Northern lights beginner

A

Andrea Padilla

New member
Hello, I am travelling to Iceland with my new D7200. I am hoping to capture some Aurora activity. Can anyone please suggest a good lense. I also accept any tips and pointers. Thanks so much!
 
W

Whiskeyman

Senior Member
My $0.02 worth: a 20mm or shorter focal length for your camera. Get and use a sturdy tripod as well as a remote shutter release.

WM
 
P

paul04

Senior Member
Whiskeyman said:
My $0.02 worth: a 20mm or shorter focal length for your camera. Get and use a sturdy tripod as well as a remote shutter release.

WM
Click to expand...

Yes, a good tripod needed, remote shutter, also a torch so you can see the camera controls in the dark, I've seen a few people use a small cheap head torch.

What lenses do you have at the moment!
 
cwgrizz

cwgrizz

Senior Member
Challenge Team
Welcome to the forum Andrea. I can't help with the Aurora, but ^^^ seems like some good starting advice. Good luck in your adventure. Sounds like a lot of fun.
 
Danno

Danno

Senior Member
Welcome to the Forum Andrea... sounds like an exciting trip. Hope you will post some of the results here. Agree with WM and Paul on lens and tripod.
 
A

Andrea Padilla

New member
Thanks to all for the great tips.. I am travelling in September, so i might get lucky or i might not. I only have my dads lense from an old nikon he had.. its a sigma 28-105mm aspherical. I have a friend who says she can give me a 50mm nikon kit lense and so i am now on the hunt for a good lense for the aurora and the Iceland trip. I am in between a tokina 11-16 or 11-20, or the heavily recommended rokinon 35 mm. 1.4. The only thing is since my camera is not full frame the rokinon won't be very wide angle at all.. It will let more light in but I am not sure what to do. Also, Iceland has a lot of breathtaking landscapes so maybe the wide angle would be good. What would you guys pick out seeing as my quiver and my budget is not very extensive? Thanks to all for the sweet tips. I am already on the lookout for a headlamp and a sturdy tripod. This community is super nice, everyone is very helpful. Cheers to all from Costa Rica. - Andrea
 
J

jonas_mendoza

Senior Member
Bring an extra battery and keep it at operating temps. Try not to get the camera too warm before you step out. Condensation can ruin your shot and lens


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Scott Murray

Scott Murray

Senior Member
Ok a few things, practice night shooting now eg milkyway. Get to know what settings work and how to change them in the dark. Get a red LED headlamp this does not affect your night vision. Know where your infinity focus is for stars. Will be same for Aurora. Know how to shoot fully manual including focus. Set white balance especially if wanting to do a timelapse of the Aurora.
 
cwgrizz

cwgrizz

Senior Member
Challenge Team
Scott Murray said:
Know where your infinity focus is for stars.
Click to expand...

I never gave this much thought until now, but I haven't shot much at night. Can you explain this please? Is it different than any other infinity focus? How do you determine it other than say Live View, Zoomed in on one star...focus?
 
Scott Murray

Scott Murray

Senior Member
cwgrizz said:
I never gave this much thought until now, but I haven't shot much at night. Can you explain this please? Is it different than any other infinity focus? How do you determine it other than say Live View, Zoomed in on one star...focus?
Click to expand...
There are a few ways to get accurate infinity focus, but the best is live view on a star or far away stationary object lets say light pole. On prime lenses the infinity focus is normally easy to get but zooms are a bit harder and are not always right at the end of the focus dial rotation. My 14mm is not that easy and focusing on a bright star is my best way of getting accurate focus. Once this infinity focus is obtained place it in manual focus (if not already) and then if you like you can use some gaffa tape in the focusing ring to stop it from moving if bumped in the dark.
 
cwgrizz

cwgrizz

Senior Member
Challenge Team
Thanks [MENTION=9753]Scott Murray[/MENTION]. That's what I thought, but when I saw your statement it made me think there might be a "magical" way. Ha!
 
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