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. With the addition of the articulating screen, Live View allows you to swivel the screen up or down and shoot at angles that would be almost impossible with the viewfinder.

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.

Canon Battery Grip and Hand Strap for the Rebel T3i

One highly recommended accessory is Canon Rebel T3i Battery Grip. The Rebel T3i is smaller than their other cameras and may be a bit too small for larger hands. The optional Battery Grip adds an additional 1.5 inches to the height of the camera as well as offering three different ways to power the camera. The Battery Grip will accept either one or two rechargable lithium-ion batteries or (6) AA (alkaline or rechargable) batteries. The optional Hand Strap attaches to the Battery Grip and your hand slips in between the strap and the camera body.


Macro Flash Options for the Canon Rebel T3i

Sigma's EM-140DG macro flash is the first of four flash options for TTL flash control on the T3i. 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 Rebel T3i is the first Rebel model that has a built-in wireless speedlight controller. To use the Rebel T3i 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 and more balanced than the other two flashes and there is no power pack on top of the camera or a 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 Rebel T3i

There are four lens options for the T3i: 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 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.