photographing the moon - DPChallenge Forums

03/11/2003 08:33:44 AM · #1

I have the sony f707 and someone posted a great moon shot awhile back. I have not been able to duplicate it, even with a 2x tele attached to my camera. Anyone have some tips on this subject?? thanks, in advance.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

03/11/2003 08:49:32 AM · #2

Use spot metering/ exposure as you are exposing for something that is lit by full sunlight, but in the middle of a black sky. You want a shortish exposure time, otherwise the moon'll move and you'll get a blur.

The other secret is that most good moon pictures are really small crops from the overall file, unless you are using a telescope.

An early morning example (larger version)
This was shot at 1/350s at f4.0 (ISO 400) with a 200mm lens, mainly
because I didn't have a tripod to take it with. a narrower aperture
would have given better results, but you can work out the exposure
for the moon from that.

Message edited by author 2003-03-11 08:53:14.

jab119

03/11/2003 08:58:43 AM · #3

Here are a couple of mine with the Sony 1.7x teleconverter. The first one was taken in the full 5MP and croped out the unwanted areas. The second one was taken in the 1280x960 (?) mode.

I used a tripod, manual settings to reduce the glare and make the surface details stand out. There is no magic setting since the moon varies in brightness you will just have to take many pics at different apeture and shutter speeds.

and here is another moon shot with my 707...

The Moon with a Sony 707

of course I used my telescope with my 707 to get this one :)

James

Message edited by author 2003-03-11 09:07:11.

Jacko

Canon EOS-20D

03/11/2003 09:13:30 AM · #4

Great shot Gordon. When you say 200mm, do you mean 320mm with your D60 because of the magnification factor? I really look forward to trying these kind of shots.

By the way, what % crop did you do for your final image. I really like this picture.

03/11/2003 09:33:15 AM · #5

Originally posted by Jacko:

Yup, 320mm effective for a 35mm film camera. That shot was full frame, no crop.

Here's another one: This time a 300mm lens, (480 effective) 1/6s at f27, ISO 100. This time roughly a 20% crop from the frame.

03/11/2003 09:36:29 AM · #6

Also, for more info than you probably want to know, including tips, tricks and exposure settings try Michael Oates lunar photography web page

There is a table at the end you can use to dial in the correct exposure setting for any particular kind of moon phase.

03/12/2003 09:23:37 AM · #7

That Oates article was great, thanks, Gordon!

BadPigg

Canon EOS-10D

03/12/2003 12:35:14 PM · #8

Thanks Gordon, I cant believe the wealth of knowledge one can get from these wonderful tutorials, Thanks again.

rll07

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

03/12/2003 01:18:44 PM · #9

when i took this moon
i had to take a bunch of shots adjusting the exposure up and down to get the darkness correct...
i think Gordon's shots also used a I/S lens that helped a lot compared to previous tries.. here is another i took without the I/S lens
Blue moon

03/12/2003 02:45:33 PM · #10

Are you talking about an image stabilized lens?? (i/s lens) PS, those last two moon shots posted are awesome!

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

03/12/2003 02:53:37 PM · #11

Originally posted by rll07:

I didn't use an imaged stablised lens for either of those shots - I did use the timer release and mirror lockup functions though and used a tripod

marbo

Nikon D5000

03/12/2003 05:14:31 PM · #12

There`s only one way to take a good moon shot and thats through a telescope. You also need a camera with a small lens. Check out my entry for the landscape challenge.

pitsaman

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

03/12/2003 05:17:08 PM · #13

Morgan

Nikon D800

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED

03/12/2003 07:39:02 PM · #14

or...

Here is a link to my web site with more images.

vividcontrast.com web site

My first DPC Submission

Message edited by author 2003-03-12 19:45:15.

Digipixer

Canon Power Shot SX10 IS

03/12/2003 08:40:52 PM · #15

As long as we're on the subject--acording to the Lunar Eclipse Computer
//aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/LunarEclipse.html

There will be a Lunar Eclips on the 15th or 16th of May.During the eclipse the moon turns red.Should make a great picture.

Message edited by author 2003-03-13 08:03:13.