First moon shot

First moon shot · Posted by lost, 02-17-2008, 07:46 PM

Well, it won't compare to many of the pics I have seen posted here, but here is my first attempt at a pic of the moon. *istDL, Quantaray 100-300 lens @ 300mm, 200 ISO, 1/640, F4.5. Cut out some of the sky, but that is it as far as PP goes. For some reason it looks clearer on both of my computers before I posted it here...Kinda fuzzy looking now. Now to figure out how to attach the camera to the telescope!

GLThorne · 02-18-2008, 09:01 AM

Not a bad start actually.

You can try this next time - remember that the moon is nothing more than a sun-lite object. With that being said, try the "sunny 16 rule". Basically, compose your moon at say F16 and 1-over your ISO. For ISO 200, it would be 1/250th - ISO 400 would be 1/400 or closest speed, etc. It will bring out the color intensity more as well as the detail in the moon. Slower shuter speeds can and will produce some blur in a moon photo due to the turning of the earth on her axis.

Still a good starting moon shot!!!

lost · 02-18-2008, 02:51 PM

Thanks, I will try that. It will have to be iso 200 at the lowest though (as low as the DL goes).

Hopefully tonight will be clear so I can play around with settings some more. should probably use the tripod this time too.

GLThorne · 02-18-2008, 07:34 PM

You bet. I didn't notice but your speed was already good for a moon shot. Stop down to around an F8 / F11 and you should see improvement. A tri-pod will bring out the clarity and remember to use the built in timer. If that was hand held, that was really good!

I'm by no means a "moon" expert - just passing along what I've been told, read and practiced!

Here's one from tonight at F11 and 1/800,
+0.3EV and 300mm (sigma 100-300 F4), cropped and slight highlight adjustment in PSE-6 on tri-pod....

And here's one from December during a control burn that was still going around 8PM. This was a 30 second exposure at F/10 with +.3 EV and 50MM (Sigma 28-70, F/2.8) on tri-pod....

Good luck!!!!!

lost · 02-18-2008, 08:48 PM

Your shots are really nice. Seems I have seen you pst the one with the burn before; Nice!

Yes I did shoot those handheld, but I was leaning against the porch post to steady it some too. I'll try to get out there in a bit to try my luck with the tripod.

GLThorne · 02-19-2008, 05:59 PM

There's going to be a Lunar Eclipse tomorrow the 20th. Good luck if you get a chance to get out!