What if I wanted to take a Picture of the Moon?

[Second Hand Pat]

I "played" a bit last night and pretty much a no go. So guessing a tripod, telephoto lens, long SS and manual focus?
Pat

[rickztahone]

I "played" a bit last night and pretty much a no go. So guessing a tripod, telephoto lens, long SS and manual focus?
Pat

No to one of those, long SS.

You want a relatively fast shutter speed. Check my exif here:
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3667/9114225500_7b700217ae_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/eToMGY)Super Moon (https://flic.kr/p/eToMGY) by Ricardo Vasquez (https://www.flickr.com/photos/rickztahone/), on Flickr

1/250. The moon moves fast believe it or not and a dragging shutter will capture too much motion. You want at least a 400mm lens on a tripod, on manual and on a remote trigger. A TC helps a lot here as well and at least f/8

[DJW]

I did a lot of astrophotography at one time, with the camera connected to a telescope, which is just a big telephoto lens.

You need a telephoto lens on a tripod, using the 'fastest' f/stop. Then play with various shutter speeds. As the earth turns the moon/stars will begin to make streaks, so the longer the lens focal length the shorter the exposure needs to be to 'stop' the moon.

I'm guessing some, its been 20 years, but with a 500mm lens you would be trying 1 to 5 second exposures.

With a telescope you use these very expensive drive systems that turn the scope at the same rate as the earth so that you can take 45 minute exposures. Then when cameras became battery-powered the battery would run out because the bulb setting holding the shutter open used up battery power.

Dan

[DJW]

lol... my shutter speed guess is way off. Most subjects in a telescope are much dimmer than the moon.

[DJW]

I don't remember photography very well. I was very into it when I was young, and then in 1985 all my photo equipment was stolen, along with every picture I had ever taken all over the world, working and travelling. Then when digital cameras came along I couldn't relate to them. Since then all I do is set it for auto and push the button.

I feel like Rip Van Winkle with discus too, haven't had discus since the early 70's.

Dan

[brewmaster15]

I don't remember photography very well. I was very into it when I was young, and then in 1985 all my photo equipment was stolen, along with every picture I had ever taken all over the world, working and travelling. Then when digital cameras came along I couldn't relate to them. Since then all I do is set it for auto and push the button.

I feel like Rip Van Winkle with discus too, haven't had discus since the early 70's.

Dan

Dan, Time to get back into it. And believe it or not theres still alot of interest in Film.Its a bummer your gear was stolen, but the flip side is, film gear is dirt cheap these days. I just spent the other day doing maintenance on some of my film bodies...and gasp.. Placed my order for film, the first in several years.:)

Al

sorry for the off topic guys.

[Fundulopanchax]

The moon is a great target. Here it is just prior to and during the eclipse of last Fall. This was done with a 760 mm lens (a small telescope) at f6.3. The non-eclipsed moon was at ISO 200, 1/500 sec shutter speed. The eclipsed moon was at ISO 1600, 2 second shutter speed. For an eclipsed moon, it is so dark that you have to use an astronomic tracking mount.

Ron

9382993830

[brewmaster15]

Great shots Ron! What kind of camera system do you use?

Al

[Fundulopanchax]

Hi, Al,
These were a Nikon 5300 hooked up to a Televue 85, on a Celestron Advanced VX tracking mount. Since the "long" shots were rather short for astrophotography I did not use the autoguider.

If anyone is looking for a very nice tracking mount for a camera or small telescope this one receives excellent reviews. It has much more capability than camera only oriented mounts for only a very small increase in price. Note the pinpoint stars that show up in the eclipsed moon shot - without the autoguider turned on. With the autoguider it will do such shots for 10 or 15 minutes with no trailing (I have not tried longer since there is too much light pollution here in CT, even up in Litchfield) to go longer. I've had this one for 3 years now; it is excellent and extremely portable. With the optional GPS and electronic start up modules it even orients itself with virtually no error when turned on.

Ron

[Discus-n00b]

That kind of tracker is exactly what I need, guess I need to add it to the wish list as it costs as much as a new lens lol. Nice shots!!

[mee]

Pretty well covered. Simply put when you shoot the moon shoot as if you were shooting a bright day light subject that is moving a bit. You don't need to have the fastest aperture ie you don't need a low f-stop, just a decent shutter speed, and a very stable platform, be it tripod, or camera duct taped to the roof (please don't hold me responsible if you fall off your roof, or rip off shingles while removing your duct tape.) 200mm lens is adequate on a micro 4/3rd camera, basically double on a regular dslr.

[DJW]

If you want to get a bit more serious, pick up one of these...

93903

[Fundulopanchax]

What a beauty! That bad boy can hold a large payload.

Ron

[DJW]

Yep, my dream mount. I wanted to build a 10" f/10 and use one like this, but it might be shaky in a breeze.

[rickztahone]

If you want to get a bit more serious, pick up one of these...

93903

I've seen one of these rigs for for $80 on craigslist :laugh:

That thing looks like a beast!

What do you shoot with?

[DJW]

That mount is designed to be bolted to the floor of a small observatory. There is a CCD camera at the prime focus. People used to cool the film with dry ice and you couldn't advance the film until it warmed up or it would shatter.

Before computers it was hard work to take a long exposure. You had to make manual adjustments to the clock drive while watching a guide star.

Dan

[Second Hand Pat]

This is my first moon picture taken at dusk. Camera was handheld so really need a tripod and a longer lens.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1452/25128299105_dce8666824_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Ehv6Si)DSC_6386 (https://flic.kr/p/Ehv6Si)

[Discus-n00b]

I'd say colors and light wise you are spot on and fine, doesn't look like a terrible amount of noise or anything. With a tripod I think you'll get excellent results. If you can get a remote trigger, even better. Even when you have the camera on a tripod everytime you click the shutter button it sends vibration down through the rig. With a remote trigger you can let the rig rest before taking the photo. Keep in mind outdoors wind vs sturdiness of the tripod can also play a roll but I think you'll get much better results on a tripod with a trigger. Not to shabby for a handhold at that focal length.

[brewmaster15]

I'd say colors and light wise you are spot on and fine, doesn't look like a terrible amount of noise or anything. With a tripod I think you'll get excellent results. If you can get a remote trigger, even better. Even when you have the camera on a tripod everytime you click the shutter button it sends vibration down through the rig. With a remote trigger you can let the rig rest before taking the photo. Keep in mind outdoors wind vs sturdiness of the tripod can also play a roll but I think you'll get much better results on a tripod with a trigger. Not to shabby for a handhold at that focal length.


What Matt said !:)

and if you don't have a remote trigger, you can also use your camera's timer to help let the vibrations settle. Also a good quality teleconverter between the lens and body for something like this can be very useful...it will increase your reach at the expense of a stop or two of light and maybe a little sharpness depending on the brand. Alot cheaper than a new lens !

Nice Job Pat,

al

[Second Hand Pat]

Thanks Matt and Al. I thought it was reasonable given the conditions. :D What I really want to do is catch the moon over the lake with the water reflections. That would be a cool shot. The timing of the moon rotation is not good ATM.

[rickztahone]

Thanks Matt and Al. I thought it was reasonable given the conditions. :D What I really want to do is catch the moon over the lake with the water reflections. That would be a cool shot. The timing of the moon rotation is not good ATM.

don't tell the moon that ;)

[Second Hand Pat]

This was almost too easy.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1666/25876228322_ea677c23be_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/FqAraC)DSC_8376 (https://flic.kr/p/FqAraC)

[rickztahone]

Lovely Pat. When you really start getting a feel for photography, you kind of already know what settings you want to shoot something in and it does feel easier. When that starts happening, move on to the next photographic journey :). Remember an old thread I had where you would have to go through steps? Seems you may be ready for a few more ;)

[Second Hand Pat]

Lovely Pat. When you really start getting a feel for photography, you kind of already know what settings you want to shoot something in and it does feel easier. When that starts happening, move on to the next photographic journey :). Remember an old thread I had where you would have to go through steps? Seems you may be ready for a few more ;)

Thanks Ricardo. I am more then ready for assignments. In the morning I am going back to Gatorland with a member from the local camera club. Time to get baby egrets. Taking the tripod and 80-400. Should be fun. :D
Pat