to the near side. The middle “+1” is set to give priority to the nearer subject as long as it is determined that the moving subject is clearly larger on the nearer side.

  However, in the present embodiment, even when the set value (+1, +2) is selected, an obstacle that does not move clearly or moves slowly in front is excluded.

  Note that the focus adjustment operation in the present embodiment is based on an operation called “servo AF” or the like for continuously performing focus adjustment for a moving subject. In this regard, an outline of the servo AF operation will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the servo AF operation flow in the embodiment of the present invention.

  If SW1 (3124) is pressed and it is determined that SW = ON in step 1001, "focus detection processing" is performed in step 1002. Here, as a predetermined focus adjustment operation, first, accumulation of the focus detection sensor 4005 is started, and a predetermined accumulation operation is performed. After that, the accumulation signal of the focus detection sensor 4005 is read, and a defocus amount that is a defocus amount is obtained for each focus detection area based on the accumulation signal that has been subjected to a predetermined correction or the like. Since this series of processes has already been disclosed in many cases, detailed description will be omitted.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 1001 that SW1 (3124) has not been pressed (SW1 = OFF), the servo AF operation ends as it is (step 1008).

  In step 1003, "transfer determination criterion selection processing" is performed. Here, a criterion for selecting a region or a subject region to be prioritized in the focus adjustment function is determined based on a value set in advance by the photographer described with reference to FIG. 6, and a process corresponding to each is performed. This will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In the following step 1004, "focus adjustment" is performed. Specifically, in response to a control signal from the microcomputer 3122, the AF drive circuit 2205 performs lens drive control for moving the first group lens 2201 in the optical axis direction. Since this series of processes has already been disclosed in many cases, detailed description will be omitted.

  Then, in step 1005, the state of SW1 (3124) is confirmed again, and if it is determined that the switch has not been pressed (SW1 = OFF), the servo AF operation ends here (step 1008). Conversely, if SW1 (3124) is pressed and it is determined that SW1 = ON, it is determined in the next step 1006 whether SW2 (3125) is pressed. If it is determined that SW2 is not pressed (SW2 = OFF), the process returns to step 1001 and a series of operations is continued until it is determined that SW1 (3124) is not pressed (SW1 = OFF). An operation of continuously performing focus adjustment is realized.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 1006 that the SW2 (3125) has been pressed, a "release operation" is performed in step 1007. That is, "imaging" is performed by the imaging sensor 2108. Since this series of processes has already been disclosed in many cases, detailed description will be omitted.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an operation flow in the first embodiment of the present invention for selecting, based on what criteria, a photographer should give priority to a focus detection area to be focused as a “main subject”. .

  As described above, after the “focus detection processing” is performed and the defocus amount that is the amount of defocus is obtained for each focus detection area, it is desired to focus as the current “main subject” from step 100. Control for selecting a criterion for selecting a focus detection area is performed. In step 101, one of the three types of set values (0, +1, +2) in FIG. 6 is determined, and the "tracking continuation priority processing" in step 102 and the "transfer determination processing" in step 103 are determined accordingly. Then, the “near-side transfer priority processing” of step 104 is performed.

  FIG. 7 is the “follow-up continuation priority processing” of step 102 in FIG. Here, based on a so-called tracking operation, a focus detection area is determined in order to keep focusing on a target object.

  In step 701, “tracking target area selection processing” is performed. Here, the continuity of the subject in each focus detection area in the shooting screen is determined using the results of color tracking and face tracking based on the output of the photometric sensor 2106. Since this is a well-known technical content, a detailed description is omitted.

  In step 702, “tracking target area determination processing” is performed. First, information on the focus detection area to be prioritized based on the tracking result in step 701 is provided to the focus adjustment function side. On the other hand, the focus detection function provides information such as the reliability of whether or not the focus detection operation is possible in the first place and the focus detection result including the past to the focus adjustment function side. As a result, a comprehensive determination process is performed based on the continuity as a moving object in the region and the tracking result.

  In step 703, "final adoption area determination" is performed. Here, based on the comprehensive determination result in step 702, an appropriate focus detection area is determined as an operation of continuing to focus on the finally aimed subject. By such “follow-up continuation priority processing”, it is possible to keep focusing on the target object to the last.

  FIG. 8 shows the “transfer determination process” of step 103 in FIG. Here, it is assumed that the “follow-up continuation priority processing” shown in FIG. 7 is first performed (step 801), and that the focus is first kept on the target subject.

  In the next step 802, "defocus map processing" is performed. This is to calculate the distribution of the defocus amount, which is the result of each focus detection in a plurality of focus detection areas, and if there is an area that is considered to be the "main subject" other than the object area that the photographer is aiming for This is the first stage of the judgment.

  In the subsequent step 803, it is determined from the result of the “defocus map processing” in step 802 whether or not there is a region that is largely behind. In practice, it is determined whether or not there is a rear focus area that exceeds a predetermined “defocus amount that is greatly blurred”. If it is determined that there is no such area, the process directly proceeds to step 807, and the adoption area determined by the “follow-up continuation priority processing” of step 801 is set as the final determined area.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 803 that there is an area in which the rear focus is greater than the “largely blurred defocus amount”, then in the next step 804, “obstacle determination processing” is performed. In this case, regarding the region that is set as the back focus that exceeds the “defocus amount that is greatly blurred” in step 803, from the history of the past focus detection results, the approaching moving body, or clearly not moving or not moving in front of the moving body. Determine if it is a dull obstacle.

  In the following step 805, the determination result of step 804 is determined. As a result, when it is determined that there is an obstacle, the process proceeds to step 807, and the adoption area determined by the “follow-up continuation priority processing” of step 801 is set as the final determination area.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no obstacle, in step 806, the transfer is performed with the closest point of the rear focus area exceeding the “largely blurred defocus amount” as a new adoption area. As a result, the subject in front can be given priority as long as it is determined that the moving subject is clearly large in front.

  FIG. 9 shows the “near-side transfer priority processing” of step 104 in FIG. Here, the priority is always given to the subject area in front while eliminating obstacles that do not move or move slowly in front.

  First, in step 901, “defocus map processing” is performed. As described above, this is for obtaining the distribution of the defocus amount, which is the result of each of the current focus detections in a plurality of focus detection areas, and is the first step for giving priority to the subject area in front.

  In the following step 902, the area in front of the rearmost focus is determined (nearest point determination) based on the result of the “defocus map processing” in step 901. Here, if there is no area that is prior to the area where the focus adjustment is being performed preferentially as the “main subject”, the processing is ended as it is to continue the current priority state.

  On the other hand, if there is an area that is the foreground in step 902 including the first focus adjustment state, “obstacle determination processing” is performed in steps 903 and 904 in the same manner as steps 804 and 805 in FIG. Judge the result.

  As a result, if it is determined that the object is an obstacle, the process proceeds to step 905, where the foreground area is excluded as the area of the obstacle in step 902, and then, as in step 901, the current focus detection result is obtained. The distribution of the defocus amount is examined. The process returns to step 902 with the result. Then, in the subsequent processing, an area in front of the rearmost focus that is not an obstacle is found, or the area in front is determined to be an obstacle, and the area prior to the area currently being preferentially adjusted as the `` main subject '' is determined. It will continue until there is no more area.

  If it is determined in step 904 that there is no obstacle, in step 906, transfer is performed with the nearest point as a new adopted area. Thereby, it is possible to always give priority to the near side.

  With the above configuration, it is possible to reflect the intention of the photographer who is not sufficiently able to draw at the present time by having the photographer preset the criterion for selecting a region or a subject region to be prioritized in the focus adjustment function. A simple focus adjustment device is possible.

(Other embodiments)
The above description has been given of the embodiment including the focus detection unit 2110 including the focus detection sensor as the focus detection unit. However, the selection of a region or a subject region to be prioritized in the focus adjustment function is performed based on a signal output from the imaging sensor 2108, based on an imaging surface AF for focus adjustment and a shooting function having a tracking function that keeps track of a region considered to be a main subject. It is clear that it is important in the device. Therefore, the present invention is effective even in a photographing apparatus having an imaging surface AF function and a tracking function regardless of the method of the imaging surface AF and the tracking function.

  Further, the tracking function is similarly effective when performed based on the signal output of the photometric sensor 2106.

  Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist.

2110 focus detection unit 3110 focus detection circuit 3122 microcomputer

Claims (5)

Setting means for setting a plurality of focus detection areas in a shooting screen;
Focus detection means for calculating a focus detection result from each of the focus detection areas,
Selecting means for selecting an area to be a focus adjustment target from the plurality of focus detection results,
The focus adjustment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit has a plurality of criteria for determining whether or not to continue the area to be the focus adjustment target according to a setting of a photographer.   The focus adjustment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the area to be the focus adjustment target is an area set as a main subject by a tracking function.   3. The focus adjustment device according to claim 1, wherein the criterion includes at least a determination as to whether precedence is given to continuity or the closest side.   The focus adjusting device according to claim 3, wherein even when the close side is prioritized, an area that becomes an obstacle on the near side is excluded. A setting step of setting a plurality of focus detection areas in the shooting screen,
A focus detection step of calculating a focus detection result from each of the focus detection areas;
A selecting step of selecting an area to be a focus adjustment target from the plurality of focus detection results,
The method of controlling a focus adjustment device, wherein the selection step includes a plurality of criteria for determining whether or not to continue the region to be the focus adjustment target according to a setting of a photographer.

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