Article & Tips

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	sanfran

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Solar Eclips exposure tables and Items

E = f2/(A x B)

              E = exposure or shutter speed (seconds)
              f = focal ratio
              A = film speed (ISO)
              B = brightness value (see table below)

      Brightness Value
       (approximate)     Eclipse Feature

           256           Partial and annular phases (using solar filter)
           100           Prominences and innermost corona
          32-128         Diamond ring effect
            32           Inner corona
             4           Middle corona
           0.5           Outer corona
For example, taking a picture of prominences on the Sun during totality (B = 100) using a telephoto lens at f/14 with 400 ISO film would require an exposure of:

            E = 142/(400 x 100)
            E = 196/40,000
            E = 0.0049 second or 1/204 second
Normal SLRs don't have an exposure of 1/204 second, so use the closest shutter speeds, which would be 1/125 and 1/250 second.

Checklist for Solar Eclipse Photography

Camera Items
Camera (two, if possible, in case one fails)
Motor Drive
Lenses (16mm to 1000 mm)
Cable release
Heavy Duty Tripod
Extra batteries (camera meter, motor drive)
Film (several rolls of 36-exposure for eclipse)
Exposure list (for partial phases and totality)
Telescope Items
Telescope (consult manual for photographic equipment) mount, wedge, cords, eyepieces, photo adapters (T-ring, etc.), counterweights, drive corrector (spare fuse), lens cleaning supplies
Solar filter (full aperture or off-axis)
Inexpensive mylar filter for finder scope
Equatorial Mount with Clock Drive
Magnetic Compass (for polar alignment)
Bubble Angle Finder (for polar alignment and leveling mount)
Battery for telescope clock drive
AC Converter Plug, Voltage corrector, & Extension cord (if necessary)
Camcorder Items
Camcorder
Tele-extender lens (2x, 3x or 4x)
Heavy Duty Tripod
Extra batteries
Battery Charger
General Items
Hand-held solar filter (for viewing partial phases)
Pocket flashlight (bulb painted red)
Portable cassette tape recorder (spare tapes and batteries)
Optional second cassette tape recorder to play pre-recorded instructions via headphones
Portable short-wave receiver (to record WWV time signal)
GPS receiver (for position and time)
Assortment of tools for minor repairs screwdrivers (regular, phillips and jeweler's), needle-nose pliers, tweezers, small adjustable wrench, allen wrench set, etc.
Swiss Army Knife
Plastic trash bags (protection from dust and rain)
Roll of duct tape or masking tape (for emergency repairs)