How to Photograph the Sun with a Solar Filter

Mike Pach of 3 Peaks Photography shows the process of photographing the sun with NiSi's solar filter as well as recommendations for what gear to use. NiSi filters are available through Mike at adventurecamph.... If you're interested in the Benro geared head, you may use the discount code "3 Peaks Discount" to save 5% on your order at moveshootmove.com. Please note that Mike recommends using a remote for this and many other types of photography, but one was not used in this video.
These are the instructions from NiSi:
1. Check the solar filter for damage before each use by holding it up to a bright light (not the sun). Secure filter properly by screwing it fully onto the lens
2. The NiSi Solar Filter is not suitable eye protection for extended view of sun or solar eclipses. Do not look directly or indirectly into the sun without appropriate eye protection.
3 The Solar Filter should be installed in front of the camera lens or telescope before trying to align it with the sun. Point the camera away from the sun when attaching amd removing Solar Filter.
4. Do not use an optical viewfinder when aligning your camera telescope with the sun. It is recommended to use the live view feature of the camera for aligning it with the sun and for viewing.
5. Do not leave a camera unattended where a child or inexperienced adult could point it at the sun without the filter properly attached.
6. Filter may absorb solar energy and get hot during use. Use extra care when removing.

[@jerryrichards8172]

Thanks for sharing. I picked up a nice filter for that full eclipse a few months back but had gotten all cloudy sky's. So I'm going to try it on the full sun and go from there. This video is just what I needed.

[@MikePach3PeaksPhoto]

I'm glad you found it helpful.

[@myketripp3838]

I'm using a 600mm with a NIiSi solar filter. Very informative! Thank you.

[@MikePach3PeaksPhoto]

Glad it was helpful. Have fun and good luck.

[@INTAL115]

Hi! May I see the outputs? :D

[@craiglowery4427]

Thanks Mike

[@russellvk]

Thank you. This is so helpful. I'm going to be shooting the eclipse here in Texas on the 8th. I can't wait.

[@MikePach3PeaksPhoto]

I'm glad you found the video helpful. Good luck and have fun.

[@isabelledemontreal6705]

Great videos. I'm new to digital astrophotography, so I find them super useful. I got a newbie question: can I use a tracker like the MSM nomad to follow the sun? For example like during an eclipse?

[@MikePach3PeaksPhoto]

Thanks. I'm glad you find my videos helpful. You can use an MSM tracker during an eclipse. It won't track the sun at the correct speed, but it will help keep the sun in your frame for a longer period of time, which can be helpful during totality.

[@isabelledemontreal6705]

Cool. Thanks for your fast reply. I will definitely try it next March for the partial eclipse, in Canada.

[@JackFleet-tj4yd]

With these settings 1/400, f8 iso 200 I am still clipping and the image is white. I have tried adjust the iso to 320 and 400 still clipping. Any suggestions? btw, I like your approach very comfortable and easy to follow.

[@MikePach3PeaksPhoto]

Thank you. I try to keep things simple. If you're increasing your ISO, then you're increasing the exposure and increasing the clipping. Lower your ISO, choose a smaller aperture or decrease the shutter speed to shift the histogram to the left and eliminate the clipping in the highlights.

[@JackFleet-tj4yd]

@@MikePach3PeaksPhoto Thank. you so much for the assist. I was able to get this right mix and my photos turned out amazing.

[@MikePach3PeaksPhoto]

@@JackFleet-tj4yd Excellent! I'm glad I could help.

[@Legacy20999]

Ive been planning to record the April 8 eclipse for a while now but it looks like it is going to be cloudy where I live. So I'm not sure what I can do. I can't just drive to a different spot because I'm 14. I have the things I need for my camera but its not gonna fix cloudy. I don't know what it is going to look like if it's cloudy or how to film it if it is cloudy.

[@MikePach3PeaksPhoto]

You just have to hope for the best and not be too concerned with the final outcome. Keep in mind that weather forecasts can be very wrong. I had an astrophotography workshop last night that I almost cancelled because of the forecast. We were supposed to have snow, 50 mph winds and 30-50% cloud cover all night. By the time I met up with my students, there was no wind, and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. Your experience is far more important than any photos you take. My advice would be to set up as planned and simply enjoy observing if you can't get any photos.

[@CharleselExplorador]

Thank you for the video. I am going to photograph the eclipse with a Kase Wolverine ND100000 Magnetic Filter without IR or UV protection. Do you have any scientific report saying that a filter that does not limit IR or UV will degrade the camera and lens? Kase markets this filter as capable of eclipse photography, and I asked the expert at BH, and they said they have shot eclipses with 16 plus stops nd filters only and did not cause damage to the equipment.

[@MikePach3PeaksPhoto]

My comments were based on what I've read and what I've been told by other experts regarding potential damage to the camera's sensor. The Kase website doesn't say what coatings this filter does or does not have. If you have an older camera that you don't care much about, you can run some tests with it to see what happens.

[@msmirandagirl]

I'm confused too. I bought from B&H their Tiffen 16 stop ND solar filter and when I unpacked it found a card stating not to use it for extended solar eclipse viewing. I think they mean don't hold it up to the eye to view the sun but I sure don't want to wreck my camera. I'll call B&H to clarify. I'm traveling to Texas for the eclipse and I'll be using a Nikon D750 with a Nikkor 200-500 zoom.

[@MrTeslaX]

Can you share what that tripod is. I have sigma 150-600 with Sony A7III and my tripod is really shaky!

[@MikePach3PeaksPhoto]

That is my Explorer EXPPRO. I am an Explorer dealer, and you can purchase their products from my website adventurecamphoto.com and save 10% with code SAVE10. Here is a video I made about that tripod: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKesqoJqnZWSm9U

[@MrTeslaX]

@@MikePach3PeaksPhoto thank you

[@Jimmy_Cavallo]

💥Great info, Mike. Thanks. Do you know Nikon? When I go to live view everything is pitch black but if I look through my viewfinder I can see barely see the sun since I’m viewing it through the ND filter. I can see it enough to align it in the frame.

[@MikePach3PeaksPhoto]

Are you using mirrorless or DSLR?

[@Jimmy_Cavallo]

@@MikePach3PeaksPhoto D750

[@MikePach3PeaksPhoto]

@@Jimmy_Cavallo You will have to set your focus prior to placing the filter on your lens if you can't see the sun. Autofocus on something far off in the distance or a cloud in the sky to put your focus at infinity, then flip the switch on the lens from AF to MF.

[@normameyers4904]

Can you look at the sun through the viewfinder if lens has a solar filter on it?

[@MikePach3PeaksPhoto]

I do not recommend doing that because you're going to be looking directly at the sun, and you won't be able to block it entirely with your camera. It will be very difficult to look through the viewfinder while facing the sun, and you still run the risk of damaging your eyes.

[@flappah]

I'm starting on planning for the 2026 Spain Solar Eclipse and bringing along two camera's. One 70-210mm Tamron on a cropped sensor Nikon D7000 with a 77mm lens thread and a 150-600mm Sigma and 2x extender on a Nikon D780. The Sigma has a 105mm lens thread. I'm planning on setting the D7000 on a MSM Nomad with intervalometer and having that on taking continuous photos. I'll use the D780 for taking closeups. Now I've bought Ice ND100000 Solar Filters for both lenses but having seen this video I am in doubt if these are the correct filters since they don't says they possess IR/UV protection. On the other hand they are listed as "Solar filters". What are your thoughts on these filters? Do I need to go out and buy a Nisi UV/IR Cut ND100000 77mm and a Thousand Oaks Solarlite Polymer (for the 105mm) or are the Ice's sufficient?

[@MikePach3PeaksPhoto]

I'm not familiar with the ICE filters. My advice is to contact them directly to inquire about the specs.

[@flappah]

@@MikePach3PeaksPhoto Thanks Mike. That is indeed a smart thing to do. Thanks!

[@leonardomurua8015]

Last October I bought an ICE 77mm Coated ND100000 for the partial eclipse in Mazatlán, and did not have a problem with it, I used with a sigma lens like yours as well.

[@flappah]

Thanks Leonardo! That’s great news!!!

[@Admes359]

Question: I have the solar filter for the max zoom on my lens is 140 mm. The shutter spoed was at 2 sec is that normal? How do I get a faster shutter speed? My Iso was 100 and F3.5. Advice please

[@stephenmarton1351]

higher iso

[@MikePach3PeaksPhoto]

Increase the ISO.

[@Admes359]

@@stephenmarton1351 how much? Did you have the same issues?