A new UV transmitting filter: LUV U-2

[kds315]

Quick test of a new, quite capable UV transmitting filter that has recently been introduced to the market, currently sold only via ebay by seller/company "uviroptics" and named "LUV U-2 52mm Camera Filter, 359WB53, 315-395nm".

First I'm using a very deep into UV reflecting Zinnia flower for that test as well as my "work horse" UV filter, the Baader-U filter for comparison. Lens was my CERCO 94mm quartz flourite lens. Light source was an UV enhanced Xenon flash. All shots were done at f8.

UV detail image using Baader-U filter (approx. 320-395nm, peak approx. 350nm):

UV detail image using LUV U-2 filter (approx. 315-395nm, peak approx. 359nm):

Second, outdoor tests using a Gazania rigens flower and sunlight, same lens.

UV detail image using Baader-U filter (approx. 320-395nm, peak approx. 350nm):

UV detail image using LUV U-2 filter (approx. 315-395nm, peak approx. 359nm):

UV images using on the left Baader-U filter and on the right LUV U-2 filter:

All shots have individual white balance set. Compared to using the Baader-U filter, the LUV U-2 needs enhanced red and green and somewhat pushed back blue channels to achieve about identical resulting images when using a quartz fluorite lens; a UV transmitting "normal" lens will need different WB settings in both cases.

Summarizing my findings: The LUV U-2 filter in theory is a bit slower than the Baader-U filter, but only 1/3 EV, which perfectly coincides with its 65% peak, compared to Baader's 80%, that's neglectable at work. In use it is as sharp as the Baader-U filter, considering it is (mechanically very well) built from in total thicker ionic colored absorbing SCHOTT UG11 and S8612 glass filters. I cannot detect any IR leakage at all, as it seems to be having OD4 out of band suppression, which is very good, even better than the Baader filter. Factoring in its attractive price, a very welcomed new filter for reflected UV photography.

 

[allenleonhart]

but so hard to find a UV lens nowadays...

 

[kds315]

There are quite a few lenses that work well for UV, not that hard to find! Guess you haven't read my BLOG... ;-) See here...
Photography of the Invisible World: [UV] Lenses tested good for UV

 

[vvfft]

The UV filter can add good protection to your precious lens from dust and scratches.
Now there's new that will keep the image sharpness.

 

[joNWKng]

Greetings, Dr Schmitt. It is a pleasant surprise to see your post here on Clubsnap. Beautiful photos of the Amethyst Sea Holly in last week's post.

Finding a Nikon D70 and UV transmitting filters are not difficult, but I must agree with allenleonhart that UV lenses are the biggest hurdle and why there aren't more hobbyist level UV photographers.

Anyway, vvfft, the UV transmitting filters being discussed here are not the UV blocking filters you are referring to. :bsmilie: The Baader-U filter costs about 255 Euros the last time I checked. And must be handled with great care.

 

[kds315]

Greetings, Dr Schmitt. It is a pleasant surprise to see your post here on Clubsnap. Beautiful photos of the Amethyst Sea Holly in last week's post.

Finding a Nikon D70 and UV transmitting filters are not difficult, but I must agree with allenleonhart that UV lenses are the biggest hurdle and why there aren't more hobbyist level UV photographers.

Anyway, vvfft, the UV transmitting filters being discussed here are not the UV blocking filters you are referring to. :bsmilie: The Baader-U filter costs about 255 Euros the last time I checked. And must be handled with great care.

Well, I'm still using for my work my very first Baader-U I ever bought, it has some dust and specs on it, still my "workhorse". But yes, I don't throw it around and toss it into my camera bag - I care for all my stuff :LOL:

Regarding UV lenses, me and some other people have found some quite useful ones, so not really difficult to find one. The well know performer, the EL-Nikkor 5.6/80mm (and its 105mm, brother) can still be bought for quite little, reach quite deep, are very sharp and have virtually no focus shift. For that rare 34.5mm filter thread are meanwhile adapter available on ebay. More is here on my BLOG: http://photographyoftheinvisibleworld.blogspot.com/2011/01/uv-lenses-tested-good-for-uv.html