K-01 for solar eclipse

**Banskojoe** · 03-06-2017, 02:41 PM

I have what I hope is my set up for the solar eclipse in August. K-01 with third party mirrored f8 500mm lens. Camera on tripod. Set to manual. ISO 200. Shutter speeds ranging from 1000 to 4000 on timed release.

On today's trial shots, I can see the sun in the display but "photos" are just black screen.

Is this operator error or some magic in the camera to prevent me from doing something stupid?

Thank you!

LensBeginner · 03-06-2017, 03:14 PM

Are you sure exposure values are appropriate for what you're photographing? If you're underexposing, then you would get a black image, even thought live view shows your subject correctly.

**UncleVanya** · 03-06-2017, 03:19 PM

Filter?

mikeSF · 03-06-2017, 04:11 PM

lenscap?

...somebody had to say it.

VoiceOfReason · 03-06-2017, 04:17 PM - **1 Like**

I really hope you're using a suitable filter, and not an ND, but a solar filter for that.

**AstroDave** · 03-06-2017, 04:19 PM - **2 Likes**

I hope you had a filter (well over 10 stops) in there - or you may have fried your detector!!

Some (all?) of these mirror lenses put their filters at the back end of the lens (just in front of the camera) - this IS NOT A GOOD IDEA for solar imaging - you could fry the filter (i.e. crack it if is glass) too!

Solar filters ALWAYS go AHEAD of ANY optics. You kill your camera, you are out some $$$; you kill your eye, and you are out a lot more!

Stone G. · 03-07-2017, 06:14 AM - **1 Like**

As others have said: Use SAFE dedicated solar film or SAFE dedicated solar glass filters for the Sun:

With such filters you may get this at 600mm f/11 with ISO = 100 and t = 1/125s:

Pentax K200D with Tamron Adaptall-2 SP 300mm f/5.6 lens and 2X Tamron SP F-Series teleconverter.

Without this filter (Optical Density, D=5) I would have needed an exposure time of 1/125s divided by 100,000!!! Are you sure you got a black rather than a blank image?

Of course, during totality things are very different and you must take off the filter - but ONLY DURING TOTALITY.

03-06-2017, 02:41 PM	#1
Banskojoe Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 181	K-01 for solar eclipse I have what I hope is my set up for the solar eclipse in August. K-01 with third party mirrored f8 500mm lens. Camera on tripod. Set to manual. ISO 200. Shutter speeds ranging from 1000 to 4000 on timed release. On today's trial shots, I can see the sun in the display but "photos" are just black screen. Is this operator error or some magic in the camera to prevent me from doing something stupid? Thank you!

03-06-2017, 04:19 PM - 2 Likes	#6
AstroDave Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2007 Location: Flagstaff, Arizona Posts: 1,637	I hope you had a filter (well over 10 stops) in there - or you may have fried your detector!! Some (all?) of these mirror lenses put their filters at the back end of the lens (just in front of the camera) - this IS NOT A GOOD IDEA for solar imaging - you could fry the filter (i.e. crack it if is glass) too! Solar filters ALWAYS go AHEAD of ANY optics. You kill your camera, you are out some $$$; you kill your eye, and you are out a lot more! Last edited by AstroDave; 03-06-2017 at 04:21 PM. Reason: make reference explcitily to mirror lenses

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03-06-2017, 03:14 PM	#2
LensBeginner Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,696	Are you sure exposure values are appropriate for what you're photographing? If you're underexposing, then you would get a black image, even thought live view shows your subject correctly.

03-06-2017, 03:19 PM	#3
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,403	Filter?

03-06-2017, 04:11 PM	#4
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,620	lenscap? ...somebody had to say it.

03-06-2017, 04:17 PM - 1 Like	#5
VoiceOfReason Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Mishawaka IN area Photos: Albums Posts: 6,124	I really hope you're using a suitable filter, and not an ND, but a solar filter for that.

03-07-2017, 06:14 AM - 1 Like	#7
Stone G. Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: North Zealand, Denmark Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,516	As others have said: Use SAFE dedicated solar film or SAFE dedicated solar glass filters for the Sun: With such filters you may get this at 600mm f/11 with ISO = 100 and t = 1/125s: Pentax K200D with Tamron Adaptall-2 SP 300mm f/5.6 lens and 2X Tamron SP F-Series teleconverter. Without this filter (Optical Density, D=5) I would have needed an exposure time of 1/125s divided by 100,000!!! Are you sure you got a *black* rather than a *blank* image? Of course, during totality things are very different and you must take off the filter - but ONLY DURING TOTALITY.