How to capture

Camera in normal mode cannot capture northern lights. Here is the information on how you can set up your camera or mobile phone for different types of northern lights photographing.

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1. Single lens reflex camera / mirrorless camera / GoPro settings

1) Ideal Setting Indexes:

The following is the ideal camera indexes of Lens Focus, ISO (light sensitivity), Shuttle Speed, Flash and Aperture (indicated by F/number) of different photographing environment (applied to all types of camera):

3) Tripod Set-up

- Screw the bottom of the camera onto the tripod

- Make sure everything remains still during the long exposure. Here shows the differences:

2) Detailed Set-up Guidelines

Now we will demonstrate how to set up each functions using Cannon EOS 100d single lens reflex camera as an example:

a. Lens Focus:

- Switch Lens Focus Mode from AF (Automatic Focus) to MF (Manual Focus). The button is

located at the bottom of the lens.

- Turn the Focusing Ring and align the white baseline with ∞ (infinity).

* If the lens has no distance scale, look at the front of the lens and turn the Focusing Ring

clockwise all the way.

b. ISO:

- Set the Mode Dial to M mode (manual exposure mode).

- Press the ISO button at the top of the camera.

- Turning the Main Dial to adjust ISO.

c. Shutter Speed:

- Press Av button (Aperture exposure compensation) to the right of the screen. A setting page will display.

- Select the first box in the first row (Shutter Speed Index).

- Turn the Main Dial to adjust Shutter Speed.

d. Aperture:

- Press Av button (Aperture exposure compensation) to the right of the screen. A setting page will display.

- Select the second box in the first row (Aperture F/value Index).

- Turn the Main Dial to adjust Aperture.

e. Flash:

- Press the Flashlight Button at the front left of the camera to open Built-in Flash (*Flash

function is automatically disabled in M mode).

By Chasing Northern Lights ©

(1) Without tripod

(2) Move during exposure

(3) Perfect setting

(1) Without tripod

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2. Mobile phone setting

Since you cannot adjust the above camera setting on mobile phone, you need to download an app to help you capturing northern lights.

For IOS users, we recommend Northern Lights Photo Taker for its ease of use. Just press the main button and it will do the photo-taking for you. You can download it via AppStore.