08-05-2012, 07:58 AM
Only 50 years ago this was an issue. Back then, some macro lenses did great at macro distances, but got visibly soft at infinity. My micro NIKKOR 55mm f3.5 AUTO is an example of that.
My early version is virtually unmatched in sharpness by modern macro lenses at macro and close up distances, but not very well suited to be a normal lens because of its loss of resolution there.
A later version (micro NIKKOR 55mm f3.5 AUTO P and P.C) were redesigned already and focussed in a different way, making the lens more usable as "normal" lens, and only losing a little in ultimate sharpness at close up distances. I do not know of any modern macro lens that shows a difference in sharpness in close up and infinity like that 50 year old lens.
My early version is virtually unmatched in sharpness by modern macro lenses at macro and close up distances, but not very well suited to be a normal lens because of its loss of resolution there.
A later version (micro NIKKOR 55mm f3.5 AUTO P and P.C) were redesigned already and focussed in a different way, making the lens more usable as "normal" lens, and only losing a little in ultimate sharpness at close up distances. I do not know of any modern macro lens that shows a difference in sharpness in close up and infinity like that 50 year old lens.