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UltravioletPhotography

The modified Nikon Z6


nfoto

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My third Z camera, a Z6 modified to be "full spectrum", is on its way. It safely crossed the Atlantic in a minimum of time. However, for now it is stuck in Norwegian Customs and the upcoming Easter means there likely will be two weeks yet before they release it from their firm grip. After slapping a healthy amount of VAT on the shipment, of course.

 

Meanwhile, being grounded myself by an unfortunate car accident, I experimented with my current Z cameras to learn how effective they protect against any UV entering their sensors. Mounting the UV-Nikkor 105mmf/4.5 with the Baader U filter on either Z6 or Z7 does allow visual focusing even through that dense filter. Well, provided there is full daylight and finder illumination is increased from the zero setting. Still just enough to do manual focusing with the unmodified stock camera in UV.

 

I did some hand-held UV captures with the Z7 for fun, besides to learn how effective UV is suppressed by the stock sensor. Apparently UV is kept down at least 8 EV even when using the specialist UV-Nikkor lens, implying unwanted UV is very unlikely to be an issue for ordinary shooting.

 

Here is an example shot at f/4.5, ISO 25600 and 1/6 sec using the UV-Nikkor on my hand-held Z7. Not very exciting except for proving UV can be pushed through almost any optical system yet there is no guarantee of any final image quality.

 

T201904100612_UVNikkor_BaaderU_Z7.jpg

 

Oh well. Back to waiting for the Customs to release my UV/IR Z6.

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We got a delivery notice today, so the Z6 is now in hand, yes?

 

The forced UV photo above has a certain abstract - and colourful - interest. :D

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Birna, I tried your approach with my -unmodified- Z6 (and UV Nikkor + Baader U) and I got some strange effect. First it looked like I had to use a shade in front of the lens/filter. I did that, but the strange flare stayed. Then I covered the FTZ-adapter with a hand an the flare disappeared. The effect depends on the angle to the sun (bright sun).

 

Here are two pictures out of cam jpgs (WB in camera), one bare FTZ, second shaded FTZ

post-21-0-46742800-1555242245.jpg

post-21-0-39071100-1555242256.jpg

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Light leak around the adapter.

 

That adapter should fit perfectly. If not, then request a replacement under warranty, OK?

 

I’m sure everyone knows how to do light leak tests.

But we often forget about the need to test adapters for that.

 

I’ve also gotten light leaks around an upper LCD in my D610.

They can happen anywhere, sorry to say.

 

.

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NO, adapter is ok. Lens fits tightly.

I tested it with a second one and also with other lenses. It seems to be a little design issue, not of relevance under normal conditions. The leak is where those metal surfaces of the adapter and the lens hit each other. When the light (sun) hits that gap directly (perpendicular), there is a chance the light can travel into the camera. If the lens is "on its own weight", you get a little momentum on the contact area, which opens the gap ever so slightly. The effect (=gap) is even more prone (stronger flare), when you touch the lens a bit on the top side (more momentum).

On other cameras, I think this gap is more covered by some plastic, so is more "within" the camera and closer to the body. With the adapter, this gap is more exposed. It should not be an issue with a modified body and e.g. using a flash, I assume.

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