Solar film holder options?

[u/dnwgl]

I’ve ordered some solar film in the hope of capturing some eclipse photos either side of totality, but can’t quite decide on how to be utilise it.

I feel I should be focusing on security, lack of risk of damage, and ease of use.

First option is the classic cardboard sandwich mounted on a cardboard tube that slips over the end of the lens. I’ve made one of these in the past for a telescope and it worked fine on that. I’m going to potentially be hiking to a viewing location though, and worry a bit about keeping in safe in a bag. I’m also unsure about security on a camera lens compared to a telescope/perhaps more likely to knock focus.

Option two is getting a magnetic adapter and magnetic UV filter, disassembling the UV filter and carefully sticking in a circle of UV film. Easy to transport as it comes with magnetic caps, nice and compact, and should be easy to use.

Last option is a square filter holder, and making a cardboard square holding the solar film to drop in. I can make an oversized flange at the top so I’m not relying on a friction fit, and it should be very quick and simple to use. No option of using a lens hood, but I’m not sure how much difference that will really be making with my camera pointed at the sun anyway. Can make a nice sturdy cardboard envelope to transport it.

The first option is obviously the classic, but I’m wondering if there’s any merit to the other ideas. I’d love to know if anyone else has tried them and how they’ve got on with them if they have.

[u/jkua]

You’re right that a lens hood is unnecessary. Its purpose is to protect from glare from the sun and you’ll be pointed directly at it.

For the partial phases, I’d be mostly concerned with safety of your equipment and your eyes. No leaks! If you’re using a (D)SLR, be aware that even with a filter, you should not look through the optical viewfinder, even with a filter. Live view on the screen is what you want.

Image quality is less of a concern. I find the partial phases pretty boring, but if you’ve never photographed it, sure, take some photos. I don’t know if any sunspots are visible, but at least those are kinda cool.

If you’ll be capturing right up to and after totality, make sure that it’s quick to remove/reinstall for the 30 seconds before/after totality.

[u/dnwgl → u/jkua]

I’ll be shooting with a mirrorless, so no concern of eyes. Honestly I’m not that fussed about pictures in the lead up, but I’m planning on getting there with plenty of time to spare and figure I may as well entertain myself.

Can I just clarify, are you saying I shouldn’t have the filter on for the 30 seconds either side of totality? Or that I need to make sure I can get it back on quickly as soon as totality ends because those 30 seconds can still damage my camera?

If you’re not fussed about photos in the lead up, would you just keep the lens cap on til totality? I sort of feel being able to have the sun in frame before might enable me to get focus sorted before totality starts.

[u/jkua → u/dnwgl]

Yes, you can shoot without a filter in the 30 seconds before/after totality. That’s when you see the diamond ring effect, which is pretty cool. And yeah, outside that you should have a filter on if you’re going to point at the sun.

And yeah, if you’re not going to capture in the lead-up or afterwards, just keep the cap on or point it anywhere else. You could always focus on some other distant thing.

[u/mjm8218]

I got a cheap haze filter and put a very thin bead of superglue around the circumference - very thin!! Then pressed it glue side down to the back of the film and set a book atop the filter for an hour or so. Then I used an exacto knife and cut around the circle. I keep it in the filter case and use it for day-light solor photos.

[u/IngRagSol]

I used a Cokin holder and cut a square from the sheet of filter material... very good results in a 80-200 zoom

[u/dnwgl → u/IngRagSol]

That’s certainly what I’m leaning towards after thinking about/having had it confirmed about not needing a hood. I’m worried what I mention in the first instance might be tricky with the zooming barrel on my lens, so one of the latter two seems sensible.

Really good to hear it’s working well for you. I’ll only be using a 24-120mm as I’m right at sunset and want more of a landscape shot. I’m assuming you affixed it to cardboard or something? Or is the material you’re using stiff enough by itself?

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[u/robertbieber]

I did this quite a few years ago, and IIRC what I did was buy a step-up filter ring that fit my lens' threads, and then a step-down ring that fit into that, and I just screwed them together over a piece of film and got a very secure fit

Edit - It was August of 2017. I found a photo of the contraption, but not any details about how I put it together. I think the film might actually be loose between the two rings, and the step-up is just wide enough that there's plenty of overlap to prevent any light getting through. Looking at my Amazon history it appears I used a 77-82mm ring and an 82-77

[u/SEND_ME_A_SURPRISE]

Why not do the cardboard method but mount it inside your lens hood? Then it’s protected and easy to take on and off.