What IS macro mode? - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

04/23/2008 03:03:18 PM · #1

I tried searching here and google and cannot find an answer. I was wondering exactly what P/S cameras do when put in "macro mode". I'm sure I saw it explained somewhere, maybe that was underwater scene mode, I'm not sure. I am just wondering what settings the macro mode changes.

Thanks much :)

candlerain

Canon EOS-30D

04/23/2008 03:17:01 PM · #2

It just allows your lens to focus closer to the subject to create a 'macro' photo.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

04/23/2008 03:18:21 PM · #3

but how exactly? does it move a lens element inside the camera, change something with the aperture, etc. :)

candlerain

Canon EOS-30D

04/23/2008 03:22:51 PM · #4

Just as an example, let's say that your lens can only focus from 12 inches from the subject, in macro mode you might cut the distance in half and bring the camera closer to the subject and fill more of the frame.

candlerain

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

04/23/2008 03:27:42 PM · #5

Just search for "camera macro mode" in Google. Tons of stuff there. Mostly P&S, but the concepts apply to lenses as well.

Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM for Canon

04/23/2008 03:52:20 PM · #6

:) nods, I know what it is, but I am trying to find out what changes happen inside the camera when placed into macro mode and why you are able to get closer to the subject than without macro mode. :)

k4ffy

04/23/2008 04:02:18 PM · #7

according to this

"When you are not in macro mode, the lens doesn't waste its time trying
to focus any closer than a given distance, usually 2-3 feet or so. This
speeds up regular focusing. Turning on macro mode simply tells the
camera to utilize the close focus that it is capable of."

inshaala

Canon EOS-7D

04/23/2008 04:05:15 PM · #8

Originally posted by togtog:

:) nods, I know what it is, but I am trying to find out what changes happen inside the camera when placed into macro mode and why you are able to get closer to the subject than without macro mode. :)

I think it is just a gimmick as well as maybe a way for the camera to "lock" a range of focus... if you look at a normal macro lens for an SLR it should have a focus lock which separates the "true" macro range from the "normal" use range. The "macro function" on P&S cameras is probably the same thing. Reason: it takes pretty much the same amount of time for a lens to focus from 30cm distance to say 5cm as it does from 30cm to infinity... yet the uses of both ranges are very particular and the close range needs that accuracy to "function" correctly.

Limbo

Canon EOS Rebel SL1

Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro for Canon

04/23/2008 04:05:19 PM · #9

I am guessing, but I think it increases the range the camera will hunt to get focus. The larger the range, the longer the hunt. Reducing it would speed up the cameras focusing time. Normal, average use, wouldn't demand such close focusing.
My macro lens has a switch to reduce the hunt range from it's current focus point. Same thing?

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO Macro Super for Canon

04/23/2008 04:09:15 PM · #10

My G2 is currently out of power but once I get it charged I will try focusing close in manual focus mode vs macro mode and let you know if that was it. Thanks much. :)

nemesise1977

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

04/23/2008 04:15:24 PM · #11

Originally posted by togtog:

If your referring to Macro mode on say a zoom lense like a 70-300 with super macro then it really isnt as special as you would think. Basically when the lense is focusing if in normal mode there is a lock to keep it focusing within a certian range for "normal" photography distances but when you switch to macro mode it extends the focusing range to which means it could take longer to focus but it can focus on smaller objects but not usually an object that is closer.

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

04/23/2008 04:41:00 PM · #12

Most P&S cams have lenses that work best for macro in a certain part of the zoom range, so part of what macro mode does is to disable the close focus ability unless you're within that range. The other thing it does is to disable the close-focus ability when you're not in macro mode, making focusing faster and more reliable. Focusing on a P&S is slow enough without having the camera need to search down to an inch or so ;-)
So the answer to the OP's question is... it really does nothing but enable/disable the near end of the focus range. It's not like it actually changes anything optically.