Inflight Aurora Images

Granite · Tue Nov 11, 2014 11:42 am

Hello all

Anyone have any tips on capturing aurora images in-flight?
Might have the opportunity next week.

Got some a few years ago and while the view was absolutely stunning, my images were a bit crappy.
That was an old camera though. Now using a 70D.

Thanks in advance.

Gary

scbriml · Tue Nov 11, 2014 12:29 pm

You've seen it and photographed it? I always thought it was a bit of a mythical plane. Wow. Wow!

ThierryD · Tue Nov 11, 2014 1:54 pm

Quoting granite (Thread starter):
Anyone have any tips on capturing aurora images in-flight?

Hey Gary,

the toughest bit will probably be to actually get to see an aurora. Have had many flights in the upper northern hemisphere and only saw one a half dozen of times.

Should you see one, crank up the ISO, set the camera timer to as much as needed (easily 30s or beyond) and hold the camera steady during that time and hope for a smooth ride.

Imo the whole trick is getting your camera fixed so it won't move; there are devices which will help you do that, you might wanna have a look at them. Will you be travelling in a pax seat?

Cheers,

Thierry

Granite · Tue Nov 11, 2014 2:09 pm

Thanks Thierry!

Yes, understand I might not see them. Was quite surprised the last time I traveled.
Think I have one on my Facebook page if you want to have a trawl through.

Passenger seat unfortunately. Will have the Gorilla Pod with me so will try and make use of that if I am lucky. I had reflection issues the last time also.

Thanks again, will update you via facebook

regards

Gary

vikkyvik · Tue Nov 11, 2014 6:17 pm

Quoting Thierryd (Reply 2):
(easily 30s or beyond)

Quoting Thierryd (Reply 2):
crank up the ISO

Out of curiosity, having never seen/photographed the aurora, are they really that dim?

Granite · Tue Nov 11, 2014 6:38 pm

Vik

I can assure you that the display I witnessed was not dim at all.

I'm going to look out my crap images and post them.

Regards

Gary

Granite · Tue Nov 11, 2014 6:45 pm

Hello again

Remember, I did say crappy.

Regards

Gary

vikkyvik · Tue Nov 11, 2014 7:25 pm

Quoting granite (Reply 5):

Quoting granite (Reply 6):

Thanks Gary. Do you know what settings you used?

Granite · Tue Nov 11, 2014 8:02 pm

Vik

f/8, ISO 1600, 17mm, 9 sec.

Gary

jpmagero · Tue Nov 11, 2014 8:33 pm

Here are some samples i took on a flight from YVR-YYZ, I just tried to hold the camera steady and clicked away. The great was very faintly visible to my naked eye, but not quite as bright as some of the shots came out of the camera.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/vandarix/G7yzX8

There are a couple towards the end of that album I was pretty happy with. The exif info is attached for reference. Cheers.

McG1967 · Tue Nov 11, 2014 8:51 pm

Thierry,

Apart from the gorilla pod, what other devices are available for stabilising a DSLR in such circumstances?

Gary,

It might be worth shooting your lens wide open, rather than stepped down.

Granite · Tue Nov 11, 2014 9:29 pm

Hello again

John, some nice image there

Mark, yes, might be a good idea. Was surprised and excited to see them and not really thinking of settings at the time.
Also it was 'sleepy time' and did not want to wake the passengers next to me.

Regards

Gary

ThierryD · Wed Nov 12, 2014 6:39 am

Quoting McG1967 (Reply 10):
Apart from the gorilla pod, what other devices are available for stabilising a DSLR in such circumstances?

Mark,

have a look here: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Su...ands-Mounts/ci/19258/N/4075788767/

Quoting granite (Reply 3):
I had reflection issues the last time also.

Gary,

you might consider using rubber lens rims, that way you can push your camera onto the window without scratching it and it will help keeping the camera steady; and of course it should take care of any reflections. What I also do to avoid reflections is to put some dark cloth around the lens (e.g. sweater).

Quoting vikkyvik (Reply 4):
Out of curiosity, having never seen/photographed the aurora, are they really that dim?

Vik, some are quite dim - actually most of those I personally saw were like that - but others can be very pronounced.

This is the best I could manage so far:

Aurora

Cheers,

Thierry

Granite · Wed Nov 12, 2014 7:46 am

Hi all

Thanks Theirry

No time to get a rubber hood (did have one years ago) so will use something dark........that's if I see the lights

Will update.

Best regards

Gary

McG1967 · Thu Nov 13, 2014 6:15 pm

Gary,

An item I have used in the past for blocking reflections is a cheap mouse mat from Asda. You can get these for under a £.
All I did was draw round the lens and then cut out a hole for the lens to fit through.

Mark

29erUSA187 · Fri Nov 14, 2014 2:03 am

Quoting granite (Reply 6):

What airline is this aboard? I don't know of any airline with a 747 with orange on the bottoms of the engines like that

trevisan26 · Fri Nov 14, 2014 2:57 am

Quoting 29erUSA187 (Reply 15):

What airline is this aboard? I don't know of any airline with a 747 with orange on the bottoms of the engines like that

I dont think the bottoms of the engines are painted orange, looks like one of the lights of the aircraft reflecting.

Granite · Sun Nov 23, 2014 4:19 pm

Hello

Clearly a beacon flash rather that paint.

Unfortunately no lights to be seen this time around.

Mark, great tip. Will keep that in mind for my next trip whenever that will be.

Best regards

Gary

Inflight Aurora Images

Inflight Aurora Images

RE: Inflight Aurora Images

RE: Inflight Aurora Images

RE: Inflight Aurora Images

RE: Inflight Aurora Images

RE: Inflight Aurora Images

RE: Inflight Aurora Images

RE: Inflight Aurora Images

RE: Inflight Aurora Images

RE: Inflight Aurora Images

RE: Inflight Aurora Images

RE: Inflight Aurora Images

RE: Inflight Aurora Images

RE: Inflight Aurora Images

RE: Inflight Aurora Images

RE: Inflight Aurora Images

RE: Inflight Aurora Images

RE: Inflight Aurora Images

Who is online

Popular Searches On Airliners.net