Moon shots

bohica · Aug 12, 2005

I need an answer in the next couple of hours if possible. lady friend just called and wants to go to a dark area of the beach tonight about 10 pm est and take photos of the moon and star trails, i've done this before but close to 20 yrs ago. Any advice on shutter/aperture settings and film type? Will be using Pentax Program Plus with 500mm CAT lens and possibly with a 2X converter.

MattCarey · Aug 12, 2005

I seem to recall that the moon is a regular front-lit subject. So, use the sunny-16 rule giving 1/ISO in speed at f16. But, if I remember correctly, opening up 1 stop is better.

So 1/100s at f11 for 100 speed film, 1/400s at f11 for 400 speed, etc.

You can't get stars and moon detail at the same time. The moon is just too bright. So, either go for long exposures for the stars or short for the moon.

Matt

BruceN · Aug 12, 2005

Hmmmmm... Mysterious lady wants you to go to dark, deserted beach to photograph moon and stars.........

I don't know if I would even put film in the camera.

bohica · Aug 12, 2005

Thanks Matt

Bruce, LOL

Lee L · Aug 12, 2005

MattCarey said:
I seem to recall that the moon is a regular front-lit subject. So, use the sunny-16 rule giving 1/ISO in speed at f16. But, if I remember correctly, opening up 1 stop is better.
Matt

Tonight it's side-lit, only the western half is lit. You'll need to open up a bit more, but it's safe to start at sunny-16 and then bracket (pretty widely) for more exposure. With the 500mm (+2x converter), you need to watch camera shake. You also have a fixed aperture, right? Try to choose a film that gives you good detail, but higher shutter speeds, maybe 200 to 400 ISO.

Lee

wildbill · Aug 12, 2005

I saw something on yahoo about a meteor shower tonight if anyone's interested.

jimgalli · Aug 12, 2005

1 / film speed at f8 1/2 - f11. If the camera will do multiple exposure on the same frame, consider putting a giant moon with the cat, and them put some other recognizeable landmark in the same frame. Check out the pink moon shot at my poor little web site. Done many many years ago and alas no pretty lady to distract and I still managed to have the moon smash into the mountains. Still it works and I get requests for it all the time.

hortense · Aug 12, 2005

Jim, your poor little web site is not so poor. Great images! [tobacco filter??]

Lee L · Aug 12, 2005

Jim,

Those are BIG mountains. The moon is 1/4 million miles away, and yet the mountains are behind the moon, and retain such scale and detail...

Mind if I use it for a "what's wrong with this picture" question in my astro 100 class?

The meteors are best after midnight, and especially in the dark hours just before dawn. There are associated meteors for several nights before and after the peak tonight.

Lee

jimgalli · Aug 13, 2005

LOL I'd be honored to have one of my best used as a WTH object lesson. Tell them I live out near area 51 and leave it at that. Have them figure out how it was all done "in camera", something our digital age kids haven't thought of too much. No filters. Old film caused the moon to go pink and also corrected for the usual muddy green shift of a long exposure on Velvia.

bohica · Aug 13, 2005

thanks for the help, nite was kinda a wash anyway, over 80 degrees, no breeze, and clouds of mosquitos

Woolliscroft · Aug 13, 2005

Bracket and use the finest grained film you can.

David.

joeyk49 · Aug 13, 2005

Next time, bring one of those quick pop up screen rooms (from the back yard), and her favorite wine...the screening will help you escape the mosquitos and the wine...just in case the photography's a wash...(wink, wink, nudge, nudge).

ajuk · Aug 13, 2005

There are better thing I could think of doing on that beach, with that lady friend.

Moon shots

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