Aurora Photography Settings Guide
OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II & M.Zuiko 8mm f/1.8 Fisheye PRO
This guide outlines the optimized settings for capturing the Aurora Borealis, specifically tailored for your equipment and your experience with bright aurora events.
1. Core Exposure Settings
| Category |
Setting |
Note |
| Shooting Mode |
Manual (M) |
Provides full control over exposure parameters. |
| Aperture |
f/1.8 |
Use your lens’s fastest setting to gather maximum light. |
| Shutter Speed |
4 – 8 Seconds |
Start at 4s for fast movement; up to 8s for faint light. |
| ISO |
1600 – 3200 |
Start at 1600; increase to 3200 if the preview is too dark. |
| Image Format |
RAW |
Essential for high-quality editing in Lightroom CC. |
2. Focus & Monitoring
| Category |
Setting |
Note |
| Focus Mode |
Starry Sky AF + MF |
Precision AF for stars with manual fine-tuning capability. |
| Viewfinder |
Night Vision |
Expands dynamic range for a natural view of the night sky. |
| Stabilization |
S-IS OFF |
Turn off Image Stabilization when the camera is on a tripod. |
| Noise Reduction |
Long Exp. NR ON |
Automatically removes thermal noise during the exposure. |
3. Execution & Stability (No Remote Shutter)
| Category |
Setting |
Note |
| Drive Mode |
Self-timer (2s) |
Prevents camera shake by delaying the shutter after pressing. |
| Remote Option |
OM Image Share |
Use your smartphone via Wi-Fi as a wireless remote trigger. |
4. Specialized Gear Procedures
Starry Sky AF + MF Setup
- Enable AF+MF in AF Menu 1.
- Set the AF mode to Starry Sky AF (Set AF Priority to [Accuracy] in the sub-menu).
- Ensure the Manual Focus Clutch on your 8mm f/1.8 PRO is pushed forward (AF position).
- Aim at a bright star and press the AF-ON button.
- Once the green focus indicator appears, you can rotate the focus ring to manually fine-tune if desired.
Using S-OVF (Simulated OVF)
- S-OVF provides a natural view but does not reflect exposure settings (ISO/Shutter).
- You must rely on the Histogram to ensure your shot is not underexposed.
- Ensure the Level Gauge is active to keep your horizon straight in the dark.
Cold Weather Management
- Batteries: Keep spare BLX-1 batteries in an inner pocket close to your body heat.
- Dark Frame Subtraction: With Long Exposure NR ON, the camera will take a second “dark” exposure of the same length (e.g., a 4s shot takes 8s to process). Do not turn the camera off during this process.
Created for Aurora photography in West Cork.