Tym
Well-Known Member
The Problem:
I recently had someone PM me as ask me about the lines some people get in photos they take of plants. The lines are caused by HID lights.. I'm not sure why, but I think it may have something to do with the actual light coming from the bulb. Most of you are saying "Duh" But I've heard others say it's because of a magnetic ballast.. So my hypothesis is that the cycle that the light runs off (60 hz I believe) matches or comes close to matching the cycle that the camera refreshes. And the massive amount of light puts a strain on the camera's refresh capability. Dimming down the light or filtering some of it out should lower the intensity of the light enough that the camera's refresh capabilities can catch up. This is why I think digital ballasts don't have the same problem, they cycle at a different rate, one that doesn't match or come close to the camera. You may also notice that same line phenomenon when filming or taking a picture of a tube TV or monitor.
The Fix:
Filter the light! Sounds difficult, but it's easy.. I took an old pair of sunglasses, Busted out one of the lenses, and put it in front of my camera lens.. Works great, you don't even have to break the sunglasses if you don't want, as long as you can get the lens on top of the camera lens, you're good to go.. Try it out! Let me know what you think, And let me see your pics!!
Before (no filter):
After (filtered)
Result:
It Fixes the line problem, and only darkens the photo a little bit..
No more lines!
I recently had someone PM me as ask me about the lines some people get in photos they take of plants. The lines are caused by HID lights.. I'm not sure why, but I think it may have something to do with the actual light coming from the bulb. Most of you are saying "Duh" But I've heard others say it's because of a magnetic ballast.. So my hypothesis is that the cycle that the light runs off (60 hz I believe) matches or comes close to matching the cycle that the camera refreshes. And the massive amount of light puts a strain on the camera's refresh capability. Dimming down the light or filtering some of it out should lower the intensity of the light enough that the camera's refresh capabilities can catch up. This is why I think digital ballasts don't have the same problem, they cycle at a different rate, one that doesn't match or come close to the camera. You may also notice that same line phenomenon when filming or taking a picture of a tube TV or monitor.
The Fix:
Filter the light! Sounds difficult, but it's easy.. I took an old pair of sunglasses, Busted out one of the lenses, and put it in front of my camera lens.. Works great, you don't even have to break the sunglasses if you don't want, as long as you can get the lens on top of the camera lens, you're good to go.. Try it out! Let me know what you think, And let me see your pics!!
Before (no filter):
After (filtered)
Result:
It Fixes the line problem, and only darkens the photo a little bit..
No more lines!