Posted by Don Young on February 21, 2017 at 1:51 PM
I need help! My wife and I are planning to be in the Smoky Mountains (one of my favorite areas) during the upcoming eclipse. Sandy Richards recently placed a post regarding the eclipse which was great. However, I'm needing information on good solar filters. Can someone recommend a good SAFE filter to use for solar viewing? I like Tiffen and Hoya, but I've seen some information on Thousand Oaks Optical.
Does anyone have any experience with solar filters that they would like to offer? I'm also interested in any techniques for photographing an eclipse.
Hi, Don - I'm getting the Thousand Oaks solar filter for about $50. I like that it is like a cap that slides onto the end of the lens (or hood ) and is quickly removeable. The hoyas and tiffins, etc all screw on and will take time to unscrew.
It sounds as if one has to take the solar filter off quickly the second totality starts (totality is only about 30-120 seconds max, depending on where you are) , and get it back on again quickly once the sun starts to emerge again. One of the 2 sites I gave links to the Thousand Oaks place. You can get other filters for several hundred dollars, but i can't justify that for what will be about 30 minutes of photos once in my lifetime. I read one should use the biggest lens available to get the largest image possible. for me, that will be a 500mm and the Tiffen/Hoya/B+W filters are VERY expensive.
One of the sites also links to "How to photograph eclipses" and gave other links to exact steps to take. Seems a bit tricky.
I know the Landscape photogs here have posted excellent eclipses in the past; I hope they help us out.
Also, do a web search on "Photographing Eclipses" - I found lots of good info.
Good luck to both of us!
Sandy
Posted by Craig Moreau on February 23, 2017 at 12:57 PM
Don, I too am planning a trip for the eclipse (to Oregon), and I just recently purchased an 8"x8" sheet of solar filter from Thousand Oaks Optical on Amazon for 17.99. I'll cut the sheet down to fit my Lee filter holder, but I've read about other people rigging their own setups for this. I haven't yet photographed the sun through it, but I did look at the sun through it and didn't go blind...
Let me share a different perspective. Given the rarity of the event, do you really want to miss it by stressing-out about filters, focal lengths, exposures, not burning your sensor, etc. etc.? Or would you rather ENJOY the spectacle and let others stress-out about taking pictures? I live a couple of hours from one of the very best spots, in terms of length of totality, and I know what I will be doing. The camera and tripod will stay home this time
Something to think about:
Filters for camera lenses are GLASS for a good reason.
Out of curiosity, I also bought an inexpensive piece of "solar filter" meant for a telescope.
Visual inspection shows more than a few little "blips" and "spots". I don't imagine these will badly affect any pictures, any more than a speck on a glass filter will affect the image.
But, still, a glass filter sounds better to me.
In thinking more about it, I think it would be cool to have a decent filter to use (and solar-protecting glasses) for future solar flares and sunspots. For me, I don't think after all that it will be used only for the upcoming eclipse.
Hi All,
Canon is publishing a series of articles on everything from path of totality to focal length to, I hope eventually, filters. They haven't discussed filters yet (which is why I came here ;-), but I'm guessing they will. Where this is money to be made, articles will be written.
Nonetheless, for those interested in some pretty basic advice, here is Canon's link.
ML
p.s.
FWIW, I'm halfway with Alberto. I plan to take my camera, set it up, and shoot a little, but mostly watch. I figure my chances of getting a once in a lifetime, award-winning shot are lower than my chances of having a once in a lifetime experience.
Fortunately I was able to observe the solar eclipse in 1979 from my front yard. (I think this one may not be full here since we are 100 miles or so north of the 70 mile wide strip where it is full. Might have a place to stay near Madras, Oregon, however. If I do I will probably go there.) I still remember it vividly. I took some photos with a makeshift filter made from unexposed b/w film and a thin cardboard frame. At the time I thought they were better than average but for the life of me can't find them now. It was a wonderful experience-birds stopped singing; got cooler and very quiet. When the sun began reappearing a rooster began crowing, and I could hear people cheering. Loved it. And if that weren't enough, Mt St Helens erupted a few months later. We were in the path of lots of ash. Another interesting experience. I say whichever way you go, choose the best type filter you think you need to get the best images, and go for it.
Discussion
6 repliesDoes anyone have any experience with solar filters that they would like to offer? I'm also interested in any techniques for photographing an eclipse.
It sounds as if one has to take the solar filter off quickly the second totality starts (totality is only about 30-120 seconds max, depending on where you are) , and get it back on again quickly once the sun starts to emerge again. One of the 2 sites I gave links to the Thousand Oaks place. You can get other filters for several hundred dollars, but i can't justify that for what will be about 30 minutes of photos once in my lifetime. I read one should use the biggest lens available to get the largest image possible. for me, that will be a 500mm and the Tiffen/Hoya/B+W filters are VERY expensive.
One of the sites also links to "How to photograph eclipses" and gave other links to exact steps to take. Seems a bit tricky.
I know the Landscape photogs here have posted excellent eclipses in the past; I hope they help us out.
Also, do a web search on "Photographing Eclipses" - I found lots of good info.
Good luck to both of us!
Sandy
Here's the link to Amazon.
Let me share a different perspective. Given the rarity of the event, do you really want to miss it by stressing-out about filters, focal lengths, exposures, not burning your sensor, etc. etc.? Or would you rather ENJOY the spectacle and let others stress-out about taking pictures? I live a couple of hours from one of the very best spots, in terms of length of totality, and I know what I will be doing. The camera and tripod will stay home this time
Filters for camera lenses are GLASS for a good reason.
Out of curiosity, I also bought an inexpensive piece of "solar filter" meant for a telescope.
Visual inspection shows more than a few little "blips" and "spots". I don't imagine these will badly affect any pictures, any more than a speck on a glass filter will affect the image.
But, still, a glass filter sounds better to me.
In thinking more about it, I think it would be cool to have a decent filter to use (and solar-protecting glasses) for future solar flares and sunspots. For me, I don't think after all that it will be used only for the upcoming eclipse.
Sandy
Canon is publishing a series of articles on everything from path of totality to focal length to, I hope eventually, filters. They haven't discussed filters yet (which is why I came here ;-), but I'm guessing they will. Where this is money to be made, articles will be written.
Nonetheless, for those interested in some pretty basic advice, here is Canon's link.
ML
p.s.
FWIW, I'm halfway with Alberto. I plan to take my camera, set it up, and shoot a little, but mostly watch. I figure my chances of getting a once in a lifetime, award-winning shot are lower than my chances of having a once in a lifetime experience.