Macro lens for a D3100?
I have a Nikon D3100 and I'm looking for a good macro lens. I've been reading some information on websites and reviews but can't decide on which lens to get. I was thinking about getting a Sigma 70-300mm but it has some bad reviews. I rather have a Nikon macro lens but will also like to know other lens available. I'm looking for lens that are $300 or less. Not looking for a expensive one. I usually take nature macro but would also love a lens that will let me take some landscape photos. Don't really care if it is wide angle or not. Also, I would like to have auto-focus but it's not a big concern. Please list what lens you think will be good and why.
My choices so far:
Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6
Nikon 40mm f/2.8
Nikon 50mm f/1.8
Nikon 55-200 f/4-5.6
Nikon 35mm f/1.8
Added (1). I know that most of the lens listed are not true macro lens. I'm looking for something close to being macro.
Added (2). Ok so I decided I'm either getting a Nikon 50mm or 40mm. Which one is better?
Only one lens you listed is a true macro lens, the Nikon 40mm f/2.8. Many lenses are listed as having Macro capability, but they are not true macro lenses.
Only if the lens can produce Macro at 1:1 are they true macro lenses. 1:1 means that the object on the sensor is life-size. In novice terms, anything less than 1:1 will not produce frame filling close-ups.
So look for a 1:1 Macro reproduction ratio. Lenses such as the sigma are 1:2, which means that the image will be 1/2 life size, not full size.
I prefer longer macro lenses, at least 100mm. The reason is that you have to get really close for macro work with the shorter lenses. This works OK for flowers, but you will scare any bugs away if you try to get that close.
Unfortunately, the longer focal length macro lenses are also more expensive.
I have a Tokina 100mm macro and it works great.
Unfortunately the Tokina, as well as some Nikon macro (they call them micro) lenses are not AF-S so they won't autofocus on your camera.
But in macro, you will be manually focusing anyway, as none of the autofocus systems are accurate enough at such short distances.
http://www.althephoto.com