Best Zoom + Macro combo lens

Is there a zoom lens in the 50 - XXXmm range around $400-500. I need macro as well.

Or is a dedicated Macro the only way to go if you want a Macro lens.

I was hoping to kill 2 birds with one stone. I need a standard zoom lens and Macro functionality with atleast 1:2.

Any thoughts?

My 70-300mm has a decent macro feature. I hate the AF though, it's sloooooooow..

Maybe if you can strech your budget, you could pickup a 70-200L with extension tubes..

Without a dedicated macro lens (or extension tubes attached to a non-macro lens) you wouldn't achieve the 1:1 (lifesize) magnification though.

True macro is different than the "macro" capability advertised on most consumer zooms. However, as the previous posted indicated, you can use extension tubes to achieve close focus true macro capability on a non-macro zoom.

You can do some decent "macro" with an EF 70-200/4 and ext. tubes.

The 24-70/2.8 has a macro range and focuses quite close. I don't know the exact specifications (you can look it up on Canon's website), but it's not very short of the 1:2 you are looking for. Perhaps a 12mm or 25mm extension tube would put you into the ballpark.

The fact that you indicate wanting a standard zoom made the 24-70 my first recommendation. Yes, any of the 70-200 also work pretty well with extension tubes, too. You will need longer tubes to get higher magnification, or a set and two or more tubes stacked.

Back to the standard zoom, I'd look at the 17-55 IS and see how close focusing it is, too. Keep in mind that you can use extension tubes behind practically any lens, to make it close focusing and increase magnification.