Nikon gear - once again, out of this world!

[ColinM]

Here's the Flickr stream to see some of the images from the Artemis expedition

https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasa2explore/

Interesting to see the range of photo gear they've taken with them.
According to Nasa, the astronauts are using standard 10-year-old cameras, including the Nikon D5, as well as GoPros and smartphones.

[ColinM]

I've been tickled to hear some news reports saying this will be the first time humans have seen the dark side of the moon.

Luckily, a few of us here at NG remember the first time Apollo expeditions actually did this

And some classic images from the past, inc this one from 1968

[Lars Hansen]

I've been tickled to hear some news reports saying this will be the first time humans have seen the dark side of the moon.

Luckily, a few of us here at NG remember the first time Apollo expeditions actually did this

And some classic images from the past, inc this one from 1968

Thanks for sharing this, Colin!

As for the classic images from the past - quote Wikipedia:

The photograph was taken from lunar orbit on December 24, 1968, 16:39:39.3 UTC, with a highly modified Hasselblad 500 EL with an electric drive. The camera had a simple sighting ring, rather than the standard reflex viewfinder, and was loaded with a 70 mm film magazine containing custom Ektachrome film developed by Kodak. Anders had been photographing the lunar surface with a 250 mm lens, which he then used for the Earthrise images.

[ColinM]

Thanks Lars

[Akira]

If I understand the situation correctly, NASA is suffering from severe reduction of the budged because of the reason we should all know.  So they should have to make the best of what they already have.

[Fons Baerken]

"It's not happening"!

Just the next hoax to divert attention!

For your distraction!

[ColinM]

"It's not happening"!
Just the next hoax to divert attention!
For your distraction!

Nice try Fons!

[ColinM]

So they should have to make the best of what they already have.

What's interesting is the wide-range zooms many of their shots are taken with

[Thomas Stellwag]

"It's not happening"!

Just the next hoax to divert attention!

For your distraction!

Fons? 

[Thomas Stellwag]

pictures from ground station shows more Z9 than from orbit

I think Akira is right. On the other side, those 4 people do not have to argue with 1 billion forae members about the best lens for the project. They just are free to use what they have and none of us could proove them wrong.

[toups]

I remember the camera of choice for the Apollo missions was a Hasselblad camera.

[David H. Hartman]

I remember the camera of choice for the Apollo missions was a Hasselblad camera.

If I remember correctly NASA used specially prepared Nikon F(s) but only at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, USA.

Dave

[Akira]

Here's a related article posted on PetaPixel:

https://petapixel.com/2026/04/06/the-10-year-old-nikon-d5-dslr-really-is-the-best-camera-for-artemis-ii/

[pluton]

This is my new favorite "earthrise" earthset shot (D5, 80mm, f/7.1, ISO 400)  Not sure why it's 1.9:1 aspect ratio, but it works:

[Ann]

I did something that I had never done before: I pre-ordered a D5 and mine was, I believe, on the first shipment to reach the USA from Japan.

I have used it joyfully ever since!

Beautiful machine that has never failed to deliver!!