[Author Prev][Author Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Author Index][Thread Index]

RE: [APML] Film types for Lunar photography



Nice shots!  I've always been impressed by the presence of Saturn next to the moon
in a photograph.  It's a tough combination, actually the moon and anything else is tough,
but what you want is a film that has a large "dynamic range" (not quite the same as 'fidelity').
 
Any negative film will have a larger exposure range that it can accommodate.
Usually it is used in snapshot cameras so that the exposure is not critical,
overexposures are compensated when printing, using the density range
on the negative where the scene landed.
 
For astrophotos, this range can be used to record both bright and dim
objects in the same exposure.  But it becomes difficult to print using normal
printing methods and have both objects show the desired detail.
Digital methods can be used to compress the dynamic range,
but be careful to avoid "inversions" in the tonal response!
 
The extra dynamic range of negative film comes with a price: film grain.
 
I've not used much negative film (like you, I am familiar with E200),
but have done some experiments with black and white Tmax, and
TechPan (the moon is very neutral, color film has a tough time
keeping it so).
 
Good luck on your lunar work, you have a great start!
 
Thor.
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Sieg [mailto:siegburg@whooshnet.com]
Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2001 2:24 PM
To: astro-photo@seds.org
Subject: [APML] Film types for Lunar photography

Hello everyone, Im new here.
 
I just started into astrophotography about 6 months ago, and where I live (Whistler in western Canada) the conditions are not so good for astronomy, very humid and the jet stream is usually directly above me.  So the other week I decided to make a field trip (My 1st one - ugg 8hr drive) to Table Mountain in central  WA to take some images of the Saturn - Moon occultation.
 
I used e200, as it is the only film I have a good amount of experience with (I didn't want to screw around with something new).
But negative film is said to have a better bright/dark (is this referred to as fidelity?) range as I understand it. So I was wondering if anyone could suggest a good film for lunar imaging.
 
 
Here is a link to the images, keep in mind they are greatly reduced in size and resolution.
 
Comments are welcome.
 
As far as this Anacortes thing goes, I have bought *lots* of stuff from them and never had a problem. They are friendly and try and go the extra mile as far as I can tell.
 
 
Siegfried.