Let's say that I had a consumer DSLR, and a 70-300mm lens. that's my max so far. I've produced a decent moon shot, but let's take this further.
What do I go for?
A mirror lens - cheap, but apparently hard to focus and mediocre results for sharpness
A cheap 500mm with a 2x coverter - cheap, but will the image quality get me a great shot
70-300mm - have I got the best moon shot I can expect on a budget?
Telescope - which one and, any better than the above for the limited budget?
Before you answer, please don't tell me splash my hard earned cash on a Canon 500mm with a x2 converter because that's runnning into thousands of bucks. What I'm thinking, is that I can get a decent moon shot with something a little less.
I'm getting into this, but, like everything, you have to balance resutls with expense. I'll post my best Moon shot later if I have a few responses
Add the 2x converter to your 300. You will be shooting a long exposure anyway. The cheaper 500s are usually f/8 and not the quality of what you have. A good crisp shot with the 300 cropped will look better than the 500 (I have an old, old non-mirror 500 and have only a few decent shots to show for it.. )
Here's a shot with my 75-300 hand-held leaning against a deck for support. Next full moon, I'll try one with the 2x converter.
Note: I moved this from the "New to PT" to General Photography
.
I've been seeking the affordable long lens myself. Let me confide in your some of the mistakes I have made.
Mirrored lens. 500mm for about 40 bucks. You pay the shipping and I'll sell it to you for $40.00 - our friendship will be shot to hell though. Stay away from those bargains.
There are two types of converters available. One goes between the lens and the body and the other attaches to the lens via the filter threads. Stay away from the filter side one - they are IMHO just a tad better that the mirror lens. The other converter is worth the money but on the other hand they don't cost much either. I'd rate it third from the bottom. I invested in a 50-500mm Bigma (Sigma) and liked it a lot except the last 100mm is really a soft focus. I'm debating whether to sell it or try to have it fixed. My best combination shot of the moon was with my 270mm Tamron and the 2x Teleconverter. It is just about equal to the 270 alone and cropped.
“Amateurs worry about equipment, professionals worry about money, masters worry about light, I just make pictures… ” ~ Vernon Trent
That's the sorts of replies I was looking for, thank you both.
I bidded on a mirror lens on Ebay, then retracted my bid after I did some research. So, I'll take your advice and stay away from those.
The two shots above are pretty good, so I'm impressed, you've even got some craters on yours Chas. I got a couple on mine too so I guess I'm in the right ball park.
I'd be keen to see Baydream's shot with the 300 and the 2x converter as this seems to be the route to go next.
The other route is to hire a great big Canon lens, but they are still £250 to rent for a weekend and a bit of a waste if there isn't a clear sky and a good moon out.
IMO, I wouldn't spend money on anything you mention just for a moon picture. Unless you plan on shooting more with whatever equipment you plan on buying. Such as wildlife with those telephotos, or stars with the telescope. If I had the $, I would based my equipment buying on what else I plan on shooting.
chasrich wrote: I've been seeking the affordable long lens myself. Let me confide in your some of the mistakes I have made.
Mirrored lens. 500mm for about 40 bucks. You pay the shipping and I'll sell it to you for $40.00 - our friendship will be shot to hell though. Stay away from those bargains.
There are two types of converters available. One goes between the lens and the body and the other attaches to the lens via the filter threads. Stay away from the filter side one - they are IMHO just a tad better that the mirror lens. The other converter is worth the money but on the other hand they don't cost much either. I'd rate it third from the bottom. I invested in a 50-500mm Bigma (Sigma) and liked it a lot except the last 100mm is really a soft focus. I'm debating whether to sell it or try to have it fixed. My best combination shot of the moon was with my 270mm Tamron and the 2x Teleconverter. It is just about equal to the 270 alone and cropped.
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Nice detail... 
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