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Can Godox V1 Flash for Canon Be the Budget-Friendly Alternative for Dental Photography?

Can Godox V1 Flash for Canon Be the Budget-Friendly Alternative for Dental Photography?

If you’re into dental photography—whether capturing dental intraoral photography or perfecting your dental digital photography techniques—you know how critical good lighting is. But does investing in a high-end flash system like Canon’s always make sense? At $229 (compared to $1099 for the Canon Speedlite EL-1), the Godox V1 Flash offers a compelling and cost-effective alternative. Curious about Canon’s latest flash system? Check out our article about theirrumored hybrid Speedlite and its potential to revolutionize dental photography.

How Does Godox V1 Flash Compare to Canon’s Flash Systems?

When it comes to professional dental photography, Canon flash systems are often considered the gold standard. However, their premium price can make them inaccessible for some users. The Godox V1 Flash provides comparable features—such as high-speed sync, excellent light quality, and advanced wireless connectivity—at a fraction of the cost.

Does this mean you’re sacrificing quality for affordability? Let’s explore.

What Value Does Godox V1 Flash Offer to Dental Photographers?

  • Cost Efficiency Without Compromising Quality

    At $229, the Godox V1 Flash is significantly more affordable than many Canon flashes. This makes it an excellent option for dental professionals seeking a cost-effective yet high-performing lighting solution.

  • Precision and Versatility

    The round flash head delivers soft, even light. Its ability to tilt, rotate, and zoom ensures flexibility for capturing professional-grade images, whether you’re photographing close-ups of dental work or portraits of patients. It’s also perfect for dual-flash setups with modifiers, ideal for advanced intraoral and portraiture work.

  • Battery Power That Keeps You Going

    With 480 full-power flashes per charge, the Godox V1 ensures you can get through even the busiest day without worrying about running out of power. This reliability is especially valuable for lengthy dental photo sessions.

 

Is Godox V1 Flash Right for You?

Consider these questions:

  • Are you searching for a professional-grade flash that fits within your budget?
  • Do you require soft, even lighting to achieve precision and clarity in your dental photography, including intraoral and portrait shots?
  • Would a rechargeable, reliable flash with long battery life make your workflow more efficient?

If your answer is “yes” to any of these, the Godox V1 Flash could be the ideal solution. Combining performance, flexibility, and affordability, it’s a fantastic choice for dental professionals and enthusiasts looking to elevate their dental photography results without overspending.

Ready to Elevate Your Skills?

Want to master your flash system and take your dental photography to the next level? Start with our expert tutorials, including free guides and resources, to help you refine your skills.

For even more resources, register for free on our website to access selected video content and explore our Equipment Section, packed with valuable insights. While many of our premium lessons offer advanced tips and techniques, we also provide free content to get you started.

👉 Register now and stay updated with the latest in dental photography, including new articles, reviews, and industry updates. Whether you’re just beginning or looking to enhance your expertise, you’ll find tools and inspiration to support your journey!

Eye-controlled AF coming to more EOS R. But not so soon

Eye-controlled AF coming to more EOS R. But not so soon

It’s our mission as a camera manufacturer to figure out ways to make any camera system easier and more comfortable to operate. So, in terms of the eye control system, or eye-controlled focus, we intend to deploy this to various other models as well. At the same time, we’d like to improve the performance and usability. – says Canon management at the CP+ Expo in Japan.

This means we can expect the eye-controlled AF in the next EOS Rs!

For us, dental photographers, it can be a groundbreaking feature. Taking intraoral photos means adjusting the focus more and more precisely. To be honest, it takes years of practice to master such conditions. With the eye-controlled AF digital dental photography and intraoral photography will become easier and more approachable.

The feature is already available in the R3, but for a dental digital camera, it’s quite expensive. We’re really happy to hear that every dental photographer, regardless of their cameras’ price, will be able to use this feature.

We’re just hoping it will be possible sooner rather than later!

As usual, we’ll keep you posted. Stay with us for more dental photography news!

Low Budget Dental Photography Lens for only $190! Is it worth buying?

Low Budget Dental Photography Lens for only $190! Is it worth buying?

Meike’s new APS-C mirrorless cameras 60mm f/2.8 Macro Lens has just been announced.

New, affordable lens for intraoral and portrait photography? Check out our cameras online lesson and Macro Lens guide – it will help you with the right choice for your dental photography set! If you’re looking for a low budget APS-C mirrorless camera lens, this one can be one of your options: new Meike’s 60mm f/2.8 Macro Lens.

The lens will be available in various mounts, including Sony E, Fujifilm X, Nikon Z, Canon EF-M and RF, and Micro Four Thirds.

Its price, $190, seems very reasonable as a dental photography accessory. The effective focal length depends on the mount, but on APS-C cameras, it will be roughly a 90mm equivalent macro lens, while on Micro Four Thirds, it’ll be a 120mm macro prime.

Looks like an affordable offer for dental photographers, always looking for the best macro shoots possible.

Meike’s 60mm f/2.8 Macro Lens Specs:

  • a nine-bladed aperture diaphragm
  • 1:1 magnification at its minimum focus distance of 6.9 inches (17.5 centimeters)
  • a manual aperture control ring with a ridged grip surface
  • weighs just over 10.5 ounces (300 grams)
  • price: $190

The lens is compatible with:

E mount : Sony E mount A7III A9 NEX 3 3N 5 NEX 5T NEX 5R NEX 6 7 A5000 A5100 A6000 A6100 A6300 A6500 .etc

X mount: Fuji X-Pro2 X-E3 X-T1 X-T2 X-T10 X-T20 X-A2 X-E2 X-E2s X-E1 X30 X70 X-M1 X-A1 XPro X-T5,etc DSLR Cameras

Z mount : Nikon Z Mount Cameras Z50, Z5, Z6, Z7 Z30 .etc Under APS-C Mode

EFM mount: Canon EFM-mount Cameras, such as: EOS M M2 M3 M5 .etc

RF mount: All Canon RF mount Cameras EOSR5 EOSR6 EOS-R EOS-RP .etc

M43 mount: For Olympus mirrorless camera E-P1 E-PL1 E-P2 E-PL2 E-P3 E-PL3 E-PL5 E-PM1 E-PM2 OM-D E-M5 E-P5 OM-D E-M1 OMD-EM10 and other Olympus Micro 4/3 cameras .etc

Panasonic Lumix G9 G1 G2 G3 G5 GF1 GF2 GF3 GF5 GF6 GF7 GH1 GH2 GH3 GH5 G6 GX1 GX7 GX8 GH4 GM1 GM5 -D E-M5 E-P5 OM-D E-M1 OMD-EM10 and other Panasonic Lumix Micro M4/3 MFT cameras .etc

Our review:

When it comes to practicality, please note that the shutter ring is placed on the front of the lens and it’s quite easy to change it accidentally while setting the focus. This is a thing to remember!

For the price, the lens’ work looks very decent. We need to lower our expectations, though. There’s no AF or any other automation, so setting the focus needs more focus 😉 Low budget comes with its price and that’s something to always keep in mind.

To sum up: please consider this device only if you’re not able to afford a better and more expensive one. Otherwise, don’t bother.

And if you’re still struggling with choosing the right Macro Lens, take our free advice!

Canon EOS R8: first reviews, specs and opinions. Good quality & friendly price?

Canon EOS R8: first reviews, specs and opinions. Good quality & friendly price?

How to describe it in one sentence? This is EOS R6 II tech in a smaller, compact body. But there’s more to know.

Canon says this full-frame mirrorless camera is for amateur photographers, but we’re always curious if the new “baby” can work in dental or intraoral photography. 24-megapixel sensor, Dual Pixel AF, the DIGIC X processor, AI-driven subject recognition – we know them already from EOS R6 II, but thanks to the lighter body the EOS R8’s price is much more friendly. And we must say, the sensor and processor are quite impressive for the price.

Canon EOS R8 main features

The camera weighs just over a pound (461 grams) with a battery, SD card, and no battery cap. It measures 5.22 x 3.39 x 2.76 inches (132.5 x 86.1 x 70.0 millimeters). There’s also a responsive and comfortable vari-angle touchscreen. The camera’s weight can be a big advantage for those of you who get easily tired with heavy dental cameras, we’re pretty sure female dental photographers will also appreciate this feature. On the other hand, heavy lenses and light bodies won’t provide proper balance, so, if you’re strong enough, we’d recommend choosing a more massive camera.

One SD card slot isn’t a huge issue, but something you’ll need to get used to. Changing the card won’t take long, after all!

The HDR feature is always important for dental photographers: it’s helpful when it comes to spot the details on a dental photo.

The control layout is simplified in this smaller body. You don’t get a joystick, there’s a simple D-pad rather than a rear wheel, and there are less buttons to customize. Some of the functions are harder to find, if you like to have them all at hand, take this under consideration

Dual Pixel CMOS II AF with tracking AF available for all modes will be useful while taking intraoral photos. But there’s more: Flexible AF can be paired with Eye Tracking and this feature is not to be underestimated when it comes to portrait shooting.

The camera uses a smaller battery which is also found on the Canon R50. Canon did not provide CIPA ratings for the battery in the R8, though in PetaPixel’s testing, the battery ran out before a full day of mixed video and still shooting.

Usual connection options are available: a multi-function shoe for compatibility with a range of accessories including external flash, 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth 4.2, and MFI for direct connection with an Apple device, in addition to Android devices.

We’re not professional video makers, but let’s notice the possibility of recording 4K UHD at 60p for up to 30 minutes.

The camera doesn’t have in-body image stabilization (IBIS) which can cause a difficulty while macro shooting – a heavy 180 mm lens can upset the balance. If you’re taking photos under continuous light, the lack of IBIS can be even more noticeable.

Canon EOS R8: our verdict & price

  • good idea if you’re a lighter dental cameras fan
  • good idea if you’re aiming for the R6 photos quality, but don’t want to spend as much money; please remember that shooting and camera control will be more difficult
  • honestly, dental photographers, it’s up to you! Combining a lighter camera with a heavy lens can influence the balance and it can be less stable to hold. Our work requires long hours standing up or in an uncomfortable position; the R6 will be more expensive, but will also provide comfort.

Body alone, the R8 will cost $1,500. The kit with the R8 and 24-50mm are set to be priced at $1,700.

Key specifications:

  • 24.2MP full-frame CMOS sensor
  • Up to 40fps continuous shooting with e-shutter (6fps with mechanical)
  • 30fps Raw Burst mode with 1/2-second pre-buffering
  • Full-width 4K video from 6K capture at up to 60p
  • 10-bit C-Log3 or HDR PQ video capture
  • 10-bit HDR HEIF option
  • 2.36M dot OLED viewfinder (0.7x magnification)
  • Fully-articulated rear screen
  • 4-channel audio with optional XLR adapter

Check out our cameras online course!

Dental Photography Post Production: Digital Workflow

Dental Photography Post Production: Digital Workflow

Consistency is the key to success! Your post production is your signature.

What is a digital workflow in dental photography? We’re working with hundreds of photos everyday and proper documentation is the best way to keep them in order. We don’t even want to think what can happen with photos kept in a digital mess! But your order has also influenced your clinic-Lab communication: finding the right file will take a blink of an eye.

Do you need more advantages to get started? Let’s mention faster clinical protocols, lower cost materials for your clinic or repeatability of work (you can always re-print a model).

You’re not sure if you’re interested? These are some of the topics explored in this lesson:

  • Workflow: setting your camera and importing your photos to your computer
  • File transfer: types of ports, cables, cards. Transfer speeds according to USB connector type.
  • File Storage & Backup: Archiving your items, Backup devices, Tips: how to provide a solid backup of your files?
  • Organizing Images: Various ways of organizing your photos, according to date/event/type.

There are so many reasons to watch this lesson– whether you’re in it for outcomes, efficiency, patient experience, the planet, or increasing the value of your practice. Choose one of them and watch our course!

We’re pretty sure you would like to watch it now and don’t hesitate any longer!

Canon EOS R6 or the new EOS R6 II?

Canon EOS R6 or the new EOS R6 II?

Canon has launched the new EOS R6 Mark II full-frame mirrorless camera and, as we know already, it is supposed to be the fastest small camera ever. What do the first reviews tell us and is this camera fine for dental photography?

First, the Canon EOS R6 Mark II shoots twice as fast as the original EOS R6 (which is now discontinued in favor of the new model). Some say, it’s basically a new Mini R3 and call it a sports, action, and events shooting monster thanks to a dramatically improved autofocus system thanks to a new AI chip, an improved buffer, as well as the ability to shoot up to 40 frames per second.

This impressive autofocus could be a game-changer when it comes to dental portrait photography! And if you’re a fan of autofocus in intraoral photography as well, this one will surely meet your expectations. And as for other photography freaks (myself included), the speed of taking photos will be pure pleasure, especially with continuous light.

In my opinion, the higher pixel density is the biggest asset.  The EOS R6 was always a bit of an odd fish. Its 20MP sensor was always going to compare badly to its 24MP rivals, and the R6 was not cheap either. Personally, I would be really glad if the pixels number would reach 30 million.

 

So let’s take a look at the key differences between the Canon EOS R6 II and the EOS R6 to see what Canon has done and the difference it’s likely to make:

Canon EOS R6 or the new EOS R6 II

1. Design

When it comes to the physical buttons, Canon loves to move them around, right? And so, here we’re getting an entirely different system for that on the R6 II that moves the power button from the left side of the body to the right, replacing it with a dedicated photo/video switch. It can be difficult to switch your memory to the new settings and it can be seen as a problem.

  • Canon EOS R6 II: 3.69m dot EVF, vari-angle screen, weather seals
  • Canon EOS R6: 3.69m dot EVF, vari-angle screen, weather seals

Physically, the EOS R6 II and R6 are largely indistinguishable. They both have dust and weather sealing, they both have a 3.69m-dot EVF and vari-angle rear screen and both offer dual SD UHS-II card slots.

They even use the same LP-E6NH batteries and BG-R10 battery grip, though Canon does claim the R6 II offers a 50% improvement in battery life when using the LCD screen. I can’t wait to check this feature in practice: worrying about charging the battery can be exhausting.

canon eos-r6 mark II 1 
canon eos-r6 mark II 2

 

canon eos-r6 mark II 3


2. Sensor

  • Canon EOS R6 II: 24.1 full-frame CMOS, up to ISO 102,400
  • Canon EOS R6: 20.1 full-frame CMOS, up to ISO 102,400

    That’s great!  The 24MP resolution of the R6 II is the same as that of its key rivals, whereas the old EOS R6 seemed oddly lacking. It’s not enough to upgrade for, but it’s enough to tip the balance more in Canon’s favor against the Nikon Z6 II, Lumix S1 or Sony A7 IV.

3. Autofocus 

  • Canon EOS R6 II: Dual Pixel CMOS AF II, EV -6.5, extended subject recognition
  • Canon EOS R6: Dual Pixel CMOS AF II, -6.5EV

 The R6 was already pretty advanced when it comes to AF, but the EOS R6II goes further.
It features improved deep learning AI subject tracking. You can choose subject types manually or leave the camera to decide what it’s looking at. You can set left or right-eye tracking, and if the eyes can’t be detected the R6 II will switch to the face; if that’s hidden it will switch to head detection, and if that’s not possible is will recognize the subject’s body.

I can’t wait to check the AF in dental macrophotography and how it will cope with the teeth sharpness. This is definitely something dental photographers can be happy with.

4. Image Stabilization

Both cameras have IBIS systems offering up to 8 stops of sync IS shake compensation, dependent on the lens in use.

  • Canon EOS R6 II: Up to 8 stops
  • Canon EOS R6: Up to 8 stops

Canon claims the in-body image stabilization in the EOS R6 II offers the world’s most effective IS performance, with up to 8 stops of compensation with combined lens/body IS and the right lenses. However, the EOS R6 before it also offered up to 8 stops of compensation, so we will assume that this particular feature hasn’t changed. 

If you’re taking dental photos in continuous light, this feature can provide you with a less blurred result. I’ll check it, but in my opinion the previous stabilization was also fine!

Key specifications:

  • 12 fps mechanical shutter (40 fps electronic shutter)
  • Built-in image stabilization rated to 8.0 stops
  • 4K/60p video (oversampled from 6K)
  • 6K ProRes Raw video with a compatible Atomos recorder
  • Raw burst mode with pre-capture
  • Moving subject HDR mode
  • 3.68M-dot EVF capable of up to 120 fps refresh (0.76x magnification)
  • 1.62M-dot, 3-inch rear touchscreen
  • Dual UHS-II SD card slots
  • 760 shot-per-charge battery rating (CIPA)

The Canon EOS R6 Mark II goes on sale 29 November – and is set to cost $3,599 /£2,779.99 / AU$4,499 body only.

Summarise:

The Canon EOS R6 Mark II has, faster shooting, more megapixels, and better video features – but is that enough to tempt R6 users in dental photography into upgrading? Perhaps not – but the new specs are likely to make the EOS R6 II a much more compelling camera for hybrid stills/video photographers looking for its particular brand of speed and versatility but without taking a drop in resolution.

If you already have the EOS R6, the improvements in the R6 II are modest enough and don’t instantly make your camera obsolete. But, if you were considering the R6 but put off solely by its 20MP sensor, the EOS R6 II should banish all your doubts!

Check out our Studio Light in Dental office online course!

 

 

 

 

Venus Optics: The Smallest 2x Macro for Any Full Frame Camera is now available!

Venus Optics: The Smallest 2x Macro for Any Full Frame Camera is now available!

Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro for L-Mount Available for Any Full Frame

What a news from Venus Optics! The Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO it launched last year for Nikon Z, Canon RF, Sony E, and Leica M mounts is being released for Leica L-Mount. This means we can purchase the Smallest 2x Macro for Any Full Frame Camera!

Laova

Please read more about the lens itself here!

Just a quick reminder: Venus Optics says that the lens can focus from infinity to 2x magnification and features a minimum focusing distance of 6.31-inches. At 2x magnification, small objects that are normally difficult to see are captured with considerable detail. Moreover, the lens is small and light which means that it is more flexible and easier to use in a variety of shooting situations. For us, dental photographers, this lens will be comfortable while shooting intraoral pictures, with high quality of details guaranteed.

The lens features three extra-low dispersion elements that eliminate color fringing at both in-focus and out-of-focus areas, which it claims allows the lens to render magnified photos with no chromatic aberration. The front element does not extend outwards when focus is changed which avoids collision with subjects and prevents dust from entering the lens.

laowalmount001-1

The Smallest 2x Macro for Any Full Frame Camera Price

The Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO is, according to Venus Optics, the smallest 2x macro lens available for full-frame cameras. It weighs 259 grams and is 3.18-inches long by 2.08-inches wide.

The new L-mount option for the Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO is available for $450.

kiva_8556_4-534x800 Stewartwood_8556_1-533x800

Jimmychan_8556_4-800x533 Emanuelebiggi_8556_22-800x532

 

New Smallest 2x Macro for Full Frame from Venus Optics: 85mm f/5.6 APO

New Smallest 2x Macro for Full Frame from Venus Optics: 85mm f/5.6 APO

What a news for dental photography industry!

Venus Optics has just announced the Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO. It is claimed to be the smallest 2x macro for any full-frame camera.

It works with Nikon Z, Canon RF, Sony E and Leica M mounts.

laowa-85mm-on-a-nikon-z7-2048x1070 laowa-85mm-on-a-canon-r6-2048x906laowa-85mm-f5.6-apo-2x-macro-lens-2048x918

Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO details:

  • specially designed for Full Frame mirrorless cameras
  • the most compact 2x macro lens on the market
  • 259 grams (9.12 ounces), 3.18-inches long by 2.08-inches wide
  • the APO design allows the lens to produce photos with minimal chromatic aberration
  • made to cast aside the normal bulky and heavy macro lenses that are available without sacrificing image quality
  • the lens can focus from infinity to 2x magnification and features a minimum focusing distance of 6.31-inches
  • a seven-bladed aperture diaphragm, an angle of view of 28.55-degrees, and a front filter thread size of 46mm

 

This light lens is perfect for light mirrorless cameras used in dental digital photography, especially if you’re not a fan of heavy equipment. What’s more, with its 2x magnification will be comfortable to use in various dental photography circumstances. We’re pretty sure it will prove itself in many situations, e.g. preparing your dental portfolio or extracting very small details, so important in our practice.

Check out some photos made with the new lens:

Stewartwood_8556_2-1200x800-1 NickyBay_8556_12-1200x800-1 Jimmychan_8556_4c Emanuelebiggi_8556_22-x Don-Komarechka_8556_3 Alberto_8556_16 Alberto_8556_14 Alberto_8556_3-1200x800-1

The Venus Optics Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO is available for $499.

Check out our Online Training: Lenses!

 

Digital Smile Design Photography: Our New Online Course!

Digital Smile Design Photography: Our New Online Course!

Digital Smile Design: a new quality in taking care of a smile!

DSD is a unique dental treatment planning tool that strengthens a dental provider’s diagnostic vision, enhances predictability, and improves communication between dental providers and their patients. A treatment plan is completely based on a thorough analysis of the patient’s dental and facial proportions.

In this online course our expert and new Giant Bartosz Cerkaski (the Vice President of Polish Academy of Esthetic Dentistry (PASE) and the founder of DSD Academy in Poland) will show you the Digital Smile Design Workflow, step by step. Bartosz Cerkaski has won The Best DSD Instructor Award in 2018.

We’ve prepared for you a series of lessons: professional and detailed. You can use your new knowledge in dentral intraoral photography and becoming a dental photography master.

You can choose the most important part for you or watch the whole lesson. Remember: your subscription gives you a 24/7 access to our online platform.

We can guarantee: you will benefit from it!

These are the lessons we’ve prepared for you:

  •   Introduction: What is DSD?
  •   Communication in DSD: Why so important, types of Photography used in DSD
  •   DSD Workflow with the Patient: how do the visits look, how many of them should be planned, how to prepare a professional documentation?
  •   DSD Workflow: Motivational Mockup. What is it, why so important, how to conduct a smile test? Theory and practice!
  •   DSD Workflow: DSD Final Presentation: Patient’s Emotional Reaction

Screenshot 2021-06-19 at 17.15 Screenshot 2021-06-19 at 17.16 Screenshot 2021-06-19 at 17.18 Screenshot 2021-06-19 at 17.21 Screenshot 2021-06-19 at 17.25 Screenshot 2021-06-19 at 17.26

Screenshot 2021-06-19 at 17 Screenshot 2021-06-19 at 17.31

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Screenshot 2021-06-19 at 17.36 Screenshot 2021-06-19 at 17.39

Visit our online lessons now and check out how DSD can influence your career!

Don’t wait any longer and join us now!!!

Canon EOS R5 with IBIS Bug?

Canon EOS R5 with IBIS Bug?

Canon EOS R5 produces blurry photos?

Well, that’s unexpected!

A Canon EOS R5 user has reported a replicable glitch that appears to be caused by using the camera’s in-body image stabilization which results in blurry photographs.

The problem occured while shooting in a mode where in-body image stabilization (IBIS) is set to “always on.” What happened?

Straight from the horse’s mouth: while shooting, the first picture produced in the sequence is significantly more blurry than any pictures thereafter. However, if the shutter continues to be half-pressed, while in single or continuous autofocus, photographs produced come out just fine.

This stands in the opposite of Canon’s introducing EOS R5 and R6 cameras as the “first Canon cameras with 5-axis in-body” IBIS, which can “deliver an industry-leading 8-stops of IS when the cameras are paired with certain lenses“.

Canon responded that its technical team is currently investigating the issue.

We’re waiting for the next steps of this issue and will keep you posted.

Check out more details on the R5 here!

Is It The Last Chance to Buy Canon’s DSLR Lens?

Is It The Last Chance to Buy Canon’s DSLR Lens?

Are Canon’s DSLR lenses over?

We’ve got some news for dental photographers who are planning to buy Canon DSLR lens: you might need to hurry up!

Rumors say, five popular lenses have been marked as “no longer available” at some retailers including popular optics like the 85mm f/1.2L USM II and the 70-200mm f/4L IS USM II. Luckily for us, working in dental photography industry, only the 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM will be withdrawn.

But what’s happening here? Back in 2020, as we reported, Canon stated that it would be ignoring its EF lineup to focus entirely on RF announcements. And as we couldn’t believe it then, it seems pretty official now.

The company reportedly started discontinuing lenses in February with the EF 40mm f/2.8 STM. That list has been growing at a surprising pace, with the 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM, 70-200mm f/4 L IS USM II, 85mm f/1.2L USM II, and 200mm f/2L I USM all joining inside the last two months.

Some of the lenses are still available, but only until they’re in stock. And will it influence us, dental photographers? We will keep you posted!

Photography Fundamentals: Lens

Photography Fundamentals: Lens

Lens in Dental Intraoral and Portrait Photography

It’s time to watch a professional dental photography course from Dental Photo Master!

Photography Fundamentals: our dental photography course is dedicated to everyone who starts an adventure with Dental Photography or Photography in general.

What lenses are the best for Intraoral Photography?

These are some of the topics explored in our dental digital photography course:

  • The Lens: how is it built? Elements, types and construction
  • Focal Length: the most important parameter
  • Macro Lenses: dedicated for dental photography
  • Marking at the top of a lens: what do they mean?
  • Threads of a lens: what do they do?
  • Focus distance window: the mechanism
  • Focusing distance range selection switch: how to use in practice?
  • Shutter release button: pressing it half-way or all the way down: differences

We’re pretty sure you would like to watch it now and don’t hesitate any longer!

Photography Fundamentals: Exposure & Aperture

Photography Fundamentals: Exposure & Aperture

Exposure in Dental Photography

It’s time to watch a professional lesson from Dental Photo Master!

Photography Fundamentals: our course is dedicated to everyone who starts an adventure with Dental Photography or Photography in general.

What is the main problem of an exposure in dental digital photography? We’re all dealing with it: photo turns out too dark or too bright. We need to strike a balance here, and our online course will  help!

These are some of the topics explored in this dental photography course:

  • Exposure: what is it?
  • Why mastering the exposure is similar to mastering riding a bike?
  • How to recognize a perfect exposure?
  • What variables influence a good exposure?

Aperture in Dental Photography

Aperture influences the exposure. Did you know that out of focus effect of some teeth on your photo can be caused by the improper use of an aperture? We know how to prevent this in dental digital photography.

These are some of the topics explored in this dental photography course:

  • What is an aperture?
  • How to control it?
  • How do we present an aperture in professional photography?

We’re pretty sure you would like to watch it now and don’t hesitate any longer!

The Nikon D5, D850, and D500 With CFexpress Compatibility

The Nikon D5, D850, and D500 With CFexpress Compatibility

Nikons with CFexpress Compatibility

Almost two years after the original announcement from Nikon, the day has come: D5 firmware version 1.4, D850 firmware version 1.20, and D500 firmware version 1.3 are all available now and enable use of CFexpress Type B memory cards as well as XQD cards in the Nikon DSLRs.

CFexpress in dental photography: advantages!

What should you expect? Rather than a speed boost, the main advantage here is compatibility, and, for example, if you own both a D500 and a Z6 II, you can now share memory cards between them.

Though the memory cards themselves are capable of faster read and write speeds, the internals of the DSLRs would need to be designed to take advantage of an additional lane of PCIe offered in CFe.  XQD cards are also less common now and will eventually be phased out and replaced with CFe.

Photography Fundamentals: Camera – watch our online course!

The firmware also addresses other issues Nikon discovered with the three cameras: for example, the D5 shooters can now choose the band (2.4 or 5 GHz) for the host SSID when connecting to wireless networks via a WT-6 or Wt-5 wireless transmitter connected to the camera. Nikon also fixed an issue that prevented normal shutter release and caused an error to be displayed during a very specific set of circumstances.

CFexpress: What Is It?

CFexpress is a standard for removable media cards proposed by the CompactFlash Association (CFA). The standard uses PCIe 3.0 interface with 1 to 4 lanes where 1 GB/s data can be provided per lane.

Check out our Digital Workflow online training!

Nikon Plans for 2021: What’s new for Dental Photographers?

Nikon Plans for 2021: What’s new for Dental Photographers?

Nikon to Release Two New DSLRs and Several F-Mount Lenses in 2021

Nikon Rumors is reporting that the company plans to release two new DSLRs in 2021 along with “several” F-mount lenses.

It looks like the company has to offer dental photographers a lot this year. After all, dental digital photography requires a good equipment!

What are the specific plans for 2021 that Nikon users will benefit?

  • Nikon is still focused on the development of DSLRs, as the company is not quite ready to give up on the F-mount.  But the majority of research and development funds are still focused on mirrorless.
  • The Z 7II started shipping in December 2020. The second shipment to dealers will be in the middle of January
  • There are two new DSLR bodies to be released in 2021.
  • DSLR bodies are still outselling the Z-mount Mirrorless bodies but they expect within 60 days that mirrorless will outsell F-mount.
  • There are 8 new Z mount lens released by 12/31/2021. The total will be 24 Z mount lenses.
  • Confirmed: Nikon to release several new F mount lenses in 2021.
  • Two new macro lenses: 60mm and 105mm.
  • The new Webcam Utility is free and is an excellent AP. Easy to use for connecting families digitally.
  • The Z mount bodies will continue to receive firmware updates and the plan is to implement significant upgrades, not just minor fixes.

We will keep you posted on any new releases perfect for dental and intraoral photography!

Check out our comparison in Dental Photography Course: DSLR vs Mirrorless!

 

 

 

How to Keep Your Camera and Lens Clean?

How to Keep Your Camera and Lens Clean?

How to Keep Your Camera and Lens Clean?

Have you ever wondered what causes those mysterious spots that appear in your photos? For photographers, particularly those who use interchangeable lens cameras, this is a common problem. But there’s a way to solve it.

These mysterious spots are caused by dust or dirt on your sensor, which is completely normal and virtually unavoidable. To combat this problem, most camera makers have included a sensor cleaning function in newer camera models. However, sometimes this handy little feature just isn’t enough, which is why cleaning the camera sensor is a chore that every photographer has to deal with every so often.

What is Sensor Dust?

The term “sensor dust” is used to describe the particles or elements that enter a camera and stick to its sensor. This usually happens when the camera user exposes the sensor by removing the body cap or switching lenses. Camera sensors are dust magnets, prone to dust.  If you’re not careful enough, you’ll inevitably have to clean your camera’s sensor quite often.

How Does Dust Get into Camera Sensor in Mirrorless and DSLR cameras?

It’s rather easy to sustain sensor dust on a mirrorless camera, such as Sony Alpha A7 III, Nikon Z7, or Canon EOS R as the sensor becomes exposed during any lens changes. With regular DSLR cameras, the mirror provides some form of protection, though you can still end up getting dust on the sensor. However, one of the main causes of dust is actually the camera itself, which explains why photographers who rarely change their lenses still struggle with dust getting on the sensor.

Apart from getting dust and other dirt from the surrounding environment blown onto your sensor during lens changes, there are two other significant ways that dust may be generated:

  1. Every time that you take a photo, the shutter fires. When it does, the friction between the components of the shutter can create dust.
  2. The other way that dust is generated is during the moments that you attach or remove the plastic body cap. When you do so, friction between the metal mounts and the plastic cap may generate dust. This is also true for when you change your lens.

Let’s summarise some facts:

  • Dirty optics and dirty sensors can and will affect your image quality.
  • There are correct methods and tools to clean lens and filter optics.
  • There are incorrect methods and tools to clean lens and filter optics.
  • There’s a great deal of information available on the topic of lens cleaning—some of it conflicting.

So, let’s try to keep things simple, and find the best and safest way to get your lenses and sensors clean so that you can spend more time making photographs, and less time on cleaning.

So what will you learn while watching our lesson?

  • What equipment should you use to clean your camera and lens successfully?
  • A blower and a loupe are necessary?
  • Cleaning by yourself or leaving it to professionals?
  • Cleaning your flash and lens: steps
  • How to use a liquid and a cloth while cleaning the surface of your lens?
  • Cleaning your camera: steps
  • Cleaning your sensor: how to take care of this fragile part?

We’re pretty sure you would like to watch it now and don’t hesitate any longer!

Laowa 100mm f/2.8 Ultra Macro: Available in Pentax K and Stepless on Canon EF

Laowa 100mm f/2.8 Ultra Macro: Available in Pentax K and Stepless on Canon EF

Laowa 100mm f/2.8 Ultra Macro with New Mounts

Venus Optics has announced that the 100mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro lens, originally announced in 2018, is now available for Canon EF with a stepless aperture ring and finally on Pentax K.
The news comes months after giving the lens the Nikon Z and Canon RF’s mounts.

This announcement makes for two different versions of the optic available for Canon EF.

Laowa says that the 100mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO in Pentax-K mount is assembled with the automatic aperture coupling lever, which allows aperture control via the body of the camera. You can either use the manual aperture ring or park the focusing ring at the “A” symbol and adjust the aperture via the camera. Exif data would be stored in the metadata as well.

Venus Optics had previously launched an EF version of the lens with automatic aperture control via the camera, but this iteration brings a stepless aperture ring for users. “Stepless aperture control is one of the most advantageous and essential features for videography. It allows a smooth transition between each aperture level,” Venus writes in the press release.

New! Studio Light in Dental Office Lessons!

The Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro is available for $449 in some iteration on seven mounts.

Sample images:

 

Nikon Z6 II Available Now!

Nikon Z6 II Available Now!

Nikon Z6 II: Where to buy it?

Nikon has confirmed that stocks of the new camera have arrived and that it is ready for despatch! This means you can purchase your brand new Nikon now.  Nikon USA informed customers that the Nikon Z6 II will be shipping, as well as Amazon in UK.

And if you haven’t place your order yet, maybe it’s time to do so now: the Z6 II is one of the bodies on offer in the early Nikon Black Friday deals in the US, where the Nikon Z6 II and FTZ adapter are already reduced by $200.

And what is the Z6 II? Basically, the new cameras are very similar to the old ones. Apart from some important features like dual card slots, 4K/60p video capture, and improved autofocus performance, we get the same product as two years ago. But it doesn’t mean it’s wrong. This results in a number of performance improvements, notably in its continuous shooting speed. The Z6 II can shoot up to 14fps (up from 12fps), which it can maintain for 124 12-bit RAW files or 200 JPEGs.

Check out our new online lessons: Studio Light in Dental Office!

There is no update on when the Nikon Z7 II will start shipping, but stay tuned!