Substitutes for a dedicated macro lens? Not even close.
For me, extension tubes have been reliably inconsistent. It took practice and more than a few trial and error shots before coming up with an image worth writing home about. And each shot I take is still very hit and miss as to whether I can get the results I’m looking for. But they were SO MUCH LESS EXPENSIVE than a dedicated macro lens, which is why I had to try them.
