Projector having light amount control based on projection system F-number

A projector comprising:

• an illuminator that emits an illumination light;
• a light control mechanism that blocks at least part of the illumination light from the illuminator;
• a light modulator illuminated with the illumination light from the illuminator;
• a projection system capable of projecting modulated light formed by the light modulator and switching the f number when the modulated light is projected;
• and
• a control unit that operates the light control mechanism in accordance with a projected image to increase or decrease the amount of blocked light within an acceptable range,
• wherein the control unit controls the acceptable range by setting a fully open position in accordance with the f number of the projection system so that a size of the acceptable range changes in correspondence with the f number of the projection system,
• the light control mechanism includes an openable/closeable light blocker disposed in the illuminator or on a light-exiting-side thereof,
• when the projected image is set to a contrast priority mode, the control unit opens or closes the openable/closeable light blocker based on a video signal of the projected image to a position smaller than or equal to the fully open position in accordance with the f number of the projection system, and
• when the projected image is set to a typical mode, the control unit fixes the openable/closeable light blocker in the fully open position in accordance with the f number of the projection system.