Learn the best camera settings for photographing the Northern Lights and avoid blurry shots with the right ISO, shutter speed, and focus settings. This way, you’ll capture clear, breathtaking aurora photos every time.
The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, are one of the most beautiful natural phenomena you can experience. It’s every photographer’s dream to capture such scenes, but it’s quite challenging. You need a high-quality camera, solid knowledge of shooting night landscapes, and a few other things to learn in order to successfully apply the optimal camera settings for the Northern Lights. Let’s get started.
Where and when to photograph?
The most popular travel destinations for the Northern Lights are Kiruna in Swedish Lapland, Luleå, Tromsø in Norway, Kangerlussuaq in Greenland, and Rovaniemi in Finland. All these locations lie within or near the auroral oval at high northern latitudes and are places where the Northern Lights are visible.
The best time to experience this natural wonder 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 facing north in these areas. We consider these locations 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 capabilities (6400 and above).
2. A powerful wide-angle lens (12 to 24 mm full-frame equivalent) with optical stabilization that performs excellently in low light.
3. A professional outdoor photography tripod with a good grip.
4. Always check the weather forecast before planning your trip; the Northern Lights are usually not visible in bad weather. Use weather apps to check the KP index for these areas, as it directly affects visibility.
Which camera settings are suitable for the Northern Lights?
To capture the Northern Lights, use apertures from f/1.4 to f/2.8 with focal lengths between 12 and 24 mm. Then switch to manual settings on your DSLR or mirrorless camera. Set the shutter speed depending on the brightness of the aurora to between 4 and 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 higher, that’s useful in very low light. You can adjust ISO and shutter speed anytime if the images are overexposed. A good starting point for optimal Northern Lights camera settings 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 shooting 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, designed for razor-sharp and detailed Northern Lights shots.
This is possible 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 otherwise lead to more noise and uncontrolled exposure. The lens also offers full manual control for better image management. Thanks to its lightweight design, it’s easier to carry during travel to photograph the Northern Lights.
Summary:
The best camera settings for the Northern Lights vary depending on local weather conditions. Knowledge of the 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.
