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Solar Eclipse with X-T2

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HPapad01

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Who has a recipe for capturing the Solar Eclipse with the X-T2? Specifically, would a time-lapse setting be one way to do it for capturing the whole eclipse from start to finish?

I know the ND filter would be a requirement but looking for the experts here for other suggestions or concerns.

Thank in advance.
 
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Robert A said:
tradesmith45 said:
Robert A said:
tradesmith45 said:
Probably the easiest approach to record the eclipse especially if you will be in the path of totality is using a wide angle video. This gives you both images and a soundtrack of the delightful sounds everyone around will be making. This can be done w/ some cameras (but not the X-T2) using an AE mode. With UWA or FE, & starting 10 min. before totality & stopping 10 after, a filter isn't required.
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I also have an XT-2 (which I'm bringing along on the trip to Casper, WY), but the video idea intrigues me. Do you have any sense how well it would work with an iPhone 6?
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HPapad01 said:
Who has a recipe for capturing the Solar Eclipse with the X-T2? Specifically, would a time-lapse setting be one way to do it for capturing the whole eclipse from start to finish?

I know the ND filter would be a requirement but looking for the experts here for other suggestions or concerns.
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I would suggest reading up on the topic in detail. An ND filter is most certainly not the correct implement. There are currently a gazillion of websites out there with details on potential setups.

Keep in mind that only when you have things down pat will you also have some time to take the experience in with your own eyes. You can always grab pictures from the web or purchase a print, but you can't re-live the experience any time soon.

Finally, capturing the sun is plain dangerous for equipment and your own eyes. Make sure you know exactly what you're doing.
 
I wonder how many people will fry their sensors on August 21st.
 
I understand the urge to want to capture the eclipse with one's camera but I would strongly recommend taking those few minutes before, during and after totality to just suck it all in with your eyeballs and NASA-approved eclipse glasses instead of fretting over gear like cameras, lenses, telescopes, filters and a tracking mount. And it isn't just the direct show that the sun and moon will be putting on overhead - it is also what goes on on the ground: the way the surroundings look and yes, even the reactions of the people and other living things around you. It will be over before you know it and trust me, there will be a gazillion spectacular time lapse images of the event everywhere afterwards......

To each his own, no doubt but it really is worth thinking about this - it doesn't happen all that often and it can be a pretty moving experience if you aren't distracted. Just my 2 cents from an amateur solar astronomer who has a fair amount of high end gear for observing and imaging the sun - none of which I'll be using around totality (and may even leave at home entirely).
 
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Doug D said:
I understand the urge to want to capture the eclipse with one's camera but I would strongly recommend taking those few minutes before, during and after totality to just suck it all in with your eyeballs and NASA-approved eclipse glasses instead of fretting over gear like cameras, lenses, telescopes, filters and a tracking mount. And it isn't just the direct show that the sun and moon will be putting on overhead - it is also what goes on on the ground: the way the surroundings look and yes, even the reactions of the people and other living things around you. It will be over before you know it and trust me, there will be a gazillion spectacular time lapse images of the event everywhere afterwards......

To each his own, no doubt but it really is worth thinking about this - it doesn't happen all that often and it can be a pretty moving experience if you aren't distracted. Just my 2 cents from an amateur solar astronomer who has a fair amount of high end gear for observing and imaging the sun - none of which I'll be using around totality (and may even leave at home entirely).
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That's the conclusion I came to also, I did think ahead though and got the day off. I'll shoot in the morning and evening but just watch during the event. I live in Nashville and we are going to get a total eclipse.
 
photodan1 said:
That's the conclusion I came to also, I did think ahead though and got the day off. I'll shoot in the morning and evening but just watch during the event. I live in Nashville and we are going to get a total eclipse.

--
www.dankaneimages.com
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Sounds like a good plan Dan. I envy your location - I'll have a long ride ahead of me! Here is to nice clear skies.....

After reading my earlier post I realize I sound a bit preachy and judgmental and didn't even offer an answer to the OP's question. I'll just add that there are lots of good resources on how to image the eclipse with a digital camera. Here is a good place to start.
 
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My thoughts exactly.

I have given up photographing it (other than maybe leaving a gopro running the whole time) but am instead going to focus (!) on sharing the experience with my boys. We're about an hour away from full totality so we're going to hop in the car and take a ride...
 
Yeah, I hear ya. Probably right. However, I live right in the path of totality (Lincoln, NE). Our hotels have been sold out here for August 21 for like a year or more. It's too surendipitous not to at least try to get a snap. Plus, I have my solar filter already.
 
JakeInChicago said:
Photopills recently put up a fairly comprehensive guide. I suggest anyone who has an interest in either photographing or observing the eclipse check it out:
Also, Vox has a nice solar eclipse simulator where you punch in your zip code and they show you via an animation what you can expect to see and when.
Hope this helps,

Jake
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Thanks Jake - really like that vox.com link. awesome

Doug
 
Have not looked at the other posts. B&H Photo has a whole section for the solar eclipse and what to do gear wise. How to protect your eyes and the camera sensor from damage.

Lots of info there
 
HPapad01 said:
Who has a recipe for capturing the Solar Eclipse with the X-T2? Specifically, would a time-lapse setting be one way to do it for capturing the whole eclipse from start to finish?

I know the ND filter would be a requirement but looking for the experts here for other suggestions or concerns.

Thank in advance.
Click to expand...
During the actual eclipse - if you're in the path of totality, you don't need filters. In fact, you can't even see the eclipse if you have the glasses on.
 
tdwesbo said:
In that case the filters/glasses are for the before and after period
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Yea, well now someone needs to tell me how I know when it's safe to take them off and when I have to put them back on. I'm driving up to a place where the totality is maximum. Hopefully it doesn't cloud over.
 
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Doug D said:
JakeInChicago said:
Photopills recently put up a fairly comprehensive guide. I suggest anyone who has an interest in either photographing or observing the eclipse check it out:
Also, Vox has a nice solar eclipse simulator where you punch in your zip code and they show you via an animation what you can expect to see and when.
Hope this helps,

Jake
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Thanks Jake - really like that vox.com link. awesome

Doug
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No problem, glad you found it useful!
 
HPapad01 said:
Who has a recipe for capturing the Solar Eclipse with the X-T2? Specifically, would a time-lapse setting be one way to do it for capturing the whole eclipse from start to finish?

I know the ND filter would be a requirement but looking for the experts here for other suggestions or concerns.

Thank in advance.
Click to expand...
Shooting the eclipse is not so much hard as it requires plenty of practice. Your question is so broad its hard to give a simple answer. There are many variations on what you can do - stills, time lapse, video, wide angle, mid & long tele. By far the most complete coverage of these options is Alan Dyer's Eclipse eBook for only $10.

Probably the easiest approach to record the eclipse especially if you will be in the path of totality is using a wide angle video. This gives you both images and a soundtrack of the delightful sounds everyone around will be making. This can be done w/ some cameras (but not the X-T2) using an AE mode. With UWA or FE, & starting 10 min. before totality & stopping 10 after, a filter isn't required. Filters are certainly required for long focal length lenses during partial phases of the eclipse but even for this, the filter com off 30 sec. before totality.

In my testing of this w/ the X-T2, the video function works ok using AE except you need the grip to go 22 min. in video.

Get the book, maybe a filter & practice lots. There have been excellent discussion about filter over at the DPR Astro forum.

My goal is shot for 1 min. & enjoy the stunning view for 1 min. This will be my 3rd eclipse.
 
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tradesmith45 said:
Probably the easiest approach to record the eclipse especially if you will be in the path of totality is using a wide angle video. This gives you both images and a soundtrack of the delightful sounds everyone around will be making. This can be done w/ some cameras (but not the X-T2) using an AE mode. With UWA or FE, & starting 10 min. before totality & stopping 10 after, a filter isn't required.
Click to expand...
I also have an XT-2 (which I'm bringing along on the trip to Casper, WY), but the video idea intrigues me. Do you have any sense how well it would work with an iPhone 6?
 
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