Hot as hell here too, Alpha LOL. Any time, tho'. ISO--50, time-8" to 4" (tripod/timer), f-stop--well, that fluctuated too. I started with Tv mode (aperture) and set it around 4" as recommended (so I would get around f6.3), but finally I put it in manual and played with it. Most were around f6.3-8.0. Yes, I did white balance--sometimes used my 'official' gray card, sometimes turned it over to white, sometimes would spot meter on something in the LCD and set custom white (most likely would be in darker than 18% gray though in those cases). When I used gray card, no sepia most of the time-very b/w. When I used white, I often got VERY cyanish--lots of noise (see included image). Oh, I did use a set white point in the beginning but didn't like it--got very red images--the recommendation was to split channels and use green (set on daylight). I wasn't happy with those. I have to go downstairs and look through filter--hang on---okay, for all intents and purposes it is opaque to my eye. If I hold it up to a halogen light, I can barely see a red glow through it. Now, can't wait to see yours.