Finland is a country of stark contrasts – the urban cool of Helsinki, the Arctic wilderness of Lapland, and the ethereal beauty of the Northern Lights dancing across the sky. But filming here is one of the toughest challenges for any videographer. The extreme cold, the darkness of winter, and the unpredictable aurora activity require gear and techniques that most travel guides don't cover. We sat down with Eeva Mäkelä, a Finnish videographer who has been filming in the Arctic Circle for over a decade, to get the real story on capturing Finland's magic. From the snowy forests of Rovaniemi to the frozen lakes of Lapland, Eeva shares her favourite locations, the gear that survives the cold, and the tips that make all the difference.
⚡ Quick Takeaways for Finland Filmmakers
- Best cameras for Finland: DJI Osmo Pocket 4 Pro (portability), Sony ZV-E10 II (low-light), GoPro Hero 13 (cold weather).
- Top 3 filming locations: Rovaniemi's snowy forests, Helsinki's design district, and Saariselkä for Northern Lights.
- Weather reality: Winter temperatures can drop to -30°C. Summer offers 24-hour daylight.
- Battery life: Cold drains batteries fast – keep spares in your inner pocket.
- Drone rules: Strictly regulated in winter. Check local restrictions before flying.
📍 3 Must-Film Locations in Finland
1. Rovaniemi – Santa's Village & Snowy Forests
Why it's great: The official hometown of Santa Claus offers a winter wonderland of snow-covered forests, reindeer, and magical winter light.
Filming tip: Visit at blue hour (around 2-3 PM in December) when the soft Arctic light creates a dreamy atmosphere. The Santa Claus Village is busy with tourists – head to the surrounding forests for quieter, more magical shots. A wide-angle lens (16–35mm) captures the snowy landscape, while a telephoto (70–200mm) isolates details like reindeer and frost-covered trees. Keep your camera in a dry bag when moving between indoors and outdoors to prevent condensation.
2. Helsinki – Design District & Ice Skating
Why it's great: Helsinki's Design District is a hub of Nordic architecture, colourful buildings, and trendy cafes. In winter, the ice skating rinks add a magical element.
Filming tip: The ice rink at Rautatientori (Helsinki Central Station) offers a classic shot of Finnish winter. Golden hour (around 3 PM in December) is the best time – the low winter sun creates long shadows and warm light. A fast prime lens (f/1.8 or faster) is essential for the low light. Shoot in flat profile to capture the dynamic range of the winter light.
3. Saariselkä – Northern Lights
Why it's great: One of the best places in the world to see and film the Northern Lights. The remote location, minimal light pollution, and open skies make it ideal for aurora photography.
Filming tip: September–March is aurora season. The best time is 10 PM–2 AM when the sky is darkest. A full-frame camera with fast wide-angle lens (f/1.4 or f/1.8, 14–24mm) is essential. Use a tripod and shutter release to avoid camera shake. Manual focus to infinity – autofocus won't work in the dark. ISO 1600–6400 depending on the aurora's brightness. Keep your camera warm – cold drains batteries and can cause sensor noise.
📸 Best Cameras for Finland
Here are the cameras I recommend for filming in Finland, based on real testing and local videographer interviews:
Sony ZV-E10 II
APS-C sensor with excellent low-light performance – perfect for Finland's dark winters.
- 4K/60fps, S‑Log3
- Excellent low-light performance
- Interchangeable lenses
- Weather-sealed body
DJI Osmo Pocket 4 Pro
Pocket-sized gimbal camera – great for quick shots in the cold.
- 3‑axis gimbal stabilization
- 1‑inch sensor – decent low-light
- Fits in your pocket
- Good battery life
GoPro Hero 13
Rugged, waterproof, and built to handle extreme cold – perfect for Lapland.
- Waterproof to 10m
- 8K video, HyperSmooth 6.0
- Durable & rugged build
- Good for action shots
iPhone 16 Pro
The camera you already have – and it's surprisingly capable in the cold.
- 4K/120fps Dolby Vision HDR
- Action Mode stabilization
- Always with you
- Great for quick B‑roll
❄️ Finland Weather Reality for Filmmakers
Finland's climate varies dramatically between seasons. Here's what to expect:
- Winter (December–February): Extremely cold – temperatures regularly drop to -20°C to -30°C (-4°F to -22°F). In Lapland, it can get even colder. Battery life plummets, LCD screens can freeze, and lenses can fog up. Film during the limited daylight (10 AM–3 PM) or at night for Northern Lights.
- Spring (March–May): Temperatures rise to -5°C to 10°C. The snow melts, and the days get longer. March is still great for winter scenes, while May offers spring blooms.
- Summer (June–August): The famous Midnight Sun – 24 hours of daylight. Temperatures are 10–20°C. Perfect for filming landscapes and outdoor activities. The light is soft and golden all night long.
- Autumn (September–November): The ruska – Finland's autumn colours – is spectacular. September–October offers mild weather, colourful foliage, and the return of the Northern Lights.
🌡️ Pro Tips for Finland's Extreme Cold
- Keep batteries warm: Store spare batteries in your inner pocket close to your body. Cold kills battery life – rotate batteries to keep them warm.
- Prevent condensation: When moving from cold outdoors to warm indoors, seal your camera in a plastic bag or dry bag before entering. This prevents condensation on the lens and sensor.
- Use a rain cover: A rain cover doubles as a snow cover – it protects your camera from snow and moisture.
- Shoot in flat profile: S‑Log or similar gives you the most dynamic range for grading the low-contrast winter light.
- Use a lens hood: Prevents lens flare from the low winter sun and protects the lens from snow.
- Carry lens wipes: Your lens will fog up – carry microfibre cloths to clean it.
🗣️ What Local Videographers Say
We spoke to Eeva Mäkelä, a Finnish videographer who has been filming in the Arctic Circle for over a decade. Here's her advice:
"The biggest mistake tourists make is not protecting their gear from the cold. I've seen cameras freeze and batteries die within minutes. Always keep spare batteries in your inner pocket, and never bring a camera straight from a warm car into the cold – let it acclimatise first."
— Eeva Mäkelä, Finnish Videographer
"The Sony ZV-E10 II is my go-to camera for Finland – the low-light performance is excellent, and the weather-sealing handles the snow and moisture perfectly. For Northern Lights, I use a full-frame Sony A7S III with a fast wide-angle lens."
— Eeva Mäkelä
✈️ Airport & Gear Logistics
Finland has two major international airports:
- Helsinki-Vantaa (HEL): The main gateway to Finland. The airport is modern and efficient. The train to the city centre takes about 30 minutes.
- Rovaniemi (RVN): The gateway to Lapland. The airport is small but well-connected. Taxis and buses are available to the city centre.
- Security: Finnish airport security is thorough. Keep your gimbal batteries, camera bodies, and lenses in your carry-on. Lithium batteries are strictly prohibited in checked luggage.
- Gear insurance: Consider travel insurance that covers camera gear – Finland's extreme cold is tough on equipment.
📜 Permits, Rules & Local Etiquette
- Northern Lights: Filming the aurora is generally allowed. Respect local nature – don't leave any trash behind.
- Drone rules: Drones are allowed but strictly regulated. Winter restrictions may apply. Always check local regulations before flying.
- Everyman's Right: Finland's unique law allows access to nature – you can hike, camp, and film in the wilderness, but respect private property and wildlife.
- Respect local customs: Finns value silence and privacy – avoid intrusive filming. Always ask before filming people.
💰 Budget Travel & Camera Gear
Finland is moderately expensive. Here's what you can expect:
- Accommodation: €50–100 per night for a budget hotel. Mid-range hotels are €100–200.
- Food: A meal at a restaurant is €15–30. Street food (grilled sausages, reindeer burgers) is €5–10.
- Transport: Trains and buses are efficient and reasonably priced. Renting a car is €40–80 per day.
- Camera gear insurance: Essential for the extreme conditions – Finland's cold is tough on equipment.
Some links in this guide are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost. Our rankings are based on real travel testing.