What is the Best Color for Vision?
The best color for vision depends on the context. For maximum brightness perception under equal intensity, green is optimal, peaking around 555nm wavelength. However, for night vision, red light minimizes disruption to adapted vision. Different applications require different color considerations.
The human eye's sensitivity is greatest to green light. A green dot, when compared to other colors of the same intensity, will appear the brightest. [Reference: Human eye response is most sensitive in the green, peaking around 555nm. If these hypothetical colored dots were all of the same intensity, a green dot would appear the brightest.]
Color and Night Vision
While green is brightest, it significantly impacts night vision at higher brightness levels. Red light, even at lower brightness, preserves night vision better. Thus, for tasks requiring vision in low-light conditions, red is often preferred. [Reference: Red reduces night vision less for a given brightness. Green will be more effective for seeing with at a lower brightness, but have a larger impact on night vision.]
Color and Specific Applications
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Fishing lures: Color choice significantly impacts lure effectiveness. Various colors like Tennessee Shad, French Pearl (low light), GP Pro Blue (sunny), and GG Hasu are popular choices depending on water clarity and lighting conditions. [References: Tennessee shad has to be my favorite...Works 60% of the time, everytime.; French Pearl for low light or cloudy and GP pro blue for sunny.; Mark, my 2 best colors have been GG Hasu and the Trout colored one.]
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Night vision cameras: Color night vision technology varies widely between manufacturers. Cameras with larger sensors (like the Hik 2387g2) may offer superior performance compared to those with smaller sensors (like the Dahua 4K-X). Color preferences for night vision displays (e.g., amber vs. white) are subjective. [References: I don't know which one is eventually better. In my experience: the Hik 2387g2 (1/1.2 sensor, color night vision) is superior to the Dahua 4K-X; I prefer the Amber above all else, tried the white color filter but Amber looks more "natural" imo and I feel I have better depth perception.]
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Photography: Dim red light minimizes the impact on night vision during night shooting. This is why red light is commonly used by astronomers and soldiers. [Reference: A dim red light will have the least effect on your night vision. That is why astronomers and soldiers use flashlights with red lenses.]
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Animal Vision: The bluebottle butterfly boasts superior color vision among animals. [References: The critter with the world's best color vision (as far as we know) is the bluebottle butterfly.; The gold medal for best color vision has to go to the bluebottle butterfly.]
