EnglishBrenda Loc: Kent, England

My best advice is to ask this question in the True Macro section where there is a group of experienced macro shooters willing to help newbies in the macro world. Note, you cannot sensibly do birding or long field shots with a macro lens, you would need a long lens or zoom for that.

If you want to do true macro you will be better off with a proper macro lens with a fixed focal length, this you can use for general use as well. The longer the focal length the further you can be from an insect/spider without spooking them, however, the longer the focal length the heavier and more expensive they become. I understand most macro lenses are very sharp so consider sigma, tokina etc. A focal length of 90-105mm is probably the most popular, I use a 105mm. Nikon and a 150mm. Sigma both work well - user error is the biggest problem because macro is not easy and takes lot of practise. Whatever you do, I wish you good luck, you will enjoy macro.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

One of the sharpest Nikon Micro's made is the Nikon 60MM 2.8 D. The following page from Ebay lists many for sale.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313.TR6.TRC1.A0.H0.Xnikon+60mm+micro+D.TRS0&_nkw=nikon+60mm+micro+D&_sacat=0

Neverlost99 Loc: Sarasota

What do all the Nikon suffix mean? G,ED etc.

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

“G” means the lens is “gelded” , having no aperture ring. The aperture is controlled by a dial on the camera. VR is in lens stabilization . ED means the lens has extra low dispersion glass elements to help control chromatic abberations.

sergiohm

No zoom for macro, you will need a tripod.
Lens is a brand new model, the manual focus Laowa 100mm f2.8

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1478040-REG/venus_optics_ve10028n_laowa_100mm_f_2_8_2x.html/?smp=Y&ap=y&lsft=BI%3A514&gclid=CjwKCAjw583nBRBwEiwA7MKvoPmP8kG-WuxYzrdqlQ4S0rebMATBwwpe6Fa8vLM-H7HXYXawdeqsEBoCczcQAvD_BwE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z__q4QI6Q5g

You do not need auto-focus for a macro, more so on a DSLR.

therwol Loc: USA

I was thinking about this overnight. If you want to take pictures of birds as well as close up pictures of flowers, you can't do it with just one lens. You need a very long lens for the birds and probably a macro for the flowers, and there is no macro I'm aware of that is long enough for serious bird photography. Something like a 200mm macro (or micro in Nikon's terms) would be the best compromise on a crop sensor camera, and you still may have to resort to further cropping for birds at some distance.

Nikon1201

I also have a Tokina 100 mm 2.3 and I will use it sometimes with extension tubes.

Jim70 Loc: Delaware

http://extreme-macro.co.uk/extremist/articles/

Try this site for some options to consider.

fetzler Loc: North West PA

You do not want a zoom lens for macro work. A great place to start would be the 85mm Nikon lens. The 60 and 105mm Nikon lens may also be good choices. The 85 is fine for flowers and insects on a DX camera like yours.

Focal length determines your working distance.

RichLacey Loc: Atlanta

It is my understanding as a Certified Forensic Photographer that “macro” lenses are also corrected for flatness of field. For whatever it’s worth, but my determination has never once been challenged further in Court. Best regards to all hoggers.

Kaib795 Loc: Maryland, USA

I guess the thing to ask is if this is a extra lens or a lens to serve two purposes? The 40mm f2.8 is a good all around lens (is equal to a 60mm FX focal length) as the 35mm f1.8 (is equal to a 50mm FX focal length) are light and sharp lenses. They can be used as regular lenses or shot close, though the 35mm is not a Macro. But you don't have to get new. Your camera should have a drive screw on the mount to allow you to use older "D" lenses from the film camera days. If you buy from Japan they are usually Excellent to Mint condition on eBay. The 40mm is a Macro so distortion should be less than on regular lenses. CA is another story but can be removed now days in post. The 35mm has lots of corner CA but the center is very sharp and if you're at f4, which is the sweet spot, the background is blurred anyhow. Both lenses are cheap but if you want better and to save money, buy used "D" Macro lenses. There will be a crop factor of 1.5 on full frame lenses on DX cameras but loosing 1.5 on the f stop is nothing if the lens is fast already (f2 or f2.8 dropped down is still fast). The old lenses are very sharp and will focus on your camera. Here's one other thing to consider: weight. If you cannot stand a heavy camera, get either the 40mm Macro or the 35mm all around lens. The old D lenses may be pretty heavy and carrying around several, you'll need a back pack. With Pro gear, you have to cast the weight issue to the wind as everything is heavy.

User ID

Browsing the True Macro section might be informative.
But do be warned that they use an obsolete old school
definition of macro: Imaging at 1:1 or greater. With a
4x5 camera, that will include a subject area of 4"x 5",
such as a large blossom with a butterfly perched on it.

OTOH, at 1:1 your subject area is ALWAYS equal to
the physical dimensions of the sensor. So at 1:1 with
a DX camera sensor the subject field is only 2/3"x 1".
That will barely get you a very small blossom with a
bee, not a butterfly, on it.

Sooooo .... you may find the strict limits of the True
Macro group unhelpful for your interests. But, again,
you might glean some useful info by browsing there.

There is another group, the Close Up group, that may
serve you better. There is no hard and strict definition
of "close up" in that group. I'd recommend it over the
True Macro group.

.

agillot

a set of extension tubes also work .they come in 3 pieces , so you use one , or 2 or all
3 together .i use the 36mm by itself [ the largest one ] , with various lenses .MEIKE makes a nice set , not pricey .

Bunky1151 Loc: Florida

Thanks for everyone's answers to my gasing for a new lens. You have given me more than enough to consider and shop for but it will have to wait for a bit. I just found out I will have a huge bill coming due soon and the lens will have to go by the wayside for a few months. More time to study and consider my options. Thanks again everyone!

DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA

Had a DX macro Nikkor either 40 or 60 mm and sent that down the road. Now have a 105f2.8 D and I like it much better.