2015/03/23 07:58:08
SteveStrummerUK
 
I took all the shots using my Canon EOS600D and 75-300mm zoom lens (full frame equivalent 120-480mm), some also had my 2.0X extender, effectively doubling the focal length. As my cheapo lens is notoriously poor at maximum focal length, I found I got better results using the extender and not fully zooming, so most images were captured around the 400mm to 500mm range (FF = 640-800mm). I also tried to shoot with the lens about half open (F11 - F22) as the inferior construction can lead to a lot of softening when it's wide open, and problems with diffraction when stopped right down.
 
As the first half of the eclipse was fairly overcast, I didn't need a neutral density filter, hence the cloud detail. From the maximum point onwards, the sky had cleared so I added an eight stop and a four stop neutral density filter to the lens; also using the extender here helped keep the exposures manageable as that effectively loses another two stops of light.
 
Anyway, here are a few of the better shots I managed to get:
 
1) 8.40am - First break in the clouds after first contact:

 1/500sec, f16; ISO:100
 
 
2) 8.45am - Sunspot visible toward top left of disc:

1/1000sec, f16; ISO:100
 
 
3) 9.15am - Sunspot just about to become occluded:

1/2000sec, f16; ISO:100
 
 
4) 9.22am:

1/320sec, f20; ISO:100
 
 
5) 9.28am:

1/2000sec, f14; ISO:100
 
 
6) 9.32am:

1/1250sec, f10; ISO:100
 
 
7) 9.35am - Eclipse maximum:

1/4000sec, f11; ISO:100
 
 
8) 9.57am:

1/4000sec, f18 (+12stop ND); ISO:100
 
 
9) 10.08am:

1/4000sec, f18 (+12stop ND); ISO:100
 
 
10) 10.29am - Sunspot has just reappeared:

1/4000sec, f18 (+12stop ND); ISO:100
 
 
11) 10.43am - Just before last contact:

1/4000sec, f22 (+12stop ND); ISO:100
 
 
Here's a shot taken just after the eclipse with an infra red filter over the lens to show the sunspot a little clearer:


 
 
And finally, a roughly assembled and aligned time-lapse from all 99 images I captured:
 

 
2015/03/23 08:09:27
BobF
Cool stuff Steve 
2015/03/23 08:49:06
Mesh
Will check it out tonight at home Steve.......(somehow, these pics don't show up at my workplace PC......just a red x)
2015/03/23 09:06:38
Starise
Cool pics Steve! I was going to say something silly like the 1st one looks like pacman or someone is taking very large bites...but I thought better of it. These should be taken seriously...nice!!
2015/03/23 09:07:50
jamesg1213
Excellent!
2015/03/23 09:52:02
bapu
Needs a little EQ on the kick but other than that great job.
2015/03/23 10:29:12
Rimshot
Your lens must be defective cause it can't display a fully round circle.  Better get that checked!
2015/03/23 10:46:23
Karyn
Great shots Steve,  a shame about the cloud cover early on.
2015/03/23 11:02:44
bapu
Wait.... that's the moon?
 
Sheesh, I thought you pulled out your defective Pong or Pac-Man.
2015/03/23 11:35:58
craigb
Hey, that first one looks like PacMan is taking a bite out of something! 
 
Great shots Steve!  (You can still see, ya?)
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