How to take a picture of the moon on Xiaomi: from camera setup to processing

Photographing the moon on a smartphone is a task that seems easy only at first glance. Even Xiaomi’s flagship models (like the 14 Ultra or 13T Pro) without the right settings will give a blurry spot instead of a clear crater. The problem is not the technique, but the understanding of the physics of the shooting: the moon moves, the light from it is weak, and the camera’s automation tries to “help” where you need manual adjustment.

This article provides concrete steps to take pictures of the moon on any Xiaomi (from the budget Redmi Note to the top-end Mix Fold), including timing, Pro mode settings, processing in Lightroom Mobile and typical errors. No theory, only practical tips tested in real images. If you want to get not just a point in the sky, but a detailed shot with visible seas and craters, read on.

Why are Xiaomi’s photos of the moon so bad?

The main reason for the failed shots is automatic mode, Xiaomi algorithms (like other brands) are optimized for day scenes, and night shooting of the moon requires the opposite parameters:

• 🌕 Overlight: the camera tries to “light up” the dark sky, lifting ISO Exposure: The Moon turns into a white spot with no details.
• 📸 Incorrect focusing: Autofocus is directed at clouds or atmospheric interference, not the surface of the moon.
• 🌀 Washing from hand trembling: Even microscopic movement at long exposure leads to 'grease».
• 🌌 Atmospheric distortion: the moon is always less clear at the horizon due to the layers of air (photographing at the zenith gives the best result).

The second factor is hardware constraints: Xiaomi’s budget models (like the Redmi 12C or Poco M6) can’t physically convey details due to the small sensor and lack of telephoto lenses, but even these can produce an acceptable frame using the “manual focus digital zoom” method.

Which Xiaomi models are better for shooting the moon?

Not all Xiaomi smartphones are equally good for astrography, but key parameters that affect the result are:

If you have a budget model (like the Redmi 10A or Poco M5), don’t despair: you can use external lenses (like the Xiaomi Lens 2× Telephoto) or shoot through binoculars/telescope with an adapter.

⚠️ Note: On models without a telephoto lens (e.g., Redmi Note 12) do not use a digital zoom greater than 4.× — The quality will fall to the level of a pixel spot. Better take the moon in basic resolution and cut the frame then.

Preparation for shooting: time, weather and equipment

Even with the top-end Xiaomi 14 Ultra, you'll get a bad shot if you don't take external factors into account.

• 🌑 Moon phase: optimally, first/last quarter (seen by crater shadows) or supermoon (14 percent larger) full moon gives flat light without contrast.
• ⏱️ Time: The moon is highest above the horizon at midnight (less atmospheric distortion). Use the PhotoPills or Stellarium app to calculate the trajectory.
• 🌤️ Weather: cloudless skies + Low humidity (fog and haze blur the image). Check the atmospheric transparency index at cleardarksky.com.
• 📱 Equipment: Fixed (required! even for the 1/1000Remote descent remote or camera timer (to avoid shaking when pressed) External battery (filming in the cold quickly puts the battery down).

If you're hand-held, use the "breathing delay" method: take a deep breath, hold your breath for 2-3 seconds, and then pull the trigger, which reduces the microshaking of the body.

Check the phase of the moon in the application|Charge your smartphone to 100%|Clean the lens of dust and prints|Install your smartphone on a tripod|Disable autofocus and stabilization (if it interferes with)-->

Step-by-step setting up Xiaomi camera for shooting the moon

So, to the most important thing, settings, and using only Pro mode (which is called Professional or Manual in the standard Camera app), here are the best settings to start with:

• 📸 Focus: Transfer to MF (manually) and set infinity (∞). On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T) You need to focus on a distant object (lightlight, building) and then switch to a distant object. MF.
• ⚡ Exposition: ISO: 100–400 (The lower the noise, the less noise: 1/100–1/500c (depending on the phase of the moon; for full moon, shorter). Aperture: maximum open (e.g., full moon, f/1.9 Xiaomi 12 Pro).
• 🔍 Zoom: If you have a telephoto lens, use it (e.g. 5)× 13 Ultra. Unless digital zoom, do not exceed 2.× (quality drops sharply).
• 🎯 Format: RAW (if supported) for post-processing — JPEG maximum-resolution.

After the first frame, check the histogram (includes in the camera settings). The peak should be in the middle - if the chart rests on the right wall, reduce the exposure by 0.3-0.7 EV.

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On models with Leica optics (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra) include the profile Leica Authentic – it gives more natural colors of the moon without overworking.

Shooting the Moon through a telescope or binoculars: instructions for Xiaomi

If you want to get super-detailed images (visible craters Copernicus or Tycho), you need a telescope or binoculars.

1. Buy a smartphone adapter (such as the Xiaomi Mobile Lens Adapter or Universal clamp).
2. Place binoculars/telescope on a tripod and point at the moon. Use maximum magnification of the eyepiece (e.g. 20).×).
3. Hold your smartphone so that the camera lens looks into the eyepiece, the distance between them should be 1-2 cm.
4. Turn on Pro mode on Xiaomi and manually focus by rotating the eyepiece of the binoculars (don’t touch the focus on the smartphone!).
5. Shoot the video in 4K@30fps (like the Open Camera app) and then select the best shot in post-processing.

Telescopes with a longer focal length (from 1000 mm) may need a barlow lens (increases focus by 2-3 times). But remember: the larger the magnification, the harder it is to avoid shaking.

⚠️ Note: When shooting through optics, turn off all filters and HDR They distort the actual color of the moon and add artifacts.

Image processing of the moon: from RAW to final image

Even the perfect shot with Xiaomi requires processing. Here is the minimum set of actions in Adobe Lightroom Mobile (free version):

1. Cut and align: Cut the frame so that the Moon occupies 60-70% of the area. Use the Alignment tool to correct the horizon.
2. Exposure correction: Reduce shutter speed by −0.5 EV if the moon is overlit. Raise the Contrast to +30-50 for craters. Reduce Shadows to −20 to remove the noise of the sky.

Noise suppression

Details

Noise-making

Sharpness

Color correction

Temperature.

For advanced processing, use Photoshop Express or Snapseed (Selective Correction tool will help to brighten only craters without affecting the background).

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced photographers on Xiaomi make these mistakes.

• 🌝 Full Moon without filters: bright light burns out details. ND-filter (e.g. Xiaomi) ND8) or RAW blackout.
• 🤳 Holding your smartphone in your hands: even when you are shutting down 1/1000It's a trembling hand that blurs the little things. + remote descent (or timer) 2s).
• 📱 Use digital zoom >4×: Xiaomi's algorithms just stretch pixels, so the solution is to shoot in basic resolution and then trim.
• ☁️ Shooting through clouds or haze: the atmosphere scatters light, the solution is to test the transparency of the sky in Meteoblue or Windy.
• 🔋 Battery discharge: in the cold, the battery goes down 2 times faster. The solution is an external battery or shooting at a higher temperature. −5°C.

Another common problem is chromatic aberration (purple/green halos at the edges of the moon), which appears on cheap lenses (e.g. Redmi 9A), which can be fixed in Lightroom with the tool Elimination of chromatic aberration.

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The most common mistake is ignoring manual settings. Xiaomi auto-reviews always light up the moon, losing detail. Always use Pro-mode with manual focus!

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions