The idea is very good!....nice composition!
I only wish it would be sharper, but I understand by your description.
Carlos

Nice experiment.
The DOF in macro shots is indeed very flat, (don't count on those "expensive lenses" to be any better ), but its actually a small part of the problem. From my experieence with macro, I would guess that the blur is mostly because of slight moves while shooting at low speed. Using a flash normally gets these shots much sharper.

Otherwise, you also have a high contrast here, with under and overexposed areas side by side. Maybe you needed a different angle. I hope that the berry will be in the same place tomorrow, so you can try getting a better shot.

Interesting description!

Macros are difficult and I have avoided them often due to the fact that it is difficult to get them super sharp.

Practising it and having maybe better gear will help you too.

This is as mentioned by old Carlos to say the least - not sharp!

Nice idea!..

I enjoy the colors and background of this. Try using a tripod for macros. It really is a necessity. You'll achieve much sharper images provided there is no wind.

I know what you mean with the DOF, I have a close up filters kit and they do a +7 all together, and depending on the lens I'm using I have sometimes sth like a 1mm of focus field!
Keep trying, you'll get it right!

Good composition, but a shame about the focus, although considering the equipment used and the conditions - a good image.

Hmmm, I really like this! Though I have to agree with Elements on the focus.

Nice idea

It's very blurry but I like the colours... Couldn't you somehow hold the branch with one had?

Beautiful colors and compo but it´s blured...!!!

Nice idea! Agree with the others!

with your Nikon D200 you can easily use ISO 800 so you would get on this an exposure of 1/250 sec. which would help very much the sharpness in this picture!

The colors are nice! and the idea of the angle too. I'd also like the DOF if there would be any focuspoint...(hard to explain what I mean...I like the sharpness-gradiant of the brench)

Greets Lenny

PS: Keep trying and experimenting!!!!

Thank You for comments. I didn't expected so much attention to so blurry photo.

Roadrunner: I don't expect that new macro lenses have larger DOF, but they at least have the AF, that could trace moving objects. But You're right, this blur is from moves not from lack of focus.

MsMichelleLynn: Next time I will definitely take the tripod with me.

Vasco: With this lens and two rings I have maybe 3mm of focus field. It's great for still objects, but it's a tragedy when they're moving.

Vikinggirl: Hah! I've tried, but when I was holding the branch, my second hand was shaking so much, that it was even worse.

Lenn0: Hmm... This is an idea. I always trying to shoot with lowest possible ISO, but I'll try higher ones for macro.
And yes, I know what You mean by the DOF. I was trying to focus on the berry and leave the leaf blurred. But the DOF was so short, that I could fit only a quarter of the berry in focus.

nice shot.
good colors.

Very Good capture.

I like the colors.