Night shots with a manual camera...

[steveo_mcg]

Right first some venting, please ignore. I've been planning this shot for a few weeks, it requires the moon in a certain position and for it to be clear. Tonight was prefect both meterogiclally and the right time of the lunar schedule. But for one reason or another we didn't get the kids to bed till about two hours later than normal so by the time I got to where I needed to be in was too dark. My annoyance was exaggerated by the battery in my diji being dead.

With it being so dark I couldn't make out the reading on my spot meter, what's the best way to deal with that? Presume ev2 and wing it? Does any one else have a torch for setting the camera?

 

[robhooley167]

I always keep a small torch in my camera bag for that exact situation, but if all else fails, I just use my phone screen.

Failing that, I go home and have a large glass of single malt...

 

[ynot]

I always keep a small torch in my camera bag for that exact situation, but if all else fails, I just use my phone screen.

Failing that, I go home and have a large glass of single malt...

This is why i don't take a torch or my phone ;-)

 

[steveo_mcg]

I always keep a small torch in my camera bag for that exact situation, but if all else fails, I just use my phone screen.

Failing that, I go home and have a large glass of single malt...

Ah another advantage of film over digital; the diji boys would have to keep shooting!

 

[Asha]

With it being so dark I couldn't make out the reading on my spot meter, what's the best way to deal with that?

Get rid of the spot meter thus get rid of the problem!

Presume ev2 and wing it?

Yep....you'll probably judge it better than the meter

Does any one else have a torch for setting the camera?

Yes which i ALWAYS forget to take with me ....tbh it's just easier for me to take daytime shots ..... I have a fantastic ability to be able to cock those up too even though i can see what i'm doing


Bottom line Steveo, is a bit better planning for the job in hand .......if you get the result you wish for then it will be worth the effort.

Better luck next time

 

[StephenM]

Depending on what you're trying to photograph, there is somewhere a table giving the "looney 16" as opposed to "sunny 16" exposure rules. A spot meter probably won't give a reading, unless you're metering from the moon; and you probably don't need to do this if you've read Ansel Adams and memorised the lunar surface brightness

On readings, I found that my Sekonic spot meter wouldn't give a readng from the pews in Holy Trinity church in York - too dark - and used my Lunasix instead. I didn't bother with the white handkerchief trick.

And just to make the whole thing more (or less) an exact science - don't forget to add in reciprocity failure, with loss of film speed, changes in colour balance and contrast.

 

[Nod]

Assuming the Moon needs to be correctly exposed, I usually use the sunny f/16 guideline and this is usually close enough to keep the features visible. A stop or 2 either way of bracketing should ensure that at least one shot is correctly exposed!

 

[Asha]

Just out of curiosity, i wonder if the exposure for shooting earth from the moon is the same as the opposite way around .....Ooops, sorry, off topic....unless of course steveo fancies a very long evening out, far way!

 

[StephenM]

You should be able to use the sunny 16 rule - if the earth is in sun and the subject Whether the earth makes the same difference in illumination terms in the lunar night as a full moon does on the earth night, I don't know. I suspect that the average reflectance of the moon is greater, but it would (I assume) depend on the ice, snow and cloud coverage on the earth at the time. If I pop out that way, I'll take a reading

 

[Asha]

If I pop out that way, I'll take a reading

Be sure to get a return ticket Stephen, or at least take t'internet with you to keep in touch

 

[steveo_mcg]

Bottom line Steveo, is a bit better planning for the job in hand .......if you get the result you wish for then it will be worth the effort.

Better luck next time

My problem is generally children are incompatible with perfect planning they'll usually do something to throw plans to the wind!

I took the digi out the next night and was stymed by people and the weather but I got something I can use to try blending and got to reccy the scene so I can try again with the RB67 next month when the light is a little more balanced.

 

[Asha]

My problem is generally children are incompatible with perfect planning they'll usually do something to throw plans to the wind!

.

Do what Victor Meldrew does ....Gag em and strap em to a dining chair in the garage! ................ then go shoot!