For those starting out in DSLR astrophotography, these links may assist in getting your camera settings right. Although they are for Canon, they should be adaptable for Nikon and other DLSR cameras. let us know if you have any other helpful info and we'll post it here...
Remember, you don't have to have a telescope to do astrophotography. It is still a rewarding exercise to photograph our skies with a camera on a tripod, hand-held or held to an eyepiece... Happy snapping.
A great article form the Canon Learning Centre and Jerry Lodriguss.
Jerry Lodriguss has been a professional photographer for more than 35 years specializing in sports and astronomical photography. For 20 years he was the staff sports photographer for the Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper. Today he is an author, photographer, publisher and educator writing and teaching about astrophotography.
http://www.learn.usa.canon.com/resources/articles/2012/astrophotography_techniques.htmlp
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Canon_CDLC_Astrophotography_Quick_Guide.pdf
