Macro Lens for Nikon?

To capture live insects that close I think you will need some generous working distance.

At least the

Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED $899

and more likely the

Nikon Telephoto AF Micro Nikkor 200mm f/4.0D ED-IF $1,449

Also a very serious tripod and flash.

What is your budget?

Nikon call their macro lenses "micro" for some strange reason. The best macro lens is the Nikon 200mm Micro lens, but it is much more expensive than your camera.

Basically there is a choice of 40mm, 60mm, 85mm, 105mm and 200mm Micro lenses from Nikon and 70mm, 105mm, 150mm and 180mm Macro lenses from Sigma in Nikon mount. Tokina also do a 100mm Macro lens which is reputed to be excellent. They all do 1:1 close-up macro.

With macro it is usually best to go for the longest focal length macro lens that you can afford. Very short lenses have the problem that you are likely to block the light with your body because you have to get physically very close to the subject. That can cause problems, especially with insects that don't like shadows! For that reason I would not recommend the 40mm lens unless it is the only one that you can afford.

You will probably find that anything over 100mm is just too expensive but if you can afford a 100mm or 105mm lens go for it. The Nikon 105mm lenses is widely acknowledged to be one of the best and the Sigma 105mm and Tokina 100mm lenses also get excellent reviews.

If you can't afford a 100+mm lens, the Nikon 85mm f3.5 DX VR Micro lens is a pretty good choice if you can afford it. It is a bit longer than the 40mm and 60mm lenses, lightweight because it is in the smaller DX mount and it doubles as a very nice portrait lens with the vibration reduction (VR). VR is not of much use in close up Macro work, but it is useful for portraits. Nikon say this in the instructions. My wife has the 85mm VR lens and she has been very pleased with it.

If you want to go inexpensive, the Tokina 100mm f/2.8 macro cannot be beat ($500). Otherwise the best macro lens for your camera would be the Nikon 105mm f/2.8 micro.

Resist the temptation to buy shorter focal lengths; i.e. 40mm or 60mm, as they are not as good for bugs. The shorter focal lengths work well for inanimate items, but you have to be too close for bugs with those lenses and you will scare them off.

Unfortunately though, you will at some point likely to have to buy a macro flash as well.

Here is my macro setup for my Nikon D7100:

Tokina 100mm f/2.8 macro (for bugs)

Nikon 40mm (for everything else)

Kenko extension tubes (used in conjunction with macro lens when you have to get closer)

Nikon R1 or Nikon R1C1 macro flash (you can use the R1 with a D7000).

Trans-functional Tripod (the kind that you can angle the center tube).

Cable release

Also, use the MUP (mirror up) mode when doing macro. You will be surprised at how much sharper your photos will be.

For macro, you need a real macro lens. The kit lens is not a macro lens. When selecting a macro lens, check for reproduction ratios (at least 1:1) and minimum focusing distance (which will depend on what you want to photograph).