Crescent Moon

[NostalgicDad]

I ran out to my vehicle last night just before hitting the sack for the night and noticed in the clear sky a nice crescent moon low on the horizon. Since I remembered I just got my 70-300VR back from Nikon last week, I quickly ran back in and grabbed the camera and tripod to snap a few shots. (I'll forego 30 minutes of sleep for shooting anytime!)

The reason it was in repair was that I had lost accurate focusing at 300mm. Nikon ended up replacing some internal components. I fiddled with a couple of different exposures but these were basically manually set at F/11-F/16 and 1/2-1/3 sec. and cropped to around 80%. Kind of non-exciting when compared to some of the full moon shots I've taken but I guess my lens seems to be focusing well again. Comments definitely appreciated.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Very nice. I love crescent moon shots.

Why f/11-f1/16? Given the distance, you needn't worry about DOF at all. I'd go for the sharpest possible aperture of your lens, which is more likely f/8. That'll also get you a faster shutter speed, which improves sharpness as well.

It seems like every newbie with a long lens wants to get a shot of the full moon. The full moon is boring because the lighting is so flat. Crescents and halfs are what get me excited.

 

[We-Luv-Disney]

Nice work...looks like your lens is nice and sharp! Have you thought about adding a slight layer mask of a sepia tone, I think it adds drama to moon shots.

 

[NostalgicDad]

Very nice. I love crescent moon shots.

Why f/11-f1/16? Given the distance, you needn't worry about DOF at all. I'd go for the sharpest possible aperture of your lens, which is more likely f/8. That'll also get you a faster shutter speed, which improves sharpness as well.

It seems like every newbie with a long lens wants to get a shot of the full moon. The full moon is boring because the lighting is so flat. Crescents and halfs are what get me excited.

Thanks Mark. Well, I actually did take some at f/8 and they turned out fine. I guess these were more of a test using a smaller aperture than what I would normally use. It's been tossed around the Nikon forums I read that the sweet spot on this particular lens is somewhere around f/13 and f/16, so I gave it a whirl this time. Hence, the reasoning on these shots. Now, along the lines of your thinking, I have shot the moon a little wider open and a little faster. This shot was f/7.1 and shutter at 1/20 sec. (careful......it's a boring full moon )

I think I like the sharpness and detail better on this one versus the crescent shots so there goes any theory I have on the smaller apertures with this lens. But, I do agree that a crescent moon is more interesting than the run of the mill full moon.

 

[NostalgicDad]

Nice work...looks like your lens is nice and sharp! Have you thought about adding a slight layer mask of a sepia tone, I think it adds drama to moon shots.

Thanks. I hadn't thought about it but since you mention it, here's some sepia filter. Although I tend to like the natural colors of the moon (whatever that really is), this does add a bit of a dramatic effect.

 

[willis37862]

What lovely pictures! I love the crescent moon and the full moon shots. Just beautiful

 

[jann1033]

 

[AndrewWG]

Great photos! I have looked at that crescent for a couple nights now and haven't had the energy to deal with getting out there and shooting it. Maybe I will if it stays clear here for another day or two.