(Image credit: Getty Images)
Astrophotography often baffles even experienced photographers. A seemingly perfect landscape often turns into blurry spots or unwanted trails. The constant movement of celestial objects, low light, and the need for special precision require more effort than other types of photography.
Here are five common mistakes beginners make when photographing the night sky and how to avoid them. Understanding these nuances will help you save time, avoid disappointment, and get quality shots. While skill is important, using specialized equipment and optics will significantly improve the results.
1. Errors in focus adjustment
The sharpness of the stars plays a key role.
Inaccurate focusing immediately ruins a photo. When you make a mistake, the stars don't just look blurry, they look unnatural. Focusing to infinity requires fine-tuning, not just turning the ring all the way to the limit.
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To focus precisely, use the LCD screen or Live View mode, zooming in on the brightest star in the frame. Gradually adjust the ring until the dot is as small and sharp as possible. Check the result with a test shot at a zoom level. This process will become easier with practice.
Some modern cameras, such as the OM System OM-1 Mark II, feature autofocus for shooting stars. Manual focusing remains a reliable backup method, but the OM System's automatic focus ensures consistent results.
Cameras with Starry Sky AF feature:
OM System OM-1 II
$2,399.99 $2,099.99 ViewView all prices
OM System OM-5 Mark II
$1,199.99 $1,116.40 ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day to find the best prices. 2. Incorrect shutter speed settings
Long exposure creates star trails unless that is the creative intent.
Shutter speed is a delicate balance: too short and the stars are dim, too long and they are washed out. Use the rule of 500: for full frame, divide 500 by the focal length. For example, 20mm is 25 seconds. For APS-C, divide by 300; for Micro Four-Third, divide by 250.
Exceeding the limit causes unwanted trails. Too fast a shutter speed requires a high ISO, which increases noise.
Recommended optics:
Canon RF 20mm f/1.4L VCM
$1,699 USViewSee all prices
Sony FE 16mm f/1.8G
$848ViewView all prices
Nikon Z 20mm f/1.8 S
$1,146.95See all pricesWe check over 250 million items every day to find the best prices. 3. Not taking into account the movement of celestial objects
Consider the dynamics of the sky for accurate composition.
The sky is constantly changing position: for example, the Milky Way or the Moon may disappear from the frame during the preparation time. Use apps like Stellarium or PhotoPills to predict the positions of objects. This will help you choose the optimal time and place to shoot.
Sony A7 IV with Vivid Monitoring: 561 Reviews
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$2,398 View Show More We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices. 4. ISO Overestimation
The balance of ISO, aperture and shutter speed is critical.
High ISO amplifies noise, turning details into a grainy mess. Find the optimal value for your camera (usually ISO 1600-3200 for a full frame). Test shots and calibration shots will help improve quality.
Cameras with good light sensitivity:
Nikon Z8
$3,999.95 $3,696.95 ViewView all prices
Sony A7 IV
$37.99ViewSee all prices
Canon EOS R5 Mark II
$165.99See all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices. 5. Shoot in JPEG instead of RAW
RAW preserves maximum data for post-processing.
JPEG loses detail and color due to compression. RAW files retain all the information from the sensor, allowing you to adjust exposure, noise, and hues. This is important for highlighting nebulae and star clusters.
Kimberly Lane, Social Link Navigator, E-Commerce Writer
Kimberly Lane is a photography expert who has tested Sony, Canon, OM System, and other brands of equipment. She specializes in landscape, astro, and portrait photography. Her work has appeared in Digital Camera World, Cosmopolitan, and other publications. She also collaborates with Space.com and Tech Radar, using binoculars and telescopes for astronomical observations.
Sourse: www.livescience.com
