Venus and her moons...what could I have done?

[sk66]

What could I have done to get the colors of Venus in this image?

Camera Nikon D3
Exposure 0.5
Aperture f/8.0
Focal Length 800 mm
ISO Speed 400

Exif shows 800mm, but it was actually 1600mm (2x TC)

I tried stacking underexposed images, longer/shorter exposures etc etc...
I can't figure it out. It's obvious the image is too overexposed to show the color, but underexposure was just bad..stacking underexposures ends up overexposed....Is 1600mm just not enough for Venus?

[idb]

Venus is pretty much shrouded in clouds isn't it? So all you're going to get is a whitish image. I think that's one of the reasons it's so bright.

Check out these images from NASA:
Galileo Mission Page

Yours is a really great shot anyway in my book!

Ian

[Ubergeek]

This is Jupiter not Venus. You are best doing a composit image exsposing for the planet first then adjusting and getting the moons then combine the image in post.

Are you taking this through a telescope?

Regards.

[sk66]

Originally Posted by Ubergeek

This is Jupiter not Venus. You are best doing a composit image exsposing for the planet first then adjusting and getting the moons then combine the image in post.

Are you taking this through a telescope?

Regards.

Crap, Jupiter...
I used a Sigma 300-800mm lens w/ a 2x.

When I tried exposing for Jupiter it seemed too dark....Would you get the color and then adjust it's brightness in post?

[Ubergeek]

I have never tried taking an image of jupitar with a normal lens i always use a telescope with a webcam attached get about 2mins of video then stack the individual frames to get the image (see attached images). Jupitar is really over exposed in your shot and so i would suggest having a much faster shutter speed, try and get as many shots as you can then use the free software Registax to stack your individual frames to bring out some of the detail.

Jupiter:


Saturn:


Venus:


Regards.