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NOTE: Prices and product availability accurate as of November 16, 2011.
Lenses
Low rent
 < Pro Optic Auto Extension Tube
This is one of the least expensive extension tube sets on the market, and is available for Nikon Canon, and Minolta/Sony Alpha mounts. $75-85
 Olympus Macro Conversion Lens >
If you own most an Olympus C-series digital camera, you can probably use this magnifying screw-on lens, which brings your camera lens into macro focus territory (click here for a list of compatible cameras). $95
 < Raynox conversion lenses
Indie conversion lens maker Raynox offers several choices that are designed to be used on multiple lenses or cameras. The DCR-150 Macro-Scan Conversion Lens provides 1.5X magnification and will snap onto DSLRs or EVF cameras with filter rings of 52mm to 67mm, and costs under $70.
Hobbyists' Delights
 Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro lens >
Focusing down to 1:1, this is a revised version of Canon's popular macro lens, and focuses through the entire range from infinity to life-size. The built-in USM focus motor is well known for fast, silent operation. The aperture range of f/2.8-32 should satisfy your macro needs, while the 58mm filter ring will handle most screw-on accessories. $560.
 Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 DI
Tweaked for use on both film and digital cameras, this independently-made, 1:1 focusing prime macro is available for Canon, Pentax, Minolta/Sony and Nikon mounts, and comes with a six-year USA warranty. $400. No guide could be complete without mentioning the legendary Nikon 100mm f/2.5 Micro-Nikkor lens, which has been in continous use for decades.
Go Pro
 Nikon 200mm f/4 ED-IF Micro-Telephoto Nikkor
Keep your distance from tiny, skittish subjects with this 200mm tele lens while still achieving 1:1 (life-size) magnification. This lens features extra low dispersion glass to improve contrast and sharpness. You'll need to use a powerful ringlight flash unit with this one--the closest it focuses is 19.4 inches. $1,660.
Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro Photo Manual Focus Telephoto Lens focuses down to 1:5 (five times life size!) for super macro shots. If you are getting serioius about getting close and you're a Canon shooter, this $1,000 lens will get you there.
Lighting
Low rent
 Adorama Macro Flecta Reflector
This bounces any ambient light right into your subject and helps reduce or eliminate shadows, much like a fill flash. It's a 12-inch white disc that fits around most lenses and is held in place by elastic. It won't provide as much light as a ring flash, but the light it reflects will appear flat and soft. $19.95
 Phoenix SmartFlash RF46C Macro Ringlight
One of the least expensive ringlights currently available, the RL-59N has a guide number of 46 at ISO 100 and is available for Canon models, and comes with 55, 58, 62 and 67mm adapter rings so you can use it on several different lenses. $86.
Hobbyist's Delight
 Olympus SRF-11 TTL Ring Flash
Olympus DSLR owners are limited to Olympus-made ringflashes--no independent label models are available. But the SRF-11 is a good one, with a guide number of 26 feet at ISO 100. It's designed for use with the Zuiko Digital 50mm f/2.0 macro lens via the lens' bayonet mount. $560
 Canon Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX
This E-TTL ringlight flash offers twin tube design so the tubes can be flashed together or separately so you can control lighting ratio. The ringlite is designed to work with the EF 50mm f/2.5, EF 100 f/2.8 Macro, and other Canon macro lenses via an adapter. Canon says that when the E-TTL system is used the flash emits just the right amount of light, balancing flash and ambient light automatically. Guide number? 46 at ISO 100. That's bright! $520.
Go Pro
 Nikon R1C1 Wireless Close-Up Speedlight System
This spare-no-expense, full-control muscle macro flash system, consists of two SB-R200 Wireless Remote Speedlight, an SU-800 Wireless Speedlight commander, and a host of adapter rings, handles, and adapters to position and angle each flash just right. Output is controlled individually so you can have full control over lighting ratios in an intuitive manner. The R1C1 produces a blinding guide number of 33 at ISO 100, and works in i-TTL, D-TTL, TTL and M flash modes. Recycle time is a zippy six seconds or less. The system is compaible with all Nikons, but you'll get the most out of its features if you have a D2X, D2HS, D2H, or F6. $720
More good stuff for macro shooters
 Novoflex Flexible Gooseneck 17.7" flash extension arm
Extend the range of your macro flash! These 17-inch long arms can literally wrap a light source around a small flower or insect. You can use in conjunction with a ring light handheld off- or on-camera and independently control light output to create lighting ratios for added drama. Ideal for slave units! $70
 Novoflex Rod Support System
Do you find yourself running out of hands while shooting macro? The Novoflex will reduce your juggle load with a flexible system of arms, rods and clamps that can be assembled and combined in any direction to hold flowers, backgrounds, etc. The package includes a spike that you can stick in the ground. Use this system to build a mini-structure to support your subject, hold a slave flash, or hold a small background in place. $195
Adorama Macro Focusing Rail Set
This rail set fine-tunes camera position and focus for small items, and is an essential tool when depth-of-field is razor-thin. 4-way camera movement makes this ideal when mounted on both tripods and copy stands. $180
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