u/v photography

[Jack Harrison]

Butterflies apparently see in / respond to the ultra-violet. I have read (somewhere on this group I think) that the whites, for example, look quite spectacular when seen in the ultra-violet. White flowers are apparently not white when imaged in the ultra-violet.

Is it possible to take photos in the ultra-violet using a conventional camera? If so, how?

Jack

[m_galathea]

Some info for you here Jack:
http://www.naturfotograf.com/UV_IR_rev00.html#top_page

According to the above website, it is possible to remove the coatings from certain lenses to increase transmission (over the longer UV wavelengths only) and thus avoid buying quartz lenses. It all looks pretty fun to me

[Dave McCormick]

I read that an easier way to take UV photos with your camera is to either:

1) Get a UV bandpass filter

2) Get a blacklight bulb and smash it in such a way that the font end of the bulb is intact, then put it over your lens as a black light uses UV rays. See: http://tonymharris.wordpress.com/2007/1 ... hy-filter/

I have yet to try both, but wanting to try it more now that the subjects came up.

[JKT]

That would lead to extremely long exposures - I think. After all, the method seems to rely on being able to filter out visible light even more efficiently than the lens filters out uv light. Even if succesfull, that leaves very little light for the sensor.

And if you try that and succeed in braking the blacklight bulb in such a way that the internal parts are intact ... don't even DREAM of turning the light on!!!