Solar Eclipse Photography

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Frankrsc

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Frank Cottee
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Grateful for your collective wisdom. I'm travelling to Russia to see this year's total solar eclipse and would like to photograph the event with my Canon 40D. I estimate that I need an actual focal length of 500-600mm to register a reasonable image size.

I don't currently have a long focus lens, and wouldn't use a lens of this focal length very frequently (although I would use up to about 300mm). I also need to think about weight (the equipment, not mine). I can think of three options: an old mirror lens, a cheap prime or a small refractor telescope. Any views on the pros and cons, and any alternative suggestions?

I would also appreciate any general advice on solar eclipse photography.
 
Frank, I've never seriously photographed a total solar eclipse, but I think I understand some of the issues so hopefully can be of some help...

First of all, for all eclipse-related information, always make your first port of call the Fred Espenak site. He's known as NASA's "Mr Eclipse". Lots of useful data and links.

Secondly, focal length. There's a simple relationship which says:
Object Size / Object Distance = Image Size / Focal Length

The sun is roughly 1.5m km across and roughly 150m km away, so a 500-600mm lens will give you an image of the sun that's roughly 5-6mm across. Not a lot on a sensor that's 24mm x 15mm. You'd get a useable image but an even longer lens wouldn't hurt.

Hope this helps for starters. I'll try to dig out some more snippets in the morning.
 
rent something large and glassy
one of the forumites is in that particular trade as I recall
 
Frankrsc said:
Grateful for your collective wisdom. I'm travelling to Russia to see this year's total solar eclipse and would like to photograph the event with my Canon 40D. I estimate that I need an actual focal length of 500-600mm to register a reasonable image size.

I don't currently have a long focus lens, and wouldn't use a lens of this focal length very frequently (although I would use up to about 300mm). I also need to think about weight (the equipment, not mine). I can think of three options: an old mirror lens, a cheap prime or a small refractor telescope. Any views on the pros and cons, and any alternative suggestions?

I would also appreciate any general advice on solar eclipse photography.
Click to expand...

Hi Frankrsc

Jeez I'm jealous and wish I was going :'(

I would suggest that you go for a small quality refractor and barlow or powermate to get the magnification up where you need it. I would suggest a 60 to 80mm scope with T adaptor for your camera would be ideal. You dont need expensive lenses for this and you could probably buy a scope outright for the cost of renting a lens (no offence Stewart)

I am also planning a trip on 1st Aug especially for the eclipse but won't get anywhere near a Total so just going north for a partial eclipse

I'm planning two types of shots: one is a series of before during and after then PS'd to combine using a white light filter, then hoping for some close ups with a Ha 60mm scope and powermate to get some surface detail during the pass and hopefully some proms :)

I won't bore you with the risks involved :D Just be prepared and enjoy it :D
 
mmcp42 said:
rent something large and glassy
one of the forumites is in that particular trade as I recall
Click to expand...
Hmmm... That'll be me then. But on this occasion I would *not* necessarily suggest renting. The thing that would concern me is familiarity with the equipment. You only get a few minutes of totality and you need to be 100% sure what you're doing. I would want to practice with the equipment before the eclipse itself. For example:
  • Take some shots of the moon (which would have to be a few days away from the eclipse, obviously) to get a feel for how the lens handles on the tripod.
  • Practice tracking the moon over an extended period, as you'll have to during the eclipse. It moves surprisingly fast (it covers its own diameter in 2 minutes).
  • Work out how you can track the sun during totality and still get to watch the eclipse. Obviously the pro solution is a tracking mount and a camera remote control, but what is your Plan B?
  • Work out how you can look at the sun before it's total. Obviously you need some sort of ultra-ND filter, but you need to be comfortable about attaching it to the lens.

Having said all that, if you want to hire (say) a 500mm f/4 and a 2x Extender, for say a week some time ahead of the eclipse and then for the eclipse trip itself, I'm sure we can do you a deal.....
 
Here's a quick visualisation of what size image you'll get. I took this shot of the moon with a Canon 350D and 100-400L at 400mm, with a 2x Extender, hence 800mm. But it was slightly cropped during post processing, so what you're looking at here is roughly what the moon would look like through a 1200mm lens (on a camera with a 1.6x crop factor: hence roughly 1800mm full-frame equivalent).

256500110_nT4AU-L.jpg


Personally I think that's probably a little too big for a solar eclipse, because you'll want to capture the corona as well as the solar disk. Something in the range of roughly 600-1000mm (full-frame eqivalent roughly 1000-1500mm) would probably be perfect.
 
Remember the corona during totality is much bigger than the disc of the sun. 600mm is plenty. Picture below is a slight crop from Zambia 2001 on film. 300mm and 2x converter.

2001_ZAM_eclipse12_web.jpg


The key thing is exposure. It's tough to get right and there is no right answer. I ran through about 30 different exposures during totality to try and get something reasonable. I kept shutter speeds up and had no problem with the movement.

The other thing to look at is a solar filter so you can take pictures of the partial eclipse. I made my own using cornflake packets and a sheet of THIS. Be careful not to damage it!

Final thing is to be prepared for the "diamond ring" the last seconds before totality and the first moments after where the sun breaks through the valleys on the surface of the moon. It is a truly magical moment!

2001_ZAM_eclipse16_web.jpg


These pictures are scans of 35mm film and still need some processing but they give you a feel of what to expect.

Paul
 
Stunning Paul :thumbs:
 
Gents (no ladies?),

Thanks for your advice and the helpful links. I've decided to buy an inexpensive 80 mm APO, which will give me plenty of enjoyment long after the eclipse has past. Now to spend the next few days searching for some sunshine to practice on (with an appropriate filter, of course).
 
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