[jerrymeola]

Mayes is right in his description of 'Macro' which makes me think that most people do not need a macro lens for orchid photography and in fact although I own one I do not use it for orchids. I use the basic Nikon lenses that came with the camera of 55mm and can focus to about 18 inches.

If you want art photos of parts of orchids (which has been popular lately) then a macro is necessary. If you are photographing the whole flower then a lens that has a close focus range is sufficient.

One reason for the high cost of Marco lenses and especially the longer lenses is that a normal camera lens being curved in the front does not focus flat on the sensor. With a normal shot the slight difference is not noticeable. When shotting macro 1:1 ratio the edges will be out of focus. Hence it is a difficult manufacturing process to make a macro lens that focuses flat on the sensor. The longer the lens the more difficult the manufacturing and more expense. When you shot anything bigger than one inch the need for a macro diminishes. Shotting a 3-4 inch flower does not require a macro.

People on this forum mistakenly consider a 'macro' lens necessary for good photos. It is not. What is necessary is sharp focus and a steady hand. Learn to use the spot focus feature on your camera and focus on the most important element, usually the lip.

Many of the photos I see on the forum with an apology for a 'bad' camera is really the use of the general full sensor focus which focused on the background leaving the orchid out of focus.

You may well like a ring light as Anton recommended.