Settings for tonight's super moon.

Spanker · 14 Nov 2016 at 16:06

Hi there, I have an ancient Canon 350d, F4 100-300 Sigma DG HSM and Signa 1.4x APO converter. Could you please recommend some settings for me to try?

Thanks.

squerble · 14 Nov 2016 at 21:11

I'm late to the party here, but tripod is a necessity to get your ISO down to 100. I went for spot-metering and just used aperture priority, but triggered from my phone so I wasn't shaking the camera. Don't think it turned out too bad:

Supermoon

EDIT: Gear is Nikon D7200 with Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary.

Genoma · 14 Nov 2016 at 22:26

Here's mine with the Sigma 150-600 C.

Supermoon 2016 by Andrew Young, on Flickr

1/200, f/8.0, ISO 100, mirror locked, tripod, AF on, stabiliser off, post in LR.

Gungnir · 15 Nov 2016 at 00:14

Aim for foreground subject to establish scale to establish it as super moon else it's just another shot of the moon done a million times before.

Partial metering on your camera at 420mm will still meter sky as well so go manual. Start at around 1/100 f/11 ISO100 you won't be far off.

Manual focus with lens set to somewhere close to infinity mark on lens scale.

smr · 15 Nov 2016 at 09:23

1/100th imo isn't fast enough for the Moon - which is moving quickly.

And · 15 Nov 2016 at 15:53

Cloudy for me last night and I was working at the optimal time to get a shot (ie when the moon was on the horizon). Hey ho.

Here's one from September last year's supermoon taken at sunrise, with a kestrel for company.

Kestrel by Andy Davis, on Flickr

D.P. · 15 Nov 2016 at 15:57

smr said:
1/100th imo isn't fast enough for the Moon - which is moving quickly.

Depends on effective focal length but I agree.
Spot metering works perfectly for the moon.

f/8 to get your lens optimally sharp ( if you have a faster prime then f/4.0 or so works).
Decent tripod, mirro-lock-up, remote/timer, delayed shutter.

Cosimo · 16 Nov 2016 at 07:47

For all moon photography:

Spanker · 17 Nov 2016 at 20:40

Thanks guy, some very detailed and impressive shots.

smr · 19 Nov 2016 at 11:12

7.30 this morning

IMG_9635-2 by Joel Spencer, on Flickr

rodders · 19 Nov 2016 at 11:45

Cool pic, looks different for some reason (in a good way)

Merlin5 · 6 Jul 2020 at 18:38

I'm a beginner but like to run before I can walk. I've not been able to get remotely close to the detail of any of the above efforts. But I had my first attempt last night since there was a clear sky and full moon over my garden. I suppose it's 'ok'. I'm going to practise some more at the end of the week on a waning moon and hopefully no cloud cover. I've been told I can get better detail on waxing and waning rather than full moon.

EGuitarStar · 7 Jul 2020 at 16:10

@Merlin5 that is pretty decent for a first attempt. I'd have raised the exposure a little more.

Took this last April, sometimes having clouds in the way is a good thing.

Bark at the Moon by Shahan, on Flickr

Merlin5 · 11 Jul 2020 at 18:23

Thanks EGuitarStar. I like your clouds over moon shot, very atmospheric.

I tried another moon shot last night, a half moon. I think it came out better than my first full moon attempt.