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Shooting the Moon
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Jan 13, 2017 09:16:55   #
ChiefEW
 
Please advise the best way to shoot a full moon. I have a Nikon 5300. I used a Nikon DX VR AF-S Nikkor 55-200 MM 1:4-56 GII ED lens.
I was shooting automatic with VR on. My moon came out as a white circle. There were clouds and off the right of moon was a light purple image the same size as the moon.
What can I do to get detail in the moon. I did center right on the moon.
Thanks for your help.
ChiefEWE



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Jan 13, 2017 09:24:51   #
rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX
 
The first issue is exposure, the moon is in direct sunlight so the old 'sunny 16' rule tells us that the basic exposure should be f16 at the reciprocal of the ISO.
At ISO 100 that would be f16 @ 1/100.
When you have a very bright object surrounded by darkness, the camera is easily fooled on exposure.
Try using manual setting and start with the 'sunny 16' exposure and adjust as needed.
It's a little hard to see the purple spot without a download but I suspect it may be lens flair.

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Jan 13, 2017 09:25:46   #
Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington
 
Your camera exposed for the overall scene. A full moon is extremely bright and if you did expose for moon details in this particular shot, the rest of your frame would be black.

Everyone has their own favorite settings, but here is one suggestion:

Start with ISO 200, f11 aperture and 1/125 second. Try a test shot. Then use trial and error by changing the shutter speed until you find the best exposure. Keep checking your results!

If you are still not seeing moon detail, you need faster exposure, not slower (meaning in my example, changing from 1/125 sec to 1/250).

edit - Rick posted while I was typing. I agree that the purple is lens flare:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lens_flare

Here is more info on moon exposure + links to articles online:

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-431887-1.html#7259977

--

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Jan 13, 2017 09:44:26   #
Old Timer Loc: Greenfield, In.
 
I had trouble for years getting consistent shots of the moon also. I saw a shot I liked a few months ago that flew in face of every thing I read before. Iso 1000 aperture at f8 and set your shutter to the best exposure around 250 then adjust from there. after one or two shots and adjusting the settings I backed of the Iso and got the most detailed shots and most consistent details I had every got. I agree on detail, faster shutter.

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Jan 13, 2017 09:52:43   #
letmedance Loc: Walnut, Ca.
 
Simply set the D5300 to spot meter in the center, center the moon in the viewfinder and snap away. You also set it auto bracket the shot at +/- 1 ev , Giving you 3 shots that can be merged into HDR.

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Jan 13, 2017 15:14:38   #
Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA
 
Use your lcd live view. Start at iso-100, lens wide open (you don't have to worry about depth of field with the moon, or low light). Change your exposure until you see details of the moon on your lcd screen live view. Try a few different exposures, lighter and darker. If you overexpose, you can't get blown out details back. But if you underexpose (higher shutter speed) you can bring out details in post processing.

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Jan 14, 2017 06:23:18   #
alf85 Loc: Northumberland, UK.
 
ChiefEW wrote:
Please advise the best way to shoot a full moon. I have a Nikon 5300. I used a Nikon DX VR AF-S Nikkor 55-200 MM 1:4-56 GII ED lens.
I was shooting automatic with VR on. My moon came out as a white circle. There were clouds and off the right of moon was a light purple image the same size as the moon.
What can I do to get detail in the moon. I did center right on the moon.
Thanks for your help.
ChiefEWE


Hi Chief, first of all, you need a longer telephoto lens if you want to get more detail, you need to use a tripod, and keep the centre column locked down to stop any shake, and use a cable release. remember the moon is lit by the sun so take your photos as you would on a sunny day here on earth. i have enclosed one of my moon photos to show you what you can get.
Regards, Alfie.



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Jan 14, 2017 10:17:21   #
aberration
 
From your image is think there was a slight haze of cloud over your moon, which guarantees lack of contrast, next to no detail in the crusty ol' lunar surface. . If so, wait for the clouds, however faint, to clear. if they don't, another night will have to do. When clear, bracketing will get one shot just right. Best shots I have seen are lesser phases than full, when skim light from the sun rakes across the mountains, valleys and mares (seas). Then the dimensions and character of the surface are heightened.

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Jan 14, 2017 14:31:44   #
Haveago Loc: Swindon, Wiltshire. UK.
 
ChiefEW wrote:
Please advise the best way to shoot a full moon. I have a Nikon 5300. I used a Nikon DX VR AF-S Nikkor 55-200 MM 1:4-56 GII ED lens.
I was shooting automatic with VR on. My moon came out as a white circle. There were clouds and off the right of moon was a light purple image the same size as the moon.
What can I do to get detail in the moon. I did center right on the moon.
Thanks for your help.
ChiefEWE


Did/do u have a filter on the lens?
Baz

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Jan 14, 2017 16:01:06   #
ChiefEW
 
Yes. a UV filter

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Jan 14, 2017 16:24:43   #
Haveago Loc: Swindon, Wiltshire. UK.
 
ChiefEW wrote:
Yes. a UV filter


Ahha!! That's why you got wot looks like a lens flare. Remove the filter next time for moon shots. The filter causes a reflection off of the front of the lens.

Baz

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Jan 14, 2017 18:20:30   #
cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast
 
It looks like you got as many different suggestions as there were respondents! That UGG for you! alf85 gave the reply that should give you the results you seek.

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Jan 14, 2017 21:59:24   #
TucsonDave Loc: Tucson, Arizona
 
alf85 wrote:
Hi Chief, first of all, you need a longer telephoto lens if you want to get more detail, you need to use a tripod, and keep the centre column locked down to stop any shake, and use a cable release. remember the moon is lit by the sun so take your photos as you would on a sunny day here on earth. i have enclosed one of my moon photos to show you what you can get.
Regards, Alfie.


What a great photograph!

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Jan 15, 2017 05:30:12   #
alf85 Loc: Northumberland, UK.
 
TucsonDave wrote:
What a great photograph!


Thank you Dave for your comment.
regards, Alfie.

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Jan 15, 2017 13:46:00   #
bdk Loc: Sanibel Fl.
 
My first moon shots came out like yours, you try and expose for the night time, what u want to do is expose for the moon.
Not knowing your shooting info I would shoot around 1-125th of a second and F11 iso 100 and go from there.

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