Originally posted by C-Factor Great shots V5planet, but I was curious how you adapt your camera to a telescope and if you knew off hand if the same thing could be done with spotting scopes?
The photos I posted in this thread were done by connecting the camera directly to the telescope in lieu of an eyepiece. You basically unscrew where the eyepiece holder goes, add a telescope-T-adapter, and then get a K-T mount adapter for your camera.
I'm not sure if this is possible with spotting scopes, but you can also just line your camera up handheld to the eyepiece and take a series of shots to digitally combine later (photoshop's built in photostitch functions worked really well). I'm assuming that's how Dr. Orloff prepared the beautiful photo of the moon above. It's also how I did this one (50/1.4 Super Takumar wide open, maybe 10 shots or so stitched through a wide FOV eyepiece):
Honestly, the moon is so bright that the handheld business through an eyepiece works just fine.
Bill - the moon is definitely more interesting while it is less than full, for just the very reason you stated. The light is hitting it at an angle so you can see shadows and surface detail in a more three-dimensional, sculpted way. I haven't taken photos of the full moon yet, but most photos of the full moon I've seen look flat (though when done properly they can be very interesting, because nothing is hidden in darkness).