Moon Shots Bad Outcome

Texas DolphinTexas Dolphin Registered Users Posts: 9 Beginner grinner
edited March 31, 2011 in Technique
Looking for insight into what might be causing the double moon/moon shadow/moon flare, whatever this is....
D90 with a Tamron 70-200 2.8, manual setting with varying aperture settings and exposure times...

I wanted to try photographing the moon rise but could not figure out what was causing the images I was getting..

this is an example of what I was getting..

any feedback is greatly appreciated....

thanks in advance....

Comments

  • LlywellynLlywellyn Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 3,186 Major grins
    edited February 23, 2011
    Did you have a UV filter, or other sort of filter, on your lens? That usually causes the kind of ghosting you're seeing here.
  • Texas DolphinTexas Dolphin Registered Users Posts: 9 Beginner grinner
    edited February 23, 2011
    Thanks!
    It's the simple things that tend to get you! I did indeed have a UV filter on my lens at the time I took the photos....

    Second round, I will try again next moon rise....thanks again for the feedback!
  • kdogkdog Administrators Posts: 11,681 moderator
    edited February 23, 2011
    It's way overexposed too. So factor that in for the next time as well. Pay attention to your blinkies! Auto-exposure is almost worthless, btw. You must use manual exposure.

    Oh, and try to leave your EXIF info in place next time so we can help evaluate further.
    Moderator of Landscapes forum
    Link to my Smugmug site
  • Cygnus StudiosCygnus Studios Registered Users Posts: 2,294 Major grins
    edited February 23, 2011
    kdog wrote: »
    Auto-exposure is almost worthless, btw. You must use manual exposure.

    A good starting point.

    1/160 , F8, ISO 200
    1/160, F10, ISO 400

    Depending on conditions like haze or overcast or how full the moon is, make slight adjustments until you get it.
    Steve

    Website
  • Texas DolphinTexas Dolphin Registered Users Posts: 9 Beginner grinner
    edited February 23, 2011
    kdog wrote: »
    It's way overexposed too. So factor that in for the next time as well. Pay attention to your blinkies! Auto-exposure is almost worthless, btw. You must use manual exposure.

    Oh, and try to leave your EXIF info in place next time so we can help evaluate further.


    Exposure time was 1/6, ISO 200, shot at 175MM, and aperture was 2.8

    I had a manual setting, manual focus and was shooting with a remote.....

    As I experimented with other aperture settings and shooting time, the photos went from overexposed, as you see, to pretty dark...

    thanks for your feedback...
  • Texas DolphinTexas Dolphin Registered Users Posts: 9 Beginner grinner
    edited February 23, 2011
    Thanks!
    Cygnus Studios wrote: »
    A good starting point.

    1/160 , F8, ISO 200
    1/160, F10, ISO 400

    Depending on conditions like haze or overcast or how full the moon is, make slight adjustments until you get it.


    Thanks for the feedback, greatly appreciated....
  • pathfinderpathfinder Super Moderators Posts: 14,708 moderator
    edited February 23, 2011
    As a first approximation, think of the moon as a sunlit object, and expose for a sunlit scene as suggested by the Sunny 16 rule.

    It will get you a good initial starting point for exposure. Tripod, mirror lockup, remote release, manual focus - sounds like you are on the right track.
    Pathfinder - www.pathfinder.smugmug.com

    Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
  • Cygnus StudiosCygnus Studios Registered Users Posts: 2,294 Major grins
    edited February 23, 2011
    Here is one taken at 1/160, F10, ISO 400

    557296191_oqB2j-L-3.jpg
    Steve

    Website
  • QarikQarik Registered Users Posts: 4,959 Major grins
    edited February 23, 2011
    Texas Dolphin wrote: »
    Exposure time was 1/6, ISO 200, shot at 175MM, and aperture was 2.8

    I had a manual setting, manual focus and was shooting with a remote.....

    As I experimented with other aperture settings and shooting time, the photos went from overexposed, as you see, to pretty dark...

    thanks for your feedback...


    for one thing, spot meter on the moon itself in manual and overexpose it by 1/2 stop or so. Then you will get a moon shot that is a light grey in tone. Also are you shooting the moon itself or a landscape with the moon?
    D700, D600
    14-24 24-70 70-200mm (vr2)
    85 and 50 1.4
    45 PC and sb910 x2
    http://www.danielkimphotography.com
  • Texas DolphinTexas Dolphin Registered Users Posts: 9 Beginner grinner
    edited February 23, 2011
    Qarik wrote: »
    for one thing, spot meter on the moon itself in manual and overexpose it by 1/2 stop or so. Then you will get a moon shot that is a light grey in tone. Also are you shooting the moon itself or a landscape with the moon?

    Actually was experimenting with both the moon alone and landscape with the moon....

    thanks for the feedback, I will certainly try it next go round....
  • Texas DolphinTexas Dolphin Registered Users Posts: 9 Beginner grinner
    edited February 23, 2011
    Cygnus Studios wrote: »
    Here is one taken at 1/160, F10, ISO 400

    557296191_oqB2j-L-3.jpg


    Great photo....set the bar high for me !!

    Again, I appreciate your suggestions, will certainly practice what you've shared....
  • kdogkdog Administrators Posts: 11,681 moderator
    edited February 23, 2011
    One of mine.

    1096436125_rvPnK-O-2.jpg

    Camera Model: Canon EOS 40D
    Lens: EF500mm f/4L IS USM +1.4x
    Image Date: 2010-11-18 21:20:30 -0700
    Focal Length: 700.0mm
    Focus Distance: 4294967295.00m
    Aperture: f/7.1
    Exposure Time: 0.010 s (1/100)
    ISO equiv: 100
    Exposure: Manual
    Exposure Mode: Manual
    Moderator of Landscapes forum
    Link to my Smugmug site
  • Brian_SBrian_S Registered Users Posts: 188 Major grins
    edited February 23, 2011
    Texas Dolphin wrote: »
    It's the simple things that tend to get you! I did indeed have a UV filter on my lens at the time I took the photos....

    Second round, I will try again next moon rise....thanks again for the feedback!

    the same mistake got me a couple years ago, had a great night outside after work, got home for the weekend after finishing up work at 3am, the northern lights were out in force so grabbed my camera and a few beers, was up till the sun came up getting pictures of the northern lights, wasn't till i reviewed the pics on computer that i saw strange rings in my pictures, ruining my shots, was the UV filter i had on

    great moon shots
    one of mine
    moon_2.jpg

    D300s
    aperture: F8
    exposure : 1/250"
    ISO equiv: 200
    exposure: Manual
  • Texas DolphinTexas Dolphin Registered Users Posts: 9 Beginner grinner
    edited February 23, 2011
    kdog wrote: »
    One of mine.

    1096436125_rvPnK-O-2.jpg

    Camera Model: Canon EOS 40D
    Lens: EF500mm f/4L IS USM +1.4x
    Image Date: 2010-11-18 21:20:30 -0700
    Focal Length: 700.0mm
    Focus Distance: 4294967295.00m
    Aperture: f/7.1
    Exposure Time: 0.010 s (1/100)
    ISO equiv: 100
    Exposure: Manual
    Exposure Mode: Manual

    Wow! Steal a telescope ?? JK...fantastic shot
  • Texas DolphinTexas Dolphin Registered Users Posts: 9 Beginner grinner
    edited February 23, 2011
    Brian_S wrote: »
    the same mistake got me a couple years ago, had a great night outside after work, got home for the weekend after finishing up work at 3am, the northern lights were out in force so grabbed my camera and a few beers, was up till the sun came up getting pictures of the northern lights, wasn't till i reviewed the pics on computer that i saw strange rings in my pictures, ruining my shots, was the UV filter i had on

    great moon shots
    one of mine
    moon_2.jpg

    D300s
    aperture: F8
    exposure : 1/250"
    ISO equiv: 200
    exposure: Manual

    Very nice shot....what lens did you use for that shot?
  • Brian_SBrian_S Registered Users Posts: 188 Major grins
    edited February 23, 2011
    70-300 VR but just got in my possession a 300 AFS F/4 today so looking forward to trying it again if the clouds and snow ever clear :(
  • reyvee61reyvee61 Registered Users Posts: 1,877 Major grins
    edited February 24, 2011
    kdog wrote: »
    One of mine.

    1096436125_rvPnK-O-2.jpg

    Camera Model: Canon EOS 40D
    Lens: EF500mm f/4L IS USM +1.4x
    Image Date: 2010-11-18 21:20:30 -0700
    Focal Length: 700.0mm
    Focus Distance: 4294967295.00m
    Aperture: f/7.1
    Exposure Time: 0.010 s (1/100)
    ISO equiv: 100
    Exposure: Manual
    Exposure Mode: Manual

    Wowzers
    Yo soy Reynaldo
  • anonymouscubananonymouscuban Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 4,586 Major grins
    edited February 25, 2011
    Not sure if anyone has suggested the Moon 11 rule. Set your aperture to F/11 and shutter to 1 over your ISO. So if ISO is 200, the shutter should be at 1/200. This will get you almost perfect exposure. May need to tweak a bit. You can then adjust your aperture and shutter based on that rule. Stop up or down equally.
    "I'm not yelling. I'm Cuban. That's how we talk."

    Moderator of the People and Go Figure forums

    My Smug Site
  • pathfinderpathfinder Super Moderators Posts: 14,708 moderator
    edited February 25, 2011
    That is Sunny16 with a +1 stop exposure compensation. Should work pretty nice, too
    Pathfinder - www.pathfinder.smugmug.com

    Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
  • anonymouscubananonymouscuban Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 4,586 Major grins
    edited February 25, 2011
    OK... totally inspired by this thread. Next full moon is March 18th. Going to rent a long lens to hopefully get some shots of the moon. Going to rent a 500mm. I have a FF and Crop body. I guess I will shoot with the crop to get the extra length. Hopefully I'll get shots as nice as THE DOGS!
    "I'm not yelling. I'm Cuban. That's how we talk."

    Moderator of the People and Go Figure forums

    My Smug Site
  • oldovaloldoval Registered Users Posts: 456 Major grins
    edited February 26, 2011
    Here's one of mine. 300mm lens, ISO 1600, F18, 1/125 exposure. This was my first attempt but I was somewhat happy with the outcome. My biggest issue was the blownout area in the lower right.

    I cropped this image to get the moon quite a bit bigger.

    Good luck with your shooting!

    1165016108_WKseL-L.jpg
    Nate
    http://nathanwiley.smugmug.com/
  • davevdavev Registered Users Posts: 3,118 Major grins
    edited February 26, 2011
    Full moons are tough to get good shots of. The craters full with light so you end up losing the definition you're trying to get.
    So I shoot when it's not full.

    Canon XSI, Canon 300 f2.8is, Canon 2X tc.
    ISO 1600, f5.6, 1/500, and of course, handheld.

    295515565_hfzvc-O.jpg
    dave.

    Basking in the shadows of yesterday's triumphs'.
  • Texas DolphinTexas Dolphin Registered Users Posts: 9 Beginner grinner
    edited March 27, 2011
    Second Try at the Moon
    Ok, a big improvement from the first go round (from my starting point) to some decent shots, still need to work on the manual focusing, white balance settings...I experimented with different ISO's, time etc....excited for the next full moon to try some other things...

    thanks to all who offered advice....and for the great moon shots in the thread...you guys rent those lenses?
  • IcebearIcebear Registered Users Posts: 4,015 Major grins
    edited March 28, 2011
    davev wrote: »
    Full moons are tough to get good shots of. The craters full with light so you end up losing the definition you're trying to get.
    So I shoot when it's not full.

    Very, very, just, awesome.
    John :
    Natural selection is responsible for every living thing that exists.
    D3s, D500, D5300, and way more glass than the wife knows about.
  • DreadnoteDreadnote Registered Users Posts: 634 Major grins
    edited March 31, 2011
    Here is one I took on the night of 3/18/11 when the moon was at its closest point in its elliptical orbit as well as in its full phase, which last happened 1993 if I remember correctly

    1225349878_MZiLe-XL.jpg

    f/8 1/125s ISO 100 400mm (600mm 35mm equivalent)
    Sports, Dance, Portraits, Events... www.jasonhowardking.com
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