Macro lenses are expensive. And in truth all new lenses are expensive. If you are like me and regularly count pennies using macro rings might be the answer you've been looking. Macro rings are a cheap way to get acquainted with the world of macro.
Macro Extension tubes
Macro extension tubes or macro rings are a set of 3 rings. It's up to you how many you use. Depending on the amount you use you can focus nearer and nearer. Macro rings come in two versions: manual and auto. Manual rings are usually sold under 10$ and auto rings (which allow you to change the aperture and focus through camera automatically) are usually sold around 40$.
Sharpness
Using macro rings will magnify the center of your lens. So a good center-sharp lens is required. I got myself a cheap manual 50mm that works like a charm. I recommend buying old manual retro lenses if you are on a budget. They are really good. You might even find a good deal for an old macro lens on ebay!
Aperture
There more rings you use the shallower the depth of field will be. Therefore it's useful to use a high aperture unless you are looking for that artsy bokeh look. The more open your aperture is the bigger the bokeh will be. (bokeh will be magnified just like the rest of the image!)
If you use automatic lenses with manual rings the aperture will be locked at your minimum aperture value. That will degrade the picture since very high apertures will cause diffraction and using macro rings will magnify that.
Some of my examples with an open aperture:
Some of my samples with a narrow aperture:
F/32.0
F/8.0Exposure
As you add rings the picture gets magnified which means less light will fall on your lens. Use the exposure triangle to compensate for the loss of light.
I would strongly recommend using a tripod, speedlights and flashlights to get best results.
Also time your shots. Try to shoot at mid day when it's the brightest.
Alternatives
In theory you could build your own macro tubes like so:
Or use an reverse rings instead which let's you screw your lens on the camera the other way:
Macro photography is awesome! Be sure to try it out. For 10$ you can already get started.
