- 1). Remove the lens from the DSLR camera. Turn off the camera, press and hold the lens-release button and turn the lens clockwise until it detaches.
- 2). Screw the Nikon-compatible T-ring into the T-adapter. Attach the T-ring and T-adapter to the camera by screwing the T-ring counterclockwise into the lens mount.
- 3). Connect the camera to the telescope by inserting the T-adapter into the focuser. Tighten the restraining screw on the focuser to secure the camera. Attach the camera's strap to the telescope in case the T-adapter slips out of the focuser.
- 4). Turn on the camera. Set the mode dial to "Manual" and disable autofocus. Turn off noise reduction, as it interferes with astrophotography.
- 5). Set the image recording quality from "JPG" to "RAW" mode. The camera will not compress the image in RAW mode, resulting in clearer, higher-quality images.
- 6). Configure the ISO settings. For long exposures of bright objects, ConvingtonInnovations.com recommends an ISO setting of 200. However, for long-exposure photographs of faint objects, such as distant galaxies and planetary nebulae, use a higher ISO setting.
- 7). Set the shutter speed to a maximum of 30 seconds if using your telescope with a "non-go-to" mount. A longer shutter speed will result in elongated stars due of the Earth's rotation. Set the shutter speed to "Bulb" if using a "go-to" mount, one that tracks an object by moving the telescope at the rate of the Earth's rotation. This lets you manually adjust the exposure length by pressing the shutter-release button. Longer exposures produce more vivid and colorful images of astronomical objects, such as planets, nebulae and galaxies.