Friday, October 23, 2020

Reflected UV photography + videography using a MCP Amplified Camera System II

Today about an experiment I have done, using a light amplification device in front of a normal visible light camera for recording reflected UV footage. This device uses a MCP (multi channel plate) with UV sensitive photocathode (approx. 190nm - 650nm), amplifies light by approx. 20-50.000 and shows the resulting image on a green phosphor screen. 

Using a suitable optical system, I relayed this image to my normal, visible light camera. UV filter used was a fully IR blocked (OD6) UV transmission filter (peak at 250nm). Taget was a tea candle.

 Using a f3.5/50mm quartz fluorite lens:

 

This system shows quite some usefulness, especially under low light conditions, or when it is about recording deeper in UV where a normal full spectrum camera is not sensitive anymore.

I have written about this system doing still UV photography HERE.

I have done similar with a different amplified camera system before which did not allow to have an external camera attached, with just a TV output HERE

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