In article <4l2hqs$t47@lastactionhero.rs.itd.umich.edu>, iggy@home.merit.edu says... [most deleted]

> So I guess my question(s) are... Will a extender allow one to
>do perhaps 2X magnification at close distances? Is this the best
>low cost equipment for this type of thing? Can someone please
>tell me or point me to a source of more information and things to
>look for when purchasing equipment that will do this job? [...]

The macro converter you were probably refering to is the excellent
Vivitar 2X (7-element) Macro Converter. Used with the 50mm stopped
down to f8-11 (f16-22 working aperture, with the 2-stop loss through
the converter), it should work well for your purposes, since it is good, inexpensive, and provides the focusing range of a macro lens
(which simpler and less expensive tubes or close-up lenses would not).
Hope This Helps