Buzz
An astrophotographer utilized a 35mm film camera attached to a telescope lens to capture highly detailed moon images. Notably, this time he documented a total lunar eclipse with 180 shots and 5 rolls of film.Selecting a lens that covers the entire 35mm frame and ensuring high quality is crucial, especially for film photography as stacking techniques or digital technology cannot be utilized.
He utilized the SkyWatcher NEQ6 mount - upon research, this mount costs around or below 60 million Vietnamese dong in Vietnam.
De Freitas set up his equipment on the eastern coast of Australia on November 8, where the lunar eclipse occurred just before dawn. This location provided a complete view of the eclipse, which lasted about 4 hours.
De Freitas expended over 5 rolls of film with 180 shots, with exposure times ranging from about 1 minute for the initial photos to up to 140 seconds for the total lunar eclipse shots.De Freitas meticulously adjusted the brightness levels among the photos to ensure minimal disparity, resulting in smoother video compilation.Due to the constant movement of Earth and the Moon, De Freitas had to readjust slightly after each shot to center the moon in the frame. This task became progressively more challenging as the lunar eclipse grew in magnitude, causing dimmer light and a hazier moon.
De Freitas opted for the Canon EOS 620 camera as it was the only film camera he owned. With each adjustment, the camera allowed only for a ½ stop change, adding a degree of difficulty to achieving optimal exposure.
Using a film camera to capture sharp images like these isn't a walk in the park. De Freitas admits he undertakes this task because he feels a deeper emotional connection with 35mm film photos, finding them to possess a more genuine essence compared to digitally processed ones with too many editing steps.You can purchase signed prints by De Freitas on his website here.
