Nikon's Micro NIKKOR lenses are designed to perform their best from infinity all the way down to their closest focusing distances, in some cases this can be as close as 6.42 inches.. Moving in extremely close to the subject using a Micro NIKKOR lens lets you fill the entire frame with your subject, allowing you to expand your artistic vision.
Using a macro lens lets you achieve life size reproduction of your subject without having to get as close, ideal for shooting insects or other creatures that you may not want to get too close to. Nikon also offers a close-up Speedlight system which are great for supplementing available light when shooting macro photographs.
Macro photography often entails the use of a tripod, because when you're shooting so close to your subject, the depth of field is often reduced to millimetres instead of inches or feet. To ensure sharp images, you'll want to place your DSLR on a tripod for added stability. If a tripod isn't an option, try one of the Micro NIKKOR lenses that feature Nikon's VR (Vibration Reduction) image stabilization. These lenses allow better hand held shooting; great for achieving greater depth-of-field and sharper pictures or videos.
Speaking of videos, many Nikon DSLR cameras can record in HD or Full HD video. Just as you can use a Micro NIKKOR lens to make eye-catching still photographs, you can also create unique movies that showcase your subjects, reproduced up to life-size.
And remember too, that just because a Micro NIKKOR lens gives you the ability to create photographs up to life size (1:1), you don't always have to use the lens as such. In addition to macro capabilities, the lenses are also fully functional lenses at their prime focal length; so they can be used for portraiture, architecture, or landscape photography.