What equipment would I need to photograph a solar eclipse?

Answer 1

u can use 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)

Answer 2

I assume you'll be using a digital camera. You would need a very dark filter, such as the glass used in welder's goggles or face masks. Put the filter on the camera before aiming it at the sun, and make sure you have a clear image on the LCD viewfinder. Cover the lens until you're ready to start taking pictures. Since a solar eclipse lasts less than ten minutes, I would suggest setting up your camera on a tripod, and snapping a photo every 15 seconds. You'll get up to 30-40 photos.

To get the start of the eclipse, consult an online almanac. You can safely take quick glances at the sun through several layers of black plastic (from a garbage bag) to catch the exact beginning of the eclipse. Never look directly at the sun without a filter. I would also suggest blocking the camera lens between shots (your hand will do) to prevent any damage to the sensor array. So every 15 seconds, remove your hand, take the shot, and then cover the lens again.

Answer 3

A long telephoto lens. I used a 400mm on a Digital Rebel and got some nice corona pictures.

During totality you don't need anything special: aim and snap away. During the partial phases you need a solar filter.

Seriously, though, if this is your first solar eclipse (the fact that you're asking suggests that it is), save the photography for another time. Totality goes by *so* quickly that it would be tragic to miss one of the nature's most spectacular events because you're fiddling with cameras.

Answer 4

A camera.

The sun and moon in allignment would help as well.