Solar filter

[HDNitehawk]

Glad this is useful. I take it you're planning to use the R3? I'm curious how the eclipse will appear in the electronic viewfinder, compared to the optical viewfinder of my 1DXIII. There are incredible nuances in the corona, and a huge dynamic range, that the EVF might not be able to display. You'll get the same photos (if not better) with the R3, but for the personal viewing experience, I'm wondering if it will match the optical view.

Wouldn't it be the same as using live view. I did live view on all the shots with the 500mm on the last one.
I would think with the high frame rate of the R3 you will can have quite a few shots through total. Or just one or so at 196 fps.

[Jonathan Huyer]

Wouldn't it be the same as using live view. I did live view on all the shots with the 500mm on the last one.
I would think with the high frame rate of the R3 you will can have quite a few shots through total. Or just one or so at 196 fps.

What I'm wondering specifically, is how the image would look in the viewfinder for a mirrorless camera, if you compared it to a DSLR side by side. The EVF is giving a 'TV screen' view of the scene, whereas the DSLR is showing you the real McCoy. For most scenes they look pretty similar, but a solar eclipse is a very unique situation with incredible dynamic range. I expect that the actual photos each camera will produce will be quite similar, but for anyone who has taken a picture of a solar eclipse already knows, the picture doesn't come anywhere near to what it actually looks like through the optical viewfinder (or binoculars). So my question is whether the EVF will have similar limitations, such that you're perhaps better off viewing the eclipse through binoculars while taking photos with the mirrorless camera, just so you don't miss out on the full experience.

[HDNitehawk]

What I'm wondering specifically, is how the image would look in the viewfinder for a mirrorless camera, if you compared it to a DSLR side by side. The EVF is giving a 'TV screen' view of the scene, whereas the DSLR is showing you the real McCoy. For most scenes they look pretty similar, but a solar eclipse is a very unique situation with incredible dynamic range. I expect that the actual photos each camera will produce will be quite similar, but for anyone who has taken a picture of a solar eclipse already knows, the picture doesn't come anywhere near to what it actually looks like through the optical viewfinder (or binoculars). So my question is whether the EVF will have similar limitations, such that you're perhaps better off viewing the eclipse through binoculars while taking photos with the mirrorless camera, just so you don't miss out on the full experience.

I think the big difference would be the quick adjustment you have to make to get the picture exposure. Initially all you will see is a black screen in either and be frantically changing the shutter speed as you pull the cap off. A DSLR you see what you see, but I think you know as well that what you see through the 1D viewfinder is better than what you see in a lesser body. So you will loose site of the sun if you are doing it hand held. What you describe would be great, but the sun moves quickly out of view with the 500 or 600mm. You are talking adjusting, tracking and looking through the binoculars in a period of time less than what it took me to type this.

What would be good to have is a mount for the tripod that can track the sun, have a good idea of the required shutter speed so you can quickly go to it.

[Jonathan Huyer]

As examples of what I got with bracketing:

1/30 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 200



1/1000 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 200



Note that with an optical viewfinder, you'll see the prominences at the same time that you see the incredible detail in the corona, but only with your eye. The camera can't capture both at the same time, due to the huge dynamic range between them. With a mirrorless camera, you will need to physically change the settings to see the prominences or the full corona, because what you see is what you get.

[neuroanatomist]

As examples of what I got with bracketing:
1/30 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 200
1/1000 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 200

With just the shutter speed changing, that's pretty easy to adjust rapidly on the fly. That's a 5-stop difference, so it's within the range of AEB and since the R3 brackets at 30 fps with full 14-bit RAW honestly it's probably easiest just to take bracketed exposures and either combine them or delete the unwanted ones.

[Jonathan Huyer]

With just the shutter speed changing, that's pretty easy to adjust rapidly on the fly. That's a 5-stop difference, so it's within the range of AEB and since the R3 brackets at 30 fps with full 14-bit RAW honestly it's probably easiest just to take bracketed exposures and either combine them or delete the unwanted ones.

Yes good point --- it's pretty easy and quick to make the changes. I'd still suggest rehearsing the moves ahead of time, because the event is so utterly phenomenal that you can temporarily lose your mind while being in the midst of it. If you're already an eclipse veteran then you'll probably be a bit more level headed, but even though the 2017 eclipse was my third, I was still massively overwhelmed. Maybe it's just me, but I find these events so paralyzing that I almost forget to breathe! I'm sure looking forward to next April, and I wish everyone clear skies wherever you may be.

[Busted Knuckles]

Couple of items: Just got the 5d3 back from lifepixel - both IR and UV cut have been removed. Suggestions for testing are appreciated.

For the solar eclipse I am planning on using the same system I used for the annular eclipse - filter holder w/ solar film. For exposure 'jumps' from from pre to totality and back, planning on using the Custom mode to preset the jump about 10 stops.

Would love to figure out something for the full spectrum 5d3 - have the tamzooka which has a 95 mm thread or the 70-200 with a 2x for 400mm reach and a 77 mm thread. I know a 77mm H-alpha would be pretty spending at these diameters...... IF you could find one and IF it wouldn't result in the sensor being fried. Any thoughts, suggestions, would be appreciated.

[neuroanatomist]

What I'm wondering specifically, is how the image would look in the viewfinder for a mirrorless camera, if you compared it to a DSLR side by side. The EVF is giving a 'TV screen' view of the scene, whereas the DSLR is showing you the real McCoy. For most scenes they look pretty similar, but a solar eclipse is a very unique situation with incredible dynamic range. I expect that the actual photos each camera will produce will be quite similar, but for anyone who has taken a picture of a solar eclipse already knows, the picture doesn't come anywhere near to what it actually looks like through the optical viewfinder (or binoculars). So my question is whether the EVF will have similar limitations, such that you're perhaps better off viewing the eclipse through binoculars while taking photos with the mirrorless camera, just so you don't miss out on the full experience.

Yes, the EVF will have the same limitations as the captured images. Probably the "OVF Simulation' mode of the R3 will be better in that regard, but it's still not going to match an OVF in that situation. Agree that viewing with binoculars would be better, but I think that's generally true anyway for both solar and lunar eclipses.