VARIABLE MAGNIFICATION OPTICAL SYSTEM, OPTICAL APPARATUS, AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING VARIABLE MAGNIFICATION OPTICAL SYSTEM

Abstract

A variable magnification optical system including a plurality of lens groups, which is six or more lens groups and comprises a first lens group having positive refractive power and a rear group disposed closer to an image side than the first lens group, is configured so that at varying magnification the distances between the lens groups are varied, the first lens group consists of two or fewer lenses, and both the following conditional expressions are satisfied:

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a variable magnification optical system, an optical apparatus, and a method for manufacturing a variable magnification optical system.

BACKGROUND ART

Variable magnification optical systems used in optical apparatuses, such as cameras for photographs, electronic still cameras, and video cameras, have been proposed (see, e.g., PTL 1).

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

PTL 1

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2020-170102

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

A variable magnification optical system of the present disclosure includes a plurality of lens groups; the plurality of lens groups is six or more lens groups and comprises a first lens group having positive refractive power and a rear group disposed closer to an image side than the first lens group; at varying magnification the distances between the lens groups are varied; the first lens group consists of two or fewer lenses; both the following conditional expressions are satisfied:

$8.00<f1/D1<27\text{.00}$ $1.<M1/D1<12.00$

where

• • f1 is the focal length of the first lens group,
  • D1 is the thickness of the first lens group on an optical axis, and
  • M1 is the amount of movement of the first lens group at varying magnification from a wide-angle end state to a telephoto end state.

A method for manufacturing a variable magnification optical system of the present disclosure is a method for manufacturing a variable magnification optical system including a plurality of lens groups; the plurality of lens groups is six or more lens groups and comprises a first lens group having positive refractive power and a rear group disposed closer to an image side than the first lens group; the method includes arranging so that at varying magnification the distances between the lens groups are varied, the first lens group consists of two or more lenses, and both the following conditional expressions are satisfied:

$8.00<f1/D1<27\text{.00}$ $1.<M1/D1<12.00$

where

• • f1 is the focal length of the first lens group,
  • D1 is the thickness of the first lens group on an optical axis, and
  • M1 is the amount of movement of the first lens group at varying magnification from a wide-angle end state to a telephoto end state.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a variable magnification optical system of a first example focusing on an object at infinity in the wide-angle end state.

FIG. 2A shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the first example focusing on an object at infinity in the wide-angle end state.

FIG. 2B shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the first example focusing on an object at infinity in an intermediate focal length state.

FIG. 2C shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the first example focusing on an object at infinity in the telephoto end state.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a variable magnification optical system of a second example focusing on an object at infinity in the wide-angle end state.

FIG. 4A shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the second example focusing on an object at infinity in the wide-angle end state.

FIG. 4B shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the second example focusing on an object at infinity in an intermediate focal length state.

FIG. 4C shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the second example focusing on an object at infinity in the telephoto end state.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a variable magnification optical system of a third example focusing on an object at infinity in the wide-angle end state.

FIG. 6A shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the third example focusing on an object at infinity in the wide-angle end state.

FIG. 6B shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the third example focusing on an object at infinity in an intermediate focal length state.

FIG. 6C shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the third example focusing on an object at infinity in the telephoto end state.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a variable magnification optical system of a fourth example focusing on an object at infinity in the wide-angle end state.

FIG. 8A shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the fourth example focusing on an object at infinity in the wide-angle end state.

FIG. 8B shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the fourth example focusing on an object at infinity in an intermediate focal length state.

FIG. 8C shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the fourth example focusing on an object at infinity in the telephoto end state.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a variable magnification optical system of a fifth example focusing on an object at infinity in the wide-angle end state.

FIG. 10A shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the fifth example focusing on an object at infinity in the wide-angle end state.

FIG. 10B shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the fifth example focusing on an object at infinity in an intermediate focal length state.

FIG. 10C shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the fifth example focusing on an object at infinity in the telephoto end state.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a variable magnification optical system of a sixth example focusing on an object at infinity in the wide-angle end state.

FIG. 12A shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the sixth example focusing on an object at infinity in the wide-angle end state.

FIG. 12B shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the sixth example focusing on an object at infinity in an intermediate focal length state.

FIG. 12C shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the sixth example focusing on an object at infinity in the telephoto end state.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a variable magnification optical system of a seventh example focusing on an object at infinity in the wide-angle end state.

FIG. 14A shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the seventh example focusing on an object at infinity in the wide-angle end state.

FIG. 14B shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the seventh example focusing on an object at infinity in an intermediate focal length state.

FIG. 14C shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the seventh example focusing on an object at infinity in the telephoto end state.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a variable magnification optical system of an eighth example focusing on an object at infinity in the wide-angle end state.

FIG. 16A shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the eighth example focusing on an object at infinity in the wide-angle end state.

FIG. 16B shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the eighth example focusing on an object at infinity in an intermediate focal length state.

FIG. 16C shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the eighth example focusing on an object at infinity in the telephoto end state.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a variable magnification optical system of a ninth example focusing on an object at infinity in the wide-angle end state.

FIG. 18A shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the ninth example focusing on an object at infinity in the wide-angle end state.

FIG. 18B shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the ninth example focusing on an object at infinity in an intermediate focal length state.

FIG. 18C shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the ninth example focusing on an object at infinity in the telephoto end state.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of a variable magnification optical system of a tenth example focusing on an object at infinity in the wide-angle end state.

FIG. 20A shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the tenth example focusing on an object at infinity in the wide-angle end state.

FIG. 20B shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the tenth example focusing on an object at infinity in an intermediate focal length state.

FIG. 20C shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the tenth example focusing on an object at infinity in the telephoto end state.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of a variable magnification optical system of an eleventh example focusing on an object at infinity in the wide-angle end state.

FIG. 22A shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the eleventh example focusing on an object at infinity in the wide-angle end state.

FIG. 22B shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the eleventh example focusing on an object at infinity in an intermediate focal length state.

FIG. 22C shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the eleventh example focusing on an object at infinity in the telephoto end state.

FIG. 23 schematically shows a camera including a variable magnification optical system of the embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart outlining a method for manufacturing a variable magnification optical system of the embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The following describes a variable magnification optical system, an optical apparatus, and a method for manufacturing a variable magnification optical system of an embodiment of the present application.

A variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment includes a plurality of lens groups; the plurality of lens groups is six or more lens groups and comprises a first lens group having positive refractive power and a rear group disposed closer to an image side than the first lens group; at varying magnification the distances between the lens groups are varied; the first lens group consists of two or fewer lenses; both the following conditional expressions are satisfied:

$\begin{array}{cc}8.00<f1/D1<27\text{.00}& \left(1\right)\end{array}$ $\begin{array}{cc}1.<M1/D1<12.00& \left(2\right)\end{array}$

where

• • f1 is the focal length of the first lens group,
  • D1 is the thickness of the first lens group on an optical axis, and
  • M1 is the amount of movement of the first lens group at varying magnification from a wide-angle end state to a telephoto end state.

The variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment can be reduced in weight by including two or fewer lenses in the first lens group.

Conditional expression (1) restricts the ratio of the focal length of the first lens group to the thickness of the first lens group on an optical axis. The variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, which satisfies conditional expression (1), can appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at varying magnification.

If the value of conditional expression (1) is greater than the upper limit in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the first lens group will be too thin on the optical axis, making it difficult to appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at varying magnification.

The effect of the present embodiment can be ensured by setting the upper limit of conditional expression (1) to 27.00 in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. To further ensure the effect of the present embodiment, the upper limit of conditional expression (1) is preferably set to 26.50, 26.25, 26.10, 25.00, 22.50, 20.00, 17.50, or 15.00, more preferably to 14.00.

If the value of conditional expression (1) is less than the lower limit in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the first lens group will have too strong refractive power, making it difficult to appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at varying magnification.

The effect of the present embodiment can be ensured by setting the lower limit of conditional expression (1) to 8.00 in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. To further ensure the effect of the present embodiment, the lower limit of conditional expression (1) is preferably set to 8.20, 8.40, 8.50, 8.75, 9.00, 9.10, or 9.20, more preferably to 9.30.

Conditional expression (2) restricts the ratio of the amount of movement of the first lens group at varying magnification from a wide-angle end state to a telephoto end state to the thickness of the first lens group on an optical axis. The variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, which satisfies conditional expression (2), can appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at varying magnification.

If the value of conditional expression (2) is greater than the upper limit in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the first lens group will be too thin on the optical axis, making it difficult to appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at varying magnification.

The effect of the present embodiment can be ensured by setting the upper limit of conditional expression (2) to 12.00 in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. To further ensure the effect of the present embodiment, the upper limit of conditional expression (2) is preferably set to 11.75, 11.50, 11.25, 11.00, 10.90, or 10.80, more preferably to 10.70.

If the value of conditional expression (2) is less than the lower limit in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the amount of movement of the first lens group will be too large, making it difficult to appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at varying magnification.

The effect of the present embodiment can be ensured by setting the lower limit of conditional expression (2) to 1.00 in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. To further ensure the effect of the present embodiment, the lower limit of conditional expression (2) is preferably set to 1.25, 1.50, 1.75, 2.00, 2.25, or 2.50, more preferably to 2.60.

A variable magnification optical system satisfying both conditional expressions (1) and (2) can appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at varying magnification.

In the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the rear group preferably includes a first negative lens group having negative refractive power, and the following conditional expression is preferably satisfied:

$\begin{array}{cc}1.00<f1/\left(-\mathrm{fN}1\right)<8.00& \left(3\right)\end{array}$

where

• • fN1 is the focal length of the first negative lens group.

Conditional expression (3) restricts the ratio of the focal length of the first lens group to that of the first negative lens group. The variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, which satisfies conditional expression (3), can appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at varying magnification.

If the value of conditional expression (3) is greater than the upper limit in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the first negative lens group will have too strong refractive power, making it difficult to appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at varying magnification.

The effect of the present embodiment can be ensured by setting the upper limit of conditional expression (3) to 8.00 in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. To further ensure the effect of the present embodiment, the upper limit of conditional expression (3) is preferably set to 7.75, 7.50, 7.25, 7.00, 6.85, or 6.75, more preferably to 6.65.

If the value of conditional expression (3) is less than the lower limit in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the first lens group will have too strong refractive power, making it difficult to appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at varying magnification.

The effect of the present embodiment can be ensured by setting the lower limit of conditional expression (3) to 1.00 in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. To further ensure the effect of the present embodiment, the lower limit of conditional expression (3) is preferably set to 1.25, 1.50, 1.75, 2.00, 2.25, 2.50, 2.75, 3.00, or 3.25, more preferably to 3.50.

In the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the rear group preferably includes a first negative lens group having negative refractive power, and a second negative lens group having negative refractive power and disposed closer to the image side than the first negative lens group, and the following expression is preferably satisfied:

$\begin{array}{cc}0.10<f1/\left(-\mathrm{fN}2\right)<5.00& \left(4\right)\end{array}$

where

• • fN2 is the focal length of the second negative lens group.

Conditional expression (4) restricts the ratio of the focal length of the first lens group to that of the second negative lens group. The variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, which satisfies conditional expression (4), can appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at varying magnification.

If the value of conditional expression (4) is greater than the upper limit in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the second negative lens group will have too strong refractive power, making it difficult to appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at varying magnification.

The effect of the present embodiment can be ensured by setting the upper limit of conditional expression (4) to 5.00 in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. To further ensure the effect of the present embodiment, the upper limit of conditional expression (4) is preferably set to 4.85, 4.75, 4.60, 4.50, or 4.25, more preferably to 4.00.

If the value of conditional expression (4) is less than the lower limit in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the first lens group will have too strong refractive power, making it difficult to appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at varying magnification.

The effect of the present embodiment can be ensured by setting the lower limit of conditional expression (4) to 0.10 in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. To further ensure the effect of the present embodiment, the lower limit of conditional expression (4) is preferably set to 0.11, 0.12, 0.25, 0.30, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, 1.25, or 1.75, more preferably to 2.00.

In the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the rear group preferably includes a first negative lens group having negative refractive power, and a second negative lens group having negative refractive power and disposed closer to the image side than the first negative lens group, and the following expression is preferably satisfied:

$\begin{array}{cc}0.01<\mathrm{fN}1/\mathrm{fN}2<1.& \left(5\right)\end{array}$

where

• • fN1 is the focal length of the first negative lens group, and
  • fN2 is the focal length of the second negative lens group.

Conditional expression (5) restricts the ratio of the focal length of the first negative lens group to that of the second negative lens group. The variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, which satisfies conditional expression (5), can appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at varying magnification.

If the value of conditional expression (5) is greater than the upper limit in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the second negative lens group will have too strong refractive power, making it difficult to appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at varying magnification.

The effect of the present embodiment can be ensured by setting the upper limit of conditional expression (5) to 1.00 in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. To further ensure the effect of the present embodiment, the upper limit of conditional expression (5) is preferably set to 0.95, 0.90, 0.85, 0.80, 0.75, or 0.70, more preferably to 0.65.

If the value of conditional expression (5) is less than the lower limit in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the first negative lens group will have too strong refractive power, making it difficult to appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at varying magnification.

The effect of the present embodiment can be ensured by setting the lower limit of conditional expression (5) to 0.01 in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. To further ensure the effect of the present embodiment, the lower limit of conditional expression (5) is preferably set to 0.02, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, or 0.25, more preferably to 0.30.

In the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the first negative lens group is preferably a lens group disposed closest to an object side of lens groups having negative refractive power in the rear group.

The variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment having such a configuration can appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at varying magnification.

In the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the rear group preferably includes a first positive lens group having positive refractive power, and the following conditional expression is preferably satisfied:

$\begin{array}{cc}0.75<f1/\mathrm{fP}1<5.& \left(6\right)\end{array}$

where

• • fP1 is the focal length of the first positive lens group.

Conditional expression (6) restricts the ratio of the focal length of the first lens group to that of the first positive lens group. The variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, which satisfies conditional expression (6), can appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at varying magnification.

If the value of conditional expression (6) is greater than the upper limit in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the first positive lens group will have too strong refractive power, making it difficult to appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at varying magnification.

The effect of the present embodiment can be ensured by setting the upper limit of conditional expression (6) to 5.00 in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. To further ensure the effect of the present embodiment, the upper limit of conditional expression (6) is preferably set to 4.90, 4.80, 4.75, 4.70, 4.60, or 4.50, more preferably to 4.45.

If the value of conditional expression (6) is less than the lower limit in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the first lens group will have too strong refractive power, making it difficult to appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at varying magnification.

The effect of the present embodiment can be ensured by setting the lower limit of conditional expression (6) to 0.75 in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. To further ensure the effect of the present embodiment, the lower limit of conditional expression (6) is preferably set to 0.80, 0.85, 0.90, 0.95, 1.00, 1.05, 1.10, or 1.15, more preferably to 1.20.

In the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the rear group preferably includes a first positive lens group having positive refractive power, and a first negative lens group having negative refractive power and disposed closer to the image side than the first positive lens group, and the following conditional expression is preferably satisfied:

$\begin{array}{cc}0.75<\mathrm{fP}1/\left(-\mathrm{fN}1\right)<4.5& \left(7\right)\end{array}$

where

• • fP1 is the focal length of the first positive lens group, and
  • fN1 is the focal length of the first negative lens group.

Conditional expression (7) restricts the ratio of the focal length of the first positive lens group to that of the first negative lens group. The variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, which satisfies conditional expression (7), can appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at varying magnification.

If the value of conditional expression (7) is greater than the upper limit in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the first negative lens group will have too strong refractive power, making it difficult to appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at varying magnification.

The effect of the present embodiment can be ensured by setting the upper limit of conditional expression (7) to 4.50 in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. To further ensure the effect of the present embodiment, the upper limit of conditional expression (7) is preferably set to 4.35, 4.25, 4.10, 4.00, or 3.90, more preferably to 3.85.

If the value of conditional expression (7) is less than the lower limit in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the first positive lens group will have too strong refractive power, making it difficult to appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at varying magnification.

The effect of the present embodiment can be ensured by setting the lower limit of conditional expression (7) to 0.75 in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. To further ensure the effect of the present embodiment, the lower limit of conditional expression (7) is preferably set to 0.85, 0.95, 1.00, 1.10, 1.20, 1.50, or 1.70, more preferably to 2.00.

In the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the rear group preferably includes a first positive lens group having positive refractive power, and a first negative lens group having negative refractive power and disposed closer to the image side than the first positive lens group, and the following conditional expression is preferably satisfied:

$\begin{array}{cc}1.<\mathrm{MP}1/\mathrm{MN}1<20.& \left(8\right)\end{array}$

where

• • MP1 is the amount of movement of the first positive lens group at varying magnification from the wide-angle end state to the telephoto end state, and
  • MN1 is the amount of movement of the first negative lens group at varying magnification from the wide-angle end state to the telephoto end state.

Conditional expression (8) restricts the ratio of the amount of movement of the first positive lens group at varying magnification to that of the first negative lens group at varying magnification. The variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, which satisfies conditional expression (8), can appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at varying magnification.

If the value of conditional expression (8) is greater than the upper limit in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the amount of movement of the first negative lens group will be too small, making it difficult to appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at varying magnification.

The effect of the present embodiment can be ensured by setting the upper limit of conditional expression (8) to 20.00 in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. To further ensure the effect of the present embodiment, the upper limit of conditional expression (8) is preferably set to 18.00, 15.00, 12.25, 10.00, 9.00, 7.50, 6.00, 5.50, 5.00, 4.50, or 4.00, more preferably to 3.50.

If the value of conditional expression (8) is less than the lower limit in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the amount of movement of the first positive lens group will be too small, making it difficult to appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at varying magnification.

The effect of the present embodiment can be ensured by setting the lower limit of conditional expression (8) to 1.00 in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. To further ensure the effect of the present embodiment, the lower limit of conditional expression (8) is preferably set to 1.10, 1.25, 1.40, 1.50, 1.60, or 1.75, more preferably to 1.90.

In the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the rear group preferably includes a first positive lens group having positive refractive power, and a second positive lens group having positive refractive power and disposed closer to the image side than the first positive lens group.

The variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment having such a configuration can appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at varying magnification.

The variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment preferably satisfies the following conditional expression:

$\begin{array}{cc}0.25<\mathrm{fP}1/\mathrm{fP}2<3.5& \left(9\right)\end{array}$

where

• • fP1 is the focal length of the first positive lens group, and
  • fP2 is the focal length of the second positive lens group.

Conditional expression (9) restricts the ratio of the focal length of the first positive lens group to that of the second positive lens group. The variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, which satisfies conditional expression (9), can appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at varying magnification.

If the value of conditional expression (9) is greater than the upper limit in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the second positive lens group will have too strong refractive power, making it difficult to appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at varying magnification.

The effect of the present embodiment can be ensured by setting the upper limit of conditional expression (9) to 3.50 in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. To further ensure the effect of the present embodiment, the upper limit of conditional expression (9) is preferably set to 3.45, 3.40, 3.35, 3.30, or 3.25, more preferably to 3.20.

If the value of conditional expression (9) is less than the lower limit in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the first positive lens group will have too strong refractive power, making it difficult to appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at varying magnification.

The effect of the present embodiment can be ensured by setting the lower limit of conditional expression (9) to 0.25 in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. To further ensure the effect of the present embodiment, the lower limit of conditional expression (9) is preferably set to 0.28, 0.30, 0.35, 0.45, 0.50, or 0.60, more preferably to 0.75.

In the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the first positive lens group is preferably a lens group disposed closest to an object side of lens groups having positive refractive power in the rear group.

The variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment having such a configuration can appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at varying magnification.

In the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the rear group preferably includes a positive focusing group having positive refractive power and configured to move along the optical axis at focusing, and the following conditional expression is preferably satisfied:

$\begin{array}{cc}0.75<f1/\mathrm{fFP}<4.5& \left(10\right)\end{array}$

where

• • fFP is the focal length of the positive focusing group.

Conditional expression (10) restricts the ratio of the focal length of the first lens group to that of the positive focusing group. The variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, which satisfies conditional expression (10), can appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at focusing and at varying magnification.

If the value of conditional expression (10) is greater than the upper limit in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the positive focusing group will have too strong refractive power, making it difficult to appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at focusing.

The effect of the present embodiment can be ensured by setting the upper limit of conditional expression (10) to 4.50 in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. To further ensure the effect of the present embodiment, the upper limit of conditional expression (10) is preferably set to 4.25, 4.15, 4.00, 3.50, 3.25, 3.00, 2.75, 2.60, or 2.25, more preferably to 2.00.

If the value of conditional expression (10) is less than the lower limit in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the first lens group will have too strong refractive power, making it difficult to appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at varying magnification.

The effect of the present embodiment can be ensured by setting the lower limit of conditional expression (10) to 0.75 in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. To further ensure the effect of the present embodiment, the lower limit of conditional expression (10) is preferably set to 0.80, 0.90, or 0.95, more preferably to 1.00.

In the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the rear group preferably includes a positive focusing group having positive refractive power and configured to move along the optical axis at focusing, and the following conditional expression is preferably satisfied:

$\begin{array}{cc}-3.5<\mathrm{fFP}/\mathrm{fRPw}<-0.5& \left(11\right)\end{array}$

where

• • fFP is the focal length of the positive focusing group, and
  • fRPw is a combined focal length in the wide-angle end state of one or more lens groups disposed closer to the image side than the positive focusing group.

Conditional expression (11) restricts the ratio of the focal length of the positive focusing group to a combined focal length in the wide-angle end state of the lens groups disposed closer to the image side than the positive focusing group. The variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, which satisfies conditional expression (11), can appropriately reduce aberrations including coma aberration in the wide-angle end state and appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at focusing.

If the value of conditional expression (11) is greater than the upper limit in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the lens groups disposed closer to the image side than the positive focusing group will have too strong refractive power in the wide- angle end state, making it difficult to appropriately reduce aberrations including coma aberration in the wide-angle end state.

The effect of the present embodiment can be ensured by setting the upper limit of conditional expression (11) to −0.50 in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. To further ensure the effect of the present embodiment, the upper limit of conditional expression (11) is preferably set to −0.55, −0.60, or −0.65, more preferably to −0.70.

If the value of conditional expression (11) is less than the lower limit in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the positive focusing group will have too strong refractive power, making it difficult to appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at focusing.

The effect of the present embodiment can be ensured by setting the lower limit of conditional expression (11) to −3.50 in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. To further ensure the effect of the present embodiment, the lower limit of conditional expression (11) is preferably set to −3.40, −3.30, −3.25, or −3.20, more preferably to −3.15.

In the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the rear group preferably includes a negative focusing group having negative refractive power and configured to move along the optical axis at focusing, and the following conditional expression is preferably satisfied:

$\begin{array}{cc}0.1<f1/\left(-\mathrm{fFN}\right)<4.& \left(12\right)\end{array}$

where

• • fFN is the focal length of the negative focusing group.

Conditional expression (12) restricts the ratio of the focal length of the first lens group to that of the negative focusing group. The variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, which satisfies conditional expression (12), can appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at focusing and at varying magnification.

If the value of conditional expression (12) is greater than the upper limit in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the negative focusing group will have too strong refractive power, making it difficult to appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at focusing.

The effect of the present embodiment can be ensured by setting the upper limit of conditional expression (12) to 4.00 in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. To further ensure the effect of the present embodiment, the upper limit of conditional expression (12) is preferably set to 3.90, 3.80, 3.55, or 3.25, more preferably to 3.00.

If the value of conditional expression (12) is less than the lower limit in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the first lens group will have too strong refractive power, making it difficult to appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at varying magnification.

The effect of the present embodiment can be ensured by setting the lower limit of conditional expression (12) to 0.10 in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. To further ensure the effect of the present embodiment, the lower limit of conditional expression (12) is preferably set to 0.12, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, or 1.00, more preferably to 1.25.

In the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the rear group preferably includes a negative focusing group having negative refractive power and configured to move along the optical axis at focusing, and the following conditional expression is preferably satisfied:

$\begin{array}{cc}-25.<\left(-\mathrm{fFN}\right)/\mathrm{fRNw}<1.& \left(13\right)\end{array}$

where

• • fFN is the focal length of the negative focusing group, and
  • fRNw is a combined focal length in the wide-angle end state of one or more lens groups disposed closer to the image side than the negative focusing group.

Conditional expression (13) restricts the ratio of the focal length of the negative focusing group to the focal length in the wide-angle end state of the lens groups disposed closer to the image side than the negative focusing group. The variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, which satisfies conditional expression (13), can appropriately reduce aberrations including coma aberration in the wide-angle end state and appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at focusing.

If the value of conditional expression (13) is greater than the upper limit in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the lens groups disposed closer to the image side than the negative focusing group will have too strong refractive power in the wide- angle end state, making it difficult to appropriately reduce aberrations including coma aberration in the wide-angle end state.

The effect of the present embodiment can be ensured by setting the upper limit of conditional expression (13) to 1.00 in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. To further ensure the effect of the present embodiment, the upper limit of conditional expression (13) is preferably set to 0.90, 0.80, 0.75, 0.70, 0.65, 0.60, or 0.55, more preferably to 0.50.

If the value of conditional expression (13) is less than the lower limit in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the negative focusing group will have too strong refractive power, making it difficult to appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at focusing.

The effect of the present embodiment can be ensured by setting the lower limit of conditional expression (13) to −25.00 in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. To further ensure the effect of the present embodiment, the lower limit of conditional expression (13) is preferably set to −24.00, −20.00, −17.50, −15.00, −12.25, −10.00, −7.50, −5.00, or −2.50, more preferably to −1.50.

In the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, a final lens group disposed closest to the image side of lens groups in the rear group preferably has negative refractive power, and the following conditional expression is preferably satisfied:

$\begin{array}{cc}0.1<f1/\left(-\mathrm{fR}\right)<5.& \left(14\right)\end{array}$

where

• • fR is the focal length of the final lens group.

Conditional expression (14) restricts the ratio of the focal length of the first lens group to that of the final lens group. The variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, which satisfies conditional expression (14), can appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at varying magnification.

If the value of conditional expression (14) is greater than the upper limit in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the final lens group will have too strong refractive power, making it difficult to appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including coma aberration at varying magnification.

The effect of the present embodiment can be ensured by setting the upper limit of conditional expression (14) to 5.00 in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. To further ensure the effect of the present embodiment, the upper limit of conditional expression (14) is preferably set to 4.95, 4.90, 4.85, 4.50, 4.25, or 4.00, more preferably to 3.75.

If the value of conditional expression (14) is less than the lower limit in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the first lens group will have too strong refractive power, making it difficult to appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at varying magnification.

The effect of the present embodiment can be ensured by setting the lower limit of conditional expression (14) to 0.10 in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. To further ensure the effect of the present embodiment, the lower limit of conditional expression (14) is preferably set to 0.25, 0.40, 0.50, 0.60, or 0.70, more preferably to 0.75.

In the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, a final lens group disposed closest to the image side of lens groups in the rear group preferably has positive refractive power, and the following conditional expression is preferably satisfied:

$\begin{array}{cc}0.1<f1/\mathrm{fR}<1.5& \left(15\right)\end{array}$

where

• • fR is the focal length of the final lens group.

Conditional expression (15) restricts the ratio of the focal length of the first lens group to that of the final lens group. The variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, which satisfies conditional expression (15), can appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at varying magnification.

If the value of conditional expression (15) is greater than the upper limit in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the final lens group will have too strong refractive power, making it difficult to appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including coma aberration at varying magnification.

The effect of the present embodiment can be ensured by setting the upper limit of conditional expression (15) to 1.50 in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. To further ensure the effect of the present embodiment, the upper limit of conditional expression (15) is preferably set to 1.40, 1.30, 1.25, 1.20, 1.15, or 1.10, more preferably to 1.05.

If the value of conditional expression (15) is less than the lower limit in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the first lens group will have too strong refractive power, making it difficult to appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at varying magnification.

The effect of the present embodiment can be ensured by setting the lower limit of conditional expression (15) to 0.10 in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. To further ensure the effect of the present embodiment, the lower limit of conditional expression (15) is preferably set to 0.15, 0.20, 0.25, or 0.30, more preferably to 0.35.

In the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the first lens group preferably includes at least one lens satisfying both the following conditional expressions:

$\begin{array}{cc}1.45<\mathrm{nd}1<2.1& \left(16\right)\end{array}$ $\begin{array}{cc}20.<\mathrm{vd}1<75.& \left(17\right)\end{array}$

where

• • nd1 is the refractive index for d-line of the lens in the first lens group, and
  • κd1 is the Abbe number for d-line of the lens in the first lens group.

Conditional expression (16) restricts the refractive index for d-line of the lens in the first lens group, and conditional expression (17) the Abbe number for d-line of the lens in the first lens group. The variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment can favorably correct chromatic aberration and aberrations including spherical aberration in the telephoto end state by including at least one lens satisfying both conditional expressions (16) and (17) in the first lens group.

If the value of conditional expression (16) is greater than the upper limit in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the final lens group will have too strong refractive power, making it difficult to appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including coma aberration at varying magnification.

The effect of the present embodiment can be ensured by setting the upper limit of conditional expression (16) to 2.10 in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. To further ensure the effect of the present embodiment, the upper limit of conditional expression (16) is preferably set to 2.05 or 2.00, more preferably to 1.98.

If the value of conditional expression (16) is less than the lower limit in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the lens in the first lens group will have too weak refractive power, making it difficult to favorably correct aberrations including spherical aberration in the telephoto end state.

The effect of the present embodiment can be ensured by setting the lower limit of conditional expression (16) to 1.45 in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment.

To further ensure the effect of the present embodiment, the lower limit of conditional expression (16) is preferably set to 1.48, 1.50, 1.53, or 1.55, more preferably to 1.57.

If the value of conditional expression (17) is greater than the upper limit in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the dispersion of the lens in the first lens group will be too small, making it difficult to favorably correct chromatic aberration in the telephoto end state.

The effect of the present embodiment can be ensured by setting the upper limit of conditional expression (17) to 75.00 in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. To further ensure the effect of the present embodiment, the upper limit of conditional expression (17) is preferably set to 74.00, 72.50, 71.00, or 70.00, more preferably to 68.50.

If the value of conditional expression (17) is less than the lower limit in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the dispersion of the lens in the first lens group will be too small, making it difficult to favorably correct chromatic aberration in the telephoto end state.

The effect of the present embodiment can be ensured by setting the lower limit of conditional expression (17) to 20.00 in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. To further ensure the effect of the present embodiment, the lower limit of conditional expression (17) is preferably set to 21.00 or 22.50, more preferably to 23.00.

In the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the lens disposed closest to the image side preferably satisfies the following conditional expression:

$\begin{array}{cc}-12.<\left(r2-r1\right)/\left(r2+r1\right)<2.& \left(18\right)\end{array}$

where

• • r1 is the radius of curvature of an object-side lens surface of the lens disposed closest to the image side, and
  • r2 is the radius of curvature of an image-side lens surface of the lens disposed closest to the image side.

Conditional expression (18) restricts the shape factor of the lens disposed closest to the image side. The variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, which satisfies conditional expression (18), can appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including coma aberration at varying magnification.

If the value of conditional expression (18) is greater than the upper limit in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the lens disposed closest to the image side will not be able to correct coma aberration appropriately, making it difficult to appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including coma aberration at varying magnification.

The effect of the present embodiment can be ensured by setting the upper limit of conditional expression (18) to 2.00 in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. To further ensure the effect of the present embodiment, the upper limit of conditional expression (18) is preferably set to 1.90 or 1.80, more preferably to 1.75.

If the value of conditional expression (18) is less than the lower limit in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the lens disposed closest to the image side will not be able to correct coma aberration appropriately, making it difficult to appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including coma aberration at varying magnification.

The effect of the present embodiment can be ensured by setting the lower limit of conditional expression (18) to −12.00 in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. To further ensure the effect of the present embodiment, the lower limit of conditional expression (18) is preferably set to −11.75, −11.50, −11.25, −10.00, −7.50, or −5.00, more preferably to −3.00.

In the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the rear group preferably includes a negative focusing group having negative refractive power and configured to move along the optical axis at focusing, and the following conditional expression is preferably satisfied:

$\begin{array}{cc}0.75<\mathrm{fN}/\mathrm{fFN}<30.& \left(19\right)\end{array}$

where

• • fN is the focal length of a lens group having the weakest refractive power of lens groups having negative refractive power in the rear group, and
  • fFN is the focal length of the negative focusing group.

Conditional expression (19) restricts the ratio of the focal length of a lens group having the weakest refractive power of lens groups having negative refractive power in the rear group to the focal length of the negative focusing group. The variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, which satisfies conditional expression (19), can appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at focusing and at varying magnification. If the value of conditional expression (19) is greater than the upper limit in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the negative focusing group will have too strong refractive power, making it difficult to appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at focusing.

The effect of the present embodiment can be ensured by setting the upper limit of conditional expression (19) to 30.00 in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. To further ensure the effect of the present embodiment, the upper limit of conditional expression (19) is preferably set to 28.00, 27.00, 25.00, 20.00, 17.50, 15.00, 12.25, 10.00, 7.50, or 5.00, more preferably to 3.50.

If the value of conditional expression (19) is less than the lower limit in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the refractive power of the lens group having the weakest refractive power of lens groups having negative refractive power in the rear group will be too strong, making it difficult to appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at varying magnification.

The effect of the present embodiment can be ensured by setting the lower limit of conditional expression (19) to 0.75 in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. To further ensure the effect of the present embodiment, the lower limit of conditional expression (19) is preferably set to 0.80, 0.85, or 0.90, more preferably to 0.95.

The variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment preferably satisfies the following conditional expression:

$\begin{array}{cc}\mathrm{Fnot}<7.& \left(20\right)\end{array}$

where

• • Fnot is the f-number of the variable magnification optical system in the telephoto end state.

Conditional expression (20) restricts the f-number of the variable magnification optical system in the telephoto end state. The variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, which satisfies conditional expression (20), can take in a large amount of light.

The effect of the present embodiment can be ensured by setting the upper limit of conditional expression (20) to 7.00 in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. To further ensure the effect of the present embodiment, the upper limit of conditional expression (20) is preferably set to 6.90, 6.80, 6.70, 6.60, 6.00, or 5.00, more preferably to 4.50.

In the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, a lens group that is second closest to the image side of lens groups in the rear group preferably moves along the optical axis at focusing.

The variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment having such a configuration can appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at focusing.

The variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment preferably satisfies the following conditional expression:

$\begin{array}{cc}0.1<\mathrm{Bfw}/\mathrm{fw}<0.95& \left(21\right)\end{array}$

where

• • Bfw is the back focus of the variable magnification optical system in the wide-angle end state, and
  • fw is the focal length of the variable magnification optical system in the wide-angle end state.

Conditional expression (21) restricts the ratio of the back focus of the variable magnification optical system in the wide-angle end state to the focal length of the variable magnification optical system in the wide-angle end state. The variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, which satisfies conditional expression (21), can be avoided upsizing and favorably correct aberrations including coma aberration in the wide-angle end state.

If the value of conditional expression (21) is greater than the upper limit in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the back focus will be too long, making it difficult to avoid the optical system upsizing.

The effect of the present embodiment can be ensured by setting the upper limit of conditional expression (21) to 0.95 in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. To further ensure the effect of the present embodiment, the upper limit of conditional expression (21) is preferably set to 0.90, 0.85, or 0.80, more preferably to 0.75.

If the value of conditional expression (21) is less than the lower limit in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the position of an exit pupil will be too close to an image plane, making it difficult to favorably correct aberrations including coma aberration in the wide-angle end state.

The effect of the present embodiment can be ensured by setting the lower limit of conditional expression (21) to 0.10 in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. To further ensure the effect of the present embodiment, the lower limit of conditional expression (21) is preferably set to 0.15, 0.20, 0.25, 0.30, or 0.35, more preferably to 0.40.

In the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the first lens group preferably moves toward an object side at varying magnification from the wide-angle end state to the telephoto end state.

The variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment having such a configuration can be downsized and appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at varying magnification.

In the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the first lens group preferably consists of, in order from an object side, a negative lens and a positive lens.

The variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment having such a configuration can be reduced in weight and favorably correct aberrations including spherical aberration in the telephoto end state.

In the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the first lens group preferably consists of a positive lens.

The variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment having such a configuration can be reduced in weight and favorably correct aberrations including spherical aberration in the telephoto end state.

In the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the rear group preferably includes a first focusing group and a second focusing group that move along the optical axis at focusing.

The variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment having such a configuration can appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at focusing.

The variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment preferably satisfies the following conditional expression:

$\begin{array}{cc}0.2<❘\mathrm{fF}1❘/❘\mathrm{fF}2❘<30.& \left(22\right)\end{array}$

where

• • fF1 is the focal length of the first focusing group, and
  • fF2 is the focal length of the second focusing group.

Conditional expression (22) restricts the ratio of the focal length of the first focusing group to that of the second focusing group. The variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, which satisfies conditional expression (22), can appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at focusing.

If the value of conditional expression (22) is greater than the upper limit in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the second focusing group will have too strong refractive power, making it difficult to appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at focusing.

The effect of the present embodiment can be ensured by setting the upper limit of conditional expression (22) to 30.00 in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. To further ensure the effect of the present embodiment, the upper limit of conditional expression (22) is preferably set to 27.00, 25.00, 10.00, 2.00, 1.95, 1.90, 1.85, or 1.80, more preferably to 1.75.

If the value of conditional expression (22) is less than the lower limit in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the first focusing group will have too strong refractive power, making it difficult to appropriately reduce variations in aberrations including spherical aberration at varying magnification.

The effect of the present embodiment can be ensured by setting the lower limit of conditional expression (22) to 0.20 in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. To further ensure the effect of the present embodiment, the lower limit of conditional expression (22) is preferably set to 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, 0.40, or 0.45, more preferably to 0.50.

In the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, at least one positive lens in the rear group preferably satisfies the following first conditional expression for dispersion:

$\begin{array}{cc}\mathrm{vdP}1<45.& \left(23\right)\end{array}$

where

• • κdP1 is the Abbe number for d-line of the positive lens in the rear group.

First conditional expression (23) for dispersion restricts the Abbe number for d-line of the positive lens in the rear group. The variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment can correct chromatic aberration favorably by including a positive lens satisfying first conditional expression (23) for dispersion in the rear group.

The effect of the present embodiment can be ensured by setting the upper limit of first conditional expression (23) for dispersion to 45.00 in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. To further ensure the effect of the present embodiment, the upper limit of first conditional expression (23) for dispersion is preferably set to 43.00, 40.00, 35.00, or 30.00, more preferably to 28.50.

In the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the positive lens satisfying first conditional expression (23) for dispersion is preferably included in a negative lens group having negative refractive power of lens groups in the rear group.

The variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment having such a configuration can correct chromatic aberration more favorably.

In the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, at least one negative lens in the rear group preferably satisfies the following second conditional expression for dispersion:

$\begin{array}{cc}60.<\mathrm{vdN}& \left(24\right)\end{array}$

where

• • κdN is the Abbe number for d-line of the negative lens in the rear group.

Second conditional expression (24) for dispersion restricts the Abbe number for d-line of the negative lens in the rear group. The variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment can correct chromatic aberration favorably by including a negative lens satisfying second conditional expression (24) for dispersion.

The effect of the present embodiment can be ensured by setting the lower limit of second conditional expression (24) for dispersion to 60.00 in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. To further ensure the effect of the present embodiment, the lower limit of second conditional expression (24) for dispersion is preferably set to 62.50, 65.00, or 67.50, more preferably to 75.00.

In the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, the negative lens satisfying second conditional expression (24) for dispersion is preferably included in a final lens group disposed closest to the image side of lens groups in the rear group.

The variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment having such a configuration can correct chromatic aberration more favorably.

In the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment, at least one lens group having positive refractive power of lens groups in the rear group preferably includes a positive lens satisfying the following third conditional expression for dispersion:

$\begin{array}{cc}60.<\mathrm{vdP}2& \left(25\right)\end{array}$

where

• • κdP2 is the Abbe number for d-line of the positive lens in the rear group.

Third conditional expression (25) for dispersion restricts the Abbe number for d-line of the positive lens in the rear group. The variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment can correct chromatic aberration favorably by including a positive lens satisfying third conditional expression (25) for dispersion in the lens groups having positive refractive power.

The effect of the present embodiment can be ensured by setting the lower limit of third conditional expression (25) for dispersion to 60.00 in the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. To further ensure the effect of the present embodiment, the lower limit of third conditional expression (25) for dispersion is preferably set to 62.50, 65.00, or 67.50, more preferably to 75.00.

A small-sized variable magnification optical system of favorable imaging performance can be achieved by the above configurations.

An optical apparatus of the present embodiment includes a variable magnification optical system having a configuration described above. This enables achieving an optical apparatus of favorable optical performance.

A method for manufacturing a variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment is a method for manufacturing a variable magnification optical system including a plurality of lens groups; the plurality of lens groups is six or more lens groups and comprises a first lens group having positive refractive power and a rear group disposed closer to an image side than the first lens group; the method includes arranging so that at varying magnification the distances between the lens groups are varied, the first lens group consists of two or more lenses, and all of the following conditional expressions are satisfied:

$\begin{array}{cc}8.<f1/D1<27.& \left(1\right)\end{array}$ $\begin{array}{cc}1.<M1/D1<12.& \left(2\right)\end{array}$

where

• • f1 is the focal length of the first lens group,
  • D1 is the thickness of the first lens group on an optical axis, and
  • M1 is the amount of movement of the first lens group at varying magnification from a wide-angle end state to a telephoto end state.

A variable magnification optical system of favorable optical performance can be manufactured by such a method for manufacturing a variable magnification optical system.

NUMERICAL EXAMPLES

Examples of the present application will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First Example

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a variable magnification optical system of a first example focusing on an object at infinity in the wide-angle end state.

The variable magnification optical system of the present example includes, in order from the object side, a first lens group G1 having positive refractive power, a second lens group G2 having negative refractive power, an aperture stop S, a third lens group G3 having positive refractive power, a fourth lens group G4 having positive refractive power, a fifth lens group G5 having positive refractive power, a sixth lens group G6 having positive refractive power, and a seventh lens group G7 having negative refractive power.

The first lens group G1 consists of a positive cemented lens composed of, in order from the object side, a negative meniscus lens L1 convex on the object side and a positive meniscus lens L2 convex on the object side.

The second lens group G2 consists of, in order from the object side, a negative meniscus lens L3 convex on the object side, a biconcave negative lens L4, a biconvex positive lens L5, and a negative meniscus lens L6 concave on the object side.

The third lens group G3 consists of a positive meniscus lens L7 convex on the object side and a biconvex positive lens L8.

The fourth lens group G4 consists of a positive cemented lens composed of, in order from the object side, a negative meniscus lens L9 convex on the object side and a biconvex positive lens L10.

The fifth lens group G5 consists of, in order from the object side, a negative meniscus lens L11 concave on the object side and a biconvex positive lens L12.

The sixth lens group G6 consists of a positive meniscus lens L13 concave on the object side.

The seventh lens group G7 consists of, in order from the object side, a positive meniscus lens L14 concave on the object side, a biconcave negative lens L15, and a negative meniscus lens L16 concave on the object side.

An imaging device (not shown) constructed from CCD, CMOS, or the like is disposed on an image plane I.

The variable magnification optical system of the present example focuses by moving the fifth lens group G5 and the sixth lens group G6 along the optical axis. When focus is shifted from infinity to a nearby object, the fifth lens group G5 and the sixth lens group G6 move from the image side toward the object side.

In the variable magnification optical system of the present example, the second lens group G2, the third lens group G3, the fourth lens group G4, the fifth lens group G5, the sixth lens group G6, and the seventh lens group G7 correspond to the rear group, and the seventh lens group G7 to the final lens group. The second lens group G2 corresponds to the first negative lens group, the third lens group G3 to the first positive lens group, the fourth lens group G4 to the second positive lens group, and the seventh lens group G7 to the second negative lens group. The fifth lens group G5 corresponds to the first focusing group, the sixth lens group G6 to the second focusing group, and the fifth lens group G5 and the sixth lens group G6 to the positive focusing group.

Table 1 below shows specifications of the variable magnification optical system of the present example.

In Table 1, fw denotes the focal length of the variable magnification optical system in the wide- angle end state, ft the focal length of the variable magnification optical system in the telephoto end state, Fnow the f-number of the variable magnification optical system in the wide-angle end state, and Fnot the f-number of the variable magnification optical system in the wide-angle end state. TL denotes the total optical length of the variable magnification optical system focusing on an object at infinity in the wide-angle end state, and Bf the back focus of the variable magnification optical system.

In Table 1, m denotes the places of optical surfaces counted from the object side, r the radii of curvature, d the surface-to-surface distances, nd the refractive indices for d-line (wavelength 587.6 nm), and vd the Abbe numbers for d-line. The radius of curvature r-∞ means a plane. In [Lens specifications], the optical surfaces with “*” are aspherical surfaces. [Lens specifications] also shows lenses corresponding to the positive lens P1, the negative lens N, and the positive lens P2 regarding conditional expressions (23), (24), and (25), respectively.

In Table 1, m denotes the optical surfaces corresponding to aspherical surface data, K the conic constants, and A4 to A14 the aspherical coefficients.

The aspherical surfaces are expressed by expression (a) below, where y denotes the height in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, S(y) the distance along the optical axis from the tangent plane at the vertex of an aspherical surface to the aspherical surface at height y (a sag), r the radius of curvature of a reference sphere (paraxial radius of curvature), K the conic constant, and An the nth-order aspherical coefficient. In the examples, the second-order aspherical coefficient A2 is 0. “E-n” means “×10⁻ⁿ”

$\begin{array}{cc}S\left(y\right)=\left(y^2/r\right)/\left\{1+{\left(1-K\times y^2/r^2\right)}^{1/2}\right\}+A4\times y^4+A6\times y^6+A8\times y^8+A10\times y^{10}+A12\times y^{12}+A14\times y^{14}& \left(a\right)\end{array}$

The unit of the focal lengths fw and ft, the radii of curvature r, and the other lengths listed in Table 1 is “mm.” However, the unit is not limited thereto because the optical performance of a proportionally enlarged or reduced variable magnification optical system is the same as that of the original optical system.

The above reference symbols in Table 1 will also be used similarly in the tables of the other examples described below.

TABLE 1
[General specifications]
	fw	24.75
	ft	67.90
	Fnow	2.92
	Fnot	2.92
[Lens specifications]
m	r	d	nd	νd	(23)	(24)	(25)
1)	63.844	2.500	1.854505	25.15
2)	43.986	8.128	1.816000	46.59
3)	142.193	d3
*4)	296.632	2.000	1.743890	49.53
5)	19.447	9.683
6)	−100.452	1.300	1.834810	42.73	P1
7)	55.939	0.394
8)	38.386	6.222	1.728250	28.38
9)	−56.749	2.082
10)	−28.124	1.300	1.593490	67.00		N
11)	−72.000	d11
12>	∞	2.257	(aperture stop)
*13)	45.234	2.437	1.820980	42.50	P1
14)	60.836	0.297
15)	39.871	5.325	1.593190	67.90			P2
16)	−156.624	d16
17)	58.428	1.300	1.737999	32.33
18)	19.539	9.700	1.497820	82.57			P2
19)	−57.826	d19
20)	−24.303	1.200	1.720467	34.71
21)	−64.092	0.200
22)	86.286	6.081	1.593490	67.00			P2
23)	−33.001	d23
24)	−72.398	2.669	1.791890	45.04
*25)	−38.022	d25
26)	−44.000	3.018	1.945944	17.98
27)	−32.214	0.200
*28)	−84.205	1.500	1.816000	46.59
29)	107.497	7.335
30)	−26.834	1.400	1.592700	35.27
31)	−54.107	Bf
[Aspherical surface data]
m	K	A4	A6	A8	A10	A12
4)	0.0000	5.67E−06	−6.48E−09	1.59E−11	−2.46E−14	1.99E−17
13)	0.0000	−3.46E−06	2.89E−09	−1.52E−11	2.39E−14
25)	0.0000	1.23E−05	−1.23E−08	2.75E−11	3.33E−14	−1.60E−16
28)	0.0000	−2.18E−06	−1.57E−08	−1.32E−11	1.50E−14
[Focal length data of groups]
	Starting	Focal
Groups	surfaces	lengths
G1	1	138.68
G2	4	−24.42
G3	13	43.63
G4	17	111.65
G5	20	124.10
G6	24	97.77
G7	26	−47.85
[Variable distance data]
		Wide-angle	Telephoto
		end state	end state
	d3	1.800	32.239
	d11	22.304	2.000
	d16	8.637	1.500
	d19	5.489	19.095
	d23	3.541	2.935
	d25	5.473	2.073
	Bf	11.855	28.555

FIG. 2A shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the first example focusing on an object at infinity in the wide-angle end state. FIG. 2B shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the first example focusing on an object at infinity in an intermediate focal length state. FIG. 2C shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the first example focusing on an object at infinity in the telephoto end state.

In the graphs of aberrations, FNO and Y denote f-number and image height, respectively. More specifically, the graphs of spherical aberration show the f-number corresponding to the maximum aperture, the graphs of astigmatism and distortion show the maximum of image height, and the graphs of coma aberration show the values of image height. d and g denote d-line and g-line (wavelength 435.8 nm), respectively. In the graphs of astigmatism, the solid lines and the broken lines show a sagittal plane and a meridional plane, respectively. The reference symbols in the graphs of aberrations of the present example will also be used in those of the other examples described below.

The graphs of aberrations suggest that the variable magnification optical system of the present example effectively reduces variations in aberrations at focusing and at varying magnification and has high optical performance.

Second Example

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a variable magnification optical system of a second example focusing on an object at infinity in the wide-angle end state.

The variable magnification optical system of the present example includes, in order from the object side, a first lens group G1 having positive refractive power, a second lens group G2 having negative refractive power, an aperture stop S, a third lens group G3 having positive refractive power, a fourth lens group G4 having positive refractive power, a fifth lens group G5 having negative refractive power, and a sixth lens group G6 having negative refractive power.

The first lens group G1 consists of a positive cemented lens composed of, in order from the object side, a negative meniscus lens L1 convex on the object side and a positive meniscus lens L2 convex on the object side.

The second lens group G2 consists of, in order from the object side, a negative meniscus lens L3 convex on the object side, a biconcave negative lens L4, and a biconvex positive lens L5.

The third lens group G3 consists of, in order from the object side, a positive meniscus lens L6 convex on the object side, a positive cemented lens composed of a negative meniscus lens L7 convex on the object side and a biconvex positive lens L8, and a negative cemented lens composed of a biconcave negative lens L9 and a biconvex positive lens L10.

The fourth lens group G4 consists of, in order from the object side, a negative meniscus lens L11 concave on the object side and a biconvex positive lens L12.

The fifth lens group G5 consists of a biconcave negative lens L13.

The sixth lens group G6 consists of a biconcave negative lens L14.

An imaging device (not shown) constructed from CCD, CMOS, or the like is disposed on an image plane I.

A filter FL1 is disposed between the optical system of the present example and the image plane I.

The variable magnification optical system of the present example focuses by moving the fourth lens group G4 and the fifth lens group G5 along the optical axis. When focus is shifted from infinity to a nearby object, the fourth lens group G4 moves from the image side toward the object side whereas the fifth lens group G5 moves from the object side toward the image side.

In the variable magnification optical system of the present example, the second lens group G2, the third lens group G3, the fourth lens group G4, the fifth lens group G5, and the sixth lens group G6 correspond to the rear group, and the sixth lens group G6 to the final lens group. The second lens group G2 corresponds to the first negative lens group, the third lens group G3 to the first positive lens group, the fourth lens group G4 to the second positive lens group, and the fifth lens group G5 to the second negative lens group. The fourth lens group G4 corresponds to the first focusing group and the positive focusing group, and the fifth lens group G5 to the second focusing group and the negative focusing group.

Table 2 below shows specifications of the variable magnification optical system of the present example.

In Table 2, Bfw denotes an air-equivalent-length back focus of the variable magnification optical system in the wide-angle end state, and Bft an air-equivalent-length back focus of the variable magnification optical system in the telephoto end state.

TABLE 2
[General specifications]
	fw	24.84
	ft	67.00
	Fnow	4.10
	Fnot	4.10
	Bfw	12.06
	Bft	37.58
[Lens specifications]
	m	r	d	nd	νd	(23)	(24)	(25)
	1)	67.159	1.200	1.846660	23.80
	2)	45.296	8.873	1.755000	52.34
	3)	304.642	d3
	4)	127.887	1.919	1.743890	49.53
	*5)	15.932	14.912
	6)	−57.698	1.500	1.755000	52.34
	7)	199.334	1.013
	8)	69.130	3.648	2.000690	25.46	P1
	9)	−155.105	d9
	10>	∞	1.500	(aperture stop)
	*11)	19.502	5.108	1.553319	71.68			P2
	12)	441.866	0.254
	13)	58.720	1.200	1.834810	42.73
	14)	23.155	5.413	1.618000	63.34			P2
	15)	−53.323	1.992
	16)	−47.176	1.200	1.816000	46.59
	17)	13.539	6.663	1.593190	67.90			P2
	18)	−44.547	d18
	19)	−22.465	1.200	1.801000	34.92	P1
	20)	−31.837	4.063
	21)	37.168	5.930	1.592014	67.02
	*22)	−36.742	d22
	23)	−110.866	1.200	1.589130	61.25		N
	*24)	82.217	d24
	25)	−154.025	1.200	1.618000	63.34		N
	26)	58.288	d26
	27)	∞	1.600	1.516800	64.13
	28)	∞	0.200
[Aspherical surface data]
m	K	A4	A6	A8	A10	A12	A14
5)	−1.0000	2.25E−05	4.00E−08	−2.54E−11	1.56E−12	−7.84E−15	1.86E−17
11)	0.0000	−8.04E−06	−1.10E−08	−6.04E−11	−2.10E−14
22)	0.0000	1.64E−05	−1.39E−08	3.12E−11	−2.27E−13
24)	0.0000	6.46E−06	6.55E−09	−3.77E−11	3.26E−13
[Focal length data of groups]
	Starting	Focal
Groups	surfaces	lengths
G1	1	120.85
G2	4	−31.99
G3	11	38.78
G4	19	42.07
G5	23	−79.95
G6	25	−68.28
[Variable distance data]
		Wide-angle	Telephoto
		end state	end state
	d3	1.520	26.769
	d9	25.467	6.262
	d18	1.666	8.929
	d22	5.905	0.358
	d24	6.655	3.050
	d26	12.200	37.722

FIG. 4A shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the second example focusing on an object at infinity in the wide-angle end state. FIG. 4B shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the second example focusing on an object at infinity in an intermediate focal length state. FIG. 4C shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the second example focusing on an object at infinity in the telephoto end state.

The graphs of aberrations suggest that the variable magnification optical system of the present example effectively reduces variations in aberrations at focusing and at varying magnification and has high optical performance.

Third Example

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a variable magnification optical system of a third example focusing on an object at infinity in the wide-angle end state.

The variable magnification optical system of the present example includes, in order from the object side, a first lens group G1 having positive refractive power, a second lens group G2 having negative refractive power, an aperture stop S, a third lens group G3 having positive refractive power, a fourth lens group G4 having positive refractive power, a fifth lens group G5 having negative refractive power, a sixth lens group G6 having positive refractive power, and a seventh lens group G7 having negative refractive power.

The first lens group G1 consists of a positive meniscus lens L1 convex on the object side.

The second lens group G2 consists of, in order from the object side, a planoconcave negative lens L2 concave on the image side, a positive cemented lens composed of a negative meniscus lens L3 convex on the object side and a positive meniscus lens L4 convex on the object side, and a negative meniscus lens L5 concave on the object side.

The third lens group G3 consists of, in order from the object side, a biconvex positive lens L6, a positive meniscus lens L7 convex on the object side, and a negative meniscus lens L8 concave on the object side.

The fourth lens group G4 consists of, in order from the object side, a biconvex positive lens L9 and a positive cemented lens composed of a negative meniscus lens L10 convex on the object side and a biconvex positive lens L11.

The fifth lens group G5 consists of a negative meniscus lens L12 convex on the object side.

The sixth lens group G6 consists of, in order from the object side, a biconvex positive lens L13 and a biconvex positive lens L14.

The seventh lens group G7 consists of a biconcave negative lens L15.

An imaging device (not shown) constructed from CCD, CMOS, or the like is disposed on an image plane I.

The variable magnification optical system of the present example focuses by moving the fifth lens group G5 along the optical axis. When focus is shifted from infinity to a nearby object, the fifth lens group G5 moves from the object side toward the image side.

In the variable magnification optical system of the present example, the second lens group G2, the third lens group G3, the fourth lens group G4, the fifth lens group G5, the sixth lens group G6, and the seventh lens group G7 correspond to the rear group, and the seventh lens group G7 to the final lens group. The second lens group G2 corresponds to the first negative lens group, the third lens group G3 to the first positive lens group, the fourth lens group G4 to the second positive lens group, and the fifth lens group G5 to the second negative lens group. The fifth lens group G5 corresponds to the negative focusing group.

Table 3 below shows specifications of the variable magnification optical system of the present example.

TABLE 3
[General specifications]
fw	24.70
ft	101.90
Fnow	4.00
Fnot	4.12
[Lens specifications]
m	r	d	nd	vd	(23)	(24)	(25)
1)	69.070	5.474	1.752087	52.47
2)	439.840	d2
*3)	∞	1.500	1.885373	40.28
4)	22.109	4.545
5)	42.147	1.000	1.489549	80.93		N
6)	21.170	4.738	1.861167	25.66	P1
7)	41.657	5.230
8)	−25.535	1.011	1.803585	46.74
9)	−37.107	d9
10>	∞	1.400	(aperture stop)
11)	295.856	1.867	1.835571	24.07	P1
12)	−113.960	0.200
13)	32.140	2.337	1.602919	62.63			P2
14)	125.086	2.085
15)	−33.735	2.334	1.919001	29.19
16)	−58.214	d16
*17)	30.409	6.839	1.508562	76.49			P2
18)	−49.408	0.200
19)	84.317	1.002	1.890613	32.29
20)	19.543	6.528	1.588613	64.15			P2
*21)	−88.251	d21
22)	1009.066	1.000	1.930813	30.21
23)	43.640	d23
24)	65.370	3.678	1.855614	24.40	P1
25)	−632.954	0.380
26)	80.628	3.324	1.883000	40.66
27)	−2737.698	d27
28)	−140.459	1.000	1.456000	91.38		N
29)	28.388	Bf
[Aspherical surface data]
m	K	A4	A6	A8	A10
3)	0.0000	4.90E−06	−1.37E−09	−5.21E−13	5.68E−15
17)	0.0000	−3.60E−06	1.38E−08	−4.49E−11	5.49E−14
21)	0.0000	1.56E−05	2.61E−08	9.57E−12	2.95E−13
[Focal length data of groups]
Groups	Starting surfaces	Focal lengths
G1	1	108.26
G2	3	−23.31
G3	11	72.07
G4	17	36.45
G5	22	−49.03
G6	24	39.51
G7	28	−51.69
[Variable distance data]
	Wide-angle end state	Telephoto end state
d2	1.500	38.142
d9	23.111	1.850
d16	10.315	1.500
d21	7.006	2.000
d23	2.971	33.465
d27	4.024	4.217
Bf	18.056	39.081

FIG. 6A shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the third example focusing on an object at infinity in the wide-angle end state. FIG. 6B shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the third example focusing on an object at infinity in an intermediate focal length state. FIG. 6C shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the third example focusing on an object at infinity in the telephoto end state.

The graphs of aberrations suggest that the variable magnification optical system of the present example effectively reduces variations in aberrations at focusing and at varying magnification and has high optical performance.

Fourth Example

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a variable magnification optical system of a fourth example focusing on an object at infinity in the wide-angle end state.

The variable magnification optical system of the present example includes, in order from the object side, a first lens group G1 having positive refractive power, a second lens group G2 having negative refractive power, an aperture stop S, a third lens group G3 having positive refractive power, a fourth lens group G4 having positive refractive power, a fifth lens group G5 having negative refractive power, a sixth lens group G6 having positive refractive power, a seventh lens group G7 having positive refractive power, and an eighth lens group G8 having negative refractive power.

The first lens group G1 consists of a positive meniscus lens convex on the object side.

The second lens group G2 consists of, in order from the object side, a planoconcave negative lens L2 concave on the image side, a positive cemented lens composed of a negative meniscus lens L3 convex on the object side and a positive meniscus lens L4 convex on the object side, and a negative meniscus lens L5 concave on the object side.

The third lens group G3 consists of, in order from the object side, a positive meniscus lens L6 convex on the object side, a biconvex positive lens L7, and a negative meniscus lens L8 concave on the object side.

The fourth lens group G4 consists of, in order from the object side, a biconvex positive lens L9 and a positive cemented lens composed of a negative meniscus lens L10 convex on the object side and a biconvex positive lens L11.

The fifth lens group G5 consists of a negative meniscus lens L12 convex on the object side.

The sixth lens group G6 consists of a biconvex positive lens L13.

The seventh lens group G7 consists of a biconvex positive lens L14.

The eighth lens group G8 consists of a biconcave negative lens L15.

An imaging device (not shown) constructed from CCD, CMOS, or the like is disposed on an image plane I.

The variable magnification optical system of the present example focuses by moving the fifth lens group G5 and the sixth lens group G6 along the optical axis. When focus is shifted from infinity to a nearby object, the fifth lens group G5 moves from the object side toward the image side whereas the sixth lens group G6 moves from the image side toward the object side.

In the variable magnification optical system of the present example, the second lens group G2, the third lens group G3, the fourth lens group G4, the fifth lens group G5, the sixth lens group G6, the seventh lens group G7, and the eighth lens group G8 correspond to the rear group, and the eighth lens group G8 to the final lens group. The second lens group G2 corresponds to the first negative lens group, the third lens group G3 to the first positive lens group, the fourth lens group G4 to the second positive lens group, and the fifth lens group G5 to the second negative lens group. The fifth lens group G5 corresponds to the first focusing group and the negative focusing group, and the sixth lens group G6 to the second focusing group and the positive focusing group.

Table 4 below shows specifications of the variable magnification optical system of the present example.

TABLE 4
[General specifications]
fw	24.70
ft	116.50
Fnow	4.00
Fnot	4.12
[Lens specifications]
m	r	d	nd	vd	(23)	(24)	(25)
1)	77.446	5.210	1.727296	53.67
2)	584.308	d2
*3)	∞	1.000	1.862652	41.96
4)	27.504	4.699
5)	130.462	1.752	1.484196	82.34		N
6)	26.180	4.599	1.857087	24.50	P1
7)	67.904	4.302
8)	−30.859	1.000	1.820730	45.17
*9)	−53.767	d9
10>	∞	1.400	(aperture	stop)
11)	107.826	1.676	1.848261	23.90	P1
12)	621.616	0.200
13)	33.878	3.203	1.620766	60.92			P2
14)	−929.742	2.057
15)	−32.817	1.000	1.943635	31.37
16)	−77.769	d16
*17)	29.728	6.798	1.520726	74.04			P2
18)	−46.669	0.371
19)	50.503	1.040	1.892112	32.72
20)	19.569	7.642	1.588166	64.20			P2
*21)	−135.546	d21
22)	207.734	1.000	1.953434	32.29
23)	34.501	d23
24)	72.467	2.748	1.846660	23.80	P1
25)	−4031.890	d25
26)	760.138	2.738	1.855244	24.37
27)	−90.866	d27
28)	−56.111	1.000	1.511730	70.00		N
29)	46.882	Bf
[Aspherical surface data]
m	K	A4	A6	A8	A10
3)	0.0000	4.80E−06	−1.03E−09	1.15E−12	5.58E−15
9)	0.0000	2.15E−06	−3.33E−09	3.17E−11	−6.65E−14
17)	0.0000	−4.97E−06	1.08E−08	−4.23E−11	4.57E−14
21)	0.0000	2.09E−05	3.18E−08	−4.07E−11	5.57E−13
[Focal length data of groups]
Groups	Starting surfaces	Focal lengths
G1	1	122.23
G2	3	−25.06
G3	11	95.16
G4	17	29.99
G5	22	−43.51
G6	24	84.11
G7	26	95.04
G8	28	−49.75
[Variable distance data]
	Wide-angle end state	Telephoto end state
d2	1.500	42.085
d9	25.504	1.850
d16	11.841	1.500
d21	6.232	2.092
d23	3.379	34.095
d25	1.500	1.500
d27	4.340	7.175
Bf	15.724	34.724

FIG. 8A shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the fourth example focusing on an object at infinity in the wide-angle end state. FIG. 8B shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the fourth example focusing on an object at infinity in an intermediate focal length state. FIG. 8C shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the fourth example focusing on an object at infinity in the telephoto end state.

The graphs of aberrations suggest that the variable magnification optical system of the present example effectively reduces variations in aberrations at focusing and at varying magnification and has high optical performance.

Fifth Example

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a variable magnification optical system of a fifth example focusing on an object at infinity in the wide-angle end state.

The variable magnification optical system of the present example includes, in order from the object side, a first lens group G1 having positive refractive power, a second lens group G2 having negative refractive power, an aperture stop S, a third lens group G3 having positive refractive power, a fourth lens group G4 having positive refractive power, a fifth lens group G5 having positive refractive power, a sixth lens group G6 having positive refractive power, and a seventh lens group G7 having negative refractive power.

The first lens group Gl consists of a positive cemented lens composed of, in order from the object side, a negative meniscus lens L1 convex on the object side and a positive meniscus lens L2 convex on the object side.

The second lens group G2 consists of, in order from the object side, a negative meniscus lens L3 convex on the object side, a biconcave negative lens L4, a biconvex positive lens L5, and a negative meniscus lens L6 concave on the object side.

The third lens group G3 consists of, in order from the object side, a positive meniscus lens L7 convex on the object side and a positive meniscus lens L8 convex on the object side.

The fourth lens group G4 consists of, in order from the object side, a biconvex positive lens L9 and a negative cemented lens composed of a negative meniscus lens L10 convex on the object side and a positive meniscus lens L11 convex on the object side.

The fifth lens group G5 consists of, in order from the object side, a negative meniscus lens L12 concave on the object side and a biconvex positive lens L13.

The sixth lens group G6 consists of a positive meniscus lens L14 concave on the object side.

The seventh lens group G7 consists of a negative cemented lens composed of, in order from the object side, a biconcave negative lens L15 and a positive meniscus lens L16 convex on the object side.

An imaging device (not shown) constructed from CCD, CMOS, or the like is disposed on an image plane I.

The variable magnification optical system of the present example focuses by moving the fifth lens group G5 and the sixth lens group G6 along the optical axis. When focus is shifted from infinity to a nearby object, the fifth lens group G5 and the sixth lens group G6 move from the image side toward the object side.

In the variable magnification optical system of the present example, the second lens group G2, the third lens group G3, the fourth lens group G4, the fifth lens group G5, the sixth lens group G6, and the seventh lens group G7 correspond to the rear group, and the seventh lens group G7 to the final lens group. The second lens group G2 corresponds to the first negative lens group, the third lens group G3 to the first positive lens group, the fourth lens group G4 to the second positive lens group, and the seventh lens group G7 to the second negative lens group. The fifth lens group G5 corresponds to the first focusing group, the sixth lens group G6 to the second focusing group, and the fifth lens group G5 and the sixth lens group G6 to the positive focusing group.

Table 5 below shows specifications of the variable magnification optical system of the present example.

TABLE 5
[General specifications]
fw	24.70
ft	116.50
Fnow	4.00
Fnot	4.12
[Lens specifications]
m	r	d	nd	vd	(23)	(24)	(25)
1)	61.204	1.800	1.903660	31.27
2)	43.500	9.290	1.618000	63.34
3)	599.325	d3
*4)	8892.243	1.400	1.775030	47.31
5)	21.486	7.770
6)	−67.187	1.500	1.834000	37.18
7)	139.906	0.230
8)	60.170	4.730	1.854510	25.15	P1
9)	−60.170	1.960
10)	−27.165	1.100	1.497820	82.57		N
11)	−128.171	d11
12>	∞	0.880	(aperture stop)
*13)	34.508	3.660	1.593060	66.97			P2
14)	131.359	0.200
15)	51.576	2.030	1.618000	63.34			P2
16)	76.388	d16
17)	33.398	5.600	1.497820	82.57			P2
18)	−112.939	1.450
19)	51.317	1.100	1.900430	37.38
20)	17.933	6.550	1.497820	82.57			P2
21)	1939.354	d21
22)	−28.100	1.100	1.784720	25.64
23)	−52.294	0.200
24)	156.708	4.090	1.772500	49.62
25)	−53.421	d25
26)	−214.076	3.800	1.553320	71.67			P2
*27)	−36.775	d27
*28)	−43.094	1.300	1.775030	47.31
29)	37.433	3.600	1.922860	20.88	P1
30)	81.956	Bf
[Aspherical surface data]
m	K	A4	A6	A8	A10	A12	A14
4)	0.0000	6.78E−06	−9.11E−09	2.14E−11	−6.61E−15	−7.48E−17	1.46E−19
13)	0.0000	−7.33E−06	1.12E−09	−3.78E−12	−5.24E−15
27)	0.0000	1.69E−05	−8.63E−09	5.71E−12	−9.88E−15
28)	0.0000	2.41E−06	1.50E−09	−1.37E−10	6.99E−13	−1.28E−15	−1.88E−19
[Focal length data of groups]
Groups	Starting surfaces	Focal lengths
G1	1	136.58
G2	4	−24.06
G4	17	67.49
G5	22	135.76
G6	26	79.64
G7	28	−38.93
[Variable distance data]
	Wide-angle end state	Telephoto end state
d3	1.525	46.708
d11	24.145	2.370
d16	9.007	1.400
d21	6.277	18.040
d25	2.000	5.177
d27	9.107	1.773
Bf	13.555	45.147

FIG. 10A shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the fifth example focusing on an object at infinity in the wide-angle end state. FIG. 10B shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the fifth example focusing on an object at infinity in an intermediate focal length state. FIG. 10C shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the fifth example focusing on an object at infinity in the telephoto end state.

The graphs of aberrations suggest that the variable magnification optical system of the present example effectively reduces variations in aberrations at focusing and at varying magnification and has high optical performance.

Sixth Example

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a variable magnification optical system of a sixth example focusing on an object at infinity in the wide-angle end state.

The variable magnification optical system of the present example includes, in order from the object side, a first lens group G1 having positive refractive power, a second lens group G2 having negative refractive power, an aperture stop S, a third lens group G3 having positive refractive power, a fourth lens group G4 having negative refractive power, a fifth lens group G5 having positive refractive power, a sixth lens group G6 having negative refractive power, and a seventh lens group G7 having positive refractive power.

The first lens group G1 consists of a positive cemented lens composed of, in order from the object side, a negative meniscus lens L1 convex on the object side and a biconvex positive lens L2.

The second lens group G2 consists of, in order from the object side, a negative cemented lens composed of a negative meniscus lens L3 convex on the object side and a negative meniscus lens L4 convex on the object side, a positive cemented lens composed of a biconcave negative lens L5 and a biconvex positive lens L6, and a negative meniscus lens L7 concave on the object side.

The third lens group G3 consists of, in order from the object side, a biconvex positive lens L8 and a biconvex positive lens L9.

The fourth lens group G4 consists of, in order from the object side, a negative cemented lens composed of a biconcave negative lens L10 and a positive meniscus lens L11 convex on the object side as well as a positive meniscus lens L12 convex on the object side.

The fifth lens group G5 consists of, in order from the object side, a biconvex positive lens L13, a negative cemented lens composed of a biconvex positive lens L14 and a biconcave negative lens L15, a negative cemented lens composed of a negative meniscus lens L16 convex on the object side and a biconvex positive lens L17, and a biconvex positive lens L18.

The sixth lens group G6 consists of, in order from the object side, a positive meniscus lens L19 concave on the object side and a biconcave negative lens L20.

The seventh lens group G7 consists of a positive meniscus lens L21 convex on the object side.

An imaging device (not shown) constructed from CCD, CMOS, or the like is disposed on an image plane I.

The variable magnification optical system of the present example focuses by moving the sixth lens group G6 along the optical axis. When focus is shifted from infinity to a nearby object, the sixth lens group G6 moves from the object side toward the image side.

In the variable magnification optical system of the present example, the second lens group G2, the third lens group G3, the fourth lens group G4, the fifth lens group G5, the sixth lens group G6, and the seventh lens group G7 correspond to the rear group, and the seventh lens group G7 to the final lens group. The second lens group G2 corresponds to the first negative lens group, the third lens group G3 to the first positive lens group, the fourth lens group G4 to the second negative lens group, and the fifth lens group G5 to the second positive lens group. The sixth lens group G6 corresponds to the negative focusing group.

Table 6 below shows specifications of the variable magnification optical system of the present example.

TABLE 6
[General specifications]
fw	24.70
ft	116.50
Fnow	4.10
Fnot	4.10
[Lens specifications]
m	r	d	nd	vd	(23)	(24)	(25)
*1)	60.967	2.000	1.953750	32.33
2)	42.237	8.537	1.618000	63.34
3)	−3319.753	d3
4)	426.783	0.100	1.560930	36.64
5)	278.283	1.200	1.883000	40.69
6)	22.697	6.425
7)	−70.255	1.200	1.618000	63.34		N
8)	28.843	4.893	1.850250	30.05	P1
9)	−92.169	1.309
10)	−37.069	1.000	1.755000	52.34
11)	−200.602	d11
12>	∞	1.500	(aperture stop)
13)	41.043	3.957	1.497820	82.57			P2
14)	−112.702	0.200
15)	50.383	3.908	1.593240	67.90			P2
*16)	−73.304	d16
17)	−44.208	1.000	1.696800	55.52
18)	54.606	0.100	1.560930	36.64
*19)	54.619	0.200
20)	32.260	2.040	1.846660	23.80	P1
21)	50.118	d21
*22)	38.298	4.049	1.593240	67.90			P2
23)	−50.338	0.200
24)	66.052	4.718	1.755000	52.34
25)	−25.774	1.000	1.950000	29.37
26)	36.234	1.627
27)	328.661	1.000	1.950000	29.37
28)	25.731	5.492	1.487490	70.31			P2
29)	−46.438	0.200
30)	38.196	4.498	1.850000	27.03	P1
31)	−143.789	d31
32)	−102.642	2.859	1.672700	32.19	P1
33)	−40.067	4.819
34)	−33.105	1.200	1.696800	55.52
35)	33.390	d35
36)	90.269	2.873	1.846660	23.80	P1
37)	637.643	Bf
[Aspherical surface data]
m	K	A4	A6	A8	A10
1)	−1.0000	2.89E−06	−2.02E−09	7.60E−12	−1.67E−14
16)	0.0000	6.47E−06	−4.63E−09	−3.91E−12	2.63E−14
19)	0.0000	−5.70E−06	2.86E−08	−6.41E−11	5.59E−14
22)	0.0000	−1.01E−05	1.59E−08	−7.06E−11	1.42E−13
[Focal length data of groups]
Groups	Starting surfaces	Focal lengths
G1	1	125.04
G2	4	−21.06
G3	13	28.56
G4	17	−52.12
G5	22	34.93
G6	32	−33.33
G7	36	123.90
[Variable distance data]
	Wide-angle end state	Telephoto end state
d3	1.500	41.533
d11	24.224	1.500
d16	2.407	11.409
d21	10.502	1.500
d31	2.120	2.268
d35	4.113	23.421
Bf	14.555	27.789

FIG. 12A shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the sixth example focusing on an object at infinity in the wide-angle end state. FIG. 12B shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the sixth example focusing on an object at infinity in an intermediate focal length state. FIG. 12C shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the sixth example focusing on an object at infinity in the telephoto end state.

The graphs of aberrations suggest that the variable magnification optical system of the present example effectively reduces variations in aberrations at focusing and at varying magnification and has high optical performance.

Seventh Example

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a variable magnification optical system of a seventh example focusing on an object at infinity in the wide-angle end state.

The variable magnification optical system of the present example includes, in order from the object side, a first lens group G1 having positive refractive power, a second lens group G2 having negative refractive power, an aperture stop S, a third lens group G3 having positive refractive power, a fourth lens group G4 having positive refractive power, a fifth lens group G5 having negative refractive power, a sixth lens group G6 having positive refractive power, a seventh lens group G7 having positive refractive power, and an eighth lens group G8 having negative refractive power.

The first lens group Gl consists of a positive meniscus lens L1 convex on the object side.

The second lens group G2 consists of, in order from the object side, a biconcave negative lens L2, a positive cemented lens composed of a negative meniscus lens L3 convex on the object side and a positive meniscus lens L4 convex on the object side, and a negative meniscus lens L5 concave on the object side.

The third lens group G3 consists of, in order from the object side, a biconvex positive lens L6, a positive meniscus lens L7 convex on the object side, and a negative meniscus lens L8 concave on the object side.

The fourth lens group G4 consists of, in order from the object side, a biconvex positive lens L9 and a positive cemented lens composed of a negative meniscus lens L10 convex on the object side and a biconvex positive lens L11.

The fifth lens group G5 consists of a negative meniscus lens L12 convex on the object side.

The sixth lens group G6 consists of, in order from the object side, a biconvex positive lens L13 and a negative meniscus lens L14 convex on the object side.

The seventh lens group G7 consists of a biconvex positive lens L15.

The eighth lens group G8 consists of a biconcave negative lens L16.

An imaging device (not shown) constructed from CCD, CMOS, or the like is disposed on an image plane I.

The variable magnification optical system of the present example focuses by moving the fifth lens group G5 and the seventh lens group G7 along the optical axis. When focus is shifted from infinity to a nearby object, the fifth lens group G5 moves from the object side toward the image side whereas the seventh lens group G7 moves from the image side toward the object side.

In the variable magnification optical system of the present example, the second lens group G2, the third lens group G3, the fourth lens group G4, the fifth lens group G5, the sixth lens group G6, the seventh lens group G7, and the eighth lens group G8 correspond to the rear group, and the eighth lens group G8 to the final lens group. The second lens group G2 corresponds to the first negative lens group, the third lens group G3 to the first positive lens group, the fourth lens group G4 to the second positive lens group, and the fifth lens group G5 to the second negative lens group. The fifth lens group G5 corresponds to the first focusing group and the negative focusing group, and the seventh lens group G7 to the second focusing group and the positive focusing group.

Table 7 below shows specifications of the variable magnification optical system of the present example.

TABLE 7
[General specifications]
fw	24.70
ft	116.50
Fnow	4.00
Fnot	4.12
[Lens specifications]
m	r	d	nd	vd	(23)	(24)	(25)
1)	79.267	5.328	1.610028	61.92
2)	1211.020	d2
*3)	−666.001	1.000	1.846765	43.08
4)	28.956	4.106
5)	119.464	1.000	1.488366	81.23		N
6)	23.990	5.694	1.859720	25.58	P1
7)	75.610	3.523
8)	−40.022	1.000	1.858890	42.22
*9)	−119.737	d9
10>	∞	1.400	(aperture stop)
11)	118.226	1.928	1.887426	26.67	P1
12)	−502.479	0.200
13)	32.921	3.197	1.619109	61.07			P2
14)	3093.936	1.947
15)	−36.444	1.000	1.951916	32.14
16)	−121.050	d16
*17)	31.693	6.478	1.527617	72.77			P2
18)	−45.685	0.200
19)	50.306	1.000	1.888302	31.72
20)	17.709	7.435	1.590315	63.96			P2
*21)	−188.818	d21
22)	1078.096	1.000	1.952697	32.41
23)	53.346	d23
24)	45.805	3.800	1.846660	23.80	P1
25)	−165.803	0.200
26)	83.490	1.000	1.863249	41.92
27)	32.358	d27
28)	520.111	3.315	1.786942	48.44
29)	−71.011	d29
30)	−27.595	1.000	1.456000	91.38		N
31)	102.771	Bf
[Aspherical surface data]
m	K	A4	A6	A8	A10
3)	0.0000	5.62E−06	−2.41E−09	1.96E−12	3.09E−15
9)	0.0000	3.88E−06	−2.95E−09	1.22E−12
17)	0.0000	−4.03E−06	−5.75E−10	−1.45E−11
21)	0.0000	1.68E−05	9.33E−09	2.56E−11
[Focal length data of groups]
Groups	Starting surfaces	Focal lengths
G1	1	138.79
G2	3	−25.57
G3	11	86.31
G4	17	32.32
G5	22	−58.94
G6	24	121.47
G7	28	79.59
G8	30	−47.59
[Variable distance data]
	Wide-angle end state	Telephoto end state
d2	1.500	45.179
d9	25.296	1.850
d16	11.979	1.400
d21	4.517	2.000
d23	3.091	27.107
d27	4.991	12.096
d29	5.275	4.684
Bf	12.055	29.388

FIG. 14A shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the seventh example focusing on an object at infinity in the wide-angle end state. FIG. 14B shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the seventh example focusing on an object at infinity in an intermediate focal length state. FIG. 14C shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the seventh example focusing on an object at infinity in the telephoto end state.

The graphs of aberrations suggest that the variable magnification optical system of the present example effectively reduces variations in aberrations at focusing and at varying magnification and has high optical performance.

Eighth Example

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a variable magnification optical system of an eighth example focusing on an object at infinity in the wide-angle end state.

The variable magnification optical system of the present example includes, in order from the object side, a first lens group G1 having positive refractive power, a second lens group G2 having negative refractive power, an aperture stop S, a third lens group G3 having positive refractive power, a fourth lens group G4 having positive refractive power, a fifth lens group G5 having negative refractive power, and a sixth lens group G6 having negative refractive power.

The first lens group G1 consists of a positive cemented lens composed of, in order from the object side, a negative meniscus lens L1 convex on the object side and a positive meniscus lens L2 convex on the object side.

The second lens group G2 consists of, in order from the object side, a negative meniscus lens L3 convex on the object side, a biconcave negative lens L4, a biconvex positive lens L5, and a biconcave negative lens L6.

The third lens group G3 consists of, in order from the object side, a biconvex positive lens L7, a positive cemented lens composed of a negative meniscus lens L8 convex on the object side and a biconvex positive lens L9, and a negative meniscus lens L10 concave on the object side.

The fourth lens group G4 consists of, in order from the object side, a positive cemented lens composed of a biconvex positive lens L11 and a negative meniscus lens L12 concave on the object side as well as a positive cemented lens composed of a negative meniscus lens L13 convex on the object side and a biconvex positive lens L14.

The fifth lens group G5 consists of a negative cemented lens composed of, in order from the object side, a biconvex positive lens L15 and a biconcave negative lens L16.

The sixth lens group G6 consists of, in order from the object side, a biconcave negative lens L17 and a biconvex positive lens L18.

An imaging device (not shown) constructed from CCD, CMOS, or the like is disposed on an image plane I.

The variable magnification optical system of the present example focuses by moving the fifth lens group G5 along the optical axis. When focus is shifted from infinity to a nearby object, the fifth lens group G5 moves from the object side toward the image side.

In the variable magnification optical system of the present example, the second lens group G2, the third lens group G3, the fourth lens group G4, the fifth lens group G5, and the sixth lens group G6 correspond to the rear group, and the sixth lens group G6 to the final lens group. The second lens group G2 corresponds to the first negative lens group, the third lens group G3 to the first positive lens group, the fourth lens group G4 to the second positive lens group, and the fifth lens group G5 to the second negative lens group. The fifth lens group G5 corresponds to the negative focusing group.

Table 8 below shows specifications of the variable magnification optical system of the present example.

TABLE 8
[General specifications]
fw	24.75
ft	193.60
Fnow	4.00
Fnot	6.50
[Lens specifications]
m	r	d	nd	vd	(23)	(25)
1)	50.215	2.000	1.903660	31.27
2)	34.572	9.588	1.603000	65.44
3)	1311.519	d3
4)	734.769	1.307	1.953750	32.33
5)	18.756	4.799
6)	−48.834	1.129	1.755000	52.33
7)	82.569	0.451
8)	35.539	3.409	1.922860	20.88	P1
9)	−55.882	0.297
10)	−40.429	1.015	1.816000	46.59
11)	149.588	d11
12>	∞	2.016	(aperture stop)
13)	45.792	2.740	1.902650	35.72	P1
14)	−158.052	0.500
15)	51.626	1.000	2.001000	29.12
16)	25.348	3.645	1.579570	53.74
17)	−47.120	1.756
18	−28.990	1.043	1.953750	32.33
19)	−180.881	d19
20)	31.325	6.348	1.834810	42.73	P1
21)	−46.677	1.000	1.903660	31.27
22)	−434.420	0.175
23)	31.122	2.824	1.953750	32.33
24)	15.393	10.000	1.497100	81.49		P2
*25)	−46.610	d25
26)	192.398	3.146	1.846660	23.80	P1
27)	−50.784	1.017	1.851350	40.13
*28)	33.031	d28
29)	−39.648	1.400	1.820800	42.51
*30)	237.062	0.232
31)	46.735	4.880	1.683760	37.57	P1
32)	−359.761	Bf
[Aspherical surface data]
m	K	A4	A6	A8	A10	A12
5)	0.0000	3.31E−05	−5.07E−08	7.86E−10	−4.83E−12	1.35E−14
28)	0.0000	−3.68E−06	5.73E−08	−1.75E−10	−8.02E−13	5.32E−15
30)	0.0000	7.67E−06	−1.25E−08	6.72E−11	−1.62E−13
[Focal length data of groups]
Groups	Starting surfaces	Focal lengths
G1	1	110.64
G2	4	−16.88
G3	13	59.63
G4	20	27.13
G5	26	−47.14
G6	29	−137.34
[Variable distance data]
	Wide-angle end state	Telephoto end state
d3	1.969	54.765
d11	17.288	1.166
d19	14.645	1.478
d25	4.685	2.612
d28	8.395	23.634
Bf	11.793	37.548

FIG. 16A shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the eighth example focusing on an object at infinity in the wide-angle end state. FIG. 16B shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the eighth example focusing on an object at infinity in an intermediate focal length state. FIG. 16C shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the eighth example focusing on an object at infinity in the telephoto end state.

The graphs of aberrations suggest that the variable magnification optical system of the present example effectively reduces variations in aberrations at focusing and at varying magnification and has high optical performance.

Ninth Example

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a variable magnification optical system of a ninth example focusing on an object at infinity in the wide-angle end state.

The variable magnification optical system of the present example includes, in order from the object side, a first lens group G1 having positive refractive power, a second lens group G2 having negative refractive power, an aperture stop S, a third lens group G3 having positive refractive power, a fourth lens group G4 having positive refractive power, a fifth lens group G5 having negative refractive power, and a sixth lens group G6 having negative refractive power.

The first lens group G1 consists of a positive cemented lens composed of, in order from the object side, a negative meniscus lens L1 convex on the object side and a positive meniscus lens L2 convex on the object side.

The second lens group G2 consists of, in order from the object side, a negative meniscus lens L3 convex on the object side, a biconcave negative lens L4, a biconvex positive lens L5, and a biconcave negative lens L6.

The third lens group G3 consists of, in order from the object side, a biconvex positive lens L7, a positive cemented lens composed of a negative meniscus lens L8 convex on the object side and a biconvex positive lens L9, and a negative meniscus lens L10 concave on the object side.

The fourth lens group G4 consists of, in order from the object side, a positive cemented lens composed of a biconvex positive lens L11 and a negative meniscus lens L12 concave on the object side as well as a positive cemented lens composed of a negative meniscus lens L13 convex on the object side and a biconvex positive lens L14.

The fifth lens group G5 consists of a negative cemented lens composed of, in order from the object side, a biconvex positive lens L15 and a biconcave negative lens L16.

The sixth lens group G6 consists of, in order from the object side, a biconcave negative lens L17 and a biconvex positive lens L18.

An imaging device (not shown) constructed from CCD, CMOS, or the like is disposed on an image plane I.

The variable magnification optical system of the present example focuses by moving the fourth lens group G4 and the fifth lens group G5 along the optical axis. When focus is shifted from infinity to a nearby object, the fourth lens group G4 and the fifth lens group G5 move from the object side toward the image side.

In the variable magnification optical system of the present example, the second lens group G2, the third lens group G3, the fourth lens group G4, the fifth lens group G5, and the sixth lens group G6 correspond to the rear group, and the sixth lens group G6 to the final lens group. The second lens group G2 corresponds to the first negative lens group, the third lens group G3 to the first positive lens group, the fourth lens group G4 to the second positive lens group, and the fifth lens group G5 to the second negative lens group. The fourth lens group G4 corresponds to the first focusing group and the positive focusing group, and the fifth lens group G5 to the second focusing group and the negative focusing group.

Table 9 below shows specifications of the variable magnification optical system of the present example.

TABLE 9
[General specifications]
fw	24.75
ft	193.60
Fnow	4.00
Fnot	6.50
[Lens specifications]
m	r	d	nd	vd	(23)	(25)
1)	50.215	2.000	1.903660	31.27
2)	34.572	9.588	1.603000	65.44
3)	1311.519	d3
4)	734.769	1.307	1.953750	32.33
5)	18.756	4.799
6)	−48.834	1.129	1.755000	52.33
7)	82.569	0.451
8)	35.539	3.409	1.922860	20.88	P1
9)	−55.882	0.297
10)	−40.429	1.015	1.816000	46.59
11)	149.588	d11
12>	∞	2.016	(aperture stop)
13)	45.792	2.740	1.902650	35.72	P1
14)	−158.052	0.500
15)	51.626	1.000	2.001000	29.12
16)	25.348	3.645	1.579570	53.74
17)	−47.120	1.756
18)	−28.990	1.043	1.953750	32.33
19)	−180.881	d19
20)	31.325	6.348	1.834810	42.73	P1
21)	−46.677	1.000	1.903660	31.27
22)	−434.420	0.175
23)	31.122	2.824	1.953750	32.33
24)	15.393	10.000	1.497100	81.49		P2
*25)	−46.610	d25
26)	192.398	3.146	1.846660	23.80	P1
27)	−50.784	1.017	1.851350	40.13
*28)	33.031	d28
29)	−39.648	1.400	1.820800	42.51
*30)	237.062	0.232
31)	46.735	4.880	1.683760	37.57	P1
32)	−359.761	Bf
[Aspherical surface data]
m	K	A4	A6	A8	A10	A12
25)	0.0000	3.31E−05	−5.07E−08	7.86E−10	−4.83E−12	1.35E−14
28)	0.0000	−3.68E−06	5.73E−08	−1.75E−10	−8.02E−13	5.32E−15
30)	0.0000	7.67E−06	−1.25E−08	6.72E−11	−1.62E−13
[Focal length data of groups]
Groups	Starting surfaces	Focal lengths
G1	1	110.64
G2	4	−16.88
G3	13	59.63
G4	20	27.13
G5	26	−47.14
G6	29	−137.34
[Variable distance data]
	Wide-angle end state	Telephoto end state
d3	1.969	54.765
d11	17.288	1.166
d19	14.645	1.478
d25	4.685	2.612
d28	8.395	23.634
Bf	11.793	37.548

FIG. 18A shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the ninth example focusing on an object at infinity in the wide-angle end state. FIG. 18B shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the ninth example focusing on an object at infinity in an intermediate focal length state. FIG. 18C shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the ninth example focusing on an object at infinity in the telephoto end state.

The graphs of aberrations suggest that the variable magnification optical system of the present example effectively reduces variations in aberrations at focusing and at varying magnification and has high optical performance.

Tenth Example

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of a variable magnification optical system of a tenth example focusing on an object at infinity in the wide-angle end state.

The variable magnification optical system of the present example includes, in order from the object side, a first lens group G1 having positive refractive power, a second lens group G2 having negative refractive power, an aperture stop S, a third lens group G3 having positive refractive power, a fourth lens group G4 having positive refractive power, a fifth lens group G5 having negative refractive power, a sixth lens group G6 having negative refractive power, and a seventh lens group G7 having positive refractive power.

The first lens group Gl consists of a positive cemented lens composed of, in order from the object side, a negative meniscus lens L1 convex on the object side and a positive meniscus lens L2 convex on the object side.

The second lens group G2 consists of, in order from the object side, a negative meniscus lens L3 convex on the object side, a positive cemented lens composed of a biconcave negative lens L4 and a positive meniscus lens L5 convex on the object side, and a negative meniscus lens L6 concave on the object side.

The third lens group G3 consists of, in order from the object side, a positive meniscus lens L7 convex on the object side and a positive meniscus lens L8 convex on the object side.

The fourth lens group G4 consists of, in order from the object side, a positive cemented lens composed of a negative meniscus lens L9 convex on the object side and a positive meniscus lens L10 convex on the object side, a negative cemented lens composed of a biconvex positive lens L11 and a negative meniscus lens L12 concave on the object side, and a biconvex positive lens L13.

The fifth lens group G5 consists of, in order from the object side, a positive meniscus lens L14 concave on the object side and a biconcave negative lens L15.

The sixth lens group G6 consists of a biconcave negative lens L16.

The seventh lens group G7 consists of a positive meniscus lens L17 convex on the object side.

An imaging device (not shown) constructed from CCD, CMOS, or the like is disposed on an image plane I.

The variable magnification optical system of the present example focuses by moving the fifth lens group G5 and the sixth lens group G6 along the optical axis. When focus is shifted from infinity to a nearby object, the fifth lens group G5 and the sixth lens group G6 move from the object side toward the image side.

In the variable magnification optical system of the present example, the second lens group G2, the third lens group G3, the fourth lens group G4, the fifth lens group G5, the sixth lens group G6, and the seventh lens group G7 correspond to the rear group, and the seventh lens group G7 to the final lens group. The second lens group G2 corresponds to the first negative lens group, the third lens group G3 to the first positive lens group, the fourth lens group G4 to the second positive lens group, and the fifth lens group G5 to the second negative lens group. The fifth lens group G5 corresponds to the first focusing group, the sixth lens group G6 to the second focusing group, and the fifth lens group G5 and the sixth lens group G6 to the negative focusing group.

Table 10 below shows specifications of the variable magnification optical system of the present example.

TABLE 10
[General specifications]
fw	28.00
ft	194.00
Fnow	4.37
Fnot	6.57
[Lens specifications]
m	r	d	nd	vd	(23)	(24)	(25)
1)	63.743	2.000	1.749500	35.25
2)	40.141	10.350	1.593190	67.90
3)	9735.642	d3
*4)	158.701	1.500	1.773870	47.25
*5)	22.089	5.915
6)	−167.771	1.000	1.497820	82.57		N
7)	20.719	4.566	1.850000	27.03	P1
8)	79.584	2.363
9)	−46.857	1.834810	42.73
10)	−393.371	d10
11>	∞	2.000	(aperture stop)
*12)	25.238	2.790	1.592450	66.92			P2
13)	59.114	0.200
14)	26.374	2.366	1.617720	49.81
15)	38.522	d15
16)	23.189	2.580	1.902650	35.77
17)	13.857	5.703	1.497820	82.57			P2
18)	693.648	1.004
19)	752.104	4.789	1.517420	52.20
20)	−18.856	1.000	2.000690	25.46
21)	−60.570	0.200
*22)	443.772	4.473	1.517420	52.20
23)	−23.063	d23
24)	−308.609	5.485	1.945944	17.98
25)	−37.228	1.504
26)	−58.034	1.000	1.834000	37.18
27)	84.476	d27
*28)	−39.484	1.500	1.773870	47.25
29)	108.384	d29
30)	38.120	2.261	1.834000	37.18
31)	43.033	Bf
[Aspherical surface data]
m	K	A4	A6	A8	A10
4)	0.0000	7.29E−07	2.06E−08	−4.49E−11	2.79E−14
5)	0.0000	2.28E−06	3.23E−08	4.83E−11	2.02E−13
12)	0.0000	−9.41E−06	−1.09E−09	4.05E−11	−1.20E−13
22)	0.0000	−3.09E−05	2.57E−08	−7.88E−12	3.97E−13
28)	0.0000	−6.15E−06	−1.61E−08	3.82E−11	−1.85E−14
[Focal length data of groups]
Groups	Starting surfaces	Focal lengths
G1	1	127.24
G2	4	−21.51
G3	12	45.92
G4	16	42.44
G5	24	−980.13
G6	28	−37.23
G7	30	331.08
[Variable distance data]
	Wide-angle end state	Telephoto end state
d3	2.000	51.261
d10	25.674	2.000
d15	9.525	2.000
d23	3.205	2.269
d27	5.176	5.639
d29	4.174	37.020
Bf	13.579	36.718

FIG. 20A shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the tenth example focusing on an object at infinity in the wide-angle end state. FIG. 20B shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the tenth example focusing on an object at infinity in an intermediate focal length state. FIG. 20C shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the tenth example focusing on an object at infinity in the telephoto end state.

The graphs of aberrations suggest that the variable magnification optical system of the present example effectively reduces variations in aberrations at focusing and at varying magnification and has high optical performance.

Eleventh Example

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of a variable magnification optical system of an eleventh example focusing on an object at infinity in the wide-angle end state.

The variable magnification optical system of the present example includes, in order from the object side, a first lens group G1 having positive refractive power, a second lens group G2 having negative refractive power, an aperture stop S, a third lens group G3 having positive refractive power, a fourth lens group G4 having negative refractive power, a fifth lens group G5 having positive refractive power, a sixth lens group G6 having positive refractive power, and a seventh lens group G7 having negative refractive power.

The first lens group G1 consists of a positive cemented lens composed of, in order from the object side, a negative meniscus lens L1 convex on the object side and a biconvex positive lens L2.

The second lens group G2 consists of, in order from the object side, a biconcave negative lens L3, a biconcave negative lens L4, a biconvex positive lens L5, and a biconcave negative lens L6.

The third lens group G3 consists of, in order from the object side, a biconvex positive lens L7 and a negative cemented lens composed of a negative meniscus lens L8 convex on the object side and a positive meniscus lens L9 convex on the object side.

The fourth lens group G4 consists of, in order from the object side, a biconvex positive lens L10 and a negative cemented lens composed of a biconcave negative lens L11 and a positive meniscus lens L12 convex on the object side.

The fifth lens group G5 consists of a positive cemented lens composed of, in order from the object side, a negative meniscus lens L13 convex on the object side and a positive meniscus lens L14 convex on the object side.

The sixth lens group G6 consists of a biconvex positive lens L15.

The seventh lens group G7 consists of, in order from the object side, a biconcave negative lens L16, a biconvex positive lens L17, and a planoconcave negative lens L18 concave on the object side.

An imaging device (not shown) constructed from CCD, CMOS, or the like is disposed on an image plane I.

The variable magnification optical system of the present example focuses by moving the fifth lens group G5 and the sixth lens group G6 along the optical axis. When focus is shifted from infinity to a nearby object, the fifth lens group G5 and the sixth lens group G6 move from the image side toward the object side.

In the variable magnification optical system of the present example, the second lens group G2, the third lens group G3, the fourth lens group G4, the fifth lens group G5, the sixth lens group G6, and the seventh lens group G7 correspond to the rear group, and the seventh lens group G7 to the final lens group. The second lens group G2 corresponds to the first negative lens group, the third lens group G3 to the first positive lens group, the fourth lens group G4 to the second negative lens group, and the fifth lens group G5 to the second positive lens group. The fifth lens group G5 corresponds to the first focusing group, the sixth lens group G6 to the second focusing group, and the fifth lens group G5 and the sixth lens group G6 to the positive focusing group. Table 11 below shows specifications of the variable magnification optical system of the present example.

TABLE 11
[General specifications]
fw	24.70
ft	233.00
Fnow	4.50
Fnot	6.57
[Lens specifications]
m	r	d	nd	vd	(23)	(25)
1)	59.540	1.800	1.902650	35.77
2)	41.859	11.321	1.593190	67.90
3)	−1956.315	d3
*4)	−379.614	1.500	1.773870	47.25
5)	21.088	6.883
6)	−118.229	1.000	1.950000	29.37
7)	89.211	0.200
8)	38.887	5.729	1.860740	23.08	P1
9)	−55.015	1.189
10)	−34.049	1.000	1.816000	46.59
11)	19309.949	d11
12>	∞	2.000	(aperture stop)
*13)	23.950	5.797	1.592450	66.92		P2
14)	−162.098	0.200
15)	35.893	1.000	1.834810	42.73
16)	22.737	2.714	1.592700	35.27	P1
17)	30.251	d17
18)	26.148	5.048	1.593190	67.90		P2
19)	−98.728	1.059
20)	−84.013	1.000	2.000690	25.46
21)	20.844	4.119	1.593190	67.90
22)	163.041	d22
23)	23.630	1.000	1.902650	35.77
24)	12.909	6.589	1.728250	28.38
25)	150.766	d25
26)	48.329	2.746	1.548141	45.78	P1
*27)	−404.148	d27
28)	−65.371	1.000	1.816000	46.59
29)	26.189	0.850
30)	34.959	6.023	1.688930	31.16	P1
31)	−33.122	1.371
*32)	−22.123	1.300	1.773870	47.25
33)	∞	Bf
[Aspherical surface data]
m	K	A4	A6	A8	A10
4)	0.0000	2.64E−06	−1.77E−09	5.14E−12	−3.69E−15
13)	0.0000	−1.00E−05	−3.09E−09	−1.67E−11	−9.99E−15
27)	0.0000	2.31E−05	−1.32E−09	−3.88E−11	−1.96E−12
32)	0.0000	6.59E−06	1.96E−08	−1.08E−10	5.11E−13
[Focal length data of groups]
Groups	Starting surfaces	Focal lengths
G1	1	122.62
G2	4	−21.74
G3	13	41.87
G4	18	−326.91
G5	23	48.34
G6	26	78.92
G7	28	−25.48
[Variable distance data]
	Wide-angle end state	Telephoto end state
d3	2.000	51.859
d11	33.722	2.003
d17	9.826	2.000
d22	2.157	3.750
d25	2.446	6.907
d27	3.087	2.700
Bf	11.455	67.126

FIG. 22A shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the eleventh example focusing on an object at infinity in the wide-angle end state. FIG. 22B shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the eleventh example focusing on an object at infinity in an intermediate focal length state. FIG. 22C shows aberrations of the variable magnification optical system of the eleventh example focusing on an object at infinity in the telephoto end state.

The graphs of aberrations suggest that the variable magnification optical system of the present example effectively reduces variations in aberrations at focusing and at varying magnification and has high optical performance.

A variable magnification optical system of favorable optical performance can be achieved according to the above examples.

Values for the conditional expressions of the examples are listed below.

f1 is the focal length of the first lens group, D1 is the thickness of the first lens group on an optical axis, and M1 is the amount of movement of the first lens group at varying magnification from a wide-angle end state to a telephoto end state. IN1, IN2, fP1, and fP2 are the focal lengths of the first negative lens group, the second negative lens group, the first positive lens group, and the second positive lens group, respectively. MP1 is the amount of movement of the first positive lens group at varying magnification from the wide-angle end state to the telephoto end state, and MN1 is the amount of movement of the first negative lens group at varying magnification from the wide-angle end state to the telephoto end state. fFP is the focal length of the positive focusing group, and fRPw is a combined focal length in the wide-angle end state of one or more lens groups disposed closer to the image side than the positive focusing group. IFN is the focal length of the negative focusing group, and fRNw is a combined focal length in the wide-angle end state of one or more lens groups disposed closer to the image side than the negative focusing group. fR is the focal length of the final lens group. nd1 is the refractive index for d-line of the lens in the first lens group, and vdl is the Abbe number for d-line of the lens in the first lens group. r1 is the radius of curvature of an object-side lens surface of the lens disposed closest to the image side, and r2 is the radius of curvature of an image-side lens surface of the lens disposed closest to the image side. fN is the focal length of a lens group having the weakest refractive power of lens groups having negative refractive power in the rear group, and Fnot is the f-number of the variable magnification optical system in the telephoto end state. Bfw is the back focus of the variable magnification optical system in the wide-angle end state, and fw is the focal length of the variable magnification optical system in the wide-angle end state. fF1 is the focal length of the first focusing group, and fF2 is the focal length of the second focusing group. κdP1 is the Abbe number for d-line of the positive lens in the rear group, κdN is the Abbe number for d-line of the negative lens in the rear group, and κdP2 is the Abbe number for d-line of the positive lens in the rear group.

Values for Conditional Expressions

	Examples
Conditional expressions	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	6th
(1) f1/D1	13.049	11.997	19.776	23.460	12.316	11.866
(2) M1/D1	2.757	2.946	9.731	10.557	4.959	4.745
(3) f1/(−fN1)	5.679	3.777	4.645	4.878	5.677	5.938
(4) f1/(−fN2)	2.898	1.512	2.208	2.809	3.508	2.399
(5) fN1/fN2	0.510	0.400	0.475	0.576	0.618	0.404
(6) f1/fP1	3.178	3.116	1.502	1.284	2.298	4.379
(7) fP1/(−fN1)	1.787	1.212	3.092	3.798	2.470	1.356
(8) MP1/MN1	16.793	5.337	2.278	2.641	3.218	3.280
(9) fP1/fP2	0.391	0.922	1.977	3.173	0.881	0.817
(10) f1/fFP	1.117	2.873	—	1.453	1.006	—
	1.418				1.715
(11) fFP/fRPw	−1.109	−1.200	—	−0.719	−1.361	—
	−2.043				−2.046
(12) f1/(−fFN)	—	1.512	2.208	2.809	—	3.751
(13) (−fFN)/fRNw	—	−1.171	0.474	0.215	—	0.269
(14) f1/(−fR)	2.898	1.770	2.094	2.457	3.508	—
(15) f1/fR	—	—	—	—	—	1.009
(16) nd1	1.855	1.847	1.752	1.727	1.904	1.954
	1.816	1.755			1.618	1.618
(17) vd1	25.15	23.70	52.47	53.67	31.27	32.33
	46.59	52.30			63.34	63.34
(18) (r2 − r1)/(r2 + r1)	0.337	−2.218	−1.507	−11.160	0.373	0.752
(19) fN/fFN	—	1.000	1.054	1.143	—	1.564
(20) Fnot	2.920	4.100	4.120	4.120	4.120	4.100
(21) Bfw/fw	0.479	0.492	0.731	0.637	0.549	0.589
(22) |fF1|/|fF2|	1.269	0.526	—	0.517	1.705	—
(23) νdP1	42.73	25.46	25.66	24.50	25.15	30.05
	42.50	34.92	24.07	23.90	20.88	23.80
			24.40	23.80		27.03
						32.19
						23.80
(24) νdN	67.00	61.25	80.93	82.34	82.57	63.34
		63.34	91.38	70.00
(25) νdP2	67.90	71.68	62.63	60.92	66.97	82.57
	82.57	63.34	76.49	74.04	63.34	67.90
	67.00	67.90	64.15	64.20	82.57	67.90
					82.57	70.31
					71.67
	Examples
Conditional expressions	7th	8th	9th	10th	11th
(1) f1/D1	26.049	9.548	9.548	10.302	9.345
(2) M1/D1	10.323	5.387	5.387	5.957	5.461
(3) f1/(−fN1)	5.429	6.554	6.554	5.914	5.639
(4) f1/(−fN2)	2.355	2.347	2.347	0.130	0.375
(5) fN1/fN2	0.434	0.358	0.358	0.022	0.067
(6) f1/fP1	1.608	1.855	1.855	2.771	2.929
(7) fP1/(−fN1)	3.376	3.532	3.532	2.134	1.926
(8) MP1/MN1	3.071	2.674	2.674	1.974	2.455
(9) fP1/fP2	2.670	2.198	2.198	1.082	0.866
(10) f1/fFP	1.744	—	4.078	—	2.537
					1.554
(11) fFP/fRPw	−1.672	—	−0.795	—	−1.110
					−3.098
(12) f1/(−fFN)	2.355	2.347	2.347	0.130	—
				3.417
(13) (−fFN)/fRNw	0.180	−0.343	−0.343	−23.612	—
				0.112
(14) f1/(−fR)	2.916	0.806	0.806	—	4.813
(15) f1/fR	—			0.384	—
(16) nd1	1.610	1.603	1.603	1.750	1.903
				1.593	1.593
(17) vd1	61.93	65.44	65.44	35.25	35.77
				67.90	67.90
(18) (r2 − r1)/(r2 + r1)	1.734	1.299	1.299	0.061	−1.000
(19) fN/fFN	1.000	2.913	2.913	1.000	—
				26.324
(20) Fnot	4.120	6.480	6.480	6.569	6.574
(21) Bfw/fw	0.488	0.476	0.476	0.485	0.464
(22) |fF1|/|fF2|	0.740	—	0.575	—	0.612
(23) νdP1	25.58	20.88	20.88	27.03	23.08
	26.67	35.72	35.72		35.27
	23.80	42.73	42.73		45.78
		23.80	23.80		31.16
		37.57	37.57
(24) νdN	81.23	—	—	82.57	—
	91.38
(25) νdP2	61.07	81.49	81.49	66.92	66.92
	72.77			82.57	67.90
	63.96

The above examples are specific examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto. The following details can be appropriately employed unless the optical performance of the variable magnification optical system of the embodiment of the present application is compromised.

The lens surfaces of the lenses constituting any of the variable magnification optical systems of the above examples may be covered with antireflection coating having high transmittance in a wide wavelength range. This reduces flares and ghosts and enables achieving optical performance with high contrast.

Next, a camera including the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 23. FIG. 23 schematically shows a camera including the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment.

The camera 1 is a “mirror-less camera” of an interchangeable lens type including the variable magnification optical system according to the first example as an imaging lens 2.

In the camera 1, light from an object (subject) (not shown) is condensed by the imaging lens 2 and reaches an imaging device 3. The imaging device 3 converts the light from the subject to image data. The image data is displayed on an electronic view finder 4. This enables a photographer who positions his/her eye at an eye point EP to observe the subject.

When a release button (not shown) is pressed by the photographer, the image data is stored in a memory (not shown). In this way, the photographer can take a picture of the subject with the camera 1.

The variable magnification optical system of the first example included in the camera 1 as the imaging lens 2 is a variable magnification optical system of favorable optical performance. Thus, the camera 1 can achieve favorable optical performance. A camera configured by including any of the variable magnification optical systems of the second to eleventh examples as the imaging lens 2 can have the same effect as the camera 1.

Finally, a method for manufacturing a variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment will be outlined with reference to FIG. 24. FIG. 24 is a flowchart outlining a method for manufacturing a variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment.

The method for manufacturing a variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 24 includes the following steps S1 to S4:

• • Step S1: preparing a plurality of lens groups that is six or more lens groups and comprises a first lens group having positive refractive power and a rear group disposed closer to an image side than the first lens group;
  • Step S2: arranging so that at varying magnification the distances between the lens groups are varied;
  • Step S3: configuring the first lens group with two or fewer lenses; and
  • Step S4: making the variable magnification optical system satisfy all of the following conditional expressions:

$\begin{array}{cc}8.<f1/D1<27.& \left(1\right)\end{array}$ $\begin{array}{cc}1.<M1/D1<12.& \left(2\right)\end{array}$

where

• • f1 is the focal length of the first lens group,
  • D1 is the thickness of the first lens group on an optical axis, and
  • M1 is the amount of movement of the first lens group at varying magnification from a wide-angle end state to a telephoto end state.

A variable magnification optical system of favorable imaging performance can be manufactured by the method for manufacturing a variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment.

It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various changes, substitutions, and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

• • S aperture stop
  • I image plane
  • 1 camera
  • 2 imaging lens
  • 3 imaging device

Claims

1. A variable magnification optical system comprising a plurality of lens groups, the plurality of lens groups being six or more lens groups and comprising a first lens group having positive refractive power and a rear group disposed closer to an image side than the first lens group, at varying magnification the distances between the lens groups being varied,the first lens group consisting of two or fewer lenses, both the following conditional expressions being satisfied:

2. The variable magnification optical system according to claim 1, wherein the rear group comprises a first negative lens group having negative refractive power, and the following conditional expression is satisfied:

3. The variable magnification optical system according to claim 1, wherein the rear group comprises a first negative lens group having negative refractive power, and a second negative lens group having negative refractive power and disposed closer to the image side than the first negative lens group, and the following expression is satisfied:

4. The variable magnification optical system according to claim 1, wherein the rear group comprises a first negative lens group having negative refractive power, and a second negative lens group having negative refractive power and disposed closer to the image side than the first negative lens group, and the following expression is satisfied:

5. The variable magnification optical system according to claim 2, wherein the first negative lens group is a lens group disposed closest to an object side of lens groups having negative refractive power in the rear group.

6. The variable magnification optical system according to claim 1, wherein the rear group comprises a first positive lens group having positive refractive power, and the following conditional expression is satisfied:

7. The variable magnification optical system according to claim 1, wherein the rear group comprises a first positive lens group having positive refractive power, and a first negative lens group having negative refractive power and disposed closer to the image side than the first positive lens group, and the following conditional expression is satisfied:

8. The variable magnification optical system according to claim 1, wherein the rear group comprises a first positive lens group having positive refractive power, and a first negative lens group having negative refractive power and disposed closer to the image side than the first positive lens group, and the following conditional expression is satisfied:

9. The variable magnification optical system according to claim 1, wherein the rear group comprises a first positive lens group having positive refractive power, and a second positive lens group having positive refractive power and disposed closer to the image side than the first positive lens group.

10. The variable magnification optical system according to claim 9, wherein the following conditional expression is satisfied:

11. The variable magnification optical system according to claim 6, wherein the first positive lens group is a lens group disposed closest to an object side of lens groups having positive refractive power in the rear group.

12. The variable magnification optical system according to claim 1, wherein the rear group comprises a positive focusing group having positive refractive power and configured to move along the optical axis at focusing, and the following conditional expression is satisfied:

13. The variable magnification optical system according to claim 1, wherein the rear group comprises a positive focusing group having positive refractive power and configured to move along the optical axis at focusing, and the following conditional expression is satisfied:

14. The variable magnification optical system according to claim 1, wherein the rear group comprises a negative focusing group having negative refractive power and configured to move along the optical axis at focusing, and the following conditional expression is satisfied:

15. The variable magnification optical system according to claim 1, wherein the rear group comprises a negative focusing group having negative refractive power and configured to move along the optical axis at focusing, and the following conditional expression is satisfied:

16. The variable magnification optical system according to claim 1, wherein a final lens group disposed closest to the image side of lens groups in the rear group has negative refractive power, and the following conditional expression is satisfied:

17. The variable magnification optical system according to claim 1, wherein a final lens group disposed closest to the image side of lens groups in the rear group has positive refractive power, and the following conditional expression is satisfied:

18. The variable magnification optical system according to claim 1, wherein the first lens group comprises at least one lens satisfying both the following conditional expressions:

19. The variable magnification optical system according to 1, wherein the lens disposed closest to the image side satisfies the following conditional expression:

20. The variable magnification optical system according to claim 1, wherein the rear group comprises a negative focusing group having negative refractive power and configured to move along the optical axis at focusing, and the following conditional expression is satisfied:

21. The variable magnification optical system according to claim 1, wherein the following conditional expression is satisfied:

22. The variable magnification optical system according to claim 1, wherein a lens group that is second closest to the image side of lens groups in the rear group moves along the optical axis at focusing.

23. The variable magnification optical system according to claim 1, wherein the following conditional expression is satisfied:

24. The variable magnification optical system according to claim 1, wherein the first lens group moves toward an object side at varying magnification from the wide-angle end state to the telephoto end state.

25. The variable magnification optical system according to claim 1, wherein the first lens group consists of, in order from an object side, a negative lens and a positive lens.

26. The variable magnification optical system according to claim 1, wherein the first lens group consists of a positive lens.

27. The variable magnification optical system according to claim 1, wherein the rear group comprises a first focusing group and a second focusing group that move along the optical axis at focusing.

28. The variable magnification optical system according to claim 27, wherein the following conditional expression is satisfied:

29. The variable magnification optical system according to claim 1, wherein at least one positive lens in the rear group satisfies the following first conditional expression for dispersion:

30. The variable magnification optical system according to claim 29, wherein the positive lens satisfying the first conditional expression for dispersion is included in a negative lens group having negative refractive power of lens groups in the rear group.

31. The variable magnification optical system according to claim 1, wherein at least one negative lens in the rear group satisfies the following second conditional expression for dispersion:

32. The variable magnification optical system according to claim 31, wherein the negative lens satisfying the second conditional expression for dispersion is included in a final lens group disposed closest to the image side of lens groups in the rear group.

33. The variable magnification optical system according to claim 1, wherein at least one lens group having positive refractive power of lens groups in the rear group comprises a positive lens satisfying the following third conditional expression for dispersion:

34. An optical apparatus comprising the variable magnification optical system according to any claim 1.

35. A method for manufacturing a variable magnification optical system comprising a plurality of lens groups, the plurality of lens groups being six or more lens groups and comprising a first lens group having positive refractive power and a rear group disposed closer to an image side than the first lens group, the method comprising arranging so that at varying magnification the distances between the lens groups are varied,the first lens group consists of two or merefewer lenses, andboth the following conditional expressions are satisfied: