I recently got myself a set of Polaroid automatic macro extension tubes for my EOS:
 

 
For those unfamiliar with such things, these have no glass in them, they're simply used to move a camera lens further away from the film-plane (much like a set of bellows) which allows the lens to focus on objects much closer than ordinary lenses allow.
 
The set of three that I got can be used individually, or in combination with each other, to achieve different 'magnifications'. The closest focussing is achieved when all three are used together to position the lens furthest away from the camera.
 
They all maintain full electronic communication between the lens and the camera, so autofocus and metering work as normal. Mind you, I actually found it a lot easier to use manual focus in most cases - with such a shallow depth of field, the camera was often hunting around trying to find the 'correct' point to focus on.
 
Anyway, here's a few 'test' shots I took earlier (originally shot in RAW at 100 ISO on EOS 600D + 35mm f2 @f22; processed in Lightroom 5 & Photoshop Elements 11):
 
 
Cactus, low magnification:
 

 
 
Cactus, medium magnification:
 

 
 
Cactus, maximum magnification:
 

 
 
Feather - maximum magnification:
 

 
 
Watch - maximum magnification:
 

 
 
Watch - maximum magnification (I used a neutral density filter to extend the exposure to around 6 seconds, and then waited for the second hand to come round):
 

 
 
Coin (1894 3d ~ reverse) - low/medium magnification - to give a sense of scale, the green material I mounted the coin on (with the easily visible fibres) is a piece of billiard table cloth:
 

 
 
Coin (1894 3d ~ obverse side showing Queen Victoria) - low/medium magnification:
 

 
 
 Coin (1894 3d ~ obverse, detail) - maximum magnification:
 

 
 
More to follow soon
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
Cool stuff.
 
:-)

Yes I was into a lot of macro photography a few years ago. I used to hang around with photographers and they tend to get you into it. One thing I found amazing to shoot in macro was little rock pools full of water down the beach. Usually back from the water somewhere and only about a foot or so in diameter. When you get up close to them and look in you will see lots of little plants and creepy crawlies and things in there. But get the macro lens on and it all turns into something very surreal. You also need to do it when the light is right and the sun is bright and at the right angle too.
 
Just be careful not to let the camera fall in though!

That coin ought to fetch what you paid for the extension tubes, no?
 
 
Noice pics mate.

I love macro stuff.  Both my wife and I shoot ultra close up stuff all the time...pix look cool, ol pal!  Keep it up.

What fun. I love shooting macro.
You're quite right about manual focus. Where you are with these, the depth of field must be insanely shallow.
I really like the shot with the stepping second hand. I haven't messed with filters much. How does the neutral density filter play into that?

I'm impressed!  You've already got a few that I'd feel comfortable hanging on a wall.  Good job!
 
By contrast, here's my first attempt:
 

 

Great pictures.I have trouble getting my lighting nice and even.
 
Are the tubes Canon or aftermarket? I'm thinking about some aftermarket because the Canon tubes are pricey.
 
Musical instruments can be great for close ups and macro work. Did anyone else realize the watch was running on a quartz movement? Guitar pickups give it away as well.

ampfixer
 Did anyone else realize the watch was running on a quartz movement? 

Yes. A simple sweep wouldn't have yielded that image. Lovely, isn't it?

Very nice, Steve.