Patent Publication Number: US-8537270-B2

Title: Imaging device including a shutter mechanism

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-69998, filed on Mar. 28, 2011 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-135302, filed on Jun. 17, 2011. The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-69998 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-135302 are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The technology disclosed herein relates to an imaging device having a shutter device. 
     2. Background Information 
     A shutter device for adjusting the exposure of an imaging element is installed in an imaging device. The imaging element converts light into an electrical charge, so light that would be incident on the imaging element must be blocked off while the electrical change is being read as image data from the imaging element. Therefore, light that would be incident on the imaging element is usually blocked by a shutter device while image data is being read from the imaging element. 
     Meanwhile, most imaging devices employ a live-view function in which a real-time image of the subject is displayed on a display component. In live view, light must be incident on the imaging device, so the shutter device must be kept in an open state. 
     However, with the normally-closed type of shutter device that is generally used, the electricity must be sent to an electromagnet to hold the shutter curtain in the open position in order to maintain the open state of the shutter device. The longer electricity is sent to the electromagnet, the more power consumption rises, so employing a normally-closed type of shutter device in an imaging device having a live-view function is undesirable from the standpoint of power consumption. 
     In view of this, a normally-open type of shutter device has been proposed that takes the live-view function into account (see, for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application 2004-061865). 
     SUMMARY 
     With an imaging device equipped with a normally-open type of shutter device, the closed state of the shutter device is maintained while image data is being read. Once the reading of the image data is complete, the shutter device switches to its open state to provide a live-view display. Since an open state is maintained mechanically with a normally-open type of shutter device, the power consumption of the shutter device does not increase no matter how long the live view is continued. 
     Meanwhile, it has been proposed that charging be performed while maintaining the closed state of a shutter device during the reading of image data, for the purpose of speeding up the start of live view or raising the speed in continuous capturing. In this case, since the shutter device can be charged during the reading of image data, the shutter device can be switched to the open state soon after the completion of the reading of the image data. Therefore, it takes less time to start live view after the completion of the reading of image data, and also takes less time until the next imaging. Similarly, the imaging interval can be shortened in the case of continuous capturing. 
     However, it has been discovered that the drive members such as gears or cams that are installed in a shutter device tend, for various reasons, not to stop at the same position every time. For example, the output of the actuator used for charging tends to fluctuate with the ambient temperature. If the output of the actuator fluctuates, when the actuator is stopped the drive members may move too far due to inertia, or the drive members may stop short of their intended position. If the stopping position of drive members fluctuates, then even if charging is started at the same timing, the timing at which the charging ends or the timing at which the shutter device leaves its closed state may deviate from what was intended. If this happens, the shutter device may leave its closed state prior to the completion of the reading of the image data, and there is the risk of diminished stability in image data read-out. 
     One object of the technology disclosed herein is to provide an imaging device in which the reading of image data can be kept stable while the imaging interval is shortened. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the technology disclosed herein, an imaging device is provided that comprises an imaging element, a shutter mechanism, an actuator, a position detector, and a drive controller. The shutter mechanism is switchable between an open state and a closed state to control the light incident on the imaging element. The actuator is configured to produce and store a driving force to drive the shutter mechanism. The position detector is configured to detect the time between when the actuator begins storing the driving force and when the shutter mechanism switches from the closed state. The drive controller is configured to direct the actuator to begin storing the driving force while image data is being read from the imaging element, and to control the actuator so as to delay the time when the shutter mechanism is switched from the closed state if the position detector detects that the shutter mechanism is in the first state prior to completion of the image data being read from the imaging element. 
     Therefore, if the state in which the shutter mechanism is driven by the shutter drive device should fluctuate for some reason, the shutter mechanism can be prevented from switching from the closed state prior to the completion of the image data being read from the imaging element. Specifically, with this imaging device, the reading of image data can be kept stable while the imaging interval is shortened. 
     These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses example embodiments of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of this original disclosure: 
         FIG. 1  is an oblique view of a digital camera  1 ; 
         FIG. 2  is an oblique view of a camera body  100 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a rear view of the camera body  100 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram of the digital camera  1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a simplified cross section of the digital camera  1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is an oblique view of an imaging unit  125 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an oblique view of the imaging unit  125 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a plan view of the imaging unit  125 ; 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded oblique view of the imaging unit  125 ; 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded oblique view of a shutter drive device  194 ; 
         FIG. 11A  is a side view of the imaging unit  125 ; 
         FIG. 11B  is a top view of the imaging unit  125 ; 
         FIG. 12A  is a cross section of the area around an adjusting screw  181 ; 
         FIG. 12B  is a cross section of the area around the adjusting screw  181 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a side view of the imaging unit  125 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a plan view of a focal plane shutter device  190  in which some of the members are omitted (state of completed travel); 
         FIG. 15  is a plan view of the focal plane shutter device  190  in which some of the members are omitted (state of completed charging); 
         FIG. 16  is an oblique view of a charge gear  40  and a slide lever  50 ; 
         FIG. 17  is an oblique view of a charge gear  40  and a slide lever  50 ; 
         FIG. 18A  is an oblique view of the charge gear  40 ; 
         FIG. 18B  is an oblique view of the charge gear  40 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a plan view of a switching circuit  60 ; 
         FIG. 20  shows the state of the charge gear  40  and the slide lever  50 ; 
         FIG. 21  is a cam curve of an intermittent cam  42 ; 
         FIG. 22  is a plan view of the charge gear  40  and the slide lever  50  (state A); 
         FIG. 23  is a plan view of the charge gear  40  and the slide lever  50 ; 
         FIG. 24  is a plan view of the charge gear  40  and the slide lever  50  (state B); 
         FIG. 25  is a plan view of the charge gear  40  and the slide lever  50  (states C and D; 
         FIG. 26  is a plan view of the charge gear  40  and the slide lever  50  (state D); 
         FIG. 27  is a plan view of the charge gear  40  and the slide lever  50  (state E); 
         FIG. 28  is a plan view of the charge gear  40  and the slide lever  50  (states E and F); 
         FIG. 29  is a plan view of the charge gear  40  and the slide lever  50  (state F); 
         FIG. 30  is a flowchart (single capture mode); 
         FIG. 31  is a flowchart (single capture mode); 
         FIG. 32  is a flowchart (single capture mode); 
         FIG. 33  is a flowchart (continuous capture mode); 
         FIG. 34  is a flowchart (continuous capture mode); 
         FIG. 35  is a flowchart (continuous capture mode); 
         FIG. 36A  is a diagram illustrating the operation of a shutter mechanism  191  in a state of completed travel; 
         FIG. 36B  is a diagram illustrating the operation of the shutter mechanism  191  during charging; 
         FIG. 36C  is a diagram illustrating the operation of the shutter mechanism  191  in a state of completed charging; 
         FIG. 36D  is a diagram illustrating the operation of the shutter mechanism  191  in a state of completed travel preparation; 
         FIG. 37  is a time chart (single capture mode: pattern  1 ); 
         FIG. 38  is a time chart (single capture mode: pattern  2 ); 
         FIG. 39  is a time chart (continuous capture mode: pattern  1 ); 
         FIG. 40  is a time chart (continuous capture mode: pattern  2 ); 
         FIG. 41  is a plan view of the charge gear  40  and the slide lever  50  (other embodiment); and 
         FIG. 42  is a plan view of the charge gear  40  and the slide lever  50  (other embodiment). 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Selected embodiments will now be explained with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments are provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. 
     1: Digital Camera  1   
     A digital camera  1  will be described through reference to the drawings. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , in the following description, using the digital camera  1  in its normal orientation (hereinafter referred to as landscape orientation) as a reference, the direction facing the subject will be referred to as “to the front,” the direction facing away from the subject as “to the rear,” the vertically upward direction as “upward,” the vertically downward direction as “downward,” to the right when facing the subject as “to the right,” and to the left when facing the subject as “to the left.” The optical axis AX of an interchangeable lens unit  200  is disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction. 
     Similarly, “front,” “rear,” “top,” “bottom,” “right,” and “left” use as a reference a digital camera in landscape orientation and facing a subject straight on. The term “landscape orientation” here refers to the orientation of the digital camera  1  when the long-side direction of a rectangular image that is wider than it is tall substantially coincides with the horizontal direction in the image. 
     These terms are not intended to limit the layout of the various constituent elements of the digital camera  1  or the orientation in which the digital camera  1  pertaining to this embodiment is used. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the digital camera  1  (an example of an imaging device) is an interchangeable lens type of digital camera, and comprises a camera body  100  and an interchangeable lens unit  200  that can be mounted to the camera body  100 . 
     2: Camera Body  100   
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the camera body  100  (an example of an imaging device) comprises an imaging unit  125  (an example of an imaging unit), a camera monitor  120 , and a manipulation component  130 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the camera body  100  further comprises a camera controller  140  (an example of a drive controller), a power supply  160 , and a card slot  170 . 
     2.1: Imaging Unit  125   
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the imaging unit  125  has a mount unit  150  (an example of a mount unit), an imaging element unit  180  (an example of an imaging unit), and a focal plane shutter device  190  (an example of a shutter device). The mount unit  150 , the focal plane shutter device  190 , and the imaging element unit  180  are disposed in that order starting from the subject side. A lens mount  250  of the interchangeable lens unit  200  can be mounted to the mount unit  150 . The imaging element unit  180  and the focal plane shutter device  190  are mounted to the mount unit  150 . The focal plane shutter device  190  adjusts the amount of light incident on the imaging element unit  180 . The focal plane shutter device  190  is disposed on the subject side of the imaging element unit  180 , and is disposed between the mount unit  150  and the imaging element unit  180 . 
     The digital camera  1  is what is known as a mirror-less single-lens camera, which has no quick return mirror between the mount unit  150  and the imaging element unit  180 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5 to 9 , the mount unit  150  has a body mount  151 , a contact unit  158 , and a mount base  152 . The lens mount  250  of the interchangeable lens unit  200  can be bayonet-coupled to the body mount  151 . The body mount  151  is fixed to the mount base  152 . The mount base  152  is fixed to the main frame (not shown) of the camera body  100 . When the interchangeable lens unit  200  has been mounted to the body mount  151 , the interchangeable lens unit  200  is supported by the mount unit  150 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the contact unit  158  has a plurality of contact points  159 , and is fixed to the mount base  152 , for example. When the lens mount  250  has been mounted to the mount unit  150 , the camera body  100  and the interchangeable lens unit  200  are electrically connected. More specifically, as shown in  FIG. 5 , when the lens mount  250  has been mounted to the mount unit  150 , the contact points  159  of the contact unit  158  are in contact with contact points  251  of the interchangeable lens unit  200 . Therefore, the camera body  100  can send and receive data and/or control signals to and from the interchangeable lens unit  200  via the contact unit  158 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the body mount  151 , the contact unit  158 , and the mount base  152  each have an opening, and light is incident on the focal plane shutter device  190  and the imaging element unit  180  through these openings. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the imaging element unit  180  has a CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) image sensor  110 , a CMOS circuit board  113 , and a heat radiating plate  186 . 
     The CMOS image sensor  110  (an example of an imaging element) produces image data by opto-electrical conversion of an optical image of a subject formed by the interchangeable lens unit  200  (hereinafter also referred to as a subject image). Image data for a subject is produced by reading the charges stored by the various opto-electrical conversion elements of the CMOS image sensor  110 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the image data read from the CMOS image sensor  110  is digitized by an A/D converter  111  of the CMOS circuit board  113 . The image data digitized by the A/D converter  111  is subjected to various kinds of image processing by the camera controller  140 . Examples of the “various kinds of image processing” referred to here include gamma correction processing, white balance correction processing, scratch correction processing, YC conversion processing, electronic zoom processing, and JPEG compression processing. 
     The CMOS image sensor  110  operates on the basis of timing signals produced by a timing generator  112  of the CMOS circuit board  113 . The CMOS image sensor  110  can acquire still and moving picture data by controlling the CMOS circuit board  113 . The acquired moving picture data is also used for display of a through-image. 
     A “through-image” here is an image out of the moving picture data that is not recorded to a memory card  171 , and means a real-time image of a subject in live-view display. A through-image is mainly a moving picture, and is display in real time on the camera monitor  120  to decide on the field angle of a moving or still picture. 
     The CMOS image sensor  110  is able to acquire a low-resolution moving picture used as a through-image, and to acquire a high-resolution moving picture used for recording. An HD-size (high definition size: 1920×1080 pixels) moving picture is one of a moving picture of high resolution. 
     The CMOS circuit board  113  controls the CMOS image sensor  110 . The CMOS circuit board  113  is a circuit board that subjects the image data outputted from the CMOS image sensor  110  to specific processing, and as shown in  FIG. 4 , includes the timing generator  112  and the A/D converter  111 . The CMOS circuit board  113  is included in the drive controller that controls the imaging element. 
     The heat radiating plate  186  shown in  FIG. 9  (an example of a plate member) is provided to allow the escape of heat generated from the CMOS image sensor  110 , and is connected to the CMOS image sensor  110 . More precisely, the heat radiating plate  186  is mounted to the mount unit  150 , and is disposed with a gap between itself and the mount unit  150  (see, for example,  FIGS. 11A and 11B ). The heat radiating plate  186  will be discussed in detail below. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the focal plane shutter device  190  (an example of a shutter device) is disposed in front (on the subject side) of the CMOS image sensor  110 , and controls the exposure of the CMOS image sensor  110 . The focal plane shutter device  190  has an open state in which light is incident on the CMOS image sensor  110 , and a closed state in which light that would otherwise be incident on the CMOS image sensor  110  is blocked. The focal plane shutter device  190  will be discussed in detail below. 
     2.2: Camera Monitor  120   
     The camera monitor  120  shown in  FIGS. 1 to 3  is a liquid crystal display, for example, and displays an image on the basis of display-use image data. This display-use image data is produced by the camera controller  140  shown in  FIG. 4 . The display-use image data is, for example, image data that has undergone image processing, or data used to display the imaging conditions of the digital camera  1 , operation menus, and so forth as images. The camera monitor  120  is able to selectively display both moving and still pictures. As shown in  FIG. 3 , in this embodiment the camera monitor  120  is disposed on the rear face of the camera body  100 . 
     The camera monitor  120  is an example of a display component provided to the camera body  100 . In addition to being a liquid crystal display, the display component can be an organic electroluminescence device, an inorganic electroluminescence device, a plasma display panel, or any other device that can display images. Also, the display component may be provided to a side face, the top face, or another location instead of the rear face of the camera body  100 . 
     2.3: Manipulation Component  130   
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the manipulation component  130  is connected to the camera controller  140  and is operated by the user. More specifically, as shown in  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the manipulation component  130  has a release button  131  and a power switch  132  (a rotary dial switch) provided to the top face of the camera body  100 . The release button  131  is a two-stage push button, and can detect whether it has been pushed half-way or all the way down. When pressed half-way down, auto-focusing or another such imaging preparation operation is executed, and when pressed all the way down, exposure, the reading of image data, or another such imaging operation is executed. 
     The camera can be switched between single capture mode and continuous capture mode via the manipulation component  130 . In single capture mode, the release button  131  is pressed all the way down one time to acquire a signal set of image data. In continuous capture mode, the release button  131  is pressed all the way down one time to continuously acquire a plurality of sets of image data. 
     As long as it can be operated by the user, the manipulation component  130  can be in the form of a button, a lever, a dial, a touch panel, or any other configuration. 
     2.4: Camera Controller  140   
     The camera controller  140  shown in  FIG. 4  controls the various components of the camera body  100 , and also controls the entire digital camera  1  when the interchangeable lens unit  200  has been mounted to the camera body  100 . The camera controller  140  is electrically connected to the manipulation component  130 , and can recognize operation information inputted to the manipulation component  130 . The camera controller  140  controls the various components of the digital camera  1  on the basis of the operation information inputted to the manipulation component  130 . The camera controller  140  sends a signal for controlling the interchangeable lens unit  200  through the body mount  151  and the lens mount  250  to a lens controller  240 , and controls the various components of the interchangeable lens unit  200  via the lens controller  240 . 
     For example, the camera controller  140  controls the CMOS image sensor  110  along with the CMOS circuit board  113 . More specifically, the camera controller  140  sends the CMOS circuit board  113  a read start signal instructing it to start reading the image data from the CMOS image sensor  110 , and the CMOS circuit board  113  controls the CMOS image sensor  110  on the basis of the read start signal that is received. The CMOS circuit board  113  also sends the camera controller  140  a read end signal telling it to end the reading of image data from the CMOS image sensor  110 . Thus, the camera controller  140  can recognize the start and end of the reading of image data from the CMOS image sensor  110 . 
     Also, the camera controller  140  acquires image data that is provided by the CMOS image sensor  110  and has undergone specific processing such as A/D conversion by the CMOS circuit board  113 , and subjects the image data to further processing. For example, the camera controller  140  produces display-use image data, recording-use image data, or the like based on image data processed by the CMOS circuit board  113 . 
     Also, the camera controller  140  can recognize a switch between single capture mode and continuous capture mode via the manipulation component  130 , and can change the control of the various components according to single capture mode or continuous capture mode. 
     Further, the camera controller  140  controls the focal plane shutter device  190  (discussed below). The control of the focal plane shutter device  190  by the camera controller  140  will be discussed in detail below. 
     2.5: Card Slot  170   
     The card slot  170  shown in  FIG. 4  allows the memory card  171  to be inserted. The card slot  170  controls the memory card  171  on the basis of a control signal sent from the camera controller  140 . More specifically, the card slot  170  can store image data (still and moving picture data) on the memory card  171 , and output image data from the memory card  171 . 
     The image data outputted from the memory card  171  undergoes image processing by the camera controller  140 . For instance, the camera controller  140  subjects the image data acquired from the memory card  171  to expansion processing, and produces display-use image data. 
     The memory card  171  is an example of a memory component. A memory component may be one that can be mounted to the camera body  100 , such as the memory card  171 , or may be one that is fixed to the digital camera  1 . 
     2.6: Power Supply  160   
     The power supply  160  shown in  FIG. 4  supplies power to the various components of the digital camera  1 . The power supply  160  may be a dry cell or a rechargeable cell, for example. Also, the power supply  160  may be a unit that takes power from an external power supply via a power cord or the like and supplies that power to the digital camera  1 . 
     3: Interchangeable Lens Unit  200   
     The interchangeable lens unit  200  shown in  FIG. 4  can be mounted to the camera body  100 , and forms an optical image of a subject. More specifically, the interchangeable lens unit  200  has an optical system L, a lens barrel  260 , a driver  215 , the lens mount  250 , and the lens controller  240 . 
     The optical system L forms an optical image of a subject on the light receiving face of the CMOS image sensor  110 . The lens mount  250  is fixed to the lens barrel  260 . The driver  215  drives an aperture unit or lens group of the optical system L. The lens controller  240  controls the entire interchangeable lens unit  200  on the basis of control signals sent from the camera controller  140 . For example, the lens controller  240  controls the driver  215  on the basis of a control signal sent from the camera controller  140 . The optical image formed by the interchangeable lens unit  200  is incident on the imaging unit  125 . 
     4: Detailed Configuration of Imaging Unit  125   
     The detailed configuration of the imaging unit  125  will now be described. 
     For example, mounting the imaging element unit  180  to the mount unit  150  by a screw is favorable as an attachment structure. 
     However, when dimensional error is taken into account for the various components of the mount unit  150  and the imaging element unit  180 , there may be variance in the flange back for the product as a whole if the imaging element unit  180  is merely mounted to the mount unit  150 . 
     In view of this, with the camera body  100 , the design allows for adjustment of the distance between the mount unit  150  and the imaging element unit  180 . 
     More specifically, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the imaging element unit  180  is mounted to the mount unit  150  with three adjusting screws  181  and three adjusting springs  183 . In this embodiment, the three adjusting screw  181  and the three adjusting springs  183  are used to mount the heat radiating plate  186  of the imaging element unit  180  to the mount base  152 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 11A and 11B , the three adjusting springs  183  (an example of elastic members) are disposed in a compressed state between the mount unit  150  and the imaging element unit  180 . Three flanges  185  are formed on the heat radiating plate  186  of the imaging element unit  180 . The adjusting springs  183  are disposed in a compressed state between the flanges  185  of the imaging element unit  180  and the mount base  152  of the mount unit  150 . 
     The three adjusting screws  181  (an example of adjusting screws) are provided in order to adjust the distance between the mount unit  150  and the imaging element unit  180 . More specifically, as shown in  FIGS. 12A and 12B , the adjusting screws  181  are threaded into the mount base  152  of the mount unit  150 . The adjusting screws  181  have a thread portion  181   a  that is threaded into the mount unit  150 , and a head portion  181   b  formed at the end of the thread portion  181   a . Through-holes  185   a  are formed in the flanges  185 . The thread portions  181  a are inserted into the through-holes  185   a  of the flanges  185 . The heat radiating plate  186  (more precisely, the flanges  185 ) of the imaging element unit  180  come into contact with the head portions  181   b.    
     As shown in  FIGS. 12A and 12B , the mount base  152  has three bosses  153 . Screw holes  153   a  are formed in the bosses  153 . The thread portions  181   a  of the adjusting screws  181  are threaded into the screw holes  153   a  of the bosses  153 . Also, the bosses  153  are inserted into the adjusting springs  183 , and the adjusting springs  183  are positioned up and down, and left and right, by the bosses  153 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 12A and 12B , the flanges  185  of the heat radiating plate  186  are pressed against the head portions  181   b  of the adjusting screws  181  by the elastic force of the adjusting springs  183 , so positioning of the imaging element unit  180  in the longitudinal direction with respect to the mount unit  150  is accomplished by the adjusting screws  181  and the adjusting springs  183 . 
     Further, in order to restrict the heat radiating plate  186  from coming close to the mount unit  150 , three restricting screws  182  (an example of restricting members) are installed on the heat radiating plate  186  (see  FIGS. 7 and 9 ). The three restricting screws  182  are respectively provided to the three adjusting screws  181 . As shown in  FIGS. 12A and 12B , the restricting screws  182  have thread portions  182   a  that are threaded into the heat radiating plate  186 , and head portions  182   b  formed at the ends of the thread portions  182   a . Threaded through-holes  185   b  are formed adjacent to through-holes  185   a . The thread portions  182   a  of the restricting screws  182  are threaded into the threaded through-holes  185   b . In this embodiment, the thread portions  182   a  of the restricting screws  182  and the threaded through-holes  185   b  are disposed on the outer peripheral side of the adjusting springs  183 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 12A , the head portions  181   b  of the adjusting screws  181  are sandwiched between the restricting screws  182  and the heat radiating plate  186 . More precisely, the head portions  181   b  of the adjusting screws  181  are sandwiched between the heat radiating plate  186  and the head portions  182   b  of the restricting screws  182 . The restricting screws  182  prevent the imaging element unit  180  from moving close to the mount unit  150 , and the imaging element unit  180  can be prevented from interfering with the mount unit  150  even if an external force is exerted on the imaging unit  125 . 
     5: Detailed Configuration of Focal Plane Shutter Device  190   
     The focal plane shutter device  190  will now be described in detail. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the focal plane shutter device  190  is a normally-open type with which the open state of the shutter mechanism  191  can be maintained even when no power is being supplied, and has the shutter mechanism  191 , the shutter drive device  194 , and a position detecting sensor  195 . 
     5.1: Shutter Mechanism  191   
     The shutter mechanism  191  (an example of a shutter mechanism) has an open state in which light is incident on the CMOS image sensor  110  (the state shown in  FIG. 15 ) and a closed state in which light that would be incident on the CMOS image sensor  110  is blocked (the state shown in  FIG. 14 ). The shutter mechanism  191  is driven by the shutter drive device  194 . 
     The “open state” referred to here means a state in which the opening  11  a of the shutter mechanism  191  is completely open. The “closed state” means a state in which the opening  11   a  of the shutter mechanism  191  is completely covered by a shutter curtain (a front curtain  21  or rear curtain  31 ), and also means a state in which light that would be incident on the CMOS image sensor  110  is completely blocked by the shutter mechanism  191 . The term “charging”, as in charging the shutter mechanism, refers to the shutter motor  46  producing a driving force to be stored in the shutter mechanism  191  so as to move or drive the shutter curtains  21 ,  31  in the shutter mechanism  191 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the shutter mechanism  191  (an example of a shutter mechanism) has a shutter holder  11 , the front curtain  21 , the rear curtain  31 , a shutter drive mechanism  85 , a front curtain electromagnet  26 , and a rear curtain electromagnet  36 . 
     The shutter holder  11  has two plates. The front curtain  21  and the rear curtain  31  are held so that they can travel between the two plates. The shutter holder  11  has the opening  11  a for guiding light from the optical system L to the CMOS image sensor  110 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the front curtain  21  (an example of a front curtain) is disposed movably in the up and down direction with respect to the shutter holder  11 . The front curtain  21  is supported movably in the up and down direction by the shutter drive mechanism  85 . The rear curtain  31  (an example of a rear curtain) is also disposed movably along the up and down direction with respect to the shutter holder  11 . The rear curtain  31  is supported movably along the up and down direction by the shutter drive mechanism  85 . In this embodiment, the front curtain  21  retracts above the opening  11   a , and the rear curtain  31  retracts below the opening  11   a , but the layout of the front curtain  21  and rear curtain  31  may be reversed. 
     The shutter drive mechanism  85  supports the front curtain  21  and the rear curtain  31  movably with respect to the shutter holder  11 . The shutter drive mechanism  85  has a front curtain travel spring (not shown), a front curtain set spring (not shown), a rear curtain travel spring (not shown), a rear curtain set spring (not shown), and a drive lever  81 . The front curtain travel spring imparts an elastic force to the front curtain  21  for moving the front curtain  21  upward. The front curtain set spring imparts an elastic force to the front curtain  21  for moving the front curtain  21  downward. The elastic force of the front curtain travel spring is greater than the elastic force of the front curtain set spring, so the front curtain  21  can travel upward against the elastic force of the front curtain set spring. The rear curtain travel spring imparts a biasing force to the rear curtain  31  for moving the rear curtain  31  upward. 
     The drive lever  81  is provided rotatably with respect to the shutter holder  11 , and protrudes from the shutter holder  11 . As shown in  FIG. 14 , when the drive lever  81  is disposed at a first lever position P 1 , the opening  11   a  of the shutter holder  11  is covered by the rear curtain  31 . In a state in which no external force is acting on the drive lever  81 , the drive lever  81  is held at the first lever position P 1  by the travel springs and set springs. 
     When the end of the drive lever  81  is driven from the first lever position P 1  to a second lever position P 2 , the front curtain travel spring and the rear curtain travel spring are compressed, the front curtain travel spring and the rear curtain travel spring are charged with an elastic force for moving the front curtain  21  and the rear curtain  31 , and, as shown in  FIG. 15 , the front curtain  21  and the rear curtain  31  both retract from the opening  11   a . If the drive lever  81  is mechanically held at the second lever position P 2 , the state in which the front curtain  21  and the rear curtain  31  are retracted from the opening  11   a  can be maintained mechanically, regardless of whether or not power is being supplied. As will be discussed below, the shutter drive device  194  can mechanically hold the drive lever  81  at the second lever position P 2 , so with this focal plane shutter device  190 , the shutter mechanism  191  can be held in its open state even when no power is being supplied. 
     The front curtain electromagnet  26  maintains a charging completed state in which the front curtain travel spring has been compressed. For example, a front curtain chucking piece (not shown) is fixed to a front curtain drive arm (not shown) that supports the front curtain  21 . When the end of the drive lever  81  is driven from the first lever position P 1  to the second lever position P 2 , the front curtain travel spring begins to compress, and the front curtain chucking piece approaches the front curtain electromagnet  26 . In a state in which the end of the drive lever  81  is disposed at the second lever position P 2 , the front curtain travel spring is charged with a biasing force that moves the front curtain  21 , and the front curtain chucking piece comes into contact with the front curtain electromagnet  26 . When current is sent to the front curtain electromagnet  26  in this state, the front curtain electromagnet  26  chucks the front curtain chucking piece by electromagnetic force. Consequently, the charging completed state of the front curtain  21  can be maintained even when the force pressing it against the drive lever  81  has been released. 
     The rear curtain electromagnet  36  maintains a charging completed state in which the rear curtain travel spring has been compressed. For example, a rear curtain chucking piece (not shown) is fixed to a rear curtain drive arm (not shown) that supports the rear curtain  31 . When the end of the drive lever  81  is driven from the first lever position P 1  to the second lever position P 2 , the rear curtain travel spring begins to compress, and the rear curtain chucking piece approaches the rear curtain electromagnet  36 . In a state in which the end of the drive lever  81  is disposed at the second lever position P 2 , the rear curtain travel spring is charged with a biasing force that moves the rear curtain  31 , and the rear curtain chucking piece comes into contact with the rear curtain electromagnet  36 . When current is sent to the rear curtain electromagnet  36  in this state, the rear curtain electromagnet  36  chucks the rear curtain chucking piece by electromagnetic force. Consequently, the charging completed state of the rear curtain  31  can be maintained even when the force pressing it against the drive lever  81  has been released. 
     The supply of current to the front curtain electromagnet  26  and the rear curtain electromagnet  36  is controlled by the camera controller  140 . 
     The operation of the shutter mechanism  191  will now be described in detail. 
     As shown in  FIG. 36A , in a state in which the travel of the front curtain  21  and the rear curtain  31  is complete, the front curtain  21  retracts from the opening  11   a , and the rear curtain  31  covers the opening  11   a . This state is called the travel completed state of the shutter mechanism  191 . In this travel completed state, the drive lever  81  is disposed at the first lever position P 1 . 
     When the drive lever  81  is driven to the second lever position P 2  from the travel completed state, the shutter mechanism  191  is charged. When the drive lever  81  is pushed toward the second lever position P 2 , the elastic force of the front curtain travel spring and the rear curtain travel spring is exerted on the drive lever  81 . As shown in  FIG. 36B , the rear curtain  31  begins retracting downward from the opening  11   a  immediately prior to the arrival of the drive lever  81  at the second lever position P 2 . As shown in  FIG. 36C , when the drive lever  81  reaches the second lever position P 2 , this results in a state in which the rear curtain  31  has retracted downward from the opening  11   a . In a state in which the drive lever  81  is held at the second lever position P 2 , the front curtain  21  and the rear curtain  31  both retract from the opening  11   a . This state is called a charging completed state. 
     In this charging completed state, the front curtain chucking piece hits the front curtain electromagnet  26 , and the rear curtain chucking piece hits the rear curtain electromagnet  36 . Therefore, when current is sent to the front curtain electromagnet  26  and the rear curtain electromagnet  36  in a state in which the drive lever  81  is held at the second lever position P 2 , the front curtain chucking piece is chucked by the front curtain electromagnet  26 , and the rear curtain chucking piece is chucked by the rear curtain electromagnet  36 . When the drive lever  81  is released in a state in which current is sent to the front curtain electromagnet  26  and the rear curtain electromagnet  36 , as shown in  FIG. 36D , the front curtain  21  moves downward and covers the opening  11  a under the elastic force of the front curtain set spring in a state of being charged by the biasing force of the front curtain travel spring and the rear curtain travel spring. This state is called the travel preparation completed state. In this travel preparation completed state, the drive lever  81  is also pushed by the elastic force of the front curtain set spring from the second lever position P 2  to the first lever position P 1 , and the drive lever  81  is held at the first lever position P 1 . 
     When the supply of power to the front curtain electromagnet  26  and the rear curtain electromagnet  36  is cut off in the travel preparation completed state, the front curtain  21  travels upward under the elastic force of the front curtain travel spring, and the rear curtain  31  travels upward under the elastic force of the rear curtain travel spring. Once the travel is complete, the shutter mechanism  191  enters the state shown in  FIG. 36A . 
     Thus, as shown in  FIG. 36A , when the drive lever  81  is disposed at the first lever position P 1 , the front curtain  21  maintains its open state and the rear curtain  31  maintains its closed state. As shown in  FIG. 36C , when the drive lever  81  is disposed at the second lever position P 2 , the front curtain  21  and the rear curtain  31  maintain an open state. 
     5.2: Shutter Drive Device  194   
     The shutter drive device  194  (an example of a shutter drive device) shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15  is provided to the focal plane shutter device  190  in order to drive the shutter mechanism  191  described above. The shutter drive device  194  charges the shutter mechanism  191  and mechanically maintains the charging completed state (see  FIG. 36C ) and the open state of the shutter mechanism  191 . For example, during charging, the shutter drive device  194  drives the drive lever  81  from the first lever position P 1  to the second lever position P 2 , and mechanically holds the drive lever  81  at the second lever position P 2  in order to maintain the open state of the shutter mechanism  191 . The shutter drive device  194  can also release the drive lever  81  from being held at the second lever position P 2 . The configuration of the shutter drive device  194  will now be described in detail. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , the shutter drive device  194  has a gear base  45 , a shutter motor  46 , a first gear  49 , a second gear  48 , a third gear  47 , the charge gear  40 , and the slide lever  50 . 
     The gear base  45  (an example of a base member) rotatably supports the first gear  49 , the second gear  48 , the third gear  47  and the charge gear  40 , and is mounted to the side of the shutter mechanism  191 . The gear base  45  also supports the slide lever  50  movably in the up and down direction (an example of a first direction). The gear base  45  has a guide groove  45   a . The slide lever  50  is inserted into the guide groove  45   a  and is able to move up and down along the guide groove  45   a . The shutter motor  46  is fixed to the gear base  45 . 
     The shutter motor  46  (one example of an actuator) produces drive force for driving the shutter mechanism  191 . The shutter motor  46  is controlled by the camera controller  140 . The shutter motor  46  is a DC motor, for example, and has a drive shaft  46   b  and a drive gear  46   a  that is fixed to the end of the drive shaft  46   b . The drive gear  46   a  meshes with the first gear  49 . The drive shaft  46   b  rotates around a rotational axis R 2 . As shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the rotational axis R 2  is substantially parallel to the left and right direction, and substantially perpendicular to the up and down direction. The shutter motor  46  is disposed aligned with the shutter mechanism  191  in the up and down direction, and is disposed below the shutter mechanism  191 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 13 , the first gear  49  (an example of a gear member) meshes with the drive gear  46   a  and second gear  48  of the shutter motor  46 , reduces the rotational speed of the shutter motor  46 , and transmits this rotation to the second gear  48 . 
     The second gear  48  (an example of a gear member) meshes with the first gear  49  and third gear  47 , reduces the rotational speed of the first gear  49 , and transmits this rotation to the third gear  47 . 
     The third gear  47  (an example of a gear member) meshes with the second gear  48  and charge gear  40 , and transmits the rotation of the second gear  48  to the charge gear  40 . 
     The charge gear  40  (an example of a first drive member, and an example of a transmission member) transmits the drive force produced by the shutter motor  46  to the shutter mechanism  191 . More specifically, the charge gear  40  is rotatably supported by the gear base  45 , and transmits the rotation of the third gear  47  to the slide lever  50 . The charge gear  40  is rotationally driven by the shutter motor  46  via the first gear  49 , the second gear  48 , and the third gear  47 , and charges the shutter mechanism  191  via the slide lever  50 . The charge gear  40  also mechanically holds the open state of the shutter mechanism  191  when no power is being supplied to the shutter motor  46 , and allows the shutter mechanism  191  to be switched from its closed state to its open state. 
     The shape of the charge gear  40  will now be described in detail. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 16 to 18B , the charge gear  40  has a full circumference gear  41 , an intermittent gear  43  (an example of a gear component), and an intermittent cam  42  (an example of a gear component). The full circumference gear  41  meshes with the third gear  47 . Consequently, the charge gear  40  is rotated by the drive force of the shutter motor  46 . 
     The intermittent gear  43  and the intermittent cam  42  are disposed on the side face of the full circumference gear  41 , and are formed partially in the circumferential direction. The intermittent cam  42  is disposed aligned with the intermittent gear  43  in the circumferential direction. The intermittent gear  43  and the intermittent cam  42  transmit the rotation of the full circumference gear  41  to the slide lever  50 . The intermittent gear  43  transmits the rotation of the full circumference gear  41  to the slide lever  50  from the start of charging until just prior to the completion of charging. 
     Meanwhile, the intermittent cam  42  is provided so that it can slide with a cam follower  54  of the slide lever  50 , and holds the charging completed state of the shutter mechanism  191  via the slide lever  50 . More specifically, the intermittent cam  42  has a cam body  42   g  and a guide component  42   f  that protrudes forward in the rotational direction from the cam body  42   g . The guide component  42   f  transmits the rotation of the full circumference gear  41  to the slide lever  50 , from just prior to the completion of charging until the completion of charging, and drives the slide lever  50  downward. 
     The cam body  42   g  mechanically holds the slide lever  50  at a charging completed position P 12  ( FIG. 15 ), and mechanically holds the drive lever  81  at the second lever position P 2  via the slide lever  50 . Therefore, the shutter drive device  194  can mechanically maintain the open state of the shutter mechanism  191 . The hold of the slide lever  50  by the intermittent cam  42  can also be released by rotating the charge gear  40  in a state in which the slide lever  50  is held. 
     The intermittent cam  42  has a recess  42   d  so that the charge gear  40  will not rotate too far after the shutter motor  46  stops. The recess  42   d  formed on the inner peripheral side is recessed toward the rotational axis R 1  of the charge gear  40 . 
     More specifically, As shown in  FIGS. 16 and 18B , the intermittent cam  42  has a first sliding face  42   a , a second sliding face  42   b , and a third sliding face  42   c . The first sliding face  42   a , second sliding face  42   b , and third sliding face  42   c  slide with the cam follower  54  of the slide lever  50 . The first sliding face  42   a  and the third sliding face  42   c  are formed in an arc shape around the rotational axis R 1  of the charge gear  40 . In this embodiment, the first sliding face  42   a  is disposed at substantially the same position as the third sliding face  42   c  in the radial direction. The second sliding face  42   b  constitutes the outer face of the recess  42   d , and is disposed between the first sliding face  42   a  and the third sliding face  42   c.    
     The first sliding face  42   a , second sliding face  42   b , and third sliding face  42   c  slide in that order with the cam follower  54 . Since the second sliding face  42   b  constitutes the recess  42   d , the rotational resistance received by the charge gear  40  from the slide lever  50  through the second sliding face  42   b  is greater than the rotational resistance received from the slide lever  50  through the first sliding face  42   a.    
     More precisely, the second sliding face  42   b  has a guide face  42   e  that guides the cam follower  54  away from the rotational axis R 1  of the charge gear  40 . Also, as discussed above, the drive lever  81  of the shutter mechanism  191  is pressed by a spring so as to move from the second lever position P 2  to the first lever position P 1 . Therefore, providing the guide face  42   e  imparts a relatively large rotational resistance from the slide lever  50  to the charge gear  40  when the cam follower  54  slides with the recess  42   d . Consequently, the charge gear  40  is prevented from rotating too far after the shutter motor  46  stops, and prevents the cam follower  54  from coming out of the intermittent cam  42 . The inertial rotation of the charge gear  40  stops in a state in which the cam follower  54  is fitted into the recess  42   d , or in a state in which the cam follower  54  has passed the recess  42   d  and come into contact with the third sliding face  42   c.    
     The slide lever  50  (an example of a second drive member) is provided in order to transmit the drive force of the shutter motor  46  to the drive lever  81  of the shutter mechanism  191 , and is driven by the charge gear  40  via the cam follower  54  with respect to the gear base  45 . The slide lever  50  is supported by the gear base  45  so as to be able to move rectilinearly in the up and down direction, and is driven by the charge gear  40  in the up and down direction. In this embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the slide lever  50  is driven by the charge gear  40  between an initial position P 11  and the charging completed position P 12 . The initial position P 11  and the charging completed position P 12  use the lower end of the slide lever  50  as a reference. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , the slide lever  50  has a main body  51 , a first insertion component  55   a , a second insertion component  55   b , a lever  52 , a rack gear  53 , and the cam follower  54 . 
     The main body  51  extends in a slender shape in the up and down direction. The first insertion component  55   a  and the second insertion component  55   b  are inserted in the guide groove  45   a  of the gear base  45  (see  FIGS. 7 and 10 ). This allows the slide lever  50  to move along the guide groove  45   a.    
     The rack gear  53  and the cam follower  54  are disposed on the side face of the main body  51 . 
     The rack gear  53  (an example of a rack gear) is provided so that it can mesh with the intermittent gear  43  of the charge gear  40 . The cam follower  54  (an example of a cam follower) is provided so that it can slide with the intermittent cam  42 . The cam follower  54  is disposed alongside the rack gear  53  in the up and down direction. The cam follower  54  is disposed alongside the rack gear  53  along the side face of the main body  51 . 
     The lever  52  protrudes forward from the main body  51 . The lever  52  hits the distal end of the drive lever  81 . 
     A force from the shutter drive mechanism  85  acts on the drive lever  81  so that it always moves from the second lever position P 2  to the first lever position P 1 . Therefore, when the cam follower  54  is in contact with the intermittent cam  42 , the cam follower  54  is pressed against the intermittent cam  42  by the drive lever  81 . 
     5.3: Position Detecting Sensor  195   
     The position detecting sensor  195  (an example of a position detector) is provided to the focal plane shutter device  190  in order to detect the position of the charge gear  40  in the rotational direction. The position detecting sensor  195  detects the state of the shutter mechanism  191  by detecting the position of the charge gear  40  in the rotational direction. As shown in  FIG. 10 , the position detecting sensor  195  has a brush  67  and a switching circuit  60 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 17 , the brush  67  is fixed to the charge gear  40 . The brush  67  has a first brush  68  and a second brush  69 . The first brush  68  is disposed at a different position from that of the second brush  69  in the circumferential direction. The first brush  68  is also disposed more on the outer peripheral side than the second brush  69 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , meanwhile, the switching circuit  60  is fixed to the gear base  45 . The first brush  68  and second brush  69  of the brush  67  are in contact with the switching circuit  60 . As shown in  FIG. 19 , the switching circuit  60  has a first contact  61 , second contact  62 , a third contact  63 , and a ground component  65 . A first switch SW 1  (see  FIGS. 37 to 40 ) is constituted by the first contact  61  and the brush  67 , a second switch SW 2  (see  FIGS. 37 to 40 ) is constituted by the second contact  62  and the brush  67 , and a third switch SW 3  (see  FIGS. 37 to 40 ) is constituted by the third contact  63  and the brush  67 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 19 , in this embodiment, the third contact  63  has a first portion  63   a  and a second portion  63   b . Providing the first portion  63   a  and the second portion  63   b  allows the third switch SW 3  to be used to detect the position of the charge gear  40  at two places. As will be discussed below, the first portion  63   a  produces a first ON signal of the third switch SW 3 . The first ON signal of the third switch SW 3  is used to adjust the timing at which the charging of the shutter mechanism  191  is started (time T 2 ). The second portion  63   b  produces a second ON signal of the third switch SW 3 . The second ON signal of the third switch SW 3  indicates that the charge gear  40  is disposed at the first position shown in  FIG. 24 , and is used to determine whether or not the shutter mechanism  191  has left the closed state prior to the completion of reading the image data. The position detecting sensor  195  detects that the charge gear  40  is disposed at the first position shown in  FIG. 24 , and thereby detects a first state from the start of charging of the shutter mechanism  191  until the shutter mechanism  191  leaves the closed state. 
     The ON signal of the first switch SW 1  indicates that the charge gear  40  is disposed at the second position shown in  FIG. 25 , and is used to detect a second state immediately after the shutter mechanism  191  has entered its open state. The position detecting sensor  195  detects that the charge gear  40  is disposed at the second position shown in  FIG. 25 , and thereby detects a second state of the shutter mechanism  191 . 
     The second brush  69  is always in contact with the ground component  65 , but the first brush  68  is in contact with either the first contact  61 , the second contact  62 , the third contact  63 , or the ground component  65 , depending on the rotational angle of the charge gear  40 . The switching circuit  60  is electrically connected to the camera controller  140 . The position of the charge gear  40  in the rotational direction can be detected by the brush  67  and the switching circuit  60 , and the state of the shutter mechanism  191  can also be detected based on the detected position of the charge gear  40  in the rotational direction by the camera controller  140 . 
     6: Detailed Configuration of Camera Controller  140   
     The camera controller  140  controls the CMOS image sensor  110  and the shutter drive device  194 . The camera controller  140  performs its control as described below in order to shorten the overall drive time of the focal plane shutter device  190 . 
     For example, as shown in  FIGS. 37 to 40 , the camera controller  140  instructs the shutter drive device  194  to start charging the shutter mechanism  191  while image data is being read from the CMOS image sensor  110 . Consequently, the start of live-view display starts sooner and the continuous capturing rate can be increased than when charging is started after the image data has all been read. 
     However, if the charging of the shutter mechanism  191  is started during the reading of the image data, it is possible that the shutter mechanism  191  will leave its closed state before the reading of the image data is complete. If the shutter mechanism  191  leaves its closed state before the reading of the image data is complete, light will be incident on the CMOS image sensor  110 , so this affects the reading of the image data. 
     In view of this, along with the above-mentioned control, the camera controller  140  controls the shutter drive device  194  so that the timing at which the shutter mechanism  191  leaves its closed state is delayed when the position detecting sensor  195  detects that the shutter mechanism  191  is in a state just prior to leaving the closed state (a first state) before the CMOS image sensor  110  has completed reading the image data. 
     More specifically, the camera controller  140  restricts the drive of the shutter mechanism  191  by the shutter drive device  194  at a timing that is earlier than when the shutter mechanism  191  is in the first state after the completion of reading the image data when the position detecting sensor  195  has detected that the shutter mechanism  191  is in the first state before the CMOS image sensor  110  has completed reading the image data (see  FIGS. 38 and 40 ). Here, the camera controller  140  electrically brakes the shutter motor  46  in order to restrict the drive of the shutter mechanism  191  by the shutter drive device  194 . In this embodiment, the camera controller  140  short-brakes the shutter motor  46 . Consequently, the shutter mechanism  191  is prevented from leaving its closed state prior to the completion of the reading of image data, which would otherwise be caused by the inertial rotation of the charge gear  40 . 
     Further, in order to keep the shutter mechanism  191  from leaving its closed state prior to the completion of the reading of image data, the camera controller  140  controls the timing at which charging is started by the shutter motor  46  on the basis of the stopping position of the charge gear  40  detected by the position detecting sensor  195 . 
     More specifically, the camera controller  140  adjusts the time from when the CMOS image sensor  110  starts reading the image data until the drive of the shutter motor  46  is started, on the basis of the stopping position of the charge gear  40  detected by the position detecting sensor  195 . In continuous capture mode, the shutter motor  46  is driven continuously, so the temperature of the shutter motor  46  will be higher than in single capture mode, for example, and the charge gear  40  is more likely to rotate too far in continuous capturing than in single capture mode. Therefore, in this embodiment, the camera controller  140  sets the time T 2  in continuous capture mode to be longer than the time T 2  in single capture mode (an example of standby time). 
     For example, as will be discussed below, when the position detecting sensor  195  has detected that the charge gear  40  has stopped at a first stopping position (a position at which the second switch SW 2  is ON) in single capture mode, the camera controller  140  sets the time T 2  from when the CMOS image sensor  110  starts reading the image data until the drive of the shutter motor  46  is started to be a time T 21 A (an example of a first time, and an example of a first single capture standby time). Also, when the position detecting sensor  195  has detected that the charge gear  40  has stopped at a second stopping position (a position at which the second switch SW 2  is OFF and the third switch SW 3  is OFF) in single capture mode, the camera controller  140  sets the time T 2  from when the CMOS image sensor  110  starts reading the image data until the drive of the shutter motor  46  is started to be a time T 22 A (an example of a second time, and an example of a second single capture standby time). Further, when the position detecting sensor  195  has detected that the charge gear  40  has stopped at a third stopping position (a position at which the third switch SW 3  is ON) in single capture mode, the camera controller  140  sets the time T 2  from when the CMOS image sensor  110  starts reading the image data until the drive of the shutter motor  46  is started to be a time T 23 A (an example of a third time, and an example of a third single capture standby time). 
     Meanwhile, when the position detecting sensor  195  has detected that the charge gear  40  has stopped at the first stopping position (a position at which the second switch SW 2  is ON) in continuous capture mode, the camera controller  140  sets the time T 2  (an example of a standby time) to be a time T 21 B (an example of a first time, and an example of a first continuous capture standby time) that is longer than the time T 21 A. Also, when the position detecting sensor  195  has detected that the charge gear  40  has stopped at the second stopping position (a position at which the second switch SW 2  is OFF and the third switch SW 3  is OFF) in continuous capture mode, the camera controller  140  sets the time T 2  to be a time T 22 B (an example of a second time, and an example of a second continuous capture standby time) that is longer than the time T 22 A. Further, when the position detecting sensor  195  has detected that the charge gear  40  has stopped at the third stopping position (a position at which the third switch SW 3  is ON) in continuous capture mode, the camera controller  140  sets the time T 2  to be a time T 23 B (an example of a third time, and an example of a third continuous capture standby time) that is longer than the time T 23 A. 
     Thus, the camera controller  140  adjusts the time T 2  on the basis of the imaging mode and the stopping position of the charge gear  40 . 
     7: Operation of Focal Plane Shutter Device  190   
     The operation of the focal plane shutter device  190  will now be described through reference to  FIGS. 20 to 29 . The cam line in  FIG. 21  shows the distance from the rotational axis R 1  of the charge gear  40  to the outer peripheral face of the intermittent cam  42 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 20 and 21 , if the positional relation between the charge gear  40  and the slide lever  50  is expressed as states A to F, state A is the state just prior to when the slide lever  50  is driven by the charge gear  40 . In this state A, the intermittent gear  43  of the charge gear  40  is in contact with the rack gear  53  of the slide lever  50  ( FIG. 22 ). When the charge gear  40  rotates from this state A, the intermittent gear  43  meshes with the rack gear  53 , and the slide lever  50  is driven downward by the intermittent gear  43 . The intermittent cam  42  comes into contact with the cam follower  54  just before the intermittent gear  43  unmeshes from the rack gear  53  ( FIG. 23 ). When the charge gear  40  rotates further, the intermittent gear  43  and the rack gear  53  unmesh, and the cam follower  54  is pushed by the intermittent cam  42  ( FIG. 24 ). As a result, the charge gear  40  and the slide lever  50  enter state B, and the shutter mechanism  191  enters the state shown in  FIG. 36B . This state B corresponds to a first state just prior to when the shutter mechanism  191  leaves its closed state. 
     When the charge gear  40  rotates further, the cam follower  54  slides with the intermittent cam  42  while being guided downward by the intermittent cam  42 , and the charge gear  40  and the slide lever  50  enter the state C. This state C corresponds to a second state immediately after the shutter mechanism  191  has entered its open state. In state C, short braking is applied to the shutter motor  46 , and the shutter motor  46  comes to a halt. The rotation of the charge gear  40  continues somewhat by momentum even while the short braking is being applied or after it has been completed, and the cam follower  54  may drop into the recess  42   d  of the intermittent cam  42 , for example ( FIG. 25 ). Since rotational resistance is imparted to the charge gear  40  when the cam follower  54  drops into the recess  42   d  and rides up over the guide face  42   e  of the recess  42   d , the size of the intermittent cam  42  in the rotational direction can be smaller and the charge gear  40  can be prevented from rotating too far by momentum and causing the cam follower  54  to come out of the intermittent cam  42 . For instance, the rotation of the charge gear  40  may stop in state D in which the cam follower  54  is in contact with the third sliding face  42   c  of the intermittent cam  42  ( FIGS. 20 and 26 ). The shutter mechanism  191  here is in the state shown in  FIG. 36C . In state D, since the position of the slide lever  50  is mechanically held by the intermittent cam  42 , the drive lever  81  is held at the second lever position P 2  even when no power is supplied to the shutter motor  46 . Therefore, the open state of the shutter mechanism  191  can be mechanically maintained after the completion of charging. 
     When slit exposure imaging is performed, drive of the shutter motor  46  is begun from state D shown in  FIG. 20 , and the charge gear  40  rotates. When the charge gear  40  rotates, this disconnects the intermittent cam  42  and the cam follower  54  ( FIG. 27 ). As a result, the slide lever  50  is pushed upward this time by the drive lever  81  of the shutter mechanism  191 , and the slide lever  50  moves upward along with the drive lever  81  (state E in  FIG. 20 , and  FIG. 28 ). 
     After this, the shutter motor  46  stops, the charge gear  40  rotates under momentum to the position shown in  FIG. 29  (state F in  FIG. 20 ), and the shutter mechanism  191  enters the state shown in  FIG. 36A . Even if the charge gear  40  should rotate too far under momentum, as shown in  FIG. 22 , rotation of the charge gear  40  will stop when the intermittent gear  43  comes into contact with the rack gear  53  (state A in  FIG. 20 ). Therefore, the charge gear  40  can be prevented from rotating too far by the rack gear  53  of the slide lever  50 . 
     8: Operation of Digital Camera  1   
     8.1: Operation in Single Capture Mode 
     The operation in single capture mode will be described.  FIGS. 30 to 32  are flowcharts of single capture mode.  FIGS. 37 and 38  are timing charts of single capture mode. 
     As shown in  FIG. 37 , in the imaging standby state of the digital camera  1 , a live-view display is given on the camera monitor  120 , for example. To perform live-view display, the front curtain  21  and rear curtain  31  both retract from the opening  11  a. More specifically, the focal plane shutter device  190  is in the above-mentioned state D ( FIGS. 26 and 36C ), and the slide lever  50  is mechanically held at the charging completed position by the intermittent cam  42  of the charge gear  40 . In this state D, as shown in  FIG. 36C , since the drive lever  81  is at the second lever position P 2  , the front curtain  21  and rear curtain  31  are both retracted from the opening l la, and the charging of the front curtain  21  and rear curtain  31  is complete, but the front curtain chucking piece is not chucked by the front curtain electromagnet  26 , and the rear curtain chucking piece is not chucked by the rear curtain electromagnet  36 . 
     If the release button  131  is pressed in this state D, the camera controller  140  causes the various components to begin imaging operations. More specifically, as shown in  FIG. 30 , the camera controller  140  sends current to the front curtain electromagnet  26  and the rear curtain electromagnet  36  (steps Si and S 2 ). As a result, the front curtain chucking piece of the front curtain  21  is chucked to the front curtain electromagnet  26 , and the rear curtain chucking piece of the rear curtain  31  is chucked to the rear curtain electromagnet  36 . 
     After current is sent to the front and rear curtain electromagnets, the camera controller  140  rotates the shutter motor  46  forward until it is detected that the first switch SW 1  is OFF (steps S 3  and S 4 ). As a result, as shown in  FIG. 27 , the intermittent cam  42  and the cam follower  54  are disconnected, so the front curtain  21  enters a closed state under the elastic force of the front curtain set spring, but the charging state of the front curtain  21  and rear curtain  31  is maintained by the front curtain electromagnet  26  and the rear curtain electromagnet  36 . That is, the focal plane shutter device  190  enters a slit imaging standby state (a travel preparation completed state). 
     When the camera controller  140  detects that the first switch SW 1  is OFF, the camera controller  140  applies short braking by a specific time of T 1  to the shutter motor  46  in order to stop the forward rotation of the shutter motor  46  (steps S 4  and S 5 ). As a result, the rotation of the charge gear  40  comes to a halt. The charge gear  40  continues to rotate a little at this point, but the effect of the short braking is that the rotation of the charge gear  40  stops relatively quickly, as shown, for example, in  FIG. 28  or  29 . 
     Also, when the camera controller  140  detects that the first switch SW 1  is OFF, the camera controller  140  moves the front curtain  21  by halting the flow of current to the front curtain electromagnet  26  (step S 6 ). When the flow of current to the front curtain electromagnet  26  stops, the chucking of the front curtain chucking piece  24   b  is released, and the front curtain travel spring causes the front curtain  21  to travel from its closed position to its open position. 
     Then, after a specific time set by the user or the camera controller  140  (exposure correspondence time) has elapsed, the camera controller  140  moves the rear curtain  31  by stopping the flow of current to the rear curtain electromagnet  36  (steps S 7  and S 8 ). When the flow of current to the rear curtain electromagnet  36  stops, the chucking of the rear curtain chucking piece is released, and the rear curtain travel spring causes the rear curtain  31  to move from its open position to its closed position. 
     Upon completion of the travel of the rear curtain  31 , the system waits a specific length of time for the state of the front curtain  21  and rear curtain  31  to stabilize (step S 9 ). In parallel with this, the camera controller  140  controls the CMOS image sensor  110  so as to begin reading image data (step S 10 ). Simultaneously with the start of reading, the counting of the time T 2  is begun in order to determine the drive timing of the shutter motor  46  (step S 11 ). 
     Also, the camera controller  140  checks whether or not the short braking of the shutter motor  46  is complete (step S 12 ). 
     If the stopping position of the charge gear  40  is different, however, the timing at which the focal plane shutter device  190  enters its closed state in the subsequent driving of the charge gear  40  by the shutter motor  46  will also be different. 
     In view of this, upon completion of the short braking of the shutter motor  46 , the camera controller  140  adjusts the timing at which charging is started by the shutter motor  46  according to the stopping position of the charge gear  40 . 
     More specifically, upon completion of the short braking of the shutter motor  46 , the camera controller  140  detects the stopping position of the charge gear  40  via the position detecting sensor  195 . Possible stopping positions for the charge gear  40  here include a position in which the second switch SW 2  is ON (a position in which the first brush  68  is in contact with the second contact  62 ), a position in which the first to third switches SW 1  to SW 3  are all OFF (a position in which the first brush  68  is in contact with the ground component  65 ), and a position in which the third switch SW 3  is ON (a position in which the first brush  68  is in contact with the first portion  63   a  of the third contact  63 ). Therefore, upon completion of the short braking, the camera controller  140  detects the second switch SW 2  and the third switch SW 3  (steps S 13  and S 14 ). 
     When the second switch SW 2  is ON, the rotation of the charge gear  40  stops relatively quickly, so the time T 2  is set to a time T 21 A that is a little shorter than the preparation time T 22 A in order to make the timing at which the drive of the shutter motor  46  begins a little sooner (steps S 13  and S 15 ). Also, as shown in  FIGS. 37 and 38 , when the second switch SW 2  is OFF and the third switch SW 3  is OFF after the end of the short braking of the shutter motor  46 , the rotation of the charge gear  40  stops at approximately the predetermined timing, so the time T 2  is set to the preparation time T 22 A (steps S 13 , S 14 , and S 16 ). Further, when the second switch SW 2  is OFF and the third switch SW 3  is ON, the rotation of the charge gear  40  stops relatively slowly, so the time T 2  is set to a time T 23 A that is slightly longer than the preparation time T 22 A in order to delay slightly the timing at which the drive of the shutter motor  46  begins (steps S 13 , S 14 , and S  17 ). 
     Thus, the camera controller  140  adjusts in stages the timing at which the shutter motor  46  starts charging, according to the stopping position of the charge gear  40 , so the timing at which the focal plane shutter device  190  enters its open state, based on the start of reading the image data, is substantially constant. Therefore, the time it takes from the end of reading until the focal plane shutter device  190  enters its open state can be shortened, while the focal plane shutter device  190  can be prevented from entering its open state before the reading is complete. 
     After the setting of the time T 2 , the camera controller  140  checks whether or not the time T 2  has elapsed (step S 18 ). After the time T 2  has elapsed from the start of reading, the camera controller  140  rotates the shutter motor  46  forward and starts the shutter charging operation (step S 19 ). When the shutter motor  46  starts rotating forward, as shown in  FIG. 22 , the intermittent gear  43  comes into contact with the rack gear  53 , and the drive lever  81  begins moving to the second lever position P 2 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 32 , when the camera controller  140  detects that the third switch SW 3  is OFF during the forward rotation of the shutter motor  46  (step S 20 ), the camera controller  140  monitors whether or not the third switch SW 3  goes back ON prior to the completion of reading of the image data, in order to prevent the rear curtain  31  from opening prior to the reading of the image data. As discussed above, the second time the third switch SW 3  goes ON serves as a signal for detecting that the shutter mechanism  191  is in the first state just prior to leaving the closed state. 
     First, the camera controller  140  confirms the completion of reading the image data from the CMOS image sensor  110  (step S 21 ). If the reading of the image data has not been completed, the camera controller  140  checks that the third switch SW 3  is ON (step S 22 ). 
     If the third switch SW 3  is OFF, the camera controller  140  repeats the confirmation of the completion of image data reading and the output of the third switch SW 3  (steps S 21  and S 22 ). If the third switch SW 3  has not changed from OFF to ON, and the image data reading from the CMOS image sensor  110  has been completed, as shown in  FIG. 37 , the image data reading ends before the shutter mechanism  191  has left its closed state, so the camera controller  140  directly confirms that the first switch SW 1  has changed from ON to OFF (steps S 21  and S 24 ). 
     If the first switch SW 1  is ON, the camera controller  140  applies short braking to the shutter motor  46  for a specific time of T 3  (step S 25 ). As a result, the rotation of the charge gear  40  comes to a halt, the open state of the front curtain  21  and the rear curtain  31  is held by the intermittent cam  42  of the charge gear  40 , and the focal plane shutter device  190  enters a normally-open state. 
     Thus, if the position detecting sensor  195  does not detect that the shutter mechanism  191  is in the first state until the completion of the reading of image data, the camera controller  140  restricts the drive of the shutter mechanism  191  by the shutter motor  46  after the position detecting sensor  195  has detected that the shutter mechanism  191  is in the second state (in which the first switch SW 1  is ON) (steps S 21 , S 24 , and S 25 ). 
     After the short braking of the shutter motor  46  has started, the camera controller  140  starts a live-view display on the camera monitor  120  (step S 26 ). 
     Meanwhile, as shown in  FIG. 38 , if the third switch SW 3  is ON before the completion of the reading of image data, it is possible that the shutter mechanism  191  will leave its closed state before the reading of image data is complete. Therefore, when the third switch SW 3  is ON before the reading of image data is complete, the camera controller  140  imposes an early restrict to the drive of the shutter motor  46  before the reading of the image data is complete. More specifically, the camera controller  140  lowers the rotational speed of the charge gear  40  by applying short braking to the shutter motor  46  for the specific time of T 3  prior to the completion of the reading of image data (steps S 21 , S 22 , and S 27 ). As a result, as shown in  FIG. 38 , the time it takes for the rear curtain  31  to retract downward from the opening  11   a  is longer than the usual charging time, so the time in which image data is read from the CMOS image sensor  110  can be taken advantage of to prevent the rear curtain  31  from opening and light being incident on the CMOS image sensor  110  during the reading of image data. 
     Thus, if the position detecting sensor  195  detects that the shutter mechanism  191  is in the first state prior to the completion of the reading of image data, the camera controller  140  controls the shutter motor  46  so as to delay the timing at which the shutter mechanism  191  leaves its closed state (steps S 21 , S 22 , and S 27 ). 
     When short braking is applied to the shutter motor  46 , the rotation of the charge gear  40  comes to a halt, and the open state of the front curtain  21  and rear curtain  31  is mechanically held by the intermittent cam  42  of the charge gear  40 . Consequently, the focal plane shutter device  190  enters a normally-open state. 
     After short braking has been applied to the shutter motor  46 , the camera controller  140  checks whether the reading of image data is complete. After the reading is complete, the camera controller  140  starts a live-view display on the camera monitor  120  (steps S 28  and S 26 ). 
     8.2: Operation in Continuous Capture Mode 
       FIGS. 33 to 35  are flowcharts of continuous capture mode.  FIGS. 39 and 40  are timing charts of continuous capture mode. 
     In continuous capture mode, the basic operation of the digital camera  1  is the same as that in single capture mode, but the processing after confirming the completion of the reading of image data is slightly different. More specifically, as shown in  FIG. 35 , if the reading of image data is complete in step S 21 , the camera controller  140  confirms the state of the release button  131  (step S 30 ). If the release button  131  has been pushed all the way down, the camera controller  140  determines that continuous capture mode has been selected, and continues with the next imaging operation. More specifically, in step S 30 , if the release button  131  has been pushed all the way down, the camera controller  140  checks whether the first switch SW 1  is ON (step S 31 ). If the first switch SW 1  is ON, current is sent to the front curtain electromagnet  26  and the rear curtain electromagnet  36  (step S 32 ), and the front curtain chucking piece and the rear curtain chucking piece are chucked to the front curtain electromagnet  26  and the rear curtain electromagnet  36 , respectively. After this, the processing returns to step S 4  in  FIG. 33 , and the processing from step S 4  on is executed. If the release button  131  is held all the way down, the processing from step S 4  on (the processing shown in  FIGS. 33 to 35 ) is repeated. 
     Meanwhile, if the release button  131  is not pushed all the way down in step S 30 , the camera controller  140  determines that continuous capture has been completed, and determines whether or not the first switch SWI is ON (step S 24 ). If the first switch SWI is ON, short braking is applied for the specific time of T 3  to the shutter motor  46  (steps S 24  and S 25 ). As a result, the rotation of the charge gear  40  comes to a halt, the open state of the front curtain  21  and the rear curtain  31  is mechanically held by the intermittent cam  42  of the charge gear  40 , and the focal plane shutter device  190  enters a normally-open state. Just as in single capture mode, after the start of short braking of the shutter motor  46 , the camera controller  140  starts a live-view display on the camera monitor  120  (step S 26 ). 
     Also, if the reading of image data is complete in steps S 21 , S 22 , and S 27 , just as in step S 30 , the camera controller  140  checks the state of the release button  131  (step S 33 ). If the release button  131  has been pushed all the way down, the camera controller  140  determines that continuous capture mode has been selected, the processing of steps S 31  and S 32  is executed, and then the processing from step S 4  is executed. If the release button  131  is held all the way down, the processing from step S 4  on is repeated. 
     Meanwhile, if the release button  131  is not pushed all the way down in step S 30 , the camera controller  140  starts a live-view display on the camera monitor  120  (step S 26 ), just as in single capture mode. 
     Furthermore, in continuous capture mode, the basic operation of the digital camera  1  is the same as that in single capture mode, but the time T 2  is set longer than in single capture mode. More specifically, as shown in  FIG. 34 , if the second switch SW 2  is ON in step S  13 , the rotation of the charge gear  40  stops relatively soon, so the time T 2  is set to be a little shorter than the preparation time T 22 B in continuous capture mode in order to make the timing at which the next drive of the shutter motor  46  begins a little sooner (steps S 13  and S 15 ). 
     Also, when the second switch SW 2  is OFF and the third switch SW 3  is OFF after the end of the short braking of the shutter motor  46 , the rotation of the charge gear  40  stops at approximately the predetermined timing, so the time T 2  is set to the preparation time T 22 B (steps S 13 , S 14 , and S 16 ). Further, when the second switch SW 2  is OFF and the third switch SW 3  is ON, the rotation of the charge gear  40  stops relatively slowly, so the time T 2  is set to the time T 23 B that is slightly longer than the preparation time T 22 B in order to delay slightly the timing at which the drive of the shutter motor  46  begins (steps S 13 , S 14 , and S 17 ). 
     Here, the time T 21 B in continuous capture mode is longer than the time T 21 A in single capture mode, and the time T 22 B in continuous capture mode is longer than the time T 22 A in single capture mode. Furthermore, the time T 23 B in continuous capture mode is longer than the time T 23 A in single capture mode. Therefore, when the charge gear  40  stops in the same position, the time T 2  will be set longer in continuous capture mode than in single capture mode. 
     Thus, even in continuous capture mode, the camera controller  140  adjusts in stages the timing at which the drive of the shutter motor  46  begins, according to the stopping position of the charge gear  40 , so the timing at which the focal plane shutter device  190  enters its open state, based on the start of reading the image data, is substantially constant. Therefore, the time it takes from the end of reading until the focal plane shutter device  190  enters its open state can be shortened, while the focal plane shutter device  190  can be prevented from entering its closed state before the reading is complete. 
     Also, since the time T 2  is set longer in continuous capture mode than in single capture mode, the focal plane shutter device  190  can be effectively prevented from leaving its closed state before reading is complete in continuous capture mode, in which the charge gear  40  tends to rotate more. 
       FIG. 39  is a time chart during normal operation when the third switch SW 3  is ON after the completion of reading of image data, and  FIG. 40  is a time chart during abnormal operation when it is detected that the third switch SW 3  goes ON before the completion of image data reading. In the time chart shown in  FIG. 40 , just as with the time chart shown in  FIG. 38 , the timing at which the shutter mechanism  191  leaves its closed state is later, so the focal plane shutter device  190  can be prevented from leaving its closed state before the completion of reading. 
     9: Features of Digital Camera  1   
     As described above, with the digital camera  1 , the state (first state) from the start of charging of the shutter mechanism  191  until the shutter mechanism  191  leaves its closed state is detected by the third switch SW 3  of the position detecting sensor  195 . Further, if the position detecting sensor  195  detects that the shutter mechanism  191  is in the first state before the reading of image data from the CMOS image sensor  110  is complete, the shutter drive device  194  is controlled by a drive controller so that the timing at which the shutter mechanism  191  leaves its closed state is delayed. 
     More specifically, in order to restrict the drive of the shutter mechanism  191  by the shutter drive device  194 , when the third switch SW 3  goes ON before the reading of image data from the CMOS image sensor  110  is complete, the camera controller  140  applies short braking to the shutter motor  46  and thereby delays the timing at which the shutter mechanism  191  leaves its closed state. 
     Therefore, even if the state in which the shutter mechanism  191  is driven by the shutter drive device  194  should fluctuate for any of a variety of reasons, the shutter mechanism  191  will be prevented from leaving its closed state and light prevented from being incident on the CMOS image sensor  110  before the reading of image data is complete, and the stability of the image data reading operation can be maintained while the imaging interval is shortened. 
     Other Embodiments 
     The present invention is not limited to the embodiment given above, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention. 
     (1) In the above embodiment, an imaging device was described by using the interchangeable lens type of digital camera  1  and camera body  100  as an example, but the imaging device is not limited to being the digital camera  1  and the camera body  100 . For example, the imaging device may be an integrated type of camera in which a lens unit is fixed to a camera body. 
     (2) In the above embodiment, an imaging element was described by using the CMOS image sensor  110  as an example, but the imaging element is not limited to being the CMOS image sensor  110 . For example, the imaging element may be a CCD (charge coupled device) image sensor or other such device that can produce image data for a subject by opto-electrical conversion. 
     (3) In the above embodiment, a position detector was described by using the position detecting sensor  195  as an example, but the position detector is not limited to being the position detecting sensor  195 . For example, the position detector may have any configuration so long as it can detect a state immediately prior to when the shutter mechanism  191  leaves its closed state. For example, the position detecting sensor  195  detects the state of the shutter mechanism  191  by detecting the position of the charge gear  40  in the rotational direction, but a sensor may be provided for detecting the position of the first gear  49 , the second gear  48 , or the third gear  47  in the rotational direction, or the position of the slide lever  50  in the up and down direction. Further, a sensor such as an encoder may be provided to the shutter motor  46 . 
     (4) In the above embodiment, a shutter drive device was described by using the shutter drive device  194  as an example, but the shutter drive device is not limited to being the shutter drive device  194 . For example, the shutter drive device may have any configuration that can drive the drive lever  81  of the shutter mechanism  191 . The shutter drive device  194  has the first gear  49 , the second gear  48 , and the third gear  47 , but these members may be omitted, and conversely the shutter drive device  194  may have other members. 
     Also, for example, the recess  42   d  is formed in the intermittent cam  42  for generating rotational resistance, but the intermittent cam  42  need not have the recess  42   d.    
     (5) In the above embodiment, a drive controller was described by using the camera controller  140  as an example, but the drive controller is not limited to being the camera controller  140 . For example, in the above embodiment, the camera controller  140  controls the timing at which the charging of the focal plane shutter device  190  begins on the basis of the stopping position detected by the position detecting sensor  195 , but this control may be performed by the camera controller  140 . 
     Also, the camera controller  140  delays the timing at which the shutter mechanism  191  leaves its closed state by applying short braking to the shutter motor  46 , but the method for restricting the drive of the shutter motor  46  is not limited to or by the above embodiment. For example, another method may be used in which the drive of the shutter motor  46  is limited by applying electrical braking to the shutter motor  46 . 
     In this case, if the position detecting sensor  195  detects that the shutter mechanism  191  is in the first state before the CMOS image sensor  110  has finished reading the image data, the camera controller  140  either applies regenerative braking to the shutter motor  46 , or reverses the shutter motor  46 . 
     Further, it is possible to delay the timing at which the shutter mechanism  191  leaves its closed state by another method, such as applying braking mechanically to another mechanism of the shutter drive device  194 , without restricting the drive of the shutter motor  46 . 
     (6) In the above embodiment, an actuator was described by using the shutter motor  46  as an example, but the actuator is not limited to being a DC motor such as the shutter motor  46 . For example, the actuator may be another type of motor such as a stepping motor, or an electromagnetic actuator made up of a coil and a magnet, or a piezoelectric actuator that has a piezoelectric element. 
     (7) In the above embodiment, a transmission member was described by using the charge gear  40  as an example, but the transmission member is not limited to being the charge gear  40 . For example, the intermittent cam  42  has the recess  42   d  in order to impart rotational resistance to the charge gear  40 , but the charge gear  40  need not have the recess  42   d.    
     Also, the recess  42   d  need not be what forms the second sliding face  42   b . For example, as shown in  FIG. 41 , the second sliding face  42   b  may be formed by a protrusion  142   d . In this case, the second sliding face  42   b  constitutes the outer face of the protrusion  142   d , and the guide face  42   e  is on the first sliding face  42   a  side of the protrusion  142   d.    
     Furthermore, the first sliding face  42   a  is disposed in the same radial direction position as the third sliding face  42   c , but the first sliding face  42   a  may be disposed in a different radial direction position from that of the third sliding face  42   c . For example, the first sliding face  42   a  may be disposed more to the inner peripheral side than the third sliding face  42   c . In this case, the shape of the intermittent cam  42  is as shown, for example, in  FIG. 42 . 
     GENERAL INTERPRETATION OF TERMS 
     In understanding the scope of the present disclosure, the term “comprising” and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to be open ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features, elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not exclude the presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups, integers and/or steps. The foregoing also applies to words having similar meanings such as the terms, “including”, “having” and their derivatives. Also, the terms “part,” “section,” “portion,” “member” or “element” when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of a single part or a plurality of parts. Accordingly, these terms, as utilized to describe the present invention should be interpreted relative to the imaging device. 
     The term “detect” as used herein to describe an operation or function carried out by a component, a section, a device or the like includes a component, a section, a device or the like that does not require physical detection, but rather includes determining, measuring, modeling, predicting or computing or the like to carry out the operation or function. 
     The term “configured” as used herein to describe a component, section or part of a device includes hardware and/or software that is constructed and/or programmed to carry out the desired function. 
     The terms of degree such as “substantially”, “about” and “approximately” as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed. 
     While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, the size, shape, location or orientation of the various components can be changed as needed and/or desired. Components that are shown directly connected or contacting each other can have intermediate structures disposed between them. The functions of one element can be performed by two, and vice versa. The structures and functions of one embodiment can be adopted in another embodiment. It is not necessary for all advantages to be present in a particular embodiment at the same time. Every feature which is unique from the prior art, alone or in combination with other features, also should be considered a separate description of further inventions by the applicant, including the structural and/or functional concepts embodied by such feature(s). Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the embodiments according to the present invention are provided for illustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.