Linda S.

Hello,

I need to be concerned about equipment weight. I had downsized my Canon 5DM4 to an Olympus E1M3. I am taking both bodies in case one fails (happened on Oregon trip).

Activities include: dog sled ride, bar-b-que at Aurora Bear in Fairbanks, and snowshoeing to interesting scenery

NORTHERN LIGHTS: For the Canon, I am bringing the Rokinon 2.8 14mmED. The Olympus, I have a choice of two.
The 7mm-14mm (14-28mm 35mm equivalent) OR the 8mm (16mm 35mm equivalent)

WALK-AROUND/LANDSCAPE: Olympus 12-100mm (24mm-200mm equiv.) f/4. Canon Nifty 50 f/1.8 STM? But for the Olympus, I think my 40mm (80mm equiv) would be limiting,

WILDLIFE?: Olympus 75mm-300mm f/4.8-6.7 not pro

Due to weight constrictions, I cannot add anymore Canon lenses. My 8mm (16mm equivalent, which can be used for the Northern Lights is also a prime - unsure as to which to bring.

I have two tripods and two shutter releases. Microfiber towels. Ziplock bags. Extra batteries/chargers/surges strips. Clothing rated to -25 degrees. It is just the lenses that have me baffled.

You always give me such good advice - which I take! If I can't capture the lights due to weather, then off to Canada if the pandemic calms down and the border remains open!

Thank you all in advance.

Bill_de Loc: US

When I went to Alaska one of the group was from England. He used FedEx (or some other company) to ship everything, both ways.

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JBRIII

In Iceland, there was a night when the NL was just barely visible, maybe? At any rate I got good photos using a Canon 60 or 70D with a cheap tripod and shutter control, I'd count anywhere up to 20 secs. The shutter control allowed trying varing settings without touching camera other than changing the ISO. We had clear skies, but no real visible aurora so I decided to just try things out and got lucky. In Norway I used a Canon R with lens it came with (24-120?) handheld with no problems. The R has really good low light capabilities and was great. NL were brighter, but shot from the ship while in port.

Linda S.

Thank you Bill_de! I am very happy to hear that! I had thought about FedEx-ing my suitcase back home. It is an 18 hour trip from Rochester NY. I am a little hesitant re the camera equipment. Insurance might work on the camera. Thank you - you have given me something that I can think about and make this trip a little easier on these "old" bones. Linda

Linda S.

Thank you JBRIII! When I was in Iceland (2/2019),the lights were very shy! Before I had purchased the Olympus, I starting looking at Canon's R cameras. Had to build a spreadsheet with the weights and found I would only be losing a little bit of weight. So, I switched to the Olympus - huge learning curve for me - so many more electronics that I can control in the camera...M4/3s are known for less than wonderful low light...which is why I didn't sell my Canon and kept the Astro lens! Linda

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

You are taking a lot of gear in case you have a body failure? Looks to me like you need a second Olympus body so you can leave the heavier stuff behind.

Even better might be an entirely different kind of camera that will add some capability as well as being a backup. Cameras like the Sony RX100 series are small so less obvious to subjects. Cameras like the Olympus TG series add severe weather to the mix. Then there are the bridge cameras like the Sony RX10 series that do everything with a single fixed lens.

Linda S.

Thanks bsprague for your suggestions. I know that for the Northern Lights I need a wide and fast lens. The Sony lens ranges from 2.X-4.X. Olympus OMD cameras are known for their weatherproofing and Canon 5D's are weatherproof, although I am unsure as to what extent. The TG series seems to have an adapter that goes over the lens to put another lens extender (wide-angle) over it.

There is a great deal to consider. Thank you for your thoughts! Linda

ricardo00

I think bringing two bodies is a great idea! Ideally, it would be better to use bodies where the lenses are interchangeable (ie. two of the same brand?). I found that when I tried to photograph the aurora, that the wider (and faster) the better. I used the Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 on a DX body (so 16mm widest) and surprisingly ended up using the widest almost all the time. I would also suggest that you get all prepared ahead of time before you go out, setting the focus at infinity (lock it in place), timer on (I would shoot with time for the long exposure so as not to shake the camera when pressing the button), etc. When you are outside, it will be extremely cold and hard to change settings on the camera with gloves. You might even buy an ebook on photographing the aurora and read ahead of time. I bought Patrick Endres "How to Photograph the Northern Lights" and found it very useful.
Have a great time!
I posted a few photos on Flickr which shows my settings if you are interested:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/60519499@N00/albums/72157718786455688

Linda S.

I am printing out his ebook as I type! Wow - he sure uses color on those 316 pages...From what I scanned, it does look quite helpful - and I could always use some help! Will look at your photos tonight when everyone is asleep. I feel as if I am in for quite a treat! Thank you so much for these suggestions. Linda Stevenson

Linda S.

Your photos are so beautiful! Thank you for sharing the link. Amazing that the polar bear was captured in the shot as well!

DougS Loc: Central Arkansas

On our winter drive up to AK, January 2017, I kept tabs on the weather in the Alaskan Interior, to better plan my activities. Yes, I know you are on a tour, but it pays to keep tabs on the weather.
If you find time... A day trip up the Dalton Hwy can be spectacular. https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-546992-1.html https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-547202-1.html http://www.northernalaska.com/winter-drive/
If you make it to Canada, you will probably see Wood Bison along the ALCAN roadside (Yukon and BC border area). Here is a post I did of a couple we saw, but they were actually MUCH closer than they appear, the second was maybe 6-8 feet away: https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-485541-1.html
P.S. Have a blast! You will wish you had allowed more time there!

ricardo00

Thanks Linda! We were very lucky, to see such an amazing aurora display plus have the polar bear wandering around near us.

Orphoto Loc: Oregon

When I look at your gear list 2 things strike me. By using 2 different body systems you have to double up on lenses (which are not prone to failure). Secondly, do you need 2 tripods if bodies are merely a backup for each other?

Another strategy might be to rent some gear with pickup and dropoff happening in Alaska. You could likely make arrangements with your hotel to accept shipment to and from.

Linda S.

Thank you Doug S! Your photos are amazing!
It really drove home for me just how vast and alone a person can be there! The road you were driving on was very stark ... no service stations, I don't remember seeing guard rails...it was awe-inspiring!

There probably won't be time to go to Canada. I think we are leaving from their recommended hotel in Fairbanks, to spend most of the time at www.aurora-bear.com. we are going to have a dog sled ride, snowshoe to another place to take photos, and have a bar-b-q. I think I am only there for four actual days with two day travel each way. Their actual tour dates are Dec 3 to Dec 7.

So I know I will be wishing that I had more time there!

JBRIII

Just in case:
I believe tests are still needed to enter Canada. Hate to hear you tried to get there only to find you needed a test. If I'm wrong no harm.

Your trip description reminded me of a truth about almost all trips, lots of time getting there. Even on cruises you spend twice as much time getting to the specific location from the ship as doing whatever you plan to do, much less the cruise time from port to port.