Macro shooting mode at DVinfo.net

Jim Snow · October 10th, 2010, 12:51 PM

I only use the macro shooting mode when I am actually shooting macro shots with my EX1R. When in macro mode, my camera still focuses all the way out to infinity. I understand that back focus isn't reliable when in macro mode. Are there any other reasons to not leave the macro mode on all the time?

Nick Wilson · October 10th, 2010, 02:33 PM

I haven't found any reason not to leave macro switched on, and haven't noticed any backfocus unreliability with macro. Bear in mind that selecting macro has no effect with full MF (ring pulled back) and the minimum focussing distance at full zoom is still 1.5 metres. As you zoom out it gets closer until at about 46% you can focus on a plane in line with the front of the lens hood.

Vincent Oliver · October 10th, 2010, 04:04 PM

I did notice a softer image on distant shots when left in the macro mode. Maybe it was my focus that wasn't spot on. I now make sure that macro is turned off for normal shooting.

Annen James · October 10th, 2010, 10:41 PM

I've heard that using Macro mode throws out your backfocus. Any truth to this?

Hirata Tomoki · October 11th, 2010, 12:59 AM

I don't know how to explan in the words, but I try to make a chart to explan what I feel:

Marco Off Focus: --Out--------------Near--------------(spot on)--------------Near--------------Out--
Marco On Focus: --Out-------------------------Near---(spot on)---Near-------------------------Out--

I hope Sony can put "Marco On" assign to right hand side button on next firmware update because my left hand is busy when shoting.

Nick Wilson · October 11th, 2010, 01:28 AM

There wouldn't seem to be any logic to Macro affecting backfocus. It is just a switch so it isn't mechanically moving lens elements. The focus is adjusted by servo motors with absolute position references according to a look-up table and the zoom position (which is calibrated by the Auto FB procedure) so I assume that the macro switch just enables an extra near-focus section of the table.

Vincent Oliver · October 11th, 2010, 02:46 AM

You are absolutely right Nick. I just ran a couple of test shots and the Macro seting has no effect on Backfocus or infinity shooting.

Must go for another eye check up soon.

October 10th, 2010, 12:51 PM	#1
Jim Snow Trustee Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Santa Clara, CA Posts: 1,104	Macro shooting mode I only use the macro shooting mode when I am actually shooting macro shots with my EX1R. When in macro mode, my camera still focuses all the way out to infinity. I understand that back focus isn't reliable when in macro mode. Are there any other reasons to not leave the macro mode on all the time?

October 10th, 2010, 02:33 PM	#2
Nick Wilson Major Player Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Northampton, UK Posts: 259	I haven't found any reason not to leave macro switched on, and haven't noticed any backfocus unreliability with macro. Bear in mind that selecting macro has no effect with full MF (ring pulled back) and the minimum focussing distance at full zoom is still 1.5 metres. As you zoom out it gets closer until at about 46% you can focus on a plane in line with the front of the lens hood. __________________ Nick Wilson www.cinescene.co.uk

October 10th, 2010, 04:04 PM	#3
Vincent Oliver Trustee Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Chislehurst, London Posts: 1,724	I did notice a softer image on distant shots when left in the macro mode. Maybe it was my focus that wasn't spot on. I now make sure that macro is turned off for normal shooting. __________________ Eyes are a deaf man’s ears. Ears are a blind man’s eyes

October 11th, 2010, 01:28 AM	#6
Nick Wilson Major Player Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Northampton, UK Posts: 259	There wouldn't seem to be any logic to Macro affecting backfocus. It is just a switch so it isn't mechanically moving lens elements. The focus is adjusted by servo motors with absolute position references according to a look-up table and the zoom position (which is calibrated by the Auto FB procedure) so I assume that the macro switch just enables an extra near-focus section of the table. __________________ Nick Wilson www.cinescene.co.uk

October 11th, 2010, 02:46 AM	#7
Vincent Oliver Trustee Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Chislehurst, London Posts: 1,724	You are absolutely right Nick. I just ran a couple of test shots and the Macro seting has no effect on Backfocus or infinity shooting. Must go for another eye check up soon. __________________ Eyes are a deaf man’s ears. Ears are a blind man’s eyes

October 10th, 2010, 10:41 PM	#4
Annen James Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Ogden Posts: 161	I've heard that using Macro mode throws out your backfocus. Any truth to this?

October 11th, 2010, 12:59 AM	#5
Hirata Tomoki New Boot Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Japan Posts: 24	I don't know how to explan in the words, but I try to make a chart to explan what I feel: Marco Off Focus: --Out--------------Near--------------(spot on)--------------Near--------------Out-- Marco On Focus: --Out-------------------------Near---(spot on)---Near-------------------------Out-- I hope Sony can put "Marco On" assign to right hand side button on next firmware update because my left hand is busy when shoting.