AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8D
(Nikon calls Macro lenses Micro)
This lens was my first experience with macro photograhy. I love it. It takes very clear pictures and is capable of 1:1. The bokeh is excellent. It makes a pretty decent fixed length lens too. I'm not really a potrait photographer, but I think this lens would do a fine job. I have used it for some non-macro pictures and the always look great.
The lens will focus down to 22 cm, which is very close. Nikon also make longer Macro lenses 85mm (with tilt and shift), 105mm and 105mm (with VR). The 60mm is the least expensive, which is really why I bought it. The longer focal length allows for greater working distance (the distance between you and the subject) which is useful. However I'm cheap and the 60mm has worked fine for me.
As this is my first Macro lens, the focusing mechanism of the lens is very different than for a standard lens. Here is what the lens looks like for normal photography.
Notice how deeply set the front element of the lens is. As it starts to focus closer, the front element moves forward.
The focusing mechanism is cool, but kind of surprising at first.
This image shows the minimum focus distance. From this image I'd say you can fill the frame with 2.3 cm.
I'm not sure what else to say. It takes great macro pictures, which is what I want it to do. Would more working distance be nice? Sure, is it worth another $300-$400 dollars? Not for me.
Sample Images, Macro
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Sample Images, Non-macro
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