CO

Since you have a DX format Nikon take a look at the Nikon 85mm f/3.5 AF-S DX micro lens. It's sharp, has vibration reduction, and Nikon's silent wave motor. Since it's a DX format lens it's a lighter and a little smaller than full frame lenses. It balances well on a DX Nikon body.

Jerrin1 Loc: Wolverhampton, England

There is a plethora of suitable lenses to choose from, many of which are superb. Personally I use a Sigma 180mm f2.8 OS macro, which I bought as a mint condition, second hand copy. It cost £400 less than a brand new copy. I suggest that you take some time and reflect on what you wish to achieve, and whether you intend to shoot predominantly handheld or with a tripod. My Sigma is very heavy but it enables me to shoot 1:1 at a distance of 47cm, which means I do not disturb the insects I am trying to photograph. Flowers, on the other hand, don't tend to get upset and fly away or sting/bite your parts, so you may not require such a large focal length. You also need to identify if you need a stablised lens: and I would suggest you do if you are going to shoot handheld - bearing in mind the closer the subject - the less effective stabilisation becomes. Tamron produces a good 90mm macro but check out independent reviews on YouTube, then visit a good camera shop, if you have one, and check out a couple. You could, of course, buy some good quality extension tubes for your current lenses: just to make sure you enjoy macro photography before you splash out on a lens. Take a look at used lenses before purchasing a brand new one. Good luck.

jbmauser Loc: Roanoke, VA

If you are on a budget, get a set of extension tubes and use the lens you have. If you get a macro lens at some point you will still use the tubes to go better than 1 to 1.

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

Hard to make a bad choice with a macro lens in terms of IQ, but the longer focal length ones give you a longer working distance to achieve a given magnification. This is an advantage especially when working with live insects that might be scared off. I would not favor the shorter macros for that reason.

Elsiss Loc: Bayside, NY, Boynton Beach, Fl.

I use a Tokina 100 mm macro. Superb lens for flowers plus you don’t have to get too close to skittish insects.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

👍👍 I have one of these and it's a great value - good quality at a decent price. Since you're a beginner you might want to start with a set of aspherical close-up lenses, they screw on like a filter. They're relatively inexpensive and can give good results for beginners. The edges aren't perfectly sharp but with macro the subjects are usually centered.

OviedoPhotos

Consider the Nikon AF Zoom-Micro Nikkor 70-180mm f/4.5-5.6D ED. I've had mine for a long time and the zoom function make its awesome.

granbob Loc: SW Wisc; E Iowa; W Illinois

For flowers and bugs, I use a Nikon micro 200f4 which is no longer in production but was one of Nikon's top lens a number of years ago, and is available in the used market for approximately $200. It is manual focus and has a built in hood. It would allow you to keep enough distance between yourself and whatever bugs you may be photographing to prevent the bugs from flying away. Good luck in your search, and have fun.

fourlocks Loc: Londonderry, NH

This is really good advice if you're a beginner. If you choose a macro lens with a short focal length you're going to find only a very small portion of your subject in focus. A lot of people mention stacking which is rather complicated Photoshop procedure to combine multiple exposures into one image so the entire subject is in focus but it's not something for someone just starting out. Better to get a lens where you have some leeway in depth of field and focal length so you don't have to have the camera mounted on a tripod, a scant few inches from your subject.

toxdoc42

Whatever you decide, be sure you have a decent tripod! A remote shutter trigger as well would help prevent camera movement if you are using a macro.

pahtspix

Virtually ANY Nikon or independent brand of 100-105mm Macro/Micro will do the job from most tests that I've read. I have an older 105mm Nikkor that does the job very well..BTW..You may find some REAL BARGAINS on independent brands on Ebay!..Be sure that the seller has close to 100% positive feedback. Good luck!

kensil

I have a Nikon FAF Micro-Nikkor 105/2.8D listed FS.. PM me for details and pics..
Have a great day..😎

dduty

I use the nikkor 105mm f:2.8 macro lens for all macro shots. It works great on DX or FX bodies, this one was with my old D5500. It’s a fun lens to get out and discover the whole miniature world most people never see.

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ORpilot Loc: Prineville, Or

The first thng I would do is spend about $10 for a set of close up lenses that screw on your current lens. They are just like you UV or CPL filter. The come in 1-4X power. I used them for years until I could afford a true macro lens. Investigate an older "film" lens for your macro. I find it easier to do macro in manual focus. You just move the camera back and forth until you get the subject in focus. Many times the auto focus hunts around a lot and you just don't get what you want unless you go into manual focus. Macro Film lenses are dirt cheap on the used market. Since you have a crop camera, I would look at macro lenses from 35mm-85mm. Happy shooting

10MPlayer Loc: California

There are other options besides investing in a macro lens if money is an issue. You get extension tubes that make your regular lens work closeup. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extension_tube- they are hollow tubes, not glass, so there is no loss of image quality.

They are much more affordable than a macro. Also you can get inexpensive closeup filters for your Nikon very cheaply. http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/292295364321

IF that's not enough you can also get a reverse lens mount that allows you to reverse your regular 50mm lens and make it into a macro. Very cheap also and no loss of image quality. https://www.amazon.com/Macro-Reverse-Adapter-Ring-Nikon/dp/B003PID9PW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1525028011&sr=8-1&keywords=nikon+58mm+macro+reverse+ring

I'm a Canon guy and I use a 100mm Canon lens. It's not the L version but I tried out both and couldn't see a difference. I'm happy with it. The longer focal length gives you the ability to focus at 1:1 farther away from your subject than the 60mm version. Very important when trying to shoot skittish bugs.