|
COLOR AND B&W DISPOSABLE CAMERAS
- Cheap, easy-to-use, and disposable...these cameras are easy to stick in your pocket and use at a moment's notice.
We use 400 speed color film because of its effectiveness in low light, without being as "grainy" as 800
speed color film. We frequently use B&W film on investigations because it has a completely different quality
than color film. We have all of our camera film developed directly onto a CD-R computer disk and then tuck away
the negatives in case we needed to review them later.
SONY HI-8 VIDEO CAMERAS, WITH NIGHTSHOT TECHNOLOGY - Sony camcorders are extremely useful due to their ability to record video in complete
darkness. When in Nightshot mode, they emit light in the IR spectrum...and then record images of whatever is illuminated
using a CCD sensor within the camera. They record these images on analog tape. We use a Dazzle USB analog-to-digital
converter to import these analog images into a laptop. This allows us to image-capture from the video for our Investigation
Albums and to select video-clips to include in our investigation reports.
ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD METERS/DETECTORS
- These hand-held sensors vary in sensitivity and how they are operated, but all of the them measure levels of
electromagnetic energy. The strength of electromagnetic fields is measured in milligauss. This unit of measurement
is named after Johann Carl Friedrich Gauss (1777-1855). He was a German mathematician, astronomer, and physicist,
and is considered one of the greatest mathematicians of all time. In his later life he did important work on electricity
and magnetism.
- The Dr. Gauss EMF Detector has an easy-to-read analog scale (0-10 mG), and an
audio signal which is extremely useful in dark environments. It can also measure between 0.1-1 mG by holding in
the button on the side of the unit. It has a single-coil that is calibrated at 50-60 Hz. This is personally my
favorite EMF meter.
- The Tri-Field Meter has three coils and measures different types and levels of
magnetic and electric fields. It is more complicated to use than the Dr. Gauss meter, but it also gives more detailed
and specific readings.
- The CellSensor EMF Meter can measure on two different scales, 0-5 mG and 0-50
mG. It can provide an audio signal as well as a large flashing light that vary based on field strength. The EMF
sensor itself is a remote probe on the end of a 2 foot cord.
TEMPERATURE MEASURING DEVICES - DTP'S AND THERMO-COUPLERS - Despite their wide use in this field, point-and-shoot IR thermometers are ill-suited
for paranormal investigations. Their readings are easily misinterpreted, and many ghost hunters seem to completely
ignore the fact that these devices measure the surface-temperature of what they are pointed at...not the temperature
of the air. As paranormal investigators we are looking for cold-spots in the air, but its a simple fact that IR
thermometers do not measure air temperature.
The Ghost Vigil staff exclusively uses digital thermometer/pyrometers and thermo-couplers. Since these devices
actually measure air temperature, they allow our investigators to locate and track cold spots in the air. Its almost
unbelievable how rare these advanced and accurate devices are among paranormal investigation groups.
- The TIF 7000 digital thermometer/pyrometer (DTP) is manufactured by TIF Instruments
and scans the temperature of the air 3 times per second. This device is expensive, ranging from $150 to $220 depending
on where you buy it.
- The Mastech K-type digital thermometer is a digital thermo-coupler. It scans
the temperature of the air 2 times per second. While this is not quite as fast at the TIF 7000, its still a respectable
sampling rate. Especially considering the fact this device sells for only $20.
DVR STATIONARY CAMERA SYSTEM
- Everything usually begins with 4 color CCTV day/night vision IR cameras. Two of them are Sony cameras with 20
LED's and two of them have 30 LED's. The LED's illuminate the IR spectrum, allowing for crystal clear video images
in complete darkness. The camera's signal is carried back to the DVR and monitor by cables for recording and real-time
remote observation. All four of our stationary cameras feed back to a Samsung 120 gig 4-channel stand alone DVR
to be digitally recorded. This is the heart & soul of the stationary camera system that Stew has assembled.
Meanwhile, we use a GE TV/VCR combo as a monitoring station on investigations. The images from the stationary cameras
are all displayed on this screen. The VCR recorder also serves as a backup for the DVR digital recording device.
BUT DO YOU NEED ALL THIS STUFF?
No. You do not need all this equipment to conduct a paranormal investigation or
look for ghosts. But, over time, you might want to acquire some of this equipment. Save up your money and buy one piece of equipment at a time. Talk with
your family, and ask for a piece of equipment for Christmas or your Birthday. If you steadily work on it and plan
things out right, you could have quite a collection of equipment within just a year's time. But in the meantime,
let's discuss some basic equipment that is well within your reach and affordable for someone just staring out...
NOTEBOOK AND PENCIL -
The most important thing investigators do on an investigation is keep records of everything. Record should what
you see, hear, feel, and small. And you should take notes when you are interviewing witnesses. Make sure you write
down lots of details, such as the times and places of events that occur, so you and your friends can compare notes
after the investigation. Some of Ghost Vigil's best evidence has come from good note-taking, if you can believe
that!
FLASHLIGHT - A flashlight
will keep you safe. It prevents you from walking into walls, falling into holes, and if odd things start to happen
you will likely feel better with the flashlight turned on. But don't overuse your flashlight on an investigation.
Let your eyes get used to the dark. Allow your night-vision to develop and you'll be able to observe much more
in the dark.
COMPASS - If you can't
afford an actual EMF detector (see above), consider investing in an inexpensive compass. Since compasses are affected
by electromagnetic fields, you can watch for unusual movements of the needle on your compass to see when you are
encountering EMF.
WALKIE-TALKIE - This
is especially important if you get a group of friends together to investigate. With multiple people located in
mulitiple locations, inexpensive walkie-talkie radios can help you to coordinate the investigation and keep things
organized.
BABY POWDER - This is
an old-fashioned ghosthunting tool, but its one worth trying at least once. If there are reports of "footsteps"
in a hallway, sprinkle the floor evenly with baby powder. Take a photo of it and then ensure that none of your
friends walks in the baby powder or disturbs it in any way. At the end of the investigation, check the baby powder
for footprints or any other changes. If there are some...take some more photographs. If you try baby powder on
an investigation, remember to bring a small vacuum cleaner or broom in order to clean up the mess when you are
done!
TRIGGER OBJECTS - Trigger
objects are placed in the reportedly haunted location, with their positions carefully marked...with the goal of
seeing whether the objects are moved by the ghosts that may be present there. If the ghost is believed to be a
child, then toys might make good trigger objects. If the ghost loved knitting, then knitting needles would be a
good choice. The ghost had a favorite hammer, loved playing cards, or seems to hide the homeowner's keys all the
time...then choose the trigger object most likely to attract the ghost's attention. Put the object on paper, carefully
trace its outline, and take photographs of its position. Make sure no one touches your experiment, and see if the
trigger object has been moved at the end of the investigation.
When it comes to equipment, start small...start inexpensive, and
then slowly build your collection. Even more important than the type of equipment you have and use, is the knowledge
of how those tools work. So slowly building your collection of equipment will give you time to learn how each tool
use...its strengths and pitfalls.
Happy hunting!
| Mark Stinson |
| Founder of Ghost Vigil |
|
