Macro Close
What is the best camera for really close macro work?
I use a DSLR for really close macro work in my dental practice. I wrote a piece about this for someone else, but you will find it helpful. Just ignore any reference to teeth and consider that ANY macro work would follow the same principles.
I’ll tell you what I use and what you might consider. I got a Nikon D70s for personal use, with the thought that I could also get a macro lens and use it in the office. I got myself a new camera for personal use, as I found that I wanted to leave this setup in the office at all times. I would say that a Nikon D40 or D50 would be perfectly adequate for intraoral use, but you might find a good buy on a D70s, as they are being closed out right now. 6 MP is PLENTY for intraoral use. You would not need a huge memory card for limited use, but I’d still suggest a 1 GB card with accelerated write speed, like a Sandisk Ultra or Extreme or a Lexar 80x card.
I am using a Nikon 60 mm Macro lens, which translates into about 90 mm in “35 mm equivalent.” This gives plenty of working distance. Nikon also has a 105 Macro and the brand new 105 VR Macro, but they cost quite a bit more money. This lens gives you a true macro 1:1 reproduction.
I use the built-in pop-up flash rather than a $400-600 marco lighting set-up. It’s free. “Simple and effective.”
Set the camera in Aperture priority and choose f:11, f:16 or so, depending on personal preference. Set the EV at -0.7 stops. Perhaps you would like a different EV setting, but this is what works for me. After that, in autofocus, it’s a point and shoot with wonderful results.
These prices are from http://www.bhphotovideo.com as of December 2006. You can probably price shop and find them cheaper, but B&H is a rock solid dealer and I usually end up buying from them, even after comparison shopping. I am just using their prices as a point of reference.
The Nikon D40 is $600 _with_ the 18-55 kit lens.
The D50 sells for $450. That’s a recent price cut of $100.
The D70s sells for $640. That’s a recent price cut of $60.
The D80 sells for $930.
The D200 sells for $1,350.
The Macro 60mm f:2.8 lens is available for $400.
The Macro 105mm f:2.8 lens is available for $660.
The Macro 105mm f:2.8 VR is out of stock, but sells for $830.
A 1 GB Sandisk Ultra II CF Card (D70 & D200) sells for $40.
A 1 GB Sandisk Ultra II SD Card (D40, D50 & D80) sells for $40.
A 2 GB Sandisk card (either CF or SD) sells for $65.
(Due to a rebate valid through 12-31-06, the faster Extreme III cards are actually cheaper than the Ultra II cards.)
SO – pick your price and find a match. If you can find a D50 and 60mm Macro lens, you would have an excellent intraoral camera for less than $900. I have seen kits to modify point and shoots that cost more than that.
Here’s a sample shot from my D70s with the 60mm lens. I admit that it is not “presentation quality,” but it was just a quick shot to communicate with the lab. It is also a full-sized image, so you can enlarge it to see the detail. Your cursor should be a “+” maginifier as you move it across the image. Just click to get the full size and check the detail. If it is not a magnifier, click on the white space to the right of the picture once and then move it back over the image again.
http://www.members.aol.com/swf08302/d70ssample.jpg
Here are some more samples using that 60 mm lens on a different camera.
Yorkie Pendant – Macro Technique
Nikon D200 – 60 mm macro lens – f/13.0 – ISO 200
http://www1.snapfish.com/slideshow/AlbumID=57759389/PictureID=2531239699/a=75953750_75953750/t_=75953750
Cardinal Pin – Macro Technique – The pin is about 1¼” long.
Nikon D70s – 60 mm macro lens – f/5.0
http://www1.snapfish.com/slideshow/AlbumID=57759389/PictureID=2531239718/a=75953750_75953750/t_=75953750
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Close Up Macro Set for Canon EF-S 18-55mm USM Lens $29.29 |
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72mm Close-Up Macro Lens +1 to+15 For Sony 20mm f/2.8 / 85mm F1.4 / 135mm F2.8 $24.91 |
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Close Up Macro Filter Set for Minolta Dimage 5 7 7i 7Hi A1 A2 A200 $27.27 |
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Close Up Macro Filter Set for Canon EF 28-105mm USM LENS $29.29 |
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m 77mm MACRO CLOSE UP Lens 4 Filter Kit Set +1+2+4+10 $119.54 |
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67mm close up Macro lens kit +1+2+4+10 /carrying bag $18.76 |
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m~62MM Close Up Macro +1+2+4+10 Filter Kit for Canon Lens $116.42 |
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46mm M46 Close-Up +1 Macro Close Up No.1 Filter Green L $4.07 |
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49mm M49 Close-Up +1 Macro Close Up No.1 Filter Green L $4.97 |
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m 52mm Macro Close-Up +1 +2 +4 +10 Close Up Filter Kit $111.92 |
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52mm M52 Close-Up +1 Macro Close Up No.1 Filter Green L $4.28 |
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CLOSE UP MACRO SET FOR NIKON 55-200mm LENS $29.29 |
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m 62MM Macro Close-Up +1 +2 +4 +10 Close Up Filter Kit $116.42 |
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52 52mm Macro Close-Up +1 +2 +4 +10 Close Up Filter Kit $11.93 |
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62 62mm Macro Close-Up +1 +2 +4 +10 Close Up Filter Kit $16.42 |
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m close up set 72mm MACRO CLOSE UP Lens 4 Filter Kit +1+2+4+10 $120.65 |
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HOLGA HL-N Lens w/ CLOSE UP MACRO TELE WIDE for NIKON $66.89 |
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HOLGA HL-C Lens w/ CLOSE UP MACRO TELE WIDE for CANON EOS 600D 500D 450D $66.89 |
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HOLGA HL-C Lens w/ CLOSE UP MACRO for Canon DSLR SLR 600D 60D 550D $46.89 |
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HOLGA HL-N Lens w/ CLOSE UP MACRO for NIKON DSLR SLR D90 D80 D700 D800 $46.89 |
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72MM MACRO CLOSE UP LENS SET for CANON 15-85mm 18-200mm $119.54 |
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m 72mm MACRO CLOSE UP Lens 4 Filter Kit Set +1+2+4+10 $120.65 |
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NEW OLD STOCK CANON AUTO UP CLOSE UP MACRO ATTACHMENT for 50mm F1.4 CANON LENS $129.99 |
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58MM CLOSE UP MACRO SET FOR CANON 350D 550D + FREE GIFT $21.99 |
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55mm M55 Close-Up +1 Macro Close Up No.1 Filter Green L $4.78 |
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58mm M58 Close-Up +1 Macro Close Up No.1 Filter Green L $5.18 |
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62mm M62 Close-Up +1 Macro Close Up No.1 Filter Green L $5.21 |
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RAYNOX DCR-250 Super Macro Close-up Lens SX30 SX20 SX10 Canon $76.95 |
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67mm M67 Close-Up +1 Macro Close Up No.1 Filter Green L $5.31 |
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Close Up Macro Set for Olympus E-10 E-20 E-20n $33.33 |
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XPRO-F500 67mm Close-Up Lens Macro lens Super Macro Conversion Lens $105.90 |
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mint PRINZ 52mm MACRO CLOSE-UP FILTER SET Japan CASE for CANON NIKON SONY PENTAX $7.99 |
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LENS MACRO CLOSE TUBE FOR SONY A580 A700 A850 A900 A290 $84.95 |
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77mm Camera Lens Close-Up +3 Macro Close Up No 3 Filter $4.78 |
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67mm Camera Lens Close-Up +3 Macro Close Up No 3 Filter $4.38 |
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62mm Camera Lens Close-Up +3 Macro Close Up No 3 Filter $4.38 |
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49mm Camera Lens Close-Up +3 Macro Close Up No 3 Filter $4.98 |
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52mm Camera Lens Close-Up +3 Macro Close Up No 3 Filter $3.78 |
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55mm Camera Lens Close-Up +3 Macro Close Up No 3 Filter $3.78 |
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58mm Camera Lens Close-Up +3 Macro Close Up No 3 Filter $5.78 |
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Macro Close-Up O Ring LED Flash JY-670 for Canon Nikon Pentax Olympus DSLR/SLR $99.99 |
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ZEIKOS 4 pc CLOSE UP MACRO FILTER KIT – 58 mm +1 +2 +4 +10 $9.99 |
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Macro Close Up Lenses for Pentax K20D K200D K20 K200 K10D K-m 52mm Ø $28.15 |
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52mm Extreme MACRO +20 CLOSE UP LENS for Nikon ,canon $11.99 |
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NEW~58MM MACRO CLOSE UP for EOS & EF and EFand EFs $8.99 |
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5set58MM MACRO CLOSE UP for EOS & EF and EFand EFs $39.99 |
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58mm Close Up Macro +1+2+4+10 Filter Kit For Canon EOS 5D 550D 600D Rebel T3i XS $8.99 |
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72mm MACRO CLOSE UP Set Lens Filter 1+2+4+8 for Canon EOS 60D 1000D 500D 7D 50D $24.98 |
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Macro Close Up Lens Set for Fuji FinePix S9500 S9000 Z 58mm $29.72 |
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Macro Close Up Lens Set for Fujifilm FinePix HS10 58mm $29.72 |
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Tiffen 72mm Close-up Filter Set with +1, +2 +4 Macro Lenses. $40.00 |
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52mm +10 Close up Macro Lens for Nikon D40 D3000 D5000 D3100 D5000 DX 18-55mm $15.99 |
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Multicoated Macro Close- Up Lens 3 PCs Filter Kit +1+2+4 For 49mm Film & Digital $24.74 |
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Macro Close Up Lenses for Olympus Zuiko Digital 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 ED 58mm Ø $29.72 |
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Macro Close Up Lens Set for Fujifilm FinePix HS20EXR 58mm $29.72 |
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Macro Close Up Lenses for Olympus E400 E410 E420 E450 58mm Ø $29.72 |
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Close Up Macro Lens Set for Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro 58mm $29.72 |
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72mm Zoom MACRO CLOSE UP Lens Filter 1+2+4+8 for Canon EOS 1100D 600D 550D 1000D $24.98 |
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49mm Photax Close Up +1 filter MACRO Still Life $12.47 |
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Close Up Macro Lens Filter for Sony SLT-A33L A33 Translucent Mirror 55mm Ø $28.15 |
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Close Up Lenses for Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM 58mm $29.72 |
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Close Up Macro Lens Filter for Sony SLT-A35K A35 Translucent Mirror 55mm Ø $28.15 |
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Macro Close Up Lenses for Olympus Zuiko Digital 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 58mm Ø $29.72 |
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Macro Close Up Lenses for Olympus Zuiko Zoom 35-70mm f/3.5-4.5 49mm Ø $28.15 |
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VINTAGE HCE CAMERA MACRO VARI-CLOSE-UP-LENS F:.3 TO 1.6′ 54MM MOUNT W CASE $16.99 |
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52mm to 58mm Male Macro Coupler Reverse LENS REVERSAL Adapter Ring 4 CLOSE UP $4.49 |
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VINTAGE PRINZ VARIFOCUS CAMERA MACRO CLOSE UP LENS 44MM MOUNT W CAPS $16.99 |
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Close Up Macro Filter KIT FOR Canon EF-S 17-85mm IS USM $27.95 |
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Macro Close Up Lenses for Olympus Zuiko Digital 40-150mm f/3.5-4.5 58mm Ø $29.72 |
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58mm +10 Close up Macro Lens for Canon T1i T2i T3 T3i 550D 1100D EF-s 18-55mm $15.99 |
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52mm to 55mm Male Macro Coupler Reverse LENS REVERSAL Adapter Ring CLOSE UP $4.49 |
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VIVITAR 55MM macro close up +1 +2 +4+10 filter KIT FOR SONY 18-70mm 18-70mm $12.99 |
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Bower SFD14N Macro Close-up Ring Light Flash for Nikon SLR D800 D300A D40 D40X $109.99 |
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Digital Macro & Close-up Photography for Dummies by Thomas Clark (2011,… $44.95 |
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52mm +10 Close up Macro Lens for Nikon D40x D3000 D5000 D3100 D5000 DX 18-55mm $15.99 |
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RAYNOX DCR-250 MACRO CLOSE-UP para NIKON 40D 40DX 60D $76.95 |
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Hasselblad 55cm Mount Macro Focusing Extension Tube Close up $17.50 |
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58mm +1 +2 +4 & MACRO +10 CLOSE-UP LENS FILTER SET KIT $19.99 |
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Close UP Macro Set For Canon Digital Rebel XTi XSi T1i $24.99 |
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Close-UP Macro Lens Set For Canon 300D 350D EOS Rebel $24.99 |
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4 Way Macro Focusing Rail Slider /Close-up Shooting 4 Canon Nikon Sony Sigma SLR $39.99 |
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Macro Close-up For Nikon D40 D40x D50 D70s D80 18-55mm $21.99 |
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HD Digital 52mm Close up Macro +1+2+4+10 4pcs Filter Kit for Nikon Pentax Lens $13.95 |
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HD Digital 10x Close-Up 4 Filter Macro Kit 52mm for Canon EF 135mm f/2.8 Lens $13.95 |
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52mm Close up Macro +1+2+4+10 Filter Kit Set for AF-S 55-200mm Nikon/Nikkor lens $13.95 |
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52mm Close up Macro +1+2+4+10 Filter Kit for AF-S DX Nikon/Nikkor 18-55mm lens $13.95 |
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58mm +10 Close up Macro Lens for Canon T1i T2i T3 T3i 600D 1100D EF-s 18-55mm $15.99 |
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HD Digital 52mm Close up Macro +1+2+4+10 10x SLR DSLR Camera Lens Filter Kit Set $13.95 |
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52mm Close up Macro +1+2+4+10 Filters for AF-S DX Nikon/NIKKOR Normal 50mm f/1.2 $13.95 |
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52mm Close up Macro +1+2+4+10 Filter Kit Set for AF-S 55-200mm Nikon/Nikkor lens $13.95 |
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52mm Macro Close Up Filter Kit for Canon EF 50mm f2.5 EF 55-200mm EF-S 60mm NEW! $13.95 |
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52mm MACRO CLOSE UP Lens Filter Kit for Pentax K2000 K-m K-x K20D K200D Kx K7 Kr $13.95 |
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RAYNOX DCR-250 Super Macro Conversion CLOSE-UP LENS 52mm 55mm 58mm 67mm map $76.95 |
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RAYNOX DCR-250 MACRO Conversion CLOSE-UP LENS FOR PANSONIC DMW-GMC1 $76.95 |
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B&W 62mm Macro CLOSE-UP 1 NL NL1 Filter 62 mm 65075864 $34.95 |
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B&W 62mm Macro CLOSE-UP 2 NL2 Lens Filter 62 mm B + W $34.95 |
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Wide macro lens + close up + filter kit UV CPL FLD for Canon G10 G11 G12 $91.99 |
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52mm +10 Close up Macro Lens for Nikon D50 D3000 D5000 D3100 D5000 DX 18-55mm $15.99 |
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52mm Macro Close-Up +10 Lens Filter for NIKON 18-55mm D40 D40x D50 D60 D90 D700 $8.00 |
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New Macro Close Up Lenses for Nikon D90 D3000 D3100 D5000 D5100 D7000 52mm LF57 $14.98 |
