Abstract: This invention provides a connector for optical fibers which includes a receptacle within which is a lens member, with plugs being connected to the opposite ends of the receptacle so that optical fibers carried by the two plugs are in a light-transmissive relationship at the lens member. The plugs include forward tapered surfaces which are biased by resilient forces against tapered surfaces of the lens member for directly aligning the plugs with the lens member. Each of the plugs includes a back shell carrying a clamping member in which resilient pads are biased against the fiber to grip it without damaging it. Within the front shell the optical fiber is caused to bow in a predetermined direction which enables compensation to be made for any offset in the axes of the cavities in the lens member.