Problems taking shots of the moon

[afroyeti]

Hi

I've been trying to take a detailed shot of the moon but they just end up balls of light, any help for little old me out there?

Thanks in advance for all replies

BTW i'm using a Canon EOS 350D and a Bigma.

[matt_xyz]

it's only when you try to photograph the moon that you realise how bright it is. Try using spot metering or failing that just experiment with different apertures and shutter speeds. I would begin with something along the lines of 1/250 at f8, but that's a bit of a guess.

Matt

[glsammy]

Also leave it until it's not full. You get far more detail when crescent. Here's a shot I took about a month ago.



That was at 1/100 sec F16.0.

[nicola]

Ive been trying to do just the same tonight, will go back out again in a bit to try again. Here is what I managed

DSC_0013.jpg (image)

[WildGarlic]

WOW what wonderful shots!!!

I tried tonight but there was lots of cloud about and it was moving quickly.

Which camera are you using Nicola and glsammy?

[nicola]

Thanks, I wasnt all that happy with mine..erm I have a nikon d80, now that I am happy with

[glsammy]

Thanks. A Canon 20D. I don't think the make of camera makes any difference. I uses the Sigma 50-500mm lens, so any camera with a 400 - 500mm lens could do just as well.
Just remember the Moon is a very bright object, so you'll need quite a fast shutter speed if you don't want it washed out. My shot was at 1/100sec @ F16.0, you could easily change the aperture to say F8.0 and increase the shutter speed. I did use a tripod and cable release though, as I was also trying to get some wider sky shots at the same time.

[mart_d50]

here's my effort of the full moon from 3 days ago, 100% cropped so it's not very large
taken on a D50 handheld at 300mm, f11, 1/350sec shutter

I find using aperture priority mode at f8 or f11 and spot metering with exposure compensation -1/2 to -1 stop works best for me so far

[nightshade]

I was once told 125 at f8 will get you a picture of anything,it does seem to work with most things

[afroyeti]

Got say guys thanks for the great response, i managed to take a couple of shots that i'm pretty pleased with, just gotta wait for the moon to come back now so i can test it out some more.

And to sohow my gratitude i will very shortly post one or two.