Which 95mm Solar filter to buy?

[sirhawkeye64]

I've found quite a few solar filters online as I'm starting to look into what I need for the upcoming Solar eclipse in August....

The one that pops up the most in most searches is Thousand Oaks Optical. I see a few others (and I personally use B+W for everything else--regular ND, circular polarizers, etc, for my other lenses, but this case I think is special).

What do people recommend in terms of s solar filter for a DSLR? Will be going on either a Sigma 150-600, Nikon 200-500, or Tamron 150-600 (all of which take a 95mm filter)?

 

[tyyreaun]

+1 for Thousand Oaks Optical.



From the annular eclipse back in 2012.

 

[J-P Midtgård]

I've found quite a few solar filters online as I'm starting to look into what I need for the upcoming Solar eclipse in August....

The one that pops up the most in most searches is Thousand Oaks Optical. I see a few others (and I personally use B+W for everything else--regular ND, circular polarizers, etc, for my other lenses, but this case I think is special).

What do people recommend in terms of s solar filter for a DSLR? Will be going on either a Sigma 150-600, Nikon 200-500, or Tamron 150-600 (all of which take a 95mm filter)?

Depending on which Sigma you are talking about. It's 95mm on the Contemporary and 105mm on the Sport.

 

[Ellis Vener]

Will a 10-stop ND filter work? If so I heartily recommend this one https://breakthrough.photography/collections/all/products/x4-neutral-density?variant=32718277201

i have tried similar strength ND filters from Heliopan, B+W, Tiffen, and Vü. Of these the Vü were the closest in neutrality. I have not tried any of Coastal Optics products.

 

[sirhawkeye64]

I've found quite a few solar filters online as I'm starting to look into what I need for the upcoming Solar eclipse in August....

The one that pops up the most in most searches is Thousand Oaks Optical. I see a few others (and I personally use B+W for everything else--regular ND, circular polarizers, etc, for my other lenses, but this case I think is special).

What do people recommend in terms of s solar filter for a DSLR? Will be going on either a Sigma 150-600, Nikon 200-500, or Tamron 150-600 (all of which take a 95mm filter)?

Depending on which Sigma you are talking about. It's 95mm on the Contemporary and 105mm on the Sport.

OK. I think I only looked at the Contemporary. I will make sure to confirm when I do finally settle on a lens to use (although for screw-in type filters, I think Thousand Oaks only goes up to 95mm).

 

[Sailor Blue]

This has been discussed several times. A #14 welders glass is recommended for viewing an eclipse, which is equivalent to an 18.4 stop ND filter.

Canon even sent me an email offering a special price on their combination lens and 18 stop filter for photographing the eclipse. Living it Thailand I didn't have much interest since the eclipse won't be visible here so I deleted the email. Here is an article with the Canon offerings.

Steve's Digicams - Canon Launches Blog & Camera Bundles For First Total Solar Eclipse in 99 Years

Do a search of this forum for "solar eclipse". Here is one post I made in a thread on this topic 5 months ago.

DPReview - DIY Solar Filter

 

[J-P Midtgård]

Here is an earlier thread on this subject: https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/59564994

 

[tyyreaun]

Will a 10-stop ND filter work? If so I heartily recommend this one https://breakthrough.photography/collections/all/products/x4-neutral-density?variant=32718277201

Breakthrough makes incredible filters, but they probably wouldn't work for solar photography. Solar filters are typically around 16 stops, plus they're designed to block additional light in specific wavelengths (e.g., infrared) to prevent damage.

 

[sirhawkeye64]

Will a 10-stop ND filter work? If so I heartily recommend this one https://breakthrough.photography/collections/all/products/x4-neutral-density?variant=32718277201

Breakthrough makes incredible filters, but they probably wouldn't work for solar photography. Solar filters are typically around 16 stops, plus they're designed to block additional light in specific wavelengths (e.g., infrared) to prevent damage.

To answer people's questions about ND filters vs. Solar filters, I've always heard that you MUST use a solar filter if you will be photographing the sun (other than for brief periods of time around sunrise/sunset). And to be honest, for me, I'm not willing to risk damage to my vision or the camera... I'll just get a solar filter because you may very well need those 16 stops, plus they may have special coatings on them that ND filters may not.

 

[Sailor Blue]

This has been discussed several times. A #14 welders glass is recommended for viewing an eclipse, which is equivalent to an 18.4 stop ND filter.

Canon even sent me an email offering a special price on their combination lens and 18 stop filter for photographing the eclipse. Living it Thailand I didn't have much interest since the eclipse won't be visible here so I deleted the email. Here is an article with the Canon offerings.

Steve's Digicams - Canon Launches Blog & Camera Bundles For First Total Solar Eclipse in 99 Years

If you are going to shoot an eclipse with a ND filter(s) on your camera I would recommend two things.

1. Don't point the camera at the sun until you are ready to take the picture then leave it pointed at the sun as short a time as possible.

2. Shoot in Live View - DO NOT USE THE VIEWFINDER!

I checked and it turns out that the Canon EOS Rebel TSi Solar Eclipse kits come with a MrStarGuy 67mm Thread-in White-Light Solar Filter. This filter is apparently a Mylar filter, which is also not very well stretched according to the examples show on the Star Guy web site. The wrinkles would effect your image quality to some extent.

Star Guy - White Light Solar Filters

This site also gives information about glass filters.

Astronomy Connect - A Guide to White Light Solar Filters

This site might also be of interest.

Space.com - Solar Eclipse Photography: Tips, Settings, Equipment and Photo Guide