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Capturing Lightning
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Jul 10, 2018 12:03:24   #
gilmorecs
 
In CO we have lots of lightning but I have been unable to capture it with my camera. Does anyone have some tips? I use a Nikon D7200./

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Jul 10, 2018 12:20:41   #
ChuckMc Loc: Prescott, AZ
 
I believe that there is an attachment that senses the bolt and takes the picture. I will wait for someone who actually knows what they're talking about. ;-)
Chuck

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Jul 10, 2018 12:25:54   #
rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona
 
I've only caught a couple. But my method isn't as successful as those using lightning triggers. I set the ISO to 100, f-stop 5.6 or 8, and leave the shutter open for about 30 seconds. This only works if it's pretty dark out during the storm.

It takes a considerable amount of time to write to the storage device. I've captured a lot of boring sky and missed the lightning that occurs during the write process. I've thought about getting a trigger, but can't really justify the cost/time of use.
--Bob
gilmorecs wrote:
In CO we have lots of lightning but I have been unable to capture it with my camera. Does anyone have some tips? I use a Nikon D7200./

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Jul 10, 2018 12:38:10   #
pdsdville Loc: Midlothian, Tx
 
You could use a Lightning Trigger made to detect lightning and fire your camera much faster than you can. Works in daylight and dark.

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Jul 10, 2018 12:47:18   #
Resqu2 Loc: SW Va
 
May sound silly but I have got some pretty good shots by taking a video with my Iphone X then going to the frame that has the best bolts and doing a screen shot. I’d love to have a trigger of some sort for my Canon 6D though.

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Jul 10, 2018 14:26:36   #
Vietnam Vet
 
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/tips-and-solutions/how-to-photograph-lightning


Part of the article

Technique #3: The Gadget Method

If you think that using technology is cheating, you might want to stick to the first two techniques. If you believe in better living through tech, a lightning trigger might just be the think for you. B&H sells some great lightning triggers from Vello, AEO, MK Controls, Nero, and Ubertronix. These devices mount on your camera's hot shoe or tripod connect to the camera via a cable (make sure you get the correct version for your camera), and feature sophisticated electronic triggers that tell your camera to take a photo when they detect lightning.

Some triggers, like the Vello Freewave Stryker, are multi-purpose, meaning that they're not just for lightning. The Freewave Stryker can trigger your camera using sound detectors for photographic projects where the storms are not rolling in.

Some of the triggers detect an emission of infrared light that precedes a lightning strike and others are multi-use―triggered not only by lightning , but they also have modes for motion, laser light, sound, and other external inputs. Once triggered, they can automatically activate your camera's shutter in a fraction of a millisecond. These triggers often detect lightning during both day and nighttime.

Lightning photography expert and storm chaser Roger Hill is a fan of using lightning triggers during the day, but prefers to use the bulb method for his nighttime shots. For the lightning triggers to work, he says, "You have to have a return stroke from a lightning bolt to capture it, as a lightning strike is VERY fast, so fast even the trigger cannot detect a single stroke."

Vello Stryker
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Remote-Controls/ci/4948/N/4077634555+4095985222

AEO Lightning Strike
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=AEO&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=

MK Lightning Bug
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=MK%20Controlls&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=

Ubertronix Strike Finder
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=%20Ubertronix&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=

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Jul 11, 2018 05:56:52   #
mleuck
 
The only way to capture lightning is in a bottle.

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Jul 11, 2018 06:23:58   #
edwdickinson Loc: Ardmore PA
 
If your camera does video you can run video then pull image in photoshop.

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Jul 11, 2018 07:23:56   #
hcmcdole
 
I bought the Vello Stryker a few years ago but had to send it back to B&H since it would not work detecting a flash of light (I simulated a lightning strike with a remote flash). They replaced it with a new one and it worked as expected. Make sure you check it out ASAP if you buy one just in case you need to return it.


Now I need a new cord since Canon changed their remote control port from their old interface on the 7D to a new interface on the 80D. GRRR!

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Jul 11, 2018 07:26:19   #
SonyBug
 
I use Pluto Trigger as it is far more than a lightning trigger.

It can recognize sound and fire, comes with a laser and receiver and break the beam and it fires. For drops of water. Fires from lightening and fireworks, timed shutter release. It really is a all around camera trigger. It is specific to the model of your camera, so you have to match it that way, the list is on the website.
Here is my link to the Pluto trigger which I think is the best all around trigger available. Oh, and it comes with rechargeabe batteries so you never have to buy a battery.

http://www.plutotrigger.com?afmc=1g0

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Jul 11, 2018 08:19:07   #
tracs101 Loc: Huntington NY
 
mleuck wrote:
The only way to capture lightning is in a bottle.


I think that is "time " in a bottle.

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Jul 11, 2018 08:19:28   #
dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl
 
gilmorecs wrote:
In CO we have lots of lightning but I have been unable to capture it with my camera. Does anyone have some tips? I use a Nikon D7200./


There are two basic ways.. one is on a tripod with a long exposure and high (small aperture) f/stop. This allows the camera to get a good lightning shot because the lightning is so bright.
The other way is to use a lightning detector (not sure what it's called) on the camera. This device detects the lightning and triggers the camera immediately. It works better than the long exposure for hand held shots... but again being on a tripod is an advantage.
Here is B&H's list...
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Cameras/N/0/Ntt/Lightning+Trigger
I'm sure that Adorama and others have them too.

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Jul 11, 2018 09:40:49   #
Bill29707 Loc: Greenville, NC
 
For night time I use a long exposure (30 seconds or so) and review the next day. Many will have no bolts and will be deleted. The other way is if it is bright outside and a long exposure is not an option. That was discussed above and is to use a movie mode, note the time of the bolt, and then do a photo grab by software.
Bill

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Jul 11, 2018 09:47:15   #
Machinedoc Loc: Yorktown Heights, NY
 
rmalarz wrote:
I've only caught a couple. But my method isn't as successful as those using lightning triggers. I set the ISO to 100, f-stop 5.6 or 8, and leave the shutter open for about 30 seconds. This only works if it's pretty dark out during the storm.

It takes a considerable amount of time to write to the storage device. I've captured a lot of boring sky and missed the lightning that occurs during the write process. I've thought about getting a trigger, but can't really justify the cost/time of use.
--Bob
I've only caught a couple. But my method isn't as ... (show quote)


Ditto...ditto...ditto...(see my profile thumbnail) this is a simple, inexpensive method to capture lightning...all it requires is a tripod and patience....trash the boring ones and keep the good ones, without the need for expensive gadgets...don't underestimate the need for a low ISO and stopping down...have fun, and, be safe!

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Jul 11, 2018 10:58:09   #
DaveC1 Loc: South East US
 
Or, you can build your own lightning trigger if your handy with building small electronic projects. Not counting the components I had laying around I've got about $14.00 in this and it works just fine day and night.

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

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