Northern Lights
Oct 4, 2023 21:12:48 #
In a few days we are leaving in search of the Northern Lights in Norway. I have search the internet for tips and found a few.
Now I am asking fellow UHH for tips but more than that, any watch outs, advice to make the hopeful experience a success.
I am taking:
D750 w Tamron 24-70 F2.8
Tripod
Any advice is appreciated. Thank you!
Now I am asking fellow UHH for tips but more than that, any watch outs, advice to make the hopeful experience a success.
I am taking:
D750 w Tamron 24-70 F2.8
Tripod
Any advice is appreciated. Thank you!
Oct 4, 2023 21:37:15 #
If you can get a faster wide lens do it.
Practice setting up your gear and changing settings in the dark. A lot!
Practice getting infinity focus in the dark. A Lot!
Practice having a great time and grinning from ear to ear. A Lot! Lol!
Myself, I only get good infinity focus by using live view at 10x.
Most important: have a great time and post your results here! Good luck!
Practice setting up your gear and changing settings in the dark. A lot!
Practice getting infinity focus in the dark. A Lot!
Practice having a great time and grinning from ear to ear. A Lot! Lol!
Myself, I only get good infinity focus by using live view at 10x.
Most important: have a great time and post your results here! Good luck!
Oct 4, 2023 22:01:16 #
Don't expect to see what you see in Nat Geo.....
They don't always perform like that.
Edited: I have a red LED headband light that I got al LL Bean.
Helps keep your night vision and you can see the camera controls.
They don't always perform like that.
Edited: I have a red LED headband light that I got al LL Bean.
Helps keep your night vision and you can see the camera controls.
Oct 4, 2023 22:01:31 #
I like it!
I had never done focusing like that, but isn't enough to set the lens to Infinity by using the infinity symbol?
I had never done focusing like that, but isn't enough to set the lens to Infinity by using the infinity symbol?
Oct 4, 2023 22:04:05 #
Longshadow wrote:
Don't expect to see what you see in Nat Geo.....
They don't always perform like that.
They don't always perform like that.
That would be a disappointment.
Oct 4, 2023 22:04:52 #
Cubanphoto wrote:
I like it!
I had never done focusing like that, but isn't enough to set the lens to Infinity by using the infinity symbol?
I had never done focusing like that, but isn't enough to set the lens to Infinity by using the infinity symbol?
Absolutely not!
I can’t stress how important learning to get stars in pinpoint focus is (in the dark, obviously enough).
It’s critical and it’s much harder than it sounds, at least at first.
Again, have a ball!
Oct 4, 2023 22:05:28 #
Cubanphoto wrote:
I like it!
I had never done focusing like that, but isn't enough to set the lens to Infinity by using the infinity symbol?
I had never done focusing like that, but isn't enough to set the lens to Infinity by using the infinity symbol?
I'll set at the focus at ∞ and back off a mm or two.
Oct 4, 2023 22:06:17 #
BassmanBruce wrote:
Absolutely not!
I can’t stress learning to get stars in pinpoint focus (in the dark, obviously enough).
It’s critical and it’s much harder than it sounds, at least at first.
Again, have a ball!
I can’t stress learning to get stars in pinpoint focus (in the dark, obviously enough).
It’s critical and it’s much harder than it sounds, at least at first.
Again, have a ball!
Thank you. I will follow your advice
Oct 4, 2023 22:08:56 #
Cubanphoto wrote:
That would be a disappointment.
I know what you mean.
If you expect "eh" and they perform well, you'll be elated.
Oct 4, 2023 22:09:12 #
If you really want to get a good shot, learning to “light paint” and get an interesting night foreground in your shot can really be memorable.
Oct 4, 2023 22:16:42 #
I have a red (and white) LED headband light that I got al LL Bean.
The red light helps keep your night vision and you can see the camera controls.
The red light helps keep your night vision and you can see the camera controls.
Oct 4, 2023 22:44:28 #
larryepage
Loc: North Texas area
Longshadow wrote:
I have a red (and white) LED headband light that I got al LL Bean.
The red light helps keep your night vision and you can see the camera controls.
The red light helps keep your night vision and you can see the camera controls.
My challenge with a headband was remembering it and remembering to turn it off before turning my head toward other folks. A beam in the face will destroy night vision whether it's red or not.
Oct 5, 2023 00:55:18 #
Orphoto
Loc: Oregon
Bassmans advice is spot on. The infinity symbol is not reliable. Practice live view focussing on stars now! Your best shots will be at somewhat higher shutter speeds so that ray motion is reduced. Learn the highest acceptable iso you can get out of your body. 24mm is ok, but limiting. Follow the weather. If you have the time go inland to Abisko, Sweden, so that you are in the rain shadow of the coastal Norwegian mountains. Be ready to go out on short notice late in the night.
Track electrical activity in real time (along with about 45 mins lead time) using satellite data available on spaceweatherlive.com. Do NOT rely on kp levels because they reflect activity from the last 3 hours (lagging indicator-after the fact).
If possible scout locations in advance for advantageous foregrounds. Be prepared for cold weather conditions. Be prepared to be persistently optimistic...this can be quite challenging. The lights can stregthen or change very rapidly. Other members of your travel party may think you are self indulgent.
Every setting is manual. No auto anything. Shoot raw. White balance 5000k. No filters on your lens. If it is humid while chilly, look into hand warmers for your lens (just like the astro guys).
Track electrical activity in real time (along with about 45 mins lead time) using satellite data available on spaceweatherlive.com. Do NOT rely on kp levels because they reflect activity from the last 3 hours (lagging indicator-after the fact).
If possible scout locations in advance for advantageous foregrounds. Be prepared for cold weather conditions. Be prepared to be persistently optimistic...this can be quite challenging. The lights can stregthen or change very rapidly. Other members of your travel party may think you are self indulgent.
Every setting is manual. No auto anything. Shoot raw. White balance 5000k. No filters on your lens. If it is humid while chilly, look into hand warmers for your lens (just like the astro guys).
Oct 5, 2023 06:53:23 #
DougS
Loc: Central Arkansas
1. Practice changing the shutter timer!!! The aurora movement can go from near stationary (30 second open shutter) to moving so fast and bright, that your shutter speed can be 1/10th of a second (or faster!).
2. Take a SEPARATE VIDEO camera(!), (and yes, a cell phone CAN/WILL work excellently for the aurora!). You will be glad you did!!!
3. Practice/SET UP using the auto shutter release (when mounted on tripod).
4. Bring "Hot Hands" for your FEET!!!
5. Take a 14MM lens if you can.
2. Take a SEPARATE VIDEO camera(!), (and yes, a cell phone CAN/WILL work excellently for the aurora!). You will be glad you did!!!
3. Practice/SET UP using the auto shutter release (when mounted on tripod).
4. Bring "Hot Hands" for your FEET!!!
5. Take a 14MM lens if you can.
Oct 5, 2023 07:34:46 #
larryepage wrote:
My challenge with a headband was remembering it and remembering to turn it off before turning my head toward other folks. A beam in the face will destroy night vision whether it's red or not.
Red doesn't appear to do that (that's why it is used), and it's not a flood light!
Remembering it? Like spare batteries and cards?
Dark out. I'll need the headlight....
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