What do I need

[BowedFloor]

I thought my camera was half decent (12.1MP) it's a PowerShot SX20IS.

But I see photos like

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...M/P5285589.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...M/P5215422.jpg

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/y...3/IMG_2673.jpg

What on earth are they using for Macro photography?

I tried the Macro/Supermacro mode on my camera, but it doesn't look anywhere near as good.

[IanWR]

I think they are using a macro (or micro if you're Nikon) lens to get shots like that. Lots of great threads here for tips!

[kien]

If you want a true macro shot you will need a DSLR with either a macro lens or a regular lens with extension tubes :-)

[Kraken]

When I just started out taking pictures, I actually just used a normal point and shoot while holding a magnifying glass......seriously....and the pics were not half bad acceptable.

Here is one of the pics I took of a crystal red shrimp when I only had a dollar store magnifying glass and a point and shoot(Its pretty macro considering how small they are..but I guess not as magnified as the pics you linked)



I now use a dslr with a 105 macro lens which will allow me to get a closer shot:



I am now in the process of playing around with my macro lens + extension tubes... the work distance is stupidly short, but it blows up the image even more....

[BowedFloor]

Kraken, Did you do any post processing in photoshop?

Even with the magnifying glass your pics are amazing.

[Kraken]

I did not have to post process with the shrimp because my lights did not have as many actinics. I had to post for all my reef pics mainly because of my lights. Thanks for the compliment =)