Annular Eclipse May 20,2012

[Kayaker72]

I wonder how much eye damage is caused with solar eclipe's and peoples homemade methods of looking at it.

I've been wondering the same thing myself. Or, how much damage would there be if you look through shade 12 welders glass versus shade 14. Or, how much help would the UV filter on the camera lens be if it was stacked with a 10 stop ND??

Personally, I don't know. But what I do know is that my camera sensor and my eyes are worth more to me than the $130 I just spent to have Baader film overnighted. Some things aren't worth messing around with.

BTW, as a kid, I saw my first eclipse through X-ray film.

[bob williams]

Since Albuquerque, NM is a prime viewing spot for the eclipse, the event has created quite a frenzy for viewing material in this area. As of yesterday, all of the libraries and most of the museums were out of viewing glasses and since I failed to plan ahead and do as Kayaker did, I had pretty much given up on getting filter material for shooting the event. Lucky for me, I found an article in the newspaper where one of the tint shops had planned ahead and purchased certified 5.0 ND tint film and was selling it for $2.00 for personal viewing strips and $10.00 for an 8x8 sheet for telescopes and cameras--So I ran out and got me some this morning. I am not sure how photographically clear the film is, but it's better than doing without.

Another unfortunate thing about this frenzy is that there are several unscrupulous venders selling regular car window tint for as much as $5.00 a strip and people are actually buying it. Not a bad deal, get ripped off and go blind in one swift move. I am wondering if these guys are in business with the local opthamologists.

IF you were lucky or smart enough to get appropriate filter material for this event, there is a great website for estimating exposure parameters HERE . I think the link was posted earlier, but I will do it again for those interested.


Looking forward to seeing the pics generated from this event.

Happy shooting,

Bob