Zoom lens system of relatively high zoom ratio ranging to wide angle photography

Claim 2

A zoom lens system of a relatively high zoom ratio ranging to wideangle photography in which the shortest focal length is less than the length of the diagonal line of the effective image plane, comprising from the object to the image side: a first lens group of a positive refractive power; a second lens group of a negative refractive power consisting of a first negative subunit, including at least two separate negative lenses, a second positive subunit located on the image side of the first negative subunit with an unchangeable air space and a third negative subunit located on the image side of the second positive subunit with an unchangeable air space; and a third lens group of a positive refractive power, wherein at least an air space between the first and second lens groups and an air space between the second and third lens groups are changeable upon zooming.

Claim 3

The invention of claim 1, wherein at least one of the two separate negative lenses is a doublet.

Claim 4

The invention of claim 1, wherein the absolute value of radius of curvature is less on the image side surface than on the object side surface with respect to the object side one of the two separate negative lenses.

Claim 5

The invention of claim 1, wherein the second positive subunit includes at least one positive lens with an object side surface of a lesser absolute value of radius of curvature and an image side surface of a greater absolute value of radius of curvature.

Claim 6

The invention of claim 4, wherein the positive lens in the second positive subunit is a doublet.

Claim 7

The invention of claim 1, wherein the third negative subunit includes at least one negative lens with an object side surface of a lesser absolute value of radius of curvature and an image side surface of a greater absolute value of radius of curvature.

Claim 8

The invention of claim 6, wherein the negative lens in the third negative subunit is a doublet.

Claim 9

A zoom lens system of a relatively high zoom ratio ranging to wide angle photography in which the shortest focal length is less than the length of the diagonal line of the effective image plane, comprising from the object to the image side: a first lens group of a positive refractive power; a second lens group of a negative refractive power consisting of a first negative subunit including at least two separate negative lenses, a second positive subunit located on the image side of the first negative subunit with an unchangeable air space and a third negative subunit located on the image side of the second positive subunit with an unchangeable air space; and a third lens group of a positive refractive power, wherein at least an air space between the first and second lens groups and an air space between the second and third lens groups are changeable upon zooming, wherein the whole first lens group is movable for focusing with the other lens groups left stationary.

Claim 10

A zoom lens system of a relatively high zoom ratio ranging to wide angle photography in which the shortest focal length is less than the length of the diagonal line of the effective image plane, comprising from the object to the image side: a first lens group of a positive refractive power; a second lens group of a negative refractive power consisting of a first negative subunit including at least two separate negative lenses, a second positive subunit located on the image side of the first negative subunit with an unchangeable air space and a third negative subunit located on the image side of the second positive subunit with an unchangeable air space; and a third lens group of a positive refractive power, wherein at least an air space between the first and second lens groups and an air space between the second and third lens groups are changeable upon zooming, wherein the whole first lens group is movable for focusing with the other lens groups left stationary.

Claim 11

A zoom lens system of a relatively high zoom ratio ranging to wide angle photography in which the shortest focal length is less than the length of the diagonal line of the effective image plane comprising from the object side to the image side: a first lens group of a positive refractive power; a second lens group of a negative refractive power consisting of a first negative subunit including at least two separate negative lenses, a second positive subunit located on the image side of the first negative subunit with an unchangeable air space and a third negative subunit located on the image side of the second positive subunit with an unchangeable air space; and a third lens group of a positive refractive power wherein at least an air space between the first and second lens groups and an air space between the second and third lens groups are changeable upon zooming, wherein the first and third lens groups are movable upon zooming.

Claim 12

A zoom lens system of a relatively high zoom ratio ranging to wide angle photography in which the shortest focal length is less than the length of the diagonal line of the effective image plane comprising from the object side to the image side: a first lens group of a positive refractive power; a second lens group of a negative refractive power consisting of a first negative subunit including at least two separate negative lenses, a second positive subunit located on the image side of the first negative subunit with an unchangeable air space and a third negative subunit located on the image side of the second positive subunit with an unchangeable air space; and a third lens group of a positive refractive power wherein at least an air space between the first and second lens groups and an air space between the second and third lens groups are changeable upon zooming, wherein the first and third lens groups are movable upon zooming.

Claim 13

The invention of claim 9, wherein the second lens group is left stationary upon zooming.

Claim 14

The invention of claims 1 or 8 or 9, wherein the third lens group is divided into two subunits, an air space between the two subunits being further changeable upon zooming.

Claim 15

A zoom lens system of a relatively high zoom ratio ranging to wide angle photography in which the shortest focal length is less than the length of the diagonal lines of the effective image plane, comprising from the object to the image side: a first lens group of a positive refractive power; a second lens group of a negative refractive power consisting of a first negative subunit including at least two separate negative lenses, a second positive subunit located on the image side of the first negative subunit with an unchangeable air space and a third negative subunit located on the image side of the second positive subunit with an unchangeable air space; and a third lens group of a positive refractive power, wherein at least an air space beween the first and second lens groups and an air space between the second and third lens groups are changeable upon zooming, wherein the lens system fulfills the following conditions: R.sub.a <R.sub.B wherein: R a represents the radius of curvature of the most image side surface of the first negative subunit, and R b represents the radius of curvature of the most object side surface of the second positive subunit.

Claim 16

A zoom lens system of a relatively high zoom ratio ranging to wide angle photography in which the shortest focal length is less than the length of the diagonal lines of the effective image plane, comprising from the object to the image side: a first lens group of a positive refractive power; a second lens group of a negative refractive power consisting of a first negative subunit including at least two separate negative lenses, a second positive subunit located on the image side of the first negative subunit with an unchangeable air space and a third negative subunit located on the image side of the second positive subunit with an unchangeable air space; and a third lens group of a positive refractive power, wherein at least an air space beween the first and second lens groups and an air space between the second and third lens groups are changeable upon zooming, wherein the lens system fulfills the following conditions: R.sub.a <R.sub.B wherein: R a represents the radius of curvature of the most image side surface of the first negative subunit, and R b represents the radius of curvature of the most object side surface of the second positive subunit.

Claim 17

The invention of claim 12, wherein the lens system further fulfills the following condition: Φ<0 wherein Φ represents the refractive power of the air lens formed between the second and positive subunit and the third negative subunit.

Claim 18

The invention of claim 12, wherein the lens system further fulfills the following condition: 0.6<|f.sub.I II |/f.sub.w <1.2 wherein: f I II represents the total focal length of the first and second lens groups at the shortest focal length of the whole lens system and f w represents the shortest focal length of the whole lens system.

Claim 19

A zoom lens system of a relatively high zoom ratio ranging to wide angle photography in which the shortest focal length is less than the length of the diagonal line of the effective image plane, comprising from the object to the image side: a first lens group of a positive refractive power; a second lens group of a negative refractive power consisting of a first negative subunit including at least two separate negative lenses, a second positive subunit located on the image side of the first negative subunit with an air space and a third negative subunit located on the image side of the second positive subunit with an air space; and a third lens group of a positive refractive power, wherein at least an air space between the first and second lens groups and an air space between the second and third lens groups are changeable upon zooming, wherein the lens system fulfills the following condition: 0.2<|f.sub.II |/f.sub.II-2 <0.8 wherein: f II represents the focal length of the second lens group; and f II-2 represents the focal length of the second positive subunit.

Claim 20

A zoom lens system of a relatively high zoom ratio ranging to wide angle photography in which the shortest focal length is less than the length of the diagonal line of the effective image plane, comprising from the object to the image side: a first lens group of a positive refractive power; a second lens group of a negative refractive power consisting of a first negative subunit including at least two separate negative lenses, a second positive subunit located on the image side of the first negative subunit with an air space and a third negative subunit located on the image side of the second positive subunit with an air space; and a third lens group of a positive refractive power, wherein at least an air space between the first and second lens groups and an air space between the second and third lens groups are changeable upon zooming, wherein the lens system fulfills the following condition: 0.2<|f.sub.II |/f.sub.II-2 <0.8 wherein: f II represents the focal length of the second lens group; and f II-2 represents the focal length of the second positive subunit.

Claim 21

The invention of claim 15, wherein the condition for |f II |/f II-2 is as follows: 0.2<|f.sub.II |/f.sub.II-2 <0.6

Claim 22

A zoom lens system of a relatively high zoom ratio ranging to wide angle photography in which the shortest focal length is less than the length of the diagonal line of the effective image plane, comprising from the object to the image side: a first lens group of a positive refractive power; a second lens group of a negative refractive power consisting of a first negative subunit including at least two separate negative lenses, a second positive subunit located on the image side of the first negative subunit with an unchangeable air space and a third negative subunit located on the image side of the second positive subunit with an unchangeable air space; and a third lens group of a positive refractive power, wherein at least an air space between the first and second lens groups and an air space between the second and third lens groups are changeable upon zooming, wherein the lens system fulfills the following conditions: 0.4<f.sub.w /f.sub.I <0.6 wherein: f w represents the shortest focal length of the whole lens system; and f I represents the focal length of the first lens group.

Claim 23

A zoom lens system of a relatively high zoom ratio ranging to wide angle photography in which the shortest focal length is less than the length of the diagonal line of the effective image plane, comprising from the object to the image side: a first lens group of a positive refractive power; a second lens group of a negative refractive power consisting of a first negative subunit including at least two separate negative lenses, a second positive subunit located on the image side of the first negative subunit with an unchangeable air space and a third negative subunit located on the image side of the second positive subunit with an unchangeable air space; and a third lens group of a positive refractive power, wherein at least an air space between the first and second lens groups and an air space between the second and third lens groups are changeable upon zooming, wherein the lens system fulfills the following conditions: 0.4<f.sub.w /f.sub.I <0.6 wherein: f w represents the shortest focal length of the whole lens system; and f I represents the focal length of the first lens group.

Claim 24

The invention of claim 17, wherein the whole first lens group is movable for focusing with the other lens groups left stationary.

Claim 25

A zoom lens system of a relatively high zoom ratio ranging to wide angle photography in which the shortest focal length is less than the length of the diagonal line of the effective image plane, comprising from the object to the image side: a first lens group of a positive refractive power; a second lens group of a negative refractive power consisting of a first negative subunit including at least two separate negative lenses, a second positive subunit located on the image side of the first negative subunit with an unchangeable air space and a third negative subunit located on the image side of the second positive subunit with an unchangeable air space; and a third lens group of a positive refractive power, wherein at least an air space between the first and second lens groups and an air space between the second and third lens groups are changeable upon zooming, wherein the lens system fulfills the following condition: 0.6<|f.sub.I II |/f.sub.w <1.2 wherein: f I II represents the total focal length of the first and second lens groups at the shortest focal length of the whole lens system; and f w represents the shortest focal length of the whole lens system.

Claim 26

A zoom lens system of a relatively high zoom ratio ranging to wide angle photography in which the shortest focal length is less than the length of the diagonal line of the effective image plane, comprising from the object to the image side: a first lens group of a positive refractive power; a second lens group of a negative refractive power consisting of a first negative subunit including at least two separate negative lenses, a second positive subunit located on the image side of the first negative subunit with an unchangeable air space and a third negative subunit located on the image side of the second positive subunit with an unchangeable air space; and a third lens group of a positive refractive power, wherein at least an air space between the first and second lens groups and an air space between the second and third lens groups are changeable upon zooming, wherein the lens system fulfills the following condition: 0.6<|f.sub.I II |/f.sub.w <1.2 wherein: f I II represents the total focal length of the first and second lens groups at the shortest focal length of the whole lens system; and f w represents the shortest focal length of the whole lens system.

Claim 27

The invention of claim 19, wherein the lens system fulfills the following conditions: 0.07<|f.sub.II |/f.sub.T <0.15 wherein: f II represents the focal length of the second lens group; and f T represents the longest focal length of the whole lens system.

Claim 28

The invention of claim 19, wherein the condition for |f I II |/f w is as follows: 0.6<|f.sub.I II |/f.sub.w <1.0

Claim 29

The invention of claim 21, wherein the second lens group is left stationary upon zooming.

Claim 30

A zoom lens system of a relatively high zoom ratio ranging to wide angle photography in which the shortest focal length is less than the length of the diagonal line of the effective image plane, comprising from the object to the image side: a first lens group of a positive refractive power; a second lens group of a negative refractive power consisting of a first negative subunit including at least two separate negative lenses, a second positive subunit located on the image side of the first negative subunit with an unchangeable air space and a third negative subunit located on the image side of the second positive subunit with an unchangeable air space; and a third lens group of a positive refractive power, wherein at least an air space between the first and second lens groups and an air space between the second and third lens groups are changeable upon zooming, wherein the lens system fulfills the following condition: 0.5<f.sub.II-1 /f.sub.II <1.2 wherein: f II-1 represents the focal length of the first negative subunit; and f II represents the focal length of the second lens group.

Claim 31

A zoom lens system of a relatively high zoom ratio ranging to wide angle photography in which the shortest focal length is less than the length of the diagonal line of the effective image plane, comprising from the object to the image side: a first lens group of a positive refractive power; a second lens group of a negative refractive power consisting of a first negative subunit including at least two separate negative lenses, a second positive subunit located on the image side of the first negative subunit with an unchangeable air space and a third negative subunit located on the image side of the second positive subunit with an unchangeable air space; and a third lens group of a positive refractive power, wherein at least an air space between the first and second lens groups and an air space between the second and third lens groups are changeable upon zooming, wherein the lens system fulfills the following condition: 0.5<f.sub.II-1 /f.sub.II <1.2 wherein: f II-1 represents the focal length of the first negative subunit; and f II represents the focal length of the second lens group.

Claim 32

The invention of claim 23, wherein the condition for f II-1 /f II is as follows: 0.7<f.sub.II-1 /f.sub.II <1.2

Claim 33

The invention of claim 24, wherein the condition for f II-1 /f II is as follows: 0.7<f.sub.II-1 /f.sub.II <1.0

Claim 34

The invention of claim 15, wherein the lens system further fulfills the following condition: 0.4<f.sub.w /f.sub.I <0.6 wherein: f w represents the shortest focal length of the whole lens system; and f I represents the focal length of the first lens group.

Claim 35

A zoom lens system of a relatively high zoom ratio ranging to wide angle photography comprising the following design parameters: ______________________________________ f = 36.0˜60.0˜97.0 F.sub.No. = 3.6˜4.6 Radius of Axial Refractive Abbe Curvature Distance Index Number ______________________________________ ##STR170## r.sub.1r.sub.2r.sub.3 73.361126.72743.958 d.sub.1d.sub.2 3.5000.100 N.sub.1 1.69680 ν.sub.1 55.5 ##STR171## r.sub.4r.sub.5 28.16943.958 d.sub.3d.sub.4 1.2008.500 N.sub.2N.sub.3 1.846661.69680 ν.sub.2ν.sub.3 23.955.5 d.sub.5 0.600˜7.989˜15.809 ##STR172## r.sub.6r.sub.7r.sub. 8 81.16314.454-140.019 d.sub.6d.sub.7 1.3005.500 N.sub.4 1.6700 ν.sub.4 57.1 ##STR173## r.sub.9 29.775 d.sub.8d.sub.9 1.0000.100 N.sub.5 1.67000 ν.sub.5 57.1 ##STR174## r.sub.10r.sub.11 21.59554.105 d.sub.10d.sub.11 3.1501.800 N.sub.6 1.80518 ν.sub.6 25.4 ##STR175## r.sub.12r.sub.13 -33.009-186.185 d.sub.12 1.000 N.sub.7 1.67000 ν.sub.7 57.1 d.sub.13 18.500˜9.152˜1.861 ##STR176## r.sub.14r.sub.15r.sub.16 -507.640-34.02417.485 d.sub.14d.sub.15 2.5000.150 N.sub.8 1.62135 ν.sub.8 61.3 ##STR177## r.sub.17r.sub.18 -23.10557.327 d.sub.16d.sub.17d.sub.18 6.000N.sub.91.51454ν.sub.954.74.000N.sub.10 .80741ν.sub.1031.610.000˜8.300˜7 .100 ##STR178## r.sub.19r.sub.20 364.870-20.606 d.sub.19d.sub.20 4.0004.000 N.sub.11 1.66608 ν.sub.11 47.9 ##STR179## r.sub.21r.sub.22 -14.158 -23.398 d.sub.21 1.500 N.sub.12 1.80750 ν.sub.12 35.5 ______________________________________

Claim 36

A zoom lens system of a relatively high zoom ratio ranging to wide angle photography comprising the following design parameters: ______________________________________ f = 36.0˜60.0˜97.0 F.sub.No. = 3.6˜4.6 Radius of Axial Refractive Abbe Curvature Distance Index Number ______________________________________ ##STR170## r.sub.1r.sub.2r.sub.3 73.361126.72743.958 d.sub.1d.sub.2 3.5000.100 N.sub.1 1.69680 ν.sub.1 55.5 ##STR171## r.sub.4r.sub.5 28.16943.958 d.sub.3d.sub.4 1.2008.500 N.sub.2N.sub.3 1.846661.69680 ν.sub.2ν.sub.3 23.955.5 d.sub.5 0.600˜7.989˜15.809 ##STR172## r.sub.6r.sub.7r.sub. 8 81.16314.454-140.019 d.sub.6d.sub.7 1.3005.500 N.sub.4 1.6700 ν.sub.4 57.1 ##STR173## r.sub.9 29.775 d.sub.8d.sub.9 1.0000.100 N.sub.5 1.67000 ν.sub.5 57.1 ##STR174## r.sub.10r.sub.11 21.59554.105 d.sub.10d.sub.11 3.1501.800 N.sub.6 1.80518 ν.sub.6 25.4 ##STR175## r.sub.12r.sub.13 -33.009-186.185 d.sub.12 1.000 N.sub.7 1.67000 ν.sub.7 57.1 d.sub.13 18.500˜9.152˜1.861 ##STR176## r.sub.14r.sub.15r.sub.16 -507.640-34.02417.485 d.sub.14d.sub.15 2.5000.150 N.sub.8 1.62135 ν.sub.8 61.3 ##STR177## r.sub.17r.sub.18 -23.10557.327 d.sub.16d.sub.17d.sub.18 6.000N.sub.91.51454ν.sub.954.74.000N.sub.10 .80741ν.sub.1031.610.000˜8.300˜7 .100 ##STR178## r.sub.19r.sub.20 364.870-20.606 d.sub.19d.sub.20 4.0004.000 N.sub.11 1.66608 ν.sub.11 47.9 ##STR179## r.sub.21r.sub.22 -14.158 -23.398 d.sub.21 1.500 N.sub.12 1.80750 ν.sub.12 35.5 ______________________________________