Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/09/25
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Hi all, Many years ago (about 30) every Photographic Science Major at RIT was treated to the use of the "flare" can. I have made one myself in the years that have followed. This was a Large Coffee can (Number 10?) . After consuming the contents, the interior of the can was sprayed with a Flat Black Paint. The Interior Back of the can was covered with a Black Flock material (used to line telescope tubes. Edmund Scientific L54-577) The Plastic Cover, that typically comes with such a coffee can was either sprayed white or Black, the back of both covers where flocked . A hole was cut in the cover whose diameter was approximately 1/10 the diameter of the can. The White cover was used to judge optical flare. The can with the white cover and the can with the black cover where both covered. The center hole in the dark can was "absolute" black. The center hole in the white can was a measure of optical flare. These two simple tests can really help the photographer that is concerned with technique. As a photo scientist, I would caution you not get "hung up" on technique. Get hung up about taking pictures. It is a very good idea to practice taking notes and trying to get repeatable results. The "Black target can" in conjuction with a gray card are really targets to test with. It is also wise to go back an run a test occasionally to make sure you haven't drifted. Take care andk keep taking photos! Tom Lianza Technical Director Sequel Imaging Inc. 25 Nashua Rd. Londonderry, NH 03053 > - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html