Solar Filters For Telescopes, Camera Lenses, & Binoculars

Need help finding the right solar filter? Check out our Guide to Choosing a Solar Filter below!

Shop solar film sheetsShop solar film sheets

Solar Film Sheets

Shop telescope solar filtersShop telescope solar filters

Ready-to-Use Solar Film

Shop glass solar filtersShop glass solar filters

Glass Solar Filters

Shop camera lens solar filtersShop camera lens solar filters

Camera Lens Solar Filters

Shop hydrogen alpha solar filtersShop hydrogen alpha solar filters

Hydrogen Alpha Filters

Shop Herschel WedgesShop Herschel Wedges

Herschel Wedges

View as Grid List

Items 1 - 24 of 199

Page
Set Descending Direction
per page
View as Grid List

Items 1 - 24 of 199

Page
Set Descending Direction
per page
How to choose a solar filter for your telescopeHow to choose a solar filter for your telescope

1. How to Choose a Solar Filter

Using a solar filter is imperative to safely viewing or photographing the Sun, including for the upcoming total solar eclipse on April 8th, 2024! Do not ever point your telescope, camera lens, or binoculars at the Sun without a solar filter properly attached. In this guide, we'll go over the different types of solar filters, what you can expect to see with each, and how to figure out which size filter you need!


Our Quick Pick for a Solar Filter

If you're looking for a quick recommendation and want an easy, low-cost option, we recommend buying a sheet of solar film that's large enough to completely cover the front opening of your optics by two inches (~5cm) on each side. You can then easily attach it by using a rubber band to wrap around your camera lens hood or telescope's dew shield — wrinkles in the film won't affect the view. For a sturdier housing, you can follow our step-by-step guide on How to Make a Solar Filter.

 


 

A comparison image showing the difference between white light vs. hydrogen alpha solar filtersA comparison image showing the difference between white light vs. hydrogen alpha solar filters

2. What types of solar filters are there?

There are two main types of solar filters, white light and hydrogen alpha:

White Light Solar Filters & Telescopes are the least expensive option to quickly get great views of the Sun, and what we recommend for most casual observers. White light filters work by darkening all of the Sun's incoming light by a factor of about 100,000 times. With a white light solar filter or telescope, you can expect to see some moderate detail on the Sun's surface (photosphere), including sunspots — the dark spots on the Sun in the above image — and other details.

Hydrogen Alpha Solar Filters & Telescopes work by only letting through an extremely narrow fraction of the Sun's light. H-Alpha filters are much more expensive than the average white light filter, but can see dramatically more detail. With a hydrogen alpha solar filter or telescope, you can expect to see rich detail on the Sun's outer layer of plasma (chromosphere), including phenomena like prominences — the bright features extending from the surface in the above image — and solar flares in addition to sunspots.

 

3. Which white light solar filter should I buy?

White light solar filters come in two main types: film and glass. For the vast majority of people, we recommend solar film instead of glass. Not only are film filters less expensive, but they also provide higher resolution views & images than glass filters. Glass solar filters tend to be more durable than film, however.

 


 

How to Find the Right Size Solar Filter for a Telescope, Camera Lens, or BinocularsHow to Find the Right Size Solar Filter for a Telescope, Camera Lens, or Binoculars

4. Which size solar filter do I need for my telescope?

Telescope owners have a variety of options for solar filters:

If using solar film sheets, buy a sheet that's at least 2 inches (~5cm) larger (in both dimensions) than the total diameter of your telescope's dew shield. To attach it, you can simply rubber band it around your lens hood — wrinkles in the film won't affect the view! For a sturdier housing, follow our step-by-step guide How to Make A Solar Filter. The solar film must completely cover the front of your dew shield in order to be safe to use.

Another option is a ready-to-use film filter, which come with a pre-made housing that can easily slip on and off the front of the telescope. These are perfect for viewing a total solar eclipse as you can quickly remove and replace the filter when totalitys starts and ends. First, measure the outer diameter (in millimeters) of your telescope's dew shield (front opening) like in the example image above.

Then, shop for a ready-to-use filter with an inner diameter slightly larger than your dew shield's outer diameter. Most filters have small clamps that can be adjusted to fit a small range of sizes, so if your dew shield is 60mm wide, a filter that fits an outer diameter range of 55-70mm will fit your telescope.

If using a glass filter, follow the steps in the section above and measure the outer diameter (in millimeters) of your telescope's dew shield, and then find a glass filter with an inner diameter range that fits your telescope.

 

5. Which size solar filter do I need for my camera lens?

For camera lenses, you can either use a sheet of solar film or buy a thread-on glass filter. Either option will work well, but solar film may offer slightly better detail.

If using solar film, buy a sheet that's at least 2 inches (~5cm) larger (in both dimensions) than the total diameter of your lens hood. To attach it, you can simply rubber band it around your lens hood — wrinkles in the film won't affect the view! For a sturdier housing, follow our step-by-step guide How to Make A Solar Filter. The solar film must completely cover the front of your lens hood in order to be safe to use.

If using a thread-on glass filter, you'll want to locate the filter thread size, which can usually be found on the front of the lens (the number marked next to the Φ symbol). If it's not listed, check the specifications section on a product page for the lens. Then, simply find the thread-on glass filter with the matching filter thread size. To attach it, thread it directly to the front of the lens.

 

6. Which size solar filter do I need for my binoculars?

There are special sets of ready-to-use solar film filters for binoculars that are sold in pairs, which we highly recommend.

If you plan on using a different option, simply follow the steps above for "Which size solar filter do I need for my telescope?" but don't forget to buy two for both binocular lenses!

 

7. Which size solar filter do I need for my smartphone?

Smartphone cameras are small enough that you can safely photograph the Sun by taping solar eclipse glasses over the front of your phone camera, or you can use a pre-made kit like this one.

 


 

White light solar film comparison: Baader Planetarium AstroSolar vs. Thousand Oaks Optical SolarLiteWhite light solar film comparison: Baader Planetarium AstroSolar vs. Thousand Oaks Optical SolarLite

8. Which brand of white light solar film is best?

There are two main brands that manufacture quality solar film: Baader Planetarium and Thousand Oaks Optical. Each brand's film has their pros & cons:

Baader AstroSolar film is usually the best choice for those looking for the highest resolution solar views, but costs more. Baader AstroSolar film will show the Sun in its natural white color.

Thousand Oaks SolarLite film is more affordable, but is slightly lower resolution. Thousand Oaks SolarLite film shows the Sun in more of a yellow color.