7 replies to this topic

[Nite]

Hi Everyone

Great to join the UVP community

I'm experimenting with macro photography. I've been playing with several light sources to see the ultraviolet differences:

I started with Convoy s2+ with Nichia LED. This I found ok but I wanted something to compare with.

So, I moved on to Adaptalux UV arms. This had more blue tones which I wasn't sold on.

And now, I've modified the YN560 with Hoya U340 + Schott S8612 stacked filters. So far, I haven't captured anything I'm happy with. Images are dark with minimal fluorescence. Maybe my camera settings are off?!

​Any advice with the modified flash will be gratefully received. Also, I'm using the Fuji XT30.

[nfoto]

hi and welcome to our friendly community ....

A flash equipped with U340 + S8612 filters in combination would transmit only a tiny fraction of its output. Maybe that's your issue?

[Nite]

Certainly the flash output with the two filters stacked is underwhelming. I've now been experimenting with combining the flash with the convoy s2+ which I think is working better. Here's an image from a session today. I love the glow from the centre. Thoughts? Excuse the softness on the edges

Attached Images

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[nfoto]

A nice UVIVF of a Moth Orchid Phalaenopsis sp.

[Bernard Foot]

Welcome, Nite.

Excellent shot of the Orchid.

I've been dabbling with UVIVF. I've used WS560 flashguns (cheap copy of the YN560, same power). But even with 4 of them and ZWB1 filters over them (with an S8612 on the camera - although I'm not sure this is necessary on an unmodified camera) I've had to use multiple flashes to get images. So I'm not surprised you didn't have much luck with a single flash.

Can I check that when you said you modified the flash, did this include removing the plastic lenses from the flash as well as adding the filters?

I'm currently using the "Nemo" UV torch, which you'll find described somewhere on this forum, and that works quite well. (This is the one I got: https://www.ebay.co....872.m2749.l2649 )

[Nite]

Hi Bernard, thanks for your message. That's correct, I removed the plastic lenses from the front of the flash. I then stacked U340 + S8612. No filters on the camera lens. Also tried multiple flash fires but all underwhelming. I'm a little baffled since I've seen a few threads here where people have had success with modified flashes. Not sure what I'm doing wrong

[dabateman]

I haven't used the YN560's, only the Canon 199A. Check your bulb and see if your unlucky and it has a slight yellow tint. It may have been correctly made and block UV like most flashes should.
Very few are bad, but good for us.

[nfoto]

"Light painting" with a strong UV LED-based torch allows better illumination and less harsh image contrast. On the other hand, a flash prevents phototropic movement of the subject (if it's a flower that can be a real nuisance for long or repeated exposures).

I have very powerful studio flashes (with uncoated xenon tube) that output massive UV, perfect for UV work, but for UVIVF I do prefer the torches.