right tips for the raynox:
do not use auto focus, use manual.
my favoured technique is to set it on aperture priority, at as small as i can and keep sharp (f/8 usually, but larger if i need faster speeds), set the manual focus as close as possible on macro mode then out just a bit, zoom at around 200mm (large enough to remove vignetting, but small enough to keep some kind of DoF) and move the camera in and out on a tri/monopod. the hardest thing is getting the right part in focus, as the DoF will be very small, it can be really tricky getting it right, but i'm just improving with practice.
about the zoom, i dont want to invest in them particularly, as for a good screw on converter you can pay quite a lot, but again, raynox do a few, though i'm not sure about the quality. in general though, you will struggle to get good photos of further away subjects without paying alot more for a DSLR and good zoom
its just a fact.