Patent ID: 7116038

Claim:
An optical apparatus comprising: a base; a driven element provided on the base; an ultrasonic motor constructed from a vibrating element, the ultrasonic motor being provided on the base, the vibrating element including a first piezoelectric element that undergoes extension and contraction by application of an AC voltage, a reinforcing plate having a contact portion and an arm portion, and a second piezoelectric element that undergoes extension and contraction by application of an AC voltage, in which the first piezoelectric element, the reinforcing plate and the second piezoelectric element being laminated in this order, and the vibrating element being supported on the base through the arm portion so that the contact portion abuts on the driven element, in which driving force is generated by the vibration of the vibrating element, and the driven element is driven by means of the driving force from the ultrasonic motor; an imaging portion mounted on the base; an optical system disposed above the imaging portion so as to face toward the imaging portion and to be spaced from the imaging portion for a predetermined spacing, the optical system emitting light to the imaging portion; and a switching mechanism for adjusting the amount of the light emitted to the imaging portion from the optical system, the switching mechanism being provided so as to move between the optical system and the imaging portion in association with the driving of the driven element.