Northern Lights - question

Hi,
I'm visiting Northern Sweden in mid Feb and want to shoot the lights. I have a 500d with 17-85 and may take my G12 as well. Outside temperature is around -20c so will I need to take precautions to avoid condensation going from indoors to out and will the battery be ok at -20.

Hi Martin,

The real concern is when going from cold to warm with your camera. (That's where condensation will form.) As you may already know, you'll want to seal your equipment in airtight bags (large ziplocs work great for this) prior to going inside. Once inside, let the equipment warm up to warm temperature while still sealed in the bag (4 or 5 hours) and then you can take it out. Your batteries will be ok, but it's best to always have a fully-charged spare or two, and you'll want to keep those in an inside pocket so they'll stay warm.

Have fun! It sounds like you're in for an awesome trip!

Bryan

Stay at the IceHotel near Kiruna and you won't have to worry about the camera warming up when you come indoors.

bps wrote in post #13815694
Hi Martin,

The real concern is when going from cold to warm with your camera. (That's where condensation will form.) As you may already know, you'll want to seal your equipment in airtight bags (large ziplocs work great for this) prior to going inside. Once inside, let the equipment warm up to warm temperature while still sealed in the bag (4 or 5 hours) and then you can take it out. Your batteries will be ok, but it's best to always have a fully-charged spare or two, and you'll want to keep those in an inside pocket so they'll stay warm.

Have fun! It sounds like you're in for an awesome trip!

Bryan

Thanks for the tips Bryan, I didn't know about the airtight bags but I'll certainly pick one up.

MCAsan wrote in post #13819054
Stay at the IceHotel near Kiruna and you won't have to worry about the camera warming up when you come indoors.

LOL!

Bryan

MCAsan wrote in post #13819054
Stay at the IceHotel near Kiruna and you won't have to worry about the camera warming up when you come indoors.

Hi,
The plan is to fly to Stockholm, stay a couple of nights and then take the sleeper up to Kiruna for a few days. Can't afford the ice hotel but I'm staying at the Yellow House hostel in Kiruna so I plan to visit it.

Stockholm is a fun city. We lived there in the 90s. Lots to shoot in and around the city depending on the weather. Where there is fresh snow...it is extra special.

Just got back from the trip but the lights eluded me. I took a snowmobile ride into the country and saw fairly weak display but otherwise cloud and snow spoilt the view. I actually saw a better display on the night train back to Stockholm.
Still a great trip and really enjoyed both Stockholm and Kiruna.