DO NOT LOOK THROUGH THIS FILTER AT THE SUN. \u00a0YOU COULD EASILY BLIND YOURSELF.<\/em><\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\nI can\u2019t stress the previous lines enough. This design is safe for cameras, not for eyes, because it blocks visible light. That leaves the harmful UV and infra-red rays unblocked \u2013 things your camera is not sensitive to, but your retinas are! If you want a visual (observing) filter, buy one. No DIY solution can be tested \/ guaranteed as a commercial one can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Okay, let\u2019s get started. Filter construction is simple: you need a filter material, and a housing to fit it onto the camera.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/greg-kennedy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_0255.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nParts list:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Empty plastic food container (with lid), larger than lens<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Mylar sheet. \u00a0Buy an \u201cemergency blanket\u201d from the camping supplies section at Wal-Mart. \u00a0Total cost: $2.97<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Razor blade<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Black spray-paint<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Step 1: Cut a hole in the narrow end of the plastic container. This end will fit over your lens. Aim for a snug fit, so it doesn\u2019t fall off your camera, but don\u2019t go too snug so you have to force it on (could damage the drive motor)<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/greg-kennedy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_0256.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nStep 2: Spray paint the cup black, inside and out. \u00a0This helps block light from leaking in through the white sides.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/greg-kennedy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_0261.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nStep 3: Cut a large hole in the lid, leaving behind a ring. Leave a couple millimeters on the edge so it\u2019ll remain stable. Then, lay the ring on the mylar sheet, and cut two or three squares of Mylar larger than the ring.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/greg-kennedy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_0258.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nStep 4: Assemble your new filter! \u00a0(Note I painted and assembled in the wrong order) Now simply stuff it over the end, point at the sun (tripod preferred), and shoot. \u00a0Your camera might get confused about the target \u2013 set it for \u201cspot meter\u201d and manual focus at infinity.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/greg-kennedy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_0259.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nHere\u2019s a first attempt using the filter. There\u2019s some haze here that was added by the filter: I can\u2019t figure out how to get rid of it. Guess that\u2019s just the nature of the tool. Try varying the number of filter elements (sheets) to see if you get better results. Make sure to get in lots of practice today and tomorrow \u2013 you don\u2019t want to be fiddling with this during the minute or so that the eclipse is actually going on!<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/greg-kennedy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/FES8IICH29XSK8Z-1024x769.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nEDIT: 2 sheets, f11, 1\/1300 exposure. Post: Crop. Manually selected circular sun and blacked background \/ haze. Colorize.<\/p>\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nParts list:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Empty plastic food container (with lid), larger than lens<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Mylar sheet. \u00a0Buy an \u201cemergency blanket\u201d from the camping supplies section at Wal-Mart. \u00a0Total cost: $2.97<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Razor blade<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Black spray-paint<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Step 1: Cut a hole in the narrow end of the plastic container. This end will fit over your lens. Aim for a snug fit, so it doesn\u2019t fall off your camera, but don\u2019t go too snug so you have to force it on (could damage the drive motor)<\/p>\n\n\n
\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nStep 2: Spray paint the cup black, inside and out. \u00a0This helps block light from leaking in through the white sides.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nStep 3: Cut a large hole in the lid, leaving behind a ring. Leave a couple millimeters on the edge so it\u2019ll remain stable. Then, lay the ring on the mylar sheet, and cut two or three squares of Mylar larger than the ring.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nStep 4: Assemble your new filter! \u00a0(Note I painted and assembled in the wrong order) Now simply stuff it over the end, point at the sun (tripod preferred), and shoot. \u00a0Your camera might get confused about the target \u2013 set it for \u201cspot meter\u201d and manual focus at infinity.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nHere\u2019s a first attempt using the filter. There\u2019s some haze here that was added by the filter: I can\u2019t figure out how to get rid of it. Guess that\u2019s just the nature of the tool. Try varying the number of filter elements (sheets) to see if you get better results. Make sure to get in lots of practice today and tomorrow \u2013 you don\u2019t want to be fiddling with this during the minute or so that the eclipse is actually going on!<\/p>\n\n\n
\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nEDIT: 2 sheets, f11, 1\/1300 exposure. Post: Crop. Manually selected circular sun and blacked background \/ haze. Colorize.<\/p>\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/greg-kennedy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/DSCF0007.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/greg-kennedy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/FH5XGG1H412K026.webp\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"