An image capturing device having a function of clamping an image signal.
When the image capturing device is activated, a synchronous signal
generating section begins creation of a horizontal synchronous signal,
and a counter begins counting a pulse of the horizontal synchronous
signal. When the counted value reaches a predetermined value, the
clamping capability control section changes the level of a clamp mode
signal to an H level. During a period from the start of power supply to
the image capturing device to the raising of the level of a clamp mode
signal to an H level, a clamp pulse generating section sets a longer
width for a clamp pulse than in a normal operation so that a switch
element of a clamping circuit remains in an on state in a longer period,
whereby a smaller time constant for clamping is set. After elapse of a
predetermined period, the switch element is controlled so as to remain in
an ON state in a normal period, which is relatively short, whereby a
larger time constant for clamping is set. With this arrangement, noise
which would be caused with a small clamping time constant is suppressed.