Moon Inspired by joemags

[Ballen Photo]

Tamron 500mm mirror with two 2x converters for a focal length of 2000mm, and shot on a crop camera.
-Bruce

[joemags]

Now that's a moon! Very nice Bruce, and the creative composition really adds to it. I had also tried a 2x converter on my 300mm but wasn't thrilled with the results. This will make me have another go with that combo.

[Dylan8i]

are parts blown out? might do better to reshoot and make it a bit darker....

but wow, now thats a zoom lense. maybe if my parking lot wasn't a sheet of ice (my neighbor just slid in to my car) and like 0 degrees out i might go try.

[Ballen Photo]

Now that's a moon! Very nice Bruce, and the creative composition really adds to it. I had also tried a 2x converter on my 300mm but wasn't thrilled with the results. This will make me have another go with that combo.

Thanks Joe. I'd have to check, but I think I ended up shooting this at 1/10th after bracketing a few different exposures. You know the drill; MLU, cable release, etc.
@ Dylan8i, I'm not really seeing any blown out parts?
-Bruce

[Dylan8i]

just above the crater ( and inside the crater a bit) on the lower rightish area ( maybe very centre of frame) of the moon seems to be the worst to me, but a few other spots to. crater on the far left, etc.

might just be that im using a laptop monitor, but they seem pretty blown out compared to other pictures i see.

[Speed]

Tamron 500mm mirror with two 2x converters for a focal length of 2000mm, and shot on a crop camera.
-Bruce

Ok Bruce, I'm impressed. A 500mm mirror says f8 to me. Then you put TWO 2X teleconveters on it?! Let's see, that's f32?!!! I'm impressed that you could see well enough to focus. Then there's the whole stability issue with two teleconverters. I'd like to see a photo of this setup.

For the record, Tycho's crater looks blown out on my computer monitor as well, and my monitor it dark (it's old). However, that is a minor point, especially considering that the moon was close to full when you shot this. The mountians and craters on the edge of the moon are nicely detailed.

Genereally, the best time to photograph the moon is from new moon to a few days past first quarter (a half moon), then a few days before last quarter to new moon. That way the sunlight is skimming across the surface, and you get shadows, which gives you much more detail on the craters and mountians. The full moon is usually washed out with very little detail.

I'm still amazed. Two teleconverters!

[Ballen Photo]

Ok Bruce, I'm impressed. A 500mm mirror says f8 to me. Then you put TWO 2X teleconveters on it?! Let's see, that's f32?!!! I'm impressed that you could see well enough to focus. Then there's the whole stability issue with two teleconverters. I'd like to see a photo of this setup.

Speed, Thanks for your input, and information. I suppose I could have mentioned that the Tamron mirror lens & converters are Adaptall 2 SP models.
Here's a quick shot of the 500 mounted on my 10D. Never mind the Slik head seen under the camera body. The actual set of legs used for the Moon shot are Bogen Manfroto 3021 & 3030 pan & tilt head.

Here's an image of one of the 2x converters that have a strong reputation for being able to be used with no distortion or ill effects other than the 2 stops each light loss (as mentioned by you above).

Here's a side view of the lens.

Picture this on the Bogen, with the two converters, cable release, me hollering at the dogs to go play somewhere else, (they manage to kick up more dust than I need) and you get the general idea.
Oh, The best I could do for the stability issue was to use the mirror lock up, and wait a few seconds after focus (Touching the camera) for things to settle down.
BTW, I never realised the Moon moved so fast until trying to keep it in frame while using 2000mm of optics on a crop camera. That had me drooling over a German Equatorial Mount tracking system, "and" a real telescope.
-Bruce

[Speed]

"...until trying to keep it in frame while using 2000mm of optics on a crop camera. That had me drooling over a German Equatorial Mount tracking system, "and" a real telescope."


Definitley gets your attention, doesn't it?

:-D

My Celestron C8 has 2032mm of focal length, so it's a 2032mm lens when attached to my film camera's. Attach it to my D200 and it's a 3048mm lens! Which is about where you were with this setup. And the moon does move really fast at that focal length.

Thanks for the photo's and more detailed information.

[susaan]

In awe...Spent much time,lying on my back in the road outside my house,trying to capture SOMETHING on a quiet full moon night.

[Ballen Photo]

Thanks for the kind words Susaan. One day I would like to venture out far beyond all the light pollution of the city for a proper shoot of the Moon. I know, it's not really necessary due to the Moons brightness, but it would make for a more peaceful time while at it.
-Bruce