Zoom lens system, imaging device and camera

An imaging device capable of outputting an optical image of an object as an electric image signal, comprising:

• a zoom lens system that forms the optical image of the object;
• and
• an image sensor that converts the optical image formed by the zoom lens system into the electric image signal, wherein
• in the zoom lens system,
• the zoom lens system, in order from an object side to an image side, comprises a first lens unit having negative optical power, a second lens unit having positive optical power, and at least one subsequent lens unit having optical power, wherein
• in zooming from a wide-angle limit to a telephoto limit at the time of image taking, the lens units are moved along an optical axis such that an air space between at least any two lens units among the first lens unit, the second lens unit and the subsequent lens unit should vary, so that variable magnification is achieved, wherein
• the first lens unit includes a lens element having a reflecting surface for bending a light beam incident from the object, and wherein
• the following condition (I-1) is satisfied:
• 0.20<|fG1|/fT<0.52 (I-1)
• (here, fT/fW≧4.0) where,
• fG1 is a composite focal length of the first lens unit,
• fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, and
• fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit.

A camera for converting an optical image of an object into an electric image signal and then performing at least one of displaying and storing of the converted image signal, comprising

• an imaging device including a zoom lens system that forms the optical image of the object and an image sensor that converts the optical image formed by the zoom lens system into the electric image signal, wherein
• in the zoom lens system,
• the zoom lens system, in order from an object side to an image side, comprises a first lens unit having negative optical power, a second lens unit having positive optical power, and at least one subsequent lens unit having optical power, wherein
• in zooming from a wide-angle limit to a telephoto limit at the time of image taking, the lens units are moved along an optical axis such that an air space between at least any two lens units among the first lens unit, the second lens unit and the subsequent lens unit should vary, so that variable magnification is achieved, wherein
• the first lens unit includes a lens element having a reflecting surface for bending a light beam incident from the object, and wherein
• the following condition (I-1) is satisfied:
• 0.20<|fG1|/fT<0.52 (I-1)
• (here, fT/fW≧4.0)
• where,
• fG1 is a composite focal length of the first lens unit,
• fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, and
• fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit.

A zoom lens system, in order from an object side to an image side, comprising a first lens unit having negative optical power, a second lens unit having positive optical power, and at least one subsequent lens unit having optical power, wherein

• in zooming from a wide-angle limit to a telephoto limit at the time of image taking, at least the second lens unit among the first lens unit, the second lens unit and the subsequent lens unit is moved along an optical axis so that variable magnification is achieved, while the first lens unit is not moved along the optical axis, and wherein
• the following condition (II-1) is satisfied:
• 2.45<TG2/fW<4.90 (II-1)
• (here, fT/fW≧4.0)
• where,
• TG2 is an amount of axial movement of the second lens unit in zooming from a wide-angle limit to a telephoto limit at the time of image taking,
• fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, and
• fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit.

An imaging device capable of outputting an optical image of an object as an electric image signal, comprising:

• a zoom lens system that forms the optical image of the object;
• and
• an image sensor that converts the optical image formed by the zoom lens system into the electric image signal, wherein
• in the zoom lens system,
• the zoom lens system, in order from an object side to an image side, comprises a first lens unit having negative optical power, a second lens unit having positive optical power, and at least one subsequent lens unit having optical power, wherein
• in zooming from a wide-angle limit to a telephoto limit at the time of image taking, at least the second lens unit among the first lens unit, the second lens unit and the subsequent lens unit is moved along the optical axis so that variable magnification is achieved, while the first lens unit is not moved along the optical axis, and wherein
• the following condition (II-1) is satisfied:
• 2.45<TG2/fW<4.90 (II-1)
• (here, fT/fW≧4.0)
• where,
• TG2 is an amount of axial movement of the second lens unit in zooming from a wide-angle limit to a telephoto limit at the time of image taking,
• fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, and
• fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit.

A camera for converting an optical image of an object into an electric image signal and then performing at least one of displaying and storing of the converted image signal, comprising

• an imaging device including a zoom lens system that forms the optical image of the object and an image sensor that converts the optical image formed by the zoom lens system into the electric image signal, wherein
• in the zoom lens system,
• the zoom lens system, in order from an object side to an image side, comprises a first lens unit having negative optical power, a second lens unit having positive optical power, and at least one subsequent lens unit having optical power, wherein
• in zooming from a wide-angle limit to a telephoto limit at the time of image taking, at least the second lens unit among the first lens unit, the second lens unit and the subsequent lens unit is moved along the optical axis so that variable magnification is achieved, while the first lens unit is not moved along the optical axis, and wherein
• the following condition (II-1) is satisfied:
• 2.45<TG2/fW<4.90 (II-1)
• (here, fT/fW≧4.0)
• where,
• TG2 is an amount of axial movement of the second lens unit in zooming from a wide-angle limit to a telephoto limit at the time of image taking,
• fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, and
• fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit.

A zoom lens system, in order from an object side to an image side, at least comprising a first lens unit having negative optical power, a second lens unit having positive optical power, and a third lens unit having negative optical power, wherein

• in zooming from a wide-angle limit to a telephoto limit at the time of image taking, the lens units are moved along an optical axis such that an air space between the first lens unit and the second lens unit and an air space between the second lens unit and the third lens unit should vary, so that variable magnification is achieved, and wherein
• the following condition (III-1) is satisfied:
• 1.25<β3T/β3W<1.90 (III-1)
• (here, fT/fW≧4.0)
• where,
• β3T is a lateral magnification of the third lens unit at a telephoto limit in an infinity in-focus condition,
• β3W is a lateral magnification of the third lens unit at a wide-angle limit in an infinity in-focus condition,
• fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, and
• fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit.

An imaging device capable of outputting an optical image of an object as an electric image signal, comprising:

• a zoom lens system that forms the optical image of the object;
• and
• an image sensor that converts the optical image formed by the zoom lens system into the electric image signal, wherein
• in the zoom lens system,
• the zoom lens system, in order from an object side to an image side, at least comprises a first lens unit having negative optical power, a second lens unit having positive optical power, and a third lens unit having negative optical power, wherein
• in zooming from a wide-angle limit to a telephoto limit at the time of image taking, the lens units are moved along an optical axis such that an air space between the first lens unit and the second lens unit and an air space between the second lens unit and the third lens unit should vary, so that variable magnification is achieved, and wherein
• the following condition (III-1) is satisfied:
• 1.25<β3T/β3W<1.90 (III-1)
• (here, fT/fW≧4.0)
• where,
• β3T is a lateral magnification of the third lens unit at a telephoto limit in an infinity in-focus condition,
• β3W is a lateral magnification of the third lens unit at a wide-angle limit in an infinity in-focus condition,
• fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, and
• fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit.

A camera for converting an optical image of an object into an electric image signal and then performing at least one of displaying and storing of the converted image signal, comprising

• an imaging device including a zoom lens system that forms the optical image of the object and an image sensor that converts the optical image formed by the zoom lens system into the electric image signal, wherein
• in the zoom lens system,
• the zoom lens system, in order from an object side to an image side, at least comprises a first lens unit having negative optical power, a second lens unit having positive optical power, and a third lens unit having negative optical power, wherein
• in zooming from a wide-angle limit to a telephoto limit at the time of image taking, the lens units are moved along an optical axis such that an air space between the first lens unit and the second lens unit and an air space between the second lens unit and the third lens unit should vary, so that variable magnification is achieved, and wherein
• the following condition (III-1) is satisfied:
• 1.25<β3T/β3W<1.90 (III-1)
• (here, fT/fW≧4.0)
• where,
• β3T is a lateral magnification of the third lens unit at a telephoto limit in an infinity in-focus condition,
• β3W is a lateral magnification of the third lens unit at a wide-angle limit in an infinity in-focus condition,
• fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, and
• fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit.

A zoom lens system, in order from an object side to an image side, comprising a first lens unit having negative optical power, a second lens unit having positive optical power, and at least one subsequent lens unit having optical power, wherein

• in zooming from a wide-angle limit to a telephoto limit at the time of image taking, at least the second lens unit among the first lens unit, the second lens unit and the subsequent lens unit is moved along the optical axis so that variable magnification is achieved, wherein
• the first lens unit includes a lens element having a reflecting surface for bending a light beam incident from the object, and wherein
• the following condition (IV-1) is satisfied:
• 0.08<(DT−DW)/fW<0.18 (IV-1)
• (here, fT/fW≧3.0)
• where,
• DT is a diameter of the aperture diaphragm at a telephoto limit,
• DW is a diameter of the aperture diaphragm at a wide-angle limit,
• fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, and
• fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit.

An imaging device capable of outputting an optical image of an object as an electric image signal, comprising:

• a zoom lens system that forms the optical image of the object;
• and
• an image sensor that converts the optical image formed by the zoom lens system into the electric image signal, wherein
• in the zoom lens system,
• the zoom lens system, in order from an object side to an image side, comprises a first lens unit having negative optical power, a second lens unit having positive optical power, and at least one subsequent lens unit having optical power, wherein
• in zooming from a wide-angle limit to a telephoto limit at the time of image taking, at least the second lens unit among the first lens unit, the second lens unit and the subsequent lens unit is moved along the optical axis so that variable magnification is achieved, wherein
• the first lens unit includes a lens element having a reflecting surface for bending a light beam incident from the object, and wherein
• the following condition (IV-1) is satisfied:
• 0.08<(DT−DW)/fW<0.18 (IV-1)
• (here, fT/fW≧3.0)
• where,
• DT is a diameter of the aperture diaphragm at a telephoto limit,
• DW is a diameter of the aperture diaphragm at a wide-angle limit,
• fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, and
• fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit.

A camera for converting an optical image of an object into an electric image signal and then performing at least one of displaying and storing of the converted image signal, comprising

• an imaging device including a zoom lens system that forms the optical image of the object and an image sensor that converts the optical image formed by the zoom lens system into the electric image signal, wherein
• in the zoom lens system,
• the zoom lens system, in order from an object side to an image side, comprises a first lens unit having negative optical power, a second lens unit having positive optical power, and at least one subsequent lens unit having optical power, wherein
• in zooming from a wide-angle limit to a telephoto limit at the time of image taking, at least the second lens unit among the first lens unit, the second lens unit and the subsequent lens unit is moved along the optical axis so that variable magnification is achieved, wherein
• the first lens unit includes a lens element having a reflecting surface for bending a light beam incident from the object, and wherein
• the following condition (IV-1) is satisfied:
• 0.08<(DT−DW)/fW<0.18 (IV-1)
• (here, fT/fW≧3.0)
• where,
• DT is a diameter of the aperture diaphragm at a telephoto limit,
• DW is a diameter of the aperture diaphragm at a wide-angle limit,
• fT is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, and
• fW is a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit.

An imaging device capable of outputting an optical image of an object as an electric image signal, comprising:

• a zoom lens system that forms the optical image of the object;
• and
• an image sensor that converts the optical image formed by the zoom lens system into the electric image signal, wherein
• in the zoom lens system,
• the zoom lens system, in order from an object side to an image side, comprises a first lens unit having negative optical power, a second lens unit having positive optical power, a third lens unit having negative optical power, and a fourth lens unit having positive optical power, wherein
• in zooming from a wide-angle limit to a telephoto limit at the time of image taking, at least the second lens unit and the third lens unit among the first lens unit, the second lens unit, the third lens unit and the fourth lens unit are moved along the optical axis so that variable magnification is achieved, and wherein
• the fourth lens unit or a sub lens unit consisting of a part of the fourth lens unit moves in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis.

A camera for converting an optical image of an object into an electric image signal and then performing at least one of displaying and storing of the converted image signal, comprising

• an imaging device including a zoom lens system that forms the optical image of the object and an image sensor that converts the optical image formed by the zoom lens system into the electric image signal, wherein
• in the zoom lens system,
• the zoom lens system, in order from an object side to an image side, comprises a first lens unit having negative optical power, a second lens unit having positive optical power, a third lens unit having negative optical power, and a fourth lens unit having positive optical power, wherein
• in zooming from a wide-angle limit to a telephoto limit at the time of image taking, at least the second lens unit and the third lens unit among the first lens unit, the second lens unit, the third lens unit and the fourth lens unit are moved along the optical axis so that variable magnification is achieved, and wherein
• the fourth lens unit or a sub lens unit consisting of a part of the fourth lens unit moves in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis.