Blood moon is coming soon and i was thinking about various places where i can record it with my little sparky.
Any tips for shooting in the dark ?
The only issue would be that i will have to pitch the gimbal up, but i don't know what it's limit is. Maybe i will do some practice shots until the 27th

The gimbals will pitch up more in tripod mode, good luck on taking the blood moon.

The gimbal pitches up?  Didn't think that was something the Spark could do?!
Might have to give that a try tonight.

AC5FF Posted at 2018-7-24 05:40
The gimbal pitches up?  Didn't think that was something the Spark could do?!
Might have to give that a try tonight.

Yes, it pitches up above horizon.
Just put in Tripod Mode and you can do it.
You are not allowed in other modes to protect the gimbal.

I hate to say you are not going to get much.
Here is the Super Full Moon back in January

Cool video pmshop!  I was also unaware of the gimbal going up.  Can you use tripod mode to make the gimbal go up and then take a photo?

pmshop Posted at 2018-7-24 06:17
Yes, it pitches up above horizon.
Just put in Tripod Mode and you can do it.
You are not allowed in other modes to protect the gimbal.

Thx PMSHOP.
Will give this a go tonight. )

My attempts at Moon photos with my Spark were dismal at best.  Tried auto and manual camera settings.  It may have been a windy night (can't recall) but most all of my photos turned out blurry.

pmshop Posted at 2018-7-24 06:19
I hate to say you are not going to get much.
Here is the Super Full Moon back in January
https://youtu.be/0byyUm78kAc

Remember, even though it's night here, it's 12 noon on the moon. You need to expose accordingly. If you're familiar with the "Sunny 16" rule, I've found 11 seems to work better for the moon.

For those not familiar, at f16, the shutter speed should be the reciprocal of the ISO.

Good luck, I shall hopefully be doing exactly the same as you from here in the UK. I'm tagging in @DMX_MT into this thread, from memory, he's more knowledgeable than me about setting the camera to manual on the Spark and the ISO to use. I've only flown in the dark twice, and both times I was terrified of crashing!   

(Deleted, didn't realize you're talking about an eclipse.)

DMX_MT Posted at 2018-7-24 10:28
You where reading my Mind.

I just replied.

Thank you!, of course I'm going to try and follow your advice this time and make the monumental change of switching the auto settings to manual...watch the moon go red in shock...

DMX_MT Posted at 2018-7-24 10:41
Just to give you an Idea what Lens you need to take a Good Shot of the Moon have a look below.

This is the Lens I have (The SP Model) - Tamron 150-600mm, the Photo has not Extenders attached to the Lens.

Will the less light emitted during the eclipse make things easier?

Found this nice table!
http://www.mreclipse.com/LEphoto/image/LE-Exposure1w.GIF
From http://www.mreclipse.com/LEphoto/LEphoto.html

DMX_MT Posted at 2018-7-24 10:59
If there is less light it won't make a difference as the Moon will still be very small in the Photo. What you need is a Big Zoom. The Bigger the Better. Even if the Drone had a Digital Zoom it will be full of Noise and Artifacts as it will be a Processed Image, not relying on the Actual Lense Capability.

Just remember to take Photos, let alone video, every micro shake on the camera will make the Moon Bounce like a PingPong Ball, you need to use Mirror Up, Remote and a Professional Steady Tripod, when I used a 10second times, just pressing the Shutter Button I still get Movement. Imagine the Drone in the Air with a Digital Zoom, Focused on the Moon, it will be completely unstable. If there are other techniques I don't know about I will be so will to discuss as it interests me a lot.

Thanks for the info, I'm not looking to photograph the moon with the drone, more like the city/beaches below the moon that will turn red! (And pivot up at the Moon)
Maybe a vantage point and some timelapse is better than drone footage

pmshop Posted at 2018-7-24 06:19
I hate to say you are not going to get much.
Here is the Super Full Moon back in January
https://youtu.be/0byyUm78kAc

Blood moon is the darker version of your video (excellent video btw) hope this makes it easier! (probably more noisy thought)

DMX_MT Posted at 2018-7-24 10:35
This is a Small Test I did 2 Years Ago.

I used my Canon 5D MkII with a Tamron 300mm Lense full extended - Shutter 1/200 - f/8 - ISO 100.

If this is anything to go by, a panoramic photo with the Spark could look quite good?

November 14, 2016

Canon Rebel EOS T3 with 58mm telescopic lens.
Using a 2011 Chevy truck cab for a monopod.

pmshop Posted at 2018-7-24 06:19
I hate to say you are not going to get much.
Here is the Super Full Moon back in January
https://youtu.be/0byyUm78kAc

Excellent Video PMShop the Moon came really big in the video. That Cloud infront of it looks really nice !

DMX_MT Posted at 2018-7-24 10:41
Just to give you an Idea what Lens you need to take a Good Shot of the Moon have a look below.

The Photo above was taken with a much smaller lense (Tamron 300mm).

Damn DMX, you got some gear!

DMX_MT Posted at 2018-7-24 15:50
PMShop look at the Date ! Same Moon !  I think it was the Super Moon if I am not mistaken ?

Excellent for just using a Monopod !

I think it was a super moon.
Came out great with an 8X10
And, there was some kind of 3D effect at the top of the print that cannot be seen on the digital still.
As if you could tell depth of view and crater height over the top

pmshop Posted at 2018-7-24 06:19
I hate to say you are not going to get much.
Here is the Super Full Moon back in January
https://youtu.be/0byyUm78kAc

So ok I love the music, how did you get it past the copywriter I would also like to use popular music

Carmenvail Posted at 2018-7-24 18:40
So ok I love the music, how did you get it past the copywriter I would also like to use popular music

A lot of the music on YouTube now-a-days is monitized by the claimant and they allow you to use their music so they gain monitization from ads appearing on the video.

DMX_MT Posted at 2018-7-24 15:52
Your Night Photo came Really Nice Chris !

The Lighting and the Shadows on the Sea as so Beautiful, combined with the Warm Soft Light of the Houses. I really love your Picture !

Thank you, if only i'd listened to the advice about manual settings

Is a Panoramic though - good luck if you're out Friday too.