Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

That lens nickname is the "Plastic Fantastic" only goes to half life size natively and needs the adapter to go to life size....

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

That's why I skipped on getting either the Laowa or Venus iterations...

Mary White Loc: Port St Lucie, Florida

Absolutely love my Sigma 180!

Jakebrake Loc: Broomfield, Colorado

And I absolutely love My Sigma 105mm f/2.8 OS HSM. I just need to get a tad closer than you do Mary. I used it to photograph pictures for my grandsons high school yearbooks that turned out great. Truly, a wonderful lens.

raferrelljr Loc: CHARLOTTE, NC

I use a Tamron 180mm macro. I like it.

harleridr Loc: S.Texas

I have a Sigma 105 f2.8. internal focus is nice.
Harle

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

One issue internal focusing lenses can have is that the true focal length of the lens is reduced when not focused at infinity. That said, a non-rotating front element is of limited benefit when shooting true macro since few filters are ever used but the exclusion of the barrel extending as one reaches life-size means more working distance which is a definite plus.

BigGWells Loc: Olympia, WA

I have a 90mm Tamron, it is outstanding. Reasonably priced

chrisg-optical Loc: New York, NY

Very happy with the Tamron 90 f/2.8 SP 1:1 ... pin sharp,not cheap. Great unless you need working distance to certain subjects such as skittish insects, but I have taken bee on flower shots with this lens. These lenses can make great portrait lenses as well. You will find that DOF and lighting the biggest challenges with macro/micro. May also want to consider a good macro flash setup.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Here's a photo that I took moments ago with the Lester A. Dine Macro f2.8 of a two-dollar bill of Thomas Jefferson's face. I used the ring flash for lighting at 1/250 and ISO 800 at F-11. I also agree with other posts that almost all true macro lenses are of good quality so brand is not too important however a few are less than well built. There are also specialty lenses on the market that one could consider although be aware that some of them have such a thin focus distance that they may not be practical in the field with the wind moving flowers and the critters moving about.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Tamron 90mm f2.8 Macro lens with 1:1 magnification, will be one to like. For many years to come. I have borrowed this lens once for portraits. The owner uses it mostly for macro.

Thetreeman

Many years ago I bought a Sigma 105 Macro. It was a very sharp Macro and was also a great portrait lens too. I still use it today with no complaints. It has an auto focus mode and a manual mode. 105 is a good lens for keeping distance from a living subject and also other non living subjects as well.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

I agree with all, Sigma makes a very good lens and they are priced very competitively compared to the "name" brands. They focus fast and they are quiet as well as being well made (not plastic-ish feel). Also agree that macro lenses make fabulous portrait lenses as well (unless they are ones that are too specialized). I enjoy the ability to do macro photography because it provides a near endless opportunity to use your camera year-round and especially indoors during house-bound winter months.

rts2568

A second hand 105 AIS in good condition is a fine choice, superb optics if the front & rear elements are good, not over cleaned or scratched etc. a set of close up lenses will server you well too, this combination works very well, used same for years in my early days. Use a lens hood when you can. The good thing about a combination like this is it is relatively cheap to buy and will teach you a lot about depth of field. The lenses are light and, friendly to the hand and with the old Nikon standard 52mm filter thread, filters are no problems obtaining an economic set of filters s/h as well, polariser etc.
Portraiture too will be superb because of the excellent optics.
The F2.5 aperture too is a good all rounder: take a look at this site for some other opinions. Though get it right with your choice and you won't look back:-

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4174104

And read up on the lenses' history. One thing to keep in mind when deciding new/modern is that the early 105 F2.5 or early micros are not 1:1 as someone above has mentioned. Though with todays' sensors, cropping shouldn't be a problem.

Have fun and let us see lots of your successes.

Ron