This table shows the evolution of the Canon Digital Rebel models:

Live View continues to evolve and become more useful. Live View allows you to use the LCD screen as a viewfinder, although it is mainly designed for use in manual focus mode. Canon has upgraded autofocus capability while using Live View with three different autofocus options including a Face Detection autofocus mode. There may be uses for
Live View outside the office, but we don't see it being used very often for clinical photography.

Grid Focusing Screen option for the Canon 60D Like the 50D, the 60D also gets interchangeable focusing screens and a grid screen is available. The grid screen superimposes horizontal and vertical lines in the viewfinder. This was a very popular upgrade back in the days of the Yashica Dental Eye and should be very useful for image alignment. We can install this focusing screen for you when we assemble your camera system (and the original screen will be sent as well).

Macro Flash Options for the Canon 60D

Sigma's EM-140DG macro flash is the first of four flash options for TTL flash control on the 60D. The EM-140DG is a dual point flash that is compatible with the Canon ETTL flash control system. It is a more "universal" flash as it can take the full range of dental views. (shown above - image #3)

The Canon MR-14EX macro flash is the second flash option. The MR-14EX's flash head is shaped like a ring flash, but it is actually "split" into two arced tubes. This gives you the even illumination of a ring, but still allows you to vary the power from side to side. This affords you more creative control over the lighting. (shown above - image #1)

The third option is the Metz MS-1 wireless macro flash. The 60D has a built-in wireless speedlight controller. To use the 60D with the Metz MS-1, you simply pop-up the built-in flash and camera controls the flash outputfor a proper exposure every time. This combination is lighter than the other two flashes and there is no cable from the camera to the flash. (shown above - image #2)

The fourth option is the Canon 270EX II Wireless Macro System with R2-C Bracket (shown below). The package includes two Canon 270EX II flashes and the R2 bracket. The 60D's built-in wireless flash transmitter controls the Canon flashes for a pefect exposure.

Macro Lens Options for the Canon 60D

There are four lens options for the 60D: the Tokina 100mm macro lens (18oz.), the Canon EF-S 60mm macro lens (11.5oz.), the Canon EF 100mm macro lens (20.5oz.) and the Canon EF 100mm L macro lens (22oz.). All four lenses offer very similar optical quality while the Canon EF 100mm L macro lens adds Canon's Image Stabilization (IS) system. The IS system makes focusing easier - a sophisticated system measures movement and counteracts the movement by shifting lens elements. If you are taking a mirror shot and you have the mirror in one hand and the camera in the other, you will be amazed how much more stable the image is in the viewfinder. The 100mm L macro also features higher quality glass elements for the sharpest possible image.

The Canon EF-S 60mm macro lens is recommended for orthodontic offices as most ortho practices take a specific series of photos: portraits along with anterior, buccal and occlusal intraoral views. The working distance (the distance from the lens to the subject being photographed) with the 60mm is less than the 100mm and 105mm lenses which makes taking ortho views easier.

For all other dental practices, a 100mm or 105mm macro lens is recommended to allow shooting smaller fields, especially in the posterior. These lenses have enough working distance to allow 1:1 closeup magnifications anywhere in the mouth. If you have any questions about which lens is best for your needs, please call us.