Is the modification for ultraviolet photography reversible?

Yes, the process is completely reversible. At DST Photography, we keep your camera's original filter so you can return it to its factory settings if needed.

What lenses are recommended for UV photography?

Lenses with few optical elements and without modern UV-blocking coatings, or specific quartz and fluorite lenses, are recommended.

Does autofocus get lost after conversion?

No. We calibrate the backfocus so that the focusing system remains accurate, although using Live View is recommended due to the specific refraction of UV light.

Precision Optical Laboratory

Camera Conversion for Ultraviolet Photography

Explore the invisible. We modify commercial photographic sensors to realise ultraviolet photography in the near spectrum (300nm - 400nm). An indispensable scientific and visual tool for dermatology, botany, forensic science and art.

Request a quote See technical applications

Conversion of your equipment or sale of new cameras
Precise optical calibration for focusing in the UV spectrum
The only specialised professional laboratory in Spain
Process 100% reversible and with warranty

Modified camera for laboratory UV photography

We modify and supply high-resolution equipment

Sony Nikon Canon Lumix

Our Solutions

Ultraviolet photography equipment adapted to your speciality

We offer precision optical tools for investigators, experts, health professionals and experimental photographers.

Modification of your Equipment

Send us your full-frame or APS-C camera. We remove the internal UV/IR blocking filter and prepare the sensor for clear recording of shortwave ultraviolet photography.

New Equipment Sales

We supply cameras Mirrorless new high-resolution images, modified in our laboratory and ready to work in your clinical or research environment.

Optical Technical Consultancy

The success of UV photography depends on the accessories. We advise you on suitable UV flashes, bandpass filters (Baader U) and suitable optics.

Revealing the Invisible

The power of surface analysis with UV light

Unlike infrared, ultraviolet light barely penetrates materials. It bounces off and is absorbed in the most superficial layers, revealing external details imperceptible to the human eye.

Camera manufacturers install internal filters to block the UV spectrum and prevent colour casts. In our lab we perform microsurgery to remove this blockage, allowing your camera to document everything from latent sun damage on the epidermis to varnish alterations on a classic painting through ultraviolet photography.

300-400nm Spectral Range UV-A

100% Non Destructive Analysis

Subject or object in visible light (Before)

Result captured by ultraviolet photography (After)

National Leadership

The only professional specialists in Spain

We are pioneers and the only optical laboratory in Spain. offering professional conversion services for ultraviolet (UV-A) photography.

Working at the edge of the visible spectrum requires zero tolerance for errors. By relying on us, you avoid international shipping and you are assured of the support of engineers who will calibrate the backfocus of your camera to work perfectly with the complicated refractions of UV light.

Multiple Disciplines

Who is UV photography aimed at?

✔

Nature and Botany It documents the "nectar guides" on flower petals: amazing patterns invisible to humans but clearly seen by pollinating insects.

✔

Dermatology and Cosmetics Ultraviolet photography shows accumulated sun damage (latent spots) and impressively demonstrates the coverage of sunscreens.

✔

Forensic Science Standard forensic tool to reveal treated fingerprints, traces of biological fluids, healing bruises and documentary alterations.

✔

Art Conservation Ultraviolet photographic analysis can be used to differentiate between old varnishes, modern repainting, previous repairs or undocumented forgeries.

✔

Experimental Photography It creates unique aesthetics: elimination of atmospheric contrast (dense fog) and drastic alteration of luminosity in everyday materials.

Technical Fundamentals

The Challenge of UV Photography: Capturing the Invisible

The UV photography (reflected ultraviolet) consists of recording the light that objects reflect in the spectrum from 300 to 400 nanometres, just below the limit of human vision.

Unlike the UV-induced fluorescence (where black light is illuminated and the visible light emitted by the object is photographed), true ultraviolet photography requires the sensor to capture only pure UV photons. The problem lies in the fact that commercial sensors come from the factory with an internal filter (Hot Mirror) specifically designed to block these wavelengths, ensuring that conventional photos are free of colour casts. This is where optical conversion becomes mandatory.

Technical note: Reflected UV photography requires the use of a UV-modified camera and adequate lighting. In addition, the optical glass of many modern lenses blocks this radiation, so we can advise you on the most effective lenses.

Key requirements for success in UV

✔ Camera converted to UV: A fundamental and indispensable step for the sensor to acquire the capacity to receive ultraviolet radiation.
✔ Bandpass filter: Screws onto the lens (e.g. Baader U or ZWB filters) to strictly block visible and infrared light.
✔ Uncoated optics: Modern glass blocks UV. We guide you in the selection of old analogue or high transmittance quartz lenses.
✔ Adequate lighting: Use of modified flashes without absorbing plastics or continuous UV LED illumination (typically at 365nm).

Modification Options

Full-Spectrum vs. Dedicated UV Camera

When converting cameras for UV photography, you can choose between two paths depending on your needs:

1. Full-Spectrum Conversion (Recommended) We replace the original filter with a completely transparent quartz or fused silica glass. This allows you to use the same camera for UV photography, infrared photography or normal colour photography by simply changing the external filter on the lens.

2. Strict Dedicated UV Conversion The UV bandpass filter is installed directly inside, on the sensor. The camera will be limited to UV photography only, which is more convenient if you are going to use it only in the lab without changing external filters.

Engineering in the laboratory

What is the conversion of cameras for UV photography?

Carrying out a camera conversion for UV photography is a precision process that requires a clean (particle-free) chamber environment and advanced calibration skills.

Our engineers start the process by dismantling the photographic body to gain direct access to the image sensor. The heart of the operation lies in carefully removing the original blocking filter that was installed as standard by the manufacturer. In its place, we install a sheet of pure optical glass calibrated to maximise the passage of ultraviolet light (higher transmission than 98% in the spectrum of interest).

As the wavelength of the UV light alters the refractive index, one of our added values as a pioneering laboratory is the recalibration of the UV light. backfocus (the micrometric distance between the lens mount and the focal plane of the sensor). This ensures that, after modification to UV, the end user is still able to focus to infinity and obtain completely sharp images across the entire field of view.

DST methodology

Safety and calibration guaranteed

Initial Diagnosis

We assess your discipline (scientific, medical, artistic) to guide you in the use of lenses, flashes and UV cut filters.

Reception

Secure handling of the shipment of your equipment to our laboratory or the supply of a new camera already converted.

Optical Conversion

Removal of the UV blocker in the clean room and installation of a glass pane that allows optimal passage of the short spectrum.

Test and Delivery

Specific focal flatness adjustment (UV light focuses differently from visible light) and delivery with full laboratory guarantee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about Ultraviolet Photography

Is the process reversible?

Yes, it's a 100% reversible filter. We always include the original camera filter in case you wish to restore it to its factory settings in our lab in the future.

Which goals are suitable?

Many modern lenses block UV light. We recommend simple analog lenses or quartz/fluorite lenses. We can advise you on which ones perform best in the 300-400nm spectrum.

Does autofocus hold?

Yes, we performed a micrometric backfocus calibration. Autofocus still works, although due to the nature of UV light, Live View is the most accurate method.

Tools for research and art