Lightning Photography
Aug 26, 2020 18:22:22 #
The other night we had a major storm blow through and the associated lightning was amazing. I’m interested in hearing suggestions for the best methods to capture images of lightning. Are there smart trigger like Miops or others that would make the process easier? Any thoughts about settings and or suggested equipment compatible with a D850 would be appreciated. Years ago in my film shooting days I would just use a low ISO film and the bulb setting. I got a couple of successes over the years but I’d like to improve my success rate. I’ve got a trip scheduled for mid September in the UP and figure somewhere during the week I’ll likely have an opportunity to capture a storm over Lake Superior.
Aug 26, 2020 18:27:02 #
Shooting lightning digitally is same as back in film days . Actually better as you can see results immediately and adjust aperture accordingly .
Aug 26, 2020 19:26:04 #
WIHorseman wrote:
The other night we had a major storm blow through ... (show quote)
There’s a hot shoe sensor you can buy called ‘Lightning Bug’. It senses The flash and actuates the shutter. There are others I’m sure, but that one seemed reasonably priced.
Aug 26, 2020 19:26:28 #
Thanks for the suggestion. I’ll try to post the results if I’m lucky enough to get some good storms. Any suggestions on ISO and f/stop settings?
Aug 26, 2020 19:59:24 #
Just checked . B&H(maybe others too) sells the "lightning Bug" device . $179 . Looks pretty neat .
Aug 26, 2020 20:01:37 #
Aug 26, 2020 20:17:11 #
hoola wrote:
Shooting lightning digitally is same as back in film days . Actually better as you can see results immediately and adjust aperture accordingly .
You COULD do it exactly as in the film days but digital really is much better in ways beyond having instant feedback.
With film you couldn’t just trip the shutter in response to a strike cuz a combination of lag from both human and mechanical reflexes was too slow.
With a late model digital camera you CAN just trip the shutter release in response to a strike. Human reflex lag is avoided and the camera itself has no mechanical lag.
In full speed burst operation, some new cameras will record the burst including some dozens of frames PRIOR to the user tripping the shutter release. You couldn’t do that with film.
Aug 26, 2020 21:24:50 #
I’m confused. Am I supposed to shoot a burst of shots or just a single frame? Or does the Lightning Bug automatically trigger the subsequent frame?
Aug 27, 2020 07:01:10 #
Nick Page (see youtube) has an excellent series on photographing lightning which I've been watching. He's not a fan of the of the hardware gadgets on the market.
Aug 27, 2020 07:01:52 #
WIHorseman wrote:
I’m confused. Am I supposed to shoot a burst of shots or just a single frame? Or does the Lightning Bug automatically trigger the subsequent frame?
I use the LightningTrigger (http://store.lightningtrigger.com/) but am sure the MIOPS and others are essentially similar - when I shoot after sunset (around here in southern New Mexico that's the best time to see the lightning storms) I have the lens manually focused, aperture set to f4 and shutter speed a 1/4 second. Then it's a matter of leaving the camera alone.
The trigger will be set off by any flashes, including lightning that just flashes up in the clouds but no actual bolts appear - typically I find that 5% or so of the images shot are keepers.
Aug 27, 2020 08:54:54 #
The lightning triggers mentioned above all work well for daytime images. At night you can set camera to high speed continuous and lock your cable release. You want to be on the dry side of the storm in either case.
Camera settings depend on the light and artistic intent and will change as the storm evolves and moves
Hugh
Camera settings depend on the light and artistic intent and will change as the storm evolves and moves
Hugh
Aug 27, 2020 08:56:54 #
dlmorris
Loc: Loma Linda, Ca
There are several brands of lightning triggers. I don't remember which I have. Actually, I have two of them. But they do work well. They do trip sometimes when a flash is in the clouds, or somewhere behind you, but as "film is cheap", you just look at what you got, and keep the good ones. I'd highly recommend purchasing one. One thing to note.. all of them I have seen need to be connected to the camera with a cable. My Canon M50 does not accept an external trigger, so will not work with one. I have a couple of other Canons which accept such a trigger, and they work well.
Aug 27, 2020 09:26:36 #
PPP
Loc: Florence
WIHorseman wrote:
The other night we had a major storm blow through ... (show quote)
Get the Pluto Trigger. It does lightning and much much more!
https://plutotrigger.com
Aug 27, 2020 10:17:14 #
The MIOPS trigger works well for lightning and does much more. Besides other triggering options it gives great control for time lapse.
Aug 27, 2020 11:00:01 #
I have had 2 MIOPS triggers and neither have worked...the 2nd was a replacement from the company. Friends have had good success with The Lightening Trigger and Pluto. No idea why this happened for me.
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