Abstract: A main lens unit having a fixed focal length and consisting of a positive lens member is preceded by an afocal forward lens unit having a variable magnification and consisting of a positive forward lens member, a negative intermediate lens member which is axially movable to change the magnification, and a positive rear lens member. The intermediate lens member is arranged to direct divergent bundles of rays to said rear lens member. The rear lens member is arranged to convert said divergent bundles or rays into bundles of rays which are substantially parallel to the optical axis of the lens and to direct them to said main lens unit. The forward lens member is axially movable to control the position of the image plane. The lens is designed to meet the conditionf.sub.min -f.sub.11 < 6ywhere f.sub.min is the smallest focal length of the lens, f.sub.11 the focal length of the intermediate lens member, and 2y the image field diagonal.