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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Deezey" data-source="post: 351866" data-attributes="member: 13223">Hi Trisha!! Welcome! So, Macro photography and bird photography. Those are two types of photography needing completely different set ups. But first and foremost lets start with the camera itself. Any of the semi new camera bodies will work for Macro Photography. So the sky is the limit with those. The main thing is how comfortable the body feels in your hands. Then start looking at the specs. How much do you want to control the picture taking process? Or do you mind letting the camera take the lead in most instances? If you want more control over the camera, look more at the used Prosumer cameras. D90, D300/s, D7000 series. These have more button and dial controls than menu controls. I would not go older than the D90. A D7000 would be a good middle ground here.If you don't mind going through menus and things look more at the D3000, D5000 series. I wouldn't go below the D3200/5200 models. But thats just me. Note that the above models are DX format. Not the more expensive FX format. Unless you are in this for the long haul, look more towards the still capable, but more budget friendly DX format.Now to lenses. The easiest way to get into macro would be to get one of the smaller lenses such as the 40mm Macro. Stick to the primes if you can. While the zoom macros do work, but they wont hold a candle to a true macro. A cheaper option is to get a kit lens such as the 55-200mm lens and then purchase a Raynox DCR-250. The Raynox clip on close up filter is really good quality and allows your lens to focus at a much closer distance. On the 55-200 I can get to a focus distance of 6 inches. I don't own a Macro, but if you cruise through my thread (plug plug) all my close up shots are with kit lenses and the Raynox. While still not as good as a macro, its better than the so called zoom macros....Now a birding lens....honestly....in good light almost anything will work. In bad lighting....be prepared to spend big. But thats just like anything else in photography. But the main thing in all this is to have fun and don't be afraid to ask questions!!</blockquote>

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