Hi Jimbo - fellow newbie!

I too have a D5000 and have found it to have a usefully large d.o.f. for close-up pics (that's down to the APS-C size sensor I suppose) - it seems to cope with very 3D subjects well. I too am on a budget and so bought a Hoya +3 diopter close-up lens to use on my 18-105mm. Here are the first 2 snaps I took with it for test purposes only. I am not proud of them, they are only a couple of snaps to check out the chromatic abberations. No tripod, built in flash used and exposure is crap (all my fault for being lazy). Both only f11 too:

I need a large working distance as my interest is butterflies and they are skittish on hot days.

HTH Jimbo.

Treckie said:
I currently use extension tubes on my lenses. Just a few days ago, I tried Nikon's 105 f2.8VR micro. I'm still drooling. Will have to add it to my collection soon.

Hard to beat a dedicated macro lens, I now have 2, a 60 and a 150.

The question becomes what do you plan on shooting. Flowers and other mostly static objects can be shot with extension tubes, diopters or just about any macro lens. If you are getting into something where you need to get closer and sharper, then the dedicated lenses make more sense. The reason I have the 150 now is because the working distance for shooting bugs and other small stuff is much easier to work with. For shooting flowers, the 60 is much easier to use.

This applies to using extension rings too, long lenses give you some working room, and short lenses give you better close in work. Most people tend to use prime lenses because they want the sharpness, you don't usually need a fast lens since you will generally be shooting at f16+.

What you will need is a good tripod and head. You can do macro hand held for things like bugs, but it's tough to get things sharp and you generally want high f stops so that means low shutter speed and/or high ISO. Make sure it can get down very low and is easy to adjust. I have one of the Manfroto's with the center post that can turned 90 degrees to make a horizontal arm. It really works nice for lining up macro shots particularly in tight areas.

I currently use extension tubes on my lenses. Just a few days ago, I tried Nikon's 105 f2.8VR micro. I'm still drooling. Will have to add it to my collection soon.

I second the extension tubes. I use them on almost all of my lenses depending on the situation and think they are just about the best bang for the buck I found.

I use a 50mm F1.8, which will not AF on your D5000 and a cheap Extension tube

Pete

Thanks for the advice I shall explore further. As to my lenses.I've have the 18-55 vr lens and the 70-300 vr both of which I like. I certainly like the wide angle facet of the 18-55 in my days of Leica 3C's etc we certainly didn't have that capability. I'm retired now and have gone back to doing what I should have continued doing years ago. I had a 3C and a rolli back in the 60's. and am now enjoying my photography again.

Yeah Its good... I posted that mini review I did in the other thread.. You can also get the Canon 500D (which is also a camera model but in this case it is a close up lens like the raynox) There are also several other multi element close up lenses now (I cant remember the brands) I think Hoya also makes them but the hoya multi element ones are hard to find. and I have not tested them so I dont know how good they are, cant be worse that the single element ones. Nikon also use to make the T4/T5/T6 dual element close up filters and you may still be able to find them second hand.

Other than that just get an old 55mm nikkor.. You really dont need autofocus on macro lenses anyway. Or the new DX 85mm micro nikkor should be good as well.. if on a tight budget I would go for an old micro nikkor or kenko extension tubes and a 50mm F1.8. or what ever lens you currently have. (BTW what lenses do you have now?)

I am a newbie to the forum and purchased a D5000 (great camera) I was looking for a budget Macro lens and came across the Raynor DCR 250 has anyone had any experience of this and is it a good buy as money is very tight
Thanks in anticipation

Jim