100mm Macro, Limiting Switch

Ok, maybe it's because I am a blonde. Maybe I am just dense...

But why the focus limiting switch on the 100mm f2.8 Macro? What's the best practice use of this switch? One is best for macro, the other for portraits?

Thanks!
Aldwyn

One is for macro, the other for normal photography.

Essentially it limits focusing travel, and hence, focusing speed, when used in non-macro mode.

Kind regards, Wim

It's so that if you are not focusing up close, the lens will not go through the whole range to focus on something so it should theoretically make it focus faster.

This lens is definitely NOT the quickest, smoothest, most accurately focusing lens in my bag - no matter the setting. Fortunately it's mostly used in manual for closeups and macro, or I would have ditched it by now.

I would say it's just plain "clumsy".

Ok, so .31 is for macro shooting. The other for non-macro. Makes sense... Thanks!

Glenn NK wrote in post #4595358
This lens is definitely NOT the quickest, smoothest, most accurately focusing lens in my bag - no matter the setting. Fortunately it's mostly used in manual for closeups and macro, or I would have ditched it by now.

I would say it's just plain "clumsy".

I'd say that there is something wrong with your lens. I use the 100mm 2.8 macro for sports photography all the time. It keeps up with fast moving people quite easily.

rattymouse wrote in post #4595520
I'd say that there is something wrong with your lens. I use the 100mm 2.8 macro for sports photography all the time. It keeps up with fast moving people quite easily.

Very interesting - mine seems to be just plain "jumpy". The other three lenses are quick, smooth, and positive.

Thanks for the comments - I'd better check it out - it's still under warranty.

rattymouse wrote in post #4595520
I'd say that there is something wrong with your lens. I use the 100mm 2.8 macro for sports photography all the time. It keeps up with fast moving people quite easily.

Nice! f2.8 ?

One position covers the whole range, the other locks out the macro range, giving you slightly faster autofocus if you're not doing macro, since the lens will only 'search' part of the focus range.
Not only macro lenses offer this feature - for example the 70-200/4 has a position for 1.2m to infinity (whole range) and 3m to infinity (locking out almost half of the focusing motor's travel.
Not only does this increase the speed a little but this can also be useful for example to shoot through a window - you prevent the lens from focusing on the window instead of the subject.

rattymouse wrote in post #4595520
I'd say that there is something wrong with your lens. I use the 100mm 2.8 macro for sports photography all the time. It keeps up with fast moving people quite easily.

maybe it's the teenage male in me but the first thing I noticed was "she's lovely"

silvex wrote in post #4595899


Nice! f2.8 ?

Yep, wide open at 2.8.

Great shoot rattymouse and I agree my 100mm is rather fast and acurate focus also,