markwilliam1

If you are just trying to capture Totality you Don’t need a filter. A few years ago in Indiana I captured amazing pictures of Totality without any filters on my Sony camera. Good Luck

PhotogHobbyist Loc: Bradford, PA

Check Amazon for solar filters. they have a wide variaety of them. Amazon also has filters like those from B&H for less.

KiwiRuss

I just attended an information session presented at Plano Photography Club where the presenter was clearly an expert in this area. One key statement he made and repeated was that the total eclipse period is a little over 4 minutes. I understood that at that time you do not need any filters as the sun will be blocked out except for the light from solar flares that might be visible. At any other time, you need the very dark filter as mentioned in the other responses. The trick is that you need to be able to remove the filter for that period otherwise you will not get a usable image.

The rest of the time the filter should be fine. He also recommended keeping good quality eclipse specific glasses (the paper frames are fine but make sure the lenses are current (usually just purpose cut piece of ISO12312-2 filters and not a huge expense) - there is also a warning that these eyeglass versions should be less than 3 years old as their protective capabilities decline with age.

If you haven't already got the eyeglasses, get them soon as I have seen reports that stocks are running low, prices are rising and there could be some inadequate versions becoming available.

Dwiggy Loc: Dunedin, FL

For the last solar eclipse I used Daystar filters and throw away glasses. They work great and you don't have a lot of money invested. I toyed with purchasing a regular camera eclipse filter, found it expensive and decided it would leave me with little value after the eclipse, so decided to purchase Daystar.

riderxlx Loc: DFW area Texas

You have some good advice and links offered. As your neighbor in Grand Prairie, we are right in total path so it will be really a good opportunity to photo it.
Look in the Astro section and there is a lot of goof information there including my posts that showed how I made mine for the two cameras I used on the last we had, the annular one.
I bought an 8x11 inch sheet of solar film and made mine. My objective was to be able to quickly and easily pull it off during totality and then slide it back on as the sun starts reappearing.
If you are using one camera this is the best way and easiest.
See me examples, I only posted a few for you to get an idea what I did and very cheap to make.
The solar film looks like it has stuff on it but that is actually just reflections.
Start early because there will be a demand on solar stuff as we get closer to April.
Bruce.

Solar film sandwiched between the beer carton cardboard I used.

(Download)

Glueing the collar on using the lens shield to make sure the right and tight fit securly.

(Download)

trimmed up and painted,

(Download)

Lens hood with the filter on. I got a lot of really good shots.

(Download)

bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada

Most welder's glass is terrible optical quality! Go with Baader film for good results.

bwa

Drbobcameraguy Loc: Eaton Ohio

I saw on the link for the film everyone likes that it appears to be nd5. Would a regular and filter 5 or above work? I read the website for the film. It states it's nd5. So am I correct to think I can use my nd filters?

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

That is what I did. Totality only so no filter.

DougS Loc: Central Arkansas

Using the filter on your camera is my preference (You will be looking thru it anyway). The sun is quite small otherwise (to the human eyes). The more magnification you have, the better... you MUST have protection up till totality, and after totality! I like the one I have that is paper based (with the actual filter covering the lens), with the filter on the lens side. Easy to slip on, and off! The sun moves fairly quickly, requiring re-centering in the camera quite often (less than 5 minutes between centering)!
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?q=daystar&sts=ma

Canisdirus

If you get a nice solar filter...you can look at the sun every day.

Basil Loc: New Mexico

This is the filter I used for the 2017 eclipse, and plan to use for this one too. Note it doesn’t provide any artificial tint, so the colour will be white, as the sun really is. However you can add tint to taste in post.
https://formatt-hitechusa.com/products/firecrest-ultra-neutral-density-irnd-solar-eclipse-filter?variant=43967731826937

pmorin Loc: Huntington Beach, Palm Springs

I too bought from Thousand Oaks and was very happy with the product. They have on their website all the instructions for measuring your lens hood to get the correct filter size. It is very helpful to be able to just slip the filter off during totality and then reset it when the sun begins to peek out again. Screw in filters are fine, but you may miss some shots while trying to install them. I also taped a white cloth over the camera body to decrease the amount of heat that could build up in the camera and possibly affect its functions. A cable shutter release is a recommended solution to keep the fully extended lens from shaking. I used an app for the countdown to totality in order to get the timing just right. And lastly, if you have a way to connect wirelessly to your camera and cell phone/tablet/laptop it too is helpful

Judy795

I got the solar film on a lens cap that easily goes on and off my lens from Thousand Oaks. Thousandoaksoptical.com

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

Ready for this one? Star Guy 66-94mm white light adjustable solar filter. Adjustable in that it will fit a variety of lenses without interfering with zoom. I used it on my Sigma 18-250 zoom lens without a problem. I overpaid at my local photo supply shop, but it was hands on and I don't mind helping them to stay in business @ $59.95. Amazon I am sure is somewhat cheaper. Temu, 79 cents. The results wear excellent and you don't have to wait until the moon is totally in front of the sun. That's stupid to have to do that. You can even use this filter to see sunspots without an eclipse.

Tom

I just thought of something: My last name is Anderson and my wife had her own insurance company for over 30 years (she's older than me). Does this mean she was A.I.?

I have too much time on my hands. Oh, and we are going to Hot Springs Arkansas to view the total eclipse. She's never seen one before.

petrochemist Loc: UK

Welding glass has to block UV & IR to a greater extent than it does visible. It's easy to find on e-bay, but optically not a patch on mylar.
I've not had double images with any of my welding glass, but the IQ drop has always been noticeable.

Here's a quick example of sunspots through my shade 13 glass:


Nasa's SOHO satellite showed the spots in the same places at that time, but it's image was considerable sharper, more contrasty & informative...

What ever you do don't use ordinary ND filters, these typically transmit lots of IR from as low as 800nm a converted camera will see right through them & harmfully rays from the sun will also be unhindered.