Patent ID: 7986469
Filing Date: 2011-07-26
Classification: G02B,G03B

Abstract:
1. A lens barrel for forming an optical image of a subject on an imaging element, comprising: a first lens unit having a first lens element and a first lens support frame supporting the first lens element; a second lens unit having a second lens element arranged to vary the focal length by moving relative to the first lens element in the optical axis direction, and a second lens support frame supporting the second lens element; a focus lens unit having a focus lens arranged to vary the focal state of the optical image by moving relative to the first lens element or the second lens element in the optical axis direction, and a focus lens support frame supporting the focus lens; a zoom mechanism arranged to relatively move the first lens unit and the second lens unit in the optical axis direction, having a zoom operating unit configured to be operated by the user, with which the operating force inputted to the zoom operating unit is mechanically transmitted to at least one of the first lens unit and the second lens unit; and a focus actuator supported by the zoom mechanism to move integrally with the first lens unit, and configured to utilize electric power to drive the focus lens unit in the optical axis direction with respect to the first lens unit, wherein the focus lens unit is arranged to be driven in the optical axis direction with respect to the first lens unit by just the focus actuator, and when the zoom operating unit is operated in a state in which no power is being supplied to the focus actuator, a gap is always maintained in the optical axis direction between the focus lens unit and the second lens unit.