Can standard Nikon DR3400 take great macro shots?

I'm thinking of getting a camera soon. Was wondering if I would HAVE to get a macro lens or if I would be good without it starting out. Mainly taking pictures of insects.

Short answer: Yes, you have to buy a macro lens if you want to photograph insects.

There are many ways to obtain macro shots. You can buy an extension tube and use it with a 50mm lens or longer. An extension tube dramatically shrinks the lens's minimum focusing distance. And at under $100USD, it's the cheapest way to get macro.

Next you have lenses "with" macro. These are typically telephoto zoom lenses that have a reproduction of 1:4. The 1:4 ratio means that the size of the subject being projected onto the sensor is 1/4 life size.

Next you have true macro lenses that have a 1:1 reproduction ratio. This means that the image projected onto the sensor is 100% life size.

There are many 1:1 macro lenses such as a 40mm, 60mm, 90mm, 100mm, and 180mm. All of these lenses will photograph the exact same area. However, since the magnification of a 100mm is much more than a 50mm macro, you will need to be 2x further away with a 100mm than a 50mm to capture the exact same area of the scene. This is extremely important for you to know because you're photographing insects. Insects are very skittish creatures, so in order to get good shots and avoid scarring them away, you will want a long macro lens of at least 100mm.

Using a telephoto "macro" not only will not capture as tight of a shot, but you'll be closer to the subject when you do so which means you're likely to scare off the insect.

Get yourself a 1:1 macro such as the Tokina 90mm. You don't need to buy the Nikon 105mm, as it's expensive and other lenses are as good if not better. Go to photozone.de to compare sharpness and bokeh among the various macro lenses available for the Nikon DSLR system.

Getting a macro lens around the 100mm range also means that you'll have a great portrait lens too. Macro lenses are often used as portrait lenses due to their flat perspective and excellent sharpness.