Re: [APML]: Any Lunar Eclipse Photos?

[byen@ix.netcom.com]

Chuck Vaughn wrote:
> I haven't seen one message about photographing the lunar eclipse.
> Was everyone clouded out? If you'd like to see my photo from my
> backyard use this URL:
> 
> http://www.aa6g.org/Astronomy/Refractor/eclipse.jpg
>
 
 I didn't get clouded out, I got stressed out..

  I ALSO was using an AP 5" f8 EDT (on Losmandy G11 mount, lunar rate 
setting).  There were predictions of a brighter eclipse than last April 
(which itself was bright).  Thus, I opted for 100 ASA film - Fuji Provia 100 
& Kodak Gold 100.  I liked these films since they have good reciprocity 
ratings (Provia up to 32 sec, Gold up to 10 sec) and were close to Espenak's 
exposure table for bright eclipses (100 ASA @f8 exposure times were 4 
sec/L=4 to 15 sec/L=3).  I brought along PPF 400 & ALMOST used it (like you 
did), because of it's 1) fine grain 2) reciprocity up to 10 sec 3) 2 stop 
faster exposure times 4) reputed good red response.  Instead, I went with 
the old Fuji SHG 400 (though not as fine grain as PPF) due to good color 
response from the Nov '93 lunar eclipse (I was "chancing" it here, since I 
couldn't find a reciprocity rating).  It would be interesting to compare 
your shot with my Fuji 400 shot (in terms of color).


  I used a Canon T90 spot meter (which gives stopped-down metering down to 
30 sec) to nail down the exposure & do a minimal amount of bracketing.  As 
it turned out, I was getting 6 sec readings during early totality & 8-10 sec 
readings mid-totality, which seems to be consistent with above.  I just 
slapped on the 3 different Nikon bodies (2 F3s, 1 F2) w/above 3 films, for 
prime focus (1000mm) shots.  Used B setting/mirror lock-up/"hat trick" for > 
1 sec exposures.  Then I inserted a 1.6x tele-converter to get more image 
scale (doubled the f8 times, and bracketed 1 stop beyond this).  I wanted to 
use the medium format Pentax 6x7 to get Saturn in the field, but couldn't 
due to time.  Instead, I used a piggy backed Canon F-1 w/200mmf2.8 lens to 
do this.  During a long 2 min exposure on neg film, I observed a small 
meteor near the limb of the moon! 


  After about 20 min of this, I walked 50 ft to Joshua Tree #1 & started 
shooting scenics.  Using the above "dead-on" metering for totality, I 
mounted Pentax 6x7 w/105mm lens on a tripod, set to f8 & "B" setting for 8 
sec.  During the exposure, I used a separate T90/300TL to fill-flash the 
Joshua Tree.  Did this from various spots.  Then, just before mid-totality 
(7:54 pm) hurried back to main site for a multiple exposure shot (see 
below).
   
  I had a second mount (Takahashi EM10) tracking sidereally to get a 3-shot 
multiple exposure frame. This gives an eclipsed moon framed by 2 partials 
(which graphically shows the outline of the earth's shadow).  I ambitiously 
decided I could pull this off using an 800mm f/11 mirror lens (no room for 
error composition-wise).  Note that I had to get to my Mojave desert site 1 
day early, to polar align this mount (since in California, the moon rises 
eclipsed - no time to spare).  Ditto for the 2 other mounts (G11 for 5" 
refractor, GP for video camera).  At 7:12 pm (7 min before totality-start), 
I made the 1st exposure w/Nikon FE.  Beforehand to avoid confusion in 
real-time, I figured out the partial exposures from Espenak's table & wrote 
in on a piece of tape (affixed to camera).  Ok, back to story.  So it's 
mid-totality & I have to come up with a pretty good guess for exposure.  I 
do a 16 sec "B" exposure (based on above metered 8 sec @f8).

  So, being mid-totality, time to run off a series of more narrow angle 
shots with the 5" refractor.  Do this, until 8:15 rolls around.  Time to 
start a 2nd multiple exposure shot.  

  I also wanted a multiple exposure shot, showing a nice scenic foreground 
and the various phases of the moon "marching" up the frame.  I didn't like 
getting "multiple eclipsed moons" over the 70 min of totality (since each 
exposure could catch bright stars & Saturn, and really "clutter" the frame). 
In order to get only 1 total phase, I made the 1st shot @8:15 pm (~15 min 
before end of totality) and remaining shots at 15 min intervals ending at 
9:30 (near partial-phase end).  I used a 2nd T90 w/intervalometer, enabled 
multiple exposure, 50mm lens set to f/8, "B" setting for 8 sec, & the 1st 
T90/300TL to fill-flash the foreground.  (I had a "pretty good" idea how to 
frame the Joshua Tree & moon sequence. I previously used a planetarium 
program to figure out the azimuth/altitude "travel" (in degrees) of the moon 
sequence.  And knowing the degree coverage of 50mm lens).  To avoid 
confusion in real-time, I affixed a piece of tape on the tripod, w/shutter 
settings @f8 for each 15 min time instant (corresponding to a particular 
partial phase).  Note that I set it up so that the times are 8:15, 8:30, 
8:45 .. 9:30, so it's "easy" to know when I have to go over & change the 
shutter settings.  So, now back to main site for totality-end, and more 
narrow angle shots w/ 5" refractor.  At 8:30, I go back to start the 
intervalometer & change the shutter speed.  It fires off, and then I set the 
shutter speed for the upcoming 8:45 exposure.

  Remember that 1st multiple exposure?  I had all these "key" times 
memorized.  The 3rd & final shot of the partial is 7 min after totality end 
(8:36 pm), and only minutes away.  I fire it off.  Whew, that's over with.

  I wanted to shoot Hale-Bopp, but that would mean piggybacking my 8" 
Schmidt camera on the 5" refractor, putting on rings, line up finderscope, 
adding counterweights, composing, cutting/loading film in changing bag, 
setting up guiding reticle...  Too much time & hassle.  I abandon this and 
photographing Milky Way.  I decide to continue to shoot scenics w/fill flash 
with Joshua Tree #1 & #2 & keep track of 2nd multiple-exposure camera.  
After it fires at 8:45, I again change shutter speed for 9:00 firing.  Then, 
back to 5" refractor for narrow angle shots of partials (including deep 
exposures for eclipsed part).  Then, more scenics with Joshua Tree #2.  I 
like doing the scenic shots, since I'm getting a visual impression of the 
lunar eclipse (in addition to recording it).

  During this whole time, I had a video camera on a 3rd mount (GP).  I 
periodically went over to check it's tracking, and make adjustments for 
moon's northerly DEC drift.  Also varied exposure settings.  Nice thing is 
getting  sound recording of my activity.  The background cricket chirping is 
clearly audible (which I didn't notice at the time, due to concentration on 
photography).  I'm playing it back now (as I'm typing), in order to 
"re-live" what I missed.  Very soothing, as I'm still recovering from the 
stress of the whole thing.

  At the start ~7pm, I was over at Joshua Tree #2 getting fill-flash shots 
(it was still light), as the partial moon was rising over a sloping 
embankment.  Quite dramatic.  All this preparation, and it's beginning..


  I'd like to hear of any other "scenic outback" lunar eclipse experiences 
(plus pictures).  What happened in Arizona?  Someone must have shot some 
cactus scenics.  I was toying with the idea of going there.  I was a bit 
north of Mojave, and thin clouds were off to the NE (towards Death Valley).  
I tried to get a friend to do a scenic horizon shot (eclipsed moon against 
skyscrapers of L.A.).  I tried to get someone else to go up to Mt. Wilson 
(eclipsed moon against mtns and observatory dome).  Anza-Borrego & Joshua 
Tree must have been good...  I was considering them.  How about Baja (cactus 
on the beach, Sea of Cortez in foreground)..  Imagine many of these gorgeous 
places, and no one there get it on film..


Bob Yen