Upcoming Solar Eclipse! I live in the state of Washington and we are fortunate to be in a good viewing area for the upcoming August 21st Solar Eclipse. I'm certain there are many on...

Paul Best. Loc: California desert

I live in the state of Washington and we are fortunate to be in a good viewing area for the upcoming August 21st Solar Eclipse. I'm certain there are many on UHH who have photographed eclipses before. Is it safe to view the eclipse on the monitor of my camera? I will be using a tripod for both video and stills and I do know better than to look through the view finder. Are there precautions that I should take, such as sunglasses, before looking at the eclipse on the monitor? I am anxious to hear what everyone has to say on this subject. Thank you.

digitalexplr Loc: Central Missouri

Before totality you need a solar filter. Before totality DO NOT use sunglasses. You MUST use solar glasses.

If you point your camera at the sun BEFORE totality without a solar filter, you will fry your sensor.

At totality you need no protection.

krl48 Loc: NY, PA now SC

While you're waiting, use the Search function on UHH. Many of your questions may have already been answered.

dp75

What setting would you recommend?

Paul Best. Loc: California desert

digitalexplr--Thank you for the quick and perfectly useful explanation. I will be looking for a solar filter today. I don't have a clue where to buy solar glasses though. Any help there?

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

dp75 wrote:

What setting would you recommend?

What would be subject of photo?
What would be intent behind photo?

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

An effective filter could be made using welders goggle glass.

digitalexplr wrote:

Before totality you need a solar filter. Before totality DO NOT use sunglasses. You MUST use solar glasses.

If you point your camera at the sun BEFORE totality without a solar filter, you will fry your sensor.

At totality you need no protection.

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

Digital Photo Secrets - How to photograph a solar eclipse
Nikon Learning - How to photograph a solar eclipse

Equipment options:
DIY
*Cheap and effective filters (solar) by trophygeek in photography (make your own solar filter using step up ring and uv filter)
*How to Make Your Own Objective Solar Filters for Binoculars, Cameras or Telescopes for Visual and Photographic Use
*Video on How to Make a Solar Filter for a Camera
Supplies:Amazon Solar Filter supplies

Filters
B&H Solar Filters
Oceanside Photo & Telescope
Thousand Oaks Optical Solar Filters ("White Light")

dp75

rehess wrote:

What would be subject of photo?
What would be intent behind photo?

As it would be once in a life time eclipse, I just want to have a shot to see how it comes out. No particular goal or intention.

Thanks.
David

sjb3

Paul Best. wrote:

digitalexplr--Thank you for the quick and perfectly useful explanation. I will be looking for a solar filter today. I don't have a clue where to buy solar glasses though. Any help there?

Go to www.greatamericaneclipse.com I got 5 pairs of the cardboard-framed type for $12.50 which included postage. There are also solar glasses available for order at reasonable prices that look more like regular sunglasses. As all the folks who've posted here have said, you really do need the proper equipment to look directly at the sun during all but the few minutes of totality, and only those who are within the 68-mile-wide totality path will be able to do that. If you're outside the path, you'll need filters to protect your eyes the whole time. Your retinas can't feel pain, and irreparable damage can be done without your even being aware of it.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

dp75 wrote:

As it would be once in a life time eclipse, I just want to have a shot to see how it comes out. No particular goal or intention.

Thanks.
David

In the past when I've questioned taking a picture which is guaranteed to be a weak immitation of what professional astronomers will get, I've been told all about the experience. If I were going to try to capture that, complete with environment, the needs would be different. That is why I asked.

I hope you have a good time.

Haydon

digitalexplr wrote:

Before totality you need a solar filter. Before totality DO NOT use sunglasses. You MUST use solar glasses.

If you point your camera at the sun BEFORE totality without a solar filter, you will fry your sensor.

At totality you need no protection.

I don't know if I entirely agree with that. There is a plethora of landscape shots using very long exposures including the sun in the image and there is *zero* comments about sensor frying. I've shot into the sun innumerable times without ill effect with my 5DIII. I've asked around prior to making this type of image and the most definitive answer I got from an expert was "I don't know." I will strongly suggest one shouldn't use this combination to protect your eyes if your eyes remain unprotected.

I'm not suggesting that one shouldn't take precautions, but at the same time lore doesn't make it fact.

I apologize if I'm wrong. Maybe with long lenses the harmful rays are amplified. Maybe you can point us to articles suggesting the contrary.

BTW - I do advocate a solar filter for this specific situation in the same way I endorse 10 stop ND filters to slow the shutter down, "To make the shot."

Here's a tangible article from B&H.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/features/debunking-myths-surrounding-sun-and-your-camera

tresap23 Loc: Texas

Paul Best. wrote:

digitalexplr--Thank you for the quick and perfectly useful explanation. I will be looking for a solar filter today. I don't have a clue where to buy solar glasses though. Any help there?

Adaroma has all kinds of accessories for the upcoming event!

digitalexplr Loc: Central Missouri

Haydon wrote:

I don't know if I entirely agree with that. There ... (show quote)

We are not talking about landscape images that include the sun. Got hundreds of those myself. We are talking about taking images of the SUN at midday. Whole different sent issues to be considered, as previous posts/links point out.

Here is a link from NASA on photography Solar Eclipses: https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEhelp/SEphoto.html

The Nikon link is also excellent.

Totality is nighttime and among other things the temp may drop as much as 25 degrees.

dp75

rehess wrote:

In the past when I've questioned taking a picture which is guaranteed to be a weak immitation of what professional astronomers will get, I've been told all about the experience. If I were going to try to capture that, complete with environment, the needs would be different. That is why I asked.

I hope you have a good time.

I understand.
Thank you.