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This is the MOON?
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Nov 12, 2013 19:29:03   #
arkitekt2 Loc: Warwick, NY
 
I REALLY want to photograph the moon.

So i went outside this evening to try photographing the moon. When i set up my shot, the moon nearly filled the view, then the camera automatically refocused and this is what I got. HELP???

Nikon D3200
VR 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6G
Focal length 55mm
Focus mode AF-A
AF Area mode Single
VR On

Aperture F/5.6
Shutter Speed 1/5s (I was stabilized on a fence)
Exposure comp 0EV
ISO 800

Thanks in advance.

is that the moon?
is that the moon?...

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Nov 12, 2013 19:41:34   #
busted_shutter
 
I would say yes, but unsure as to what happened. To make it easier for others to aid...if you would re-post the photo...this time, "tick" the "store orinal" box to the right of the photo upload box. This allows your original photo to be uploaded with all exif data intact, instead of the smaller image and "wiped" exif data. Do it within half-hour of original upload and no need to create a new msg, just modify your first.

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Nov 12, 2013 19:54:03   #
rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA
 
Is the 18-55mm the only lens you have available? No wonder the camera had trouble focusing on that little object in the sky. For this kind of shot, I'd want a focal length of at very least 200mm.

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Nov 12, 2013 19:55:54   #
The Saint KK4GO Loc: Florida
 
arkitekt2 wrote:
I REALLY want to photograph the moon.

So i went outside this evening to try photographing the moon. When i set up my shot, the moon nearly filled the view, then the camera automatically refocused and this is what I got. HELP???

Nikon D3200
VR 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6G
Focal length 55mm
Focus mode AF-A
AF Area mode Single
VR On

Aperture F/5.6
Shutter Speed 1/5s (I was stabilized on a fence)
Exposure comp 0EV
ISO 800

Thanks in advance.


55mm is no way a long enough reach to get to the moon. 400mm would be better suited f/11,iso 100, 1/6ss, -2ev, tripod, mirror lockup, manual focus. !39,000 + miles away.



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Nov 12, 2013 19:58:02   #
TucsonCoyote Loc: Tucson AZ
 
To start with a larger lens would help! lol
The rest of the story is there in your picture......mostly Black that your camera was trying to capture.......so of course the little Moon got blown out ! :)
Don't worry .....things can only improve from here onwards ! :)

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Nov 12, 2013 21:26:50   #
Oliverp Loc: Miami, FL
 
I think the issue with the focal length is most important to grabbing detail. I love night photography, and I consider myself a rank amateur. I am following this for any tips that may be offered. I am attaching a pic that was shot with my 35mm f/1.8. This was a timed exposure of about 2 seconds during the last harvest moon. Obviously a sturdy tripod is essential. Keep snapping! :)

Harvest Moon
Harvest Moon...

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Nov 13, 2013 08:07:08   #
cthahn
 
arkitekt2 wrote:
I REALLY want to photograph the moon.

So i went outside this evening to try photographing the moon. When i set up my shot, the moon nearly filled the view, then the camera automatically refocused and this is what I got. HELP???

Nikon D3200
VR 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6G
Focal length 55mm
Focus mode AF-A
AF Area mode Single
VR On

Aperture F/5.6
Shutter Speed 1/5s (I was stabilized on a fence)
Exposure comp 0EV
ISO 800

Thanks in advance.


Do you have any clue as to how far the moon is away from us. What does it look like in you viewfinder. You did not use a tripod. If just want to take an occasional picture of the moon, it can not be done with what you have. I use a D200, 300mm prime lens and 2x doublier on a sturdy tripod and will get very respectable photos of the moon.

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Nov 13, 2013 08:18:48   #
djtravels Loc: Georgia boy now
 
Well, the focal length of your lens has been covered pretty well. Now, your exposure was way to great, thus giving you second, or shadow moon. How do I know? Been there, done that.

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Nov 13, 2013 08:38:58   #
venturer9 Loc: Newton, Il.
 
I am not sure if the question was "is this the moon" or ???

But it could be Venus which is very bright and large at this time...

Mike

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Nov 13, 2013 08:42:29   #
Hammie
 
This is coincidentally also taken with a D3200 with AF-S Nikkor 55-300 lens; setting on close-up/flower icon on tripod with AF on and VR off, self-timer @ 10 second delay to allow vibration to settle. Not a premium lens or especially hi-res capture but simple to shoot using only auto settings built into the camera. I've shot both ways and on tripod VR off gives me better results.



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Nov 13, 2013 09:14:04   #
hb3 Loc: Texas
 
Yes, looks like the moon....you need a much longer lens to get an effective shot of the moon. When I shoot the moon, on a clear night...I use a 75-300mm lens with an effective reach of 600mm due to the 2x crop factor on the Olympus OMD-EM5.

Your settings are off as well....Remember that shooting the moon, when metering on the moon, is like shooting in bright sunlight...I usually begin with the camera set at ISO 200, aperture of 6.7, and a shutter speed of 1/500th and adjust from there....resized image for the internet is attached...good luck, and get that longer lens....



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Nov 13, 2013 09:22:19   #
Papa Joe Loc: Midwest U.S.
 
Oliverp wrote:
I think the issue with the focal length is most important to grabbing detail. I love night photography, and I consider myself a rank amateur. I am following this for any tips that may be offered. I am attaching a pic that was shot with my 35mm f/1.8. This was a timed exposure of about 2 seconds during the last harvest moon. Obviously a sturdy tripod is essential. Keep snapping! :)


Excellent shot, Oliver! "Wall-Worthy"!

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Nov 13, 2013 09:29:26   #
nikonateer Loc: Draper, VA.
 
djtravels wrote:
Well, the focal length of your lens has been covered pretty well. Now, your exposure was way to great, thus giving you second, or shadow moon. How do I know? Been there, done that.


While I agree that it appears that the exposure was to long, and that a longer lense will help you, there is another possible cause of the "shadow moon" or second moon. This can also be caused by an added filter on the front of your lense. Try another shot, this time you might consider starting with settings something like this. mode = manual, AF = off, ISO = 200, Fstop = f14, shutter speed= 1/40 sec., vr = off. use no extra filters and mount the camera on a tripod. A remote trigger will also help. If you have no remote trigger, you can use the timer to take the shot. this will help eliminate camera movement during the shot. Keep trying, this set up is just a suggested starting piont, you may have to change these to make the shot better for your conditions. Keep us posted on how you do. Good luck!

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Nov 13, 2013 10:22:47   #
Oliverp Loc: Miami, FL
 
Papa Joe wrote:
Excellent shot, Oliver! "Wall-Worthy"!


Thank You!

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Nov 13, 2013 10:35:59   #
Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania
 
The Saint wrote:
55mm is no way a long enough reach to get to the moon. 400mm would be better suited f/11,iso 100, 1/6ss, -2ev, tripod, mirror lockup, manual focus. !39,000 + miles away.


Your distance is a bit off... The moon's average distance from Earth is close to 250,000 miles!

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