Not another moon shot . . .

[Bruce A]

I took this last night with a 200mm-500mm Tamron at 500mm - effectively 750mm on the D90. This is my first attempt to photograph the moon. And I know I made one big mistake (have a guess) but are there any other suggestion you might have for getting a really great moonscape shot? Thanks in advance.


moon1_sml by banphotography, on Flickr


Camera Nikon D90
Exposure 0.006 sec (1/160)
Aperture f/22.0
Focal Length 500 mm
ISO Speed 800
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash No Flash

[SwissJon]

I'm not sure why you shot at F22 at 1/160s and ISO 800? You lens probably takes better photos at f11 or around there, and that would allow a lower ISO and/or a speed closer to the lens length. However it's nice and clear, no evidence of camera shake, so I'd be pretty pleased with that.

It always amazes me when I see photos of the moon, this great big orb hanging around in the nothingness of space.

[Bruce A]

Thanks for your thoughts SwissJon. I just set the ISO at 800 in the belief that's what I probably needed. I realised I could have stopped it down but the clouds were moving quicky towards the target and I was using a new pistol-grip ball mount on the tripod that didn't allow me to angle up high. So I had to make a short leg on the tripod and I ended up fumbling around a bit (to try and cut this short).

Anyway, I didn't have a remote (my big mistake) and I think I could have made a sharper picture had I had one on hand. Just pressing the shutter button caused vibration and I did the best I could to prevent it.

[Preeb]

Originally Posted by Bruce A

Thanks for your thoughts SwissJon. I just set the ISO at 800 in the belief that's what I probably needed. I realised I could have stopped it down but the clouds were moving quicky towards the target and I was using a new pistol-grip ball mount on the tripod that didn't allow me to angle up high. So I had to make a short leg on the tripod and I ended up fumbling around a bit (to try and cut this short).

Anyway, I didn't have a remote (my big mistake) and I think I could have made a sharper picture had I had one on hand. Just pressing the shutter button caused vibration and I did the best I could to prevent it.

You can also use the camera's self timer when you don't have a cable release.

[SwissJon]

if the D90 is anything like my D7000, then if you put it into MUp mode, then the shutter will release 30" after you raise the shutter.

As it happens, I can't see any camera shake, so I think you got away with it.

[EOBeav]

I was going to say shoot at ISO 100, but that may not be right either. How much time does one get to take a sharp image of the moon before it produces some motion blur?

[Bruce A]

Thanks all for your comments. The D90's lowest ISO is 200. I didn't use the self timer as I was trying for a bracketed shot and (I could be wrong) I don't think I can't set it for both. Under the circumstances I think the higher shutter speed may have helped. The weather has turned and I'm hoping to try again in a few days when the moon is full.

[tlpphoto]

Nice moon shot. As others have already mentioned, a wider aperture and lower ISO would be better. Most lenses have their sharpest aperture stopped down 1 or 2 stops from wide open, probably around F/8.

My experience is anything longer than about 1/2 seconds will create too much motion blur.

tim

[FlyingKiwiGirl]

I'm very new to photography but this is what I found when looking for info on catching the eclipse the other month-
1. Grab your lens with the longest focal length.
2. Take off your UV filter, if you have one on.
3. Set your ISO to 100.
4. Set your aperture to f/8.0 (this is not the only option).
5. Set your shutter speed to 1/125 (this is not the only option).
6. Zoom out to your longest focal length
7. Focus on the moon, ignoring your light meter (it’s going to freak out, indicating you are overexposed)
8. Recompose if you’d like.
9. Shoot!
Sadly I couldn't put the info to use as the sky was cloudy! I should try it for the full moon this week.

[Bruce A]

Thank you FKG and Tim for your help also. I hope we have clear weather for the Easter full moon.