Nick K Loc: Long Beach CA

I am interested in getting into macro photography, but do not know if it is for me. I have seen extension tubes listed for very reasonable prices. Can anyone tell me the pros and cons of them, I shoot with a nikon d-60, 18-55, 55-200 kit lens, 18-200 lens, and a 50mm 1.8 lens should I get the extensions or buy a dedicated macro lens?

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Read four (4) separate FAQs about macro equipment and technique:
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-106-1.html

Macro-photographers have their own UHH section:
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-102-1.html

Within our Macro Forum, you can view equipment set-ups used by fellow HedgeHoggers, and ask questions to individuals via PMs.

You can attach the Macro Forum to your "Home" page by subscribing here:
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/section_list.jsp

travlnman46 Loc: Yakima WA

Hi Nick: I understand your delima, after a lot of investigating and changing my mind every other day, I decided I wanted a dedicated macro lens. I think Nikon calls them micro. While I was searching, trying my best to find one that I could afford. (I had almost decided to settle for extension tubes), I came across a 100mm 2.8 usm macro prim Canon lens, for just $375. I bought it from a local fellow that had listed it on Craigs list. I have enjoyed trying to learn macro photography and thus far I've taken a few close ups. but nothing that would rate as true macro. I'll get it figured out yet... A good member to ask about both Nikon camera lenses and macro/micro photography would be nikonian. Hope this helps.... lol.. Looks like he beat me to the punch.

Mary Photo Fan

I've taken a good deal of macro with my Canon on both a 50mm prime macro and the 100 mm macro mentioned above.. The trick is practice. You need to look at everything like a work of art. Think of everything in pieces, not as a whole. What does the bottom of a mushroom look like? What would the yellow pollen on the stamens of that red flower look like with the bokeh of the red behind the yellow. How about the drops of dew on that flower's leaf or spider's web? What are they magnifying? Doing macro, you have a really short focus range.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I bought a cheap ($10) set of tubes, and they work fine. Of course, everything is manual, but at those close distances, I don't think auto would be much good. I eventually got a 105mm macro lens, which is great to use. Macro is a whole new world. You can spend hours taking interesting shots in one room of your house. Do a lot of reading and research before you start spending your money.

Nick K Loc: Long Beach CA

nikonian Thank you for the links. I will check them out. maybe I will see you out shooting since we live in the same town. thanks again

photogrl57 Loc: Tennessee

I went through the same thing ... was interested but wasn't sure if the extent of my interest was worth the investment in a true macro lens .. so I got the extension tubes ... just the cheapy set ... and I have to admit that once I learned to use them .. it opens a whole new world of interesting things to photograph .. so now I am getting the macro lens ... turns out it's totally worth the investment.