D5600 "Subject to Dark" when used with Nikon telephoto lenses

[Andante_2]

I have greatly enjoyed Backyard Nikon 2.0.10 (Premium Edition) with my Nikon D5600 attached in various configurations to my telescope for several months. However, when I try with either one of two Nikon telephoto lenses (DX 70-300 mm or DX VR 18-55 mm) attached, always in manual "M" mode, I receive the following error message on the camera screen: "Subject too dark." When using BN, the exposure will begin but the exposure will not read out. Instead, the exposure hangs, and I must "abort," which takes a few tens of seconds to accomplish.

So what am I doing wrong? Must I have something relatively bright in the frame, or is there a workaround/switch somewhere so that I can use these lenses for astrophotography?

I realize this is a S/W forum but I am certain others have run into this problem. I can find nothing in the Nikon documentation.

Thank you,

Don

[Andante_2]

Thank you for responding.

After several hours' investigation, I found the solution (Nikon D5600 Reference Manual, pp 82-84). Locate and press the button labeled "i" on the back of the camera, locked just to the right of the viewfinder. Up will come a menu for "Image quality." You will see two rows of five square buttons. Use the four-microswitch button (the round one with "OK" in the middle) to toggle to the lower row, second button from the left. Press it and select "MF" for manual focus. This will enable the shutter.

Indeed, one must now manually focus, say on a bright star, and tape is a nice idea.

Best,

Don

[astroman133]

Was the lens set to Auto Focus?

Automatic focus does not work for astrophotography. It is likely that the camera is trying to focus but that won't work because the field is too dark..

You may need to manually focus and then tape the lens in place so the focus can't shift.

[admin]

7 hours ago, Andante_2 said:

Thank you for responding.

After several hours' investigation, I found the solution (Nikon D5600 Reference Manual, pp 82-84). Locate and press the button labeled "i" on the back of the camera, locked just to the right of the viewfinder. Up will come a menu for "Image quality." You will see two rows of five square buttons. Use the four-microswitch button (the round one with "OK" in the middle) to toggle to the lower row, second button from the left. Press it and select "MF" for manual focus. This will enable the shutter.

Indeed, one must now manually focus, say on a bright star, and tape is a nice idea.

Best,

Don

glad you solved it.