Color image readout lens and device using the same

[0002] Recently, developing machines called mini labs or digital labs have been popularized. They do not directly print an image from film onto paper, but rather, perform various steps in processing a film image by using a lens and a solid-state image pick-up element, such as a CCD array. An image is indirectly copied onto paper by projecting the film image using the lens onto the CCD array, where it is captured and used to modulate a laser beam that writes the image onto paper as is done in a laser printer. In such developing machines, an image readout optical system having higher resolution for imaging the film image onto the solid-state image pick-up element has been desired in order to keep pace with the rapid development of higher resolution CCD arrays.

[0003] When a color original is read, for example, by a three-line CCD array, it is desired that chromatic aberrations be favorably corrected so that the imaging positions for the red (R), green (G) and blue (B) color components are incident onto the appropriate line of the three-line CCD array. More specifically, the colors must be imaged so that they have high contrast by reducing the axial chromatic aberration and the lateral color of the R, G, and B color components in order to achieve proper registration of these color components over the entire image field onto the respective line of the detectors. Even if the amount of axial chromatic aberration is small, the positions of the image points will deviate with a change in color. If the R, G, and B image positions are mis-registered with respect to the position of the sensors of the three-line CCD array, full color images having reduced contrast will result even if high contrast performance is obtained separately for each color. Thus, mechanisms which detect the focus separately for each color are needed in order to maintain proper registration of the focus positions.

[0004] In addition, there is a requirement that very fine blemishes or dust particles on the surface of the film that form image artifacts by being incorporated as image information onto the paper, be minimized. Corresponding to this requirement, an attempt has been made to detect very fine blemishes or dust particles using near-infrared light and to remove these unnecessary images by electronic image processing.

[0005] Accordingly, it is desired that a color image readout lens provide a high resolution image not only in the visible region for obtaining the image information, but also in the near-infrared wavelength region.

[0006] If f is the focal length of a lens and β (β<0) is the magnification of the lens, the amount of axial chromatic aberration ΔS is proportional to (1−β)²·f. Thus, the longer the focal length f or the greater the absolute value of (1−β), the larger is the amount ΔS. This property is significant, and the correction of chromatic aberration on the optical axis is impossible unless a glass having anomalous dispersion is used. It is particularly difficult to make the R, G, and B color components have high-contrast over an expanded region. Therefore, a glass of high anomalous dispersion must be effectively used in order to correct large axial chromatic aberrations.

[0007] The higher the anomalous dispersion of the glass, the higher the correction effect. And, the stronger the refractive power of the lens, the stronger the correction needed. On the other hand, if the refractive power is too strong, the occurrence of other aberrations increases and this causes a deterioration in the quality of the image.

[0008] It is desirable to correct the axial chromatic aberration by ensuring appropriate values for the sum of the products Σφ_i·δθ_i, where φ_iis the refractive power (i.e., equals 1/f_i) and δθ_iis the anomalous dispersion of the i^thlens element.

[0009] Many proposals for making a lens achromatic have been set forth, such as the one described in Japanese Laid Open Patent Application H4-311912. However, almost all of these proposals form reduced images having a magnification in the range −0.1 to −0.2 of that used, for instance, in a scanner. In a developing machine as described above, it is difficult to correct large axial chromatic aberration when approaching a magnification near unity. For example, it is difficult to obtain good performance when the magnification is about 0.8.

[0010] On the other hand, a technique described in Japanese Laid Open Patent Application H10-325921 has been used for correcting aberrations in the near-infrared region as well as in the visible region. However, this technique does not use a diaphragm at the center of the lens system, as is commonly done in order to obtain symmetry and thereby reduce certain aberrations so as to provide good optical performance. Therefore aberration fluctuations over the range of magnification increase, making good optical performance difficult to obtain over a wide range of magnification.

[0011] The present invention relates to a lens for reading a color image or a color original, and to a device which uses such a lens. More particularly, the object of the present invention is to provide a color image readout lens which reduces a negative film image or positive film image by a magnification factor mf, with mf being in the range −0.3≦mf≦−0.85, which has an f number F_NOin the range of 7.3≦F_NO≦10.2, and which simultaneously provides good visible and near-infrared imaging resolution. In addition, the invention is to a device which uses such an image readout lens.

[0012] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given below and the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration only and thus are not limitative of the present invention, wherein:

[0013] FIG. 1 shows the basic lens element configuration of a color image readout lens relating to Embodiments 1, 3 and 4;

[0014] FIG. 2 shows the basic lens element configuration of a color image readout lens of Embodiment 2;

[0015] FIGS. 3A-3D show the spherical aberration, astigmatism, distortion and coma, respectively, of the color image readout lens of Embodiment 1 at a magnification of −0.30;

[0016] FIGS. 4A-4D show the spherical aberration, astigmatism, distortion and coma, respectively, of the color image readout lens of Embodiment 1 at a magnification of −0.62;

[0017] FIGS. 5A-5D show the spherical aberration, astigmatism, distortion and coma, respectively, of the color image readout lens of Embodiment 1 at a magnification of −0.85;

[0018] FIGS. 6A-6D show the spherical aberration, astigmatism, distortion and coma, respectively, of the color image readout lens of Embodiment 2 at a magnification of −0.30;

[0019] FIGS. 7A-7D show the spherical aberration, astigmatism, distortion and coma, respectively, of the color image readout lens of Embodiment 2 at a magnification of −0.62;

[0020] FIGS. 8A-8D show the spherical aberration, astigmatism, distortion and coma, respectively, of the color image readout lens of Embodiment 2 at a magnification of −0.85;

[0021] FIGS. 9A-9D show the spherical aberration, astigmatism, distortion and coma, respectively, of the color image readout lens of Embodiment 3 at a magnification of −0.27;

[0022] FIGS. 10A-10D show the spherical aberration, astigmatism, distortion and coma, respectively, of the color image readout lens of Embodiment 3 at a magnification of −0.62;

[0023] FIGS. 11A-11D show the spherical aberration, astigmatism, distortion and coma, respectively, of the color image readout lens of Embodiment 3 at a magnification of −0.85;

[0024] FIGS. 12A-12D show the spherical aberration, astigmatism, distortion and coma, respectively, of the color image readout lens of Embodiment 4 at a magnification of −0.27;

[0025] FIGS. 13A-13D show the spherical aberration, astigmatism, distortion and coma, respectively, of the color image readout lens of Embodiment 4 at a magnification of −0.62;

[0026] FIGS. 14A-14D show the spherical aberration, astigmatism, distortion and coma, respectively, of the color image readout lens of Embodiment 4 at a magnification of −0.85; and

[0027] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram which shows an image readout device that uses the color image readout lens of the present invention.

[0028] The color image readout lens of the present invention is formed of four lens groups, in order from the object side, as follows (see FIG. 1): a first lens group formed of a first lens element L₁of positive refractive power having a convex surface on the object side; a second lens group of positive or negative refractive power that is formed of a second lens element L₂that is biconvex and cemented to a third lens element L₃that is biconcave; a third lens group of negative refractive power that is formed of a fourth lens element L₄that is biconcave and cemented to a fifth lens element L₅that is biconvex; and a fourth lens group formed of a sixth lens element L₆of positive refractive power and having a convex surface on the image side. Moreover, a diaphragm 1 is arranged between the third lens element L₃and the fourth lens element L₄. In addition, the following Conditions (1)-(6) are preferably satisfied:

[0029] 33<ν_i<45  Condition (1)

[0030] −0.012<δθ_i<−0.004  Condition (2)

[0031] 0.0006<Σφ_i·δθ_i<0.0020  Condition (3)

[0032] n₂>n₃  Condition (4)

[0033] 5<ν₂−ν₃<15  Condition (5)

[0034] 0.02<(D₆−D₅)/f<0.08  Condition (6)

[0035] where

[0036] ν_iis the Abbe number of the i^thlens element, in order from the object side, and the condition is satisfied only if both ν₃and ν₄are within the stated range of values,

[0037] δθ_iis the anomalous dispersion of the i^thlens element, in order from the object side, and the condition is satisfied if either δθ₃or δθ₄is within the stated range of values,

[0038] Σφ_i·δθ_irepresents the sum of products of the refractive power φ_i(=1/f_i) times the anomalous dispersion δθ_iof the i^thlens element, in order from the object side, where i=3, 4,

[0039] n₂represents the refractive index of the second lens element, in order from the object side,

[0040] n₃represents the refractive index of the third lens element, in order from the object side,

[0041] ν₂is the Abbe number at the d line of the second lens element, in order from the object side,

[0042] ν₃is the Abbe number at the d line of the third lens element, in order from the object side,

[0043] D₅is the on-axis spacing between the third lens element, in order from the object side, and the diaphragm, and

[0044] D₆is the on-axis spacing between the diaphragm and the fourth lens element, in order from the object side.

[0045] The anomalous dispersion δθ represents a deviation from a reference line of the partial dispersion ratio θ_g,dfor or the g-d line. In more detail, the partial dispersion ratio θ_g,d(i.e., for the g-d line) is given by θ_g,d=(ng−nd)/(nF−nC), and the anomalous dispersion δθ is the difference in ordinate positions of the partial dispersion ratio of a material and a line which connects the partial dispersion ratios calculated by plotting θ_g,dversus the Abbe number ν_d(at the d line) for the standard optical materials K7 and F2. An example of how the anomalous dispersion of a material is determined in the case where the partial dispersion is for the g, F lines is given in U.S. Pat. No. 5,858,898, which is hereby incorporated by reference. See FIG. 1 thereof and the accompanying discussion. The anomalous dispersion θ_g,d(i.e, using the g and d lines) is determined in a manner similar to the technique illustrated in FIG. 1 of the '898 patent for θ_g,F(i.e., using the g and F lines), but with the ordinate being θ_g,drather than θ_g,F.

[0046] Moreover, it is preferable that the anomalous dispersion of the two negative lens elements (i.e., the third lens element and the fourth lens element, in order from the object side) in the near-infrared region satisfy the following Condition (7):

[0047] 0.03<δP_i<0.06 (i=3,4)  Condition (7)

[0048] where

[0049] δP₃is the anomalous dispersion of the negative lens element of the second lens group, in the near-infrared region (i.e., the deviation of the partial dispersion ratio relative to the C-t line from the C-t base line), and

[0050] δP₄is the anomalous dispersion of the negative lens element of the third lens group, in the near-infrared region (i.e., the deviation of the partial dispersion ratio relative to the C-t line from the C-t base line).

[0051] Furthermore, it is preferable that two or more lens elements of the positive lens elements, namely, of the first lens element, the second lens element, the fifth lens element and the sixth lens element, satisfy the following Condition (8):

[0052] χ_i·φ_i<2.6  Condition (8)

[0053] where

[0054] the subscript i represents the lens elements 1, 2, 5 or 6 and the condition is satisfied if two lens elements or more are within the above limit of 2.6,

[0055] φ_iis the refractive power (equals 1/f_i) of the i^thlens element, in order from the object side (i=1, 2, 5, or 6),

[0056] χ_iis the temperature coefficient of the lens element, defined by the following equation

[0057] χ_i=α_i−(dn/dT)_i·(1/(n_i−1))

[0058] with

[0059] α_ibeing the linear expansion coefficient of the i^thlens element, in order from the object side (i=1, 2, 5, or 6),

[0060] (dn/dT)_ibeing the change of refractive index with temperature, of the i^thlens element, in order from the object side (i=1, 2, 5, or 6), and

[0061] n_ibeing the index of refraction of the i^thlens element, in order from the object side (i=1, 2, 5, or 6).

[0062] Generally, the axial chromatic aberrations become large in an optical system having an absolute value of magnification near unit or higher. If a material of a high anomalous dispersion is used to enhance the refractive power of a lens, the effect is large for correcting the axial chromatic aberration. However, if a strong refractive power is to be obtained, the radius of curvature of the lens surface must be small. Aberrations such as spherical aberration, coma and curvature of field are generated by such a surface, and the heights of the rays on the surface will change with amount of magnification. Thus, in an optical system having an absolute value of magnification near unit or higher, it is difficult to obtain good optical performance over a wide range of magnification.

[0063] Accordingly, in the color image readout lens and device of the present invention, the curvature of field and axial chromatic aberration are corrected by using a glass of high anomalous dispersion for the negative lens elements of the cemented lenses that form the Gauss-type lens, and by using, for the glass of the positive lens element of the cemented lens on the object side which is cemented to this negative lens element, a glass having an index of refraction and an Abbe number that are even higher than that of the negative lens element. In this way, distortion and lateral color are corrected and the aberration changes due to changes in magnification are suppressed by maintaining approximate symmetry before and after the diaphragm.

[0064] In addition to satisfying Condition (6) above, the distortion and lateral color will be less if the following more strict condition is satisfied:

[0065] 0.028<(D₆−D₅)/f<0.055  Condition (9).

[0066] The invention will first be discussed in general terms with reference to a drawing figure for one embodiment.

[0067] FIG. 1 shows the basic lens element configuration of a color image readout lens relating to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The color image readout lens of this embodiment includes, in sequential order from the object side, a first lens element L₁of positive refractive power having a convex surface on the object side, a lens that is formed by cementing a second lens element L₂that is biconvex to a third lens element L₃that is biconcave, a diaphragm 1, a lens of negative refractive power that is formed by cementing a fourth lens element L₄that is biconcave to a fifth lens element L₅that is biconvex, and a sixth lens element L₆of positive refractive power having a convex surface on the image side. Moreover, a diaphragm 1 is arranged between the third lens element L₃and the fourth lens element L₄.

[0068] Light is imaged by this color image readout lens onto an image pick-up surface 2 of a solid-state image pick-up element, such as a CCD array.

[0069] The purpose of the Conditions (1)-(8) will now be explained.

[0070] Condition (1) specifies the use of a material of a high anomalous dispersion, in the negative direction, in making both of the negative lens elements of the color image readout lens, and are for correcting chromatic aberration, especially in the secondary spectra. More specifically, Condition (1) requires that the third and fourth lens elements L₃, L₄of negative refractive power be made of glass having an anomalous dispersion, so that these lens elements are able to correct for large axial chromatic aberrations occurring at magnifications near unity.

[0071] Condition (2) requires that the optical material used to make at least one of these two lens elements L₃, L₄have an anomalous dispersion within the stated range so as to suppress an increase of other aberrations such as spherical aberration, coma, and so on. If the above Conditions (1) and (2) are not satisfied, the refractive power for correcting the large axial chromatic aberration that occurs near unity magnification becomes too strong, negative spherical aberration and coma increase, and high-resolution performance is hard to obtain.

[0072] Condition (3) specifies the sum of products of the refractive power φ_i(=1/f_i) times the anomalous dispersion δθ_iof the third and fourth lens elements L₃, L₄of negative refractive power. If the lower limit of Condition (3) is not satisfied, axial chromatic aberration will not be sufficiently corrected resulting in making it difficult to obtain good image quality of the R, G, B components in the visible region, and further, making it difficult to obtain good imaging in the near-infrared wavelengths. On the other hand, if the upper limit of Condition (3) is not satisfied, the radii of curvature of the lens surfaces decrease. If a lens which forms a bright image is to be obtained, the smaller radii of curvature causes excess negative spherical aberration, and increases both the coma and curvature of field, making a good image quality difficult to obtain.

[0073] Conditions (4) and (5) specify the ideal range of the indexes of refraction and the Abbe numbers of the second lens element L₂and third lens element L₃, in order from the object side, which form the cemented lens on the object side of the diaphragm 1, in order to sufficiently correct for chromatic aberration and curvature of field. Favorable correction of chromatic aberration and curvature of field can be achieved, even if each component lens element possesses a strong refractive power, by selecting the materials of the second lens element and the third lens element so as to satisfy these conditions.

[0074] Condition (6) corrects the distortion and the lateral color of the color image readout lens of the invention by specifying that the diaphragm 1 be positioned within an asymmetric range of locations that is fairly symmetrical with respect to the cemented lens elements that form the Gauss-type lens portion of the color image readout lens. If the lower limit of Condition (6) is not satisfied, the difference in height of a ray incident upon the third lens group at various field angles decreases. Thus, if a lens with a small radius of curvature is not arranged on the object side of the diaphragm 1, an effective correction of distortion and lateral color that corresponds to the field angle becomes difficult to obtain. If the radii of curvature of the lens elements on the object side of the diaphragm 1 decreases, high-order aberrations such as coma, etc. are generated and good optical performances becomes difficult to obtain. On the other hand, if the upper limit of Condition (6) is not satisfied, the change of aberrations with change of magnification increases, making it difficult to provide favorable correction of aberrations over a wide range of magnification.

[0075] Condition (7) specifies that the material of the third and fourth lens elements of negative refractive power have a high anomalous dispersion in the near-infrared region, in order to obtain a high performances in the near-infrared region. For example, if a good performance is to be obtained at a wavelength t=940 nm, it is vital that a lens-forming material is selected to satisfy this Condition (7). If the lower limit of Condition (7) is not satisfied, the chromatic aberration correction in the near-infrared region will be insufficient. If the upper limit of Condition (7) is not satisfied, the correction becomes excessive. Thus, good optical performance is difficult to obtain unless Condition (7) is satisfied.

[0076] Condition (8) is for reducing the change of focus position due to temperature change. Generally, if a glass material having anomalous dispersion is used in the negative lens elements, the temperature coefficient χ takes a relatively small value. Thus, the focus shift caused by the temperature change becomes hard to reduce. Accordingly, it is vital that a material having a relatively small linear expansion coefficient α and a large positive ratio of change in refractive index with temperature dn/dT be selected as the lens-forming material of the positive lens elements. Namely, the focus shift caused by the temperature change can be reduced by selecting a material having a small temperature coefficient χ as the lens-forming material of the positive lens elements (i.e., L₁, L₂, L₅and L₆).

[0077] Several embodiments of the present invention will now be set forth in detail.

[0078] The basic lens element configuration of the color image readout lens of Embodiment 1 is shown in FIG. 1. As this Figure was discussed above in discussing the invention in general, further description here will be omitted.

[0079] Table 1 below lists the surface number # in order from the object side, the radius of curvature R (in mm) of each surface, the on-axis spacing D (in mm) between surfaces, as well as the index of refraction n_dand the Abbe number ν_d(both at the d line), the anomalous dispersion δθ, the linear expansion coefficient α, and the change in index of refraction with change in temperature dn/dT of each of the optical elements of Embodiment 1. In the middle portion of the table is listed the focal length f of the color image readout lens, and in the bottom portion of the table are listed the values of the above Conditions (1)-(9) which are applicable to this embodiment.

[0080] By comparing the values listed in the bottom portion of the table with the above Conditions (1)-(9), it is evident that the above values satisfy each of Conditions (1)-(9).

[0081] FIGS. 3A-3D show the spherical aberration, astigmatism, distortion and coma, respectively, of the color image readout lens of Embodiment 1 at a magnification of −0.30, FIGS. 4A-4D show these same aberrations, respectively, at a magnification of −0.62, and FIGS. 5A-5D show these same aberrations, respectively, at a magnification of −0.85. In these figures ω is the half-image angle. The spherical aberration is given for the three visible wavelengths R, G, B and the one near-infrared IR wavelength indicated. In FIGS. 3B, 4B and 5B, the astigmatism is illustrated for both the sagittal S and tangential T image planes. As is evident from FIGS. 3A, 4A, and 5A, axial chromatic aberration is effectively corrected so that a color image readout lens having high performance over a wide range of wavelengths is achieved.

[0082] The basic lens element configuration of the color image readout lens of Embodiment 2 is shown in FIG. 2. The configuration is similar to that of Embodiment 1 except, in this embodiment, the fourth lens element L₄is a negative meniscus lens with its convex surface on the image side, and the fifth lens element L₅is a positive meniscus lens with is convex surface on the image side.

[0083] Table 2 below lists the surface number # in order from the object side, the radius of curvature R (in mm) of each surface, the on-axis spacing D (in mm) between surfaces, as well as the index of refraction n_dand the Abbe number ν_d(both at the d line), the anomalous dispersion δθ, the linear expansion coefficient α, and the change in index of refraction with change in temperature dn/dT of each of the optical elements of Embodiment 2. In the middle portion of the table is listed the focal length f of the color image readout lens, and in the bottom portion of the table are listed the values of the above Conditions (1)-(9) which are applicable to this embodiment.

[0084] By comparing the values listed in the bottom portion of the table with the above Conditions (1)-(9), it is evident that the above values satisfy each of Conditions (1)-(9).

[0085] FIGS. 6A-6D show the spherical aberration, astigmatism, distortion and coma, respectively, of the color image readout lens of Embodiment 2 at a magnification of −0.30, FIGS. 7A-7D show these same aberrations, respectively, at a magnification of −0.62, and FIGS. 8A-8D show these same aberrations, respectively, at a magnification of −0.85. In these figures ω is the half-image angle. The spherical aberration is given for the three visible wavelengths R, G, B and the one near-infrared wavelength IR as indicated. In FIGS. 6B, 7B and 8B, the astigmatism is illustrated for both the sagittal S and tangential T image planes. As is evident from FIGS. 6A, 7A, and 8A, axial chromatic aberration is effectively corrected so that a color image readout lens having high performance over a wide range of wavelengths is achieved.

[0086] The color image readout lens of this embodiment is similar in its basic lens element configuration to that of Embodiment 1 as shown in FIG. 1, except that in this embodiment the sixth lens element L₆is a positive meniscus lens with its convex surface on the image side.

[0087] Table 3 below lists the surface number # in order from the object side, the radius of curvature R (in mm) of each surface, the on-axis spacing D (in mm) between surfaces, as well as the index of refraction n_dand the Abbe number ν_d(both at the d line), the anomalous dispersion δθ, the linear expansion coefficient α, and the change in index of refraction with change in temperature dn/dT of each of the optical elements of Embodiment 3. In the middle portion of the table is listed the focal length f of the color image readout lens, and in the bottom portion of the table are listed the values of the above Conditions (1)-(9) which are applicable to this embodiment.

[0088] By comparing the values listed in the bottom portion of the table with the above Conditions (1)-(9), it is evident that the above values satisfy each of Conditions (1)-(9).

[0089] FIGS. 9A-9D show the spherical aberration, astigmatism, distortion and coma, respectively, of the color image readout lens of Embodiment 3 at a magnification of −0.27, FIGS. 10A-10D show these same aberrations, respectively, at a magnification of −0.62, and FIGS. 11A-11D show these same aberrations, respectively, at a magnification of −0.85. In these figures ω is the half-image angle. The spherical aberration is given for the three visible wavelengths R, G, B and the one near-infrared wavelength IR as indicated. In FIGS. 9B, 10B and 11B, the astigmatism is illustrated for both the sagittal S and tangential T image planes. As is evident from FIGS. 9A, 10A, and 11A, axial chromatic aberration is effectively corrected so that a color image readout lens having high performance over a wide range of wavelengths is achieved.

[0090] The color image readout lens of this embodiment is similar in basic lens element configuration to that of Embodiment 3, and thus is also shown in FIG. 1.

[0091] Table 4 below lists the surface number # in order from the object side, the radius of curvature R (in mm) of each surface, the on-axis spacing D (in mm) between surfaces, as well as the index of refraction n_dand the Abbe number ν_d(both at the d line), the anomalous dispersion δθ, the linear expansion coefficient α, and the change in index of refraction with change in temperature dn/dT of each of the optical elements of Embodiment 4. In the middle portion of the table is listed the focal length f of the color image readout lens, and in the bottom portion of the table are listed the values of the above Conditions (1)-(9) which are applicable to this embodiment.

[0092] By comparing the values listed in the bottom portion of the table with the above Conditions (1)-(9), it is evident that the above values satisfy each of Conditions (1)-(9).

[0093] FIGS. 12A-12D show the spherical aberration, astigmatism, distortion and coma, respectively, of the color image readout lens of Embodiment 4 at a magnification of −0.27, FIGS. 13A-13D show these same aberrations, respectively, at a magnification of −0.62, and FIGS. 14A-14D show these same aberrations, respectively, at a magnification of −0.85. In these figures ω is the half-image angle. The spherical aberration is given for the three visible wavelengths R, G, B and the one near-infrared wavelength IR as indicated. In FIGS. 12B, 13B and 14B, the astigmatism is illustrated for both the sagittal S and tangential T image planes. As is evident from FIGS. 12A, 13A, and 14A, axial chromatic aberration is effectively corrected so that a color image readout lens having high performance over a wide range of wavelengths is achieved.

[0094] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram which illustrates the color image readout lens of the invention when incorporated into a color image readout device. The color image readout device 100, for example, is provided with a stage 102 which supports an original 101 (such as a negative film or a positive film), an image pick-up element 103 such as a light measuring element for measuring the light intensity at three colors of an original image, and an image readout lens 110 by which image information from the original 101 is imaged onto the image pick-up element 103. In this image readout device 100, an optical member 120 such as a pressing glass or a color filter, etc. may be arranged between the original and the image readout lens 110, as needed. Moreover, an optical member 130, such as a cover glass for protecting the color filter, may be arranged between the image readout lens 110 and the image pick-up element 103. In FIG. 15, the arrow at the top of the figure represents the electrical output from the image pick-up element, which is connected to a TV monitor or image data storage medium.

[0095] The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. For example, the lens element shapes, radii of curvature, axial spacings, refractive index, Abbe number, anomalous dispersion, linear expansion coefficient, rate of change of refractive index with temperature, etc. of the lens elements can be varied so long as the above conditions are satisfied. For example, the first lens group can be a biconvex lens. Also, the image readout device of the present invention is not restricted to the use of a color image readout lens as set forth in the above embodiments. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention. Rather the scope of the invention shall be defined as set forth in the following claims and their legal equivalents. All such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.