Spec Me: Bridge Camera for Aurora Borealis

snips86x · 6 Mar 2013 at 19:08

Got a friend who is going to Norway to see the Aurora Borealis and has requested my assistance with finding a camera.

She has found the following and would like to know if these would be suitable or if something else would be better suited.

- Panasonic GX1 11-42mm
- FijiFilm S4400

Her budget is £350 tops.

Ksanti · 6 Mar 2013 at 19:28

Fuji X10. You don't need the stupid zooms and rubbish IQ of a bridge camera for borealis, you need IQ, low light performance and a reasonably wide angle lens.

Alternatively:
Canon S100, Fuji XF1, Olympus XZ-1 or XZ-2

NickK · 9 Mar 2013 at 08:34

if you want night time too then ensure the camera can take longer exposures too

Sandrine's Olympus SU800 for example can't.

Jase · 9 Mar 2013 at 15:19

I don't think I'd go for a bridge camera, either something like the Fuji X10 as mentioned or go for a cheap SLR with Kit Lens such as the Canon 1100D.

Ohh and I hope she actually see's the Aurora Borealis, I've known a couple of people who have gone and not seen it.. it's a trip I hope to do this/next year.

#Chri5# · 10 Mar 2013 at 15:38

I'd also suggest a remote shutter release as well

pecnarf · 11 Mar 2013 at 03:00

i would recommend using a lens that 10mm-24mm or no higher than 50mm and f/1.8 to f/2.8 reason being is that you want to use a fast wide angle lens for night sky shoots. plus you want a tripod and remote shutter cable so that their no movement on the camera when taking the need long exposure. but also take into fact that you need to trial and error to find the right setting so that you don't get star trails unless you want them in you photo for the effect they do.