Patent ID: 6515805
Filing Date: 2003-02-04
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
A taking lens device comprising:a zoom lens system, comprising a plurality of lens units, for forming an optical image of an object with variable magnification achieved by varying distances between the lens units; and an image sensor for converting the optical image formed by the zoom lens system into an electric signal, wherein the zoom lens system comprises, from an object side to an image side: a first lens unit having a negative optical power and composed solely of a single negative lens element having a sharper curvature on an image side than on an object side thereof, the first lens unit being moved along an optical axis during zooming; and a second lens unit disposed with an aerial distance secured between itself and the first lens unit and having a positive optical power, the second lens unit being moved along the optical axis during zooming, wherein the following conditional formulae (1) and (2) are fulfilled: 0.31/Yâ€²<1.5â€ƒâ€ƒ(1) 1.41/fw|<5â€ƒâ€ƒ(2) wheret1 represents an axial thickness (surface-to-surface distance along the optical axis) of the negative lens element constituting the first lens unit; Yâ€² represents a maximum image height shootable; f1 represents a focal length of the first lens unit; and fw represents a focal length of the entire zoom lens system at a wide-angle end.