Any good lens???
Oct 19, 2011 12:10:34 #
mimisotaa
Loc: Saint Louis, MO
I want to take night pictures of the moon. I own a Nikon D40 with 18 - 55mm Nikkor lens (too short), A Canon EOS 450D with 18 - 55mm & 75 - 300 mm lens. Are the 75 - 300 mm good for taking pictures of the moon or is it a bit to short for it? Please opinions.
Oct 19, 2011 15:12:12 #
i finally got good moon pics with my nikon coolpix 100 with 5.0-75mm lens, got lots of help from people on this web.
Oct 19, 2011 15:20:23 #
Zoom lenses are not as sharp as prime lenses, especially if you significantly crop the image. You need to use as long a lens as you can so cropping is minimized.
Pre-focus on infinity (no A-F), shoot in manual mode.
Remember, it is noon daylight on the moon, so exposure should be close to 1/ISO (shutter speed) at f/16.
Easy to exposure bracket from a tripod.
You can also lock-up your mirror to minimize camera shake, which is exaggerated for long distance photography.
Shooting near straight-up minimizes atmospheric distortion.
Pre-focus on infinity (no A-F), shoot in manual mode.
Remember, it is noon daylight on the moon, so exposure should be close to 1/ISO (shutter speed) at f/16.
Easy to exposure bracket from a tripod.
You can also lock-up your mirror to minimize camera shake, which is exaggerated for long distance photography.
Shooting near straight-up minimizes atmospheric distortion.
Oct 19, 2011 19:01:19 #
Nikonian I am starting a page in my note book for your suggestions. Thank you for being a detailed source.
Hummm,,,, 1/ISO for shutter speed, good rule of thumb.
My long prime is a "Sears" M42 threaded, 200mm 3.5. used on the Sony with an adapter (M42 to Minolta). That lens is relatively new, next year it will only be 40 years old!! My first 35mm. A 50 and a 200mm. The "Tower" camera was made by Rhicoh.
That camera and the two lenses served my well thru two replacements of mirror foam. That lens and I were face down in sand at Killdevil Hill NC when I was shooting Hang Gliders taking off from the top and helped a guy. Suddenly the wind gust sent all three of us flying over the back of the hill. My nose and camera were face down in the sand!! :oops:
Hummm,,,, 1/ISO for shutter speed, good rule of thumb.
My long prime is a "Sears" M42 threaded, 200mm 3.5. used on the Sony with an adapter (M42 to Minolta). That lens is relatively new, next year it will only be 40 years old!! My first 35mm. A 50 and a 200mm. The "Tower" camera was made by Rhicoh.
That camera and the two lenses served my well thru two replacements of mirror foam. That lens and I were face down in sand at Killdevil Hill NC when I was shooting Hang Gliders taking off from the top and helped a guy. Suddenly the wind gust sent all three of us flying over the back of the hill. My nose and camera were face down in the sand!! :oops:
Oct 20, 2011 06:34:59 #
photocat
Loc: Atlanta, Ga
It is easier to get a larger size moon with a shorter lens if you shoot as the moon is begining to raise or lower as it appears to be closer to the horizan.
Oct 20, 2011 07:41:56 #
I have taken some great shots off the moon with a 75-300. Dont forget the tripod.
Oct 20, 2011 08:12:44 #
Nikonian72 wrote:
it is noon daylight on the moon, so exposure should be close to 1/ISO (shutter speed) at f/16.
Now THAT makes perfect sense!! I've tried unsuccessfully to get moon shots on 3-4 occasions, and they were always blown out. Obviously, my heart wasn't in it, for I would have found your answer long ago, but I'm now anxious to try this.
Thank you, Sir!!
Oct 20, 2011 10:13:25 #
photocat wrote:
It is easier to get a larger size moon with a shorter lens if you shoot as the moon is begining to raise or lower as it appears to be closer to the horizan.
The moon does not change its size. It's called the "moon illusion" when viewed near the objects on the horizon.
I shoot the moon with any technique that reduces the exposure; it is much brighter than it appears to your eye sight.
Oct 20, 2011 11:11:12 #
I have shot the moon with a 100-400mm using my Canon 400D. I am sure the 75-300mm will work so long as you center the moon and then crop the photograph. I did so and was satisfied.Hope this helps.
Oct 20, 2011 11:46:37 #
photocat wrote:
It is easier to get a larger size moon with a shorter lens if you shoot as the moon is begining to raise or lower as it appears to be closer to the horizan.
Shooting straight-up (or as close to up as possible), the moon is viewed through minimal earth atmosphere. Shooting at the moon near horizon is throught the thickest atmospheric path, resulting in loss of detail.
Rising moons are orange because of the suspended dust in the earth's atmosphere. Better to shoot straight up, then merge a large moon photo with a horizon photo to obtain a dramatic moonrise.
Oct 20, 2011 22:12:02 #
Nikonian72 wrote:
Zoom lenses are not as sharp as prime lenses, espe... (show quote)
Right on Nik ..... I like the moon shot a little lighter 1/ISO (shutter speed) at f/11 +...... but it is like the old sunny f16 rule .....
Oct 24, 2011 20:56:41 #
A tip: You can go to the website TIME and find the different times the sun and the moon comes up and sets.
Oct 24, 2011 21:47:49 #
Oct 24, 2011 21:51:46 #
Oct 24, 2011 21:57:02 #
Your 75-300 lens should be fine for moon pics; just remember like previous posters have suggested- tripod is an absolute must and either a remote cable or timer on the camera to trigger the shutter. The key to these shots is exact focus and make sure your equipment is absolutely stationary and rock solid before you trip the shutter. If all that works well, you should have no problem cropping the pics and ending up with some awesome pictures.
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