Retrofocus lens system and projection display apparatus

The present invention relates to a retrofocus lens system suitable for a projection optical system which requires a long back focal distance in comparison with a focal distance and a projection display apparatus incorporating the retrofocus lens system. A retrofocus lens system has a negative first, a positive second and a positive third lens group. The first lens group includes an aspheric first lens, a negative meniscus second and third lenses that are convex on the large conjugate side, and a negative meniscus fourth lens being convex on the small conjugate side. The second lens group includes a positive fifth lens and a sixth lens joined to the fifth lens. The third lens group includes a positive meniscus seventh lens being convex on the small conjugate side, a biconcave eighth lens, a positive ninth lens joined to the eighth lens, a biconvex tenth and eleventh lenses, and an aspheric twelfth lens. The system satisfies 0.8