[ThunderChild (Chris)]

Hey all,

I'm taking the troop up to Palm Cove for the solar eclipse in November.
I had previously just been happy to go armed with eclipse glasses, but yesterday my wife purchased a new digital SLR (Sony A57).
And this got me thinking about documenting the experience with a few shots and perhaps a little bit of video (not too much - I still want to allow time to soak it all in without gadgets too).

But I have no idea about how to prepare, which filters to get or the best methods of taking the shots. Time is really tight to get this bit organised (we head off in just over a week to start the road trip).

I understand that one should not look at or point the camera at the sun without an appropriate filter, but the few shops I've been into all had no idea about any of this.

Is there anyone here that could please help me with
(a) What to purchase
(b) where I can get it (around Melbourne/Box Hill area)

Any tips or good links to instructions on how to use it would also be greatly appreciated!

(By the way - I did search the forums before posting, but I didn't find anything which really addressed the complete newb level I am at!)

Thanks!