Setting up a DSLR for astrophotography essentially means turning off approximately every feature that most users of these cameras are so excited to have.
Anything that alters or processes the image, anything that displays images (chance of ruining shots or dark-adjusted vision), anything that beeps, sings or dances etc.
This includes autofocus as most DSLRs just aren’t going to be able to focus on a star in most conditions.
Caveat: This does assume you are going to use a tool like Backyard EOS/Nikon or Astrophotography tool to control the camera.
I haven’t taken the D5300 out yet, partly as I just received it, and partly because it’s cloudy and rainy (so much for summer in Seattle) so the below may not be an exhaustive list of what needs to be configured
The first thing I notice is the D5300 has an infinite number of menus compared to the many things that were controllable via a physical button on the D300 but somehow I will struggle on.
Menu: Setup Menu
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Auto info display | Off |
| Timezone and date | Your timezone and date! |
| Auto image rotation | Off |
| Location Data | I left it off. Enable if you like I guess! |
| Wifi | I left it off so as not to make things more complex |
Menu: Custom Setting Menu
I will only document the settings that I have that are different from the defaults. First, I did a “Reset custom settings” to clear things out
| Section | Setting | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autofocus (a) | (a3) Built-in AF-assist illuminator | Off | |
| (a4) Rangefinder | Off | ||
| Timers / AE Lock (c) | (c2) Auto-off timers | Short(*) | |
| Shooting / display (d) | (d1) Beep | Off | |
| (d4) File Number sequence | On | Continues the file numbering sequence if a new folder or card is inserted instead of going back to 001. Numbering resets at 999 regardless | |
| (d5) Exposure delay mode | On | Hopefully reduces vibrations from opening the shutter |
(*) – Items I am not yet quite sure about
Menu: Shooting Menu
I will only document the settings that I have that are different from the defaults. First, I did a “Reset custom settings” to clear things out
| Setting | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Image Quality | RAW | |
| NEF (RAW) recording | 14-bit | We aren’t shooting fast so higher seems like it would be better here |
| White balance | Direct sunlight | |
| Set Picture Control | Neutral | |
| Active D-lighting | Off | |
| High ISO NR | Off | |
| ISO Sensitivity | 200 | (*) This is what was recommended from some number-analysts on Cloudy Nights. Will revise after I get to shoot |
Menu: Playback Menu
| Setting | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Image review | Off |
As I said, I have not yet tried these out but that’s my starting plan and I will adjust from here.
If you have any other tips or tricks on D5300 setup, please leave a comment and let me know!
Astrophotonic 