Nikon d3300 macro lens

[filo]

Hello, i am soon to become a proud owner of (the most probably) Nikon d3300 (maaaybe d5300 but most probably not). I would like to get macro lens that will help me create sharp and detail pictures of flowers and insects, but I don't know how to start looking for one. There are many lenses with different specifications, help be narrow it down to a few so I can investigate further.

Plants and mushrooms will be my primary focus, shooting everything from seed germinating, leaf details, reproductive flower organs and so on, although I would be thrilled to also have possibility to shoot insects too - which means, i can't get very close to them without scaring them. But as I said, shooting insects is only a plus, it's not obligatory.

Is it possible to get lens under $400 for shooting pictures like this?
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/81/Leaf_detail.jpg
http://www.munichphotos.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/macro-flower-photo.jpg
http://www.goodwp.com/images/201202/goodwp.com_21107.jpg
http://wallpaperist.net/file/1255/bee-flower-stamen.jpg
If not.. how much more should i invest?

 

[AKUK]

This may help you

 

[ruifo]

I recommend you to look at these five options:

• Nikon 40mm f/2.8G AF-S DX Micro-Nikkor Lens [$276.95]
  
• Nikon AF-S Micro-NIKKOR 60mm f/2.8G ED Lens [$529.95]
  
• Tamron 90mm f/2.8 SP Di MACRO 1:1 VC USD Lens for Nikon [$749.00]
  
• Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro 1:1 Lens for Nikon [$669.00]
• Nikon AF-S 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED VR Micro 1:1 Lens [$879.00]

All of them are good and will do the work. The higher the focal length the better. Myself, I use the Sigma 105mm above, and am very happy with it. Here are my sample macro shots with it, done with a D5200 and a D810. Here's a video about this lens.

Moreover, read this article to learn more:
Best macro lens for Nikons 8 tested Cameras News TechRadar

 

[filo]

Ty, i was just googleing and checking on youtube for Nikon 40mm f/2.8G AF-S DX Micro-Nikkor Lens. It seems like a right way to go. Everyone is praising this lens and for being a cheapest solution, I feel like it should be good enough for me.

At first I was concerned about should I always be at specific distance from the object. But supposedly, I can also shoot 'normal' pictures with this lens - point and shoot everyday things, whatever is in front of me, portraits, even landscapes. Then, why did I bought 18-55 mm kit lens for? Can I use this macro lens for everything, what is the difference other than being able to shoot closeups?

 

[ruifo]

^^
It is good, yes. A very sharp lens until f/11 or so, no doubt, what is key for macro work. You cannot go wrong with it.

Its cheaper for two reasons:

• It's for crop sensors only (DX bodies, like the D3300 and the D5300 that you mentioned).
• It's a 40mm (60mm equivalent on a DX body), and that means you need to get closer to the subject you're photographing.

For live insects, for instance, it is better to get at least 105mm, once you can be farther away from it (to avoid to scare it, and it to run away). But you can also do it with the 40mm as well, no problem. For inanimate objects, it's perfect.

Some sample of what the 40mm can do:
Flickr The Nikon Nikkor 40mm f 2.8G Micro AF-S DX Pool
Flickr The Nikon Nikkor 40mm f 2.8G AF-S DX Micro Pool
Untitled Flickr - Photo Sharing

 

[kylerpiercings]

Hello, i am soon to become a proud owner of (the most probably) Nikon d3300 (maaaybe d5300 but most probably not). I would like to get macro lens that will help me create sharp and detail pictures of flowers and insects, but I don't know how to start looking for one. There are many lenses with different specifications, help be narrow it down to a few so I can investigate further.

Plants and mushrooms will be my primary focus, shooting everything from seed germinating, leaf details, reproductive flower organs and so on, although I would be thrilled to also have possibility to shoot insects too - which means, i can't get very close to them without scaring them. But as I said, shooting insects is only a plus, it's not obligatory.

Is it possible to get lens under $400 for shooting pictures like this?
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/81/Leaf_detail.jpg
http://www.munichphotos.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/macro-flower-photo.jpg
http://www.goodwp.com/images/201202/goodwp.com_21107.jpg
http://wallpaperist.net/file/1255/bee-flower-stamen.jpg
If not.. how much more should i invest?

A couple quick things, under 90mm is going to entirely too short of a working 1:1 reproduction ration to get any decent insect photos. On the nikon 40mm macro your working distance is like one inch. Any bug you get that close too will jet off. If I were you'd I'd go for (at the very least) a 100mm+ focal range.

Tokina makes a really nice for right under $400

Tokina 100mm f/2.8 AT-X M100 AF Pro D Macro ATXAFM100PRON B&H

 

[Parker219]

^ Nailed it.

Don't get the 40mm, you will have to get too close to your subject.

The Tokina 100mm 2.8 lens kylerpiercings mentioned is the lens I have and I love it.

 

[Peeb]

Hello, i am soon to become a proud owner of (the most probably) Nikon d3300 (maaaybe d5300 but most probably not). I would like to get macro lens that will help me create sharp and detail pictures of flowers and insects, but I don't know how to start looking for one. There are many lenses with different specifications, help be narrow it down to a few so I can investigate further.

Plants and mushrooms will be my primary focus, shooting everything from seed germinating, leaf details, reproductive flower organs and so on, although I would be thrilled to also have possibility to shoot insects too - which means, i can't get very close to them without scaring them. But as I said, shooting insects is only a plus, it's not obligatory.

Is it possible to get lens under $400 for shooting pictures like this?
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/81/Leaf_detail.jpg
http://www.munichphotos.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/macro-flower-photo.jpg
http://www.goodwp.com/images/201202/goodwp.com_21107.jpg
http://wallpaperist.net/file/1255/bee-flower-stamen.jpg
If not.. how much more should i invest?

A couple quick things, under 90mm is going to entirely too short of a working 1:1 reproduction ration to get any decent insect photos. On the nikon 40mm macro your working distance is like one inch. Any bug you get that close too will jet off. If I were you'd I'd go for (at the very least) a 100mm+ focal range.

Tokina makes a really nice for right under $400

Tokina 100mm f/2.8 AT-X M100 AF Pro D Macro ATXAFM100PRON B&H

Liked the match head photo, in particular