Why do these photos of the moon look so soft?
Jul 29, 2018 12:13:43 #
I went out last night and saw a beautiful moon. I took a fair number of photos and was never able to achieve the caliber of shots that are shown here. I wonder if this is a limitation of my equipment or my technique?
the photos were shot on 2 different days, using various techniques as can be seen in the details.
the photos were shot on 2 different days, using various techniques as can be seen in the details.
Jul 29, 2018 12:25:05 #
toxdoc42 wrote:
Looking at the full moon, the data says:I went out last night and saw a beautiful moon. I took a fair number of photos and was never able to achieve the caliber of shots that are shown here. I wonder if this is a limitation of my equipment or my technique?
the photos were shot on 2 different days, using various techniques as can be seen in the details.
the photos were shot on 2 different days, using various techniques as can be seen in the details.
Camera: Nikon D3400
Lens: 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3
Shot at 300 mm (shot wide open)
Exposure: Manual exposure, 1/3,200 sec, f/6.3, ISO 3200
My sense is the zoom possibly shifted to knock it out of focus, or it is operator error and you did not focus properly on infinity.
Jul 29, 2018 12:28:20 #
thanks, but, there is no infinity setting. I switched the zoom to manual and focused as best I could through the viewfinder. the little electronic indicator seemed to indicate it was focused.
Jul 29, 2018 12:33:04 #
kenievans
Loc: Dallas
Try these setting
SS 1/125
ISO 200
F9
Make small adjustments from there as needed. You don’t need your ISO that high. Don’t go any slower with your shutter speed to avoid blur due to the moons movement.
SS 1/125
ISO 200
F9
Make small adjustments from there as needed. You don’t need your ISO that high. Don’t go any slower with your shutter speed to avoid blur due to the moons movement.
Jul 29, 2018 14:37:52 #
kenievans wrote:
Try these setting
SS 1/125
ISO 200
F9
Make small adjustments from there as needed. You don’t need your ISO that high. Don’t go any slower with your shutter speed to avoid blur due to the moons movement.
SS 1/125
ISO 200
F9
Make small adjustments from there as needed. You don’t need your ISO that high. Don’t go any slower with your shutter speed to avoid blur due to the moons movement.
Shooting the moon, you need to treat it like reflected daylight. And just like Sunny 16 , the Loony 11 rule has ISO and shutter speed identical and f-stop of 11. Try that. And as kenievans said, your ISO was unnecessarily high.
Jul 29, 2018 14:43:55 #
Thanks for your advice, but some of the shots were done at ISO 100. Each of the photos were shot at different ISOs, shutter speeds, all to try to achieve better quality. I am sorry if I am asking too much of the viewer, to check the settings on each photo. I am planning on trying again tonight. I will try locking the mirror, it is difficult for me to think that was the cause, but?
This shot was at ISO 100, f 5.6 and 1/640 sec, at focal length 200 mm, equivalent to 300 in 35mm
This shot was at ISO 100, f 5.6 and 1/640 sec, at focal length 200 mm, equivalent to 300 in 35mm
Jul 29, 2018 15:11:08 #
toxdoc42 wrote:
I went out last night and saw a beautiful moon. I took a fair number of photos and was never able to achieve the caliber of shots that are shown here. I wonder if this is a limitation of my equipment or my technique?
the photos were shot on 2 different days, using various techniques as can be seen in the details.
the photos were shot on 2 different days, using various techniques as can be seen in the details.
Just by looking at it, it appears you do not have a fast enough shutter speed ( the moon is a moving target)! Also your focus does seem to be a bit off!
Jul 30, 2018 07:42:18 #
Jaackil
Loc: Massachusetts
A couple of questions no one has asked. Are you using a tripod or hand holding! Are you using some kind of remote to actuate the shutter? Both will help a lot
For the focus issue Can you use live view on your camera? It will help you get the focus more finely tuned. Not sure what lens you are using. You said it was at 300 mm then said the 35 mm equivilant of 300. But either way what ever the max focal length of your lens back off it. Typically the max length is the softest. If it is 300 back it down to 280 or 250 you should be sharper there.
Next start with the sunny rule setting. They do work. If ISO 100 on your camera does not work bump it to 200. If you are on a tripod shutter speed can be as low as 125. I wouldn’t go lower because the moon is a moving object your camera will pick up that motion in the form of blur. You want to close down your aperture I have the best luck at 11-16 or smaller. (Smaller aperture= bigger number ).
Lastly if you are using kit lenses don’t shoot the full moon. Wait until it is less than full You will get better details with less of the moon illuminated. Sharpness will increase dramatically with the smaller phases of the moon.
For the focus issue Can you use live view on your camera? It will help you get the focus more finely tuned. Not sure what lens you are using. You said it was at 300 mm then said the 35 mm equivilant of 300. But either way what ever the max focal length of your lens back off it. Typically the max length is the softest. If it is 300 back it down to 280 or 250 you should be sharper there.
Next start with the sunny rule setting. They do work. If ISO 100 on your camera does not work bump it to 200. If you are on a tripod shutter speed can be as low as 125. I wouldn’t go lower because the moon is a moving object your camera will pick up that motion in the form of blur. You want to close down your aperture I have the best luck at 11-16 or smaller. (Smaller aperture= bigger number ).
Lastly if you are using kit lenses don’t shoot the full moon. Wait until it is less than full You will get better details with less of the moon illuminated. Sharpness will increase dramatically with the smaller phases of the moon.
Jul 30, 2018 10:02:53 #
Here we go again!
From the data its a 300mm lens so on a crop camera it's the equivalent of 450mm.
Spot focus on the moon. Spot meter on the moon. Use a good stable tripod. If the D3400 has a mirror lock up option use that along with using a remote release. Aperture set at something like f8 or slightly lower.
You should end up with numbers something like 1/200 shutter speed, f8, ISO 200 for a full moon on a clear night.
Oh, and let the camera choose the correct shutter speed with spot metering, no need to go full manual.
From the data its a 300mm lens so on a crop camera it's the equivalent of 450mm.
Spot focus on the moon. Spot meter on the moon. Use a good stable tripod. If the D3400 has a mirror lock up option use that along with using a remote release. Aperture set at something like f8 or slightly lower.
You should end up with numbers something like 1/200 shutter speed, f8, ISO 200 for a full moon on a clear night.
Oh, and let the camera choose the correct shutter speed with spot metering, no need to go full manual.
Jul 30, 2018 10:13:30 #
Jul 30, 2018 12:04:07 #
Did you leave the vibration reduction on? If you're shooting from a tripod, remember to turn off the VR as this can cause lack of clarity/fuzziness that looks like the subject is out of focus. If your camera has a problem achieving infinity focusing, try focusing on a distant object on the ground to get infinity focus and leave it there. That should leave the moon in focus, as well. Other possible causes for a less than sharp image of the moon may be slight haze in the air, especially if it's humid out. Not much you can do about that, unfortunately.
Jul 30, 2018 15:24:48 #
I got some useful advice from another hog. These shots were with the camera on a tripod. I now learned a bit about focusing in live view, the image was blown out on the screen, I had to fool with the aperture and speed, on aperture or shutter priority, to darken the image, that didn't work on manual, surprisingly. I did know to turn off both AR and VR.
The first was mne all of the way, the second the other hog helps with his PP.
The learning curve for learning the ins and outs of my camera and PP is very steep.
The first was mne all of the way, the second the other hog helps with his PP.
The learning curve for learning the ins and outs of my camera and PP is very steep.
Jul 30, 2018 17:26:37 #
Great shot. Im still working on finding the proper settings to get more clarity. I use a Nikon D3300. Im still doing trial and error and do use a tripod.Your shot is really clear. Thanks for posting.
Jul 30, 2018 18:20:50 #
To be honest, I had to do some PP with 0S Elements. Focusing was the first problem. The settings of the exposure was probably the easiest part of the chore. You do need a clear night. You also need to use an ISO of no more than 200 or so, if you don't have a huge lens, since you will need to crop tighter than the lens captures. I was told to focus how LV. The problem was that when I switched to that, the moon was too bright. Put the selector on S and use the adjuster to select a small aperture and the LV darkens enough. Be sure to turn auto focus and VR off. Good luck. It was frustrating. Obviously although the lens was not long enough to produce a great shot, the result was pretty good Considerring the way people act when I say I have a D3400, as they say an entry level camera.
Aug 22, 2018 15:39:56 #
Getting a nice sharp image of the moon isn't easy unless you have a decent long lens. This is one of my favorites, shot with a Sigma 50-500mm lens. You can click on the photo and scroll down to see the EXIF data. As others have stated above, having a sturdy tripod and remote release play a big role.
Super moon II by David Hart, on Flickr
Super moon II by David Hart, on Flickr
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.