alwrmcusn

I appreciate the help/explanation, very helpful, thank you so much.

For "La Bikina" I have previously (and this time also) downloaded the user manual for the lens. However the print is so tiny I simply cannot read it. When I attempt to cut/copy/paste I am informed that I do not have permission to do so. If there is some way to get an english language version of the user manual without all of the other languages I would appreciate it. I would also need to be able to print the manual as it is not very useful to have otherwise. Thank you.

Thank you Ron, I'll check into that lens. The bit about focusing/auto focus is info that I can sure take into consideration. The ring light might well help also. 

The problem usually comes down to space for me. We ride a motorcycle and the equipment we can carry with us is therefore limited. For example taking a tripod along is not really easy to do. We have a couple of hiking sticks that slip down to about a 14-15 inch length and also are designed with a screw/bolt on top to mount the camera if needed. Keeping the "subject" still is another problem for us. If we are riding along the Blue Ridge Parkway and do a stop and see a subject, wind and breeze can be a problem. We tend to make do with what we have at hand. I don't get every photo I want but we enjoy the ride and we enjoy the photos when we return home. 

Thank you to everyone for their help and comments.  

Thank you Merco_61. I'll start working with/trying those and hopefully I'll learn (eventually) what I need to be doing? Have a super day!!

Good afternoon

Let's work with one camera for the moment:

D3400 with a Nikon DX VR lens.

AF-P Nikkor 18-55mm 1.35 - 5.6 G

I'm not looking (at this time) for anything except casual closeups. Size of flowers or other subjects will vary quite a bit. 

I set the camera to the macro (flower icon on the knob) and take the photos but the results frequently are less than "perfect".

Just looking for hints/tips or perhaps different settings to use.

As an example: A dogwood blossom or rhododendron blossom.

Nikonian, Thank you. I assumed that the "CPL" might mean Circular Polariser but was clueless on the FL-D.

The kit that I was gifted is a nice upgrade to my D3400.

Mark and his wife traveled a bit and his photos were always a highlight on our visits. I also found that an SD card left in the camera had a number of photos from his last trip to the Masters in Augusta.

Thank you again for your help.