My Eclipse Rig
- Thread starter GAD
- Start date
Really nice GAD. I share your excitement! I hope you get some awesome photos!
I set my Amazon Echo to remind me. KC should be right on the edge of the path.
August 21st. Mid day for KC. Partial starts around 11:30. Totality around 1:00. But only 27 secs of glory. I may drive east a bit.
I set my Amazon Echo to remind me. KC should be right on the edge of the path.
August 21st. Mid day for KC. Partial starts around 11:30. Totality around 1:00. But only 27 secs of glory. I may drive east a bit.
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NASA Eclipse site: https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov
Cool maps of where to see totality: https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/eclipse-maps
Cool maps of where to see totality: https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/eclipse-maps
Jeannie
Super Moderator
nowhavethreebears
New member
I'm in west KY. Apparently we're total eclipse central. We'll get near the full 2 1/2 minutes of total darkness.
Darwinsnewfie@1855
New member
So cool..nice tech.
For those attempting to photograph the eclipse, check out this software I found: http://xjubier.free.fr/en/site_pages/solar_eclipses/Solar_Eclipse_Maestro_Photography_Software.html
It's *very* technical, but if you can wrangle it, it will automate all of the photography for you (assuming you have a tracker or not very long lenses). That's my goal, because the #1 bit of advice I see is don't take pictures - watch the eclipse. I aim to do both.
It's *very* technical, but if you can wrangle it, it will automate all of the photography for you (assuming you have a tracker or not very long lenses). That's my goal, because the #1 bit of advice I see is don't take pictures - watch the eclipse. I aim to do both.
Jeannie
Super Moderator
I just got notice from Thousand oaks optical that the filter I ordered now has a 3-4 week lead time. It has been 3 1/2 weeks since I ordered it. Do you have a suggestion for another 86 mm filter that is not expensive - under $100. I've called them twice and emailed with no reply. I don't want to wait til the last minute and not have a filter. If anything I have glasses so I can watch it. I just want to be able to take photos. I was told if I take photos of the eclipse without a filter it can damage my camera.
I ordered from ThousanOaks a few weeks back and also have not received my filters. At the same time I ordered from another place and got those 2-3 days ago (https://www.rainbowsymphony.com/solar-filters/). That's what I used for the above pics.
Worse comes to worse, buy this and make your own filter:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Thousand-Oa...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
It's the same material they use in the non-glass filters. I have a sheet here as a spare in case my filters never showed. I bought from that same ebay auction and had it in only a few days. You can make your own filter with cardboard tubes or PVC pipe using that sheet.
Yes, don't point the camera at the sun without the proper filter. A ND filter does not filter UV or IR and the remaining light can blind you and possibly hurt your sensor.
You CAN take pics directly without a filter during totality if you're in the path of totality (there is no totality if you're not). In fact if you're shooting with a filter then you must remove it during totality to capture the corona.
Jeannie
Super Moderator
I got an email that says it will ship 7/24. They are also saying it is 2-3 weeks to get the sheets now. I will be in totality. We just happen to be on vacation that week. We are going to Dale Hollow lake on the KY/TN line. Where we are going it will be 99.9% coverage. However, if I drive about 15 miles further south (I'm planning on this) I'll get totality for 45 seconds. Short but better than none. We are leaving here about 3 a.m.
Jeannie
Super Moderator
Got another email today. The filter shipped today! So glad. I want to practice on the moon especially the full moon in August. Want to try different settings and equipment. Anxious to try my 2x converter with my 500 mm lens. They are both sigma so it should work.
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Yay!
Watch out for 2x TCs - they lose two stops and can affect autofocus in your camera (Many Canons only AF on the central point at f/8 or higher). I've read that you shouldn't AF during the eclipse, and the way to do it is to AF on the moon the night before, turn off AF, and tape down the focus ring. I don't know if I trust that yet. For me the tough part is remembering the reciprocal rule. With a 1000mm lens (500mm x2) you're looking at a minimum of 1/1000th handheld which may mean high ISO which may or may not be OK. Tripods make that better, of course, but then you run into earth movement limitations. I don't think they should be an issue with the sun - even with filters - but I haven't done those experiments yet.
Now you know why so many seasoned eclipse chasers recommend not fooling with gear and just watching the show.
Watch out for 2x TCs - they lose two stops and can affect autofocus in your camera (Many Canons only AF on the central point at f/8 or higher). I've read that you shouldn't AF during the eclipse, and the way to do it is to AF on the moon the night before, turn off AF, and tape down the focus ring. I don't know if I trust that yet. For me the tough part is remembering the reciprocal rule. With a 1000mm lens (500mm x2) you're looking at a minimum of 1/1000th handheld which may mean high ISO which may or may not be OK. Tripods make that better, of course, but then you run into earth movement limitations. I don't think they should be an issue with the sun - even with filters - but I haven't done those experiments yet.
Now you know why so many seasoned eclipse chasers recommend not fooling with gear and just watching the show.
Jeannie
Super Moderator
I plan to experiment many nights on the moon especially during the full moon. I read to put the lens on infinity. I also heard of taping the focus ring but like you I have doubts. I won't be there the night before so I hope to get in enough practice to get a feel for everything. I plan to use my tripod and a faster f stop and higher ISO to compensate for the earth/sun movement.
Jeannie
Super Moderator
Got mine today!! I ordered mine 6/24. Website said any orders before 7/9 will be delivered 8/19 or before. If your order is after 7/9 they suggest changing to the sheets. There is 2-3 weeks for the sheets to be delivered.
Question: I assume with the filter I will not need glasses to look through the view finder. Correct?
Question: I assume with the filter I will not need glasses to look through the view finder. Correct?
OK cool. I ordered on 6/27.
Correct - with the filter in place you can look through the viewfinder safely (you could not with ND filters).
Be careful, though. You'll quickly discover that it's very easy to look at the sun by mistake when you bring the camera down if you're hand-holding. You'll probably only do that once, though. :lol:
If you don't have a right-angle finder, it can be really worth it if you'll have your camera on a tripod. This is the one I have: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/183200-REG/Canon_2882A001_Angle_Finder_C.html
It's kind of overkill IMO - I don't really need the magnification (though it can be handy for focusing). It's also stupidly expensive for what it is. There are alternatives out there like this one: https://www.amazon.com/Astromania-M...rd_wg=EPVHj&psc=1&refRID=K32D87CSJX14ZV20ZK80 I don't have any experience with them, though.
Correct - with the filter in place you can look through the viewfinder safely (you could not with ND filters).
Be careful, though. You'll quickly discover that it's very easy to look at the sun by mistake when you bring the camera down if you're hand-holding. You'll probably only do that once, though. :lol:
If you don't have a right-angle finder, it can be really worth it if you'll have your camera on a tripod. This is the one I have: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/183200-REG/Canon_2882A001_Angle_Finder_C.html
It's kind of overkill IMO - I don't really need the magnification (though it can be handy for focusing). It's also stupidly expensive for what it is. There are alternatives out there like this one: https://www.amazon.com/Astromania-M...rd_wg=EPVHj&psc=1&refRID=K32D87CSJX14ZV20ZK80 I don't have any experience with them, though.