>In article <50lo4q$lo@news.greatbasin.net>, jesse@wellman.reno.nv.us says...

>> I want to take close up photos of minerals. I have 1x,2x,4x screw
>>on filters set, a set of reverseing rings, a tripod, and a flash for a
>>55mm lens on a Nikon FE-2. (Thanks in part to advice from this list!)
>> So far I have taken all my photos outside in sunlight, and I do
>>not like the washed out look, nor the heat of the day.
>> Are there better set ups for the low cost do it yourselfer? What
>>films, speeds, adjustments and filters would you recommend in this
>>situation?

If your flash is a TTL type for Nikon, I would get the Nikon remote TTL
cord, which would allow you to place the flash away from the camera. I
would use it as the primary light, with reflectors used (white, silver,
or maybe gold-colored [if accurate color is not essential]), if desireable.
A small aperture (f16 is good) with the flash close to the subject should allow you to get sharp pictures with the 55mm plus a close-up lens. Backgrounds can be simple black, grey, blue, etc. construction paper.
No filters should be necessary. A color-hyped film like Velvia (at 40)
can look good. You may want to experiment with reducing the flash head
size with black paper cones to increase the lighting directionality for
increased contrast.....
Hope This Helps