[space oddity]

Extension tubes are a cheap way of converting any lens into a macro whilst retaining quality. For extreme closeups, use a wide angle lens, preferably mounted backwards with a reversing ring. Unfortunately, everything will be totally manual. Bellows are an easily adjustable form of extension rings, some of which are auto diaphragm . With higher magnification, you loose some f stops, to go with the depth of field problem inherent with close up. The Tamron 90mm f/2.5 adaptall should be reasonably cheap on ebay and gives good results. An old manual diaphragm bellows lens(no focus of its own) which should also be cheap, gives some of the sharpest results. My ancient 100mm f/4 Pentax screw mount bellows lens (which can be adapted to fit almost any camera, including Minolta/Sony) gives the absolute sharpest piccies for macro, although it is extremenly difficult to use on those insect shots - flash is almost totally mandatory due to the light falloff and need to stop right down. A little tip- old flsh guns can be made safe on DSLR cameras (to avoid frying the cirtcuit) by using an adaptor from Wein .