This spesific shot was done with a D7000 and a Tokina 11-16mm f2.8 (which is a lens that goes for canon, nikon and sony).
When it comes to noise it's a cameradependant. I would recommend you to stay around 800 or 1000 ISO. As a general rule I normally overexpose my auroras by something lik 1,3-2,0 stops. And I always shoot with a wideopen lens, so f2.8