# Camera Setup

The settings mentioned here are specific to Canon EOS 2000D/Rebel T7.  Look for the corresponding settings if you are using a different DSLR camera.

## STEP 1: Camera Settings

### Camera body

On the top of the camera is the Mode Dial wheel, which should be set to **M** for Manual mode.&#x20;

### Menu 1

Available via the Menu button.

| Setting                            | Value   |
| ---------------------------------- | ------- |
| Image quality                      | Raw     |
| Beep                               | Disable |
| Image Review                       | Off     |
| Peripheral illumination correction | Disable |
| Red eye reduction                  | Disable |
| Flash control: Flash firing        | Disable |

### Menu 2

| Setting                 | Value       |
| ----------------------- | ----------- |
| Exposure compensation   | 0           |
| Auto lighting optimizer | Disable-Off |
| Color space             | sRGB        |

### Menu 4

| Setting         | Value   |
| --------------- | ------- |
| Live view shoot | Disable |

### Menu 7

| Setting        | Value   |
| -------------- | ------- |
| Auto power off | Disable |
| Auto rotate    | Off     |

## STEP 2: Attach Lens to the Camera Body

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/3MRLN0t-UHE>" %}

## STEP 3: Lens Aperture Setting and Focus

Set to manual focus.

The aperture for the camera should be set at 1.4, or all the way "open," in order to catch as much light as possible. Once set the aperture should not have to change.

The video below describes both the setting of the aperture and how to focus the camera.

{% hint style="info" %}
This page describes the permanent settings for the camera that should be done while building.&#x20;

See [Camera Focus](/build/deploy/camera-focus.md) for details on focusing the camera during [deployment](/build/deploy.md).
{% endhint %}

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/dLHJLSKK9B8>" %}

## STEP 4: Focus Creep Band

Once the lens aperture and focus are set, carefully place the lens band to avoid focus creep over time.  The lens band should stretch partially over the focusing ring and a static part of the lens, as shown below.

{% embed url="<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQDh2lDCy-Q>" %}

{% hint style="info" %}
The cameras will need to be refocused during deployment.

See [Camera Focus](/build/deploy/camera-focus.md) for details on focusing the camera during [deployment](/build/deploy.md).
{% endhint %}

## **STEP 5:  Cover Viewfinder**

Prevents any stray light from leaking into the viewfinder.

{% embed url="<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtcZ2EvxxwU>" %}


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://www.projectpanoptes.org/build/hardware/camera-box/camera-setup.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.
