Macro with $200 worth of camera gear

[Major Nikon]

I shot this with a D3000 and a 18-55mm kit lens that I bought for my daughter, both of which you can pick up on ebay for about $200 these days. This isn't really a macro shot as that would mean a reproduction ratio of 1:1 or better. A 1:1 reproduction ratio would fill the entire frame with the dime. However, when most people think of macro, they really think of focusing closer than most lenses will allow. Although the Nikkor 18-55 isn't a true Macro lens, it will focus much closer than most lenses and will do most of what people want a macro lens to do. Some people may already own this lens and don't realize its capability. Just to keep things on the cheap, I lit this scene with a $3.50 flashlight and my $10 light box.