Abstract: An illumination optical system for a microscope is provided wherein the illumination state can be successively changed between Koehler illumination and critical illumination while ensuring one or more conditions are satisfied so that the image of the light source illuminates an appropriately large region of the field of view of the microscope during critical illumination. Preferably, no cemented lens elements are used so that degradation of the cement caused by ultraviolet light sources is avoided, thereby enabling an appropriate illumination type to be provided at will and without degradation of the optical components of the illumination optical system over time.

Abstract: In a zoom lens comprising first to fourth lens groups, the second lens group comprises two meniscus lenses and an achromatic lens. The achromatic lens comprises a cemented lens having a negative refracting power as a whole, and a lens having a positive refracting power with a convex surface directed onto the object side. The cemented lens comprises a meniscus lens or plane-convex lens having a positive refracting power with a concave surface or plane directed onto the object side, and a lens having a negative refracting power.

Abstract: In a short-focal-length side zooming range, a moveable sub-lens group of a zoom lens system is made stationary at one of the object-side and the image-side end. At the intermediate switching focal length, the moveable sub-lens group is moved to the other of the object-side and the image-side end.

Abstract: An optical system includes a first lens unit, a second lens unit, and a third lens unit. The second lens unit is movable. By moving the second lens unit, astigmatism due to the first lens unit and the second lens unit is corrected and astigmatism due to the second lens unit and the third lens unit is corrected.

Abstract: A zoom lens of the rear-focus type includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit of positive refractive power, a second lens unit of negative refractive power, a third lens unit of positive refractive power and a fourth lens unit of positive refractive power. The variation of magnification from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end is effected by moving the second lens unit toward the image side. Shifting of an image plane caused by the variation of magnification is compensated for by moving the fourth lens unit. Focusing is effected by moving the fourth lens unit. The second lens unit consists of, in order from the object side to the image side, a negative lens, a negative lens, a positive lens and a negative lens, the third lens unit comprises a plurality of positive lenses and a negative lens, and the fourth lens unit consists of a negative lens and a positive lens, and wherein the following condition is satisfied: 0.25<(Fm−Fw)/(Ft−Fw)<0.

Abstract: A zoom lens is disclosed comprising, from front to rear, a first lens unit of positive refractive power, a second lens unit of negative refractive power, a third lens unit of positive refractive power, a fourth lens unit of negative refractive power, a fifth lens unit of positive refractive power and a sixth lens unit of negative refractive power, wherein, during zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end, the air separations between the i-th and (i+1)st lens units are made to vary properly and the ratio of the focal length of the fourth lens unit to the longest focal length of the entire system is made to have a proper value. In particular, a zoom lens is disclosed wherein the second lens unit is made to decenter to stabilize the image.

Abstract: A zoom lens system includes a plurality of lens groups being relatively moveable in order to vary the focal length, and at least one lens group is arranged to be a switching lens group which includes two or more sub-lens groups, and in which one sub-lens group is made moveable, along the optical axis, with respect to the other sub-lens group. In the first focal-length range of the zooming range of the zoom lens system, the moveable sub-lens group and the other sub-lens group maintain the first distance; and in the second focal-length range which covers the first focal-length range and a range different therefrom, the moveable sub-lens group and the other sub-lens group maintain the second distance which is different from the first one.

Abstract: The invention relates to a zoom lens system of three-group construction, one lens for each group, which is less susceptible to aberration variations even upon zooming and can achieve entire-length reductions, large lens aperture and high zoom ratio. The zoom lens system comprises, in order from an object side thereof, a first lens group G1 consisting of one single lens formed of a homogeneous medium and having positive refracting power, a second lens group G2 consisting of one single lens formed of a homogeneous medium and having negative refracting power, and a third lens group G3 consisting of one single lens formed of a homogeneous medium and having positive refracting power. For zooming from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end of the zoom lens system, at least the second lens group G2 moves from the object side toward an image side of the zoom lens system.

Abstract: A camera includes a zoom lens having a first lens group having a positive focal length, a second lens group having a negative focal length, an opening iris, a third lens group having a positive focal length, and a fourth lens group having a positive focal length. The first lens group, the second lens group, the opening iris, the third lens group and the fourth lens group are arranged in order from the object side, When zooming from a short focal point end toward a long focal point end, the second lens group moves from the object side toward the image side, and the third lens group first moves from the image side toward the object side, and then, after arriving at a position closest to the object side in an area at a long focal point side beyond an intermediate focal point, moves toward the image side.

Abstract: A zoom lens includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit of positive refractive power, a second lens unit of negative refractive power arranged to move during variation of magnification, a third lens unit arranged to move during variation of magnification, and a fourth lens unit of positive refractive power. The first lens unit includes a first lens subunit arranged to be stationary during focusing, and a second lens subunit of positive refractive power arranged to move during focusing. The first lens subunit includes, in order from the object side to the image side, at least one first positive lens, at least one negative lens of bi-concave form, and at least one second positive lens.

Abstract: A wide-angle zoom lens system including a negative first lens group, a positive second lens group, a diaphragm, and a positive third lens group, in this order from the object; whereby upon zooming from the short focal length extremity towards the long focal length extremity, each lens group is arranged to move so that the space between the first and second lens groups and the space between the second and third lens groups are narrowed; and the diaphragm moves integrally with the third lens group. At least one negative lens element having a concave surface facing towards the image is provided in the first lens group, and the concave surface of the at least one negative lens element is an aspherical surface; and the wide-angle zoom lens system preferably satisfies the following condition; 0.8<X1/fS<2.

Abstract: A focusing method for a zoom lens system, including at least two lens groups, enables a portion of the zoom lens system to function as a focusing lens group over the entire focal length constituted by discrete focal length ranges. The portion of the zoom lens system, functioning as the focusing lens group, is changed to another portion thereof, in accordance with to the discrete focal length ranges.

Abstract: A zoom optical system provides a series of lens units designed to allow for zooming with minimal change in aberration resulting from the movement of the lens units. Each lens unit has a plurality of lens units. One embodiment has, in order from the object side, a first lens unit having a negative refractive power, a second lens unit having a positive refractive power, a third lens unit having a positive refractive power and a fourth lens unit having a positive refractive power wherein the second lens unit may have at least one gradient index lens element and the first lens unit is kept stationary during a change of magnification. Additional embodiments have more or fewer lens units and the refractive power of each lens unit is varied. In some embodiments, a lens unit other than the first lens unit is kept stationary.

Abstract: A zoom lens having only five lens groups of positive, negative, negative, positive and positive refractive power, respectively, in order from the object side. The focal distance is varied by shifting the second and third lens groups, in order from the object side, along the optical axis, and a middle sub-assembly in the first lens group is shifted along the optical axis in order to correct for what otherwise would be a shifting in the image plane as the distance to the object is varied. The first lens group is formed of three sub-assemblies, with the sub-assembly nearest the object side having negative refractive power and being fixed in position, the middle sub-assembly having positive refractive power and shifting as discussed above, and the sub-assembly nearest the image-side having positive refractive power and being fixed in position.

Abstract: A step zoom lens includes a first movable lens group of negative power, a diaphragm which is immovable during zooming, and a second lens group of positive power. A fundamental zooming path along which the first lens group is moved to vary a focal length without causing an image shift is defined so that the distance of the first lens group from the diaphragm is reduced and is thereafter increased, upon zooming from a wide angle extremity to a telephoto extremity, and a fundamental zooming path along which the second lens group is moved is defined so that the distance of the second lens group from the diaphragm is linearly varied. The discrete stop positions of the first and second lens groups are determined to be different from a focal length position at which the distance between the first lens group and the diaphragm on the fundamental zooming path thereof is minimum or the vicinity thereof.

Abstract: An objective optical system comprising, in order from the object side, a first lens unit having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit having a negative refractive power and a third lens unit having a positive refractive power, wherein the second lens unit is moved along an optical axis for changing a magnification. This objective optical system is configured to be compact and have favorable optical performance by adequately selecting an airspace between the first lens unit and the second lens unit as well as a power for the first lens unit.

Abstract: A wide-angle zoom lens system including a negative first lens group, a positive second lens group, a diaphragm, and a positive third lens group, in this order from the object; whereby upon zooming from the short focal length extremity towards the long focal length extremity, each lens group is arranged to move so that the space between the first and second lens groups and the space between the second and third lens groups are narrowed; and the wide-angle zoom lens system preferably satisfies the following condition: 0.36<(D2S−D2L)/(fL−fS)<0.

Abstract: A zoom lens system has the first and second lens units. During zooming from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end, the lens units are moved to decrease a distance therebetween. The first lens unit has a positive refractive power. The second lens unit has a negative refractive power. The zoom lens system is provided with at least one surface having a power to diffract light.

Abstract: The invention provides a zoom lens system that is reduced in terms of both size and cost. The zoom lens system comprises a first positive lens group G1, a second negative lens group G2, a stop S, a third positive lens group G3 and a fourth positive lens group G4. During zooming from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end of the system, while the first lens group G1 remains fixed, the second lens group G2 moves from an object side to an image plane side of the system, the third lens group G3 moves from the image plane side to the object side, and the fourth lens group G4 moves to keep an image plane at a constant position.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a very compact zoom assembly with a minimum number of parts. Another object of this invention is to provide a zoom assembly which does not require guide rods and utilizes with only one motor for both zooming and focusing. Briefly summarized, according to one aspect of the present invention, a zoom assembly includes a zoom lens defining an optical axis. This zoom lens is capable of operating in a plurality of different zoom positions and of focus adjustment for different object distances in each of the zoom positions. The zoom positions are (i) two extreme zoom positions (a wide angle position and a telephoto position), and (ii) a plurality of intermediate zoom positions. The zoom lens includes at least a first movable lens group and a second movable lens group. These first and second lens group are separated from one another by a variable distance.

Abstract: An adaptor for coupling a video camera to an endoscope, borescope, or the like includes a focusing mechanism and an independent zoom or magnification variation adjustment mechanism. The zoom mechanism will move two lens groups along an optical path simultaneously, but at different speeds. Each lens groups preferably includes a pair of lenses affixed together as a doublet. By controlling the position of the doublets relative to a pair of focusing lenses, the present adaptor provides an optically compensated zoom mechanism which allows changes in the magnification of the adaptor throughout a wide magnification range without having to refocus the adaptor.

Abstract: A zoom lens includes, in order from as object side, a first lens unit having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit having a negative refractive power, a third lens unit having a positive refractive power, a fourth lens having a positive or negative refractive power, a fifth lens unit having a negative refractive power, and a sixth lens unit having a positive refractive power, and a sixth lens unit having a positive refractive power, wherein the separations between the lens units are varied to effect zooming. Further, the fifth lens unit is arranged to move in directions substantially perpendicular to the optical axis to compensate vibrations.

Abstract: A projection zoom lens system is used in imaging and non-imaging modes for entertanment and architectural illumination, providing 8:1 zoom ratio in an imaging mode and 20:1 zoom ratio in a non-imaging mode. When coupled with a variable aperture iris, beam size control is obtained with 120:1 ratio. The lens system comprises four lens groups: a first group having a positive refractive power, a second group having a negative refractive power, a third group having a negative refractive power, and a fourth group having a positive refractive power. In the imaging mode, the third group is adjusted axially to vary magnification while the second group is adjusted axially to focus on the object. In the non-imaging mode, the second and third groups are brought into close proximity with each other and adjusted axially as a unit to vary magnification. The fourth group remains fixed and the first group can be adjusted axially to focus the image at different throw lengths.

Abstract: A zoom lens system includes three lens groups. The first lens group and the third lens group have a positive refractive power, and the second lens group has a negative refractive power. The second lens group and the third lens group move along an optical axis when zooming from a wide-angle position to a telephoto position. The zoom lens system satisfies the following conditions:2.0<.beta..sub.2 (T)/.beta..sub.3 (T)<2.5-0.7<.beta..sub.3 (T)<-0.4where:.beta..sub.2 (T) represents magnification ratio of the second lens group at the telephoto position; and.beta..sub.3 (T) represents magnification ratio of the third lens group at the telephoto position.

Abstract: A zoom lens comprises a plurality of lens units movable along an optical axis for zooming and a lens unit movable along the optical axis for focusing, wherein the focusing lens unit moves integrally with one lens unit of the plurality of lens units in at least one zooming zone, and, in another zooming zone, moves while varying a separation thereof relative to the one lens unit.

Abstract: This specification discloses a zoom lens which has, in succession from the object side, a first lens unit of positive refractive power, a second lens unit having negative refractive power and movable during a focal length change, a third lens unit for correcting the changing of an image plane resulting from the movement of the second lens unit, and a fixed fourth lens unit having positive refractive power, and in which an aspherical surface of a predetermined shape for correcting well spherical aberration and distortion resulting from a focal length change is provided on a predetermined lens surface in the first lens unit.

Abstract: There is disclosed a zoom lens having, in order from an object side, a first lens unit having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit having a negative refractive power and adapted to move in the zooming operation, a third lens unit for correcting the variation in the image plane resulting from the movement of the second lens unit, and a fixed fourth lens unit having a positive refractive power, wherein an aspherical surface of a predetermined shape for satisfactorily correcting the spherical aberration and the distortion aberration resulting from the zooming operation is applied onto a predetermined lens in the lens unit.

Abstract: A high performance zoom lens with a high zoom ratio is suitable for a wide range of uses. The zoom lens includes, in order from the object side, a first lens group having a positive refractive power, a second lens group having a negative refractive power, a third lens group having a positive refractive power, a fourth lens group having a negative refractive power, and the fifth lens group having a positive refractive power. A magnification of the second lens group, a magnification of the third lens group and a magnification of the fourth lens group almost simultaneously attain near equal magnification. The zoom lens system satisfies at least one predetermined condition.

Abstract: A zoom lens comprises a plurality of lens elements arranged into three zooming lens units. These zooming lens units are spaced from one another by axial distances that vary during zooming. The lens units are a negative power front lens unit, a positive power middle lens unit and a negative power rear lens unit. At least one of the lens units continually moves away from the image plane, as the zoom lens zooms from a wide angle position toward a telephoto position so that the distance from this lens unit to the image plane varies in sigmoidal relation with respect to the focal length of the zoom lens.

Abstract: A vari-focal image pickup optical system for endoscopes comprising, in order from the object side, a first focusing lens unit which is capable of adjusting a diopter within a range covering positive and negative values, and has a positive refractive power, a second variator lens unit which has a vari-focal function and a negative refractive power, and a third compensator lens unit which maintains an image at a constant location by correcting a deviation of an image location caused by changing a magnification, wherein magnifications of the second lens unit and the third lens unit are changed around a magnification level of -1.times., wherein a magnification of the optical system is changed from that at a wide position to that at a tele position by moving the second lens unit from the object side toward the image side and moving the third lens unit from the image side toward the object side, and wherein the third lens unit is set at the magnification level of -1.times.

Abstract: A zoom lens system including a first lens group of a positive refractive power having two lenses which moves linearly toward an object for a magnification change; a second lens group of a negative refractive power at least having one lens of a negative refractive power and one lens of a positive refractive power adhered thereto; a third lens group of a positive refractive power which moves non-linearly toward the object for a magnification changes; and a fourth lens group of a negative refractive power which moves linearly toward the object for a magnification change.

Abstract: A high-performance zoom lens having a long back focus and thus ideally suited to electronic imaging equipment. The zoom lens comprises a first lens group G1 having positive refractive power, a second lens group G2 having negative refractive power, a third lens group G3 having negative refractive power, a fourth lens group G4 having positive refractive power, and fifth lens group G5 having positive refractive power. When zooming from the maximum wide-angle state to the maximum telephoto state, the air space between first lens group G1 and second lens group G2 increases, the air space between second lens group G2 and third lens group G3 changes linearly or non-linearly, and the air space between fourth lens group G4 and fifth lens group G5 changes linearly or non-linearly. The zoom lens preferable satisfies at least one of a number of design conditions.

Abstract: A zoom lens system includes, from the object to image side, a first lens unit of a positive refractive power having a first lens element with a power to both diffract and refract light. A second lens unit has a negative refractive power and may include a second lens element having both the power to diffract and refract light, and it least a third lens unit is included. A zooming operation is performed by varying the distances between the respective first, second, and third lens units.

Abstract: A telephoto zoom lens system includes in order from an object side:a first lens group G.sub.1 having a positive refractive power;a second lens group G.sub.2 having a negative refractive power;a third lens group G.sub.3 having a negative refractive power;a fourth lens group G.sub.4 having a positive refractive power; anda fifth lens group G.sub.5 having a negative refractive power.When zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end, the distance between each of the adjacent lens groups changes. The second lens group G.sub.2, when zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end, first moves from the wide-angle end position toward the object side, then moves toward the image side, and once again moves toward the object side to reach the telephoto end. The second lens group G.sub.2 is positioned closer to the image side at its telephoto end than it is at its wide-angle end.

Abstract: A zoom lens of the rear focus type is disclosed, comprising, in order from an object side, a first lens unit of positive refractive power, a second lens unit of negative refractive power, a third lens unit of positive refractive power, a fourth lens unit of positive refractive power and a fifth lens unit of negative refractive power, wherein at least the second lens unit and the fourth lens unit are moved to vary magnification and the fourth lens unit is moved to effect focusing, and wherein an aperture stop is located in a space between the third lens unit and the fourth lens unit.

Abstract: A zoom lens system in which the back focus variations that accompany the movement of a shift lens unit can be compensated. During image shifting, the shift lens unit can be moved in a direction substantially perpendicular to an optical axis in order to shift an image. The shift lens unit also moves a small amount along the optical axis, thereby creating a back focus variation. A focusing lens unit is provided that moves along the optical axis to compensate for the variations in the back focus created by the shift lens unit during image shifting. A variation amount of the spherical aberration for the highest marginal rays at each focal length condition, when the shift lens unit undergoes a small change in position along the optical axis, divided by the amount of movement of the shift lens unit in the perpendicular direction is less than zero and greater than negative one.

Abstract: A zoom lens system includes a plurality of lens units. First to third focal length zones are set according to the focal length. During focusing, in the first focal length zone, the lens units are moved at a first constant ratio, and in the third focal length zone, the lens units are moved at a second constant ratio which is different from the first constant ratio. In the second focal length zone, the movement ratio of the lens units varies according to the focal length.

Abstract: A zoom lens includes, from front to rear, a first lens unit having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit having a negative refractive power, a third lens unit having a positive refractive power and a fourth lens unit having a positive refractive power, at least the second and fourth lens units being moved to effect zooming, wherein the maximum image angle is increased while the diameter of the first lens unit is extremely reduced.

Abstract: A zoom lens comprising five lens groups is configured such that the total moving amount of the second lens group from the wide angle end to the telephotographic end is changed according to the object distance and that the fourth lens group is moved so as to correct zooming and focusing, whereby the imaging magnification is prevented from decreasing at the time of zooming even when the object distance changes. It comprises five lens groups respectively having positive, negative, negative, positive, and positive refractive powers. At the time of zooming, the first, third, and fifth lens groups (G1, G3, and G5) are fixed, while the second and fourth lens groups (G2 and G4) are made movable. The second lens group (G2) is moved in the optical axis direction so as to change the focal length of the whole system, while the fourth lens group (G4) is moved in the optical axis direction to correct fluctuation in the imaging position and to correct change in the imaging position caused by change in the object distance.

Abstract: A zoom lens having the vibration-reduction function includes, in succession from the object side, a first lens unit having positive refractive power, a second lens unit having negative refractive power, a third lens unit having negative refractive power, and a fourth lens unit having positive refractive power. The fourth lens unit includes, in succession from the object side, a front group having positive refractive power and a rear group having positive refractive power. During the focal-length change from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, the spacing between the first lens unit and the second lens unit is increased, the spacing between the second lens unit and the third lens unit and the spacing between the third lens unit and the fourth lens unit are non-linearly varied. At least one of the third lens unit and the front group in the fourth lens unit is provided for movement in a direction substantially orthogonal to the optical axis thereof.

Abstract: A zoom lens of the rear focus type is disclosed, comprising, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit of positive refractive power, a second lens unit of negative refractive power, a third lens unit of positive refractive power, a fourth lens unit of positive refractive power and a fifth lens unit of negative refractive power, wherein at least the second lens unit and the fourth lens unit are moved to vary magnification and the fourth lens unit is moved to effect focusing, and wherein the third lens unit comprises, in order from the object side to the image side, a positive lens and a negative lens having a strong concave surface facing the image side.

Abstract: A zoom lens comprises a first lens group having a positive refracting power, a second lens group having a negative refracting power, and a third lens group having a positive refracting power, disposed in the named order from the object side, wherein the first lens group has a 1-1 lens group having a negative refracting power and a 1-2 lens group having a positive refracting power, disposed in the named order from the object side, wherein zooming from a wide angle end to a telephoto end is effected by increasing a gap between the first lens group and the second lens group and reducing a gap between the second lens group the third lens group, while fixing the first lens group, wherein focusing from infinity to near is effected by moving the 1-1 lens group to the object side; andwherein the following condition is satisfied:0.5<f1/fw<2.

Abstract: An internal focusing zoom lens comprises a first lens group of positive refracting power, a second lens group of negative refracting power, a third lens group of positive refracting power and a fourth lens group of positive refracting power disposed in the named order from the object side, in which at least the first lens group, the third lens group and the fourth lens group move toward an object along the optical axis during zooming from wide angle to telephoto such that an air gap increases between the first lens group and the second lens group, an air gap decreases between the second lens group and the third lens group and an air gap decreases between the third lens group and the fourth lens group, in which the second lens group moves toward the object along the optical axis during focusing, and which satisfies various conditions.

Abstract: In five-constituent lens groups, the fourth lens group from the object side is made as a positive lens. This fourth lens group is moved in order to correct zooming and focusing, while predetermined conditional expressions are satisfied, thereby realizing a zoom lens which can attain a wide angle and a high zoom ratio while favorably correcting various kinds of aberration. This zoom lens has five groups respectively composed of positive, negative, positive, positive, and positive lens groups. At the time of zooming, the first, third, and fifth lens groups G1, G3, and G5 are made stationary, while the second and fourth lens groups G2 and G4 are made movable. As the second lens group G2 is moved in the optical axis direction, the focal length of the whole system is changed. As the fourth lens group G4 is moved in the optical axis direction, the fluctuation in imaging position is corrected and the change in the imaging position due to change in object distance is corrected.

Abstract: A high performance zoom lens system is provided capable of driving a vibration reduction lens group while securing sufficient brightness (small F-number) and sufficient back focal length. The zoom lens system includes a first lens group G1 of positive refractive power, a second lens group G2 of negative refractive power and a last lens group GL of positive refractive power. An interval between the first lens group G1 and the second lens group G2 increases and an interval between the second lens group G2 and the last lens group varies during zooming from a maximum wide-angle state to a maximum telephoto state. The last lens group GL includes a first lens subgroup GL1 of positive refractive power, a second lens subgroup GL2 of positive refractive power and a third lens subgroup GL3 of either positive or negative refractive power. A displacement device prevents vibration by moving the second lens subgroup GL2 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis.

Abstract: A zoom lens system with vibration reduction function includes, in succession from the object side, a first lens unit having positive refractive power, a second lens unit movable along a direction across the optical axis thereof and having negative refractive power, a third lens unit, a fourth lens unit having positive refractive power, a fifth lens unit having negative refractive power, during the focal-length change from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, the spacing between the first lens unit and the second lens unit being increased, the spacing between the second lens unit and the third lens unit being varied, and the spacing between the fourth lens unit and the fifth lens unit being decreased, and a vibration reduction device for moving the second lens unit along the direction across the optical axis, the stabilization of an image on an image plane being accomplished by the movement of the second lens unit caused by the vibration reduction device.

Abstract: A zoom lens comprising, in the order from the object side, a front lens group including a variator lens unit with a negative refractive power; an aperture stop; and a rear lens group arranged behind the aperture stop. The rear lens group includes a lens unit having a positive refractive power, a focusing lens unit having a negative refractive power, and a compensator lens unit having a positive refractive power. At the time of zooming, the lens unit having the positive refractive power moves together with the focusing lens unit, and at the time of focusing, only the focusing lens unit moves separately from the lens unit having the positive refractive power.

Abstract: A zoom lens comprising, from front to rear, a first lens unit of negative refractive power, a second lens unit of positive refractive power, a third lens unit of positive refractive power and a fourth lens unit of negative refractive power, totaling four lens units, wherein, when zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end, the lens units move axially in such relation that the air separation between the first lens unit and the second lens unit increases, the air separation between the second lens unit and the third lens unit increases and the air separation between the third lens unit and the fourth lens unit decreases.

Abstract: A zoom lens system comprising, in order from the object side, a first lens unit having a negative refractive power, a second lens unit having a positive refractive power and a third lens unit having a positive refractive power, and configured so as to vary a focal length thereof from a wide position to a tele position by moving the first lens unit non-linearly for maintaining an image surface at a constant location, and moving the second lens unit and the third lens unit from the image side toward the object side so that an airspace reserved between these two lens units is narrowed.

Abstract: A micro lens allowing a short-distance photographing operation from infinity to an equal magnification consists of, in order from the object side, a first lens group including a negative lens and having a positive refracting power, a second lens group having a positive refracting power, a third lens group including a cemented lens (doublet lens) and having a negative refracting power, and a fourth lens group having a positive refracting power. When a focusing operation is performed from infinity to a short distance, the first lens group is nonlinearly moved and the group interval between the second and third lens groups is increased, thereby satisfying required conditions.