Image forming apparatus with developer feeding control

An image forming apparatus configured to form an image, comprising:

• an image bearing member on which an electrostatic latent image is to be formed;
• a developer carrying member for carrying a developer to visualize the electrostatic latent image;
• a developer feeding member, having a foam layer at its surface, for feeding the developer to said developer carrying member by being rotated in contact with said developer carrying member;
• and
• a controller configured to execute an operation in a first mode in which the electrostatic latent image is visualized by said developer carrying member while rotating said developer feeding member at a first rotational speed and an operation in a second mode in which the electrostatic latent image is visualized by said developer carrying member while rotating said developer feeding member at a second rotational speed slower than the first rotational speed, and
• wherein said controller executes a preparatory operation, after the operation in the first mode and before the operation in the second mode, for increasing an amount of the developer contained in said developer feeding member by rotating said developer feeding member, and
• in the preparatory operation, said developer feeding member is rotated a plurality of times at a third rotational speed faster than the second rotational speed and slower than the first rotational speed and then is rotated a plurality of times at the second rotational speed.