Solar filters are essential instruments for photographers that are trying to capture natural light or eclipses. Solar screens are necessary to protect both the sensors on your camera and your eyes as you view the image through the camera.
Unfortunately, solar filters can be a bit pricey. Luckily, there is an easy way to make your own using everyday objects around the house. Here are instructions for how to make a solar filter for the camera.
How To Make a Solar Filter for your Camera
What Material Do You Need?
If you want to learn how to make a solar filter for a camera, then you will need a compact disc, a piece of cardboard, glue, electric tape, a box cutter, a pair of scissors, a plastic ruler, and a marker or pen.
How to Make Your Solar Filter
First, prep your compact disc by scraping the plastic material on the front side — both sides should be shiny reflective material. Then, use the ruler to measure the diameter of your lens, as well as the corner of the glass. Use the measurements from the camera lens to cut out a circle and then attach it to the sides around the outside of your lens. Using the lens measurement, cut out a piece of the compact disc and glue it to the paper eyepiece.
Once you accomplish this mount the eyepiece onto a cylinder that fits around the lens of your camera, Then, cover the entire thing thoroughly in electrical tape. Attach it firmly to the lens of your camera — congrats you now have your solar filter for your camera.
We hope this helped teach you how to make a solar filter for the camera. Remember that prolonged exposure can permanently damage the sensors on your camera. As such, it is crucial to have a screen of some kind when shooting outdoors in the daylight or eclipse. This filter saves not only your camera but also your eyesight. And, you can do it all with the material you find lying around the house. Good luck shooting pictures and be safe!