Zoom lens device and optical apparatus provided with the same

• US 6,606,200 B1
• Filed: 10/19/1999
• Issued: 08/12/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Yoshida, Hiroki, Nakayama, Hiroki, Hamano, Hiroyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Sugarman, Scott J.
• Application Number:
  US09/421,367
• Time in Patent Office: 1,393 Days
• Field of Search: 359/683, 359/686, 359/687, 359/676
• US Class Current: 359/686
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 15/144113 arranged +-++
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 15/145113 arranged +-++-
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 15/145121 arranged +-+-+
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 15/173 arranged +-+

Abstract

A zoom lens device including a diffraction optical element constructed in a new way. In a basic form of the invention, the zoom lens device includes in order of lens units from a long conjugate side, at least a first lens unit including the diffraction optical element, a second lens unit which is moved during zooming in order to change the size of an image, and a third lens unit. In this zoom lens device, during zooming at least one of the lens units from the third lens unit onwards is moved in order to correct a change in an image plane which occurs as the magnification changes.

Claims

1. A zoom lens device comprising in order of lens units from a long conjugate side, at least:

a first lens unit having a positive refractive power and including a diffraction optical element;

a second lens unit having a negative refractive power, said second lens unit being moved during zooming in order to change the size of an image;

a stationary third lens unit having a positive refractive power; and

a fourth lens unit, wherein during zooming said fourth lens unit is moved to correct changes in an image plane occurring as the magnification changes,

wherein the condition;

2. A zoom lens device according to claim 1, wherein said diffraction optical element has a diffraction optical surface at an image plane side.

3. A zoom lens device according to claim 1, wherein the condition:

4. A zoom lens device according to claim 1, wherein the conditions:

5. A zoom lens device according to claim 1, wherein the condition:

6. A zoom lens device according to claim 1, wherein the condition:

$1.0<<br><br>\frac{\mathrm{F1}}{\sqrt{\mathrm{Fw}·<br><br>\mathrm{Ft}}}<<br><br>2.5$

 

is satisfied, where F1 is the focal length of said first lens unit and Fw and Ft are the focal lengths of the entire lens system at a wide angle end and at a telephoto end, respectively.

7. A zoom lens device according to claim 1, wherein the condition:

8. A zoom lens device according to claim 1, wherein the condition:

9. A zoom lens device according to claim 1, further comprising a stationary fifth lens unit having a positive refractive power, wherein said first lens unit, said second lens unit, said third lens unit, said fourth lens unit, and said fifth lens unit are arranged in that order from the long conjugate side, and wherein said fourth lens unit has a negative refractive power.

10. A zoom lens device according to claim 1, further comprising a fifth lens unit having a negative refractive power, wherein said first lens unit, said second lens unit, said third lens unit, said fourth lens unit, and said fifth lens unit are arranged in that order from the long conjugate side, and wherein said fourth lens unit has a positive refractive power.

11. A zoom lens device according to claim 1, wherein a most object side surface of said first lens unit is aspherical.

12. A zoom lens device according to claim 1, wherein said second lens unit has at least one diffraction optical surface.

13. A zoom lens device according to claim 12, wherein said second lens unit has an aspherical surface.

14. A zoom lens device according to claim 1, wherein a most image side surface of said first lens unit is a diffraction optical surface.

15. A zoom lens device according to claim 1, wherein said first lens unit is stationary during zooming, and wherein said fourth lens unit moves during focusing.

16. A zoom lens device comprising in order of lens units from a long conjugate side, at least:

a first lens unit having a positive refractive power and including a diffraction optical element;

a second lens unit having a negative refractive power, said second lens unit being moved during zooming in order to change the size of an image; and

a third lens unit having a positive refractive power,

wherein during zooming (i) said third lens unit or (ii) in the case where there is one or more lens unit on the short conjugate side of said third lens unit, at least one lens unit of said third lens unit and said one or more lens unit, is moved to correct changes in an image plane occurring as the magnification changes, and

wherein said diffraction element comprises a first annular diffraction grating, and a second annular diffraction grating formed on said first annular diffraction grating, with said first annular diffraction grating and said second annular diffraction grating being made of different materials.

103. A zoom lens device according to claim 16, wherein during zooming said fourth lens unit is moved.

17. A zoom lens device comprising in order of lens units from a long conjugate side, at least:

a first lens unit;

a second lens unit which is moved during zooming in order to change the size of an image, said second lens unit including a diffraction optical element;

a third lens unit which is stationary during zooming; and

a fourth lens unit,

wherein during zooming (i) said fourth lens unit or (ii) in the case where there is one or more lens unit on the short conjugate side of said fourth lens unit, at least one lens unit of said fourth lens unit and said one or more lens unit, is moved in order to correct a change in an image plane which occurs as the magnification changes, and

wherein the condition;

18. A zoom lens device according to claim 17, wherein the condition:

19. A zoom lens device according to claim 17, wherein the conditions:

20. A zoom lens device according to claim 17, wherein the condition:

21. A zoom lens device according to claim 17, wherein the condition:

22. A zoom lens device according to claim 17, wherein the condition:

23. A zoom lens device according to claim 17, wherein the condition:

24. A zoom lens device according to claim 17, wherein said first lens unit has a positive refractive power, said second lens unit has a negative refractive power, said third lens unit has a positive refractive power, and said fourth lens unit has a positive refractive power.

25. A zoom lens device according to claim 17, wherein said diffraction optical element comprises a first annular diffraction grating and a second diffraction grating formed on said first annular diffraction grating, with said first annular diffraction grating and said second annular diffraction grating being made of different materials.

26. A zoom lens device according to claim 17, wherein said third lens unit has a positive refractive power, wherein said first lens unit and said third lens unit are stationary during zooming, and wherein said fourth lens unit moves during each of zooming and focusing.

97. A zoom lens device according to claim 17, wherein during zooming said fourth lens unit is moved.

27. A zoom lens device comprising in order of lens units from a long conjugate side, at least:

a first lens unit;

a second lens unit which is moved during zooming in order to change the size of an image;

a third lens unit which is stationary during zooming and which includes a diffraction optical element; and

a fourth lens unit;

wherein during zooming (i) said fourth lens unit or (ii) in the case where there is one or more lens unit on the short conjugate side of said fourth lens unit, at least one lens unit of said fourth lens unit and said one or more lens unit, is moved to correct a change in an image plane which occurs as the magnification changes.

28. A zoom lens device according to claim 27, wherein said third lens unit has a positive refractive power, wherein said first lens unit and said third lens unit are stationary during zooming, and wherein said fourth lens unit moves during each of zooming and focusing.

29. A zoom lens device according to claim 27, wherein said first lens unit has a positive refractive power, said second lens unit has a negative refractive power, said third lens unit has a positive refractive power, and said fourth lens unit has a positive refractive power.

30. A zoom lens device according to claim 27, wherein the condition:

31. A zoom lens device according to claim 27, wherein the condition:

32. A zoom lens device according to claim 27, wherein the conditions:

33. A zoom lens device according to claim 27, wherein the condition:

34. A zoom lens device according to claim 27, wherein the condition:

35. A zoom lens device according to claim 27, wherein the condition:

36. A zoom lens device according to claim 27, wherein the condition:

37. A zoom lens device according to claim 27, wherein said first lens unit has a positive refractive power, said second lens unit has a negative refractive power, said third lens unit has a positive refractive power, and said fourth lens unit has a negative refractive power.

38. A zoom lens device according to claim 27, wherein said diffraction optical element comprises a first annular diffraction grating and a second annular diffraction grating formed on said first annular diffraction grating, with said first annular diffraction grating and said second annular diffraction grating being made of different materials.

98. A zoom lens device according to claim 27, wherein during zooming said fourth lens unit is moved.

39. A zoom lens device comprising in order of lens units from a long conjugate side, at least:

a first lens unit;

a second lens unit which is moved during zooming in order to change the size of an image;

a third lens unit which is stationary during zooming; and

a fourth lens unit including a diffraction optical element;

wherein during zooming (i) said fourth lens unit or (ii) in the case where there is one or more lens unit on the short conjugate side of said fourth lens unit, at least one lens unit of said fourth lens unit and said one or more lens unit, is moved to correct changes in an image plane occurring as the magnification changes.

40. A zoom lens device according to claim 39, wherein said first lens unit has a positive refractive power, said second lens unit has a negative refractive power, said third lens unit has a positive refractive power, and said fourth lens unit has a positive refractive power.

41. A zoom lens device according to claim 39, wherein a most image side surface of said fourth lens unit is a diffraction optical surface.

42. A zoom lens device according to claim 39, wherein a most object side surface of said fourth lens unit is a diffraction optical surface.

43. A zoom lens device according to claim 39, wherein said third lens unit has a positive refractive power, wherein said first lens unit and said third lens unit are stationary during zooming, and wherein said fourth lens unit moves during each of zooming and focusing.

80. A zoom lens according to claim 39, wherein a most object side surface of said fourth lens unit is aspherical.

99. A zoom lens device according to claim 39, wherein during zooming said fourth lens unit is moved.

44. An optical apparatus, comprising:

a zoom lens device; and

means for holding said zoom lens device,

wherein said zoom lens device comprises in order of lens units from a long conjugate side, at least;

(a) a first lens unit having a positive refractive power and including a diffraction optical element;

(b) a second lens unit having a negative refractive power, said second lens unit being moved during zooming in order to change the size of an image;

(c) a stationary third lens unit having a positive refractive power; and

(d) a fourth lens unit, wherein during zooming said fourth lens unit is moved to correct changes in an image plane occurring as the magnification changes,

wherein the condition;

45. An optical apparatus according to claim 44, wherein said diffraction optical element has a diffraction optical surface at an image plane side.

46. An optical apparatus according to claim 44, wherein the condition:

47. An optical apparatus according to claim 44, wherein the conditions:

48. An optical apparatus according to claim 44, wherein the condition:

0.05<

F1/Fbo<

0.7

 

is satisfied, where F1 is the focal length of said first lens unit and Fbo is the focal length of only said diffraction optical surface of said diffraction optical element.

49. An optical apparatus according to claim 44, wherein the condition:

$1.0<<br><br>\frac{\mathrm{F1}}{\sqrt{\mathrm{Fw}·<br><br>\mathrm{Ft}}}<<br><br>2.5$

 

is satisfied, where F1 is the focal length of said first lens unit and Fw and Ft are the focal lengths of the entire lens system at a wide angle end and at a telephoto end, respectively.

50. An optical apparatus according to claim 44, wherein the condition:

51. An optical apparatus according to claim 44, wherein the condition:

52. An optical apparatus comprising in order of lens units from a long conjugate side, at least:

a first lens unit having a positive refractive power and including a diffraction optical element;

a second lens unit having a negative refractive power, said second lens unit being moved during zooming in order to change the size of an image; and

a third lens unit having a positive refractive power,

wherein during zooming (i) said third lens unit or (ii) in the case where there is one or more lens unit on the short conjugate side of said third lens unit, at least one lens unit of said third lens unit and said one or more lens unit, is moved to correct changes in an image plane occurring as the magnification changes, and

wherein said diffraction element comprises a first annular diffraction grating, and a second annular diffraction grating formed on said first annular diffraction grating, with said first annular diffraction grating and said second annular diffraction grating being made of different materials.

104. An optical apparatus according to claim 52, wherein during zooming said fourth lens unit is moved.

53. An optical apparatus, comprising:

a zoom lens device; and

means for holding said zoom lens device;

wherein said zoom lens device comprises in order of lens units from a long conjugate side, at least;

(a) a first lens unit;

(b) a second lens unit which is moved during zooming in order to change the size of an image, said second lens unit including a diffraction optical element;

(c) a third lens unit which is stationary during zooming; and

(d) a fourth lens unit;

wherein during zooming (i) said fourth lens unit or (ii) in the case where there is one or more lens unit on the short conjugate side of said fourth lens unit, at least one lens unit of said fourth lens unit and said one or more lens unit, is moved in order to correct a change in an image plane which occurs as the magnification changes, and

wherein the condition

54. An optical apparatus according to claim 53, wherein the condition:

55. An optical apparatus according to claim 53, wherein the conditions:

56. An optical apparatus according to claim 53, wherein the condition:

57. An optical apparatus according to claim 53, wherein the condition:

58. An optical apparatus according to claim 53, wherein the condition:

59. An optical apparatus according to claim 53, wherein the condition:

60. An optical apparatus according to claim 53, wherein said first lens unit has a positive refractive power, said second lens unit has a negative refractive power, said third lens unit has a positive refractive power, and said fourth lens unit has a positive refractive power.

61. An optical apparatus according to claim 53, wherein said diffraction optical element comprises a first annular diffraction grating and a second diffraction grating formed on said first annular diffraction grating, with said first annular diffraction grating and said second annular diffraction grating being made of different materials.

100. An optical apparatus according to claim 53, wherein during zooming said fourth lens unit is moved.

62. An optical apparatus, comprising:

a zoom lens device; and

means for holding said zoom lens device;

wherein said zoom lens device comprises, in order of lens units from a long conjugate side, at least;

(a) a first lens unit;

(b) a second lens unit which is moved during zooming in order to change the size of an image;

(c) a third lens unit which is stationary during zooming and which includes a diffraction optical element; and

(d) a fourth lens unit;

wherein during zooming (i) said fourth lens unit or (ii) in the case where there is one or more lens unit on the short conjugate side of said fourth lens unit, at least one lens unit of said fourth lens unit and said one or more lens unit, onwards is moved to correct a change in an image plane which occurs as the magnification changes.

63. An optical apparatus according to claim 62, wherein said first lens unit has a positive refractive power, said second lens unit has a negative refractive power, said third lens unit has a positive refractive power, and said fourth lens unit has a positive refractive power.

64. An optical apparatus according to claim 62, wherein the condition:

65. An optical apparatus according to claim 62, wherein the condition:

66. An optical apparatus according to claim 62, wherein the conditions:

67. An optical apparatus according to claim 62, wherein the condition:

68. An optical apparatus according to claim 62, wherein the condition:

69. An optical apparatus according to claim 62, wherein the condition:

70. An optical apparatus according to claim 62, wherein the condition:

71. An optical apparatus according to claim 62, wherein said first lens unit has a positive refractive power, said second lens unit has a negative refractive power, said third lens unit has a positive refractive power, and said fourth lens unit has a negative refractive power.

72. An optical apparatus according to claim 62, wherein said diffraction optical element comprises a first annular diffraction grating and a second annular diffraction grating formed on said first annular diffraction grating, with said first annular diffraction grating and said second annular diffraction grating being made of different materials.

101. An optical apparatus according to claim 62, wherein during zooming said fourth lens unit is moved.

73. An optical apparatus, comprising:

a zoom lens device; and

means for holding said zoom lens device;

wherein said zoom lens device comprises, in order of lens units from a long conjugate side, at least;

(a) a first lens unit;

(b) a second lens unit which is moved during zooming in order to change the size of an image;

(c) a third lens unit which is stationary during zooming; and

(d) a fourth lens unit including a diffraction optical element;

wherein during zooming (i) said fourth lens unit or (ii) in the case where there is one or more lens unit on the short conjugate side of said fourth lens unit, at least one lens unit of said fourth lens unit and said one or more lens unit, is moved to correct changes in an image plane occurring as the magnification changes.

74. An optical apparatus according to claim 73, wherein said first lens unit has a positive refractive power, said second lens unit has a negative refractive power, said third lens unit has a positive refractive power, and said fourth lens unit has a positive refractive power.

75. A zoom lens device according to claim 73, wherein the following condition is met:

76. An optical apparatus according to claim 73, wherein the following condition is met:

102. An optical apparatus according to claim 73, wherein during zooming said fourth lens unit is moved.

77. A zoom lens device comprising in order from the object side to the image side:

a first lens unit having a positive refractive power, wherein said first lens unit includes from the object side to the image side a meniscus negative first lens having a convex surface facing the object side, a positive second lens, and a positive third lens;

a second lens unit having a negative refractive power, said second lens unit being moved during zooming in order to change the size of an image;

a third lens unit having a positive refractive power;

a fourth lens unit having a negative refractive power, wherein said fourth lens unit is moved during zooming; and

a fifth lens unit having a positive refractive power,

wherein said first lens unit further includes a diffractive optical element.

78. A zoom lens according to claim 77, wherein said diffractive optical element has a shape rotationally symmetrical with respect to the optical axis.

79. A zoom lens according to claim 77, wherein said diffractive optical element is formed on a refractive surface of one of said first through third lenses of said first lens unit,

wherein during change of magnification from the wide angle end toward the telephoto end, said second lens unit moves toward the image side and said fourth lens unit moves along a locus which is convex towards the image side,

wherein during focusing from a nearest object to an object at infinity, said fourth lens unit moves toward the object side,

wherein said first, third, and fifth lens units are fixed, and

wherein the following conditions are satisfied:

81. A zoom lens system comprising, in order from an object side to an image side,

a first lens unit of positive optical power;

a second lens unit of negative optical power which moves along an optical axis for zooming;

a third lens unit of positive optical power; and

a fourth lens unit which moves along an optical axis for zooming,

wherein at least one of said first, second, third and fourth lens unit includes a diffraction optical element, and

wherein the product of the refractive power due to the curvature of a surface corresponding to a diffraction optical surface of said diffraction optical element and the optical power due to the diffractive action of said diffraction optical surface is a positive value.

82. A zoom lens system according to claim 81, wherein said third lens unit does not move for zooming.

83. A zoom lens system according to claim 81, wherein said first lens unit does not move for zooming.

84. A zoom lens system according to claim 81, wherein an optical power of said fourth lens unit has a positive optical power.

85. A zoom lens system according to claim 84, further comprising a fifth lens unit of negative optical power which is disposed on the image side of said fourth lens unit.

86. A zoom lens system according to claim 81, wherein an optical power of said fourth lens unit has a negative optical power.

87. A zoom lens system according to claim 86, further comprising a fifth lens unit of positive optical power which is disposed on the image side of said fourth lens unit.

89. A zoom lens system according to claim 81, wherein said first lens unit includes a diffraction optical element.

90. A zoom lens system according to claim 81, wherein said second lens unit includes a diffraction optical element.

91. A zoom lens system according to claim 81, wherein said third lens unit includes a diffraction optical element.

92. A zoom lens system according to claim 81, wherein said fourth lens unit includes a diffraction optical element.

88. A camera, comprising:

a zoom lens system for forming an image; and

an image pick-up element for receiving said image;

wherein said zoom lens system comprises in order from an object side to an image side,

(a) a first lens unit of positive optical power;

(b) a second lens unit of negative optical power which moves along an optical axis for zooming;

(c) a third lens unit of positive optical power; and

(d) a fourth lens unit which moves along an optical axis for zooming,

wherein at least one of said first, second, third and fourth lens units includes a diffraction optical element, and

wherein the product of the refractive power due to the curvature of a surface corresponding to a diffraction optical surface of said diffraction optical element and the optical power due to the diffractive action of said diffraction optical surface is a positive value.

93. A zoom lens system comprising, in order from the object side to the image side:

a first lens unit having a positive refractive power;

a second lens unit having a negative refractive power;

a third lens unit having a positive refractive power; and

a fourth lens unit having a positive or negative refractive power,

wherein during zooming, said second lens unit and said fourth lens unit move and said third lens unit is stationary, and

wherein a diffraction optical surface is included in said third lens unit or a diffraction optical surface is included in said fourth lens unit.

94. A zoom lens system according to claim 93, wherein a diffraction optical surface is included in said third lens unit.

95. A zoom lens system according to claim 93, wherein a diffraction optical surface is included in said fourth lens unit.

96. A zoom lens system according to claim 93, wherein said fourth lens unit moves for focusing.