Camera sensor damaged if exposed to direct sun light?

8 years 2 weeks ago #477216 by Homer
First let me say it's been months (nearly a year!) since I have been on this site.  Sorry but I had medical issues I was dealing with!  So much has changed with the look, I like!!

To my question - I was reading on an blog where someone brought up if your camera happens to point at the sun and the light goes down the lens, it will get magnified and kill the sensor.  At first I was like, how so.  However before writing this off as nonsense, I wanted to get second opinion with you.  

Am I correct that this can't happen? 


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8 years 2 weeks ago #477220 by Screamin Scott
Well, unless the shutter is on bulb or a long exposure setting, the mirror is in the light path & will block any light from striking the sensor until such time that the shutter is tripped. Bear in mind that this applies to a DSLR. Using a point & shoot or mirrorless camera will be different as there is no mirror blocking the Sun. Your eyea can be damaged by looking directly at the Sun & a cameras sensor can too so it's not a good idea to shoot the Sun, regardless of the camera type. Now you will see images wit the Sun in the frame, but more often than not, the aperture will be stopped down considerably, thus limiting any potential damage. Here is a link to a Pop Photo article about this subject...

www.popphoto.com/news/2012/05/psa-be-car...-taking-pictures-sun

Scott Ditzel Photography

www.flickr.com/photos/screaminscott/

Photo Comments
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8 years 2 weeks ago #477222 by Homer
Oh, so IT can be damaged?  WOW I thought that was nonsense.  Interesting, so if you were taking photos of clouds, would occassional exposure to direct sunlight do any harm?  


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8 years 2 weeks ago #477223 by Screamin Scott
It would depend on a number of factors but as long as it was a short exposure at a small aperture, you should be fine...

Scott Ditzel Photography

www.flickr.com/photos/screaminscott/

Photo Comments
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8 years 2 weeks ago #477236 by Homer
Well thank you Scott, you have been a big help


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