I've wanted to shoot some MIG & TIG welding both with my Z1 and my Nikon D100 still camera. Call me crazy - I'm old enough to have used tube cameras - but I'm leary of shooting them even with CCD cameras. I see shots on American Chopper, American Hotrod & Monster Garage, but still...Anyone have any experience?

Anyone?
Bueller?

....



Bueller?

No direct experience here, but wouldn't it be safe to say that you could use a few ND filters as well as the ND filter built into the lens, to reduce the amount of light hitting the CCD(s)? If you want the rest of the shot visible, I'd imagine you'd need a fair amount of light on the rest of the scene as well.

Back in the tube camera days I shot welding by always shielding the really hot part with the welder's body. With chip cameras I've shot right onto the arc and no trouble. One cool way to do it is have an assistant hold a welder's helmet at the right spot in front of your lens. Include just a bit of the top and bottom of the frame that holds the glass, and it will be your ND and turn your shot into a bit of a POV shot.

danke!

so I'm safe. I like the helmet idea. I may try that one out.