D50 and macro mode

[rdaw]

I have a D50 with the two kit lenses – the 18-55 and 55-200, if I remember correctly. My question is – what precisely is the macro (little flower icon) mode good for? I’m still constrained by the minimum focus distance on my lens, am I not? So why would I use this mode rather than full manual, get as close to minimum distance as I can, compose, and shoot?

I’m well aware that I may be missing something blindingly obvious – I have a healthy respect for my own ignorance…thanks for any and all help

[Analogy]

I suggest looking at what automatic settings the camera picks for the same picture depending on the mode. Use a tripod for consistency.

My guess is that it tries to stop down the aperture for depth of field.

[linguine]

I think its mostly a setting where the camera will pick shutter speeds/apertures that are good for close ups if you would rather let the camera set the exposure than do it manually. I usually just shoot in manuel mode on my d50 so I dont think Ive ever actually used the macro setting.

[rdaw]

Looks like a fancy name for Automatic mode, then…but I guess if everyone else has a macro mode, you have to have one, too. I’ll stick to manual.
Thanks for the help

[3Horn]

Macro will actually give you some really nice effects on extreme-closeup subjects. I know that it’s not the cool kids’ way of doing things, but I’m mostly a green-box shooter. It’s really, really rare that I ever go to full-manual, I almost always let the camera control some part of the shooting. Here’s an example of the macro setting (with a lot of resizing to save on file size):

[Analogy]

What shutter and aperture settings is the camera choosing in macro mode as compared to any of the other automatic modes? My guess is, like I said earlier, that the camera tries to stop down for extra depth of field.

[rdaw]

What shutter and aperture settings is the camera choosing in macro mode as compared to any of the other automatic modes? My guess is, like I said earlier, that the camera tries to stop down for extra depth of field.

Nice pic, 3Horn – Bees worry me, so you’re braver than I. I’m sure my bee pics would be faux zoom ones as I backpedalled in a hell of hurry.
Analogy – I think you’re right, but when i get some free time this weekend I’ll play and find out

[Author]

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