Ask Matthew...
Agonising over astrophotography shots? Traumatised by your next tripod choice? Send your technique and camera questions to digitalcamera@futurenet.com
Matthew Richards
Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent years using all manner of photo gear.
The sky’s the limit
Q I’ve been trying astrophotography, but I’m struggling to get the stars sharp with accurate manual focusing, using my Nikon Z 6II and Z 20mm f/2.8 S. Do you have any tips?
Lene Herman Tidgen
Using the maximum magnification when previewing the shot can help you with accurate manual focusing, getting results such as this image over the Isle of Wight by Chad Powell.
A After selecting manual focus, try repeatedly pressing the ‘+’ magnifying button on the back of your camera, near the bottom right. This will give you maximum enlargement when previewing the image on the rear screen or in the viewfinder, so you can adjust the manual focus ring and set the focus distance accurately. If you’re having trouble focusing on the stars themselves, try focusing on the most distant part of the landscape you can see, then swivel the camera to compose the shot.