BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: New Answers

Photographing the Lunar Eclipse Aug. 28

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August 05, 2007

Here is a link for photographing the moon.

http://home.hiwaay.net/~krcool/Astro/moon/howtophoto/index.htm

You also might want to try doing a Google search for "photographing the moon" or "photographing a lunar eclipse" and see what you come up with.

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August 06, 2007

Here is a link with info for photographing the moon.

http://home.hiwaay.net/~krcool/Astro/moon/howtophoto/index.htm

You also might want to try doing a Google search for "photographing the moon" or "photographing a lunar eclipse" and see what you come up with.

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August 06, 2007

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August 06, 2007

Perhaps something a little more practical is in order if you have never attempted this.
The web page mentioned is of little help to someone new to this...riddled with errors too I noticed. Since you are NOT shooting thru a telescope you won't need complex exposure and tracking guides.

1) A wide angle is out of the question. Don't bother...you won't see much other than a little white dot.

2) Use at a MINIMUM 200mm focal lenth lens.

3) Aperture should be around f/8-11 for good sharpness.

4) Tripod is a must! (See Below)**

The beauty of difital is of course instant viewing. Simply change your shutter speed only to get a good image with some detail. As the eclipse progresses, your speeds will change. Just keep shooting and previewing.

** Although a tripod is a must, there is still a problem with "mirror slap" at slower shutter speeds, so use your "mirror lockup" feature.

Here's a shot I did a few nights ago.
The blurriness is not from poor optics or lunar motion but rather atmospheric "thermal bubbling" as the moon was low on the horizon when I shot it. It was shot at 200mm f/8 @ 1/30th.

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August 07, 2007

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August 07, 2007

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August 07, 2007

"The web page mentioned is of little help to someone new to this"

Hmmmm, wonder how I was able to use the information on this page with rather good success the very first time I tried?

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August 07, 2007

I'm sure it's ok for basics; but it seems to lack in several areas.
I see nothing about mirror lockup when shooting with just a camera..This is essential for good results.

I guess what really grinds my gears are people who put up a web site; claim expertise and have little!..AND, just like any printed media, "if it's written and shown to the public, well it must be factual" Yeah right! LOL

I have done astrophotography for 30 years, well before digital.
I've emailed the author of the web site you referenced and let him know the errors. There were eight!

If you require one example..."Sidereal Rate" is NOT the same as "Lunar Rate" Anyone with the slightest knowledge of astronomy knows this.

I did not want Peggy to read from a site riddled with errors..There are better references for people wishing to emabark on astrophotography, beit basic to advanced.

Pete

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August 07, 2007

Thanks for pointing those out. I definitely am not one of those that believes that everything "shown to the public" has to be gospel. I mainly used the exposure guide he had there as a guide to get started and I probably should have stated that that was my intent. And I didn't go into enough detail with my explanation i.e. tripod, mirror lock, cable release, etc.

I'm one of those guys that does tons of research before I go asking questions and think others should do some homework too. I guess maybe that is why I respond the way I do. I'll go out and buy a book before I'll come on here and ask a question. I've learned most of what I know about photography from reading and practicing and I know I still have a lot more to learn. I'll never know it all either!

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August 07, 2007

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August 07, 2007