One of the better units is the Vivitar 2x Macro Focusing Teleconverter. Like an extension tube, it's mounted between the camera and the lens. Focusing is done with the teleconverter. Note that this particular unit is no longer in production, so you may have to troll eBay. It's no dedicated macro lens, but you can get your feet wet with this one. You can often find them used on online auction sites for $40-$60.

You can really see how the macro focusing teleconverter compares to the extension tube in Figure D.

FIGURE D


You can see the glass in the teleconverter on the left. Roll over picture for a larger image.

You can see the glass in the teleconverter on the left. You can also kind of see how the two differ in Figure E, where, again, the teleconverter is on the left.

FIGURE E


The teleconverter is on the left. Roll over picture for a larger image.

Long telephoto lens
Believe it or not, some very nice macro images can be had with longer telephoto lenses, as shown in Figure F.

FIGURE F


Here's my 80-200/2.8. Roll over picture for a larger image.

Generally a 300mm lens, as shown in Figure G, can bring in the subject close enough, despite it's MFD of 5+ feet. Given the narrow field of view (FOV), it's at best a second place player.

FIGURE G


This beast is my 300/2.8. Roll over picture for a larger image.

Add a close-up filter, however, and things change for the better. I've seen some excellent images from a 50-200mm zoom and a close-up filter. More than a few wildlife photographers use this combination when packing light for their longer wildlife trips.

Dedicated macro lens
As you might imagine, using a dedicated macro lens is the best way to photograph macro! Generally you'll want a medium telephoto (70-150mm) macro lens if your primary subjects are not products. Outdoors, the extra reach is useful for less-than-friendly subjects, such as hornets, wasps, snakes, etc.

A macro lens is often designed to provide its best performance at a magnification of 1:1. This is the most common method used by photographers. Using a fixed focal length means that your magnification remains constant, unlike zooms, which will lose some of the magnification at the longer focal lengths. Some macro lenses can go beyond this and achieve even better magnification -- up to 5:1 macro.

However, the longest 1:1 macro lenses can also bring to life the amazing structure of an insect's eyes, butterfly antennae segments, and other minuscule but detailed objects into striking focus.

Prices can range quite a bit, depending on the focal length and magnification ratio:

• $50-100 for a used MF lens
• $250-300 for a new 50mm AF lens
• $400+ for longer lenses (90-100mm)
• $800-2000 (MSRP) for the longest macro lenses (150-200mm)

The above numbers are not absolutes, but this should give you an idea of the pricing. The options are extensive, and are limited only by what your budget will allow.

Let's take a look at some of these lenses. Figure H shows a 100mm macro lens.

FIGURE H


Here's the 100mm macro lens. Roll over picture for a larger image.

By contrast, Figure I shows a 200mm macro lens.

FIGURE I


This is the 200/4 lens. Roll over picture for a larger image.

Finally, just in case you wanted to see what the difference is between the two lenses in a tangible way, Figure J shows the 100/2.8 and the 200/4 side-by-side.