Which lens are you planning on using it with? If it's a zoom, it needs to be a long zoom (preferably over 200mm). If it's a prime, it should work with virtually any. I use mine with a 50mm f/1.8
* Use manual focus and put your camera into continuous shooting mode. I find shooting with continuous shooting means you should get 1 or 2 keepers from each burst of 10 shots or so as you'll find the tiniest of movements will mean you'll miss focus.
* If you're handholding (which is what I do) then breath slowly (some people even hold their breath) and gently press the shutter button as sharp stabs on the shutter release will mean missed focus/blurred shots.
* If you're using a tripod then use timer or remote release. Cables are ok, but can still induce shake which you don't want when you're working with such a tiny depth of field.
* If you're shooting flowers do it indoors if at all possible, or on a still day if you're outside.
* And above all else, practice and plenty of patience! Oh and put some shots up in the macro section here for us to take a look at. I'm no expert, but there are plenty of other superb macro togs on TP.
I love macro photography. I find I get really immersed in my subject and just forget what is going on around me. There is plenty of scope for experimenting with settings too. A nice wide aperture (f/2 - f/4) will give you lots of lovely bokeh. f/8 or smaller will bring more into focus, but you'll be stuggling to handhold unless it's bright or you're using flash (which would need to be difused).
Hopefully, that'll be enough to get you started. Someone else will come along and add to what I've put, or even correct me if I'm wrong on anything. But all of the above is from what I've learned myself by experimenting and also following the macro thread on TP.
Good luck, and have fun! (Oh, by the way, I've added you on Flickr too so I can see the results!)
