linkadv5

I have a D3200 and am just learning, going through the book for dummies for second time, but don't know what lens to buy to get the flowers and bees.

whwiden

If you are able to get close, the 40mm dx lens is great. I use it to copy negatives. You can easily use it for flowers. Insects may be harder to get close. Many might advise a longer focal length to allow you more space. This also makes a good longish normal lens.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Check out the Sigma macros. Great lenses and fairly affordable. As whwiden says, the longer focal lengths may be helpful.

Steve DeMott Loc: St. Louis, Missouri (Oakville area)

I would suggest a nikkor 105mm f:2.8 macro lens. It's a Full frame lens that works great on my D7100. https://kenrockwell.com/nikon/105af.htm
I bought mine from KEH used for under $400. I'm pretty sure this lens will NOT autofocus on a D3200 because of a lack of a built in focus motor, but double check.
I found that I manually focus this lens anyway.
The newer version of this lens runs about $900. It also works for a portrait lens.

raferrelljr Loc: CHARLOTTE, NC

If you want Nikon either the 105mm or 200mm, the 200 is quite pricey. Otherwise the Tamron 180mm is a good choice.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

I use the Nikon Micro Nikkor 105 and 200MM
This 105 is a super sharp lens and is manual focus. you want manual for bugs and flowers.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/36856-USA/Nikon_1455_Telephoto_105mm_f_2_8_Micro.html

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

I know you asked about Nikon, but you might want to consider a Tokina 100mm macro. Check out the reviews; I think you'll find it is worth considering.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

A macro lens from Nikon, Sigma, Tamron or Tokina in a length from 70 up to 180 mm depending on what else you want to use it for.
They make great portrait lenses or short telephotos.
I use both a 100 mm (Canon) and a 180 mm (Tamron). The 180 when paired with a Kenko Pro 300 - 1.4x extender on a crop sensor camera (like yours) gets out to 378 mm angle of view which is a good length for birds in the yard. I use mine for hummers since they will come to the feeder while I sit in a lawn chair only 8' or so away.
In general the longer macros allow more working room to avoid shadows or spooking small critters. But the depth of field is very shallow so I am learning focus stacking (on non moving subjects of course).

Steve DeMott Loc: St. Louis, Missouri (Oakville area)

I just uploaded a tutorial on focus stacking. It's for eliminating/improving noise at high ISO but the principle and steps are the same. http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-526544-2.html

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Stacking to eliminate the noise is done with the focus on the same point but multiple shots. The idea being that since the noise pattern is random multiple blended shots will cancel out the noise.
Focus stacking to increase depth of field involves each shot being focused on a different point/distance and the software then blends the shots so all the sharp parts are used and result in an image in focus from near to far. Of course it will also cut down on the noise at the same time.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Any lens that offers a magnification ratio of 1:2 or greater will be great for flowers and bugs. I tend towards longer focal lengths, like 150-180mm for the extra working room. You can get an older Sigma 150mm F2.8 macro, or a Tamron 180mm F3.5 macro within your budget by buying used. I have both, and they are excellent. The Tamron would be strictly manual focus since it does not have a focus motor and neither does your camera. But the Sigma has a motor - with manual override - which would auto focus on your camera.

Even though both lenses autofocus on my D800 and D810 I rarely use AF for flowers.

GED Loc: North central Pa

The two best Nikon lenses for the purposes you asked about are the 105/2.8 and 200/4 either the manual focus or auto focus version work fine, for most work of that type auto focus is not needed very much. The 200mm/f4 auto focus lens is an exceptional lens, I have not seen anything sharper than that particular lens. If you plan in the future to do any focus stacking using a camera with automated focus steps like the new D810 you will need lenses that have the focus motor in the lens. Manual focusing works just fine and sometimes actually affords more control when taking the exposures ( you can watch for lulls in the wind ) with automated focus stacking once the program starts it runs through even if a breeze comes. The 200mm auto focus lens is physically larger and heavier than the manual version and does not come with a lens hood which you would need. The 200mm lenses are also internal focusing lenses. Depending on how large of a magnification ratio you are after you may want something shorter like a 60mm where you don't have to add as much extension to go beyond 1 to 1, however your working distance is very close with the shorter lens. The 105 and 200 are by far my most used lenses for the purposes you asked about.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

I like the Nikon 105 & Tamron 180

Country Boy Loc: Beckley, WV

You have had some good suggestions and don't know your budget. Nikon lens are tops but if you want to save a few bucks, the Tokina 100 f/2.8 is a great makro with very sharp photos and less than $400. It is a great choice.

BboH Loc: s of 2/21, Ellicott City, MD

I use Nikon's 105mm for its reach and Nikon's 60mm for its angle of view for a closer focus - 105= 1ft, 60mm = .6 ft