Camera & lens for Northern Lights: Hi Folks, I will be going to Fairbanks Alaska next month. In addition to an insane amount of clothing etc. to deal with the temperatures, I would...

radar51

Hi Folks,
I will be going to Fairbanks Alaska next month. In addition to an insane amount of clothing etc. to deal with the temperatures, I would also like to get a new camera without breaking the bank. I am looking at the Nikon Z 50, it's reasonably priced for my budget and has been recommended as a reasonable option to shoot the Northern Lights, but I am having problems deciding and finding a lens. The one that was recommended, the Tokina AT-X 11-20mm f2.8 AF PRO DX seems to be no longer available, I have only found a couple of used ones and I don't want to go that route. I would appreciate any suggestions as my time is short before I leave.
Thanks

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

radar51 wrote:

Hi Folks, br I will be going to Fairbanks Alaska n... (show quote)

What is wrong with a used lens? About half of my 30+ lenses were purchased used. You want a wide angle lens but also the fastest you can find. f/1.4, f/1.8, f/2.0. Have you thought of renting an appropriate camera and lens?

live4summer Loc: Long Island, NY

I rented that lens from LensRentals a few years ago when I was going to Lofoten for the Northern Lights. It was my first experience renting and it was a wonderful experience from start to finish. The price was very reasonable, the process was easy, and the reps were very knowledgeable. Might be worth a try for you. Enjoy your trip!

venkatesh_eng

radar51 wrote:

Hi Folks, br I will be going to Fairbanks Alaska n... (show quote)

When we went to Iceland had to face a similar situation. To carry all my DSLR or a small camera. What I took with me was a Sony 6300 and 12mm f/2 Samyang lens. Would not break the bank. You could find used ones relatively cheap on mpb.com or keh.com.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

radar51 wrote:

Hi Folks, br I will be going to Fairbanks Alaska n... (show quote)

R8 with RF 15-30mm.
Superior low light performance with pro specs at a budget price.

Mike D. Loc: Crowley County, CO.

We cannot, of course, tell you what to do but please don't reject used or refurbed just because. I agree with lamiaceae - every camera and lens that I currently own, except for the Minolta X 700 which is now about 45 years old, was previously loved by someone else.

I have had terrific luck with pre-owned items and have saved thousands of dollars in the process.

bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada

radar51 wrote:

Hi Folks, br I will be going to Fairbanks Alaska n... (show quote)

Got for a Samyang 14mm manual lens. It won't break the bank and you really don't require autofocus to shoot an Aurora, beside focus is pretty flexible on a 14mm lens.

I use both 14mm and a 6.5mm fish-eye lenses on a full frame camera for Aurora shooting. The 6.5mm is great for those full sky Aurora nights.

10 second exposures at ISO 1600 is a good starting point; adjust from there.

bwa

Straight up shot with a 14mm lens on a full frame camera

(Download)

Horizon shot with a 14mm lens on a full frame camera

(Download)

Full sky Aurora with 6.5mm Opteka lens on a full frame camera

(Download)

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

bwana wrote:

Got for a Samyang 14mm manual lens. It won't break the bank and you really don't require autofocus to shoot an Aurora, beside focus is pretty flexible on a 14mm lens.

I use both 14mm and a 6.5mm fish-eye lenses on a full frame camera for Aurora shooting. The 6.5mm is great for those full sky Aurora nights.

10 second exposures at ISO 1600 is a good starting point; adjust from there.

bwa

Wow, nice!

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

venkatesh_eng wrote:

When we went to Iceland had to face a similar situation. To carry all my DSLR or a small camera. What I took with me was a Sony 6300 and 12mm f/2 Samyang lens. Would not break the bank. You could find used ones relatively cheap on mpb.com or keh.com.

I just took my DSLR with an 18-200, and a 50, in a messenger bag to Iceland.
I removed the battery grip so it would fit easier.
Two spare batteries, charger, and the card wallet.
No problem at all.

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

bwana wrote:

Got for a Samyang 14mm manual lens. It won't break the bank and you really don't require autofocus to shoot an Aurora, beside focus is pretty flexible on a 14mm lens.

I use both 14mm and a 6.5mm fish-eye lenses on a full frame camera for Aurora shooting. The 6.5mm is great for those full sky Aurora nights.

10 second exposures at ISO 1600 is a good starting point; adjust from there.

bwa

Naturally, creatively, and photographically dazzling 💚💚💚💚💚 - and it reminds me of my drinking days waaay long ago when it would have naturally looked like that to me

radar51

thank you. I have looked at renting lenses, but didn't get to call them yet. If you want to rent for say a month from now, how do you insure that the lens you want will be in stock?

bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada

joecichjr wrote:

Naturally, creatively, and photographically dazzling 💚💚💚💚💚 - and it reminds me of my drinking days waaay long ago when it would have naturally looked like that to me

DougS Loc: Central Arkansas

Wide angle lens is the only way to go, 14mm range. And the 2.8. Some auroras move VERY fast, as in shutter speed of 1/30th of a second! Remember "HOT HANDS" for your SHOES! VIDEO some! Even Cell Phones work very well for recording the aurora.
There are places just north of Fairbanks (Gold mine area), that is dark enough to get the aurora, as is Chena Hot Springs. Coldfoot/Wiseman is even better! The Brooks range is spectacular!

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

bwana wrote:

Got for a Samyang 14mm manual lens. It won't break the bank and you really don't require autofocus to shoot an Aurora, beside focus is pretty flexible on a 14mm lens.

I use both 14mm and a 6.5mm fish-eye lenses on a full frame camera for Aurora shooting. The 6.5mm is great for those full sky Aurora nights.

10 second exposures at ISO 1600 is a good starting point; adjust from there.

bwa

14mm might not be wide enough in a crop sensor. I’m not sure what’s available in an inexpensive wide DX lens. But a manual lens should be fine.

DougS Loc: Central Arkansas

SuperflyTNT wrote:

14mm might not be wide enough in a crop sensor. I’m not sure what’s available in an inexpensive wide DX lens. But a manual lens should be fine.

I can agree with that statement when shooting the aurora... You really want/need a lens that when pointed straight up, will still get your feet (lol). An aurora can/will sometimes (think most of the time!) go from horizon to horizon! And be prepared to change camera speed! It can go from near stationary (shutter speed of 30 second exposure shutter speed) to meteor speed in seconds (1/60th second shutter speed)! It happened to me in Coldfoot, AK!