Night time photography.

[redwing210]

Have just seen in the astronomy forum there is a full moon in a couple of days, I would like to have a go at photographing it (weather permitting) but have not yet attempted night photography.

Any basic advise on what settings etc. would be appreciated, I have a Canon 400D if this helps.

Thanks

redwing.

[Interpreter]

Give your camera time to adapt to the outside temperature before using it.

Basic settings for photographing a full moon are as follows:-

Setting the ISO to 100 gives an exposure of 1/250th of a second at f11. You can alter the exposure according to the images taken, but this is a good start.

[Chris_Johnstone]

Try and use a tripod :-)

Chris

[nightshade]

Definitely keep the shutter settings as high as possible or the image may "smear" due to planetary movement

[Maccattack]

I think there is a simple relationship between image size and lens focal length .Something like , with a 300mm lens on 35mm or equivalent the image of the Moon will be 3mm diameter. You can crop an image but I would think you need 300mm at least. What size lens will you use? This is one time when fill flash just might not work(so def use the tripod)
Practice using a remote shutter release to avoid vibrations or use mirror up if you have it . Keep warm!

Malcolm Mac

[Interpreter]

Originally Posted by nightshade

Definitely keep the shutter settings as high as possible or the image may "smear" due to planetary movement

I doubt it would move far in a 1/125th of a second.

[Chris_Johnstone]

I took this shot of the moon within the last month on a clear morning, about 8am.



400mm - ISO100 - f5.6 - 1/400 sec

It was handheld but with an IS lens.

Chris

[redwing210]

Nice image Chris, I will be more yhan happy if I get something of that quality.
Redwing.

[chkm8]

Hi took a few moon photos last march at the time of the eclipse. I use a canon 350D and Sigma 70-300APO with tripod and cable release. Exif is posted below. Hope this helps. Would post the picture if I could figure out how.
John.

Manufacturer: Canon
Camera: Canon EOS 350D DIGITAL
Date: 03.03.2007 23:05:34
Aperture: f 8.0
ISO: 100
Shutter speed: 1/100 s
Program: M - Manual
Metering mode:Multisegment
White balance I: Auto white balance

[galanthus]

Inspired by this thread and the discussions around moon names, I just shot out into the garden to try the settings. Typical, no moon cloud everywhere. Still, I shone my torch into the pond instead and found some fab creatures living their nocturnal life. Maybe tomorrow's 'blood moon' will be more obliging

[big bill]

To have any chance of achieving a good image you will need a tripod and lens of at least 300mm at f8 and then baracket your exposure times from1/125 sec down to 1/30sec and try and get away from the light pollution of the city to give you a clear and unpolluted sky.If you wish to capture star trails then you will need an exposure going into mins.Hope this helps

Cheers..Bill

[Hoppingmad]

Nice shot, Chris. You've inspired me to try that myself.