There is a wide variety of macro lenses avaliable for your cameras. Most are quite good, many are excellent. It is difficult to be knowledgeable about all of them.

Like you, I have both DX and FX Nikon cameras. I have a Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 VR Micro that I bought probably 13 years ago and a Nikkor 60mm f/2.8 that I bought a couple of years ago, initially for 35mm transparency and negative copying. I like both of them, but I don't shoot bugs, for which the longer lens you mentioned would be better. The 60mm has a weight and size advantage, while the 105mm has a working distance advantage, which makes lighting a little easier even if I'm not shooting live subjects. There is a lot of confusion around how macro performance compares on the two formats, but working distance of the 60mm on a DX camera is very similar to working distance of the 105mm on an FX camera for the same framed image.

Both of these lenses also do well when used to photograph at more normal distances, and both do well as flat field copy lenses at intermediate distances.

The big advantage over either reversing a standard lens or using extension tubes is that there is no exposure loss. Extension tubes in particular spread out the image of the lens they are used with, reducing the effective speed of the lens, usually by a significant amount.

Indeed you can just purchase a set of extension tubes. Automatic tubes are more a bit more expensive but well worth it and the camera remains in contact with the lens. Kenko is a decent brand.

Reversing the lens is also possible but is a real PIA. Stay away from cheap close up lenses as they are optically terrible.

A 50mm will have a rather short working distance that may pose difficulties with certain subjects like insects but is workable. Indeed you can press many lenses into macro duty including some wide angle lenses that can produce interesting results.


A macro(micro) lens is optimized for close focus. These lenses have no barrel or pincushion distortion and thus are good for copying art work, stamps and other documents. They also have excellent edge sharpness. A 105mm Nikkor would be an excellent choice for both your cameras. There are various lenses made in the range of 85 - 105mm that would be an excellent place to start. The 200mm lens is very good but is a bit difficult to use as it is large. If you really like macro it would be a lens to consider as an addition to your collection.

For casual macro photography use a set of autofocus extension tubes can be had new for $38.00.
https://www.amazon.com/SHOOT-Extension-Focus-Digital-Cameras/dp/B072PYB94B/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=nikon+autofocus+extension+tubes&qid=1623599829&sr=8-3

They come in a set of three different sizes and can be used individually or all together depending upon how much magnification is desirable for the subject. They are used with your existing lenses so they are all that is required for extreme closeup through macro ranges.

Enjoy the adventure..!