Settings for aurora borealis?

Alasken

Alasken

Active member
Has anyone shot the northern lights with success. I've found a lot of information about photography, but nothing for video. I have a 100b.
If anyone can give me information from your own experience, or point me to where I can find more info, I'd appreciate it.
Oh yeah, greetings from Alaska.
 
Because he Dvx has good but not great low light performance, I would recommend renting a larger CCD or Cmos camera. Also if you rent an hd cam with 1/2(the Ex) or larger images you will get more low light performance and you can get away with more gain in the HD format. I just did a torch light parade with my Dvx, and the Blacks and Red are hard on the compression, not to mention that you would like the brilliant colors of the norther light when capturing.


Jon
 
The good news is that the DVX is most sensitive in the same greens you see in the Aurora.

Many of the rules for photography will count for video too.

Of course you'll be shooting with the iris wide open and focus at infinity. As the Aurora don't move very fast, slowing down your shutter will be a great way to get some extra light onto the sensors.

Try and get out of town to darker areas to minimize spill of surrounding ambient light. Hill Top might be a good spot to get you up and above the lights.


You seeing a lot up there this year?


- Mikko ... is a part-time Juneauite
 
Sorry mikko, I have yet to see them either, but I too want to see them, Alasken, listen to him, he knows his stuff... lol, I just know next time I do a torch light, and fire works Ill be using higher resolution. The footage I did came out ok, but I am not blown away by it.
30p,1/30th, 0db gain:
Original
1199931212.jpg

Finished
1199930948.jpg

Original
fireworkoriginal.jpg

Finished
fireworkgrab.jpg
 
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Thank you for the replies. I figured open iris and lowest shutter speed.
Haven't seen any yet this winter. Cloudy skies.
I've been checking the activity on the web, so as soon as it clears up and there's decent activity I'm heading north.
Jon, I noticed you're from Fresno. I grew up there. Left the Valley almost 20 years ago.
Thanks again.
 
Fresno boy yah? very cool, those pics are from sierra summit if you remember that place. Alaska is a big change from Fresno man, very cool, have fun up there man!


Jon
 
If this works, I'd like to know as well. I've often thought about heading outside to shoot the lights, but I never have the camera set up when they do come out. Now that I've moved into town they're even harder to see with all the light pollution.
 
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