Expert advice on UV photography needed!

[nikonriana]

Hi guys, I've been reading about forensics uv photography and there are a few things I didn't quite understand. Would appreciate if I could get some expert advice here as I have never hands on an uv camera.

1) If I am using a normal lens, full spectrum dslr, and 280nm uv light, will I be able to take a hidden hand print using the camera? Or do I need a uv lens to capture the hand print?

2)If I uses a uv light of 280nm to shine on a handprint, will it be visible to naked eye? If it is visible to naked eye, does it mean I can take with any camera and lens? If it is not visible to naked eye, will I be able to detect using a full spectrum camera with a uv lens? Or it can be detected with a normal lens and converted camera?

3) can I say that if I have a full spectrum camera together with a uv lens with appropriate uv light is able to detect hidden wounds and hand print for bandwidth below 400nm or I can produce a same result with a converted camera with a normal lens and uv light?

4) Is it possible that something might be present in a scene, that is not visible to naked eye even after shining with a uv light, yet is able to be detected by uv cameras?

 

[joNWKng]

Hi, nikonriana,

I'm not an expert, but have an interest in UV photography and flowers. Regarding what you've asked, the answers can be found in the link below.

Reflected UltraViolet Imaging for Forensic Applications
Article from Oculus Photonics, written by Dr Austin Richards

If you want expert advice regarding UV photography in general, Dr Klaus Schmitt (who posts regularly in Clubsnap) has an excellent blog with resources about "UV friendly" lenses and UV transmitting filters
Photography of the Invisible World

 

[kds315]

Hi guys, I've been reading about forensics uv photography and there are a few things I didn't quite understand. Would appreciate if I could get some expert advice here as I have never hands on an uv camera.

1) If I am using a normal lens, full spectrum dslr, and 280nm uv light, will I be able to take a hidden hand print using the camera? Or do I need a uv lens to capture the hand print?

2)If I uses a uv light of 280nm to shine on a handprint, will it be visible to naked eye? If it is visible to naked eye, does it mean I can take with any camera and lens? If it is not visible to naked eye, will I be able to detect using a full spectrum camera with a uv lens? Or it can be detected with a normal lens and converted camera?

3) can I say that if I have a full spectrum camera together with a uv lens with appropriate uv light is able to detect hidden wounds and hand print for bandwidth below 400nm or I can produce a same result with a converted camera with a normal lens and uv light?

4) Is it possible that something might be present in a scene, that is not visible to naked eye even after shining with a uv light, yet is able to be detected by uv cameras?

ad 1) no, at 280nm, you won't be able to record anything, as I don't know of ANY camera that would allow to go beyond 300nm

ad 2) no, only if the print has been dusted with some agent that is fluorescent and emits visible light when UV light shines on it.

ad 3) you need a special converted camera + lenses + filters + lights for that

ad 4) no, ghosts usually hide very well ;-)

You wanted special expert advice, so I'm sending you my invoice then... :biggrin: