Medical Photography

I would think you need a real macro lens if you need to show the detail of operations rather than just a room full of people.

I normally suggest the 100mm macro but the 50mm macro or EF-S 60mm macro might be better for this application, as too much working distance at low magnification could be an issue in crowded conditions of a op theatre.

Ambient lighting will be a big issue so flash is called for. Normally I recommend the MT-24EX twin flash for maximum control of lighting, but for record shots and specimen shots normally flat lighting is required so a ring flash would be a good idea, the Canon one is the MR-14EX although there are independents - Sigma for example but you will need an adaptor ring to mount them on Canon macro lenses, the Canon flashes clip straight on.

Whether you need a real macro lens for operations is entirely dependant on what you are trying to show and its size.

I'd say the macro lens or another close-focusing lens would be great. Macro lenses can work at distances from inches to infinity. The EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS is another candidate because it can focus as close as 6", but also has the zoom and the f/2.8.

scot079 wrote in post #4327681
Unless you get a macro lens with a minimum focus of over 1' (180L) then the lens will shade any ambient light. You'll need a ring flash or a speedlite on a flash bracket

I never had problems with that.

Lester Wareham wrote in post #4327733
I would think you need a real macro lens if you need to show the detail of operations rather than just a room full of people.

I normally suggest the 100mm macro but the 50mm macro or EF-S 60mm macro might be better for this application, as too much working distance at low magnification could be an issue in crowded conditions of a op theatre.

Ambient lighting will be a big issue so flash is called for. Normally I recommend the MT-24EX twin flash for maximum control of lighting, but for record shots and specimen shots normally flat lighting is required so a ring flash would be a good idea, the Canon one is the MR-14EX although there are independents - Sigma for example but you will need an adaptor ring to mount them on Canon macro lenses, the Canon flashes clip straight on.

They usually move to let you in to get the photos of the area they need shot. You usually have a good idea before you go in of what they need. The only thing is DON"T BUMP INTO ANYTHING. Wanna piss a head nurse off even gowned if you bump an instrument tray or the drapes on a patient.

I do agree that a P/S might be sufficent One of my brothers is a neurosurgeon and he uses P/S. For the rebel I would recommend the 60mm f2.8 macro so you can use the built-in flash. Or even the 28mm f1.8 will do.

maybe even the EF-S 17-55 IS will do...

I would try a couple of shots WITHOUT flash and see if you can get speeds over 1/200. If so you are good to go.

I would also do a custom WB with expodisc.

silvex wrote in post #4327908
I do agree that a P/S might be sufficent One of my brothers is a neurosurgeon and he uses P/S. For the rebel I would recommend the 60mm f2.8 macro so you can use the built-in flash. Or even the 28mm f1.8 will do.

maybe even the EF-S 17-55 IS will do...

I would try a couple of shots WITHOUT flash and see if you can get speeds over 1/200. If so you are good to go.

I would also do a custom WB with expodisc.

You can probably use the built in flash with the 100mm macro aslo, at least you can on a 20D.

airfrogusmc wrote in post #4327895
They usually move to let you in to get the photos of the area they need shot. You usually have a good idea before you go in of what they need. The only thing is DON"T BUMP INTO ANYTHING. Wanna piss a head nurse off even gowned if you bump an instrument tray or the drapes on a patient.

I suspect photographing in a sugical theater is a bit like shooting on a film set, you are bottom of the pile. Although if they get out of the way that sounds a lot higher status.

Hey you guys wanna see some gross stuff?

airfrogusmc wrote in post #4329172
Hey you guys wanna see some gross stuff?

You're gonna have to try pretty hard to gross me out.
* * * *
FWIW, when I was a surgical resident I spent a significant amount of time with the plastic surgery residents. Back in the old days (~8 years ago) they all had 35mm film SLRs with 50mm macro lenses and ring flashes. They documented EVERYTHING photographically. With plastic surgery the medical record (chart) was basically a book of slides.

Lester Wareham wrote in post #4328699
You can probably use the built in flash with the 100mm macro aslo, at least you can on a 20D.

You are right, but the 60mm is shorter. I don't have one but the 100 with the hood will block built int flash producing a shadow.

airfrogusmc wrote in post #4329172
Hey you guys wanna see some gross stuff?

sure, why not.

Hey guys... Thanks was not expecting so many responses...
I am a resident training in surgery... P&S cameras are what it is widely used in the OR... OR Lights are way to bright, and usually the overhead lights are moved when taking the pictures.... Against to what most people think, Photographing in the OR is not only accepted by most surgeons, it is requested as part of the case as we are interested in the pictures for medical record keeping. Surgeons usually call in for the pictures to be taken and everybody stops, compose the "scene" of what needs to be recorded (Exposing the Specimens or the Pathology or the results) and everybody moves away so the photographer can get close and take the images... The surgeon that calls for the pictures reviews the images in the LCD and Ask for more if needed...
The problem with the P&S cameras is that frequently the specimen is photographed at less than 50cm real close up and the Images tend to be blurry or way to yellow... My main concern is that in most of the shots the colors are distorted and everything looks shinny red, in real life the tissues have a wide spectrum of color and "texture" if you will... P&S cameras for most of the shots do not translate this into the images...

The other consideration is that you get to have so little time to get this shots that some good equipment paired with good knowledge on how to use it, would be great...
As I said I am a total newbie and had an XT with the following Lenses:

Canon EF 50mm 1:1.8
Canon EF 75-300mm 1:4-5.6
Quantaray 28-90mm 1:3.5-5.6 Macro

My plan is to buy the Battery Grip (tried it and loved the feeling of my XT with it)
Buy a Decent Flash
Getting a Lens that is suited for this type of work: Start studying and taking pictures of my own cases...

(I am not interested in Top of the Line equipment, Just something that can get the job Done)

I will look into your suggestions and, Hopefully try some of this lenses...

I think you ought to consider the EF-S 60mm or Sigma 70mm macro and the Sigma EM-140 DG macro flash. If you don't need 1:1 magnification, consider the Sigma macro zooms; 17-70 or 18-50. Another option on the flash is to go the off-camera bracketed flash and diffuser. Lester can give you good advice on that. Either way, you're looking at about $700 investment in lens and flash.

I've been in the OR many of times and there is plenty of light. The OR on TV does not really portray what you see ( at least most of the time). Stop watching those rediculous shows! AHHHH! The smell of burnt flesh during open heart!