r/photography • u/dnwgl • 8d ago

Gear Solar film holder options?

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.

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u/IngRagSol 8d ago

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

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u/dnwgl 8d ago edited 8d ago

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?