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Abstract

A compact endoscope optical system capable of providing a clear image of minimal distortion even at a wide field angle. The endoscope optical system includes an objective optical system for forming an object image. The objective optical system has a prism member (3) having reflecting surfaces (5, 6) for bending an optical path. The endoscope optical system further includes an image transfer system for leading the object image formed by the objective optical system to an observation apparatus along the direction of a major axis. The objective optical system has a configuration producing decentration aberration by bending the optical path. The prism member (3) has at least one curved surface (4 to 7) having an optical action in the optical path. The curved surface is such a non-rotationally symmetric surface having no axis of rotational symmetry in nor out of the surface as to correct the decentration aberration.

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First Claim