Image pickup apparatus, lens unit and control method therefor wherein focus driving prediction is calculated and sent from lens unit to camera controller

摘要

The image pickup apparatus includes an image sensor operable to generate an image signal, and controller that controls communication with a mounted lens unit including an image taking optical system and generates a drive instruction to drive a focus lens of the mounted lens unit on a basis of a focus signal generated by using the image signal, the focus signal indicating a focus state of the image taking optical system. The controller sends information relating to a predetermined timing and the drive instruction to the lens unit, and receives, from the lens unit, a first signal indicating whether the focus lens is able to be moved by a movement based on the drive instruction to satisfy the predetermined timing.

主权项

1. An image pickup apparatus to which a lens unit provided with an image taking optical system including a focus lens is detachably mountable, the apparatus comprising:
an image sensor operable to perform charge accumulation and generate an image signal; and a controller configured to control communication with a mounted lens unit and to generate a drive instruction to drive the focus lens of the mounted lens unit on a basis of a focus signal generated by using the image signal, said focus signal indicating a focus state of the image taking optical system, wherein a reciprocating operation of the focus lens is performed for determining an in-focus direction before a peak-climbing operation, to drive the focus lens in a direction in which the focus signal is increased, or determining an in-focus state after the peak-climbing operation, wherein when the reciprocating operation of the focus lens is performed, the controller is configured to send information relating to a predetermined timing and the drive instruction to the lens unit, and receive, from the lens unit, a first signal indicating whether the focus lens is able to be moved by a movement amount based on the drive instruction to satisfy the predetermined timing, wherein the controller is further configured to: (a) if the first signal indicates that the focus lens is able to be moved by the movement amount based on the drive instruction to satisfy the predetermined timing, generate the new drive instruction by using a focus signal generated based on charge accumulated in a first time period, and (b) if the first signal indicates that the focus lens is not able to be moved by the movement amount based on the drive instruction, generate the new drive instruction by using a focus signal generated based on charge accumulated in a second time period after the first time period, and wherein the predetermined timing is timing relating to starting of the charge accumulation for generating the focus signal.