Reddit mentions of Sigma EM-140 DG Macro Ring Flash for Nikon SLR Cameras

Dental photos, huh?

Well, that implies a macro-ish range (although maybe not true 1:1), while taking photos of people. Since we're talking macro here, I'd suggest a crop camera, which will get you better reproduction ratios or deeper DOF given the same framing.

I'd also suggest getting something like a ring flash.

I'd go with this setup:

• Nikon D7100. $1200.
  
• Nikon 105mm f/2.8 VR micro - a great macro lens with good working distances. $880.
  
• Closeup lighting, like this or this. $350-720.
  
  You're well under $3k there. Might even want to get the D7100 with the kit lens (18-105), so you can do more general photography while you're not working.
  
  Remember: lighting is very, very important. You'll get shit photos if you just blow the full $3k on a D800 and bottom-end macro lens with no lights. Mouths tend to be dark. Indoor areas are dark. Buy a good ring flash, and don't skimp out on a terrible macro lens. You need something at least 90mm or longer so you're not hitting people's teeth.

This should go into the weekly questions thread.

But anyway, is she using a macro lens? Buying a different camera will not have much of an effect, the D80 is quite good.

I recommend she pick up a cheap ring flash like this and she should definitely be using a macro lens.

The camera should work just fine on auto if you have a flash and adequite lighting.

If it's in the budget, this flash would be even better, and would be more likely to work with less fuss/fiddling.

Exactly what is she finding "frustrating" about the D80?

If she isn't using a macro lens like this one, she probably won't be able to focus closer than 50cm (or 1.5 feet) from the subject.

Lenses have a minimum focus distance. Macro lenses are designed to have short minimum focus distances. (Sorry to insult your intelligence if you already knew this.. you didn't give me much info in your post)

For macro this flash is all you will need "below", "there a cheaper alternatives out there, Amazon will give you a list, make sure they work with the camera you have before purchasing", it's on my macro lenses all the time, it does not mean though that I fire it off all the time "I set up one of the camera buttons that when pressed to dissable the flash from firing" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNUH5dCaLMU&list=PLDWvA0qQrZ290b_1j0f_t9Jfnu34TRJKx&t=0s&index=118 , if natural light is right there is no need, but if you want a nice sharp shot the more light the better "but don't overdue it". In the camera flash compensation settings your camera is set by default at 1/250s of a second, which means that you shutter speed will not exceed 1/250s of a second, I don't use this option, since I shoot in manual mode and like to control my shutter, f-stop, and EV settings myself, what you do is go into the Bracketing/flash exposure settings in your camera customs setting menu and change the Flash sync speed setting from 1/250s of a second to 1/250s (Auto FP), this will give you more creativity and help freeze the subject, which is crucial with insects that constantly move "the black wasp was shot at 1/500s shutter speed with no flash used", if you are new to using a flash just stick to 1/250s, then just experiment with the Auto PF mode until you figure out the right settings for the shooting conditions.

Sigma Ring Flash.

https://www.amazon.com/Sigma-EM-140-Macro-Flash-Cameras/dp/B00064XR64?crid=PZ3KQIEG7QCA&keywords=sigma+ring+flash&qid=1540808499&sprefix=sigma+ring%2Caps%2C127&sr=8-5-fkmrnull&ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_5

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You can also use a regular flash with a small soft box "flash diffuser" attached.

https://www.amazon.com/Altura-Photo-Universal-Collapsible-Speedlight/dp/B01ERRQ802?crid=3SV90PE13KBH8&keywords=softbox+for+speedlight&qid=1540810590&sprefix=soft+box+%2Caps%2C135&sr=8-5&ref=sr_1_5