I do very close Super Macro pictures with an olympus camera i have now but i need to upgrade. I've been looking around for a new digital and can't seem to find Super Macro on any cameras besides Olympus ones. The other cameras just have plain macro and can't get as close as i need them too. Does anyone have any suggestions for a really good Macro camera that lets you get super close? How close do you need to get? I have a few Nikon P&S that will go to 1/4". Many Canons list 1 cm as their close focus range.
If you want serious macro, get an SLR. Here's something I wrote about macro for a serious user and you may find it helpful.
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 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 you said, "simple and effective."
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.
I see the D50 is out of stock at B&H, but it sells for $550.
The D70s is also out of stock, but sells for $700.
The D80, arriving in September, will be $1,000.
The Macro 60mm f:2.8 lens is also backordered, but sells 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.
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 under $1,000. 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.
http://www.members.aol.com/swf08302/D70s... Some sony cameras do well at it, but the term "Super" sounds like some marketing term. you might look at a DSLR and get a lens that is made for doing macro. Fuji also has one. The super, like in a previous answer, is a marketing trick. |
