What went wrong with this moon shot

[markblake]

Canon 5D
Sigma 70-200 w/ 2X extender
Slik Pro 700dx Tripod
1/125 F7.1 at 400mm
Timer was used
cropped and touched up with LR3
So why do you think its not a clear / detailed picture and with these settings what could i have done or didnt do?
Thanks
Mark Blake

[navcom]

It looks like there is a bit of camera shake. Was it windy? Any other vibrations that could have been the culprit? When using a long focal length, even the slightest movement in the camera/tripod will show up in the image.

I had an issue several years ago where I couldn't get a clear picture of the night sky. I ended up realizing it was the trains passing by about a mile away. They were introducing just a small amount of vibration in the ground. When I captured an image without any trains passing...no problem. It took me a week to figure it out!

[markblake]

It was windy, maybe should have used a 1.4 extender and cropped more, not sure that would make a difference. Know that you say that, I should have lowered the extension of the tripod and opened the legs wider and used a weight to steady it. Live and learn i guess.
Thanks for your time
Mark

[navcom]

Darn wind! If it was windy and you were using the tripod mast extended, I think you found your problem.

The good news is the moon makes a semi-regular appearance for retakes.

[Krusty79]

A train over a mile away ruined your shots?!? I was thinking of removing my camera strap, as I notice it blows in the wind on my long exposures. I'll definitely remove it now if that tiny of a vibration can ruin a shot. I already ditched my attached lens cap, as I noticed that was flapping in the wind also.

[navcom]

Originally Posted by Krusty79

A train over a mile away ruined your shots?!? I was thinking of removing my camera strap, as I notice it blows in the wind on my long exposures. I'll definitely remove it now if that tiny of a vibration can ruin a shot. I already ditched my attached lens cap, as I noticed that was flapping in the wind also.

It's true! It's about a mile from our house. But in their defense, some of the trains that go through are about 1-1/2 miles long and full of coal so they do make the ground move a bit...even if you can't always feel it...the camera can. And with a 200-300mm focal length, it doesn't take much!

[Krusty79]

Originally Posted by navcom

It's true! It's about a mile from our house. But in their defense, some of the trains that go through are about 1-1/2 miles long and full of coal so they do make the ground move a bit...even if you can't always feel it...the camera can. And with a 200-300mm focal length, it doesn't take much!

You don't live next to Kirstie Alley, right? I don't think she's up in Minn.

[navcom]

Originally Posted by Krusty79

You don't live next to Kirstie Alley, right? I don't think she's up in Minn.

LMAO!!!

Vibrations Krusty!!....not tremors!

[milosh]

Originally Posted by Krusty79

I was thinking of removing my camera strap, as I notice it blows in the wind on my long exposures. I'll definitely remove it now if that tiny of a vibration can ruin a shot. I already ditched my attached lens cap, as I noticed that was flapping in the wind also.

I was thinking that too, but again, I need it when I carry my camera and it's not so easy to detach it and attach it again. It would be nice to have an easy way of attaching it, like some secure clips.

[navcom]

Originally Posted by milosh

I was thinking that too, but again, I need it when I carry my camera and it's not so easy to detach it and attach it again. It would be nice to have an easy way of attaching it, like some secure clips.

There are many camera straps that have clips. That's the only kind of camera strap I use. They are very secure. I've never had a problem.