Solar eclipse help...

[Michael Siemon]

...

Michael,

Indeed! That's what I'm hoping to accomplish--looking at it instead of worrying too much about cameras--since I'll be using four cameras throughout the eclipse! The GoPro and the video camera SHOULD be pretty set up, start rolling, and forget until the end! But, the two DSLRs, on the other hand, may require a bit more! I've been thinking of using the intervalometer function for them to control much of it. However, if this Solar Eclipse Maestro works, then even better! I have a Mac laptop, capable of running Windows, as well, so either way on computer OSes, I'm set!

I'm a visual person, in many ways, so I'm not positive I get what you're saying here with this. However, I'm looking it up now, and will hopefully learn more about it. I'd LOVE it if I could simply program and connect a computer to the cameras to control most, if not all, of the work during the eclipse! That's basically what I figured the intervalometer would (hopefully!) do, except for the timing and settings around totality. I'm going to make a checklist of EVERY step I need to do to set up and prepare for it, and then what has to happen during the event itself, so I don't forget things.

Sam

...

Intervalometer and bracketing would work (my original plan, before evaluating Solar Eclipse Maestro); the only thing on that is, I wanted more than a 9-exposure bracketing, and would have had to tweak things in the middle of the eclipse. Definitely simpler in some ways, but do take a look at Solar Eclipse Maestro (it's "free", but do give him a donation if you decide to use it.) It would have been difficult to work in the beginning/ending effects of totality with just intervalometer.

 

[greenmanphoto]

...

Michael,

Indeed! That's what I'm hoping to accomplish--looking at it instead of worrying too much about cameras--since I'll be using four cameras throughout the eclipse! The GoPro and the video camera SHOULD be pretty set up, start rolling, and forget until the end! But, the two DSLRs, on the other hand, may require a bit more! I've been thinking of using the intervalometer function for them to control much of it. However, if this Solar Eclipse Maestro works, then even better! I have a Mac laptop, capable of running Windows, as well, so either way on computer OSes, I'm set!

I'm a visual person, in many ways, so I'm not positive I get what you're saying here with this. However, I'm looking it up now, and will hopefully learn more about it. I'd LOVE it if I could simply program and connect a computer to the cameras to control most, if not all, of the work during the eclipse! That's basically what I figured the intervalometer would (hopefully!) do, except for the timing and settings around totality. I'm going to make a checklist of EVERY step I need to do to set up and prepare for it, and then what has to happen during the event itself, so I don't forget things.

Sam

...

Intervalometer and bracketing would work (my original plan, before evaluating Solar Eclipse Maestro); the only thing on that is, I wanted more than a 9-exposure bracketing, and would have had to tweak things in the middle of the eclipse. Definitely simpler in some ways, but do take a look at Solar Eclipse Maestro (it's "free", but do give him a donation if you decide to use it.) It would have been difficult to work in the beginning/ending effects of totality with just intervalometer.

 

[Michael Siemon]

... Exactly! I knew it wouldn't give me enough bracket shots, and figured I would need to set up two different sets for the interval Peter: one to start and go up to totality, and another to kick in after totality. But your solution seems much better! Now to figure out the tethering side of it...

Thanks much for the info on SME!

The tethering is straightforward -- USB3 cable from camera to laptop. The cable that comes with the D500 is short (1 meter); I got a 2 meter cable as more workable. You can test the connection from the program, just fire a shot from its Camera menu ("Push Shutter" or "Single Exposure with Settings ..." and some other options). It will also run simulated timing on scripts [haven't done that yet!].

 

[greenmanphoto]

... Exactly! I knew it wouldn't give me enough bracket shots, and figured I would need to set up two different sets for the interval Peter: one to start and go up to totality, and another to kick in after totality. But your solution seems much better! Now to figure out the tethering side of it...

Thanks much for the info on SME!

The tethering is straightforward -- USB3 cable from camera to laptop. The cable that comes with the D500 is short (1 meter); I got a 2 meter cable as more workable. You can test the connection from the program, just fire a shot from its Camera menu ("Push Shutter" or "Single Exposure with Settings ..." and some other options). It will also run simulated timing on scripts [haven't done that yet!].

Michael,

Thanks again! Good to know. Definitely going to investigate this option a lot more! Awaiting for final approval now from the university for the trip. It SHOULD be a go, but there are still hoops to jump through, so....

Thanks again!

Sam

 

[StillLearning]

They sent me a document showing test results of their glass and film. This is 2 samples of the Glass filter

 

[greenmanphoto]

They sent me a document showing test results of their glass and film. This is 2 samples of the Glass filter

SL,

I'm trying to get something like that from Lee, but they're not responding, at the moment. My thinking, rightly or wrongly, is that's not a good sign for their Solar Stopper! Pity, too, as I LIKE Lee's stuff, otherwise!

I'm definitely looking at either the Thousand Oaks stuff or the Seymour stuff.

Thanks for sharing,

Sam

--
Sam B.
D200, 16-85mm, 35-135mm, Sigma 10-20 f3.5 N8008s, Gitzo 2531, Induro DM-01 ballhead
Certified Texas Master Naturalist
Proud WSSA Member #260!
www.flickr.com/photos/sibeardjr
www.doormouse-editions.com

 

[StillLearning]

They sent me a document showing test results of their glass and film. This is 2 samples of the Glass filter

SL,

I'm trying to get something like that from Lee, but they're not responding, at the moment. My thinking, rightly or wrongly, is that's not a good sign for their Solar Stopper! Pity, too, as I LIKE Lee's stuff, otherwise!

I'm definitely looking at either the Thousand Oaks stuff or the Seymour stuff.

Thanks for sharing,

Sam

--
Sam B.
D200, 16-85mm, 35-135mm, Sigma 10-20 f3.5 N8008s, Gitzo 2531, Induro DM-01 ballhead
Certified Texas Master Naturalist
Proud WSSA Member #260!
www.flickr.com/photos/sibeardjr
www.doormouse-editions.com

Actually I was surprised they sent me an attachment with the test and results from the lab they used. I worked with them in 2014 to get a filter for that years solar eclipse. They had a problem with supplies plus I really didn't give enough lead time. They felt bad they couldn't get it to me in time. Came the day after the eclipse. So they refunded half the purchase price. I am planning on getting the threaded filter for my Nikon 200-500.

 

[greenmanphoto]

SL,

That's pretty cool, and good customer service! You might consider posting this over on the Astrophotography forum and see what folks over there think, particularly Ron Clark.

Sam

 

[Ken G.]

Thanks StillLearning, that's helpful information.

I ultimately ordered from Thousand Oaks, and should see the filter in a couple weeks.

 

[StillLearning]

Thanks StillLearning, that's helpful information.

I ultimately ordered from Thousand Oaks, and should see the filter in a couple weeks.

 

[Ken G.]

It should do well for you. Did you go glass or film?

It's a film filter. From what I read, both do an excellent job.