Abstract: Imaging optical systems of imaging units of a multi-focus camera are set to form respective focal planes in a shooting space at different distances from the multi-focus camera. Front depths of field of the imaging optical systems are set to be so deep that they reach the adjacent focal planes that are arranged on the camera side of the respective focal planes. Focal lengths and magnifications of the imaging optical systems are so defined that images of any subjects of the same size are taken in the same size regardless of where the subjects are located in the shooting space.

Abstract: The lens unit includes an imaging lens including lenses, each of which includes a lens portion having an optical function and a flange portion on a periphery of the lens portion, and a ring-shaped lens holding member provided between the lenses and holds at least one of the lenses and a cylindrical-shaped lens-barrel including a lens holding portion that holds the imaging lens. The flange portion of each of the lenses is fittable to the flange portion of the other lens of the lenses, or the lens holding portion or an inner surface of the lens-barrel, and the lenses combined with each other through fitting to the flange portion of the other lens, the lens holding portion or the inner surface of the lens-barrel have respective shapes in which optical axes of the lenses coincide each other under a fitting state. The compact image pickup module includes the lens unit.

Abstract: Imaging optical systems of imaging units of a multi-focus camera are set to form respective focal planes in a shooting space at different distances from the multi-focus camera. Front depths of field of the imaging optical systems are set to be so deep that they reach the adjacent focal planes that are arranged on the camera side of the respective focal planes. Focal lengths and magnifications of the imaging optical systems are so defined that images of any subjects of the same size are taken in the same size regardless of where the subjects are located in the shooting space.

Abstract: The compact image pickup module includes an imaging lens, a lens-barrel holding the imaging lens, an image pickup element, an image pickup element holder holding the pickup element and into which the barrel is fitted so as to be rotatable about an optical axis of the imaging lens and movable in a direction of the optical axis, a cylindrical cam having as an upper or a lower surface thereof, an annular cam surface whose center is set at the optical axis and being formed in one of the barrel and the element holder and an abutment member being abutted against the cam surface under a state where the barrel is fitted into the element holder and formed in the other. After focusing is performed through relative rotation of the barrel and the element holder, the barrel and the element holder are fixed to each other. The lens unit includes the barrel and the imaging lens having multiple lenses held by the barrel.

Abstract: The lens unit includes an imaging lens including lenses, each of which includes a lens portion having an optical function and a flange portion on a periphery of the lens portion, and a ring-shaped lens holding member provided between the lenses and holds at least one of the lenses and a cylindrical-shaped lens-barrel including a lens holding portion that holds the imaging lens. The flange portion of each of the lenses is fittable to the flange portion of the other lens of the lenses, or the lens holding portion or an inner surface of the lens-barrel, and the lenses combined with each other through fitting to the flange portion of the other lens, the lens holding portion or the inner surface of the lens-barrel have respective shapes in which optical axes of the lenses coincide each other under a fitting state. The compact image pickup module includes the lens unit.

Abstract: The photographing system and method photograph a predetermined photographing spacetime. The system includes image pickup modules having different focal lengths, each picking up an image in the predetermined photographing spacetime. The method uses the image pickup modules. The image pickup modules are set such that the photographing magnification of the image pickup modules having a longer focal length is higher than the photographing magnification of the image pickup modules having a shorter focal length.

Abstract: The compact image pickup module includes an imaging lens, a lens-barrel holding the imaging lens, an image pickup element, an image pickup element holder holding the pickup element and into which the barrel is fitted so as to be rotatable about an optical axis of the imaging lens and movable in a direction of the optical axis, a cylindrical cam having as an upper or a lower surface thereof, an annular cam surface whose center is set at the optical axis and being formed in one of the barrel and the element holder and an abutment member being abutted against the cam surface under a state where the barrel is fitted into the element holder and formed in the other. After focusing is performed through relative rotation of the barrel and the element holder, the barrel and the element holder are fixed to each other. The lens unit includes the barrel and the imaging lens having multiple lenses held by the barrel.