Moon shots and Venus (or is it Mars?)

[no_doubt]

I took these last night to try out the shutter release I made. Big difference from my shaky focus finger and timer. The planet is a whole 'nother animal! Being so tiny on the screen, it's very hard to tell results of your exposure adjustments until the pic is taken, and even then you don't know which way to go. The planet was about 30 degrees up and almost due west at about 9pm last night. Anyone have any ideas whether it was Venus or Mars? Astronomer Joe? At least I magnified a planet with the Raynox 1540 TC.

This shot taken at ISO 100 and WB @ Daylight (both shots just cropped and sharpened slightly)
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w36/JW_1220/Nature/moon_wb_sunny_r.jpg
This one at same ISO but taken in B&W
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w36/JW_1220/Nature/bw_moon_r.jpg
Venus or Mars? ISO 400 Tv:1/4 Av:4.5
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w36/JW_1220/Nature/venus_mars_r.jpg

Critique welcome!

I hope with practice and some pointers from the community here (and of course a new steady tripod arriving tomorrow) I'll be able to get to a point of some consistancy in quality like most of you post on a regular basis. I've been learning from this site since December when I got my S2, and I've got to say this is really an informative site! Proud to be a member!

Happy Shooting.....

[Jon]

Venus, I believe, is very pronounced right about now.

[no_doubt]

Venus, I believe, is very pronounced right about now.

Thank you Jon. Yes it is Venus. Chicagoastronmer Joe PM'd me about it. I was about 90% sure.

[chicagoastronomer]

Good shots of the Moon and Venus.

I like the b/w one the best.

Try to darken the Venus shot in your graphics program and see if you can get Venus to show you it's half-planet phase.

I think that the S3 has an inherent infinity focusing problem, I have noticed this with mine and others who have posted. It stops "just short" of sharp focus...perhaps a couple of millimeters. Increasing the f-Stop to it's highest brings out the best focus, and sharpening in a graphics program does help, but I was dissapointed in the infinty focus of the camera.

Keep up with the astro photos!

Joe