How Long Of A Shutter For Shots With The Sun?

[DavidSR]

Hey guys,

I'm still a little worried about taking shots with the sun in it. Can you please tell me what is a safe shutter speed with the sun in it? I have heard that the sun can possibly damage your sensor and would just like to be sure. How would my pictures come out after if the sun were to damage the sensor?

Thanks for the help!

EXIF: 1/125, F13 and ISO 200

[toverman]

This was the result of a quick google (but there are tons of other resources out there): http://www.digicamhelp.com/learn/nature/sun.phphttp://www.digicamhelp.com/learn/nature/sun.php

Most important lesson from this short article is to not stare at the sun too long through your camera because it can damage your eyes (and they are much harder to replace than your camera). As for a 100 percent safe method of shooting into the sun, my guess is there is not one.

[humminboid]

David:
Most important are your eyes! Like Toverman says: Protect them at all costs! Sunglasses won't solve the problem, but they will give minimal protection, and will minimize the bright spots you see afterwards.

Next, comes your camera. A lens is nothing more than a complicated magnifying glass, and you remember all the neat tricks we used to do with them! Crispy ants, setting things on fire...

In the stone ages, many holes were burned through the fabric of focal plane shutters on rangefinder cameras (look under Photography, Archaic) by focusing on infinity, and pointing the camera at the sun.

I called Nikon, and the tech told me that potential damage to shutters and sensors is not likely, because the mirror is interposed between the shutter and sensor except for the short time of the exposure. Nikon sensors "may" develop an afterimage, so it is best to wait "a few seconds" between exposures, sez he.

Try this: If you want the sun in your photo, and there is no reason not to include it, BE QUICK! In very short views thru the viewfinder, choose your composition. SHORT!

The best time is in the early morning, or late afternoon, when the sun is shining through a greater amount of atmosphere, somewhat lessening its effect, and lighting is usually more dramatic.

Manual focus at infinity, then if you want the sky to be properly exposed, pick a spot of sky to the side of the sun, lock exposure, then quickly return to your chosen composition, and take the picture. Quickly point the camera away from the sun. Repeat as necessary. A tripod is a goodness, for those
of us'ns who don't have some sort of image stabilization.

To answer your original question: As short as possible.

[DavidSR]

Thanks for the responses guys! I have seen many images that use lens flare to make the photo stand out and I thought I would take a risk. I won't be doing it again though because as you said..my eyes will be harder to replace than my camera.

I'm not sure what the Nikon tech meant when he said "Nikon sensors "may" develop an afterimage, so it is best to wait "a few seconds" between exposures"

Does that mean that if you take 2 shots without waiting that you will see a ghosting effect of the previous image you shot? I don't know if that makes sense but that is what it seems that he is saying.

Thanks again!

[90 5.0]

Originally Posted by DavidSR

Thanks for the responses guys! I have seen many images that use lens flare to make the photo stand out and I thought I would take a risk. I won't be doing it again though because as you said..my eyes will be harder to replace than my camera.

I'm not sure what the Nikon tech meant when he said "Nikon sensors "may" develop an afterimage, so it is best to wait "a few seconds" between exposures"

Does that mean that if you take 2 shots without waiting that you will see a ghosting effect of the previous image you shot? I don't know if that makes sense but that is what it seems that he is saying.

Thanks again!

Shooting in sunlight and introducing flare on purpose is no problem for the camera, what will damage it however is taking pictures directly of the sun, ie pointing the cam directly at it. The after image they are talking about is from the sensor getting "burned" from extreme over exposure, in shots like the one you posted you have nothing to worry about.

[humminboid]

David:

What I understood him to say was that under certain circumstances, it may be possible for the sensor to develop an afterimage. Temporary, but annoying. I got the impression that it would be rare, and sensor damage would take a real concerted effort. Sorry if that wasn't clear.

Flare is different...present in nearly all lenses, but "controlled" by the lensmakers. It is caused by the light striking the front element(s) of the lens, and/or reflecting on the lens element surfaces, or other reflective areas inside the lens, and is not due to the sensor being directly exposed to the sun.

IMO, just like anything that could be flirting with disaster, it's best to be cautious, altho pixes like you posted would present no problem.

[DavidSR]

Originally Posted by humminboid

David:

What I understood him to say was that under certain circumstances, it may be possible for the sensor to develop an afterimage. Temporary, but annoying. I got the impression that it would be rare, and sensor damage would take a real concerted effort. Sorry if that wasn't clear.

Flare is different...present in nearly all lenses, but "controlled" by the lensmakers. It is caused by the light striking the front element(s) of the lens, and/or reflecting on the lens element surfaces, or other reflective areas inside the lens, and is not due to the sensor being directly exposed to the sun.

IMO, just like anything that could be flirting with disaster, it's best to be cautious, altho pixes like you posted would present no problem.

Thanks for the info.! I think I'll just leave this type of photography to the professionals or those who can afford an extra camera in case one gets damaged..I'll end up getting insurance for my gear later and hopefully it will cover something like this.