I had excellent results with my Nikon D40 shooting manual using a 500mm on a tripod, of course, and a remote release, F8 bias at 0.67, ISO 450.
Tycho crater with starburst debris pattern seen at 5 o'clock
Digital cameras are a boon for moon photography. First of all, shoot in manual mode. Set up for your initial shot using your guide that gives suggested f-stops and shutter speeds and ISO. Then shoot one photo. Look at your review screen. Then adjust your setup to correct for exposure. Keep doing this until you get the exposure you are looking for. It's a trial and error process that takes some time, but you usually get the results you are looking for.
Jblanke wrote:
Every time I shoot the moon, I get arrested.
Hum ..... who in the world keeps bailing you out doc .....
I decided to try my hand at shooting the moon last year. I experiemented with a number of different cameras and lens. Here are some of the results.
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, f/5.6, 1/250 sec, ISO-100, Focal Length - 370mm
Canon EOS 7D, f/5.6, 1/250 sec, ISO-100, Focal Length - 176mm
Canon EOS 7D, f/5.6, 1/320 sec, ISO-100, Focal Length - 375mm
Just having fun here!
Wow, that fullframe 5D gives exceptional clarity. Wish I could afford that plus the lens you used. It's either them or a motorcycle. :-))
This is my first attempt with my new D7100 for some shots of the moon. I opted not to use the long lens (400mm) and went with the 50mm / 1.8. Here's a couple of shots: The first shot was taken at f16, ISO 800, 25 seconds. The second one was the same except for 8 seconds. They're not the best but for a first crack at it I'm semi-happy.
This probably won't be a popular answer, but, when I want to capture awesome full moons shots, I put my good camera away and go to my Canon SX30IS, a point and shoot that has served me very well. I have it set at the "C2" setting, with AWB, ISO on auto, no flash, anti-shake on, I shoot hi def (1280). It's a very quick fix to all the setup, when you come across a beautiful moon but don't have a lot of time.
I am going to try to attach a photo. It must be easy every one does it. I am finding it a pain. The instructions make too much of it.
The moon is just illuminated by the sun. Half moon, full moon its all the same. There is nothing mysterious. Use the sunny 16 rule, probably open up a stop. Dont use a meter, it will be fooled. Obviously the sky should be clear if you want a sharp picture.
The photo which I will try to attach was taken with a Canon 20D at One sixtieth of a second at f 16 ISO 200.
RJM
Loc: Cardiff, S Wales, UK
Funny enough, I went out my back garden with my Olympus OM-D and Panasonic 'X' 45-175 lens set at 175mm (350mm on full frame camera) with the digital zoom on making it 700mm.
Shutter speed: 1/3200 sec
ISO 1600
F5.6
Exp. Bias -2
Taken hand held...........
I'll see if I can attach the resulting photo...
Use the "spot metering" and meter on the moon.
I see that all the methods that the various photographers use seem to work very well. So I guess the real answer is just try any one of the methods indicated and try it to see if it works for you. If it does, wonderful! If it doesn't try another. Using digital is a far cry from the olden days with film. So effortless to get a good exposure now. Please photographers , read your manuals Since the manuals of today are so much more thorough and the cameras are so much more complex, a few minutes reading before asking the questions may help more.
What kind of camera are you shooting with?
Nikon ISO 200 Auto ISO off
Shutter @ 1/250 camera in manual mode
Aperture start with f/11 and check photos after every shot and open or close f/stop as needed.
Canon ISO 100 Auto ISO off
Shutter @ 125 camera in manual mode
Aperture same as Nikon settings
Try these settings and you'll get a very beautiful moon shot.
santae
tita1948 wrote:
Yup I did Then the shots came out way too light with the moon over exposed.
Yes, I know you were mainly interested in getting good detail in the moon's face, but a "failure" often may be rescued by a little judicious creativity in post-processing.
I tinkered with one of your samples, and, while you may disagree, I think it makes an interesting "nightscape." I will not post it without your approval.
Check your E/V +/- and make sure it is set to 0.
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