Macro set up on a budget... is it possible

[wildman]

I am trying to get a macro set up but I am on a relative shoe string. Mainly for flowers and insects with some indoor still life macro work also. I have a Sony A700. looking to keep it under 350 quid if possible

So far I have been thinking of getting the following

Sony DT 30mm f2.8 SAM Macro Lens - 160 quid
Set of Kenko AF Extension tubes - 145 quid
Cheap 40 quid 4 way macro focusing raid from the rain forest

that comes in aroudn the budget I am looking at.

The Sony 30mm build quality could probably be better but for 160 quid new plus the fact the min focus distance is 2cm I think it will likely yiled fairly good results ?

 

[wildman]

Get a longer FL lens. You need to be a bit further away for insect photography than 2cm. Also lighting will be an issue the closer you get to the subject (flash eclipsed by camera or shadows). What are you thinking of using for lighting?

was going to save up for a ring flash.

Tripod side is sorted I have a decent Velbon legs and head which is sturdy.

 

[wildman]

Do you need to spend £145 on Kenko tubes, surely any AF extension tubes will do the same job. They are just spacers with pass-through contacts so should have no direct affect on image quality depending on brand.

Choosing another make could save you £100.

I haven;t found any other AF tubes for A-mount that come in much chepaer TBH. For cannon / Nikon mounts I can see more offerings but son'y stable seems to be a bit barren unless I am looking the wrong places