Just got back from Tromsø.
Went with
1) two FF bodies, mainly running on 16-35mm f2.8 and 24mm f1.4.
2) one tripod and one gorillapod.
The wind level would depend alot on where you're, some areas are almost windless while some are constant strong wind (on top of a mountain or similar). So far, my manfrotto and gorillapod has survived being in Snow and ice. The ball head would get a little loose even at the tightest point (the ball head and the housing shrinks at different rate in such condition(-10c to -15c, I stop bothering after a while but I was told it was -18c on one of the night).
As for the settings, it depends on the strength of the Aurora and what do you aim to achieve.
But assume its at level 3-- which is quite normal and would be visible to eyes but stronger in camera
1) higher iso, shorter duration : more definition of the shape
2) lower iso, longer duration: brighter colours but lose definition, lesser noise
3) depending on the moon phase, it would light up the foreground (mountains, trees, or simple rocks)
Sometimes, if its a very weak show--we would usually increase duration and iso to get it within the photo but that would also affect the surrouding (depending on the moon light). On my last night of hunting, I shot a very strong one over my head at 1sec at f3.5.
Lens choice is subjective but if its your first time, I'd advice a UWA(14-24) lens then another slight longer maybe 35-50 (i think your 24-70 should do fine).
Driving would be the last option especially if you're driving alone. As you'd be looking around and driving a on the other side of the road and not to mention a manual car. Getting automatic transmission would be as much as getting on a tour. Studded tyres would help if the ice on the road are frozen hard (average temp of -5 and below). If you're driving nearer to the coast and nearer to the sea, temperature could be about 1c to -1c which would mean the ice are not solid hard but might be a little fluid--this is the dangerous part. Not a very good experience I would say. You would need to know how to judge where you could stop your car and where you couldn't (you would be spending more time looking for a spot to stop than to enjoy the surroundings or the northern light). Advice would be to go for the smaller tours of 4 to o8 (means either 1 guide and 1 car or 2 guide and 2 car). The independent guys would have more flexibility. If you're keen, you could PM me to contact my guide. He's a photographer as well and he'd be able to give you some guidance.
Note: not all tours are equal, some are in minivan, some in bus, while some in private cars. some provides outdoor/winter gears while some don't. Mine didn't and I didn't mind cause I had brought my own.
Outfit advice:
1)insulated gloves (preferably with flexibility of your fingers able to do adjustments), it is crucial! also, if your tripod is stainless steel or metal, do not hold it with bare hands. you'll get frost burn or similar.
2)insulated waterproof boots, knee high recommended as you would be IN snow just to get some good shots or composition.
3)water proof + wind proof outer shell (top and bottom). so that snow don't get into your boots/shoes or so you could sit/lay or roll in snow.
4)head lamps (don't skim too much, get a good one with a good accessible switch else you'll be fumbling with your thick gloves).
5)everything inside should be as much wool as you could with a good base layer.
- a)base layer, b)knitted top/long sleeve thick layer, c)down jacket/fleece jacket d)outer shell
*but it boils down to how much cold you could take.
6)wool socks! never cotton! two layers and maybe hand warmers+feet warmers.
Weather and the aurora has been kind to me thus far. Clear skies and fantastic light show for me. I managed to get 3 version of the lights on 3 nights I was out looking for it, was there total of 5 nights and only one of it had no aurora. Some say I'm lucky some say it has been good weather for the past week. Preferred moon phase would be quarter to half moon for me.
Generally, I only went on 1 chase. One night I stayed out at one of the Fjords and another night I was out hiking. If you're lucky, you might even catch it in the city (Tromso).
If you're spending a month in Norway, you'll be able to do a lot more things. The days are getting longer when I'm there so by Feb, you should have plenty of light throughout the day. For northern light, northern norway is your best bet--level 1 aurora would be visible to you as well while the lower part of Norway would need level 3 and if you're further south maybe level4 and above.
Now I wish i spent more time in Norway, beautiful country.
Went with
1) two FF bodies, mainly running on 16-35mm f2.8 and 24mm f1.4.
2) one tripod and one gorillapod.
The wind level would depend alot on where you're, some areas are almost windless while some are constant strong wind (on top of a mountain or similar). So far, my manfrotto and gorillapod has survived being in Snow and ice. The ball head would get a little loose even at the tightest point (the ball head and the housing shrinks at different rate in such condition(-10c to -15c, I stop bothering after a while but I was told it was -18c on one of the night).
As for the settings, it depends on the strength of the Aurora and what do you aim to achieve.
But assume its at level 3-- which is quite normal and would be visible to eyes but stronger in camera
1) higher iso, shorter duration : more definition of the shape
2) lower iso, longer duration: brighter colours but lose definition, lesser noise
3) depending on the moon phase, it would light up the foreground (mountains, trees, or simple rocks)
Sometimes, if its a very weak show--we would usually increase duration and iso to get it within the photo but that would also affect the surrouding (depending on the moon light). On my last night of hunting, I shot a very strong one over my head at 1sec at f3.5.
Lens choice is subjective but if its your first time, I'd advice a UWA(14-24) lens then another slight longer maybe 35-50 (i think your 24-70 should do fine).
Driving would be the last option especially if you're driving alone. As you'd be looking around and driving a on the other side of the road and not to mention a manual car. Getting automatic transmission would be as much as getting on a tour. Studded tyres would help if the ice on the road are frozen hard (average temp of -5 and below). If you're driving nearer to the coast and nearer to the sea, temperature could be about 1c to -1c which would mean the ice are not solid hard but might be a little fluid--this is the dangerous part. Not a very good experience I would say. You would need to know how to judge where you could stop your car and where you couldn't (you would be spending more time looking for a spot to stop than to enjoy the surroundings or the northern light). Advice would be to go for the smaller tours of 4 to o8 (means either 1 guide and 1 car or 2 guide and 2 car). The independent guys would have more flexibility. If you're keen, you could PM me to contact my guide. He's a photographer as well and he'd be able to give you some guidance.
Note: not all tours are equal, some are in minivan, some in bus, while some in private cars. some provides outdoor/winter gears while some don't. Mine didn't and I didn't mind cause I had brought my own.
Outfit advice:
1)insulated gloves (preferably with flexibility of your fingers able to do adjustments), it is crucial! also, if your tripod is stainless steel or metal, do not hold it with bare hands. you'll get frost burn or similar.
2)insulated waterproof boots, knee high recommended as you would be IN snow just to get some good shots or composition.
3)water proof + wind proof outer shell (top and bottom). so that snow don't get into your boots/shoes or so you could sit/lay or roll in snow.
4)head lamps (don't skim too much, get a good one with a good accessible switch else you'll be fumbling with your thick gloves).
5)everything inside should be as much wool as you could with a good base layer.
- a)base layer, b)knitted top/long sleeve thick layer, c)down jacket/fleece jacket d)outer shell
*but it boils down to how much cold you could take.
6)wool socks! never cotton! two layers and maybe hand warmers+feet warmers.
Weather and the aurora has been kind to me thus far. Clear skies and fantastic light show for me. I managed to get 3 version of the lights on 3 nights I was out looking for it, was there total of 5 nights and only one of it had no aurora. Some say I'm lucky some say it has been good weather for the past week. Preferred moon phase would be quarter to half moon for me.
Generally, I only went on 1 chase. One night I stayed out at one of the Fjords and another night I was out hiking. If you're lucky, you might even catch it in the city (Tromso).
If you're spending a month in Norway, you'll be able to do a lot more things. The days are getting longer when I'm there so by Feb, you should have plenty of light throughout the day. For northern light, northern norway is your best bet--level 1 aurora would be visible to you as well while the lower part of Norway would need level 3 and if you're further south maybe level4 and above.
Now I wish i spent more time in Norway, beautiful country.
