Abstract: A zoom lens assembly wherein first and second lens elements are moved simultaneously to effect zooming operation and wherein the first lens element is moved separately from the second lens element to effect focusing operation. A zoom operation member and a focusing operation member are operable through the structure of the elements of the assembly to effect, respectively, zooming and focusing operation and the arrangement of the invention permits simplification of the construction of the assembly wherein the desired operations may be accomplished.

Abstract: Axial movement of a focusing lens holder is controlled by an output signal of automatic distance measuring means for automatically finding the distance from the means to an object. A lens mounting is selectively operable either by the drive control of the focusing lens holder within the lens barrel by the output signal from the automatic distance measuring means or by the manual drive of the lens holder for visual and manual focusing.

Abstract: A zoom lens assembly having a mechanical mounting system for the lens components thereof wherein zooming, focusing and closeup operations may be selectively performed by operation of a single actuator member. A lens barrel is provided within which a variator lens and a compensator lens are movably fitted with an intermediate sleeve being fitted on the barrel member and arranged to move axially in unison with the actuator member and to be rotatable relative thereto, a drive connection being provided between the actuator member and the variator lens holder member with motion transmission occurring between the intermediate sleeve and the compensator lens holder member. Focusing operation is effected by rotation of the actuator member and by axial movement of the actuator member, the compensator lens and the variator lens are axially moved with a compensation effect being maintained for the optical system by relative movement between the variator lens and the compensator lens.

Abstract: An interchangeable lens barrel includes connection terminals on a part of the lens barrel for sending and receiving electrical signals to and from a photographic apparatus. The lens barrel part is provided with a mechanism for protecting the connection terminals by covering the terminals when the lens barrel is removed from the photographic apparatus. When the lens barrel is mounted on the photographic apparatus, the protecting mechanism is retracted from the terminals to allow for connection with corresponding terminals on the photographic apparatus.

Abstract: The disclosed safety device electrically senses the conductivity between the electrical contacts of a camera and an accessory attached thereto, and, upon detection of a failure in conductivity, produces a warning signal for the user.

Abstract: In a lens assembly having a single operational member adapted to be manipulated to perform both focusing operation and zooming operation, there is provided a rotation preventing device for inhibiting rotation of the single operation member during axial movement thereof to perform zooming operation in order to prevent misalignment of a previously established focusing adjustment. The rotation preventing device includes a mechanism for establishing a frictional or spring-like force between the single operational member and a barrel member of the lens assembly in order to avoid relative rotation therebetween during zooming operation and the frictional force is initiated by a manually operable stopper member on the lens assembly.

Abstract: A zoom lens barrel which is capable of zoom and close up photography includes a generally cylindrical barrel part, one end of which is mountable to a camera body. Optical system having an optical axis which coincides with the axis of the barrel part is arranged in the barrel part for relative sliding movement to perform zoom and close up photography. A generally cylindrical guide member is coaxially rotatably mounted on the barrel part and has a number of guide slots for engaging the optical system. The guide member also has a guide edge formed on one end, and is axially movable between a first position whereat the guide slots axially guide the optical system relative to the barrel part so that the optical system zooms on an object to be photographed when the guide member is rotated, and a second position whereat the guide member axially displaces the optical system for close up photography of the object.

Abstract: An interchangeable lens assembly for a camera is formed in two parts with the first part being removably attachable to the camera body and the second part being removably attachable to the first part. A diaphragm mechanism is arranged in the second part of the assembly and diaphragm control arms extend through the first part of the assembly into operative connection with the camera. Various operative modifications of the lens assembly are possible and because of the bipartite structure of the lens assembly, greater versatility with regard to interchangeability of operative components is facilitated.

Abstract: A mechanical mounting system for a zoom objective having provision for close-up operation includes an actuator serving to perform both focusing and zooming operations as it is turned and axially moved respectively. When the actuator is axially moved to the wide angle position and when it is turned to the lower limit of the focusing range, a drive connection between the actuator and a camming cylinder for the zoom and close-up control is established even in the transverse direction. Upon transverse movement of the actuator beyond the focusing range, the camming cylinder is turned to axially move the variator forwardly while the compensator remains stationary in the wide angle position thereby effecting a close-up operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an objective lens for zooming by varying the distance between the divergent front lens group and the convergent rear lens group consisting of a first sub-group for forming a convergent light beam and a second sub-group between which sub-groups a photographing aperture is provided so as to be independent from them, whereby when the rear lens group is displaced forward for zooming the photographing aperture is displaced backward with reference to the first sub-group.

Abstract: A zoom lens barrel which is capable of zoom and close up photography includes a generally cylindrical barrel part, one end of which is mountable to a camera body. Optical system having an optical axis which coincides with the axis of the barrel part is arranged in the barrel part for relative sliding movement to perform zoom and close up photography. A generally cylindrical guide member is coaxially rotatably mounted on the barrel part and has a number of guide slots for engaging the optical system. The guide member also has a guide edge formed on one end, and is axially movable between a first position whereat the guide slots axially guide the optical system relative to the barrel part so that the optical system zooms on an object to be photographed when the guide member is rotated, and a second position whereat the guide member axially displaces the optical system for close up photography of the object.

Abstract: In a lens barrel provided with a cam member having a cam portion for controlling the optical distance of a zoom lens system, and a sliding movement guide member for rotatably holding the cam member at a predetermined position on the optical axis and for causing the lens system to move straight in an opitical axis direction, in order to rotatably hold the above-described cam member at the optical predetermined position on the slidable guide member, there are provided a region for adjusting axial movement of the cam member between the cam member and the slidable guide member, and an inhibiting device for inhibiting axial movement of the cam member relative to the slidable guide member after the adjustment has been effected. Accordingly, the assembly and adjusting operations of the barrel are facilitated.