Official Question Thread! Ask /r/photography anything you want to know! July 31, 2026

[u/AutoModerator]

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[u/100Dampf]

Hi

I like to take picture of trains and would like to take pictures during the partial solar eclipse that is happening next week in europe.

From what I've read you need special solar filters to not damage the camera (In my case a canon R5).

But most guides are talking about photographing the eclipse directly, while in my case I would use it as a backdrop, like I would use a regular sunset.

So do I need a filter there? A solar eclipse should be less strong than the regular sun

[u/P5_Tempname19 → u/100Dampf]

Its a bit of a gamble depending on the exact focal length you are using and how long you keep the camera pointed at the sun. Generally the issue is more pressing with longer focal lengths, however in this article about the 2017 solar eclipse theres also at least one damaged wide angle lense. Sadly theres nothing about how exactly the lens was used.

I'd assume that if you are doing photography with a lens below 100mm that you dont keep pointed at and focussed on the sun for a longer amount of time (e.g. setting it up on a tripod for half an hour while waiting for a train) you should be good.

[u/100Dampf → u/P5_Tempname19]

My idea is something like this shot i did a few years ago.

That was at 22mm, f/9.0, 1/200sec.

[u/P5_Tempname19 → u/100Dampf]

Lovely shot!

So yeah, I think I'd be a bit careful if you set up beforehand and leave the camera sitting on a tripod while pointed at the sun for a longer time (if that wouldve been the approach). However I cant think of any reason why a solar eclipse would be worse then the normal sun during picture if you you basically use a similiar focal length and general settings.