Looking for a good Moon Shot..... We'll have a full moon in a couple of weeks and I've been trying to figure out the best way to shoot the moon... errr, I mean photograph the moon...

Motorbones Loc: Fair Oaks, CA

We'll have a full moon in a couple of weeks and I've been trying to figure out the best way to shoot the moon... errr, I mean photograph the moon... I'm using a d5200 with a Sigma 150-500 zoom. At regular settings, I get a big white spot, so I tried to manually set the ASA down (having trouble figuring how to do that exactly), but get a dark picture. I try to catch it as it's rising for a bigger shot as when it's higher in the sky it's much smaller in its appearance.

Anyone have any suggestions on how to set the camera to get a good shot? Thanks.....

alandg46 Loc: Boerne, Texas

It's the same size.

dlmorris Loc: Loma Linda, Ca

As someone pointed out, it is always the same size. Actually shooting it full isn't the best, unless you have it rising above some land mark or foreground. The easiest way to shoot it is to set your exposure to manual, ISO to around 800 or so (but it is not really critical) then take some exposures, starting with maybe 1/125, then look at the results. You can then make the exposure shorter or longer, depending on what you got. Don't use any form of automatic exposure. Do it totally manual, adjusting the settings as you go. And a partial moon is more interesting than a full one. The shadows along the "terminator" (the area between the light and dark parts) show the mountains and shadows much better.

marty wild Loc: England

dlmorris wrote:

As someone pointed out, it is always the same size... (show quote)

Did some fireworks a few months ago I found it better checking out with the histogram. Just may be the same rule applies with pictures of the moon. What you you think?

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Motorbones wrote:

We'll have a full moon in a couple of weeks and I'... (show quote)

What is your camera? What lens are you thinking of using? That could make quite a difference. I would consider as high an ISO (ASA) as will give decent results for your camera and a fast shutter speed and not wide open for the lens.

sarge69 Loc: Ft Myers, FL

One of the most important things to remember is that the moon light is actually reflection of sun light. Expose accordingly.

Sarge69

alf85 Loc: Northumberland, UK.

Motorbones wrote:

We'll have a full moon in a couple of weeks and I'... (show quote)

Taken a photo of the full moon is hard to do, as there are very few shadows, your best bet is too take it when it is not full. keep your ISO down to 100 or 200, remember the moon is lit by the sun, so take your shots like you would here on earth.i have enclosed one of my photos taken with the Canon SX-50.
Regards, Alfie.

marty wild Loc: England

alf85 wrote:

Taken a photo of the full moon is hard to do, as there are very few shadows, your best bet is too take it when it is not full. keep your ISO down to 100 or 200, remember the moon is lit by the sun, so take your shots like you would here on earth.i have enclosed one of my photos taken with the Canon SX-50.
Regards, Alfie.

What glass did you use?

Motorbones Loc: Fair Oaks, CA

Thanks for the help. When it first rises over the horizon, it appears larger due to the atmosphere. I'll experiment over the next couple of weeks.... As I mentioned, I'm using a d5200 with a Sigma 150-500 zoom. I also have a cir. polarizer filter on it...

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Motorbones wrote:

We'll have a full moon in a couple of weeks and I'... (show quote)

Use manual, daytime settings.

TheDman Loc: USA

Motorbones wrote:

Thanks for the help. When it first rises over the horizon, it appears larger due to the atmosphere. I'll experiment over the next couple of weeks....

It seems larger because it's next to landmarks that you can compare it to. It's an optical illusion.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

marty wild wrote:

What glass did you use?

The SX50 is a 24-1200mm equivalent advanced point and shoot camera.

alf85 Loc: Northumberland, UK.

marty wild wrote:

What glass did you use?

Marty, the Canon SX-50 is a fixed lens camera, you can't change the lens.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

alf85 wrote:

Taken a photo of the full moon is hard to do, as there are very few shadows, your best bet is too take it when it is not full. keep your ISO down to 100 or 200, remember the moon is lit by the sun, so take your shots like you would here on earth.i have enclosed one of my photos taken with the Canon SX-50.
Regards, Alfie.

Can you post again with download so people can see the EXIF data and settings?

alf85 Loc: Northumberland, UK.

Peterff wrote:

Can you post again with download so people can see the EXIF data and settings?

Peter,i do not post with download, the EXIF DATA is pointless as settings change all the time with the conditions.
Regards, Alfie.