How is a macro lens for non macro work?

[bobandcar]

Looking at options for canon macro 90-105 lenses but question is universal.

It's a prime so quality is good I assume.
But
In the real world will a macro function good as a regular lens?

Also if anyone has a 85 1.8 how is it at minimum focus distance? Magnification wise

 

[bobandcar]

Ttt

 

[Overread]

Macro lenses are optically very good even in their longer distance ranges. They are top grade primes and worth owning for more than just their macro use. There are, however, two things to keep in mind.

1) Focusing - macro lenses have a very fine control over focus in close distances, but this is offset by a less fine control over longer distance focus. At longer range from a few feet to infinity is a very tiny turn on the focusing wheel. This makes it a lot harder to focus them manually (if needed) and can make they very fiddly as a tiny shift results in a visible shift in focus.
It makes it harder, but certainly not impossible but does leave you very reliant on good AF use.

2) Slower maximum apertures - at least in comparison to regular prime lenses. Macro lenses are nearly all f2.8 whilst others in those ranges can be f1.2, f1.4, 1.8. This can be important creatively and also in darker shooting conditions.

In the end if you want a macro lens for macro and will use it a lot for dedicated macro work then get a macro lens; it will do the macro well and work well as a prime. If you want a prime with a tiny bit of macro on the side then I'd get a prime lens and some extension tubes.