jozee Loc: Near Denver, Colorado

I will be in Mexico at the time of the eclipse, and want to make sure I have the correct setting for picture taking. Thank you in advance for your recommendations.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

I didn't know either so I asked my computer:

"Copilot...........

Photographing a solar eclipse with a mirrorless camera involves several steps to ensure safety and capture stunning images.

Here’s a concise guide:

Use a Solar Filter: Protect your camera’s sensor and your eyes by attaching a solar filter to your lens. Keep it on until totality.

Camera Settings:
Set your ISO to the lowest value, like ISO 100.
Switch to Manual mode.
Choose a fast shutter speed, such as 1/4000 or 1/8000.

Adjust the aperture to the lens’s sweet spot, usually between f/5.6 and f/81.

Choose the Right Lens: A telephoto lens with a focal length of at least 300mm on a full-frame camera is recommended for detailed shots.

Stabilize Your Camera: Use a tripod to keep your camera steady during the shoot.

Plan Your Shots: Decide if you want to capture the entire event or focus on specific phases.

Practice: Test your setup before the eclipse to ensure you’re ready for the event.

Remember, never look directly at the sun without proper eye protection, and always use a solar filter on your camera lens during the partial phases of the eclipse. For more detailed information, you can refer to comprehensive guides available online.

Happy shooting!"

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

Good advice. It cannot be said enough: Be sure you have the adequate and proper filters for both your eyes (to prevent blindness) and camera (to prevent costly camera damage). For your eyes, make sure what you buy cuts off the UV rays. Some camera filters do not cut off UV rays (sunburned eyes = blindness). So be very careful about using camera filters for your naked eye viewing of the sun. As far as other exposure data, try the NASA eclipse website. And there are lots of other sites to gain more info too. And the suggestion of practicing is important. Three or four minutes goes so fast it is almost unbelievable. And be sure to observe the shadow coming and going. Watch the horizon's color change as the shadow comes. Feel the temperature drop 10° to 15°. If you are near animals or birds, watch their behavior change and their confusion after totality. And during totality, be sure to see the chromesphere and stars without any filters and just your naked eyes (all while shooting of course; remember: practice, practice, practice, practice, practice).

Timmers Loc: San Antonio Texas.

CRITICAL!
Use 1/10shutter speed or greater or you will get a slight blurring from Earth's motion (Ansel Adams, Natural Light Photography, Basic Photo Book series).

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Or an equatorial tripod.

jozee Loc: Near Denver, Colorado

Thank you so much for the detailed info. That will be very helpful. Since the camera is not mirrorless, would that change anything?

Timmers Loc: San Antonio Texas.

Do not look at the sun through the lens! LOL!!!

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

Do not look through the viewfinder without a filter that blocks UV rays! With a filter that allows UV rays, the UV rays will be concentrated and blindness will occur after the totality when the sunburn sets in. During totality, yes, one can view the chromesphere without the filter on the camera. But some people forget to remove their eye from the viewfinder before the end of totality! And some that were not quick enough paid with damaged eyesight. I cannot emphasize enough that sunlight concentrated by a telephoto lens is very, very dangerous. And the camera will be exposed to unfiltered sunlight at the end of totality also. But the camera is much, much more rugged than one's eye and repairable. One's eye that has been damaged as such is more than likely permanent.

alberio Loc: Casa Grande AZ

Presuming you already know to use the proper solar filter, why don't you practice on the sun before you go to Mexico. You might catch some sun spots. During totality, when you can remove the filter, you'll have time to play around with settings.

jozee Loc: Near Denver, Colorado

Great advice. Thank you.

JBRIII

Practice on the moon, they say a full moon is about the same brightness as the eclipsed sun. Practice on the sun for other phases. Use the ability found on most/all cameras to shoot a series at different exposures. The series is really needed to get the complete corona as it varies greatly in brightness and extents quite some distance from the sun, of course dimming as it gets farther out. 500 mm is good for the disk and general corona visible to the human eye.

Never at any time use a view finder unless it goes thru the lens and the lens has an approve solar filter, most people recommend taping it over or use a rubber cover (at least that is what Canon has) and use live view. If the filter falls off the lens and the view finder view is thru the lens and you forget and use the view finder, your eye is a piece of paper and the camera the magnifying glass!!!

Getting good focus is often very hard, AF generally doesn't work well in my experience.

Get a solar filter and test things out if you can before the eclipse, Amazon and astro stores.

jozee Loc: Near Denver, Colorado

Thank you to everyone with your knowledge and tips. Keeping my fingers crossed!