ISS Flyover 10/10/2012

Extreme crop, taken with a t2i and 100-400L lens. I've tried teleconverters, but it seems that the loss of IQ negates any increase in focal length. I'm pretty happy with this one, as you can definitely make out the solar panels and main body. I think that the bright spot in the middle might be the SpaceX Dragon supply ship, which is currently docked on the station.

Cool!

very nice

Excellent !!!
I've been trying to get this kind of shot forever. Maybe Someday.

Again Excellent shot !!!

Gordon

Really? a 100-400 did this? Wow..

Thanks for the replies. Yep, it was a 100-400. Like I said, I've tried with a 2x converter, and also a 2x and 1.4 stacked, but the IQ just isn't there. This was my best attempt so far, possibly because it was an almost direct overhead pass. The funny thing is that I almost didn't even attempt it. I had to pull over on my way to work to take it. I also didn't have time to set my focus on anything (I usually use the Moon). Instead, I just focused manually by sight through the viewfinder and changed focus a little while taking several shots, just hoping to get it right. Of course, many were oof, but a few got it.

Here are the settings:
f/8
1/2500 sec
ISO1600

And like I said, it is an extreme crop (205x256 pixels)

Cool shot! I have seen it fly overhead, but have never tried to capture a shot of it, nicely done on your part!

I've had it pass overhead as well and did take a picture, but a longer exposure one and with a much wider lens. BTW, it's a great way for you to see what a mirror does to a shot. In this one I forgot to use MLU first and with that full length mirror of the 5DII swinging around, it puts in some serious vibrations.

gjl711 wrote in post #15109302
I've had it pass overhead as well and did take a picture, but a longer exposure one and with a much wider lens. BTW, it's a great way for you to see what a mirror does to a shot. In this one I forgot to use MLU first and with that full length mirror of the 5DII swinging around, it puts in some serious vibrations.

Nice shots. I've done some of those too, but lately I've been trying to get close-ups. If you like doing doing the wide shots, capturing iridium flares is fun also.

Wide shots are easy. I never dreamed that a 100-400 could get that amount of detail in the first place. I'm-a-gonna have to give it a shot.

Nice capture, I tried a time lapse on Tuesday, NASA website said the Dragon was about one minute behind the station, however I wasn't able to even see it much less capture it in my TL. I guess it isn't big enough to reflect enough light, at least under the conditions of that fly over

Great catch!


Jason C

I tried to catch it last night with the same lens, I wish I had seen your settings earlier as I should have have shot it with a faster shutter speed, as it was very bright last night. A -4.1 according to Spaceweather. I never thought of trying to photograph it with a 400 mm lens. Thanks for posting.

Fortunately I get two more passes tonight, one at -3.1 and the second at -2.1, neither as bright as last night but I have two chances. Did you use a tripod or shoot hand held?

Handheld. The pass I shot was magnitude -3.3.