Abstract: A lens barrel includes a cam ring configured to be rotatably driven, a lens holding cylinder provided on an outer circumference of the cam ring and configured to hold a lens, and a barrier cylinder configured to hold a lens barrier, the barrier cylinder includes a cylinder portion, a first protrusion which extends from the cylinder portion toward an image plane side, and a cam engagement portion which is engaged with a cam groove of the cam ring, the lens holding cylinder includes a cylinder portion and a second protrusion which extends from the cylinder portion toward the image plane side, and the second protrusion of the lens holding cylinder is arranged so as to overlap with the cam engagement portion of the barrier cylinder in a radial direction orthogonal to an optical axis direction.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus which is improved in space efficiency for an optical system element, thereby reducing the apparatus size when a lens barrel is retracted. An image pickup apparatus includes a zoom lens barrel that moves between a retracted position and a shooting position in an optical axis direction to thereby change a photographing magnification. A prism bends an optical beam incident from a lens group of the lens barrel. A diaphragm-shutter element is capable of moving along the direction of the second optical axis together with a stepping motor for actuating the diaphragm-shutter element. The stepping motor is disposed, at least when the lens group is in the retracted position, at a position where the stepping motor overlaps the prism in parallel with the second optical axis.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus including a lens barrel with a bending optical system, in which a reflection optical element is movable between a storage state and a photographing state. When a rotary cylinder that retains a lens group to which light beams from an object are incident is being driven by a drive source to advance and retreat between a storage state and a photographing state, the coupling between a cam mechanism for rotary cylinder operation and a driving force transmission gear train for optical element operation is automatically established and released, whereby the operation for moving the reflection optical element between the storage state and the photographing state can be achieved by a single drive source.

Abstract: A lens barrel that is capable of miniaturizing an image pickup apparatus by decreasing an area that is occupied by transmission mechanisms. A lens group is movable along a first optical axis. A cam barrel moves the lens group. A first transmission mechanism transmits a driving force of a driving source to the cam barrel. A bending optical element is movable along a second optical axis that intersects the first optical axis. An element driver moves the bending optical element between a taking position and an escape position along the second optical axis. A second transmission mechanism transmits a driving force of a driving source to the element driver. The second transmission mechanism is arranged within an arrangement area of the first transmission mechanism when viewing in the direction of the first optical axis.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus including a lens barrel with a bending optical system, in which a reflection optical element is movable between a storage state and a photographing state. When a rotary cylinder that retains a lens group to which light beams from an object are incident is being driven by a drive source to advance and retreat between a storage state and a photographing state, the coupling between a cam mechanism for rotary cylinder operation and a driving force transmission gear train for optical element operation is automatically established and released, whereby the operation for moving the reflection optical element between the storage state and the photographing state can be achieved by a single drive source.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus which is improved in space efficiency for an optical system element, thereby reducing the apparatus size when a lens barrel is retracted. An image pickup apparatus includes a zoom lens barrel that moves between a retracted position and a shooting position in an optical axis direction to thereby change a photographing magnification. A prism bends an optical beam incident from a lens group of the lens barrel. A diaphragm-shutter element is capable of moving along the direction of the second optical axis together with a stepping motor for actuating the diaphragm-shutter element. The stepping motor is disposed, at least when the lens group is in the retracted position, at a position where the stepping motor overlaps the prism in parallel with the second optical axis.

Abstract: A lens barrel that is capable of miniaturizing an image pickup apparatus by decreasing an area that is occupied by transmission mechanisms. A lens group is movable along a first optical axis. A cam barrel moves the lens group. A first transmission mechanism transmits a driving force of a driving source to the cam barrel. A bending optical element is movable along a second optical axis that intersects the first optical axis. An element driver moves the bending optical element between a taking position and an escape position along the second optical axis. A second transmission mechanism transmits a driving force of a driving source to the element driver. The second transmission mechanism is arranged within an arrangement area of the first transmission mechanism when viewing in the direction of the first optical axis.

Abstract: An optical element positioning apparatus capable of moving an optical element from a storage state to a use state and improving the accuracy of positioning the optical element to a use position on an optical path. A holding member that holds the optical element is guided by guide shafts to be movable between the storage state and the use state. The holding member is provided with guide-supporting and receiving portions through which the guide shafts are slidably inserted. The guide shafts are supported by holding portions. A degree of freedom in positioning the holding member at the use position is provided. Holding-member positioning parts of the guide-supporting and receiving portions are pressed by an urging device against ends of the holding portions, whereby the holding member is positioned and held at the use position.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a barrel member including an optical system and a barrier device mounted thereto. The barrier device includes blades that are openable/closable to protect a front surface of the optical system, a cover member having an opening portion for allowing light to pass therethrough, and a barrier driving member configured to drive the barrier blades such that the blades are revolvable around an optical axis. Size of shielded area is defined when the blades are fitted together after rotating corresponding to a range capable of shielding the opening portion. Rotation shafts are configured to allow the blades to rotate therearound to be opened/closed and are pivotally mounted on the barrier driving member. The barrier driving member is configured to rotate to bring the blades into a closed state in such a manner as to shield a gap made between the shielded area and the opening portion.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus enabling construction of a small bending optical system with high magnification. A first lens group is movably disposed toward an object on a first optical axis. A second lens group is movably disposed radially inward of the first lens group. The second lens group comprises a drive frame drivingly controlled along the first optical axis and a lens holding frame for holding the second lens group. A prism is disposed on the first optical axis, for bending light incident on the prism to thereby guide the light along a second optical axis. The prism is retracted along the second optical axis in a non-shooting state. In the non-shooting state, the second lens group is retracted and accommodated in a space defined by the drive frame and the lens holding frame and a space occupied by the prism in a shooting state.

Abstract: A lens barrel is configured so as to rotatably support lens barriers by a barrier drive member that rotates around an optical axis and the lens barriers rotate and revolve on an axis when the lens barriers are opened and closed. The lens barrel includes wall units provided on an inner circumference portion facing to a space where the lens barriers of the lens barrel member operates, and convexes provided on surfaces of the lens barriers adjacent to the inner circumference portion of the lens barrel member. When the lens barriers are held at a barrier opening position and the barrier drive member is moved to a driving member closing position, the wall units are brought into contact with the convexes and the lens barriers are forcibly closed.

Abstract: An optical element positioning apparatus capable of moving an optical element from a storage state to a use state and improving the accuracy of positioning the optical element to a use position on an optical path. A holding member that holds the optical element is guided by guide shafts to be movable between the storage state and the use state. The holding member is provided with guide-supporting and receiving portions through which the guide shafts are slidably inserted. The guide shafts are supported by holding portions. A degree of freedom in positioning the holding member at the use position is provided. Holding-member positioning parts of the guide-supporting and receiving portions are pressed by an urging device against ends of the holding portions, whereby the holding member is positioned and held at the use position.

Abstract: A lens barrel which enables cost reduction and size reduction by reduction of the number of component parts, and is capable of positively fully opening barrier blades to thereby open a photographic aperture. In the lens barrel, as the barrier drive member moves from a closing position to an opening position to cause the barrier blade to open, the amount of the charged spring force of the barrier drive spring progressively decreases. In a state where the barrier blade is constrained from moving in an opening direction, as the barrier drive member is moved toward the closing position, the amount of the charged spring force progressively increases. In a state where the barrier drive member is constrained from moving in a direction causing the barrier bladed to open, as the barrier blade is opened, the amount of the charged spring force progressively increases.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus including a lens barrel with a bending optical system, in which a reflection optical element is movable between a storage state and a photographing state. When a rotary cylinder that retains a lens group to which light beams from an object are incident is being driven by a drive source to advance and retreat between a storage state and a photographing state, the coupling between a cam mechanism for rotary cylinder operation and a driving force transmission gear train for optical element operation is automatically established and released, whereby the operation for moving the reflection optical element between the storage state and the photographing state can be achieved by a single drive source.

Abstract: A lens barrel is configured so as to rotatably support lens barriers by a barrier drive member that rotates around an optical axis and the lens barriers rotate and revolve on an axis when the lens barriers are opened and closed. The lens barrel includes wall units provided on an inner circumference portion facing to a space where the lens barriers of the lens barrel member operates, and convexes provided on surfaces of the lens barriers adjacent to the inner circumference portion of the lens barrel member. When the lens barriers are held at a barrier opening position and the barrier drive member is moved to a driving member closing position, the wall units are brought into contact with the convexes and the lens barriers are forcibly closed.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus enabling construction of a small bending optical system with high magnification. A first lens group is movably disposed toward an object on a first optical axis. A second lens group is movably disposed radially inward of the first lens group. The second lens group comprises a drive frame drivingly controlled along the first optical axis and a lens holding frame for holding the second lens group. A prism is disposed on the first optical axis, for bending light incident on the prism to thereby guide the light along a second optical axis. The prism is retracted along the second optical axis in a non-shooting state. In the non-shooting state, the second lens group is retracted and accommodated in a space defined by the drive frame and the lens holding frame and a space occupied by the prism in a shooting state.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a barrel member including an optical system and a barrier device mounted thereto. The barrier device includes blades that are openable/closable to protect a front surface of the optical system, a cover member having an opening portion for allowing light to pass therethrough, and a barrier driving member configured to drive the barrier blades such that the blades are revolvable around an optical axis. Size of shielded area is defined when the blades are fitted together after rotating corresponding to a range capable of shielding the opening portion. Rotation shafts are configured to allow the blades to rotate therearound to be opened/closed and are pivotally mounted on the barrier driving member. The barrier driving member is configured to rotate to bring the blades into a closed state in such a manner as to shield a gap made between the shielded area and the opening portion.

Abstract: A lens barrel which is capable of attaining further reduction of thickness and size of a lens barrel by making effective use of accommodation spaces for barrier blades. In the lens barrel, barrier blades openably covers an image-taking by changing over its position between an image-taking position and a standby position. Accommodation spaces receive the barrier blades therein, respectively, when they are open. When the lens barrel is switched from the image-taking position to the standby position, a rectilinearly-moving restriction barrel relatively moves closer to the barrier blades in an optical axis direction, and at this time, arch-shaped portions of the rectilinearly-moving restriction barrel enter the accommodation spaces.

Abstract: An image blur compensation apparatus includes first and second driving units (17a, 17b, 16a, 16b) having functionally equivalent members each other. A resultant force which acts on a holding unit (12) when in-phase driving signals of the same amount are applied to the first and second driving units differs in magnitude from a resultant force which acts on the holding unit when reverse-phase driving signals of the same amount are applied to the first and second driving units. The first and second driving units are arranged such that these resultant forces become perpendicular to each other.

Abstract: A lens barrel which is capable of attaining further reduction of thickness and size of a lens barrel by making effective use of accommodation spaces for barrier blades. In the lens barrel, barrier blades openably covers an image-taking by changing over its position between an image-taking position and a standby position. Accommodation spaces receive the barrier blades therein, respectively, when they are open. When the lens barrel is switched from the image-taking position to the standby position, a rectilinearly-moving restriction barrel relatively moves closer to the barrier blades in an optical axis direction, and at this time, arch-shaped portions of the rectilinearly-moving restriction barrel enter the accommodation spaces.