first SLR imaging attempt

[Andrew*]

It seems to be a trend that adding to old posts doesn't get half the attention as a fresh post, so here goes my latest report:

I got up a few mornings ago an hour before work to image the moon. The night before, at about 10pm, I was doing a speedy observation, and I decided to leave the scope out overnight, so I wouldn't have to bother with cooling time. I packed my scope up under a normal shopping bag, with the handle around the counterweight so it wouldn't fly away, to protect it from the elements. I went to sleep, having made a bet with my girlfriend that I wouldn't manage to get up at 5am. I did, by means of a terribly loud phone alarm, and the sky was crystal clear . Despite the carrier bag precaution, my RDF was clouded, and there were traces of dew everywhere, but all the optics were sound. I set up the camera and tried for some lunar shots. CC was of course right about focussing (rather tricky) and exposure. You see, without a lens, the camera can't do TTL exposure. I just had to guess. I made a range, from 1/20 to 1/180 (when it was just under last quarter moon) and tried prime focus as well as EP projection photography. Both were great fun to learn, but I'll be able to progress once I see the images :? . They could all be disastrous, like my first ones:

next time, I really should make a log, so I can alter exposure/any other factors for future sessions.

I can't wait for the results.

Andrew

[geppetto]

Dragging yourself out of bed at 5 deserves some good results Andrew 8)

Fingers crossed youll be pleased with the results

[FLO]

Focus looks good (I see stars) but you need to drop the exposure by at least two stops.

[Andrew*]

Focus looks good (I see stars) but you need to drop the exposure by at least two stops.

yes, the focussing is good on these. These shown here are earlier attempts, made with a 600mm lens (not through a telescope), and I manual focussed for infinity. I used the camera's exposure, and, foolish as I was, overexposed, because that is always the advice for ordinary photography.

I think some of the "stars" may be dust showing up on the scan...

Thanks Phil!

Andrew

[daz]

Andrew

There is a hint of something on the terminator there, and I think you have more stars than dust!!

Well done for the early morning

[Kaptain Klevtsov]

Focus wise that is as close as you are going to get. Exposure wise its much too much. Remember that the moon is a daylight subject. (Ansel Adams).

Darn good go that one, very close to being spot on.

Captain Chaos

[richard42]

Andrew like was said spot on focus! and for the exposure try this http://www.shaystephens.com/moon_calc.php

should put you more in the ball park and i hear what your saying about keeping a log my memory is like a black hole, goes in just fine but getting stuff out again i need to brake a least 2 basic laws of phisics