My tripod was useless for moon shot...
Jan 22, 2019 13:14:13 #
Dikdik
Loc: Winnipeg, Canada
I didn't end up setting up my tripod and didn't take photos... about the only thing I can add to the thread is that about an hour before the eclipse, I went out to see where I could set up and see what issues there were.
I was concerned about leaving my camera and tripod in an area where I couldn't keep an eye on it. I didn't want to spend a couple of hours in the cold. I wouldn't likely have used my light tripod, little wind, but concerned about stability. I didn't want to lug out my heavy duty tripod (actually a tripod for my survey theodolite with a fully adjustable camera head I had fabricated). It was also too cold, but, I did view it and it was great... background (foreground?) would have been terrible anyway.
Dik
I was concerned about leaving my camera and tripod in an area where I couldn't keep an eye on it. I didn't want to spend a couple of hours in the cold. I wouldn't likely have used my light tripod, little wind, but concerned about stability. I didn't want to lug out my heavy duty tripod (actually a tripod for my survey theodolite with a fully adjustable camera head I had fabricated). It was also too cold, but, I did view it and it was great... background (foreground?) would have been terrible anyway.
Dik
Jan 22, 2019 13:46:35 #
Paulie wrote:
This is how I ended up doing it with my D5500. Made one leg short, let it stick out flat and lean the tripod on it. That + gymball head + articulated display.
I just learned this trick, one leg shorter, from another thread here on UHH.
Jan 22, 2019 13:47:51 #
Jan 22, 2019 13:51:02 #
lyndacast wrote:
The blood moon and eclipse last night were spectacluar, but it’s position (directly above me) rendered my tripod impossible to use...had to stick with handheld shots, which were less than sharp...
Could not position the tripod and my Nikon 7500 in a way that would allow me to see and focus on the moon in live view....
How do more seasoned photographers address this issue? I am sure there is a fix that I am not clever enough to have figured out....
Could not position the tripod and my Nikon 7500 in a way that would allow me to see and focus on the moon in live view....
How do more seasoned photographers address this issue? I am sure there is a fix that I am not clever enough to have figured out....
Use a camera with an articulated screen.
Jan 22, 2019 14:25:59 #
lyndacast wrote:
The blood moon and eclipse last night were spectacluar, but it’s position (directly above me) rendered my tripod impossible to use...had to stick with handheld shots, which were less than sharp...
Could not position the tripod and my Nikon 7500 in a way that would allow me to see and focus on the moon in live view....
How do more seasoned photographers address this issue? I am sure there is a fix that I am not clever enough to have figured out....
Could not position the tripod and my Nikon 7500 in a way that would allow me to see and focus on the moon in live view....
How do more seasoned photographers address this issue? I am sure there is a fix that I am not clever enough to have figured out....
The simplest and cheapest way would be to set the camera on live view and borrow your wife’s mirror and hold it under the display.
A little bit tricky, but it would work.😊
Jan 22, 2019 14:27:43 #
JBGLADSTONE
Loc: Oregon
My Manfrotto has the center post which can be pulled up then folded over 90 degrees. With the ball head slot you can obtain any angle necessary.
Jan 22, 2019 14:56:40 #
JBGLADSTONE wrote:
My Manfrotto has the center post which can be pulled up then folded over 90 degrees. With the ball head slot you can obtain any angle necessary.
That is another good example of the versatility of the Manfrotto.
Hadn't thought of that as I like mine high but will try it.
Thx for the idea.
Jan 22, 2019 15:05:57 #
This long string of replies speaks for the needed of adequate "preparation" for these kinds for events (or really any shoot). For the 2017 total solar eclipse I was prepared and practiced in advance for the solar eclipse. Since solar eclipse was in August and mid day, that meant it would be HOT, and the sun would be up high. Three days prior to the solar eclipse I tested out my system with what I thought was going to be my shooting system at mid-day. With a heavy duty tripod, an APC sensor camera (fixed LED) and 500mm prime with solar filter, I quickly realized that focusing and aiming the system straight up was going to be an issue as well as the heat of the day. In order to remedy the focusing and aiming issue I switched to my FF camera with articulating LED and the 500mm prime with solar filter and 1.4x converter. Since leaving a camera pointed at the August sun was probably not a good idea, I added a white bedsheet to cover everything between shots. The images captured of the total solar eclipse were all nearly perfect! Fast forward to the other night for the total lunar eclipse...again, late in the evening in January, meaning the moon would be nearly straight up and focusing was again an issue and it would be cold out. Finding infinity would prove to be more difficult with such a dim object compared to the solar eclipse. Nevertheless all things turned out well. Finally perhaps some of you also discovered the effect of condensation on your equipment. If you brought your room temperature camera and long lens out into the cool or cold night, some might have experienced condensation on your lenses. Again this is what one learns from an adequate knowledge base or just practice...at the end of day, there is never too much preparation! Can't wait until the next total lunar eclipse on May 15/16, 2022 and next solar eclipse on April 8, 2024.
Jan 22, 2019 16:03:09 #
PHRubin wrote:
I just learned this trick, one leg shorter, from another thread here on UHH.
I think I have read it earlier today.. 🙂
Jan 22, 2019 16:19:20 #
Jan 22, 2019 16:24:28 #
skylinefirepest
Loc: Southern Pines, N.C.
I also had to handhold my camera...and it was so blessed cold that I couldn't keep the camera from shaking...of course the twelve mph wind wasn't helping either.
Jan 22, 2019 16:35:46 #
Jan 22, 2019 16:56:57 #
jims203 wrote:
I used an Acratech GV-2 ball head as the moon was directly overhead.
Then, it's clearly the GV-2 ballhead, I have one also and wouldn't own any other kind. Little pricey but definitely one of my better buys.
I got impatient with the red moon tho. It was handheld.
None are as sharp as I would've liked.
Jan 22, 2019 17:24:48 #
This topic is getting long enough that people are probably done reading it! My accidental solution utterly shocked me!
I live near Seattle. Cast in concrete is the agreement that it will be cloudy and/or raining if something important is going to happen in the sky. It has been that way for the 72 years I've been around. So, I prepared nothing. I had not a plan and my best tripod was in my RV miles away.
The clouds opened up! How could it be? And, I have a M4/3 lens with an 800mm equivalent to 35mm field of view!
I tried a light camcorder tripod with a 2 second shutter delay with electronic shutter. I was getting some OK shots. But it was wiggly.
As the moon was going near full red, on a lark, I flipped the knob to "iA". Completely hand held, I pushed the button and the camera started bursting exposures and aligning them in the EVF. 800 mm and hand held? In the dark? Couldn't be.....
I live near Seattle. Cast in concrete is the agreement that it will be cloudy and/or raining if something important is going to happen in the sky. It has been that way for the 72 years I've been around. So, I prepared nothing. I had not a plan and my best tripod was in my RV miles away.
The clouds opened up! How could it be? And, I have a M4/3 lens with an 800mm equivalent to 35mm field of view!
I tried a light camcorder tripod with a 2 second shutter delay with electronic shutter. I was getting some OK shots. But it was wiggly.
As the moon was going near full red, on a lark, I flipped the knob to "iA". Completely hand held, I pushed the button and the camera started bursting exposures and aligning them in the EVF. 800 mm and hand held? In the dark? Couldn't be.....
Jan 22, 2019 17:38:27 #
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.