This was an interesting shot to capture. I have a Leica Televid 77 Spotting Scope and found a device that could be used to attach my camera, at that time, a Nikon E4500. I was determined to snap a shot of the full moon! The trick with taking photos of the moon is it moves! Very slowly, but with a long exposure the movement is noticeable. Here is the camera I was using:
And here was the primary ‘lens’:
The interface was a little aluminum block that connected camera to ‘lens’. I still have the gear. May have to dig it out. It was capable of some exceptional photography. But to be honest, I pretty much love the advancement in design of my Nikon D850 with associated lenses. A great package!
Getting back to the full moon
This moon was spectacular. My photo does not do it justice. A Harvest Moon so big it appeared it could swallow up Earth. I had to get a photo and I had little time to do it. I rushed into the house and came out with tripod and my ‘camera’ in hand and set up. My settings on the Nikon E4500 were 1/4 sec. f/4.5 26.6mm with an ISO of 302. If I’m not mistaken, the Televid 77 is a 20 to 60X. I believe that equates to 440 mm ( f/5.7 ) at 60X with an aperture of 77 mm.
I know I have referenced this setup previously in my post titled ‘Wooden Swans‘. The Leica has great glass. Extremely crisp. I need to find my little Nikon E4500 and run it through another drill, paired to the Leica. OK. Enough photography technicalities.
Let’s talk about the full moon!
I can tell you I seem to consistently have difficulty sleeping during a full moon. Why is that? Going back to the times of the early Greeks and Romans, the full moon was said to account for ‘lunacy’. Interestingly, the word lunacy is derived from the name of the Roman Goddess, Luna, who was said to ride her silver chariot across the night sky. ‘Lunatic’ is another derivative. Does a full moon actually effect human behavior? Some say it absolutely does. I’m thankful all I incur as a result of a full moon is a little sleeplessness.
Full moons and ‘bad moons’ have certainly made their way into music. There is Hank Williams’ ‘Howlin’ at the Moon’, Paul Simon’s ‘Song About the Moon’, Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Sisters of the Moon’, Glen Miller’s ‘Moonlight Serenade’, and so many others. I think there is a connection to the full moon and romance as well.
Getting out in the moonlight
I love to go cross country skiing during the milder nights of a full moon. The woods are magical. Quietly, one swooshes along on the long, slender skis giving opportunity to see deer and hear the night sounds. The moonlight is powerful and really lights up the woods. I am mesmerized by the long shadows that are cast across the snow from the overhanging trees. If you have never gone cross country skiing on a calm Winters’s eve through deep woods, I highly recommend it. The hush is deafening, the solitude compares to nothing else.
I also enjoy just walking our Oak studded pasture during a full moon. The landscape is so peaceful. I’ll go so far as to say it is serene, ethereal.
What will I be doing tonight?
If we have clear skies, I’ll be out waiting and watching for the moon rise. And perhaps you can make time to do the same because it is such a cool thing to do! Above all, get outside and breathe the winter air! Last night didn’t work out for me but I am hoping for better conditions tonight. I will use my Nikon Prime 500mm on tripod to see if it can outperform the Leica Televid 77. It’s going to be a little cool – single digits – but I guess that is part of the challenge. It will be fun! I will especially be looking forward to getting back indoors and checking the results with a hot cup of cocoa!
Closing
I hope you enjoyed this post. Maybe you will want to take some time researching the history of the full moon’s influence on various cultures. Fascinating. And if you want to reach out to me, just click here. Also, check out my website. I have a sale running right now. You can learn more about that here.
