Abstract: A focusing device includes a first focus-position determining unit configured to determine a focus position based on a change in a radio-frequency component in an image signal obtained with movement of a focusing lens, a second focus-position determining unit configured to determine a focus position by using a different process from a process performed by the first focus-position determining unit, a mode setting unit configured to select at least a first mode which uses a result with the first focusing-position determining unit together with the second focusing-position determining unit or a second mode which uses a result with the first focus-position determining unit without the second focus-position determining unit, and a control unit configured to control driving of the focusing lens according to selection by the mode setting unit such that the focusing lens is driven in the first mode at a higher speed than in the second mode.

Abstract: A focus adjustment apparatus comprises a detection unit that detects a subject/subjects having a predetermined characteristic from an image obtained while shooting a moving picture, a selection unit that, in the case where a subject/subjects having the predetermined characteristic have been detected by the detection unit, selects, from the detected subject/subjects, a subject that also fulfils a predetermined condition, and a focus adjustment unit that controls a focus lens to focus on the subject selected by the selection unit. The focus adjustment unit does not control the focus lens in the case where no subject having the predetermined characteristic has been detected by the detection unit.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup unit including two-dimensionally arranged photoelectric conversion elements, the image pickup unit being configured to perform an photoelectric conversion of an object image formed on an image pickup plane and to output an image signal, a detector configured to detect a focus signal based on the image signal obtained by moving a focus lens, and a controller configured to find an in-focus direction based on the focus signal and to provide a control so that the focus lens can be moved in the in-focus direction. The controller selects one of a plurality of interruption timings that occur in a synchronization signal in moving the focus lens, and starts moving the focus lens with a selected interruption timing.

Abstract: An optical apparatus is disclosed which can perform accurate focus control even when an image of an object at low contrast is picked up in high resolution. The optical apparatus includes a plurality of band-pass filters for different frequency bands and extracts a focus signal from the image signal through each of the band-pass filters, and a controller which performs focus control based on the extracted focus signal. In the focus control by the controller, the band-pass filters are selectively used to extract the focus signal depending on a resolution for recording the image signal.

Abstract: A focusing apparatus is configured to execute a focusing operation without using any auto-focus evaluation value obtained from an auto-focus evaluation value detection area set for an object other than that of an intended object when a plurality of objects is detected.

Abstract: A focusing device includes a first focus-position determining unit configured to determine a focus position based on a change in a radio-frequency component in an image signal obtained with movement of a focusing lens, a second focus-position determining unit configured to determine a focus position by using a different process from a process performed by the first focus-position determining unit, a mode setting unit configured to select at least a first mode which uses a result with the first focusing-position determining unit together with the second focusing-position determining unit or a second mode which uses a result with the first focus-position determining unit without the second focus-position determining unit, and a control unit configured to control driving of the focusing lens according to selection by the mode setting unit such that the focusing lens is driven in the first mode at a higher speed than in the second mode.

Abstract: An optical apparatus is disclosed which can perform accurate focus control even when an image of an object at low contrast is picked up in high resolution. The optical apparatus includes a plurality of band-pass filters for different frequency bands and extracts a focus signal from the image signal through each of the band-pass filters, and a controller which performs focus control based on the extracted focus signal. In the focus control by the controller, the band-pass filters are selectively used to extract the focus signal depending on a resolution for recording the image signal.