one thing you would certainly want to do before going out and buying expensive gear is finding out everything you can about it. one place i go for great reviews is www.dpreview.com. they review just about all of the camera makers who come out with camera bodies, lenses, etc.
be sure to check them out!
mytoesarecold gallery series
this was shot at f3.5 to narrow the depth of field (dof) in order to draw the eye to the water droplets. i also shot it at -1/2 ev to help the saturation and colors come through.