Depending on you budget, macros can range from a couple hundred (used) to nearly 2000.00 new. For a couple hundred on an in good condition lens you can look at Nikkor Micro 60mm f/2.8, for a couple hundred more you can get into the 90 to 105mm range (Nikkor, Tamron, Sigma, Tokina, Venus Optics), a couple hundred more then you're into the 150mm range, and several hundred more your into the 180-200mm range.

All micro/macro lenses will give exceptional IQ and get you to 1:1 or greater image ratios. The longer the focal length the more working distance you will have from your subject, with live subjects the more distance the better, you're less apt to scare them away. If you don't have the budget for a macro lens for under $100 you can get a good set of extension tubes (Kenko, Panasonic etc.) and use your existing lenses, another option for using your existing lenses would be a reversing ring and a 35-50mm lens. Good luck, have fun and keep shooting.

Agree 100% but these types of conversations on UHH - as you've already seen - don't seem to change anyone's beliefs. There appears to be a large contingent of members who have forgotten how much you could and would "edit" via the wet darkroom, and who are judgmental about anything to do with digital photography outside their narrow personal vision. On the other hand, some folks just like to argue!

I feel fortunate to have connected with several talented members here, early in my membership, who encouraged my exploration in the digital darkroom. Now it's a joyful part of the hobby.

The silhouettes in #1 are all home-made "stamp-brushes" made from my own pics

Reading a Hog conversation that gọt a little warm about whether post processing removes the pure “art” from photography. It seems some think photography must be SOOC to be “real”.
It seems to me the post processing could be interpreted as being similar to what a painter or sculptor does. Is a blob of paint SOOT (straight out of the tube) more “authentic” than the final painting the artist does? Is the sculpture of less merit than the block of granite?
The color and the granite are both genuine, and can covey a message without manipulation, but the artist that changes them also brings us something from his/her mind and heart that conveys or evokes emotion.
A photograph never captures the view exactly the same as experiencing it in person. It conveys something of the photographers interaction with the scene (think Impressionism). And I enjoy abstract and highly manipulated photos that are completely unidentifiable as to the subject, just as I do an abstract painting.
So, I say let each person do and enjoy and share photography however they want. All approaches are equally valid.

I was photographing an eagle off my back deck the other day and got some good shots with a 75 to 300. I wanted a closer up shot so I put the telephoto lens, a cheap Opteka, on and all I got was an extremely over exposed shot. Tried everything to darken it up but being an amateur couldn't get it done. Any clues? Shooting with a canon rebel T5. The lens was in a bundle I bought with the camera. Any hints would be greatly appreciated. I'm guessing the telephoto maybe takes in more light? Anyway thanks for any help

I have a photography challenge that requires a focusing rail for focus stacking (which I’ve never tried before). It’s an industrial product shoot of an object that is 18” long and ~ 1/4” x 1/4” H & W. If I shoot it at right angles to the long side, I’ll end up with a 100x4000 image, so I intend to photograph it at an angle with a macro lens which will have a very short DOF at this distance. So, my plan is to use a focusing rail, take multiple shots and focus stack. I see focusing rails ranging in price from $40 to $600. This is a one-time application, and the customer is paying for the rail, so my question is: what’s a cost-effective rail of decent quality? ($600 is out of the question). Thanks in advance for any advice.