Camera Labs

What's the best macro lens for a beginner with a d40?

For the D40 you need built-in AF-drive (aka AF-S on a Nikkor or HSM with a Sigma).
Plus it is mandatory, if you mostly do hand-held macros to get IS in the lens. So the logical consequence is to get the micro-Nikkor 105mm F2.8 VR. The only stabilized macro you can get!

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Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses

Thanks! Yeah looks like a good lens but anything a bit cheaper?

If you accept no-stabilized lenses you still have to look out for HSM-lenses from Sigma or AF-S lenses from Nikon. Because unfortunately non of the other micro-Nikkors does auto-focus on the D40/x.
From Sigma there are the 150mm/f2.8 and the 180mm/f3.5 makro HSM. But I'm afraid, they are not much cheaper either.
So only by goig to manual focus will you find real cheap glass, like the Sigma AF 105mm 2.8 EX DG Macro for around half the price of the Nikkor.

Much cheaper is a close-up lens of 2 diopters like the excellent Canon 500D. BUT you need an equally excellent tele-photo lens (or zoom) to put it on. Something in the range of 135-200mm to get to a magnification of around 1:1.5...

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Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses

If I went with the Sigma AF 105mm 2.8 EX DG Macro would the loss of auto focus matter that much when taking Macro photos? Or would it just mean I have to spin a ring for a few seconds and check its in focus? I wouldn't really be taking macro photos outside mainly things like computers chips and hard drives and random items xD (Thanks for all your help btw )

If you use mostly a tripod and shoot inanimate "things" there is no prob with MF. But if either you or the "thing" is moving, you will desperately need continuous AF...
(you're welcome!)

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Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses

I'm in a similar situation in that I own a Nikon D40 and would like to start taking shots of insects and flowers close up. I was considering purchasing the micro-Nikkor 105mm F2.8 VR lense. However one thing has totally thrown me in my search. I am after a "macro" lense yet the Nikkor lense is named a "micro". Huh? Why do Nikon name it a micro if it is a macro lense?

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GEAR: Nikon D40 | AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II | AF-S VRII Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED | AF-S VRII Nikkor 105 f/2.8G IF-ED micro | SB-400 Speedlight | Lowepro Slingshot 200 AW | Manfrotto 676B monopod

The Nikkor Micro lenses ARE macro lenses, this is actually less confusing as unless i am mistaken, Nikon only give this name to "proper" macro lenses, (that is with a 1:1 magnification ratio).

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Nikon D80 w/ Nikkor 18-135mm/ Nikkor 70-300mm VR/ Nikkor 50mm 1.8/ Nikon SB-25
Tamrac Digital 3 bag, Tamrac adventure 9
BR-2A reversing ring

My flickr page

I see. Thanks for the clarification.

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GEAR: Nikon D40 | AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II | AF-S VRII Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED | AF-S VRII Nikkor 105 f/2.8G IF-ED micro | SB-400 Speedlight | Lowepro Slingshot 200 AW | Manfrotto 676B monopod