This is my first attempt at using the 500 f/4L IS + 2 1.4x TCs on my 20D. What better subject than the half moon as a test. Still think I can do better and I'll try again tomorrow or the next day. I cropped about 25%, so it about 65% fills the frame.

Lots of detail as you'd expect but it seems to be overexposed this time.

- Alan

Probably a tad, although those areas to the left are very bright even through the lens.
I'll knock exposure down -0.1EV in LR next time

seems like a perfect reason to purchase the 1200L lol

nice shot

What teleconverters are you using? I also like the framing. Can you give me any insights on how you do that?

Regards

Geoff

Thats better than my attempt at 1000mm on a 30D a year or so ago:


Mind you mine was taken with a Bigma and a cheapo 2x TC...

Just a reminder for all you North Americans. We have a total eclipse of the moon coming up next Wednesday (20th.) Total eclipse begins at 10:01 pm and ends at 10:51 pm CST.

That's a great shot & something I'm going to have to try next time we have a clear sky.

Pierre.

We have it here in the UK too with totality from 03:01 to 03:51 GMT.

There is a problem. I see no green cheese...

Mickey wrote:
Just a reminder for all you North Americans. We have a total eclipse of the moon coming up next Wednesday (20th.) Total eclipse begins at 10:01 pm and ends at 10:51 pm CST.

Nice shot, Whayne!

By the way, the lunar eclipse will also be visible from Europe, but then you have to get up in the middle of the night.

gcuff wrote:
What teleconverters are you using? I also like the framing. Can you give me any insights on how you do that?

Regards

Geoff

I use Canon 1.4x TC II and Kenko 1.4x PRo 300 DG.

I framed it to be in the centre and cropped it to be slightly offset to the left. I used a Gitzo 1325 tripod, Wimberley Gimbal II head (just arrived a few days ago), MLU and self-timer. I tried with and without IS on and it didn't seem to matter. I'm going to use cable release and place a small bean bag on the lens hood next time. The 450D would be perfect for this FL limited scenario.

We will be able to see the eclipse in Sydney too; thankyou for reminding me as I had forgotten.

If you ar3e photographing the moon, remember the best times are between 1/3 full and 3/4 full IMO, as this is when the sun's light is mainly sidelighting and that's when you'll get the best definition of craters. Full moon is front lit and you see no crater detail; less than a 1/3 full is tough as there so little light, you'll have a longer exposure and the moon is moving, so you'll need higher ISO. I do though have some decent 1/4 moon shots but only at 420mm.

Mickey wrote:
Just a reminder for all you North Americans. We have a total eclipse of the moon coming up next Wednesday (20th.) Total eclipse begins at 10:01 pm and ends at 10:51 pm CST.

Jason Joo wrote:
Will the total eclipse be visible from Southern California? Of course I'd have to find a place with less light pollution, but I wouldn't mind a short drive to see it!


Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are visible from everywhere where the moon is above the horizon at the time of the eclipse (assuming no clouds, of course!). With the moon rise being at 5:34 pm PST (for Los Angeles) and the total eclipse starting at 7:01 pm PST, you should have no problems seeing it.

Also, for people who might want to observe the partial part of the eclipse as well, it starts about one hour 15 minutes before the total eclipse begins, and lasts until one hour 15 minutes after the total eclipse ends.

Mickey wrote:
Just a reminder for all you North Americans. We have a total eclipse of the moon coming up next Wednesday (20th.) Total eclipse begins at 10:01 pm and ends at 10:51 pm CST.

Rainer wrote:

Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are visible from everywhere where the moon is above the horizon at the time of the eclipse (assuming no clouds, of course!). With the moon rise being at 5:34 pm PST (for Los Angeles) and the total eclipse starting at 7:01 pm PST, you should have no problems seeing it.

Also, for people who might want to observe the partial part of the eclipse as well, it starts about one hour 15 minutes before the total eclipse begins, and lasts until one hour 15 minutes after the total eclipse ends.

Thanks Rainer! Now I'll have to scout out a place to check it out (weather-permitting!).

For peoples information, the 1000mm combo autofocused very well even though it's f/8, the camera only see one 1.4x TC and thinks it's f/5.6. The AF was quick and accurate, I tried touching it up and couldn't do better (maybe live view and 40D/450D would help). So another reason to go for stacked 1.4x TCs over a single 2x TC (IMO)

Pixel Pefect: You mentioned a bean bag on the hood...is that to dampen vibration/movement of the lens?

Pixel Perfect wrote:
gcuff wrote:
What teleconverters are you using? I also like the framing. Can you give me any insights on how you do that?

Regards

Geoff

...I framed it to be in the centre and cropped it to be slightly offset to the left....

I think he was asking how you created the "digital frame."

Pat

Hrm... I wonder which would be better?

The 40D w/ 200 x1.4 x1.4?
Or the 5D w/ 200 x2 x1.4?

Anyone have any thoughts?

I had some fun with the 2004 Lunar Eclipse ... so weather permitting, I might have to drag the Big Green Guy out and see if he wants to take a bit outa the moon again! .. ;-)

Dean DuBois wrote:
Pixel Pefect: You mentioned a bean bag on the hood...is that to dampen vibration/movement of the lens?

Yes, I tried resting my arm over it, but I wasn't steady enough. I have a small ~1kg bean bag that should do nicely.

cad3 wrote:
Hrm... I wonder which would be better?

The 40D w/ 200 x1.4 x1.4?
Or the 5D w/ 200 x2 x1.4?

Anyone have any thoughts?

Well they will have almost the same number of pixels on the moon since the 40D has 2x the pixel density of the 5D and acts like a 1.4x TC itself then. The 40D should look a bit better IMO, due to only using 2 1.4x TC's and avoiding a 2x TC. I don't think there'll be a lot in it, but I would be curious to see 100% crops.

Patrick Cox wrote:
Pixel Perfect wrote:
gcuff wrote:
What teleconverters are you using? I also like the framing. Can you give me any insights on how you do that?

Regards

Geoff

...I framed it to be in the centre and cropped it to be slightly offset to the left....

I think he was asking how you created the "digital frame."

Pat


Yeah, he PMed me; I thought at the time why anyone would be impressed by my framing of the moon