Especially in low light situations, turn off the macro function. In case the camera is having a hard time focusing, at least it won't hunt so much.
I keep the macro function on a 'user assignable button', and it reaaaaally helps.

I also have this assigned to a button. The thing is that - as a byproduct - at longer focal lengths, the focus ring needs much more turning and is more precise (resolute) when MACRO is off (and this is the main reason I assigned a button to it). One thing is still unclear to me however: somebody in another thread stated (basing on the information from Sony), that it is also necessary to switch the FOCUS MACRO off in order to avoid the back-focus problem (when after focussing at tele and reframing to a wider angle, the focus is lost). I personally haven't noticed this neither with MACRO off, nor on - has it been established beyond any doubts?

Piotr and Sergio
Good question - I've just started fooling around with that side of things but left it alone when it changed the response of the focus servo/ring. Personally, I prefer the logarythmic focus scale (shorter moves to focus nearer infinity, as in conventional/manual focus rings), but maybe I'll get around to using it later on.
The back focus thing? Wow, one would have thought that would be better documented, no?
In any event, I'd love more input on this too, from those who have gone before.

Yep.Somebody wake me as soon as a HD cam as low-light friendly as the VX-2100 is released!!

Glenn
It may well be the XDCam EX CineAlta that we're all betting on, out later on this year.
However, we will see... :)
Cheers
Chris