Do you use the 1.2 / 3m switch?

[napolar]

My new 70 - 200 F4 L lens just arrived from B and H and I just love it, the amount of detail is incredible! I do have one question, the distance switch, does anyone use it or do you just leave it in the 1.2 to infinity setting and fire away? I did notice that I could not get the camera to fire on a close up shot when the switch was in the 3m position, but I'm not sure I understand the benefit of using the 3m position. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Art

[gasrocks]

If you know you are only shooting things far away, the 3m posiiton might speed up the autofocus (since it doesn't have to hunt the whole range.) Then, of course, you'll forget you left it at 3m and try to take something up close and it won't autofocus. If it is fast enough for you - leave the switch at the min. distance and forget about it.

[Leorooster]

I believe that the lens will focus faster if you know you're not using the short range of the lens and switch it to the 3m position.

Please correct me if I am wrong.

[Medic1]

I switch......if your using the long end of the range its more beneficial to be using the 3m to infinity position.

[Jopox]

I also switch, depending on the distance to the subject.

[napolar]

Thanks all - So from what I gather from above the switch allows for faster focusing, that makes sense. I appreciate your quick responses.

[Persian-Rice]

Yes I do, it does focus faster because it doesn't need to move the entire range of focus it is capable of doing. When I shoot sports I will use the latter, and closer focus if I am walking around with it, which is almost never.

[roanjohn]

YES.....when shooting birds.

Ro1

[rg-tom]

also it stops it focusing on something in the foreground, say if you are shooting through a fence itll ignore the fence :D

[FlyingPete]

Oh I wish my 75-300 had this feature! I have lost many a shot to it hunting right down close, when the subject is distant.

[tim]

Yep I use it, it makes focusing in low light faster.