Recommended settings#
ModeManual (M)
Aperturef/1.4–f/2.8Wide open, or ⅓ stop down to tame coma
Shutter10–25 sUse the NPF rule for your lens
ISO1600–64003200 is a good start on full frame
FocusManual on a bright starLive view, magnify 10×
White balance3800–4200 KNatural-looking sky
FormatRAWEssential for noise reduction
StabilisationOffOn a tripod
Quick start: Capture the galactic core with a fast wide-angle lens, the widest aperture you have and the longest shutter speed before stars trail.
Starting exposures#
Typical scene brightness for this situation is around EV -6. Use these as a first test shot, then check the histogram.
| Aperture | ISO 100 | ISO 400 | ISO 1600 | ISO 6400 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| f/1.4 | 2 min | 30 s | 8 s | 2 s |
| f/2.8 | > 4 min | 2 min | 30 s | 8 s |
| f/5.6 | > 4 min | > 4 min | 2 min | 30 s |
| f/8 | > 4 min | > 4 min | > 4 min | 1 min |
| f/11 | > 4 min | > 4 min | > 4 min | 2 min |
Step by step#
- Check the moon phase — shoot within a few days of the new moon.
- Find a dark site (Bortle 1–4) and plan the core's position with an app.
- Frame with a foreground while there's still blue-hour light.
- Focus manually on a bright star at 10× magnification, then tape the ring.
- Take a test shot at ISO 6400 to check composition quickly, then drop to your working ISO.
- Shoot several frames to stack for cleaner files.
Gear checklist#
- Sturdy tripod
- Fast wide lens (14–24 mm f/1.4–2.8)
- Remote release or 2 s self-timer
- Red head torch
- Spare batteries (cold drains them)
Pro tips#
- The galactic core is visible from roughly February to October in the northern hemisphere, best in June–August.
- Expose to the right without clipping stars; lifting shadows later costs more noise than a brighter capture.
- For a clean foreground, blend a longer, lower-ISO exposure taken at blue hour.
Common mistakes#
- Using autofocus at night — it hunts and misses.
- Leaving long-exposure noise reduction on (it doubles every exposure).
- Shooting near a bright moon.
Related guides#
Star trailsStack many 20–30 s exposures (or one very long one) while the Earth rotates to draw circle…
Northern lights (aurora)Fast lens, high ISO and shutter speeds of 1–8 s keep the aurora's structure sharp instead …
Meteor showersShoot continuous Milky Way-style frames for hours and keep the ones that caught a meteor.…
Frequently asked questions#
What are the best camera settings for Milky Way photography?
Aperture: f/1.4–f/2.8 · Shutter: 10–25 s · ISO: 1600–6400. Capture the galactic core with a fast wide-angle lens, the widest aperture you have and the longest shutter speed before stars trail.
What gear do I need for Milky Way photography?
Sturdy tripod, Fast wide lens (14–24 mm f/1.4–2.8), Remote release or 2 s self-timer, Red head torch, Spare batteries (cold drains them).
Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources