Patent ID: 7783222

Claim:
An image forming apparatus comprising: a latent image bearing member; a developing portion, having a plurality of developing devices, provided opposite said latent image bearing member; an input portion for inputting an image signal; a control portion for controlling operation of said image forming apparatus, said image forming apparatus being operable in: a first mode for executing monochrome image formation; a second mode for executing color image formation; and an auto-selecting mode for changing over between the first mode and the second mode in accordance with the image signal from said input portion, wherein a first standby position in which a predetermined developing device stands ready in the first mode is different from a second standby position in which a predetermined developing device stands ready in the second mode; and a designating portion by which an operator can designate between the first standby position and the second standby position as a standby position in which a predetermined developing device stands ready before the image signal from said input portion is inputted in the auto-selecting mode.