This is according to Gordon Buchanan, a freelance cameraman who had a hand in finding new species of mammals during the filming of the series.
Buchanan, who set up the infrared camera trap on a forest floor in Papua New Guinea, said the Aegis Ufled illuminators gave the most consistent covering of light of any he had trialled.”
No more “Frankenstein” lighting
Lost Land of the Volcano was a three-part nature documentary series that first aired in 2009. It followed an international team of scientists, cavers and wildlife filmmakers as they explored the heart of extinct volcano Mount Bosavi.
Using Bosch’s illuminators, the team found a previously undiscovered species of marsupial in the crater, where it had developed in isolation from its other relatives – in time becoming a sub species of the silky cuscus family.
Identified as it left its daytime hideout and went in search of food in the forest at night, the Bosavi cuscus – which looks like a small bear – lives in trees, feeding on fruits and leaves.
Having struggled for more than a decade using what he described as “Frankenstein-like” lighting contraptions ranging from rally car headlights and hunting spotlights, Buchanan said: “Every lighting method I have used up until recently has had a drawback – carrying heavy acid batteries on my back and only having two hours filming power being just one of them.”
Field of view “never better”
“Now the team is able to access more remote areas as transporting compact infrared units is no longer an issue. The battery packs last for several hours and are interchangeable with our cameras.”
Buchanan also praised the illuminators for improving field of view.
“The Aegis units give the most consistent covering of light of any I have trialled. The distance the infrared light travels is also second to none. Whenever I am planning a shoot, Bosch’s IR units will be one of the first pieces of kit in my bag.”
