Need help creating a dental camera kit

[htsang]

Hello All,

I am new to digital SLRs and I am trying to find out as much information as possible about building a good and easy to use dental photography kit (to take close up photos of teeth/crowns/dentures etc). I have done some basic research, but i would be grateful for some expert advice before i take the plunge.

I have come to the conclusion that I need a good DSLR camera, a macro lens and a macro ring flash.

On the camera, i think my choices are between the Canon EOS 450D/500D and the Nikon D90 (the D80 does not have live view, which i would like to have). On the macro lens, I understand that the main issue here is the distance from the subject. Given the intended use (in a dental surgery), i think it is possible to get quite close, so I think a 60mm macro lens would be adequate. I don't know if I have too many options on the ring flash, that might depend on what camera and lens i get.

My budget is between £1200-£1500. Any advice on what camera/lens/flash combination i should get?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Nod]

I would think that sterilising (and keeping sterile) a DSLR with the accompanying accesories would be all but impossible. I'm sure there are specialist cameras (in fact, I know there are - my dentist has one!) that do exactly what you seem to want. Not due to visit the dentist for a couple of months but I'll try to remember to ask him about his kit when I do.

 

[who?]

What are you going to use it for? Do you need tethered use? Have you considered underwater housings (for cleanliness as pointed out?)

What level of image quality is really needed?

 

[joxby]

I'm sure there are specialist cameras (in fact, I know there are - my dentist has one!)

Nikon do for definite, I think its a medical 200mm f/5.6, with a ringflash built into the lens, specifically built for dental type stuffs.
Maybe manufacturers don't make stuff like that any more, I've only seen over priced kits made up of ordinary ringflash/macro lens combos.

Actually there's a 120mm f/4, probably struggle for af and metering though