A Basic Camera is one that you would use to take a picture of some friends at a picnic. You do not need a flash attachment on the camera. If you do have one, simply tape over the flash with black electric tape in such a manner so as no light escapes when you take a picture.

Flash photography is absurd and unwelcome during totality!

It is absurd because of what you are trying to light up with the flash. Are you trying to light up the face of the moon? If so, you will need a much more powerful flash! And beside, the reflected light of the earth is already lighting it up (see Earthshine in the longer focal length information) pretty well.

It is unwelcome because everyone else would like to see the eclipse and the last thing they want is to be blinded by a flash camera. Although no fatalities have ever occurred due to the use of a flash camera during totality, there have been reports of some damaged cameras and very brutal threats. One of the basic rules is - don't use a flash camera during totality. There are better ways to capture the people element.

Totality lasts only a few minutes, but lots of time is spent in preparation. And as totality approaches, the sky and surroundings take on very surreal aspects. This is the best time for a basic camera to be busy capturing your friends and fellow eclipse chasers setting up equipment, getting excited as it nears, strange looking high contrast shadows, pinhole camera effects, the horizon colors, and more.

During totality, increase the exposure time or lower the f/stop (if possible) or use the flash option for automatic cameras (make sure the flash is covered properly). A small camera, mounted on a tripod, with a "bulb" setting so that it can be held open for a second or two can get some great pictures of the coronal streamers and surrounding bright planets. It can also be used to obtain horizon color changes and group pictures. There is about as much light as a full moon during totality allow you to see the camera settings and other people. The sky near the horizon is bright and gets darker towards the eclipse. Be cautious of that if you want a picture of a person during the eclipse. They will be dark in comparison to the background sky. The best results have been obtained looking down on the observers or with a darker background behind them. Just remember, NO FLASH!