Zooming optical system

Abstract

A zooming optical system includes a first lens group having negative refractive power, a second lens group having positive refractive power, a third lens group having negative refractive power, and a fourth lens group having positive refractive power, in that order from an object side. The first lens group has at least one cemented lens having positive refractive power. Each of the first lens group, the second lens group, the third lens group, and the fourth lens group are configured to move along a direction of an optical axis in zooming. Conditional expression (1) below is satisfied:
10.0<f2/f1<2.0(1), where f1 is a focal length of the first lens group, and f2 is a focal length of the second lens group.

Claims

1. A zooming optical system, comprising: a first lens group having negative refractive power, the first lens group having at least one cemented lens having positive refractive power; a second lens group having positive refractive power; a third lens group having negative refractive power; and a fourth lens group having positive refractive power, in that order from an object side, each of the first lens group, the second lens group, the third lens group, and the fourth lens group configured to move along a direction of an optical axis in zooming, and wherein conditional expression (1) below is satisfied:
10.0<f2/f1<2.0(1), where f1 is a focal length of the first lens group, and f2 is a focal length of the second lens group, wherein the first lens group further includes at least one cemented lens having negative refractive power, and wherein conditional expression (5) is further satisfied:
0.6<fcN/fcP(5), where fcP is a focal length of the at least one cemented lens having positive refractive power in the first lens group, and fcN is a focal length of the at least one cemented lens having negative refractive power in the first lens group.

2. The zooming optical system according to claim 1, wherein conditional expression (2) is further satisfied:
2.0<f3/f1<5.0(2), where f1 is the focal length of the first lens group, and f3 is a focal length of the third lens group.

3. The zooming optical system according to claim 1, wherein conditional expression (3) is further satisfied:
1.0<f4/f3<0(3), where f3 is a focal length of the third lens group, and f4 is a focal length of the fourth lens group.

4. The zooming optical system according to claim 1, wherein the first lens group has a negative lens disposed closest to the object side.

5. The zooming optical system according to claim 1, wherein conditional expression (4) is further satisfied:
RcP/fcP<0(4), where RcP is a radius of curvature of a bonded surface of the at least one cemented lens having positive refractive power in the first lens group, and fcP is a focal length of the at least one cemented lens having positive refractive power in the first lens group.

6. The zooming optical system according to claim 1, wherein the third lens group includes only a cemented lens.

7. A zooming optical system comprising: a first lens group having negative refractive power, the first lens group having a negative lens disposed closest to an object side; a second lens group having positive refractive power; a third lens group having negative refractive power; and a fourth lens group having positive refractive power, in that order from the object side, the fourth lens group including at least four lenses that includes at least one cemented lens, each of the first lens group, the second lens group, the third lens group, and the fourth lens group configured to move along a direction of an optical axis in zooming, and wherein conditional expressions (1a), (2a), and (3a) are satisfied:
2.5<f2/f1<2.0(1a),
2.0<f3/f1<4.0(2a), and
1.0<f4/f3<0.5(3a) where f1 is a focal length of the first lens group, f2 is a focal length of the second lens group, f3 is a focal length of the third lens group, and f4 is a focal length of the fourth lens group.

8. The zooming optical system according to claim 7, wherein the first lens group includes at least one cemented lens having positive refractive power, and wherein conditional expression (4) is satisfied:
RcP/fcP<0(4), where RcP is a radius of curvature of a bonded surface of the at least one cemented lens having positive refractive power in the first lens group, and fcP is a focal length of the at least one cemented lens having positive refractive power in the first lens group.

9. The zooming optical system according to claim 7, wherein the first lens group includes at least one cemented lens having positive refractive power and at least one cemented lens having negative refractive power, and wherein conditional expression (5) is satisfied:
0.6<fcN/fcP(5), where fcP is a focal length of the at least one cemented lens having positive refractive power in the first lens group, and fcN is a focal length of the at least one cemented lens having negative refractive power in the first lens group.

10. The zooming optical system according to claim 7, wherein the third lens group includes only a cemented lens.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The aforementioned and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is an illustration of a configuration of a zooming optical system focused on infinity at a short focal length end according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

(3) FIG. 2 is an illustration of a configuration of the zooming optical system of FIG. 1 focused on infinity at a long focal length end according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

(4) FIGS. 3A through 3D are aberration diagrams of the configuration of FIG. 1;

(5) FIGS. 4A through 4D are lateral aberration diagrams of the configuration of FIG. 2;

(6) FIG. 5 is an illustration of a configuration of a zooming optical system focused on infinity at a short focal length end according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

(7) FIG. 6 is an illustration of a configuration of the zooming optical system of FIG. 5 focused on infinity at a long focal length end according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

(8) FIGS. 7A through 7D are aberration diagrams of the configuration of FIG. 5;

(9) FIGS. 8A through 8D are lateral aberration diagrams of the configuration of FIG. 6;

(10) FIG. 9 is an illustration of a configuration of a zooming optical system focused on infinity at a short focal length end according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure;

(11) FIG. 10 is an illustration of a configuration of the zooming optical system of FIG. 9 focused on infinity at a long focal length end according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure;

(12) FIGS. 11A through 11D are aberration diagrams of the configuration of FIG. 9;

(13) FIGS. 12A through 12D are lateral aberration diagrams of the configuration of FIG. 10;

(14) FIG. 13 is an illustration of a configuration of a zooming optical system focused on infinity at a short focal length end according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure;

(15) FIG. 14 is an illustration of a configuration of the zooming optical system of FIG. 13 focused on infinity at a long focal length end according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure;

(16) FIGS. 15A through 15D are aberration diagrams of the configuration of FIG. 13;

(17) FIGS. 16A through 16D are lateral aberration diagrams of the configuration of FIG. 14;

(18) FIG. 17 is an illustration of a configuration of a zooming optical system focused on infinity at a short focal length end according to further embodiment of the present disclosure;

(19) FIG. 18 is an illustration of a configuration of the zooming optical system of FIG. 17 focused on infinity at a long focal length end according to further another embodiment of the present disclosure;

(20) FIGS. 19A through 19D are aberration diagrams of the configuration of FIG. 17;

(21) FIGS. 20A through 20D are lateral aberration diagrams of the configuration of FIG. 18;

(22) FIG. 21 is an illustration of a configuration of a zooming optical system focused on infinity at a short focal length end according to still further embodiment of the present disclosure;

(23) FIG. 22 is an illustration of a configuration of the zooming optical system of FIG. 21 focused on infinity at a long focal length end according to still further another embodiment of the present disclosure;

(24) FIGS. 23A through 23D are aberration diagrams of the configuration of FIG. 21;

(25) FIGS. 24A through 24D are lateral aberration diagrams of the configuration of FIG. 22;

(26) FIG. 25 is an illustration of a configuration of a zooming optical system focused on infinity at a short focal length end according to yet further embodiment of the present disclosure;

(27) FIG. 26 is an illustration of a configuration of the zooming optical system of FIG. 25 focused on infinity at a long focal length end according to yet further another embodiment of the present disclosure;

(28) FIGS. 27A through 27D are aberration diagrams of the configuration of FIG. 25;

(29) FIGS. 28A through 28D are lateral aberration diagrams of the configuration of FIG. 26;

(30) FIG. 29 is an illustration of movement paths of lens groups in the zooming optical system of FIG. 1;

(31) FIG. 30 is an illustration of movement paths of lens groups in the zooming optical system of FIG. 5;

(32) FIG. 31 is an illustration of movement paths of lens groups in the zooming optical system of FIG. 9;

(33) FIG. 32 is an illustration of movement paths of lens groups in the zooming optical system of FIG. 13;

(34) FIG. 33 is an illustration of movement paths of lens groups in the zooming optical system of FIG. 17;

(35) FIG. 34 is an illustration of movement paths of lens groups in the zooming optical system of FIG. 21; and

(36) FIG. 35 is an illustration of movement paths of lens groups in the zooming optical system of FIG. 25.

(37) The accompanying drawings are intended to depict embodiments of the present disclosure and should not be interpreted to limit the scope thereof. The accompanying drawings are not to be considered as drawn to scale unless explicitly noted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(38) In describing embodiments illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the disclosure of this patent specification is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that have the same function, operate in a similar manner, and achieve similar results.

(39) Although the embodiments are described with technical limitations with reference to the attached drawings, such description is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure and all of the components or elements described in the embodiments of this disclosure are not necessarily indispensable.

(40) First, the term cemented lens is defined in the present disclosure as follows. The term cemented lens used in the present specification refers to both a typical cemented lens and a so-called hybrid lens. The typical cemented lens is a cemented lens in which a plurality of lenses, each being relatively thick at least one of the center portion (in the vicinity of the optical axis) and the outer edge portion, is bonded to each other with adhesive having a substantially no thickness. The hybrid lens is a lens having an aspherical effect and a diffraction effect imparted by applying a thin resin layer to the entire surface of the lens that is relatively thick at one of the center portion and the outer edge portion.

(41) A zooming optical system Z according to an embodiment of the present disclosure consists of a first lens group G1 having negative refractive power, a second lens group G2 having positive refractive power, a third lens group G3 having negative refractive power, and a fourth lens group G4 having positive refractive power in all of numerical examples 1 through 7 as illustrated in FIGS. 29 through 35. In FIGS. 29 through 35, the symbol I denotes a designed image plane.

(42) In zooming from a short focal length end (Wide) to a long focal length end (Tele) in numerical examples 1, 2, and 4 through 7, the first lens group G first moves to an image side to go over the position of the short focal length end and moves back to the object side, thus moving to the object side.

(43) In zooming from the short focal length end (Wide) to the long focal length end (Tele) in numerical example 3, the first lens group G first moves to an image side and slightly further moves to the image side, thus moving to the image side.

(44) The second lens group G2 monotonically moves to the object side in zooming from the short focal length end (Wide) to the long focal length end (Tele) in all of numerical examples 1 through 7.

(45) In zooming from the short focal length end (Wide) to the long focal length end (Tele) in numerical example 3, the first lens group G first moves to an image side and slightly further moves to the image side, thus moving to the image side.

(46) In zooming from a short focal length end (Wide) to a long focal length end (Tele) in numerical example 2, the third group G3 first moves to the image side to go over the position of the short focal length end, and then moves back to the object side, thus moving to the object side.

(47) In the numerical embodiments 3 through 6, the third lens group G3 monotonically moves to the object side in zooming from the short focal length end (Wide) to the long focal length end (Tele).

(48) In the numerical embodiment 7, the third lens group G3 monotonically moves to the image side in zooming from the short focal length end (Wide) to the long focal length end (Tele).

(49) The fourth lens group G4 monotonically moves to the object side in zooming from the short focal length end (Wide) to the long focal length end (Tele) in all of numerical examples 1 through 7.

(50) Note that each lens group has a degree of freedom for behavior in zooming, and various changes in design are possible as far as the distance between adjacent lens groups changes in zooming.

(51) The first lens group G1 according to the numerical examples 1, 2, and 7 includes a negative lens 11, a negative lens 12, a negative lens 13, a positive lens 14, and a negative lens 15 in that order from the object side. The negative lens 11 has an aspherical surface facing the object side. The negative lens 12 is a hybrid lens (a cemented lens having negative refractive power) formed by bonding an aspherical surface layer made of synthetic resin material to the image-side surface of a glass lens. The positive lens 14 and the negative lens 15 are cemented to each other to form a cemented lens having positive refractive power.

(52) The first lens group G1 according to the numerical examples 3 through 6 includes a negative lens 11a, a negative lens 12a, a negative lens 13a, a negative lens 14a, a positive lens 14a, a positive lens 15a, a positive lens 16a, and a negative lens 17a in that order from the object side. The negative lens 12a has an aspherical surface facing the image side. The negative lens 14a and the positive lens 15a are cemented to each other to form a cemented lens having negative refractive power. The positive lens 16a and the negative lens 17a are cemented to each other to form a cemented lens having positive refractive power.

(53) The second lens group G2 according to the numerical examples 1, 2, and 7 includes a positive lens 21, a negative lens 22, a positive lens 23, and a positive lens 24, in that order from the object side. The positive lens 21 and the negative lens 22 are cemented to each other. The second lens group G2 according to the numerical examples 1, 2, and 7 includes a front group (the positive lens 21, the negative lens 22, and the positive lens 23) on the object side and a rear group (the positive lens 24) on the image side. Between the front group and the rear group, there is a largest air space. In some embodiments, the front group on the object side in the second lens group G2 according to the numerical examples 1, 2, and 7 is a focusing lens group that moves in a change in focus.

(54) The second lens group G2 according to the numerical examples 3 through 6 includes a negative lens 21a, a positive lens 22a, and a positive lens 23a in that order from the object side. The negative lens 21a and the positive lens 22a are cemented to each other. The second lens group G2 according to the numerical examples 3 through 6 includes a front group (the negative lens 21a and the positive lens 22a) on the object side and a rear group (the positive lens 23a) on the image side. Between the front group and the rear group, there is a largest air space. In some embodiments, the front group on the object side in the second lens group G2 according to the numerical examples 3 through 6 is a focusing lens group that moves in a change in focus.

(55) The third lens group G3 according to all of the numerical examples 1 through 7 includes a negative lens 31 and a positive lens 32 in that order from the object side, these two lenses forming a cemented lens.

(56) The fourth lens group G4 according to all of the numerical examples 1 through 7 includes a positive lens 41, a negative lens 42, a positive lens 43, and a positive lens 44 in that order from the object side. The negative lens 42 and the positive lens 43 are cemented to each other.

(57) The positive lens 41 of the fourth lens group according to the numerical examples 3 through 6 has an aspherical surface facing the image side.

(58) The negative lens 42 of the fourth lens group according to the numerical examples 3, 5, and 6 is a hybrid lens formed by bonding an aspherical surface layer made of synthetic resin material to the object-side surface of a glass lens.

(59) The positive lens 44 according to the numerical examples 1, 2, and 7 has an aspherical surface at each side.

(60) The positive lens 44 according to the numerical example 4 is a hybrid lens formed by bonding an aspherical surface layer made of synthetic resin material to the object-side surface of a glass lens.

(61) The zooming optical system Z according to the present embodiments employs, for example, a negative lead lens system of a four-group configuration, in which negative, positive, negative, and positive power are arranged in that order. The zooming optical system Z according to the present embodiments provides a long back focus and achieves higher optical performance with both an imaging angle of view of less than 100 degrees and an imaging angle of 100 degrees or more at the short focal length end.

(62) More specifically, the zooming optical system Z according to the present embodiments includes a negative lens on the object side within the first lens group G1 (in the numerical examples 1, 2, and 7, three negative lenses 11 through 13, and in the numerical examples 3 through 6, four negative lenses 11a through 14a). With such a configuration in which negative power is imparted to the lenses on the object side within the first lens group G1, a wide angle of view (short focal length) and a long back focus are successfully obtained.

(63) In the zooming optical system Z according to the present embodiments, aberration that occurs in the negative lenses on the object side within the first lens group G1 is corrected by a cemented lens (a cemented lens formed by the positive lens 14 and the negative lens 15, or a cemented lens formed by the positive lens 16a and the negative lens 17a) having positive refractive power in the first lens group G1. Disposing the cemented lens having positive refractive power in the first lens group G1 allows higher resolution capability.

(64) Further, in the zooming optical system Z according to the present embodiments, the power between the lens groups G1, G2, G3, and G4 is well balanced (for example, the power balance between the first lens group G1 and the second lens group G2, the power balance between the second lens group G2 and the third lens group G3, and the power balance between the third lens group G3 and the fourth lens group G4). Such a configuration successfully corrects various aberrations, thereby achieving higher optical performance. For example, the zooming optical system Z according to the present embodiments has a strong diverging power in the first lens group G1 to adapt to the APS-C image sensor having a wide full angle of view up to 100 degrees or more. However, with an excessive increase in diverging power of the first lens group G1, the following lens groups fail to correct the aberration generated in the first lens group G1. Imparting an appropriate level of diverging power to the first lens group G1 exhibits advantageous effects for correction of aberrations.

(65) Conditional expressions (1), (1a), and (1aa) define the ratio of the focal length of the first lens group G1 to the focal length of the second lens group G2:
10.0<f2/f1<2.0(1),
3.0<f2/f1<2.0(1aa); and
2.5<f2/f1<2.0(1a),

(66) where

(67) f1 is the focal length of the first lens group G1, and

(68) f2 is a focal length of the second lens group G2.

(69) Satisfying conditional expression (1) achieves both a sufficiently wide angle of view and a sufficiently long back focus, and successfully corrects aberrations (for example, coma aberration). Such advantageous effects are enhanced preferably by satisfying conditional expressions (1aa), and more preferably by satisfying conditional expressions (1a).

(70) When the value of f2/f1 exceeds the upper limit defined by conditional expressions (1), (1a), and (1aa), the power of the first lens group G1 excessively decreases, thereby resulting in achieving both a sufficient wide angle of view and a sufficient long back focus.

(71) When the value of f2/f1 exceeds the lower limit defined by conditional expression (1), the power of the first lens group G1 excessively increases, resulting in difficulty in correcting aberration (for example, coma aberration) generated in the negative lens on the object side in first lens group G1 even with a cemented lens having positive refractive power disposed in the first lens group G1.

(72) Conditional expression (2) defines the ratio of the focal length of the first lens group G1 to the focal length of the third lens group G3:
2.0<f3/f1<5.0(2),

(73) where

(74) f1 is the focal length of the first lens group G1, and

(75) f3 is the focal length of the third lens group G3.

(76) Satisfying conditional expression (2) successfully corrects spherical aberration, distortion, and coma aberration.

(77) When the value of f3/f1 exceeds the upper limit defined by conditional expression (2), a great amount of spherical aberration and coma aberration are generated particularly in the third lens group G3, resulting in difficulty in correcting these aberrations.

(78) When the value of f3/f1 exceeds the lower limit defined by conditional expression (2), a great amount of distortion and coma aberration are generated particularly in the first lens group G1, resulting in difficulty in correcting these aberrations.

(79) Conditional expressions (3) and (3a) define the ratio of the focal length of the third lens group G3 to the focal length of the fourth lens group G4 (the power balance between the third lens group G3 and the fourth lens group G4):
1.0<f4/f3<0(3), and
1.0<f4/f3<0.5(3a),

(80) where

(81) f3 is the focal length of the third lens group G3, and

(82) f4 is the focal length of the fourth lens group G4.

(83) Satisfying conditional expression (3) prevents the occurrence of aberration due to the movement of the third lens group G3 and the fourth lens group G4 (the change in distance between lens groups), and particularly prevents the fluctuations in spherical aberration and coma aberration that fluctuate with a change in magnification. Such advantageous effects are enhanced by satisfying conditional expression (3a).

(84) When the value of f4/f3 exceeds the upper limit defined by conditional expression (3), an assumed power arrangement (the third lens group G3 having negative refractive power and the fourth lens group having positive refractive power) is not obtained.

(85) When the value of f3/f1 exceeds the lower limit defined by conditional expression (3) or (3a), the power of fourth lens group G4 excessively decreases as compared to the power of the third lens group G3, which causes an excessive correction in the focal range of the third lens group G3 or the fourth lens group G4 when zooming. Thus, spherical aberration and coma aberration are not successfully corrected.

(86) In the zooming optical system Z according to the present embodiments, the first lens group G1 includes at least one cemented lens having positive refractive power (a cemented lens of the positive lens 14 and the negative lens 15 or a cemented lens of the positive lens 16a and the negative lens 17a) and at least one cemented lens having negative refractive power (the hybrid lens 12 having an aspherical surface and negative refractive power or a cemented lens of the negative lens 14a and the positive lens 15a). The number of cemented lenses having negative or positive refractive power to be disposed in the first lens group G1 is optional, and various design changes are possible. In the present embodiments, one or more cemented lenses having positive refractive power and one or more cemented lenses having negative refractive power are disposed in the first lens group G1. This configuration successfully corrects chromatic aberration and coma aberration.

(87) Conditional expressions (4) and (4a) define the ratio of the radius of curvature of a bonded surface of a cemented lens having positive refractive power in the first lens group G1 to the focal length of the cemented lens:
RcP/fcP<0(4), and
0.5<RcP/fcP<0(4a),

(88) where

(89) RcP is the radius of curvature of a bonded surface of at least one cemented lens having positive refractive power in the first lens group G1, and

(90) fcP is the focal length of at least one cemented lens having positive refractive power in the first lens group G1.

(91) Satisfying conditional expression (4) successfully corrects chromatic aberration and coma aberration, thereby achieving higher resolution capability.

(92) When the value of RcP/fcP exceeds the upper limit defined by conditional expression (4) or (4a), particularly chromatic aberration is excessively corrected, which causes a poor power balance over the entire range of the zooming optical system Z, increasing aberration, resulting in a reduction of resolution capability.

(93) Particularly when the value of RcP/fcP exceeds the lower limit defined by conditional expression (4) or (4a), chromatic aberration and coma aberration are successfully corrected.

(94) Conditional expressions (5) and (5a) define the ratio of the focal length of the cemented lens having positive refractive power to the focal length of the cemented lens having negative refractive power in the first lens group G1:
0.6<fcN/fcP(5), and
0.6<fcN/fcP<0.2(5a),

(95) Where

(96) fcP is the focal length of at least one cemented lens having positive refractive power in the first lens group G1; and

(97) fcN is the focal length of at least one cemented lens having negative refractive power in the first lens group G1.

(98) The negative refractive power and the positive refractive power of the cemented lenses differ from each other in a target aberration to be corrected. Accordingly, when any one of the positive refractive power and the negative refractive power of the cemented lenses is excessively strong, the residual aberration having not been completely corrected is not successfully reduced in the first lens group G1. To handle such a circumstance, conditional expressions (5) and (5a) are used to obtain (set) a well balance between the positive refractive power of the cemented lens and the negative refractive power of the negative refractive power of the cemented lens. Satisfying conditional expression (5) successfully corrects coma aberration and distortion, thereby successfully correcting chromatic aberration, thus to achieve higher resolution capability. Such an advantageous effect is enhanced by satisfying conditional expression (5a).

(99) When the value of fcN/fcP exceeds the upper limit defined by conditional expression (5) (for example, the value of fcN/fcP is greater than 0), an assume power arrangement (the cemented lens having positive refractive power and the cemented lens having negative refractive power) is not obtained.

(100) When the value of fcN/fcP exceeds the lower limit defined by conditional expression (5), the negative refractive power of the cemented lens in the first lens group G1 excessively decreases, and/or the positive refractive power of the cemented lens in the first lens group G1 excessively increases. This scenario leads to difficulty in correcting coma aberration and distortion and causes an insufficient correction of chromatic aberration, resulting in a reduction in resolution capability.

(101) In the zooming optical system Z according to at least one embodiment, the first lens group G1 includes a negative lens (the negative lens 11 or the negative lens 11a) positioned closest to the object side, and the fourth lens group G4 includes at least four lenses (the positive lens 41, the negative lens 42, the positive lens 43, and the positive lens 44) that include at least one cemented lens (a cemented lens of the negative lens 42 and the positive lens 43). The zooming optical system Z according to at least one embodiment satisfies the above-described conditional expressions (1a), (2a), and (3a);
2.5<f2/f1<2.0(1a);
2.0<f3/f1<4.0(2a); and
1.0<f4/f3<0.5(3a),

(102) where

(103) f1 is the focal length of the first lens group G1,

(104) f2 is the focal length of the second lens group G2,

(105) f3 is the focal length of the third lens group G3, and

(106) f4 is the focal length of the fourth lens group G4.

(107) With such a configuration in which negative power is imparted to the lens (the negative lens) on the object side within the first lens group G1, a wide angle of view (short focal length) and a long back focus are successfully obtained. Optimizing the negative power of the first lens group G1 by using conditional expression (1a) allows the second lens group G2 having the positive refractive power to correct aberration generated in the first lens group G1 having the negative refractive power while maintaining a wide angle of view (short focal length) and a long back focus. The residual aberration, which has not been completely corrected, particularly axial aberration, is successfully corrected by the third lens group G3 having the power balanced with the power of the fourth lens group G4 by conditional expressions (2a) and (3a). Further, the fourth lens group G4 of the zooming optical system Z according to at least one embodiment includes at least four lenses that include at least one cemented lens, which successfully corrects off-axis aberration in particular. Such a configuration allows a successful correction of aberration over the entire lens of the zooming optical system Z according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

EXAMPLES

(108) The following specifically describes numerical examples 1 through 7. In various aberration diagrams and Tables, the d line, g line, and c line represent aberrations with respect to different wavelengths. Further, the symbol S denotes aberration in the sagittal direction and the symbol M denotes aberration in the meridional direction. The symbol FNO. denotes an F number, the symbol f denotes the focal length of the entire zooming optical system Z, and the symbol W denotes a half angle of view. The symbol Y denotes an image height, and the symbol fB denotes back focus. The symbol L denotes the total length of the zooming optical system Z, and the symbol R denotes a radius of curvature. The symbol d denotes the thickness of a lens or the distance between lenses. The symbol N(d) denotes a refractive index with respect to the d line, and the symbol v(d) denotes the Abbe's number with respect to the d line. The back focus is a distance from the surface closest to the image side in the entire zooming optical system Z to the designed image plane I in FIGS. 29 through 35. The values for Each of the F number, the focal length, the half angle of view, the image height, the back focus, the total length of the zooming optical system Z, and the distance between lenses that changes in zooming are listed for the short focal length end, the intermediate focal length, and the long focal length end in that order. The unit of length is millimeter (mm).

(109) A rotationally symmetric aspherical surface is defined by the following equation:
x=cy2/[1+[1(1+K)c2y2]]+A4y4+A6y6+A8y8+A10y10+A12y12 . . . ,

(110) where c denotes a curvature (1/r), y denotes the height from the optical axis, and K denotes a cone coefficient.

(111) In this case, A4, A6, A8 . . . denote spherical surface coefficients of each order, and x denotes a sag.

Numerical Example 1

(112) FIGS. 1 through 4D and Tables 1 through 4 represent numerical example 1 of the zooming optical system Z according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a lens focused on infinity at the short focal length end. FIGS. 3A through 3D are aberration diagrams of the lens of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a lens focused on infinity at the long focal length end. FIGS. 4A through 4D are aberration diagrams of the lens of FIG. 2. Tables 1, 2, 3, and 4 represent data regarding surface, various types of data, data regarding aspherical surface, and data regarding lens group, respectively.

(113) The zooming optical system Z according the present numerical example 1 includes a first lens group G1 having negative refractive power; a second lens group G2 having positive refractive power; a third lens group G3 having negative refractive power; and a fourth lens group G4 having positive refractive power in that order from an object side. Between the second lens group G2 and the third lens group G3 (immediately in front of the third lens group G3), an aperture stop S that moves together with the third lens group G3 is disposed.

(114) The first lens G1 includes a negative meniscus lens 11 with a convex surface facing the object side, a negative meniscus lens 12 with a convex surface facing the object side, a biconcave negative lens 13, a biconvex positive lens 14, and a negative meniscus lens 15 with a convex surface facing the image side, in that order from the object side. The negative meniscus lens 11 has an aspherical surface facing the object side. The negative meniscus lens 12 is a hybrid lens (a cemented lens having negative refractive power) formed by bonding an aspherical surface layer made of synthetic resin material to the image-side surface of a glass lens. The biconvex positive lens 14 and the negative meniscus lens 15 are cemented to each other to constitute a cemented lens having positive refractive power.

(115) The second lens group G2 includes a biconvex positive lens 21, a negative meniscus lens 22 with a convex surface facing the image side, a biconvex positive lens 23, and a positive meniscus lens 24 with a convex surface facing the image side, in that order from the object side. The biconvex positive lens 21 and the negative meniscus lens 22 are cemented to each other.

(116) The third lens group G3 includes a biconcave negative lens 31 and a positive meniscus lens 32 with a convex surface facing the object side in that order from the object side, which are cemented to each other to form a cemented lens. That is, the third lens group G3 includes a cemented lens.

(117) The fourth lens group G4 includes a biconvex positive lens 41, a biconcave negative lens 42, a biconvex positive lens 43, and a positive meniscus lens 44 with a convex surface facing the image side. The biconcave negative lens 42 and the biconvex positive lens 43 are cemented to each other. The positive meniscus lens 44 has an aspherical surface at each side.

(118) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Surface Data Surface Number R d (d) (d) 1* 272.344 2.800 1.69350 53.2 2 26.784 6.553 3 125.855 1.746 1.78000 50.9 4 22.068 0.200 1.52972 42.7 5* 24.792 8.100 6 35.314 1.968 1.81000 37.2 7 248.890 1.512 8 58.206 8.505 1.54732 46.0 9 13.791 1.919 1.85000 44.0 10 35.848 d10 11 93.549 4.713 1.56732 42.8 12 17.723 1.300 1.81600 46.6 13 45.971 0.200 14 73.588 2.380 1.56406 46.3 15 181.972 2.484 16 211.824 2.315 1.49700 81.6 17 46.263 d17 18 stop 2.508 19 40.990 1.350 1.80400 46.6 20 24.622 3.390 1.84666 23.8 21 16468.030 d21 22 22.432 5.634 1.43875 95.0 23 35.188 0.467 24 64.205 1.350 1.84666 23.8 25 37.567 5.468 1.49700 81.6 26 28.517 0.150 27* 199.129 2.000 1.51633 64.1 28* 62.238 *Rotationally Symmetric Aspherical Surface

(119) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Various Data Zooming Ratio 1.57 Short Intermediate Long FNO. 2.8 2.8 2.8 f 11.25 14.00 17.70 W 52.6 45.3 38.4 Y 14.24 14.24 14.24 fB 38.14 42.13 48.88 L 134.42 135.55 139.13 d10 12.448 7.614 3.125 d17 4.429 11.146 16.949 d21 10.392 5.652 1.162 Short: Short Focal Length End, Intermediate: Intermediate Focal length, and Long: Long Focal Length End

(120) TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Aspherical Surface Data Surface Number K A4 A6 A8 A10 A12 1 11.636 0.4186E04 0.1186E06 0.3434E09 0.5617E12 0.4229E15 5 0.055 0.7196E04 0.3796E06 0.1912E08 0.8408E11 0.0000E+00 27 0.000 0.9870E04 0.3859E06 0.1285E08 0.6790E11 0.2725E13 28 2.202 0.6747E04 0.3336E06 0.2692E08 0.5199E11 0.4675E13

(121) TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Lens Group Data Group Starting Surface Focal Length 1 1 13.88 2 11 36.15 3 19 55.83 4 22 33.03

Numerical Example 2

(122) FIGS. 5 through 6D and Tables 5 through 8 represent numerical example 2 of the zooming optical system Z according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a lens focused on infinity at the short focal length end. FIGS. 7A through 7D are aberration diagrams of the lens of FIG. 5. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a lens focused on infinity at the long focal length end. FIGS. 8A through 8D are aberration diagrams of the lens of FIG. 6. Tables 5, 6, 7, and 8 represent data regarding surface (surface data), various data, data regarding aspherical surface (aspherical surface data), and data regarding lens group (lens group data), respectively.

(123) The zooming optical system Z according to numerical example 2 has the same lens configuration as that of the zooming optical system Z according to numerical example 1 except for the following points:

(124) 1) The negative lens 13 of the first lens group G1 is a negative meniscus lens having a convex surface facing the image side.

(125) 2) The positive lens 24 of the second lens group G2 is a biconvex positive lens.

(126) 3) The positive lens 32 of the third lens group G3 is a biconvex positive lens.

(127) 4) The positive lens 44 of the fourth lens group G4 is a biconvex positive lens.

(128) TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Surface Data Surface Number R d N(d) (d) 1* 243.216 2.800 1.69350 53.2 2 26.713 7.038 3 227.332 1.700 1.72916 54.7 4 21.689 0.200 1.52972 42.7 5* 23.963 8.450 6 36.137 1.972 1.81000 35.4 7 3310.327 1.500 8 58.989 7.978 1.54080 47.2 9 14.401 2.000 1.82000 46.6 10 34.589 d10 11 74.390 5.320 1.57269 43.5 12 19.012 1.300 1.82000 46.3 13 59.238 0.200 14 84.857 2.128 1.55477 48.7 15 475.665 2.722 16 635.198 2.497 1.49700 81.6 17 48.263 d17 18 Stop 2.508 19 38.807 1.350 1.80400 46.6 20 22.029 4.837 1.84666 23.8 21 845.682 d21 22 21.126 5.715 1.43875 95.0 23 37.174 0.243 24 75.440 1.350 1.84666 23.8 25 31.970 5.003 1.49700 81.6 26 40.122 0.150 27* 195.221 1.996 1.51633 64.1 28* 78.600 *Rotationally Symmetric Aspherical Surface

(129) TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Various Data Zooming Ratio 1.57 Short Intermediate Long FNO. 2.9 2.9 2.9 f 11.25 14.00 17.70 W 52.7 45.2 38.2 Y 14.24 14.24 14.24 fB 37.72 41.22 46.99 L 134.42 134.06 136.14 d10 14.431 8.329 2.852 d17 1.898 8.022 13.852 d21 9.415 5.538 1.487 Short: Short Focal Length End, Intermediate: Intermediate Focal length, and Long: Long Focal Length End

(130) TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 7 Aspherical Surface Data Surface Number K A4 A6 A8 A10 A12 1 0.000 0.3895E04 0.1099E06 0.3083E09 0.4884E12 0.3526E15 5 0.153 0.6699E04 0.3709E06 0.1726E08 0.6625E11 0.0000E+00 27 0.000 0.2120E04 0.1343E06 0.9204E09 0.6746E13 0.5515E14 28 0.000 0.8805E05 0.6277E07 0.1005E08 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00

(131) TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 8 Lens Group Data Group Starting Surface Focal Length 1 1 16.01 2 11 38.66 3 19 56.54 4 22 33.51

Numerical Example 3

(132) FIGS. 9 through 12D and Tables 9 through 12 represent data of the zooming optical system Z according to numerical example 3. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a lens focused on infinity at the short focal length end. FIGS. 11A through 11D are aberration diagrams of the lens of FIG. 9. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a lens focused on infinity at the long focal length end. FIGS. 12A through 12D are aberration diagrams of the lens of FIG. 10. Table 9 represents surface data, Table 10 represents various data, Table 11 represents aspherical surface data, and Table 12 represents lens group data.

(133) The zooming optical system Z according to numerical example 3 has the same lens configuration as that of the zooming optical system Z according to numerical example 1 except for the following points:

(134) 1) The first lens G1 includes a negative meniscus lens 11a with a convex surface facing the object side, a negative meniscus lens 12a with a convex surface facing the object side, a negative meniscus lens 13a having a convex surface facing the object side, a biconcave negative lens 14a, a positive meniscus lens 15a having a convex surface facing the object side, a biconvex positive lens 16a, and a negative meniscus lens 17a having a convex surface facing the image side, in that order from the object side. The negative meniscus lens 12a has an aspherical surface facing the image side. The biconcave negative lens 14a and the positive meniscus lens 15a are cemented to each other to form a cemented lens having negative refractive power. The biconvex positive lens 16a and the negative meniscus lens 17a are cemented to each other to form a cemented lens having positive refractive power.

(135) 2) The second lens group G2 includes a negative meniscus lens 21a having a convex surface facing the object side, a biconvex positive lens 22a, and a biconvex positive lens 23a in that order from the object side. The negative meniscus lens 21a and the biconvex positive lens 22a are cemented to each other.

(136) 3) The biconvex positive lens 41 of the fourth lens group G4 has an aspherical surface facing the image side.

(137) 4) The biconcave negative lens 42 of the fourth lens group G4 is a hybrid lens formed by bonding an aspherical surface layer made of synthetic resin material to the object-side surface of a glass lens.

(138) 5) The positive lens 44 of the fourth lens group G4 is a biconvex positive lens having both surfaces spherical

(139) TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 9 Surface Data Surface Number R d N(d) (d) 1 47.207 1.910 1.65000 60.2 2 25.298 0.180 3 24.406 3.000 1.52538 56.3 4* 12.814 6.776 5 24.325 1.700 1.81600 46.6 6 14.951 8.395 7 34.415 1.381 1.80999 46.5 8 19.117 4.771 1.56247 42.2 9 196.040 0.500 10 31.675 9.174 1.54000 48.5 11 16.348 1.449 1.80400 46.6 12 34.521 d12 13 36.312 1.404 1.85000 25.1 14 18.782 4.781 1.61702 36.3 15 71.849 4.800 16 76.485 2.580 1.60342 38.0 17 122.375 d17 18Stop 2.873 19 35.565 1.220 1.80400 46.6 20 19.977 3.359 1.84666 23.8 21 91.242 d21 22 25.941 6.207 1.49700 81.6 23* 27.244 0.250 24* 95.569 0.200 1.52972 42.7 25 91.464 1.200 1.91650 31.6 26 19.827 6.652 1.49700 81.6 27 78.444 0.150 28 73.631 6.975 1.49700 81.6 29 27.186 *Rotationally Symmetric Aspherical Surface

(140) TABLE-US-00010 TABLE 10 Various Data Zooming Ratio 1.56 Short Intermediate Long FNO. 2.8 2.8 2.8 f 11.29 14.03 17.62 W 52.6 45.4 38.6 Y 14.24 14.24 14.24 fB 36.72 40.85 47.38 L 143.32 140.88 141.01 d12 14.885 7.647 1.664 d17 3.792 6.807 9.087 d21 6.037 3.691 0.989 Short: Short Focal Length End, Intermediate: Intermediate Focal length, and Long: Long Focal Length End

(141) TABLE-US-00011 TABLE 11 AsphericalSurface Data Surface Number K A4 A6 A8 A10 A12 4 1.000 0.1120E04 0.4885E07 0.2045E09 0.1364E11 0.1438E14 23 0.000 0.3473E04 0.3918E06 0.3588E08 0.1068E10 0.0000E+00 24 0.000 0.2382E05 0.3540E06 0.3245E08 0.8728E11 0.0000E+00

(142) TABLE-US-00012 TABLE 12 Lens Group Data Group Starting Surface Focal Length 1 1 15.83 2 13 33.18 3 19 33.11 4 22 30.02

Numerical Example 4

(143) FIGS. 13 through 16D and Tables 13 through 16 represent data of the zooming optical system Z according to numerical example 4. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a lens focused on infinity at the short focal length end. FIGS. 15A through 15D are aberration diagrams of the lens of FIG. 13. FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of a lens focused on infinity at the long focal length end. FIGS. 16A through 16D are aberration diagrams of the lens of FIG. 14. Table 13 represents surface data, Table 14 represents various data, Table 15 represents aspherical surface data, and Table 16 represents lens group data.

(144) The zooming optical system Z according to numerical example 4 has the same lens configuration as that of the zooming optical system Z according to numerical example 3 except for the following points:

(145) 1) The positive lens 15a of the first lens group G1 is a biconvex positive lens;

(146) 2) The positive lens 23a of the second lens group G2 is a positive meniscus lens having a convex surface facing the object side;

(147) 3) The biconcave negative lens 42 of the fourth lens group G4 has a spherical surface facing the object side; and

(148) 4) The positive lens 44 of the fourth lens group G4 is a positive meniscus lens having a convex surface facing the image side, and is also a hybrid lens formed by bonding an aspherical surface layer made of synthetic resin material to the object-side surface of a glass lens.

(149) TABLE-US-00013 TABLE 13 Surface Data Surface Number R d N(d) (d) 1 57.761 1.910 1.67790 55.3 2 22.263 0.226 3 21.838 2.800 1.52538 56.3 4* 12.000 9.226 5 22.442 1.700 1.81600 46.6 6 15.329 7.715 7 41.454 1.300 1.80610 40.9 8 21.289 4.790 1.54814 45.8 9 414.635 0.500 10 30.866 8.279 1.54814 45.8 11 17.011 1.200 1.81600 46.6 12 65.332 d12 13 54.191 1.200 1.84666 23.8 14 22.757 4.929 1.63980 34.5 15 35.868 10.749 16 46.856 2.475 1.67270 32.1 17 588.690 d17 18Stop 3.008 19 29.206 1.300 1.80400 46.6 20 28.581 2.811 1.84666 23.8 21 253.385 d21 22 27.469 5.957 1.49700 81.6 23* 24.018 0.100 24 309.038 1.200 1.91650 31.6 25 18.361 8.827 1.49700 81.6 26 28.222 0.150 27* 72.309 0.200 1.52972 42.7 28 111.285 3.198 1.49700 81.6 29 38.000 *Rotationally Symmetric Aspherical Surface

(150) TABLE-US-00014 TABLE 14 Various Data Zooming Ratio 1.56 Short Intermediate Long FNO. 2.8 2.8 2.8 f 11.28 14.01 17.60 W 52.7 45.4 38.7 Y 14.24 14.24 14.24 fB 36.71 41.01 48.10 L 143.31 142.92 145.21 d12 9.850 5.174 1.184 d17 2.614 6.381 9.188 d21 8.385 4.609 0.989 Short: Short Focal Length End, Intermediate: Intermediate Focal length, and Long: Long Focal Length End

(151) TABLE-US-00015 TABLE 15 Aspherical Surface Data Surface Number K A4 A6 A8 A10 A12 4 1.000 0.1072E04 0.1908E08 0.4251E10 0.7022E12 0.7703E15 23 0.000 0.5983E04 0.1219E06 0.2090E09 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 27 0.000 0.2034E04 0.9424E08 0.2202E09 0.2356E11 0.4307E14

(152) TABLE-US-00016 TABLE 16 Lens Group Data Group Starting Surface Focal Length 1 1 12.39 2 13 29.94 3 19 33.85 4 22 30.63

Numerical Example 5

(153) FIGS. 17 through 20D and Tables 17 through 20 represent data of the zooming optical system Z according to numerical example 5. FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of a lens focused on infinity at the short focal length end. FIGS. 19A through 19D are aberration diagrams of the lens of FIG. 17. FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of a lens focused on infinity at the long focal length end. FIGS. 20A through 20D are aberration diagrams of the lens of FIG. 18. Table 17 represents surface data, Table 18 represents various data, Table 19 represents aspherical surface data, and Table 20 represents lens group data.

(154) The zooming optical system Z according to numerical example 5 has the same lens configuration as that of the zooming optical system Z according to numerical example 3.

(155) TABLE-US-00017 TABLE 17 Surface Data Surface Number R d N(d) (d) 1 45.468 1.910 1.65000 60.2 2 25.315 0.180 3 24.421 3.000 1.52538 56.3 4* 13.087 5.996 5 23.492 1.700 1.82000 46.0 6 14.448 8.806 7 33.696 1.000 1.81000 46.5 8 17.284 5.151 1.54000 46.0 9 173.777 0.500 10 32.066 8.236 1.54000 48.6 11 18.978 1.200 1.80400 46.6 12 36.810 d12 13 34.521 2.701 1.85000 26.5 14 18.344 4.860 1.60000 38.4 15 71.966 4.800 16 78.577 2.580 1.60342 38.0 17 128.192 d17 18 Stop 2.895 19 33.829 1.220 1.80000 47.3 20 20.819 3.122 1.85000 23.6 21 117.441 d21 22 24.711 6.460 1.49700 81.6 23* 27.418 0.250 24* 115.024 0.200 1.52972 42.7 25 93.537 1.200 1.91650 31.6 26 20.038 6.754 1.49700 81.6 27 63.727 0.150 28 62.748 5.981 1.49700 81.6 29 37.225 *Rotationally Symmetric Aspherical Surface

(156) TABLE-US-00018 TABLE 18 Various Data Zooming Ratio 1.66 Short Intermediate Long FNO. 2.8 2.8 2.8 f 11.29 14.01 18.76 W 52.6 45.3 36.6 Y 14.24 14.24 14.24 fB 36.72 40.77 49.30 L 143.32 142.19 144.69 d12 14.777 8.274 1.617 d17 3.874 7.690 11.932 d21 7.097 4.599 0.989 Short: Short Focal Length End, Intermediate: Intermediate Focal length, and Long: Long Focal Length End

(157) TABLE-US-00019 TABLE 19 Aspherical Surface Data Surface Number K A4 A6 A8 A10 A12 4 1.000 0.7372E05 0.6609E07 0.2142E09 0.1228E11 0.1550E14 23 0.000 0.3151E04 0.1891E06 0.1541E09 0.4609E11 0.0000E+00 24 0.000 0.3123E05 0.1923E06 0.7272E10 0.3649E11 0.2509E14

(158) TABLE-US-00020 TABLE 20 Lens Group Data Group Starting Surface Focal Length 1 1 11.51 2 13 34.01 3 19 34.70 4 22 30.03

Numerical Example 6

(159) FIGS. 21 through 24D and Tables 21 through 24 represent data of the zooming optical system Z according to numerical example 6. FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram of a lens focused on infinity at the short focal length end. FIGS. 23A through 23D are aberration diagrams of the lens of FIG. 21. FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram of a lens focused on infinity at the long focal length end. FIGS. 24A through 24D are aberration diagrams of the lens of FIG. 22. Table 21 represents surface data, Table 22 represents various data, Table 23 represents aspherical surface data, and Table 24 represents lens group data.

(160) The zooming optical system Z according to numerical example 6 has the same lens configuration as that of the zooming optical system Z according to numerical examples 3 and 5.

(161) TABLE-US-00021 TABLE 21 Surface Data Surface Number R d N(d) (d) 1 43.138 1.910 1.74649 51.7 2 25.541 0.180 3 24.617 3.000 1.52538 56.3 4* 12.994 6.408 5 24.619 1.700 1.81600 46.6 6 15.043 8.527 7 33.246 1.006 1.81000 46.5 8 18.703 4.929 1.54000 46.0 9 259.129 0.500 10 32.222 9.180 1.54018 47.3 11 16.233 1.200 1.80400 46.6 12 36.494 d12 13 35.666 1.000 1.85000 28.4 14 18.999 4.780 1.60000 38.5 15 68.298 4.881 16 76.994 2.580 1.60342 38.0 17 123.191 d17 18 Stop 2.861 19 35.715 1.220 1.80400 46.6 20 23.114 3.013 1.84666 23.8 21 118.817 d21 22 26.463 6.224 1.49700 81.6 23* 27.281 0.250 24* 95.033 0.200 1.52972 42.7 25 85.453 1.200 1.91650 31.6 26 21.052 6.392 1.49700 81.6 27 75.840 0.150 28 64.560 6.759 1.49700 81.6 29 30.148 *Rotationally Symmetric Aspherical Surface

(162) TABLE-US-00022 TABLE 22 Various Data Zooming Ratio 1.56 Short Intermediate Long FNO. 2.8 2.8 2.8 f 11.29 14.03 17.62 W 52.6 45.4 38.6 Y 14.24 14.24 14.24 fB 36.72 41.10 48.23 L 142.31 141.29 142.76 d12 13.152 7.031 1.712 d17 5.514 9.171 11.778 d21 6.876 3.937 0.989 Short: Short Focal Length End, Intermediate: Intermediate Focal length, and Long: Long Focal Length End

(163) TABLE-US-00023 TABLE 23 Aspherical Surface Data Surface Number K A4 A6 A8 A10 A12 4 1.000 0.8240E05 0.5831E07 0.1814E09 0.1351E11 0.1753E14 23 0.000 0.3195E04 0.1829E06 0.6981E10 0.4274E11 0.0000E+00 24 0.000 0.9289E06 0.1595E06 0.3974E09 0.7327E11 0.1026E13

(164) TABLE-US-00024 TABLE 24 Lens Group Data Group Starting Surface Focal Length 1 1 14.60 2 13 33.35 3 19 35.57 4 22 30.03

Numerical Example 7

(165) FIGS. 25 through 28D and Tables 25 through 28 represent data of the zooming optical system Z according to numerical example 7. FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram of a lens focused on infinity at the short focal length end. FIGS. 27A through 27D are aberration diagrams of the lens of FIG. 25. FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram of a lens focused on infinity at the long focal length end. FIGS. 28A through 28D are aberration diagrams of the lens of FIG. 26. Table 25 represents surface data, Table 26 represents various data, Table 27 represents aspherical surface data, and Table 28 represents lens group data.

(166) The zooming optical system Z according to numerical example 7 has the same lens configuration as that of the zooming optical system Z according to numerical example 1 except for the following points:

(167) 1) The positive lens 24 of the second lens group G2 is a biconvex positive lens;

(168) 2) The positive lens 32 of the third lens group G3 is a biconvex positive lens; and

(169) 3) The positive lens 44 of the fourth lens group G4 is a biconvex positive lens.

(170) TABLE-US-00025 TABLE 25 Surface Data Surface Number R d N(d) (d) 1* 142.085 2.800 1.69350 53.2 2 26.216 6.167 3 86.760 1.700 1.72916 54.7 4 18.186 0.200 1.52972 42.7 5* 19.805 8.746 6 40.482 1.952 1.81000 35.4 7 188.291 1.500 8 57.177 8.426 1.54154 47.0 9 15.395 1.500 1.82000 46.6 10 35.964 d10 11 68.530 7.242 1.56730 42.8 12 17.874 1.300 1.82000 46.3 13 65.091 0.200 14 119.348 2.106 1.58733 41.4 15 198.635 2.511 16 297.620 2.735 1.49700 81.6 17 43.210 d17 18 Stop 2.508 19 41.613 1.300 1.80400 46.6 20 24.884 3.800 1.84666 23.8 21 726.885 d21 22 22.286 5.547 1.43875 95.0 23 38.164 0.124 24 97.229 1.300 1.84666 23.8 25 31.047 5.493 1.49700 81.6 26 31.242 0.150 27* 37034.214 1.449 1.51633 64.1 28* 135.641 *Rotationally Symmetric Aspherical Surface

(171) TABLE-US-00026 TABLE 26 Various Data Zooming Ratio 1.57 Short Intermediate Long FNO. 2.9 2.9 2.9 f 11.25 14.00 17.70 W 52.7 45.3 38.2 Y 14.24 14.24 14.24 fB 37.72 41.09 46.64 L 134.42 134.28 136.89 d10 13.885 8.026 2.822 d17 1.666 8.374 15.192 d21 10.394 6.033 1.483 Short: Short Focal Length End, Intermediate: Intermediate Focal length, and Long: Long Focal Length End

(172) TABLE-US-00027 TABLE 27 AsphericalSurface Data Surface Number K A4 A6 A8 A10 A12 1 0.000 0.3874E04 0.1158E06 0.3322E09 0.5358E12 0.3883E15 5 0.356 0.7396E04 0.4141E06 0.2135E08 0.6792E11 0.0000E+00 27 0.000 0.7407E04 0.3939E06 0.2197E08 0.8970E11 0.2774E13 28 0.000 0.4488E04 0.3440E06 0.3148E08 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00

(173) TABLE-US-00028 TABLE 28 Lens Group Data Group Starting Surface Focal Length 1 1 15.61 2 11 38.34 3 19 61.13 4 22 34.52

(174) Table 29 represents the values for the conditional expressions according to each numerical example.

(175) TABLE-US-00029 TABLE 29 Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Conditional 2.60 2.41 2.10 2.42 Expression (1) Conditional 4.02 3.53 2.09 2.73 Expression (2) Conditional 0.59 0.59 0.91 0.91 Expression (3) Conditional 0.143 0.195 0.383 0.251 Expression (4) Conditional 0.388 0.483 0.586 0.488 Expression (5) Example 5 Example 6 Example 7 Conditional 2.28 2.23 2.46 Expression (1) Conditional 2.28 2.44 3.92 Expression (2) Conditional 0.87 0.84 0.56 Expression (3) Conditional 0.455 0.356 0.217 Expression (4) Conditional 0.553 0.530 0.486 Expression (5)

(176) As is apparent from Table 29, the numerical examples 1 through 7 satisfy the conditional expressions (1) through (5). As is apparent from the aberration diagrams, various aberrations are successfully corrected.

(177) Even if a lens or lens group having no substantial power is added to the zooming optical system included in the scope of the claims of the present disclosure, it is still within the technical scope of the present disclosure (does not go beyond the technical scope of the present disclosure).

(178) The zooming optical system Z according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first lens group having negative refractive power; a second lens group having positive refractive power; a third lens group having negative refractive power; and a fourth lens group having positive refractive power in that order from an object side. The first lens group has at least one cemented lens having positive refractive power. Each of the first lens group, the second lens group, the third lens group, and the fourth lens group moves along a direction of an optical axis in zooming. Conditional expression (1) below is satisfied:
10.0<f2/f1<2.0(1),

(179) where

(180) f1 is the focal length of the first lens group G1, and

(181) f2 is a focal length of the second lens group G2.

(182) The zooming optical system Z according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure preferably satisfies conditional expression (1aa) within the range defied by conditional expression (1):
3.0<f2/f1<2.0(1aa).

(183) The zooming optical system Z according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure preferably satisfies conditional expression (2) below:
2.0<f3/f1<5.0(2),

(184) where

(185) f1 is the focal length of the first lens group G1, and

(186) f3 is the focal length of the third lens group G3.

(187) The zooming optical system Z according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure preferably satisfies conditional expression (3) below:
1.0<f4/f3<0(3),

(188) where

(189) f3 is the focal length of the third lens group G3, and

(190) f4 is the focal length of the fourth lens group G4.

(191) Alternatively, in some embodiments, the first lens group G1 has a negative lens nearest to the object side.

(192) The zooming optical system Z according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, in order from the object side, a first lens group G1 having negative refractive power, a second lens group G2 having positive refractive power, a third lens group G3 having negative refractive power, and a fourth lens group G4 having positive refractive power. In the zooming optical system, each lens group moves in the direction of the optical axis during zooming. The first lens group G1 has a negative lens nearest to the object side. The fourth lens group G4 includes at least four lenses and at least one cemented lens, and satisfies conditional expressions (1a) and (2a), and (3a) below:
2.5<f2/f1<2.0(1a);
2.0<f3/f1<4.0(2a); and
1.0<f4/f3<0.5(3a),

(193) where

(194) f1 is the focal length of the first lens group G1,

(195) f2 is the focal length of the second lens group G2,

(196) f3 is the focal length of the third lens group G3, and

(197) f4 is the focal length of the fourth lens group (G4).

(198) The first lens group G1 has at least one set of cemented lenses with positive refractive power, and preferably satisfies conditional expression (4) below:
RcP/fcP<0(4),

(199) where

(200) RcP is the radius of curvature of a bonded surface of at least one cemented lens having positive refractive power in the first lens group G1, and

(201) fcP is the focal length of at least one cemented lens having positive refractive power in the first lens group G1.

(202) The zooming optical system Z according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure preferably satisfies conditional expression (4a) below within the range defied by conditional expression (4):
0.5<RcP/fcP<0(4a).

(203) The first lens group G1 has at least one cemented lens having positive refractive power, and at least one cemented lens having negative refractive power. The first lens group G1 preferably satisfies conditional expression (5) below:
0.6<fcN/fcP(5),

(204) where

(205) fcP is the focal length of at least one cemented lens having positive refractive power in the first lens group G1; and

(206) fcN is the focal length of at least one cemented lens having negative refractive power in the first lens group G1.

(207) The zooming optical system Z according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure preferably satisfies conditional expression (5a) below within the range defied by conditional expression (5):
0.6<fcN/fcP<0.2(5a).

(208) In some embodiments, the third lens group G3 consists of a cemented lens.

(209) With the above-described configurations, the zooming optical system according to the embodiments of the present disclosure provides higher optical performance in imaging angles of less than 100 degrees as well as greater than or equal to 100 degrees at the short focal length end.

(210) Numerous additional modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the above teachings, the present disclosure may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. With some embodiments having thus been described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the scope of the present disclosure and appended claims, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure and appended claims.