New Delhi: While much of the spotlight has been on the stunning images captured during the Artemis II mission, a quieter debate has been unfolding among
photography enthusiasts: what camera made those shots possible? Amazingly, in addition to the latest gadgets such as an iPhone, NASA astronauts used one of the nearly 10-year-old DSLRs as their first choice of equipment, which has given rise to numerous questions in the technological and space circles.
The team on the Orion spacecraft, which is in the current orbit around the Moon, was concerned with reliability over newness. Although they had access to more advanced equipment, the astronauts chose to carry the equipment which had been intensively tested and demonstrated to be effective in the most extreme conditions. What has emerged is a captivating combination of both ancient and modern technology that drives one of the most ambitious missions ever in the history of humanity.
Why NASA chose the Nikon D5
Nikon D5 with Nikon AF-D 35mm f/2 at f/20, 1/250s, ISO 250. (Image credit: NASA / Reid Wiseman)
The main subject of the discussion is the Nikon D5, a professional DSLR released in 2016. Although it might not be the most modern device in 2026, the camera has one advantage that is essential, which is a high low-light performance. This feature is important in space, where the conditions of lighting may vary wildly, particularly when it is desirable to shoot the dark parts of the Moon.
When Nikon introduced the D5, it marketed the camera as one that could “conquer the dark”. That claim still holds true. The camera has an exceptionally high ISO limit, and as such, the astronauts have managed to take images which can be used even in near darkness. The D5 is still among the most performance-based full-frame cameras in low light exposure, according to the Photons to Photos data.
Mirrorless tech takes a backseat
Interestingly, the Artemis II crew did carry with them newer equipment such as the Nikon Z9. This is an autofocus flagship with a higher resolution and performance. But it is not able to perform well in extreme low-light conditions like the D5.
The focus of NASA is obvious: reliable performance in extreme conditions. Although mirrorless cameras outperform DSLRs in speed and autofocus, the image quality in adverse lighting is not necessarily worse. In this mission, stability and time-tested performance were more important than innovative capabilities.
Capturing the Moon, even in darkness
Astronaut Reid Wiseman used the D5 to take a number of stunning shots, such as those at ISO 51,200 shot at slow shutter speeds. These environments underline the fact that space photography is strenuous. In deep space, cameras may have to be pushed to extremes even with fast lenses.
For well-lit scenes, such as the sunlit side of the Moon, lower ISO settings are sufficient. But when documenting the darker regions, high ISO capability becomes critical. It is here that the D5 still holds up, with sharp and clear images even in the harshest environments.
Other than the camera body, the crew also involved a combination of lenses, such as the Nikkor 35mm f/2 AF-D – a lens design that was developed decades ago. Although the modern lenses are more optically precise, the classic lens has been demonstrated to be quite durable and successful in space.
The fact that it is there is a reminder that there are situations such as space where simplicity and reliability are valued more than state-of-the-art innovation. The lens was good, and it was able to capture clear images of the earth and the moon’s surface.
The Nikon D5 may not be regarded as the most innovative camera of Nikon, but it has gained a special status in history with the Artemis II mission. With NASA planning new missions, such as Artemis III, the agency is likely to go all the way to newer mirrorless systems.
At least, the D5 is a tribute to engineering that lasts. It is probably its final and most iconic chapter, as it was a part of a mission that established a record distance of 252,760 miles between the earth and space.
