Need help with finding a D40x Macro Lens

[jbrownacu]

My wife bought me a D40x for xmas and I really have no idea where to even begin with a macro lens. I've done alot of reading about my camera and love taking shots with the 18-55mm lens on my aquarium, but I'm still pretty clueless on what Macro lens to get and prices. Anybody have any websites that might clarify macro shots a bit more and also any input on a lens for me would be awesome

Thanks for the help!
Josh

 

[latazyo]

copied and pasted from another thread that I posted in:

the tamron 90 ($469) is awesome, but will NOT autofocus on the D40x

most people dont use AF for macro shooting anyways

if AF is worth $300 extra dollars, then get the nikkor 105 VR AF-S for $759

the nikkor would be a better choice if you ever plan on doing hand held macro as well (due to the VR)

i.e. out on a hike, etc

but still, the tamron 90 is not to be considered "inferior" by any means

but for $300 you get
1. longer focal length (might come in handy for macro-ing live subjects that dont like you to be so close)
2. auto focus on every nikon camera (even D40 and D60)
3. vibration reduction (if you dont have a VR lens, then you wont understand how awesome the VR is)

so you have to decide what is most important to you

if you are thinking that you might get serious about photography, then (just like getting a bigger aquarium) you will undoubtedly get a bigger camera body someday, which will AF the tamron 90

the sigma 150 is around $500 too, but I dont know anything about that

 

[MJSavage]

The Sigma 150 is an excellent lens and from what I've read on Nikonians and on NikonCafe it is atleast as good at the Nikkor 105VR. I use it on my D40 and it is superb. I started with a Nikkor Micro PC 55mm 3.5 lens that I picked up used for about $80. It also works well but is manual focus and metering. Now that I have the Sigma the Old Micro Nikkor just sits on the shelf.

Mike