Will macro lenses work at a distance?

[MxerMerin]

Sorry for the dumb question, but here it is anyway. Just because you have a macro lens, doesn't mean that it can't do farther away shots. Right? Say I wanted a 70mm f2.8 macro lense. I could also use it to take pictures 30ft, 60ft even 100ft away, couldn't I?

 

[Big Mike]

Yes, most macro lenses can also be used just like any other lens.

An exception would be a dedicated macro lens like THIS

 

[Garbz]

Yes. Note that true macro's are often optimised to be sharpest at their near focus distance. You can use it just fine. It is just likely not to be quite as sharp at infinity as other lenses. But this depends on the individual lens too.

 

[Bevel Heaven]

I have a Nikkor AF 60mm f2.8 MICRO lens that works very well for some types of portrait work. Mainly face shots....

 

[AlexParlett]

Definately. Gordon Wiltsie uses macro lenses in his kit, and they work perfectly, you have to just watch your depth of field and realise that you are going to get softer edges to the shot.