Aurora Borealis in Iceland?
Discussion
Thanks for all your input, folks. We booked it last night!!!!!
We decided against doing an organised your with coach trips etc, based on the feedback here, so are going for 4 nights and basing ourselves in the centre of Reykjavik and are going to hire a 4x4 for the duration.
We figured that if we were going to spend upwards of 6 - 8 hours during the night hunting for the Aurora, we'd rather be on our itinerary than crammed into a coach load of strangers (shudder). We'll book things like whale watching / superjeeps (although, we have an old Landy we take off road quite often, so not sure if passengering the jeeps will be significantly better than driving out own back home) locally
I can't wait. I've wanted to do this for years and it's going to be the best 40th birthday present ever!!!!
Thanks for all the input, folks. I really appreciate it
We decided against doing an organised your with coach trips etc, based on the feedback here, so are going for 4 nights and basing ourselves in the centre of Reykjavik and are going to hire a 4x4 for the duration.
We figured that if we were going to spend upwards of 6 - 8 hours during the night hunting for the Aurora, we'd rather be on our itinerary than crammed into a coach load of strangers (shudder). We'll book things like whale watching / superjeeps (although, we have an old Landy we take off road quite often, so not sure if passengering the jeeps will be significantly better than driving out own back home) locally
I can't wait. I've wanted to do this for years and it's going to be the best 40th birthday present ever!!!!
Thanks for all the input, folks. I really appreciate it
You made a good call. Which hotel are you staying at? If it is somewhere remote like Hotel Ranga you won't need to spend the night driving around aimlessly.
Just have an amazing fish dinner and then head outside and just wait. And you don't even have to do that, the Hotel Ranga staff come and round everyone up when there is a sighting!
Just have an amazing fish dinner and then head outside and just wait. And you don't even have to do that, the Hotel Ranga staff come and round everyone up when there is a sighting!
We chose to stay at Hotel Holt in the old centre of Reykjavic http://www.holt.is/english. As we will be taking our 10 year old son and will have a car for the duration, we figured that, by anchoring ourselves in town, we would give ourselves more options if the weather was inclement or we didn't fancy driving on a given day. Also, the "hunt" for the lights will be all part of the fun and will, hopefully, keep him engaged for longer.
Sadly, we haven't got a DSLR. We've only got iphone and a point and click cameras (although, I think you may be able to take longer exposure shots).
I do, however, have an old, bloody expensive, SLR with all sorts of lens options that you can do pretty much everything with. I Might have to see if I can buy some film and get the old girl back in action.
I do, however, have an old, bloody expensive, SLR with all sorts of lens options that you can do pretty much everything with. I Might have to see if I can buy some film and get the old girl back in action.
Excellent! To be honest, even if you don't see the lights, driving around and taking in the amazing scenery is still well worth it, the lights are just the 'cherry on the top' if you get to see them 
As an aside, during our 'hunt' for the lights in the north, we also caught a clear spot by the sea on the edge of a fjord, and whilst there were no northern lights there, the stars looked absolutely amazing. There was no civilisation around for many miles so the light pollution was absolutely non existent. I really want to go back now, any room in your suitcase? 
As an aside, during our 'hunt' for the lights in the north, we also caught a clear spot by the sea on the edge of a fjord, and whilst there were no northern lights there, the stars looked absolutely amazing. There was no civilisation around for many miles so the light pollution was absolutely non existent. I really want to go back now, any room in your suitcase? 
1. DSLRs are so cheap these days that if you can use your old lenses on one you might want to buy it. That said I end up doing most of the picture taking when we go and to be honest I do end up sometimes thinking it would be nice to be able to watch the show rather than F about with the camera, angles and so on in the dark. you will need (IME) at least an 18mm lens or even a fish eye to get a good spread of the sky.
2. There is a lovely coffee shop about a book shop in town that is worth a visit. In general we enjoyed walking through the town. If I remember I will put up a pic of the shoreline the g/f did from a photo we took.
We loved it there and No1 plan on the marriage stakes is on a glacier over there in the summer.
I would say I hope you have a great time but having been there I am sure you will!
2. There is a lovely coffee shop about a book shop in town that is worth a visit. In general we enjoyed walking through the town. If I remember I will put up a pic of the shoreline the g/f did from a photo we took.
We loved it there and No1 plan on the marriage stakes is on a glacier over there in the summer.
I would say I hope you have a great time but having been there I am sure you will!
Honestly don't know enough, all i can tell you is we used the Cannon 'kit' lens and that was nice with a fisheye screwon on the end. We got a 50mm F1.4 but that isn't really the right tool for the job.
Next time (missing this year as doing R66 with Dad) will buy an 18mm pancake or something that goes as wide at the very least.
As you are setting exposure times i am not 100% that the F is that much of an issue unless you are getting all Pro about it.
Next time (missing this year as doing R66 with Dad) will buy an 18mm pancake or something that goes as wide at the very least.
As you are setting exposure times i am not 100% that the F is that much of an issue unless you are getting all Pro about it.
nellyleelephant said:
For those that have been and used a DSLR.....what equipment did you take? I should be taking a 5D3 with a variety of lenses.....I figure the most suitable will be a 17-40, but it's only F4, worth adding a 24 1.4?
(Sorry for the photography digression)
I had no idea what to take and was limited to what I could fit into my hand luggage sized suitcase. I ended up taking my mini Velbon tripod, which was absolutely invaluable, my Sony A57 + 16-105 lens for all purpose shots, and my 11-18 UWA, which I used for the northern lights (wide is good for the lights as you fit much more in). The main thing I wish I'd taken with me is a remote shutter release (for the lights).(Sorry for the photography digression)
Rude-boy said:
Honestly don't know enough, all i can tell you is we used the Cannon 'kit' lens and that was nice with a fisheye screwon on the end. We got a 50mm F1.4 but that isn't really the right tool for the job.
Next time (missing this year as doing R66 with Dad) will buy an 18mm pancake or something that goes as wide at the very least.
As you are setting exposure times i am not 100% that the F is that much of an issue unless you are getting all Pro about it.
I shall want to limit star trailing, so the bigger the aperture the better.Next time (missing this year as doing R66 with Dad) will buy an 18mm pancake or something that goes as wide at the very least.
As you are setting exposure times i am not 100% that the F is that much of an issue unless you are getting all Pro about it.
Tripod won't be a problem as I;m taking a 300 2.8 that will need it!
Tripod (remember how cold metal gets, you may wish to spend extra on a non metal one...)
Remote (ir or cable but I use ir)
Red torch - you WILL need this to either look at settings or find the lens cover you just dropped!
1 packet of large zip lock freezer bags. These need to be big enough to put the whole camera, with lens attached, in. You MUST do this when you have finished using the camera and are about to go back inside. Failure will result in ice and condensation and likely bring to a close your photo taking for the day. Do not open the bag when you are back indoors unless the camera is back up to room temp (an hour at least) or you are done for the next 4-5 hours at least and don't need the camera again.
Nothing worse than popping out, taking a few photos, going in for a drink and then when you go out again you can't use the camera as it is nurffed for the night!
Batteries. Buy spares as I am sure you know the cold eats them like nothing on earth. Finland was -23c a lot of the time (peak low -41c+ wind-chill!), although it was a balmy -2c to -3c when we went to Iceland.
Remote (ir or cable but I use ir)
Red torch - you WILL need this to either look at settings or find the lens cover you just dropped!
1 packet of large zip lock freezer bags. These need to be big enough to put the whole camera, with lens attached, in. You MUST do this when you have finished using the camera and are about to go back inside. Failure will result in ice and condensation and likely bring to a close your photo taking for the day. Do not open the bag when you are back indoors unless the camera is back up to room temp (an hour at least) or you are done for the next 4-5 hours at least and don't need the camera again.
Nothing worse than popping out, taking a few photos, going in for a drink and then when you go out again you can't use the camera as it is nurffed for the night!
Batteries. Buy spares as I am sure you know the cold eats them like nothing on earth. Finland was -23c a lot of the time (peak low -41c+ wind-chill!), although it was a balmy -2c to -3c when we went to Iceland.
Rude-boy said:
1 packet of large zip lock freezer bags. These need to be big enough to put the whole camera, with lens attached, in. You MUST do this when you have finished using the camera and are about to go back inside. Failure will result in ice and condensation and likely bring to a close your photo taking for the day. Do not open the bag when you are back indoors unless the camera is back up to room temp (an hour at least) or you are done for the next 4-5 hours at least and don't need the camera again.
Very good advice, thanks!Already have a carbon Gitzo.
Back to cars for a moment, I have just managed to secure a Toyota Landcruiser for £340 + £23 for excess insurance for the week through Holiday Autos, with Budget being the supplying concession.
A Super Jeep for the week, whilst being a great idea sitting here in the office, would most probably be a real PITA every day!
Doing some research about car hire there, it appears there are some slightly shady practices by some of the outfits regarding charging for ash / sand damage to the paintwork and stone chipping from the gravel roads (alledgedly, many will sell you an insurance, but when they come to inspect it, they advise the insurance doesn't cover the full amount of damage). Holiday Autos worked out to be pretty much the cheapest.
A Super Jeep for the week, whilst being a great idea sitting here in the office, would most probably be a real PITA every day!
Doing some research about car hire there, it appears there are some slightly shady practices by some of the outfits regarding charging for ash / sand damage to the paintwork and stone chipping from the gravel roads (alledgedly, many will sell you an insurance, but when they come to inspect it, they advise the insurance doesn't cover the full amount of damage). Holiday Autos worked out to be pretty much the cheapest.
From my experience.
You don't really need a superjeep, landcruiser is fine. We had a 4x4 Octavia in Jan and it was fine.
Gravel is an enemy - even route 1 the main ring road goes down to gravel in parts. I upgraded with Europcar for gravel cover.
Sand/Ash - This only occurs in very specific areas of the island. If you don't plan on driving any further around than Vik (anti-clock) then it won't be an issue for you. We only went as far as Vik (great place) so didn't bother with sand/ash insurance.
I also wouldn't pay to hire a GPS. The island has such few roads you would have to be a moron to get lost.
You don't really need a superjeep, landcruiser is fine. We had a 4x4 Octavia in Jan and it was fine.
Gravel is an enemy - even route 1 the main ring road goes down to gravel in parts. I upgraded with Europcar for gravel cover.
Sand/Ash - This only occurs in very specific areas of the island. If you don't plan on driving any further around than Vik (anti-clock) then it won't be an issue for you. We only went as far as Vik (great place) so didn't bother with sand/ash insurance.
I also wouldn't pay to hire a GPS. The island has such few roads you would have to be a moron to get lost.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I put some pics up in this thread from when I went.
I put some pics up in this thread from when I went.
Rude-boy said:
matt3001 said:
I also wouldn't pay to hire a GPS. The island has such few roads you would have to be a moron to get lost.
Point of order sir. You may not think you will need it but you would be mad not to have at least one on the phone to use...nellyleelephant said:
We're going for one, mainly so we don't get any unexpected sharp turns / waterfalls / glaciers / elfs in the dark!
Point or order Sir, Trolls.
They have Trolls over them there parts.
Iceland Today said:
Warning
Genuine male trolls are still a threat as they are likely to steal women and children, and are now more intelligent than their ancestors. If you should come across such a creature do not attempt to communicate in any way, just run as fast as you can!
http://www.icelandtoday.is/DiscoverIceland/Superstition/IcelandicTrolls/Genuine male trolls are still a threat as they are likely to steal women and children, and are now more intelligent than their ancestors. If you should come across such a creature do not attempt to communicate in any way, just run as fast as you can!
One family that live there are the Yule Lads:-
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