Camera system with camera side which transmits controllable and uncontrollable functions to lens side

A camera apparatus detachable with an accessory, comprising:

• camera-side control means for producing a control command for controlling said accessory;
• and
• communication means for transmitting the control command outputted from said camera-side control means to said accessory and receiving status information from said accessory,
• wherein said camera-side control means determines a controllable function and an uncontrollable function of a plurality of functions in said accessory on the basis of the status information relative to operating state of the plurality of functions, different from each other in an operating time, transmitted from said accessory and transmits the control command only to the controllable function and changes a transmitting timing of the control command to said uncontrollable function by changing a communication timing of said communication means and receives The status information relative to said uncontrollable function.

A lens unit detachably attached to a camera apparatus, comprising:

• a plurality of functions for varying an optical state;
• lens control means for driving the functions on the basis of a control command transmitted from said camera apparatus and for producing status information for indicating conditions depends on operating times of said plurality of functions;
• and
• communication means for transmitting the status information outputted from said lens control means and receiving the control command outputted from said camera apparatus,
• wherein said lens control means determines the controllable function and the uncontrollable function and produces the status information to cause said camera apparatus to transmit the control command to only the controllable function and not to transmit the control command to said uncontrollable function and receives the status information of said uncontrollable function.