Lens barrel, camera and mobile information terminal using the same

摘要

A plurality of lens retaining means (17, 31, 41) includes a retractable lens retaining means (31) configured to retain and retract at least one of a plurality of lens groups (13) from a photographing optical axis (X) to a retracted position substantially out of a telescopic cylinder in a collapsed state and configured to move the corresponding at least one of the plurality of lens groups (13) from the retracted position to the photographing optical axis (X) in a photographing state such that all of the plurality of lens groups (11, 12, 13, 14) are substantially aligned on the photographing optical axis (X), a biasing means (37) is included for biasing the retractable lens retaining means (31) toward a direction of the photographing optical axis (X), the retractable lens retaining means (31) includes a rotation means (31x), and a retain means (31y) provided on a leading edge of the rotation means (31x) for retaining the corresponding at least one of the plurality of lens groups (13), and a storage space (21Q) for accommodating the retain means (31y) in the collapsed state of the telescopic cylinder is provided inside of the body substantially above the photographing optical axis (X).