Abstract: A lens barrel includes a first tube and second tube, the first tube movable relative to the second tube by rotation of the second tube, an engaging unit disposed on the second tube, and a barrier driving unit disposed on an object side of the first tube that opens and close a barrier. The first tube is relatively moved in an optical axis direction by engaging with the engaging unit. The barrier is opened and closed when a first interlocking unit which is arranged on the barrier driving unit and a second interlocking unit which is arranged on the cam tube are shifted from a non-interlocking state to an interlocking state. When the first interlocking unit and second interlocking unit are in the interlocking state, at least a portion of the first interlocking unit and the engaging unit overlap with each other in a radial direction of the second tube.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a first tube and second tube, the first tube movable relative to the second tube by rotation of the second tube, an engaging unit disposed on the second tube, and a barrier driving unit disposed on an object side of the first tube that opens and close a barrier. The first tube is relatively moved in an optical axis direction by engaging with the engaging unit. The barrier is opened and closed when a first interlocking unit which is arranged on the barrier driving unit and a second interlocking unit which is arranged on the cam tube are shifted from a non-interlocking state to an interlocking state. When the first interlocking unit and second interlocking unit are in the interlocking state, at least a portion of the first interlocking unit and the engaging unit overlap with each other in a radial direction of the second tube.

Abstract: A lens barrel capable of preventing reflection of rays of light from a rectilinear motion-causing restriction member on the inner surface of the lens barrel. In a photographic lens unit, to drive an actuator provided on a third lens unit, a flexible wiring board as a current carrying member is connected thereto. This flexible wiring board is disposed in a manner covering the inner surface of a rectilinear motion-causing restriction portion to prevent the same from being exposed toward the optical axis. Further, the flexible wiring board has a surface thereof toward the optical axis subjected to antireflection processing.

Abstract: A lens barrel having an increased strength against external impact. The lens barrel is configured to move in an optical axis direction. A photographic lens unit moves in the optical axis direction. A cylindrical unit is engaged with the photographic lens unit, and has an outer periphery formed thereon with a first cam groove followed by the photographic lens unit. The cylindrical unit performs rotation to thereby move the photographic lens unit in the optical axis direction. A rectilinear motion-causing restriction member is engaged with the cylindrical unit to restrict motion of the photographic lens unit to rectilinear motion. A second cylindrical unit is disposed around the photographic lens unit and the cylindrical unit to guide the photographic lens unit for rectilinear motion. A second rectilinear motion-causing restriction member restricts motion of the rectilinear motion-causing restriction member and the second cylindrical unit in a direction of rotation.

Abstract: A lens barrel which allows efficient interlock between a cylindrical member such as a moving cam ring and a component such as a viewfinder cam plate or a strobe cam plate, without size-increasing. The lens barrel comprises a first cylindrical member, and a second cylindrical member that is disposed so as to receive the first cylindrical member, and includes a guiding part at an inner circumferential surface thereof. The guiding part includes a groove-form hole part that penetrates the second cylindrical member, and the first cylindrical member includes a follower part that follows the guiding part having the groove-form hole part.

Abstract: A lens barrel which allows efficient interlock between a cylindrical member such as a moving cam ring and a component such as a viewfinder cam plate or a strobe cam plate, without size-increasing. The lens barrel comprises a first cylindrical member, and a second cylindrical member that is disposed so as to receive the first cylindrical member, and includes a guiding part at an inner circumferential surface thereof. The guiding part includes a groove-form hole part that penetrates the second cylindrical member, and the first cylindrical member includes a follower part that follows the guiding part having the groove-form hole part.

Abstract: A lens barrel which allows efficient interlock between a cylindrical member such as a moving cam ring and a component such as a viewfinder cam plate or a strobe cam plate, without size-increasing. The lens barrel comprises a first cylindrical member, and a second cylindrical member that is disposed so as to receive the first cylindrical member, and includes a guiding part at an inner circumferential surface thereof. The guiding part includes a groove-form hole part that penetrates the second cylindrical member, and the first cylindrical member includes a follower part that follows the guiding part having the groove-form hole part.

Abstract: A lens barrel capable of, in a housed state of the photographing lens barrel, making an image pickup apparatus more compact than the conventional image pickup apparatuses, while protecting an image pickup element from harmful light. The lens barrel comprises a lens holding section adapted to hold a lens, a dimming filter adapted to be retractable to reduce light from an object, a shutter adapted to be opened and closed to shield the light from the object, and a control unit adapted to control the movement of the lens holding section, the dimming filter and the shutter. The control unit is adapted, in a non-image-pickup state, to close the shutter and to retreat the dimming filter, and adapted to move the lens or the lens holding section to a space formed by retreating of the dimming filter.

Abstract: A lens apparatus includes a first lens barrel member and a second lens barrel member coupled with the first lens barrel member via a cam mechanism. The first lens barrel member includes a stopper portion and a gear portion. The stopper portion comes into contact with a first contact surface formed in the second lens barrel member, when the first lens barrel member protruding from the second lens barrel member in the optical axis direction receives the external force from a front end side of the first lens barrel member in its protruding direction, to restrict a displacement of the first lens barrel member with respect to the second lens barrel member due to the external force. The gear portion comes into contact with a second contact surface formed in the second lens barrel member to restrict the displacement due to the external force.

Abstract: A camera, lens positioning mechanism and method use a lens holding member to hold a lens therein for receiving optical information that may be captured on film or digitally. The lens holding member interfaces with a ring-shaped barrel member, geared ring or the like, that when turned in one direction by a motor forces the lens holding member out, or back, depending on a slope of a cam placed on the barrel member, slot in the barrel member or the like. When driven in the single direction, the cam member on the ring barrel member, forces the lens holding member in a predetermined direction. A biasing member connected to the ring provides an opposing force that when used during a focusing operation pulls the lens holding member and cam member back to a home position without the need of a driving force from the motor. A clutch mechanism engages and disengages the driving force of the motor on the geared ring depending on whether a focusing operation, lens storage operation, or zooming operation is performed.

Abstract: A camera, lens positioning mechanism and method use a lens holding member to hold a lens therein for receiving optical information that may be captured on film or digitally. The lens holding member interfaces with a ring-shaped barrel member, geared ring or the like, that when turned in one direction by a motor forces the lens holding member out, or back, depending on a slope of a cam placed on the barrel member, slot in the barrel member or the like. When driven in the single direction, the cam member on the ring barrel member, forces the lens holding member in a predetermined direction. A biasing member connected to the ring provides an opposing force that when used during a focusing operation pulls the lens holding member and cam member back to a home position without the need of a driving force from the motor. A clutch mechanism engages and disengages the driving force of the motor on the geared ring depending on whether a focusing operation, lens storage operation, or zooming operation is performed.