Moon picture - critique please

[Molydood]

Hi,

I took this last night:

http://www.pbase.com/molydood/image/34726427.jpg

I used the canon 75-300, set to manual focus, on a tripod and 1/320sec, wide open. It doesn't look very sharp to me, yet it looked in focus on the viewfinder. I wonder if it can be improved by using the timer, or mirror lock up, but do they really have that much effect on vibration?

Perhaps I am doing something wrong, any ideas on how to improve?
It's my first attempt so I'm not really dissapointed, but I've seen some real beauties posted here, and I want to join the club :-)

cheers,
Martin

[JK]

Hi Martin,

The image is definitely a bit blurry and it's most likely due to the camera shaking whilst you were taking the photo. For shots like that, try using the timer or a remote shutter release and, if your camera supports it, mirror lockup. It's amazing how much vibration those pesky little mirrors can cause! :)

Keep experimenting!

Cheers,

JK

[mdude85]

here's what I'd suggest

enable mirror lock up on your system

try using autofocus instead of manual focus

stop the lens down, it will reduce softness. extending shutter time is no big deal.

Change your white balance to I believe "sunlight" to get a white moon instead of a yellow one. Technically the light you see on the moon is light from the sun, and should be treated accordingly.

[dtrayers]

If you haven't installed the hack you don't have mirror lockup. Here's a neat site for calculating exposure for moon shots:

http://www.shaystephens.com/mooncalc.asp

Since you don't have mirror lockup, I'd avoid any shutter speed longer than 1/60 sec, but try to get the smallest aperture possible, maybe f/11.

I assume your using a tripod? Use the self timer to release the shutter if you don't have a cable release.

[Molydood]

great tips, thanks.

I'm going to try the white balance and autofocus, and also stopping down to f/11, I didn't think of that, nice one.

Yes, I'm using a tripod, but looks like I may be getting vibration from the mirror, or maybe even me pressing the button. I'll try it out tonight if the clouds go away.

many thanks, i'll post the results and we will see what happens.

[tommykjensen]

If you haven't installed the hack you don't have mirror lockup. Here's a neat site for calculating exposure for moon shots:

http://www.shaystephens.com/mooncalc.asp



Cool.

[SatanJR]

Cool shot!

[PhotosGuy]

Your lens should be at it's sharpest stopped down about 3 stops from max.

[Doom1701e]

I used to get that kind of results with my 10D. Dont know why but this is what I got with the 20D.

http://firemaplephotography.com/offsitephotos/IMG_0152a.jpg

I dont know if my 10D had the "focus" problems or what, but this is the best shot by far I have taken to date. I had the mirror lockup enabled, remote shutter release, very sturdy tripod. Exposure was F5.6@1/125 using Canon 300 F4L w/1.4 converter.

[mdude85]

I used to get that kind of results with my 10D. Dont know why but this is what I got with the 20D.


I dont know if my 10D had the "focus" problems or what, but this is the best shot by far I have taken to date. I had the mirror lockup enabled, remote shutter release, very sturdy tripod. Exposure was F5.6@1/125 using Canon 300 F4L w/1.4 converter.

Haha -- using the camera as an excuse for difference between these two shots is unbelievable...
especially when we're talking about the difference between a 10D and 20D.

[Doom1701e]

Haha -- using the camera as an excuse for difference between these two shots is unbelievable...
especially when we're talking about the difference between a 10D and 20D.

What the hell is that supposed to mean?

[arumdevil]

here is the best shot I have taken with the same camera and lens (enlarged a tad in PS)

http://www.arumdevil.com/galleries/imgs/pls/moon.jpg

I forgot the settings but I used a tripod and mirror lock up.

[SatanJR]

Love the last one...