Photographing a solar eclipse is fun and exciting. You can photograph the solar eclipse with any professional camera, and the best possible way is to use a long focal length lens. Finding a lens to capture the solar eclipse can be a tedious task because you need to consider many factors.
To help you out, we have reviewed the best camera lens for the solar eclipse, but before jumping on to the review, we are mentioning the safety gear you need to photograph the solar eclipse.
- Eye protection: You need to wear eye protection to view the solar eclipse; therefore, don’t forget to purchase the specially designed eyewear.
- Solar Filter: Solar filter is the most important thing you need to photograph the solar eclipse. A solar filter is not there to create special effects, but it is required in order to protect your camera.
Best Camera Lens for Solar Eclipse
1. Nikon 2197-IV AF-S DX
It is an idle camera lens for the solar eclipse and can capture distant subjects with VR technology. It is easier to capture sharp photographs with a slower shutter speed, especially when shooting at 300mm. The lens has an equivalent field of view, approximately 82.5mm-450mm, which makes the lens great for capturing distant subjects. With the installed SWM, the autofocus is practically silent.
2. Pentax HD Pentax-DA
It is the best camera lens for solar eclipse as it is a competent performer and capable of decent sharpness when used in moderation. It is a weather sealing lens with an HD coating. Also, it comes at a very reasonable price. The brand guarantees an unequalled imaging experience combined with sharp optics to create aesthetic, clear, and crisp images.
3. Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED
The Olympus lens offers a 4x zoom range that is equivalent to 150-600mm. The lens provides silent focusing and is constructed with decent plastic quality with a metal mount material. Focusing is performed internally, and the 58mm filter thread does not rotate when used. The focusing speed is reasonably quick during good lighting, and the manual focus ring offers decent resistance.
4. Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3
Sony E 55-210mm is a lightweight lens built with a plastic and metal mount. It focuses fast and is equipped with helpful equipment. It is small in size and can be carried everywhere. This is Sony’s first-ever mirrorless telephoto zoom and focuses silently at a reasonably fast speed.
5. Hila Telephoto Lens for Canon
The lens is designed to capture the far off action, fast-paced imagery. The optical construction is sturdy and comes with a warranty model. It is a high-grade telephoto converter lens designed to mount on SLR lenses to increase the maximum zoom ability. It comes with additional items such as bottom cover, lens, lens cap, and lens bottom.
The Bottom Line
A solar eclipse is a very unique and exciting event that not everyone gets to experience. If you are among the people who want to enjoy and capture the magical solar eclipse, then you need to be ready with the right camera. As we are wrapping up reviewing the camera lens for the solar eclipse, we are mentioning two commonly asked FAQs.
FAQs
1. Does solar eclipse affect the camera lens?
The sun rays that will be falling on your camera will be immensely powerful; therefore, your camera can get overheated and get damaged in the process. Therefore you need to give a break to your camera during the photo shoot.
2. Do you need a special glass for the solar eclipse?
It is highly recommended to wear special eclipse glasses for viewing the solar eclipse. The American Optometric Association suggests using a handheld solar viewer, ISO-certified filters, or special-purpose solar filters if you are planning to view the solar eclipse.
The lenses we have mentioned above are great for solar eclipse photography, but in our opinion Nikon 2197-IV AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6 is the best camera lens for solar eclipse. The main thing to keep in mind is to stay safe during the solar eclipse. Don’t forget to use eye protection and solar filters because nothing is worth hurting your eyes or melting the camera!