Preparing for Total Eclipse
Nov 26, 2023 22:01:34 #
Dear All:
I am planning to a location in the path of totality to shoot the eclipse. I am looking for recommendations on how best to shoot this event. First my equipment:
1. Canon R6, Canon RF 70 - 200mm F2.8 (good when totality is happening), A good steady tripod & a Remote shutter release.
Questions:
What kind of filter do I need to shoot while eclipse is partial? Is a 0.1% ND filter good enough protection for the R6 sensor when using an F2.8 lens?
Should I use a 400mm or a 200mm? The 400 is F5.6.
Since light will be changing fast near the totality I am thinking of using a magnetic filter kit; any issues with using those & the lens electronics?
Of course I also plan to use protective glasses for myself.
Thanks in advance for your advice.
Photolearner01
Also
I am planning to a location in the path of totality to shoot the eclipse. I am looking for recommendations on how best to shoot this event. First my equipment:
1. Canon R6, Canon RF 70 - 200mm F2.8 (good when totality is happening), A good steady tripod & a Remote shutter release.
Questions:
What kind of filter do I need to shoot while eclipse is partial? Is a 0.1% ND filter good enough protection for the R6 sensor when using an F2.8 lens?
Should I use a 400mm or a 200mm? The 400 is F5.6.
Since light will be changing fast near the totality I am thinking of using a magnetic filter kit; any issues with using those & the lens electronics?
Of course I also plan to use protective glasses for myself.
Thanks in advance for your advice.
Photolearner01
Also
Nov 26, 2023 23:54:57 #
Photolearner01 wrote:
Dear All: br I am planning to a location in the pa... (show quote)
Use two cameras on a common mount.
Enable fast bracketing. Otherwise, I smell impending doom.
Nov 27, 2023 00:08:44 #
wdross
Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado
Photolearner01 wrote:
Dear All: br I am planning to a location in the pa... (show quote)
You will need about 16.5 to 20 stop ND filter (ND100000 or more). An 18 or 19 ND welder's glass is an another option. The ND photographic filter will not protect one from UV radiation while the welder's glass will cut out the UV. There are some photographic filters that will also stop UV, but they will state such in their specs, give the actual spec, and usually cost more. You cannot remove the filter from the lens until actual totality (moon totally covers the sun; no sun part of the sun disc is visible). If you remove the filter from your lens before then, you will risk damage to your camera's shutter and/or sensor. Your eclipse sun shades should stop UV if you have bought them from Thousand Oaks or such. Be sure to review all the information on the NASA eclipse site. Do not risk your eyes and photographic future.
Nov 27, 2023 02:12:04 #
Nov 27, 2023 08:09:25 #
I've used Thousand Oaks Optical filter for several years with very good results. Their website is: https://thousandoaksoptical.com/ The annular eclipse in October is an example. I've not only used the filter for eclipses but other solar events. Several years ago I shot a transit of the sun by Venus that worked well.
Both of these shots were shot with a Canon R7 with a 100 - 400 mm "L" EF lens. The dark spots on the face of the sun are sun spots. With the activity of the sun increasing as we approach solar max, there should be plenty of opportunities to shoot different solar subjects.
If you subscribe to the newsletters at www.spaceweather.com it's an excellent source of information about solar activity and the opportunity to see the aurora borealis much farther south than normally observed.
Both of these shots were shot with a Canon R7 with a 100 - 400 mm "L" EF lens. The dark spots on the face of the sun are sun spots. With the activity of the sun increasing as we approach solar max, there should be plenty of opportunities to shoot different solar subjects.
If you subscribe to the newsletters at www.spaceweather.com it's an excellent source of information about solar activity and the opportunity to see the aurora borealis much farther south than normally observed.
Nov 27, 2023 10:13:52 #
I'm following this with interest, because I plan to go to my farm in Illinois to shoot it/experience it and I have no clue what I need.
Nov 27, 2023 10:27:06 #
DougS
Loc: Central Arkansas
Be sure and do a few practice shots with the equipment you will be using. If you are going to be buying any new solar items, be sure to get them soon (don't wait till the last minute).
Nov 27, 2023 10:34:06 #
DougS wrote:
Be sure and do a few practice shots with the equipment you will be using. If you are going to be buying any new solar items, be sure to get them soon (don't wait till the last minute).
My problem is that I don't know what I need!
Nov 27, 2023 11:46:56 #
AzPicLady wrote:
My problem is that I don't know what I need!
Yiu need either a solar filter or at least 16 stpps of neutral density filters.
You also probably want a 400 mm lens or larger for totality, a wider lens is fine if you are shooting something such as other people wearing their glasses watching the eclipse.
You will also need to shoot with manual focus as the camera is unable to focus with the filter on it.
Just keep in mind that if you are too busy shooting you will moss out on really seeing the eclipse. A lot of people who shoot their first eclipse later say that they wish they had just watched it.
Nov 27, 2023 12:02:50 #
DougS
Loc: Central Arkansas
AzPicLady wrote:
My problem is that I don't know what I need!
Google ' Solar Filters ". You will want one for your camera, your telephoto lens, AND SOLAR GLASSES for your eyes! They can be quite cheap. Just get the ones that just 'slip' on the end of the lens for easy removal during 'totality'! Sellers often include the 'glasses' with a lens filter (they are cheap, and made of paper around the 'eye protector' filter parts. Or you can go more expensive, if you wish... Get one and try it out, then decide if it is what you want. You only have 4+ months to get prepared!
Nov 27, 2023 12:13:00 #
You lost me with, "I am planning to a location in the path of totality".....
Does that mean, I am planning to shoot the eclipse?
Dennis
Does that mean, I am planning to shoot the eclipse?
Dennis
Nov 27, 2023 12:29:36 #
btbg wrote:
Yiu need either a solar filter or at least 16 stpp... (show quote)
Thanks. I didn't mean to hijack this thread! But I appreciate the responses and hope others find them useful also.
Nov 27, 2023 12:38:55 #
According to PhotoPills my camp on Lake Ontario is nearly centered within the band of total eclipse and we have a clear viewing path for the entire event so my plan is as follows:
Aggressively attack PT after knee replacement so I can drive for sure.
Pray for a clear sky.
Arrange lawn chairs appropriately.
Purchase high quality glasses.
Keep camera in bag.
Chill beverages.
Keep praying. Sacrifice chicken. Spin prayer wheels.
Enjoy watching eclipse or consume beverages while screaming bad language.
Look at and admire your posts of great shots. Thank you!
Aggressively attack PT after knee replacement so I can drive for sure.
Pray for a clear sky.
Arrange lawn chairs appropriately.
Purchase high quality glasses.
Keep camera in bag.
Chill beverages.
Keep praying. Sacrifice chicken. Spin prayer wheels.
Enjoy watching eclipse or consume beverages while screaming bad language.
Look at and admire your posts of great shots. Thank you!
Nov 27, 2023 13:17:45 #
I shot the Aug 2017 eclipse with my SX50 HS bridge camera because I wanted the benefit of the full tele range. The zoom lens was essentially at full zoom which would be 1200mm (35 equiv). I still had to crop the resulting image slightly, so 200mm on a full frame isn't much.
I used internal exposure but the EC was at -3 which worked out well since the sky was very dark at full eclipse.
You won't have much time, in fact hardly any at all. Have the rig set so you can frame and focus while standing or sitting comfortably. If you are using a sun filter you will need to remove it for the full eclipse, or have one camera filtered and another not filtered.
I used internal exposure but the EC was at -3 which worked out well since the sky was very dark at full eclipse.
You won't have much time, in fact hardly any at all. Have the rig set so you can frame and focus while standing or sitting comfortably. If you are using a sun filter you will need to remove it for the full eclipse, or have one camera filtered and another not filtered.
Nov 27, 2023 13:19:39 #
wdross wrote:
You will need about 16.5 to 20 stop ND filter (ND1... (show quote)
Thanks so much for sharing your wisdom. As my nom de plume implies I am learning🙏🏽
Photolearner01
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