Solar Eclipse 2017 Recorded Digitally

Ye Olde Photographer took the images seen here with a Canon EOS 40D DSLR equipped with a Canon EF 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS telephoto lens. With the 1.6 crop factor that reaches to a 480mm equivalent in 35mm full frame terms. A Daystar Universal Solar Filter, metalized Mylar mounted in cardboard to create a slip-on, was used during the non-total portions of the transit.

For this gallery, YOP took the liberty of cropping the frames to get a larger image of the sun and also improve centering, as this was a one pass deal, no "re-staging!" In a couple of cases we moved an image almost at the edge of the frame by some actual PhotoShop techniques. The FD series right angle finder sure beat trying to squat or lean over and look through the viewfinder, but the eye relief was rather weird and against a black sky it was difficult to get a frame reference.

If YOP does attempt to record the next total eclipse in 2024, he might consider using a tethered laptop or tablet to get a friendlier user interface as he shoots. That combined with a stiffer, sturdier tripod and a geared 3-axis head, and perhaps even a "real" metal mounted glass filter might offer an advance in quality. By then YOP will likely have a higher capability camera to use. Another consideration is that the suggestion is made to use tape to lock the focus on infinity prior to the transit. On both the cameras used for this event that was impossible to do if one wanted to zoom wide to make the initial aiming easy. At the narrow field of view of long telephoto lenses, the sun travels out of the frame rather quickly. A geared head set up with some attention to orienting the axis to be perpendicular to the sun's path might be very useful (if it can be done!)