>>3199654Look for one with the largest diameter front lens. It will capture more light and allow for brighter images and faster exposure speeds. I don't mean "wide angle" lens. I mean "large diameter" lens. Like the difference between a 52mm lens filter and a 78mm lens filter on the front of the lens. The lens that needs the 78mm lens filter should be much larger and more light gathering than the one needing a 52mm lens filter, if they are both 100mm macro lenses for instance. "Extra-low Dispersion" (ED for Nikon) help remove CA and should also help. Cheapness comes when you pick an f/4.5 over an f/2.5. You'll be shooting f/8-11 for sharp detail or f/20+ for wider DOF.
As for a lens recommendation, I can't really recommend one. I'm still in research phase before I lay down a hunk of change on a dedicated macro lens. Until then, I make do with a reverse ring/coupling ring and extra light. I have the same problems you have with living creatures. I need more lighting. The best thing for better DOF is to simply not magnify the subject so much. The D5300 is a 24.2MP camera so let those extra pixels work to your advantage and magnify less.
