Camera DIY Solar Filter

If you’re interested in solar photography you can make a DIY solar filter using old CDs, cardboard, glue, and tape. As long as you’re not looking directly through the lens but instead using the LCD screen you don’t have to worry about damaging your vision.

Instructables user Analogue-Chick also points out that while this method isn’t dangerous for your vision you may damage your camera so be sure to use this with your five-year-old camera you still have around for backup not your prized DSLR.

First of all you’ll need to make sure that your camera’s lens can be completely covered by a piece of reflective material from a CD. Measure this and if the sizing works you’ll want to pry off half the polycarbonate plastic that covers the reflective layer of the CD. You’ll then cut out an eyepiece from cardboard with an aperture the same size as your lens and glue the circle of reflective material you cut from the CD inside the eyepiece. Make a cylinder out of cardboard and cover that with electrical tape to prevent light transmission.

Now you’ll just need to place the filter over your camera lens and you’re ready to go. You’ll want to first test out the filter by photographic a light bulb and remember, you’re never going to look through the viewfinder to photograph the sun you’re only going to use the LCD screen. See sample photos using this filter at the source link below.

DIY Solar Filter for Camera [Instructables]