So I finally got a proper DSLR recently.  I went for the Nikon D5100 since it seemed to have the best image quality for under $1000.  Initially, I really liked it, decent focusing speed, good daylight pics, decent images at high ISO, good video quality despite lack of video options, great long exposure and built-in invervalometer for time-lapse photography...but it couldn't do macro out of the box.  That's when I got an adapter and inverted the lens, and I really started seeing some nice results.  I've posted some pics and I'll post some more.

I'm definitely happy with the quality I'm getting.  Shooting with all manual settings might not be for everyone, but it saves me hundreds if not thousands on macro lenses, so I'm very happy with it!  I would like to thank the random people on the internet who mentioned it, it's definitely a great way to do macro for cheap.  There's also the method of using macro rings (individual lenses) at the end of your regular lens in order to use automatic ISO, shutter speed, etc. but having gone that route with my Sony Camcorder, I find that the lenses tend to not stay clean for very long.  You still get good results though!




...and now back to Game of Thrones.