Patent ID: 7454132

Claim:
A linkage mechanism between a zoom lens barrel unit and a zoom member disposed outwardly of the zoom lens barrel unit and having a zoom mechanism, comprising: a cam plate that is disposed for linear motion in a direction orthogonal to an optical axis of the zoom lens barrel unit, the linear motion of said cam plate changing a zoom state of the zoom member; a cam groove formed in an outer periphery of a drive ring disposed for rotation around the optical axis of the zoom lens barrel unit; and a linkage member having an engagement member that engages with the cam groove, said linkage member moving forward and backward in the direction of the optical axis as said engagement member moves following the cam groove along with rotation of said drive ring, thereby causing said cam plate to move linearly in the direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the zoom lens barrel unit, wherein said cam groove is provided with a dead area in which the motion of said linkage member is not caused by the rotation of said drive ring.