Can a long sun timelapse damage a DSLR’s autofocus sensor?
Asked 7/28/2018
2 views
2 answers
0
I’m asking specifically about a DSLR’s autofocus system, not the main imaging sensor.
In a DSLR, the AF sensor receives light via the mirror whenever the camera is active, while the main sensor and shutter are only directly exposed during each actual exposure. For a long timelapse pointed toward the sun, possibly over several hours, could continuous sunlight damage the autofocus sensor or related components? Would using an ND filter help, and are there any practical precautions or workarounds?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
7y ago
2 Answers
2
It's difficult to say that time lapse can't possibly have any effect on an autofocus sensor, but if there is any, I think it's little enough that it's basically irrelevant--a camera is almost certain to be quite obsolete before it has any noticeable effect.
Back when it was still quite new, I bought a Minolta Maxxum 9000 with the matching Program Back Super 90. The program back features a built-in intervalometer, and I used it a fair number of times, including some shots of the movement of the sun through the day. That includes one series taken in Wood Buffalo National Park in Canada during June, so the sun was up for around 18 hours, if memory serves.
That body is now over 30 years old. Its autofocus works pretty poorly--it's horribly slow, and it tends to hunt a lot, even when there's pretty obvious contrast that it seems like it should be able to detect. But that's exactly how it worked when it was brand new. Time has simply moved on, and the Maxxum 9000 is pretty thoroughly obsolete, especially in terms of autofocus performance.
Summary
My experience tends to suggest that deterioration of AF sensors from excessive light exposure simply isn't a significant concern.
Originally by user603. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user603
7y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
In normal DSLR use, damage to the autofocus sensor from a long sun timelapse is generally not considered a practical concern. The AF module does receive light continuously through the mirror system, but any effect appears to be so small that it’s unlikely to matter over the useful life of the camera.
A community example described repeated interval shooting, including very long sequences following the sun, on an older Minolta DSLR-era AF camera; decades later, its autofocus still functioned, with age-related limitations more likely due to normal obsolescence than sun exposure.
So the realistic answer is: possible in theory, but negligible in practice for typical timelapse shooting. An ND filter would reduce incoming light and therefore also reduce any potential risk, but it’s usually more relevant for exposure control than AF protection.
If you want extra caution, avoid unnecessary continuous operation, don’t leave the camera aimed at the sun longer than needed, and consider manual focus once focus is set.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI7y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
Can sunlight damage a point-and-shoot camera sensor when the camera is off?
Can pointing a full-frame camera at the setting sun damage the sensor?
Can direct sunlight damage a mirrorless camera sensor when photographing an eclipse?
How can I prevent a dashboard-mounted camera from overheating during a road-trip timelapse?
How can I safely photograph a Venus transit across the Sun?