Shooting the Sun

[otari_99]

Hello,

What is recommended when videotaping the sun (sunset for example) to protect the ccd imagers?

Thanks.

[evinsky]

Don't under any circumstances look into the sun while shooting into the sun. The camera will be fine (Assuming your NDs and iris are set to a correct exposure) your eyes won't be.

[mochouinard]

Ofcourse you can look into the LCD or viewfinder or external monitor and look at the sun on those. But not directly :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)

[Cheesesailor77]

I could be wrong but i thought that the worst thing that could happen to your camera when shooting the sun was a blown out picture, it doesn't hurt the camera in anyway.

Is this wrong?

[PunkMetalDrummer17]

The CCD would get burnt out and almost impossible to film anything else.

QUOTE: Kerr Cook - http://www.camcorderinfo.com/bbs/printthread.php?t=8372&pp=40


Yes, you can damage the CCD (Charge Coupled Device) which acts as a light sensitive sensor / pickup inside the camera. It is designed for REFLECTED light levels like what you see when you look around. While it may be safe to film Christmas Lights or a dancing fire, avoid filming directly into bright lights, lasers, or the sun. I hope you do the same with your eyes... and your eyes are capable of a much greater range of brightness than any camera. In other words, it is easier to damage the camera's pickup than your own eyes (which I personally am quite grateful for and protective of). I doubt any warranty would cover CCD burnout as it would be abuse and is warned against in the manuals.

[Cheesesailor77]

yikes

[otari_99]

The CCD would get burnt out and almost impossible to film anything else.

QUOTE: Kerr Cook - http://www.camcorderinfo.com/bbs/printthread.php?t=8372&pp=40


Yes, you can damage the CCD (Charge Coupled Device) which acts as a light sensitive sensor / pickup inside the camera. It is designed for REFLECTED light levels like what you see when you look around. While it may be safe to film Christmas Lights or a dancing fire, avoid filming directly into bright lights, lasers, or the sun. I hope you do the same with your eyes... and your eyes are capable of a much greater range of brightness than any camera. In other words, it is easier to damage the camera's pickup than your own eyes (which I personally am quite grateful for and protective of). I doubt any warranty would cover CCD burnout as it would be abuse and is warned against in the manuals.

Understood. However, I have veiwed video footage of sunsets (on this site, for example). What filters can be used to do this?

Thanks.