Imaging apparatus, interchangeable lens, intermediate accessory, and control methods therefor

An interchangeable lens attachable to an intermediate accessory attached to an imaging apparatus, the interchangeable lens comprising

• at least one processor which functions as:
• a first communication control unit configured to control a first communication via a first communication path where it is possible to mutually communicate with the imaging apparatus;
• a second communication control unit configured to control a second communication via a second communication path where it is possible to mutually communicate with the imaging apparatus via the intermediate accessory;
• and
• a storage unit configured to store identification information of the interchangeable lens and optical information of the interchangeable lens,
• wherein the first communication control unit transmits information including the identification information of the interchangeable lens and operation state information of the interchangeable lens to the imaging apparatus as a response to first instruction information obtained from the imaging apparatus.

An intermediate accessory attached between an imaging apparatus and an interchangeable lens, the intermediate accessory comprising

• at least one processor which functions as:
• a communication control unit configured to control a communication via a communication path where it is possible to mutually communicate with the imaging apparatus;
• and
• a storage unit configured to store identification information and optical information of the intermediate accessory,
• wherein the communication control unit transmits the identification information of the intermediate accessory and operation state information of the intermediate accessory to the imaging apparatus by the communication as a response to first instruction information obtained from the imaging apparatus.

A control method for an imaging apparatus to which an interchangeable lens and an intermediate accessory, which is attached between the interchangeable lens and the imaging apparatus, are attachable, the control method comprising:

• controlling a first communication via a first communication path where it is possible to mutually communicate with the interchangeable lens;
• controlling a second communication via a second communication path where it is possible to mutually communicate with the intermediate accessory;
• setting an update target of control software from the interchangeable lens and the intermediate accessory;
• transmitting update data to be applied to the interchangeable lens to the interchangeable lens via the first communication path when the interchangeable lens is set as the update target;
• and
• transmitting update data to be applied to the intermediate accessory to the interchangeable lens via the second communication path when the intermediate accessory is set as the update target.

A control method for an interchangeable lens attachable to an intermediate accessory attached to an imaging apparatus, the control method comprising:

• controlling a first communication via a first communication path where it is possible to mutually communicate with the imaging apparatus;
• controlling a second communication via a second communication path where it is possible to mutually communicate with the imaging apparatus via the intermediate accessory;
• and
• transmitting information including identification information of the interchangeable lens and the operation state information of the interchangeable lens to the imaging apparatus by the first communication as a response to first instruction information obtained from the imaging apparatus.