That's great, thanks guys. I can have B&H send a set to my bro in CA and he can bring them next time he comes over. They are less than £50 there, and £99 here....

I use a set of kenko extension tubes for my bug shots and you retain all functionality. There are cheaper tubes out there as well where you have to go all manual though.

I use the Vivitar Macro set from B & H for about $75...these work well for me and have all the connections so the lenses work automatically. One can spend a lot more but these are about the least expensive and I have had no problem.

I believe all the current lenses which can be mounted on any of the Nikon digital camera bodies will work. Obviously the short focal length lens when placed on the camera with long tubes requires a lot of exposure compensation, which the camera will supply as the meter will read the light reaching the sensor.

The Nikon website is about as much use as a chocolate teapot on the subject of extension tubes - does anybody know if full camera/lens functionality is retained if I use my AF-S 50mm f1.4 on one? Any lenses not work on them?

As they have no glass, I am thinking of getting a non-Nikon part - any recommendations?

TIA.