Sun- The correct filtration

The easiest way to photograph the sun is by using a white (Solar filter) light filter. I use one from Thousand Island Optics and its as easy as just fitting it to the end of a lens. Beware only use quality filters such as the one mentioned, there are lots of poor quality filters on the market that wouldn't do the job. At present I use the Sigma 150-600mm + 0.4x converter giving me a 840mm lens with a Nikon D750 on a tripod.

You have to be careful as they are very fragile and can easily be damaged. You should always check the filter for any damage and don't use it if you find any splits, cracks or holes otherwise you could damage your camera sensor.

Once you have lined the camera up (Making sure you don't look at the sun) using live view only, cover your head with a towel or such to reduce the brightness, this will help when trying to focus, use the magnifier button to get a good focus on a sunspot.

Some people believe that if you stop your lens down to F22 or use a ND (Neutral Density) Filter that's ok. Well don't use your optical viewfinder otherwise you might damage your eyes. Also ND  filters will only block visible light and will not mitigate the energy or block out UV or infrared rays which can and may damage your vision.

You can literally cook your retinas in a matter of seconds by exposing them to the sun's infrared energy focused through a telephoto lens. Since you retinas have no pain receptors, you wont even realise it until later when the effects of all that heat cause scar tissue to form on your retina. The damage to your vision will be permanent and could be as severe as total blindness.

Also your camera is also vulnerable to IR and UV in such concentrated amounts. A few people have noticed a pink spot on the sensor where the sun was. A telephoto lens will concentrate the amount of energy coming towards the sensor. One person used a 600 mm lens at F4 and photographed and pointed it at the sun to do a test shot. After taking the lens off he saw smoke coming out of the camera and this is the resulting damage.

The energy of the sun is strong enough when focused by your lens to heat the internals of your camera very quickly.

Your warranty would be invalid, Nikon/Canon etc repairers will have seen it all before, so unless you can afford a new camera don't take any chances, also you cannot put a value on your eyesight use a solar filter and make sure you use live view

Sunsets are not quiet the same, you are using a wide angle rather than telephoto lens, the energy of the sun is a lot less when the sun is low on the horizon, the earth atmosphere reduces the intensity. Still use  Live view not the optical viewfinder- don't take any chances

To recap

• Use a good quality solar filter and check before using
• Use live view only, not the optical viewfinder
• Only point your camera at the sun for the shortest time possible

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