Is it Safe to use My Canon SX130IS for Shooting the "transit of Venus"?

@rajiv22 (167)
Chengalpattu, India
June 5, 2012 12:28pm CST
I am from India (south Asia) and for me here the "transit of Venus" started by around 3:15am (IST) and ends by around 10:15am (IST). I am very much eager to Shoot this one time event with my camera.. Unfortunately, i dont own a Space/solar camera or a high End DSLR.. But i own a Canon SX130IS point and shoot HD digital camera. (12MP and 12X optical + 48X digital zoom). Picture of the camera Attached below.. I have three questions- Is it safe to use my camera for viewing this even through its LCD? i will not watch the event for hours. Just for 3 to 5 minutes.. Just want to capture the Venus inside sun! Few snaps and thats all :) 1) Will my eyes be safe if i view thru the LCD of my camera while taking snaps? 2) will my camera be Safe either? 3) If the Answers is 'yes' (for both above questions), what is exact setting i should use to get the right picture?? Regards..
2 responses
tri_0217
@tri_0217 (101)
• Philippines
5 Jun 12
that's not a good idea. your camera doesn't have a live view so younwill be directly looking in the sun when composing your shot. it's just like photographing a solar eclipse with that camera. you might get blind if you do that.
RJ Ind
@rajiv22 (167)
• Chengalpattu, India
6 Jun 12
How about using a DVD as protective filter and fixing in front of the camera and taking the Snaps of this Transit by viewing through my Camera's LCD and only just for few sec (absolutely not continuously).. I mean not more than 30 secs... And Viewing and taking shots continuously just for 2 to 3 seconds or so?? Not safe?? I am also wearing sunglasses... I Means - I am taking shots (only for max 5 secs) throu these levels : The DVD filter, then my camera LCD and then my sunglasses.. Not Enough??
tri_0217
@tri_0217 (101)
• Philippines
6 Jun 12
its up to you. but its not only bad for your eyes but also for your camera. remember, your camera has a lens. its like pointing a magnifying glass directly at the sun. well, i didn't say that you can't do it. i just said that it is not advisable.
RJ Ind
@rajiv22 (167)
• Chengalpattu, India
23 Jun 12
Thanx for ur advice tri_0217... I did take the photos of the transit.. I used the slowest ISO setting (80) and the fastest shutter speed (2500), with an aperture of f/6 to get the picture.. And I got some decent photos of the transit and most importantly, both my camera and my eyes are 100% safe... Cheers... :)
Just an Ordinary Owl?
@owlwings (43910)
• Cambridge, England
5 Jun 12
No, it is NOT safe! Not only are you highly likely to damage the sensor but you are almost certain to damage your eyes. You should set up a telescope or a pair of binoculars so that the IMAGE of the sun is projected onto a white sheet of paper and then photograph this.