My latest attempt

Netskimmer · Jul 23, 2011

I know you guys are probably sick to death of me mooning you but I thought I'd post a few from that last few days. The humidity has been really high things have been pretty hazy but I don't think they are that bad considering. I'm sure I'll try some more if we get any really clear nights but for now I think I've done about as well as can be expected. I may pick up one of those cheap 500mm tele's that were suggested in my previous thread. I tried to get some star trails as well but the sky hasn't been clear enough for it.

1.

2.

iolair · Jul 23, 2011

Did you apply any sharpening? If not, may be worth experimenting with it.

1 looks better than 2, which is rather dark to my eyes.

In terms of composition, it looks very awkward to me leaving no dark space in the frame where the unlit part of the moon would be - I think it'd be better to leave space in the frame for the whole disk even if it's not all visible.

Netskimmer · Jul 23, 2011

How is this? I applied some sharpening, I tried not to over do it.

enzodm · Jul 23, 2011

Netskimmer said:
How is this? I applied some sharpening, I tried not to over do it.

better. Not sure if could do better than this with a kit zoom. Since you have a camera with a good sensor, I would try to increase ISO for a faster shutter, to see if it is possible to gain some more sharpness.
I agree with iolair: frame it as if it were full.

Netskimmer · Jul 23, 2011

Ok, re-cropped, sharpened and I increased the contrast a bit. How are these? I will try again tonight, weather permitting, with a faster shutter speed. If it leads to a sharper image I'll post it up.

1.

2.

Ryan L · Jul 23, 2011

I will say that you dont need to shoot at f9 for the moon, the moon is very bright. I can shoot handheld with my 70-200 2.8 and keep it crystal clear. I am assuming you are on a tripod, but still.

Netskimmer · Jul 23, 2011

Ryan L said:
I will say that you dont need to shoot at f9 for the moon, the moon is very bright. I can shoot handheld with my 70-200 2.8 and keep it crystal clear. I am assuming you are on a tripod, but still.

2.8 is out of my lenses range, I've been using middle apertures because most of what I have read suggests f8-f11 for optimal results, but if I shoot again tonight I'll snap a few wider.