stan0301 Loc: Colorado

Think about the fact that it isn't much fun to try to dig something out of a back pack at zero degrees in a twenty mph wind - I'd go with a pouch on my belt and (maybe) a shoulder strap for the tripod - you will need the tripod - often you can photograph aurora you can't see also a remote release - love the D500 you might think about the Sigma 8-16 which I like a lot

bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada

The Lofoten Islands in February will be a touch cool. Dress warmly.
Solar Cycle 25 peaks in 2025 so there is an excellent chance of Aurori while you're in the Arctic.
I use a 14mm Samyang on a full frame camera, tripod mounted with a wired remote shutter control for Aurori imaging.
The Tamron lens should work nicely for wildlife, primarily Polar Bears in February.

Have fun!

bwa

gwcole

In 1999 I spent the last two weeks of January in Magadan, Russia. High temperature was -40 degrees F. On my last day it went down to -65 degrees F. Several days with -50. I was never cold even walking a mile to the college I was teaching at. Here's what I wore.
Heavy wool socks and felt lined Sorel boots
Denim pants with a felt lining, long underwear
Thermal underwear, a long-sleeve wool shirt, a heavy wool sweater, and a good down jacket.
I wore ski gloves

The one time I took off one of my gloves was to videotape the city from a tall hill. In a minute all my fingers were really cold and I could not feel them. But a couple of hours later all were normal except my pinky what improved like the others but it was two months before I could feel the tip of it. The temp was 50 below. I wish I had a second pair of gloves like someone mentioned above.

I hope this helps. I didn't have any special clothes, this was what I wore when I lived in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

CaptCurt

I spent 45 days in a tent at the bottom of a mountain in Norway when I was in the Marine Corps. No Chow Hall or Showers. Gore-Tex Cold Weather Gear will save your life and keep you warm and dry. Have boots with GORE-TEX® waterproof/breathable membrane in them with good wool socks. Have 2 pairs of gloves, if you loose one your in trouble. (It happened to me.) Also 2 wool beanies. Wear layers under your Gore-Tex. Like in hot weather, in cold you must drink more water. Keep your urine clear, if it gets dark drink water till it's clear. Frost Bite happens fast and last a lifetime. It's very painful, I know first hand. Now, I was lucky and got to see the Northern Lights about 10 times. Some nights it was so bright all the snow would reflect the colors. I did not have a camera so it's all in my memories now. As with the lens you are taking a fast prime like a 50mm or a 35mm will raise the bar. But keep feet and hands warm first. Wind and snow make it easy to loose things fast, so be organized. The people there are vey friendly, and drink lots of black coffee (even young kids). Spend your money on Gore-Tex. Semper Fi

Terry in Indiana Loc: rural Indiana

We just did a northern lights trip to Churchill, Manitoba in February. It was FANTASTIC despite the bitter cold! A couple of suggestions...rent a wide angle lens...10-12 mm would be good since you are using the D500 which is a crop sensor camera (I have and used the same camera for my aurora photos). You'll be amazed at how BIG that night sky is! :) And get a headlamp with red light to use when setting up your tripod/camera. The red light does not mess with your night vision (and others' around you) like a regular white light does, and the headlamp keeps your hands free. Looks like you're on target with your clothing layers. It was a dream come true for me (a 65-year-old woman), and will be for you too! ENJOY!!! If you have any questions, I'll be happy to answer...just send me a private message through this UHH website.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

When I went to Iceland in November we had many days in the single digits and teens with wind chills below zero. My 24 - 200 mm equivalent lens was my absolute workhorse. I also used my 50 equivalent f/1.8 lens. My really long lens never came out of my bag. Do check out Athleta’s fleece-lined leggings! They were awesome under my rain pants.

Dikdik Loc: Winnipeg, Canada

You can use a large ziplock type plastic bag to put your camera in when you being it into the warmth. Place the camera in it in the cold and let it warm up before you open the bag. I've done that often with my old Nikon F2 including keeping the camera in my parka (bagged) to keep it warm enough in very cold weather.

tiphareth51 Loc: Somewhere near North Pole, Alaska

A camera parka is highly recommended. It is like a jacket for your camera. Mine is used whenever being out in harsh weather conditions.

Dikdik Loc: Winnipeg, Canada

I've done a lot of cold weather shooting... and mitts are the biggest problem... even setting up a tripod can be a challenge. My favourite tripod had 'clip' type levers to exend the legs; it's easier to use them with mitts. I recall one night about 50 years back, I wanted to get the 'sparkles' from new fallen snow under the streetlights. It was a challenge, but worth it...

Having a camera parka may not be so helpful. Having the camera under your real parka, keeps it warm. A camera parka will allow the camera to achieve ambient temperature unless you have a heating element within.

tiphareth51 Loc: Somewhere near North Pole, Alaska

You can't keep your camera in your parka ... the camera jacket stays on the camera while in use (allows tripod mounting as well). Living in Alaska I can attest to its use and benefits.

Stardust Loc: Central Illinois

Just got back from Iceland last month. Couple observations may or may not apply. We would bus 45-60 minutes outside of Reykjavik's. Because everyone was so bundled up driver kept heat turned down on bus. Lens did not fog, assume due to low winter humidity and constant wind over the lens. Small red lens flashlight might be useful.

madpaddler Loc: Near Seattle, Washington

I am open to all comments . Including good gloves!
Carol[/quote]

Carol:
Good gloves will save the day. Here is a link to the ones I used in Yellowstone at -20 degrees. They have two fingers that can be exposed when you need to and they will be covered otherwise. They are not cheap but neither is treatment for frost bite.

https://www.amazon.com/Markhof-Vallerret-Photography-Gloves-photography/dp/B07KMC3N1R/ref=sr_1_5?adgrpid=1332608656413618&hvadid=83288255998417&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=111239&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-83288381591127%3Aloc-190&hydadcr=8345_13467526&keywords=vallerret+photography+gloves&qid=1680801643&sr=8-5

Dikdik Loc: Winnipeg, Canada

It's not in the camera jacket... it's the camera body and the lens... not even a strap.