UV photos

H

horse.collier

Suspended / Banned
Messages
95
Name
Andy
Edit My Images
No
Have just started my own pest control business. We use UV gel and dust to track rodent movement, harbourage, size of infestation etc. Also use UV bait to help follow urine and faeces trails.

I want to take photos of these for customer information and publicity.

Been looking into how to do this and the best way I have found is to modify a camera, ( going to use a Nikon D70), to accomplish this.

My question is do I have a full spectrum conversation, (to cover both UV and IR ), or go for a particular part of the UV spectrum?
 
horse.collier said:
Have just started my own pest control business. We use UV gel and dust to track rodent movement, harbourage, size of infestation etc. Also use UV bait to help follow urine and faeces trails.

I want to take photos of these for customer information and publicity.

Been looking into how to do this and the best way I have found is to modify a camera, ( going to use a Nikon D70), to accomplish this.

My question is do I have a full spectrum conversation, (to cover both UV and IR ), or go for a particular part of the UV spectrum?
Click to expand...
I dont know if something like this would work?

LemonBest Bright 395 nm 51 UV LED Flashlight Black Light 3AA Battery Camping Ultra Violet Outdoor Light Torch Lamp : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

Shop LemonBest Bright 395 nm 51 UV LED Flashlight Black Light 3AA Battery Camping Ultra Violet Outdoor Light Torch Lamp. Free delivery on eligible orders of £20 or more.
www.amazon.co.uk
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nod
horse.collier said:
Have just started my own pest control business. We use UV gel and dust to track rodent movement, harbourage, size of infestation etc. Also use UV bait to help follow urine and faeces trails.

I want to take photos of these for customer information and publicity.

Been looking into how to do this and the best way I have found is to modify a camera, ( going to use a Nikon D70), to accomplish this.

My question is do I have a full spectrum conversation, (to cover both UV and IR ), or go for a particular part of the UV spectrum?
Click to expand...
Don't these things fluoresce in the visible range when illuminated with UV? - i.e., wouldn't a normal camera be fine?
 
Last edited:
I work in industrial vision, and sometimes use UV light sources for illumination. To modify a standard camera, you are probably best going for a full spectrum conversion as it gives the most flexibility, then use filters as appropriate, Alternatively you could get a camera modified to work in the 350nm-400nm band, you really don't want to be playing with shorter wavelengths. We normally use monochrome cameras for these kind of applications (unless we were looking at different fluorescents under different wavelengths). There are a few things to be aware of.

1) Generally Camera Sensors get less sensitive the shorter the wavelength, so in the UV the image may appear very dim, ie you need to increase exposure time to compensate (or more powerful light sources)
2) UV light sources are potentially very dangerous, typically we use light sources in the range of 350nm to 390nm (only just into the UV), but would always wear appropriate safety glasses during setup/configuration, and the systems are always appropriately shielded from the machine operators eyes (with appropriate labelling) during use. You cannot ever be too careful! Below 350nm and you are really starting to get into the harmful wavelengths.
 
Cobra said:
Not something I have ever done I rely on 30 years of experience, rather than tricks :)
Click to expand...


Just wondered since it's your line of business. :)
 
Mr Perceptive said:
I work in industrial vision, and sometimes use UV light sources for illumination. To modify a standard camera, you are probably best going for a full spectrum conversion as it gives the most flexibility, then use filters as appropriate, Alternatively you could get a camera modified to work in the 350nm-400nm band, you really don't want to be playing with shorter wavelengths. We normally use monochrome cameras for these kind of applications (unless we were looking at different fluorescents under different wavelengths). There are a few things to be aware of.

1) Generally Camera Sensors get less sensitive the shorter the wavelength, so in the UV the image may appear very dim, ie you need to increase exposure time to compensate (or more powerful light sources)
2) UV light sources are potentially very dangerous, typically we use light sources in the range of 350nm to 390nm (only just into the UV), but would always wear appropriate safety glasses during setup/configuration, and the systems are always appropriately shielded from the machine operators eyes (with appropriate labelling) during use. You cannot ever be too careful! Below 350nm and you are really starting to get into the harmful wavelengths.
Click to expand...

Thank you for that. Was looking at 365nm as this seems to be the optimum wave length according to a couple of internet sites. The torch I use for tracking operates at 395 mm, which is just adequate for tracking, paw prints etc, but still quite purple/violet/yellow.
Would you recommend safety glasses for this kind of use and if so what kind please?
 
horse.collier said:
Thank you for that. Was looking at 365nm as this seems to be the optimum wave length according to a couple of internet sites. The torch I use for tracking operates at 395 mm, which is just adequate for tracking, paw prints etc, but still quite purple/violet/yellow.
Would you recommend safety glasses for this kind of use and if so what kind please?
Click to expand...

I have used something like these in the past https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/safety-glasses/1302335/
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top