I mean...
if you leave it on all the time, you can switch from full manual, and switch again to servo manual when you need to use macro, or you can even use autofocus, and switch to manual when you need macro but why bother switching macro on/off.....

maybe I am missing something?

I don't know for sure but it is probably because with Macro on it takes longer to auto focus.

I don't know because I never use auto focus. I also leave macro on full time because the only time I use the auto/semiauto setting on the ring is for macro.

A lot of really good Canon "L" still lenses have a switch on them that disables close focusing so that auto focus acts much faster. For still SLR shooting I find auto focus very useful, those Pro cameras are really set up for using auto focus most of the time. But for video or film I never use it.

I also noticed that even with the switch ON, I still have to press the Push AF button for it to focus when I am using macro

is this normal?

Macro function is only available in full auto

With macro on the focus plane changes as the focal length changes (zooming), with macro off, the focal plane is unaffected by focal length... if I understood the OP correctly.

Macro is not available in full manual, but it is in manual AF mode (i.e. focus ring is slid toward matte-box). Functions only for focal lengths less than 20mm.

With macro on the focus plane changes as the focal length changes (zooming), with macro off, the focal plane is unaffected by focal length... if I understood the OP correctly.


this looks like a good answer