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Hi, one on my dream travels is to go to Alaska to view these expectacular natural phenomenons (Also known as "Northern Lights"), not that I'm about to make that journey (I wish I was) but anyway I'd like to know how to make some good shots of them. I guess a tripod is mandatory and probably a lens with better than average aperture would be recomended...

What do you guys counsel me? Any of you happens to have taken any shots of them (lucky you! )?

Bye

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Nikon D90 | AF-S 18-200 VR II | AF-S 35mm f/1.8 | Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 | SB-600 | Gorillapod + Manfrotto 484RC2

We can see the Northern Lights from Scotland pretty well. I took photos of them years ago and I didn't do anything special except point & shoot. A tripod would be ideal but apart from that the only skill is timing.

Zorro.

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Various lenses, SB800 & Manfrotto 190 with 460MG head

Well, that was a quick answer, thanks!

I haven't thought of watching northern lights in Scotland, yet another dreamed journey of mine is getting my motorbike and ride through Scotland from south to north, so I might as well have my camera ready when I reach the north

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Nikon D90 | AF-S 18-200 VR II | AF-S 35mm f/1.8 | Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 | SB-600 | Gorillapod + Manfrotto 484RC2

Hi Beren, I caught the Northern Lights on a trip to Tromsø in Northern Norway and they were spectacular!

Here's a photo I took there:



Canon EOS 5D with 35mm f1.4L at f2.0 for 15 seconds, 400 ISO

I'd like to claim it was all my own work, but I was lucky enough to meet up with a well-known Aurora photographer called Kjetil Skogli, who also happens to be a member of this forum, under the name Neptun. Kjetil runs Aurora Guided Tours for small groups and they're a wonderful experience, especially if you're keen to take some photos. He gave me some great advice, and has some useful information at his website here:

http://www.auroraphoto.no/

If you're ever visiting Norway, I highly recommend it!

If it's really cold, you'll also need to watch out for your batteries and he gave some good tips in the forum in this post:

http://www.cameralabs.com/forum/viewtop ... highlight=

Gordon

Great capture Gordon!

Darrin

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Nikon D40 | Nikkor 18-55 VR | Nikkor 55-200 VR | Voigtländer Ultron 40mm SL-II | Nikon Speedlight SB-400

Hi, I agree with Darrin, it's an amazing shot!

Thanks for the link, I've seen the photos in thar website and it's a luck for us newbies to have among us people like Kjetil Skogli. Another famous goal for motorbikers (one I certaintly would like to achieve) is to get to Cape North in Norway, if I ever do it (or visit Norway in a more "conventional" fashion) I'll certaintlly take that tour to see northern lights, the more if I go with somebody capable of helping me take shots like that one.

Bye!

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Nikon D90 | AF-S 18-200 VR II | AF-S 35mm f/1.8 | Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 | SB-600 | Gorillapod + Manfrotto 484RC2

Cheers guys! Here's another shot taken during the same session.



Canon EOS 5D with 24-105mm at 24mm f4.0, 30 secs, 3200 ISO.

Note how the brighter aperture of the first lens allowed me to capture the aurora with a shorter exposure and lower ISO - although the first example was also brighter.

It's a wonderful sight to see, and Norway is also a beautiful country to visit - a photographer's delight! I'd love to return and go all the way up to Svalbaard for the true polar experience!

Gordon

Hi Gordon.

Thanks for your nice words. And you're always welcome to be my guests, anytime you want.


-KS

Hi everyone, I'm pleased to report Cameralabs forum member Neptun / Kjetil Skogli is featured in a forthcoming BBC TV show about Joanna Lumley's search for the Northern Lights in Norway. As you know, Kjetil helped me photograph the images you see of the Aurora on this thread and it was an awesome experience!

It's being shown on BBC 1 at 7pm on Sunday 7th September. Set your PVRs!

Northern Lights show.

Thanks to my remote media PC, I won't be seeing it until I next send a hard disk over, but do let us know what you thought!

Gordon

I'll watch it!
The link you posted, Gordon, says the show starts at 9:00pm? Here in Holland it starts at 10...

- Bjorn -

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Leica M9-P (my article on Camera Labs) | Leica D-Lux 5 | 50mm Summilux

That's cool to know it's being shown in Holland too!

Hi Gordon.

I'm packing my camerabag and suitecase for this island they call Great Britain..or something

Thanks, you're a true friend.

More information on: http://www.bluepp.co.uk/index.php


KS

I live in sweden and we have those from time to time during then winter months. They're called "norrsken" in swedish.

I'll use your ideas and try to get me some this coming winter.

thanks.
/K

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Canon EOS 40D - Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM - Canon EF 50/1,8 II - Canon EF 70-200/4L IS USM - Speedlite 430 EX - Lowerpro Nova 4 AW
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Ooh, this is on tonight, must remember to watch it

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
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Well, I just watched it. Nature put on quite a show by the looks of it. They must have shown it for a good two... maybe three minutes out of a one hour programme.

Typical. The music was nice though. Some lovely bits of Grieg.

I expect you were able to shoot some great looking photos that night Neptun/Kjetil. Maybe you could post a few here.

Ben
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