S2 - Can I take 'night sky' shots?

[bluevolume]

I'm just getting to know my new S2, I've taken almost 500 pictures this weekend already. I've seen a couple threads here of people taking great night shots -- particularly of the moon. Is there any way to get a sharp shot of the moon or stars without some extra lenses? I've tried this a couple times, but the camera is never able to focus correctly. Using the 'infinity' setting doesn't seem to help.

Thanks for any info,
Blue

[snowrdr]

I was able to get my S2 to focus on the moon by using spot metering in Av mode.

http://www.pbase.com/image/46602072.jpg

[Militaris]

I asked the same question a few months back and the answer is a yes. I have gotten same good shots of the stars and the moon. (The moon is easier because it is so much bigger and brighter in our sky)

Just go into manual mode, set the shutter speed to 15", make sure the lens is open as far as possible. Setting the iso to 400 seems to help, and make sure that the manual focus is set to infinity. I also close the LCD screen just in case its glow interferes with the image.

Tri-pod use is probably wise, with such a long shutter speed it is hard not to shack the camera, although with IS it is possible.

[bluevolume]

I asked the same question a few months back and the answer is a yes. I have gotten same good shots of the stars and the moon. (The moon is easier because it is so much bigger and brighter in our sky)

Just go into manual mode, set the shutter speed to 15", make sure the lens is open as far as possible. Setting the iso to 400 seems to help, and make sure that the manual focus is set to infinity. I also close the LCD screen just in case its glow interferes with the image.

Tri-pod use is probably wise, with such a long shutter speed it is hard not to shack the camera, although with IS it is possible.

I'll have to take another 'shot' at it (pardon the pun). I was doing pretty much everything you said there -- my pictures are fully exposed and very bright but the focus is totally off. I have a good tripod and was even using the timer. I'll have to try the Av mode as mentioned earlier and see what that does.

I'm having a lot of fun with this new camera. It is a lot of learning, but totally worth it.

[snowrdr]

In my shot, the moon was so bright there was no need for long exposure times.
The key was switching to spot metering. Once I did that, the S2 focused on the moon. :D

[JustinS]

i found the same snowrdr, this picture taken at 1/100 in TV mode.
Cheers
Justin
S2 IS
http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/6965/img04806nf.jpg

[iplayazi]

This might be a dumb question but how do you set the camera to focus ifinity and does that focus 8 feet and on??

[nitr0uzv]

This might be a dumb question but how do you set the camera to focus ifinity and does that focus 8 feet and on??

it looks like an 8 symbol cept its horizontal

first set your exposure

then press the MF button on the left side of the camera and press the 4 way switch up until you are at max

[bluevolume]

Thank's for all of the good info. If we ever have a clear night here again I'll have to try it!

[Rob vdKam]

In my shot, the moon was so bright there was no need for long exposure times.
The key was switching to spot metering. Once I did that, the S2 focused on the moon. :D

Can you tell me if I understand this correctly? Do you mean that by getting the correct exposure (ie spot metering), the camera was then able to see detail and focus automatically?
Thanks

[snowrdr]

Can you tell me if I understand this correctly? Do you mean that by getting the correct exposure (ie spot metering), the camera was then able to see detail and focus automatically?
Thanks

For my moon shot. the S2 wouldn't auto focus while in Evaluative Metering. I then switched to Spot Metering and the S2 focused great. I did not try Center Weighted Metering. :D :D