New camera advice

i have £700 for a new camera and was thinking of the d7000 with the 18-105mm kit lens, SLR HUT is selling it for £619.95 with approx £15 delivery. My question is could i use extension tubes with this camera and lens as i like close up/ macro photography but can not afford anything more than the £700 budget and macro lenses are pricey (for me). I am interested in all kinds of photography not just macro so i thought that kit lens would be a good starting point. Any advice would be great

Welcome to nikonites! I believe a D7000 would take great macro photos! As far as I know extension tubes will work fine on it. I've never used the setup your talking about, and I haven't tried my extension tube with a zoom lens. So I can't say much on that. But you came to the right place! There are sure to be people here who will be able to give you some great advice!

Yes you could use extension tubes with the D7000- 18-105 combination. You just have to remember that using extension tubes will rob you of sometimes precious light amount. The longer the extension tube, the more light lost.

By all means get the D7000, even refurbished. With a 35 f1.8 or the 40mm f2.8 macro you would have a good start. You could also consider a nifty 50 and a reversing ring for macro.

I believe there are some complications you should look into first.

The 18-105mm does not have a Aperture ring, that means you need extension tubes that have metal components so that you can control the aperture still from the camera.
The cheap extension tubes do not have this, to work with these you will need something like a Nikon Nikkor AF 50mm f/1.8 D Lens.

For the reversal you would need the same aperture ring on your lens (external controls exist, but seem much trouble).
I picked up an old Osawa Lens for Macro and reversing a lens from my dad´s not used camera is my budget solution for macro.

Look for DIY extension tubes, you would not need a Nikon lens for some solutions.

P.S.: This does not replace professional material.

I think the d7000 will work for you. As for macro, it is something you need work on. Whether extension tube, macro lens add on or any other methods, it is all about practising. Obviously a macro Len will make life easier but not a must.

Long time since i used a zoom with extension tubes but i think you have to move in close and then actually zoom to focus,sure i will be corrected if i remember incorrectly

Consider some strange options. Normally you will do Macro with the shortest focus distance and you will not need stabilisation, no controls from your camera, etc ...So you can use old lenses: e.g. Pay attention this one is not Nikon compatible.
SIGMA 100-200MM MANUAL FOCUS ZOOM LENS WITH MACRO 018208016679 | eBay
(Use A priority for calculation)


The macro is generally not spectacular, but actually cheap extension tubes will be no issue with these.