Learn how to change and select white balance
Turn off automatic white balance (AWB). It’s hardly ever going to work properly for astrophotography, if you’re lucky.
We’ve spoken in other articles about turning off EVERYTHING automatic — it’s just not a good idea. Your camera sucks at choosing what is best for the night sky. If you find me wrong on this — please leave a comment below. I’d love to know if a camera out there can do what’s REALLY right for a good astrophoto!
If your camera has software advanced enough to allow you to set the color temperature (always in Kelvin) manually, that is the best and what you’re really looking for to have maximum control. If you have a lower-end Canon, Magic Lantern aftermarket firmware may be able to help.
Also, it’s important to remember, as always — SHOOT RAW! You can then change the color temperature in post processing.
And luckily, we’ve already got a great article about choosing the correct white balance.
Nice tips! CentralDS modify DSLRs to add peltier cooling. It’s not the camera manufacturer themselves, but it’s just as good as if it were! My CentralDS 60D is AMAZING, gets the sensor to -25 degrees below the ambient temperature.
Wow!! That is a nice setup. I think the price is very reasonable considering it is cooled AND IR modified.
That’s incredible! Good stuff. 🙂
Cheers,
Cory
Great tips! I might add that the point where stars are in focus changes depending on the temperature of the lens, so make sure to properly check focus every time, even if you have it marked down
Hi Bob,
Very true! 5 tips isn’t really enough, is it!
Cheers,
Cory
Excellent website!!! I always enjoy reading each new article. These are great tips for budding astrophotographers. Don’t totally rule out in camera darks ;), I switched 4 years ago to letting the camera take the darks and have never went back. It’s, for me, the best way to get accurate temperature matched darks for a DSLR and solved many of the noise related problems I had been struggling with. I will concede that you lose precious clear sky time, but for me, it has been worth the extra time spent. Keep up the great work!!! It’s contributions, like this website, that has allowed this great hobby to blossom into what it is today.
Agreed, I wouldn’t completely rule out in-camera noise reduction, as sometimes it can be of a benefit!
Thanks for the comments!
Cheers,
Cory
Just wanted to say thank you enjoy reading and easy enough to understand