wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

And Canisdirus and the others are correct in saying do not use normal neutral density filters for your camera or eyes. First, they will not cut off the light enough including the UV. The ND filter you have bought will do the job you want it to do. The filter you have bought is not what most of us consider a normal neutral density filter. It is designed to reduce the light level to prevent damage to your camera. But it will still pass too much UV. Canisdirus is correct when he said the ND filter cannot be used for your eyes. This is why I suggest a cheap investment in proper polymer solar shades or the slightly more expensive welder's glass for just eye viewing of the eclipse. These will stop UV rays from burning your retina. If you cannot get solar shades or welder's glass, try a box with a pinhole in aluminum foil on one end as a pinhole camera for viewing.

Personally, I prefer the solar shades and welder's glass. And, if you are like me, you buy 50 of the solar shades and hand them out to your family and anybody that does not have them. There are a lot of people that still have their eyesight due to that.

dbfalconer Loc: Salida CO

I am looking for the welders glass too. Thanks.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

I’m surprised at how much UHH brainpower is spent photographing the sun, something that NASA does routinely.

dbfalconer Loc: Salida CO

It’s a first for me, a lark! We’ll visit Mesa Verde and other areas too. A road trip with good friends will be fun.

Have enjoyed CO colors lately too.

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rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

I spent the time of the last solar eclipse watching college students watch the eclipse.

dbfalconer Loc: Salida CO

I’ve gotten some decent Milky Way shots from my patio this summer.

bnsf

Check with B&H photo and speak to the Professional staff. They told me that I needed a Solar Eclipse filter and if I do not have one I will damage the photo sensor in the camera which is not covered by factory warranty. I purchased 2 Solar Eclipse filters for my Sony a99ii and the RX10M4. $200.00 is well worth the price of both cameras.

dbfalconer Loc: Salida CO

They are closed until Oct 9 for Succos. Too late for me to order anything.

Here is their article re solar filters. ND100000. 16.5. Minimum required.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/buying-guide/lens-filters-for-solar-photography

And they have several of this strength advertised for sale for solar photography.

You can see why I’ve been concerned—lots of conflicting advice.

I’m not using my ‘good’ camera—hoping for the best.

Thanks for your input.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

I love your road though the trees shot. I am sure the Milky Way shot looks good too. Have fun with the annular eclipse. And make your plans for a total eclipse. I hope to be around for the total eclipse that will cover literally half of Colorado in 2045 (about 5 minutes long in Salida, Colorado). You might try for the total eclipse in 2027 (I believe). I think it will going from Texas to Maine. And there will be other total eclipses around the world. If you do go to one, you will learn why the say the different between a total eclipse and an annular eclipse is "like night and day". The stars and planets come out plus a major temperature drop. There is no filter needed for the actual totality. And the chromosphere is absolutely beautiful. I hope this all encourages you to go to one.

bnsf

Oct 9th is Monday.

dbfalconer Loc: Salida CO

Thanks so much! I appreciate the encouragement. Moved to Salida 18 months ago and miss my Littleton photo club a lot. Learned so much! Am on my own now.
We missed the last eclipse—only partial in Michigan. Will check out the next one!
Turns out Oct 14 may be cloudy in Cortez area—-we’ll have a good time anyway.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

B&H re-opens tomorrow morning, and aparently expects to get a filter ordered then to the user by the 14th, since they have a banner ad on their opening page. They also sent a “eclipse” ad to me tonight!

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

One of the three total eclipses I have been to ended up under the clouds. It still offers a different perspective but it is nothing like a total eclipse. Hopefully there will be a clear area close by so you can at least see your annular eclipse.

Also, you can see where all the eclipses of the world, including the USA, will occur using the NASA web site.

dbfalconer Loc: Salida CO

I’ll contact them first thing. Thx.

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Likewise the full moon. The lighting and the "composition" are not of the photographers doing so who cares who shot whatever full moon pic is posted. Material proof that one can aim and focus a long lens isnt worth a second glance (really not even a first glance).

Blue moons and super moons are not visually distinct from any other moons, but dimbulbs anxiously seek advice about recording those "rare special events".