Fluorescent organisms underwater videography

[Sbiriguda]

Is it possible with "normal" gear, equipment that won't cost a kidney, to shoot videos to bioluminescent underwater organisms? Which sort of gear can be used with a Go Pro if that is possible?
Thanks

 

[Sbiriguda]

By reading this article I discovered that actually it's fluorescent not bioluminescent
Underwater Fluorescence Photography

Anyway I am trying to understand what sort of equipment is necessary. From the same article:

• a steady light source (flashlight) that does a good job of exciting fluorescence so you can find subjects to shoot;
• a light source for your photography, either an electronic flash with an excitation filter or a very strong excitation flashlight (this can be the same light you use for finding subjects);
• a barrier filter to go in front of your camera lens;
• a barrier filter for your dive mask so that you can see the fluorescence well.

 

[Sbiriguda]

An excitation flashlight seems to be quite an expensive gadget...
Dual Fluorescent Protein Flashlight - NIGHTSEA
Still, perhaps it's possible to use a "normal" excitation flashlight and convert it to underwater by putting it in some kind of underwater case from an old underwater torch
Let's say this one for example
https://www.amazon.it/Xcellent-Glob...ultraviolet+flashlight&qid=1605562280&sr=8-11

 

[Sbiriguda]

Then there should be a barrier filter. It seems the good old backscatter has one for the Go Pro
The Role of the Barrier Filter in Fluorescence Viewing and Photography - NIGHTSEA
FLIP FILTERS Fluorescence Underwater Yellow Barrier Filter for GoPro 3, 3+, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

 

[Sbiriguda]

As far as I understand, the main issue is to get a decent blue/ultraviolet light at a decent price

 

[divinh]

There's a brief article in Alert Diver third/fourth quarter 2020. One of the authors welcomes people interested in more info...

Barry Hicks barry.hicks@afacademy.af.edu

 

[tursiops]

Is it possible with "normal" gear, equipment that won't cost a kidney, to shoot videos to bioluminescent underwater organisms? Which sort of gear can be used with a Go Pro if that is possible?
Thanks

I suggest you change the title of your thread to be correct; you'll get more responses.

An excitation flashlight seems to be quite an expensive gadget...
Dual Fluorescent Protein Flashlight - NIGHTSEA
Still, perhaps it's possible to use a "normal" excitation flashlight and convert it to underwater by putting it in some kind of underwater case from an old underwater torch
Let's say this one for example
https://www.amazon.it/Xcellent-Glob...ultraviolet+flashlight&qid=1605562280&sr=8-11

No, don't get a cheap land light and try and put it in a waterproof case; it won't be bright enouigh and it will just be wasted money and frustrating/. But you don't need the top-of-the-line (Light and Motion) light either. Look at TovaTec, for example. Many high-end lights have a UV mode you can use, so it will be multi-purpose.

As far as I understand, the main issue is to get a decent blue/ultraviolet light at a decent price

Get a decent light and accept the price. And if you are reading all that stuff you are quoting, blue is better than UV.

 

[Sbiriguda]

Thank you very much guys!

 

[Sbiriguda]

In the meanwhile I found a discussion of some years ago
night diving with UV lights to see fluorescence / luminescence

 

[Sbiriguda]

From the old discussion:

Done "on the cheap". Using an Inova X5 UV light, dropped into a housing previously used for a UK 2C flashlight.

This should be a relatively easy experiment to make