shooting an eclipse with no solar filter

[Mathew Lipman]

Has anyone successfully shot an eclipse with no solar filter? Unfortunetly I do not have time to order one before leaving on my trip. I will be in the libyan desert and able to capture an eclipse that will be impossible for most of the world to see. I recall someone mentioning burning a candle under the lense to safetly capture the eclipse but I am wondering if anyone knows of a better way. I will be shooting using the sony Z1 (most likely with the telephoto attachment for the eclipse), and yes I have safety glasses for myself.

[Chris Hurd]

Hi Matthew, isn't this pretty much the same question you asked in this thread:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=61603

If so, could you please follow up in that one, so that the discussion can be kept under one roof... that will make it easier in the future when somebody comes in to search on that topic. Thanks in advance,

[Jim Michael]

Originally Posted by Mathew Lipman

Has anyone successfully shot an eclipse with no solar filter? Unfortunetly I do not have time to order one before leaving on my trip. I will be in the libyan desert and able to capture an eclipse that will be impossible for most of the world to see. I recall someone mentioning burning a candle under the lense to safetly capture the eclipse but I am wondering if anyone knows of a better way. I will be shooting using the sony Z1 (most likely with the telephoto attachment for the eclipse), and yes I have safety glasses for myself.

You probably have a welders supply near you. A denser grade of welders mask glass filter might do the trick. I've viewed the Sun through these and I can still see through my other eye. Also, some large solar filters for telescopes are made from aluminized mylar (although the safety police often claim it's special "magical" mylar only available from solar filter manufacturers). The carbon black on glass sounds like a physically sound approach, although getting a uniform coating of a specific transmission coefficient (or in English, getting it dark enough, but not too dark) might be a challenge. Have fun. Post some video when you get back.

[Jimmy McKenzie]

Two similar discussions in 2 places at once ...