I found the answer I was looking for by searching "macro photography" on this sight. The shorter the lense the larger the depth of field. Extension tubes and bellows have their own quirks too and I would be better off with a shorter macro lense for what I want to do. Thanks for looking. Al

At the closest focus, you're going to have very limited depth of field, even stopping the lens down. Instead of worrying about trying to increase your depth of field, try and make limited focus work for you by using it to draw the viewer's eyes to the most important part of the composition.

Larry, I understand what you are trying to tell me. If you look at my gallery, there are 2 pictures of spring crocus. One with a fly and one without. I tried to take a photo of the one flower with its partner next to it. I could not get the two flowers side by side in focus like I wanted with the lense I have. I was trying to get whole head of both flowers in focus. With the lense in the "macro" mode, at the shortest allowed focal length of 180mm, the depth of field seemed a little to shallow. Then along came the fly, and all of that was out the window. For some strange reason that fly did not want to leave. I think that picture is one of the better ones! Thanks for the tip! I will try to stop the lense down after this. Hopefully the lense cooperates...it decided to start giving me grief and I think it may be terminal. So...I may have to start shopping for a cheap macro lense afterall... Thanks again, Al.