My attempt at Moon - 06/03/09

[Chopper Al]

Here is my attempt at the moon on June 3, 2009. Just couldn't get the focus sharp and clear. Looked sharp in the view finder and when I looked at it on the LCD screen, but obviously isn't!

I used a tripod, mirror lock-up and a remote shutter release. From what I have read on the Tamron 75-300mm lens, for best sharpness, back off to around 270mm and go F8 to F11. The EXIF data (would should be in the photo) shows 271mm and F8 at 200 ISO.

The photo below is a 100% crop, no other PP done to it. If this is the best that I can expect with this lens, than I can accept that. If the lens can do better, than I would like to learn how.

Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Al

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll293/Chopper_Al/Moon_orig.jpg

[Adrena1in]

Better than my first attempt...at least you can tell it's the moon! ;)

Does simply look like a focus problem, so perhaps try getting it as good as you can, then take lots of shots, adjusting the focus slightly each time and checking the image on the Preview screen to see if it ever gets any better. (I assume the lens is okay for terrestrial work?)

[Chopper Al]

Better than my first attempt...at least you can tell it's the moon! ;)

Does simply look like a focus problem, so perhaps try getting it as good as you can, then take lots of shots, adjusting the focus slightly each time and checking the image on the Preview screen to see if it ever gets any better. (I assume the lens is okay for terrestrial work?)

Thanks Adrena1in.

I have been able to take some failry sharp photos in the daytime with it. (see below)

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll293/Chopper_Al/dove_002.jpg

The moon shot above was done in manual focusing mode (based on what I had read). I focused out to infinity, then back slightly. I could see it was sharper in the view finder when I backed off slightly from full infinity. I will definitely try again though as you suggest, varying the focus in between shots. I think I will bring out my laptop next time and connect the camera directly to it so I can see what the image looks like full size instead of on the camera LCD.

Al

[Celestron]

I agree with Adrena1in . I have my lens on auto-focus , point it at the moon and focus best i can then pull the switch back to manual and then don't touch it again . Seems to work for me unless i use a scope then i focus the scope not the camera .

[jgrussell]

If this is the best that I can expect with this lens, than I can accept that. If the lens can do better, than I would like to learn how.It clearly isn't the lens per se since you can get good shots in the day time. Since you don't have live view to help with the focus, what you'll need to do is set the focus to infinity BEFORE it's so dark (or by locking focus on some bright object at distance) and then TURN AUTO FOCUS OFF (to lock the focus on manual). Make sure everything is set on the tripod so you don't bump the focus afterwards. Then shoot.

[grfics]

Yes - use the laptop to check the focus. Even without a LiveView it will make a big difference. With my 50D and LiveView I still miss focus on the moon unless I use the laptop and see it at something like 30 times the area.

[Chet]

You can do better.

Canon XTi
Old 75-300mm lens, I focused in manual.
Good tripod
Remote shutter
Shutter speed 1/100
F10
ISO 200

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/257006194_HYZV6-L.jpg

[Duncan Frenz]

Try using AF and focus on the edge of the moon, it has high contrast and should get you close.