Ultraviolet vision

[sauroman]

I'm interested in ultraviolet photography so I have these questions:

1) Does Sony DCR110e lens already have coatings that block ultraviolet light?

2) Is CCD replaceable? Maybe I can find ccd that is UV sensitive or modify other to be sensitive.

Message was edited by: sauroman

Message was edited by: sauroman

[Mick2011]

Hi sauroman

Yes, there will be UV coatings on the lens.

It sounds as if you'd need quite radical modification, which quite honestly I'd approach a quality camera shop about. They usually have access to expert repariers who could advice you as the the likely cost, and practicality, of the work you require.

Cheers

Mick

[sauroman]

Thanks, I hope in future they can make such camera's which actually have a lot pluses.

[Mick2011]

Ironically, it's the older digital cameras (that didn't tend to have filtered sensors) that are best suited to UV photography. You could probably get the filter removed on a modern one quite cheaply.

The biggest problem you will have is the lens. The only one I've ever seen was the Nikkor UV 105mm and I seem to recall it being very expensive. You might be able to find a second-hand one, but you would need a suitable DSLR to use it.

The chances of a future manufacturer producing a compact camera with the 'exotic' glass this work requires are pretty slim, I'm afraid.

Hope that's of some help

Mick

[sauroman]

Bayer sensors block ultraviolet light. But what about Foveon X3 and 3CCD sensors?

[Mick2011]

sauroman wrote:
Bayer sensors block ultraviolet light.

I don't think they do; or at least the Nikon D70 – the only digital camera I've heard of being used for UV photography – certainly has a Bayer filter. I seem to recall there being a lot of IR-shooters (and B&W aficonados in general) wishing they could 'peel off' the Bayer layer on teh D70 to solve its IR-sensitivity problem. But I'm certain D70 sensors will record UV without modification. The Nikon D1 (?) and Fuji S1 of that era used similar chips, IIRC, and may also be worth looking at.

The Fovecon was in the old Sigmas and may also work, I really don't know. 3CCD gear may gather light differently, but overall I think the CMOS sensor is the problem with modern cameras; being inherently less UV-sensitive, a CCD sensor in any form would be a good place to start.

Certainly worth trying anything that will take a UV-transmissible lens like the Nikkor I mentioned. Nothing will work well unless you get that right. As such I'd be primarily looking to get hold of one, along with an old D70 or S1.

Cheers

Mick

[sauroman]

Nikon d70 uses normal ccd with bayer mask, which has to block ultraviolet. But bayer filter ignores infrared light and actually cameras are very sensitive to it. It is infrared mirror that blocks most IR.

Standart lens are from borosilicate glass which allows UV up to 300nm if they don't have blocking coatings. So it's not big problem. However fused silica lens allow ultraviolet up to 200nm and that is maximum ccd sensitivity.

Message was edited by: sauroman

Message was edited by: sauroman