Macro Lenses

[Jim Ford]

There's people on this site that get good results from 'Raynox' supplementary lenses, costing less than £50 eg the DCR-150 (there's also a stronger 250):

Raynox DCR-150: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

Jim

[nightshade]

I use a Nikon D80 and have a set of three Kenko Auto Tubes £150 (these have full function connection) and a Sigma 105mm Macro lense which I use in conjunction with a Kenko 1.4X convertor (again full connections)
Not knowing how close you want to get, could I suggest the 50mm Nikkor 1.8lense a 1.4 converter and tubes. this would give you an interesting combination (try it in a shop before buying if possible) but you will have to get close, Flys eyes and all that, use a flash or make a diffuser for your built in flash. Let me know what you do go with. See GL Sammys Canon 65mm photos on here. Fly for id.

[ravinderrainger]

bite the bullet and purchase the tamron 90mm macro lens. it's a super wee lens. pin sharp and loads of fun to use. ( lying on ones belly getting bitten by clegs etc. to photograph butterfly orchids :-)

[tristanba]

another vote for the Tamron 90mm - very sharp, light and not expensive as lenses go. I'd buy a dedicated macro rather than sticking tubes on the zoom lens you already have.

[Bekki :)]

Oooo ok well ... I'll try and have a look into both (try and go into a shop) and I think I'm going to keep checking on ebay in the hope (I know it won't happen) that there will be a decent macro lens going cheap. Mum got a bargain when she bought her 50-500 sigma

I had looked at the tamron 90mm before but I thought it best to get some user reviews

Cheers

Bekki

[Bekki :)]

Originally Posted by ravinderrainger

bite the bullet and purchase the tamron 90mm macro lens. it's a super wee lens. pin sharp and loads of fun to use. ( lying on ones belly getting bitten by clegs etc. to photograph butterfly orchids :-)

haha I seem to have a habit of doing that too

[nightshade]

Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Lens Review
This includes Tamron, Sigma and Canon around the 100mm focal length

[shenk1]

Another vote here for the Tamron.

Got it last year from J on offer for £259 (£360 at the mo.)

[Stevio125]

Another vote for the tamron 90, not the fastest focusing lens but for the money plenty sharp enough, what ever you get obviously it has to have a motor I believe for you D40, I think thats why I ended up with the tamy for my D60, best of luck.

[Stevio125]

Oh forgot to say got mine from Onestop digital in HK but its your money and your risk mine was about £100 cheaper at the time!
just checked Amazon are cheapest at £331 and £260 from HK so probably not worth the risk