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 optical apparatus according to the present invention enables a reduced drive distance in focusing operation of a focus lens to allow focus detection and focusing operation in a short time period. The optical apparatus has a detection unit which detects the attitude of the optical apparatus; and a controller which performs focus control for driving a focus lens included in an image-taking optical system based on a focus state of the image-taking optical system. The controller changes a drive start position of the focus lens in accordance with the attitude of the optical apparatus before the focus state of the image-taking optical system starts to be taken.

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: An optical apparatus according to the present invention enables a reduced drive distance in focusing operation of a focus lens to allow focus detection and focusing operation in a short time period. The optical apparatus has a detection unit which detects the attitude of the optical apparatus; and a controller which performs focus control for driving a focus lens included in an image-taking optical system based on a focus state of the image-taking optical system. The controller changes a drive start position of the focus lens in accordance with the attitude of the optical apparatus before the focus state of the image-taking optical system starts to be taken.