I used to shoot with a Sigma SD14 body, and I had a Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 "macro" lens [the SLD ELD one]. It wasn't true 1:1, but it was super practical because pretty much any time I used the lens, I could get as close as I wanted. (I also had the Sigma 70mm, a true 1:1 macro, for the real close-ups).
I recently bought a Nikon D7000 and am looking for a standard zoom/wide zoom but don't see any in production with macro as a feature. Are they out of style/trend? All of the macro lenses that Nikon/Sigma/Tamron currently make seem to start around 50mm, and I already have a 70mm (the same one I mentioned above), which is too close. I can't even find a used Sigma 18-50mm macro for Nikon on eBay that's not in rough condition. Just seems a little strange? I always loved how useful mine was, and it's not like it had compromised IQ in order to be "macro"--probably the contrary overall. Anyone can suggest an alternative?