ZOOM LENS AND IMAGING APPARATUS

Abstract

The zoom lens includes, in order from the object side: a first lens group G1 that has a positive refractive power and remains stationary during zooming; a plurality of movable lens groups that move by changing distances between groups adjacent to each other in a direction of an optical axis during zooming; and a final lens group Ge that has a positive refractive power and remains stationary during zooming. At least one movable lens group has a negative refractive power. The first lens group G1 has an image side positive lens, which is a positive lens disposed to be closest to the image side, and one or more positive lenses which are disposed to be closer to the object side than the image side positive lens. The zoom lens satisfies predetermined conditional expressions relating to the image side positive lens.

Claims

1. A zoom lens comprising, in order from an object side: a first lens group that has a positive refractive power and remains stationary with respect to an image plane during zooming; a plurality of movable lens groups that move by changing distances between groups adjacent to each other in a direction of an optical axis during zooming; and a final lens group that has a positive refractive power and remains stationary with respect to the image plane during zooming, wherein in the plurality of movable lens groups, at least one movable lens group has a negative refractive power, wherein the first lens group has an image side positive lens, which is a positive lens disposed to be closest to the image side, and one or more positive lenses which are disposed to be closer to the object side than the image side positive lens, and wherein all Conditional Expressions (1) to (5) are satisfied,
0.25<fl/fz<0.7(1),
55<z<68(2),
15<mxz<50(3),
2.395<Nz+0.012z(4), and
0.634<gFz+0.001625z<0.647(5), where fl is a focal length of the first lens group, fz is a focal length of the image side positive lens, z is an Abbe number of the image side positive lens at the d line, mx is an Abbe number of a positive lens, of which the Abbe number at the d line is at a maximum value, among positive lenses disposed to be closer to the object side than the image side positive lens, Nz is a refractive index of the image side positive lens at the d line, and gFz is a partial dispersion ratio of the image side positive lens between the g line and the F line.

2. The zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein Conditional Expression (6) is satisfied,
1.2<ft/fl<2.8(6), where ft is a focal length of the whole system at a telephoto end.

3. The zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein Conditional Expression (7) is satisfied,
0.1<fw/fl<0.4(7), where fw is a focal length of the whole system at a wide-angle end.

4. The zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein focusing is performed by moving one or more lenses in the first lens group in the direction of the optical axis.

5. The zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein in the plurality of movable lens groups, a movable lens group closest to the image side has a negative refractive power.

6. The zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein the first lens group includes, in order from the object side, a first lens group front group that has a negative refractive power and remains stationary with respect to the image plane during focusing, a first lens group intermediate group that has a positive refractive power and moves in the direction of the optical axis during focusing, and a first lens group rear group that is set such that a distance in the direction of the optical axis between the first lens group rear group and the first lens group intermediate group changes during focusing and has a positive refractive power.

7. The zoom lens according to claim 6, wherein Conditional Expression (8) is satisfied,
0.5<flc/fz<0.7(8), where flc is a focal length of the first lens group rear group.

8. The zoom lens according to claim 6, wherein the first lens group front group has at least one negative lens that satisfies Conditional Expressions (9) and (10),
55<n(9), and
0.635<gFn+0.001625n<0.675(10), where n is an Abbe number of the negative lens of the first lens group front group at the d line, and gFn is a partial dispersion ratio of the negative lens of the first lens group front group between the g line and the F line.

9. The zoom lens according to claim 6, wherein the first lens group rear group has, successively in order from the object side, a cemented lens which is formed by cementing a negative lens and a positive lens in order from the object side, and a positive lens.

10. The zoom lens according to claim 6, wherein the first lens group rear group remains stationary with respect to the image plane during focusing.

11. The zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein Conditional Expression (1-1) is satisfied.
0.35<fl/fz<0.65(1-1)

12. The zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein Conditional Expression (2-1) is satisfied.
56<z<65(2-1)

13. The zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein Conditional Expression (3-1) is satisfied.
30<mxz<45(3-1)

14. The zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein Conditional Expression (6-1) is satisfied,
1.5<ft/fl<2.5(6-1), where ft is a focal length of the whole system at a telephoto end.

15. The zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein Conditional Expression (7-1) is satisfied,
0.11<fw/fl<0.35(7-1), where fw is a focal length of the whole system at a wide-angle end.

16. The zoom lens according to claim 6, wherein Conditional Expression (8-1) is satisfied,
0.55<flc/fz<0.68(8-1), where flc is a focal length of the first lens group rear group

17. The zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of movable lens groups includes a lens group having a negative refractive power and a lens group having a negative refractive power.

18. The zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of movable lens groups includes, in order from the object side, a lens group having a positive refractive power, a lens group having a negative refractive power, and a lens group having a negative refractive power.

19. The zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of movable lens groups includes, in order from the object side, a lens group having a negative refractive power, a lens group having a positive refractive power, and a lens group having a negative refractive power.

20. An imaging apparatus comprising the zoom lens according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a zoom lens of Example 1 of the present invention.

[0039] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating rays and the configuration of the zoom lens shown in FIG. 1, where the upper part thereof shows the zoom lens in the wide-angle end state, the middle part thereof shows the zoom lens in the middle focal length state, and the lower part thereof shows the zoom lens in the telephoto end state.

[0040] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a zoom lens of Example 2 of the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a zoom lens of Example 3 of the present invention.

[0042] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a zoom lens of Example 4 of the present invention.

[0043] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a zoom lens of Example 5 of the present invention.

[0044] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a zoom lens of Example 6 of the present invention.

[0045] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a zoom lens of Example 7 of the present invention.

[0046] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a zoom lens of Example 8 of the present invention.

[0047] FIG. 10 is a diagram of aberrations of the zoom lens according to Example 1 of the present invention, where the upper part thereof shows the zoom lens in the wide-angle end state, the middle part thereof shows the zoom lens in the middle focal length state, the lower part thereof shows the zoom lens in the telephoto end state, and aberration diagrams of each state are spherical aberration diagram, astigmatism diagram, distortion diagram, and lateral chromatic aberration diagram in order from the left side.

[0048] FIG. 11 is a diagram of aberrations of the zoom lens according to Example 2 of the present invention, where the upper part thereof shows the zoom lens in the wide-angle end state, the middle part thereof shows the zoom lens in the middle focal length state, the lower part thereof shows the zoom lens in the telephoto end state, and aberration diagrams of each state are spherical aberration diagram, astigmatism diagram, distortion diagram, and lateral chromatic aberration diagram in order from the left side.

[0049] FIG. 12 is a diagram of aberrations of the zoom lens according to Example 3 of the present invention, where the upper part thereof shows the zoom lens in the wide-angle end state, the middle part thereof shows the zoom lens in the middle focal length state, the lower part thereof shows the zoom lens in the telephoto end state, and aberration diagrams of each state are spherical aberration diagram, astigmatism diagram, distortion diagram, and lateral chromatic aberration diagram in order from the left side.

[0050] FIG. 13 is a diagram of aberrations of the zoom lens according to Example 4 of the present invention, where the upper part thereof shows the zoom lens in the wide-angle end state, the middle part thereof shows the zoom lens in the middle focal length state, the lower part thereof shows the zoom lens in the telephoto end state, and aberration diagrams of each state are spherical aberration diagram, astigmatism diagram, distortion diagram, and lateral chromatic aberration diagram in order from the left side.

[0051] FIG. 14 is a diagram of aberrations of the zoom lens according to Example 5 of the present invention, where the upper part thereof shows the zoom lens in the wide-angle end state, the middle part thereof shows the zoom lens in the middle focal length state, the lower part thereof shows the zoom lens in the telephoto end state, and aberration diagrams of each state are spherical aberration diagram, astigmatism diagram, distortion diagram, and lateral chromatic aberration diagram in order from the left side.

[0052] FIG. 15 is a diagram of aberrations of the zoom lens according to Example 6 of the present invention, where the upper part thereof shows the zoom lens in the wide-angle end state, the middle part thereof shows the zoom lens in the middle focal length state, the lower part thereof shows the zoom lens in the telephoto end state, and aberration diagrams of each state are spherical aberration diagram, astigmatism diagram, distortion diagram, and lateral chromatic aberration diagram in order from the left side.

[0053] FIG. 16 is a diagram of aberrations of the zoom lens according to Example 7 of the present invention, where the upper part thereof shows the zoom lens in the wide-angle end state, the middle part thereof shows the zoom lens in the middle focal length state, the lower part thereof shows the zoom lens in the telephoto end state, and aberration diagrams of each state are spherical aberration diagram, astigmatism diagram, distortion diagram, and lateral chromatic aberration diagram in order from the left side.

[0054] FIG. 17 is a diagram of aberrations of the zoom lens according to Example 8 of the present invention, where the upper part thereof shows the zoom lens in the wide-angle end state, the middle part thereof shows the zoom lens in the middle focal length state, the lower part thereof shows the zoom lens in the telephoto end state, and aberration diagrams of each state are spherical aberration diagram, astigmatism diagram, distortion diagram, and lateral chromatic aberration diagram in order from the left side.

[0055] FIG. 18 is a schematic configuration diagram of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0056] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to drawings. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a lens configuration of a zoom lens at the wide-angle end according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows the lens configurations of the zoom lens shown in FIG. 1 and rays of each configuration. In FIG. 2, the wide-angle end state is shown in the upper part indicated by WIDE, and rays are shown as on-axis rays wa and rays with the maximum angle of view wb. Further, the middle focal length state is shown in the middle part indicated by MIDDLE, and rays are shown as on-axis rays ma and rays with the maximum angle of view mb. In addition, the telephoto end state is shown in the lower part indicated by TELE, and rays are shown as on-axis rays to and rays with the maximum angle of view tb. The examples shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 correspond to the zoom lens of Example 1 to be described later. FIGS. 1 and 2 each show a state where the object at infinity is in focus, where the left side of the drawing is the object side and the right side of the drawing is the image side. Hereinafter, description will be given mainly with reference to FIG. 1.

[0057] In order to mount the zoom lens on an imaging apparatus, it is preferable to provide various filters and/or a protective cover glass based on specification of the imaging apparatus. Thus, FIG. 1 shows an example where an optical member PP, in which those are considered and of which the incident surface and the exit surface are parallel, is disposed between the lens system and the image plane Sim. However, a position of the optical member PP is not limited to that shown in FIG. 1, and it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the optical member PP is omitted.

[0058] The zoom lens of the present embodiment substantially consists of, in order from the object side along the optical axis Z: a first lens group G1 that remains stationary with respect to an image plane Sim during zooming and has a positive refractive power; a plurality of movable lens groups that move by changing distances between groups adjacent to each other in a direction of an optical axis during zooming; and a final lens group Ge that has a positive refractive power and remains stationary with respect to the image plane Sim during zooming.

[0059] The zoom lens of an example shown in FIG. 1 substantially consists of, in order from the object side along the optical axis Z, the first lens group G1, a second lens group G2, a third lens group G3, and a fourth lens group G4. During zooming, the first lens group G1 and the fourth lens group G4 remain stationary with respect to the image plane Sim, and the second lens group G2 and the third lens group G3 move by changing a relative distance therebetween in the direction of the optical axis. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the second lens group G2 and the third lens group G3 each correspond to the movable lens group, and the fourth lens group G4 corresponds to the final lens group Ge. In FIG. 1, under each of the second lens group G2 and the third lens group G3, a direction of moving each lens group during zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end is schematically indicated by an arrow.

[0060] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the first lens group G1 consists of eight lenses L11 to L18 in order from the object side. The second lens group G2 consists of four lenses L21 to L24 in order from the object side. The third lens group G3 consists of two lenses L31 and L32 in order from the object side. The fourth lens group G4 consists of nine lenses L41 to L49 in order from the object side. However, in the zoom lens of the present invention, the number of lenses composing each lens group is not necessarily limited to the example shown in FIG. 1.

[0061] FIG. 1 shows an example in which an aperture stop St is disposed between the third lens group G3 and the fourth lens group G4, but the aperture stop St may be disposed at another position. Further, the aperture stop St shown in FIG. 1 does not necessarily indicate its sizes and/or shapes, and indicates a position of the aperture stop St on the optical axis Z.

[0062] In the zoom lens of the present embodiment, by forming the first lens group G1 closest to the object side as a positive lens group, it is possible to shorten the total length of the lens system, and thus there is an advantage in reduction in size. By forming the final lens group Ge closest to the image side as the positive lens group, it is possible to suppress an increase in incident angle of the principal ray of the off-axis rays incident onto the image plane Sim. As a result, it is possible to suppress shading. In addition, by adopting a configuration in which the lens group closest to the object side and the lens group closest to the image side remain stationary during zooming, it is possible to make the total length of the lens system unchanged during zooming.

[0063] The zoom lens is configured such that at least one movable lens group among the plurality of movable lens groups has a negative refractive power. Thereby, it is possible to achieve a high zoom ratio.

[0064] The first lens group G1 has two or more positive lenses, and one positive lens is disposed to be closest to the image side of the first lens group G1. Hereinafter, the positive lens disposed to be closest to the image side of the first lens group G1 is referred to as an image side positive lens. This zoom lens is configured to satisfy all of Conditional Expressions (1) to (5) relating to the image side positive lens. Thereby, it is possible to satisfactorily correct chromatic aberration of the first lens group G1 while achieving reduction in size by minimizing the number of lenses of the first lens group G1. In particular, it is possible to satisfactorily correct longitudinal chromatic aberration on the telephoto side and chromatic aberration caused by the on-axis marginal ray in the first lens group G1. In the lens system described in JP2015-94866A described above, there is a problem that the F number on the telephoto side increases because the on-axis marginal ray is shielded by using members other than the aperture stop on the telephoto side so as not to cause large longitudinal chromatic aberration on the telephoto side. In contrast, it is possible to prevent occurrence of the problem according to the zoom lens of the present embodiment since it is possible to satisfactorily correct longitudinal chromatic aberration on the telephoto side.

0.25<fl/fz<0.7(1)

55<z<68(2)

15<mxz<50(3)

2.395<Nz+0.012z(4)

0.634<gFz+0.001625z<0.647(5)

[0065] Here, fl is a focal length of the first lens group,

[0066] fz is a focal length of the image side positive lens,

[0067] z is an Abbe number of the image side positive lens at the d line,

[0068] mx is an Abbe number of a positive lens, of which the Abbe number at the d line is at a maximum value, among positive lenses disposed to be closer to the object side than the image side positive lens at the d line,

[0069] Nz is a refractive index of the image side positive lens at the d line, and

[0070] gFz is a partial dispersion ratio of the image side positive lens between the g line and the F line.

[0071] By not allowing the result of Conditional Expression (1) to be equal to or less than the lower limit, it is possible to prevent longitudinal chromatic aberration from being excessively corrected, and particularly, it is possible to prevent longitudinal chromatic aberration on the telephoto side from being excessively corrected. By not allowing the result of Conditional Expression (1) to be equal to or greater than the upper limit, it is possible to prevent longitudinal chromatic aberration from being insufficiently corrected, and particularly, it is possible to prevent longitudinal chromatic aberration on the telephoto side from being insufficiently corrected. In order to more enhance the effect of Conditional Expression (1), it is preferable that Conditional Expression (1-1) is satisfied.

0.35<fl/fz<0.65(1-1)

[0072] By not allowing the result of Conditional Expression (2) to be equal to or less than the lower limit, it is possible to prevent lateral chromatic aberration on the wide-angle side from being insufficiently corrected, and it is possible to prevent longitudinal chromatic aberration on the telephoto side from being insufficiently corrected. By not allowing the result of Conditional Expression (2) to be equal to or greater than the upper limit, it is possible to prevent lateral chromatic aberration on the wide-angle side from being excessively corrected, and it is possible to prevent longitudinal chromatic aberration on the telephoto side from being excessively corrected. In order to more enhance the effect of Conditional Expression (2), it is preferable that Conditional Expression (2-1) is satisfied.

56<z<65(2-1)

[0073] By not allowing the result of Conditional Expression (3) to be equal to or less than the lower limit, it is possible to prevent lateral chromatic aberration on the wide-angle side from being insufficiently corrected, and it is possible to prevent longitudinal chromatic aberration on the telephoto side from being insufficiently corrected. By not allowing the result of Conditional Expression (3) to be equal to or greater than the upper limit, it is possible to prevent lateral chromatic aberration on the wide-angle side from being excessively corrected, and it is possible to prevent longitudinal chromatic aberration on the telephoto side from being excessively corrected. In order to more enhance the effect of Conditional Expression (3), it is preferable that Conditional Expression (3-1) is satisfied.

30<mxz<45(3-1)

[0074] By not allowing the result of Conditional Expression (4) to be equal to or less than the lower limit, it is possible to prevent lateral chromatic aberration on the wide-angle side from being insufficiently corrected, and it is possible to prevent longitudinal chromatic aberration on the telephoto side from being insufficiently corrected. Further, it is preferable that the imaging lens satisfies Conditional Expression (4-1). By not allowing the result of Conditional Expression (4-1) to be equal to or greater than the upper limit, it is possible to prevent lateral chromatic aberration on the wide-angle side from being excessively corrected, and it is possible to prevent longitudinal chromatic aberration on the telephoto side from being excessively corrected.

2.395<Nz+0.012z<2.455(4-1)

[0075] By satisfying Conditional Expression (2) and by not allowing the result of Conditional Expression (5) to be equal to or less than the lower limit, it is possible to prevent secondary spectrum from being excessively corrected. By satisfying Conditional Expression (2) and by not allowing the result of Conditional Expression (5) to be equal to or greater than the upper limit, it is possible to prevent secondary spectrum from being insufficiently corrected.

[0076] It is preferable that the zoom lens satisfies Conditional Expression (6).

1.2<ft/fl<2.8(6)

[0077] Here, ft is a focal length of the whole system at the telephoto end, and

[0078] fl is a focal length of the first lens group.

[0079] By not allowing the result of Conditional Expression (6) to be equal to or less than the lower limit, it is possible to prevent the refractive power of the first lens group G1 from being excessively weak, and it is possible to minimize the length of the first lens group G1 in the direction of the optical axis. As a result, there is an advantage in reduction in size. By not allowing the result of Conditional Expression (6) to be equal to or greater than the upper limit, it is possible to prevent the refractive power of the first lens group G1 from being excessively strong. As a result, it becomes easy to correct aberrations occurring in the first lens group G1. In order to more enhance the effect of Conditional Expression (6), it is preferable that Conditional Expression (6-1) is satisfied.

1.5<ft/fl<20.5(6-1)

[0080] It is preferable that the zoom lens satisfies Conditional Expression (7).

0.1<fw/fl<0.4(7)

[0081] Here, fw is a focal length of the whole system at the wide-angle end, and fl is a focal length of the first lens group.

[0082] By not allowing the result of Conditional Expression (7) to be equal to or less than the lower limit, it is possible to prevent the refractive power of the first lens group G1 from being excessively weak, and it is possible to minimize the height of the off-axis rays from the optical axis Z. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in size of the lens. By not allowing the result of Conditional Expression (7) to be equal to or greater than the upper limit, it is possible to prevent the refractive power of the first lens group G1 from being excessively strong. As a result, it becomes easy to correct aberrations occurring in the first lens group G1. In order to more enhance the effect of Conditional Expression (7), it is preferable that Conditional Expression (7-1) is satisfied.

0.11<fw/fl<0.35(7-1)

[0083] The zoom lens may be configured to perform focusing by moving one or more lenses in the first lens group G1 in the direction of the optical axis. As described above, focusing is performed by using a lens closer to the object side than a lens group moving during zooming, and thus it becomes easy to suppress the shift of focus during zooming.

[0084] For example, the first lens group G1 of the example shown in FIG. 1 substantially consists of, in order from the object side, a first lens group front group G1a that has a negative refractive power and remains stationary with respect to the image plane Sim during focusing, a first lens group intermediate group G1b that has a positive refractive power and moves in the direction of the optical axis during focusing, and a first lens group rear group G1c that is set such that a distance in the direction of the optical axis between the first lens group rear group G1c and the first lens group intermediate group G1b changes during focusing and has a positive refractive power. In a case of adopting such a configuration, it becomes easy to suppress change in the angle of view caused by focusing. In FIG. 1, both arrows below the first lens group intermediate group G1b indicate that the first lens group intermediate group G1b is movable in the directions of the optical axis during focusing.

[0085] In addition, the first lens group rear group G1c may remain stationary with respect to the image plane Sim during focusing. In such a case, the lens groups, which move during focusing, can be composed of a number of only the first lens group intermediate group G1b, and it is possible to simplify the focusing mechanism. Thus, it is possible to suppress an increase in size of the apparatus. Alternatively, the first lens group rear group G1c may move in the direction of the optical axis along a locus different from that of the first lens group intermediate group G1b during focusing. In such a case, it is possible to suppress fluctuation in aberration during focusing.

[0086] In a case where the first lens group G1 has the three lens groups, it is preferable to satisfy Conditional Expression (8).

0.5<flc/fz<0.7(8)

[0087] Here, flc is a focal length of the first lens group rear group, and

[0088] fz is a focal length of the image side positive lens.

[0089] By not allowing the result of Conditional Expression (8) to be equal to or less than the lower limit, it is possible to prevent longitudinal chromatic aberration from being excessively corrected, and particularly, it is possible to prevent longitudinal chromatic aberration on the telephoto side from being excessively corrected. By not allowing the result of Conditional Expression (8) to be equal to or greater than the upper limit, it is possible to prevent longitudinal chromatic aberration from being insufficiently corrected, and particularly, it is possible to prevent longitudinal chromatic aberration on the telephoto side from being insufficiently corrected. In order to more enhance the effect of Conditional Expression (8), it is preferable that Conditional Expression (8-1) is satisfied.

0.55<flc/fz<0.68(8-1)

[0090] In the case where the first lens group G1 has the three lens groups, it is preferable that the first lens group front group G1a has at least one negative lens that satisfies Conditional Expressions (9) and (10). In such a case, it is possible to reduce load of correction of chromatic aberration in the lens groups subsequent to the first lens group front lens group G1a. As a result, it is possible to satisfactorily correct chromatic aberration of the first lens group G1.

55<n(9)

0.635<gFn+0.001625n<0.675(10)

[0091] Here, n is an Abbe number of the negative lens of the first lens group front group at the d line, and

[0092] gFn is a partial dispersion ratio of the negative lens of the first lens group front group between the g line and the F line.

[0093] By not allowing the result of Conditional Expression (9) to be equal to or less than the lower limit, it is possible to satisfactorily correct lateral chromatic aberration on the wide-angle side and longitudinal chromatic aberration on the telephoto side. Further, it is preferable that the imaging lens satisfies Conditional Expression (9-1). In a case where the result of Conditional Expression (9-1) is equal to or greater than the upper limit, only the material having a low refractive index can be selected within the range of the existing optical material. As a result, it is difficult to ensure the negative refractive power necessary for achieving the wide angle in the first lens group front group G1a. By not allowing the result of Conditional Expression (9-1) to be equal to or greater than the upper limit, it is possible to avoid such a problem.

55<n<80(9-1)

[0094] By satisfying Conditional Expression (9) and by not allowing the result of Conditional Expression (10) to be equal to or less than the lower limit, it is possible to prevent secondary spectrum from being insufficiently corrected. By satisfying Conditional Expression (9) and by not allowing the result of Conditional Expression (10) to be equal to or greater than the upper limit, it is possible to prevent secondary spectrum from being excessively corrected. In order to more enhance the effect of Conditional Expression (10), it is preferable that Conditional Expression (10-1) is satisfied.

0.635<gFn+0.001625n<0.665(10-1)

[0095] The first lens group front group G1a may be configured to have, successively in order from a position closest to the object side, a negative meniscus lens concave toward an image side, and a negative lens concave toward the object side. In such a case, it is possible to obtain a negative refractive power necessary for achieving wide angle while suppressing occurrence of astigmatism. The lens closest to the image side in the first lens group front group G1a may be a positive meniscus lens concave toward the image side. In such a case, it is possible to suppress occurrence of astigmatism on the wide-angle side. Further, it is also possible to satisfactorily correct spherical aberration, which is generated by the first lens group front group G1a and has an over tendency on the telephoto side, particularly spherical aberration having a high order which is 5th order or more. As in the example of FIG. 1, the first lens group front group G1a consists of, in order from the object side, a negative meniscus lens, a negative lens, and a positive meniscus lens. These three lenses may be single lenses which are not entirely cemented. In such a case, it is possible to obtain a negative refractive power necessary for achieving wide angle while achieving reduction in size and suppressing occurrence of astigmatism.

[0096] It is preferable that the first lens group rear group G1c has, successively in order from the object side, a cemented lens, in which a negative lens and a positive lens are cemented in order from the object side, and a positive lens. In such a case, it becomes easy to correct chromatic aberration of the first lens group G1 and correct spherical aberration on the telephoto side. In addition, in the case where the first lens group rear group G1c is configured to consist of, in order from the object side, a cemented lens, in which a negative lens and a positive lens are cemented in order from the object side, and a positive lens, it is possible to easily correct chromatic aberration of the first lens group G1 and correct spherical aberration on the telephoto side while achieving reduction in size.

[0097] Next, the plurality of movable lens groups will be described. In this plurality of movable lens groups, it is preferable that the movable lens group closest to the image side has a negative refractive power. In such a case, the movement stroke of the movable lens group located closer to the object side than the movable lens group closest to the image side can be set to be longer while minimizing the total length of the lens system. Thus, there is an advantage in achieving reduction in size and high zoom ratio.

[0098] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the number of plural movable lens groups arranged between the first lens group G1 and the final lens group Ge is two, and these two movable lens groups also have negative refractive powers. In such a case, it is possible to realize a zoom lens having a small size and a high zoom ratio while simplifying the mechanism. The number of plural movable lens groups arranged between the first lens group G1 and the final lens group Ge may be three or more. For example, the plurality of movable lens groups may be configured to substantially consist of, in order from the object side, a lens group having a positive refractive power, a lens group having a negative refractive power, and a lens group having a negative refractive power. In such a case, it is possible to realize a zoom lens having a small size and a high zoom ratio while suppressing occurrence of distortion on the wide-angle side and/or spherical aberration on the telephoto side. Alternatively, the plurality of movable lens groups may be configured to substantially consist of, in order from the object side, a lens group having a negative refractive power, a lens group having a positive refractive power, and a lens group having a negative refractive power. In such a case, aberrations are easily corrected, and a zoom lens having a small size and a high zoom ratio can be realized.

[0099] The above-mentioned preferred configurations and/or available configurations each may be any combination, and it is preferable to appropriately selectively adopt the configuration in accordance with demands for the zoom lens. By appropriately adopting the configuration, it is possible to realize more favorable optical system. According to the present embodiment, it is possible to realize a zoom lens, which has a small size while ensuring a high zoom ratio and has high optical performance by satisfactorily correcting chromatic aberration. It should be noted that the high zoom ratio described herein means 5.5 times or more.

[0100] Next, numerical examples of the zoom lens of the present invention will be described.

Example 1

[0101] A lens configuration of a zoom lens of Example 1 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and an illustration method thereof is as described above. Therefore, repeated description is partially omitted herein. The zoom lens of Example 1 consists of, in order from the object side, a first lens group G1, a second lens group G2, a third lens group G3, an aperture stop St, and a fourth lens group G4. In these four lens groups, the distances in the direction of the optical axis between groups adjacent to each other change during zooming. Both the second lens group G2 and the third lens group G3 are movable lens groups having negative refractive powers. The first lens group G1 consists of, in order from the object side, a first lens group front group G1a that consists of three lenses and has a negative refractive power, a first lens group intermediate group G1b that consists of two lenses and has a positive refractive power, and a first lens group rear group G1c that consists of three lenses and has a positive refractive power. During focusing, the first lens group front group G1a remains stationary with respect to the image plane Sim, the first lens group intermediate group G1b moves, and the distance in the direction of the optical axis between the first lens group intermediate group G1b and the first lens group rear group G1c changes.

[0102] Table 1 shows basic lens data of the zoom lens of Example 1, Table 2 shows values of specification and variable surface distances, and Table 3 shows aspheric coefficients thereof. In Table 1, the column of Si shows a surface number i (i=1, 2, 3, . . . ) attached to an i-th surface of the elements, where i sequentially increases toward the image side in a case where an object side surface of an element closest to the object side is regarded as a first surface. The column of Ri shows a radius of curvature of the i-th surface. The column of Di shows a distance on the optical axis Z between the i-th surface and an (i+1)th surface. In Table 1, the column of Ndj shows a refractive index of a j-th (j=1, 2, 3, . . . ) element at the d line (a wavelength of 587.6 nm), where j sequentially increases toward the image side in a case where the element closest to the object side is regarded as the first element. The column of vdj shows an Abbe number of the j-th element at the d line. The column of gFj shows a partial dispersion ratio of the j-th element between the g line and the F line.

[0103] Here, reference signs of radii of curvature of surface shapes convex toward the object side are set to be positive, and reference signs of radii of curvature of surface shapes convex toward the image side are set to be negative. Table 1 additionally shows the aperture stop St and the optical member PP. In Table 1, in a place of a surface number of a surface corresponding to the aperture stop St, the surface number and a term of (St) are noted. A value at the bottom place of Di indicates a distance between the image plane Sim and the surface closest to the image side in the table. In Table 1, the variable surface distances, which are variable during zooming, are referenced by the reference signs DD[ ], and are written into places of Di, where object side surface numbers of distances are noted in [ ].

[0104] In Table 2, values of the zoom ratio Zr, the focal length f of the whole system, the back focal length Bf in terms of the air conversion distance, the F number FNo., the maximum total angle of view 2, and variable surface distance are based on the d line. () in the place of 2 indicates that the unit thereof is a degree. In Table 2, values in the wide-angle end state, the middle focal length state, and the telephoto end state are respectively shown in the columns labeled by WIDE, MIDDLE, and TELE. The values of Tables 1 and 2 are values in a state where the object at infinity is in focus.

[0105] In Table 1, the reference sign * is attached to surface numbers of aspheric surfaces, and numerical values of the paraxial radius of curvature are written into the column of the radius of curvature of the aspheric surface. Table 3 shows aspheric coefficients of the aspheric surfaces of Example 1. The En (n: an integer) in numerical values of the aspheric coefficients of Table 3 indicates 10n. The aspheric coefficients are values of the coefficients KA and Am (m=3, 4, 5, . . . 20) in aspheric surface expression represented as the following expression.

[00001]$\begin{array}{cc}\mathrm{Zd}=\frac{C{h}^2}{1+\sqrt{1-\mathrm{KA}{C}^2{h}^2}}+\underset{m}{}.Math.\mathrm{Am}{h}^m& \mathrm{Numerical}.Math..Math.\mathrm{Expression}.Math..Math.1\end{array}$

[0106] Here, Zd is an aspheric surface depth (a length of a perpendicular from a point on an aspheric surface at height h to a plane that is perpendicular to the optical axis that contacts with the vertex of the aspheric surface),

[0107] h is a height (a length of a perpendicular, which is in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis that contacts with the vertex of the aspheric surface, from the point on the aspheric surface to the optical axis),

[0108] C is a paraxial curvature, and

[0109] KA and Am are aspheric coefficients.

[0110] In data of each table, a degree is used as a unit of an angle, and millimeter (mm) is used as a unit of a length, but appropriate different units may be used since the optical system can be used even in a case where the system is enlarged or reduced in proportion. Further, each of the following tables shows numerical values rounded off to predetermined decimal places.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Example 1 Si Ri Di Ndj dj gFj 1 370.38276 2.53000 1.772499 49.60 0.5521 2 57.75739 26.80621 3 152.87368 2.20000 1.695602 59.05 0.5435 4 486.73340 0.39000 5 103.42182 4.56107 1.892860 20.36 0.6394 6 194.06007 6.98917 7 6.83489 1.438750 94.66 0.5340 8 128.10202 0.12000 9 371.48362 5.66802 1.438750 94.66 0.5340 10 249.30474 9.12857 11 93.94676 2.19983 1.846660 23.88 0.6218 12 56.39558 16.02634 1.438750 94.66 0.5340 13 130.65476 0.12000 14 72.96983 5.84576 1.695602 59.05 0.5435 15 264.75541 DD[15] *16 47.39581 1.38000 1.854000 40.38 0.5689 17 23.64140 7.04442 18 51.14856 1.04910 1.632460 63.77 0.5421 19 38.48116 5.84592 20 44.54062 5.58518 1.592701 35.31 0.5934 21 55.99669 1.05000 1.592824 68.62 0.5441 22 270.02836 DD[22] 23 39.56418 1.05000 1.632460 63.77 0.5421 24 44.13413 4.04616 1.625882 35.70 0.5893 25 177.97071 DD[25] 26 (St) 1.52068 27 134.91398 3.33963 1.916500 31.60 0.5912 28 85.19407 0.20018 29 30.90160 8.07631 1.496999 81.54 0.5375 30 41.69367 1.89903 1.910823 35.25 0.5822 31 85.64653 5.33750 32 36.30103 6.58324 1.749497 35.28 0.5870 33 105.50860 0.99910 34 138.71124 1.10000 1.900433 37.37 0.5772 35 18.11707 9.50941 1.632460 63.77 0.5421 36 111.49284 0.11910 37 39.11125 8.33426 1.438750 94.66 0.5340 38 24.02071 2.00090 1.953748 32.32 0.5901 39 27.28562 18.99884 40 48.65552 4.69458 1.720467 34.71 0.5835 41 182.07198 0.00000 42 2.30000 1.516330 64.14 0.5353 43 34.04250

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Example 1 WIDE MIDDLE TELE Zr 1.00 2.90 5.79 f 20.45 59.31 118.42 Bf 35.56 35.56 35.56 FNo. 3.32 3.32 3.32 2 () 72.32 26.30 13.50 DD[15] 1.54 42.02 57.17 DD[22] 47.88 7.36 5.49 DD[25] 14.71 14.75 1.47

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Example 1 Surface Number 16 KA 1.0000000E+00 A3 1.4481371E20 A4 2.2097151E06 A5 1.1906712E06 A6 2.1344004E07 A7 1.2774506E08 A8 1.1294113E09 A9 2.3286340E10 A10 1.4115083E11 A11 4.6903088E13 A12 1.7545649E13 A13 9.6716937E15 A14 6.5945061E16 A15 7.7270143E17 A16 2.4667346E19 A17 2.3248734E19 A18 4.1986679E21 A19 2.5896844E22 A20 7.5912487E24

[0111] FIG. 10 shows aberration diagrams in a state where an object at infinity is brought into focus through the zoom lens of Example 1. In order from the left side of FIG. 10, spherical aberration, astigmatism, distortion, and lateral chromatic aberration (lateral chromatic aberration) are shown. In FIG. 10, the upper part labeled by WIDE shows the zoom lens in the wide-angle end state, the middle part labeled by MIDDLE shows the zoom lens in the middle focal length state, the lower part labeled by TELE shows the zoom lens in the telephoto end state. In the spherical aberration diagram, aberrations at the d line (a wavelength of 587.6 nm), the C line (a wavelength of 656.3 nm), the F line (a wavelength of 486.1 nm), and the g line (a wavelength of 435.8 nm) are respectively indicated by the black solid line, the long dashed line, the chain line, and the gray solid line. In the astigmatism diagram, aberration in the sagittal direction at the d line is indicated by the solid line, and aberration in the tangential direction at the d line is indicated by the short dashed line. In the distortion diagram, aberration at the d line is indicated by the solid line. In the lateral chromatic aberration diagram, aberrations at the C line, the F line, and the g line are respectively indicated by the long dashed line, the chain line, and the gray solid line. In the spherical aberration diagram, FNo. indicates an F number. In the other aberration diagrams, co indicates a half angle of view.

[0112] In the description of Example 1, reference signs, meanings, and description methods of the respective data pieces are the same as those in the following examples unless otherwise noted. Therefore, in the following description, repeated description will be omitted.

Example 2

[0113] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a zoom lens of Example 2. The zoom lens of Example 2 consists of, in order from the object side, a first lens group G1, a second lens group G2, a third lens group G3, an aperture stop St, and a fourth lens group G4. The first lens group G1 consists of, in order from the object side, a first lens group front group G1a consisting of three lenses, a first lens group intermediate group G1b consisting of two lenses, and a first lens group rear group G1c consisting of three lenses. The present example is the same as Example 1 in terms of the signs of refractive powers of the lens groups, the lens groups moving during zooming, and the lens groups moving during focusing.

[0114] Table 4 shows basic lens data of the zoom lens of Example 2, Table 5 shows values of specification and variable surface distances, Table 6 shows aspheric coefficients, and FIG. 11 shows aberration diagrams in a state where the object at infinity is in focus.

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Example 2 Si Ri Di Ndj dj gFj 1 91.92719 2.53098 1.772499 49.60 0.5521 2 47.04979 22.24446 3 170.66128 2.20000 1.632460 63.77 0.5421 4 206.04456 0.38503 5 71.99393 4.45167 1.892860 20.36 0.6394 6 102.54612 6.82807 7 196.27328 2.20005 1.772499 49.60 0.5521 8 103.84467 11.12110 1.438750 94.66 0.5340 9 171.05234 14.89014 10 96.08666 2.19923 1.854780 24.80 0.6123 11 58.74401 15.93330 1.438750 94.66 0.5340 12 103.69633 0.12000 13 75.26293 6.27475 1.695602 59.05 0.5435 14 827.30524 DD[14] *15 72.65286 1.38000 1.854000 40.38 0.5689 16 25.93821 6.72575 17 41.69691 1.05070 1.592824 68.62 0.5441 18 37.57713 4.48600 19 44.63168 5.32952 1.592701 35.31 0.5934 20 52.52729 1.05090 1.592824 68.62 0.5441 21 121.55768 DD[21] 22 42.05800 1.04975 1.632460 63.77 0.5421 23 39.59542 4.12871 1.625882 35.70 0.5893 24 246.96103 DD[24] 25 (St) 1.39983 26 140.44790 3.12682 1.916500 31.60 0.5912 27 89.38492 0.20011 28 28.98877 8.21954 1.496999 81.54 0.5375 29 42.61188 1.10000 1.910823 35.25 0.5822 30 90.28815 5.81177 31 39.25421 6.59993 1.749497 35.28 0.5870 32 89.09971 1.37631 33 139.77728 1.13913 1.900433 37.37 0.5772 34 17.41563 9.99924 1.695602 59.05 0.5435 35 724.38203 0.12001 36 29.98468 6.67820 1.438750 94.66 0.5340 37 24.61428 2.00000 1.953748 32.32 0.5901 38 25.83563 20.39478 39 47.76648 5.13049 1.720467 34.71 0.5835 40 176.41808 0.00000 41 2.30000 1.516330 64.14 0.5353 42 34.52368

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Example 2 WIDE MIDDLE TELE Zr 1.00 2.90 5.79 f 20.62 59.81 119.41 Bf 36.04 36.04 36.04 FNo. 3.31 3.31 3.30 2 () 71.86 26.08 13.40 DD[14] 1.00 41.46 56.83 DD[21] 49.91 8.08 4.34 DD[24] 12.04 13.41 1.78

TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Example 2 Surface Number 15 KA 1.0000000E+00 A3 0.0000000E+00 A4 7.0268357E07 A5 2.8254006E07 A6 1.9442811E07 A7 1.0869783E08 A8 6.5332158E09 A9 1.0648429E09 A10 8.0520025E12 A11 1.2814263E11 A12 6.6704958E13 A13 5.0970812E14 A14 5.3557213E15 A15 3.0887770E18 A16 1.5245419E17 A17 4.1575720E19 A18 1.2158029E20 A19 6.9438881E22 A20 8.1994339E24

Example 3

[0115] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a zoom lens of Example 3. The zoom lens of Example 3 consists of, in order from the object side, a first lens group G1, a second lens group G2, a third lens group G3, an aperture stop St, and a fourth lens group G4. The first lens group G1 consists of, in order from the object side, a first lens group front group G1a consisting of three lenses, a first lens group intermediate group G1b consisting of two lenses, and a first lens group rear group G1c consisting of three lenses. The present example is the same as Example 1 in terms of the signs of refractive powers of the lens groups, the lens groups moving during zooming, and the lens groups moving during focusing.

[0116] Table 7 shows basic lens data of the zoom lens of Example 3, Table 8 shows values of specification and variable surface distances, Table 9 shows aspheric coefficients, and FIG. 12 shows aberration diagrams in a state where the object at infinity is in focus.

TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 7 Example 3 Si Ri Di Ndj dj gFj 1 179.73060 2.80000 1.882997 40.76 0.5668 2 57.51902 19.98932 3 182.56446 2.20000 1.632460 63.77 0.5421 4 156.29712 1.00000 5 89.75457 4.58961 1.922860 18.90 0.6496 6 161.94294 6.83969 7 227.04433 2.20000 1.693717 42.53 0.5721 8 104.53646 13.56898 1.438750 94.66 0.5340 9 104.79903 8.44249 10 88.91022 2.20000 1.805181 25.42 0.6162 11 56.35834 14.33676 1.438750 94.66 0.5340 12 212.00944 0.57436 13 90.10716 6.95580 1.695602 59.05 0.5435 14 750.39403 DD [14] *15 59.64397 1.20000 1.902700 31.00 0.5943 16 28.07287 6.22761 17 55.23848 1.20000 1.632460 63.77 0.5421 18 39.20503 5.53307 19 46.62148 6.58080 1.592701 35.31 0.5934 20 34.36365 1.20000 1.592824 68.62 0.5441 21 260.67806 DD [21] 22 44.46367 1.20000 1.632460 63.77 0.5421 23 64.72532 2.94300 1.625882 35.70 0.5893 24 221.99664 DD [24] 25 (St) 1.60000 26 225.29353 2.92131 1.916500 31.60 0.5912 27 75.69537 0.12000 28 33.19063 7.43192 1.496999 81.54 0.5375 29 42.89577 1.50000 1.918781 36.12 0.5784 30 127.40865 6.99461 31 40.56322 7.82296 1.749497 35.28 0.5870 32 113.63622 1.00008 33 166.07425 1.50000 1.900433 37.37 0.5772 34 18.91770 6.77468 1.695602 59.05 0.5435 35 143.93112 1.23445 36 38.97329 8.62046 1.438750 94.66 0.5340 37 28.03994 2.00000 1.953748 32.32 0.5901 38 24.50898 22.08922 39 43.14369 5.29015 1.628270 44.12 0.5704 40 162.61439 0.00000 41 2.30000 1.516330 64.14 0.5353 42 31.88502

TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 8 Example 3 WIDE MIDDLE TELE Zr 1.00 2.90 5.79 f 20.71 60.06 119.92 Bf 33.40 33.40 33.40 FNo. 3.30 3.31 3.30 2 () 71.42 25.92 13.34 DD [14] 1.05 45.79 62.89 DD [21] 54.63 8.29 4.17 DD [24] 13.18 14.78 1.80

TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 9 Example 3 Surface Number 15 KA 1.0000000E+00 A4 5.4302541E07 A6 2.3244121E08 A8 4.3760338E10 A10 4.9556187E12 A12 3.5362900E14 A14 1.5550030E16 A16 3.9877943E19 A18 5.2706205E22 A20 2.5738294E25

Example 4

[0117] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a zoom lens of Example 4. The zoom lens of Example 4 consists of, in order from the object side, a first lens group G1, a second lens group G2, a third lens group G3, an aperture stop St, and a fourth lens group G4. The first lens group G1 consists of, in order from the object side, a first lens group front group G1a consisting of three lenses, a first lens group intermediate group G1b consisting of one lens, and a first lens group rear group G1c consisting of three lenses. The present example is the same as Example 1 in terms of the signs of refractive powers of the lens groups, the lens groups moving during zooming, and the lens groups moving during focusing.

[0118] Table 10 shows basic lens data of the zoom lens of Example 4, Table 11 shows values of specification and variable surface distances, Table 12 shows aspheric coefficients, and FIG. 13 shows aberration diagrams in a state where the object at infinity is in focus.

TABLE-US-00010 TABLE 10 Example 4 Si Ri Di Ndj dj gFj 1 89.55061 2.53098 1.772499 49.60 0.5521 2 46.20108 26.48567 3 170.63384 2.20059 1.695602 59.05 0.5435 4 232.43449 0.39804 5 72.57068 4.47015 1.892860 20.36 0.6394 6 106.19898 9.28374 7 2685.83228 5.32667 1.438750 94.66 0.5340 8 153.59919 14.66212 9 113.63731 2.16853 1.854780 24.80 0.6123 10 59.63066 15.98231 1.438750 94.66 0.5340 11 90.12780 0.14311 12 70.15326 7.22393 1.695602 59.05 0.5435 13 661.14022 DD [13] *14 52.60017 1.38000 1.854000 40.38 0.5689 15 24.43846 7.35169 16 41.94664 1.05070 1.592824 68.62 0.5441 17 37.98271 4.32904 18 43.08412 5.54251 1.592701 35.31 0.5934 19 50.53315 1.05090 1.592824 68.62 0.5441 20 188.16409 DD [20] 21 40.22044 1.05085 1.632460 63.77 0.5421 22 45.33398 3.77263 1.625882 35.70 0.5893 23 236.50416 DD [23] 24 (St) 1.40031 25 167.28051 3.05237 1.916500 31.60 0.5912 26 82.28668 0.20010 27 29.42802 8.35992 1.496999 81.54 0.5375 28 39.92973 1.11193 1.910823 35.25 0.5822 29 109.93898 5.82991 30 40.35878 6.58497 1.749497 35.28 0.5870 31 84.78434 1.14152 32 135.35453 1.80010 1.900433 37.37 0.5772 33 17.94607 9.53921 1.695602 59.05 0.5435 34 613.17875 0.38246 35 30.56287 6.55776 1.438750 94.66 0.5340 36 23.83965 1.99868 1.953748 32.32 0.5901 37 25.94805 19.72576 38 46.63103 4.99544 1.720467 34.71 0.5835 39 193.04666 0.00000 40 2.30000 1.516330 64.14 0.5353 41 33.97254

TABLE-US-00011 TABLE 11 Example 4 WIDE MIDDLE TELE Zr 1.00 2.90 5.79 f 20.40 59.15 118.09 Bf 35.49 35.49 35.49 FNo. 3.31 3.31 3.30 2 () 72.42 26.38 13.56 DD [13] 0.41 41.66 57.48 DD [20] 51.15 8.62 3.96 DD [23] 10.75 12.04 0.88

TABLE-US-00012 TABLE 12 Example 4 Surface Number 14 KA 1.0000000E+00 A3 0.0000000E+00 A4 7.0268357E07 A5 2.8254006E07 A6 1.9442811E07 A7 1.0869783E08 A8 6.5332158E09 A9 1.0648429E09 A10 8.0520025E12 A11 1.2814263E11 A12 6.6704958E13 A13 5.0970812E14 A14 5.3557213E15 A15 3.0887770E18 A16 1.5245419E17 A17 4.1575720E19 A18 1.2158029E20 A19 6.9438881E22 A20 8.1994339E24

Example 5

[0119] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a zoom lens of Example 5. The zoom lens of Example 5 consists of, in order from the object side, a first lens group G1, a second lens group G2, a third lens group G3, a fourth lens group G4, an aperture stop St, and a fifth lens group G5. In these five lens groups, the distances in the direction of the optical axis between groups adjacent to each other change during zooming. The second lens group G2 has a positive refractive power, the third lens group G3 has a negative refractive power, and the fourth lens group G4 has a negative refractive power. The three lens groups including the second to fourth lens groups G2 to G4 are respectively movable lens groups. The first lens group G1 consists of, in order from the object side, a first lens group front group G1a consisting of three lenses, a first lens group intermediate group G1b consisting of two lenses, and a first lens group rear group G1c consisting of three lenses. The signs of the refractive powers of three lens groups composing the first lens group G1 and the lens groups moving during focusing are the same as that of Example 1.

[0120] Table 13 shows basic lens data of the zoom lens of Example 5, Table 14 shows values of specification and variable surface distances, and FIG. 14 shows aberration diagrams in a state where the infinite object is in focus.

TABLE-US-00013 TABLE 13 Example 5 Si Ri Di Ndj dj gFj 1 351.51134 2.53000 1.772499 49.60 0.5521 2 58.96679 25.71058 3 165.96934 2.60041 1.695602 59.05 0.5435 4 438.51863 0.38517 5 96.24927 3.97797 1.892860 20.36 0.6394 6 152.74199 7.45066 7 7.63521 1.438750 94.66 0.5340 8 131.92076 0.12000 9 409.13255 5.76407 1.438750 94.66 0.5340 10 220.57814 7.99290 11 108.72751 2.20000 1.755199 27.51 0.6103 12 55.83386 14.41684 1.438750 94.66 0.5340 13 168.55158 0.12000 14 73.70666 6.42934 1.632460 63.77 0.5421 15 597.12639 DD [15] 16 137.71857 2.63139 1.496999 81.54 0.5375 17 1305.73558 DD [17] 18 87.40326 1.38000 1.834807 42.72 0.5649 19 30.33959 6.29623 20 51.31471 1.05000 1.695602 59.05 0.5435 21 48.76135 8.19661 22 68.58699 3.87635 1.698947 30.13 0.6030 23 74.53716 1.06000 1.695602 59.05 0.5435 24 291.58007 DD [24] 25 41.67152 1.05055 1.632460 63.77 0.5421 26 53.61308 3.93485 1.625882 35.70 0.5893 27 158.08561 DD [27] 28 (St) 1.72135 29 112.40514 3.36815 1.916500 31.60 0.5912 30 107.74797 0.20079 31 32.65637 7.66863 1.496999 81.54 0.5375 32 44.13940 1.10000 1.910823 35.25 0.5822 33 146.04040 11.71151 34 88.13789 3.58259 1.749497 35.28 0.5870 35 61.95479 0.99901 36 81.54848 1.10000 1.900433 37.37 0.5772 37 20.55629 4.91890 1.632460 63.77 0.5421 38 122.56273 0.12011 39 27.72661 9.31235 1.438750 94.66 0.5340 40 30.83758 1.99952 1.953748 32.32 0.5901 41 28.75987 20.68485 42 49.85885 4.26967 1.720467 34.71 0.5835 43 342.76867 0.00000 44 2.30000 1.516330 64.14 0.5353 45 33.79607

TABLE-US-00014 TABLE 14 Example 5 WIDE MIDDLE TELE Zr 1.00 2.90 5.79 f 20.84 60.43 120.65 Bf 35.31 35.31 35.31 FNo. 3.31 3.31 3.31 2 () 71.32 25.74 13.20 DD [15] 0.15 24.27 35.03 DD [17] 1.00 14.99 18.97 DD [24] 37.14 3.28 8.30 DD [27] 25.73 21.48 1.71

Example 6

[0121] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a zoom lens of Example 6. The zoom lens of Example 6 consists of, in order from the object side, a first lens group G1, a second lens group G2, a third lens group G3, a fourth lens group G4, an aperture stop St, and a fifth lens group G5. The first lens group G1 consists of, in order from the object side, a first lens group front group G1a consisting of three lenses, a first lens group intermediate group G1b consisting of two lenses, and a first lens group rear group G1c consisting of three lenses. The present example is the same as Example 5 in terms of the signs of refractive powers of the lens groups, the lens groups moving during zooming, and the lens groups moving during focusing.

[0122] Table 15 shows basic lens data of the zoom lens of Example 6, Table 16 shows values of specification and variable surface distances, and FIG. 15 shows aberration diagrams in a state where the infinite object is in focus.

TABLE-US-00015 TABLE 15 Example 6 Si Ri Di Ndj dj gFj 1 141.52029 2.53000 1.772499 49.60 0.5521 2 52.25093 21.72306 3 169.76115 2.60000 1.695602 59.05 0.5435 4 227.38169 0.38500 5 82.77517 4.42635 1.892860 20.36 0.6394 6 124.35002 8.58347 7 327.66786 2.00000 1.755199 27.51 0.6103 8 118.32799 14.02000 1.496999 81.54 0.5375 9 110.23986 9.77811 10 106.66417 2.22000 1.592701 35.31 0.5934 11 53.48612 16.28831 1.438750 94.66 0.5340 12 149.79662 0.12001 13 82.59842 6.25291 1.695602 59.05 0.5435 14 756.00928 DD [14] 15 336.83164 2.18103 1.496999 81.54 0.5375 16 474.99451 DD [16] 17 92.73731 1.38000 1.882997 40.76 0.5668 18 31.26761 6.12521 19 41.83728 1.05000 1.695602 59.05 0.5435 20 50.59877 4.82631 21 62.85436 4.13921 1.698947 30.13 0.6030 22 71.03230 1.06003 1.695602 59.05 0.5435 23 133.54667 DD [23] 24 39.50225 1.04910 1.632460 63.77 0.5421 25 33.98929 4.61700 1.625882 35.70 0.5893 26 303.50782 DD [26] 27 (St) 1.40000 28 81.21019 3.54813 1.916500 31.60 0.5912 29 126.01058 0.19910 30 30.62497 8.16831 1.496999 81.54 0.5375 31 38.67212 1.10094 1.910823 35.25 0.5822 32 149.32004 9.64313 33 224495.80575 3.55897 1.749497 35.28 0.5870 34 44.18529 1.00088 35 32.84667 1.10000 1.900433 37.37 0.5772 36 16.11826 5.42939 1.632460 63.77 0.5421 37 44.78303 0.12000 38 25.73387 7.06096 1.438750 94.66 0.5340 39 28.99748 2.00000 1.953748 32.32 0.5901 40 32.42687 22.34713 41 46.93465 4.05539 1.720467 34.71 0.5835 42 843.22322 0.00000 43 2.30000 1.516330 64.14 0.5353 44 35.59573

TABLE-US-00016 TABLE 16 Example 6 WIDE MIDDLE TELE Zr 1.00 2.90 5.79 f 20.81 60.36 120.52 Bf 37.11 37.11 37.11 FNo. 3.31 3.31 3.31 2 () 71.30 25.82 13.26 DD [14] 1.00 27.09 39.25 DD [16] 1.00 15.00 18.97 DD [23] 46.61 7.17 3.58 DD [26] 15.08 14.43 1.89

Example 7

[0123] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a zoom lens of Example 7. The zoom lens of Example 7 consists of, in order from the object side, a first lens group G1, a second lens group G2, a third lens group G3, a fourth lens group G4, an aperture stop St, and a fifth lens group G5. In these five lens groups, the distances in the direction of the optical axis between groups adjacent to each other change during zooming. The second lens group G2 has a negative refractive power, the third lens group G3 has a positive refractive power, and the fourth lens group G4 has a negative refractive power. The three lens groups including the second to fourth lens groups G2 to G4 are respectively movable lens groups. The first lens group G1 consists of, in order from the object side, a first lens group front group G1a consisting of three lenses, a first lens group intermediate group G1b consisting of two lenses, and a first lens group rear group G1c consisting of three lenses. The signs of the refractive powers of three lens groups composing the first lens group G1 and the lens groups moving during focusing are the same as that of Example 1.

[0124] Table 17 shows basic lens data of the zoom lens of Example 7, Table 18 shows values of specification and variable surface distances, Table 19 shows aspheric coefficients, and FIG. 16 shows aberration diagrams in a state where the object at infinity is in focus.

TABLE-US-00017 TABLE 17 Example 7 Si Ri Di Ndj dj gFj 1 271.02397 2.53000 1.772499 49.60 0.5521 2 53.66770 23.14907 3 176.86065 2.20000 1.695602 59.05 0.5435 4 430.29449 0.39000 5 90.80833 5.23373 1.892860 20.36 0.6394 6 172.69777 7.52493 7 5.76344 1.438750 94.66 0.5340 8 157.36129 0.12000 9 432.45221 4.57630 1.438750 94.66 0.5340 10 351.96925 11.77482 11 105.41212 2.19983 1.846660 23.88 0.6218 12 57.91535 16.99595 1.438750 94.66 0.5340 13 102.71103 0.12000 14 68.91116 6.18166 1.695602 59.05 0.5435 15 251.51097 DD [15] *16 48.87312 1.38000 1.854000 40.38 0.5689 17 23.92316 6.92527 18 51.61678 1.04910 1.632460 63.77 0.5421 19 37.81667 DD [19] 20 45.09991 5.27163 1.592701 35.31 0.5934 21 57.23178 1.05000 1.592824 68.62 0.5441 22 271.05488 DD [22] 23 42.52742 1.05000 1.632460 63.77 0.5421 24 52.07641 3.85263 1.625882 35.70 0.5893 25 137.87042 DD [25] 26 (St) 1.47098 27 125.78267 3.21681 1.916500 31.60 0.5912 28 97.17131 0.20021 29 30.88167 7.64434 1.496999 81.54 0.5375 30 44.27610 1.10005 1.910823 35.25 0.5822 31 79.59338 5.66259 32 38.09474 6.60000 1.749497 35.28 0.5870 33 103.42350 0.99912 34 128.80899 1.10081 1.900433 37.37 0.5772 35 19.22646 10.52353 1.632460 63.77 0.5421 36 168.57645 0.12032 37 35.68369 8.40999 1.438750 94.66 0.5340 38 24.74904 1.88371 1.953748 32.32 0.5901 39 26.58345 18.87835 40 48.89032 4.75127 1.720467 34.71 0.5835 41 161.77170 0.00000 42 2.30000 1.516330 64.14 0.5353 43 33.69711

TABLE-US-00018 TABLE 18 Example 7 WIDE MIDDLE TELE Zr 1.00 2.90 5.79 f 20.24 58.69 117.18 Bf 35.21 35.21 35.21 FNo. 3.32 3.32 3.32 2 () 72.92 26.56 13.64 DD [15] 1.00 42.53 58.14 DD [19] 5.98 6.34 5.90 DD [22] 49.90 6.95 6.47 DD [25] 14.92 15.98 1.29

TABLE-US-00019 TABLE 19 Example 7 Surface Number 16 KA 1.0000000E+00 A3 1.4481371E20 A4 2.2097151E06 A5 1.1906712E06 A6 2.1344004E07 A7 1.2774506E08 A8 1.1294113E09 A9 2.3286340E10 A10 1.4115083E11 A11 4.6903088E13 A12 1.7545649E13 A13 9.6716937E15 A14 6.5945061E16 A15 7.7270143E17 A16 2.4667346E19 A17 2.3248734E19 A18 4.1986679E21 A19 2.5896844E22 A20 7.5912487E24

Example 8

[0125] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a zoom lens of Example 8. The zoom lens of Example 8 consists of, in order from the object side, a first lens group G1, a second lens group G2, a third lens group G3, an aperture stop St, and a fourth lens group G4. The first lens group G1 consists of one negative lens and five negative lenses in order from the object side. During focusing, the first to third lenses from the object side of the first lens group G1 remain stationary with respect to the image plane Sim, and the fourth to sixth lenses from the object side of the first lens group G1 move in the direction of the optical axis. The sign of the refractive power of each lens group and the lens group moving during zooming are the same as those in Example 1.

[0126] Table 20 shows basic lens data of the zoom lens of Example 8, Table 21 shows values of specification and variable surface distances, and FIG. 17 shows aberration diagrams in a state where the infinite object is in focus.

TABLE-US-00020 TABLE 20 Example 8 Si Ri Di Ndj dj gFj 1 126.95737 1.85000 1.806100 33.27 0.5885 2 149.63908 1.86353 3 162.56196 11.59799 1.433871 95.18 0.5373 4 131.43557 0.12017 5 1767.38973 5.79391 1.433871 95.18 0.5373 6 161.57632 6.93731 7 143.25520 6.97980 1.433871 95.18 0.5373 8 501.53280 0.12020 9 102.71367 7.30164 1.632460 63.77 0.5421 10 1279.18292 0.12015 11 52.36368 5.22130 1.695602 59.05 0.5435 12 90.12596 DD [12] 13 37.28114 0.80009 2.001003 29.13 0.5995 14 12.29686 5.14881 15 79.05024 0.81066 1.695602 59.05 0.5435 16 55.48025 1.25321 17 118.87335 6.29787 1.808095 22.76 0.6307 18 11.60294 0.89994 1.860322 41.97 0.5638 19 139.16815 0.12024 20 29.45305 4.40793 1.557208 50.70 0.5593 21 32.29232 0.13997 22 29.68924 0.91777 1.695602 59.05 0.5435 23 137.49811 DD [23] 24 26.11338 2.94239 1.731334 29.25 0.6006 25 16.28232 0.80762 1.695602 59.05 0.5435 26 130.41228 DD [26] 27 (St) 1.85032 28 375.35251 3.66853 1.703851 42.12 0.5727 29 38.57852 0.17412 30 74.45483 6.67860 1.516330 64.14 0.5353 31 29.71279 1.20210 1.882997 40.76 0.5668 32 69.95930 34.66041 33 234.07781 4.99625 1.517417 52.43 0.5565 34 40.81314 0.50000 35 40.64186 5.85957 1.487490 70.24 0.5301 36 46.57752 1.20022 1.806100 33.27 0.5885 37 34.79196 1.36577 38 41.96142 8.49290 1.496999 81.54 0.5375 39 20.65900 1.57625 1.882997 40.76 0.5668 40 136.64621 1.50826 41 99.48573 5.34307 1.595509 39.24 0.5804 42 34.92679 0.00000 43 33.00000 1.608589 46.44 0.5666 44 13.20000 1.516329 64.05 0.5346 45 10.40601

TABLE-US-00021 TABLE 21 Example 8 WIDE MIDDLE TELE Zr 1.00 8.00 17.30 f 7.98 63.86 138.11 Bf 39.63 39.63 39.63 FNo. 1.86 1.86 2.46 2 () 73.62 9.68 4.52 DD [12] 0.76 39.97 45.07 DD [23] 47.38 3.44 7.40 DD [26] 5.62 10.35 1.29

[0127] Table 22 shows values corresponding to Conditional Expressions (1) to (10) of the zoom lenses of Examples 1 to 8. The values shown in Table 22 are values at the d line.

TABLE-US-00022 TABLE 22 Expression Number Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Example 7 Example 8 (1) f1/fz 0.46 0.58 0.62 0.61 0.55 0.54 0.50 0.36 (2) z 59.05 59.05 59.05 59.05 63.77 59.05 59.05 59.05 (3) mx z 35.61 35.61 35.61 35.61 30.89 35.61 35.61 36.13 (4) Nz + 0.012 z 2.404 2.404 2.404 2.404 2.398 2.404 2.404 2.404 (5) gFz + 0.001625 z 0.639 0.639 0.639 0.639 0.646 0.639 0.639 0.639 (6) ft/f1 1.79 1.75 1.66 1.74 1.67 1.68 1.73 2.27 (7) fw/f1 0.31 0.30 0.29 0.30 0.29 0.29 0.30 0.13 (8) f1c/fz 0.59 0.60 0.67 0.63 0.67 0.59 0.59 (9) n 59.05 63.77 63.77 59.05 59.05 59.05 59.05 (10) gFn + 0.001625 n 0.639 0.646 0.646 0.639 0.639 0.639 0.639

[0128] As can be seen from the above data, each zoom lens of Examples 1 to 8 can be configured to have a small size since the number of lenses of the first lens group G1 is restricted to 6 to 8, which is relatively small. Therefore, the zoom ratio is in a range of 5.79 to 17.3 such that the high zoom ratio is ensured, and various aberrations including chromatic aberration are satisfactorily corrected, whereby high optical performance is realized.

[0129] Next, an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 18 is a schematic configuration diagram of an imaging apparatus 10 using the zoom lens 1 according to the above-mentioned embodiment of the present invention as an example of an imaging apparatus of an embodiment of the present invention. Examples of the imaging apparatus 10 include a movie imaging camera, a broadcast camera, a digital camera, a video camera, a surveillance camera, and the like.

[0130] The imaging apparatus 10 comprises a zoom lens 1, a filter 2 which is disposed on the image side of the zoom lens 1, and an imaging element 3 which is disposed on the image side of the filter 2. FIG. 18 schematically shows the first lens group front group G1a, the first lens group intermediate group G1b, the first lens group rear group G1c, and the second to fourth lens groups G2 to G4 included in the zoom lens 1. The imaging element 3 captures an optical image, which is formed through the zoom lens 1, and converts the image into an electrical signal. For example, charge coupled device (CCD), complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), or the like may be used. The imaging element 3 is disposed such that the imaging surface thereof is coplanar with the image plane of the zoom lens 1.

[0131] The imaging apparatus 10 also comprises a signal processing section 5 which performs calculation processing on an output signal from the imaging element 3, a display section 6 which displays an image formed by the signal processing section 5, a zoom control section 7 which controls zooming of the zoom lens 1, and a focus control section 8 which controls focusing of the zoom lens 1. It should be noted that FIG. 18 shows only one imaging element 3, but the imaging apparatus of the present invention is not limited to this, and may be a so-called three-plate imaging apparatus having three imaging elements.

[0132] The present invention has been hitherto described through embodiments and examples, but the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments and examples, and may be modified into various forms. For example, values such as the radius of curvature, the surface distance, the refractive index, the Abbe number, and the aspheric coefficient of each lens are not limited to the values shown in the numerical examples, and different values may be used therefor.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCES

[0133] 1: zoom lens [0134] 2: filter [0135] 3: imaging element [0136] 5: signal processing section [0137] 6: display section [0138] 7: zoom control section [0139] 8: focus control section [0140] 10: imaging apparatus [0141] G1: first lens group [0142] G1a: first lens group front group [0143] G1b: first lens group intermediate group [0144] G1c: first lens group rear group [0145] G2: second lens group [0146] G3: third lens group [0147] G4: fourth lens group [0148] G5: fifth lens group [0149] Ge: final lens group [0150] L11 to L18, L21 to L24, L31 to L32, L41 to L49: lens [0151] PP: optical member [0152] Sim: image plane [0153] St: aperture stop [0154] ma, ta, wa: on-axis rays [0155] mb, tb, wb: rays with maximum angle of view [0156] Z: optical axis