Full moon part #3

**raynerj1** · 22 August 2008, 01:27 AM

I will second that... about moon shots not being easy.

The first shots (the large ones) are with a 1000mm cheap lens mounted to a Pentax K20D. The lens is why it took me many attempts over several years to get a decent shot. The lens is totally manual. I get no exposure info nor focus indication with this lens. It is all trial and error.

The small shot is with a 300mm autofocus lens. It is much easier to take shots with it, but the image is much, much smaller.

**Lilu** · 22 August 2008, 12:26 PM

Yes, John. There are very beautiful shots of the moon. Very.!! And so close!!! I like them.

**Rhanna** · 22 August 2008, 11:37 PM

John,

I took this one when the eclipse happened, I think in 07.
600mm lens (manual). As per usual with eclipses the clouds came in but they elapsed long enough to allow me to take a number of shots. I also had a few problems with my camera to add to the degree of difficulty.

Your shot is so amazing closes.
Rupert.

**raynerj1** · 23 August 2008, 03:06 AM

Thank you Lilu and Rupert...

Rupert,

That is a nice shot with a 600mm. Have you thought about getting a doubler? You can find them for not that much used. They are typically a manual use only item. I have one that I was going to try on my 1000mm but it makes the the moon too large to fit in the frame (1000mmX2x1.5=3000mm 35 mm equivalent). I have used it with half of my 1000mm (500mmX2X1.5=1500mm 35 mm equivalent), but the shot is about the same (quality wise) so I didn't use it this month.

I wanted to capture the eclipse but it was raining in this neck of the woods.

**Tao jones** · 23 August 2008, 12:35 PM

good one john, nice and sharp...I have never bothered to take a shot of the moon..it sounds difficult so I can't see me doing it...regrads tao

**spondoolix** · 23 August 2008, 12:42 PM

John,

I seem to have missed this thread earlier, but finding it has been a visual joy.
I am full of admiration for your persistence and the quality of the photographs.

**raynerj1** · 23 August 2008, 08:57 PM

Thanks Roger and TJB.

Roger,

Any shot is hard to get right unless you have tried to take them a few times. I would have to practice quiet a bit to capture a band in action like you can. The first couple shots would not be worth viewing.

I have taken quiet a few sunsets, and a moon shot is not much harder. The manual lens is the tricky part. Trying to get a good focus with only the viewfinder as a guide is tough. Lots of trial and error. Do you have a large telephoto?