I was very close to a total eclipse in 2017. Took photos that I posted somewhere here. I was especially impressed with the shadows that moved near totality.
I was able to capture some photos through a welding mask and playing around with the camera settings. It lasted for quite a bit longer than I remember other ones lasting for. My eyes don't seem to hurt at all but I'm probably immune from staring at laser beams every day. LOL.
I've been able to witness 3 solar eclipses in my life. The time before 2017 was in the early 1990s is Colorado. Back then I had to make a pinhole projector as these film glasses weren't readily available back then.
I used a camera but the lens can only be used on mine other pro camera since i did not charged it i was holding the lens it got so dark like night almost