Macro lens for Nikon?

[spacester]

You don't have to get an FX body, you could always go for one of the "prosumer" bodies like a D7000.

Yeah, but if I am going to do it I am going to do it! And the innards if the d7000 isn't so different from the d5100

 

[PDM]

One problem I have with the Nikon 105 VR on a C size sensor is that it's an equivalent of a 157mm in full frame terms. Trying to focus and frame it on a C size is not that easy. It's big and heavy too which makes it even harder. The VR doesn't really work when using it for macro either. Works best on a tripod. This would also apply to the competition. An alternative is the Nikon 60D Micro. It's relatively small and light and a lot easier to use on a C size sensor. The quality is also excellent. I prefer the D type to the newer version; I think it gives better quality overall. And it doubles as a pretty good portrait lens too (90mm full frame equivalent). They can be got 2nd hand relatively cheaply.