Moon Shot Re-visited

RiceHigh · 08-15-2008, 10:14 AM

I seldom shot Full Moon, just because there are little details could be seen. And actually, I have not shot any moon for one to two years, I think.

But tonight, whilst I was checking the forums and before I tried to respond to one of my old forum pals and started to "argue" with him by replying, I saw the moon was just shining bright outside (my window) and the weather was good and vision was clear. I picked out my camera and my beloved F*300/4.5 and a Kenko TelePlus Pro 300 3X PZ AF telecon, mounted them quickly and got some shots. Here is the last one I took (image attached).

Well, maybe its time to spend less time at forums (to spend too much time to argue endlessly and go out or not go out for shooting)? ;-)

RiceHigh · 08-15-2008, 10:16 AM

I forgot to keep the EXIF when I cropped the full frame, here it is, just in case if anyone just wishes to have a look:

File: - H:\DCIM\100PENTX\IMGP4169.jpg

Make - PENTAX Corporation
Model - PENTAX K100D
Orientation - Top left
XResolution - 72
YResolution - 72
ResolutionUnit - Inch
Software - PENTAX PHOTO Laboratory Ver. 3.00
DateTime - 2008:08:15 23:44:20
YCbCrPositioning - Co-Sited
ExifOffset - 244
ExposureTime - 1/640 seconds
FNumber - 4.50
ExposureProgram - Manual control
ISOSpeedRatings - 800
ExifVersion - 0221
DateTimeOriginal - 2008:08:15 22:55:18
DateTimeDigitized - 2008:08:15 22:55:18
ComponentsConfiguration - YCbCr
ExposureBiasValue - 0.00
MeteringMode - Spot
Flash - Not fired, compulsory flash mode
FocalLength - 300 mm
FlashPixVersion - 0100
ColorSpace - sRGB
ExifImageWidth - 3008
ExifImageHeight - 2008
InteroperabilityOffset - 19632
SensingMethod - One-chip color area sensor
FileSource - Other
SceneType - Other
CustomRendered - Normal process
ExposureMode - Manual
WhiteBalance - Auto
FocalLengthIn35mmFilm - 450 mm
SceneCaptureType - Standard
Contrast - Hard
Saturation - High
Sharpness - Hard
SubjectDistanceRange - Distant view

Maker Note (Vendor): -

Originally Posted by RiceHigh

I seldom shot Full Moon, just because there are little details could be seen. And actually, I have not shot any moon for one to two years, I think.

But tonight, whilst I was checking the forums and before I tried to respond to one of my old forum pals and started to "argue" with him by replying, I saw the moon was just shining bright outside (my window) and the weather was good and vision was clear. I picked out my camera and my beloved F*300/4.5 and a Kenko TelePlus Pro 300 3X PZ AF telecon, mounted them quickly and got some shots. Here is the last one I took (image attached).

Well, maybe its time to spend less time at forums (to spend too much time to argue endlessly and go out or not go out for shooting)? ;-)

Eigengrau · 08-15-2008, 10:52 AM

Nice shot - I just tried taking some moon shots for the first time myself, but I only had my pentax 18-250, no converters or anything, so I couldn't get nearly the same closeup. Lots of fun, but I had to use a tripod and the 2 sec release to get anything like a sharp image, because of the aperture limitations of that zoom. Still, it looks pretty good after cropping.

vievetrick · 08-15-2008, 10:53 AM

WHAT!!!! A PICTURE !!!! IT MUST BE THE APOCALYPSE.

I can never shoot the moon as well as the folks here. Again, just a gentle nudge about you posting a picture (FINALY) take it with a grain of salt.

dkittle · 08-15-2008, 11:40 AM

Nice capture and pretty good results. I would not have guessed that you could get a 3x TC and it gave you pretty good results, considering.

If we ever get a break from the rain, I'd like to try out a Vivitar 2x TC that I just got. Given that it feels like it weighs about the same as a dollar coin, I don't expect much from it :-)

*mhertel* · 08-15-2008, 01:15 PM

Nice shot

Here is one of mine, not a full moon, but didnt turn out too bad.. (exif intact)

Marc Sabatella · 08-15-2008, 01:15 PM

Originally Posted by Eigengrau

I had to use a tripod and the 2 sec release to get anything like a sharp image, because of the aperture limitations of that zoom

??? Aperture limitations? You aren't trying to shoot wide open are you? You should be doing pretty much opposite - stopping down to maximize sharpness. Somewhere around maybe f/8 or f/11 would probably be your best bet. Shutter speed at ISO 100 might be too slow to shoot without tripod, but I've had decent results - roughly comparable to the first image posted above - at ISO 200, f/8, 1/250, and simply bracing against a balcony handrail. Shooting with tripod and timer at ISO 100 would no doubt be better still, of course.

rfortson · 08-15-2008, 01:21 PM

Nice shot, Rice.

I'm just glad I was here to see you post a shot.

(Just kidding)

little laker · 08-15-2008, 02:26 PM

Nice shot Rice,

If you decide to bring a camera to Canada you still have an open invite over here,
and I don't care what brand you bring.... just don't put any down

*Driver3* · 08-15-2008, 02:49 PM

Here's one from Monday night. 79% Waxing Gibbous
K10D 50-500 Sigma @ 500mm f10 1/100sec iso100

*Ash* · 08-15-2008, 02:50 PM

Yep, you did alright with that one RH.
Glad to see you're taking some shots.

RiceHigh · 08-15-2008, 09:57 PM

Originally Posted by little laker

Nice shot Rice,

If you decide to bring a camera to Canada you still have an open invite over here,
and I don't care what brand you bring.... just don't put any down

I use Pentax! ;-)

RiceHigh · 08-15-2008, 09:59 PM

Originally Posted by Marc Sabatella

??? Aperture limitations? You aren't trying to shoot wide open are you? You should be doing pretty much opposite - stopping down to maximize sharpness. Somewhere around maybe f/8 or f/11 would probably be your best bet. Shutter speed at ISO 100 might be too slow to shoot without tripod, but I've had decent results - roughly comparable to the first image posted above - at ISO 200, f/8, 1/250, and simply bracing against a balcony handrail. Shooting with tripod and timer at ISO 100 would no doubt be better still, of course.

Choose the widest aperture. For shooting moon shoot, I think the limitation in resolution is the aperture size and of course the Tv speed as well. I can see the moon is moving in the finder!

RiceHigh · 08-15-2008, 10:01 PM

Originally Posted by dkittle

Nice capture and pretty good results. I would not have guessed that you could get a 3x TC and it gave you pretty good results, considering.

If we ever get a break from the rain, I'd like to try out a Vivitar 2x TC that I just got. Given that it feels like it weighs about the same as a dollar coin, I don't expect much from it :-)

The Kenko Pro 300 is the highest grade product of them. The sharpness and coating are both better.

It's not easy to find, though. I bought it when I travelled to Japan at the Biccamera years ago.

RiceHigh · 08-15-2008, 10:02 PM

Originally Posted by Eigengrau

Nice shot - I just tried taking some moon shots for the first time myself, but I only had my pentax 18-250, no converters or anything, so I couldn't get nearly the same closeup. Lots of fun, but I had to use a tripod and the 2 sec release to get anything like a sharp image, because of the aperture limitations of that zoom. Still, it looks pretty good after cropping.

I used both a tripod and a 2 sec pseudo MLU, too.