what's the purpose of the "macro" switch on sigma 70-300mm lens ?

[erictan8888]

hi,

sorry for super newbie question:

referring to the sigma 70-300mm APO II lens:

what is the difference between shooting a subject with the macro switched on and switched off? (the macro can only be activated at the 200 to 300mm range)
i mean i tried to shoot bjects with and without the macro on... but can't spot the difference... pls enlighten (dun bombard)...

thanks

 

[majere2sg]

hi,

sorry for super newbie question:

referring to the sigma 70-300mm APO II lens:

what is the difference between shooting a subject with the macro switched on and switched off? (the macro can only be activated at the 200 to 300mm range)
i mean i tried to shoot bjects with and without the macro on... but can't spot the difference... pls enlighten (dun bombard)...

thanks

What kind of subjects did u try to take ? Did you try to go as close as u can to the subject with/without the macro switch ?

 

[erictan8888]

tried in the zoo.... take the face of giraffe....
with and without macro switched on....
my untrained eyes could not really tell the difference....

what should i be looking for ?

 

[majere2sg]

tried in the zoo.... take the face of giraffe....
with and without macro switched on....
my untrained eyes could not really tell the difference....

what should i be looking for ?

Macro mode for taking close up of subjects.. giraffe is far away from u.. try focus on a subject and move as close as u can to the subject until u cannot AF anymore on it.

 

[jbma]

Macro is for close-up shots. It is not meant to be used on a far away subject. You should do a search on macro photography on the internet and read about it first to understand the basics.

 

[erictan8888]

the macro can only be switched on for 200mm to 300mm range....
seems pretty far liao....
so what should i expect to observe that is different if the macro is switched off or on ?

hmm.... does it bring out the details more ? or does be give less DOF when i switched to macro ? ...... blur

 

[majere2sg]

the macro can only be switched on for 200mm to 300mm range....
seems pretty far liao....
so what should i expect to observe that is different if the macro is switched off or on ?

hmm.... does it bring out the details more ? or does be give less DOF when i switched to macro ? ...... blur

It does not do anything except allows u to focus closer to the subject at 200mm to 300mm range than without the macro mode, the lens extends out more during the macro mode. So when u want to do close up shoots, take on the macro mode and u can focus closer to the subject, otherwise turn it off, focusing will be faster without the macro mode on normal subject.

 

[erictan8888]

oh... get it now....
thanks majere2sg for your enlightening ans.....