CROSS REFERENCE TO EXISTING APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from US Provisional Patent Application No. 63/054,862 filed July 22, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The presently disclosed subject matter is related generally to the field of digital cameras and in particular to folded optical designs in such cameras.

DEFINITIONS

In this application and for optical and other properties mentioned throughout the description and figures, the following symbols and abbreviations are used, all of which are known in the art:

- Total track length (TTL): the maximal distance, measured along a direction parallel to the optical axis, between a point of the front surface Si of a first lens element Li of a lens (or “lens assembly”) and an image sensor, when a camera system including the lens is focused to an infinity object distance.

- Back focal length (BFL): the minimal distance, measured along a direction parallel to the first optical axis, between a point of the rear surface S2N of a last lens element LN of a lens (or “lens assembly”) and the image sensor, when a camera system including the lens is focused to an infinity object distance.

- Effective focal length (EFL): the distance between a rear principal point P' and a rear focal point F' of a lens assembly of lens elements Li to LN.

- f-number, (f/#): the ratio of the EFL to an entrance pupil diameter.

BACKGROUND

Dual-cameras or triple-cameras (or multi -cameras in general) for mobile devices such as smartphones are known. In a typical triple-camera, one camera has an Ultra-Wide (UV) field of view (FOV) FOVuw, another camera has a Wide field of view FOVw narrower than FOVuw and yet another camera has Tele field of view FOVT narrower than FOVw. These cameras are also referred to herein as, respectively, an Ultra-Wide (or UW) camera, a Wide (or W) camera and a Tele (or T) camera. In general, the Wide camera is considered to be a smartphone’s main camera.

The f-number (“f/#”) of a camera lens is the ratio of the effective focal length (EFL) to the diameter D of the camera’s entrance pupil: f/# = EFL/D. The entrance pupil is the optical image of the aperture stop, as 'seen' through the front aperture of the lens system. The front aperture is the object-sided aperture of the lens. A low f/# is desired for a smartphone’s main camera as it has 3 major advantages: good low light sensitivity, strong “natural” Bokeh effect and high image resolution, discussed next:

1. Low light sensitivity is a major performance drawback of today’s mobile device compatible cameras when compared to e.g. digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras. As an example, halving a camera’s f/# (for same EFL) increases the aperture area by a factor of 4, meaning that 4 times more light enters the camera. This difference is especially relevant when capturing low light scenes.

2. Bokeh is the aesthetic quality of the blur produced in the out-of-focus segments of an image, and it is a highly demanded feature for today’s smartphones. The Bokeh effect correlates inversely with the depth of field (DOF) of an image, wherein DOF ~ f/#. A low f/# is beneficial for supporting strong “natural” Bokeh effects. As the f/#s present in today’s smartphone cameras do not provide sufficient “natural” Bokeh, the demand for strong Bokeh is answered by “artificial” Bokeh, i.e. artificially applying blur to out-of-focus image segments.

3. Image sensors with continuously increasing pixel resolution are entering mobile devices, exceeding 100 megapixel in 2019 for the first time. This (amongst other factors) is achieved by shrinking the size of single pixels, i.e. increasing the spatial pixel frequency. For translating pixel resolution to image resolution, a camera’s lens must support the spatial pixel frequency kpi _xei of the sensor. For a well-designed (diffraction-limited) camera lens, the resolvable spatial frequency of the lens kLens depends inversely on the f/#: kuens ~ 1/f/#, i.e. a lower f/# corresponds to a higher image resolution (assuming an image sensor with sufficient spatial pixel frequency).

The latest premium smartphones are equipped with main Wide cameras that have f/# of about f/1.9 (Huawei P40 Pro) and f/1.8 (Apple iphone 11 Pro Max). A major challenge in low f/# cameras is the design of lenses that correct for the strong aberration imposed by the large front apertures required, e.g. for correction of chromatic aberration. This is usually tackled by a more complex lens design that includes a larger number of lens elements. However, this generally leads to larger total track length (TTL) and larger camera module heights, what is detrimental to the goal of slim smartphone design.

A recent development in mobile Tele cameras involves using a prism to "fold" the Tele camera: a reflecting or optical path folding element ("OPFE") is added to the optical path in order to “fold” (tilt) the light propagation direction from perpendicular to the back surface of a host device to parallel to the host device’s back surface. Folded cameras allow large TTLs in a slim camera design.

For improving a smartphone’s main camera it would be beneficial to have a folded Wide camera designs with low f/#.

SUMMARY

In various embodiments there are provided folded cameras, comprising: a lens with N > 7 lens elements Li, having an effective focal length (EFL), each Li having a respective focal length £ wherein a first lens element Li faces an object side; an image sensor; and an OPFE for providing a folded optical path between an object and the lens, to the lens optical axis, wherein a folded camera has a total track length (TTL), wherein an aperture stop of the lens is located closer to a first surface of the first lens element facing the object than a distance d that fulfills d/TTL=0.2, and wherein an f number f/# of the camera is smaller than 1 2

In various embodiments there are provided folded cameras, comprising: a lens having an effective focal length (EFL) and including N > 7 lens elements Li having a first optical axis, each lens element having a respective focal length fi and comprising a respective front surface Si.-i and a respective rear surface Sri. the lens element surfaces marked Sk where 1< k < 2N, wherein each lens element surface Sk has a clear height value CH(Sk), wherein clear height value CH(Sn) of surface Sn is greater than or equal to a clear height value of each of surfaces S2 to S2N-1; an image sensor; and an OPFE for providing a folded optical path between an object and the lens elements, and wherein an f number f/# of the camera is smaller than 1 2

In some embodiments, f/# < 1.1.

In some embodiments, f/# < 1.0.

In some embodiments, 0.8 < f/# < 1.0.

In some embodiments, a folded camera as above or below has a diagonal FOV that is larger than 60 degrees. In some embodiments, |fi| > 4-EFL for 1 < i < 3.

In some embodiments, |fi| > 5-EFL for 1 < i < 3.

In some embodiments, Ls is the lens element with the strongest optical power, i.e. |fs| < |fi| for i¹5.

In some embodiments, i ^' s < EFL.

In some embodiments, a lens sub-system including lens elements L4 and L5 has positive refractive power.

In some embodiments, focal lengths ft of L4 and i ^' s of L5 satisfy |ft| < 4-fs.

In some embodiments, focal lengths ft of L4 and i ^' s of L5 satisfy |ft| < 3-fs.

In some embodiments, the lens includes at least one air gap between lens elements that comply with the condition STD < 0.020, where STD is a normalized gap standard deviation.

In some embodiments, the lens includes at least one air gap between lens elements that comply with the condition STD < 0.010, where STD is a normalized gap standard deviation.

In some embodiments, an air gap between lens elements L4 and L5 satisfies STD < 0.020, where STD is a normalized gap standard deviation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting examples of embodiments disclosed herein are described below with reference to figures attached hereto that are listed following this paragraph. The drawings and descriptions are meant to illuminate and clarify embodiments disclosed herein, and should not be considered limiting in any way. Like elements in different drawings may be indicated by like numerals. Elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the drawings:

FIG. 1A illustrates a known digital folded camera that may operate as a Wide camera in a perspective view;

FIG. IB shows the camera of FIG. 1A in a side view;

FIG. 1C illustrates a known dual camera that includes a folded camera as in FIGS. 1A and IB together with an “upright” (non-folded) camera;

FIG. 2A shows a schematic view of a folded optical lens system according to some examples of the presently disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 2B shows a schematic view of another folded optical lens system according to some examples of the presently disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 2C shows a schematic view of yet another folded optical lens system according to some examples of the presently disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 2D shows a schematic view of yet another folded optical lens system according to some examples of the presently disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 3A illustrates the orthogonal projections IPortiu, IPorti of two impact points IPi and IP2 on a plane P that is orthogonal to the optical axis of the lens of the system in FIGS. 2A-2D;

FIG. 3B illustrates the orthogonal projections I Port h.3. IPortiu of two impact points IP3 and IP4 on a plane P that is orthogonal to the optical axis of the lens of the system in FIGS. 2A- 2D;

FIG. 4 provides graphically a definition of clear height;

FIG. 5 provides graphically a definition of clear aperture;

FIG. 6 provides a graphical illustration of diameter Hi., of lens element L,:

FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of lens elements illustrating lens element width Wu and height Hu.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the presently disclosed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the presently disclosed subject matter.

It is appreciated that certain features of the presently disclosed subject matter, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the presently disclosed subject matter, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub -combination.

Furthermore, for the sake of clarity the term "substantially" is used herein to imply the possibility of variations in values within an acceptable range. According to one example, the term "substantially" used herein should be interpreted to imply possible variation of up to 10% over or under any specified value. According to another example, the term "substantially" used herein should be interpreted to imply possible variation of up to 5% over or under any specified value. According to a further example, the term "substantially" used herein should be interpreted to imply possible variation of up to 2.5% over or under any specified value. FIGS. 1A and IB illustrate a known digital folded camera 100, which may operate for example as a Wide camera. Camera 100 comprises an optical path folding element (OPFE) 102 e.g. a prism, a lens 104 with a plurality of lens elements (not visible in this representation, but visible e.g. in FIGS. 2A-D) and an image sensor 106. In some embodiments (as in FIGS. 2A- 2D), the lens elements are axial symmetric along a first optical axis 108. In other embodiments the lens elements may not be axial symmetric. For example, lens elements may be cut (or diced or sliced) to a non-circular shape, as e.g. demonstrated in FIG. 2B.

At least some of the lens elements can be held by a structure called a “barrel” 110. The barrel may have a longitudinal symmetry along optical axis 108. In FIGS. 1A to 1C, the cross- section of this barrel is circular. This is however not mandatory and other shapes can be used, e.g. for hosting cut lens elements.

The path of the optical rays from an object (not shown) to image sensor 106 defines an optical path (see optical paths 112 and 114, which represent portions of the optical path).

OPFE folds the optical path from a first optical path 112 to a second optical path 114. Optical path 114 is substantially parallel to the optical axis 108. The optical path is thus referred to as "folded optical path" (indicated by optical paths 112 and 114) and camera 100 is referred to as "folded camera".

In particular, in some examples, OPFE 102 is inclined at substantially 45° with respect to optical axis 108. In FIG. 1A, OPFE 102 is also inclined at substantially 45° with respect to optical path 112.

In some known examples, image sensor 106 lies in a X-Y plane substantially perpendicular to optical axis 108. This is however not limiting and the image sensor 106 can have a different orientation. For example, and as described in WO 2016/024192, image sensor 106 can be in the XZ plane. In this case, an additional OPFE can be used to reflect the optical rays towards image sensor 106.

Two cameras, for example a Wide camera 100 and a regular UW camera 130 may be included in a digital camera 150 (also referred to as dual-camera). A possible configuration is shown in FIG. 1C.

UW camera 130 may include an aperture 132 (indicating object side of the camera) and an optical lens system 134 (or "Wide lens module") with a symmetry (and optical) axis 136 in the Y direction, as well as a UW image sensor 138. The UW camera comprises a UW lens system configured to provide a UW image. As already indicated above, the UW camera has a field of view FOVuw larger than the field of view of the Wide camera FOVw. For example, FOVuw may be 80-130 degrees and FOVw may be 60-90 deg. Notably, in other examples, a plurality of Wide cameras and/or a plurality of Tele cameras can be incorporated and operative in a single digital camera. The FOVT of a Tele camera may be for example 20-50 degrees.

Attention is now drawn to FIG. 2A which depicts schematically an optical lens system disclosed herein and numbered 200. Lens system 200 comprises an OPFE 202, a lens (or “lens assembly”) 204, an optical element 206 and an image sensor 208. System 200 is shown with ray tracing. Optical element 206 may be for example infra-red (IR) filter, and/or a glass image sensor dust cover. Optical rays (after their reflection by prism 202) pass through lens 204 and form an image on image sensor 208. FIG. 2 A shows 3 fields with 3 rays for each: the upper marginal-ray, the lower marginal -ray and the chief-ray . In the example of FIG. 2A, the optical rays pass through optical element 206 before impinging on image sensor 208. This is however not limiting, and in some examples, optical element 206 is not present, i.e. in some lens systems, the optical element is optional.

Lens 204 includes a plurality of N lens elements Li 220 (wherein “i” is an integer between 1 and N). Li is the lens element closest to the object (prism) side and LN is the lens element closest to the image side, i.e. the side where the image sensor is located. This order holds for all lenses and lens elements disclosed herein. Lens elements Li can be used e.g. as lens elements of camera 100 above. The N lens elements are axial symmetric along an optical axis 210. Each lens element Li comprises a respective front surface Sa-i (the index “2i-l” being the number of the front surface) and a respective rear surface S2 (the index “2i” being the number of the rear surface), where “i” is an integer between 1 and N. This numbering convention is used throughout the description. Alternatively, as done throughout this description, lens surfaces are marked as “Sk”, with k running from 1 to 2N. The front surface and the rear surface can be in some cases aspherical. This is however not limiting.

As used herein the term "front surface" of each lens element refers to the surface of a lens element located closer to the entrance of the camera (camera object side) and the term "rear surface" refers to the surface of a lens element located closer to the image sensor (camera image side).

In lens system 200, a first horizontal surface of the prism (oriented along Z direction), marked as Tl, is 10.93mm. A second horizontal surface of the prism (oriented along the X direction, not shown) and marked T2 is 12.6mm. The vertical surface of the prism (along Y) marked V is 8.68mm. The angle of the prism is 45deg. The relatively large prism size allows for a high amount of light entering the camera, which allows the camera to have in this example a low f/# of 1.0. In other embodiments, f/# may be 0.8-1.2. The aperture stop of lens 204 is located at a distance d=-0.042mm from S2, i.e. from the first surface of the first lens element. For the non-zero fields shown in lens system 200, about 80% of light reaches image sensor

208.

As explained below, a clear height value CH(Sk) can be defined for each surface Sk for 1 < k < 2N), and a clear aperture value CA(Sk) can be defined for each surface Sk for 1 < k < 2N). CA(Sk) and CH(Sk) define optical properties of each surface Sk of each lens element. The CH term is defined with reference to FIG. 4 and the CA term is defined with reference to FIG. 5, below.

In addition a height ( Hu for 1 < i < N) is defined for each lens element Li. Hu corresponds, for each lens element Li, to the maximal height of lens element Li measured along a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens elements. For a given lens element, the height is greater than, or equal to the clear height value CH and the clear aperture value CA of the front and rear surfaces of this given lens element. Typically, for an axial symmetric lens element, Hi., is the diameter of lens element Li as seen in FIG. 6. Typically, for an axial symmetric lens element, Hu = max{CA(S2i-i), CA(S2i)} + mechanical part size.

In general, in lens design the mechanical part size is defined as not contributing to the optical properties of the lens. Because of this, one defines two heights of a lens: an optical height Hopt (corresponding to the CA value) of an optically active area (dotted) and a geometrical (or mechanical) height of the lens HL which covers an optically active and an optically inactive area. The mechanical part size contribution to Hi., is typically 200-1000pm.

In lens 204, the clear aperture of the last surface Sn of the last lens element Lx. CAn, is larger than the CA of all other surfaces Si of the lens elements, i.e. CAn > CAi for i < 17. The CA of the first surface Si6 of last lens element Lx. CAi6, is larger than the CA of all preceding surfaces Si of the lens elements, i.e. CAi6 > CAi for i < 16.

In lens system 200, N is equal to eight. This is however not limiting and a different number of lens elements can be used. According to some examples, N is equal to or greater than 7. For example, N can be equal to 7, 8, 9 or 10.

In lens system 200, some of the surfaces of the lens elements are represented as convex, and some are represented as concave. The representation of FIG. 2A is however not limiting and a different combination of convex and/or concave surfaces can be used, depending on various factors such as the application, the desired optical power, etc.

A lens barrel such as lens barrel 110 may carry lens 204. In some embodiments the lens barrel may be circular such as lens barrel 110. In other embodiments the lens barrel may be not be circular but may have a shape such as the lens elements in FIG. 7. Referring to FIG. 7, a non-circular lens barrel may have a X axis or a Y axis as symmetry axis. A non-circular lens barrel may e.g. be shaped according to the cut lens elements of a lens such as lens 204’. The height of a lens barrel may be only slightly higher than the lens element having the largest height in the lens. E.g. a lens barrel may be 0 - 0.5 mm higher than the highest lens element. A lens barrel having an identical height as the highest lens element is described for example in co-owned international patent application PCT/IB2018/050988, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

As shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 4, each optical ray that passes through a surface Sk (for 1 < k < 2N) impinges this surface on an impact point IP. Optical rays enter optical lens system 200 from surface Si and pass through surfaces S2 to S2N. Some optical rays can impinge on any surface Sk but cannot /will not reach image sensor 208. For a given surface Sk, only optical rays that can form an image on image sensor 208 are considered. CH(Sk) is defined as the distance between two closest possible parallel lines, see lines 400 and 402 in FIG. 4 located on a plane P orthogonal to the optical axis of the lens elements. In the representation of FIGS. 3A and 3B, plane P is parallel to plane X-Y and is orthogonal to optical axis 103 such that the orthogonal projection IPorth of all impact points IP on plane P is located between the two parallel lines. CH(Sk) can be defined for each surface Sk (front and rear surfaces, with 1 < k < 2N).

The definition of CH(Sk) does not depend on the object currently imaged, since it refers to the optical rays that “can” form an image on the image sensor. Thus, even if the currently imaged object is located in a black background that does not produce light, the definition does not refer to this black background since it refers to any optical rays that “can” reach the image sensor to form an image (for example optical rays emitted by a background which would emit light, contrary to a black background).

For example, FIG. 3A illustrates the orthogonal projections IPortiu, IPorth, 2 of two impact points IPi and IP2 on plane P which is orthogonal to optical axis 103. By way of example, in the representation of FIG. 3 A, surface Sk is convex.

FIG. 3B illustrates the orthogonal projections IPonh,3, IPorth, 4 of two impact points IP3 and IP4 on plane P. By way of example, in the representation of FIG. 3B, surface Sk is concave.

In FIG. 4, the orthogonal projection IPorth of all impact points IP of a surface Sk on plane P is located between parallel lines 400 and 402. CH(Sk) is thus the distance between lines 400 and 402.

Attention is drawn to FIG. 5. According to the presently disclosed subject matter, a clear aperture CA(Sk) is defined for each given surface Sk (for 1 < k < 2N) as the diameter of a circle, wherein the circle is the smallest possible circle located in a plane P orthogonal to the optical axis 108 and encircling all orthogonal projections IPorth of all impact points on plane P. As mentioned above with respect to CH(Sk), it is noted that the definition of CA(Sk) also does not depend on the object which is currently imaged.

As shown in FIG. 5, the circumscribed orthogonal projection IPorth of all impact points IP on plane P is a circle 500. The diameter of circle 500 defines CA(Sk).

Detailed optical data and surface data are given in Tables 1-3 for the example of the lens elements in FIG. 2A. The values provided for these examples are purely illustrative and according to other examples, other values can be used.

Surface types are defined in Table 1 and the coefficients for the surfaces are defined in Table 2:

Surface types are: a) Plano: flat surfaces, no curvature b) Q type 1 (QT1) surface sag formula: )] where {z, r} are the standard cylindrical polar coordinates, c is the paraxial curvature of the surface, k is the conic parameter, rnorm is generally one half of the surface’s clear aperture, and An are the polynomial coefficients shown in lens data tables. The Z axis is positive

Table 1 towards image. Values for CA are given as a clear aperture radius, i.e. CA/2. The reference 5 wavelength is 555.0 nm. Units are in mm except for refraction index (“Index”) and Abbe #. Each lens element Li has a respective focal length fi, given in Table 1.

10

Table 2

Table 2 (Cont)

In the example of FIG. 2A, the following optical properties are achieved: - TTL = 8.34 mm

- BFL = 1.08 mm

- EFL = 4.14 mm

- CA(Sn) > CA(Sk), 1 < k < 2N

- CA(Sie) > CA(Sk), 1 < k < 2N-1 - CA(Sis) > CA(Sk), 1 < k < 2N-2

- f/# = 1.0

- Sensor diagonal (SD) is 7 mm, sensor width/height ratio is 4:3

- Minimum CA/SD ratio: CA(S4)/SD = 0.57

- Maximum CA/SD ratio: CA(Sn)/SD = 0.94 - Diagonal FOV = 80.44 deg, Horizontal FOV = 68.32deg, Vertical FOV = 53.48 deg,

- Distance d from aperture stop to S2: d= -0.042 mm - Li, L2 and L3 have relatively low power (magnitude), so |fi| > 5-EFL for 1 < i < 3

- L4 and L5 together have positive power, so for the lens sub-system including L4 and L5 at a thickness d apart from each other and as given in Table 1 which has focal length l/(f4+f5) = [l/f ₄ + l/fs - d/(f ₄ f ₅ )] > 0

- For L5 yields: fs < EFL

- L4 and L5 satisfy: |f ₄ | < 3xfs

- Minimal gap between L ₄ and L5: GapMin = 0.04 mm

- Maximal gap between L4 and L5: GapMax =0.0745 mm

- Average gap AVG4 between L4 and L5: AVG4 = 0.048 mm

- STD4 from average gap AVG4(r) between L ₄ and Ls: STD4 = 3.42T0 ³ mm.

Lens 204 may be carried by a lens barrel having a lens barrel height of e.g. 6.57mm - 7.2mm.

In this specification, a “gap” or an “air gap” refers to the space between consecutive lens elements. In the case of lens elements 4 and 5, “gap” refers to the air space between the last surface of L4 and the first surface of L5.

A number of functions and constants per gap are defined:

1. A “Gapi(r)” function, (where i is the lens element number and r is the same variable used in Eq. 1) is: a) for i=l: Gapi(r) = z(r) of L2S1 + (the distance along the second optical axis between the prism exit surface and L2S1); b) for i>l: Gapi(r) = z(r) of Li+iSi + (the distance along the second optical axis between LiS2and Li+iSi) - z(r) of L1S2; c) for r = 0, an “on-axis gap” (OA_Gapi) is defined as Gapi(r=0);

2. A “gap average” (AVGi ) constant is given by: where j is a discrete variable that runs from 0 to N, where N is an integer >10, and where rnorm is the minimum value D/2 of surfaces { L S2. Li+iSi}.

3. A normalized gap standard deviation (STDi) constant is given by: where rnormis the minimum value D/2 of surfaces { L Si , Li+iSi}, N is an integer >10, and AVGi is defined as in (Eq.2).

Attention is now drawn to FIG. 2B, which depicts schematically another optical lens system disclosed herein and numbered 200’ . Lens system 200’ comprises an OPFE 202, a lens 204’ with a plurality of lens elements, an optical element 206 and an image sensor 208. Ray tracing is provided as in FIG. 2A. Detailed optical data and surface data are given in Tables 1 and 2. However, data on aperture radius for all surfaces of Lr, and Lx as well as surface S15 of L7 is to be replaced by 2.5mm in the y-direction (no change in x-direction).

For achieving a folded lens system with low f/# and low lens height at the same time, lens elements are cut to a non-circular shape (often called “cut lens” or “D cut lens”). The lens elements are obtained by cutting the large lens elements of lens 204’ to a height of 5mm (in the Y direction). That is, the lens elements Li of lens 204’ that have height Hu> 5mm (i.e. Lr,. L7 and Lx) are cut to 5mm. The cut lens elements have no circular symmetry like that of lens elements 204, but their width is larger than their height, i.e. Wu > Hu (see example in FIG. 7). The lens elements Li of lens 204 that have height Hu < 5mm are not changed. As of the cut, lens elements Lr,. L7 and Lx have a large CA but still low CH. This is beneficial as in a folded lens design a lens height HL may determine the camera’s height, wherein the camera height is generally limited by a height of the host device. A lens having large CA and low CH is beneficial for a low f/# folded lens that is compatible with e.g. a smartphone’s height constraints. Lens elements of lens 204’ are cut in direction Y, meaning that the height of a lens element Hi., is smaller than its width Wu. The CA of lens elements Li - L5 may be oriented in any direction, e.g. in Y direction. As of the cut design, the CA of lens element Lr,. L7 and Lx is oriented in X direction (not shown here). In other embodiments, only one or only two lens elements Li may be cut, i.e. may have Wu > Hu. In yet other embodiments, more than 3 lens elements Li may be cut, i.e. may have Wu > Hi.,. In yet other embodiments, all lens elements Li may be cut, i.e. may have Wu > Hi.,. In other embodiments, lens 204’ may be achieved by cutting the large lens elements of lens 204 to a height of e.g. 4.5mm or 4mm (in the Y direction), i.e. the lens elements Li that have height Hi., > 4.5mm (i.e. L4, L5, L6, L7 and Lx) or 4mm (i.e. Li - Ls) may be cut to 4.5mm or 4mm respectively. In yet other embodiments, lens 204’ may formed by cutting the large lens elements of lens 204 to a height of e.g. 3 5mm or 3mm (in Y direction).

In lens system 200’, the prism dimensions are identical with those in lens system 200: Tl=10.93mm, T2 = 12.6mm and V = 8.68mm.

Besides the properties described in FIG. 2A, in the example of FIG. 2B, the following optical properties are achieved: - CA(Sii) = 1.03 x CH(Si2) = 2.58 mm

- CA(Si3) = 1.03 x CH(Si3) = 2.58 mm

- CA(Sis) = 1.14 x CH(Sis) = 2.85 mm

- CA(Sie) = 1.19 x CH(Sie) = 2.97 mm.

- CA(Sn) = 1.32 x CH(Si2) = 3.29 mm

- CA(Sn) > CA(Sk), 1 < k < 2N.

- CA(Sie) > CA(Sk), 1 < k < 2N-1

- CA(Sis) > CA(Sk), 1 < k < 2N-2

- For all lens surfaces CH(Sk) < 5 mm

- f/# = 1.0

- Minimum CA/SD ratio: CA(S ₄ )/SD = 0.57

- Maximum CA/SD ratio: CA(Sn)/SD = 0.71

Lens 204’ may be carried by a lens barrel having a lens barrel height of e.g. 5.0mm - 5.5mm.

FIG. 2C depicts schematically another optical lens system disclosed herein and numbered 200”. Lens system 200” comprises an OPFE 202’, lens 204, an optical element 206 and image sensor 208. Ray tracing is provided as in FIG. 2A. Detailed optical data and surface data are given in Tables 1 and 2. In comparison with the OPFEs shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, OPFE 202’ has a smaller prism height (“V”) of 7.82mm. The smaller prism height may be beneficial for achieving a slim folded camera.

Here Tl=9.815mm, T2 = 12.6mm and V = 7.82mm. For the non-zero fields of lens system 200”, the reduction of light compared to optical lens systems 200 and 200’ is 8% or less. For the zero fields there is no change in the amount of light entering the camera. The high amount of light entering the camera allows for the camera’s low f/# of 1.0. In other embodiments a f/# may be 0.8-1.2.

FIG. 2D depicts schematically yet another optical lens system disclosed herein and numbered 200’”. Lens system 200’” comprises an OPFE 202”, lens 204, optical element 206 and image sensor 208. Ray tracing is provided as in FIG. 2A. Detailed optical data and surface data are given in Tables 1, 2. In comparison with OPFE 202’ shown in FIG. 2C, OPFE 202” has a smaller prism height (“V”) of 7.02mm.

Here Tl= 8.75mm, T2 = 12.6mm and V = 7.02mm. For the non-zero fields of lens system 200’” the reduction of light compared to lens systems 200 and 200’ is 19% or less. For the zero fields there is no change in the amount of light entering the camera. The high amount of light entering the camera allows for the camera’s low f/# of 1.0. In other embodiments, f/# may be 0.8-1.2.

FIG. 2E depicts schematically yet another optical lens system disclosed herein and numbered 200””. Lens system 200”” comprises an OPFE 202’”, lens 204”, optical element 206 and image sensor 208. Ray tracing is provided as in FIG. 2A. Detailed optical data and surface data are given in Tables 1, 2. However, data on aperture radius for all surfaces of Lr,. and L8 as well as of surfaces Sn of Ls and Sis of L7 is to be replaced by 2.45mm in y-direction (no change in x-direction). The prism height (measured along the Y-axis) is larger than the height of lens 204”. The height of the entire lens system 200”” (measured along the Y-axis) is determined solely by the prism height, i.e. there is no additional “height penalty” introduced by lens 204’ ’ .

In comparison with OPFE 202” shown in FIG. 2D, OPFE 202” ’ has a smaller prism height of 6.00mm.

The lens elements of lens 204” are obtained by cutting the large lens elements of lens 204” to a height of 4.9mm (in Y direction). That is, the lens elements Li of lens 204” that have height Hu > 4.9mm (i.e. Lr,. L7 and Lx) are cut to 4.9mm. The cut lens elements have no circular symmetry like that of lens elements 204, but their width is larger than their height, i.e. Wu > Hu (see example in FIG. 7). In other embodiments, lens 204” may be achieved by cutting the large lens elements of lens 204 to a height of e.g. 4.5mm or 4mm (in the Y direction), i.e. the lens elements Li that have height Hi., > 4.5mm (i.e. L4, L5, L6, L7and Lx) or 4mm (i.e. Li -Lx) may be cut to 4.5mm or 4mm respectively.

Further explanation on cut lenses is provided in description of FIG. 2B. Here Tl= 6.95mm, T2 = 12.6mm and V = 6.00mm. For the non-zero fields shown in lens system 200””, about 55% - 60% of light reaches image sensor 208. For the non-zero fields of lens system 200”” the reduction of light compared to the respective non-zero fields of lens systems 200 and 200 is about 30%. The light reduction is primarily caused by the smaller prism dimensions, not by the D cut of the larger lens elements. The light reduction occurs symmetrically for the upper marginal-ray and the lower marginal-ray. The difference in the amount of light that reaches image sensor 208 for the D cut lens in lens system 200”” and a non D cut lens amounts to <5%. For the zero fields there is no change in the amount of light entering the camera. The high amount of light entering the camera allows for the camera’s low f/# of 1.0. In other embodiments, f/# may be 0.8-1.2. Lens 204” may be carried by a lens barrel having a lens barrel height of e.g. 4.9mm - 5.5mm.

According to some examples, at least part of the lens elements can have a shape (profile) in cross-section (in plane X-Y, which is orthogonal to the optical lens system and which generally coincides with the optical axis) which is not circular. In particular, as shown e.g. in FIG. 7, at least some of the lens elements which are integrated in lens barrel 710 can have a width WL _I (measured along axis X) which is greater than their height Hi., (measured along axis Y). The height Hu can correspond to the total height of the lens element (including the mechanical part). In some embodiments, a lens element in lens system 700 may have a symmetry about axis Y and/or about axis X.

According to some examples, Wu is substantially greater than Hi., (for example, by at least a percentage that is equal or greater than 20%, these values being not limiting). In some examples, Wu may be greater than Hu by a percentage of 20-70%. Consider lens element Lx of folded lens 204’ as an example: WLS is greater than HLS by a percentage of 32%. Another example is lens element Lx of folded lens 204’ ’ : WLS is greater than HLS by a percentage of 44%.

Unless otherwise stated, the use of the expression “and/or” between the last two members of a list of options for selection indicates that a selection of one or more of the listed options is appropriate and may be made. It should be understood that where the claims or specification refer to "a" or "an" element, such reference is not to be construed as there being only one of that element.

All patents and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present disclosure.