Thank you! The northern lights are visible a few times a year in the Trondheim area (the middle of Norway), so I will have more chances from here. I would also love to take the Hurtigruten up to Kirkenes (Finnmark), to see the landscapes and the northern lights, but Hurtigruten is so expensive. It is more likely that I buy myself a decent wide-angel zoom for the time beeing, and look out for the northern lights in this area. I will check out the aurora link you have supplied

I have until now shot only jpeg, but I believe that RAW+ would be a good idea the next time I have an opportunity to capture the northern lights. I also need to learn how to develop RAW.

"Much ado about nothing". There was a thick layer of clouds over Trondheim last night, no northern ligths to be seen

But thank you again for your advice!

Bjørn

Thanks Gwyn for your advice! I do not have a remote, I plan to use the self-timer. Is it a good idea to set the white balance to "cloudy"?

Thank you Pentaxophile! I will start off with ISO 100 like you suggest, and f5.6 - f8. Which lens would you suggest? Now, more than ever, I would have loved to have a DA12-24 in my possessions...

I seems that there is a geomagnetic storm influencing the lighting conditions in the Northern Hemisphere. Yesterday evening there were spectacular northern lights as far south as Oslo (maybe also further south), but here in Trondheim the sky was covered with impenetrable thick clouds - no sign of the northern ligths Hopefully tonight...

How does one set up the K20D for best capturing the northern lights?

Is this a good way to start:

1. Manual focus
2. White balance: cloudy
3. ISO 400
4. Lens wide open
5. Exposure start out with 8 seconds, adjust
6. Manual - mode, check histogram

*TRIPOD

Which lens should I take? I have only three suitable options:

A. DA 18-55WR
B. SMC-A 24mm 2.8
C. SMC 28mm 3.5


Hopefully the sky is clear tonight, so that I will be able to get some shots of this unique (in this area) phenomenon...

I am very grateful for all advice!

Bjørn

I believe that the Kenko PZ-AF 1.5x Teleplus SHQ and Kenko PZ-AF 1.7x Teleplus SHQ converters work with Pentax SDM lenses.

When attempting to remove residue/stains from the adapter glass I used acetone with the outmost care, and only on the glass surface.

What chemicals to use when cleaning camera lenses seems to be a contested field, and I would welcome a new tread where this theme is discussed in depth!

Best regards
Bjørn

I purchased acetone and made an attempt at cleaning the glass on the adapter. Sadly the problem seems to lie under the glass, and according to a repairman I contacted, it is probably not possible to clean/repair the adapter. The seller was not interested in lowering his initial price, so I returned the adapter today.

I will have to find solace with my newly acquired AT-X 80-400... I probably do not need a 1.7x anyway

Thank you all for your help!

Best regards
Bjørn

That could be a possible explanation. I will buy some lens cleaner on Monday.

The front element is 100%, it is only the back element that has stains. Yes, I could try to negotiate the price if I decide to keep it.

About GBP 140,- with pouch + box + instruction (Made in Japan). And it is unused, 100% mint (except for the #$%!! stains on the glass:cry.