May you NEVER point the lens at the sun?

[Manolito_Mystiq]

It's very snowy here in the Netherlands, and there were times, that I thought it would've been great to take a picture with the bright sun in it.

I've read about the damage you can make to the camera. So I thought of focusing the camera somewhere near that what I want to take a picture of (without the sun being seen by the lens and then when it's ready I hold it to the picture (with the sun), take the snap and immediately after put it away from the sun.

I believe this won't hurt at all, but just in case, I ask. I think if you hold the camera for more than4 or 5 seconds, it will be a different thing.

[sjlivson]

The possible damage to the sensor depends not on the time it's exposed to the sun but on the energy deliveredto the sensor. If the sun is not too bright (during sunrise or evening hours) you can include it in the picture. Basically, if you can look at the sun so can your camera.