4 moon shots at 500, 700 and 1000mm

rfortson · 01-27-2010, 09:56 PM

Playing around with my new (to me) SMC Pentax 1:8 f=1000mm lens tonight. Took some shots of the nearly full moon with the 1000mm, then took more shots with the Bigma (500mm), Bigma plus 1.4x teleconverter (700mm), and then for fun, I put my Olympus E-P1 on the 1000mm lens.

All shots are uncropped so you can see the relative magnification/appearance. ISO was set at 200, and the aperture for the 1000mm was f/11. Aperture on the Bigma was f/8 (didn't adjust is with the TC, so effective aperture changed). If you want to see the full sized shots, visit my Flickr stream. Shots were taken over a ~30 minute period right after sundown, so that's why the light is different in the shots.

First, the 1000mm on the K20D:

The K20D with the Bigma:

The K20D with the Bigma and 1.4x teleconverter:

And finally, the 1000mm on the Olympus (it looks like a rear lens cap on this thing):

Here's the setup. The Pen will actually fit inside the lens cap of the 1000mm.

PentaxPoke · 01-27-2010, 10:49 PM

Russ,
Oddly enough, I think the Olympus one looks best. I didn't expect that!

(you are having way too much fun with that lens.

)

Graystar · 01-27-2010, 10:50 PM

I got my K-x yesterday, and my T-Mount adapter today, so I just had to try it out. The seeing was terrible here in Brooklyn tonight. And on top of that, I was shooting through an open window, and I forgot how to zoom in LiveView so my focus is off. But hey...I gotta practice for the day when the sky is steady...seems to happen only a handful of times here in NYC!

K-x, prime focus, on an Orion 127mm Mak, 1540mm, f/12.1 (in bad skies!) Reduced to 25% (no crop.)

PentaxPoke · 01-27-2010, 11:13 PM

Originally posted by Graystar

seems to happen only a handful of times here in NYC!

When I saw your post and where you were located, I'm sorry but the following came to mind:

"When you get caught between the Moon and New York City
I know it's crazy, but it's true
If you get caught between the Moon and New York City
The best that you can do .....
The best that you can do is fall in love "

Anyone remember the movie?

(Sorry for the hijack Graystar. Nice pic considering the circumstances! It is hard enough to get sharp focus on the moon in dark skies out in the country.)

rhodopsin · 01-27-2010, 11:15 PM

not bad!

tip: there is MUCH less atmosphere to see through when the moon is overhead; opportunity for MUCH more clarity when seeing conditions are good.

Laurentiu Cristofor · 01-28-2010, 01:17 AM

A different angle (K10D + Tokina RMC 500):

rfortson · 01-28-2010, 06:04 AM

Nice moon shots, everyone!

Andy, the Olympus shot did come out nicely. I wasn't sure the detail would hold up. I've always heard the Oly folks say the 2x crop factor is a plus for wildlife, so I guess that's what we're seeing here.

mithrandir · 01-28-2010, 09:33 AM

I think the greater contrast range (dark sky vs partially lit sky) makes the oly shot look better.

Raylon · 01-28-2010, 10:13 AM

I'll throw my moon picture into the mix. Took this 26th. It will feel awkward because it was taken with a 210mm and cropped, but looks decent.

PentaxPoke · 01-28-2010, 10:34 AM

Well heck, if Russ' thread is turning into a moonpic thread, then I'm in.
k20d pano through a 2000mm, 8in SC Meade:
(Click for a bigger image)

Graystar · 01-28-2010, 10:41 AM

Originally posted by PentaxPoke

k20d pano through a 2000mm, 8in SC Meade

That's got some nice detail. That's what I'm hoping for...I just need the weather to cooperate!

rfortson · 01-28-2010, 11:01 AM

Originally posted by mithrandir

I think the greater contrast range (dark sky vs partially lit sky) makes the oly shot look better.

I agree with you there. If I was so inclined, I'd go back and do it when it's fully dark. Unfortunately, it's going to rain the next few days, so no chance for now. Maybe next week.

I could PP the shots, but I'm not that into it.

Not saying the Oly shot is better. I was just impressed that it held up as well as it did. I like my Oly, but I've never felt it had better IQ than my K20D (and I still don't).

rfortson · 01-28-2010, 11:02 AM

Originally posted by PentaxPoke

Well heck, if Russ' thread is turning into a moonpic thread, then I'm in.
k20d pano through a 2000mm, 8in SC Meade:

Very nice! However, when I click on it, I actually get a smaller shot.

At 2000mm, aren't you getting close to filling the entire frame (meaning that it won't actually fit in the frame)?

Graystar · 01-28-2010, 11:08 AM

Originally posted by rfortson

At 2000mm, aren't you getting close to filling the entire frame (meaning that it won't actually fit in the frame)?

That's what I was thinking as well. The shot I had posted was straight resize of the capture. At 1540mm, I'm gettin pretty close to the top and bottom of the frame. I would have thought that a moon at 2000mm would be vertically larger than the frame.

bollicina31 · 01-28-2010, 11:42 AM

wow 1000mm 500mm

Very nice!

01-27-2010, 09:56 PM	#1
rfortson Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Houston TX Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,129	4 moon shots at 500, 700 and 1000mm Playing around with my new (to me) SMC Pentax 1:8 f=1000mm lens tonight. Took some shots of the nearly full moon with the 1000mm, then took more shots with the Bigma (500mm), Bigma plus 1.4x teleconverter (700mm), and then for fun, I put my Olympus E-P1 on the 1000mm lens. All shots are uncropped so you can see the relative magnification/appearance. ISO was set at 200, and the aperture for the 1000mm was f/11. Aperture on the Bigma was f/8 (didn't adjust is with the TC, so effective aperture changed). If you want to see the full sized shots, visit my Flickr stream. Shots were taken over a ~30 minute period right after sundown, so that's why the light is different in the shots. First, the 1000mm on the K20D: The K20D with the Bigma: The K20D with the Bigma and 1.4x teleconverter: And finally, the 1000mm on the Olympus (it looks like a rear lens cap on this thing): Here's the setup. The Pen will actually fit inside the lens cap of the 1000mm.

01-27-2010, 10:49 PM	#2
PentaxPoke Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,411	Russ, Oddly enough, I think the Olympus one looks best. I didn't expect that! (you are having way too much fun with that lens. ) Last edited by PentaxPoke; 01-27-2010 at 11:06 PM.

01-28-2010, 10:13 AM	#9
Raylon Guest	I'll throw my moon picture into the mix. Took this 26th. It will feel awkward because it was taken with a 210mm and cropped, but looks decent. Attached Images

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01-27-2010, 10:50 PM	#3
Graystar Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 144	I got my K-x yesterday, and my T-Mount adapter today, so I just had to try it out. The seeing was terrible here in Brooklyn tonight. And on top of that, I was shooting through an open window, and I forgot how to zoom in LiveView so my focus is off. But hey...I gotta practice for the day when the sky is steady...seems to happen only a handful of times here in NYC! K-x, prime focus, on an Orion 127mm Mak, 1540mm, f/12.1 (in bad skies!) Reduced to 25% (no crop.)

01-27-2010, 11:13 PM	#4
PentaxPoke Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,411	Originally posted by Graystar seems to happen only a handful of times here in NYC! When I saw your post and where you were located, I'm sorry but the following came to mind: "When you get caught between the Moon and New York City I know it's crazy, but it's true If you get caught between the Moon and New York City The best that you can do ..... The best that you can do is fall in love " Anyone remember the movie? (Sorry for the hijack Graystar. Nice pic considering the circumstances! It is hard enough to get sharp focus on the moon in dark skies out in the country.)

01-27-2010, 11:15 PM	#5
rhodopsin Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Deep Forest Posts: 643	not bad! tip: there is MUCH less atmosphere to see through when the moon is overhead; opportunity for MUCH more clarity when seeing conditions are good.

01-28-2010, 01:17 AM	#6
Laurentiu Cristofor Banned Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: WA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,055	A different angle (K10D + Tokina RMC 500):

01-28-2010, 06:04 AM	#7
rfortson Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Houston TX Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,129 Original Poster	Nice moon shots, everyone! Andy, the Olympus shot did come out nicely. I wasn't sure the detail would hold up. I've always heard the Oly folks say the 2x crop factor is a plus for wildlife, so I guess that's what we're seeing here.

01-28-2010, 09:33 AM	#8
mithrandir Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,895	I think the greater contrast range (dark sky vs partially lit sky) makes the oly shot look better.

01-28-2010, 10:34 AM	#10
PentaxPoke Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,411	Well heck, if Russ' thread is turning into a moonpic thread, then I'm in. k20d pano through a 2000mm, 8in SC Meade: (Click for a bigger image)

01-28-2010, 10:41 AM	#11
Graystar Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 144	Originally posted by PentaxPoke k20d pano through a 2000mm, 8in SC Meade That's got some nice detail. That's what I'm hoping for...I just need the weather to cooperate!

01-28-2010, 11:01 AM	#12
rfortson Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Houston TX Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,129 Original Poster	Originally posted by mithrandir I think the greater contrast range (dark sky vs partially lit sky) makes the oly shot look better. I agree with you there. If I was so inclined, I'd go back and do it when it's fully dark. Unfortunately, it's going to rain the next few days, so no chance for now. Maybe next week. I could PP the shots, but I'm not that into it. Not saying the Oly shot is better. I was just impressed that it held up as well as it did. I like my Oly, but I've never felt it had better IQ than my K20D (and I still don't).

01-28-2010, 11:02 AM	#13
rfortson Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Houston TX Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,129 Original Poster	Originally posted by PentaxPoke Well heck, if Russ' thread is turning into a moonpic thread, then I'm in. k20d pano through a 2000mm, 8in SC Meade: Very nice! However, when I click on it, I actually get a smaller shot. At 2000mm, aren't you getting close to filling the entire frame (meaning that it won't actually fit in the frame)?

01-28-2010, 11:08 AM	#14
Graystar Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 144	Originally posted by rfortson At 2000mm, aren't you getting close to filling the entire frame (meaning that it won't actually fit in the frame)? That's what I was thinking as well. The shot I had posted was straight resize of the capture. At 1540mm, I'm gettin pretty close to the top and bottom of the frame. I would have thought that a moon at 2000mm would be vertically larger than the frame.

01-28-2010, 11:42 AM	#15
bollicina31 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: ita/swiss Posts: 267	wow 1000mm 500mm Very nice!