camera
Anything that says Nikon on it! :befuddled: Only joking. Canon or Nikon, either one are good material. Now I'll be blasted by xyz. There are other good ones out there. I usually answer student questions by "What lenses do you already own, because if you buy other than what you own, you will take a bath replacing your optics. It sounds like you are using a point and shoot. If your are using a little hand held, you have a sensor that is about 1/8 the size of the DSLR cameras. Kinda like comparing 110 to 35mm film. (You do remember film, right?) :smile-big: If your camera has, on it's control dial, a picture of a flower, (I'm getting very basic here because I'm not sure of your profeciency level) that is your macro or close focus setting. Try taking some shots there. A good softbox is also important for good pen pics. High Dollar/Low Dollar!!!! I use one in Forensic Training that I made from a windshield washer fluid bottle. Cut it about 1/3 the way down from the top, turn it upside down over the item being photographed and set a flexible stem lamp up against the side of it, (unless using flash or daylight, set your WLB to auto) cut a hole through the bottom for my lens and shoot. It works! Oh, BTW, That's the LOW dollar one. B&H and Adorama (both very reputable distributors) out of New York will be MORE than happy to talk to ya about the HIGH dollar ones:tongue: If I can help, beyond this, use PM or give me a TX # by PM.