Whats best macro lens for nikon D60?

Question

... i want to know what is the best affordable macro lens that will work on D60 cause if I'm not mistaken not all nikon lenses will work on D60.. i like to shoot like droplets of water...insetcs...ect. anyways if anyone can help me please... thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Macro photography is the one area that I think some of the older glass seems to be better than the newer ones. I've got an older 105mm f2.8 D lens that has autofocus. I think it is circa 1993. I have tried a couple of the newer VR lenses, admittedly only a few times and not under all circumstances, but I think my older lens is sharper! Things like autofocus and VR don't really apply to macro photography since you should be using a rock solid tripod with a remote shutter release and manually focusing anyway.

Certainly don't just take my word for it, but I would look for a good example of a used one of the 105mm "D" lenses and spend the extra bucks on some extension tubes or maybe even a bellows...

Answer 2

You're going to need either the Nikon 60mm f/2.8 AF-S Micro-Nikkor or the AF-S VR Micro- NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED if you want autofocus.  

If you don't want autofocus, the non AF-S, old style AF versions will work with metering.  Manual focus lenses will not autofocus (obviously) or meter.  If you bought a MF lens you'd have to work in manual exposure mode.  

On a D60 only AFS (internal silent motor) lenses will auto focus.  The s***w type AF lenses will meter, but you'll have to focus them manually.

If you've got the cash I'd suggest the 105 for the ability to work further away from the subject.   If AF isnt an issue for you, and you want to save a couple bucks, you might consider one of the older 60mm or 105mm AF (non AF-S) lenses.  

Answer 3

Actually any Nikon is the best lens ... the one that will work the best on your camera is any AF-S Nikon macro lens.  That means the current AF-S 60 mm f/2.8 and AF-S 105 mm VR macro lenses.

That said, the nature of macro photography means that auto-focus is rarely used.  Fine focus is done by moving the camera in and out from the subject.  Basically a manual process in any case.

See if you can find a good used lens and save some money ... since Nikon (Canon too) lenses last for decades.