Great Macro System – Save Money……

Ever since I did my Kelby Training close-up classes, (yes a part II is on the way).  I’ve gotten a lot of emails asking what is the least expensive way to get into doing close-ups.

I assembled a kit that will cost about as little as you can spend and still get high quality images from infinity to 6 times life size!  The kit includes the 85mm Micro Nikkor DX f3.5 lens, a set of automatic extension tubes, and a couple of diopters, mine are the long discontinued Nikon 3T and 4T, but several other manufacturer still make diopter in the 52m size  required by the 85 Micro.  With these few tools, you can do a great variety of close-ups.  Because the lens will be used on a D7000, or some other Nikon DX body, the “effective” focal length with be 127.5 mm.  Working distance is good and the complete set will run you around, $800.  The diopter I would recommend if you can’t find the Nikon ones, would be the Hoya 52mm +3 Close-Up Pro 1 Digital Multi-Coated Glass filter.  This is a 2 element diopter unlike the simple single element +1, +2, +3 kits which I would avoid!  Below are the images with each part of the system.  Image one is for size perspective, it includes my thumb.  The next is with 36mm of extension and the 5T.  Remember you can stack the diopters and you have two more extension tubes, (12mm & 20mm).  The bottom line; great close-up possibilities with a reasonably affordable system!

Want to save even more?  One other route is to use the same extension tubes and close-up diopters on a very high quality zoom lens.  If you own a 70-200 Af-S VR f2.8 version I or II, you could add a 77mm Diopter and the same automatic extension tubes and do wonderful close-ups.

One last thought is, once again if you are a Nikon shooter, the older manual focus lenses will still work on the D7000 on up.  I picked up a great mint condition, 105mm Micro Nikkor f 2.8 for less than $300.

Learn good technique and acquire the gear you can afford, and have fun!