I think I solved my problems.
This was at a 1/25th shutter. I didn't read your reply till just now. Its what I landed on.
I took three test shots to dial in exposure. I had a 1/250th a 1/200th and a 1/125th. The first two were too dark
I also took three shots to try to dial in the focus. I tried the LV, just so blurry, used the OVF, took a shot, then bumped it one way, took a shot and one the other way took a shot. Turns out the one that looks best in the OVF is the best focus. (Now I know for sure)
I have the Tamron 500mm f8 mirror lens BBAR MC. There is no f stop adjustment. I have to use f8
All shots were on a sturdy tripod (you should see it its big and heavy, an old one) and on a 2 second delay and a cable release
These are all in iso 80. I'd hate to have to up the iso and add noise, I guess up to 800 shouldn't hurt much.
I did some minor tweaks to the file, slight changes in contrast, color, like that.
---------- Post added 12-06-19 at 09:03 PM ----------
Originally posted by cooltouch Exposure for the moon is very straightforward. Keep in mind, you're photographing a fairly bright light. The exposure I've always used, with a slight f/stop mod at times, is 1/125 @ f/8 @ ISO 100. The slight f/stop mod is to stop down to f/11. Often this results in better contrast. But obviously we can't do that with an f/8 mirror.
When I'm shooting the moon, I have to use the display to focus, but I don't always trust it, so I will refocus and shoot several times. Then in post production, I will compare the photos at 100% size and select the sharpest one. This usually gives me a good image.
The following is a color image. You can see the slight yellows and browns and blues in the moon's surface. Taken with a Tamron 500mm mirror -- the second version -- and a Sony NEX 7. 1/125 @ ISO 100.
Very nice. I suppose the K-5 isn't able to do as nice a job as this. I must have done it right by now. I've been fiddling with it for over a month
Last edited by jack002; 12-06-2019 at 08:01 PM.