ckescher

Hi. I have just signed to be part of a small photography tour to the Lofoten Islands, Norway in February. I have a Nikon D500 and Nikon 16-80 mm lens and a Tamron 100-400 lens. I am told it will be cold 0-20s with wind. I need to be able to carry my own gear and manage it pretty quickly. I have always carried my own, but think I may need to purchase a new backpack and a sturdier tripod that is still light enough for this 70 plus little lady. My camera and Tamron combo weighs about7-8 pounds. My trip isn't until February. But I want familiarity with my equipment so I am not fumbling around with it! I am open to all comments . Including good gloves! How to prevent lenses from fogging up.
Thanks in advance.
Carol

ELNikkor

Maybe familiarize yourself with a variety of "Hot Hands" hand and feet warmers. They can provide heat for hours to your extremities.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Layers of clothes!
We went to Iceland in December one year.
We had thermal underwear, windproof/rainproof coat, pants and gloves, wool socks, hiking boots, and wool beanies.
But it never got below 20°, but the basically constant 25-45MPH winds were something else.
NO JEANS!.!

(You'll want your widest aperture lens.)

Dikdik Loc: Winnipeg, Canada

Not good for the rest of us... but, I hope you have lots of solar flares. Dress warm... other than the wind, Norway's not any colder than Winnipeg...

Jack47 Loc: Ontario

[quote=ckescher]Hi. I have just signed to be part of a small photography tour to the Lofoten Islands, Norway in February. I have a Nikon D500 and Nikon 16-80 mm lens and a Tamron 100-400 lens. I am told it will be cold 0-20s with wind. I need to be able to carry my own gear and manage it pretty quickly. I have always carried my own, but think I may need to purchase a new backpack and a sturdier tripod that is still light enough for this 70 plus little lady. My camera and Tamron combo weighs about7-8 pounds. My trip isn't until February. But I want familiarity with my equipment so I am not fumbling around with it! I am open to all comments . Including good gloves! How to prevent lenses from fogging up.
Thanks in advance.

Carol[/https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/northern-lights-photography-tips
Hopefully this copies ok.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Are you going with Mike Mezeul? If so, he is very good to communicate ahead of time and share nitty gritty details. His sessions are pretty structured, and he is pretty action-oriented. For aurora sessions you probably wouldn't even need to have the long lens along.

If it's with someone else, I'd still suggest contacting them to get some detail around how things are going to work. It's possible they might feel you'd be better served spending the backpack money on a wider lens.

Workshops are interesting beasts. The leaders always bring their own slant on things. I've been through two different night sky workshops. Very different approaches. But it was important to learn each approach. Now I have two ways to accomplish the images.

ckescher

Thanks for your reply. My Nikon 16-80 is a F2.8. I think it will do. Looking for a faster lens but $ is always am issue.
I am looking at a coat that is suppose to be wind and waterproof. Suitable for Temps of 0-20F. I ordered a base layer of silk thermal underwater. I am working my way up. Most likely snow pants. I have a wool beanie that covers my ears under the adjustable hood. Will look for a pair of clear goggles to go over my glasses. And a baklava to be ordered. I need gloves and socks. I will order foot/ hand warmers.AND I need a pair of ice cleats. I have a pair of waterproof hiking boots.Did I overlook anything?
Thanks , Carol

ckescher

Thanks. It is on my list.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

If you will use "Quote Reply," we can know who you are responding to.

Wanda Krack Loc: Tennessee, USA

I have toured Iceland twice during the winter months, and for gloves, I searched for wool glove liners and wore over them mitts that separated the fingers and thumbs (insulated). My hands and fingers get cold first. The temps were not so extreme, but I did wear lightweight felt-lined boots and wore woolen socks. My feet are the second body part that has difficulty with extreme cold. Layers, with wool next to the skin (I have found in the past that silk seems cold to my skin), so soft wool layer underneath outer 'wind-breaker' clothing worked well for me. A previous post is correct, the wind can be brutal, it's a matter of luck with the weather, but Iceland is a beautiful place to visit during the winter months, IMHO.

kymarto Loc: Portland OR and Milan Italy

These are the gloves I used for filming documentaries in the Arctic, and they are the only design I found that really allows one to operate a camera. The flip thumb is really important! You can also wear a pair of thin gloves underneath if desired

https://www.amazon.com/RUNCL-Convertible-Thinsulate-Winter-Women-Ideal-Kayaking%EF%BC%88Blue/dp/B09C5JKYW6/ref=mp_s_a_1_15?crid=3SSPP4S2TKHQZ&keywords=flip+mittens+for+men&qid=1680697134&sprefix=Flip+mitt%2Caps%2C234&sr=8-15

Jodevoy

During the warm summer months go out in the night and take some photos of the stars/moon. Get familiar with using your camera in the dark. No matter how familiar you THINK you are with all the settings/buttons…when you turn out the lights you are in a totally different situation. Once there, think about your anticipated settings and set them BEFORE you go out in the cold/dark. Mini ajustments are a lot easier to make than an initial set up. Best of all…ENJOY the experience!

Carl S

You might check with your tour leader for suggestions. With the exceptions of their cute ponies, most of the images we took were landscape photos, and your wide angle lens should be fine. To stabilize your tripod, you can hang your backpack on it for additional weight. Layers are the way to go, but don't sit around your hotel for any length of time with all of your clothing on because you will start to sweat. I used glove liners, gloves, and mittens that opened up in the palm to use your fingers for adjustments. Take a remote trigger for northern lights, and we found a head mounted flashlight that had a red option for the bulb to be very handy because the days are very short, and you will be shooting northern lights at night. When you come in, take out your memory chip and wrap your camera in a towel to let it slowly warm up as the changes in temperature causes fogging. You also might consider a face mask or something to keep your face warm. My outside layer is usually a waterproof rain jacket, in my case it is Frog Togs which is very reasonable. Hand and foot warmers are a good investment, and if necessary, you can wrap one around your lens to avoid fogging while shooting. When you are moving from sites, warp your camera in a towel or small blanket because the van will be warm to avoid big temperature changes. And have fun: it is a fascinating place to visit!

tiphareth51 Loc: Somewhere near North Pole, Alaska

Excellent advise given here. Operating your camera in total darkness may be difficult. I have used a small flashlight while out alone photographing the aurora.. BUT you need to be certain it will not interfere with other photographers if in a group setting.
Another item to be aware of: cold drains batteries. Bring spares and keep them in a warm pocket or another warm place. Feet and hands get cold the quickest. I hope you share your photos for me to see!

Jan2019 Loc: CA, San Fransicso Bay Area

I understand your concerns and desire to get your gear way ahead and practice. Lofoten is beautiful!

You should check out Rachael Jones Ross gear page:
https://www.astralisphotography.com/recommended-gear-for-winter-workshops-in-the-canadian-rockies/