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http://www.onexposure.net/?member=8090&marta-
The most amazing macro stuff I'vee seen! (s)he uses a Konica Minolta Z10 and a DCR 250 - old 3.2 megapixel kit!
What would I need to get this close with this clarity and sharpness with my D80 ( skill of course, but technically I mean ) ?
Also, Is there a compact that can do this sort of shot? Things must have come on in the last three or four years.
Jon
I had a Minolta Z10 and I have to say the macro on it was superb. I gave the camera to my son who then managed to drop it from a great hight in Germany!
I use a Canon powershot A720is compact as a carry around when I'm not using my slr, the macro on it is as good and with 8 magapixels.
You will need a lens with macro for your D80. I use a ten year old Sigma 28-80 that has macro and if needed a screw in close-up lens. Most of the recent close-up's in my portfolio were taken this way. Other than a recent one where I used the macro on my Sigma 70-300.
Ken
I would say, besides the patience to set up and wait for the right shots - good exposure, good focusing and depth of field, a good tripod, remote release and a reflector.
Being there at the right time in the right light is also important. If the subject is fairly static mirror lock-up is also a good idea to any possibility of vibration.
The reflector can also be used as a windbreak to cut movement - and a plant clamp can be useful for the same reason (it can also be used to move the subject slightly to get the angle and focus right if it's not too jumpy).
A fine water spray (I keep an Evian face spritzer handy) can also be useful if nature has not been helpful.
On some of these I would guess there is also some post processing work to blur the background (in addition to getting the depth of field right) and make the subject stand out even more.
And plenty of practice!
Brett
She mentions something about 'Photofiltre + Neat Image', which I guess is some kind of basic manilupation software, but she says it is mainly for noise reduction.
i shall check out the A720, thanks, Franken.
I bet I could get a Z10 on ebay for next to nothing. Might be worth a try for fun. . .
Jon
Another vote for the A720! The macro on it is superb and you have the option of Manual mode, where you can set aperture, shutterspeed, ISO etc... to a certain degree.
Do a search for focus stacking and you will see how it is done.
Quote: I doubt you would get better result using macro on compact, than your DSLR and macro lens.
It is quite possible to get good macto results from a compact because the inherent depth-of-field is so much deeper. It is down to the size of the sensor. Great for web sized images, but large prints would suffer!
Ian 
Well, after some research ( and your helpful input ) and considerable ebay trawling I've just bought a Sigma 105mm macro for about 200 quid, which I think is a reasonable deal.
So now all I have to do now is learn to use my camera . . .
At least I feel that I have enough gear now, so I will have no excuses for less than acceptable results. Well, no excuses that will be believed for more than 3.8 seconds anyway.
Not sure how long that feeling will last however I mean an ultra wide angle would be nice. . aargh!
Jon
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