Sun flare photography bad for camera?

[Hippophile]

If taking photos of the sun is dangerous to your camera (the sensor, right?), is photography with sun flares in it bad for the camera, too? A Google search for tips on sun flare photography will yield results, so is it bad? I did a little bit today, and I don't know if it's safe if I don't have any protection or filters?

Thanks!

 

[Bob]

How would you interpret these Google results?

 

[Hippophile]

How would you interpret these Google results?

I think I figured it was probably quite safe, but I've also seen the fact that photographing the sun is unsafe for the camera. I just don't want to ruin my camera. I was a little unsure about sun flare photography, but I guess the damage that comes from taking pictures of only the sun is the fact that it fills the photo and heats the camera way more than a little sun in the photo?

 

[Milan SK]

No problem with sunflare.

But beware this: https://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2017/09/rental-camera-gear-destroyed-by-the-solar-eclipse-of-2017/

Milan

 

[Tom_N]

If you are using a DSLR, or a fixed-lens camera with an "optical tunnel" viewfinder, you probably don't want to be looking through the viewfinder when taking these pictures.

The camera's sensor is not your only concern. You can replace a camera, but you can't replace your eye.

 

[Milan SK]

There should be no problem with sunflare since it is not direct sunlight. Nobody looks directly into the sun. It is not possible with naked eye .or... thorough the viewfinder unless there's a special setup in front of the lens.

Milan

 

[BBbuilder467]

How would you interpret these Google results?

I think I figured it was probably quite safe, but I've also seen the fact that photographing the sun is unsafe for the camera. I just don't want to ruin my camera. I was a little unsure about sun flare photography, but I guess the damage that comes from taking pictures of only the sun is the fact that it fills the photo and heats the camera way more than a little sun in the photo?

If you had a mirrorless body mounted on a tripod and pointed it at the bright sun for a long time, that could damage the sensor. If it was a concern, I just add the lens cap or throw a cover over between shots. That wouldn't be an issue hand-held or for what you're doing. It's related more to solar flares or an eclipse.

 

[LordKOTL]

How would you interpret these Google results?

I think I figured it was probably quite safe, but I've also seen the fact that photographing the sun is unsafe for the camera. I just don't want to ruin my camera. I was a little unsure about sun flare photography, but I guess the damage that comes from taking pictures of only the sun is the fact that it fills the photo and heats the camera way more than a little sun in the photo?

The general rule I abide by is this:

A short quick shot with the sun in frame most likely won't kill your camera if you're going for a lens flare with the sun. The safety factor is probably a bit better the wider your lens.

I've taken a few shots with my 50mm and 20mm lenses that intentionally have sunstars in it.

Near the horizon you're probably okay, too (within reason). For instance I took this one near sunset, and had the additional "advantage" of there being a ton of wildfires going on at the time (my lungs, however, didn't find it an advantage):



Now for a telephoto shot like the one above, if I was shooting the sun I'd have a solar filter if it was anything but very, very near the horizon. A quick excursion with the sun in frame is likley okay, but pointing it at the sun for anything other than a few seconds? Get a solar filter.

As for real Solar Flares? Photographing them is beyond my expertise.

--
There's no shame in using auto or semiauto modes--no matter what the salesdroids at Best Buy tell you.

 

[Chaplain Mark]

Nobody looks directly into the sun. It is not possible with naked eye .

Milan

I don't think this is correct.

Folks who don't know any better, manage to burn their retinas by looking directly at the sun.

This includes children and adults with impaired judgment.....