Recommended settings#
ModeManual
Aperturef/8–f/11Sharpest zone of telephoto lenses
Shutter1/125–1/250 sLooney 11: f/11, 1/ISO
ISO100–400
FocusManual / live view on the terminator
MeteringSpotOr manual
StabilisationOff on tripod
Quick start: The moon is a sunlit rock: expose it like daylight (the Looney 11 rule) with a long lens and fast-ish shutter.
Starting exposures#
Typical scene brightness for this situation is around EV 15. Use these as a first test shot, then check the histogram.
| Aperture | ISO 100 | ISO 400 | ISO 1600 | ISO 6400 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| f/1.4 | too bright | too bright | too bright | too bright |
| f/2.8 | 1/4000 s | too bright | too bright | too bright |
| f/5.6 | 1/1000 s | 1/4000 s | too bright | too bright |
| f/8 | 1/500 s | 1/2000 s | 1/8000 s | too bright |
| f/11 | 1/250 s | 1/1000 s | 1/4000 s | too bright |
Step by step#
- Use the Looney 11 rule as a start: f/11 and 1/ISO seconds.
- Zoom live view to 10× on the edge of shadow (the terminator) to focus.
- Shoot a burst and pick the sharpest (atmospheric shimmer varies).
- For a landscape with moon, shoot at moonrise near blue hour.
Gear checklist#
- 300 mm+ lens
- Tripod
- Remote release
Pro tips#
- Half moons show more crater relief than full moons.
- The moon moves its own diameter in ~2 minutes — keep shutter ≤1/60 s at 600 mm.
Common mistakes#
- Using the camera's matrix metering, which overexposes the moon to a white blob.
Related guides#
Frequently asked questions#
What are the best camera settings for photographing the moon?
Aperture: f/8–f/11 · Shutter: 1/125–1/250 s · ISO: 100–400. The moon is a sunlit rock: expose it like daylight (the Looney 11 rule) with a long lens and fast-ish shutter.
What gear do I need for photographing the moon?
300 mm+ lens, Tripod, Remote release.
Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources