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Need Help Shooting the aurora borealis
Sep 29, 2013 16:42:29 #
I am an amateur photographer in need of some help shooting the aurora borealis. Last October, I saw an incredible light show 60+ miles north of the Arctic Circle in Alaska, but my settings were all wrong --star streaks all over the place. Next time I want to get it right; I am thinking the following settings will work with my Canon EOS Rebel XTi:ISO at 1600, aperture at 3.5, expose shots from 5 to 10 seconds on tripod. Also, if it's -35 to -50, is there something I need to do to prevent the camera from malfunctioning? Considering buying Tokina 11mm, 2.8 lens for other uses; would that lens work well for shooting the aurora as well?
Sep 29, 2013 17:02:47 #
I'll look out for the replies you get as i'm off to the Arctic Circle next Feb.
Search the web for other ideas as well but for instance, set up camera before you go out in to the cold. Could use bubble wrap around the camera & have 1/2 spare batteries in an inside pocket. If you have any filter on the lense remove it.
Baz
Search the web for other ideas as well but for instance, set up camera before you go out in to the cold. Could use bubble wrap around the camera & have 1/2 spare batteries in an inside pocket. If you have any filter on the lense remove it.
Baz
Sep 29, 2013 17:12:53 #
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Sep 30, 2013 07:08:28 #
TimS
Loc: GA
Get a shutter release cord. Wrap it around one of the legs a few times to prevent the cord from hitting the tripod and causing unwanted vibrations. Use mirror lockup.
Sep 30, 2013 08:55:28 #
Look at this link http://www.alaskaphotographics.com/blog/how-to-photograph-the-northern-lights-with-a-digital-camera/
Sep 30, 2013 11:31:40 #
Sep 30, 2013 11:57:56 #
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Sep 30, 2013 12:03:05 #
TimS
Loc: GA
shakespeare wrote:
Thank you, Tim. Got the shutter release cord, but could you explain mirror lockup?
When you take a photo with an SLR camera, the mirror pops up to expose the sensor then it flops back down when the capture is complete. This mirror slap causes vibrations which can affect the image sharpness on longer exposures.
To counteract this, most (all?) SLRs have a mirror lock up function. When you press the shutter, the mirror opens but he sensor does not expose because the shutter curtain remains closed. When you press the button again, the shutter opens, the sensor is exposed, shutter closes, and the mirror goes back down.
So what you do is set it to mirror lock up. Press the shutter release button on the cord. Wait a few seconds for any vibrations to dampen out, and ten press it again to take the image.
Sep 30, 2013 17:26:02 #
Sep 30, 2013 20:49:19 #
Oct 1, 2013 22:43:40 #
Hi, I was shooting it in Iceland last year. use the widest lens you can afford or rent one..2.8f stop, 3200 iso..30 second exposure. Keep hand warmers in your pockets with your extra batteries. Most of all have fun..try and focus on the largest star with Live view..
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Oct 2, 2013 00:49:13 #
Thanks, Kalina! Sounds like the Tokina 11-16mm /2.8 that I've been looking at might be a good choice.
Oct 2, 2013 10:44:38 #
I forgot to mention that this 30 second exposure time is without a moon. if the moon is in the sky bump your speed down to 25 or even 20 seconds. Just play with it..
shakespeare wrote:
Thanks, Kalina! Sounds like the Tokina 11-16mm /2.8 that I've been looking at might be a good choice.
Oct 2, 2013 11:08:58 #
Thanks. I've added your thoughts to my notes.
Any suggestion on a light-weight, roller-ball tripod that would do the job well and collapse into a small backpack?
Any suggestion on a light-weight, roller-ball tripod that would do the job well and collapse into a small backpack?
Oct 2, 2013 11:32:41 #
I would be careful with that one. In the Arctic your tripod will freeze so you want a really sturdy carbon fiber tripod.. Carbon fiber is relatively light
shakespeare wrote:
Thanks. I've added your thoughts to my notes.
Any suggestion on a light-weight, roller-ball tripod that would do the job well and collapse into a small backpack?
Any suggestion on a light-weight, roller-ball tripod that would do the job well and collapse into a small backpack?
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