I have heard great things about Tonkia and Tamron's macro lenses. Has anyone used a Nikkor 55 2.8 macro?

Is Tonkia a new brand? :) Just kidding, for which camera do you need a macro lens?

I need the lens for a 6d

I am very impressed with my sigma 105 2.8 under £400

Whatever you get, IS helps a lot.

I've never used a 50mm macro... only 100mm. I think 100, or higher, is more common, because if you just wanted a shot of a bride's eye getting makeup applied, say, you've still got a bit of room between your camera and her face without sticking the lens right up next to her.

50mm seems like it might offer an interesting field of view though, both showing an object up close and showing a bit more context than you'd get from a 100, if you don't need to be focused on just an eye, or just the wedding rings or whatever.

Another thing to think about: instead of a whole new lens, maybe a macro extension tube? Much cheaper anyway...

I assume you mean the 55 3.5 micro.

Nikon 55mm f/3.5 Review (http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/55f35ai.htm)

I have owned this lens for over 25 years. It is one of my favorite lenses. It is incredibly sharp. Here is a pic taken with it recently:

http://www.b-scenefilms.com/tubes.jpg

The tubes are about 2" tall.

For the Nikkor there are readily available extension tubes for 1:1. Great lens.