nikonshooter Loc: Spartanburg, South Carolina

How are you planning to shoot the eclipse.

1) will you travel to the UMBRA
2) What focal length (I have attached an image I found on the net that was taken at 1200mm which it too much FL IMHO ALSO, I took a pic of the sun yesterday just to get the perspective using 800mm)?
3) Will you track (use alt/az or eq mount) - if yes, will this be manual - does your mount allow for solar as well as sidereal and lunar tracking - will you use solar alignment?
4) What kind of solar filter - easy on and off and fast on and off?
5) When do you plan to remove the filter - timing this is a big issue? This has me a little concerned.
6) Will you video, time lapse, or fire manually your sequences
7) Will you rehearse .....using your own eclipse ball to block the sun - I plan too.
8) Will you bracket your shots - recommended
9) Do you have drivable alternate sites should clouds appear to be threatening in your area - do you have contacts in those sites that can give your a cloud report - of course all can change real fast in the south.
10) How many setups will you bring
11) Power Supplies
11) Add to this list - What else do we need to be thinking about and planning for.

or, do you plan to stay home and watch a good baseball game, drink Bud, and eat Barbeque!

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SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

OK, I'll Play....

1. Not sure. I should, but can't make up my mind.
2. My FL would be most likely my Tamron @ 600 mm with my Baader Solar Film Filter. And my DSLR.
3. Track with AVX and it's Sun menu. Solar alignment. (Which is basically mechanical tracking)
4. My Solar filter is made for easy. And it fits both the Tamron (inside the hood), and my ED80T CF on the outside. Both are snug and light tight.
5. IF I was to remove my filter, it would be mid-total, and only for some quickies. Then back on for the duration.
6. Definitely time-lapse. Let the equipment do the work. That's why I have it.
7. Rehearse? Let's not be talkin about station wagons for dead folks. Besides, who needs sunburned fingers?
8. Bracket? I thought that was what Post Processing was for. Adding hoot chi-koochi.
9. I haven't even decided if, letalone where yet. I have a favorite spot in Wyoming. But that a long ways from here. 1000+ miles, both ways. And August is when the worst of the worst thunderstorms hit.
10. Oh my, all 2 I would think. I have a truck that can haul it all. And the beds enclosed.
11. My trusty 12 volt AGM battery, my inverter, and use the truck as a charger. More than I would need.

12. Dog. MRE's, Camp Stove, coffee.
13. Sleepin bag, tent?
14. Comfy chairs, umbrella.
15. Favorite Adult Beeverage(s).
16. Plan for Night Skies shooting as well, both ends of the Eclipse. Make the trip worthwhile....
17. Got enough storage? SD cards or the like.

Albuqshutterbug Loc: Albuquerque NM

#1 Hell yes I am going to travel to the Umbra. I have partials, I have a full Annular eclipse that I was 4 miles from center on but no total.
#2 I plan on using my Celestron C6 with my Canon 5D Mark II full frame. I have plenty of space to center into and I want the most detail.
#3 AVX Solar tracking with occasional checks to ensure center. It does a nice job of solar tracking so yep.
#4 Home made Baader film that slips on snuggly and comes off quickly.
#5 When Baileys beads form I will grab some shots of that and when it goes away, so does the filter.
#6 I won't likely video and I may time lapse. I plan to play it by ear depending on what's on the suns surface the day of.
#7 Nope, I have shot plenty of eclipses just not a total and that's the only difference, totality.
#8 During Total I assume. Absolutely and might even have the camera setup to do it automatically.
#9 Staying with an Oregonian and we have alternates. He is going to Madras this week to check things out and I suggested he try another site further East.
#10 Probably two SLR's with telephoto lenses, the C6 that I have been testing and my Lunt in case there is neat activity. Add a good tripod and that's good.
#11 I have 2 large car jumper battery packs that I use and a 25' car cable.. I plan on taking 3 changes of batteries for each camera and lots of storage.
#12 Because of the mass of humanity going to small towns expect supplies to be limited. Water, food and gas will be in short supply. Restaurants will be overwhelmed and convenience stores will likely sell out of most goods. Pretend you are going camping for several days not just one although when its over I am guessing things are going to start clearing out and it will take time to get things sorted out. Just be careful and patient.

Jim the Pilot with a plan (Sort of)

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

Jim's #12 is why I favor my spot in Wyoming.
But having not been there in... 40 years, a few things may have changed a little.
I know all the mining has been long gone. But the big equipment shop is still there. Thanks Google Earth.

But days ahead, and days behind could get me around most of the buffoons.
Being a retired fart, time is something I have lots of. Time, and memories.

Right now I'm waiting for the Wizard Nebula to climb out of the ivy on my back fence.
Then I'm gonna shoot the poop out of it...

MRE's, water, a good Dog, and a jug of whiskey. Woo-Hoo!