Zoom lens and imaging apparatus having the same

Abstract

To provide a zoom lens advantageous in that it can achieve a high zoom ratio, a reduction in size and weight, high optical performance, and angle-of-view change ratio characteristics without discomfort in video during zooming.SOLUTION: A zoom lens has a first variable power lens group including a plurality of lens groups moving in zooming, and a second variable power lens group including a plurality of lens groups moving in zooming, which are arranged in order from an object side to an image side. The zoom lens includes a first zoom area from a wide-angle end to a first zoom position, and a second zoom area from the first zoom position to a second zoom position closer to a telephoto side than the first zoom position. In the first zoom area, in zooming, the plurality of lens groups included in the first variable power lens group move, and the plurality of lens groups included in the second variable power lens group do not move. In the second zoom area, in zooming, the plurality of lens groups included in the first variable power lens group and the lens groups included in the second variable power lens group move.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a zoom lens, which is suitable for digital video cameras, digital still cameras, broadcast cameras, cameras for silver halide film, surveillance cameras, and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a known high-zoom-ratio zoom lens is a positive-lead zoom lens that includes, in order from the object side to the image side, a first lens group with positive refractive power, a magnification variable section made up of multiple lens groups, and a relay lens group. During zooming, the first lens group and the relay lens group remain stationary, while the multiple lens groups that make up the magnification variable section move. To achieve an even higher zoom ratio, a known zoom lens includes a relay lens group as a second magnification variable section in addition to the first magnification variable section, providing a magnification variable function (see Patent Documents 1 and 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 49-122350 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-1935 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the zoom lens of Patent Document 1, the second variable magnification unit starts changing magnification from the zoom end, where the first variable magnification unit has the longest focal length. Therefore, the lens group of the second variable magnification unit moves from a state where the light beam passing through the second variable magnification unit is at its narrowest, making it easier to correct aberrations and enabling the lens group of the second variable magnification unit to be made smaller. However, an inflection point occurs in the rate of change of the angle of view near the boundary between the first variable magnification unit and the second variable magnification unit, resulting in an unnatural angle of view change rate characteristic in the image when zooming.

[0005] In the zoom lens of Patent Document 2, the first and second variable magnification units change magnification independently regardless of their respective magnification states, thereby achieving a characteristic of the rate of change of the angle of view that does not cause a sense of incongruity in the image when zooming. However, even when the light beam passing through the second variable magnification unit is at its thickest, the lens group of the second variable magnification unit moves, making aberration correction difficult and resulting in an increase in the size of the lens group of the second variable magnification unit.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a zoom lens that is advantageous in that it can achieve a high zoom ratio, small size and light weight, high optical performance, and a rate of change in angle of view that does not create an unnatural appearance in the image when zooming. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A zoom lens according to one aspect of the present invention has a first variable magnification lens group including a plurality of lens groups that move during zooming, and a second variable magnification lens group including a plurality of lens groups that move during zooming, arranged in that order from the object side to the image side. The zoom lens has a first zoom region from the wide-angle end to the first zoom position, and a second zoom region from the first zoom position to a second zoom position that is more telephoto than the first zoom position. In the first zoom region, the plurality of lens groups included in the first variable magnification lens group move during zooming, and the plurality of lens groups included in the second variable magnification lens group remain stationary. In the second zoom region, the plurality of lens groups included in the first variable magnification lens group and the lens groups included in the second variable magnification lens group move during zooming. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a zoom lens that is advantageous in that it can achieve a high zoom ratio, a small size and light weight, high optical performance, and a rate of change in angle of view that does not create an unnatural image when zooming. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a zoom lens according to a first embodiment at the wide-angle end and when focused on infinity. [Figure 2]FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the angle of view change rate characteristics during zooming in the zoom lens of Example 1. [Figure 3] 4A to 4C are aberration diagrams of the zoom lens of Example 1 when focused on infinity. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a zoom lens according to a second embodiment at the wide-angle end and when focused on infinity. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the angle of view change rate characteristics during zooming in the zoom lens of Example 2. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are aberration diagrams of the zoom lens of Example 2 when focused on infinity. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a zoom lens according to a third embodiment at the wide-angle end and when focused on infinity. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the angle of view change rate characteristics during zooming in the zoom lens of Example 3. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are aberration diagrams of the zoom lens of Example 3 when focused on infinity. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a zoom lens according to a fourth embodiment at the wide-angle end and when focused on infinity. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the angle of view change rate characteristics during zooming in the zoom lens of Example 4. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are aberration diagrams of the zoom lens of Example 4 when focused on infinity. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a zoom lens according to a fifth embodiment at the wide-angle end and when focused on infinity. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the angle of view change rate characteristics during zooming in the zoom lens of Example 5. [Figure 15] 10A and 10B are aberration diagrams of the zoom lens of Example 5 when focused on infinity. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an axial ray passing through the second variable magnification lens group when the first and second variable magnification lens groups are in the wide-angle end state in the zoom lens of Example 1. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an axial ray passing through the second variable magnification lens group when the first variable magnification lens group is in the telephoto end state and the second variable magnification lens group is in the wide-angle end state in the zoom lens of Example 1. [Figure 18] 4 is a diagram showing the movement locus of the first variable magnification lens unit when the second lens unit is moved at a constant speed in the zoom lens of Example 1. FIG. [Figure 19] 4 is a diagram showing a movement locus of the first variable magnification lens unit when the second lens unit is moved at a non-uniform speed in the zoom lens of Example 1. FIG. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the angle of view change rate characteristics during zooming in the zoom lens of Example 1 when the second lens group is moved from a state where the first variable magnification lens group is positioned at the telephoto end. [Figure 21] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an imaging device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0011] 1, 4, 7, 10, and 13 are cross-sectional views of the zoom lenses of Examples 1 to 5 at the wide-angle end and focused at infinity, respectively. The zoom lenses of each Example are used in imaging devices such as digital video cameras, digital still cameras, broadcast cameras, cameras using silver halide film, and surveillance cameras.

[0012] In each cross-sectional view, the left side is the object side and the right side is the image side. The zoom lens of each embodiment is configured with multiple lens groups. In this specification, a lens group refers to a group of lenses that move or remain stationary as a unit during zooming (zooming, variable magnification). That is, in the zoom lens of each embodiment, the distance between adjacent lens groups changes during zooming. Note that a lens group may be composed of a single lens, or may be composed of multiple lenses. The lens group may also include an aperture stop.

[0013] The zoom lens of each embodiment has a first variable magnification lens group LZ1 including multiple lens groups that move during zooming, arranged in order from the object side to the image side, and a second variable magnification lens group LZ2 including multiple lens groups that move during zooming.

[0014] In each cross-sectional view, Li represents the i-th lens group (i is a natural number) counted from the object side among the lens groups included in the zoom lens.

[0015] Furthermore, SP is an aperture stop. I is an image plane, and when the zoom lens of each embodiment is used as the photographic optical system of a digital still camera or digital video camera, the imaging surface of a solid-state image sensor (photoelectric conversion element) such as a CCD sensor or CMOS sensor is disposed thereon. When the zoom lens of each embodiment is used as the photographic optical system of a silver halide film camera, a photosensitive surface equivalent to the film surface is disposed on the image plane I. P is a glass block such as a prism or filter.

[0016] 2, 5, 8, 11, and 14 are diagrams showing the angle of view change rate characteristics during zooming in the zoom lenses of Examples 1 to 5. The horizontal axis represents the zoom position, with the leftmost position being the wide-angle end and the rightmost position being the telephoto end. The vertical axis represents the angle of view change rate. The solid line, dashed line, and two-dot chain line correspond to the combined angle of view change rate of the first and second variable magnification lens groups, the angle of view change rate share of the first variable magnification lens group, and the angle of view change rate share of the second variable magnification lens group, respectively.

[0017] 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 are aberration diagrams of the zoom lenses of Examples 1 to 5 when focusing at infinity. In each aberration diagram, (a) is the aberration diagram at the wide-angle end, (b) is the aberration diagram at the middle of the first variable magnification lens group, (c) is the aberration diagram at the boundary between the first and second zoom ranges, (d) is the aberration diagram at the middle of the second variable magnification lens group, and (e) is the aberration diagram at the telephoto end.

[0018] In the spherical aberration diagram, Fno is the F-number, and shows the amount of spherical aberration for the d-line (wavelength 587.6 nm) and g-line (wavelength 435.8 nm). In the astigmatism diagram, S shows the amount of astigmatism on the sagittal image plane, and M shows the amount of astigmatism on the meridional image plane. In the distortion diagram, the amount of distortion for the d-line is shown. In the chromatic aberration diagram, the amount of chromatic aberration for the g-line is shown. ω is the half angle of view (°).

[0019] Next, the characteristic configuration of the zoom lens of each embodiment will be described.

[0020] The zoom lens of each embodiment has a first zoom range from the wide-angle end to a first zoom position, and a second zoom range from the first zoom position to a second zoom position that is closer to the telephoto side than the first zoom position. Note that the first zoom range includes the wide-angle end.

[0021] In the first zoom range, during zooming, the lens groups included in the first variable magnification lens group LZ1 move, and the lens groups included in the second variable magnification lens group LZ2 are stationary (fixed) (do not move). In the second zoom range, during zooming, the lens groups included in the first variable magnification lens group LZ1 and the lens groups included in the second variable magnification lens group LZ2 move.

[0022] Here, the technical background of the present invention will be described. Fig. 16 is a diagram showing axial rays passing through the second variable magnification lens group LZ2 when the first and second variable magnification lens groups LZ1 and LZ2 are in the wide-angle end state in the zoom lens of Example 1. Fig. 17 is a diagram showing axial rays passing through the second variable magnification lens group LZ2 when the first variable magnification lens group LZ1 is in the telephoto end state and the second variable magnification lens group LZ2 is in the wide-angle end state in the zoom lens of Example 1. Since the F-number of the first variable magnification lens group LZ1 is slower in the telephoto end state than in the wide-angle end state, in the state shown in Fig. 17, the axial rays passing through are thinner than in the state shown in Fig. 16. When the lens groups in the second variable magnification lens group LZ2 move to change magnification, the thicker the axial rays passing through are, the more difficult it is to correct aberrations, which requires more lenses for aberration correction and increases the size of the second variable magnification lens group LZ2. That is, in order to make the second variable magnification lens group LZ2 compact, it is necessary to move the lens groups in the second variable magnification lens group LZ2 when the first variable magnification lens group LZ1 is in the telephoto state (a state where the F-number is dark).

[0023] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the movement locus of the lens groups in the first variable magnification lens group LZ1 when the second lens group L2 is moved at a constant speed in the zoom lens of Example 1. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the movement locus of the lens groups in the first variable magnification lens group LZ1 when the second lens group L2 is moved at a non-uniform speed in the zoom lens of Example 1. In FIGS. 18 and 19 , the left-right direction is the optical axis direction, and the right side is the image side. The up-down direction is the zoom direction, and the bottom side is the telephoto side. The up-down direction corresponds to, for example, the zoom drive time or the rotation angle of the cam mechanism that drives the zoom. In a positive-lead high-zoom ratio zoom lens, efficient magnification and compactness are achieved by making the lateral magnification β of the negative refractive power lens group in the first variable magnification lens group LZ1 smaller than −1. However, as shown in FIG. 18 , when the lateral magnification β becomes smaller than −1, the movement amount of the image point correction lens group increases rapidly due to image point correction. For example, if the vertical direction in Figure 18 corresponds to the rotation angle of the cam mechanism, moving the lens group steeply would result in an excessively large cam vertical angle, making it difficult to drive. Therefore, as shown in Figure 19, it is necessary to reduce the amount of movement at the telephoto end, where the lateral magnification β is less than -1, relative to the wide-angle end. This results in a gradual change in the zoom ratio of the second lens group L2, and as shown by the dashed line in Figure 2, the rate of change of the angle of view of the first variable magnification lens group LZ1 at the telephoto end gradually decreases. In other words, a positive-lead high-zoom ratio zoom lens exhibits a characteristic in which the rate of change of the angle of view gradually decreases at the telephoto end. If the above characteristic is not satisfied, the image will have a different angle of view change characteristic from conventional zooming during zooming, which will be unnatural to the user and make it difficult to stop the zoom at the intended angle of view. Furthermore, when the second variable magnification lens group LZ2 starts to change magnification from the telephoto end state of the first variable magnification lens group LZ1, an inflection point occurs as shown in FIG. 20, resulting in an unnatural angle of view change characteristic and a small magnification ratio of the second variable magnification lens group.

[0024] Here, the technical significance of the present invention will be explained. By fixing the second variable magnification lens group LZ1 in the first zoom range including the wide-angle end, aberration correction becomes easy, resulting in a zoom lens that is advantageous in terms of a high zoom ratio, small size and light weight, and high optical performance. Furthermore, by simultaneously moving the first and second variable magnification lens groups LZ1 and LZ2 in the second zoom range, the angle of view change rate characteristics can be made to be the combined characteristics of the first and second variable magnification lens groups LZ1 and LZ2, as shown in FIG. 2. This makes it easy to achieve a gradually decreasing angle of view change rate characteristic on the telephoto side while suppressing abrupt movement of the image point correction lens group of the first variable magnification lens group LZ1, thereby achieving an angle of view change rate characteristic that does not create an unnatural appearance in the image.

[0025] Next, the configurations that are preferably satisfied in the zoom lens of each embodiment will be described.

[0026] The zoom lens of each embodiment preferably has a rear lens group with positive refractive power that is positioned closest to the image and remains stationary during zooming. This configuration is preferable because it enables a flange focal length adjustment function. The flange focal length adjustment function is a function for fine-tuning the optical image point position of the lens relative to the flange focal length of the camera, and can correct focus errors caused by manufacturing errors or environmental factors that occur when combining a camera and lens.

[0027] It is preferable that the zoom lens of each embodiment has a first lens group with positive refractive power that is positioned closest to the object and remains stationary during zooming. With this configuration, the lens group with the largest lens weight does not move during zooming, which is preferable because it is possible to suppress changes in the center of gravity of the zoom lens and improve zoom operability.

[0028] The zoom lens of each embodiment preferably has an intermediate lens group disposed between the first variable magnification lens group LZ1 and the second variable magnification lens group LZ2, which does not move during zooming. This configuration makes it possible to control the angle of light rays incident on the second variable magnification lens group LZ2 without relying on the first variable magnification lens group LZ1, enabling efficient magnification changes with each of the first variable magnification lens group LZ1 and the second variable magnification lens group LZ2. This is preferable because it provides a zoom lens that is advantageous in terms of a high zoom ratio, small size and light weight, and high optical performance.

[0029] In the zoom lens of each embodiment, it is preferable that the aperture stop SP is located on the object side of the second variable magnification lens unit LZ2. This configuration is preferable because it allows the zoom and aperture stop SP to be controlled independently, simplifying the mechanism and improving controllability.

[0030] In the zoom lens of each embodiment, it is preferable that the first variable magnification lens group LZ1 consists of, in order from the object side to the image side, a negative lens group, a positive lens group, and a positive lens group. This configuration is preferable because it makes it possible to reduce the number of lenses in the second variable magnification lens group LZ2, which is advantageous for making the zoom lens more compact.

[0031] In the zoom lens of each embodiment, it is preferable that the first variable magnification lens group LZ1 consists of, in order from the object side to the image side, a negative lens group, a negative lens group, and a positive lens group. This configuration is preferable because it is possible to vary various aberrations caused by the magnification change of the second variable magnification lens group LZ2 while suppressing the number of lenses constituting the second variable magnification lens group LZ2, and it is advantageous in that the zoom lens is small, lightweight, and has high optical performance.

[0032] Next, conditions that the zoom lens of each embodiment should preferably satisfy will be described. The zoom lens of each embodiment should preferably satisfy one or more of the following conditional expressions (1) to (7).

[0033] -5.0<βN1a<-1.0 (1) 0.1 <Za / Z<0.7 (2) -5.0<βN2t<-1.0 (3) 0.7 <Z2n / Z2<1.5 (4) -10.0 <fN2 / fw<-2.0 (5) -0.5<βr<0.5 (6) 4.0 <fr / fw<10.0 (7) Here, βN1a is the lateral magnification at the first zoom position of the lens group with the strongest refractive power in the first variable magnification lens group LZ1. Z is the zoom ratio from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end of the zoom lens. Za is the zoom ratio from the wide-angle end to the first zoom position of the zoom lens. βN2t is the lateral magnification at the telephoto end of the lens group with the strongest negative refractive power in the second variable magnification lens group LZ2. Z2n is the zoom ratio from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end of the second variable magnification lens group LZ2. Z2n is the zoom ratio from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end of the lens group with the strongest negative refractive power in the second variable magnification lens group. fw is the focal length at the wide-angle end of the zoom lens. fn2 is the focal length of the lens group with the strongest negative refractive power in the second variable magnification lens group LZ2. βr is the lateral magnification of the rear lens unit with positive refractive power that is located closest to the image and does not move during zooming, and fr is the focal length of the rear lens unit with positive refractive power that is located closest to the image and does not move during zooming.

[0034] Conditional formula (1) specifies the conditions for obtaining a zoom lens that is advantageous in terms of a high zoom ratio, small size and light weight, and a rate of change in angle of view that does not create an unnatural image. If the lower limit of conditional formula (1) is not met, the second variable magnification lens group LZ2 begins to change magnification near the telephoto end of the first variable magnification lens group LZ1, resulting in an unnatural change in angle of view. Furthermore, the variable magnification ratio of the second variable magnification lens group LZ2 becomes small. If the upper limit of conditional formula (1) is met, when the second variable magnification lens group LZ2 moves to change magnification, the axial ray passing through it becomes thicker, making aberration correction difficult. Furthermore, the number of lenses required for aberration correction increases, resulting in a larger second variable magnification lens group LZ2.

[0035] Conditional expression (2) specifies a condition for obtaining a zoom lens that is advantageous in terms of a high zoom ratio, small size and light weight, and angle-of-view change rate characteristics that do not create an unnatural effect on the image. If the lower limit is not met, when the second variable magnification lens group LZ2 moves to change magnification, the on-axis light rays passing through it become thicker, making aberration correction difficult. Furthermore, the number of lenses required for aberration correction increases, resulting in the size of the second variable magnification lens group LZ2. If the upper limit is exceeded, the second variable magnification lens group LZ2 begins to change magnification near the telephoto end of the first variable magnification lens group LZ1, resulting in unnatural angle-of-view change characteristics. Furthermore, the variable magnification ratio of the second variable magnification lens group LZ2 becomes small.

[0036] Conditional expression (3) defines a condition for obtaining a zoom lens that is advantageous in terms of a high zoom ratio, small size and light weight, and high optical performance. If the lower limit of conditional expression (3) is not met, the fluctuations in various aberrations caused by the second variable magnification lens unit LZ2 when the magnification is changed become excessively large. If the upper limit of conditional expression (3) is exceeded, the amount of movement of the negative lens unit when changing the magnification becomes excessively large, and the second variable magnification lens unit LZ2 becomes excessively large.

[0037] Conditional expression (4) specifies a condition for obtaining a zoom lens that is advantageous in terms of a high zoom ratio, small size and light weight, and high optical performance. If the lower limit is exceeded or the upper limit is exceeded, the amount of movement of the lens groups for image point position correction becomes excessively large, resulting in an excessively large zoom lens. Furthermore, reducing the amount of movement of the lens groups for image point position correction results in an excessively strong refractive power of each lens group, resulting in excessively large fluctuations in various aberrations caused by magnification changes in the second variable magnification lens group LZ2.

[0038] Conditional expression (5) defines a condition for obtaining a zoom lens that is advantageous in terms of a high zoom ratio, small size and light weight, and high optical performance. If the lower limit of conditional expression (5) is not met, the refractive power of the negative lens unit becomes excessively strong, and the fluctuations in various aberrations caused by the second variable magnification lens unit LZ2 when the magnification is changed become excessively large. If the upper limit of conditional expression (5) is met, the amount of movement of the negative lens unit when changing the magnification becomes excessively large, and the second variable magnification lens unit LZ2 becomes excessively large.

[0039] Conditional formula (6) specifies the condition for obtaining a zoom lens that is advantageous in terms of having a high zoom ratio, small size and light weight, high optical performance, and flange focal distance adjustment functionality. If the lower limit is exceeded or the upper limit is exceeded, the exit ray angle of the variable magnification lens group becomes too large, resulting in excessively large spherical aberration when flange focal distance adjustment is performed with the rear lens group. Furthermore, providing flange focal distance adjustment functionality to a subgroup of the rear lens group increases the number of lens elements and complicates the mechanism, resulting in an excessively large zoom lens.

[0040] Conditional expression (7) specifies the condition for obtaining a zoom lens that is advantageous in terms of having a high zoom ratio, being small and lightweight, and having high optical performance. If the lower limit of conditional expression (7) is not met, the refractive power of the rear lens group becomes excessively strong, and the aberrations of the zoom lens become excessively large. If the upper limit of conditional expression (7) is exceeded, a lens with strong positive refractive power will be placed in the second variable magnification lens group LZ2, and the fluctuations of the aberrations caused by the magnification change of the second variable magnification lens group LZ2 will become excessively large.

[0041] It is preferable that the numerical ranges of the conditional expressions (1) to (7) be set to the numerical ranges of the following conditional expressions (1a) to (7a).

[0042] -2.5<βN1a<-1.0 (1a) 0.15 <Za / Z<0.60 (2a) -3.00<βN2t<-1.05 (3a) 0.75 <Z2n / Z2<1.30 (4a) -6.5 <fN2 / fw<-2.3 (5a) -0.3<βr<0.3 (6a) 4.5 <fr / fw<9.5 (7a) It is more preferable that the numerical ranges of the conditional expressions (1) to (7) be the numerical ranges of the following conditional expressions (1b) to (7b).

[0043] -1.5<βN1a<-1.0 (1b) 0.20 <Za / Z<0.55 (2b) -3.00<βN2t<-1.08 (3b) 0.8 <Z2n / Z2<1.2 (4b) -6.5 <fN2 / fw<-2.5 (5b) -0.1<βr<0.1 (6b) 4.8 <fr / fw<9.2 (7b) Next, the zoom lens of each embodiment will be described in detail.

[0044] The zoom lens of Example 1 has multiple lens groups, including a first zoom region extending from the wide-angle end to a first zoom position and a second zoom region extending from the first zoom position to a second zoom position further toward the telephoto side than the first zoom position. The multiple lens groups are arranged in order from the image side to the object side, consisting of a first lens group L1 to an eighth lens group L8, each having a positive, negative, positive, positive, negative, negative, positive, and positive refractive power. The second lens group L2, the third lens group L3, and the fourth lens group L4 form a first variable magnification lens group LZ1. The sixth lens group L6 and the seventh lens group L7 form a second variable magnification lens group LZ2. The first lens group L1 remains stationary during zooming. The second lens group L2, the third lens group L3, and the fourth lens group L4 move within the first and second zoom regions. The second lens group L2 moves monotonically along the optical axis toward the image side during zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end. The third lens group L3 moves non-monotonically on the optical axis during zooming. The fourth lens group L4 moves monotonically toward the object side on the optical axis during zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end. The aperture stop SP does not move during zooming. The fifth lens group L5 does not move during zooming and functions as an intermediate lens group. The sixth lens group L6 and the seventh lens group L7 are stationary (fixed) in the first zoom range and move in the second zoom range. The sixth lens group L6 moves monotonically toward the image side on the optical axis during zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end. The seventh lens group L7 moves non-monotonically on the optical axis during zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end. The eighth lens group L8 does not move during zooming and functions as a rear lens group. When focusing on a close-up object, the entire first lens group L1 or a part of the first lens group L1 moves on the optical axis.

[0045] The first lens group L1 has surfaces 1 to 12 and consists of one negative lens and five positive lenses. The first variable magnification lens group LZ1 is composed of the second lens group L2, the third lens group L3, and the fourth lens group L4 and has surfaces 13 to 30. The second lens group L2 has surfaces 13 to 19 and consists of one negative lens with an aspherical surface facing the object side, two negative lenses, and one positive lens. The third lens group L3 has surfaces 20 to 25 and consists of one positive lens with an aspherical surface facing the image side, one negative lens, and one positive lens. The fourth lens group L4 has surfaces 26 to 30 and consists of one positive lens with an aspherical surface facing the image side, one negative lens, and one positive lens. The aperture stop SP has surface 31. The fifth lens group L5 has surfaces Nos. 32 to 43 and consists of four negative lenses and three positive lenses. The second variable magnification lens group LZ2 is composed of a sixth lens group L6 and a seventh lens group L7 and has surfaces Nos. 44 to 50. The sixth lens group L6 has surfaces Nos. 44 to 48 and consists of one negative lens with an aspherical surface facing the object, one negative lens, and one positive lens. The seventh lens group L7 has surfaces Nos. 49 to 50 and consists of a positive lens with an aspherical surface facing the image. The eighth lens group L8 has surfaces Nos. 51 to 58 and consists of two negative lenses and three positive lenses.

[0046] The zoom lens of Example 2 has multiple lens groups, including a first zoom region extending from the wide-angle end to a first zoom position, a second zoom region extending from the first zoom position to a second zoom position further toward the telephoto end than the first zoom position, and a third zoom region extending from the second zoom position to the telephoto end. The multiple lens groups are arranged in order from the image side to the object side, consisting of a first lens group L1 to an eighth lens group L8, each having a positive, negative, positive, positive, negative, negative, negative, and positive refractive power. The second lens group L2, the third lens group L3, and the fourth lens group L4 form a first variable magnification lens group LZ1. The sixth lens group L6 and the seventh lens group L7 form a second variable magnification lens group LZ2. The first lens group L1 remains stationary during zooming. The second lens group L2, the third lens group L3, and the fourth lens group L4 move in the first and second zoom regions and remain stationary in the third zoom region. The second lens group L2 moves monotonically on the optical axis toward the image side during zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end. The third lens group L3 moves non-monotonically on the optical axis during zooming. The fourth lens group L4 moves monotonically on the optical axis toward the object side during zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end. The aperture stop SP does not move during zooming. The fifth lens group L5 does not move during zooming and functions as an intermediate lens group. The sixth lens group L6 and the seventh lens group L7 do not move in the first zoom range and move in the second and third zoom ranges. The sixth lens group L6 moves non-monotonically on the optical axis during zooming. The seventh lens group L7 moves monotonically on the optical axis toward the object side during zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end. The eighth lens group L8 does not move during zooming and functions as a rear lens group. When focusing on a close-distance object, the entire first lens group L1 or a part of the first lens group L1 moves on the optical axis.

[0047] The first lens group L1 has surfaces 1 to 12 and consists of one negative lens and five positive lenses. The first variable magnification lens group LZ1 is composed of the second lens group L2, the third lens group L3, and the fourth lens group L4 and has surfaces 13 to 30. The second lens group L2 has surfaces 13 to 19 and consists of one negative lens with an aspherical surface facing the object side, two negative lenses, and one positive lens. The third lens group L3 has surfaces 20 to 25 and consists of one positive lens with an aspherical surface facing the image side, one negative lens, and one positive lens. The fourth lens group L4 has surfaces 26 to 30 and consists of one positive lens with an aspherical surface facing the image side, one negative lens, and one positive lens. The aperture stop SP has surface 31. The fifth lens group L5 has surfaces No. 32 to No. 42 and consists of three negative lenses and three positive lenses. The second variable magnification lens group LZ2 is composed of the sixth lens group L6 and the seventh lens group L7 and has surfaces No. 43 to No. 50. The sixth lens group L6 has surfaces No. 43 to No. 45 and consists of one negative lens and one positive lens. The seventh lens group L7 has surfaces No. 46 to No. 50 and consists of a negative lens whose object-side surface is aspherical, one positive lens, and one negative lens. The eighth lens group L8 has surfaces No. 51 to No. 57 and consists of two negative lenses and three positive lenses.

[0048] The zoom lens of Example 3 has multiple lens groups, including a first zoom region from the wide-angle end to a first zoom position, a second zoom region from the first zoom position to a second zoom position further telephoto than the first zoom position, and a third zoom region from the second zoom position to the telephoto end. The multiple lens groups are arranged in order from the image side to the object side, and include a first lens group L1 to an eighth lens group L8 with positive, negative, positive, positive, negative, negative, positive, and positive refractive powers. The second lens group L2, the third lens group L3, and the fourth lens group L4 form a first variable magnification lens group LZ1. The sixth lens group L6 and the seventh lens group L7 form a second variable magnification lens group LZ2. The first lens group L1 remains stationary during zooming. The second lens group L2, the third lens group L3, and the fourth lens group L4 move within the first, second, and third zoom regions. The second lens group L2 moves monotonically toward the image side on the optical axis during zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end. The third lens group L3 moves non-monotonically along the optical axis during zooming. The fourth lens group L4 moves monotonically toward the object side on the optical axis during zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end. The aperture stop SP does not move during zooming. The fifth lens group L5 does not move during zooming and functions as an intermediate lens group. The sixth lens group L6 and the seventh lens group L7 do not move in the first and third zoom ranges and move in the second zoom range. The sixth lens group L6 moves monotonically toward the image side on the optical axis during zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end. The seventh lens group L7 moves monotonically toward the object side on the optical axis during zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end. The eighth lens group L8 does not move during zooming and functions as a rear lens group. When focusing on a close-distance object, the entire first lens group L1 or a part of the first lens group L1 moves on the optical axis.

[0049] The first lens group L1 has surfaces 1 to 12 and consists of one negative lens and five positive lenses. The first variable magnification lens group LZ1 is composed of the second lens group L2, the third lens group L3, and the fourth lens group L4 and has surfaces 13 to 30. The second lens group L2 has surfaces 13 to 19 and consists of one negative lens with an aspherical surface facing the object side, two negative lenses, and one positive lens. The third lens group L3 has surfaces 20 to 25 and consists of one positive lens with an aspherical surface facing the image side, one negative lens, and one positive lens. The fourth lens group L4 has surfaces 26 to 30 and consists of one positive lens with an aspherical surface facing the image side, one negative lens, and one positive lens. The aperture stop SP has surface 31. The fifth lens group L5 has surfaces No. 32 to No. 42 and is composed of three negative lenses and three positive lenses. The second variable magnification lens group LZ2 is composed of the sixth lens group L6 and the seventh lens group L7 and is composed of surfaces No. 43 to No. 50. The sixth lens group L6 has surfaces No. 43 to No. 47 and is composed of two negative lenses and one positive lens. The seventh lens group L7 has surfaces No. 48 to No. 50 and is composed of one positive lens and one negative lens. The eighth lens group L8 has surfaces No. 51 to No. 55 and is composed of one negative lens and two positive lenses.

[0050] The zoom lens of Example 4 has multiple lens groups, including a first zoom range extending from the wide-angle end to a first zoom position and a second zoom range extending from the first zoom position to a second zoom position further telephoto than the first zoom position. The multiple lens groups are arranged in order from the image side to the object side, with first lens group L1 to ninth lens group L9 having positive, negative, positive, positive, negative, negative, negative, negative, positive, and positive refractive powers. The second lens group L2, third lens group L3, and fourth lens group L4 form a first variable magnification lens group LZ1. The sixth lens group L6, seventh lens group L7, and eighth lens group L8 form a second variable magnification lens group LZ2. The first lens group L1 remains stationary during zooming. The second lens group L2, third lens group L3, and fourth lens group L4 move within the first and second zoom ranges. The second lens group L2 moves monotonically on the optical axis toward the image side during zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end. The third lens group L3 moves non-monotonically on the optical axis during zooming. The fourth lens group L4 moves monotonically on the optical axis toward the object side during zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end. The aperture stop SP does not move during zooming. The fifth lens group L5 does not move during zooming and functions as an intermediate lens group. The sixth lens group L6, the seventh lens group L7, and the eighth lens group L8 are stationary in the first zoom range and move in the second zoom range. The sixth lens group L6 moves non-monotonically on the optical axis during zooming. The seventh lens group L7 moves monotonically on the optical axis toward the object side during zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end. The eighth lens group L8 moves non-monotonically on the optical axis during zooming. The ninth lens unit L9 does not move during zooming and functions as a rear lens unit. When focusing on a close-distance object, the entire first lens unit L1 or a part of the first lens unit L1 moves on the optical axis.

[0051] The first lens group L1 has surfaces 1 to 12 and consists of one negative lens and five positive lenses. The first variable magnification lens group LZ1 is composed of the second lens group L2, the third lens group L3, and the fourth lens group L4 and has surfaces 13 to 30. The second lens group L2 has surfaces 13 to 19 and consists of one negative lens with an aspherical surface facing the object side, two negative lenses, and one positive lens. The third lens group L3 has surfaces 20 to 25 and consists of one positive lens with an aspherical surface facing the image side, one negative lens, and one positive lens. The fourth lens group L4 has surfaces 26 to 30 and consists of one positive lens with an aspherical surface facing the image side, one negative lens, and one positive lens. The aperture stop SP has surface 31. The fifth lens group L5 has surfaces No. 32 to No. 42 and consists of three negative lenses and three positive lenses. The second variable magnification lens group LZ2 is composed of the sixth lens group L6, the seventh lens group L7, and the eighth lens group L8 and has surfaces No. 43 to No. 50. The sixth lens group L6 has surfaces No. 43 to No. 45 and consists of one negative lens and one positive lens. The seventh lens group L7 has surfaces No. 46 to No. 48 and consists of one negative lens and one positive lens. The eighth lens group L8 has surfaces No. 49 to No. 51 and consists of a positive lens whose image-side surface is aspherical. The ninth lens group L9 has surfaces No. 52 to No. 55 and consists of two negative lenses and one positive lens.

[0052] The zoom lens of Example 5 has multiple lens groups, including a first zoom range extending from the wide-angle end to a first zoom position and a second zoom range extending from the first zoom position to a second zoom position further telephoto than the first zoom position. The multiple lens groups are arranged in order from the image side to the object side, with the first lens group L1 to the eighth lens group L8 having positive, negative, negative, positive, positive, negative, negative, and positive refractive powers. The second lens group L2, the third lens group L3, and the fourth lens group L4 form a first variable magnification lens group LZ1. The sixth lens group L6, the seventh lens group L7, and the eighth lens group L8 form a second variable magnification lens group LZ2. The first lens group L1 remains stationary during zooming. The second lens group L2, the third lens group L3, and the fourth lens group L4 move within the first and second zoom ranges. The second lens group L2 moves monotonically on the optical axis toward the image side during zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end. The third lens group L3 moves non-monotonically on the optical axis during zooming. The fourth lens group L4 moves monotonically on the optical axis toward the object side during zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end. The aperture stop SP does not move during zooming. The fifth lens group L5 does not move during zooming and functions as an intermediate lens group. The sixth lens group L6 and the seventh lens group L7 do not move in the first zoom range and move in the second zoom range. The sixth lens group L6 moves monotonically on the optical axis toward the image side during zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end. The seventh lens group L7 moves non-monotonically on the optical axis during zooming. The eighth lens group L8 does not move during zooming and functions as a rear lens group. When focusing on a close-distance object, the entire first lens group L1 or a part of the first lens group L1 moves on the optical axis.

[0053] The first lens group L1 has surfaces 1 to 12 and consists of one negative lens and five positive lenses. The first variable magnification lens group LZ1 is composed of the second lens group L2, the third lens group L3, and the fourth lens group L4 and has surfaces 13 to 28. The second lens group L2 has surfaces 13 to 20 and consists of one negative lens whose object-side surface is aspherical, two negative lenses, and one positive lens. The third lens group L3 has surfaces 21 to 23 and consists of one negative lens and one positive lens. The fourth lens group L4 has surfaces 24 to 28 and consists of one positive lens whose image-side surface is aspherical, one negative lens, and one positive lens. The aperture stop SP has surface 29. The fifth lens group L5 has surfaces 30 to 36 and consists of one negative lens and one positive lens. The second variable magnification lens group LZ2 is composed of a sixth lens group L6 and a seventh lens group L7, and has surfaces Nos. 37 to 42. The sixth lens group L6 has surfaces Nos. 37 to 40, and consists of one negative lens with an aspherical image-side surface and one positive lens. The seventh lens group L7 has surfaces Nos. 41 to 42, and consists of a positive lens with an aspherical image-side surface. The eighth lens group L8 has surfaces Nos. 43 to 50, and consists of two negative lenses and three positive lenses.

[0054] In each embodiment, the rear lens group is not moved, but the rear lens group or a portion thereof (sub-lens group) may be moved. Even in this case, the above-described effects can be achieved, and such modifications would be easy for a person skilled in the art. For example, in Example 1, the portion of the rear lens group LR, from surface 43 to surface 50, may be moved. Because a light beam that is generally afocal from the object side is incident on surface 43, even if this portion moves, the optical characteristics other than the back focus remain generally unchanged. Therefore, this movement can correct focus changes that accompany changes in the state of the zoom lens, such as zooming, focusing, aperture stop, temperature, air pressure, attitude, and insertion / removal of a variable magnification optical system.

[0055] Numerical examples 1 to 5 corresponding to the first to fifth embodiments, respectively, are shown below.

[0056] In the surface data of each numerical example, r represents the radius of curvature of each optical surface, and d (mm) represents the axial spacing (distance on the optical axis) between the mth surface and the (m+1)th surface. Here, m is the surface number counted from the light incident side. Also, nd represents the refractive index of each optical element with respect to the d-line, and vd represents the Abbe number of the optical element. Note that the Abbe number vd of a certain material is given by the following when the refractive indices at the d-line (587.6 nm), F-line (486.1 nm), and C-line (656.3 nm) of the Fraunhofer lines are Nd, NF, and NC, respectively: νd=(Nd-1) / (NF-NC) It is expressed as:

[0057] In each numerical example, d, focal length (mm), F-number, and half angle of view (°) are all values ​​when the zoom lens of each example is focused on an object at infinity. "Half angle of view" is expressed by the formula ω = arctan(Y / fw), where 2Y is the diagonal image size of the camera on which the zoom lens is used and fw is the focal length of the zoom lens at the wide-angle end. "Image height" (maximum image height) corresponds to half Y (e.g., 5.50 mm) of the diagonal image size 2Y (e.g., 11.00 mm). "BF" (back focal length) is the distance on the optical axis from the final lens surface (the lens surface closest to the image) to the paraxial image plane, expressed in air equivalent length. "Total lens length" is the distance on the optical axis from the front surface (the lens surface closest to the object) of the zoom lens to the final lens surface plus the back focal length. The last three surfaces are glass block surfaces, such as those used for filters.

[0058] If the optical surface is aspherical, a * symbol is added to the right of the surface number. The aspherical shape is expressed as follows: X is the displacement from the vertex of the surface in the optical axis direction, H is the height from the optical axis in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, R is the paraxial radius of curvature, k is the conic constant, and A3 to A16 are the aspherical coefficients of each order.

[0059]

number

[0060] In addition, "e±XX" in each aspherical coefficient is "×10± XX " means.

[0061] [Numerical Example 1] Unit: mm Surface Data Surface number rd nd νd 1 -2942.188 6.00 1.83481 42.7 2 335.459 1.80 3 335.066 23.71 1.43387 95.1 4 -1057.929 0.20 5 525.299 14.68 1.43387 95.1 6 -2449.905 25.25 7 377.042 20.53 1.43387 95.1 8 -1365.497 0.25 9 306.954 16.16 1.43387 95.1 10 1716.232 1.50 11 188.244 16.19 1.43875 94.7 12 408.078 (variable) 13* -532.824 2.20 2.00330 28.3 14 38.132 11.72 15 -44.546 1.45 1.74320 49.3 16 72.565 9.77 1.89286 20.4 17 -46.484 1.63 18 -41.758 2.00 1.88300 40.8 19 -152.608 (variable) 20 152.336 11.49 1.72916 54.7 21* -265.715 6.62 22 139.888 13.50 1.43875 94.7 23 -246.304 0.50 24 264.094 2.60 1.85478 24.8 25 97.106 (variable) 26 86.506 15.39 1.49700 81.5 27 -236.969 0.50 28 415.877 2.50 1.80518 25.4 29 139.362 7.85 1.60311 60.6 30* -764.201 (variable) 31 (Aperture) ∞ 5.46 32 -100.588 1.40 1.88300 40.8 33 50.285 1.36 34 40.817 3.60 1.92286 18.9 35 96.042 4.19 36 -79.866 1.70 1.80400 46.5 37 -114.439 2.89 38 26.363 7.12 1.43875 94.7 39 -118.309 1.50 1.88300 40.8 40 23.581 7.67 1.56732 42.8 41 -49.071 0.92 42 35.072 1.50 1.43875 94.7 43 21.373 (variable) 44* -66.648 1.50 1.88300 40.8 45 49.809 2.45 46 -63.551 1.50 1.88300 40.8 47 44.984 4.31 1.80810 22.8 48 -88.988 (variable) 49 36.269 6.81 1.53172 48.8 50* -697.782 (variable) 51 67.322 6.50 1.64769 33.8 52 -82.199 1.27 53 -160.833 1.50 1.95375 32.3 54 29.956 8.88 1.43875 94.7 55 -85.935 0.37 56 52.192 8.29 1.56873 63.1 57 -50.020 1.50 2.00100 29.1 58 -64.108 9.80 59 ∞ 33.00 1.60859 46.4 60 ∞ 13.20 1.51633 64.2 61∞12.60 Image plane ∞ Aspheric data Page 13 K = 1.99852e+00 A 4= 1.15677e-06 A 6=-2.75064e-08 A 8=-3.06848e-10 A10= 9.10515e-13 A12= 3.28486e-15 A14= 1.35261e-18 A16= 5.54400e-22 A 3= 2.74335e-07 A 5= 9.95673e-08 A 7= 4.02226e-09 A 9= 6.12079e-12 A11=-8.52506e-14 A13=-6.85632e-17 A15=-3.84859e-20 Page 21 K = 1.21093e+01 A 4= 2.82183e-07 A 6=-5.59441e-11 A 8=-2.00796e-14 A10= 9.78964e-17 A12=-6.30815e-20 A14= 1.70834e-23 A16=-4.73901e-27 A 3=-2.90901e-08 A 5= 1.58196e-09 A 7= 1.10620e-12 A 9=-1.50730e-15 A11= 5.86871e-20 A13= 1.04584e-22 A15= 1.44467e-25 Page 30 K =-2.23400e+02 A 4= 2.77687e-07 A 6= 4.69555e-10 A 8= 1.39733e-13 A10=-2.98156e-16 A12= 4.58582e-19 A14=-2.25443e-22 A16= 5.80568e-26 A 3= 1.70768e-07 A 5=-5.73181e-09 A 7=-1.36230e-11 A 9= 7.92918e-15 A11=-8.14405e-18 A13= 2.06016e-21 A15=-8.57551e-25 Page 44 K = 0.00000e+00 A 4= 4.29797e-06 A 6=-1.98802e-09 A 8= 7.93598e-12 Page 50 K = 0.00000e+00 A 4= 6.37564e-06 A 6= 1.12727e-09 A 8=-4.30970e-13 Various data Zoom ratio 239.68 Focal length 8.50 131.53 338.15 1282.70 2037.24 F-number 1.77 1.77 1.77 6.60 10.48 Half angle of view (°) 32.91 2.39 0.93 0.25 0.15 Image height 5.50 5.50 5.50 5.50 5.50 Lens total length 701.11 701.11 701.11 701.11 701.11 BF 12.60 12.60 12.60 12.60 12.60 d12 3.47 163.83 185.20 193.50 194.08 d19 289.33 87.65 55.70 7.49 2.00 d25 4.21 6.27 4.04 6.03 4.44 d30 2.99 42.26 55.06 92.99 99.48 d43 5.76 5.76 5.76 19.59 29.33 d48 16.43 16.43 16.43 9.94 0.77 d50 10.13 10.13 10.13 2.80 2.23 d61 12.60 12.60 12.60 12.60 12.60 Zoom lens group data Group starting plane focal length 1 1 251.76 2 13 -24.09 3 20 134.68 4 26 112.47 5 31 -84.72 6 44 -27.11 7 49 65.05 8 51 58.18 [Numerical Example 2] Unit: mm Surface Data Surface number rd nd νd 1 -2942.188 6.00 1.83481 42.7 2 335.459 1.80 3 335.066 23.71 1.43387 95.1 4 -1057.929 0.20 5 525.299 14.68 1.43387 95.1 6 -2449.905 25.25 7 377.042 20.53 1.43387 95.1 8 -1365.497 0.25 9 306.954 16.16 1.43387 95.1 10 1716.232 1.50 11 188.244 16.19 1.43875 94.7 12 408.078 (variable) 13* -532.824 2.20 2.00330 28.3 14 38.132 11.72 15 -44.546 1.45 1.74320 49.3 16 72.565 9.77 1.89286 20.4 17 -46.484 1.63 18 -41.758 2.00 1.88300 40.8 19 -152.608 (variable) 20 152.336 11.49 1.72916 54.7 21* -265.715 6.62 22 139.888 13.50 1.43875 94.7 23 -246.304 0.50 24 264.094 2.60 1.85478 24.8 25 97.106 (variable) 26 86.506 15.39 1.49700 81.5 27 -236.969 0.50 28 415.877 2.50 1.80518 25.4 29 139.362 7.85 1.60311 60.6 30* -764.201 (variable) 31 (Aperture) ∞ 5.46 32 -100.588 1.40 1.88300 40.8 33 50.285 1.36 34 40.817 3.60 1.92286 18.9 35 96.042 4.19 36 -79.866 1.70 1.80400 46.5 37 -114.439 (variable) 38 113.205 1.50 1.88300 40.8 39 44.218 2.93 1.84666 23.8 40 61.806 0.34 41 40.351 5.78 1.54814 45.8 42 -95.934 (variable) 43 -52.333 1.50 1.90525 35.0 44 33.654 8.31 1.43875 94.7 45 -24.951 (variable) 46* 34.008 1.50 1.43875 94.7 47 31.139 5.09 48 -46.952 1.50 1.75500 52.3 49 27.206 4.43 1.80810 22.8 50 104.022 (variable) 51 56.363 6.45 1.43875 94.7 52* -176.933 5.94 53 107.780 8.03 1.43875 94.7 54 -50.619 5.57 55 120.238 7.86 1.43875 94.7 56 -37.809 1.50 1.95375 32.3 57 -67.195 9.95 58 ∞ 33.00 1.60859 46.4 59 ∞ 13.20 1.51633 64.2 60 ∞ 12.75 Image plane ∞ Aspheric data Page 13 K = 1.99852e+00 A 4= 1.15677e-06 A 6=-2.75064e-08 A 8=-3.06848e-10 A10= 9.10515e-13 A12= 3.28486e-15 A14= 1.35261e-18 A16= 5.54400e-22 A 3= 2.74335e-07 A 5= 9.95673e-08 A 7= 4.02226e-09 A 9= 6.12079e-12 A11=-8.52506e-14 A13=-6.85632e-17 A15=-3.84859e-20 Page 21 K = 1.21093e+01 A 4= 2.82183e-07 A 6=-5.59441e-11 A 8=-2.00796e-14 A10= 9.78964e-17 A12=-6.30815e-20 A14= 1.70834e-23 A16=-4.73901e-27 A 3=-2.90901e-08 A 5= 1.58196e-09 A 7= 1.10620e-12 A 9=-1.50730e-15 A11= 5.86871e-20 A13= 1.04584e-22 A15= 1.44467e-25 Page 30 K =-2.23400e+02 A 4= 2.77687e-07 A 6= 4.69555e-10 A 8= 1.39733e-13 A10=-2.98156e-16 A12= 4.58582e-19 A14=-2.25443e-22 A16= 5.80568e-26 A 3= 1.70768e-07 A 5=-5.73181e-09 A 7=-1.36230e-11 A 9= 7.92918e-15 A11=-8.14405e-18 A13= 2.06016e-21 A15=-8.57551e-25 Page 46 K = 0.00000e+00 A 4= 1.97609e-06 A 6=-1.41051e-09 A 8= 2.46678e-11 Page 52 K = 0.00000e+00 A 4= 3.51255e-06 A 6= 4.43669e-10 A 8=-2.91168e-13 Various data Zoom ratio 239.68 Focal length 8.50 131.53 336.16 1389.08 1889.19 2037.19 F-number 1.77 1.77 1.77 7.15 9.72 10.48 Half angle of view (°) 32.91 2.39 0.94 0.23 0.17 0.15 Image height 5.50 5.50 5.50 5.50 5.50 5.50 Lens total length 706.08 706.08 706.08 706.08 706.08 706.08 BF 12.75 12.75 12.75 12.75 12.75 12.75 d12 3.47 163.83 185.12 193.91 194.08 194.08 d19 289.33 87.65 55.96 3.70 2.00 2.00 d25 4.21 6.27 3.99 5.00 4.44 4.44 d30 2.99 42.26 54.93 97.41 99.48 99.48 d37 2.96 2.96 2.96 2.96 2.96 2.96 d42 4.38 4.38 4.38 8.15 8.88 8.81 d45 0.99 0.99 0.99 8.98 19.23 22.65 d50 26.92 26.92 26.92 15.16 4.17 0.82 d60 12.75 12.75 12.75 12.75 12.75 12.75 Zoom lens group data Group starting plane focal length 1 1 251.76 2 13 -24.09 3 20 134.68 4 26 112.47 5 31 -61.95 6 38 80.77 7 43 -96.72 8 46 -43.32 9 51 42.04 [Numerical Example 3] Unit: mm Surface Data Surface number rd nd νd 1 -2942.188 6.00 1.83481 42.7 2 335.459 1.80 3 335.066 23.71 1.43387 95.1 4 -1057.929 0.20 5 525.299 14.68 1.43387 95.1 6 -2449.905 25.25 7 377.042 20.53 1.43387 95.1 8 -1365.497 0.25 9 306.954 16.16 1.43387 95.1 10 1716.232 1.50 11 188.244 16.19 1.43875 94.7 12 408.078 (variable) 13* -532.824 2.20 2.00330 28.3 14 38.132 11.72 15 -44.546 1.45 1.74320 49.3 16 72.565 9.77 1.89286 20.4 17 -46.484 1.63 18 -41.758 2.00 1.88300 40.8 19 -152.608 (variable) 20 152.336 11.49 1.72916 54.7 21* -265.715 6.62 22 139.888 13.50 1.43875 94.7 23 -246.304 0.50 24 264.094 2.60 1.85478 24.8 25 97.106 (variable) 26 86.506 15.39 1.49700 81.5 27 -236.969 0.50 28 415.877 2.50 1.80518 25.4 29 139.362 7.85 1.60311 60.6 30* -764.201 (variable) 31 (Aperture) ∞ 5.46 32 -100.588 1.40 1.88300 40.8 33 50.285 1.36 34 40.817 3.60 1.92286 18.9 35 96.042 4.19 36 -79.866 1.70 1.80400 46.5 37 -114.439 (variable) 38 30.221 5.88 1.43875 94.7 39 -877.033 1.50 2.00100 29.1 40 25.546 0.27 41 26.127 7.53 1.63980 34.5 42 -48.544 (variable) 43 709.013 1.50 1.88300 40.8 44 18.429 5.33 1.80810 22.8 45 71.831 2.50 46 -53.512 0.97 1.89190 37.1 47 269.226 (variable) 48 67.485 8.08 1.43875 94.7 49 -68.934 1.50 1.85478 24.8 50 -75.970 (variable) 51 247.813 4.33 1.88300 40.8 52 -118.609 1.09 53 53.643 7.49 1.49700 81.5 54 -57.295 1.50 2.00100 29.1 55 -1570.291 9.76 56 ∞ 33.00 1.60859 46.4 57 ∞ 13.20 1.51633 64.2 58∞12.42 Image plane ∞ Aspheric data Page 13 K = 1.99852e+00 A 4= 1.15677e-06 A 6=-2.75064e-08 A 8=-3.06848e-10 A10= 9.10515e-13 A12= 3.28486e-15 A14= 1.35261e-18 A16= 5.54400e-22 A 3= 2.74335e-07 A 5= 9.95673e-08 A 7= 4.02226e-09 A 9= 6.12079e-12 A11=-8.52506e-14 A13=-6.85632e-17 A15=-3.84859e-20 Page 21 K = 1.21093e+01 A 4= 2.82183e-07 A 6=-5.59441e-11 A 8=-2.00796e-14 A10= 9.78964e-17 A12=-6.30815e-20 A14= 1.70834e-23 A16=-4.73901e-27 A 3=-2.90901e-08 A 5= 1.58196e-09 A 7= 1.10620e-12 A 9=-1.50730e-15 A11= 5.86871e-20 A13= 1.04584e-22 A15= 1.44467e-25 Page 30 K =-2.23400e+02 A 4= 2.77687e-07 A 6= 4.69555e-10 A 8= 1.39733e-13 A10=-2.98156e-16 A12= 4.58582e-19 A14=-2.25443e-22 A16= 5.80568e-26 A 3= 1.70768e-07 A 5=-5.73181e-09 A 7=-1.36230e-11 A 9= 7.92918e-15 A11=-8.14405e-18 A13= 2.06016e-21 A15=-8.57551e-25 Various data Zoom ratio 239.68 Focal length 8.50 131.54 346.98 894.45 1490.83 2037.29 F-number 1.77 1.77 1.79 4.60 7.67 10.48 Half angle of view (°) 32.90 2.39 0.91 0.35 0.21 0.15 Image height 5.50 5.50 5.50 5.50 5.50 5.50 Lens total length 701.23 701.23 701.23 701.23 701.23 701.23 BF 12.42 12.42 12.42 12.42 12.42 12.42 d12 3.47 163.83 185.54 191.29 192.37 194.08 d19 289.33 87.65 54.57 25.36 17.12 2.00 d25 4.21 6.27 4.25 7.87 7.56 4.44 d30 2.99 42.26 55.65 75.50 82.95 99.48 d37 2.89 2.89 2.89 2.89 2.89 2.89 d42 0.91 0.91 0.91 5.10 8.09 8.09 d47 40.59 40.59 40.59 22.67 0.65 0.65 d50 5.28 5.28 5.28 19.00 38.03 38.03 d58 12.42 12.42 12.42 12.42 12.42 12.42 Zoom lens group data Group starting plane focal length 1 1 251.76 2 13 -24.09 3 20 134.68 4 26 112.47 5 31 -61.95 6 38 78.68 7 43 -28.54 8 48 86.80 9 51 77.87 [Numerical Example 4] Unit: mm Surface Data Surface number rd nd νd 1 -2942.188 6.00 1.83481 42.7 2 335.459 1.80 3 335.066 23.71 1.43387 95.1 4 -1057.929 0.20 5 525.299 14.68 1.43387 95.1 6 -2449.905 25.25 7 377.042 20.53 1.43387 95.1 8 -1365.497 0.25 9 306.954 16.16 1.43387 95.1 10 1716.232 1.50 11 188.244 16.19 1.43875 94.7 12 408.078 (variable) 13* -532.824 2.20 2.00330 28.3 14 38.132 11.72 15 -44.546 1.45 1.74320 49.3 16 72.565 9.77 1.89286 20.4 17 -46.484 1.63 18 -41.758 2.00 1.88300 40.8 19 -152.608 (variable) 20 152.336 11.49 1.72916 54.7 21* -265.715 6.62 22 139.888 13.50 1.43875 94.7 23 -246.304 0.50 24 264.094 2.60 1.85478 24.8 25 97.106 (variable) 26 86.506 15.39 1.49700 81.5 27 -236.969 0.50 28 415.877 2.50 1.80518 25.4 29 139.362 7.85 1.60311 60.6 30* -764.201 (variable) 31 (Aperture) ∞ 5.46 32 -100.588 1.40 1.88300 40.8 33 50.285 1.36 34 40.817 3.60 1.92286 18.9 35 96.042 4.19 36 -79.866 1.70 1.80400 46.5 37 -114.439 (variable) 38 150.640 1.50 1.88300 40.8 39 39.667 2.88 1.84666 23.8 40 53.717 0.26 41 32.817 5.62 1.67270 32.1 42 -568.458 (variable) 43 -92.072 1.50 1.95375 32.3 44 30.906 8.36 1.43875 94.7 45 -28.709 (variable) 46 -92.218 1.50 1.85026 32.3 47 28.675 4.16 1.95906 17.5 48 72.051 (variable) 49 37.465 6.64 1.43875 94.7 50* 154.363 (variable) 51 155.359 7.44 1.43875 94.7 52 -48.125 3.80 53 62.001 8.62 1.53172 48.8 54 -35.693 1.50 1.95375 32.3 55 -140.415 10.00 56 ∞ 33.00 1.60859 46.4 57 ∞ 13.20 1.51633 64.2 58∞13.10 Image plane ∞ Aspheric data Page 13 K = 1.99852e+00 A 4= 1.15677e-06 A 6=-2.75064e-08 A 8=-3.06848e-10 A10= 9.10515e-13 A12= 3.28486e-15 A14= 1.35261e-18 A16= 5.54400e-22 A 3= 2.74335e-07 A 5= 9.95673e-08 A 7= 4.02226e-09 A 9= 6.12079e-12 A11=-8.52506e-14 A13=-6.85632e-17 A15=-3.84859e-20 Page 21 K = 1.21093e+01 A 4= 2.82183e-07 A 6=-5.59441e-11 A 8=-2.00796e-14 A10= 9.78964e-17 A12=-6.30815e-20 A14= 1.70834e-23 A16=-4.73901e-27 A 3=-2.90901e-08 A 5= 1.58196e-09 A 7= 1.10620e-12 A 9=-1.50730e-15 A11= 5.86871e-20 A13= 1.04584e-22 A15= 1.44467e-25 Page 30 K =-2.23400e+02 A 4= 2.77687e-07 A 6= 4.69555e-10 A 8= 1.39733e-13 A10=-2.98156e-16 A12= 4.58582e-19 A14=-2.25443e-22 A16= 5.80568e-26 A 3= 1.70768e-07 A 5=-5.73181e-09 A 7=-1.36230e-11 A 9= 7.92918e-15 A11=-8.14405e-18 A13= 2.06016e-21 A15=-8.57551e-25 Page 50 K = 0.00000e+00 A 4= 3.23892e-06 A 6= 5.01798e-10 A 8= 1.15614e-12 Various data Zoom ratio 239.98 Focal length 8.50 131.53 338.15 1308.32 2039.77 F-number 1.77 1.77 1.77 6.73 10.50 Half angle of view (°) 32.91 2.39 0.93 0.24 0.15 Image height 5.50 5.50 5.50 5.50 5.50 Lens total length 706.08 706.08 706.08 706.08 706.08 BF 13.10 13.10 13.10 13.10 13.10 d12 3.47 163.83 185.20 193.60 194.08 d19 289.33 87.65 55.70 6.54 2.00 d25 4.21 6.27 4.04 5.79 4.44 d30 2.99 42.26 55.06 94.07 99.48 d37 2.94 2.94 2.94 2.94 2.94 d42 2.78 2.78 2.78 5.18 5.46 d45 0.95 0.95 0.95 19.09 37.68 d48 31.65 31.65 31.65 18.06 0.67 d50 10.96 10.96 10.96 4.02 2.54 d58 13.10 13.10 13.10 13.10 13.10 Zoom lens group data Group starting plane focal length 1 1 251.76 2 13 -24.09 3 20 134.68 4 26 112.47 5 31 -61.95 6 38 92.43 7 43 -107.09 8 46 -52.74 9 49 110.84 10 51 63.89 Numerical Example 5 Unit: mm Surface Data Surface number rd nd νd 1 -149.059 1.50 1.76634 35.8 2 133.529 5.10 3 181.054 11.74 1.43387 95.1 4 -127.668 0.20 5 257.936 7.03 1.43387 95.1 6 -257.936 7.09 7 165.831 5.74 1.43387 95.1 8 1350.737 0.15 9 126.151 11.11 1.43387 95.1 10 -221.313 0.49 11 63.698 5.87 1.76385 48.5 12 108.416 (variable) 13* 107.013 0.85 2.05090 26.9 14 12.679 5.36 15 -30.111 0.60 1.88300 40.8 16 -401.121 6.78 1.89286 20.4 17 -10.830 0.65 2.00100 29.1 18 -126.500 0.18 19 53.124 2.75 1.78472 25.7 20 -139.718 (variable) 21 -36.661 0.90 1.95375 32.3 22 125.708 3.28 1.92286 18.9 23 -79.329 (variable) 24 270.503 6.86 1.77250 49.6 25* -47.332 0.15 26 43.458 1.10 1.89286 20.4 27 25.980 7.23 1.64000 60.1 28 201.186 (variable) 29 (Aperture) ∞ (Variable) 30 40.484 4.36 1.43875 94.7 31 306.069 1.50 2.00100 29.1 32 54.750 0.50 33 29.017 4.77 1.68893 31.1 34 140.910 0.65 35 19.735 1.50 2.00100 29.1 36 15.738 (variable) 37 -47.638 1.50 1.88300 40.8 38 20.079 4.67 1.80810 22.8 39 218.884 1.50 1.83481 42.7 40* 30.790 (variable) 41 41.142 6.09 1.69895 30.1 42* -141.161 (variable) 43 38.496 8.54 1.43875 94.7 44 -75.909 0.48 45 65.876 1.50 2.00100 29.1 46 24.132 6.98 1.43875 94.7 47 166.008 0.47 48 56.370 10.01 1.43875 94.7 49 -21.522 1.50 2.00100 29.1 50 -31.640 3.96 51 ∞ 33.00 1.60859 46.4 52 ∞ 13.20 1.51633 64.2 53∞5.94 Image plane ∞ Aspheric data Page 13 K = 1.99983e+00 A 4= 1.77649e-05 A 6=-5.29341e-08 A 8= 3.29999e-10 A10= 1.02584e-11 A12=-2.22171e-13 A14= 1.50679e-15 A16=-3.44562e-18 Page 25 K =-1.91921e-01 A 4= 8.11367e-07 A 6= 7.19921e-09 A 8=-1.46342e-10 A10= 1.41032e-12 A12=-6.88616e-15 A14= 1.65877e-17 A16=-1.56715e-20 Page 40 K = 0.00000e+00 A 4=-1.72302e-05 A 6=-2.67174e-09 A 8= 1.60819e-11 Page 42 K = 0.00000e+00 A 4= 6.78995e-06 A 6= 2.54227e-09 A 8=-4.60677e-12 Various data Zoom ratio 51.82 Focal length 7.58 54.55 113.09 245.75 392.70 F-number 1.80 1.80 1.80 3.70 5.91 Half angle of view (°) 35.97 5.76 2.78 1.28 0.80 Image height 5.50 5.50 5.50 5.50 5.50 Lens total length 307.33 307.33 307.33 307.33 307.33 BF 5.94 5.94 5.94 5.94 5.94 d12 0.70 48.40 55.60 57.79 58.25 d20 68.05 4.87 3.80 3.54 3.40 d23 1.81 15.73 9.71 3.32 1.10 d28 3.17 4.73 4.62 9.08 10.98 d29 1.09 1.09 1.09 1.09 1.09 d36 7.48 7.48 7.48 16.69 23.14 d40 13.74 13.74 13.74 8.75 1.74 d42 5.94 5.94 5.94 1.73 2.30 d53 5.94 5.94 5.94 5.94 5.94 Zoom lens group data Group starting plane focal length 1 1 72.15 2 13 -12.90 3 21 -71.58 4 24 36.72 5 29 ∞ 6 30 214.28 7 37 -19.32 8 41 46.21 9 43 54.16 The values ​​of equations (1) to (7) in each numerical example are summarized in Table 1. The values ​​of the variables included in equations (1) to (7) are summarized in Table 2.

[0062] [Table 1]

[0063] [Table 2]

[0064] [Imaging device] FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram of an imaging device. 101 is a zoom lens according to any one of Examples 1 to 5. 126 is a camera (imaging unit, imaging device body). The zoom lens 101 is detachable from the camera 126. 127 is an imaging device configured by attaching the zoom lens 101 to the camera 126. The zoom lens 101 has a first lens group, a first variable magnification lens group, an intermediate lens group, a second variable magnification lens group, and a rear lens group. In FIG. 16, the first lens group is designated as lens group F, the first variable magnification lens group as lens group LZ1, the intermediate lens group as lens group M, the second variable magnification lens group as lens group LZ2, and the rear lens group as lens group R. As described above, the first lens group moves in whole or in part for focusing. In the figure, SP denotes an aperture stop, and 114, 115, and 116 denote drive mechanisms, including, for example, helicoids and cams, for driving the focusing lens group and the zoom lens group, respectively. Also, 117, 118, 119, and 120 denote motors (actuators) for driving the drive mechanisms 114, 115, and 116 and the aperture stop SP. 121, 122, 124, and 124 denote detectors, including, for example, encoders, potentiometers, and photosensors, for detecting the positions of the focusing lens group and the lens group LZ and the aperture diameter of the aperture stop SP. In the camera 126, 109 denotes a glass block including, for example, an optical filter, and 110 denotes an image sensor (photoelectric conversion element) including, for example, a CCD or CMOS device, for capturing (capturing) the subject image formed by the zoom lens 101. Furthermore, reference numerals 111 and 125 denote processing units including a processor such as a CPU that perform various processes and controls in the zoom lens 101 and the camera 126, respectively. By applying the zoom lens of each embodiment to an imaging device, it is possible to provide a useful imaging device that enjoys the advantageous effects of the zoom lens of each embodiment.

[0065] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration. (Configuration 1) A zoom lens having a first variable magnification lens group including a plurality of lens groups that move during zooming, and a second variable magnification lens group including a plurality of lens groups that move during zooming, which are arranged in order from the object side to the image side, the zoom lens has a first zoom range from a wide-angle end to a first zoom position, and a second zoom range from the first zoom position to a second zoom position that is closer to a telephoto side than the first zoom position, in the first zoom range, during zooming, the plurality of lens groups included in the first variable magnification lens group move, and the plurality of lens groups included in the second variable magnification lens group remain stationary; In the second zoom range, the plurality of lens groups included in the first variable magnification lens group and the lens group included in the second variable magnification lens group move during zooming. (Configuration 2) The zoom lens according to configuration 1, further comprising a rear lens unit having positive refractive power that is disposed closest to the image side and does not move during zooming. (Configuration 3) When the lateral magnification of the rear lens group is βr, -0.5<βr<0.5 3. The zoom lens according to configuration 2, wherein the following condition is satisfied: (Configuration 4) When the focal length of the zoom lens at the wide-angle end is fw and the focal length of the rear lens group is fr, 4.0 <fr / fw<10.0 4. The zoom lens according to configuration 2 or 3, wherein the following condition is satisfied: (Configuration 5) the first variable power lens group includes at least one negative lens group, When the lateral magnification of the lens unit with the strongest negative refractive power in the first variable magnification lens unit at the first zoom position is βN1a, -5.0<βN1a<-1.0 5. A zoom lens according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, characterized in that the following condition is satisfied: (Configuration 6) When the zoom ratio from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end of the zoom lens is Z and the zoom ratio from the wide-angle end to the first zoom position is Za, 0.1 <Za / Z<0.4 6. A zoom lens according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, characterized in that the following condition is satisfied: (Configuration 7) the second variable power lens group includes at least one negative lens group, When the lateral magnification at the telephoto end of the lens unit with the strongest negative refractive power in the second variable magnification lens unit is βN2t, -5.0<βN2t<-1.0 7. A zoom lens according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, characterized in that the following condition is satisfied: (Configuration 8) When the zoom ratio of the second variable magnification lens group from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end is Z2, and the zoom ratio of the lens group having the strongest negative refractive power in the second variable magnification lens group from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end is Z2n, 0.7 <Z2n / Z2<1.5 8. A zoom lens according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, characterized in that the following condition is satisfied: (Configuration 9) When the focal length of the zoom lens at the wide-angle end is fw and the focal length of the lens unit with the strongest negative refractive power in the second variable magnification lens unit is fn2, -10.0 <fN2 / fw<-2.0 9. A zoom lens according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, characterized in that the following condition is satisfied: (Configuration 10) 10. A zoom lens according to any one of configurations 1 to 9, further comprising a first lens group having positive refractive power, which is disposed closest to the object and does not move during zooming. (Configuration 11) 11. A zoom lens according to any one of configurations 1 to 10, further comprising an intermediate lens group that is disposed between the first variable magnification lens group and the second variable magnification lens group and does not move during zooming. (Configuration 12) 12. A zoom lens according to any one of configurations 1 to 11, further comprising an aperture stop arranged on the object side of the second variable magnification lens group. (Configuration 13) The zoom lens according to any one of configurations 1 to 12, wherein the first variable magnification lens group consists of a negative lens group, a positive lens group, and a positive lens group, arranged in this order from the object side to the image side. (Configuration 14) The zoom lens according to any one of configurations 1 to 12, wherein the first variable magnification lens group consists of a negative lens group, a negative lens group, and a positive lens group, arranged in this order from the object side to the image side. (Configuration 15) a zoom lens according to any one of configurations 1 to 14; an image sensor for capturing an image formed by the zoom lens.

[0066] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] LZ1 First variable magnification lens group LZ2 2nd variable magnification lens group

Claims

1. A zoom lens having a first variable magnification lens group including a plurality of lens groups that move during zooming, and a second variable magnification lens group including a plurality of lens groups that move during zooming, which are arranged in order from the object side to the image side, the zoom lens has a first zoom range from a wide-angle end to a first zoom position, and a second zoom range from the first zoom position to a second zoom position that is closer to a telephoto side than the first zoom position, In the first zoom range, during zooming, the plurality of lens groups included in the first variable magnification lens group move, and the plurality of lens groups included in the second variable magnification lens group do not move, In the second zoom range, the plurality of lens groups included in the first variable magnification lens group and the lens group included in the second variable magnification lens group move during zooming.

2. 2. The zoom lens according to claim 1, further comprising a rear lens unit having a positive refractive power that is disposed closest to the image side and does not move during zooming.

3. When the lateral magnification of the rear lens group is βr, -0.5<βr<0.5 3. The zoom lens according to claim 2, wherein the following condition is satisfied:

4. When the focal length of the zoom lens at the wide-angle end is fw and the focal length of the rear lens group is fr, 4.0<fr / fw<10.0 4. The zoom lens according to claim 2, wherein the following condition is satisfied:

5. the first variable power lens group includes at least one negative lens group, When the lateral magnification of the lens unit having the strongest negative refractive power in the first variable magnification lens unit at the first zoom position is βN1a, -5.0<βN1a<-1.0 3. The zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein the following condition is satisfied:

6. When the zoom ratio from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end of the zoom lens is Z and the zoom ratio from the wide-angle end to the first zoom position is Za, 0.1<Za / Z<0.4 3. The zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein the following condition is satisfied:

7. the second variable magnification lens group includes at least one negative lens group, When the lateral magnification at the telephoto end of the lens unit with the strongest negative refractive power in the second variable magnification lens unit is βN2t, -5.0<βN2t<-1.0 3. The zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein the following condition is satisfied:

8. When the zoom ratio of the second variable magnification lens group from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end is Z2, and the zoom ratio of the lens group having the strongest negative refractive power in the second variable magnification lens group from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end is Z2n, 0.7<Z2n / Z2<1.5 3. The zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein the following condition is satisfied:

9. When the focal length of the zoom lens at the wide-angle end is fw and the focal length of the lens unit with the strongest negative refractive power in the second variable magnification lens unit is fn2, -10.0<fN2 / fw<-2.0 3. The zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein the following condition is satisfied:

10. 3. A zoom lens according to claim 1, further comprising a first lens group having positive refractive power, which is disposed closest to the object side and does not move during zooming.

11. 3. The zoom lens according to claim 1, further comprising an intermediate lens group that is disposed between the first variable magnification lens group and the second variable magnification lens group and that does not move during zooming.

12. 3. A zoom lens according to claim 1, further comprising an aperture stop arranged on the object side of said second variable magnification lens group.

13. 3. The zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein the first variable magnification lens group comprises, in order from the object side to the image side, a negative lens group, a positive lens group, and a positive lens group.

14. 3. The zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein the first variable magnification lens group comprises, in order from the object side to the image side, a negative lens group, a negative lens group, and a positive lens group.

15. The zoom lens according to claim 1 or 2; an image sensor for capturing an image formed by the zoom lens.

Images