The night sky.

[hrry]

How can i focus my camera if i am taking a photo of the sky at night?
Trial and error?

 

[BuS_RiDeR]

Sky is VERY far away... use infinity focus on your lens...

 

[hrry]

I'm not sure what that means?

 

[BuS_RiDeR]

I'm not sure what that means?

Look at you lens focus ring... (use manual focus not automatic). Does it have a symbol on it that looks like a sideways 8... That is infinity.

 

[hrry]

Cheers, but no number on it, do i turn it all the way out or in?

 

[BuS_RiDeR]

Cheers, but no number on it, do i turn it all the way out or in?

Yes... the focus not the zoom... Also check the manual for the lens... it should say where infynity is on that lens. Usually maximum focus I believe.

 

[bluetibby1]

Good info Bus_rider
blue

 

[Patrice]

Be careful, the focus mechanisms of some lenses will go past infinity and you'll end up with out of focus images. If you are trying to photograph constellations and such it would be best to do trial and error with manual focussing and check your result on your lcd. Don't touch your focus ring once you get a sharp image. I use a little dab of whiteout opposite the focus index to indicate where I get infinity on the lenses I use for star shots. (I use an EQ6 pro equatorial mount autoguided through an 80mm guide scope, a camera lens for wide field photos or a 5 inch apochromatic refractor telescope as a lens for deep space stuff. A 8 inch newt or a 6 inch cat is also sometimes used.)

 

[Jarmo]

Just look for a light source very far away and focus to that. It will be close enough to infinity.

 

[Edsport]

Try focusing on a bright star nearby where you want to take your shot then set it to manual focus and don't change the focus. As mentioned, some lenses will focus pass infinity...