What focal length do I need to photograph the moon with a Canon EOS 550D?
Asked 6/26/2012
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I want to photograph the moon with a Canon EOS 550D and get a tight, detailed image like the example I saw online. Is this possible with the 550D, and what lens or teleconverter would I need? Also, is cropping normally required for this kind of moon photo?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
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You can certainly take such an image with a 550D, but to get it that size without cropping will take a lens of about 1200mm or so. The moon occupies about one-half degree of arc, and a 1200mm lens on the 550D's sensor will yield a (short-side) field of view of just under three-quarters of a degree, which is just a little bit tighter than the framing here. An 800mm lens with a 1.4x teleconverter will yield almost exactly the same framing as this picture. A 600mm with a 2x teleconverter will be just a bit tighter.
If the image is for screen display or a small print, don't be afraid to shoot at 300mm and crop. You'll still wind up with an image that's about 1730x2600 pixels, which is bigger than most monitors and will print a reasonable-quality 8x10 or 8x12 (or a superb 6x9).
Originally by user2719. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user2719
14y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes — the Canon EOS 550D can photograph the moon well. The key factor is focal length, not the camera body.
For a very tight moon frame without much cropping, you’ll need roughly 1200mm equivalent framing on the 550D. Examples mentioned were:
- about 1200mm
- 800mm with a 1.4x teleconverter
- 600mm with a 2x teleconverter
That said, cropping is very common for moon photography. Even a 300mm lens can work for screen use or modest prints if you crop the image afterward. A 300mm lens with a 1.4x or 2x teleconverter is also a practical option.
Technique matters too: use a good-quality long lens, manual focus, and manual exposure for best results. Don’t expect a tiny moon in the frame to look like a close-up unless you either use a very long focal length or crop significantly.
So: yes, it’s possible with your 550D, but for a frame-filling moon you generally need a super-telephoto setup or aggressive cropping.
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