DSLR Cameras and Extra Equipment

A good digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera gives more control over the image components, but it also requires more equipment and skill.

• Big lens. Use a focal length equivalent of at least 300 mm or more.
• Stabilize. Put your camera on a tripod or another stable surface like a fence or the ground. Use your timer or a shutter with a cord or a remote to minimize camera movement.
• High shutter speed. The Moon moves continuously, so a high shutter speed is needed to get sharp and detailed images.
• High ISO. The Moon is dim during a total eclipse, so you need a high ISO-setting to capture the little light reflected back from the Moon.
• Keep adjusting the aperture. As the Moon gets darker, a wider aperture is needed. Start with an f/11 for the bright Moon and reduce as the Moon's surface darkens.
• Manual exposure. Bracket your exposures by shooting at various shutter speeds. Set your exposure where you want to capture detail in the Moon. Exposing on the eclipsed side will burn out the bright part. Exposing on the bright side will make the eclipsed side look very dark.
• Keep shooting. Play around with the shutter speed for different exposures; you have lots of time.
• High resolution. To capture as much information and detail as possible, set your camera to the highest resolution (jpeg) or take uncompressed images (tiff or raw).
• Edit your images. You can also crop, add contrast, tweak colors, layer, and so much more, by processing your images using photo processing software.

Topics: Astronomy, Sun