Annular solar eclipse and filters
Oct 6, 2023 09:48:22 #
I am preparing to photograph the annular solar eclipse in Cortez, CO, next week. Plan to use Tamron 150-500 on Sony a6000. With a ICE ND100000 filter—16.5. Will this be adequate sensor protection? I will only use LCD screen, not look through eyepiece, so I do not understand if electronic viewfinder will be activated. ND use is not advised for optical viewfinders. The Sony is, of course, mirrorless. I just heard of ND1000000 (6 zeroes = 20), but could not obtain one now in time for the trip. Am hoping my brand new ICE ND100000 will do the job. The literature and sales sites have seemed contradictory and misleading. I am exhausted with researching this. Thanks.
Oct 6, 2023 10:00:32 #
You probably already know this but be aware of the road construction on Hwy. 50 west. The delays are horrendous.
Oct 6, 2023 10:48:04 #
You are at the minimum acceptable level of ND...you should be fine.
Depending on brand...expect a bit of color cast...if it is yellow...you might like it.
But the sun is white.
PP will fix that as well if you choose to.
Have fun.
Do NOT use an ND for optical viewing for yourself however...just your camera.
Depending on brand...expect a bit of color cast...if it is yellow...you might like it.
But the sun is white.
PP will fix that as well if you choose to.
Have fun.
Do NOT use an ND for optical viewing for yourself however...just your camera.
Oct 6, 2023 10:56:32 #
Canisdirus wrote:
You are at the minimum acceptable level of ND...you should be fine.
Depending on brand...expect a bit of color cast...if it is yellow...you might like it.
Bu the sun is white.
PP will fix that as well if you choose to.
Have fun.
Do NOT use an ND for optical viewing for yourself however...just your camera.
Depending on brand...expect a bit of color cast...if it is yellow...you might like it.
Bu the sun is white.
PP will fix that as well if you choose to.
Have fun.
Do NOT use an ND for optical viewing for yourself however...just your camera.
Thank you! Appreciate your speedy reassurance. You confirm what I thought. Grateful!
Oct 6, 2023 10:58:16 #
dbfalconer wrote:
Thank you! Appreciate your speedy reassurance. You confirm what I thought. Grateful!
My pleasure...enjoy yourself.
Oct 6, 2023 15:56:42 #
wdross
Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado
dbfalconer wrote:
I am preparing to photograph the annular solar ecl... (show quote)
Be sure to put the filter on before aiming the camera at the sun. Some have not heeded that advice and left the sun focused too long on the shutter or sensor. A burned shutter or sensor is an expensive repair. With an electronic viewfinder, you have no worries there. It can not hurt your eye. But with a mirror camera viewfinder, the damage from sunlight to one's eye through a telephoto lens is almost instantaneous. There are ways to midigate the sun's light like you have done. One other thing to be aware of. Photography filters will not totally mitigate UV rays while welders glass and some specific solar eclipse polymer shades will block the UV rays.
Since the sun is never totally blocked by the moon in an annular eclipse, the small remaining sliver of sun around the moon will damage your eye no matter how small and viewable it is.
Remember, you are a photographer and protecting your eyes is important to what you want to do.
Oct 6, 2023 18:52:00 #
wdross
Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado
dbfalconer wrote:
I am preparing to photograph the annular solar ecl... (show quote)
Two more thoughts. (1) If you can find solar shades on line, you might be able to get them in time (check the NASA site). (2) If not, consider going to a welders supply store and see if you can get an 18 ND or 19 ND welders glass. You can test them in the parking lot for what you like better. I have the 18 ND in a size that I could mount on my film camera's telephoto. Now I have used it several times since for just simple viewing since I have a photographic filter for my mirrorless camera. The welder's glass will stop UV rays from reaching your retina and burning it. The polymer shades will do the same (can be worn while the welder's glass has to be held). You can view for hours with no danger. I cannot say that about a photographic filter.
Oct 6, 2023 20:05:12 #
wdross wrote:
Two more thoughts. (1) If you can find solar shade... (show quote)
Thanks for all these suggestions. I will certainly be careful! I might be able to find the welders glass, too.
Oct 7, 2023 09:40:33 #
Suggest you check out thousandoaksoptical.com for ISO certified filters. I purchased one from them in 2017 and it is outstanding. I'm not sure I would trust neutral density filters or welders glass.
Oct 7, 2023 09:44:22 #
Machinedoc wrote:
Suggest you check out thousandoaksoptical.com for ISO certified filters. I purchased one from them in 2017 and it is outstanding. I'm not sure I would trust neutral density filters or welders glass.
Thanks. I will. Since I only learned of this issue a couple of days ago (thought I had bought correct filter), and I need it by Monday, I guess I will have to use what I have. I get mixed advice and read conflicting articles. Hoping for the best. My Eye protection is all set. Thanks again.
Oct 7, 2023 10:07:54 #
dbfalconer wrote:
Thanks. I will. Since I only learned of this issue a couple of days ago (thought I had bought correct filter), and I need it by Monday, I guess I will have to use what I have. I get mixed advice and read conflicting articles. Hoping for the best. My Eye protection is all set. Thanks again.
Your ND is strong enough...you'll be fine.
Oct 7, 2023 10:11:44 #
Machinedoc wrote:
Suggest you check out thousandoaksoptical.com for ISO certified filters. I purchased one from them in 2017 and it is outstanding. I'm not sure I would trust neutral density filters or welders glass.
👍👍👍
Oct 7, 2023 11:04:35 #
Oct 7, 2023 11:05:23 #
Oct 7, 2023 12:05:59 #
wdross
Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado
Machinedoc wrote:
Suggest you check out thousandoaksoptical.com for ISO certified filters. I purchased one from them in 2017 and it is outstanding. I'm not sure I would trust neutral density filters or welders glass.
Welders glass has to stop UV rays. Otherwise welders would be blind. Welding generates strong UV with the high energy electric welding. I did welding for a while and learned about people who did not heed warnings about welding without using welders glass. The UV is a part of the very bright light produced by electric welding. And during the film days, the welding glass was what I used on my telephoto lens for a total eclipse. I viewed the stages up to totality through the telephoto lens with no damage to my eye. When I was younger and ignorant of the facts, I tried using multiple fully developed film and came within less than a second of losing my eye. After that very, very close call, I educated myself about things that could damage my eye and prevent me from doing photography. I promise you, I would not recommend welders glass unless it would be safe for use.
And, yes, Thousand Oaks Optical is a supplier for solar shades. I have used them before and found them to be very reputable.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.