Decent Macro Lens for Nikon D3100?
I've been planning on buying a DSLR for months now, and have decided on the Nikon D3100
it comes with the stock 18-55mm kit lens which is good for normal use. But i do a lotta macro photography and definitely need a macro as the 18-55 can't focus closer than a foot and a half or something.
My budget isn't big at all. I had a hard time convincing my parents to get me DSLR and now asking for a lens… So what's a low cost macro lens, maybe like Nikkor or something (though any brands ok) under 90-100 dollars?
Best and cheapest macro lens would be the AFS 40mm micro f/2.8. But it'll cost you 400USD.
It looks like you're relatively new to photography, why not wandering along for some time to knew what you can shoot other than macro.
BTW, the 18-55 CAN shoot close enough to preserve incredible detail. Shoot at 55mm! And use f/5.6. And remember, you can always CROP your image to make object more closer look. Oh yes, use live view mode and manual focus to ensure tac-sharp image. You can zoom image preview while in live view to get even better focus look by pressing + button.
you can always try Google image search: 18-55 shoot macro
Afs nikor 40mm f2.8
Actually you can get the Nikon 40mm f/2.8 micro for under $300 (Amazon).It is going to be the cheapest good macro lens you will be able to buy.
At 40mm, it is not quite as good as a bona-fide 105mm lens, but it will work OK. I have the 40mm micro - along with a 100mm macro lens - both of which I use extensively for macro, so I can tell you that it is a good lens, but not quite as good as the longer focal lengths. Then again, it is less than half the price of a 105mm macro lens.
An alternative is a set of extension tubes, but you need the ones that have the contacts in them for your lens to work properly, such as the ones by Kenko - which are $175 or so.
Even the less capable "close up" filters, such as the Canon 500D is going to cost you $150.
Anything less expensive is going to be junk.
Thing is, macro lenses are specialty lenses, and they are in high demand, so the used market is not going to provide anything much cheap, and in fact, most will probably cost more than the Nikon 40mm. Nikon did a good job in creating a macro lens for under $300.
Until you can budget for the fine Nikkor 60 mm f/2.8, you can buy an extension tube setr to allow closer focus with your 18-55 mm lens.
For $100, you won't find anything, just a few filters that are far from being as good as macro lenses. The cheapest macro lens from Nikon is $250, and it's really good for the price.
Here's a Nikon Micro Lens Guide - http://www.the-dslr-photographer.com/2011/07/buying-a-micro-lens-nikon/