Do’s and Don’ts of Photographing the Eclipse, From a Columbus Astrophotographer

If you’re intent on photographing the eclipse, here are some tips from Columbus astrophotographer Joe Renzetti:  

• Use the simplest setup and as much manual control as possible to reduce the number of things that can go wrong during an unpredictable event where you only get one shot.  
• A DSLR or mirrorless camera is ideal, along with a 200mm lens or longer for the best resolution. You’ll need a solar filter for the lens; use a Mylar, white-light-based filter from a reputable camera or telescope dealer that has little chance of a pinhole break and can be securely fastened onto the lens. Don’t use any filter that threads onto the camera behind the lens, as these can overheat.  
• As the eclipse approaches totality, keep adjusting exposure times and gain settings to compensate.  
• At the moment of totality, remove the solar filter from the camera lens. This is the only time it is safe to observe the sun with the naked eye. When the sun begins to reemerge, reapply the solar filter and your eclipse glasses.  

A word on using smartphones to photograph a total eclipse: Experts warn not to use the phone’s camera (or a telescope, or binoculars) without a solar filter before and after totality, even if you’re already wearing eclipse glasses. It could damage and even melt the camera lens. NASA also recommends practicing on a full moon first to understand how your phone’s camera reacts to a glowing orb in the sky. You’ll likely need a telephoto attachment since the zoom will pixelate the image.  

For more detailed eclipse photography tips, head to mreclipse.com, the website of Fred Espenak, a retired NASA astrophysicist.