Dental Photography Equipment | ULTIMATE GUIDE (2021) | Part 1

PART 2 – Dental Photography Settings

PArt 3 – Dental Photography Techniques

Why you should get your own camera

Some of you might be in a practice that has a shared camera but here’s why I think you should get your own camera. First of all, if you have your own camera in your surgery right next to you at all times, you’re way more likely to actually take photos, rather than having to plan ahead and asking your nurse to get the practice camera. And once you’ve actually spent some money to get your own, you would want to get your money’s worth, so again, way more likely to actually take photos. Also, others in the practice might change the settings on the camera and it get’s really annoying having to play around with them each time. And you should see this as a long-term investment just like loupes. You’ll be using this for many years ahead and will make patient communication so much easier and you can learn so much from analysing your own work.

The camera setup consists of three parts, the body, the lens and the flash. Below I’ve included links to where you can buy them both new and used. If you can afford getting everything new, then go for it. But picking up used camera parts from a reputable website like mpb.com is also a great option and I would personally recommend it. I’ve purchased used items quite a few times now and I’ve had no problems. You’ll also notice I mention the weight of all the different parts. And that’s because one of my main suggestions is to try and build a setup that’s nice and lightweight because it makes taking photos so much easier. You will also notice that I give quite a few options and I mention which one you go for depends on your budget. The general advice is, if you can afford it, get all the main components in the same brand. For example, get a Canon body, with a Canon lens and a Canon flash. This kind of setup is more expensive compared to mixing brands but they tend to be more compatible and reliable.

Some of the links below might be out of stock. Here are some websites I recommend you check out:

https://www.e-infin.com/

https://www.mpb.com/

https://www.bristolcameras.co.uk/

https://www.cliftoncameras.co.uk/

https://www.wexphotovideo.com/

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/

https://www.keh.com/

Camera body / Lens / Flash

Canon budget ring flash setup

• Canon 200d / Rebel SL2 – 453g
  • NEW (International)
  • USED (UK) – USED (US)
• Sigma 105mm f2.8 Macro EX DG OS HSM – Canon Fit – 449g
  • NEW (International)
  • USED (UK)
• Yongnuo YN-14EX-C macro ring flash – 420g
  • NEW (International)
• 62-67mm Metal Step-Up Ring Adapter
  • NEW (International)
  • You need this adapter to be able to attach the ring flash to the lens

Canon premium ring flash setup

• Canon 77d – 540g
  • NEW (International)
  • USED (UK) – USED (US)
  • This camera has a built-in wireless flash transmitter if you decide to upgrade to wireless speedlites in the future
• Canon EF 100 mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens – 600g
  • NEW (International)
  • USED (UK)
• Canon MR-14EX II ring flash – 455g
  • NEW (International)

Canon budget twin flash setup

• Canon 200d / Rebel SL2 – 453g
  • NEW (International)
  • USED (UK) – USED (US)
• Sigma 105mm f2.8 Macro EX DG OS HSM – Canon Fit – 449g
  • NEW (International)
  • USED (UK)
• Yongnuo YN24EX twin flash – 870g
  • NEW (International)
• 62-67mm Metal Step-Up Ring Adapter
  • NEW (International)
  • You need this adapter to be able to attach the ring flash to the lens

Canon premium twin flash setup

• Canon 77d – 540g
  • NEW (International)
  • USED (UK) – USED (US)
  • This camera has a built-in wireless flash transmitter if you decide to upgrade to wireless speedlites in the future
• Canon EF 100 mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens – 600g
  • NEW (International)
  • USED (UK)
• Canon 270EX II Speedlite (purchase two) – 155g each
  • NEW (International)
• Owlbrackt ballhead – 324g
  • Get the C-S (Universal) version
  • NEW

Alternative Canon lens

• Canon EF-S 60mm f/2,8 Macro USM – 335g
  • NEW (International)
  • USED (UK) – USED (US)

Nikon budget ring flash setup

• Nikon D5600 – 465g
  • NEW (International)
  • USED (UK) – USED (US)
• Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro (Nikon AF) – 449g
  • NEW (International)
  • USED (UK)
• Meike MK-14EXT Ring Flash for Nikon- 398g
  • NEW (International)

Nikon premium ring flash setup

• Nikon D5600 – 465g
  • NEW (International)
  • USED (UK) – USED (US)
• Nikon AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/3.5G ED VR Lens -355g
  • NEW (International)
  • USED (UK)
• Nissin MF18 Macro Flash for Nikon – 450g
  • NEW (International)

Nikon twin flash setup (no bracket)

• Nikon D7100 – 765g
  • NEW (International)
  • USED (UK) – USED (US)
  • This camera has “i-TTL mode with commander mode” which allows it to wirelessly control the speedlights below
• Lens choice below based on budget
  • Nikon AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/3.5G ED VR Lens – 355g
    • NEW (International)
    • USED (UK)
  • Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro (Nikon AF) – 449g
    • NEW (International)
    • USED (UK)
• Nikon SB-R1 Speedlight Kit
  • NEW (UK) – NEW (US)
  • Require CR-123a batteries

Nikon twin flash setup (with bracket)

• Nikon D7100 – 765g
  • NEW (International)
  • USED (UK) – USED (US)
  • This camera has “i-TTL mode with commander mode” which allows it to wirelessly control the speedlight below
• Lens choice below based on budget
  • Nikon AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/3.5G ED VR Lens – 355g
    • NEW (International)
    • USED (UK)
  • Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro (Nikon AF) – 449g
    • NEW (International)
    • USED (UK)
• Nikon SB-R200 speedlight (purchase two) – 120g each
  • NEW (International)
  • Require CR-123a batteries
• Owlbracket ballhead – 324g
  • Get the Owlbrckt BH-N (Nikon compatible)
  • NEW

Sony Mirrorless ring flash setup

• Sony A6400 – 403g
  • NEW (International)
  • USED (UK)
• Sony SEL90M28G E Mount – 90mm F2.8 Macro G Lens – 600g
  • NEW (International)
  • USED (UK) – USED (US)
• Nissin MF18 Ring Flash for Sony – 450g
  • NEW (International)

Sony Mirrorless twin flash setup

• Sony A6400 – 403g
  • NEW (International)
  • USED (UK)
• Sony SEL90M28G E Mount – 90mm F2.8 Macro G Lens – 600g
  • NEW (International)
  • USED (UK) – USED (US)
• Godox MF12 twin flash for Sony 
  • NEW (International)
• Godox X2T-S flash trigger
  • NEW (International)
• Owlbrackt ballhead – 324g
  • NEW

Diffusers

• DIY
  • Silvine A4 Heavyweight 90gsm Professional Tracing Pad 50 Sheets – NEW (UK) – NEW (US)
  • Velcro – NEW (UK) – NEW (US)
• Generic softbox
  • Universal Camera Flash Diffuser Speedlight Softbox Kit-
  • NEW (International)
• LumiQuest Ultrasoft
  • NEW (International)

Batteries

• IKEA LADDA AA batteries – NEW (UK)
• IKEA TJUGO battery charger – NEW (UK)

SD Card

• SanDisk Extreme PRO 32GB SDHC Memory Card – NEW (International)

Camera bag

• Neewer Flexible Partition Camera Padded Bag – NEW (International)

Cheek & lip retractors / Contrasters / Mirrors

• Cheek retractors – NEW (UK) – NEW (US)
• Lip retractors – NEW (UK) – NEW (US)
• Contraster – NEW (UK – Form A) – NEW (US)
• Mirrors Titanium/Chromium (Titanium is recommended if available)
  • Long adult occlusal – NEW (UK) – NEW (US)
  • Buccal – NEW (UK) – NEW (US)
  • Lingual – NEW (UK) – They call this buccal on their site but I like to use it for lingual shots. – NEW (US)
• Mirrors Ultrabright di-electric – NEW (UK/EUROPE) – NEW (US)

Extras

• Mirrors sterilisation and storage cassette – NEW (UK)
• Microfibre cloths – NEW (International)
• Camera strap – NEW (International)
• Air blower – NEW (International)