Active D-Lighting Nikon D5300

[Vanilla]

One hour ago, while looking at my camera settings, I realized I know little..OK nothing, about the Active D-Lighting setting on the Nikon D5300.

After searching Google and reading about the subject (regarding Astrophotography and should I use it or not), I've come to 3 conclusions.

1.Always use it. 

2. Never use it.

3. It has something to do with making Donuts.

I just care about mainly on thing...will it make my star pics better or worse. ?  Thanks !

[knobby]

Its Nikon's answer to high contrast subjects and as its a guesstimate made by the cameras relatively small processor its probably best left off.

Any tweaking can then be carried out under your taste later.

[Lonestar70]

Hi Vanilla,

Just take your frames in full manual mode using RAW file data format and with everything else like in-camera noise reduction and Active D etc. disabled.

You can make any and all adjustments during post stack processing.

Best regards.

Sandy.

[Mr Spock]

For astro photos, turn it off. Also turn off noise reduction as this can hide faint stars and detail.

[Vanilla]

Yes Yes Yes! Thank you all for "setting me straight" I KNEW I should have just come here first!

PS: I take it the Donut setting doesn't work.