Patent ID: 8262233

Claim:
A light control device, comprising: a light blocking module to block a luminous flux passing through the light control device in a luminous flux direction parallel to a system optical axis, the light blocking module including a turning axis module to perform an opening operation and a closing operation of the light blocking module around a turning axis, a plate-like first light blocking member having a cutout portion at an end near the system optical axis to permit some of the luminous flux to pass through the first light blocking member, the first light blocking member configured to change a size of an area blocking the luminous flux in accordance with the opening and closing operations of the light blocking module, and a second light blocking member disposed in proximity to the first light blocking member and configured to increasingly block the luminous flux from passing through the cutout portion of the first light blocking member in accordance with progression of the closing operation of the light blocking module, such that at least a portion of the luminous flux is blocked by the second light blocking member from passing through the cutout portion when the light blocking module is fully closed; and a turning mechanism to cause the turning axis module of the light blocking module to turn, wherein: the first light blocking member is fixed to the second light blocking member such that the first light blocking member moves in conjunction with the second light blocking member during the opening and closing operations of the light blocking module, and an end of the second light blocking member nearest the system optical axis is separated from the first light blocking member in a direction opposite the luminous flux direction when the light blocking module is fully closed.