Learn the best camera settings for Northern Lights and avoid blurry shots with the right ISO, shutter speed, and focus settings. This way, you will achieve clear, breathtaking aurora photos every time.
The Northern Lights, also known as Aurora Borealis, are one of the most beautiful natural phenomena you can experience. It is every photographer's dream to capture such scenes, but it is quite challenging. You need a high-quality camera, solid knowledge in shooting such night landscapes, and some other things you must learn to successfully apply the optimal camera settings for Northern Lights. Let's get started.
Where and when to photograph?
The most popular travel destinations for Northern Lights are Kiruna in Swedish Lapland, Luleå, Tromsø in Norway, Kangerlussuaq in Greenland, and Rovaniemi in Finland. All these places lie within or near the auroral oval at high northern latitudes and are locations where Northern Lights are visible.
The best time to experience these natural wonders is between 9:00 PM and 2:00 AM. During this period, the best sightings often occur between 11:00 PM and midnight, when the sky is usually clear.
What you should know before photographing:
1. First, try to move northward and photograph northward in these areas. We consider these areas an excellent starting point for shots.
2. Avoid artificial light as much as possible.
3. The best time to observe this natural phenomenon starts at the end of August and lasts until mid-April (autumn to spring), when the northern lights are most visible.
What do you need?
1. A high-quality DSLR or mirrorless camera with high ISO settings (6400 and above).
2. A powerful wide-angle lens (12 to 24 mm full-frame equivalent) with optical stabilization that performs excellently even in low light.
3. A professional outdoor photography tripod with a good grip.
4. Always check the weather forecast before planning your trip; northern lights are usually not visible in bad weather. Use weather apps to check the KP index of these areas, as it directly affects visibility.
What camera settings are suitable for northern lights?
To capture northern lights, you should use apertures from f/1.4 to f/2.8 with focal lengths from 12 to 24 mm. Then switch to manual settings on your DSLR or mirrorless camera. Set the shutter speed depending on the brightness of the northern lights to 4 to 30 seconds (usually 10–25 seconds). Also optimize the white balance starting at 3500 K.
The ISO value should be between 800 and 6400. If your camera supports more, this is practical in very low light. You can adjust ISO and shutter speed anytime if the images are overexposed. A good starting point for optimal camera settings for northern lights is, for example, f/2.8 with ISO 1600 and a shutter speed of 15 seconds. Adjust these settings to your situation and use your camera's RAW capture function for better post-processing.
The choice of camera lens also significantly influences the final result, as it determines the amount and quality of incoming light. The SIRUI Venus 50 mm is such a lens, developed for razor-sharp and detailed northern lights shots.
This is achieved thanks to the ultra-bright T2.9 aperture, which lets in significantly more light compared to a conventional lens. This reduces ISO values, which can lead to more noise and uncontrolled exposure. The lens also offers full manual control for better image management. Its lightweight design makes it easier to carry during travel to photograph northern lights.
Summary:
The best camera settings for northern lights vary depending on the local weather conditions. Knowledge of the travel destination, travel time, and your camera skills determine your final shots. The SIRUI Venus camera lens is designed for capturing detailed and clear photos thanks to its ultra-bright aperture and high-end optics optimized for low light conditions.
