Shooting the Moon!!!! - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 VR

12/20/2010 10:41:08 PM · #1

So, with the Lunar eclipse tonight, and it's pretty clear skies right now. Assuming I can either stay awake, or set an alarm to wake up, I'd like to go get a few decent shots of the moon tonight.

I just took a few shots, and I'm kinda lost with the settings here, and my editing wasn't up to par either. I imagine I should use my Tripod, but what else?

This is a shot I just got, it was handheld playing with settings. This was the best I got.

Apeture Priority
F/7.1
1/400 Sec
300M using my 70-300
Exposure Bias -5 steps
No Flash
Metering Mode : Pattern

I'm really unsure. My Moon doesn't look very sharp, yet that might be my handheldness too. Just wondering what general moon shot settings should be. I know I will need to edit these with the full Lunar as it will be a bit darker...just don't want to freeze (it'll be in the 20-30's here in Florida...and yes, that is Freezing for us :-)) and not get a good shot or 2.

Thanks in advance.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

12/20/2010 10:57:06 PM · #2

This was shot using a tripod. Had the 100-400 lens at 400mm on the Canon 40D. Exposure was in manual. 1/2 sec at f/5.6 ISO 1600. Needed to adjust the raw file to brighten the exposure. You will get some evidence of movement with exposures longer than what I used on this shot.

I hope this helps.

giantmike

Canon EOS R6

12/20/2010 10:59:00 PM · #3

This is shot I took earlier this year, also with a 300mm lens

Your shot definitely isn't clear, and your handholding at 300mm is likely the cause. If at all possible, use a tripod. If you cannot, maybe you can find some stuff around the house to prop up the camera.
If you do use a tripod or a prop, remember to turn off an Image Stabilization on your lens. When a camera is still, the stabilization can actually induce movement.

If you have a cable shutter release, that would be great to use, to also increase sharpness. If you don't have one, simply set your camera to timer so that the action of clicking the shutter doesn't induce movement.

I have found that f11 renders a pretty good shot of a bright moon like this with a fast(ish) shutter speed. You want a fast shutter speed because the moon "moves" across the sky pretty quickly.

One other thing you will want to be careful of is your ISO setting. When using a tripod, you can get away with the lower possible ISO to get the least amount of noise in the photo.

Edit: Thanks scooter!

Message edited by author 2010-12-20 23:02:20.

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

12/20/2010 10:59:33 PM · #4

1) Use a tripod, especially at 300mm.
2) Use the optimal f stop for your lens (DOF is not much a factor here)
3) There are tons of rules for exposure when shooting an eclipse, to keep it simple, shoot RAW and expose to the right.
4) 1/400 is good, NO slower, adjust ISO and f/stop to have as fast a shutter as you can while maintaining exposure.
5) LOCK your shutter to avoid camera shake on the tripod if possible.
6) Turn off IS if your lens has it when on a tripod

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

12/20/2010 11:00:29 PM · #5

%@*(@#^!&*!%!* Snow!

:-P

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

12/20/2010 11:01:40 PM · #6

There you go Mike!

RayEthier

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

12/20/2010 11:05:15 PM · #7

Originally posted by kirbic:

%@*(@#^!&*!%!* Snow!

:-P

Surely, considering where you live, you can't surprised that it is snowing. :O)

Ray

12/20/2010 11:05:41 PM · #8

To clarify on the exposure time:

In general the longest practical exposure (in seconds) = 250 / F (in mm) for critical work and 4*250/F for some acceptable blur

So, for 180-350 mm, 1 second is the max for critical sharpness going up to 4 seconds with some noticeable blur.

Sorry, my last comment about no slower than 1/400 was in reference to hand held work.

12/20/2010 11:05:46 PM · #9

No Problem Mike :D

BTW My suggestions are based on the light given off by an eclipsed Moon. I think Paul's advice is right on for a full bright Moon.

BuddyBaum

Nikon AF-S Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 VR

12/20/2010 11:05:51 PM · #10

Originally posted by kirbic:

%@*(@#^!&*!%!* Snow!

:-P

TBH...I'd rather it be snowing than seeing the eclpise, but good ole Florida. LoL.

Thanks everyone! Gonna grab the Tripod, and turn off the IS and use my remote shutter and see what I can do. Hopefully it gets a bit better.

Any thoughts on filters? I currently only have a UV filter. I also have a Circular Polarizer and something else lying around that fits this lens.

12/20/2010 11:12:33 PM · #11

I'm not sure that there will be any UV light to filter while shooting the Eclipse. The CP filter will cut the available light at least 2 stops so I would definitely not suggest that one. If you see the Moon while it is in total eclipse, you will be surprised at how dark it really is and how dark it appears to your camera's sensor.

12/20/2010 11:14:47 PM · #12

I agree, I wouldn't bother with a filter, I'm not sure it will really gain you much.

Don't forget to put your camera in a plastic bag before you bring it in the house. Let it equilibrate to the room before opening it.

BuddyBaum

Nikon AF-S Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 VR

12/20/2010 11:24:21 PM · #13

Originally posted by PGerst:

Can you explian this to me? I assume this is a weather/cold related thing, which I don't have to deal with to often.

Sigma 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical HF for Pentax

12/20/2010 11:26:07 PM · #14

Chances are, outside, its cold and dry. If you bring your cold, dry camera into your warm, moist house, condensation will occur wherever water can condense. Its just a safeguard to prevent water from condensing where you don't want it to.

Originally posted by Mystafet:

Originally posted by PGerst:
I agree, I wouldn't bother with a filter, I'm not sure it will really gain you much.

Don't forget to put your camera in a plastic bag before you bring it in the house. Let it equilibrate to the room before opening it.

Can you explian this to me? I assume this is a weather/cold related thing, which I don't have to deal with to often.

Pug-H

Pentax K10D

12/21/2010 12:51:32 AM · #15

Here in Japan the lunar eclipse will be happening just after sunset. Supposedly.
After a week of mostly clear skies, it clouded over by noon today, and that's the way it will stay for a few days. And I actually brought my camera with me today.

MelonMusketeer

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-120mm f/4G ED VR

Nikon MF 50mm f/1.4

12/21/2010 01:09:59 AM · #16

Here are some of my take on the 08 eclipse. Most of these were shot with a manual 300mm f4.5. The info button when you open the images will give shutter speeds. Most of them were at iso 200 and f5.6.
Eclipse Feb 20 2008

Ozzie

Nikon D90

12/21/2010 01:49:05 AM · #17

Bah humbug, it was clear until now, it is covered with clouds so I just see a white haze. #$%(#

FocusPoint

XIAOMI Redmi Note 8 Pro

12/21/2010 01:52:51 AM · #18

I'll just watch the next winter solstice eclipse from the moon!

Message edited by author 2010-12-21 01:53:02.

Ozzie

Nikon D90

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-120mm f/4G ED VR

12/21/2010 02:16:27 AM · #19

At least I can view it from here //www.wpbt2.org/stargazer/

Hopefully that works