Affordable UV lens for everyone

[Wolfgang Steiner]

Hi,

because not many people are enlightened in the mystic depths of ultraviolet photography I posted a short review on my homepage. Its about how to built and use a good affordable lens for ultraviolet.

http://www.wolfgangsteiner.com/blog-...blogid-17.html

The text is only in German right now.
(sorry for that, but as there are no comments on my page until now and I never know if you guys read it or not I dont see the exigence for a translation any more. That may sound childish, but every translation costs my many hours and I like to go out and take pics instead of translating my own articles for nothing.)

You will find a comparsion between the common EL-Nikkor 63mm f/3.5 and the nearly unknown old EL-Nikkor 50mm f/2.8.

And there is also a purchasing list for all of you who want to try there first UV pics by themself in the near future with there DSLR. I also underlayed the hyperlinks at my list with proceeding Ebay auctions for better understanding and easyer shopping for you guys.

Hope you like it.

Kind regards

Wolfgang

[ngebor]

Wow... thank for sharing... I don't understand Germany, so tried using google translation, I can grap the idea, even not 100%... It's realy usefull specially the link you provide to find the accessories.

So I have some question:
1. Do you think the EL-Nikkor 50mm f/2.8 also good for normal (visible) macro shot?
2. Do you have any information whether Nikon D50 can pass UV spectrums?
3. What is the purpose of "B+W Schott BG-38 (2mm stark) in 52mm Durchmesser",
4. Beside "Baader U-Filter 1 1/4", any other filter recommendation?

Forgive me to ask so many questions, since I'm zero on UV Photography... if you have any recommended URL for beginner UV reading (in english please), also appreciated...

Thanks!

[Wolfgang Steiner]

Hi ngebor,

1.) Have to try, can tell you later.
2.) Sorry, I don´t know, but for sure you have to remove the internal UV/IR Filterpack.
3.) The BG-38 cuts the Infrared light.
4.) Yes, the Hoya U-360 which is also quite difficult to get.

But as I told here on this board already I can help to get those filters for you guys.
Lets wait little bit and if there is a bigger intrest on it I will order 5 or more piece for you guys.

By the way... next year from june to july my assignments will bring me to many countrys starting with Nepal. The end should be South Africa, so maybe I can come over to see my friend Chips in Singapore again.

Teerex, hope to meet you this time

Wolfgang

[ngebor]

Hi,

Really thanks for the explanation. I found from this http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00HFDI,
they reported D50 is usable for UV and as sensitive as D70... but not known whether they also removed the CCD Hot Mirror.

Wow.. it willl be great if you can help to get the filter for us...

[Wolfgang Steiner]

I think we should ask all the other IR and UV interested photographers from Club Snap and if there are more then 5 we can talk about.

Maybe Regit knows more, you should get in contact with him.

[ngebor]

Hi Wolfgang and Regit (hopefully you read this thread),

I just found from B&H, they have the following filters:

1. To pass UV and block visible (320-385 nm) B+W 40.5 mm UV (403) Black Glass Filter

2. To block IR (>780 nm) B+W 40.5 mm 489 Infrared Glass Filter

Both are using Schott Glass.. Do you think they will do the job? Any experience/information on this filters? Thanks!

[Wolfgang Steiner]

@ngebor,

both filters are NOT suitable for work under ultraviolet light.

But I can't say to much about this thing, because right now I am in contact with the company management from B+W Filters. But maybe its only a problem from with a bad batch?

Hope that I can tell little bit more about it in a view days or weeks. Please be patient.

Regards

Wolfgang

[regit]

Not sure why Wolfgang say that the filters are not suitable, but personally, I`ve used the 403 and it definitely can be used.

UV in digital is always rather tricky due to IR contemination (and leaks from visible spectrum which is almost the case for any bandpass filter). A good IR-Cut filter is essential and I've found the Hoya BG-40 to be excellent. When combining it with 403, very usable results can by achieved.

I posted this more than a year ago, maybe it may interest you if you're interested...
http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=127410

If you search the begining of my posting history, you'll see a number of UV-related thread posted during that time.

Originally Posted by ngebor Hi Wolfgang and Regit (hopefully you read this thread), I just found from B&H, they have the following filters: 1. To pass UV and block visible (320-385 nm) B+W 40.5 mm UV (403) Black Glass Filter 2. To block IR (>780 nm) B+W 40.5 mm 489 Infrared Glass Filter Both are using Schott Glass.. Do you think they will do the job? Any experience/information on this filters? Thanks!

[ngebor]

Wow... Wolfgang and Regit, thanks for the information...
I didn't realize that actualy a lot of thread on UV from Regit in this forum...
Hmm... i need to digest those first before go any further...
Thanks again!

[Wolfgang Steiner]

@Regit,

you might be lucky, but my brand new B+W # 403 in 52 and also in 77mm are absolutly impermeable in UV!

That was the reason why I get in contact with B+W Filter GmbH. All what you record is pure IR contamination, not UV light. Try to use 2 BG-40 behind each other and check it out again Regit.

The engineer from B+W told me today that there is the possibility that a batch from this filters got the wrong glasses......??? Will inform you after knowing what actually happend. The only funny thing is that I own 2 differnet sizes from this 403 and both are the same.

Also 1 hour exposure time won´t help with Iso 1600 and open aperture! It dark same inside a tunnel without light ;-)

Wolfgang

[Wolfgang Steiner]

Hi,

because many people asked me about a complete set of lens and filter for working in UV I decided to assemble a beginner set. Its now on ebay for sale. So,.. if you are interested:

http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...m=150052195674

Please do not hesitate to ask me if you have any questions.

Best regards

Wolfgang