Why is my moon blurry?

[trippinbillies40]

Hey guys, take a look at this photo and help me out here:

http://home.cinci.rr.com/davidstaco/moon%20blur%201.jpg

I've been trying to get a good shot of the moon with my new EOS 20D, and I can't seem to get it to come out sharp. The first time it happened, people suggested I open the apeture up to f/11 or f/14, so I tried many different settings, even to f/45, but they all come out blurry.

I'm using a new EOS 20D with the 75-300mm f4/5.6 USM lens, the pretty cheap one.

Anyways, here's the settings for that shot:

F/11,
Shutter: 1/15
Focal: 300mm
ISO: 100
Metering- Pattern (i've tried all 3 modes to no avail)

Also, I've been using a tri-pod, and had the camera set to 10 second delay.

The only two reasons I could think of it blurring like this would be either the lens just sucks THAT bad, or the lens is slapping so hard on my $70 tripod that it's vibrating and causing a blur.

Any help to help me get a better shot is MUCH appreciated!

[rent]

how were you focusing your shot?

-alex

[2goldens]

I have a lens like that and I don’t have any trouble. Try posting this question for the Pro’s. I don’t know enough about photographing the moon to tell you what is working or not. :confused:

[trippinbillies40]

how were you focusing your shot?

-alex

Just auto focus. Is that my problem?

[rent]

with AF, there can be a couple of potential problems:

1) if you have not set your CF4 to 1 or 4, which means half pressing shutter engages camera's auto focus, then when you press the shutter to start the 10-sec timer, if the moon is not over your focusing point, this can cause the lens to be out of focus

2) your lens (or your camera)'s AF is a little bit off.

your exposure setting and using of tripod and 10-sec timer are all good procedures. here're a couple of things to try:

1) still using auto focus (with center focusing point only, focus mode = one shot). when focus is achieved, switch lens to MF and don't touch the focusing ring, then take a shot. this will ensure focus does not change when exposure is made.

2) set your lens to MF, manually focus your lens and take a shot. if this still comes out blurry, it's probably your lens is front or back focusing a bit. your lens and/or camera may require adjustment.

-alex

[trippinbillies40]

with AF, there can be a couple of potential problems:

1) if you have not set your CF4 to 1 or 4, which means half pressing shutter engages camera's auto focus, then when you press the shutter to start the 10-sec timer, if the moon is not over your focusing point, this can cause the lens to be out of focus

2) your lens (or your camera)'s AF is a little bit off.

your exposure setting and using of tripod and 10-sec timer are all good procedures. here're a couple of things to try:

1) still using auto focus (with center focusing point only, focus mode = one shot). when focus is achieved, switch lens to MF and don't touch the focusing ring, then take a shot. this will ensure focus does not change when exposure is made.

2) set your lens to MF, manually focus your lens and take a shot. if this still comes out blurry, it's probably your lens is front or back focusing a bit. your lens and/or camera may require adjustment.

-alex

Thanks so much for the help. I'd go out and try again, but unfortunately clouds rolled in. I do have a question though:

When you said set cf4 to 1 or 4, how is that different than the default? I thought even on the default setting, my camera was auto-focusing with the shutter release button half way down.

Also, would a dedicated Canon retailer (not a big box store) be able to perform these adjustments if they are needed, or would it need to be sent to canon? Would this be a rare instance, and probably not the case?

Thanks again for the help!

[lostdoggy]

There were previous threads on shooting the moon so do a search, but this much I do remember. When shooting a full moon you have to remember the sunny 16 rule. I think it saids that the shutter should be set at 1/iso at f/16. AF off and mirror lockup should help too. here is a sight for calculating settings: http://www.shaystephens.com/mooncalc.asp

[rent]

sorry, first of all, i meant CF4 to 1 or 3 (there's no option 4).

the default (CF4, option 0) is so that half press shutter engages AF.

with CF4 option 1 or 3, the AF function is assigned to the * button. half press shutter does not affect AF in anyway.

if your retailer is also a certified service center, they should be able to service your equipment. front/back focusing is not uncommon. use this test to determine if that's the case: http://www.canon-dslr.com/Canon_Jan05/Canon_SLR_Focus_Test.htm

-alex

[MTalley]

Try some manual focus. Also, try setting the mirror lockup function on. My tripod is pretty big and sturdy, but still allows some camera shake due to the mirror slap. I just posted a photo with my 70-300 Tamron on a DRebel (300D) over in the "Talk About Photography" section under "Shooting the Moon".

Also, I was using the center focus point, instead of pattern. The camera was able to lock a focus on the moon first time out, so I then switched it to Manual focus to keep it from hunting later on.