Camera Labs

I was testing a 2x TC on the moon. I wasn't too impressed with the results, so I went back out with the 1.4x TC. I took 8-9 shoots with each, and selected the best. I was able to resolve as much detail using the 1.4x TC. (100% crops)


1/320 sec, 400mm, F8, ISO400 (2x)

IMG_3361 fixed by bkslopper, on Flickr


1/320 sec, 280mm, F5.6, ISO 200 (1.4x) I tried F8 and ISO 400 as well, but this was a bit better.)

IMG_3369 fixed by bkslopper, on Flickr

I processed both in DPP, turned off noise reduction, used monochrome, +4 contrast, +5 highlights, -5 shadows, 5 sharpness, and set the EV at -1.5 (2x) and -1.67 (1.4x) to match as close as possible. I'm guessing a 15Mp crop sensor plus a 2x TC is beyond what the lens can deliver. I manual focused with the live view zoomed in all the way.

did you used tripod ? 2x on 70-200 mk2 shud work even though there is drop in the fstop...

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Canon EOS 5D mk III|Canon EOS 7D | 70-200 F2.8 L IS II USM | 400 F5.6 L USM

No I didn't use a tripod. This is with tripod and ISO100. Focus might have been slightly off because I had slightly sharper shots @ ISO400.


IMG_3377 fixed by bkslopper, on Flickr

Be careful that you aren't subject limited. Or more precisely, the moving air between you and the moon being the limit.

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

Just to check if I got it right: The higher the moon is in the sky the less "atmosphere" is between the moon and you so the image quality improves?

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Canon EOS 500D + Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Canon EF 24-105mm 4L IS USM + EF 100-400mm 4.5-5.6L IS USM + EF 100mm 2.8L Macro IS USM + Sigma 12-24mm 4.5-5.6 EX DG HSM + Canon Speedlite 580 EX II + Nissin Speedlite Di 466

While there is less air to go through overhead than low on the horizon, the problem is more if that air is moving or not.

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

I take it all back. With the right focus and conditions, the 2x convertor can still get decently sharp images. Also, Popo brings up a great point about the atmosphere. Sometimes when viewing the moon @ 400mm, it's like looking at a BBQ grill with the heat distortions. This is one of the best images with the 2x + 70-200mm combo I've gotten so far. I disabled noise reduction, boosted contrast to +4, and set Sharpness to 5 from a scale of 0-10. F8, ISO 100, with 1/80 shutter. 100% crop on a 15MP APS-C sensor. I don't know why I've been fixated on the moon lately. Oh, I know. It's bright, slow moving and full of detail. Easy mode.


IMG_3385 fixed by bkslopper, on Flickr