focusing on the moon (Page 4): ZOOM IN USING THE ZOOM FUNCTION WHEN IN LIVE VIEW. MANUEL FOCUS AND SHOOT. I'M A GEM CUTTER ALSO A 10X LOUPE IS NOT VERY GOOD FOR THIS USE.

Drbobcameraguy Loc: Eaton Ohio

bobburk3 wrote:

My lens does not show distance. Even if it did, those distance settings are not very accurate. I am looking for more precise focusing.

ZOOM IN USING THE ZOOM FUNCTION WHEN IN LIVE VIEW. MANUEL FOCUS AND SHOOT. I'M A GEM CUTTER ALSO A 10X LOUPE IS NOT VERY GOOD FOR THIS USE.

rsworden

A Bahtinov mask is made for a specific focal length, not just for a specific filter diameter (thread size). If the mask is not designed for your lens’ focal length it will be hard to use.

For the original poster: you would put the Bahtinov mask on the front of your lens, and use it to focus on a bright star. That sets your focus at your lens’ true infinity point. Then remove the mask, and use that same focus position for shooting the moon. For this purpose, the moon is just as ‘infinite’ as a star.

bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada

bobburk3 wrote:

I have a Nikon D7200. I tried shooting the moon last night using the back screen to focus with a 10X loupe. I think it is called Live View. The moon was so bright I could not see any detail to focus on. In addition, when using the loupe to focus, the texture of the screen is so pronounced, it is difficult to see detail of the subject (even when focusing on other objects besides the moon). I am open to ideas on how to use the back screen to focus.

The Moon is a very bright object. Set ISO 100 and start with 1/200 sec. for exposure. Your camera/lens should easily autofocus on the Moon.

bwa

bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada

larryepage wrote:

You don't tell us what lens you were using, but ma... (show quote)

And take lots of subs and select the best one, or align and stack the best few out of 50 or so to reduce atmospherics.

bwa

jamesl Loc: Pennsylvania

bobburk3 wrote:

I have a Nikon D7200. I tried shooting the moon last night using the back screen to focus with a 10X loupe. I think it is called Live View. The moon was so bright I could not see any detail to focus on. In addition, when using the loupe to focus, the texture of the screen is so pronounced, it is difficult to see detail of the subject (even when focusing on other objects besides the moon). I am open to ideas on how to use the back screen to focus.

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I focus on the edge of the moon. the contrast between it sky and the moon makes the edge fairly easy.

rtryan

Well, if some members just want to show excellent pictures they can take, for Sky&Telescope, afraid won’t help much. I’d stop down to halfway between lens “wide open” and fully “stopped down”. Probably around f/4-7. Put your camera on tripod with exposure set to center or spot. Press shutter release half way to let camera auto focus and then see image you like in EVF, set self timer for 5 sec, recheck auto focus on Moon until beep. Press shutter, step away for 5 sec until shutter fired, and look at image. Bet it will be great. Have fun

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

EXIF data readily available from Flickr, no telescopes, no magic, just 1) tripod, 2) LiveView, 3) wired remote shutter release, 4) 1/125 sec, f/9, ISO-250, 400mm. About 50 images taken over 20 minutes, with adjustments to lens position about every 5 minutes and attempts at refocusing lens after every 3-image burst. Images culled down to one final in post.

Harvest Moon by Paul Sager, on Flickr

Quixdraw Loc: x

Four pages on photographing a Pizza in the sky - amazing!

rtryan

Seems like lot of work for 1 image that still won’t make it to S&T. 😳

dyximan

You want to remember that what you are shooting is a reflection of the Sun hence you want to shoot it as if it were the Sun almost. F14 plus or minus adjust shutter and iso as neede Until you get the detail you want. many shoot it as if it were dark when in fact as mentioned earlier you want to shoot it as if it were the Sun. Keep the shutter speed as fast as possible because it does move and adjust the iso

Canisdirus

Here's one I took a few weeks ago with a Sony A77M2 at 400mm ... no tripod...just handheld.
Iso 100 S:1/250th... f/8

Good gear always helps...I was out of the house to snap this for no more than a minute.

(Download)

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

Canisdirus wrote:

Here's one I took a few weeks ago with a Sony A77M2 at 400mm ... no tripod...just handheld.
Iso 100 S:1/250th... f/8

Good gear always helps...I was out of the house to snap this for no more than a minute.

It must have been a New Moon . . .

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

CHG_CANON wrote:

EXIF data readily available from Flickr, no telesc... (show quote)

The problem with a full moon is that it lacks detail due to flat lighting. Shots that are done slightly before or after full stage are better.

Quixdraw Loc: x

Gene51 wrote:

The problem with a full moon is that it lacks detail due to flat lighting. Shots that are done slightly before or after full stage are better.

Really difficult - set your camera, look thru the viewfinder, hand hold, point and shoot. If you are worried, bracket and possibly a minor tweak or two post. One of four that night, all usable. You don't even need to learn a secret handshake!

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

quixdraw wrote:

Four pages on photographing a Pizza in the sky - amazing!

Not everyone knows why their camera has a focusing screen, and posting pictures of the moon is educational
for those who don’t what it looks like.