Macro lense? do I need one?

[StevetheGreek]

Hi. I'm a newbee to the digital SLR world. I just purchased the Nikon D3000 with the 18-55mm lense and the 55-200mm lense. I want to take some upclose floral shots and was wondering if I really need to spend $300.00 on a macro lense. I am already tapped out buying the camera and two lenses...LOL

any suggestions???

Steve

[OsmosisStudios]

WHat macro lens are you getting for $300!?

[atulsc]

Depends on what is the kind of macro relsults you want to achive.
if you want serious 1:1 macro results like the ones you see in magazines websites etc then the answer is a "BIG YES" but if you are completely satisfied with normal close ups then "NO". If you try you can get decent close up shots of flowers watches etc even with th 18-55 and 55-200 lenses but my observation is the moment you start getting good photos you'll lust for more . Then there are cheaper options such as Close up filter, macro adapters (Ranox DCR150/250/MSN-502/505 etc), Reversing rings/coupler rings and extension tubes. but all of these have their own limitation at one point you'll want a macro lens. I bought a Raynox MSN-505 myself and within few weeks I realised i cant live without a macro lense and just 2 days back i invested $600 in a Tamron 180mm macro. Macro photography will invite a lot of expenses trust me, pretty soon you'll want a tripod and an extrenal flash unit at least

Note: you can start practicing with a Raynox DCR250 it costs only $50, even if you dont like it later you don't lose much.

Check these

Raynox MSN-505 : My first macro shoot - Raynox MSN-505 test shots

Tamron 180mm : http://digital-photography-school.co...3-5-macro.html

[spazoid1965]

Here's a few threads discussing macro lens alterative. There are more discussions on this site and others. But these are the 1st ones I found.

http://digital-photography-school.co...ns-camera.html
http://digital-photography-school.co...ion-tubes.html
http://digital-photography-school.co...ro-method.html
http://digital-photography-school.co...ion-tubes.html
http://digital-photography-school.co...close-ups.html
http://digital-photography-school.co...sion-tube.html