A lens moving mechanism includes a lens frame holding a lens; a guide
shaft for slidably supporting the lens frame, the guide shaft extending
parallel with the optical axis, a lead screw extending parallel to the
guide shaft for moving the lens frame linearly via rotation of the lead
screw; a pair of bearing arms provided on the lens frame spaced from one
another in a direction parallel with the guide shaft; and a
screw-engagement follower located between the bearing arms and provided
separately from the lens frame, the screw-engagement follower provided
with a screw-engagement portion engaging with the lead screw. The guide
shaft is inserted in the bearing arms and the screw-engagement follower.
The screw-engagement follower is integrally provided with an elastically
deformable leg which abuts against an inner surface of a bearing arm to
absorb play between the screw-engagement follower and the bearing arms.