Lunar 300.

[Markw]

I just ordered the Nikon 70-300 f/4-5.6 and I was wondering if, at the 300mm distance, this lens could take fairly decent shots of the moon. Whether they are cropped, or straight from the camera, Id love to see some lunar shots from this lens. Thanks so much in advance.

Mark

 

[astrostu]

Yes. 300 mm will work. I don't have any experience with that lens (I'm a Canon guy myself), but on a full-frame sensor it will give a 6.8° horizontal field of view. Moon is 0.5°. So it will fill about 1/14 of the display, horizontally. From a quick search, the D90 has a 1.5x crop factor. That will change the field of view to about 4.8° horizontally, making the moon take up about 10% of it.

Longer focal length is always better, but 300 mm will be fine.

 

[Markw]

So, with all of this in mind, it will take a half decent picture of the moon with some detail, if I am understanding. Sample pictures would still be amazing with any lens at about 300mm. Using this lens inparticular would be greatly more helpful, though.

Thanks.
Mark

 

[mrodgers]

From a "point and shoot" superzoom camera.....

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b74/NightHawk83/Photography/Landscapes/20080118MoonDSCF1264.jpg

I would just automatically assume that you should be fine...