Nikon macro lenses? Or lenses that work for macro photography?

Does any one know the best lens for macro photography that is 230$ or below (on a tight budget)
or some other lenses that might work for this? Doesn't have to nikon can b sigma, tamron.ect.

$230 doesn't buy you a new lens. Browse the used market, see what that money gets you from a reputable looking source. Whatever you can find is the best option

The close up lenses are usually not very good (the ones that screw on to any lens).
A good macro lens is not cheap, look at the 90mm to 105mm sigma/tamron lenses.
You could get reasonable results by reversing a lens you already have.
Google a tutorial on reverse lens macro.

If you want to go with a close up filter, the Canon 500D is the only one I would use. The rest are junk. But at $150~200 for the filter, you are fast approaching some macro lenses.

The least expensive Nikon macro lens is the 40mm micro - at about $300.It goes up from there.

The Tokina 100 macro is around $450

I have both the Nikon 40mm and Tokina 100mm macro lenses. Each one has an advantage in it's own regard.

You can also buy several other macro lenses from Nikon, Tokina, Sigma, and Tamron.

The main difference is their focal length. The best Macro lenses for bugs and such are the more expensive and longer telephoto lenses (100mm and above) as they allow you to stay a few inches from the bugs. Shorter focal length macros tend to scare bugs off (although it is not easy with a 100mm lens either).

The shorter focal lengths have deeper DoF though. At close up distances, macro lenses have wafer-thin DoFs, and even with f/64, the DoF is often inadequate. That is why I have the 40mm lens, so that if I have a situation requiring a greater DoF and don't have to worry about scaring off a bug, that becomes my lens of choice.

Also, with the shorter focal length lens, you won't necessarily need to stop down as much to get the desired DoF, which means you can probably get by without a macro flash - or at least not need one as often. With a 100mm + macro, you may want a macro flash most of the time.

A good macro flash is $500.

I can often use the 40mm without a tripod. I almost never use the 100mm without one.

But to do macro right, you also need a tripod and remote shutter release.

Macro done right is not cheap.

For the Nikon 40mm micro, Tokina 100mm macro, Nikon R1 speedlight, tripod, and remote, I have spent about $1, 500. And if you have a Nikon entry-level camera, such as a D3100 or D5100, add $250 for a SU-800 to control the flash.

My son has a Nikon 40mm micro and does not use a flash. He has a D3000 and while he gets decent enough shots, he does not have nearly the capability I have.

It just depends on your budget.

Look into extension tubes that you can use on your current lenses.

Your best bet is either a Canon 500D close-up lens (around $125) with a step-up adapter for your existing Nikon lens, or using extension tubes. The Canon 500D is basically a high-precision magnifying glass that screws on to the front of any lens, turning it into a macro. Here's some shots with it on my Nikon D90; the first two and the last ten were shot this way:

http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y90/anystreet/2-%20Macro%20Photography/

http://www.amazon.com/...B00009XVDB
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/..._Lens.html

I love this idea- saves carrying an extra lens, it fits in your pocket, and all you do is leave the adapter ring attached to it and screw it on or off when you want to shoot macro or not, instead of changing lenses. It's sharp enough for my general macro needs- if I wanted to shoot closer, I'd use extension tubes anyway, or a reversing ring.

@ TW below- Yes, that is true of MOST close up lens accessories. However, the Canon 500D is a high-quality design with excellent optics and sharpness, which is why it costs what it does vs cheap screw-on junk.