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Lunar Eclipse

Discussion in 'Photography and Cameras' started by bixby, Sep 27, 2015.

  1. bixby

    bixby Friend

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    For the avid photographers out there. Any tips on exposure for the eclipse late today?

    I will be using a simple Canon point and shoot and recall the last time I tried this I used fairly long exposures of over 5 seconds. That was probably due to the fact it was darker than it will be today and the fact that I was not using a zoom lens, so perspective for me was like using 50mm or naked eye.

    thanks in advance
     
    bixby, Sep 27, 2015
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  2. shipsupt

    shipsupt Admin

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    Too late? Not sure...

    The key to lunar shots is exposing for the moon, not the dark sky. It is brighter than you'd think. Typically long exposures are not needed. If your camera is metering for the dark sky, you will get a long exposure, and typically an overexposed moon.

    If you know how, spot meter on the moon. If not, shoot in manual, set your aperture at f/11, and take some sample shots changing your shutter speed until you get a properly exposed moon.

    This all works a little better with a zoom... But the principal is the same no matter what you're shooting.
     
    shipsupt, Sep 27, 2015
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  3. bixby

    bixby Friend

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    thanks I 'll set at f11 and bracket the shutter speed. Not hoping for much, though given the camera lens focal length.
     
    bixby, Sep 27, 2015
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  4. JoelT

    JoelT Friend

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    Keep an eye on the histogram and turn on overexposure/clipping "blinkies" if that's an option. You may be better off manually exposing and shoot RAW if it's an option. If you're shooting a scene where you're incorporating the moon in to a larger landscape, consider combining exposures, so you can get both the moon and the rest of the scene properly exposed. Good luck and have fun!
     
    Last edited: Sep 27, 2015
    JoelT, Sep 27, 2015
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