Total solar eclipse - 20th March 2015 - Tips & advice

Hi guys, I didnt see a thread for this so I thought I'd start one.
I'm still new to photography but I'm always looking for something new.

So, there's a solar eclipse on the 20th March, I'm based in Manchester so will only get a partial, but it will be a large coverage.

I've got a cropped 650d, 55-250mm, 50mm 1.8 and tokina 11-16 (ignoring stock lens).
So what will I need to capture the event, if possible with my kit?
Is it worth trying to get the eclipse or should I consider just focussing on the event, light and location?

And any guys like to share past experiences?

netboy wrote in post #17447845
Is it worth trying to get the eclipse or should I consider just focussing on the event, light and location?

I've photographed a number of partial solar eclipses, and was fortunate to see totality in 2012. Partials are very interesting events, but totality is something else altogether! In fact, it's the most amazing and spectacular thing I've ever seen. It's hard to describe, but its something that everyone should try and experience at least once in their lives. So if you have a chance to see totality, go for it!!!

These images don't do it justice (the visual experience was so much better that this), but these were all shot with my 70-200mm telephoto. Your 55-250 should do the job nicely. But if you decide to shoot the partial, you will need to get some Baader solar film and make a filter.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/dtsb​ai

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/dtxH​GL

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/dvLY​xj

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/duCu​2k

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/du1o​fG

netboy wrote in post #17447845
Hi guys, I didnt see a thread for this so I thought I'd start one.
I'm still new to photography but I'm always looking for something new.

So, there's a solar eclipse on the 20th March, I'm based in Manchester so will only get a partial, but it will be a large coverage.

I've got a cropped 650d, 55-250mm, 50mm 1.8 and tokina 11-16 (ignoring stock lens).
So what will I need to capture the event, if possible with my kit?
Is it worth trying to get the eclipse or should I consider just focussing on the event, light and location?

And any guys like to share past experiences?

You might want to read this : http://www.eclipse2017​.org/2017/path_through​_the_US.htm if your talking about the next Total Solar Eclipse in the USA . It's not til 2017 .

Here is some info on the one in March 2015 but it's not visible in the USA :
http://www.timeanddate​.com/eclipse/solar/201​5-march-20

BTW you need a solar filter of some type . I kow many use a welders hat but i think it has to be at least a #14 However the more zoom you have the btter image you will produce .

Here is a link of how to take Solar Eclipse Images : http://www.mreclipse.c​om/SEphoto/SEphoto.htm​l

Hope this helps . Just remember whatever you do "NEVER LOOK AT THE SUN WITHOUT THE RIGHT PROTECTION" !!! Even a peak thought a scope or bincos without protection is Instant Blindness and PERMENANT !

Thanks guys, some amazing shots, it's nice to know what's possible.
the pressure of trying to capture something that's so fleeting is something to deal with.

I managed to see the total eclipse of 11th August 1999 in Cornwall, but it was cloudy, but still a hell of an experience. I plan on being in the USA for the one in 2017, I should probably be planning for that now

whoa cool. looks like one will be around the states in september, i'll have to shoot for that.

trangelo wrote in post #17448262
whoa cool. looks like one will be around the states in september, i'll have to shoot for that.

yeah it will be a goodie
comes onto the coast around Oregon and diagonally cross the central states and exits the coast around the South Carolina / Georgia area

would love to get there but dunno if I will have the funds


Stephen, I was up in Cairns as well for the 2014 total eclipse on a beach with dozens of others from all over the world ~ 20k to the nth of the city
The guy in the black tee on the left is a good friend from Perth.

@Netboy .... failing the purchase of an actual solar filter, 2 to 3 layers of one of those gold/silver mylar survival blankets make an excellent filter, taped down tight over the front of the telephoto
and speaking of your lens .... use the longest f/l you have else the sun will be really small in the image

cheers
Dave

I will have to drive about an hour north to see totality in 2017, but I am hoping to plan a vacation to Jackson Hole/Grand Tetons where the totality path will go through. So does one need welding glass on the camera or would a 10 stop filter work? Last time I saw totality was in like 1978 so I have a learning curve here too.

FEChariot wrote in post #17449000
I will have to drive about an hour north to see totality in 2017, but I am hoping to plan a vacation to Jackson Hole/Grand Tetons where the totality path will go through. So does one need welding glass on the camera or would a 10 stop filter work? Last time I saw totality was in like 1978 so I have a learning curve here too.

Check the links in post #3 .

We've been to four totals and three of them were clouded out. We struck gold in Australia in 2012. As Stephen said, seeing totality is like nothing else.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/dEcz​ut

Thanks for making me aware of this! I'll be heading out to the Peak District and watching it.

Like the OP I went down to Cornwall for the last total eclipse visible in England, but the cloudy weather only allowed for short glimpses of totality.

I can't wait for the 2017 one, my fiancé is from Oregon and the weather in August is a little more stable than it is here in the UK.

Great photos. I'm looking forward to the total in 2017 here in the States, my first. With a solar filter, at totality, what are your shutter speeds?

You don't use a filter at totality. If you're in a group with experienced eclipse chasers, there will be people and computers telling you when to take your filters on and off.
The shot of mine is a combination of shots ranging from 1 sec to 1/1000 sec at f/4.5.

Steve.

SteveInNZ wrote in post #17449707
You don't use a filter at totality. If you're in a group with experienced eclipse chasers, there will be people and computers telling you when to take your filters on and off.
The shot of mine is a combination of shots ranging from 1 sec to 1/1000 sec at f/4.5.

Steve.

Yup, exactly ! .... filters are on till totality and off till the sun peeks out again
ie ... solar filter was off for that totality shot of mine above
the image gets really dark at totality and dropping the shutter speed and or upping the ISO is needed

Also play with shutter speeds anyway to try and capture the corona as SteveInNZ did so well above
to do that requires longer shutter speeds


cheers
Dave

Good call.
Also look at post # 90 onwards, probably upto 104 in this

THREAD: LINK

Also "Netboy" , would you mind to leave a note to the event on that thread, for those who are following the events?

I made a solar filter for the partial eclipse in October and it works well on my 100-400.

I bought solar filter film on Amazon and a cheap set of step-up rings (needed a set anyway).

I cut holes (just smaller than the step-up ring) in two pieces of cardboard and taped the film between them, very securely. I then gorilla glued the step-up ring to the cardboard.

I am gentle with it, but it works fine. Total cost was less than $30 with enough film left over to do other filters.

I'm not very good at DIY projects, so if I can do it, anyone can. I'll make another one someday, with something other than cardboard. I got a good bit of cardboard residue/dust when I cut it, but just used a rocket blower.

You'll definitely need a filter if it is a partial eclipse, unless it is happening at sunset.


S.R.M. - Those are amazing photos of the total eclipse. I'm looking forward to 2017 for our chance here in America. I plan on being ready to travel wherever in the U.S. it takes to see and photograph it.