comparator 26 constitute a first detecting circuit for detecting whether the object image is in focus or out of focus a gate circuit 31 an integration circuit 32 a sample and hold circuit 33 a latch circuit 34 and a comparator 35 constitute a second detecting circuit for detecting whether the object is in motion element 41 is an or circuit and element 51 is an automatic focus control circuit fig2 illustrates the field of view 61 of a finder of the video camera equipped with the apparatus of fig1 with a rectangular area 62 for detecting when the object image obtained from the video signal becomes out of focus and a range finder spot 63 for the active type automatic focus apparatus the operation of the apparatus of such construction is as follows the near infrared light emitting diode 2 is lit and a light spot is projected by the lens 3 onto an object not shown to be photographed the reflection of this light spot is received by the lens 5 and its image is formed on the light sensor 4 as the photographic lens 1 moves axially the diode 2 and the sensor 4 move laterally a closed loop servo operates so that when in focus the spot image takes its place at the center of the lateral length of the sensor 4 when the in focus condition is established the supply of electrical power to the near infrared light emitting diode 2 is then cut off the foregoing operation of the active type focusing apparatus is controlled by the automatic focus control circuit 51 it is to be noted that the light projecting element and the light receiving element move simultaneously and when in focus the range finding field is always positioned at the center of.