Northern light exposure settings: I’m going to Norway to hopefully catch some images of the northern lights. I’ve been practicing night imaging but asking for any advice regarding...

Flattop57 Loc: Draper Utah

I’m going to Norway to hopefully catch some images of the northern lights. I’ve been practicing night imaging but asking for any advice regarding settings and length of exposure to best catch the lights

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

https://petapixel.com/2014/04/18/beginning-photographers-guide-photographing-northern-lights/
Google is your friend.
--Bob

Flattop57 wrote:

I’m going to Norway to hopefully catch some images of the northern lights. I’ve been practicing night imaging but asking for any advice regarding settings and length of exposure to best catch the lights

cmc65

take a look at rickcollar.com . He's a friend who live in Seattle and does some great work with the aurora. I'm sure he would give you tips that you could use.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

Sunday moonrise is predicted to be a super moon. You might be able to get some super shots from Norway.

Flattop57 Loc: Draper Utah

Thanks

toxdoc42

Are you going on a photograph the lights trip? Be careful with your equipment, be sure to take a sturdy tripod. The leader of the tour is an astronomer/photographer. I attended his seminar.

karno Loc: Chico ,California

Flattop57 wrote:

I’m going to Norway to hopefully catch some images of the northern lights. I’ve been practicing night imaging but asking for any advice regarding settings and length of exposure to best catch the lights

Dream come true, let your intuition fly!
A lot depends on your camera and lens.
Get the shortest possible exposure to get the most detail, while staying within range of your cameras dynamic range and high ISO capabilities to keep it clean😁 Good luck

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

https://iso.500px.com/northern-lights-photo-tutorial/
https://petapixel.com/2014/04/18/beginning-photographers-guide-photographing-northern-lights/
https://photographylife.com/how-to-photograph-the-northern-lights
https://improvephotography.com/10497/how-to-photograph-the-aurora-borealis-made-easy/

JPL

Flattop57 wrote:

I’m going to Norway to hopefully catch some images of the northern lights. I’ve been practicing night imaging but asking for any advice regarding settings and length of exposure to best catch the lights

ISO 100
F/8
15 second shutter speed.
Tripod
Remote control or 2 sec timer.

Fine tune after first shot.

And use wide lens. 18 mm or wider on Aps-c and 28 mm or wider on full frame.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

Good stuff.

JPL wrote:

ISO 100
F/8
15 second shutter speed.
Tripod
Remote control or 2 sec timer.

Fine tune after first shot.

And use wide lens. 18 mm or wider on Aps-c and 28 mm or wider on full frame.

joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ

Wide angle lens, f2.8, ISO 1600, White Balance 3300-3500, 20 seconds, focus on the right side of the infinity mark of the lens. Then adjust your settings based on the results/histogram. Tripod and remote shutter release and make sure to close view finder shutter.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Flattop57 wrote:

I’m going to Norway to hopefully catch some images of the northern lights. I’ve been practicing night imaging but asking for any advice regarding settings and length of exposure to best catch the lights

Preferred lens, Nikon 14-24 mm.
Set to full manual mode.
Tripod.
ISO from 800-3200
Aperture between f2.8 and f5.6
shutter speed, between 15 sec. to 30 sec. exposures above 15 sec. will result in slight star movement
compose, lock your mirror up, shoot (every event is different, play with ISO, Aperture, and shutter speeds to your liking)
use live view, insure sharp focus at infinity

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

You are right. Keep f stop low (close to wide open) and raise ISO to 1600+. Keep shutter speed no longer than 15-20 sec, because the lights move around a bit and will soften.

joehel2 wrote:

Wide angle lens, f2.8, ISO 1600, White Balance 3300-3500, 20 seconds, focus on the right side of the infinity mark of the lens. Then adjust your settings based on the results/histogram. Tripod and remote shutter release and make sure to close view finder shutter.

karno Loc: Chico ,California

Fotoartist wrote:

You are right. Keep f stop low (close to wide open) and raise ISO to 1600+. Keep shutter speed no longer than 15-20 sec, because the lights move around a bit and will soften.

What camera and lens are you using?
If you have D850 or D810A or d750 or d4 or something equivalent in ISO ability I would keep exposure between 2-10 seconds
To keep stars sharp and get the most detail you can in the lights

Flattop57 Loc: Draper Utah

Thanks
You’re the first to remind me about blocking the view finder.
Nice catch