US Patent 7990626 Lens barrel and image capturing apparatus

Provided is a lens barrel comprising: an optical system including an optical component that moves relative to a fixed cylinder; a holding frame that holds the optical component; a guide axle that is connected to the holding frame and that extends in a direction parallel to an optical axis of the optical system; a scaling drive unit that can move relative to the fixed cylinder and that moves the holding frame in the direction of the optical axis when the optical system scales; and a focusing drive unit that has at least a portion thereof fixed to the fixed cylinder and that moves the guide axle in the direction of the optical axis while facing at least a portion of the guide axle.