Filters for photographing the sun: Hello; I am new to this forum and new to photography. My question is per IR cutting filters for taking pictures of the sun. I understand the need for...

Retired60

Hello; I am new to this forum and new to photography. My question is per IR cutting filters for taking pictures of the sun. I understand the need for ND filters, but they do not block the infrared, which makes up about 55% of the light spectrum. UV being about 3%, and visible light about 42%. My two telephoto lenses have a 105mm and 122mm filter thread. What filters should one be using in order to protect the camera sensor? And whom makes filters / kits for telephoto lenses larger than the norm? Thank you. Life is great; Kim.

cthahn

Seymour Solar. They make filters specifically for photographing the sun. 435-826-4212

Retired60

Thanks, I will give them a call.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Retired60 wrote:

Hello; I am new to this forum and new to photograp... (show quote)

Solar eclipse filters available below, although you seem to want shots of the non-eclipsed sun. Someone posted a nice filtered shot of the sun recently. Maybe he'll see your post and post his picture.

Filters -
http://www.thousandoaksoptical.com/solar.html

Lowrider Loc: Kennesaw, GA

I used the following: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/801580992-USE/hoya_xhd77protec_77mm_hoya_hd_clear.html
https://www.amazon.com/Solar-Filter-Telescopes-Binoculars-Cameras/dp/B00DS7IFQS/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1497528895&sr=8-6&keywords=solar+eclipse+film

I cut the film to fit inside the filter and screwed it on. Had film left over for binoculars as well. You can probably do better if you use a smaller lens than a 77mm. After the eclipse I still have a clear filter to protect my lens although some might argue the glass is not good enough due to just the costs.

dlmorris Loc: Loma Linda, Ca

You can order a Mylar type filter from most astronomical supply stores and cut and fit to your own camera, lens, telescope... To can easily make a cell to fit whatever lense from the poster board material sold at any Walmart store. I've made several..

dlmorris Loc: Loma Linda, Ca

You can order a Mylar type filter from most astronomical supply stores and cut and fit to your own camera, lens, telescope... To can easily make a cell to fit whatever lense from the poster board material sold at any Walmart store. I've made several.. The material is made by Baader, some for photography, some for visual, so just ask for what you want.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

Just remember that at "totality", when the sun is effectively blocked by the moon, you don't need a filter for your eyes or camera and that totality lasts for only about two minutes in the zone of totality. Here on the Central Oregon Coast that zone is about 60 miles wide and centered roughly on Depot Bay. You need to know the exact time of totality at your location. Here it will be at 9:16 am.

Retired fat guy with a camera Loc: Colorado

I posted a shot of the sun a little while ago, using a #10 gold plated welding lens. you could go up to a #12. I taped the welding lens to the end of my camera lens. My camera and lens are fine, and the shot was great.

graybeard

tyedyetommy wrote:

I posted a shot of the sun a little while ago, using a #10 gold plated welding lens. you could go up to a #12. I taped the welding lens to the end of my camera lens. My camera and lens are fine, and the shot was great.

Look, first and foremost, I am a cheapskate. Please no advice that adds up to $99+!! So, the question I have is about what to use as a solar filter for the eclipse. Why cant I take a lens out of the cheapo cardboard viewers they sell and rig it up with a cardboard frame and duct tape?? Yes, I know I am a Philistine, you needn't remind me. Just tell me what, if anything (other than esthetics) is wrong with that. Thank you.

dlmorris Loc: Loma Linda, Ca

You probably could, but the apature would be only an inch or so. I'm not sure how optically clear those are....good enough for looking, but maybe not good for a camera. I'll check for the price of the Baader material...you can google "Baader solar film" and find prices a number of sizes. 6" is about $19.00 or so. If you get larger, then you can make several filters... I'll try to post some pictures of what I built... Just a few $$$$. Made from poster board from Walmart, aluminum tape (fancy) wrapped around it for strength..

graybeard

dlmorris wrote:

You probably could, but the apature would be only ... (show quote)

This looks like something I had in mind. I would cut out a lens from a pair of eclipse glasses, tape it to a piece of cardboard, then tape the cardboard to another piece of cardboard fitted around the lens hood, or perhaps the lens itself, of my 500mm lens. The sun image should fit inside OK. Slip this thing over the lens when eclipse starts until full eclipse, take it off until partial resumes, and put it back on. I will take a pic every few minutes during waxing and waning, and maybe improvise a cap to put on in between shots. Also want to have another camera to take pictures of the effects of this in my viewing area, which will likely be in central Missouri. Thanks a lot for your response. You even resisted the oppurtunity to ridicule me.

dlmorris Loc: Loma Linda, Ca

graybeard wrote:

This looks like something I had in mind. I would c... (show quote)

No ridicule here. 500mm will give you enough room around the sun to get whatever extended prominences that may be visible. Once the eclipse reaches totality, I will just use my manual shutter release and take a bunch of pictures, some short exposures, some longer, checking the viewing screen to see what I got each time. If I can get my little Garmin camera to work (kinda like a GoPro) I will set it up to record the action on the ground... I cut two rings of the poster board material, glued a piece of the Baader material between them, then glued that cell to a ri g of the poster board I had previously formed around my lens. Don't make it too tight so that you can't remove it easily during totality, but you don't want it to fall off to easily either...

Retired fat guy with a camera Loc: Colorado

a welding lens is under 20 dollars

graybeard

tyedyetommy wrote:

a welding lens is under 20 dollars

Yeah but cardboard viewing glasses are about $3 !!