China Solar Eclipse Tour 2009

ASTRO ADVENTURES
Exclusive Tours
with Astronomical Themes

CONTINENTAL CAPERS
Serving Travelers
Worldwide Since 1970

China Total Solar Eclipse Tour 2009
– Longest Total Solar Eclipse of Our Lifetime –
(2009 July 19 – August 6)

SOLAR ECLIPSE EXPOSURE GUIDE

Photographing the eclipsed Sun involves (1) image size, (2) exposure time and
(3) exposure times for no blurring without a clock drive. Here we consider Item #2.

WARNING: Do not observe or photograph the Sun out of eclipse or in partial eclipse without safe solar filters. (No filter needed for totally eclipsed Sun). See Eye Safety

Exposure times for photographing a solar eclipse are very approximate. Variable atmospheric transparency and variations in the brightness of total eclipse phenomena all contribute to this uncertainty. Actual densities of neutral density filters (ND) can differ. Use the ND filter for the uneclipsed Sun or the Sun in partial eclipse. (Note that not all photographic ND filters are safe for visual use.) Various solar eclipse photographers often prefer widely different values.

Use this table as a very general guide. Bracket very widely if you can, by at least two stops or much more. Finally, the longest exposures possible (especially for the corona) without using a clock drive are strongly conditioned by the focal length of the lens. (See Exposure Times for No Trailing).

A Very General Guide to Exposures

(Shutter speeds in seconds)

F/ Stop	Partial Phases (ND4)*	Diamond Ring	Baily's Beads	Promi- nences	Inner Corona	Middle Corona	Outer Corona	Land- scape	Sky
ISO 100 Film
2	1/8000	1/4000	—	1/2000	1/250	1/125	1/30	1/15	2
2.8	1/4000	1/2000	1/8000	1/1000	1/125	1/60	1/15	1/8	4
4	1/2000	1/1000	1/4000	1/500	1/60	1/30	1/8	1/4	8
5.6	1/1000	1/500	1/2000	1/250	1/30	1/15	1/4	1/2	16
8	1/500	1/250	1/1000	1/125	1/15	1/8	1/2	1	32
11	1/250	1/125	1/500	1/60	1/8	1/4	1	2	64
16	1/125	1/60	1/250	1/30	1/4	1/2	2	4	128
ISO 400 Film
2	—	—	—	1/8000	1/1000	1/500	1/125	1/60	1/2
2.8	—	1/8000	—	1/4000	1/500	1/250	1/60	1/30	1
4	1/8000	1/4000	—	1/2000	1/250	1/125	1/30	1/15	2
5.6	1/4000	1/2000	1/8000	1/1000	1/125	1/60	1/15	1/8	4
8	1/2000	1/1000	1/4000	1/500	1/60	1/30	1/8	1/4	8
11	1/1000	1/500	1/2000	1/250	1/30	1/15	1/4	1/2	16
16	1/500	1/250	1/1000	1/125	1/16	1/8	1/2	1	32

For other ISO film speeds, use the values for ISO 100 and adjust by the appropriate factor.

Here are some examples.

ISO	50	Multiply	all shutter speeds for ISO 100 by 2.
ISO	100	—	Use shutter speeds as listed above for ISO 100.
ISO	200	Divide	all shutter speeds for ISO 100 by 2.
ISO	400	Divide	all shutter speeds for ISO 100 by 4 or use table above for ISO 400.
ISO	800	Divide	all shutter speeds for ISO 100 by 8.
ISO	1000	Divide	all shutter speeds for ISO 100 by 10.
ISO	1600	Divide	all shutter speeds for ISO 100 by 16.

*ND mean neutral density filter. The filter must be specifically made for visual use so you can also safely look through the camera finder.

Warning. Typical ND photographic filters available in most photographic stores are not safe for viewing by the eye.

If an ND 5 filter is used, increase exposure by about 3 stops. An ND 4 filter has a transmission of 0.01% (0.0001). An ND 5 filter's transmission is 0.001% (0.00001) so an ND 5 filter transmits ten times less light than an ND 4 filter. Individual ND filters vary in density so make a test exposure roll before using.

Back to More Information Page

Return to China 2009 Solar Eclipse Tour Page

RETURN TO TOP
OF PAGE

MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS NOW
TO EXPERIENCE THIS FASCINATING ADVENTURE WITH US!

Voyages Home About Us Escorts Contact Info Disclaimer

A World of Wonders—See Them With Us
Page last updated March 31, 2009
Send comments or suggestions to marian@flycapers.com
All content unless otherwise credited © 2008-2009
HL/MP Cohen & Continental Capers Travel Center, Inc.
www.flycapers.com • Tzell Travel Group Member