Is this just a crappy lens or is it me?
Jan 24, 2015 23:53:09 #
Taken through a Rokinon 500 mm lens on my Canon 70d. I have hesitated to use this lens for much because I get a lot of very "Soft" looking images. I decided to try my hand at something simple, universally recognized and very contrasty. So here's the moon. I used mirror lockup, 12 second delay to allow the camera to recover from any of my heavy handedness, an antique (1970s) Square D monster heavy tripod, I live in a very dark area out in the woods. Iso 400, manual exposures to get a pleasing gradiation on the camera's screen. The lens is tricky to get critical focus since the amount necessary to go from over to under focus is minuscule, but the camera's X5 and X10 allow for careful focusing. Any suggestions, experience, etc would be appreciated. I usually take photos of things a whole lot closer than this.
Jan 25, 2015 00:05:05 #
Interested in the answer because mine looks like this too. However, in my case, I'm pretty sure it's me....
Jan 25, 2015 00:08:59 #
Jan 25, 2015 00:16:29 #
We have an SX60. Set it on F11, Shutter speed 1/125 ISO 100. That was what the book said to set it on. We used a tripod but its an old one and doesn't hold solid. That will be our next investment. They weren't too bad and I could sharpen it up a bit but not the detail I would love to see.
Jan 25, 2015 00:20:17 #
I
Personally, I don't think it's your lens. I think it's your exposure. I think you need to cut down on your ISO and/or use a smaller opening.
Did you do any PP? If not, see what happens if you cut down the exposure and/or adjust contrast.
If you start to get a little more detail, I think this will back up what I said above.
Of course I could always be wrong.
:)
RedAdmiral wrote:
Taken through a Rokinon 500 mm lens on my Canon 70... (show quote)
Personally, I don't think it's your lens. I think it's your exposure. I think you need to cut down on your ISO and/or use a smaller opening.
Did you do any PP? If not, see what happens if you cut down the exposure and/or adjust contrast.
If you start to get a little more detail, I think this will back up what I said above.
Of course I could always be wrong.
:)
Jan 25, 2015 00:27:58 #
Shoot at the fastest speed you can(without underexposing) as this will help offset any potential camera shake. Also, remember that the moon is reflecting sunlight and is very bright. Don't let the darkness of the night sky fool your cameras exposure setting.
Jan 25, 2015 00:38:43 #
fawlty128 wrote:
what was the f-stop and shutter speed
F stop of the lens is fixed at f8. The shutter speed is 1/80th sec.
Jan 25, 2015 00:42:03 #
fawlty128 wrote:
Shoot at the fastest speed you can(without underexposing) as this will help offset any potential camera shake. Also, remember that the moon is reflecting sunlight and is very bright. Don't let the darkness of the night sky fool your cameras exposure setting.
I think the fast exposure is a good idea. I went back out and tried again. I noticed a lot of "Shimmer" almost like heat mirage which would show up as an almost random motion unsharpness along the edges because the air is moving and moving the light with it. I'll try again tomorrow if the sky is clear.
Jan 25, 2015 00:58:41 #
fawlty128 wrote:
what was the f-stop and shutter speed
RedAdmiral wrote:
F stop of the lens is fixed at f8. The shutter speed is 1/80th sec.
and..
Date Time Original: 2015:01:24 21:06:38
Exposure Time: 1/15
Exposure Program: Manual
ISO Speed Ratings: 400
Metering Mode: Pattern
Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
White Balance: Auto white balance
Model: Canon EOS 70D
Jan 25, 2015 02:40:22 #
RedAdmiral wrote:
Taken through a Rokinon 500 mm lens on my Canon 70... (show quote)
Your moon is not that bad, I downloaded and ran it through Lightroom. The inside of the crescent shows the craters very clearly and well defined, the outer of the crescent is overexposed and blown out. As you say there is a "glow" on the outer edge of the crescent, very similar to aberration. Much of this glow (IMO) is down to over exposure.
Jan 25, 2015 03:20:55 #
RedAdmiral wrote:
Taken through a Rokinon 500 mm lens on my Canon 70... (show quote)
Am I missing something, RedAdmiral? How do you focus on the moon? Wouldn't you just focus on infinity, and not worry about it?
Jan 25, 2015 04:33:38 #
Photomacdog wrote:
Am I missing something, RedAdmiral? How do you focus on the moon? Wouldn't you just focus on infinity, and not worry about it?
The lens can to infinity and beyond!!! The barrel can be screwed beyond the "Best Focus" position.
Jan 25, 2015 05:57:48 #
alf85
Loc: Northumberland, UK.
RedAdmiral wrote:
Taken through a Rokinon 500 mm lens on my Canon 70... (show quote)
Here is what i do.
SX-50,
Shot at 215mm,
Manual exposure,
1/101 sec,
f/6.5,
ISO80.
Jan 25, 2015 05:58:50 #
RedAdmiral wrote:
Taken through a Rokinon 500 mm lens on my Canon 70... (show quote)
This pic makes me wonder if that lens is a true 500mm, because the moon is sooo small?
Jan 25, 2015 07:38:32 #
RedAdmiral wrote:
Taken through a Rokinon 500 mm lens on my Canon 70... (show quote)
I will sometimes go to Flickr and search groups that cover a certain subject like the moon. Then from within that group I can refine my search to type of lens or type of camera etc. Usually they will have the exif information available to see how they had their camera setup for a particular shot.
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