Elytron detail, Chrysochroa rajah thailandica

[Charles Krebs]

The iridescence of the elytra of this "jewel beetle" can be very intense and vary very dramatically when the light hits the surface at certain angles. Here are a couple of shots of a transition from a red stripe to the more overall green color.

Olympus BHA, 5/0.13 Neo SPlan, 2.5X NFK photoeyepiece, BH2-UMA vertical illuminator, Epi-darkfield, Canon DSLR.



Olympus BHA, 10/0.30 Neo SPlan, 2.5X NFK photoeyepiece, BH2-UMA vertical illuminator, Epi-darkfield, Canon DSLR.

[Mitch640]

Beautiful images Charles. While the science of these is very interesting, the art is what draws me in.

[Marek Mis]

Charlie,

Very nice images. I like the second one very much. By the way, how strong lamp do you use with your vertical illuminator ?

Marek

[Charles Krebs]

Marek,

By the way, how strong lamp do you use with your vertical illuminator ?

I'm using a fiber optic illuminator. The (used) BH2-UMA I have came with a "collector" element and an attachment that takes a (rather narrow tipped) fiber optic light guide. By chance I had a light guide that "split" to three output ends and they fit nicely. It's worked out OK, but I could certainly use more light with the 5X and some crossed polarization uses. Unfortunately the Olympus high wattage tungsten-halogen lamphouse made for the BH2-UMA doesn't show up that often (at least separately at a price I would consider).

[Marek Mis]

Charlie,

Thank you very much for your explanation

Marek