Abstract: An optical apparatus which is capable of preventing degradation of image quality caused by an ND filter. The optical apparatus incorporates an aperture stop having an aperture variable in size, and an ND filter movable with respect to the aperture of the aperture stop, an actuator that drives the ND filter, and a controller that controls the actuator. The ND filter includes a part having a size that can fully cover a first aperture that is the aperture with the aperture stop being narrowed. The controller controls the actuator so that the ND filter is moved without a halt between a first position where the part is retracted with respect to the first aperture with the aperture stop being narrowed, and a second position where the part fully covers the first aperture in any stop operation.

Abstract: An optical apparatus is disclosed which is capable of preventing degradation of image quality caused by an ND filter. The optical apparatus includes an aperture stop having an aperture variable in size, and an ND filter movable with respect to the aperture of the aperture stop, an actuator that drives the ND filter, and a controller that controls the actuator. The ND filter includes a part having a size that can fully cover a first aperture that is the aperture with the aperture stop being narrowed. The controller controls the actuator so that the ND filter is moved without a halt between a first position where the part is retracted with respect to the first aperture with the aperture stop being narrowed, and a second position where the part fully covers the first aperture in any stop operation.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a mount member configured to couple the lens barrel to a camera body, the mount member having a coupling surface for coupling with the camera body, a lens holding frame holding a lens and movable along an optical axis, the lens holding frame having a sleeve portion, the sleeve portion having a front end and a rear end, and a guide bar configured to guide the sleeve portion of the lens holding frame along the optical axis. The guide bar extends to a location nearer to an image plane than the coupling surface of the mount member. The rear end of the sleeve portion is disposed nearer to the image plane than the lens.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a mount member configured to couple the lens barrel to a camera body, the mount member having a coupling surface for coupling with the camera body, a lens holding frame holding a lens and movable along an optical axis, the lens holding frame having a sleeve portion, the sleeve portion having a front end and a rear end, and a guide bar configured to guide the sleeve portion of the lens holding frame along the optical axis. The guide bar extends to a location nearer to an image plane than the coupling surface of the mount member. The rear end of the sleeve portion is disposed nearer to the image plane than the lens.

Abstract: A lens position control device for a rear-focus type zoom lens includes a rear-focus type zoom lens, an image pickup element for converting an optical image formed by the zoom lens into an electrical signal, a signal processing circuit for executing signal processing of the electrical signal so as to obtain an electronic zooming effect, a focus detection circuit for detecting a focus adjustment state of the zoom lens, a memory for storing information associated with movement of a focusing lens group according to lens positions of a variable magnification lens group and a focusing lens group of the zoom lens, and a control circuit for, when it is determined based on an output from the focus detection circuit that the zoom lens is in an in-focus state, moving the focusing lens group on the basis of the position of the variable magnification lens group and the information stored in the memory, and for, when it is determined that the zoom lens is in an out-of-focus state, performing a zooming operation on the bas

Abstract: A lens position control device for a rear-focus type zoom lens includes a rear-focus type zoom lens, an image pickup element for converting an optical image formed by the zoom lens into an electrical signal, a signal processing circuit for executing signal processing of the electrical signal so as to obtain an electronic zooming effect, a focus detection circuit for detecting a focus adjustment state of the zoom lens, a memory for storing information associated with movement of a focusing lens group according to lens positions of a variable magnification lens group and a focusing lens group of the zoom lens, and a control circuit for, when it is determined based on an output from the focus detection circuit that the zoom lens is in an in-focus state, moving the focusing lens group on the basis of the position of the variable magnification lens group and the information stored in the memory, and for, when it is determined that the zoom lens is in an out-of-focus state, performing a zooming operation on the bas

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical instrument such as an optical axis deflecting device or an image stabilizing device having an optical member supported for rotation about a predetermined axis and rotated about the predetermined axis to thereby deflect the optical axis of passing light, moving means adapted to move in a direction along a plane inclined by a predetermined angle from a plane perpendicular to the predetermined axis to thereby rotate the optical member about the predetermined axis, and driving means for driving the moving means. With such construction, a driving force generated by the driving means acts on that portion of the optical member which is far from the rotational shaft thereof and as a result, a driving torque for driving the optical member can be enhanced without causing the bulkiness and higher cost of the device and an increase in consumed electric power.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus comprising an electronic zooming function and an optical system capable of varying a focal distance. The image sensing apparatus includes a control circuit for making control when the focal distance of the optical system is changed under photographing on condition that the optical system is positioned at the tele end and magnification of an image sensing device is changed in a region where the electronic zooming function is to be effected, such that the electronic zooming function is effected to change the magnification of the image sensing device to the wide side.

Abstract: In a light beam deflection unit such as a variable apical-angle prism, a holding member for holding a movable optical member, e.g., glass plates, is made of a high-stiffness material (for example, polycarbonate), and the holding member is connected with a displacing member, e.g., film sheets in the form of bellows, by a connecting portion incorporated with the holding member and welded to the displacing member. This arrangement can hold the movable optical member with high accuracy and can surely connect the holding member with the displacing member.

Abstract: A camera comprises a manual operation member, a converting device for converting the output of the operation of the manual operation member into electric signal which indicate at least the driving direction of a focus lens, a driving device for driving in response to the electric signal a motor which is the driving source for driving the focus lens, a focus detecting device for detecting the focus states of an object, and a controlling device for causing the motor to be stopped forcibly when an in-focus state is detected by the focus detecting device while the motor is driven on the basis of the electric signal. Hence enabling the focus lens to be stopped at an in-focus position accurately to simplify the operation required to obtain an in-focus state.

Abstract: A magnetic disc drive in which two magnetic heads, each of which has at least two magnetic gaps, are provided on a single carriage and radially spaced apart from each other by a first predetermined distance. A radially inner one of the two magnetic heads is tilted at a first predetermined angle toward a rotary shaft with which the magnetic disc is engaged, and a radially outer one of the two magnetic heads is tilted at a second predetermined angle away from the rotary shaft, thereby bringing the magnetic gaps provided on the inner and outer peripheral heads into contact with a recording/playback surface of the magnetic disc when the disc is rotated.

Abstract: A magnetic disk drive unit has a carriage which holds a magnetic head and travels in the radial direction of a magnetic disk, a guide shaft for guiding the carriage, a screw shaft placed in a substantially parallel relationship with the guide shaft and rotated by a motor, and a screw engagement portion of the carriage engaging with the screw shaft. One end of the screw shaft is held in a fixed position, and a bearing member supporting the other end of the screwshaft is adjustable to a certain degree. The stop position accuracy (tract position decision accuracy) of the carriage is thereby improved.

Abstract: A magnetic disc mounting mechanism for use in a disc drive unit adapted to drive a magnetic disc while magnetically attracting and holding the disc on a spindle shaft. The coupling mechanism includes a forcible pressing member for forcibly fitting a center core of the disc onto the spindle shaft and a member which is adapted to release the pressing of the forcible pressing member while operating an ejecting mechanism. This member operates to release, after the forcible pressing member has pressed the center core of the disc onto the spindle shaft such as to couple the disc to the spindle shaft, the pressing force exerted by the pressing member so that the load of the spindle motor during driving the disc is reduced advantageously.