Photograph the 8 April 2024 Solar Eclipse | How to Build a Solar Filter for DSLR

[@andrewcombs9312]

You just saved me a lot of money. I've been wanting to test these waters and this is a very cost effective way of doing it. Thanks

[@JasonMcCabe]

+Andrew Combs Glad I could help!

[@powerlink2000]

Excellent idea! Thanks for sharing!

[@swiftie409]

Great idea!!! Thank you for sharing!!!

[@JasonMcCabe]

+Cerlina Quijano Glad you liked it!

[@davidmeissner5010]

Great video. Thanks.

[@AmtrakandAWVRFan]

Thanks very much for the tutorial! Hopefully I can order the Solar Filter sheets and arrives before eclipse day.

[@JasonMcCabe]

+Amtrak and AWVR Fan You're welcome. Hopefully you can, it really is worth it!

[@rebeccaadams3349]

Amtrak and AWVR Fan you can get welding glass (18) at a hardware store and use that instead. Cut to size to a piece of PVC attach, and put over the lens.

[@patrickcrowe5106]

Cheers Jason! Thank you for a brilliant idea! My stuff should be here Thur, in time for the Mercury transit! (I'm in SLC, Utah, so I hope we have some clear skies in the morning!)

[@wilsondeshawn6847]

I realize it is quite off topic but does anyone know a good site to watch newly released series online?

[@donovanatticus5677]

@Wilson Deshawn Flixportal :)

[@wilsondeshawn6847]

@Donovan Atticus thank you, signed up and it seems to work =) Appreciate it !

[@donovanatticus5677]

@Wilson Deshawn You are welcome =)

[@al7aker]

Thank you for sharing 😎

[@JasonMcCabe]

+al7aker You're welcome!

[@janzagar2957]

Great idea

[@JasonMcCabe]

+Jan Žagar Thanks!

[@davidlieu486]

I too am using your tutorial as I find it to be the cleanest! I have a 75mm to 300mm telephoto lens, definitely less than yours. Will probably need some photoshopping. Really excited to see the final outcome for the eclipse come this August 21st.

[@JasonMcCabe]

+David Lieu My lens was 70mm to 200mm and I had a 2x teleconverter. However when I was setting up for the eclipse in 2015 I forgot to zoom in all the way, so I was only using 140mm instead of 400mm! It still turned out pretty good though, so 300mm should look great

[@davidlieu486]

Awesome! Really excited to just take a photo of the sun, really. Thanks again for your tutorial, like I said, this is by far one of the more cleaner DIY filters. Well done!

[@josephdively5504]

Thank you for the info on making a solar filter. Now I just need to decide if I'm using my 55-300 or my 650-1300 without the 2x multiplier.

[@briankutscher7903]

Why don't you just trace around the outside of the 77 mm filter? (Trace about 1.5 mm larger than the filter all the way around.) Then you won't have to trim the filter material down. It will save potential handling damage of the filter. It might also be a good idea to use cotton or Nitrile/vinyl gloves to eliminate fingerprints on the filter materials

[@JasonMcCabe]

+Brian Kutscher Thanks! I'll keep that in mind if I need to make a new filter

[@mypaperpast]

have used your idea to build my own solar filter as they are practically unavailable for purchase in the US right now....and i'm not too sure i want to spend 200 usd for a filter i'll probably never use again...total cost for film, 95mm - 105mm adapter ring, and 105mm UV filter is 25 usd...thanks! will me shooting with Nikon D500 coupled with the Tamron 150-600

[@JasonMcCabe]

+MyPaperPast - Calvin McAllister Hopefully it all works out for you!

[@oppaidah]

That moment when there are no solar eclipses in your country until 2020

[@joenodden]

Aoi Mikazuki that moment when one happens in 3 days.

[@joenodden]

That moment when you were about to see it in the perfect spot in three days but your brother has college classes...

[@VitoPastore]

hi Jason, great job and idea! but I was wondering about to do this filter with the baader solar filter that I already have. the people who use this fim says that it doesnt matter if there are creases and it is not supouse to be totally stretched (something almost imposible to achieve). But the thing I want to know is about the UV filter in front of the film, they say that the filter should be facing the sun with no element whatsover in front of it, mostly because ghosting, and dangerous or at least undesired reflections. what do you think? thanks in advance

[@askVD]

Does the depth of the adapter make a difference? What is the depth of the adapter you're using? As I was looking to buy one there were different options, one has a depth of 6mm and another 12mm. I have a 77mm Canon EF.

[@JasonMcCabe]

+askVD I'm not sure, sorry.

[@Sarvamitham]

Can I use the solar filter material used in telescopes for cameras?

[@michaelclark9762]

Yes.

[@markb4977]

Is the back of the solar filter exposed? I know the front part is being covered by the UV filter you attached but never saw the backside. Do you mind uploading a photo of it by chance??

[@riveraluciano]

I have a solar eclipse in just 3 days, and considering how I probably won't be able to get the materials you listed, what other alternatives would you recommend? I have loads of dvds and heard they can be used, as well as x-ray sheets, but it'd be nice to hear your take.

[@JasonMcCabe]

+Luciano R I wouldn't risk it. Here's a link to others warning about using DVDs - stargazerslounge.com/topic/194469-using-cdsdvds-as-a-solar-filter-safe-for-reflector/ And here's a link warning against x-ray film - www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/eclipse-tips-safety.html

[@riveraluciano]

That's convincing enough... Thanks!! I'll see if I can find someone who already has a solar filter then.

[@radu01]

how about a 10 stops ND filter?

[@JasonMcCabe]

I honestly don't know. Coupled with a high f-stop, it should block out enough light to photograph safely, but there may be other factors I'm not aware of. It's probably safest not to use it unless it is specifically advertised as being safe for solar photography.

[@larryjohnson180]

Ok if you use your camera in Live View... DO NOT look through the view finder!

[@louiegleeson7221]

Would this work if I got the film and put it infront of the UV lens I have?

[@JasonMcCabe]

The purpose of the UV filter and the adapter ring is to secure the film in front of the lens. If you have another way to keep the film in place you don't need the UV filter. Remember, safety first!

[@louiegleeson7221]

Jason McCabe I was going to get a lens hood and sandwich the film between the hood and the UV filter

[@JasonMcCabe]

As long as the film completely blocks the sunlight from reaching the sensor and isn't at any risk from coming loose it should be fine

[@louiegleeson7221]

Thought so, thanks!

[@1dareu2mov3]

+Jason McCabe On that note, I was thinking of unscrewing a UV filter, placing the film underneath the glass, and then re-screwing it back together. Do you think that that'll work? EDIT: By "unscrewing a UV filter," I should specify that I mean unscrewing the glass from the metal ring.

[@1dareu2mov3]

Can I ask why you didn't use scissors? I feel like that would've been easier!

[@JasonMcCabe]

+brendan95delany It probably would have been!

[@harper222]

What's a "Pind" ?

[@aquasquishy9278]

Scottish pounds.

[@IPDomino]

what camera do you use?

[@JasonMcCabe]

+IP Domino This was filmed on a Panasonic compact camera. The DSLR in this video was a Canon EOS 450D, but I have since upgraded to a EOS 60D

[@YUSHYONTHERUN]

How about an ND filter ?

[@guiltyspark7332]

A 10 stop ND filter will do if you can stop down your lens to about f/40. If you have a shutter speed of 8000sec you can do with a wider aperture

[@JasonMcCabe]

Not sure. It needs to be pretty strong to block out the majority of the light

[@robertmyers4390]

Thanks for the effort bud,,,,,,But a compass would make this a lot easier,,,,, lol

[@beastboy5203]

You'll poke a hole! 🙂

[@eskilvreb861]

Do you have eny instagram acount?