A chromatic aberration correcting element that is a simple lens having at least one aspheric surface, the radius of curvature of which increases from the optical axis toward the periphery. At least one of the surfaces is formed as a diffraction lens surface that consists of annular segments that shift discretely in a direction in which the lens thickness increases as a function of the distance from the optical axis. Also disclosed is a chromatic aberration correcting device having annular segments formed in steps on either a light entrance face or a light exit face or both. The annular segments are composed of planes perpendicular to and concentric with the optical axis.