Nikon 40mm 2.8G Lens (Page 2): For macro work, focal length affects the working distance. Most would choose a focal length near 2x the focal length of a normal lens to start. For your...

fetzler Loc: North West PA

Silverrails wrote:

I am interested in pursuing "Macro-Photograph... (show quote)

For macro work, focal length affects the working distance. Most would choose a focal length near 2x the focal length of a normal lens to start. For your DX camera , the normal focal length is 35mm. The 60mm and 85mm micro Nikkors would be a good choice. The 40mm lens will have a rather short working distance but would be good for copying paintings and some moderately small products. Some like long focal length macro lenses ( e.g. 200mm) for photographing insects as they give a long working distance allowing one to not disturb insects. The long focal lengths are more difficult to use.

Just as in regular photography, focal length can be use to control perspective. There is a 15mm macro lens that can produce very good results. The working distance is extremely small however.

JeffDavidson Loc: Originally Detroit Now Los Angeles

The shorter focal lengths are better for 2D subjects and require a very shallow working distance. However, a Nikon 105mm or 200mm macro lens will give you working distance with insects, flowers, etc.

I use a 60mm for slide digitizing and flat field work while I use the 105mm for insects, flowers and occassionally portraits when the complection is all but flawless.

russraman Loc: New York City

Like other responders, I too would advise a longer lens for your macro photography, which will allow you not to get too close to the object you're shooting... especially bugs which will tend to walk or fly away if you get too close with a short lens. I recommend either the AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED. If you want to save a little $$$, the 100mm Tokina Macro AT-X Pro D is also a fine lens which many photographers prefer to the Nikkor model. Either way, you can't go wrong.

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

Just wondering, does anyone make an extension tube for a Nikon D3300 that will retain AF capability, Matrix Metering capability with DX lenses? I haven't read of any and was wondering if THAT is even an option for the OP.

smussler Loc: Land O Lakes, FL - Formerly Miller Place, NY

cameraf4 wrote:

Just wondering, does anyone make an extension tube for a Nikon D3300 that will retain AF capability, Matrix Metering capability with DX lenses? I haven't read of any and was wondering if THAT is even an option for the OP.

I posted a link in my response above. Available from Amazon.
Here it is again:
Extension tubes with AF Support

smussler Loc: Land O Lakes, FL - Formerly Miller Place, NY

JeffDavidson wrote:

The shorter focal lengths are better for 2D subjects and require a very shallow working distance. However, a Nikon 105mm or 200mm macro lens will give you working distance with insects, flowers, etc.

I use a 60mm for slide digitizing and flat field work while I use the 105mm for insects, flowers and occassionally portraits when the complection is all but flawless.

Slide copying - 60mm needed with FF camera's, 40mm with cropped sensor Nikons like the OP's.

BassmanBruce Loc: Middle of the Mitten

In case you’re not already familiar with it, you might find this section interesting:
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-102-1.html

Silverrails

smussler wrote:

I posted a link in my response above. Available fr... (show quote)

Lot of negative reviews on Amazon about these extension tubes, be careful do research before you buy, you get what you pay for, I guess.

smussler Loc: Land O Lakes, FL - Formerly Miller Place, NY

Silverrails wrote:

Lot of negative reviews on Amazon about these extension tubes, be careful do research before you buy, you get what you pay for, I guess.

I hadn't used them for quite a while. I also just looked at the reviews, so decided to check them out again.
Box clearly says that Camera should auto-Focus.
I tried them with my 18-140mm zoom.
Lens would not autofocus, with the extension tube. Tried several of them.
Lens focused fine without the tube.
With last try, I had a hard time getting the tube off the lens. Seemed jammed, but finally came off.
I'll stick with my two Nikon micro lenses.

DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA

I have the 40mm DX lens and a 105 D (FF) macro and an old 55mmf2.8 Nikkor macro (manual only). The 105 requires steady hands or a tripod. 40mm is close for macro, although great for copying slides to digital. I agree that trying extension tubes first is a worthwhile intermediate step and will help you find the focal length sweet spot for your subjects. For me the 85 focal length might have been my best bet in retrospect (of course). But .. I have 3 lenses because I don't want 4!