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Post subject: How do I... Lightning?
 Posted: 10.08.2008 15:08
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Joined: 08.10.2008 Posts: 7
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
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Every time a storm rolls through (rare in Vegas) I wish I could get some lightning shots.
Unfortunately, I never actually get a shot with lightning in it.
So far I've tried lowering my quality (hurts so bad) so that I can take continuous shots for like 1000 frames in the hopes of a bolt going off in frame.
I've also tried long shutters... but if I get very long at all I end up with garbage anyway due to the stuff in my frame moving (and cloud movement).
So for those of you who get good lightning shots.... how? |
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Post subject:
Posted: 10.08.2008 19:57
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Joined: 14.11.2007 Posts: 292
Location: Baltimore!
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Post subject:
Posted: 10.08.2008 20:49
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Moderator
Joined: 13.07.2006 Posts: 1027
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| I've never done it, but everything Ive seen says take lots of long exposures. |
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Post subject:
Posted: 10.09.2008 01:33
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Moderator
Joined: 04.09.2008 Posts: 2877
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About 15 years ago, Nuts & Volts magazine had an article showing the schematics and operation of an automatic shutter relase that responded to sharp changes in light levels and produced spectacular results with 1600 ISO film (if memory serves). Some Google-fu may unearth something similar..... the trick would be making it work with a DSLR.
Possibly with the nikon cordless remote, you could replace the button with a transistor and photocell... It'd be quick, dirty and ugly.... but inexpensive and possibly fun. |
_________________
For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return.
~Leonardo Da Vinci
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Post subject:
Posted: 10.09.2008 01:51
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Joined: 14.11.2007 Posts: 292
Location: Baltimore!
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Post subject:
Posted: 10.09.2008 01:56
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Joined: 14.11.2007 Posts: 292
Location: Baltimore!
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Post subject:
Posted: 01.07.2009 16:49
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Joined: 07.01.2009 Posts: 1
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[quote="Killerclaw"]I sit there with a remote and tripod and snap off 15 second exposures.
Me too.
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Post subject:
Posted: 01.07.2009 16:58
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Joined: 27.12.2007 Posts: 469
Location: Georgia USA
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Post subject:
Posted: 07.19.2010 00:18
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Joined: 12.05.2010 Posts: 14
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| I had a similar question. Do you have to have a remote release? |
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Post subject:
Posted: 07.19.2010 08:26
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Moderator
Joined: 28.07.2006 Posts: 687
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| No, you can use the timer function to trigger the camera if you want (or in the worst case you can use the shutter button but you will probably shake the camera in doing so unless it is fixed somewhere really solid). A remote release just makes it easier. |
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Post subject:
Posted: 07.19.2010 08:47
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Moderator
Joined: 04.09.2008 Posts: 2877
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| What he said. |
_________________
For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return.
~Leonardo Da Vinci
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Post subject:
Posted: 07.19.2010 08:55
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Joined: 15.12.2006 Posts: 818
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During the day, I use a trigger based on an Arduino microcontroller that measures ambient infrared, and pops the shutter when there's a spike in IR:
(clickr for Flickr, more links to the trigger "how-to" from there)
At night, I set for ambient (good exposure of city skyline, whatever) and bang out long exposures until lightning strikes in the frame. A solid tripod and a cable release are required for ths (I simply set the lock on the cable release to force the camera to repeatedly click off exposures until I unlock it.)
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_________________
http://photographybanned.com
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Post subject:
Posted: 07.20.2010 01:17
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Joined: 12.05.2010 Posts: 14
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| Great! Thanks so much everyone. And caradoc, your photos are amazing! |
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Post subject:
Posted: 07.20.2010 01:29
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Moderator
Joined: 15.07.2008 Posts: 1582
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| Yeah, he's pretty much why I pointed you over here. |
_________________
And if a day goes by without my doing something related to photography, it?s as though I?ve neglected something essential to my existence, as though I had forgotten to wake up. - Richard Avedon
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Post subject:
Posted: 07.20.2010 10:07
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Joined: 15.12.2006 Posts: 818
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Thanks! Anyone in the metro Phoenix area's welcome to ping me - we can go shoot.
(I'm kind of without a car for the moment... the Forester has a couple of cracked CV boots, and I really need to get those repaired/replaced before I drive much...) |
_________________
http://photographybanned.com
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