Leica Q to catch Northern lights- release shutter?

[jetlagrooster]

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Hi,

 

I am bringing my Leica Q to capture the Northern Lights in Norway. This is my first time trying on night photography and am wondering if should I (or is there even an option) use a release shutter in the freezing cold?

 

Any other advice on Northern lights shooting is appreciated too.

 

Thanks.

[dancook]

If you could use the mobile app, although you may have the same problem of coldness - use your nose?

[Iduna]

What parameters you should use can be found in the web. What I would recommend is to take at least 2 batteries, better 3 and keep them warm. I was in Berlin recently with only  just freezing temepratures and my batteries seemed low but when being exchanged after having kept them the performance was much better. so be prepared for this. I do not think you need a remote control by smartphone. The hadnling is not so easy specially if this type of photography is new to you. What  do shooting in cold temepratures is wearing gloves with free finger and a cap to cover them. Do not worry about handling the buttons on your camera then. Keep in mind that for longtime exposure you have to set your thumb wheel control on auto. Then you can choose the speed you need. Use the selftimer to avoid vibration.and switch off OIS when using a tripod. The seltimer  function has to be set each time, unfortunately, but you will get accustomed to it.

 

 

Good luck with your adventure and good aurora borealis performances!

[lucerne]

Hi,

 

I am bringing my Leica Q to capture the Northern Lights in Norway. This is my first time trying on night photography and am wondering if should I (or is there even an option) use a release shutter in the freezing cold?

 

Any other advice on Northern lights shooting is appreciated too.

 

Thanks.

 

Quite a challenge for your first Leica Q outing.

No remote shutter release on the Q although the camera can be controlled via a smartphone app.  If you haven't mastered that technique, then I would forget it!.   However, before you go you could explore the use of a couple of menu settings that might be useful.

 

Select : Menu,then Screen Mode, Fireworks.  and experiment.

or: Menu, then Screen Mode, Time lapse, and set up a series of shots at set intervals.

The problem could be that you can't predict the Northern Light activity so why not set up the camera on a tripod facing the sky and take a movie.

 

You must experiment at night outdoors before you go!

 

Night shots have to use long exposures so a tripod is going to be the key.  Exposures of under 1/30th are not going to be great if you are trying to hold the camera steady, but as long as it is on the tripod you can set it to shoot for multiple seconds.  

 

As Iduna has mentioned, the battery will not function 100% at low temperatures.  Take at least two spares.    

 

Enjoy yourself and don't let your camera dominate your trip. You might end up with no shots and no visual memories!