Lunar Eclipses are relatively easy to photograph. On the other side of this page are some
suggested exposure times. These are only suggestions so it is recommended that you bracket
your exposures one or two stops on either side of the recommendation. (This can be done one of
two ways. Assume the recommended exposure is 1/15 sec at f/5.6. You can change the shutter
speed, taking exposures of 1/60, 1/30, 1/15, 1/8, and 1/4 seconds at f/5.6 OR you can keep the
same shutter speed and change the f-stop of the lens. In this case take exposures of 1/15 sec. at
f/11, f/8, f/5.6, f/4, and f/2.8.) If you are not that comfortable with your camera, its
recommended they you vary the shutter speed.
The exposure times for the partial phases are given for the middle of each phase. Near the
beginning of the partial phase you will want a shorter exposure, near the end you will need a
longer exposure. It is also difficult to predict how dark the moon will be during totality. During
the eclipse in December of 1982, that moon almost completely disappeared. If the moon appears
dark try exposures longer than those recommended.
THINGS TO REMEMBER:
Make sure you use a fast film for the total portion of the eclipse.
With a 50mm lens exposures longer than about 10 seconds will show streaking. The longer the
focal length of your lens, the sooner streaking will become noticeable.
If you have a 2X or 3X tele-extender for your lens you will probably want to use it. Remember that the extender changes the focal ratio of your lens by 2 or 3 stops. During the total phase, the exposures with the extender may be long enough to cause trailing so you may want to take some photos without it.
Lunar Eclipse Exposure Guide
Film Speed Lunar Eclipse Exposure Guide
Film Speed 400 1000 1600 3200 Full Moon 1/500 1/500 1/500 1/1000 (Uneclipsed) f/11 f/16 f/22 f/22 Pre Partial Eclipse 1/125 1/125 1/250 1/500 (Penumbra & Bright Portion) f/11 f/16 f/16 f/16 Partial Eclipse 1/4 1/8 1/15 1/30 (Umbra & Penumbra) f/5.6 f/5.6 f/5.6 f/5.6 Beginning of Totality 1/4 1/8 1/8 1/8 f/2.8 f/2.8 f/4 f/5.6 Middle of Eclipse 1 1/2 1/4 1/8 f/2.8 f/2.8 f/2.8 f/2.8 End of Totality 1/4 1/8 1/8 1/8 f/2.8 f/2.8 f/4 f/5.6
(For the partial phases of the eclipse after totality use the same exposures as before totality.)
Listed below are event times (CST) for the October 27, 2004 eclipse:
Moon enters outer shadow 7:05 p.m. Moon enters inner shadow 8:14 p.m. Totality Begins 9:23 p.m. Middle of Eclipse 10:04 p.m. Totality Ends 10:44 p.m. Moon leaves inner shadow 11:53 p.m. Moon leaves outer shadow 1:02 a.m.
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This page last updated: September 8, 2004