Camera Labs

Since the day is getting ever closer to the last chance within our lifetimes, I'm curious who else is going to attempt seeing it? And how?

I checked the timing today. The UK isn't in the best place, with it already in progress at my local sunrise of 4.52am and there is a window of around an hour after sunrise when it is visible. And the long range forecast is showery...

Location wise, my current plan is to go to the far side of the park as there's a large open area leaving only trees on the horizon blocking a bit of view.

I haven't ruled out looking for a hill where I might be able to get an advantage. As this will mean a drive, I might be able to take more kit with me.

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

What equipment are you planning on using to get pics, popo? (presuming you are)

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Nikon D700 & D7100 bodies + Nikkor 300mm F2.8 VR11, 1.7TC, 50mm F1.4G, 16-35mm f/4G VR, 105 F2.8 VR macro, 70-300mm lenses. A couple of filters, Giotto tripod & ballhead. Lowepro Slingshot 302 AW

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldcarlos/

If I go the park route, then I'll travel light. 100-400L x1.4 tripod mounted. 70-300L hand held for landscapes. I have a solar filter made for the 100-400L already. Think I'll risk not using one (or perhaps a moderate ND) on the 70-300 but I haven't decided yet. If driving somewhere else, I'll take the solar scope and astrotrac as well.

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

I just presumed you'd be using your `solar gear` tbh, not thinking any ordinary, run o' the mill stuff would be good enough.
I have a B+W ND 4 filter. Do you reckon that would work on a 70-300mm? (I also have a Hoya CPL I could also attach with it?)

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Nikon D700 & D7100 bodies + Nikkor 300mm F2.8 VR11, 1.7TC, 50mm F1.4G, 16-35mm f/4G VR, 105 F2.8 VR macro, 70-300mm lenses. A couple of filters, Giotto tripod & ballhead. Lowepro Slingshot 302 AW

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldcarlos/

The solar scope would show the sun's surface details, but it is a rather pain to use. I think a normal shot of the surface will do, particularly if I can put it in context with some landscape around it. I think the exposures will be rather challenging though.

The solar filter I have is a viewing safety one. Blocks some silly number of stops of all light, making direct viewing of the sun both comfortable and safe. But it will probably be too dark to show anything else with the filter in place. So because it will be early morning, the sun is passing through more of the air so there will be a bit of attenuation anyway, and I'm thinking of chancing a more direct shot given a chance. I suppose I can dig out my ND grads too... haven't used them in ages. Is it safe? Probably not for the eye but the equipment can probably take it. One for live view! Try at your own risk!

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

Defo wouldn't use the naked eye! If I get the chance though, I might just have a go at it & risk the camera.
But as you said before, the UK weather will more than likely put a dampener on things.

Cheers.

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Nikon D700 & D7100 bodies + Nikkor 300mm F2.8 VR11, 1.7TC, 50mm F1.4G, 16-35mm f/4G VR, 105 F2.8 VR macro, 70-300mm lenses. A couple of filters, Giotto tripod & ballhead. Lowepro Slingshot 302 AW

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldcarlos/

its been done, a little while ago though. Captain Cook on his first voyage covered part of the transit of Venus and then went onto map New Zealand and discovered the East Coast of Australia,...... alright back in my box............


It will be visible here in OZ on Wednesday from around 8:30 am until 3:00pm,

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Canon Powershot S95, Canon 7D, 15-85, Canon 85 1.8 USM, Sigma 30 1.4, 50mm 1.8, Canon 100 2.8L IS Macro, Canon 70-300L IS USM+Kenko 1.4 Pro 300DGX, Canon 430EX II and RS 4 Classic

Forgive my ignorance, however, I thought I had read somewhere that shooting the sun could potentially cause damage to the camera...is this true?

I was thinking of trying to get a shot of this, however, I do not have any special filters. My thought process was to utilize the LCD screen to avoid obviously looking directly at the sun through the VF, but at the same time do not want to damage the camera.

Thanks for the input!!

Pointing the camera at the sun has its risks, and the safe option if in any doubt is not to do so.

I'm not sure you'll get much of Venus without a filter anyway. The sun is VERY bright and will likely blow out the small dot that is Venus unless the levels are reduced.

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

Thanks my friend, sounds like I may have to wait 105 years for the next one

well here you go.

this was our meagre attempt. nothing fancy, just a theodolite with a piece of perspex and an iphone !

not a truly fantastic image or super quality but its the best we could do at work !




venus-sun by robbon44, on Flickr

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Canon 550D, Canon EFS 17-85 IS USM, Canon EF 75-300 IS USM, Canon EFS 10-22mm USM, Canon EF35mm F2.

Got some of the gear but really still no idea...

5:06am No sign of Venus here... hang on, that's not the sun is it. Wrong direction!


5:11am The view looking in the right direction. Cloud...


5:22am I see you!


5:27am Although it had moved away from the low cloud, it moved into another band.


5:31am At last, a clear shot.


5:39am Making contact on the way out...


5:42am The kit in action.


5:54am Barely visible still... the sun went behind some thin cloud after this so I didn't catch the exact moment Venus disappeared.

Kit used:
Canon 7D and 600D.
Canon 100-400L and 15-85.
Baader solar film ND5 on the 100-400L.

I also too some video I might sort out later.

Very tiered now. Stayed up to past 1am watching the Nasa feed. Woke up just before 4am... I did plan ahead and took the day off work. Next stop: bed.

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

Good effort popo nice !

But I'm claiming the First! Badge !! Lol (the benefit of living in NZ).

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Canon 550D, Canon EFS 17-85 IS USM, Canon EF 75-300 IS USM, Canon EFS 10-22mm USM, Canon EF35mm F2.

Got some of the gear but really still no idea...

I'm thinking "no" since I shot the following with three stacked ND8s and still had to use f16, 1/4000, ISO160 (base) on my GH2 with the 100-300mm lens at 300mm:



Although I should add that this was midday with no cloud cover.

HTH - Mark

Well done guys, really good efforts & at least you actually saw it. (It rained all night here & the sun is only just trying to show it's face now......between heavy rain showers! )

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Nikon D700 & D7100 bodies + Nikkor 300mm F2.8 VR11, 1.7TC, 50mm F1.4G, 16-35mm f/4G VR, 105 F2.8 VR macro, 70-300mm lenses. A couple of filters, Giotto tripod & ballhead. Lowepro Slingshot 302 AW

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldcarlos/