Overview
If you've never photographed the night sky, don't worry — start with this simple recipe and adjust from there.
The starting recipe
Manual mode, aperture as wide as it goes (f/2.8 or lower), ISO 1600, shutter 8 seconds, manual focus at infinity, 2-second timer, on a tripod. Take a shot and check.
How to adjust
Too dark? Raise ISO to 3200 or lengthen the shutter. Aurora blurry/fast? Shorten the shutter to 4–6 seconds. Out of focus? Refocus on a bright star in live view.
Do & don't
Do shoot RAW and keep batteries warm. Don't rely on autofocus in the dark. See our full photography guide.