Lesser Celandine - Ranunculus ficaria in reflected ultraviolet photography and simulated bee butterfly vision

Today about an early spring flower, the famous Lesser Celandine (Ranunculus ficaria) in reflected ultraviolet photography using my "work horse" UV filter, the Baader-U filter as well as my XBV filters for simulating butterfly and bee vision. Lens was a CERCO 94mm quartz fluorite lens. Light source was sunlight. All shots were done at about f5.6.

[click on image to see a larger one]

Visible light image:
 

UV image using Baader-U filter (approx. 320-395nm, effective peak approx. 375nm):
 

Simulated butterfly vision (UV - VIS) using XBV3 filter:
 

Simulated bee vision (UV - VIS) using XBV6 filter:
 

Quadtriptych of the above:
 


This Lesser Celdanine has quite a prominent UV pattern, its center is UV dark and this gets quite nicely visible.


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

Zeiss UV-Planar 60mm lens vs 60mm enlarger lens for reflected UV photography

Today about comparing a special UV lens with a conventional, but UV capable enlarger lens. I have done a similar comparison previously here and here. I'm using a beautiful yellow/red Phalaenopsis flower, for that as well as my "work horse" UV filter, the Baader-U filter. Lenses used are a Zeiss UV-Planar 4/60mm as well as a capable for UV 4.5/60mm enlarger lens that will be revealed here later. Light source was an UV enhanced Xenon flash. All shots done at f8.

[click on image to see a larger one]

Visible light image for comparison:
 

1) UV Planar f4/60mm: "standard" UV image using Baader-U filter:
 

2) Enlarger lens: "standard" UV image using Baader-U filter:
 

It gets pretty obvious that this enlarger lens reaches close to the UV-Planar lens, yet it is quite a bit away in terms of sharpness + contrast. But it is a capable lens it seems. Quite a useful lens!


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

X135 UV calibrated f2.8/135mm lens: golden reflected UV ultraviolet photography III

Today I wanted to make the difference visible of those "golden shots" of an autumnal Hydrangea I was presenting the other day. I was using this lens of mine that I have calibrated and used for reflected UV photography a while ago. It has a 5e/5g design and I have posted about it here and here.

I used my special "golden" processing for these autumnal Hydrangea shots that I have used a few days ago. That method I have also used earlier HERE and HERE.

So what you will see is the normal, visible image, the pure reflected UV image and the specially done "golden" shot.

[click on image to see a larger one]

Visual image:


UV shot:


"Golden" image without BG illumination:
 

This was some  more "artsy" playing with light then my usual documentary work, but it shoudl still be interesting.

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

X135 UV calibrated f2.8/135mm lens: golden reflected UV ultraviolet photography II

Today more "golden shots" of an autumnal Hydrangea using this lens of mine that I have calibrated and used for reflected UV photography a while ago. It has a 5e/5g design and I have posted about it here and here.

I again used my special "golden" processing for these autumnal Hydrangea shots that I have used a few days ago. That method I have also used earlier HERE and HERE.

[click on image to see a larger one]







This was some  more "artsy" playing with light then my usual documentary work, but it fits the season very well I thought.

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