A finite conjugate lens assembly including an afocal zooming component that has five optical groups that are configured to provide a ratio of highest to lowest magnification between 5.5:1 and 16:1. A lens attachment module and rear adapter module may be disposed, respectively, on an object side and an image side of the optical assembly. The lens assembly may exhibit an approximate etendue between 0.95 and 4.65 mm.sup.2sr, and may be configured in accordance with between 6.6 MP and 32 MP image sensors.

A finite conjugate lens assembly including an afocal zooming component that has five optical groups that are configured to provide a ratio of highest to lowest magnification between 5.5:1 and 16:1. A lens attachment module and rear adapter module may be disposed, respectively, on an object side and an image side of the optical assembly. The lens assembly may exhibit an approximate etendue between 0.95 and 4.65 mm.sup.2sr, and may be configured in accordance with between 6.6 MP and 32 MP image sensors.

A finite conjugate optical assembly including a core zoom module that includes five optical groups that are configured to provide a ratio of highest to lowest magnification between 5.5:1 and 16:1. A lens attachment module and rear adapter module may be disposed, respectively, on an object side and an image side of the optical assembly. The optical assembly may exhibit an approximate etendue between 0.95 and 4.65 mm.sup.2sr, and may have a magnification of 2× or more at one or more points of the zoom. The optical assembly may be configured in accordance with between 6.6 MP and 32 MP image sensors.

A finite conjugate optical assembly including a core zoom module that includes five optical groups that are configured to provide a ratio of highest to lowest magnification between 5.5:1 and 16:1. A lens attachment module and rear adapter module may be disposed, respectively, on an object side and an image side of the optical assembly. The optical assembly may exhibit an approximate etendue between 0.95 and 4.65 mm.sup.2sr, and may have a magnification of 2× or more at one or more points of the zoom. The optical assembly may be configured in accordance with between 6.6 MP and 32 MP image sensors.

A high etendue modular finite conjugate lens assembly has a zooming component with multiple lens groups, including four lens groups that each feature a doublet, and a lens attachment lens assembly comprising a fifth doublet, wherein the lens assembly is configured to exhibit between 0.45 and 4.65 mm.sup.2sr of etendue, and a ratio of highest to lowest magnification between 5.5:1 and 16:1, and a magnification of at least 2× at one or more points of a zoom range.

A high etendue modular finite conjugate lens assembly has a zooming component with multiple lens groups, including four lens groups that each feature a doublet, and a lens attachment lens assembly comprising a fifth doublet, wherein the lens assembly is configured to exhibit between 0.45 and 4.65 mm.sup.2sr of etendue, and a ratio of highest to lowest magnification between 5.5:1 and 16:1, and a magnification of at least 2× at one or more points of a zoom range.

A modular finite conjugate zoom lens assembly with five lens groups each including a doublet, wherein two or three movable lens groups are disposed between a pair of static lens groups.

A modular finite conjugate zoom lens assembly with five lens groups each including a doublet, wherein two or three movable lens groups are disposed between a pair of static lens groups.

A lens support mechanism 10 comprises lens group units 23 to 27, a substantially cylindrical rectilinear cylinder 11, and a substantially cylindrical cam cylinder 12. The rectilinear cylinder 11 envelops the lens group units 23 to 27, and has main cam followers 11b protruding outward in the radial direction from the outer peripheral surface, and a sub cam groove 11c. The cam cylinder 12 has main cam grooves 12b and a sub cam follower 12c, and is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the rectilinear cylinder 11. The main cam grooves 12b engage with the main cam followers 11b and are formed substantially parallel to the sub cam groove 11c, and upon rotating relative to the rectilinear cylinder 11, move the lens group units 23 to 27 back and forth in the optical axis direction. The sub cam followers 12c project inward in the radial direction and engage with the sub cam grooves 11c.

A lens support mechanism 10 comprises lens group units 23 to 27, a substantially cylindrical rectilinear cylinder 11, and a substantially cylindrical cam cylinder 12. The rectilinear cylinder 11 envelops the lens group units 23 to 27, and has main cam followers 11b protruding outward in the radial direction from the outer peripheral surface, and a sub cam groove 11c. The cam cylinder 12 has main cam grooves 12b and a sub cam follower 12c, and is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the rectilinear cylinder 11. The main cam grooves 12b engage with the main cam followers 11b and are formed substantially parallel to the sub cam groove 11c, and upon rotating relative to the rectilinear cylinder 11, move the lens group units 23 to 27 back and forth in the optical axis direction. The sub cam followers 12c project inward in the radial direction and engage with the sub cam grooves 11c.