Patent ID: 7632024

Claim:
A retractable lens comprising a plurality of optical elements positioned on a common optical axis to constitute an optical system in an operational state of the retractable lens, one of the optical elements being retractable from the on-axis position on the common optical axis to an off-axis space radially outside the other optical elements when the retractable lens moves from the operational state to a retracted state, the retracting movement of said one optical element being independent of the other optical elements and the optical axis of said one optical element being orthogonal to the common optical axis in the retracted state, wherein said one optical element comprises a lens group retained in a holding frame, the holding frame is rotatably disposed in a moving frame via a pivot shaft extending in a direction perpendicular to the common optical axis, the moving frame is movable in the same direction as the retractable lens, the holding frame comprises an engagement portion located adjacent to one end of the pivot shaft, and the engagement portion has a curved surface for engaging with a flat surface of a CCD holder during the retracting movement of the retractable lens.