Abstract: An optical low-pass filter is disposed on a light-receiving surface of an imaging device. The filter has a light-transmitting substrate including at least one birefringent plate and an infrared-cut plate , a dust-proofing layer provided on a light-input surface of the light-transmitting substrate, and an infrared-cut coat layer provided between the dust-proofing layer and the light-transmitting substrate or on a light-output surface of the light-transmitting substrate. A surface of the dust-proofing layer contains fine roughness.

Abstract: A lock mechanism for a stage apparatus, includes a movable stage provided on a stationary member which is movable in a reference plane; a pair of engaging members which are provided on the movable stage; a pair of lock members which are positioned between the engaging members and are movable so as to move toward and away from corresponding the engaging members; a lock driving device which moves the lock members to an engaged position wherein the lock members mutually move away from each other and engage with the corresponding engaging members; and an unlock driving device which moves the lock members to a disengaged position wherein the lock members mutually move toward each other so as to disengage with the corresponding engaging members.

Abstract: A lock mechanism for a stage apparatus, the stage apparatus having a stationary support board and a movable stage relatively movable in a plane parallel to the stationary support board, includes a pair of engaging members projecting from the movable stage; a rotational lock device including a pair of arm members rotatably mounted and relatively rotatable between an engaged position at which facing free ends of the arm members clasp corresponding engaging members, and a disengaged position at which the facing free ends of the arm members move away from the corresponding engaging members; a lock driving device which rotates the arm members to the engaged position upon the movable stage entering a non-operational state; and an unlock driving device which rotates the arm members to the disengaged position so that the movable stage enters an operational state.

Abstract: A lock mechanism for a stage apparatus includes a movable stage; a pair of engaging members provided on the movable stage; a pair of lock members positioned between the engaging members and movable along an imaginary straight line passing through the engaging members; a first link member movable along a reference straight line between the lock members; a pair of second link members rotatably mounted on the first link member and rotatably mounted on the lock members; a lock driving device which moves the lock members mutually away from each other to engage with the engaging members by moving the first link member along the reference straight line; and an unlock driving device which moves the lock members mutually toward each other so as to disengage with the engaging members by moving the first link member in the other direction along the reference straight line.

Abstract: The finder optical system has a reflex mirror, a focal plane plate, a prism, an eyepiece, and a dust-proofing multilayer. The reflex mirror is disposed on an optical path of a photographing optical system. The focal plane plate is disposed at a position on which an image is formed by a light which passes through the photographing optical system and which is reflected by the reflex mirror. The light-input surface of the prism races a light-output surface of the focal plane plate. The eyepiece faces a light-output surface of the prism. The dust-proofing multilayer, which is provided on a surface of the focal plane plate, has a water-repellent or water- and oil-repellent layer and an anti-static layer.

Abstract: An optical low-pass filter is disposed on a light-receiving surface of an imaging device. The filter has a light-transmitting substrate including at least one birefringent plate and an infrared-cut plate , a dust-proofing layer provided on a light-input surface of the light-transmitting substrate, and an infrared-cut coat layer provided between the dust-proofing layer and the light-transmitting substrate or on a light-output surface of the light-transmitting substrate. A surface of the dust-proofing layer contains fine roughness.

Abstract: A stage apparatus includes a stationary support member, a movable stage plate supported by the stationary support member to be movable in a plane relative to the stationary support member, at least one magnetic force generator which is provided integral with the stationary support member, and at least one coil which is mounted on the movable stage plate and receives a magnetic force generated by the magnetic force generator to produce a driving force for driving the movable stage plate in the plane. At least one hole in which the coil is fixedly fitted is formed on the movable stage plate.

Abstract: A mounting plate has an opening provided for bonding a solid-state imaging device thereto. The opening of the mounting plate comprises a first edge portion and a second edge portion. The first edge portion corresponds to a first side of part of the contour of a light receiving area of the solid-state imaging device. The second edge portion corresponds to a second side of part of the contour. The first and second edge portions function as reference lines for positioning the solid-state imaging device over said opening.

Abstract: The binoculars include a pair of displaceable optical elements, which are at least parts of objective optical systems, respectively, a focusing mechanism used to move the displaceable optical elements for focusing, a pair of guide rails that guide the displaceable optical elements, respectively, when they are moved. The pair of guide rails have inclined portions, at least parts thereof, which incline with respect to the optical axes of the objective optical systems, respectively. A pair of engagement portions are formed on a pair of frames of the displaceable optical elements, respectively. The engagement portions are engaged with the guide rails, respectively. When the displaceable optical elements are moved for focusing with the pair of engagement portions being engaged with the inclined portions of the pair of guide rails, respectively, a distance between the optical axes of the pair of displaceable optical elements changes, thereby a convergence value being compensated.

Abstract: Binoculars which include a pair of observation optical systems each having an objective optical system, an erecting optical system and an eyepiece optical system. The binoculars include a focusing mechanism that is used to move a part of the observation optical system for focusing, and a convergence value compensating mechanism that compensates for a convergence value by displacing displaceable optical elements which are at least parts of the objective optical systems, respectively, in association with actuation of the focusing mechanism. In this structure, a distance between optical axes of the eyepiece optical systems is adjustable in line with a width between eyes of a user. A maximum value of a distance between optical axes of the displaceable optical elements is smaller than a minimum value of the distance between the optical axes of the eyepiece optical systems.

Abstract: Binoculars having a digital camera are provided. The digital camera is able to capture an image of an object which is observed through the optical systems of the binoculars. The digital-camera-provide binoculars further comprise a microphone. The microphone is provided on the bottom face of the binoculars.

Abstract: A lock mechanism for a stage apparatus, the stage apparatus having a stationary support board and a movable stage relatively movable in a plane parallel to the stationary support board, includes a pair of engaging members projecting from the movable stage; a rotational lock device including a pair of arm members rotatably mounted and relatively rotatable between an engaged position at which facing free ends of the arm members clasp corresponding engaging members, and a disengaged position at which the facing free ends of the arm members move away from the corresponding engaging members; a lock driving device which rotates the arm members to the engaged position upon the movable stage entering a non-operational state; and an unlock driving device which rotates the arm members to the disengaged position so that the movable stage enters an operational state.

Abstract: A lock mechanism for a stage apparatus includes a movable stage; a pair of engaging members provided on the movable stage; a pair of lock members positioned between the engaging members and movable along an imaginary straight line passing through the engaging members; a first link member movable along a reference straight line between the lock members; a pair of second link members rotatably mounted on the first link member and rotatably mounted on the lock members; a lock driving device which moves the lock members mutually away from each other to engage with the engaging members by moving the first link member along the reference straight line; and an unlock driving device which moves the lock members mutually toward each other so as to disengage with the engaging members by moving the first link member in the other direction along the reference straight line.

Abstract: A lock mechanism for a stage apparatus, includes a movable stage provided on a stationary member which is movable in a reference plane; a pair of engaging members which are provided on the movable stage; a pair of lock members which are positioned between the engaging members and are movable so as to move toward and away from corresponding the engaging members; a lock driving device which moves the lock members to an engaged position wherein the lock members mutually move away from each other and engage with the corresponding engaging members; and an unlock driving device which moves the lock members to a disengaged position wherein the lock members mutually move toward each other so as to disengage with the corresponding engaging members.

Abstract: A stage apparatus includes a stationary support member, a movable stage plate supported by the stationary support member to be movable in a plane relative to the stationary support member, at least one magnetic force generator which is provided integral with the stationary support member, and at least one coil which is mounted on the movable stage plate and receives a magnetic force generated by the magnetic force generator to produce a driving force for driving the movable stage plate in the plane. At least one hole in which the coil is fixedly fitted is formed on the movable stage plate.

Abstract: A binocular telescope with a photographing function comprises a pair of telescopic optical systems, a photographing optical system, and a pair of reticle elements, on which reticles are formed. The reticle elements are provided in the telescopic optical systems for focusing the telescopic optical systems. The distance between the optical axes of the telescopic optical systems can be adjusted, so that the reticle images are fused. The shapes of the fused reticle images are geometrically non-coordinate with each other.

Abstract: There is provided binoculars which include a pair of observation optical systems each having an objective optical system, an erecting optical system and an eyepiece optical system. The binoculars include a focusing mechanism that is used to move a part of observation optical systems for focusing, a convergence value compensating mechanism that compensates for a convergence value by displacing displaceable optical elements which are at least parts of the objective optical systems, respectively, in association with actuation of the focusing mechanism, and a light shielding mechanism configured to shield light for preventing light from entering through a clearance caused in accordance with displacement of the displaceable optical elements by actuation of the convergence value compensating mechanism.

Abstract: An optical device includes an optical system mount plate, a casing, and a screw-hole forming part. An optical system is mounted on the optical system mount plate. The optical system mount plate is housed in the casing. The screw-hole forming part is provided on a bottom of the casing such that a screw provided on a tripod head can threadedly fit in the screw-hole forming part. The screw-hole forming part and at least one portion of the bottom are engaged with the optical system mount plate so as to counteract a rotational tightening force that is applied to the screw-hole forming part when the screw is threadedly tighten in the screw-hole forming part.

Abstract: Binoculars include a pair of observation optical systems each having an objective optical system, an erecting optical system and an eyepiece optical system, and a focusing mechanism that moves a part of each of observation optical systems. A convergence value compensating mechanism is provided, which operates in association with operation of the focusing mechanism, to move displaceable optical elements, which are at least a part of one of the pair of objective optical systems, to compensate for the convergence value. Corresponding optical elements of the other one of the pair of objective optical systems are not moved and does not contribute to vary the convergence value.