Shooting Insects?

[Ron Evers]

Bugs are still in hibernation & it is raining out so I took a couple shots of Geranium flowers to demonstrate the use of a Raynox DCR 150 on a 45-200 lens @ the 200mm end. The camera was tripod mounted to eliminate any camera shake.

I think you would be well served getting one of these inexpensive clip-ons to get started in macro work.

 

[flyin-lowe]

What you are looking for is a Macro lens, depending on your budget i can point you in the right direction. Nikon charges most but you will get best quality but the 3rd party lenses are pretty good, i own a Tamron 90mm (old school one) and its real sharp. You will be looking upwards $500+ range for a descent Macro lens and also depending on the focal range you want.

Thanks for that. I wasn't expecting them to be so expensive. I may need to start cheap there and work up.

$500.00 are the cheap ones. They go WAY up from there.

 

[jhermes]

Another option which you can make yourself with a few items is a reversing ring. They're not the absolute best, but they're cheap!

 

[enzodm]

Another option which you can make yourself with a few items is a reversing ring. They're not the absolute best, but they're cheap!

like this one: 52mm Macro Reverse Adapter Ring For NIKON D700 D300 D3 | eBay

However, like in extension rings without electric contacts, you loose automation (not a big deal in macro).
Ron: please show also some of your examples made with manual focus lenses + extension tubes... they are excellent .

 

[Super Simple]

@Ron - Thanks! Those are exactly the kind of thing that I'm looking to do! Nice, clean closeups.

@jhermes & enzodm - Could I reasonably combine those with a clip-on like Ron has recommended?

At $5 for an adapter ring, it's so cheap that I might as well try it, and even if it doesn't work, hey, it's a $5 bit of education. I just couldn't go wrong there.

(Again - that's for the help and guidance here!)