What Lens In Best For Photographing Bugs?

I want to do photographs with bugs
but i don't know what kind of macro lens i need
i have a Nikon D3100
any suggestions

I use a 90mm F2.5 macro lens for most of my insect shots… It isn't much good for ladybirds or anything of a similar size… Works OK for damselflies and the birds and the bees etc.

Best thing to do is take something around the size of what you want to photograph into a decent camera store (like a small coin or postage stamp) and try out a couple of lenses to see which gets you in close enough for what you want… I'd recommend a fast lens… When you get up close you have to make do with the available light (unless you use a reflector or a ring flash)… Nature and wildlife photography requires a good technique… It takes a lot of patience and perseverance… Even with the best kit… If you aren't the most determined character… You won't manage to get decent shots.

A 105mm macro f2.8 will give you a longer working distance. I use a Sigma 50mm f2.8 macro.

For the D3100, you'll need a lens with a built-in AF motor, such as a Nikon AF-S or Sigma HSM lens. The least expensive Nikon true macro lens is the 40mm, but you may want something with more reach.

http://www.cameralabs.com/lenses/lens_buyers_guide/Nikon_Nikkor_lenses/Which_close-up_lens/Which_Nikkor_Nikon_macro_close-up_flower_insect_lens.shtml

Here's a complete list of lenses that will autofocus with your D3100.
http://en.wikipedia.org/...ocus_motor

And here's some interesting macro shots, taken with a D3100. You might scroll down the margin and see what lenses were used for each shot.

I use a 100mm macro with extension tubes. The 100 is also great for portraits.

105mm macro

Sigma make a superb macro lens

http://www.amazon.co.uk/...0058NYW3K/

NB note the user reviews on that link - 38 reviews, 35 are 5* 3 are 4*.

auto focus on your camera? Yes
long enough to get distance between you and the bug? Yes
Image Stabilisation? Yes - careful if you buy to get the latest version - the old version did not have image stabilisation (Nikon speak = Vibration Reduction VR, Sigma speak = Optical stabilisation OS)
Is it on my shopping list? YES!

If they are moving or flying then you need something round about a 100 mm macro - so you can get some distance between them and your camera, with less chance of them flying off.

If they are dead, then you can use a 50mm macro

What kind/size of bugs?
dead or alive?
in the field or at home?

… And, obviously, how much you want to pay for it?

I have a canon 100mm f2.8 macro does a fantastic job. I recon the Nikon 105mm macro f2.8 will work for you.

See my macro photograph gallery: http://ricklionheart.com/macro-photography-gallery/

A macro lens in the range of 60mm to 90mm for a "crop frame" DSLR such as the D3100. You might find a 105 a bit too long.

A few months ago I photographed a very small bright yellow spider (body 4mm across) with an old 55mm manual macro lens, it proved a good choice. The spider was cavorting on a rose bush.