Patent ID: 7486332

Claim:
A camera in which subject light is formed on a solid state imaging device so that an image signal is generated, the camera having a lens system comprising: a lens barrel incorporating therein an image taking lens, the lens barrel being variable in a barrel length between a collapsed state in which the barrel length is relatively short and a photographic state in which the barrel length is relatively long, wherein the lens barrel comprises: a light quantity control member that controls quantity of photographic light passing through the image taking lens; a rib provided with a fixed projection having a tapered surface; a first lever rotatable about a first axis when moving along the tapered surface by contraction and extension of the lens system, the first lever being adapted to press a second lever connected to the light quantity control member and rotatable about a second axis when the lens system is contracted; and an elastic member that keeps pressing the light quantity control member capable of rotating, towards the photographic optical axis, wherein the light quantity control member is positioned on the photographic optical axis when the lens system is extended as a pressing force of the lever is removed, while the light quantity control member is saved from the photographic optical axis when the lens system is contacted as the pressing force of the lever becomes larger than a pressing force of the elastic member.