Photographing Lightning With Triggers

I'm creating this thread since I couldn't find anything about using triggers to shoot lightning on this forum.

Thinking about getting this little unit to snap some Spring lightning in KY. Looks pretty straight forward as far as usage is concerned, but how does one protect the camera?

I guess if I'm out on the back deck, I could sit under the patio umbrella, but what if I am in the field chasing a storm How do storm chasers protect gear? Is there some sort of canopy, umbrella, housing they use? It can't be too constraining, since that would defeat the lightning trigger, wouldn't it?

Any insight, and info would be appreciated.

Freddy ..

I usual shoot from inside my car out the window unless there is suitable covering nearby.

I'm not sure just how much of that lightning you will get using a trigger. First the mirror has to move out of the way, the shutter has to open, etc. so it would have to be a long duration strike.
If it were me, I'd stop down to f/11-16, ISO 100, & try some 30 second or Bulb exposures. Manual focus on something at infinity, & turn focus off on the lens.
Lightning from Darwin

I don't know what you'll be using for the camera, but if you have magic lantern I have read somewhere that it has a setting that will work for lightning. Haven't tried it yet myself.

Instead of a trigger you could always use a long exposure. Wait for the lightning then press shutter to end exposure.

As for protecting the camera there are a host of rain covers available for cameras from cheap disposable types up to full on professional covers with access sleeves for your hands.

I'll look into that, never heard of it, thanks for posting!

Dan Marchant wrote in post #17510206
Instead of a trigger you could always use a long exposure. Wait for the lightning then press shutter to end exposure.

As for protecting the camera there are a host of rain covers available for cameras from cheap disposable types up to full on professional covers with access sleeves for your hands.

This looks promising! $15's not too much for an experiment. Look at some of the pics in the reviews; it can handle a 1D4 with a 300L as well!

I can see using bulb during darkness, but what about dusk/early evening when there's still light .. if you hold the shutter open for say even 10-15 seconds (even at F22), that might blow out the surrounds, wouldn't it?

I refer to the most recent picture I have added to my page; https://www.facebook.c​om/ZenAndTheArtOfJoy. I snapped 60 pics last night and waited until the rain was upon me trying to time myself, but as you know, by the time I see it, and click, it's gone :P

As I came back inside, this from shutterbug magazine showed up on my FB feed, and inspired me even more

Have a great day folks!!

Freddy ..

That might be one case where a trigger would work best.
Personally, I'd run some tests on an overcast day at dusk with f/22 & a polarizer on the lens. Find the best exposure & note where the needle is on your meter. Try duplicating that meter reading when you do the rain shots.