A multifocal lens system to be used for digital cameras for setting any one of
a plurality of lenses in a picture taking (image capturing) position comprising
a wide-angle lens (shorter focal length lens) mounted in front of an image sensor
in a picture taking (image capturing) position, a telephoto lens (longer focal
length lens) mounted alongside the wide-angle lens, a parallelogram prism (rhombic
prism) or a pair of triangular prisms removably arranged between the two lenses
at the rear of them. When the wide-angle lens is to be used, the parallelogram
prism or one of the two triangular prisms is to be removed from the rear of wide-angle
lens so that the wide-angle lens can be focused on the sensor enabling light to
pass therethrough. The telephoto lens is so positioned that it may be focused on
the image sensor through the parallelogram prism or being reflected by the triangular
prisms enabling light to pass therethrough when a part of the parallelogram prism
or one of the two triangular prisms is placed in front of the image sensor to cover
the imaging area of the sensor and to shut the light through the wide-angle lens
to the sensor. By moving the prism from the rear of each lens, one of the two lenses
can be positioned for picture taking (image capturing).
