Photometry device and method

A camera including a photometry device, the photometry device comprising:

• an accumulation-type light receiving element that photoelectrically converts light from a subject field and outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the intensity of the light;
• and
• a brightness value calculating component that calculates a brightness value of the subject field, wherein the brightness value calculating component corrects an accumulation time of the light receiving element to compensate for the presence of any offset voltage at the light receiving element.

A photometry device comprising:

• light receiving means for photoelectrically converting light from a subject field into an electric signal;
• and
• means, operably coupled to the light receiving element, for calculating a brightness value of the subject field and for correcting an accumulation time of the light receiving element to compensate for the presence of any offset voltage of the light receiving means.

A camera including a photometry device, the photometry device comprising:

• light receiving means for photoelectrically converting light from a subject field into an electric signal;
• and
• means, operably coupled to the light receiving element, for calculating a brightness value of the subject field and for correcting an accumulation time of the light receiving element to compensate for the presence of any offset voltage of the light receiving means.

A method of determining a brightness value for a subject field, comprising the steps of:

• correcting an accumulation time of a light receiving element;
• and
• calculating the brightness value of the subject field on the basis of the corrected accumulation time.