What cameras are best for residencies?

[Kluckybucker]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Anyone have any suggestions for or against certain cameras? I am looking for something with good resolution, quick and easy to use, and fits in a coat pocket. I have been looking at:

SONY DSCW300, DSCW170B, DSCT77B, DSCT300R

SAMSUNG SL310W

CANON SD7901S, Powershot 2000, Powershot A1000 IS

The program I am entering doesn't have any certain specifications, just says that I need a camera. I don't want to hastle with taking a lot of time to get just the right shot, and don't want to take a long time editting. Let me know your opinions. And if it helps, I will be beginning an OMFS residency.

 

[Kluckybucker]

I see that this thread has been viewed around 140 times. Please, if you have any information...cameras you liked, cameras you didn't like, I am sure many of us would love to hear! Thanks. 👍

 

[Maxmand]

We suggest a Nikon D50 or equivalent with a Sigma 90mm Macro and corresponding Sigma ring flash. Point and shoots are worthless as are most without ring flash capabilities. This set up is expensive but lasts a very long time. I have a D100 that has been in service for nearly 8 years and 10,000 images

 

[toofache32]

We suggest a Nikon D50 or equivalent with a Sigma 90mm Macro and corresponding Sigma ring flash. Point and shoots are worthless as are most without ring flash capabilities. This set up is expensive but lasts a very long time. I have a D100 that has been in service for nearly 8 years and 10,000 images

Bingo. A point and shoot is good for your kids birthday parties, not for your profession. Do you want to take half-ass photos like this:

http://i42.tinypic.com/2ppd1r5.jpg

Or real photos like this:

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=2h3wkdw&s=5

 

[Guy Smiley]

Bingo. A point and shoot is good for your kids birthday parties, not for your profession. Do you want to take half-ass photos like this:

http://i42.tinypic.com/2ppd1r5.jpg

Or real photos like this:

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=2h3wkdw&s=5

Please tell me you cut that thing off someone's face.

 

[DDS2BE]

It depends on what you're trying to achieve. For intraoral shots, dSLR is what you need. I use Canon 40D with 100mm canon macro lense and Canon MR14 Macro Flash.

 

[zoothslooth]

Depends what you're doing. If you need close up intraoral, single quad or less shots, you'll need a macro lens. I would probably get a 60mm macro lens. Extra-oral shots (ortho), macro may be overkill and kind of annoying because of how close you need to get to the patient, but if you want a nice extra oral lens, nikon has a nice one in 105mm (still a bit annoying). Any photography questions, I really like www.kenrockwell.com. A link to macro photography:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/macro.htm

If you want a point-n-shoot, just make sure it has a macro setting, that little flower thing on the dial or settings screen. Ken Rockwell's sight explains why macro settings are important for up close pictures. A picture is worth a thousand words, and a lot of profit if used correctly. Waste money now on a point-n-shoot you'll find unsatisfactory, or get a decent camera now to use for the next 10-15 years. Try the new Nikon d90, it's sweet (I'm partial to Nikon). Whatever you get, take tons of pictures and learn how to get good results. A camera, like the d90, with a nice LCD display is worth it because you can see an accurate representation of the image when viewed on a monitor or print-sized (you'll know if the picture sucks or not right away). By buying a SLR, you'll have more versatility with your camera. Interchangeable lenses are a must. Also, don't get caught up thinking that more megapixels mean good pictures, see ken rockwell's website.

 

[ItsGavinC]

A good DSLR is a Canon Rebel XTi. Get a ring flash to go with it. Of course, that isn't going to fit into your coat pocket, so I suggest you get BOTH. One to use during cases where you know you'll need it, and a point and shoot to use when you are on-call and stumble upon memorable stuff.

 

[Kluckybucker]

That is good advice. So for those that have the nicer cameras, those that probably would not fit in a coat pocket, do you carry a camera bag everywhere you go?

 

[MarkAnderson]

Samsung introduces its one of best creations SL310W. Ideal for the step-up shooter, the Samsung SL310W is highlighted by features commonly found on higher-end, more expensive digital cameras, including an impressive resolution of 13.6 megapixels, Dual Image Stabilization, and a 3.6x, 28mm wide-angle optical zoom lens which significantly improves the user’s ability to photograph more of a desired scene. The Samsung SL310W offers a number of user-friendly features, including 11 scene modes, auto red-eye fix and MPEG-4 video recording. The camera also features Self Portrait, Face Detection, Blink Detection, and Smile Shot technology, all of which help enhance the digital imaging experience for the shooter. I love it.

 

[GoHalos DDS]

Dental Student Owner of a Canon G7, Adapter with Olympus Macro Lens (8x), with Flash Diffusor ... put it together for $550 TOTAL!!!! ... the pros are that I am able to take excellent 1:2 photos full smile, full arches, buccals just as well as Canon 40D with Ring Flash. However, this camera is unable to get AS CLOSE like 4 teeth fit the frame ... I can get 8 teeth in the frame only, but if you crop and zoom, then it's the same. Another con is that I have to manual focus, which means my assistants can take it since they don't know what's a quality photo and not.

I would definitely recommend any camera from www.dlcenters.com ... They are EASY to use (staff and assistants can use it, not just the dentist... because it AUTO FOCUS) ... cost is around $1500 (a little steep), and the image quality is about a 9 out of 10. Perfect for displaying .... maybe not good enough for journal articles.

 

[IcedOMFS]

do you carry a camera bag everywhere you go?

Yes.

I use a Nikon D80 with a 60 mm macro lens and the R1 ring lights, which I like because the camera controls the flashes wirelessly, so you dont need to have a commander unit on the hotshoe, and so the whole unit is really light.

I found that with the 105 mm lens you have to get too far away from the patient to get good head shots for the really f%^ked up trauma cases.

I've taken thousands of photos throughout residency and am so glad I did.

Don't waste time with a point and shoot. Get a DSLR. And a decent camera bag. If I were doing it again today I would go with the Nikon D90, the 60 mm macro, and the R1 ringlights.

You need to really learn about photography, though. How to manipulate apertures, shutter speeds, ISO values. The concept of the focal plane is also important to wrap your brain around. Don't let anyone else use your camera. They won't get it and you'll get crappy shots. Ask for overgloves and do it yourself.

 

[ItsGavinC]

Excellent advice in the above post regarding getting to know your camera and what it can do.

 

[NewNameForGoogleBot]

I use Nikon D40 with kit lens and Sigma ring flash. Works great, for ortho anyways. If I needed pics of one or two teeth only I might opt for a macro lens. I always leave the camera on aperture priority. I use the camera's flash and f/8 for extraorals. Then I clip on the flash, use TTL metering, and go to f/32 and increase the exposure compensation by 0.3 for intraorals.

 

[Kluckybucker]

Are there major differences in SD cards? I have heard that certain SD cards process information more quickly than others, allowing images to be stored on the card faster. Does the type of SD card I use affect the final picture quality? If so, what does anyone recommend? Or can I just pick one up at our local Costco? (I can get four 2 Gig high speed SD cards for $27)

 

[IcedOMFS]

Are there major differences in SD cards? I have heard that certain SD cards process information more quickly than others, allowing images to be stored on the card faster. Does the type of SD card I use affect the final picture quality? If so, what does anyone recommend? Or can I just pick one up at our local Costco? (I can get four 2 Gig high speed SD cards for $27)

Not unless you are planning on becoming dental paparazzi... Rapid-fire and such.

I have the Costco Sandisk pack. Works great.