PURPOSE: To make possible stable operation of the automatic focusing device by temporarily stopping the charging operation of a strobe device during automatic focusing operation.

CONSTITUTION: When a release button 21 is pushed at the time when charging of a main capacitor 14 is completed, a control signal circuit 20 operates to supply a transmission stop signal to a boosting oscillation circuit 12 and at the same time, supply a distance measurement command signal to a distance measurement circuit 13. As a result, the power supply from a power source 11 to a strobe device is stopped and a distance measurement driving circuit 16 operates in response to the output signal of the distance measurement circuit 13, whereby focus is matched automatically. At the time when the focus is matched, a shutter circuit 17 is operated and a trigger circuit 18 supplies a trigger signal to a flash discharge tube circuit 15, thereby causing a flash discharge tube to emit light. When photographing is completed, a control signal circuit 20 is reset and power is supplied to the boosting oscillation circuit 12 which then resumes oscillation. In this way, stable and sure automatic focusing may be accomplished.