I agree Kirsty we'd be very lucky to get photographs of the Aurora, if we are lucky enough to see it chances are it won't be for very long anyway.

The scenery and wildlife should still give us plenty of pictures to chat about.

Hi all,

While I am really looking forward to photographic opportunities on the cruise (I  think I have more camera gear than clothes packed!!!), and I REALLY hope that we get to see the aurora, I just want to point out that getting photos of the aurora is highly unlikely given the circumstances that we will be in.

In order to take the really cool photos of the aurora that you see, you need to be mounted on a tripod, and use exposure times of 6 seconds to a minute or longer. Given that the best time to see it will be in the middle of the night, we will most likely be on a moving ship at the time. Trust me, I wish that we would have the opportunity to photograph it!! I just don't want anyone to be disappointed.

I think that this is one time to put the camera down and just enjoy the splendor of the show if we get to see it. There will be loads of other photographic opportunities.

I agree that it would be fun to try and get together and meet if possible. 

Kristy

Jana - It sounds like you have just been nominated to be the leader of a photography/camera-jam... LOL 

~ Marcia }|{ 

Jana, I think you played with it for a little bit when we were in Belgium at lunch - when Azar took a trip up the tower... LOL

I will try and play with it a little this week - I do recall those setting on the top mode dial - but the control dial on the back is eluding me right now! Ha! 

I do like the idea of a get together to chat about camera settings! Or just general camera chat - I like to learn new things!

~ Marcia }|{ 

I have a Cannon D500 with two lenses a wide angle and a 70 to 250 zoom. I took it on safari and it took some brilliant pictures. I wouldn't swap it for anything else, love it.

Perhaps we should have a camera club on board we can perhaps all learn from each other and could plan the best settings for the Aurora

Marcia...that's a good camera!
adjusting the shutter speed is easy peasy...
turn the top mode dial to "Tv" then select your shutter speed by turning the control dial on the back...the same thing goes for shooting by aperture mode "Av"

Jana, our camera, which is GREAT for novice photographers and has an awesome built-in zoom - it is a Canon Powershot SX30IS. There are many features on it I haven't even tried to play with yet... I just don't know a lot about cameras - but I would love to be able to take advantage of some of those other features... 

It's certainly not a top notch camera - but it is a decent one for mid range ones... I know not to expect too much out of it, but it has already exceeded our expectations in Amsterdam - one day we do plan on taking a few photography classes and upgrading, but for now we are happy with it!

Any knowledge you can share on how to use some other features on our camera would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

~ Marcia }|{ 

You might google camera stores in Vancouver prior to your arrival and send them an email or call them and ask, they could hold one or two for you until you arrive.  try to find one that has a convertible spike/rubber tip.  

Actually that sounds like a very good idea.  I am doing that for almost all of my sundries so I am not lugging them around and taking up weight and space in the bag. 

I purchased a new DSLR for this trip back in South Australia, and it is a Sony a57 with 18-270mm Tamron lens. Having been in Canada now for a week, I am loving the quality of photos, the speed of the shutter in action shots, the zoom lens, and the sweep panorama mode. Taking loads of photos, but have 32GB and 16GB cards with 2 batteries and laptop for quick download - I am armed and ready to fire, baby! Bring on the cruise!!!

PS My partner also has the Panasonic Lumix TZ1 so hopefully we have most bases covered.

I wonder if you could pick one up in Vancouver?

I like the idea of a monopod as a walking stick! LOL.  

Hi Tink,,,

I was thinking the same as you,  I do not have the gorilla, only regular tripods,  I believe I have decided on the monopod with a ball head and quick release, at least I will have a walking stick to  boot...by the end of the trip I may need more than a walking stick...LOL

Trying to decide on the tripod. It's not for the ship, but for those times on land... We have a little gorilla, but I'm talking about the "pain in the neck to pack" tripod... 

 Will have to mull it over more, I guess.