Re: As much as I normally don't like aftermarket lenses - Edit 1
Before modification by @my at 15/04/2010 03:42:39 PM
I really like the Tamron 90 2.8 Macro. Doubles as a great relatively fast portrait lens on an APS-C sensor camera. Plus it gives you a little more room to work for the full 1:1 macro than the 60. I've seen it for about $450 and Tamron often offers rebates. So for a moderately priced alternative to the $500 nikon 60 or the superior $800 Nikon 105 VR Macro it is something to consider.
I really like the Tamron 90 mm 2.8 macro lens. You can also use it on portraits because the 2.8 mm allows you to have a very small focus range (ie the backround is all blurry if you want it to be). 1:1 just means that you see it in the lens like you see it with your eyes
If you want to get serious closeups and don't mind shortening your minimum focus distance to nothing, you can always go with the very inexpensive extension tubes. A set of three Kenko tubes is less than $170. (don't worry about aftermarkets for tubes as there is no glass element to worry about)
Extension tubes are designed to enable a lens to focus closer than its normal set minimum focusing distance. Getting closer has the effect of magnifying your subject (making it appear larger in the viewfinder and in your pictures). They are exceptionally useful for macro photography, enabling you to convert almost any lens into a macro lens at a fraction of the cost while maintaining its original optical quality.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/375238-REG/Kenko_AEXTUBEDGN_Auto_Extension_Tube_Set.html#features
And a note to Photo Jim - The 90 might be superior, but I really wouldn't want anything wider than the 60 at this point. I'm really, REALLY a wide angle girl. Gimme a fisheye baby.. that's next on the list!