Dust Elimination

I've been conducting tests to try to reduce the amount of airborne dust particles captured on video tape...I think I've found the solution.

Most folks use the Night-Shot when filming in the dark...(duh ken), but the reflection of the IR beam on the airborne particles looks like a blizzard, or a bad day in the desert. This is causing a lot of confusion, because people are thinking they're getting something, i.e., anything from "mass movement" to "ecto", when in reality, it's merely the IR beam coupled with any external light source, that's lighting up the dust like Christmas lights.

See, when you use the Night-Shot by it's self, that's bad enough, but when another source is added, you amplify the reflections tenfold...

Well, here's what I've found...

Using the Night-Shot by itself has it's limits in filming range of distance in near total to total darkness, so in order to get optimum area of coverage, you need more light, wherein lies the dilemma...what to do about it?

Here's the answer...use a RED light.

I found a neat little flashlight at Lowe's. It's one of the "headlights", made by Rayovac.

It has three different lights built into it...a soft white LED...a bright red LED...and a bright white Krypton spot beam.

I've been using it as my external light source for the video camera for some time now, and when using the RED light with the Night-Shot, I have significantly eliminated all of the dust storms. There might be one or two little "floaters", but you can tell what they are by the way they move.

It's really cool, because the red light boosts the IR beam for the Night-Shot, giving you a greater range of distance, but for some odd reason, negates the reflection on the airborne dust particles...Perhaps because it's a softer light, and not as harsh and intrusive as a white light...I don't know, but I'm not going to argue with myself about it, I just know it worked like a charm. In reviewing several tapes from past hunts, I've noticed the big difference.

I've tried other little red flashlights, and red filters for flashlights, but they seemed too dark, and the picture was very difficult to see. This Rayovac "headlight" seems to be a perfect combination...just the right amount of red light.

There's no alteration to your video camera to accommodate it, simply adjust the elastic strap to wrap it securely to the camera.

There is one thing though, that you need to change...The red light on the film is pretty intense, and shows up looking like the Target Store Logo...so to take care of that, diffuse it with a small piece of Scotch Magic Tape. This will also make the soft white LED light a little better for general use when walking around in the dark.

Give it a try for yourself...I'm certain you'll be pleased with the result...

Added Bonus:

I found a Wide-Angle Lens attachment at Circuit City for my video camera also.

It gives me a greater view, plus it has a built in UV filter...so that may also be a big help...

The Wide-Angle lens sticks out away from the camera, and farther away from the cameras IR source, this will put the recorded image out of the immediate IR beam, thus reducing the dust a little bit also...

It's important to know, that if you choose to try this lens attachment, that you know your camera's lens diameter. Mine is a Sony, so the lens is 37mm.

Good Luck!!

Let me know how you make out...
 

 ~~~ copyright 2003 Dr. Ken

None of this material may be used without
the written consent of Dr. Ken