August 14 Update: Safe Eclipse Glasses, Binoculars, and Solar Filters

SUNoculars (solar binoculars) and Mini SUNoculars from Great American Eclipse.

Most vendors of safe, approved eclipse glasses, binoculars, and solar filters are out of stock, but there are a few left. Links to buy them follow.

Update August 19. As of 10 am today (EDT) the only item in this article that you can still order is eclipse glasses from Lunt Solar Systems and fulfilled by Amazon. Unfortunately they can not be delivered until August 21 which could be after the eclipse is over. If you want to try anyway: Order here. Choose “Available from these sellers” and then choose Lunt Solar Systems. Lunt Solar Systems is on the list of AAS approved vendors.

First a warning. Do not buy anything that is not on the AAS approved reputable vendor list.  The internet (including Amazon) has been flooded with unsafe products which can cause permanent eye damage and blindness when you use them to look at the sun.

Eclipse Glasses for Viewing the Eclipse and Solar Filter Sheets for Photographing the Eclipse

The next two links take you to Amazon. Make sure when you order that they can deliver by Sunday August 20 so you have them on time for the eclipse August 21.

As of 10:00 pm EDT, August 14, both of these links take you to AAS approved vendors, but that could change. Read the warning in the next paragraph.

This is very important! Be very careful when you order from Amazon. When an AAS approved dealer at Amazon runs out of stock, the link can be changed by Amazon’s computer system to take you to a non-approved dealer. Do not buy from a non-approved dealer. More information in this article.

Eclipse glasses from Lunt Solar Systems and fulfilled by Amazon. In stock August 16, 2017. Order here. Choose “Available from these sellers” and then choose Lunt Solar Systems.

Thousand Oaks Optical Solar Filter Sheet sold by AgenaAstro and fulfilled by Amazon. In stock August 19, 2017. Order here.

You can use the filter sheet from Thousand Oaks Optical and some thin cardboard to make an eclipse filter for your camera lens. Some suggestion on how to do that are in this article: Make or Buy Your Own Inexpensive Solar Filter to Watch and Photograph the Eclipse.

To learn how to take pictures of the eclipse with a Thousand Oaks Optical filter sheet that you have mounted in a cardboard filter holder, read How to Photograph the Sun (and an Eclipse) with a “White Light” Solar Filter.

Lunt Solar Systems and AgenaAstro are both on the AAS approved vendor list.

Eclipse Binoculars for Viewing the Eclipse

You can buy eclipse binoculars (called SUNoculars) for $129 at GreatAmericanEclipse.com. The SUNoculars are made by Lunt Solar Systems. GreatAmericanEclipse.com and Lunt Solar Systems are both AAS approved vendors.

High Density Filters for Photographing the Eclipse

You can use high density filters to photograph the eclipse if your camera is in Live View Mode, but high density filters are not safe for viewing the eclipse and you should not look through the camera’s viewfinder when you are using the high density filter on your lens.

You have two good options for buying a high density filter. The inexpensive option is to buy the high density material made by Baader and make your own filter. The expensive option is to buy a ready made Lee Solar Filter along with a filter holder and adapter ring. Both options are covered below.

Baader Solar Eclipse Material

If you want to make you own eclipse photography filter using Baader eclipse material, read You Can Make Your Own Inexpensive High Density Filter To Photograph the Eclipse. Order “Baader AstroSolar Visual Solar Filter Film” here from Amazon.

You can also buy commercial high density filters from Adorama. You will also need a filter holder and an adapter ring. More information in this article. The same cautions apply. Do not look at the sun through these filters and do not look through the camera’s viewfinder.

The Great American Eclipse Series

The Great American Eclipse Series   –  All of my eclipse articles are listed at this link. Check back for new articles as they appear. This is the 30th article in the series.

Purchase Links

Eclipse Glasses from Lunt Solar Systems. Choose “Available from these sellers” and then choose Lunt Solar Systems.

Thousand Oaks Optical Solar Filter Sheet from AgenaAstro

Eclipse SUNocluars at GreatAmericanEclipse.com

Order “Baader AstroSolar Visual Solar Filter Film” here from Amazon.

More Links

You Can Make Your Own Inexpensive High Density Filter To Photograph the Eclipse.

Last Chance: High Density Filters to Photograph the Eclipse

How to Find, View, and Photograph the “Great American Eclipse” – August 21, 2017 – If you want to watch (and photograph) the eclipse, read this article first. It is my comprehensive guide to the best information on the Great American Eclipse, August 21, 2017.

How to Photograph the Sun (and an Eclipse) with a “White Light” Solar Filter

Solar Retinopathy: Why an Eclipse is So Dangerous, Especially for Children, and What To Do About It

Be Careful When Buying Eclipse Materials! Amazon Changes Links from Safe, AAS Approved Vendors to Non-Approved Vendors.

Unsafe Counterfeit Solar Eclipse Glasses Are Flooding Amazon and Other Online Markets

How to Tell If Your Eclipse Glasses or Handheld Solar Viewers Are Safe –  the American Astronomical Society

Reputable Vendors of Solar Filters  – the American Astronomical Society