Robg71
Well-Known Member
A few photos from my break away… Sorry there not edited, just reduced.
Robs Arctic Adventure (non boaty…. but will be in a year :)
- Thread starter Robg71
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MapisM
Well-Known Member
Wow, very nice aurora pics.
May I ask you more details about the equipment and exposure you used?
I had some fantastic views of it past winter in Alaska, but I had just a compact cheapo camera with me, and all the pics I tried to take were rubbish....
That aside, are you really thinking to arrange a winter cruise to those latitudes, with your new boat?
Sounds intriguing. I for one can't wait to read your reports on that...!
May I ask you more details about the equipment and exposure you used?
I had some fantastic views of it past winter in Alaska, but I had just a compact cheapo camera with me, and all the pics I tried to take were rubbish....
That aside, are you really thinking to arrange a winter cruise to those latitudes, with your new boat?
Sounds intriguing. I for one can't wait to read your reports on that...!
Robg71
Well-Known Member
sure
tripod (essential)
nikon D800
nikon 14-24 f2.8
nikon 24-70 f2.8
most were 30 second exposures, dependent on if they were strong lights or not. iso between 200 and 400. from f2.8 to f6
make sure you test where your camera focus is at infinity… try it in daylight as it will not auto focus in these conditions.
remove any filters (including UV etc) Nikon long exposure NR on
for shorter time exposure, wind up the iso, 4000 plus. 5 second exposures.
I use the mirror lock up function too.
Tripod is absolutely essential, along with a hip flask of brandy, and a bar of chocolate
on the boaty side, oh yes… its absolutely stunning up there. the isolation and magnificence of the area is not apparent in my photos. I can't do it justice. More practice required.
March is the best year for northern lights, so I'm planning going back next month
tripod (essential)
nikon D800
nikon 14-24 f2.8
nikon 24-70 f2.8
most were 30 second exposures, dependent on if they were strong lights or not. iso between 200 and 400. from f2.8 to f6
make sure you test where your camera focus is at infinity… try it in daylight as it will not auto focus in these conditions.
remove any filters (including UV etc) Nikon long exposure NR on
for shorter time exposure, wind up the iso, 4000 plus. 5 second exposures.
I use the mirror lock up function too.
Tripod is absolutely essential, along with a hip flask of brandy, and a bar of chocolate
on the boaty side, oh yes… its absolutely stunning up there. the isolation and magnificence of the area is not apparent in my photos. I can't do it justice. More practice required.
March is the best year for northern lights, so I'm planning going back next month
MapisM
Well-Known Member
Yeah, this is something I was already well aware of!
During the trip to AK, we normally had no more that ZERO degrees.
Which might seem not too cold, if it weren't that it was Fahrenheit, and in daylight!
At night, it wasn't too far from the C/F equivalence, i.e. -40! :nonchalance:
Interesting to hear that you had a D800, it's not known as the king of the night for nothing, obviously...
...also considering that you were not using superfast prime glasses.
Besides, the green brushstrokes weren't moving fast, I suppose?
In some of the nights when we saw them, they moved so erratically and fast that even in 5 seconds they would have been all over the place.
All the very best in advance for your next year cruising up there, that's bound to be magic.
Though I'm not so envious of a winter North Sea crossing, TBH...!
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Robg71
Well-Known Member
The winter north sea crossing, can be as flat as a sheet of glass…. unlike christmas… 15+m significant 
the camera has amazed me. the detail it pulls out of things in near darkness is astounding.
prime ultra wide would save a heap of weight. I took three zooms with me, 14-24, 24-70, and 70-200. all f2.8 nikon. i would think twice next time, and maybe look at some primes and see if there is weight saving to be had. really should have left the 24-70 behind, and brought the 50 1.4D instead. its a stellar lens and sharp.
In Oslo now for the weekend. Four nights in the North is not enough….
It was unusually warm for the time of year, and they have had no snow for six weeks. The gulf stream does keep the area warm relative to its latitude.
the camera has amazed me. the detail it pulls out of things in near darkness is astounding.
prime ultra wide would save a heap of weight. I took three zooms with me, 14-24, 24-70, and 70-200. all f2.8 nikon. i would think twice next time, and maybe look at some primes and see if there is weight saving to be had. really should have left the 24-70 behind, and brought the 50 1.4D instead. its a stellar lens and sharp.
In Oslo now for the weekend. Four nights in the North is not enough….
It was unusually warm for the time of year, and they have had no snow for six weeks. The gulf stream does keep the area warm relative to its latitude.
scubaman
Well-Known Member
Very nice pics Rob! And indeed beautiful scenery.
Must be a v. nice area for cruising as well.
Must be a v. nice area for cruising as well.
Robg71
Well-Known Member
I reckon so. Its the furthest North in Norway (at least on Land) that I have been. More adventures to come. I reckon I need skiing lessons too. I am really planning more trips. Svalbard or Lofoten. Both stunning areas. Tromso Is beautiful too, but a bit of a building site at the moment.
the weather was warm too, at least around freezing.
the weather was warm too, at least around freezing.
MapisM
Well-Known Member
Blimey, do you mean THOSE Svalbard islands, up there at 80°N or so? With your new boat?!?
Don't get me wrong, I'm sure she will be a great vessel, but I'd rather choose a proper ship, to cruise those latitudes...
Robg71
Well-Known Member
hahaha, i hadn't thought of that…
No
just me and my camera….
No
just me and my camera….
Keith-i
Well-Known Member
We did the Hurtigruten coastal passage last year. Whilst Tromso was nice, it was a bit like any other city. Kirkenes was surprisingly pleasant and the hotel looked pretty good (we were in the snow hotel). Your 'lights' photos are better than we managed due to constant cloud cover. I'd like to go back someday.
Robg71
Well-Known Member
I agree about Tromso Kieth. Very similar to the other west coast towns. But I went mainly for the outdoors. I even kept out the pubs as was too busy
Quite tempted to go back in March, as thats when the lights are at there most prolific.
Quite tempted to go back in March, as thats when the lights are at there most prolific.
MapisM
Well-Known Member
Yup, that's what we were told also for Alaska, hence our choice of going there in March last year.
Btw, they have a university which publishes an "Aurora Forecast" webpage:
http://www.gi.alaska.edu/AuroraForecast
It's only a short term forecast, not something you can use to plan your trip, but still useful to decide when it's worth waking up in the middle of the night and get some freezing air...
It shows the AK map by default, but there's also northern EU, just select the appropriate map.
Looking forward to some other great pics!
Robg71
Well-Known Member
the forecast map is more of a wish list
the locals rang the local met office. The forecast was **** for the first two nights, and it was superb. even the guide was impressed. my third night out was a great forecast, and never saw a damn thing just my luck hahaha
the locals rang the local met office. The forecast was **** for the first two nights, and it was superb. even the guide was impressed. my third night out was a great forecast, and never saw a damn thing
just my luck hahaha
MapisM
Well-Known Member
Yeah, to some extent I can't disagree.
But we had the opportunity to spend three weeks there, and even if we had a few days with great forecast and no show, as well as the other way round, in other days they were reasonably accurate.
As I said, not something to trust for planning your trips, but worth a look while you are already there...
Oh, and of course the best thing is staying somewhere with a decent sky view from your window.
Much better to check what happens from a warm room, before eventually get out in the cold!
Robg71
Well-Known Member
I will try and get some more photos on tomorrow. Been busy, as just got home today, and my eyelids are failing me now....
Cafloat
Well-Known Member
Thank you for sharing your excellent photos. The scenery looks stunning, I can see why you want to go back.
