150mm Micro reproduction lens for reflected UV photography

Today about a recent find for UV photography, a high resolution (approx. 150-200 lpm) 150mm micro documentation lens, which I have tested positively for UV use. Of course it shows quite some restrictions, but I'm happy about finding such lens in such longer focal length (150mm), which allows for better working distance in some circumstances. All shots were done it studio. Lens for comparision was my CERCO 94mm quartz fluorite lens. Light source was a Xenon flash. All shots were done at about f8.

[click on image to see a larger one]

Test images using Baader-U filter for reflected UV photography and as a target a Rudbeckia fulgida flower. Adjusted for comparison to even out focal length differences. Individual white balance set per image.

Cerco 94mm (left), Micro Documentation lens (right)

The micro docu lens does quite well and seems to be quite a sharp lens, even when used for UV.

Now about the spectral transmission:

It gets obvious that this micro docu lens only transmits down to about 350nm, but has sufficient transmission around 360nm to make flower UV patterns visible.

So to summarize I would call that a nice find, which adds to the repertoire of suitable UV lenses, especially since it has very high resolution also in UV.


Stay tuned, more will follow on that fascinating subject...

More info on this very interesting field may be found on my site http://www.pbase.com/kds315/uv_photos

City of Manchester "Dig the City" focusing on Honey Bee - UV and simulated bee vision photography

The city of Manchester is having their "Dig the City" urban gardening festival again this year 2014 (2-10 August 2014) supported by the National Trust. The Honey Bee is the sign of the city and it may bee seen all over the city of Manchester. Actually the festival is going on right now as I type this!

This years focus lies on the rapidly decreasing honey bee populations in the UK and worldwide and what each person can do to help. I have contributed some of my work to that, still photography in VIS and UV, as well as in simulated bee vision, which may be seen in use on the following twitter picture which has just been published:

At the Festival Hub @mcrfoe & @NTUrbanGardener are discussing how to encourage a bee friendly environment #beesneeds pic.twitter.com/W6EZbdDJk7
— digthecitymcr (@digthecitymcr) 5. August 2014

That flower shown is Zinnia angustifolia, which I have written about it before HERE.
 

So if you are close, consider a visit, it's quite worth it!

Stay tuned, more will follow on that fascinating subject...

More info on this very interesting field may be found on my site http://www.pbase.com/kds315/uv_photos

BBC Hive Alive - series about the life of honey bees including UV photography

BBC2 has receently produced a new two episode series "Hive Alive". This two-part documentary in is presented by Chris Packham and Martha Kearney, assisted by Prof. Adam Hart reveals the mysteries of the honeybee.

As it has already been aired in the UK only, here the link to it on youtube, which starts with the most interesting part here, as it is about the bees ability to see in ultraviolet (UV) light and the UV nectar guides some flowers have developed during evolution.

I have contributed some of my work to that, still photography in VIS and UV, my loyal readers will notice them, as I have shown them before HERE. Prof. Lars Chittka, whom I work with, presents his scientific findings and my works are seen there combined with his and his videos form 28'10" onwards. Here is the link in case the embedded video does not work. Ideally watch it directly there fullscreen, as it is HDTV.


There is a 2nd episode, but it hsn't been uploaded yet.

Stay tuned, more will follow on that fascinating subject...

More info on this very interesting field may be found on my site http://www.pbase.com/kds315/uv_photos