Sunday, January 13, 2013

How Sensitive To Uv Light Are Digital Cameras

Most point-and-shoot cameras are only sensitive to visible light, not UV light.


Ultraviolet light is an electromagnet radiation measuring between 10 and 400 nanometers -- one billionth of a meter -- that is not visible to the human eye, which can see between 400 and 750 nanometers. Digital cameras, however, are sometimes sensitive to light that isn't visible to the human eye, including UV and infrared light. While point-and-shoot cameras aren't sensitive to UV light, a digital single-lens reflex camera can be if it is a specialty camera, modified to be a specialty camera, or using a UV filter.


Point-and-Shoot


Most point-and-shoot cameras aren't sensitive to UV light. These cameras have basic lenses that only pick up visible light -- the light that you see when taking a photograph or looking at a scene. Since UV light is invisible to the human eye, these cameras aren't sensitive enough to sense it.








DSLR


A DSLR, or digital single-lens reflex camera, is a type of digital camera that uses mirrors and a pentaprism -- a five-sided prism inside the camera that directs light at a 90-degree angle twice -- to send light from the lens to the viewfinder on the camera. Many photographers prefer to use DSLR cameras over point-and-shoot cameras because there are more settings to take high quality photographs. Standard DSLR lenses are slightly more sensitive to UV light than point-and-shoot lenses, but not by much, because these lenses absorb all visible light to create an accurate representation of what you are photographing.








UV Filter


You can use a UV filter over the lens of your DSLR or non-digital SLR camera to make it more sensitive to UV light. The UV filter screws into the lens of your camera. It absorbs all light and allows only UV light to pass through when taking photos. But when taking photos, shoot subjects in dark rooms or areas while wearing dark clothing; the filter picks up all light, so as little light as possible should exist to get the full UV light effect for your photos. UV filters do not exist for point-and-shoot cameras.


Specialty Cameras


Some cameras, like the Fujifilm FinePix IS Pro DSLR and Nikon Coolpix 5000, are sensitive to UV light and designed specifically to take high-quality photographs with UV and infrared light. If you do not want to purchase a specialty camera or prefer using your own, you can modify your camera to be a specialty camera. Remove the internal filter that blocks UV and IR light. Replace it with a clear filter, which will allow all light, including UV, to pass through your camera and make it more sensitive. Note that if you modify your camera, there is a chance you may break it.

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