To solve the problem wherein a variable speed resistor cannot be operated speedily since the variable speed resistor is arranged at a hard-to-touch position and the rotation of the variable resistor is set rather stiff.

An optical controller comprises an operation means 1 which is operated to drive an optical adjustment means 12 at a speed corresponding to its manipulated variable, a speed varying means 6 which is operated to vary and set the driving speed of the optical adjustment means corresponding to the manipulated variable of the operation means, and switching means 17 and 5 which switch the speed varying means between effect and ineffective modes. Further, provided is a speed setting means 20 which sets the driving speed of the optical adjustment means corresponding to the manipulated variable of the operation means when the speed varying means is made ineffective by the switching means.