A focusing drive apparatus includes a determination device that is configured to determine whether a present focusing condition is an AF-able condition or an AF-unable condition. In the AF-able condition, the focusing lens group can be moved to the in-focus position by the AF device. In the AF-unable condition, the focusing lens group cannot be moved to the in-focus position by the AF device. The apparatus also includes a change control device that is configured to set a motive power transmission mechanism in the engaged state to enable the focusing lens group to be moved to the in-focus position by the AF device when the determination device determines that the present focusing condition is the AF-able condition, and to set the motive power transmission mechanism in the disengaged state when the determination device determines that the present focusing condition is the AF-unable condition.