the moon (NIKON CAMERA. NEED HELP)

OK, so i've wanting to take pictures of planets and so forth for AGES now. and i just don't know how. i've looked it up everywhere and can't find a good enough or relevant response. I'm using a nikon D700 camera, and it allows me to zoom into the moon, but then i have to focus, and it zooms out again.

This is how far i can get zoomed in, but not focused-



And when i focus-


Please help? thank you!

I might be able to help as I own a DSLR myself!
Firstly, what lens are you using?

What lense? Um... uh... well that's a dumb question to ask me haha. I have two and they're both my dads which i've inherited. he taught me the basics... and i think... hang on...

This is what i read on the lense-
AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm 1:2:8G ED

The other one says this-
AF NIKKOR 80-200mm 1:2:8 D

Hope that made any sense?

Honestly, I know nothing of lenses and whatnot.

HOWEVER, for really basic tips I can give a couple of ideas. I would, firstly, recommend finding a tripod. If one isn't available, just make sure to rest your camera on something really solid that won't shake or anything.
You need to be really patient with your focusing-- it will focus, refocus, refocus... for what seems like forever. Remember to focus on other things and then try again if it's causing you trouble, and maybe play with some settings. Also, don't zoom in too much- depending on your megapixels, you can always crop it later for a zoom type of thing.

Last tip that's probably really obvious: beware of the light pollution. Go someplace secluded that's dark, when you can see the shadows on the moon-- that will be your best bet of getting a clear and focused shot. It's going to be harder to take the actual picture, but will allow your camera to pick up on the moon's light, rather than the city lights.


Okay. That's all I got. Sorry I can't be more helpful-- feel free to message me if you have any more questions though.
Good luck!

-Coral-

Alrighty. I assume you were using the 24-70mm for this shot.
Switch to the other one. It'll get closer to he moon.
Secondly, there isn't anything wrong with the zoom. All camera lenses, especially my 75-300mm telephoto do this.

Thanks!

I have a tripod actually, it's all my dad's photography kit. It's been passed on to me but i'm just not sure how to use it. he fell ill right about the time he started teaching me. And the light pollution isn't that much of a big problem, we live on the edge of town near the countryside, so it's not that bad.

As regards a tripod, there will be a quick release? Like a small rectangle piece of plastic with a screw in it? Just screw it into the bottom of your camera until its secure
If its still in the tripod, you'll have to pull back a little lever/hook thing to get it out.
When you're putting it in, just pull the hook out again and slide it and the camera in, then push it closed.
There will be a large stick thing, which if you twist one way will secure the camera facing up/down, and if you twist the other, it'll make it very easy to change the angle. There will be a little knob or something on the bit of the tripod where the cameras attached, probably at the right? If you twist it one way, you'll be able to move the camera/tripod head left and right, and if you twist it another way, it'll be secured.
Obviously the legs can be shortened or lengthened hehe.
It took me literally an hour to figure out how to use a tripod as no instructions came with it It's quite complicated, well for me it was.
This probably makes no sense, but I guess I tried
PS, do you have a Flickr or anything?

-snails-

haha thanks! and no... not flickr. but tumblr! if you have tumblr?
argh. i tried the bigger lense, but the camera that it's on has run out of battery and i have no idea how to charge it? it's all ever so confusing. i need a teacher. ¬_¬ i tried connecting it to the computer but that doesn't do anything. i only really just put new batteries in it, and god, i don't want to use them all up already. i hardly ever use that camera! the smally is my favourite. i'll figure something out. :G

I used to have a tumblr, but deleted it hehe. You should totally get Flickr! Photos look amazing on it <3
Erm, did it come with a rechargable battery? (I don't know, I only know Sony DSLRs hehe). If so, it should have came with a little charger for it. Like a tray almost? Just plug that in and pop the battery in it, and that's you.
If its not that, I haven't got a clue! Tehe