The Sun

[Gazer]

Hope it's ok to post this here.

An important question regarding photographing the sun. Needless to say, I've seen numerous pictures where the sun is in the frame, and I've never heard of anyone doing damage to their eyes while taking the picture. However, I have a few text books that claim you CAN damage your eyes while looking at the sun through a camera's viewfinder and that photographing the sun without proper filters is a really bad idea.

I also do a little astrophotography, and anyone who's a little educated on the subject will tell you that observing the sun directly (without proper filters) through a scope will almost certainly result in serious eye damage.

So my question, as you may have guessed, is what's the consensus on snapping photos with the sun in the frame? Are there risks (to your eyes and camera gear) when photographing the sun? The intensity of the sun's rays diminish as this nuclear furnace approaches the horizon, however what about when it is high in the sky?

Thank you for your input.

[FrankLamont]

Specifically, a 800mm telephoto shot of the sun would hurt your eyes.

Even a wide angle, however - it's just like looking at the sun normally, but except through a lens which magnifies the amount.

It also damages your sensor. But only the tiniest bit (that is, if you take the sun as much as the everyday snapper).

[navcom]

I've been taking photos of the sun for over 20 years...mostly sunrises and sunsets but also many mid-day scenes as well. I've never had a problem. My eyesight is 15/20 corrected (although my wife might argue this on occasion! ) and I've never damaged a camera in the slightest.

FriedChicken is right...the bigger the zoom, the more intense the light will be. Simple precautions are fine. You don't sit and stare at the sun without a viewfinder. Probably don't want to sit and stare at it in the viewfinder either. And I wouldn't point my camera at the sun with a 500mm zoom honed in on it and then go and have supper.

With common sense precautions I've never had a problem and never heard of anyone who has.

[Gazer]

Thank you both for your input. Much appreciated.