I'm hoping that the weather tomorrow is clear in my part of the world so I can break out The Monster and attempt to take pictures of the SuperMoon.
Is anyone else planning on capturing it?

Mark

I am. Been practicing (reading the manual). Mirror lock-up and cable release now conquered - all I need now is to remember to use ISO100 and switch off IS on the old lens........

AL

What is the Monster you mention Mark?

I'll check conditions tomorrow afternoon but I'll need to find a good location tonight. About a year ago I hooked up my camera to a 600mm telescope and was quite pleased with the results, but that isn't within my reach at the moment.

Are you sure about that? Do you have some sort of automated tracking platform for your tripod or something?
Matt, I got me a big bright telephoto lens. (8+)

Mark

Off topic, but won't this also mean we'll have some epic tides?

So that's a yes then. I thought it was looking pretty low outside work this morning.

There's nothing automated about my tripod - it's Alu don't you know.....

I don't want to do the math just now but in essence the moon is no further away (or nearer) than its usual 18 year normal whatsisnot but if the optical illusion can be captured on camera then I'm not going to worry too much about the difference between 100/200/400 or 800ISO. Besides, unsharp mask should sort out any 'fuzzyness'.......

Al

Mark, take it from me, you won't need a long exposure - certainly not more than about half a second.

The moon, while low and large, is still lit by sunlight. There's a phrase that goes round astronomy and photography circles about photographing the full moon - "sunny 16". In other words, assume you're photographing something lit by the sun, and stop down accordingly.

Here's one I did a while ago.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/snaptophob ... 0946668422

Right - now I'm sober I'll try a sensible reply...

ISO100 to eliminate noise - all that black surrounding the light is just a noise magnet. As Heather says shutter speed of no more than a second and as I'm using the tripod I shall switch off IS on my 100-400mm lens. It is possible to get reasonable results hand-held with the IS on but as my wife went to the trouble of buying me a tripod, it's best I bee seen to use it

I usually drive out of town a couple of miles and take the lappy. I can then quickly swap CF cards and download images to view immediately and make the necessary adjustments using light from a head torch. Warm clothes essential.

Al

What's the max. aperture on that at 400mm?
I have to stop thinking that my longest lens is 120mm at f/5.6. (8+)

Mark

f/5.6. (f/4.5 at 100mm)

Edd

Thanks Edd.

Mark

*echo* F/5.6

I also tweak it back a bit from 400mm (360mmish) as it tends to get a bit soft against the stop. Same with all zooms really.

Al

Ridiculously cloudy here.