Glad it's fun to read
It's fun to make too
I created a mini solar filter today, for my guide scope. I got MUCH further this time, and actually took some photos. I couldn't seem to get the guide scope and main scope aligned this time, but it was close enough to help me a great deal.
I see what people mean by atmospheric conditions now. I found it extremely hard to focus with the microfocuser because it was constantly changing on its own. No matter what I couldn't seem to get it any sharper than the photos I took below. My DSLR with T-Mount was as far inside the microfocuser as it would go (I assume that's how it should be?)
Any tips before the Venus Transit would be a huge huge help
Baader Solar Film (white balance pushed up turn it yellow) at 1/500, ISO 1000, 5D Mark II:
http://img.acianetmedia.com/i/sTvr5.jpg
100% CROP:
http://img.acianetmedia.com/i/zVA8.jpg
Seymour Solar Film at 1/80, ISO 3200, 5D Mark II:
http://img.acianetmedia.com/i/4SQZU.jpg
100% CROP:
http://img.acianetmedia.com/i/vTzI.jpg
I wasn't able to get any better focus with the Seymour Solar Film. It was also much darker, so I had to use a much higher ISO and much slower shutter speed (that would have resulted in more blur too) to snap a photo.
My solar filter, before I added the cardboard flaps over each filter (so that I can use just 1 filter at a time without having to un-stick the entire thing from the scope):
http://img.acianetmedia.com/i/LSc07.jpg
I used Live View to look at the sun and take the photos using burst mode.
Comparing the solar films more, the Seymour film was much easier to cut. I didn't have to worry about cutting causing crinkles in the film like I did with the Baader stuff. For photography however, so far I much prefer the Baader film. For purely visual use though, the Seymour film gives that nice orange look I expect.