Post your Moon Shots

[Mackillan]

I tried to get a moonshot but. It didn't have detail. I am a newbie with a 7100 and new 80-400. I set exposure to automatic and used a tripod with manual focus. Help!

 

[Scott Murray]

Try these settings.

Date Time Original	2013:12:19 06:14:22
Exposure Time	0.002
F Number	f / 7.10
Exposure Program	Manual
ISO Speed Ratings	400
Metering Mode	Pattern
Flash	Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
Focal Length	400mm
White Balance	Auto white balance
Make	NIKON CORPORATION
Model	NIKON D800E
LensInfo	800/10 4000/10 45/10 56/10
LensModel	80.0-400.0 mm f/4.5-5.6
Lens	80.0-400.0 mm f/4.5-5.6

 

[RockyNH_RIP]

I use SPOT meter, aperture preferred and set the ISO (usually at 400.

My guess is, the Auto is what killed you.. (guessing it blew out the details with an average meter reading.) You should have been ok with manual focus.
Get it off AUTO and expose for the Moon with Spot Meter..

If you upload the picture, many can help even more.

Pat in NH

 

[wornish]

Scott - you beat me to it.

Mackillan One other suggestion is to use timer delay of at least 2 seconds to allow the vibrations to settle down after you press the shutter release button even if you are on a tripod. Or use a remote shutter release.
If you are using manual focus don't just turn the focus ring all the way to the end stop. Infinity focus is approx in the middle of the ∞ symbol. Or try using Live view with AF. There is no one right way of doing this, faster shutter speeds are better but if your ISO is too high you get more noise.

Looking forward to seeing your shots.

 

[Mackillan]

I'm sorry Scott but I can't see the settings you listed on my iPhone

 

[patrick in memphis]

Attached is a pic of the moon through my lx200 8" taken with my samsung galaxy s3 afocally

 

[patrick in memphis]

Attached is a pic of the moon through my lx200 8" taken with my samsung galaxy s3 afocally

Sorry can't get pic to stick...lol

 

[wev]

Moon -- hand held (and three glasses of excellent Stone Creek Cabernet -- what the hell)

 

[patrick in memphis]

Lol some people get better with alcohol..wev...lol if tahts the case bu y a case.lol

 

[patrick in memphis]

samsung galaxy s3 phone afocally through 8" lx200 12-18-13 memphis, tn

 

[Mackillan]

Here is my first feeble attempt at a moonshot

 

[patrick in memphis]

Mac I have hundreds of moon pics but don't worry you will get it....most people blow it out with exposure first go arounds.lengthen ur ss and u will be there and the lower iso the better

 

[Mackillan]

This Is my first moon shot

 

[Lee532]

With the moon setting in front of me and the sun rising behind me captured this lorry crossing the Humber Bridge.


Crossing the Bridge by Lee532, on Flickr

 

[Mackillan]

Thanks Patrick. What would be a good shutter speed?

 

[wev]

I shot mine (#228) at 1/250, f11, ISO 100, but speed will bump up or down depending on the phase, time of night, and sky conditions -- at this size and the sky pretty clear, I started at 400, then shot, dropping down by steps, till it looked definitely blown in LV. Back inside, it was easy to see that the 250 suited best for the moment.

 

[patrick in memphis]

Mac there are some variables in obtainin the best results.first take the lens and set it to the focal length desired that will determine your f/? Now remember that the lower the f/# the wider open your aPerature (the hole the light is collected thru)that is a big determining factor in how much/fast you can gather light onto your image sensor.next is your iso which determines how sensitive your image sensor will be (I.e.lower iso is good for slower objects and least grainy...higher is more sensitive also good for fast objects but most grainy) and lastly is shutter speed which controls when the shutter opens and closes.I will reattach my "best" pic thus far. I used a f/2.8 lens and a 100 iso with a ss of 1/500 .all the numbers used will balance eventually.I.e. a higher iso will let you take a faster ss and conversly a lower iso will allow a longer ss but with less "graininess" so to answer you simply set distance with zoom then start with a low iso 1-200 and maybe1/250 ss and adjust from there if it too bright use a faster/higher ss like 1/500 for instance remember higher number in right of 1/ is faster.I apologize but I'm writing this so anyone can understand and use as a guide line.

 

[Mackillan]

Thanks!!!!

 

[Mackillan]

If I wanted it brighter could I use a higher iso? Or slower shutter speed. I've read that the D7100 is less likely to show graininess? To get more detail does setting f stop higher help?

 

[patrick in memphis]

Either higher iso or slower ss.ur welcome and just an fyi the lens I used was a loaner from a friend roughly 2k just for lens.the only reason I mention it is you can obtain similar results with a normal lens but f/# will be higher and thus ss slower to get same result but numbers I listed should be a good starting point