The Official Shoot the Moon Thread

A lot of that applies to microscopy as well

DaleA wrote in post #19087551
I recently purchased a Sigma 150-600mm DG OS C lens and have been taking photos of the moon, however, I don't feel as if they are as sharp as they can be. Any suggestions on how to improve this would be greatly appreciated. Below is from the last two days, 07/02 and 07/03. 1/200sec, F6.3, ISO 200, tripod mounted with a cable release. I even tried mirror lockup, which was worse (same settings).

Regards, DaleA

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forum: Astronomy & Celestial

I see you had two moons in your back yard at the same time!!


Have you ever had 5 moons in your backyard like I did at one time??

Mine happened back in June of 2012

Capn Jack wrote in post #19087625
A lot of that applies to microscopy as well

Yes, it's the same in terms of sampling with optics. The only difference is atmospheric seeing between the two applications.

Very best,

I'm working on a display of 5 moons 1 day apart to show the transformation in size/phase. I am amazed at the quality of the moon photos here and their relative sharpness. I've into photography for quite some time now but only recently with photographing the moon with the acquisition of the Sigma 150-600mm lens. I have much to learn suffice it to say. Any and all tips are greatly appreciated.

DaleA wrote in post #19087696
I'm working on a display of 5 moons 1 day apart to show the transformation in size/phase. I am amazed at the quality of the moon photos here and their relative sharpness. I've into photography for quite some time now but only recently with photographing the moon with the acquisition of the Sigma 150-600mm lens. I have much to learn suffice it to say. Any and all tips are greatly appreciated.

What camera body/bodies do you own to use??

I just noticed you are brand spankin new here!

Welcome to POTN Dale!!!!

I was having a time of it using the tripod for a moon shot tonight so I removed it and caught this hand held shot that turned out pretty good.

Inspeqtor wrote in post #19087628
I see you had two moons in your back yard at the same time!!
Have you ever had 5 moons in your backyard like I did at one time??
Mine happened back in June of 2012

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forum: Astronomy & Celestial

Ha. I see your 5 moons and raise the stakes to 9 moons.
They were all in my back yard on April 15, 2014. And it was snowing.

And now in english please
Thats a great writeup and explanation. One of the great things about this forum, the expertise and knowledge and sharing. Many thanks and technical though it was I have learnt a lot from that.

DavidWatts wrote in post #19087776
Ha. I see your 5 moons and raise the stakes to 9 moons.
They were all in my back yard on April 15, 2014. And it was snowing.

I concede you got me beat! My backyard never had that many, and never during an eclipse!

You beat my hand royally!!

Canon 90D, Sigma 150-600mm "C" @ 600, handheld: f/9.5, 1/250 sec., ISO-400 -1 EV

Moon just after midnight, 7/4/2020. Clouds parted just enough and just long enough to get a few frames. Post processed as the thin clouds made for a flatter than normal image.

(I have done better under different conditions.)

4matic wrote in post #19087810
And now in english please
Thats a great writeup and explanation. One of the great things about this forum, the expertise and knowledge and sharing. Many thanks and technical though it was I have learnt a lot from that.

Over simplifying greatly....the wider the lens, the more resolution you have. There is also a limit to which the number of pixels on a sensor contribute to resolution in a given optical system; beyond that number, one doesn't get more resolution. The atmosphere can limit the resolution too, due to blur although there are techniques to reduce the blur.

Capn Jack wrote in post #19087942
Over simplifying greatly....the wider the lens, the more resolution you have. There is also a limit to which the number of pixels on a sensor contribute to resolution in a given optical system; beyond that number, one doesn't get more resolution. The atmosphere can limit the resolution too, due to blur although there are techniques to reduce the blur.

Many thanks Capn Jack.

Canon 90D, Sigma 150-600mm "C" @ 562, handheld: f/8, 1/1500 sec., ISO-250 (same for each image)

Last night after midnight. Three image stack. Still had very thin high clouds.

Last night full moon/eclipse
Not composites