I Thought I Heard Thunder Yesterday Evening: And I did. Made with DIY lightning trigger http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-534221-1.html...

DaveC1 Loc: South East US

And I did.

Made with DIY lightning trigger

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-534221-1.html

(Download)

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Nice work!

NMGal Loc: NE NM

Very nice.

pounder35 Loc: "Southeast of Disorder"

DaveC1 wrote:

And I did.

Made with DIY lightning trigger

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-534221-1.html

What actually triggers the exposure?

vonzip Loc: cape cod

DaveC1 wrote:

And I did.

Made with DIY lightning trigger

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-534221-1.html

DaveC1 Loc: South East US

pounder35 wrote:

What actually triggers the exposure?

If you go to: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-534221-1.html
there is a reference to another URL with the build information for the trigger and a detailed theory of operation of the unit.

But briefly, the sensing element is a photodarlington transistor, the signal from there goes through a number of gain blocks, filters, peak hold circuit, and finally uses a relay as a contact closure to trip the camera shutter.

DaveC1 Loc: South East US

Thanks Longshadow for taking a look.

DaveC1 Loc: South East US

Good to hear from you again UTMike, and thanks.

DaveC1 Loc: South East US

NMGal thanks for taking a look. This was after the cloud images were taken that I posted, and after the rain we got yesterday, about 8:30 p.m. as night was falling.

pounder35 Loc: "Southeast of Disorder"

DaveC1 wrote:

If you go to: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-534221-1.html
there is a reference to another URL with the build information for the trigger and a detailed theory of operation of the unit.

But briefly, the sensing element is a photodarlington transistor, the signal from there goes through a number of gain blocks, filters, peak hold circuit, and finally uses a relay as a contact closure to trip the camera shutter.

I'll dig a little deeper. I thought that the only solution was being extremely lucky or doing a still capture from a video. I could have captured some great shots in Colorado but I was busy trying to find shelter. Florida might be #1 in the number of strikes but they can't compete with the intensity of a Rockies thunderstorm that catches you above treeline.

gwr Loc: South Dartmouth, Ma.

That is a really cool shot. Gary

DaveC1 Loc: South East US

pounder35 wrote:

I'll dig a little deeper. I thought that the only solution was being extremely lucky or doing a still capture from a video. I could have captured some great shots in Colorado but I was busy trying to find shelter. Florida might be #1 in the number of strikes but they can't compete with the intensity of a Rockies thunderstorm that catches you above treeline.

There are a number of commercially available lightning triggers on the market. This is a do it yourself unit that works surprisingly well. Not counting the cost of parts I had on hand, I have about $14 in parts invested.

Yes, that's because the thinner air is less of a dielectric than air at essentially sea level. So yes more lightning strikes but at somewhat lower energy levels per strike I would believe.

DaveC1 Loc: South East US

gwr wrote:

That is a really cool shot. Gary

Thanks for stopping by and taking a look Gary.

pounder35 Loc: "Southeast of Disorder"

DaveC1 wrote:

Thanks for stopping by and taking a look Gary.

A lightening strike is a lightening strike. I'd rather avoid them. Having a 330 volt flash capacitor discharge through me is enough fun. It makes you forget about a measly 110 volt trigger capacitor.