Anonymous anon.net> wrote:

It all depends. If you you want to take a close-up portait, then
probably yes.
However, if you are trying (like thousands do every day) to illuminate
the arena at major sport events from the last row or like the one
hopeful photographer who attempted to illuminate Mt. Rainier at late
dusk from 20 miles away using the build-in flash in her P&S, then no.

The question you should really be asking: is the effect of a flash
desired. And if yes, will it provide enough illumination to reduce the
ISO to a usable level.
BTW: there are other ways to reduce the ISO, e.g. long exposure, using a
tripod if necessary, or a large apperture.

jue

I'm not quite sure how to phrase the question so let me explain:
On my old manual slr lens, macro mode was a ring on the lens which I
assume moved some internal glass to enable macro. Since focus was manual
no problem in understanding or using.

On my A95, when I enter macro mode obviously nothing happening in the
lens so I assume maybe it has something to do with the focusing scheme.
Annoying that the camera doesn't indicate when macro is needed but
that's another issue. I notice if using manual focus, macro mode is not
available since same dial function.

Now browsing thru' some dslr's in store, I see they have a macro setting
on top dial. Does anyone know what that actually does and what one sees
in using it. Is it still used if using manual focus.
Dave Cohen