Automatic focus adjusting apparatus effecting temporary high-speed

Abstract

An automatic focus adjusting apparatus of a camera in which an object is shot by use of an imaging lens having a variable focus. The apparatus includes a distance measuring unit for measuring a distance between the object and the camera, an adjusting device for adjusting the focus of the imaging lens, an operating unit for entering an instruction directing an automatic focusing operation, and a control unit responsive to a result of a measurement effected by the distance measuring unit and the instruction entered by the operating unit for controlling the adjusting unit. The control unit in an ordinary case controls the distance measuring unit at a first predetermined interval of time to cause the distance between the camera and the object to be measured, controls the adjusting device in response to the distance measured to cause the focus of the imaging lens to be adjusted at a first predetermined speed, and repeatedly effects controlling of the distance measuring unit and adjusting device at the first predetermined interval of time until the imaging lens is focused on the object. The control unit controls, when the automatic focus instruction is entered by the operating unit, the distance measuring unit to measure the distance between the object and the camera and the adjusting device to adjust the focus of the imaging lens at a second predetermined speed higher than the first predetermined speed.