CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.

Really nice work on both shots. And your tree line is the best focal point in that shot.
It is really hard to get a good focus on the Moon through that much atmosphere.
Craig

skylane5sp Loc: Puyallup, WA

Sandra, that second shot is great!
The best way to get an actual infinity focus for this (the marks aren't always correct) is to do it in daylight with the lens in manual, live view zoomed, and when it's to your liking, either use a piece of blue painter's tape to hold the focus ring, or make some kind of mark on the window or barrel so you can always set it.
If you get a headlamp, get one that shines red so you won't mess up your night vision.

Nightski

Thanks for the tip about the headlamp and the tape. I was focusing in live view at 10X. That is a big help. My next chance is March 5th, and I'll probably go out on the 4th just to practice.

Jackinthebox Loc: travel the world

ooooops I am in the tropics. Ice is something that comes in cubes in a glass in a drink.
Wow, you do walk on water!

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

Very hard water. :lol:

Gitzo Loc: Indiana

The first thing I would do, (in daylight, warm weather if possible )n would be to set that long lens up on a very sturdy tripod, and find out EXACTLY where infinity focus is at various different focal lengths, then keep all of the data for later use;

I'm not saying you must have one.......but all shooters nowadays have a laser range finder; (very handy gadget when shooting, could be equally handy doing what you are trying to do.

The full moon when it's at the horizon subtends an angle of app, 1/2 degree of arc; (even thought it looks huge ); when it's at the zenith, (straight up ), it's STILL exactly the the same angle, (even though now it looks quite small; this is all caused by the Mk 1 "human eyeball" which is hooked up to the human brain.....in other words, it's a marvelous optical illusion, requiring an ophthalmologist and a neurologist to explain properly, and I am neither.

The one thing that IS very different between "straight up" and looking at the setting sun as it sinks below the horizon.......the thickness of the earth's atmosphere; at the zenith, you're attempting to see through roughly 200 miles of atmosphere; (with this amount of atmosphere, the sun will blind you very quickly; when the sun is at the horizon, you are now attempting to "see through": roughly 600 miles of atmosphere, smoke, haze, moisture, and all of the other man-made air pollution. Obviously, there are so many factors in volved in all of this, that probably no two sunsets in 20 years are going to look exactly the same; (there is usually a "very best night" about once every 10 years ); your goal is to "be ready" with your camera on "that" night!

Probably one of the most important things that you haven't mentioned yet is: what tripod are you using, and what ball (or gimbal ) head are you using? with a sturdy tripod, and a really good head, even at 400 mm your image shouldn't "bounce around" for long periods of time; if you're working even at 200mm, a good gimbal head is almost a "must".

Nightski

Thank you, Gitzo. I appreciate your response very much. I have a Manfrotto tripod and ball head. It's sturdy, but I think from what you said I could do better. after I press the shutter with that long lens the camera shakes for a bit. I think instead of using my timer, I should use my remotes. I'm also considering the mirror lock up feature. I do need to figure out where the infinity focus is. I have heard that the place on the lens can be changed by temperature .. so it might be different every time.

What is a gimbal head? I will google it ..

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

Lookie here:
http://www.cameracottage.com/equipment

(Scroll down a little)

I have one of these and really like it.

Nightski

Oh boy! What were you saying about this photography addiction taking it's toll on the wallet? Sigh .. I want that thing! LOL

Nightski

One thing about my ball head. I either never got the pan lock knob with it, or I lost it. I don't remember. When I first got the tripod I didn't notice because I was using it for pretty simple things. I noticed when I started using it in low positions. It swivels. It's not bad if my have my camera upright or if I'm shooting with a regular size lens, but it is very unstable with the 150-500. I've ordered a new pan lock knob twice now from B&H, and both times they've sent me the tilt lock knob. It was $20 each time because of shipping. :roll: I get a new guy and they won't admit they sent me the wrong knob so I have to pay to ship them back and it's not worth it because the knob refund would be less than the shipping I have to pay.

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

Always happy to help somebody spend their money. ;) :lol:

Carter does sell a very nice Gimbal head.
I use mine mostly for Grand Kid's soccer games. But also for my humming birds.

I've been using my geared head for star trails.

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

Sandra, I can be reasonably sure that you won't get one like this.
Because to me this looks like a composite image.
The foreground actually taken in broad daylight and darkened in postwork and the moon/sky composited over it.

Nightski

Well, lighthouse ... I will have to work doubly hard to show you what I can do then. :-) I have a plan for March 5th, and it involves my ephemeris and a great lead in to the moon. Moon rises at 18:16 and the sun sets at 18:19. I found a pathway that leads through the landscape that is perfectly aligned with the direction of the moon. It's a one mile hike off the road, so I hope it's not 20 below.

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

I think you should aim for March 4th, the moon should rise 50 minutes earlier and you will have more light on your foreground, and still have daylight to walk back to the car afterwards.
Because you are exposing for the full moon your foreground will still be dark/ish.
And then if it doesn't work like I say - you can still go back on the 5th.

Nightski

It's a plan. :-)