Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit configured to photoelectrically convert light of an object image formed by an imaging optical system to generate a signal, a first detection unit configured to detect a focusing state of the imaging optical system based on the signal generated by the imaging unit, a sensor configured to generate a signal different from the signal generated by the imaging unit without using the imaging optical system, and a second detection unit configured to detect an in-focus position of the imaging optical system based on the signal generated by the sensor. The sensor is located such that an amount of overlap between a detection range of the first detection unit and a detection range of the second detection unit at a first object distance is equal to an amount of overlap between those at a second object distance that is close to an infinite distance side compared to the first object distance.

Abstract: The image pickup apparatus includes an image production unit producing an image by using an output signal from an image pickup unit, a size detection unit detecting a size of a specific object in the image, a zoom control unit performing auto zoom control that automatically provides a specific zoom operation to make the size of the specific object equal or closer to a target value, and a focus control unit performing focus control of an image taking optical system based on a contrast evaluation value obtained from the image. The zoom control unit is configured to restrict the specific zoom operation in the auto zoom control until a determination is made that an in-focus state of the image taking optical system has been obtained by the focus control.

Abstract: The image pickup apparatus includes an image production unit producing an image by using an output signal from an image pickup unit, a size detection unit detecting a size of a specific object in the image, a zoom control unit performing auto zoom control that automatically provides a specific zoom operation to make the size of the specific object equal or closer to a target value, and a focus control unit performing focus control of an image taking optical system based on a contrast evaluation value obtained from the image. The zoom control unit is configured to restrict the specific zoom operation in the auto zoom control until a determination is made that an in-focus state of the image taking optical system has been obtained by the focus control.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus which is capable of optimizing the responsiveness of linear changes in focus to operations of a ring member without sacrificing the operability of the ring member, while using a small-sized, low-cost ring member for manual operations. The rotating operation state of a focus ring 600 is detected by ring rotation sensors 603, 604. A camera microcomputer 116 causes a focus lens 105 to be moved and stopped in an optical axis direction thereof based on results of the detection by the ring rotation sensors 603, 604. The camera microcomputer 116 controls the responsiveness of linear changes in focus to the rotating operation state of the ring member detected by the ring rotation sensors 603, 604 in accordance with at least the depth of focus.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit configured to photoelectrically convert light of an object image formed by an imaging optical system to generate a signal, a first detection unit configured to detect a focusing state of the imaging optical system based on the signal generated by the imaging unit, a sensor configured to generate a signal different from the signal generated by the imaging unit without using the imaging optical system, and a second detection unit configured to detect an in-focus position of the imaging optical system based on the signal generated by the sensor. The sensor is located such that an amount of overlap between a detection range of the first detection unit and a detection range of the second detection unit at a first object distance is equal to an amount of overlap between those at a second object distance that is close to an infinite distance side compared to the first object distance.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit configured to photoelectrically convert light of an object image formed by an imaging optical system to generate a signal, a first detection unit configured to detect a focusing state of the imaging optical system based on the signal generated by the imaging unit, a sensor configured to generate a signal different from the signal generated by the imaging unit without using the imaging optical system, and a second detection unit configured to detect an in-focus position of the imaging optical system based on the signal generated by the sensor. The sensor is located such that an amount of overlap between a detection range of the first detection unit and a detection range of the second detection unit at a first object distance is equal to an amount of overlap between those at a second object distance that is close to an infinite distance side compared to the first object distance.

Abstract: A lens-controlling device controls a first lens unit which moves for zooming and a second lens unit which moves for correcting the displacement of an image plane caused by zooming and for focusing. The lens-controlling device includes a memory which stores data for obtaining target-position information representing a target position to which the second lens unit is to be moved, the target position corresponding to a position to which the first lens unit is moved from a current position and a controller which generates the target-position information on the basis of the data and controls the movement of the second lens unit on the basis of position information of the first lens unit and the target-position information.

Abstract: A lens control device, for controlling driving of a second lens unit for correcting image movement regarding movement of a variating first lens unit, comprises: a storage unit for storing data indicating the position of the second lens unit corresponding to the position of the first lens unit created for a predetermined focal distance; a control unit for generating information to control driving of the second lens unit based on the data, and for controlling driving of the second lens unit based on this information; and a distance detecting unit for detecting distance to the focus object; wherein the control unit restricts the range of the generated information based on the detection results from the distance detecting unit. Or, the control unit controls driving for the second lens unit to generate the information, and performs weighting based on detection results from the distance detecting unit relating to driving control.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus which is capable of optimizing the responsiveness of linear changes in focus to operations of a ring member without sacrificing the operability of the ring member, while using a small-sized, low-cost ring member for manual operations. The rotating operation state of a focus ring 600 is detected by ring rotation sensors 603, 604. A camera microcomputer 116 causes a focus lens 105 to be moved and stopped in an optical axis direction thereof based on results of the detection by the ring rotation sensors 603, 604. The camera microcomputer 116 controls the responsiveness of linear changes in focus to the rotating operation state of the ring member detected by the ring rotation sensors 603, 604 in accordance with at least the depth of focus.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus which is capable of optimizing the responsiveness of linear changes in focus to operations of a ring member without sacrificing the operability of the ring member, while using a small-sized, low-cost ring member for manual operations. The rotating operation state of a focus ring 600 is detected by ring rotation sensors 603, 604. A camera microcomputer 116 causes a focus lens 105 to be moved and stopped in an optical axis direction thereof based on results of the detection by the ring rotation sensors 603, 604. The camera microcomputer 116 controls the responsiveness of linear changes in focus to the rotating operation state of the ring member detected by the ring rotation sensors 603, 604 in accordance with at least the depth of focus.

Abstract: This invention provides a technique of stably focusing on a major object without any sense of discomfort regardless of differences in lens unit type in a camera body on which a lens unit can be detachably mounted. For this purpose, the type of lens unit connected to the camera is determined. Cutoff frequencies are then set for a low-pass filter and high-pass filter on the basis of the determination result. With regard to frequency component data in predetermined area of an image sensor, a peak hold circuit, integrator, and difference peak hold circuit each generate evaluate value information. A camera microcomputer transmits the obtained evaluate value information to a lens microcomputer in the lens unit.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus that can realize a subject selecting function that can easily reflect a photographer's wishes without requiring a complex operation process, can prevent occurrences of unnecessary blurred images from an outset, can achieve the advantages of a distance measurement method limited to externally inputted positions, such as a selection of the subject, without sacrificing the AF performance of the conventional center-prioritized distance measurement method, and can carry out an appropriate focus adjustment for a main subject. A CPU selects one from a plurality of focus detecting regions on the screen of a display device. An operating element is provided that enables a photographer to instruct to change the selected focus detecting region. The CPU confirms the focus detecting region instructed to change by the photographer using the operating element when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

Abstract: A lens-controlling device controls a first lens unit which moves for zooming and a second lens unit which moves for correcting the displacement of an image plane caused by zooming and for focusing. The lens-controlling device includes a memory which stores data for obtaining target-position information representing a target position to which the second lens unit is to be moved, the target position corresponding to a position to which the first lens unit is moved from a current position and a controller which generates the target-position information on the basis of the data and controls the movement of the second lens unit on the basis of position information of the first lens unit and the target-position information.

Abstract: A lens controlling apparatus is disclosed, which is capable of preventing an execution of irrelevant AF control in a combination of TV-AF method and an AF method other than the TV-AF method. The lens controlling apparatus comprises: a first signal generating section generating a first signal showing a contrast state of an object image on the basis of a predetermined frequency component of a signal; a second signal generating section generating a second signal by a focus detecting method different from that in the first signal generating section; and a controller, which selects one of a first focus control operation based on the first signal and a second focus control operation based on the second signal in accordance with each change amount of the first and second signals.

Abstract: An optical apparatus is disclosed, which is capable of suppressing an image blur at the start of zooming. The optical apparatus comprises a memory storing data indicating the position of a second lens unit according to the position of a first lens unit, and a controller. The controller controls the drive width of the second lens unit at a third position with a first driving condition in a case where the drive of the first lens unit is started from a first position, and controls the drive width of the second lens unit at the third position with a second driving condition in a case where the drive of the first lens unit is started from a second position. The drive width of the second lens unit at the third position with the first driving condition is smaller than that with the second driving condition.

Abstract: A lens control device, for controlling driving of a second lens unit for correcting image movement regarding movement of a variating first lens unit, comprises: a storage unit for storing data indicating the position of the second lens unit corresponding to the position of the first lens unit created for a predetermined focal distance; a control unit for generating information to control driving of the second lens unit based on the data, and for controlling driving of the second lens unit based on this information; and a distance detecting unit for detecting distance to the focus object; wherein the control unit restricts the range of the generated information based on the detection results from the distance detecting unit. Or, the control unit controls driving for the second lens unit to generate the information, and performs weighting based on detection results from the distance detecting unit relating to driving control.

Abstract: A lens control device, for controlling driving of a second lens unit for correcting image movement regarding movement of a variating first lens unit, comprises: a storage unit for storing data indicating the position of the second lens unit corresponding to the position of the first lens unit created for a predetermined focal distance; a control unit for generating information to control driving of the second lens unit based on the data, and for controlling driving of the second lens unit based on this information; and a distance detecting unit for detecting distance to the focus object; wherein the control unit restricts the range of the generated information based on the detection results from the distance detecting unit. Or, the control unit controls driving for the second lens unit to generate the information, and performs weighting based on detection results from the distance detecting unit relating to driving control.

Abstract: A lens-controlling device controls a first lens unit which moves for zooming and a second lens unit which moves for correcting the displacement of an image plane caused by zooming and for focusing. The lens-controlling device includes a memory which stores data for obtaining target-position information representing a target position to which the second lens unit is to be moved, the target position corresponding to a position to which the first lens unit is moved from a current position and a controller which generates the target-position information on the basis of the data and controls the movement of the second lens unit on the basis of position information of the first lens unit and the target-position information.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit configured to photoelectrically convert light of an object image formed by an imaging optical system to generate a signal, a first detection unit configured to detect a focusing state of the imaging optical system based on the signal generated by the imaging unit, a sensor configured to generate a signal different from the signal generated by the imaging unit without using the imaging optical system, and a second detection unit configured to detect an in-focus position of the imaging optical system based on the signal generated by the sensor. The sensor is located such that an amount of overlap between a detection range of the first detection unit and a detection range of the second detection unit at a first object distance is equal to an amount of overlap between those at a second object distance that is close to an infinite distance side compared to the first object distance.

Abstract: In a lens control apparatus for detecting a magnification lens position and a focus compensation lens and controlling a focus compensation position in zooming such that a focused position of the focus compensation lens with respect to a discrete magnification lens position is controlled with reference to a stored table in accordance with an object distance, when the magnification lens position and the focus compensation lens position are not stored in the table, the focus compensation lens position is estimated from the table data and the current lens positions.