Lunar and Total Lunar Eclipse Photography with a DSLR

 

Photographing a lunar eclipse with a DSLR is one of the most accessible forms of astrophotography, but it requires adjusting exposure settings as the eclipse progresses. The Moon changes significantly in brightness from the fully illuminated phase through partial shadow and into totality, when it becomes much dimmer and often takes on a deep red color. Because of this, your camera settings should be adjusted throughout the event rather than left fixed.

A basic setup includes a DSLR or mirrorless camera with full manual controls, a telephoto lens in the 200–600mm range or longer, and a sturdy tripod. Stability is essential, so use a remote shutter release or your camera’s self-timer to prevent vibration. Bring extra batteries and memory cards since eclipses can last several hours. Optional accessories such as an intervalometer or a telescope with a camera adapter (see below) can help automate capture and increase image scale.

Before the eclipse begins, the Moon is brightly lit and should be exposed similarly to a daylight subject using low ISO and a fast shutter speed. As the partial eclipse progresses, brightness drops and you will need to lengthen exposures or increase ISO. During totality, the Moon can be several stops dimmer, often requiring higher ISO and exposures from fractions of a second up to a couple of seconds.

Use manual focus with live view and zoom in on the Moon to achieve sharp crater detail. Once focus is set, leave autofocus off. Shoot in RAW format for maximum editing flexibility, set white balance to daylight to preserve natural color, and bracket exposures throughout the eclipse to ensure properly exposed frames.

Recommended Camera Settings by Eclipse Stage

Eclipse Stage	ISO	Aperture	Shutter Speed	Notes
Full Moon (before eclipse)	100–200	f/8–f/11	1/125–1/250 sec	Expose like a daylight subject
Early Partial Phase	200–400	f/8	1/60–1/125 sec	Brightness begins to drop
Deep Partial Phase	400–800	f/8	1/15–1/60 sec	Bracket exposures
Totality	800–1600 (up to 3200)	f/5.6–f/8	0.5–2 sec	Moon is dim and reddish

Setup Checklist

Item	Recommendation
Camera Mode	Manual
File Format	RAW
Focus Method	Manual focus using live view zoom
Support	Solid tripod
Shutter Control	Remote release or 2-second timer
Image Stabilization	Turn off on tripod
White Balance	Daylight
Extras	Spare batteries and memory cards

Exposure Strategy

Technique	How to Use It
Exposure Bracketing	Capture multiple shutter speeds at each phase
Histogram Check	Avoid blown highlights during bright phases
Test Frames	Start before the eclipse begins
Interval Shooting	Capture at regular intervals for composites