MoneyDoc99
> Interestingly, John Shaw the author of several books on nature and close
> up photography does not advocate the use of macro lenses. I was rather
> suprised to read in his book on close up photography that he recommends
> regular lenses (mostly short telephoto) and relatively inexpensive
> extension tubes. I always find it interesting that the "pros" spend a lot
> less time concerned with their equipment and alot more with the subject
> matter and process of seeing. They then improvise to get the shot they want.
[...]
John Shaw is a good writter, and an excellent (and knowledgeable)
photographer. I thought I should add, though, that some short teles
do perform very well on tubes - but some do not. I have tried MANY
macro combinations, and it is often surprising what works well,
and what doesn't (and some macro lenses do not work well at
magnifications above about 1.5X...). Generally, the most useful macro
items in my experience have been a good TTL flash mounted at the
end of the lens, the Sigma achromat made for the 90mm macro,
tubes, and teleconverters. Best lenses of the many I have tried for
macro (though hardly from a complete sellection of all lenses
available...;-): the 60mm f2.8 Nikkor, the 90mm f2.5 Vivitar Series I
(with 1:1 adapter), and the 200mm f4 compact non-macro Nikkor.
BTW, you will find insect (and other) photos on my web page (mostly
under "Phun Fotoz", "Bugs") taken with various macro combinations
(the orange fly was taken with the Nikkor 200mm + Sigma achromat
+ teleconverter, with the aperture probably set at f11, and with TTL
flash at the lens end).
Hope This Helps
David Ruether - http://www.fcinet.com/ruether