Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

Handheld macro is not a problem. Especially if you use flash and it helps to find a way to steady yourself - it still counts as handheld. This baby grasshopper is about the size of a grain of rice. Just a steadying stick, or a knee, and rely on the flash to freeze movement. I really am nothing special.

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Canisdirus

Nice image...and you are correct.
Anything outside or on the fly...handheld is the way to go. Use a flash and a diffuser.
I do sometimes use a tripod for mushrooms, lichens and when focus stacking...though I have successfully focus stacked handheld before. It just takes practice.
But usually, handheld lets you get the shot you would have missed with a tripod.

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

The following lens was specifically designed to work with your Nikon. And, it is the best macro lens on the market today at it's focal length.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/424744-USA/Nikon_2160_105mm_f_2_8G_ED_IF_AF_S.html

JohnR Loc: The Gates of Hell

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

There a lot of choices among macro lenses for Nikon DSLRs (F-mount), but very few yet for the new Z-series mirrorless.

I recommend a lens around 100mm focal length for general use or as your one and only macro lenses. This is "long enough" to give you pretty good working distance at high magnifications, without being so long it's difficult to get a steady shot. You didn't mention if your cameras are DX croppers or FX full frame, but either way I'd still recommend these focal lengths. Even limiting yourself to this range, there are a number of possible lenses from different manufacturers:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/products/SLR-Camera-Lenses/ci/274/N/4288584247?filters=fct_a_focus-type_5738%3Abuilt-in-af-motor-f-nikon%2Cfct_fixed-focal-lengths_2207%3A90mm%7C85mm%7C100mm%7C105mm%2Cfct_lens-mount_3316%3Anikon%2Cfct_special-designs_3320%3Amacro

You didn't specify exactly what Nikon DSLR(s) you have. Some have a focusing motor built into the camera body, other Nikon DSLRs don't and rely upon a motor in the lens itself to be able to autofocus. Not all macro lenses offered in F-mount have that. In fact, there's a mistake in the above list... One of the least expensive, the Tokina 100mm lacks the in-lens motor so it cannot AF on Nikon D3000-series, D5000-series and some other models. AFAIK, most of the full frame Nikon have the in-camera focusing motor, but you should confirm for yourself before considering a motorless lens.

Another of the most affordable lenses on the above list, the Micro-Nikkor 85mm is a DX lens... only usable on DX cameras.

As you'll see on that list, there are some sale prices right now. Even discounted, the Nikon 105mm Macro is still one of the most expensive. By all accounts, it's an excellent lens, but the following article suggests that others are better: https://petapixel.com/2020/04/15/macro-lens-test-canon-nikon-sony-laowa-sigma-and-tamron-compared/

Obviously, you don't need to worry about the Canon and Sony lenses on that list, since neither of their lenses can be used on your Nikon cameras. And, to be fair, I haven't personally used them all or the current Micro-Nikkor 105mm. I've only used vintage, manual focus versions of that Nikon lens (which were quite good). I currently use one of the Canon 100mm and a Tamron 90mm. Most current Micro-Nikkor105mm users sing its praises, in spite of what the article says at that link.

Of the lenses that B&H currently shows available new or refurbishes (at the above link), the Sigma strikes me as the best deal and it gets very good reviews. There is a just-released, new "Art" version of it that's higher priced, but the reputation of the older version is very good as well and it can be found heavily discounted right now... or used for even more savings.

The Tamron 90mm also is a strong contender. As you'll see at the B&H link, there are two different version. The more expensive one has image stabilization, faster ultrasonic focus drive and is an internal focusing lens ("IF", it doesn't grow longer when focused close). The less expensive one lacks stabilization, uses a slower type of focusing motor (probably a piezo) and isn't IF. Both lenses are quite capable and like the Nikon 105mm, have a long history (first Tamron SP 90mm were offered in the 1980s).

Of course there are many other macro lenses, if you look beyond this focal length range, consider lenses without autofocus, etc.

I agree with some earlier responses. You say you want to hand hold the lens, and to do that you will quite likely need macro flash. This can be done a number of ways, but one of the most versatile and "ready to use" is a "twin light" that has two small flash heads. There also are "ring lights", but personally I don't care for the way their effect is somewhat flat and "clinical" looking in most macro images. I use a ring light, but only at very high magnifications (higher than the above lenses can do).

I'd also encourage you to keep open to using a tripod, or at least a monopod. Those can be valuable tools for macro work.

And, as some responses have noted, one of the challenges with macro is finding enough depth of field. Some have suggested stopping the lens way down and many macro lenses feature particularly small apertures. However, there's a problem with really small apertures: diffraction. This causes loss of fine detail when "too small" aperture is used. Personally I try not to use smaller than f/11 with DX (APS-C) cameras or smaller than f/16 with full frame. This limits how much depth of field can be increased using the lens aperture. A technique called "focus stacking" can be used instead. This involves taking multiple shots focused slightly differently, then using software to combine the sharp portions from each image. This makes possible depth of field effects that could never be achieved before digital imaging and post-processing.

Finally, there are manual focusing techniques that a lot of experienced macro shooters use, because it's often faster and easier. This is not to say that you shouldn't get an autofocus lens, because that can be useful at times too and can make the lens more "multi-purpose".

Have fun shopping!

torchman310 Loc: Santa Clarita, Ca.

You're using NIKON bodies, use Nikkor Glass. Nikon's 105MM F2.8 Micro is an excellent lens, Period !

Bertk Loc: NY

Rahul what type of Macro work you are looking to do is what will determine the lens. I have an old 60mm 2.8 Nkor macro lens, I get great portraits plus macro. Very sharp. Secondly if you getextension tubes its will et you get in closer. Rather than buying a bigger lens, which might be hard to handhold at a slightly slower shutte rspeed, get 60mm which crops the pic to 90mm size on full frame. But definitely get a nikor lens as they are the best in my and most of the reviews I have read. Good luck with your purchase. I had bout an older version which was in mint condition, used.

williamgdc

I've had a fun time using the Tamron 60mm f2.0. It doubles as the full-frame equivalent of 90mm (ideal for portraits) and the f2.0 provides a bit more leeway for hand holding if that's what circumstances require (you're out and about with no tripod or monopod). You might check it out as well as the other good suggestions.

hogilbert

I just sold a Nikkor 105mm Micro auto focus to KEH for $228.00. This was an older "D" and was very sharp. D models will only auto focus if you set the aperture ring at f16. Camera will set the desired f stop. You can probably get this for $300.00

Larryshuman

No one mentioned the Nikkor 70~180 macro F:4.5. I have it and it stunning.

Drbobcameraguy Loc: Eaton Ohio

For inexpensive a 105mm F2.8d micro Nikon Found used for 300.00 For a more expensive model The 105mmF2.8G micro Nikon. bot6h have the same image quality for reasonable folks and most pixel peepers. The G model has VR which is nice but useless for macro. The G is on sale for 699.00 5 year warranty

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

D550? A rumored camera.... D500 or D5500 maybe . . .

nobler

Tokina 100mm. Reasonably priced and just as good as my Nikkors.

HStephen

I purchased this macro lens earlier this year and have no complaints.
https://www.ephotozine.com/article/meike-85mm-f-2-8-macro-review-31461

tcthome Loc: NJ

Nikon micro 105mm G ED. Nikon made a longer one 180 or 200 (you would need to find one used) which would help for insects , butterflies & such. I believe Tamron & Sigma make a couple of longer ones that are good also. I own the Nikon 105 & it has excellent IQ. If you are going to hand hold, you might want to try getting close to focus & slowly moving torward your subject while shooting continuously in the CH mode.