Welding Torch

I'm sure I read somewhere that pointing a dslr straight at a strong sun to take a shot can possibly damage the sensor. And most of us know that looking straight at a welders torch without eye protection while in use can do damage to the eyes.
Would taking a photo of a welder in action do any damage to the sensor?

I could be wrong, but I thought it had something to do with the UV rays from the sun or something

No idea, but I wouldn't think a bright light should harm it.

The eye protection welders use is for the UV from the torch among other hazards too. Don't know if it's strong enough to do damage to the camera tho'.

Killie wrote in post #2362931
I'm sure I read somewhere that pointing a dslr straight at a strong sun to take a shot can possibly damage the sensor. And most of us know that looking straight at a welders torch without eye protection while in use can do damage to the eyes.
Would taking a photo of a welder in action do any damage to the sensor?

certainly no scientific data backing this...but yes, it could damage your sensor. If the sun can do it the welder CERTAINLY can. If you spend a while welding you will get a gnarly sunburn type thing all over your arms and neck and wherever is exposed to the light.

I have definitely also shot pictures of people welding though. I've done it from far away and I usually try to have the actual flame blocked by something and moreso show the sparks/etc. instead

How would it damage the sensor? Try a 30 second exposure at f/1.8 in broad daylight, then try it again at 15, 10, 5, and 3 seconds, they all look the same because they are all over exposed. Once your camera reaches that level of overexposure it's done, it just records white, no damage, but no picture either. An Oxy torch isn't that bright anyway, it's equivilent to looking at a 580ex strobe from about 3 feet at full power, mig, tig and stick are the really bright welders.

maxyedor wrote in post #2363047
How would it damage the sensor? Try a 30 second exposure at f/1.8 in broad daylight, then try it again at 15, 10, 5, and 3 seconds, they all look the same because they are all over exposed. Once your camera reaches that level of overexposure it's done, it just records white, no damage, but no picture either. An Oxy torch isn't that bright anyway, it's equivilent to looking at a 580ex strobe from about 3 feet at full power, mig, tig and stick are the really bright welders.

I don't think it has to do with exposure at all, but rather with physical (burning) damage to the sensor. I know I've read a story on here about a camera's sensor smoking from being left pointed at the sun, I'll try to find it now.

edit: Found it https://photography-on-the.net …?t=104308&highl​ight=smoke. Not the sensor, but he melted the mirror.

someone said on this forum that he took pictures at work when they were welding i've searched can't find the post will keep looking

Smoking? Really? I've taken many TIG welding photos and haven't noticed any type of damage to the sensor.

found threads use search "welding"
https://photography-on-the.net …=186188&highlig​ht=welding

https://photography-on-the.net …=171072&highlig​ht=welding

A recent thread on the topic, with pictures
https://photography-on-the.net …t=224382&highli​ght=welder

Just a point of terminology:
There are different kinds of welding.
A "torch", usually an oxy-acetylene torch (burns acetylene with oxygen added to make a really hot flame), is one way.

An arc welder (generates heat with an electrical arc) is another way. There are many different types of arc welders.

The arc welders produce a brighter light with intense UV rays that are most harmful to eyes. They also produce flying bits of red-hot metal which can potentially damage whatever it lands on.

I have done my share of welding. If I were to photograph it, I would worry most about my eyes. You do not want to look at the arc with the naked eye, not even through your viewfinder.

As far as the camera is concerned, I would worry most about the flying debris and stay back 10 feet or so. I would not worry about the sensor.

The UV Radiation from welding will not damage your sensor.

MOST IMPORTANT: DO NOT LOOK AT THE WELDING ARC WHEN TAKING A PICTURE NEITHER DIRECTLY NOR THROUGH THE VIEW FINDER.

If you look at the arc the UV will burn your retina which you will recognize a few hours later as a gritty and extremely painful sensation in your eyes. Not something I recommend.

https://photography-on-the.net …5205&highlight=​sun+sensor

Jeff

Not related but I was looking at my new flash when I got it, looking at the buttons, the front, etc, had it about 12 inches from my face and hit the test button...

WOW

Thats bright...

About 99% of UV rays are blocked by the coatings on your lens elements. If you're using an SLR, i.e. what your eye sees is what the lens sees, then there is no risk of UV rays passing through the lens, bouncing off the reflex mirror, and hitting your retina in any meaningful amount. The brightness alone, however, can damage your retina irrespective of UV transmission.

Incidentally, there is a reason why on CSI they use Nikons to take pictures of crime scenes. The reason is that Nikon (but not Canon) makes an SLR lens that transmits UV rays, which is useful for forensic pathologists to take pictures of subcutaneous bruising. This lens can do some amazing things when used with a filter that transmits UV but blocks visible light (i.e. the exact opposite of the typical UV filter)... see this gallery: http://www.naturfotogr​af.com/uvstart.html.

Unfortunately the lens costs $3000 -- otherwise I'd gladly adapt one to my own camera.

the damage to your eyes is known as flashburn. i weld for a living, trust me...it IS NOT fun.

thought it all depends on the sensitivity of your eyes to the light.

what is flash burn? well..you wont know that youve got it until the next morning when you wake up. there will be a crust formed over your eye lids and they will feel glued shut. tat's not the worst of it though. it's like someone took a handful of sand and just poured it directly into your eyes.

dont look at the light lol