10D Dental use and beyond!

[RickInHouston]

This being my first post, I want to say thanks for all the incredibly useful information you have all passed on...

I have made the decision/investment to begin taking photos of my work (dental photos) for patient education and laboratory communication. From a parallel board on dental issues, I've made the decision to invest in a Canon 10D. The board offers up the recommendation of the EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM lens with the MR-14EX ring light as the 'best of the best'.

With that being said- I'd like to include a second lens for all around personal use. Many messages have been posted on this topic, but since my situation is unique in the macro lens being my first purchase, I'm learning it may effect my second purchase as well.

Should I opt for the lens many buy as their 'first choice'- the EF 28-135 f/3.5-5.6 IS USM or go with the 24-85mm 3.5-4.5 USM? I'm thinking the faster shutter speed of the latter lens. Could the separate Macro lens I will have 'make up' for the 85-135mm's I'm losing by choosing that lens? This lens will be for close-up, portrait-type photos mostly. I don't feel a wide angle is necessary for now, but the 24mm would help that as well of the latter lens!

Any suggestions would be an incredible help. I wanted so badly to buy the equipment from a specialty shop, here in Houston,TX, but the camera was sold out everywhere. Fortunately, one Best Buy in my area stocks it (yes, only one) and had one left. Therefore, this forum is my best source for a touchy-feely 'personal' experience!

Thank you, all, in advance.

Rick Maloch
Houston, TX

[lightandlife]

Canon 180mm Macro lens is another option that gives fine details of small objects. (I have not tried 100mm) With shorter Macro lens, faces look more angular.

Portraits: 85mm may be the best choice, considering 1.6X factor now and full frame digital in a couple of years. 50mm f1.4 or 70-200mm zoom will do fine also, perhaps the latter is better.

I wish my dentist used 10D rather than X-rays.

[TomKa]

I would go for a 24-85 as an allround lens.
Since I was discussing about cameras with my dentist, here is another link to a german website with all the instructions to build a LED-ringlight for macro photography.
http://www.emling-online.de/digital/ringlicht2.html

[Andy_T]

lightandlife wrote:
Canon 180mm Macro lens is another option that gives fine details of small objects. (I have not tried 100mm) With shorter Macro lens, faces look more angular.

Portraits: 85mm may be the best choice, considering 1.6X factor now and full frame digital in a couple of years. 50mm f1.4 or 70-200mm zoom will do fine also, perhaps the latter is better.

I wish my dentist used 10D rather than X-rays.


I suppose on the dentist checkup sheets the teeth (that's the part of the face you're interested in) are supposed to look angular :)

I was at the dentist last week, they used a digital X-ray! I was quite impressed.

Regards,
Andy