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Help with the moon....
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Feb 17, 2017 08:38:26   #
sarahp30 Loc: Missouri
 
This is my attempt at shooting the snow moon last week. The image is pp with snapseed to enhance the details. I was using a 70-200 lens. The original photo is obviously much larger then cropped...my question is, is there a way to better photograph the moon to where when enlarged and cropped there isn't such a loss of detail? Do I maybe just need a bigger lens?



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Feb 17, 2017 08:55:33   #
Architect1776 Loc: In my mind
 
sarahp30 wrote:
This is my attempt at shooting the snow moon last week. The image is pp with snapseed to enhance the details. I was using a 70-200 lens. The original photo is obviously much larger then cropped...my question is, is there a way to better photograph the moon to where when enlarged and cropped there isn't such a loss of detail? Do I maybe just need a bigger lens?


Looks like focus problem. Or did your camera shake slightly on the tripod? Your lens should be just fine.

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Feb 17, 2017 09:14:16   #
Erv Loc: Medina Ohio
 
Yep I would go with out of focus too. How are you making the camera firer? And I would cut down the light little too.

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Feb 17, 2017 09:24:10   #
photoman022 Loc: Manchester CT USA
 
what the previous posters said! A longer lens might help (depending on what size you're looking to buy); but if you're going from 200mm to 300mm, I don't think you'll notice that great a difference. When I shoot the moon I want the tripod to be steady, I use a remote shutter release, I also underexpose by a stop of light to bring out the detail.

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Feb 17, 2017 09:36:08   #
sarahp30 Loc: Missouri
 
I dont have a remote for my camera, so I was shooting by hand. I just have difficulty getting it as clear as I would like and wasn't sure what I may be doing wrong. I thought it was fairly steady, but I also know that a hair of movement here can cause a mile of fuzz in space :)

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Feb 17, 2017 09:52:36   #
Architect1776 Loc: In my mind
 
sarahp30 wrote:
I dont have a remote for my camera, so I was shooting by hand. I just have difficulty getting it as clear as I would like and wasn't sure what I may be doing wrong. I thought it was fairly steady, but I also know that a hair of movement here can cause a mile of fuzz in space :)


What you are doing is what is wrong. Do what has been suggested and see the difference.
A remote cable or wireless should be your next investment. And a tripod if you don't have one. You will be surprised at what a difference those make in many other situations where they are appropriate.

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Feb 17, 2017 12:11:37   #
sarahp30 Loc: Missouri
 
That makes perfect sense. Thank you so much! And I do have a tripod, but it is an inexpensive one and not very sturdy so I shy away from it. I will be on the lookout for one :)

Architect1776 wrote:
What you are doing is what is wrong. Do what has been suggested and see the difference.
A remote cable or wireless should be your next investment. And a tripod if you don't have one. You will be surprised at what a difference those make in many other situations where they are appropriate.

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Feb 17, 2017 13:12:31   #
Fullframe Loc: Bucks County, Pennsylvania
 
Yes there is a way you can crop and still get excellent detail.

First your settings: Shoot for the lowest ISO possible to eliminate detail killing noise. Anywhere between 1/250 sec to 1/400 sec shutter and aperture of f9-f5.6, should yield an ISO close to 100 with a full moon. Of course there are variances, but you have to experiment.

If you are handholding (like I do) make sure your lens has good image stabilization. Hold your breath when taking the picture. Stabilize the camera with your arms on your knees sitting down with your back against something. Take tons of pictures!!! One will be good Otherwise use a tripod.....and still take tons of pictures.

70-200 is a little too short to get great detail, but should provide at least satisfactory results. Your image should be much better at 200mm (I am assuming that is the focal length you choose). 400mm is better and 600mm even better. A cheap 600mm option is the Tamron 150-600mm version 1. I have a lot of shots here on UHH using that lens. You could probably get it used for under $600, maybe even less.

Of course, the more megapixels the better ( you didn't say what body you were using).

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Feb 17, 2017 22:39:26   #
Fotojunky Loc: WISCONSIN, USA.
 
As all the others have suggested here are great answers and starting points. If you don't have a remote shutter device, use the timer on the camera. I have taken hundreds of pics of the moon and before I had a remote shutter control I would use the timer function and that would eliminate hand shake that you will get with those shots. (everyone has a budget) But the remote is the way to go, with a good tripod. :)

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Feb 17, 2017 22:55:51   #
bfur396
 
I've been working at moon shots for some time using a Nikon 5500 with a Tamron 16-300 mm lens at 300mm. You need to have a good tripod, preferably weighted down to keep it steady and use a remote trigger to lessen any extra vibrations. If you do not have a tripod, try to find some solid surface like a fence post or such to rest or brace the camera on. I know that I won't even think about hand holding the camera (at my age, steadiness of holding anything is a challenge!). That being said, then set up a systematic series of shots, putting the camera on manual (Focus, fstop, shutter speed) maybe starting at an ISO of 100 or 200. I generally start at shutter speed of 1/100, f8 and ISO of 100 or 200, then changing the speed to 1/200, then 1/400 and even 1/800. I'll even then change the stop to f11, and again take a series of shots changing the shutter speed as indicated. You will have to check on this as I live in the Los Angeles area and if you are in an area that has clearer air, you will have to adjust the setting. Another factor is the focus. Put you lens at the maximum but then carefully check the focus. Many lenses will actually have their infinity focus just below the maximum physical limit of the lens so check it out, possibly using live view. Here is the best shot of a series of 12 that I took last nite. Usually I will have only a few shots (2 or 3) that will be acceptable out of 12 or 15! In any event, I have a great deal of fun doing this and have great satisfaction when I get a good shot.
Another couple of comments: for lenses less that 4 or 500 mm, you won't get a great deal of resolution of the craters. For me, with a 300mm lens, I get the best shots at the half moon stage and even then the craters come into view in only a portion of the shot. Full moon gives basically a circle with lots of gray shading and no real definition of the craters. And a good post processing program can really make a difference. I use Lightroom. Need to sharpen and crop!

Hope this gives you some guidance.



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Feb 17, 2017 23:20:53   #
sarahp30 Loc: Missouri
 
That's beautiful! And thank you so much!! I will for sure check my settings more to see how close I was to your suggestions and try from there.

bfur396 wrote:
I've been working at moon shots for some time using a Nikon 5500 with a Tamron 16-300 mm lens at 300mm. You need to have a good tripod, preferably weighted down to keep it steady and use a remote trigger to lessen any extra vibrations. If you do not have a tripod, try to find some solid surface like a fence post or such to rest or brace the camera on. I know that I won't even think about hand holding the camera (at my age, steadiness of holding anything is a challenge!). That being said, then set up a systematic series of shots, putting the camera on manual (Focus, fstop, shutter speed) maybe starting at an ISO of 100 or 200. I generally start at shutter speed of 1/100, f8 and ISO of 100 or 200, then changing the speed to 1/200, then 1/400 and even 1/800. I'll even then change the stop to f11, and again take a series of shots changing the shutter speed as indicated. You will have to check on this as I live in the Los Angeles area and if you are in an area that has clearer air, you will have to adjust the setting. Another factor is the focus. Put you lens at the maximum but then carefully check the focus. Many lenses will actually have their infinity focus just below the maximum physical limit of the lens so check it out, possibly using live view. Here is the best shot of a series of 12 that I took last nite. Usually I will have only a few shots (2 or 3) that will be acceptable out of 12 or 15! In any event, I have a great deal of fun doing this and have great satisfaction when I get a good shot.
Another couple of comments: for lenses less that 4 or 500 mm, you won't get a great deal of resolution of the craters. For me, with a 300mm lens, I get the best shots at the half moon stage and even then the craters come into view in only a portion of the shot. Full moon gives basically a circle with lots of gray shading and no real definition of the craters. And a good post processing program can really make a difference. I use Lightroom. Need to sharpen and crop!

Hope this gives you some guidance.
I've been working at moon shots for some time usin... (show quote)

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Feb 18, 2017 06:44:39   #
alf85 Loc: Northumberland, UK.
 
Hi, i do a lot of photographing the moon. it is hard to get a lot of detail when you shoot the moon when it is full, as there is very little shadow, as it is in full sun light. you also need to keep the camera as steady as a rock. to do this i use a tripod, and keep the centre column locked down, i also use a cable release to stop any shake. You need a lens of 300mm and above to get a good photo.
You have to remember that the moon is lit by the sun, so you have to take your photos as you would on a sunny day on earth.
I have enclosed one of my photos of the moon when it was full.
Regards, Alfie.



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Feb 18, 2017 09:26:15   #
brokeweb Loc: Philadelphia
 
The less cropping you do to make the moon bigger the better. For this moonshot, I used a 400mm prime on a tripod with a remote shutter release.
https://www.viewbug.com/photo/66826285
I didn't have to overcook my detail very much to get a decent shot.

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Feb 18, 2017 09:48:44   #
R.G. Loc: Scotland
 
sarahp30 wrote:
....is there a way to better photograph the moon to where when enlarged and cropped there isn't such a loss of detail?....


Cropping is always accompanied by a loss of resolution, and the more you crop the more resolution you lose. In addition to that, when you crop you zoom in on any softness and noise that the original has, and the original doesn't have to be obviously soft or noisy before it becomes a problem in the cropped version.

Is it a good 70-200? If it is it might be worth considering a teleconverter (extender). It'd be cheaper than a new lens.

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Feb 18, 2017 09:56:13   #
dlmorris Loc: Loma Linda, Ca
 
sarahp30 wrote:
That makes perfect sense. Thank you so much! And I do have a tripod, but it is an inexpensive one and not very sturdy so I shy away from it. I will be on the lookout for one :)


Almost any tripod is better than hand held, but as others have suggested, a remote shutter release is a must, and especially if your tripod is light. Also, focus, focus, focus.... Do it manually, do not use auto focus. And try on a less than full moon. Use manual exposure settings also. And if you don't like the first result, change the settings and try again.. Good luck. Shooting the moon is fun.

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