MOUNT ADAPTER AND SHOOTING SYSTEM

A mount adaptor includes a base member, a first connection member arranged at a first surface of the base member and configured to be detachably connected to a lens unit, a second connection member arranged at a second surface of the base member and configured to be detachably connected to a shooting device, and an operation member configured to be operated to mount the second connection member to or detach the second connection member from the shooting device. The second connection member includes an adapter-side engagement member configured to move in conjunction with the operation member with respect to the base member, to engage with a mount-side engagement member of a lens mount.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a mount adapter and a shooting system.

BACKGROUND

Patent Document 1 discloses a mechanism rotatably supporting a shooting device by fixedly mounting the shooting device holding a lens unit to a mounting member and detachably mounting the mounting member to a gimbal.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. H9-18776.

A conventional mount adapter is interposed between the lens unit and the shooting device and is mounted to rotate with respect to the shooting device. Sometimes the mount adapter cannot be rotated with respect to the shooting device due to a physical constraint.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the disclosure, there is provided a mount adaptor including a base member, a first connection member arranged at a first surface of the base member and configured to be detachably connected to a lens unit, a second connection member arranged at a second surface of the base member and configured to be detachably connected to a shooting device, and an operation member configured to be operated to mount the second connection member to or detach the second connection member from the shooting device. The second connection member includes an adapter-side engagement member configured to move in conjunction with the operation member with respect to the base member, to engage with a mount-side engagement member of a lens mount.

Also in accordance with the disclosure, there is provided a shooting system including a shooting device including an image sensor; a support mechanism configured to rotatably support the shooting device; and a mount adaptor. The mount adaptor includes a base member, a first connection member arranged at a first surface of the base member and configured to be detachably connected to a lens unit, a second connection member arranged at a second surface of the base member and configured to be detachably connected to a shooting device, and an operation member configured to be operated to mount the second connection member to or detach the second connection member from the shooting device. The second connection member includes an adapter-side engagement member configured to move in conjunction with the operation member with respect to the base member, to engage with a mount-side engagement member of a lens mount.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, example embodiments will be described to illustrate the present disclosure, but the disclosed embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. Not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessary for a solution of the present disclosure. Changes, modifications, alterations, and variations of the above-described embodiments may be made by those skilled in the art and should fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1is a schematic perspective view of an example shooting system10consistent with the disclosure.FIG. 2is a schematic side view of the shooting system10.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the shooting system10includes a main body100, a holding mechanism200, a gimbal300, and a shooting device400. The shooting device400includes an image sensor430inside the shooting device400. The shooting device400can detachably hold a lens unit. The holding mechanism200can movably hold the gimbal300along a Z axis (e.g., a yaw axis) direction with respect to the main body100. The holding mechanism200includes a holding member202and a rotation member204. The holding member202is fixed to the main body100via the rotation member204. The holding member202can hold the gimbal300. The rotation member204can be rotatably connected to one end of the holding member202, and the gimbal300can be connected, rotatably around the yaw axis, to another end of the holding member202. The rotation member204can include an actuator including a rotor, and can be driven by the actuator to rotate.

The gimbal300is an example of a support mechanism rotatably supporting the shooting device400. The shooting device400may include a housing accommodating the image sensor430, and the gimbal300may rotatably support the housing. The gimbal300can support the shooting device400to rotate around an X axis (e.g., a pitch axis) by using the actuator. The gimbal300may support the shooting device400to further rotate around a Y axis (e.g., a roll axis) and the Z axis (e.g., the yaw axis) by using the actuator. The gimbal300may rotate the shooting device400about at least one of the yaw axis, the pitch axis, and the roll axis to change an attitude of the image sensor430.

The gimbal300includes a rotation member301, a rotation member303, a rotation member305, a support member302and a support member304. Each of the rotation member301, the rotation member303, and the rotation member305can include an actuator including a rotor. The rotation member301is arranged at one end of the support member302. The rotation member303is arranged at another end of the support member302. Another end of the support member302is connected to one end of the support member304via the rotation member303. The rotation member305is arranged at another end of the support member304. Another end of the support member304is connected to another end of the holding member202via the rotation member305. The support member302can support the shooting device400in such a manner that the shooting device400can rotate around the pitch axis via the rotation member301. The support member302is an example of a first support member, which can support the shooting device400in such a manner that the shooting device400can rotate around the pitch direction via the rotation member303. The support member304can support the support member302in such a manner that the shooting device400can rotate about the roll axis via the rotation member303. The support member304is an example of a second support member, which can support the support member302in such a manner that the shooting device400can rotate along a vertical pivoting direction. The support member304can be supported by the holding member202in such a manner that the shooting device400can be rotated along a horizontal pivoting direction via the rotation member305.

The shooting device400can detachably hold a lens unit including at least one lens. The lens unit may include an interchangeable lens.

Various types of lens units can be detachably mounted to the shooting device400in the shooting system10. However, there are also lens units that do not meet a standard of the shooting device400. In order to enable the shooting device400to hold the lens units not meeting the standard, the shooting system10may further include a mount adapter connecting the shooting device400and the lens unit.

FIG. 3is a schematic perspective view of the shooting system10with a mount adapter500mounted to the shooting device400consistent with the disclosure.FIG. 4is a schematic side view of the shooting system10with the mount adapter500mounted to the shooting device400consistent with the disclosure. As shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, the mount adapter500can include a mount structure complying with the standard of the shooting device400(e.g., a standard of the lens unit that can be mounted to the shooting device400). Various types of lens units can be mounted to the shooting device400using the mount adapter500. The mount adaptor500can be detachably connected to the lens unit not meeting the standard of the mount structure of the shooting device400. The mount adaptor500can also be detachably connected to the lens unit meeting the standard of the mount structure of the shooting device400.

However, there are also lens units that are difficult to be stably supported by the gimbal300due to their large weights, long lengths, or the like. For example, there are also lens units with which it is difficult to maintain a position of the shooting device400with respect to the main body100. Thus, the shooting system10may further include a support that can support the shooting device400to maintain the position of the shooting device400with respect to the main body100.

FIG. 5is a schematic perspective view of the shooting system10with a support150mounted to the main body100consistent with the disclosure.FIG. 6is a schematic side view of the shooting system10with the support150mounted to the main body100consistent with the disclosure.

As shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, the support150can support the shooting device400to maintain the position of the shooting device400with respect to the main body100. The support150may be fixedly mounted to the main body100and the shooting device400. The support150may be fixedly mounted to the main body100via a bolt152. The support150can include a through hole larger than an outer diameter of the bolt152. The bolt152can be screwed to the main body100via the through hole. The support150includes a mark151indicating a position of an imaging surface of the image sensor430on an outer surface. The support150may include the mark151on a side of the support150. In some embodiments, when the shooting device400is supported by the support150, the gimbal300does not control the attitude of the shooting device400. That is, the gimbal300does not work when the shooting device400is supported by the support150.

Referring again toFIGS. 3 and 4, the main body100includes a fixing surface140for fixing the support150. The fixing surface140is located below the shooting device400and the mount adapter500. The main body100may include a detection sensor132on the fixing surface140for detecting if the support150is mounted to the main body100. The detection sensor132may include a mechanical switch that can be turned on in response to the support150being mounted to the fixing surface140. The detection sensor132may include an electrical element that can be electrically conductive in response to the support150being mounted to the fixing surface140.

The gimbal300can stably support various lens units by supporting the shooting device400through the support150. In some embodiments, the support150may not be fixedly mounted to the mount adapter500but to the shooting device400. In some other embodiments, the support150may also be fixedly mounted to the mount adapter500and the shooting device400.

The holding mechanism200can hold the gimbal300in such a way that the shooting device400can move closer to or away from the fixing surface140. The holding mechanism200includes the rotation member204that can rotate the holding member202holding the gimbal300with respect to the main body100around an axis (e.g., the pitch axis) of the fixing surface140. Therefore, the holding mechanism200can adjust a height of the shooting device400from the fixing surface140. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the support150from being unable to be fixed to the mount adapter500or the shooting device400due to the position offset of the shooting device400with respect to the main body100in the Z direction.

FIG. 7is a schematic perspective view of the mount adapter500, the shooting device400, and the gimbal300viewed from a front side in a state where the mount adapter500is detached from the shooting device400consistent with the disclosure.FIG. 8is a schematic perspective view of the mount adapter500, the shooting device400, and the gimbal300viewed from a rear side in the state where the mount adapter500is detached from the shooting device400consistent with the disclosure.

As shown inFIGS. 7 and 8, the shooting device400includes an opening401through which the image sensor430can be exposed. The opening401may have a circular shape. The shooting device400includes a lens mount402around the opening401. The lens mount402may include a bayonet type lens mount. The lens mount402includes a mount-side engagement member406. The mount-side engagement member406can refer to an engagement member arranged at the lens mount402. The mount-side engagement member406protrudes toward an inside of the opening401. The mount-side engagement member406may include a flange protruding toward the inside of the opening401. The lens mount402includes a contact404along an edge of the opening401.

The mount adapter500includes a base member502. The base member502may have a rectangular plate shape. The base member502includes an opening501at a position opposite to the opening401. The mount adapter500includes a connection member504arranged at a first surface503of the base member502and configured to be detachably connected to the lens unit. The connection member504is an example of a first connection member. The connection member504may include a bayonet type mount structure. The connection member504includes a contact506electrically connected to the contact404of the lens unit around the opening501. The connection member504includes an adaptor-side engagement member505protruding toward an inside of the opening501. The adaptor-side engagement member505can refer to an engagement member arranged at the mount adapter500. The adaptor-side engagement member505is an example of a second adaptor-side engagement member. The adaptor-side engagement member505may include a flange protruding toward the inside of the opening501. In some embodiments, the connection member504may include a plurality of adaptor-side engagement members505. For example, the connection member504may include three adaptor-side engagement members505along the edge of the opening501. When the lens unit rotates with respect to the mount adapter500, the adaptor-side engagement member505can engage with a lens-side engagement member included in the lens unit, and thus, the lens unit can be connected to the mount adapter500. The lens-side engagement member can refer to an engagement member arranged at the lens unit. Herein, the engagement between the adaptor-side engagement member505and the lens-side engagement member can refer to that at least a portion of the lens-side engagement member is located at and overlaps with a back side of at least a portion of the adaptor-side engagement member505, and a movement of the lens unit with respect to the mount adapter500in an optical axis direction is limited. For example, at least a portion of the lens-side engagement member overlaps with at least a portion of the adaptor-side engagement member505in the optical axis direction, but at least a portion of the lens-side engagement member is not in contact with at least a portion of the adaptor-side engagement member505.

The base member502includes a connection member510arranged at a second surface511opposite to the first surface503and configured to be detachably connected to the shooting device400. The connection member510is an example of a second connection member. The connection member510includes an adaptor-side engagement member512engaging with the mount-side engagement member406of the shooting device400. The adapter-side engagement member512is an example of a first adapter-side engagement member. The connection member510may include a plurality of adapter-side engagement members512. The adapter-side engagement member512protrudes toward an outside of the opening501. The adapter-side engagement member512may include a flange protruding toward the outside of the opening501. The adapter-side engagement member512can be engaged with the mount-side engagement member406of the shooting device400, and thus, the mount adapter500and the shooting device400can be connected. Herein, the engagement between the adapter-side engagement member512and the mount-side engagement member406can refer to that at least a portion of the adapter-side engagement member512is located at and overlaps with a back side of at least a portion of the mount-side engagement member406of the shooting device400, and a movement of the shooting device400with respect to the mount adapter500in an optical axis direction is limited. For example, at least a portion of the adapter-side engagement member512overlaps with at least a portion of the mount-side engagement member406of the shooting device400in the optical axis direction, but at least a portion of the adapter-side engagement member512is not in contact with at least a portion of the mount-side engagement member406of the shooting device400.

The base member502further includes a contact514electrically connected to the contact404of the shooting device400on the second surface511. The base member502may include a plurality of contacts514along the opening501.

The shooting device400can be rotatably connected to the rotation member301arranged at one end of the support member302of the gimbal300. The rotation member301can include an actuator and protrude from a mount surface of the lens mount402. The base member502includes a concave portion550corresponding to the rotation member301on a side of the base member502. When the mount adapter500is mounted to the shooting device400, the rotation member301can fit into the concave portion550.

The rotation member301protruding from the mount surface of the lens mount402can become a barrier, and the adapter-side engagement member512cannot be engaged with the mount-side engagement member406to mount the shooting device400by rotating the mount adapter500with respect to the shooting device400. Therefore, the connection member510further includes a rotation body513. The rotation body513can have an annular shape. The rotation body513can be arranged, rotatably with respect to the base portion502, at the opening501of the base member502.

The mount adapter500further includes a holding member516holding the contact514and holding the rotation body513rotatably with respect to the base member502. The holding member516can be fixed to the second surface511of the base member502. The holding member516can include a first through hole through which the contact514can be exposed. The holding member516includes a second through hole through which a portion of the rotation body513can penetrate. The holding member516can rotatably cover portions other than the portion of the rotation body513protruding from the holding member516with respect to the base portion502.

The adapter-side engagement member512can be arranged to protrude outward from an outer peripheral surface of the portion of the rotation body513protruding from the holding member516. The mount adapter500further includes an operation member520configured to rotate the rotation body513with the adapter-side engagement member512with respect to the base member502. The operation member520can be operated when the connection member510is detached from the shooting device400.

The rotation body513can be connected to the operation member520and the adapter-side engagement member512, such that the rotation body513can move in conjunction with the operation member520with respect to the base member502, and thus, can rotate with respect to the base member502together with the adapter-side engagement member512. The rotation body513can be integrated with the adapter-side engagement member512. The adapter-side engagement member512can move in conjunction with the operation member520with respect to the base member502, and can move with respect to the base member502to engage with the mount-side engagement member406of the lens mount402of the shooting device400. The operation member520can rotate the rotation body513with respect to the base member502by sliding with respect to the base member502.

FIG. 9Ais a schematic diagram of the mount adapter500and the shooting device400in an unlocked state consistent with the disclosure.FIG. 9Bis a schematic diagram of the mount adapter500and the shooting device400in a locked state consistent with the disclosure. In the unlocked state where the connection member510of the mount adapter500is pressed to the mount surface of the lens mount402of the shooting device400, as shown inFIG. 9A, when the operation member520slides with respect to the base member502in a first direction590, the rotation body513can rotate in the first direction590, such that the adapter-side engagement member512can be engaged with the mount-side engagement member406of the lens mount402of the shooting device400. In the locked state where the connection member510of the mount adapter500is mounted to the mount surface of the lens mount402of the shooting device400, as shown inFIG. 9B, when the operation member520slides with respect to the base member502in a second direction592opposite to the first direction590, the rotation body513can rotate in the second direction592, such that an engagement of the adapter-side engagement member512and the mount-side engagement member406of the lens mount402of the shooting device400can be released. Thus, the mount adapter500can be detached from the shooting device400.

FIG. 10is a schematic perspective view of the mount adapter500with some components being removed consistent with the disclosure. As shown inFIG. 10, the holding member516and a cover of the operation member520are removed. The operation member520includes a lock mechanism530. The lock mechanism530includes a stop member532configured to be locked to the holding member516to prevent the operation member520from moving with respect to the base member502. The holding member516includes a groove on an outer peripheral surface corresponding to a front end portion533of one end of the stop member532, and the front end portion533can fit into the groove to prevent the operation member520from sliding with respect to the base member502. The mount adapter500further includes a detection member540configured to detect whether the stop member532is locked to the holding member516. Herein, the state of the stop member532being locked to the holding member516can refer to that a portion of the stop member532is in contact with a portion of the holding member516, and the operation member520cannot move with respect to the base member502. For example, the front end portion533of the stop member532can abut against an edge of the groove of the holding member516, and the operation member520cannot move with respect to the base member502. Furthermore, for example, when the mount adapter500cannot be detached from the shooting device400, the operation member520can be moved with respect to the base member502. Moreover, for example, when the contact514of the mount adapter500and the contact404of the shooting device400are electrically connected, and a communication can be established via the contact514of the mount adapter500and the contact404of the shooting device400, the operation member520can move with respect to the base member502.

FIGS. 11 and 12are enlarged perspective views of the lock mechanism530consistent with the disclosure.FIG. 11shows the lock mechanism530in a state where a switch542of the detection member540is not pressed down by the stop member532.FIG. 12shows the lock mechanism530in a state where the switch542of the detection member540is pressed down by the stop member532.

As shown inFIGS. 11 and 12, the lock mechanism530further includes a support plate531, a button535and a spring536. The support plate531can movably support the button535and the stop member532. The button535is an example of a switch member that can switch between a state where the stop member532is locked to the holding member516and a state where the stop member532is not locked with the holding member516. The button535includes an extension portion537extending from a back surface of a pressing surface. The extension portion537includes a guide groove5371. The support plate531includes a guide post534protruding to one side of the extension portion537. The guide post534can be inserted into the guide groove5371to guide the extension portion537to move in a longitudinal direction of the guide groove5371. The stop member532includes a through hole5321near a center of the stop member532. The stop member532may be rotatably supported at the support plate531by a pin protruding from the support plate531.

When the button535is pressed, an end of the extension portion537can press the stop member532. The stop member532can be pressed by the extension portion537and rotate around the through hole5321. Therefore, a tip portion533of the stop member532can move from a state in which the switch542of the detection member540is pressed by the tip portion533to a state in which the switch542of the detection member540is not pressed by the tip portion533. When the stop member532is locked to the holding member516, the switch542can be pressed by the stop member532, and the state in which the stop member532is locked to the holding member516can be detected. When the stop member532is not locked by the holding member516, the switch542is not pressed by the stop member532, and the state where the stop member532is not locked by the holding member516can be detected.

The spring536can be connected to the support plate531and the stop member532. In the state where the button535is pressed but the stop member532does not press the switch542, the spring536can expand. When the state where the button535is pressed is changed to the state where the button535is not pressed, the stop member532can return to its original position, e.g., the state where the stop member532presses the switch542, by a restoring force of the spring536.

When the mount adapter500is removed from the shooting device400during the communication via the contact514of the mount adapter500and the contact404of the shooting device400, or when the connection between the mount adapter500and the shooting device400is not complete and the communication is started via the contact514of the mount adapter500and the contact404of the shooting device400, the communication will be interrupted in the middle of the communication. The interruption of communication may affect a control of the shooting system10and the like.

Therefore, in response to the switch542being in an off state, the mount adapter500can determine that the connection between the mount adapter500and the shooting device400is incomplete, and the communication via the contact514of the mount adapter500and the contact404of the shooting device400cannot be allowed. In response to the switch542being in an on state, the mount adapter500can determine that the connection between the mount adapter500and the shooting device400is reliably established, and the communication via the contact514of the mount adapter500and the contact404of the shooting device400can be allowed.

The mount adapter500can be fixed to the main body100through the support150.FIG. 13is a schematic diagram showing the state where the mount adapter500is fixed to the main body100via the support150when the shooting device400is in a horizontal shooting attitude consistent with the disclosure.FIG. 14is a schematic diagram showing the state where the mount adapter500is fixed to the main body100via the support150when the shooting device400is in a vertical shooting attitude consistent with the disclosure. As shown inFIG. 13, the mount adaptor500can be fixed to the main body100via the support150when the shooting device400is in a first attitude, e.g., the horizontal shooting attitude. As shown inFIG. 14, the mount adaptor500can be fixed to the main body100via the support150when the shooting device400is in a second attitude, e.g., the vertical shooting attitude.

The mount adapter500can rotate around a yaw axis310of the gimbal300as a center. The yaw axis310may be not coincide with a center431of the image sensor430in the shooting device400. Moreover, a height h of the support150is constant regardless of whether the shooting device400is in the horizontal shooting attitude or the vertical shooting attitude. If a size of the mount adapter500is designed under an assumption that the mount adapter500rotates around the center431of the image sensor430, a distance between a fixing surface of the mount adapter500fixed to the support150and the fixing surface140of the main body100fixed to the support150may not be consistent when the shooting device400is in the horizontal shooting attitude and the vertical shooting attitude. In this situation, the mount adapter500cannot be fixed to the main body100through the support150. Therefore, a shape of the mount adapter500can be designed in consideration of a position of the yaw axis310of the gimbal300.

The shape of the mount adapter500can be designed to satisfy that a distance between a first fixing surface561of the mount adapter500mounted to the support150and a main-body-side fixing surface140of the main body100mounted to the support150, in response to the gimbal300supporting the shooting device400in the first attitude (e.g., the horizontal shooting attitude), is equal to, a distance between a fixing surface562and the main-body-side fixing surface140, in response to the gimbal300supporting the shooting device400in the second attitude (e.g., the vertical shooting attitude) after rotating from the first attitude about the yaw axis310along the optical axis as the center. For example, the shape of the mount adapter500can be designed to satisfy that a distance a between the first fixing surface561of the mount adapter500fixed to the support150and the yaw axis310, in response to the gimbal300supporting the shooting device400in the first attitude, is the equal to, a distance b between the second fixing surface562of the mount adapter500fixed to the support150and the yaw axis310, in response to the gimbal300supporting the shooting device400in the second attitude. As another example, the shape of the mount adapter500can be designed to satisfy that the distance a from the yaw axis310to the first fixing surface561of the mount adapter500for a horizontal shooting is equal to the distance b from the yaw axis310to the second fixing surface562of the mount adapter500for a vertical shooting.

Consistent with the disclosure, through setting the shape of the mount adapter500as the shape described above, the mount adapter500can be reliably fixed to the main body100through the support150no matter if the shooting device400is in the horizontal shooting attitude or the vertical shooting attitude.

FIG. 15is a schematic block diagram of the shooting system10consistent with the disclosure. As shown inFIG. 15, the shooting system10includes the main body100, the holding mechanism200, the gimbal300, the shooting device400, the mount adapter500, the support150, and a lens unit600.

The main body100includes a main body controller110, a memory120, and the detection sensor132. The main body controller110can control the shooting system10. The main body controller110is an example of a control device. The main body controller110may include a microprocessor, e.g., a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessing unit (MPU), a microcontroller, e.g., a microcontroller (MCU), or the like. The memory120can store programs and the like that are necessary for the main body controller110to control the holding mechanism200, the gimbal300, the shooting device400, the mount adapter500, and the lens unit600. The memory120may include a computer-readable medium, and may include at least one of a static random-access memory (SRAM), a dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and a flash memory, e.g., a universal serial bus (USB) memory, and the like. The memory120may be arranged inside the main body100. The memory120can be detachable from the main body100. The detection sensor132can detect if the support150is mounted to the main body100.

The shooting device400includes the image sensor430, an imaging controller410, a memory420, and an acceleration sensor440. The image sensor430may include a charge-coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS). The image sensor430can shoot an optical image imaged via the lens unit600and output shot image data to the imaging controller410. The imaging controller410may include a microprocessor, e.g., a CPU or an MPU, a microcontroller, e.g., an MCU, or the like. The imaging controller410can control the shooting device400according to an operation instruction from the main body controller110. The memory420may include a computer-readable medium, and may include at least one of a SRAM, a DRAM, an EPROM, an EEPROM, a flash memory, e.g., a USB memory, and the like. The memory420can store programs and the like that are necessary for the imaging controller410to control the image sensor430and the like. The memory420can be arranged inside the housing of the shooting device400. The memory420can be detachable from the housing of the shooting device400. The acceleration sensor440may include a three-axis acceleration sensor for detecting the attitude of the shooting device400and an attitude of the image sensor430.

The lens unit600includes a plurality of lenses612, a plurality of lens drivers610, a lens controller620, and a memory630. The plurality of lenses612can function as zoom lenses, variable focal length lenses, and focus lenses. At least some or all of the plurality of lenses612can be configured to move along an optical axis. The lens unit600may include an interchangeable lens that can be detachably arranged at the shooting device400. The plurality of lens drivers610can drive at least some or all of the plurality of lenses612to move along the optical axis via a mechanism member such as a convex wheel ring. Each lens driver610may include the actuator. The actuator may include a stepper motor. The lens controller620can drive the plurality of lens driving units610according to lens control instructions from the shooting device400, and move one or more of the plurality of lenses612along the optical axis direction via the mechanism member. The lens control instructions can include, for example, a zoom control instruction and a focus control instruction.

The mount adapter500includes an adapter controller570, the detection member540, and a memory572. The mount adapter500can be detachably mounted to the shooting device400via a lock pin450. The mount adapter500can be detachably mounted to the lens unit600via a lock pin574. The mount adapter500includes the contact514for communicating with the shooting device400. The shooting device400includes the contact404for communicating with the mount adapter500. The mount adapter500includes the contact506for communicating with the lens unit600. The lens unit600includes a contact632for communicating with the mount adapter500.

The detection member540can be configured to detect whether or not the stop member532is locked to the holding member516. That is, the detection member540can be configured to detect whether the mount adapter500is fixed to the shooting device400or not fixed to the shooting device400. The detection member540may include a switch that can physically cut off an electrical connection between the contact506and the contact514.

The adapter controller570can be configured to allow a communication via the contact514of the mount adapter500and the contact404of the shooting device400when the detection member540detects that the stop member532is locked to the holding member516, and not allow the communication via the contact514of the mount adapter500and the contact404of the shooting device400when the detection member540detects that the stop member532is not locked to the holding member516. Therefore, when the mount adapter500is removed from the shooting device400during the communication via the contact514of the mount adapter500and the contact404of the shooting device400, or when the connection between the mount adapter500and the shooting device400is not complete and the communication is started via the contact514of the mount adapter500and the contact404of the shooting device400, an effect of the interruption of communication on the control of the shooting system10can be avoid. The adapter controller570is an example of a communication controller.

The adapter controller570can receive a first control signal conforming to a first communication standard from the imaging controller410that can control the image sensor430, convert the first control signal into a second control signal conforming to a second communication standard, and send the second control signal to the lens unit600. The adapter controller580is an example of a conversion circuit. Even if the communication standard of the shooting device400and the communication standard of the lens unit600are different, the adapter controller570can convert the control signal according to the communication standards to allow the shooting device400and the lens unit600to communicate with each other.

The adapter controller570may include a microprocessor, e.g., a CPU or an MPU, a microcontroller, e.g., an MCU, or the like. The memory520can store programs and the like that are necessary for controlling the adapter controller570. The memory520may include a computer-readable medium, and may include at least one of a SRAM, a DRAM, an EPROM, an EEPROM, and a flash memory, e.g., a USB memory, and the like. The memory520may be arranged inside the mount adapter500. The memory520can be detachable from the mount adapter500.

As long as the terms “before,” “previous to,” or the like, are not specifically stated, and an output of a previous processing is not used in a subsequent processing, the actions, sequences, steps and stages in the device, system, program and method shown in the claims, description and drawings can be implemented in any order. For the convenience of description, “first,” “next,” and the like are used to describe the operation procedures in the claims, specification and drawings, which do not mean that the operation procedures must be implemented in this order.

It is intended that the disclosed embodiments be considered as exemplary only and not to limit the scope of the disclosure. Changes, modifications, alterations, and variations of the above-described embodiments may be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the disclosure.