... Firstly, what is the disadvantage of a macro lens ? if I compared say 2 similarly priced and well regarded 100mm lenses (eg Canon EF f/2.8 Macro USM and the EF 100mm f2.0 USM ) then why not get the macro ...
Speaking in
very general terms, these are possible disadvantages:
- a macro lens would be generally slower compared to its non-macro counterpart (i.e., f/2.8 vs. f/2)... the newest Tamron 60/2 for APS-C sensors would be an exception
- slower autofocus
- heavier and bulkier
- up until recently, would not have image stabilization (though fixed focal length counterparts wouldn't either... but zooms would)
- would be optimized optically for close-up and macro range, as opposed to infinity and mid-distances for non-macro counterparts
- higher cost
- even higher cost if you include divorce (try shooting your wife's portrait with a macro and then forget to soften it in post-processing and you'll see what I mean)