by ola@dentalphotomaster.com | Feb 27, 2020 | Equipment
Nikon takes care of the mirrorless full-frame cameras users!
After last year’s patch with Eye AF for the Z6 and Z7 bodies, the newest Firmware 3.0 update provides us with ProGrade and Lexar CFexpress (type B) cards support.
But the biggest change regarding this patch is the one about the AF mode, which was a bit defective.
What’s new? Switching the autofocus modes is much easier now, as it can be done with F1 and F2 buttons on a body or lens tube (if you’re using a compatible lens with the Z mount). This means that the focus tracking operation in AF-C mode is improved and similar to the 3D tracking we know from Nikon’s DSLRs. It can be easily toggled on and off by simply pressing the shutter-release button halfway or holding down the AF-ON button while shooting stills in AF-C mode.
Release either button and the focus point returns to its previous setting. Moreover, switching from the AF screen with Auto-Area mode to subject tracking can be assigned to an Fn button. This is a step towards personalization.
Other corrections have been made in areas like the viewfinder brightness, the iOS Bluetooth connection and the rare phenomenon with horizontal lines on some photos.
The newest upgrade can be downloaded from the official Nikon website.
by tom@dentalphotomaster.com Tom | Feb 23, 2020 | Equipment
New Canon EOS Rebel T8i: Overview
This new Canon seems to be a good choice for anyone with a limited budget. But, as often, also in this case one must compromise.
Let’s have a look at its specifications.
The Rebel T8i is a new DSLR with a 24MP dual-pixel APS-C sensor. It supports up to 4K/UHD shooting at up to 24 frames per second. Its manufacturer refers to it as a “compact and lightweight” DSLR. The camera has a 7fps continuous still shooting rate, 45-point cross-type autofocus system and has 5-axis image stabilisation built-in. The AF also has eye-tracking, for more accurate snaps of people. As a DSLR, it comes with an optical viewfinder, while a vari-angle 3-inch touchscreen LCD monitor can be found on the rear.
The EOS Rebel T8i comes also with a built-in flash, which is a good option for those who don’t want to buy additional lamps at the beginning of their path as a dental photographer.
The body is compatible with any Canon EF or EF-S lenses, which means it won’t be compatible only with the ones for the R series of mirrorless cameras.
Canon EOS Rebel T8i in Dental Photography
But for dental photographers, there is a flaw, and we can see it at first sight. The lack of C1 and C2 settings might be a hindrance in every day’s work. Every dental photographer knows how useful this feature can be when it comes to portrait and intraoral photography. Especially for beginners – and this low-budget camera seems to be aiming for them. This is a lack worth taking under consideration, as it costs time and causes an additional work: one has to adjust the settings for a portrait and then change them for intraoral photography, remembering to do it every time in the very same way.
What can we do then?
Maybe it’s time to think about the older brother of the Rebel T8i, the EOS 90D. Let’s have a look at some 90D’s features that differs it from the Rebel:
- The EOS 90D is more expensive (with a $300 difference)
- Its matrix has more pixels
- The camera itself is more stable
- Possibility to choose a mechanical or electronic shutter and take more photos in a series.
- The EOS 90D maximum flash sync is limited do 1/250, while in the Rebel T8i the result is 1/200.T
- The battery performance in favor of the EOS 90D.
There is one important similarity, though: we can boldly compare the ISO of both cameras and they look almost the same.
Our recommendation: if you’re looking for a small, light and not very expensive camera, the new Rebel is a good choice, as the photos quality is expected to be very similar to the ones taken by its older brother. But, if the weight is not a priority and you can spend an extra $300, you should definitely consider purchasing the older EOS 90D, which will provide comfort at every day’s work.
Canon Rebel T8i Key Features:
by tom@dentalphotomaster.com Tom | Feb 16, 2020 | Equipment
Canon confirms: the company has no plans to create any new EF lenses
It’s official! Canon has no plans to create any new EF lenses for DSLRs… unless photographers demand more.
This news comes straight from the horse’s mouth, as Canon Europe pro product marketing senior manager Richard Shepherd states:
“As you know, last year we launched the RF mount and EOS R system”, Shepherd tells Digital Camera World. “To date, we’ve launched ten critically acclaimed lenses, and as it’s a new system we plan to continue this, launching more RF lenses while still fully supporting the EF lens system.
“And of course, should the market demand it, we are ready to create new EF lenses. But for now, our focus is on RF.”
What’s next for the market?
Although Canon had already stated in 2019 that it would be ignoring EF lenses for the year to focus entirely on RF, this news is still quite shocking. With these plans have been extended indefinitely, one may wonder: what happens next?
Canon is the absolute leader of DLSR sales in the world of professional photography. Will this decision influence other manufactures and make them reconsider their plans? As for today, Nikon – with its newest DSLR, D780 – seems to cherish its relationship with the DSLRs. For how long? We will see.
by tom@dentalphotomaster.com Tom | Feb 9, 2020 | Equipment
The D750 was one of the most popular DSLRs and we are not surprised by it. But now, with the D780 already available, it is time to ask yourself: should I change my oldie?
Improved Autofocus in D780
Maybe it is not the key feature and not everyone likes using it, but if you do, you will see the difference.
In conventional DSLR mode, the D780 uses the same 51-point AF module as its predecessor but the AF system is informed by information from a 180,000-pixel metering sensor (the D750 has a 91,000-pixel sensor). This is only the first part of the improvement. The D780 received algorithms from those of the D5 professional sports camera, so its AF performance should be outstanding.
Moreover, the D780 has on-sensor phase detection, which provides the kind of distance information needed to quickly drive DSLR lenses. It also gains the AF tracking system from the Z-series cameras, including Face and Eye detection modes.
This detection will be a visible improvement for portraits, which seems really useful in everyday dental photography.
Sensor and JPEG engine
In dental photography, we are using mainly RAWs, but every once in a while there is no time for the postproduction and JPEGs are can be a salvation.
The sensor in the D780 is a newer design, either identical or closely related to the one in Nikon’s existing Z6 mirrorless camera. This means it has a BSI (backside-illuminated) design and, more significantly, dual-gain architecture.
This allows the camera to have a maximum dynamic range at base ISO with improved noise characteristics and better flashlight battery performance. What is more, these features will let the flashlight to work faster for portrait and intraoral photographs, when we are using the maximum aperture and we need more light.
We would expect the D780 to produce JPEGs with better sharpening, more pleasing colour and more sophisticated noise reduction compared to those from the D750.
The D780 should also offer a slight upgrade over the D750 for Raw shooters, but it won’t be crucial when deciding whether to upgrade.
The mirrorless AF in a DSLR
The D780’s live view interface is directly borrowed from the Z-series cameras. It will work slightly differently than the through-the-viewfinder system: AF tracking needs to be actively cancelled and always resets to the central position.
But if you’ve only shot with a DSLR before, you’re likely to be immediately impressed by how well the live view AF performs. Particularly for taking pictures of people, and we always pay special attention to these features in Dental Photo Master.
It looks like the D780 tries to combine the DSLR and mirrorless best features at the same time.
Build and Design
The Nikon D750 and D780 are largely similar in design, but there are a few changes you may want to be aware of. Here’s a comparison of the cameras’ rear layouts:
The biggest change is that the D780 adds a dedicated AF-On button, so you no longer need to assign the AE-L/AF-L button in order to enable back-button focusing. Other, smaller changes include shuffling the live view button up to the top, moving around the and info buttons, and moving the AE-L/AF-L button down a bit. Also, the negative magnification button which once doubled as an ISO control is now doubling as a metering control instead.
In the top view, the changes are minor. The only important change is that the metering button on the top has been replaced with an ISO button (a welcome change, in my opinion), and then shifted to the right.
Summary
- The D780 shoot at 7fps rather than the D750’s 6.5fps
- Switch to live view and electronic shutter mode and the D780 will deliver 8fps or 12fps if you’re willing to take the slight dynamic range penalty of dropping to 12-bit mode.
- The optical viewfinders are the same: pentaprisms with 100% coverage and 0.7x magnification.
- The D780 still has an in-body (screw drive) focus motor and AI tab, to allow its use with a broad range of older F-mount lenses. The D750 had both features, but notably, the FTZ mount adapter for the Z-mount cameras doesn’t.
- The D780’s rear screen still tilts up and down on a rugged-feeling cradle as the D750’s did, but the dot-count has doubled and it’s now touch-sensitive, making the camera much more usable in live view mode. This seems more like a mirrorless lovers thing, but it is a good way to check what is the best way for you.
- The video mode is one of the least important in our work, but it is worth to point that one of the clearest enhancements on the D780 is its video performance. This is immediately apparent from the fact it can shoot up to 4K/30p or 1080/120p, rather than the 1080/60p of the D750.
- The most immediately apparent difference is the lack of internal flash. Nikon says the camera can be better weather-sealed if you don’t include a pop-up flash, but any dental photographer looking to use the D780 must be aware of the additional cost, as he will be forced to buy an additional transmitter.
- The D780 uses the latest EN-EL15b battery. It looks like a slightly more angular version of the existing EN-EL15 batteries, the distinction being that the ‘b’ variant can be charged over the camera’s USB socket. The D780 can still use the older 15a and 15 batteries but without USB charging, and with significantly reduced battery life if used with the original EN-EL15 batteries not marked Li-Ion20.
Should I buy a D780?
If you are still a DSLR person, but thinking about changing it to a mirrorless camera in the future, the D780 is a good first step to take. Thanks to these features you can check how does the viewfinder less work looks like and if it satisfies you.
Working with a viewfinder and using the manual AF while taking the intraoral photographies is more precise. On the other hand, it requires a bigger physical exercise, so maybe it is worth to give a live view a chance and spare our spine? The D780 offers two possibilities: live view with a better AF straight from the mirrorless and a viewfinder taken from the DSLR.
But if you are a mirrorless fan and you can’t imagine working with a viewfinder, you should not take this even under consideration and go straight towards a cheaper mirrorless.
What should be the reasons to buy the D780? If you have a significant investment in F-mount lenses, your style of shooting demands an optical viewfinder, or simply if you prefer using an optical viewfinder, it might be a good choice.
Our Recommendation
As most of these comparisons, the choice between the Nikon D750 and D780 is all about price.
Personally, I still consider the D750 to be one of the best values in Nikon’s lineup, especially used, for dental photographers on a budget. The other benefits of the D780 are still quite good, and they may be enough to put the camera over the line for you. If your budget is limited, for a price difference of $800, I’d rather buy the D750 and a good lens.
Check out some more details of the D780 in our latest post!
by tom@dentalphotomaster.com Tom | Feb 1, 2020 | Equipment
The lens is the first one from Venus Optics designed especially for APS-C mirrorless cameras and comes in three different versions: for Sony E, FUJIFILM X and Canon EF-M lens mount.
The producer says it is the only APS-C mirrorless lens in the market that is capable of achieving a 2:1 magnification. Its 9-bladed aperture can be manually set between f/2.8 and f/22.
The full-frame equivalent focal length of this lens is approximately 100mm – this length is also the most popular amongst other producers. The Laowa 65mm 2X Macro lens can focus from 2:1 all the way to infinity so it can also be used for standard shooting, like portraits, which makes it really useful in our everyday dental photography. The 2:1 maximum magnification ratio along with a minimum focusing distance of 6.7” (17cm) makes it a very capable macro lens. Standard magnification (1:1) is always needed by any photographer, but when it comes to the intraoral photography, the 2:1 magnification expands dental photographer’s opportunities.
One must remember, though, about the difficulties that manual lens may cause: the fully automatic aperture allows to focus in a clearly better and easier way and this is the price we need to pay in this case.
Below is a collection of sample images provided by Venus Optics:
Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2X Macro APO Lens for APS-C
Technical Specifications
- Focal Length: 65mm
- Aperture: f/2.8 – f22
- Angle of view: 24.4°
- Lens Structure: 14 elements in 10 groups (3 extra-low dispersion glass)
- Aperture Blades: 9
- Min. Focusing Distance: 17cm
- Max. Magnification: 2x
- Focus mode: Manual Focus
- Dimensions: φ57mm*100mm
- Filter Thread: φ52mm
- Weight: 335g
- Format Compatibility: APS-C
- Mounts: Sony E / Fuji-X / Canon-M
Price & Availability
This newest Laowa lens is already available and it cost around $399.
If you are looking for a macro lens, please check out our Equipment section!
