Image pickup device and method, and program

An image pickup method for an image pickup device having an auto-focus feature of adjusting a focus lens to focus on a picked-up image of an object, a zoom feature of changing a focus distance, and a telemacro-mode shooting feature of obtaining generally-difficult close-range focus by fixing the focus distance to a telescope end, the image pickup device including:

• focus mode switching means for switching between an auto-focus mode in which the auto-focus feature is activated, and a manual mode in which the auto-focus feature is deactivated;
• shooting mode switching means for switching between a telemacro mode in which the telemacro shooting feature is activated, and a normal mode in which the telemacro shooting feature is deactivated;
• zoom lens drive means for driving a zoom lens to adjust the focus distance;
• and
• focus lens drive means for driving a focus lens to adjust a shooting distance;
• the image pickup method comprising
• a control step of moving the zoom lens position to the telescope end through control over the zoom lens drive means when the normal mode is switched to the telemacro mode, and moving the focus lens position to the object-closet end in the telemacro mode through control over the focus lens drive means.

A program for controlling an image pickup device having an auto-focus feature of adjusting a focus lens to focus on a picked-up image of an object, a zoom feature of changing a focus distance, and a telemacro-mode shooting feature of obtaining generally-difficult close-range focus by fixing the focus distance to a telescope end, the image pickup device including:

• focus mode switching means for switching between an auto-focus mode in which the auto-focus feature is activated, and a manual mode in which the auto-focus feature is deactivated;
• shooting mode switching means for switching between a telemacro mode in which the telemacro shooting feature is activated, and a normal mode in which the telemacro shooting feature is deactivated;
• zoom lens drive means for driving a zoom lens to adjust the focus distance;
• and
• focus lens drive means for driving a focus lens to adjust a shooting distance;
• the program comprises, for process execution by a computer,
• a control step of moving the zoom lens position to the telescope end through control over the zoom lens drive means when the normal mode is switched to the telemacro mode, and moving the focus lens position to the object-closet end in the telemacro mode through control over the focus lens drive means.

An image pickup device having an auto-focus feature of adjusting a focus lens to focus on a picked-up image of an object, a zoom feature of changing a focus distance, and a telemacro-mode shooting feature of obtaining generally-difficult close-range focus by fixing the focus distance to a telescope end, the image pickup device comprising:

• a device operable to switch between an auto-focus mode in which the auto-focus feature is activated, and a manual mode in which the auto-focus feature is deactivated;
• a device operable to switch between a telemacro mode in which the telemacro shooting feature is activated, and a normal mode in which the telemacro shooting feature is deactivated;
• a device operable to drive a zoom lens to adjust the focus distance;
• a device operable to drive the focus lens to adjust a shooting distance;
• and
• a device operable to exercise control over, when the normal mode is switched to the telemacro mode, the zoom lens drive unit to move a zoom lens position to a telescope end, and exercise control over the focus lens drive unit to move a focus lens position to an object-closest end in the telemacro mode.