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I know it's usually said you need a 16-20 stop reduction 'solar' filter to safely take pictures of the sun. Any modern camera is going to usually meter and compose fully open for the sake of easier focus among other factors. So the required filter must be strong enough to be safe at bulb shutter and maximum aperture.

Most people use zooms these days, or longer telephotos for this purpose. These are often not very fast, especially for newbies. Is the usual advice given in relation to an f/4 zoom? Is the 16 stop figure only safe at that level?

So, if you're composing pictures of a solar eclipse and all you have is a fast normal or portrait prime at f/1.4 or f/1.8, do you need a 18-20 stop filter instead of a 16 stop to prevent damage to the camera or your eyes?

And how does a mirrorless camera effect this? Does composing with a screen instead of a pentaprism increase the safe zone far enough that 16 stops is safe again if it wasn't before?

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    \$\begingroup\$ IMHO You shouldn't be using an ND filter for taking photos of the sun, you should be using a solar filter. You should read up on many of the other questions on here about eclipses \$\endgroup\$
    – Peter M
    Commented Mar 7 at 21:46
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    \$\begingroup\$ @Topcode The link I suggested also says that there are different IR and UV responses between an ND and solar filter. And while there are the Lens rentals horror stories (which also incudes some damage when using an ND filter), I consider a solar filter cheap insurance compared to the cost of my equipment. \$\endgroup\$
    – Peter M
    Commented Mar 8 at 0:05
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    \$\begingroup\$ "the only real difference i can see with an ND filter vs a solar designed filter, is that solar filters are normally reflective rather than absorptive." Please search this site for "solar filter" questions. Several of them state that the reason for the difference, and the need for a solar filter vs. just an ND, is that solar filters block farther into the IR and UV spectrum than ND filters do. \$\endgroup\$
    – scottbb ♦
    Commented Mar 8 at 20:45
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    \$\begingroup\$ "I just don't plan on buying mylar as a matter of self respect." This is a weird hill to plant a flag on. If a mylar solar filter does the job, what's the problem with using it? \$\endgroup\$
    – scottbb ♦
    Commented Mar 8 at 20:46
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    \$\begingroup\$ @davolfman The solar filters I bought for last year were just like any other screw on filter, and came with their own individual plastic filter cases. That's about as best you can get for safe storage. \$\endgroup\$
    – Peter M
    Commented Mar 9 at 16:53

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