D5000 Macro Lens?

[jimg28]

I am looking for a Macro lens for the D5000 I have put the below comparison chart together. I want to spend around $500 or less so that eliminates the Nikon 105 and Sigma 150. I want autofocus I know it is not of much use in macro but would be nice to have for portraits etc. so that eliminates the Tokina 100 and Sigma 105. The Nikon 60 working distance is less than 2" for 1:1 that is to close for me. That leaves the Tamron 90, Tamron 60, and Nikon 85. Right now I am leaning towards the Nikon 85 I like the longer working distance only 1/2" less than the Nikon 105. It is slower than the Tamrons but in macro that doesn't really matter will usually be using smaller apertures to get more DOF. For portraits since it has VR will that make up for it being .5-1 stop slower? DX only does not bother me I will be using DX for the foreseeable future. Does everything on this chart look correct? Any other lens options I am missing?

Tokina Telephoto 100mm f/2.8 AT-X M100 AF Pro D Macro
Cost – $400
Focus Distance 1:1 - 11.8”
Working Distance 1:1 – 4.5”
No AF on D5000

Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Lens for Nikon AF Camera
Cost – $479
Focus Distance 1:1 – 12.2”
Working Distance 1:1 – 4.8”
No AF on D5000

Tamron SP AF60mm f/2 DI II LD (IF) 1:1 Macro Lens
Cost – $499 $100 mail in rebate now $399
Focus Distance 1:1 – 9.1”
Working Distance 1:1 – 3.9”
Internal Focus
DX only

Tamron 90mm f/2.8 SP AF Di Macro Lens for Nikon AF
Cost – $459.95 $50 mail in rebate now $409.95
Focus Distance 1:1 - 11.4”
Working Distance 1:1 – 3.9”

Nikon AF-S Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G ED Macro Autofocus Lens
Cost – $539
Focus Distance 1:1 – 7.3”
Working Distance 1:1 – < 2”
Internal Focus

Nikon AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/3.5G ED VR Lens
Cost – $486
Focus Distance 1:1 – 10.8”
Working Distance 1:1 – 5.5”
DX only
VR
Internal Focus

Nikon Telephoto AF Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Lens
Cost – $889
Focus Distance 1:1 – 12”
Working Distance 1:1 – 6”
VR
Internal Focus

Sigma 150mm f/2.8 EX APO Macro EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens
Cost - $729
Focus Distance 1:1 – 15”
Working Distance 1:1 - 7.6”
Internal Focus

[Almond.Butterscotch]

Well the nikon 105 and sigma 150 are purportedly the best, but budget's important.

Seems like you've made up your mind already; if the DX thing doesn't bother you, it should be a good investment, though the DoF may not quite to your pleasing for a prime lens.

[Jo.T]

the reviews i read had the tamron 90mm on par or ahead of the nikon 105mm, like you price is an issue for me so i do a lot of research to find the best my money will buy. i went with the tamron and very happy, i started with a 50mm prime found it to restrictive so i wouldnt recomend anything under the 90mm or 105mm focal length. i have some macro work on my flickr page if you wish to have a look, there is also a tamron 90mm marco group shows what you can do with the lense. it really is more than just a macro lense

[scootermcq]

I have the 85mm f3.5 vr, and I am quite happy with it.