An optical unit capable of freely changing the refractive power and operating with a reduced deterioration in performance, an image taking apparatus having an image taking lens using the optical unit, and an optical finder using the optical unit. The optical unit includes a lens body having an electromagnetic field generator which changes the focal length of the lens body by moving, by an electromagnetic force, a dispersoid which is dispersed in a light-transmissive dispersion medium enclosed in a container, which is light-transmissive, and which has a refractive index different from the refractive index of the dispersion medium. The optical unit also includes a focal length changing section which changes the focal length of the lens body in three steps by controlling an electromagnetic field generated by the electromagnetic field generator.