Macro Lens for Nikon D40? - 1

What is a good macro lens for the Nikon D40? I love taking close up pictures of bugs, flowers, or certain parts of a flower, but my current 18-55mm lens just isn't cutting it. What is an amazing, fairly inexpensive macro lens?

Any of the Nikkor AF-S macro lenses will work, but since when shooting with macro lenses, it is usual NOT to use auto focus, but to move the camera toward or away from the subject before shooting the shot, an older Nikkor AF lens will do just fine.

Because macro lenses are precise lenses, there are NO inexpensive ones. It is just part of the deal. A high quality, flat field lens just costs a lot more to make than other lenses

Inexpensive?
nikon EL-50/2, 8 [ old version ] and some extension tubes and reversing ring… For less than 50$

There's just one super cheap and great lens for your Nikon without an AF motor, and it came out last year.

It's the 40mm f/2.8G, since it has the G at the end it means it comes with an AF-S motor, which your DSLR doesn't have. Lenses without G won't auto focus!

Here's a Nikon Macro Guide - http://www.the-dslr-photographer.com/2011/07/buying-a-micro-lens-nikon/

I agree, if money is tight the Micro Nikkor 40mm AF-S may be your best buy in a macro lens. It would probably work well for flowers. For live insects, its short working distance would not be good. The Micro Nikkor 105mm AF-S VR is often recommended for that, but it is a very expensive lens.

If you are planning on taking macro shots of bugs you are going to need a macro lens no shorter than 90mm. Anything shorter, 50mm, 60mm, you will have to get too close to your subject for a good shot. The Tamron 90mm F2.8 macro will give you excellant macro images and you will be far enough away that you will not scare off your subject. Plus it will be good for your flower shots too.
Here is a link to the tamron 90mm F2.8 macro @ B&H Photo in NYC.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/..._8_Di.html
TOM