A wideband, e.g., 550 nm to 940 nm, apochromatic lens system for use with an external aperture stop, includes first, second, and third optical groups having, in order, positive, negative, and positive powers. The first group includes four optical elements having, in order, negative, positive, negative, and positive powers. The second group includes one element of negative power; and the third group includes two elements each having positive power. In another embodiment for use with an internal stop, the system includes first, second, and third optical groups having, in order, positive, positive, and negative powers. The first group includes four optical elements having, in order, positive, negative, positive, and negative powers. The second group includes one element of positive power, and the third group includes one element of negative power. In either embodiment, all of the optical elements are formed from not more than three different types of glass material.