PhotoPhred Loc: Cheyney, Pa

I will be in the area of totality and recently purchased an ND Solar filter equal to 16.5 f stops. My question is do I remove this filter during the 2.5 minutes of totality. I know it will be needed up to that point, but then it will be dark except for the Corona and the "Bailey's" beads. I would hate to mess this up, and also should I leave the UV filter on. Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks,
Phred

Meives Loc: FORT LAUDERDALE

Yes, During totality there is no sun. Going in and going out is the diamond ring which can get bright.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

If you are concerned, during totality, do bracketed shots

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

Absolute totality requires no filter on your camera or your eyes. I plan to watch it on TV considering the likelihood that we will have clouds on the morning. We'll be out celebrating the "dark".

jwohlhueter

The Solar filter is not required during the total phase of the eclipse. There are many web sites that will help you set your camera correctly. It sounds like this is your first total solar eclipse. If so, I cannot stress enough that you should not spend your 2.5 minutes trying to get the perfect shot. Research a couple of settings, bracket a few shoots then get out from behind your camera. Trust me, your photos, will be secondary to viewing the entire event. Watch the shadow advance across the landscape, feel the temperature drop, the animals in the area will go silent, Mercury and Venus will be brilliant in the sky, people will gasp and hug and cry and dance. It is a near religious experience for some. We have seen three in different places around the world and hope to see many more.

Here is a link to a 20min video that will help explain the eclipse chaser mentality. Sit back with a beer or a glass of wine and enjoy.
http://eclipseguy.com/videos/still-hooked/

PhotoPhred Loc: Cheyney, Pa

Thanks to all. I will check out this video as this is probably my only shot at this. My biggest fear is that it will be a cloudy day. At least I will be hanging out with great friends who live in the path.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

Make sure that the filter is a true solar filter. A true solar filter will cut out the UV to prevent burning one's eye. To take a picture of Bailey's Beads the filter must be off, BUT YOU CAN NOT VIEW THEM THROUGH AN OPTICAL VIEWFINDER. The light from Bailey's Beads is still sunlight and will burn your eye. Set the sun up to move to the center, take off the filter, and shoot while watching with solar glasses as the sun disappears. No filter of any sort for totality. Be sure to see how many stars and planets you can see.

Bigbeartom44

No standard camera filter is good enough. You need a solar filter that is designed to block all the Ultraviolet and infrared or you will harm your eyes. Amazon.com has an excellent solar filter. 8"x8" Solar Filter Sheet for Telescopes, Binoculars and Cameras for 19.99 that is designed for solar eclipses. Any astronomy store will carry good filters. Don't count on camera stores. Your eyes are the only ones that you will ever have.

PhotoPhred Loc: Cheyney, Pa

Thanks, I was going to cover the viewfinder and use the live view function. I hope I don't mess this up. At my age the chance of ever seeing another one is slim to none.

wmack

B & H Has some very good recommendations I believe, on their website.

henryp Loc: New York, NY

Thank you. I'd start at https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/outdoors/features/mark-your-calendars-north-american-solar-eclipse-2017 and then try https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/search/site/eclipse