To record all the details in the corona make exposures over a range of shutter times. Later you can try to combine them with image processing software to obtain one detailed picture. They can be pictured best with a standardlens or small telephoto lens. The beauty of the Diamond Ring just seconds before and after totality can be captured with small to midrange telephoto lenses. Find the best exposure time with the Exposure Time Calculator .
Exposure times can be so long that a steady tripod and a cable release are necessary.
A cable release is a small device you can screw on the shutter button. It prevents your camera from shaking while you trigger the camera shutter. Picture them with the 'dark hole in the sky' in the background. Make test-runs the day before the eclipse again and again. We recommend using color film.