We took a family trip to the seaway.
Months of excitement had been leading to this day! The 8th of april was finally upon us.
For those who don't know me personally a little insight into our life might be helpful. Me and my partner have 3 young children; 5, 3 and 6 months and two dogs. Life is busy is an understatement.
The 8th was here. The morning we packed our thule box upon our caravan with chairs, beach wagon and stroller. My partner prepared the children lunch and snacks for the afternoon AND attended a 10am dentist appointment. Upon her return we loaded our van with children and camera equipment.We then set off for the seaway.
Luckily for us the the seaway isn't too far, about an hours drive. We headed for the small town of Iroquois where my partners aunt and uncle reside.
In Iroquois is a small little beach where we bring our kids in the summertime to play. This cosy little beach did not have the crowds of people or traffic that cornwall and morrisburg experienced. Although the beach was busy it was manageable without the risk of losing our precious little ones.
We were lucky enough to be accompanied by my in-laws, which was the largest of helps with our to eldest children. Which if your a parent reading this you will understand, young children do not have any interest for an eclipse.
We grabbed a spot next to the marquee, so the children will have some shade whilst giving us a spectacular view of the sky.
We grabbed a spot next to the marquee and set up camp.
The equipment I brought along for the main event for any one wanting to know:
- 2x Canon 5D mkiii
- Sigma 12-300mm F2.8 Sport
- Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 Sport
- Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 Art
- Sigma 1.4x Teleconverter
- Manfrotto tripod with gimbal head
- Cable shutter release
- Celestron Eclip Universal Solar Filter
The setup was fairly simple. With our children being occupied by nana on the swing set, I proceeded to mount the Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 to the tripod and used the Sigma 1.4x teleconverter to get an equivalent focal length of 420mm. Although if i had a 2x teleconverter or a 600mm lens I would of been better able to resolve the plasma of the sun during totality. To protect my delicut equipment from permanent damage, I mounted the Celestron Eclip Universal Solar Filter to the front of my lens on the lead up and following the eclipse totality and with the slow shutter speeds used I also attached my remote cable shutter button.
What made the picture?
Now during the lead up to the eclipse the children were wild and I can't thank my partner and mother in-law enough for looking after the kids whilst I concentrated on getting the settings correct on my camera.
My settings leading up to and following totality was ISO 2000 with the odd shot at 3200. I did vary my shutter time a little also going as slow as 1/10th of a second and as fast as 1/100th as I played with the aperture which was as wide open as F5.6 and as closed as F6.3.
And of course the main event we had all been waiting for, with all the luck on our side with avoiding direct clouds during totality.
Words cannot explain how amazing it was to experience this phenomena. Even my oldest was amazed by totality and being 5 I hope she remembers the eclipse.
During totality the settings I used to capture this once in a lifetime moment were as follows without the Celestron Eclip Solar Filter: A slow sensitivity speed of ISO 200, an aperture of F6.3 and a slow shutter speed of 1/25th of a second.
I was very surprised how dark and cold it actually got during totality. All the animals became quiet and the street lamps at the seaway locks came on. It was like the eclipse reached your inner being.
It was an experience of a lifetime I will never forget.
A Composite Image Of April 8th Solar Eclipse