Yes, I've had it for over 65 years now.

See what I Mean

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dx6HojLBsnw

Being a retired Aerospace engineer with over 40 years in electronics, all of these are closer to the truth than not.
Those of my generation were helpless and are summed up best by this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dx6HojLBsnw

Here's the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orTsIRPT0Ts

Here's one that's complete with the case.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vivitar-2X-Macro-Focusing-Teleconverter-50-mm-MC-N-AI-/151656993424?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item234f761290

As Screamin Scott stated: The older Vivitar 2X macro converter was one item that filed the niche very well, if you can still find one in good condition. It was the only non-Canon item I owned.

I have been shooting handheld macro in the field for over 35 years. I have played with all of to various options and toys during that time.

Nothing takes the place of a good macro lens. I carry a set of tubes as well but rarely try to use them without a tripod.

25 years ago, I assisted in an adult photo class. This was in the film days as digital was just starting. We always taught the beginning fundamentals of exposure & composition first.

For your first few months, forget all the wiz-bang features on your camera. Put it in Full Manual.
Learn the basics first. Go out and take as many photos as you can, daily if possible, until you can look at a shot and say to yourself, “I know what I did wrong here & I know what to change to make it right.”

Books are great. There are certainly many good ones out there to choose from and I’m sure you will benefit from them downstream. But, many folks need hands on instruction. If you have a local photo store that offers basic classes, go for it. Remember, most of those that go to those classes are also overwhelmed by all of the buttons and features. They are there for the same reason you are. I always saw students start to talk and help each other before the class was over. You can possibly make some good friends as well. Sometimes you can also find classes offered by the city’s Parks & Recreation group.

You won’t regret taking the classes. Soon you will understand that all of those features on the camera are just tools to make it easier or for effect. You will then see why it is so important to have a solid grasp of the basics.

Think of it as when you first learned to drive. You are scared to death that you might forget to do something. All these things to remember, Clutch, brake, turn signals, the mirrors, the blind spot and all of the different signs.

Now, you just get in the car and go to the store. You never even consciously think about driving because it has become second nature to you.

In a year, it will be the same for you with the camera. You’ll see a shot and take it without really spending much time because you know how to drive now.

Hope this helps,

Bob

Hummingbird Clearwing Moth.

http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/species.php?hodges=7853

This company makes some high quality specialized items for the outdoor photographer.
Their strap is the only one I have found that doesn’t add to the stack-up screwed to the bottom of the camera. It's not cheap, but you get what you pay for.

http://spiderholster.com/handstrap

I love Vegas. I had just gotten my first iPhone 4 in Dec 2010.
Late one evening In Jan. 2011, while standing around the Luxor waiting for the valet to bring our car, not realizing exactly where I was, I turned around and looked up, and saw this. I still can’t believe this is from a phone.

Very Nice.
I am a Certified Monarch Waystation so I see this often.

Canon 5DMkII, 180 Macro.

Chryalis - 2 Days Old


Chryalis - 12 Days Old


Birth the next morning

I've seen the Alaska pipeline. The cleanest, most efficiently run operation ever. Why? Because the people care about it. Shatners idea is not that crazy. We have the technology & capability.

The bureaucrats in Sacramento will take 25yrs doing an environmental study to determine if water is detrimental to the environment.

The special interest groups can't see the forest for the tree stumps. No common sense or logic being used anymore.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/04/16/man-made-disaster-critics-say-california-drought-caused-by-misguided/

Brings back a lot of memories.
Put a half twist in the long belts to eliminate slapping. Put in a full twist to reverse the direction.