Solar eclipse help...

[Ken G.]

I just saw an article on the total solar eclipse occurring August 21st here in the US, and wonder if anyone can offer advice about the use of filters to photograph it.

The article says -

"--Safe solar filters for cameras and telescopes are available as either "Full-Aperture" and "Off-Axis" filters. Both of these filters fit over the objective (front end of the telescope) or camera lens."

Is one better than another? Other options?

I'm finding that areas along the path of the eclipse are seeing huge increases in bookings for lodging, and even remote campgrounds are booked solid...


Camera gear in profile.
Ken G.

 

[Michael Siemon]

I just saw an article on the total solar eclipse occurring August 21st here in the US, and wonder if anyone can offer advice about the use of filters to photograph it.

The article says -

"--Safe solar filters for cameras and telescopes are available as either "Full-Aperture" and "Off-Axis" filters. Both of these filters fit over the objective (front end of the telescope) or camera lens."

Is one better than another? Other options?

I'm finding that areas along the path of the eclipse are seeing huge increases in bookings for lodging, and even remote campgrounds are booked solid...

Camera gear in profile.
Ken G.

Look in the DPR "Astrophotography Talk Forum", particularly for a long posting by R M Clark, with _lots_ of good information. With regard to filters, it may make a difference whether you are using an actual telescope, or just a standard (or telephoto) lens on your camera. One good source of filters is thousand oaks (http://www.thousandoaksoptical.com). I will be using their "solarlite" filters.

 

[Ken G.]

Look in the DPR "Astrophotography Talk Forum", particularly for a long posting by R M Clark, with _lots_ of good information. With regard to filters, it may make a difference whether you are using an actual telescope, or just a standard (or telephoto) lens on your camera. One good source of filters is thousand oaks (http://www.thousandoaksoptical.com). I will be using their "solarlite" filters.

 

[REBlue]

I will also be using the 200-500. I am using this filter, which uses what is supposed to be one of the best filter materials:

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www.amazon.com

One thing though is that this filter material results in a white sun image, which is more accurate than the orange disc produced by many other filters. So if you're looking for that orange disc look, this is not the filter for you. Another thing you need to realize is that you will remove the filter to shoot once the sun is fully occluded, but put it back in place before the sun begins to emerge out the other side.

 

[Ken G.]

Thanks REBlue. Looks like the filter uses set screws to hold it in place on your lens. No damage?

 

[bsinc1962]

Interesting stuff. I need to get my information game on as the eclipse goes pretty much right over my house.

 

[Ken G.]

How to Photograph a Solar Eclipse - Tips & Techniques | Nikon USA

The article explains the techniques and safety precautions necessary to photograph a solar eclipse. Now with dates for 2024 solar eclipses!

www.nikonusa.com

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www.mreclipse.com

• http://xjubier.free.fr/en/site_pages/solar_eclipses/TSE_2017_GoogleMapFull.html

 

[REBlue]

No. The screws have little rubber nibs at the end to protect the lens.

 

[Ken G.]

[No message]

 

[David Lal]

Is one better than another? Other options?

Back in the late 1990s in the UK I drove nearly 300 miles to a location (Devon) where I could witness a total eclipse of the sun. It was quite interesting although the sky was a bit cloudy which spoiled things somewhat.

I have to say, I was rather underwhelmed by the events up above - saw lots better captures on TV than I had witnessed. Predigital age of course, and no doubt all done with very expensive gear.

What I did find of great interest though was what was going on here on Earth around me: the sudden darkening, animal reactions, people's behaviour and so on. So you asked for other options and my suggestion is to forget the sky but instead to capture what happens around you down here. I know you won't listen but you did ask ... sorry to be a party pooper!

 

[Ken G.]

Back in the late 1990s in the UK I drove nearly 300 miles to a location (Devon) where I could witness a total eclipse of the sun. It was quite interesting although the sky was a bit cloudy which spoiled things somewhat.

I have to say, I was rather underwhelmed by the events up above - saw lots better captures on TV than I had witnessed. Predigital age of course, and no doubt all done with very expensive gear.

What I did find of great interest though was what was going on here on Earth around me: the sudden darkening, animal reactions, people's behaviour and so on. So you asked for other options and my suggestion is to forget the sky but instead to capture what happens around you down here. I know you won't listen but you did ask ... sorry to be a party pooper!

David, I have seen several write-ups where people suggest about the same - actually to bring a separate camera to capture the reactions. If it's cloudy I'm sure I'll be more likely to ignore the sky. It should be an interesting experience.

 

[Mike H]

taken with Nikkormat, Ectachome 64 400mm f6.3 Spiratone lens (cost $34.95 LOL) Vivitar 2X converter. I shot 36 exposures @ f6.3 changing the exposure time after each shot from 1/15 all the way up to 1/1000 and back down. Then just looked as I did not want to take a chance rushing to change film and screwing up what I had.





This exposure is probably 1/60 or 1/30 of a second most of those were blurred a bit due to cheap tripod and excitement. Corona was small at 1/500 and above

 

[Ken G.]

Mike H wrote:

A beauty!

--
Camera gear in profile.
Ken G.

 

[Gollan]

Thanks REBlue. Looks like the filter uses set screws to hold it in place on your lens. No damage?

 

[Gollan]

Is one better than another? Other options?

Back in the late 1990s in the UK I drove nearly 300 miles to a location (Devon) where I could witness a total eclipse of the sun. It was quite interesting although the sky was a bit cloudy which spoiled things somewhat.

I have to say, I was rather underwhelmed by the events up above - saw lots better captures on TV than I had witnessed. Predigital age of course, and no doubt all done with very expensive gear.

What I did find of great interest though was what was going on here on Earth around me: the sudden darkening, animal reactions, people's behaviour and so on. So you asked for other options and my suggestion is to forget the sky but instead to capture what happens around you down here. I know you won't listen but you did ask ... sorry to be a party pooper!

On solar eclipse day, the party is in the sky! I've spent many sunsets watching and photographing wildlife as daylight fades. On solar eclipse day, the wildlife are on their own because I'm going to be making the best solar eclipse images possible. I love technical photography. Mine won't be as good as SOHO, or Ken's, but it will be a fun experience. I've already been practicing and I can't describe my joy at getting my first sun spots!

 

[Ken G.]

I got one of the Thousand Oaks Optical filters for my Tamron 150-600 mm lens. It came with a 95 mm screw thread, just like any other filter.

Yeah, I emailed them and they said their 95-T is what I'd need. The larger set screw type filter would work, too, and might be able to be used on smaller diameter lenses as well (if the set screws are long enough).

Thanks.

 

[greenmanphoto]

Is one better than another? Other options?

Back in the late 1990s in the UK I drove nearly 300 miles to a location (Devon) where I could witness a total eclipse of the sun. It was quite interesting although the sky was a bit cloudy which spoiled things somewhat.

I have to say, I was rather underwhelmed by the events up above - saw lots better captures on TV than I had witnessed. Predigital age of course, and no doubt all done with very expensive gear.

What I did find of great interest though was what was going on here on Earth around me: the sudden darkening, animal reactions, people's behaviour and so on. So you asked for other options and my suggestion is to forget the sky but instead to capture what happens around you down here. I know you won't listen but you did ask ... sorry to be a party pooper!

On solar eclipse day, the party is in the sky! I've spent many sunsets watching and photographing wildlife as daylight fades. On solar eclipse day, the wildlife are on their own because I'm going to be making the best solar eclipse images possible. I love technical photography. Mine won't be as good as SOHO, or Ken's, but it will be a fun experience. I've already been practicing and I can't describe my joy at getting my first sun spots!

Gollan,

Care to share any tips or technical information?

Sam

 

[StillLearning]

I hope to be taking the eclipse with my 1000mm telescope. Already have a Seymour Solar Filter for it. I prefer glass to film filters. Looking forward to it. Seymour Solar Filters

 

[Mike H]

Remembered for the partial eclipse I used a Wratten #5 gelatin filter (actually a #2 and a #3) in a homemade frame taped on the lens then pulled off for totality.

Hey I was really doing it on the cheap. This time I wont be, I wonder if the pics will be that much better??

 

[Gollan]

Gollan,

Care to share any tips or technical information?

Sam

I'm just getting started with solar photography myself. I use Live View (with the viewfinder covered), focusing on the edge of the sun. I cover the back of the camera and my head with a sheet to make it easier to see the screen (and cooler). Then I just adjust my settings until the preview looks usable. Mainly, I try to get out on sunny days to practice.




My First Sun Spots