Nikon Macro lens help!

[Ekushiria]

I'm looking for a lens preferably around $600...
I want to shoot photos of food, flowers, insects and nature in general
what is a good all-around macro lens for shooting?

would i need a something like the tokina 35mm if i am shooting things like food and there is a small amount of working distance or does something like the tokina 100mm or tamron 90mm suffice?

i just got into dslr's and would appreciate some help macro photography really attracts me

[Ekushiria]

there's also the new nikkor 40mm macro lens that came out! would anyone recommend that?

[Jo.T]

the longer the better for maco. the shorter the focal length the closer you have to get to the subject, makes it hard with bugs ect. i have a 90mm tamron and luv it, have used it for all sorts including food and portraiture. It can hunt a bit for focus in low light but value for money you cant go wrong. The other lense that is great for food is a 50mm and can be used with extention tubes for macro, but if you have to buy both the 90mm tamron will probly cost you less and to me the way to go. I have just a few photos () on my flickr page if you would like to see what the tamron is like

Cheers Jo