Many cameras have a mechanical 'switch' that shifts an element to achieve
very close focusing. In the 'macro' mode they no longer focus to infinity.
This adjustment could also affect the magnification ratio.

Minolta in the Dimage 7, for example, requires the lens to be zoomed out to
the "200mm" mark before you may 'engage' the macro mode.

On Sun, 14 Dec 2003 18:06:08 -0800, John Owens
<john2ndNOSPAM@westerhall.com> found these unused words floating about:

>It goes like this.
>The camera tries to stay infocus as you select and frame your subject.
>When you press the "Lets take a picture button" the camers starts
>focusing from scratch to get the focus light measurement just so.
>Then It takes the picture.  
>
>Some cameras have a setting you can make for taking close-up shots
>"Macro Mode"  When in macro mode the camera will start to focus from
>close and moves toward far to obtain focus.  If you are in "Normal
>Mode" focusing starts at infinity and moves closer to obtain focus.
>If your camera supports macro mode shots then it will greatly speed
>thing up to select "Macro Mode" in advance.
>
>If you are in "Normal Mode" and the shot is very close up than it will
>take a while for the camera to refocus  Some camera allow the user to
>press the "Lets take a picture button" 1/2 the way down to lock in the
>already achieved focus.
>
>It would be handy to know wich make a model camera you are using to
>give you a better answer.
>
>On Sun, 14 Dec 2003 22:57:47 +0000 (UTC), "123xxxxx"
><crap@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>>what does this mean as everytime i go near an item or whatever i am trying
>>to photo it goes out of focus then comes back in focus automatically
>>