macro - focus to infinity?

[bluechair84]

I'm wanting a wide angle, very fast lens for some close-up sports photography. Many of the lenses that I'm finding are designated macro but are extreme closeup their ownly purpose? Or will they also work as my standard lens so I can work on subjects between probably 3 -10 meters away?
Thanks

[ianpinion]

No when a lens is described as macro, it just means it's suitable for close-up work too as it will be capable of focusing on a subject that is close the end of the lens. The term macro means it is supposed to give you 1:1 magnification. These lenses also tend to make very good portrait lenses too, particularly with your E520.

[AndyStevens]

Macros are generally fast - but they dont tend to be wide angle. They are usually about 100mm (or 60mm on APS-C sensors which normally equates to about 100mm) and can give a restricted field of view. They are great for portraits etc and can give very limited DoF. It might be worth looking at a f/4 17-40 type lens (sorry, Canon user, not that familiar with lenses suitable for your E520). These are wide and fast...

[bluechair84]

Thanks guys, I'd thanked Onion for the same question posed in another thread. I've picked up a 28mm 2.8. I'll be using it to take photos of mountain bikers to support an article I'm writing (I'm a freelance writer at the moment who is now required to take good photos.), I'm hoping this lens will allow me fast shutter speeds in cloudy weather whislt getting in a fairly descent landscape around the rider. I'll be using a tripod mounted flashgun off to one side to try and get some good light and shadow on the rider.

Also have 17-45mm and a 40-100mm or something like that. I'll drop some of the more successfull shots up here for some critique and 'shop suggestions.

[ap4a]

When used with an extension tube some wide angle lenses can give 1:1 magnification or better.

For example, the Canon 28mm f/2.8 can give 1:1.02 magnification when used with a 25mm extension tube:

(25/28) + 0.13 = 1.023

[bluechair84]

ap4a, you have confused me somewhat. Why would you want to obtain magnification from a wide angle lens? I have lenses with variable focal ranges, what would be advantagous about a prime with an extention tube? Is it just to adjust the range whilst still keeping your fast f/ ?

[ianpinion]

ap4a is just explaining how you can turn a non macro lens into a macro lens by using an extension tube to alter the focal length of the lens.

[bluechair84]

Aah I see, something else I'll research though I'd be suprised if there were extension tubes for the four thirds system just yet given the lack of lenses available. I'll find out, might be useful for me if it's cheaper than another macro lens.

[ianpinion]

On the contrary, blue, Olympus released the EX-25 extension tube several years ago!

[bluechair84]

Onion - you've been a wealth of information so far