Re: [APML]: Jupiter shots

["M. Covington" <covington@mindspring.com>]

> From: WCukras@aol.com
> I'm looking for suggestions on the best film for planetary photography.
When
> shooting Jupiter, I'm having trouble getting the bands to show with any
> clarity. With longer exposures the bands and all detail are washed out
> completely - with shorter exp. they are very vague and the planet is
grainy.
> I have tried Kodak Gold 100 and Fugi Super G 800 both with various
filters
> and exp. times ( 26mm eyepiece). There must be a better way.

Well, you need high contrast and fine grain... Have you thought of doing it
in
black and white, using (non-hypered) Technical Pan 2415?  That would
probably
be the very best.

In color, use a slow film with good contrast and saturation.  I like
Ektachrome Elite II 50
or 100, pushed 1 or 2 stops (to increase contrast as well as speed).  Be
forewarned that
the bands aren't going to be all that prominent no matter what you do.  If
you really
want to see them, digitize the image and unsharp-mask it.  That's basically
what you
train your eyes to do when you observe Jupiter.