Pan G2 Settings for full moon

[TeriF]

Tonight was a clear night with a huge full moon. I tried a few shots with my Panasonic G2 and it did not work at all. It might have been to dark, the moon was the only light. I used the 45-200mm lens, aperture-priority and played with different f-stops, but couldn't press the shutter button .Manual setting showed the same problems With the FZ28, I had no problems last summer to shoot the full moon. Any advise, I am still learning.

--
http://www.pbase.com/terif
http://www.terif.photoshop.com

 

[dr sumi]

Here's one I took yesterday night.

G2 + 45-200mm Hand Held.



Here's the EXIF Data:

Hope it helps...

File name: hhhh.jpg
File size: 709296 bytes (1019x1068, 5.2bpp, 5x)
EXIF Summary: 1/1600s f/5.6 ISO800 200mm

Camera-Specific Properties:

Equipment Make: Panasonic
Camera Model: DMC-G2
Camera Software: QuickTime 7.6.6
Maximum Lens Aperture: f/5.6
Sensing Method: One-Chip Color Area

Image-Specific Properties:

Image Orientation: Top, Left-Hand
Horizontal Resolution: 72 dpi
Vertical Resolution: 72 dpi
Image Created: 2011:03:18 22:20:29
Exposure Time: 1/1600 sec
F-Number: f/5.6
Exposure Program: Shutter Priority
ISO Speed Rating: 800
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Metering Mode: Pattern
Light Source: Unknown
Flash: No Flash, Compulsory
Focal Length: 200.00 mm
Color Space Information: Uncalibrated
Image Width: 1019
Image Height: 1068

Other Properties:

Resolution Unit: i
Chrominance Comp Positioning: Centered
Exif IFD Pointer: 232
Exif Version: 2.20
Image Generated: 2011:03:18 21:39:13
Image Digitized: 2011:03:18 21:39:13
Meaning of Each Comp: Unknown

 

[unsubscribe]

G2 from several nights ago shot by son. don't think he did anything special besides the manual focus.

 

[TeriF]

Thank you both for the respond. Both shots are fantastic. Now, I am completely confused. I assume you set you camera to M mode. I thought I have to slow down the shutter speed at night. I didn't only want to shoot the moon like you both did, I tried to include the landscape. I obviously don't have a clue.

http://www.pbase.com/terif
w.terif.photoshop.com

 

[kenw]

If you are trying to shoot something that is moon-lit, as opposed to the moon itself, then yes you'll probably have long exposures.

My guess, and it is only a guess, is that the camera can not auto-focus because it is so dark and it is setup with "focus priority" where it won't let you take a shutter unless it can successfully auto-focus.

I would suggest setting manual focus and then see if the shutter will fire. If it does, then you've found the problem and all you need to do is figure out some way to focus. There are two easy ways to do this. If the scene is distant (infinity focus) then you can just pick something bright that is far away to focus on instead (like the moon itself) and then recompose the shot you actually want. For something nearby you can set a flash light at the point at which you want to focus, get the flash light in focus and then take the flash light away and take your exposure.

Hope that helps some!
--
Ken W

Rebel XT, XTi, Pany G1, LX3, FZ28, Fuji F30, and a lot of 35mm and 4x5 sitting in the closet...

 

[TeriF]

Thank you kenw, I think you are right and manual focus is the way to go. I might give it another try tomorrow night. I have to add, with the Panasonic FZ28 it was very simple and I took very good moon shoots.

http://www.pbase.com/terif
http://www.terif.photoshop.com

 

[Jim T]

I used my 100-300 on P mode, Bracketing, spot focus and spot metering along with the 4x digital zoom. Seemed to work good enough for me. I had the OIS turned on but also used a long pole to balance the camera.