Camera Settings

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

  • Manual focus
    • photo->focus mode MF
  • Fixed ASA – 100
  • Manual exposure (e.g. 1/4s F10)
  • Vibration reduction off (lens and camera)
    • photo->vibration reduction off
  • Manual white balance (set a custom one using a grey card – see camera manual)
  • 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 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 its “rotate tall” – (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.
  • 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)

a2 af-s priority is “Release” so it can take photos even if focus area is not in-focus

c3 Power-off delay – set Standby timer to infinity

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 (so 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).