whole2th

I have a 600 mm Canon lens and 1.4X adapter. The 600 uses a drop-in (within the lens) filter tray and the filter size is 48 mm.

Assuming I can find a 12 ND up to 20 ND filter in 48mm, is it safe to point the lens at the sun? Are there any elements or electronics in the lens that might get damaged when pointing toward the full sun?

digitalexplr Loc: Central Missouri

This is what I went with. Strangely they have upped the price in the past couple of months! :>)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0068V23KA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

ky4lc Loc: Madisonville Ky.

The only safe filter to use in or on ANY lens is a solar filter that goes in FRONT of the lens. A filter that goes in a filter slot in the back of the lens will let the sun create heat and ruin the lens. Go to a Camera Supply store or order a solar filter from a store on the internet. That way your camera lens AND your eyes are safe.... good viewing!

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

Unfortunately the Big Whites are at a disadvantage here. Marumi makes a filter that will allow the user to capture the eclipse, but 55mm is the smallest they make. I was able to find a 52mm, the size of most Canon drop-in filters. It is sold under the name "StarGuy as a "white light solar filter". However, this filter has threads that allow it to be attached to the front (only) of a lens. While the threads fit 52mm the filter itself is almost 70mm wide, it isn't going to drop-into anything. They also make a 77mm filter (DHG ND-100000) so Canon's 100-400mm is covered. By using Canon T/Cs that reach can be 1120mm which should give a decent view of the big show. This filter is sold with warnings against using the camera's view finder with the naked eye when viewing the eclipse. B&H stocks these filters is you are interested.

whole2th

I went with the Marumi 16.5 stop ND filter (77 mm) for the 100-400 Canon which soon will have a 2X tele-converter (not Canon). Looking forward to seeing what we come up with--even before the big day.

With the above setup, it is suggested to start with ISO 100 1/1000 sec @ f/11. That will be for starters. I plan to look at the LED screen for composition--perhaps briefly looking through the optical viewfinder--of course with the ND filter in place.

Tripod and I'll see about setting the shutter delayed by 0.5 seconds to avoid mirror shake.

Would have liked to use the 'big white' (a new term that I like) 600 mm, but alas.

Thanks to all for your quick replies that helped in the decision process. As eclipse time approaches, the availability of ND filters may become an issue.

5DS-R

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Some info -

Filters -
http://www.thousandoaksoptical.com/solar.html

Technique -
http://www.mreclipse.com/SEphoto/image/SE-Exposure1w.GIF
http://www.mreclipse.com/SEphoto/SEphoto.html
http://www.eclipse2017.org/2017/photographing.HTM
http://www.nikonusa.com/en/learn-and-explore/article/h20zakgu/how-to-photograph-a-solar-eclipse.html
https://photographylife.com/how-to-photograph-a-solar-eclipse

Mary Kate Loc: NYC

I bought 3 pairs of glasses designed especially for eclipses. I bought them for about $15.00 from; Eclipse2017.Org

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

ky4lc is correct. The light will already be somewhat concentrated by the time it reaches the drop-in filter location and will more than likely overheat and burn a polymer solar filter. And make sure that it is truely a solar filter since ND filters still let through UV and IR that will burn your eyes if you have an optical veiwfinder.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

Sorry, this was a repeat.

jkm757 Loc: San Diego, Ca.

Instead of using a ND filter you might want to look into a solar filter for a telescope. I picked up an Astrozap glass solar filter for $99 from Oceanside Photo and Telescope that fits over the end of my 150-600 mm Sigma lens.

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