sorry for re-opening an old thread, but im interested in getting some sort of solar protection for my 10 x 50 binos. is it worth looking into glass filters for the front of them. i could get bader paper, but id rather something a bit more durable. also, if getting bader astro film, what type to get? what will show the most detail, without blinding me, or damaging my eyes?
One of the main suppliers of glass solar filters is thousand oaks. I am not sure if they do ones for 10X50's but check their website. You can also buy dedicated white light solar binoculars with built in filters. maybe this is an option for you. TBH the 10X50's will not show you much detail in the spots. If you want to see detail a telescope is the way to go. That said. I use my 10X50's with with homemade filters often for quick glances at the sun.
Ask any supplier about baader film for visual use and they should be able to sort you out.
Baader Astro Solar is the way to go for binos. There are two types, ND 3.8 for photography and ND 5 for visual.
You probably wouldn't permanently damage your eyes if you used the ND 3.8 visually but it would become uncomfortable very quickly. Get the ND 5, and follow the safety precautions provided in the packet, with that you can observe for a significant length of time in comfort. I used it permanently fixed to a pair of binoculars for 2 years before I broke out and bought Coronado Binomites.
John
Better that old people should die of talk than to have young people die in war.
  