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Thread started 11 Sep 2007 (Tuesday) 09:23
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Shooting lightning

 
ps249
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Sep 11, 2007 09:23 |  #1
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Here is a pretty neat guide for shooting lightning that I cut and pasted from another website. Looks to be very informative:
"first........make sure you have a tripod. secondly, you won't have much luck during the day, so make sure you go out after it's completely dark. I've not ever had much luck with any daylight out. Find a "safe" spot to shoot (there may not be many so be careful...this can be quite dangerous!) and set up before the storm hits so you're not out in the rain (may want to take an umbrella). I prefer to take someone with me just in case something happens. Just as a reminder, you do NOT want to stand out after it's raining as you will get water everywhere on the camera...even with an umbrella, and again, please be careful as this can be very dangerous. Don't stand outside if the storm gets too close. My wife knows a guy who did get hit by lightning a few years ago and he did recover, but he has tons of problems with motor skills, and other problems as well.
As far as camera settings, you will want to use "manual" mode and probably set your shutter speed to "bulb", aperture to f 10 or so, and use ISO 200 (that's what I usually do). You can always experiment with this. You also may want to invest in a remote release for the 20d, I have one and it's 10 times better than pressing the button and holding it down on the camera. You can't use autofocus, turn it to manual and focus just shy of infinity. I zoom all the way out, you may want to use somewhat of a wide angle lens. Aim where you think the storm is coming from and depress the shutter button (or the release cable) and hold it down. Wait until lightning hits and then you can let go. That will expose the shot. The lightning will have plenty of light, it's almost like daylight out if it's close enough. Also, if you have the noise reduction turned on in the camera settings it basically takes double the time to take the picture (i.e. if you expose the shot for 45 seconds, it will take another 45 seconds or so for the camera to process the file and reduce the noise. During this time you won't be able to take another picture) Anyway, the actual pictures will be dependent on obviously where the lightning is hitting (It gets depressing when you have your camera shutter open and the lightning hits just off to one side of the frame!). Overall just be patient and try to take your time in trying to find a good spot and BE SAFE!"


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50 f/1.8 | 28-135 IS |
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I ­ Simonius
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Sep 11, 2007 09:37 |  #2

I have often wondered about the way to expose for lightning but even though i got some good shots waaaay back in the past I can't rmeember how

Will have to give it anotheer go wiothout becoming a ';stormchaser'
;):D


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mcmadkat
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Sep 11, 2007 10:06 |  #3

For daylight shooting get a strong ND filter.

Or just put it on burst mode and fire away! I took 800+ shots without stopping (small JPEG) and got this in the day time:

IMAGE NOT FOUND
HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/png'


30D 17-40L 580EXII
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=386249

  
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shooter76
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Sep 11, 2007 16:53 |  #4

mcmadkat wrote in post #3907199 (external link)
For daylight shooting get a strong ND filter.

Or just put it on burst mode and fire away! I took 800+ shots without stopping (small JPEG) and got this in the day time:

IMAGE NOT FOUND
HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/png'

so what was the keeper rate.....1 out of 800!! :)




  
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mcmadkat
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Sep 11, 2007 17:05 |  #5

Yup, or 0.00125%



30D 17-40L 580EXII
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=386249

  
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JimMcrae
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Sep 11, 2007 17:10 |  #6

Was that with the Sigma 30mm or 50mm? ;)


60d, 400d, 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6, 24-105mm f/4, 50mm f/1.4, 580ex II, 2 X 430ex II, Bowens 500, cs5

  
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EOS20DAUS
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Sep 11, 2007 17:56 |  #7

I Usually set my camera on BULB and an ISO of around 50 to 100.
As for appeture F/8 to F16 seems to work well depending on where you are shooting and if there are street lights around.
As for what to use, Get a very sturdy Tripod and a remote release for your camera, I currently use the Canon TC-80N3 remote timer for my shots.
I also use my 50/1.4 for most of my shots but I am saving up for a 12-24 Sigma to take in more of the sky.

Then every now and then you get a shot like this:D:D:D

IMAGE: http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j16/Eos30Daus/IMG_4428.jpg

Canon Eos 1D Mark II N | Canon Eos 30D + grip | 50 f/1.4 | 28-135IS | 70-200 f/2.8 L.
I have a terrible case of the L's

  
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tomdlgns
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Sep 14, 2007 08:49 |  #8

nice...that is the type of shot i want to get. i am sure i will take thousands of pictures before i figure out what the hell i am doing.


none

  
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LotsToLearn
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Sep 14, 2007 08:57 |  #9

There's also a trigger you can buy that helps take the guess work out of it.

Lightning Trigger (external link)

There was also a good article in Outdoor Photographer a month or two ago that you can probably still find online that had alot of tips.




  
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tomdlgns
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Sep 14, 2007 11:01 |  #10

nice i will look into that.


none

  
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Sgt_Hovanec
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Sep 14, 2007 11:23 as a reply to  @ tomdlgns's post |  #11

The lightning trigger is OK for camera's that have a shutter lag shorter than 50ms. Otherwise it doesn't help. I haven't tried it yet. I have been shooting lightning for about 18 months and have an extensive collection. The pictures isn't what makes it difficult. It's the chasing and framing. You also need to be available at all times for the storms. My files are too big for this site but if you are interested you can take a look here:

http://www.wundergroun​d.com …nec&handlebox=1​&submit=go (external link)

Here is the basic way of shooting:

http://www.wvlightning​.com/ptips.shtml (external link)

Then you need to teach yourself based on your gear, location, and shooting styles.


My Gear List - Lightning Photography Extremist

  
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Sgt_Hovanec
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Sep 14, 2007 11:28 as a reply to  @ Sgt_Hovanec's post |  #12

A quick daytime shot.


My Gear List - Lightning Photography Extremist

  
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tomdlgns
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Sep 14, 2007 11:28 |  #13

there are some awesome shots in there.


none

  
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Shooting lightning
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