Abstract: A compact lens housing which is of a multistage type in which it is projected and retracted through three stages. The lens housing includes three pairs, each of which is composed of a straight-moving member which is movable in an axial direction of the lens housing but not rotatable and is composed of a rotation member which can rotate relative to the straight-moving member, in which the rotation member moves integrally together with the straight-moving member in the axial direction. The straight-moving members of the three pairs have straight-moving interlocking parts, respectively, and the straight-moving interlocking parts slidably engage with each other so as to be able to move in the axial direction. The straight-moving interlocking parts are arranged generally in the same circumference when the lens housing is viewed in the axial direction.

Abstract: A lens mechanism that has a stationary barrel and a movable barrel which is moved inside the stationary barrel. The lens mechanism includes a lead portion provided on an inner periphery of the stationary barrel. A driven portion has a predetermined length along an optical axis direction, and includes a follower portion that engages with the lead portion. The driven portion also includes a first gear portion having a plurality of teeth and a second gear portion having a plurality of teeth, where the first gear portion is spaced from the second gear portion. The first gear portion and the second gear portion are separately provided from the follower portion. A driving gear drives the first gear portion, and a driven gear is driven by the second gear portion.

Abstract: In a lens mount system of a camera including a plurality of lens mounts relatively moving each other by a cam system, at least one of the lens mounts has a plastic cylinder formed cam grooves and a seamless aluminum cylinder provided around the plastic cylinder so as to wrap the plastic cylinder.

Abstract: A stationary barrel attached to a camera body, a first movable barrel, a second movable barrel and a third movable barrel are moved out successively. A first lens frame holding a first lens unit is held in the third barrel to be movable along the optical axis, and a second lens frame holding a second lens unit is held in the second barrel to be movable along the optical axis. With this arrangement, the three movable barrels are all housed in the stationary barrel, and the total moving-out mount of the three movable barrels is remarkably large compared to conventional arrangements.