Total eclipse: Hello! I am a novice photographer that enjoys shooting lots of different stuff. I live in the path of totality for the upcoming solar eclipse here in Indiana. I'm...

gfox333 Loc: Bloomington In.

Hello! I am a novice photographer that enjoys shooting lots of different stuff. I live in the path of totality for the upcoming solar eclipse here in Indiana. I'm looking for ideas on capturing images. I shoot with a Nikon d610 and older 80-200 2.8 Nikon lens. Thanks for any advice!

Bill_de Loc: US

Check these UHH links

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/search-topic-list?q=eclipse+2024&sectnum=0&username=

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Welcome. I have no clue on shooting an eclipse, though.

SHWeiss

The app, solar eclipse timer (fee to open April eclipse data), and the ebook they sell are great resources before and during the eclipse

Tomfl101 Loc: Mount Airy, MD

Your 80-200 lens won’t allow you to fill the frame. You will need an 800-1200mm lens with at least an 8 stop ND filter to shoot the phases before totality. Now if your aim is to make small prints like 4x6 you’ll be fine with the 80-200. Just get the 8> stop. Do test shots of the sun beforehand so you’re 100% ready when the moments come. I recommend setting your lens to manual focus and taping the barrel to lock it sharp in advance. Once totality occurs you can take the ND filter off and shoot normal.

Edit- when I shot the 2017 eclipse I used a 2x converter which reduced exposure an additional 2 stops. Try to get your hands on one for both exposure and frame filling.

gfox333 Loc: Bloomington In.

Thank you

coolhanduke Loc: Redondo Beach, CA

Buy a solar filter for the lens as soon as you can.
They sell out.
Also get a pair of the certified solar glasses, they sell out fast too.

coolhanduke Loc: Redondo Beach, CA

Just f.y.i.,
I used a 80-400mm lens.
Worked just fine.
I posted some of the photos for review.

DHooch

I photographed the last total eclipse in 2017 (I think that was the year.) I suggest using a tripod and use protective eyewear. Otherwise, it's just a normal photograph.

Christm Loc: Howell, Michigan

Solar Eclipes settings.jpeg

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

Tomfl101 wrote:

Your 80-200 lens won’t allow you to fill the frame... (show quote)

You need more than 8 stops. At least 13 stops for imaging and 16 stops for viewing. Although even then it won’t filter UV and infrared, which a solar eclipse filter will do. You really should use the solar filter.

BBurns Loc: South Bay, California

gfox333 wrote:

Hello! I am a novice photographer that enjoys shooting lots of different stuff. I live in the path of totality for the upcoming solar eclipse here in Indiana. I'm looking for ideas on capturing images. I shoot with a Nikon d610 and older 80-200 2.8 Nikon lens. Thanks for any advice!

If you are serious abut getting this right then some planning is necessary.

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-478508-1.html

Good Luck

coolhanduke Loc: Redondo Beach, CA

DHooch wrote:

I photographed the last total eclipse in 2017 (I think that was the year.) I suggest using a tripod and use protective eyewear. Otherwise, it's just a normal photograph.

I caught that eclipse at the last place it passed in the United States in South Carolina.

Hip Coyote

look up photopills...

druthven

gfox333 wrote:

Hello! I am a novice photographer that enjoys shooting lots of different stuff. I live in the path of totality for the upcoming solar eclipse here in Indiana. I'm looking for ideas on capturing images. I shoot with a Nikon d610 and older 80-200 2.8 Nikon lens. Thanks for any advice!

Google, Nikon USA, How to Photograph a Solar Eclipse. In Ugly Hedgehog go to Watched Topics and find my post. It will be under Prepare for Total Eclipse by Photolearner 61 Nov.26, 2023. My post will be on page 2.
I also used a 80-200 2.8 lens but the camera was a DX format making my lens a 300 35mm equivalent. With your FX camera 200mm is not quite enough. Rent, borrow whatever a 1.4 or 2x tele extender and you will be alright. You will not need that 2.8 f stop as most of the exposures will be in the 5.6-f8 range. Even with the amount of cropping necessary I feel sure you will not be disappointed.