Solar Eclipse: Would like to photograph the solar eclipse I am just outside the path of totality and was wondering what kind of filter I need for my camera to capture it I have a canon...

Christina McMillan

Would like to photograph the solar eclipse I am just outside the path of totality and was wondering what kind of filter I need for my camera to capture it I have a canon rebel t6 with different lens filters and did not know if i needed to buy a special one

SS319

This is canon's information on the eclipse - some nice to know, some vitally important.

http://learn.usa.canon.com/resources/articles/2017/solar-eclipse/photographic-exposure-solar-eclipse.shtml?categoryId=12

BassmanBruce Loc: Middle of the Mitten

Here is a thread that will answer some of your questions:
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-474098-1.html
Hope that helps, have fun but be carefull.

manofhg Loc: Knoxville, TN

You can buy screw on filters, but they can be pricey and take a little more time to put on and off. I bought this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DS7S52W/ref=pd_sbs_421_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00DS7S52W&pd_rd_r=26Z1AYEC013H9FJ7T6RE&pd_rd_w=4wpgc&pd_rd_wg=iW7Qn&psc=1&refRID=26Z1AYEC013H9FJ7T6RE

I am going to make a holder for it since it is just a dark polymer sheet (mirrored on one side). The reason I don't want something I screw on and off is during the totality which we will have where I am, I would like to be able to take the filter off. I've struggled getting some filters to get screwed on without cross threading and in general are not something to be done quickly. Since my camera will be pointed up for this, all my filter needs to do is stay on the end. I'm making a cup with a plate sandwiching the filter material. The cup will slip over the end of my lens and stay there till I lift it off, then return it as we are ending totality.

Another reason not to buy a much more expensive filter, this will probably be about the only time I will use it with the exception that now I will have a filter available, so may find reason to shoot the sun anyway.

eric

n3eg Loc: West coast USA

You DSLR people have to remember that you're looking right at the sun through that viewfinder. This is where a flip out LCD display or EVF is better, or a real solar filter.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

Christina McMillan wrote:

Would like to photograph the solar eclipse I am just outside the path of totality and was wondering what kind of filter I need for my camera to capture it I have a canon rebel t6 with different lens filters and did not know if i needed to buy a special one

If you are just outside the area of totality, don't plant yourself there; go into the area of totality and receive a totally unique experience. If you can, get as close to the centerline as possible. That is where you get the maximum time. Anywhere else outside the shadow is only a partial. Once you experience an actual total eclipse, you will understand why partial eclipses, where the sun never gets totally covered, are somewhat boring. You will fully understand the statement, "The difference netween a total eclipse and a partial eclipse is like night and day." As far as equipment, equipment yourself with knowledge first by going to NASA.gov and entering "eclipse" in the search block.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Christina McMillan wrote:

Would like to photograph the solar eclipse I am just outside the path of totality and was wondering what kind of filter I need for my camera to capture it I have a canon rebel t6 with different lens filters and did not know if i needed to buy a special one

Lots of links -

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

Technique -
https://www.dpreview.com/learn/3999097998/these-nikon-videos-break-down-the-gear-and-settings-you-need-to-shoot-the-eclipse
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

"Filters" for you.
https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Delectronics&field-keywords=solar+eclipse+glasses&rh=n%3A172282%2Ck%3Asolar+eclipse+glasses

kmocabee

I have been a photographer all my life, and I think I just decided NOT to photograph the eclipse. I live at the edge of totality and am going to drive to the center. I will only have a little over 2 minutes to experience it, and I don't want to be fiddling with my camera at that moment. Instead, I'm going to experience the eclipse without distraction, and I'm pretty sure that there will be a lot of photographs from others <g>.

Corsica fox

You just tipped me into the just look category after weeks of contemplating how I was going manage the photos and my bride of 54 years. thanks.

cthahn

You need a sun filter and they are rather expensive. Read articles on sun photography and understand what they are telling you. Make a mistake and you can loose you eyesight and destroy you camera and lens.

manofhg Loc: Knoxville, TN

Another channel on Youtube is SmarterEveryDay. This has a lot about the eclipse among other very interesting topics.

https://www.youtube.com/user/destinws2

F8 Forever Loc: Lng Island, NY

The first thing is you need a long lens. Depending upon this that or the other 300mm would be minimum. Maybe more. But, if there's a huge visible corona, maybe you need a greater view...

Solar filters are readily available at any decent camera store. B&H has filters and a great eclipse page-- https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/solar-observing/ci/33818/N/3583558376/sba#custom-one

Since you won't see totality, you don't have the chance to dump the filter for a minute and get the corona and flares you could get if there were no sun at all. You might get something, though.

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-news/how-to-look-at-the-sun/ mentions different kinds of solar filters-- and they can be used any time to see sunspots.

elliott937 Loc: St. Louis

Just remember, until TOTALITY ... and you say you are outside the sweep of TOTALITY ... you absolutely must have an eclipse filter in front of your camera lens. Easy way to remember: if you aimed your camera today directly at the sun today, you would damage your retina when looking through the lens. Also, you would damage the sensor if you clicked the shutter. [Source of information: retina damage via my Ophthalmologist; sensor damage via Canon. I've been corresponding with Canon for the past two months, and I finally received their authoritative answer about TOTALITY.]

Since you will not be in the sweep of TOTALITY, this would mean you must still have an eclipse filter to protect your camera sensor (and your eyes).

ecommons

Christina McMillan wrote:

Would like to photograph the solar eclipse I am just outside the path of totality and was wondering what kind of filter I need for my camera to capture it I have a canon rebel t6 with different lens filters and did not know if i needed to buy a special one

I plan on driving to the path of totality (about 300 plus miles) 100% vs 74%, but this only happens once in a lifetime (that I'm able to get to). They happen each year but never at the same location

Most filters you buy are not enough and will burn out your sensors. I contacted Thousand Oaks Optical and ordered one for each of the two lenses I will be using (two different cameras) The cost per filter was $55 (58mm and 67mm) which is what you would pay for a good filter anyway. You could stack several neutral density filters together for the same effect , but lose quality.

Your next problem is delivery time. Thousand Oaks makes them as ordered and takes about two to three weeks to get them. You may have waited too long for this, but if you can wait. The next eclipse following this arc will be in 641 years,

jon S

16 steps is a starting point on eclipse . IMO