Moon photography techniques

Mike AMike A Registered Users Posts: 32 Big grins
edited February 10, 2006 in Technique
I was excited to have a clear night last night to try out my "new to me" 70-300mm lens for my D50. I had the moon in crisp focus and filling up a good portion of the view finder. I tried all different kinds of settings in manual mode but I could never see any of the contrast of the different parts of the moon. I would just come out as a bright light circle. Any tips on getting good detail of the moon? :dunno

Thanks!
Mike A.

Comments

  • DJ-S1DJ-S1 Registered Users Posts: 2,303 Major grins
    edited February 6, 2006
    There's a bunch of good info here already, just search for "moon" to find the other threads. But as a start, you need to expose for daylight conditions since the bright moon surface is reflecting sunlight right at you. Keep trying, moon shots aren't as straightforward as they look, but they are fun!
  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited February 6, 2006
    Moon Photography Tips
    http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?p=32538#post32538

    And, you can work really hard at it and get awesome results:
    http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1009&message=7667469
    Andy

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  • Mike AMike A Registered Users Posts: 32 Big grins
    edited February 7, 2006
    Thanks! I suppose I was just overexposing them. I'll try again, hopefully it's clear in the next few days.
    Mike A.
  • afmdmcafmdmc Registered Users Posts: 62 Big grins
    edited February 9, 2006
    Shoot The Moon.
    The easiest way is to shoot just after sun down while the sky is still light.
    if not then under exposeby at least 3 full stops and you must, must, must, use a tripod. good luck. it's so cool when it works.
    43402785-L.jpg
    Date Taken:2005-10-17 16:59:25Date Digitized:2005-10-17 16:59:25Date Modified:2005-10-17 16:59:25Make:CanonModel: Canon EOS-1DSSize: 4064x2704Bytes: 3309952Aperture: f/5.6ISO: 640Focal Length: 1600mmExposure Time: 0.0166s (1/60)Exposure Program:Normal programExposure Bias:-3
    http://afmdmc.smugmug.com/

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  • kdogkdog Administrators Posts: 11,681 moderator
    edited February 9, 2006
    afmdmc wrote:
    ... you must, must, must, use a tripod.
    Oh, I don't know about that. This one was hand-held. :D

    nyc_sunset_moon1.jpg
    Moderator of Landscapes forum
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  • gusgus Registered Users Posts: 16,209 Major grins
    edited February 9, 2006
    Try shays programme...

    Here is one i got last year & the settings used to help get you going.

    Good Luck !

    Date Taken:2005-05-18 17:13:41Date Digitized:2005-05-18 17:13:41Make:CanonModel: Canon EOS 20D Size: 634x589 Bytes: 255502 Aperture: f/7.1 ISO: 200 Focal Length: 400mm (guess: 311mm in 35mm) Exposure Time: 0.01s (1/100)Flash:Flash did not fire, compulsory flash modeExposure Program:Aperture priorityExposure Bias:-2ColorSpace:sRGB

    41080189-M.jpg
  • Mike AMike A Registered Users Posts: 32 Big grins
    edited February 10, 2006
    Here is my first try at it
    55772135-L.jpg
    Mike A.
  • MitchellMitchell Registered Users Posts: 3,503 Major grins
    edited February 10, 2006
    Mike, thats a great shot for your first attempt.

    Gus, yours is a beauty. I particularly like the coloring.

    Here's mine from last night with my new 300mm. I still need more practice with these shots.

    55809078-M.jpg
    Mitch
    http://clearwaterphotography.smugmug.com/
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