Join Dr. Ashish Soneji, a dentist and photography mentor from Southwest England, as he discusses the evolving world of dental photography. Discover why mirrorless cameras are taking over from DSLRs and when you should consider making the switch. Soneji shares tips on which lenses to invest in, the significance of lighting, and even introduces a 21-day photography challenge for beginners to improve their skills. Whether you're upgrading your gear or sticking with what you have, this conversation is packed with valuable insights!
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question_answer ANECDOTE
How Jaz Bought His First Camera
Jaz bought a second‑hand Canon 60D and ring flash for about £600–£700 as his starter kit.
He even pretended to be a woman on Gumtree to negotiate lens price and enlisted his sister to collect it.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Adapters Let You Reuse Canon Lenses
You can mount Canon EF macro lenses on Canon R mirrorless bodies using an EF‑to‑EOS‑R adapter.
Expect some lost optimization; prefer native mirrorless lenses long-term.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Upgrade When Your Workflow Changes
Time your upgrade with clinical progression or workflow change like moving to private practice or new job.
Upgrade when repairs become frequent or parts/support for DSLRs dwindle.
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Are mirrorless cameras really the future of dental photography?
If your DSLR is still working perfectly, should you upgrade now or wait for the right time?
Jaz is joined by Dr. Ashish Soneji in this game-changing episode to discuss the death of the DSLR and why the shift to mirrorless cameras is inevitable.
They break down whether you should proactively switch or strategically hold off, plus what this means for your existing lenses.
You’ll also learn the rules of mix and match—can you use your current DSLR lens on a mirrorless body? And most importantly, which mirrorless lenses are worth buying and which ones to avoid (hint: if they don’t have markings, you might be in trouble!).
If you care about consistent, high-quality dental photography, this episode is a must-listen!
Protrusive Dental Pearl: Jaz introduces the 21-Day Photography Challenge for beginners, featuring 21 short videos to help dentists take clear, well-framed photos. In just three weeks, participants will master essential shots, including tricky occlusal views, at their own pace.
Investing in quality equipment pays off in the long run.
Mirrorless cameras offer significant advantages over DSLRs.
Lighting is crucial for capturing quality images.
Standardized images require barrel markings on lenses.
Second-hand DSLRs can be a cost-effective option for beginners.
The evolution of camera technology impacts photography practices.
Choosing the right lens is essential for dental photography.
Flash consistency is vital for accurate representation in images.
Upgrading to mirrorless is a smart move for future-proofing photography. Upgrading your camera setup should align with your clinical progression.
Mirrorless cameras are lighter and offer better image quality.
Consider the size and transportability of your camera kit.
Timing for upgrades can be linked to job changes or equipment failures.
Image quality is influenced by megapixels, especially for presentations and printing.
Using the right tools, like smaller mirrors and retractors, can improve photography outcomes.
Testing second-hand cameras before purchase is crucial to avoid issues.
Mobile photography is improving, but may not match the quality of dedicated cameras.
Investing in good photographic equipment is essential for quality results.
Highlights of this episode:
00:00 Teaser
00:47 Intro
01:41 Protrusive Dental Pearl
03:30 Ashish’s Journey into Photography
09:06 The Shift from DSLR to Mirrorless Cameras
13:33 Choosing the Right Camera Setup
15:32 Upgrading to Mirrorless Cameras
19:22 Camera Recommendations for Beginners
27:23 Investing in Reliable Flash Equipment
32:20 Investing in Reliable Flash Equipment
33:48 When to Upgrade Your Camera Setup
38:08 Getting HQ Images: Mirrorless vs DSLR
42:03 Avoiding Newer Lenses
43:23 Posterior Quadrant Photography
47:50 Tips for Buying Second-Hand Cameras
49:54 Mobile Dental Photography: Are We There Yet?
53:20 Getting Your First Mirrorless Camera
55:40 Course Information
57:53 Outro
💡Catch Dr. Ashish Soneji’s upcoming course The Magic of Dental Photography this November 2025!
📅 Friday 14th November 2025 – Exclusively for BUPA dental care professionals at Bupa Head Office in Staines 📅 Saturday 15th November 2025 – Open to all dental care professionals at the A-dec Showroom in Bracknell
You can head over tohttps://www.magicofdentistry.com/ and add yourself to the waitlist. Further details on how to book will be sent directly to your email.
Course overview:
Understanding an SLR camera it’s features
Understanding a mirrorless camera and its features
Discussing the process of recording an image
Overview of SLR equipment available and custom set-up for dental photographs
Overview of mirrorless equipment available and custom set-up for dental photographs
Understanding how to record a standardised set of clinical photographic views and posterior quadrant photographs
Logistics of effective clinical photography workflow
Aim: To explore the transition from DSLR to mirrorless cameras in dental photography and highlight the advantages, optimal setups, and key considerations for upgrading.
Dentists will be able to:
1. Recognize the benefits of mirrorless cameras, including focus peaking, real-time adjustments, image stabilization, and high ISO performance.
2. Choose appropriate mirrorless cameras, lenses, and flash setups based on their clinical photography needs.
3. Assess whether transitioning from a DSLR to a mirrorless system is the right choice based on their current equipment and practice requirements.
Protrusive Dental Podcast