Techniques for filming toward the sun ?? - Page 2 at DVinfo.net
DV Info Net

Go Back   DV Info Net > The Tools of DV and HD Production > Open DV Discussion

Open DV Discussion
For topics which don't fit into any of the other categories.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old June 6th, 2011, 08:09 AM   #16
Major Player
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 580
Re: Techniques for filming toward the sun ??

In the old tube days, you had about 5 seconds of direct sun in the frame before you put a burn in one or more of the 3 tubes. Since going over to CCD and CMOS...much less of a problem.

I've shot many hours of sunset/sunrises, without issue...but that's not saying at some point that you won't overload the sensor and damage it. A good rule of thumb (and also a good rule for better video) is that if you don't have enough ND between you and the sun to keep your F-stop below F11 or so, add some more filtration, or wait until the sun gets lower into the atmospheric schmutz.

You'll get better images, and protect the camera.
Bill Ward is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 6th, 2011, 12:50 PM   #17
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Tucson AZ
Posts: 2,211
Re: Techniques for filming toward the sun ??

The lens will focus the sun to a significant extent. They used to sell cigarette lighters that were a couple of inches in diameter - stick the cigarette through a hole in the back and line the business end up, aim at the sun and take a drag.- worked every time.

I had a bigger mirror that I used to use to cut sheet metal (it was a silvered glass parabolic mirror almost a meter in diameter that a friend's father had "rescued" from some military equipment that was being scrapped)

We could slice up a license plate in almost no time

Be careful. People have burned holes in the focal plane shutters of still cameras this way.

Think of it this way - the lens might be 2 square inches and the sensor might be 1/20 square inch.

So the energy at the sensor would be 40 times that at the lens (minus a bit for absorption etc)

Is this enough to damage your sensor? Try it and see. Just don't try it with my camera. Especially here in Arizona
Jim Andrada is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 10th, 2011, 02:32 PM   #18
Trustee
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Honolulu, HI
Posts: 1,435
Re: Techniques for filming toward the sun ??

Here is shooting into the mid-day sun for a timelapse, with a 5DmII. Shot is 43 seconds into the clip, I'm guessing they were shooting the sun for at least 15 minutes?
Beautiful Timelapse of New York City
Warren Kawamoto is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 11th, 2011, 12:18 AM   #19
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 37
Re: Techniques for filming toward the sun ??

Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael Connor View Post
yea, i have a built in n.d filter.. and a screw on polarising filter, wouldnt this make it safe to film sun?
Not much, 1/4 ND would mean it takes 4 times as long before something burns.

I've never avoided the sun, but that would have been when it's low on the horizon, or through leaves or something similar, not much point in filming the sun ...

Anyway, take a look at the hood, it might actually reflect sunlight into the lens. Had this with the Z5, removing the hood improved the image.
Frans Meijer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 11th, 2011, 04:36 AM   #20
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Durham, England
Posts: 138
Re: Techniques for filming toward the sun ??

lovely stuff warren id love to get some shots like that. I did it with a littly pad flower once.. set it up on manual settings..looked awesome..and left the camera. The flower opened completely.. but on replay 9/10 the vid was totally burnt out as sun rose! I should of used auto!

frans- it may seem insane that i want to film sun.. but im on planet niribu watch.
YouTube - ‪WhatsThis!!!‬‏
We can only see it here (UK) mid day ish on a clear sky.. something we rarely get but people in other parts of world can see better.
see YouTube - ‪Nibiru in Taiwan News - Second Sun : Nibiru Update 2011‬‏
__________________
StMichael
Michael Connor is offline   Reply
Reply

DV Info Net refers all where-to-buy and where-to-rent questions exclusively to these trusted full line dealers and rental houses...

B&H Photo Video
(866) 521-7381
New York, NY USA

Scan Computers Int. Ltd.
+44 0871-472-4747
Bolton, Lancashire UK


DV Info Net also encourages you to support local businesses and buy from an authorized dealer in your neighborhood.
  You are here: DV Info Net > The Tools of DV and HD Production > Open DV Discussion

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

 



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:14 AM.


DV Info Net -- Real Names, Real People, Real Info!
1998-2024 The Digital Video Information Network