How to Set Your Focus on Stars, Method 1

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We don’t actually set our focus on the stars—they’re too small, too far away, and too dark to actually focus on. So, we use a technique called “focusing to infinity” (we looked at this back in the Composition chapter, as well). Depending on which type of lens you’re using, this might be an incredibly simple technique because some lenses have a little window with a focus distance indicator scale on it, which is used with Manual focus (so, first, switch your lens to Manual focus). In that scale, you’ll see an infinity symbol (∞). I know what you’re probably thinking: “So, I just turn the focus ring on my lens to that infinity symbol, right?” Well, close. You do turn it to the infinity symbol, but then you turn it back slightly to the little vertical line right before the infinity symbol. That’s the correct spot for focusing to infinity.