Moon Lens Simulator
Experience the physically correct effect of different lenses and sensor formats on moon shots. Compare Full Frame and crop sensors (APS-C) from 24 mm wide-angle to 1000 mm super-telephoto.
📅 Date & Presets
📊 Moon Ephemerides
📷 Camera Setup
🖼️ Subject & Scene
The Looney 11 Rule for Moon Photography
The moon shines much brighter than you might expect in the dark night because it is illuminated directly by the sun. A camera's automatic exposure meter therefore often suggests overexposed images. The Looney 11 Rule is a proven rule of thumb to instantly find the perfect exposure for sharp lunar craters.
The Basic Rule (Full Moon)
Set your camera to manual mode (M), select aperture f/11 and set the shutter speed as close as possible to the reciprocal of your ISO value. For example:
- ISO 100 → 1/100 s (or 1/125 s)
- ISO 200 → 1/200 s (or 1/250 s)
- ISO 400 → 1/400 s (or 1/500 s)
Why f/11?
Since the moon in space reflects direct sunlight, its surface has the same brightness as a sun-drenched day on Earth (hence the "Sunny 16 Rule" applies to Earth, and the "Looney 11 Rule" to the moon due to its slightly darker albedo).
Important: Use a stable tripod and focus manually (e.g. using the magnifier in your camera's live view) on the crater edge of the moon to achieve maximum detail sharpness.
Adaptation to other moon phases
The less the moon is illuminated by the sun, the less light it reflects towards Earth. Therefore, you need to increase the exposure time or open the aperture wider:
| Moon Phase | Recommended Aperture (at 1 / ISO shutter speed) | Light Amount Relative to Full Moon | Practical Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Moon | f/11 | Base (1x) | Perfectyl illuminated craters along the edges. |
| Three-Quarter Moon (Gibbous) | f/8.0 | 2x more light needed | The crater structures already cast distinct shadows. |
| Half Moon (Quarter) | f/5.6 | 4x more light needed | Very high contrast along the day-night line (terminator). |
| Crescent Moon (Crescent) | f/4.0 | 8x more light needed | Very narrow crescent. Tripod highly recommended. |
What you need for real moon photos
A long focal length is only half the way to a sharp moon photo. To bring the theoretical details of your lens onto the sensor, stable accessories are indispensable:
Sturdy Tripod
Why: At focal lengths of 300 mm or more, holding the camera by hand is impossible. Every minimal tremor blurs the picture and makes the moon unrecognizable.
Benefit: Stable stand and precise image composition without lens sagging.
View Tripod UpgradeJJC Cable Remote Release
Why: Even the most careful pressing of the shutter button causes fine vibrations under high zoom. A remote release triggers the camera completely contact-free.
Benefit: 100% vibration-free and razor-sharp detail shots.
View JJC Remote ReleaseUlanzi MT-08 Mini Tripod
Why: If you attach your phone to binoculars, a telescope, or a clip-on lens, you need a stable mount to center the subject perfectly.
Benefit: Handy size, integrated ball head, and telescopic extension.
View Ulanzi MT-08Advertising disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. If you purchase through one of these links, we receive a small commission. The price remains unchanged for you.