I'd really have to agree with Eric on this...

And yes, TIFF's are pretty useless today.

Good reading if so inclined...
http://www.adobe.com/digitalimag/pdfs/understanding_digitalrawcapture.pdf

Excellent Nikon forum: Nikon-mount SLRs - FM Forums

Best RAW processor is Nikon Capture NX2. It will apply your in-camera settings to what is displayed and the U Point tool is to die for.

Get a circular polarizing filter. Hoyas are good value for the money.

I had a corded one for my (long-gone) 35mm set-up, and I used it maybe a handful of times. The self-timer feature worked just fine for the rest of the shots. ;)

The wireless remote that came with my old Olympus E20n digital never made it out of it's plastic wrap. YMMV.

I borrowed JUAN of OJ's pix...

Original...
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1266760268.jpg

Modified...
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1266805614.jpg

Notice a difference? Besides the JPG artifacts, as that's difficult to remove on an already compressed file.

The biggest problem with your picture above is that you had the shutter speed way too long. Do you see how the moon is a bright white spot? It's way over exposed. I bet with the right aperture and ISO, you could have your shutter speed to somewhere in the 1/125 -- 1/250 range. Then you'd have to try to get that much lens shake.

A tripod is key, or even something to lean against like the support post of a porch. I usually shoot the moon with my 300mm. The key to the moon is a higher ISO, wide open aperture, and high shutter speed. At 300mm and 1/60th of a second, you can see the movement of the moon (earth really) even with a tripod. You wouldn't think so, but you can.

Yes, a tripod definitely makes it much easier.

I wanted a sturdy, inexpensive tripod that was tall enough to not give me a bad back when trying to use it (I'm 6'2"). I ended up with a Slik Pro 700 DX. It'll extend to 75" if you want it too, it's quite versatile and very sturdy. The only possible downside is that it's a bit heavy (7#). But then tripods are like a lot of things (If you want light, sturdy, cheap, pick 2).

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1266807694.jpg

300mm lens w/1.7 teleconverter, ISO 200, f/11, 1/500 sec.

http://onfinite.com/libraries/1440437/4a8.jpg

Regarding tripods, find one that you can comfortably use without raising the center post. By raising the center post, you can cause the tripod to wobble a bit and that would ruin a perfect moon image.

Since we're all mooning...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1266811111.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1266811385.jpg

The rig I was using for my moon shots..
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1266811507.jpg

Nope, not talking about TIFF. There has been a lot of discussion/analysis of RAW files as it seems that some cameras apply some degree of NR at high ISO. So RAW isn't necessarily RAW...

Jeez Slo, what is that lens???? And what's the duct tape for?

Hehe, it's a Nikon 200-400 with a 1.7 tele.

The duct tape is to the padding that's underneath. It can get heavy lugging that rig on your shoulder from spot to spot. Even without the massive lens.

Damn, I just checked prices on that lens. OMG!! We just booked Cancun for this summer; great chance to get some good shots.

Try looking at the prices on Leica lenses, then the Nikon versions will seem downright cheap! :)

Holy Shiite! The Nikon Vr is $9600!

Welcome to the world of SLR's. Aren't you glad you dove right in now?
And just think, now you have to hump that uncomfortable hunk of metal with you everywhere you go :)
I'm not a cynic, but I've carried mine up 10's of thousands of vertical feet now with some good results I suppose.

We sure know how to pick some affordable hobbies around here, eh?

You still photographers need to man up. I have way more gear to carry when I do gigs for TV production. :p

(Just messing with you guys, I only have a mini-tripod for my still photography hobby...I don't want to make it exactly like work)

my pro pikker taker amigo has his eyes set on a nikon VR lenzz for $26,000USD!


yeah lets say it together............TWENTY-SIX,THOUSAND DOLLARES!


i about keeled over..............but then he told me it was ON SALE and i felt a little better!


yeah this stuff is as bad if not worse than doing the track thang with a p-car. there is no end in sight and the zoot technology today is archaic tommorow.


but as i mentioned before if ya can live without VR with a lenzz, these new nikons will accept lenzz back to like 1959. so you can pick up a mega ZOOMY lenzz fairly inexpensive used.

i sure as hell wouldnt buy used lenzz off of e-bay, but hell any decent hi end camera store is always gonna have used lenzz that you can get a sweet deal on.


the lennz i want is for picking off wildlife(deer/elk/antelopezz/race cars/chicks on boats-ya know wildlife) from a great distance.


i dont know what would be the best, but after looking at the 300mm VR nikon lenzz at PIR last scca race, i was impressed to say the least.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1266926300.jpg