Best Cheap Nikon DX Macro Lens (Page 2): Reverse the lens on the camera (with an adapter) or buy $15 extension tubes.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

bobishkan wrote:

Hi Everybody. I know next to nothing about close up photography. I need to take some close ups outdoors of things like flowers. What would you all recommend as a cheap, Nikon DX lens to do this. I have the 35mm, the 18X55mm and the 18X200 Nikon lens now. Can I get away with any of them or do I need to buy another? Could I not just use my existing lens and crop in real close? Do I need a VR lens? Any advise would sure be appreciated. Merry Christmas, Bob

Reverse the lens on the camera (with an adapter) or buy $15 extension tubes.

https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=camera+extension+tubes

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Your 18-55 and the 18-200 have VR. I do not know about the 18-55 but at the tele setting the 18-200 could give you some nice "macro" shots. In my humble opinion VR is not necessary for macro photography. A tripod offers a very steady platform and helps considerably with the composition.
Extension rings have been mentioned and they are an excellent alternative for macro photography. Many photographers into macro photography prefer and recommend to use a macro lens.

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

DesRose wrote:

The cheapest route to go would be to purchase exte... (show quote)

A fellow euphonium player! Nice looking horn! I have a Besson New Standard I bought new in 1976.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

I use the Tokina 100mm 2.8 Macro on my D7000. It's good enough for me and dollar for dollar, a good value. Decent quality at a fair price.

Brayyd Loc: Biloxi, MS

bobishkan wrote:

Hi Everybody. I know next to nothing about close up photography. I need to take some close ups outdoors of things like flowers. What would you all recommend as a cheap, Nikon DX lens to do this. I have the 35mm, the 18X55mm and the 18X200 Nikon lens now. Can I get away with any of them or do I need to buy another? Could I not just use my existing lens and crop in real close? Do I need a VR lens? Any advise would sure be appreciated. Merry Christmas, Bob

Look at the Tokina 100mm. Fantastic. Great for portraits too.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

Don't forget on a DX lens your focal length will be approx. 50% longer (e.g. 105mm = approx. 150mm effective).

CamB Loc: Juneau, Alaska

I like my Nikon DX f2.8 fisheye. Use it quite a bit and it didn't break the bank. About $600.

bobishkan wrote:

Hi Everybody. I know next to nothing about close up photography. I need to take some close ups outdoors of things like flowers. What would you all recommend as a cheap, Nikon DX lens to do this. I have the 35mm, the 18X55mm and the 18X200 Nikon lens now. Can I get away with any of them or do I need to buy another? Could I not just use my existing lens and crop in real close? Do I need a VR lens? Any advise would sure be appreciated. Merry Christmas, Bob

(Download)

2Much Loc: WA

[quote=billnikon]If you want a new cheap one, here you go.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=nikon%2040%20mm%20micro&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=

The 40mm is very good for close-ups, but if you want true macro the end of the lens will be within an inch of your subject at 1:1. It can be hard to avoid shading your subject when you're that close, and bugs become uncomfortable to downright unfriendly. I got the lens to use with Nikon's ES-1 slide copying adapter, but found it actually makes a great slightly-longer-than-normal all around DX prime. Excellent sharpness and color, very little distortion and flare, generally pleasing bokeh, and the bonus of focusing as close as you want.

cdayton

I use the 40mm that has been mentioned. Super lens that I use primarily with my (antique) D300.

CamB Loc: Juneau, Alaska

My brain took a little vacation while I posted this. It has nothing to do with the subject. Sorry. Enjoy the pictures anyway.

CamB wrote:

I like my Nikon DX f2.8 fisheye. Use it quite a bit and it didn't break the bank. About $600.

Geezer Bill Loc: San Diego County, CA

I shoot Nikon so I buy Nikon, just me!! Whatever you get make sure you use a sturdy tripod. The picture I have attached was taken with a film camera but the setup process will be the same for digital. I let John Shaw teach me through his books. The 105 Micro I used is good for a lot more than just macro.

chrisg-optical Loc: New York, NY

bobishkan wrote:

Hi Everybody. I know next to nothing about close up photography. I need to take some close ups outdoors of things like flowers. What would you all recommend as a cheap, Nikon DX lens to do this. I have the 35mm, the 18X55mm and the 18X200 Nikon lens now. Can I get away with any of them or do I need to buy another? Could I not just use my existing lens and crop in real close? Do I need a VR lens? Any advise would sure be appreciated. Merry Christmas, Bob

Extension tubes are probably the cheapest route for macro work with most lenses. Make sure you get decent ones that are full auto so AE/EXIF and AF functions are transmitted to/from the camera. This is an area of photography where you can experiment a lot.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

One less expensive option would be the Nikon 60 F2.8 Micro, the one without the D. I just bought one used, in perfect condition, for $250 from B&H. They currently have the 2.8D version for $ 270. As I bought it to copy slides on my D850, when the ES-2 adapter is released in March, loss of the D function was no big deal to me. If you want the latest, rumor has it that Nikon will be releasing a brand new version of the 60 Micro sometime around March 2018. Best of luck.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

bobishkan wrote:

Hi Everybody. I know next to nothing about close up photography. I need to take some close ups outdoors of things like flowers. What would you all recommend as a cheap, Nikon DX lens to do this. I have the 35mm, the 18X55mm and the 18X200 Nikon lens now. Can I get away with any of them or do I need to buy another? Could I not just use my existing lens and crop in real close? Do I need a VR lens? Any advise would sure be appreciated. Merry Christmas, Bob

If you are doing 1:2 or smaller, you do not need a "macro" lens .....as for close-ups of flowers ...! - and, especially for "cheap" ......

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

imagemeister wrote:

If you are doing 1:2 or smaller, you do not need a "macro" lens .....as for close-ups of flowers ...! - and, especially for "cheap" ......

Correct. However if you do want to go to a greater magnification, then that’s when the previously mentioned close-up diopters work. The Tokina is a great option—and so is the 60 Nikkor— as long as the OP is shooting things like flowers that do not scare away when close approached.