Dodgy DIY eclipse setup

[sletts02]

Nothing like leaving things until the last minute.

I've got a 10" Newt and a camera, and a ND10 filter that I traditionally use for landscape photography. Riddle me this, could I mount the camera, then put my arm down the Newt and tape the filter on to the camera mount and shoot away?

Thinking aloud sorry! I haven't used the scope since I moved so I can barely remember how to set it up haha, would be a rushed morning.

[Shark Bait]

Sounds a bit dodgy to me. Is that filter up to the task? Is it worth the risk to your eyesight?

Baader solar filters of a filter of similar quality would be the only type I would use.

Where are you based? Maybe you could meet up at a popular spot where others will be set up with the right gear.

[mithrandir]

Don't do that.
Filters are not designed to be used after the light has been concentrated. It is quite possible you'll melt a plastic or shatter a glass filter and then destroy the camera.

At short notice the best solution is a make a pin-hole projector. Or do as suggested by Stu and see if there is a group meeting somewhere nearby.

[sletts02]

Yep, dodgy is my middle name. I've been doing some googling, several have used the ND10 without burning their sensors so good enough for me. I'll be using live-view - not really wanting to go blind over a photo.

I'm in Gladstone (well 30 mins west of Gladstone) and I am a teacher with AM classes so can't venture far! Might have to stick with the zoom + big stopper, less risky/effort and will definitely produce something.

I am seriously tempted to call in sick and climb to the top of Mount Larcom tonight and shoot a sunrise time-lapse over Gladstone, would be amazing! Instead I'll most likely settle for the mountain in the foreground.

[sletts02]

Haha, brilliant advice - thanks! Will definitely not set up the scope then. It was a glass filter too.

I didn't think that through very well - I take it filters generally go on the front of the scope then? Reflectors act as a giant magnifying glass yea and would make 10" of light come through to a cm or two on the sensor/filter??

mithrandir :thumbsup:

[mithrandir]

I'm planning on using my Sigma 500mm and Sony a77 but with the Thousand Oaks solar filter for my ST80. Mike is doing the same with a solar filter and Sigma 400mm on a Canon. However the sun isn't all that big in the image.

If the weather is junk I'll put it on my StarLapse. If it's OK I'll piggyback the camera on my C8 (with Baader filter) to use that one as a guide scope mounted on my G11.

[sletts02]

I only used the ol' 550D and 55-250mm with ND10 in the end.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8065/8183632047_4a80ad11ca_h.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8066/8183670176_4b767acb5a_z.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8344/8183669860_65ee1c6c46_z.jpg

[barx1963]

As I understand it, an ND10 filter reduces light by 10 stops in photographic terms. As 1 stop represents a halving of the light 10 stops would be reducing is by approx 1024 (2 to the power of 10)
As most safe solar filters reduce the light by about 10000, I would consider using an ND10 filter as extremely risky.

Anyways, that being said, the images are excellent and well done!

Malcolm

[sletts02]

I did not look through the ND10 at all - well I did, and it burnt my eyes so I stopped that quickly! My eyes feel a bit funny, probably a mix of barely any sleep and sun exposure :/ Hopefully nothing major to worry about :shrug:

I'll put the camera through it's paces this afternoon in a variety of settings to make sure nothing has frazzled :thumbsup: