Automatic focus adjusting apparatus effecting temporary high-speed focusing

An automatic focus adjusting apparatus for use in a camera in which an object is shot by means of an imaging lens having a variable focus comprising:

• distance measuring means for measuring a distance between the object and the camera;
• adjusting means for adjusting the focus of the imaging lens;
• operating means for manually entering an instruction directing an automatic focusing operation;
• and
• control means, responsive to a result of a measurement effected by said distance measuring means and the instruction entered by said operating means, for controlling said adjusting means;
• said control means controlling, during the absence of the instruction, said distance measuring means at a first predetermined interval of time to cause said distance measuring means to measure the distance between the camera and the object, controlling said adjusting means in response to the distance measured to cause the focus of the imaging lens to be adjusted at a first predetermined speed, and repeatedly effecting controlling over said distance measuring means and adjusting means at the first predetermined interval of time until the imaging lens is focused on the object;
• said control means controlling, in response to the instruction directing the automatic focusing operation entered by said operating means, said distance measuring means to measure the distance between the object and the camera, and said adjusting means to adjust the focus of the imaging lens at a second predetermined speed which is higher than the first predetermined speed.