RE: [APML]: Lunar Interference

["Richmann, Michael" <richmann@cmt.anl.gov>]

It's not possible to provide an absolute cut-off since the
moon is gradually passing through its various phases.
My experience has simply been that the brighter the
moon, the lower the contrast in your resulting photo.
You'll have to be the judge of what constitutes an
unacceptable result but my personal preferance
is to not shoot when anything more than a 15-20%
illuminated moon is in the sky, *especially* when
it is near the object I'm trying to shoot.  As for films,
my preference runs mainly to a Fuji Super G800 +
or, if it's still available, the Kodak PJM-2 Ektapress
640 is quite nice.  Kodak Royal Gold 1000 (nee
Ektacolor if my memory serves me) is pretty good
although a touch grainy.  Oops, almost forgot, Kodak
PPF 400 is another good film with fine grain and good
response.

Mike

> -----Original Message-----
> From: EdwardsNo1 [SMTP:EdwardsNo1@aol.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 1998 9:49 AM
> To:   astro-photo@nightsky.com
> Subject:      [APML]: Lunar Interference
> 
> 
> Hello from Wales,
> 
> I am another newcommer to astrophotography. My setup so far is as
> follows:-
> 10" f10 Meade LX50 Schmidt Cassegrain plus a f 6.3 focal reducer,
> off-axis
> guider, illuminated eye-piece reticule, and a Lumicon Deep-Sky filter.
> 
> My question is as follows:- Obviously the closer to New-Moon the
> better are
> the conditions for Astrophotography (not considering light pollution),
> but,
> has any Research been done into the effect that the Moon has on our
> hobby,
> maybe providing dates either side of New-Moon when any attempts at
> Astrophotography are pointless ?
> Also, I am aware of the wonderous qualities of  hypered Tech-Pan 2415,
> but
> could any of you experienced "Sky-Shooters" please recommend a current
> colour
> slide and print film, that would suit my setup as described above ?
> 
> Thanks,  Steve Edwards
>