What you need for Successful Macro Photography

Whatever you decide to do in life, you're going to be faced with choices. But once you've decided what to do, you'll need to choose the best way to do it!
When it comes to photography in general and macro photography in particular, you need to have the right gear and equipment to enable you to tackle the task at hand. This relates more specifically to cameras and lenses, although you should consider buying a decent camera bag and a tripod.
Macro lenses in general are designed to bring tiny little things into view so that you can uncover detail that we can't even see when we look at these things. They bring a new perspective that is both exhilarating and exciting.

The best cameras and lenses for successful macro photography
There are lots of cameras out there that you can use to take great macro shots. But if you are serious about photography, the two top manufacturers are undoubtedly Canon and Nikon. Either way – and even if you choose another make – you are going to need a single lens reflex (SLR) digital camera. This is because digital SLR cameras are made to accommodate different lenses, including macro lenses. Other "point-and-press" and even better quality fixed lens compact cameras don't enable you to get that close and intimate.
If you don't already have a digital SLR camera, you can approach your decision two different ways. You can research what different brand macro lenses offer – then buy the camera brand that matches the lens. Otherwise decide on a brand, and then choose a macro lens that meets your needs.

Canon digital SLR cameras
Canon has a comprehensive range of digital SLR cameras in their EOS range. Some are aimed at professional photographers, whilst others are more affordable and designed for semi-professionals and serious amateurs.
The most recent Canon digital SLR models are the EOS 1100D and the EOS 600D. Then there's the EOS 550D that was launched in March 2010 as the flagship (at the time) of Canon's EOS line of cameras. At the time, this was said to be the best Canon Rebel SLR on the market.
The EOS 1100D is compact and affordable, but also as advanced as any of the popular Canon EOS cameras. It offers 12 megapixel image quality and a 2.7 inch (6.8 cm) 230,000-dot screen. You can use it with all the Canon EF and EF-S lenses, so it's an excellent first step in the world of digital SLR photography.
The EOS 600D is an awesome camera with an incredible 18-megapixel resolution that will appeal to professionals. Without going into any technicalities, it is set to become a leader…
So, do your homework and see which one is best for you. Then go shopping for a good Canon lens that will help you to improve your macro photography.

Canon macro lenses
As we've said, once you have decided on a Canon digital SLR camera, you are stuck with Canon macro lenses – well if you value quality that is.
That might sound like a con, but once you have made a commitment to go with Canon, that is simply the way it is. You can't use a Nikon lens with a Canon camera. Your only other option would be a generic lens that can be used with a range of different camera makes including both Canon and Nikon, but you really won't get the same quality as you can with real thing.  
Canon has a range of macro lenses that give a number of options. These are the:

• EF 50mm f/2.5 compact macro which is great as a general-purpose or flexible standard lens.
• EF-S 60mm f/2.8 fast-focusing lens, heralded as the "first true macro lens in the EF-S series" and able to provide dramatic detail that goes way beyond what the naked eye can see.
• MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x macro photo lens that can achieve an incredible larger than life affect without extra accessories.
• EF 100mm f/2.8 macro USM that is also useful for portraiture photography.
• EF 100mm f/2.8L macro IS USM, which is similar to the last one but in the L (luxury) class, with an image stabilizer with angle and shift detection and which is rated as a professional lens.
• EF 180mm f/3.5L macro USM, also an L-class lens aimed at the professionals, and which enables the photographer to take life-size close-ups from further away so that you don't risk disturbing the subject, whether it is a bird, a butterfly or a lion!

When you look at these macro lenses, you will notice that the two professional luxury (L) lenses have a red line at the front of the lens that the other lenses don't have. You will also see that they carry a much higher price tag.

Nikon digital SLR cameras
Like Canon, Nikon offers a good range of digital SLR cameras for professionals, semi-professionals and serious amateurs. These range from the D3x which has an astonishing 24.5 megapixels to the D3000 with 10.2 megapixels. In between is the D300s which, when launched in July 2009, was heralded by reviewers and users as the best semi-professional digital SLR camera of its time.
Nikon's digital SLRs are manufactured in two formats – DX or FX – both of which represent state-of-the-art technology. The DX cameras came first, introducing a much smaller sensor than had been previously used, making Nikon entry level (for professionals) cameras cheaper. In 2007 Nikon introduced their first FX (full-frame) digital SLR camera, the 12.1 megapixel D3 FX. The resolution was better and it beat the DX format hands down in low light situations. But the FX cameras are both heavier and more expensive than their DX predecessor.
Now if you are a Nikon fan, you'll be off to find the perfect macro lens for the camera you've decided to buy. Just be aware that DX and FX lenses are not compatible. So if you opt for a cheaper DX camera, you'll have to stick with DX lenses. You can use a DX lens with an FX camera, but the resolution will only be half as good as it should be.

Nikon macro lenses
Nikkor is the brand name for the lenses made by Nikon. They produce single focal length lenses, zoom lenses and special-purpose lenses.
If you're into macro photography, you'll be looking at their special-purpose micro lenses. There are currently five on the market (new), but only one is a DX format – the AF-S DX Micro Nikkor 85mm f/3.5G ED VR, a medium-telephoto micro lens. The four FX format lenses are the:

• AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8D, the company's most compact "micro" lens available for close-up and general photography.
• AF-S Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G ED, the company's newest macro lens which offers a really fast switch from autofocus (AF) to manual focusing.
• AF VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED, which, when launched was the first ever macro lens to have SWM – which allows quick switching between AF and manual focus – and also boasts the VR system that minimizes camera shake.
• AF Micro-Nikkor 200 mm f/4D IF-ED, which is a powerful telephoto micro lens intended specifically for nature photography.

Now all you have  to do is decide which SLR camera and lens you want to be able to get started in the exciting and stimulating world of macro photography.