Help required

[onlymark]

So, here is the problem.
I have a basic digital point and shoot camera. I takes quite decent pictures of most things. I can alter a few things on it depending on what I'm aiming at. But, I just can't take a decent in focus shot of the moon.
No matter what setting I use (but there are a million permutations) the camera keeps telling me the shot is 'underexposed'.
Here are two of the 'best' examples. What I want is to focus in on the moon, but it never seems to achieve this.
In the middle of the screen when I take a shot is a small frame that is supposed to turn to green when it has achieved the right focal length. But it's always red. -





Maybe I just need a better camera.

[Deleted]

That's pretty much how most of my moon shots come out. But I have discovered that sometimes if you use the old trick of making the camera think you are photographing something else instead, you can get a good shot (every now and then). I get the camera to focus on something on this planet (usually a roof or a treetop) and approve of what I am doing, and then, keeping the pressure on the camera button, I aim it at the real target.

[onlymark]

Hmmm... maybe I'll try that.

[onlymark]

Just did. Tried it about twenty times but no joy.
I'll have to research into this a bit.

[onlymark]

Just found the macro setting. Conversely I've also found the infinity setting.
I'll have a play later.

[thill25]

Does your camera offer manual settings? Exposure times?

[Deleted]

I found my user manual when cleaning out papers today. Maybe I will finally read it.

[bixaorellana]

Speaking of user manuals ~~ you can get the expanded, super-duper manual for almost any camera for free off the internet.

As soon as I bought my new camera, I looked up the manual & downloaded the pdf file.

So now there is just one step left!

[thill25]

I was thinking about this since we are going to have a "super moon" tonight...i hope this helps:

blogs.esanjoaquin.com/san-joaquin-county-photography/2011/02/14/moon-shot/

mansurovs.com/how-to-photograph-moon