I use a 105mm Macro lens from Nikon and it is a stunning lens. The pricetag was R9300. Some places is selling it between R9800 and R11500. You can get a Tamron or Sigma lens for cheeper but the quality off glass and VR is not as good. The Tamron is a better lens for me than the Sigma.

If you want to take photos of your big tarantulas I'll say to get a 60mm lens to get closer to the tarantula. A 60mm macro lens from Nikkon will be between R5500 to R7000.

Camaraz in Rosebank The Mews is selling secondhand lenses for some good prices.You can ask for Gavin.

Thanx so much Stalker, much appreciated. I heard today you can use a macro adaptor. What are your thoughts on that?

This is the Macro converter that I use.
www.raynox.co.jp/english/dcr/dcr250/indexdcr250eg.htm

I have used it on various cameras and works on camcorders as well.

SynergyZA, where did you buy it and for how much?

I tried sourcing it in SA, but some places had it for R1300+.
I had my brother bring it for me when he lasted visited from London for 40 Pound.

Have2Have:
www.have2have.co.za/product/Raynox-DCR-2...517608fb599d2a78998/

The converter is a very nice thing to have. I don't use it because you add an object (the lens from the converter) to your lens wich can create flare. I always look for the quality of the glass and to prevent any lens flare.

It doesn't matter if you use a macro converter or extension tubes, you are going to loose light and you need to changes the shutter speed op apperture.

I use extension tubes for extreme close-up macro. It is just a tube that mounts between your lens and your camera body. The tubes I use transver all the function from your camera to the lens. You get cheap ones for about R150 (3 in a set) but they can not transver any camera functions to the lens, that means everything is manual.