Filter Suggestions for solar eclipse photography: I am interested in photographing the upcoming solar eclipse using my Sigma 150-600 contemporary lens. I contacted Sigma and was told...

RedAdmiral Loc: Humboldt County, California

I am interested in photographing the upcoming solar eclipse using my Sigma 150-600 contemporary lens. I contacted Sigma and was told they do not sell filters and cannot recommend any. I contacted a couple of filter manufacturers and was told they don't have anything in the 95 mm ring diameter. Am I just missing something or is there a dearth of stuff out there? If there really isn't anything commercially available does anyone have workaround suggestions?

BassmanBruce Loc: Middle of the Mitten

What about a smaller filter and step down ring. You're going to get vignetting of course but I doubt it would matter in an eclipse shot, might even enhance it.

twowindsbear

Maybe post your question in the Astronomy section

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

RedAdmiral wrote:

I am interested in photographing the upcoming solar eclipse using my Sigma 150-600 contemporary lens. I contacted Sigma and was told they do not sell filters and cannot recommend any. I contacted a couple of filter manufacturers and was told they don't have anything in the 95 mm ring diameter. Am I just missing something or is there a dearth of stuff out there? If there really isn't anything commercially available does anyone have workaround suggestions?

Here is where you get them. They have threaded lens filters at the bottom of the page.
http://www.thousandoaksoptical.com/solar.html

tsilva Loc: Arizona

welders glass. just hold it in front of the lens

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

tsilva wrote:

welders glass. just hold it in front of the lens

Please don't do this unless they are 14 (US Standards) or better welder's glass.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

This should help.

https://photographylife.com/how-to-photograph-a-solar-eclipse

And this:

http://www.leefilters.com/index.php/camera/system

Math78 Loc: Scottsdale, AZ

Architect1776 wrote:

Here is where you get them. They have threaded lens filters at the bottom of the page.
http://www.thousandoaksoptical.com/solar.html

I have the filter you want - the Black Polymer Threaded Camera Filter 95-T .
I used it last summer to photograph the transit of Mercury with Nikon 200-500mm lens. Works great.
For exposure, start at ISO 200, f/11, 1/200s. That will get you close enough that you can make adjustment from there.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

tsilva wrote:

welders glass. just hold it in front of the lens

architect1776 is correct. Long lenses concentrate light on the retina and will permanently burn the eye if not the correct grade welders glass. Also, if one's hand slips, your eye will be permanently damaged faster that you can react to it. This is also why lasers are graded as to their ability to blind someone in what amount of time (usually a short amount of time [seconds] for an upper class B laser which not considered to be all that powerful). It is much better to spend the money on a proper filter than trying to be a photographer once you are blind. Also, several layers of film do not work as a filter. Film lets through UV and will burn your eye. This just means that you will go blind later on in the day instead of right away. Welders glass can be used but get a proper holder for it; they do exist because I have one.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

RedAdmiral wrote:

I am interested in photographing the upcoming solar eclipse using my Sigma 150-600 contemporary lens. I contacted Sigma and was told they do not sell filters and cannot recommend any. I contacted a couple of filter manufacturers and was told they don't have anything in the 95 mm ring diameter. Am I just missing something or is there a dearth of stuff out there? If there really isn't anything commercially available does anyone have workaround suggestions?

Also, be aware that any hotel accommodations along the path are long gone. My wife is a travel agent and could not find any reasonably priced accommodations north of Colorado. I plan to drive to the best location the day before and car campout along the path.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Architect1776 wrote:

Here is where you get them. They have threaded lens filters at the bottom of the page.
http://www.thousandoaksoptical.com/solar.html

Interesting. It's a film, rather than glass. Good prices.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

wdross wrote:

architect1776 is correct. Long lenses concentrate ... (show quote)

And that is why it's best to use LiveView for this. No chance of getting hurt.

bob fleer Loc: Annapolis, MD

Check out sme of the telescope suppliers Orion hs several filters that allows you to see with a telescope. I have one voes on front of telescope can see sun spots no barm to eyes. You might need to find a way to make it work with camera. They might have one for cameras. Orion.com .

ggttc Loc: TN

I made a filter for my camera using this...buy a cheap 95mm filter take the glass out and cut this to fit.

https://www.amazon.com/BP-6X6-Black-Polymer-Solar-Filter/dp/B01770FDAC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1485267630&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=solar+filter+sheet&psc=1

FredCM Loc: Central Illinois

Best spot, longest duration that is, Hopkinsville, KY. Use this to pick a spot good for you. http://shadowandsubstance.com/2017/2017e.html Hopkinsville is very close to Ft. Campbell and on I-24. The eclipse follows I-24 for a long ways, from Metropolis, Il. through a lot of Tennessee. Point being, if it's cloudy just jump in the car and move along the Interstate until it's clear. I read somewhere Marion, Il. is expecting 40,000 visitors for the eclipse.