Solar Eclipse

[AC Question]

Was thinking of watching the eclipse tomorrow on my phone in selfie mode. Was told this may damage my phone. Is this true?

 

[mhinc]

Was thinking of watching the eclipse tomorrow on my phone in selfie mode. Was told this may damage my phone. Is this true?

Yes, it can and probably will damage your camera lens. Not recommended

 

[L0n3N1nja]

Wouldn't damage the phone itself, but some camera sensors can get damaged when focused on the sun. I don't think it's an issue with modern phones, I know older cameras like DSLRs can get damaged.

How much of a risk it actually is I don't know, I've photographed the sun before without damage, I just know camera users online warn against it.

 

[mhinc]

Was thinking of watching the eclipse tomorrow on my phone in selfie mode. Was told this may damage my phone. Is this true?

Directly from NASA. You can make your choice based on their info.

Attempting to photograph the solar eclipse on Monday, August 21, probably won't damage your smartphone camera, but it could, according to NASA.

The space agency's guide to photographing the eclipse notes that lenses on smartphone cameras are "generally very small (about 2 millimeters) and do not admit enough light" to damage the camera.

In addition, smartphone cameras "come equipped with UV filters that cut down on some of the visible light landing on the sensor chip," and "they automatically set their exposures for very short times."

NASA points out, "Nearly every photographer that comments on this issue says it is OK if you do it very briefly such as when you are taking a scenery photo and the sun is in the picture."

On the other hand, some newer smartphones have larger and faster lenses (f/1.7 to f/2.0), which could result in damage if pointed at the sun, both during the eclipse and any other time.

With digital cameras, most have an automatic mode that automatically reduces the exposure speed and increase the f/stop, and, according to NASA, "this will not harm the camera."

Beyond potential damage to your electronics, attempting to photograph the eclipse greatly increases your chance of accidently glimpsing it with your naked eye and damaging your vision.

NASA recommends covering the lens with a solar filter, which will provide some protection - you also want to wear ISO-certified eclipse viewing glasses - and eliminate "sun blooming" to give you a clear image of the solar disk. But, do not look through the camera to view the eclipse.

For an additional layer of protection on your smartphone camera, you can use one of the ISO-certified eclipse-viewing glasses to cover the lens. But, do not look through the camera to view the eclipse.

Sunglasses of any type are not a substitute for protecting your camera or your eyes.

Here's some additional photography advice from NASA:

Set up your smartphone on a tripod or a wrap-around mounting so you can fix the angle of the shot before the eclipse starts. The sun disk will be small enough that you will want to avoid the inevitable shaking that occurs when holding the camera.
Don't forget to take some photos of the surroundings, what people are doing and such, in addition to shots of the eclipse itself. That will require low light level "twilight" photography on your smartphone, and you may need to download a specific camera app that lets you manually adjust exposure speed and other settings.
You might also illuminate the foreground with a flashlight or a low-wattage lamp so that it is discernable under twilight conditions. Practice taking photos several days before just after sunset during twilight.
Using optical filters to photograph the eclipse when you are not on the path of totality, which will be nowhere near Pennsylvania, is inherently risky because you are looking at the blindingly bright solar surface.
Practice photographing the full moon to get an idea of how large the sun-in-eclipse will appear with your smartphone's lens, or with a telephoto lens attachment, or with your digital camera.
Take a time-lapse photo series of the scenery as the light dims with the smartphone or camera secured on a tripod or other mounting so that you can watch the eclipse while your camera photographs the scenery. You might even want to shoot some video in the minutes before, during and after to record people's reactions.

 

[L0n3N1nja]

What I don't understand is why viewing the eclipse is so horrible for your eyes but you can watch the sun set without a problem.

 

[Guytronic]

I've shot a number of solar eclipse over the years with film and digital cameras.
My experience so far is I've never had any device damaged by the extreme infra-red solar pre or post eclipse.
I have viewed solar eclipse via digital cameras more than once with no deleterious effects...smartphones are just digital cameras so user beware.

Simply follow the guidelines on NASA's website and quit worrying...just don't look at the eclipse unguarded until totality if you're lucky enough to be in a 100% area.
Have a good time and appreciate what we get to experience tomorrow morning...it's fun and amazing!
Thee end!

 

[RossJosh]

I would assume receiving massive amounts of bright light directly into your eyes without any cover or filtering would either damage or completely burn the nerves down.

 

[codeda]

What I don't understand is why viewing the eclipse is so horrible for your eyes but you can watch the sun set without a problem.

When you're watching a sunset, you aren't usually just staring at the sun. You're looking at how pretty around it is. The eclipse is directing your eyes straight at the sun. If you stare at the sun for two hours you are more likely going to damage your retinas.

 

[Rukbat]

What I don't understand is why viewing the eclipse is so horrible for your eyes but you can watch the sun set without a problem.

During sunset, you're looking at the sun through a lot more atmosphere (and dust) than when it's overhead during an eclipse. And you can still damage your vision if you look at it at sunset for too long.