can you damage your camera by shooting the sun?

[bleuless]

if you aim you camera excessively long directly at the sun (w/o zoom lens) can you damage the camera? thanks.

 

[TheChort]

I did a quick search on google and came up with this:

http://hd24.com/shooting_the_sun_can_you_d.htm
according to this guy, shooting a prolonged exposure of the sun using a wide-angle lens actually can damage the sensor, because you focus the suns rays into a single tiny spot. But if you use a super-telephoto, you will do considerably less damage, because you spread the sun's light throughtout the sensor.

 

[corkyg]

Yes, direct aiming at the sun can possibly damage the sensor if the exposure is prolonged - but, more importantly, this is in my camera User Guide's safety notes:

"Do not look at the sun or an extremely bright light source through the camera or lens. Doing so may damage your vision."

Remember, the sensor is not exposed to the sun except for the brief time when the shutter is tripped. However, your eyes can get damaged by looking through the viewfinder to compose your shot.

 

[dug777]

My D80 manual specifically tells me not to, so I don't...not that i would anyway

 

[bleuless]

what about preview image on the camera via the LCD, does it not some how generate the image before the shutter is open? will previewing the sun through the LCD (thus not damaging your eyes) to find your shot cause any damage to the camera?

 

[alfa147x]

Originally posted by: bleuless
what about preview image on the camera via the LCD, does it not some how generate the image before the shutter is open? will previewing the sun through the LCD (thus not damaging your eyes) to find your shot cause any damage to the camera?

I was always thought there was no physical shutter on Point and Shoot Camera's
Because the pre-image the LCD displays is from the sensor ... I may be wrong...

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: dug777
My D80 manual specifically tells me not to, so I don't...not that i would anyway

So does the manual for my Canon 30D.

 

[TheChort]

Originally posted by: alfa147x

Originally posted by: bleuless
what about preview image on the camera via the LCD, does it not some how generate the image before the shutter is open? will previewing the sun through the LCD (thus not damaging your eyes) to find your shot cause any damage to the camera?

I was always thought there was no physical shutter on Point and Shoot Camera's
Because the pre-image the LCD displays is from the sensor ... I may be wrong...

I just checked my canon sd400
Definitely has a separate shutter mechanism.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Originally posted by: TheChort

Originally posted by: alfa147x

Originally posted by: bleuless
what about preview image on the camera via the LCD, does it not some how generate the image before the shutter is open? will previewing the sun through the LCD (thus not damaging your eyes) to find your shot cause any damage to the camera?

I was always thought there was no physical shutter on Point and Shoot Camera's
Because the pre-image the LCD displays is from the sensor ... I may be wrong...

I just checked my canon sd400
Definitely has a separate shutter mechanism.

I think you're looking at the aperture opening and closing down, not a shutter.

 

[corkyg]

There is a difference between P&S cameras and DSLRs. The technical term currently used is "Live Preview" on the LCP. Here is a good run down on the evolution of the LCD view:

LP

 

[TheChort]

Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny

Originally posted by: TheChort

Originally posted by: alfa147x

Originally posted by: bleuless
what about preview image on the camera via the LCD, does it not some how generate the image before the shutter is open? will previewing the sun through the LCD (thus not damaging your eyes) to find your shot cause any damage to the camera?

I was always thought there was no physical shutter on Point and Shoot Camera's
Because the pre-image the LCD displays is from the sensor ... I may be wrong...

I just checked my canon sd400
Definitely has a separate shutter mechanism.

I think you're looking at the aperture opening and closing down, not a shutter.

Really?
I thought I saw something open and close right when I took the picture (and not just when I pressed it halfway)

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: TheChort

Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny

Originally posted by: TheChort

Originally posted by: alfa147x

Originally posted by: bleuless
what about preview image on the camera via the LCD, does it not some how generate the image before the shutter is open? will previewing the sun through the LCD (thus not damaging your eyes) to find your shot cause any damage to the camera?

I was always thought there was no physical shutter on Point and Shoot Camera's
Because the pre-image the LCD displays is from the sensor ... I may be wrong...

I just checked my canon sd400
Definitely has a separate shutter mechanism.

I think you're looking at the aperture opening and closing down, not a shutter.

Really?
I thought I saw something open and close right when I took the picture (and not just when I pressed it halfway)

The camera won't stop down until the photo is actually taken. What you saw move were the aperture blades. P&S cameras use the image sensor to get the live preview and they electronically "gate" the shutter.

ZV

 

[DrPizza]

two words, for what it's worth:
Sunset, sunrise


Yes, people do take pictures of the sun.

 

[soydios]

I have no idea why you would do a long exposure of the sun at mid-day without stopping down the lens all the way. At any other time, it's really fine.

Although, I can use my 50/1.8 as a magnifying glass for ant torching in a pinch. It works remarkably well.