stringplayer Loc: Atlanta, GA

Hello. I will be going to Fairbanks, Alaska in a couple of weeks to experience and photograph the Northern Lights. My planned equipment (in addition to long underwear!) will be my Nikon D800, my new AF-S Nikkor 20mm f/1.8G ED, my trusty AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, and my tripod. Any suggestions for how to get the best shots? Also, I do have an AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED. Should I take it instead of the 28-300mm lens? (I would prefer not to take all three; changing lenses at 30 below will be a real hassle.)

Thanks much for your advice.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

That sounds like a fantastic trip. Although I have no experience with the northern lights, shooting with digital, rather than film, will make your life easier. Here's what Google has to offer.

http://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=photographing%20the%20northern%20lights

joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ

I like my results when I have shot between 20-24mm. I was surprised that I could record a great Aurora photo at shutter speeds varying between 10 seconds and 30 seconds. If you have a long display it is fun to experiment. With a shorter shutter speed you can capture the lights in a dramatic shape. With a shutter speed above 25 seconds, you will capture more of the colors that are present, the reds and purples in addition to the green. Set the focus scale of your lens just a hair to the right of the infinity mark. ISO is something you can play with also, I have had success between 800-1200. I use remote shutter release with mirror up release mode.

ValliPride Loc: Lost in Florida

Stay warm enjoy the colors, how do you like that D800, I shoot with a D700 that will be my back up. I see nice deals on the D800 since the D750 &D810 came out?

vinnya Loc: connecticut

Hope its a great trip and get some great photos and the sun acts up enough to produce the Northern lights for you.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

You'll probably shoot video, too, right?

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

The 20mm will be great for Aurora, and what else you need depends on what else you want to photograph.

December isn't exactly the best time to see the Aurora, but with a little luck you could get something spectacular. The biggest problem will be getting away from the lights of town. You can go down the Parks Highway towards Nenana. That puts you up on a ridge of hills and should be interesting. Another place is Murphy Dome. If you drive out Sheep Creek Rd to the Goldstream valley, Murphy Dome Road goes directly west of Fairbanks to the top of the hills in that direction. It's a nice view of a nicer part of Alaska! Or you can go north of town out the Steese Highway. That direction you can set up to get the Trans Alaska Pipeline into the foreground if you like. Or you can go to Pedro Dome and be up 3000 feet. Those are probably the three best locations, but they are not the only ones. They are also far enough from town that if it is cold (to you) you should find a local that knows what to do if there are any problems. The last thing you want is to be stuck on top of Murphy Dome, all alone... :-)

If it turns out to be cloudy... get on a plane and visit Barrow! It's guaranteed to be cloudy here, but being socked in is a lot more fun in Barrow!

stringplayer Loc: Atlanta, GA

Appreciate the lens advice. That's sorta what I thought. Regarding location, we'll be in Chena Hot Springs, about 60 mi. NE of Fairbanks. Hopefully that'll be far enough away.

stringplayer Loc: Atlanta, GA

Actually no. I realize that I must be living in the digital stone age, but I have absolutely no interest in shooting video.

stringplayer Loc: Atlanta, GA

I love my D800. As I see it, the only [minor] shortcomings when compared with the D810 are the fps, autofocus time, and shutter noise. None is a big enough issue for me to move up. When the D950 comes out with its automatic backscratcher and built-in latte machine, then I'll move up! :-)

stringplayer Loc: Atlanta, GA

Excellent. Thanks so much.

ValliPride Loc: Lost in Florida

Just put Murphy's Dome Fairbanks on Google, that made my Bucket List.
What spectacular photos & video.

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

Well, the resort at Chena Hot Springs is a big source of light all by itself! But it's easy enough to get away from it too. The last 25-30 miles or so of road is all a state park and there isn't much light polution along the road. And there are trails where you can walk away from the resort too.

It is definitely a great place for aurora photography. The hills make it very easy to get trees into the shots without anything like power lines or buildings.

I'm not sure what all they have now, as I haven't been there since the 1980's! It's changed owners and been remodeled at least twice since then.

stringplayer Loc: Atlanta, GA

The trip is organized as a tour for the specific purpose of photographing the Northern Lights - so hopefully they'll take that into consideration. If not, I'll definitely keep your suggestion in mind. Thanks so much.

FullmoonRoses Loc: western UP of Michigan

I lived 100 miles south of Fairbanks for 25 years. Alaska is the most beautiful place in the world - course I might be bias!! lol If the aurora isn't going good, I'm sure you'll find lots of wonderful places and animals to photograph. Go down to Delta Junction (100 miles south of Fairbanks) and you might be able to get some photos of the bison!