the invention relates to an electronic imaging system wherein an image pickup device is horizontally located while ensuring the space for a reflective member thereby achieving height , length and cost reductions . the imaging system comprises a taking lens and an image pickup device . the taking lens comprises a front lens group g 1 consisting of a negative lens component and a positive lens component and having positive refracting power and a rear lens group g 2 consisting of a negative lens element and a positive lens element and having positive refracting power , with an aperture stop s interposed between the front lens group g 1 and the rear lens group g 2 . the taking lens satisfies conditions and . 2 . 8 & lt ; f b / ih & lt ; 4 . 5 2 & lt ; sf & lt ; 3 here f b is back focus of the taking lens , ih is a length that is half the diagonal length of the effective plane of the electronic image pickup device , and sf is a shape factor for the negative lens component in the front lens group .