How I shoot the moon..

[ClemsonME2010]

Thanks again for your tips. Been meaning to do this sooner but it's been rainy and overcast until tonight.







Nikon D90 w/70-300mm VR Nikkor Lens (VR off, manual focus)
Exposure: 0.005 sec (1/200)
Aperture: f/11.0
Focal Length: 300 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Exposure Bias: 0 EV

[arlon]

Looks like it came out pretty well!

[Hoffy50]

I absolutely love your moon shots!!! I want to give it a try ... what do you think I can do with my Nikon D90 and my new 200-400 Nikkor tele? Should I try a close-up filter (I have a set), or try buying a teleconverter?

[astanton]

Beautiful moon pix! I have two questions and am really looking forward to your response (and help!).

I am a serious pleasure photographer who would like to migrate my work toward art in the very near future. I just recently received my new camera (5D Mark II) and also bought a tripod (Manfrotto 055XPROB) and ball head (Manfrotto 488RC2) and set up last night to experience moon photography but I ran into a couple of troubles, one with the tripod/ball head and the other with my exposure. I am wondering if you could advise me what I am doing wrong.

I used my Canon EF 300 mm 1:4 L IS lens for a few shots and then added a 2X II extender (also by Canon), which puts considerable weight on the ball head and tripod. that is why I bought this tripod and ball head... it is supposed to be able to support up to 11 lbs but I could only fix the camera focus centering the moon if I originally aimed way up over the moon and after I tightend, the camera naturally sagged down to the center of the moon... naturally none of the shots turned out sharp as a result. What is your suggestion on this one?

And in terms of my shooting... all were way over exposed.. I don't have a light meter so I am relying on Canon's sensors but I probably have something set wrong and it is averaging the dark background with the light moon. How do I get the camera sensors to just meter the brightness of the moon? is that possible at all?

Thanks for your help!!!
Angela

[Solace Angel]

These are my pics of the moon taken in April. There were taken on the same day just hrs apart. I took some since them but they are still on the card in my camera.

[missu]

Wow! These photos are great! I would love to take photos of the moon. I only have one lens: a 18-55 mm. I need to look into getting a longer lens. Thanks for sharing :-)

[Gaurav Prabhu]

I tried shooting the moon with my Canon SX100 IS but I was unable to get a good close image of the moon. I think the camera has focal length of 36-360mm. Isn't that enough to get close shots?

[arlon]

Originally Posted by astanton

Beautiful moon pix! I have two questions and am really looking forward to your response (and help!).

And in terms of my shooting... all were way over exposed.. I don't have a light meter so I am relying on Canon's sensors but I probably have something set wrong and it is averaging the dark background with the light moon. How do I get the camera sensors to just meter the brightness of the moon? is that possible at all?

Thanks for your help!!!
Angela

shoot MANUAL mode only. Any auto function (using the camera's meter) is a total waste of time. This is a MANUAL MODE only deal.

For 300mm you really need a lens with a tripod mounting collar on the lens. You'll always have trouble with the tripod. You may actually be better off hand holding than using a inadequate tripod support. Problem comes from the vibrations transmitted buy the shutter release. Also use the self timer to release the shutter..

[arlon]

Originally Posted by Hoffy50

I absolutely love your moon shots!!! I want to give it a try ... what do you think I can do with my Nikon D90 and my new 200-400 Nikkor tele? Should I try a close-up filter (I have a set), or try buying a teleconverter?

Forget the close up filters. The moon is more than a few feet away from the camera.

400mm will get you some nice shots if you have a decent tripod to support it.

[Havinfuntakenpix]

If you remember shooting the "full moon' is almost shooting into the sun...F11 .25O shutter speed...handheld works but a tripod is best...then play around from there. Well this is what has worked for me...Have fun!!!