Camera Settings

For RTI domes we recommend the following settings to ensure a consistent series of images:

  • Manual focus (easy with i button) or photo menu->focus mode MF
  • Fixed ISO -> 100
  • Manual exposure (e.g. 1/4s F10)
  • Vibration reduction off (lens and camera)
  • Manual white balance (set a custom one using a grey card – see camera manual –
    • we set that for you as d1 under White Balance using a grey card. It shows as PRE1
  • Turn off image preview so the camera does not try to show each image on the screen
  • Turn off or prevent any automatic uploading to a computer (e.g. wifi, BT, USB)
  • Geometric distortion correction etc
    • – normally left on as cameras know how to apply it for their lens or you can turn off auto distortion control in Camera menu. Similarly Diffraction compensation and vignette control can be turned off if you see pixel shifts between photos
  • Turn off auto-rotate – in playback menu-> rotate tall=off – (it makes image sets confusing)
  • Turn off any mirror-up or delay before capture (unless you can adjust the controller to compensate)
  • Check “Release mode” is Single – in case you have used the camera in another mode elsewhere
  • Set Picture Control (mild adjustment cameras have for sharpness/balance) to Neutral (if using JPG) – not any “Auto” which can alter between exposures. You may prefer “Standard”.
  • On mirrorless cameras use electronic shutter or “Silent” mode
    • photo->silent photography on
  • Check image resolution is on maximum
  • on Nikons while using HDMI out for preview set C3 standby timer timeout to “no limit” (shown as infinite)
  • Use a fast card as this reduces flush-to-card waiting and is safer for fast shutter speeds.

Nikons check:

exposure delay is off (shooting/display)

with the Z 105 lens: Setup menu->Save Focus=ON otherwise lens looses focus on turn on/off. it is nicer to focus with custom->controls->f9 focus ring rotation range 180

a2 af-s priority is “Release” so it can take photos even if focus area is not in-focus (may be spurious as we’re in MF)

c3 Power-off delay – set Standby timer to “infinity”no limit”

If you change settings make sure you save them with setup-menu->Save user settings or you loose them pn power off.

Custom white balance helps to make white neutral – see camera manual. Nikon’s manual is here. The built-in option to select an image assumes you filled the field with a large grey card (small colorchecker seems to fail). Using the i button method works (with dome controller on exposure cycle). Save it to a PRE white balance setting. You rarely need to do this (say annually). Most dome LEDs are around 4000K so would look very “warm” otherwise.