[Arrowfoto (Patrick)]

In May, a buddy and I are going to Arizona and shooting the solar eclipse. Canon has pretty much warned us that if we shoot the eclipse,with a zoom lens that does not have a filter, the sun can damage the sensor and some of the internal components. We will be shooting two EF 75-300 lenses. The end of the lens is 58mm.

I have not had any luck finding a 58mm solar filter that would screw on to the lens, even on ebay and amazon. About the only ideas that I have are these:

1) Attaching a filter designed for a telescope (2.5 - 3 inches), which would work. But to attach it, I would have screw it down to the lens.

2) Attach a mylar sheet to the end of the lens. Since the sheets are very thin, they would probably tear.

3) Shoot, with a tripod, unfiltered.

Any suggestions out there.

[JBowman]

Have you looked into the stronger neutral density filters such as the Hoya ND400 or the B&W ND110? They reduce the light transmittance by 9 and 10 stops respectively and were made for situations where a reduction of strong light sources or long exposure times are needed.

[JBowman]

A quick search turned up Adorama selling the 58mm size for each. I imagine other reputable sources, such as B&H, would carry them. Here's the Adorama links:

http://www.adorama.com/BW58ND1XC.html

http://www.adorama.com/HY58ND400.html

[robn70]

You may be able to adapt one of these to the camera lens. http://www.telescope...rd=solar+filter

[cort]

Get one of these for the lens and it will hold one of these which holds your mylar filter. About $30 plus shipping and the mylar filter.

[Arrowfoto (Patrick)]

JBowman, on 29 March 2012 - 10:13 AM, said:

A quick search turned up Adorama selling the 58mm size for each. I imagine other reputable sources, such as B&H, would carry them. Here's the Adorama links:

http://www.adorama.com/BW58ND1XC.html

http://www.adorama.com/HY58ND400.html

Thanks for the suggestion! This was pretty much what we were looking for, although I have not been able to find a filter of this strength. I appreciated it!

[Arrowfoto (Patrick)]

robn70, on 05 April 2012 - 06:56 AM, said:

You may be able to adapt one of these to the camera lens. http://www.telescope...rd=solar+filter

Thanks! I was trying to avoid adapting a telescope filter, if at all possible, if I could not find a lens filter that worked. I had also considered a mylar sheet, but I could not determine how to attach it to the end of my lens. Thanks for the suggestion! One way or another, we are going to find something that works. Hopefully, we will get some awesome pics of this eclipse! Have a great day!

[cort]

arrowfoto, on 10 April 2012 - 07:03 AM, said:

Thanks! I was trying to avoid adapting a telescope filter, if at all possible, if I could not find a lens filter that worked. I had also considered a mylar sheet, but I could not determine how to attach it to the end of my lens. Thanks for the suggestion! One way or another, we are going to find something that works. Hopefully, we will get some awesome pics of this eclipse! Have a great day!

If you would look at the links I posted there is an easy and inexpensive solution, a mylar filter holder that fits your lens for under $30.

[timandsun]

arrowfoto, on 26 March 2012 - 08:32 AM, said:

In May, a buddy and I are going to Arizona and shooting the solar eclipse. Canon has pretty much warned us that if we shoot the eclipse,with a zoom lens that does not have a filter, the sun can damage the sensor and some of the internal components. We will be shooting two EF 75-300 lenses. The end of the lens is 58mm.

I have not had any luck finding a 58mm solar filter that would screw on to the lens, even on ebay and amazon. About the only ideas that I have are these:

1) Attaching a filter designed for a telescope (2.5 - 3 inches), which would work. But to attach it, I would have screw it down to the lens.

2) Attach a mylar sheet to the end of the lens. Since the sheets are very thin, they would probably tear.

3) Shoot, with a tripod, unfiltered.

Any suggestions out there.

We here in Albuq. are lucky to be on the center line of the annular eclipse on May 20. I have not been able to find a filter, I have found welder glass #14 about 4"x5" for $4, this is not by any means optical grade but I have shot pics of the sun and although soft I can make out sun spots. I believe it will at least give me a feeling of the eclipse. Hope this helps!