The present disclosure relates to a filter unit, a filter selection method, and an imaging device that allow continuously changing a transmittance of an ND filter and switching between filters to be performed more easily. A disk provided with a plurality of filters including an ND filter having a continuously variable transmittance is rotated to cause a filter corresponding to a rotational orientation of the disk among the plurality of filters provided on the disk to be arranged on an optical axis of incident light toward an image sensor. The present disclosure can be applied to, for example, a filter unit, an imaging device, electronic equipment, a filter selection method, a program, or the like.

Optics systems presented are arranged as high-performance imagers particularly characterized by their exceptional compactness in view of image quality. A plurality of lens and let's and or doublets are configured to cooperate with related mount systems optimized for compactness. To achieve very high resolution imaging despite somewhat abbreviated compound lens design, these systems include use of lens array elements proximate to an imaging plane. So placed lens array devices may be designed with lens elements which invariably operate on incident wave planes with radial dependence. That is, the focusing strength of lenses from which these lens arrays are comprised may depend upon its distance from system optic axis. This enables an imaging correction function that counters distortion and other undesirable imaging errors typically present in a simplified compound lens systems. When used together and in conjunction with special-purpose collapsing lens mounting systems, an imaging system of very high fidelity and very compact weight size is achieved to great advantage in system when a premium on lens size is necessitated.

A lens mount assembly is configured to support a lens assembly having a lens ring and at least one lens secured to the lens ring. The lens mount assembly includes a ring mount having an annular body with at least two retaining arms that project from the annular body, a flexure configured to be secured to the ring mount, and at least two bellows. Each bellows is configured to be secured to a respective retaining arm of the at least two retaining arms of the ring mount. The at least two bellows further are configured to engage the flexure.

A lens mount assembly is configured to support a lens assembly having a lens ring and at least one lens secured to the lens ring. The lens mount assembly includes a ring mount having an annular body with at least two retaining arms that project from the annular body, a flexure configured to be secured to the ring mount, and at least two bellows. Each bellows is configured to be secured to a respective retaining arm of the at least two retaining arms of the ring mount. The at least two bellows further are configured to engage the flexure.

A lens array of an embodiment comprises: a plurality of lenses arranged along an optical axis direction between an object and an image forming plane; a first spacer placed among the plurality of lenses; and an elastic member placed between the lower surface of the first spacer and an upper surface of at least one lens between first and second lenses, which have different widths, face the lower surface of the first spacer, and are arranged side by side along the optical axis direction among the plurality of lenses.

A lens array of an embodiment comprises: a plurality of lenses arranged along an optical axis direction between an object and an image forming plane; a first spacer placed among the plurality of lenses; and an elastic member placed between the lower surface of the first spacer and an upper surface of at least one lens between first and second lenses, which have different widths, face the lower surface of the first spacer, and are arranged side by side along the optical axis direction among the plurality of lenses.

A method of manufacturing a camera module that is low profile and that can achieve superior resolving power, a camera module, and an imaging device are provided. A positioning step of positioning an object-side group optical unit (12a) along an optical axis direction with the use of a jig (40) such that the object-side group optical unit (12a) is located so as not to be in contact with an image-plane-side group lens (32a) and a fixing step of fixing the object-side group optical unit (12a) to a lens holder (20) are included.

A method of manufacturing a camera module that is low profile and that can achieve superior resolving power, a camera module, and an imaging device are provided. A positioning step of positioning an object-side group optical unit (12a) along an optical axis direction with the use of a jig (40) such that the object-side group optical unit (12a) is located so as not to be in contact with an image-plane-side group lens (32a) and a fixing step of fixing the object-side group optical unit (12a) to a lens holder (20) are included.

Systems are presented with special mechanical means to switch a set of lens elements to form a compound lens from a storage position to an imaging position, In the storage mode, these arrangements offer highly efficient space saving schemes suitable for use in application where space is a premium. In the imaging mode, a plurality of lens singlets are brought together on a common imagine axis whereby they operate to form very high quality images at a single image plane. Singlet lenses are held in a lens mount device of a disk element. A plurality of similar cooperating disk elements move against adjacent coupled disks to cause well-regulated desirable motion and positioning. Specifically, portions of the disk include a cam system which permits smooth movement as disk elements are counter rotated with respect to each other thus driving the preferred positioning.

Systems are presented with special mechanical means to switch a set of lens elements to form a compound lens from a storage position to an imaging position, In the storage mode, these arrangements offer highly efficient space saving schemes suitable for use in application where space is a premium. In the imaging mode, a plurality of lens singlets are brought together on a common imagine axis whereby they operate to form very high quality images at a single image plane. Singlet lenses are held in a lens mount device of a disk element. A plurality of similar cooperating disk elements move against adjacent coupled disks to cause well-regulated desirable motion and positioning. Specifically, portions of the disk include a cam system which permits smooth movement as disk elements are counter rotated with respect to each other thus driving the preferred positioning.