DSLR camera settings

[Larry 1969]

I found the menu to disable "auto rotate" (Thanks again!) and while I was in there I noticed a TON of other settings that I may not have right.
Is anyone using a similar camera that would be able to share some of their settings with me? I have no idea what most of them do......

Thanks!

Larry

[goldstar]

1) 1 st under "quality". Select RAW. Only take RAW images (not jpg).
RAWS are what you need for AP. No compression or other adulteration done.
2)Live view shoot = enable
3) Custom functions- Long exposure noise reduction (LENR) =off
High ISO speed reduction = disable.
Pretty much any other settings are unimportant for AP.
I tend to set screen brightness low to save my dark adaption and battery, but on that score I use a dummy plug in battery operating off 12 volt battery.
The Canon battery does not last long, maybe 45 minutes and is very annoying if you have to change it and loose all of that lovely alignment you spent valuable time doing.
4) Use ISO 800. This is regarded as the best place to be, but ISO 400 or 1600 is OK too.

The Manual (M) mode is the one to use as this allows a shutter speed of up to 30 sec. For longer exposures (BULB) an intervalometer is essential.
Cheap enough, $20 on Amazon, Neewer brand.

[goldstar]

Hi again Larry. I just noticed you are using APT for the camera control so my recommendations may not be appropriate.
I am a manual man only! Simple is my middle name....

[OhNo]

White balance should be set to "Custom".

[Larry 1969]

Thanks guys!

I am shooting raw.

I have the white balance set to daylight because the camera has been modified and that's what was recommended.

Open to ALL suggestions!

Thanks again!

Larry

[Larry 1969]

Hi again Larry. I just noticed you are using APT for the camera control so my recommendations may not be appropriate.
I am a manual man only! Simple is my middle name....

I'm not using APT to its fullest extent. Just snapping pics.
I'll apply your recommended settings and see what happens.

Thanks again!

Larry

[dghent]

One note about using live view on cameras, especially ones that have articulated rear displays which make use of that feature irresistible: Be judicious in its use. First, it burns through battery capacity like there's no tomorrow. Second, putting the sensor in a constantly energized state heats it up. More heat means more noise and stuck pixels drowning out the signal from faint objects and detail. If at all possible, verify your framing using your single shots taken with your astrophotography program before resorting to live view.

White balance settings in the camera have no bearing when you're saving to RAW files. That setting only means something when you're the camera is saving to JPEG or other non-raw formats.

[Larry 1969]

One note about using live view on cameras, especially ones that have articulated rear displays which make use of that feature irresistible: Be judicious in its use. First, it burns through battery capacity like there's no tomorrow. Second, putting the sensor in a constantly energized state heats it up. More heat means more noise and stuck pixels drowning out the signal from faint objects and detail. If at all possible, verify your framing using your single shots taken with your astrophotography program before resorting to live view.

White balance settings in the camera have no bearing when you're saving to RAW files. That setting only means something when you're the camera is saving to JPEG or other non-raw formats.

Thanks! I wondered about that. I have to fool with that program some. When I click "Live View" I hear the camera shutter open and I was wondering if keeping it open would heat the sensor.

Larry