Advice needed for Lunar Eclipse on Saturday

[Milbs1]

There is a total lunar eclipse on Saturday, with the moon expected to turn blood red sometime after 10pm.
I'm hoping for the weather to brighten up some as last time it was clouded out, fingers crossed.

I was thinking of maybe trying a timelapse somewhere near the ocean..... any top tips?

Presume its best to shoot jpeg using a timer remote, and if I start at sunset presume I need to try and set the exposure for when its dark?
Hhmmmm, maybe I need to practice one night beforehand

[Michaela]

Thanks for asking the question, Shirl - I'm interested in this as well.

[William]

So am I , I'm guessing a very sturdy Tripod and Cable release, Not sure about ISO, I'll try 100 and go big aperture, Small f stop , But I'm only guessing , I dont have a WB setting for the moon, So I'll shoot RAW

[lousha]

i can give you one tip make sure you have focus before it darkens its gets impossible when its turning red.

[peterb666]

Shoot RAW as it gives a bit of latitude. I will check my previous attempts but one problem with long exposures is that the moon is moving faster than you realise.

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[Duane Pipe]

Weather down south is Rain rain and more rain
Cant wait to se your images Shirl

[William]

Not looking to good here either

[peterb666]

Just had a look at some of my better shots from the last eclipse and I had settings like:


Exposure 0.004 sec (1/250)

Aperture f/11.0

ISO Speed 200

to


Exposure 0.01 sec (1/100)

Aperture f/8.0

ISO Speed 640

The latter was far too bright.

Now that wasn't quite a full moon and it was just after sunset. Don't know if it makes any difference. I guess a lot of bracketing would be the way to go.

[Dylan & Marianne]

I'd shoot RAW shirley - or if you're worried about space on the card, then sRAW perhaps (if camera supports)
the settings will need to change drastically once the eclipse occurs
The last eclipse in June, the moon went more an orange rather than blood red but I was needing to shoot at 1600 iso , F8 1 second ( I was also shooting with the flinders street station in the foreground else I would have used wider aperture). 1 second was the absolute max before there was significant blur from the moon's motion at 400mm
The wedding we're shooting on saturday finishes at 10pm - how convenient lol!

ps. this was the reference image

[Milbs1]

Some good advice, thanks. I remember that timelapse Dylan, was impressive. I think the rain should be finished in perth by Saturday night, just hoping its not too cloudy. Now need to scout out a good vantage point

[dbax]

Shirl, mid eclipse for you in Perth should be about 1030 pm according to this link http://www.iceinspace.com.au/63-619-0-0-1-0.html , good luck, look forward to seeing the
nights efforts

PS scroll down

[Milbs1]

Thanks David, some great stuff in that link

[richardc43]

thanks for all the info i am on the Gold Coast thanks for the weather update, i was to be in bris for the xmas carols so i look around now for hopefully some good vantage points.. the last one i lived in the hinterland and only had a point an shoot, plus binoculars. cheers again everyone for the tips

[Analog6]

There is another thread on here somewhere about this where I pasted a lot of links. However, be sure to look at Fred Espenak's eclipse photography page here. Fred is NASA's Mr Eclipse and you can see his terrific photo results at that link too.

Although with the weather we have here on the east coast the whole thing may be a bust! This will be a back yard or just up the road job for me, no point driving miles in the faint hope of not being clouded out. If the weather takes a turn for the better that may change, of course.

[andrewvid]

well, it's about to happen, unfortunately for me it's just nothing but light behind the clouds hope you can share some pictures!

[keith-killer]

Got a perfect night here in Tokyo. About to start. we had very poor weather for 4 days. I missed the last few lunar events due to bad weather. Here is hoping.

[Shane.R]

advice? take an umbrella and a good book

[Tommo1965]

I'd shoot RAW shirley - or if you're worried about space on the card, then sRAW perhaps (if camera supports)
the settings will need to change drastically once the eclipse occurs
The last eclipse in June, the moon went more an orange rather than blood red but I was needing to shoot at 1600 iso , F8 1 second ( I was also shooting with the flinders street station in the foreground else I would have used wider aperture). 1 second was the absolute max before there was significant blur from the moon's motion at 400mm
The wedding we're shooting on saturday finishes at 10pm - how convenient lol!

ps. this was the reference image

I wish Id had read this reply yesterday...I didn't realize just how quick the moon moves...it took me a few exposure to figure out that ISO 100 and 20 secs dont work when shooting moon shots..I had to bump the ISO and crack open the aperture to get anything resembling a motion free image..but the adds other issues too...gee taking photos can be such a compromise cant it

[peterb666]

I only have real keepers of exposures from 1 second or less. Upping the ISO is the key. I kept it to ISO400 but next time will go to ISO800 and may do some experimental shots at higher ISO.

It is very different to doing the normal mood.

[Redbaron]

Doubt many Melbournites got any shots - personally I was getting drenched at work.... and on the way home!