Dear friends, I'm facing a challenge of buying a new macro|micro lens for my Nikon D70 (I've got only Nikkor AF-S 18-70 mm 3.5-4.5G yet) for nature photography (and portraits though I think I'll better use the existing one for portraiture). Being an inexperienced newbie I visited several manufacturers' sites and now have sevral questions concerning the best choice (Each manufacturer is praising it's technological innovations, though I'm not sure all of them improves functionality or picture quality significantly). To make a long story short I need something like this: - zoom (not always possible to change position especially when capturing "micro-nature" to adjust the composition size); - auto-focus (do the newest quick-focusing Nikon SWM or Sigma HSM really improve the focus accuracy and ensures very quick focus adjustment?); - minimum focusing distance: ≤ 3 ft. (the reason is similar to #1); - life-size reproduction without accessories (macro magnification ratio ≈ 1:1); - price ≤ 1'000.- (the reason is evident :-); - VR technology or something similar (anti-shake), though haven't seen it in auto-focus Nikkor zooms, neither sure anbout other manufacturers; - manufacturer isn't so important (is there really difference between a pic captured with Tamron and Sigma or Nikkor?), though I know only Nikkor, Sigma, Tamron, Tokina and CosinaSoligorVivitar (the last three are the same manufacturer but different trademarks, aren't they?) except the fact Tokina "was closed due to hard financial problems" (http://www.tokina.com); - floating inner focus system that controls chromatic and spherical aberrations as well as astigmatism and distortions; - CRC technology or something for high image quality (if it is essential - once again I don't know). I failed to find anything that responds to all the criteria though Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 70-180mm f/4.5-5.6D ED seems to bve the most adequate choice. Please do comment on my investigation and correct my mistakes. Thank You in advance, -Anthony.