How to photograph the moon using a camera: techniques, kit, and settings

Digital cameras, and the excellent lenses that are available for them, mean it’s never been easier to photograph the Moon. Our nearest neighbor in space is a great object to start with if you’re a beginner looking to get into astrophotography, being bright, clear, and easy to spot (unless the weather gets in the way).

You can even get surprising results photographing the moon with a smartphone, as long as you find a way of keeping it stable. You’ll need something more substantial, however, if you are keen to start capturing many of the craters, rilles, mountains and valleys that litter the lunar surface. This is where having one of the best cameras for astrophotography comes in: combine one with a good lens and a tripod, and you can easily start capturing impressive lunar photos. 

Cameras and lenses: Things to consider