riderxlx Loc: DFW area Texas

This also posted in the Astro forum as all due respect to them and this also a place to get good feed back. I also want to post here to a broader audience. Before posting I got the Ok from the admin it would be fine to post in both forums.

My first post here is Hillbilly home made solar filter. This is a continuation of that post as I made a couple more.
The Annular eclipse photos came out good to decent for my first time at this. Some Photos will be posted later.
The first two images is where I used clear lens cover I had so I made a film cut to fit inside it and secure and seal it with a cut piece of beer carton which I used on making these. I used this to shoot the eclipse which allowed me to use the lens shield to prevent interfering glare.
We have the total eclipse coming this April and where I am we will be right in path of totality. So, reflecting on a question posed by a member here if a solar filter should be removed at totality while the sun is fully obscured.
If it will be too dark to view and shoot during totality. So, I got an idea to make a quick slip on and off filter that slips on the front of the lens shield. I will test it when the sun is out, cloudy here lately and we need the rain too.
Idea is to remove to shoot the totality and quicker to replace as the sun emerges and appears.
This is for my Nikon D300 S attaching to the Nikon 80-400mm lens.

Solar sheet nicely cut to fit in the screw on clear filter.

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cut piece to secure the thin solar film and help seal light out.

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New filter to cover the lens shield. The solar film is sandwiched between the boards, the white paper is the proctector.

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bricks to press securly the filter sheets.

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Glueing the collar on using the lens shield to make sure the right and tight fit securly.

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Face of filter protected and cut to round to look pretty.

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I painted to mostly ensure no light leaks but there was not but hey, it looks pretty.

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MJPerini

While I love ingenuity and DIY, with something as potentially dangerous as this you might want to post very specific directions on where to obtain the exact solar film you know to be safe, and the dangers of it coming off or getting bumped off while using it.
This is especially true because for many readers the eclipse may not be total.
But good luck, thanks for sharing.

riderxlx Loc: DFW area Texas

Thank you for the reply. I did note where I got this film from. Now what forum topic did you see this ? I posted in the Astro and Gallery but the admin moved to the general discussion ?? I asked why but awaiting a reply. Ok I got his solar film from a astronomy store in Washington state. But ! I cannot find the place now but it is a standard solar film it is called baader solar film:
https://agenaastro.com/baader-astrosolar-visual-filter-film-nd-5-eco-sheet-2459286.html
This stuff seems to be widely available.
I did the research and found this to be good to use. So far it is working fine.
I got it because like other filters, It does not provide an orange look, it delivers the right light we need.
bruce

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

Do your materials cut off UV? If I am correct, your camera is a mirrored system. This means whatever UV comes through the filter will be reflected by the mirrors into one's eyes. This would be extremely dangerous and an unnecessary risk.

It is much easier to go to a welding supply store, buy an 18 or 19 density welders glass filter (cuts out all UV rays), and buy a glass filter holder for your lens. The welder's glass can easily be taken off and on as necessary.

And, yes, it is necessary to take the filter off for totality. The sun's chromesphere will be visible which it isn't visible during an annular eclipse. You will be able to see stars, planets, and constellations during totality. And the temperature will drop 10° to 15°. Since the eclipse is in April, you have to prepare for change in the weather conditions at the time of totality.

Anyone that gets a clear view of the total eclipse, compared to the recent annular eclipse, will learn and understand the phrase, "The difference between a total eclipse and an annular eclipse is like the difference between night and day."

riderxlx Loc: DFW area Texas

This is a good point ross. But yes it is a DSLR but the light coming through the lens is directed up by the mirror to the view finder and so what I see is what the lens sees. Meaning that it is just damn hard to keep the focal point on the sun because everything else is black or to dark, so I have to retract the lens back and find the sun again and then carefully extend the zoom out. This is just too hard hand held. So I do have eclipse viewing glasses which helps getting the camera in the direction of the sun but once I get close I can use the view finder to zero in on it and then zoom in. It is tough because I do not have serious solid tripods but what I have I have managed to work with and I will post some pictures of these as how I set up to do this.
I really appreciate you looking and relying to me. All of this helps me.
Bruce.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

My eyes are one of a kind and should last me a lifetime, Proper Solar filters are the other hand are cheap by comparison.

riderxlx Loc: DFW area Texas

I have two pairs of solar eye viewing glasses, just for watching eclipses.
The solar film I bought and made the filters with the cameras is made specifically to use on telescopes and cameras, and other things for viewing the sun.
Eye protection Is of course the most important part of this.
Bruce

StanMac Loc: Tennessee

It would seem to be a much simpler operation to obtain a Cokin style filter holder (and appropriate size adapter ring for your lens thread) and glue a piece of solar film to a cardstock frame for insertion into the holder.

Stan

riderxlx Loc: DFW area Texas

Yea I thought about that too. If you notice I did use an existing clear screw on filter which was on the lens when I bought it.
I do have Cokin from the film days but the 80-400mm is too wide for it.
I thought about just buying a screw on filter but hey I made my own since I have a second new clear UV filter which is on the lens.
It works good.
bruce

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

One must make sure that they are buying the correct filter for what they are doing. AstroSolar.com supplies several vendors with three levels of filters. One level is for both photographic telephoto and optical observation, one level is not for photographic telephoto but is for optical observation, and one level is for photographic telephoto but cannot be used for optical observation. The use of the wrong level will allow for permanent eye damage. I hope that you have the correct level for your eyes. The solar shades will have the correct level of protection. But if the lens filter does not have the correct level, your eyes will be at risk.

I suspect you may have been sold the right level. But be aware; If you were not sold the correct level, your eyes are at risk.