Shooting lightning storms

Fredds112 · 11-15-2011, 11:28 PM

How would you guys go about doing this?

Camera settings, what lens to use...you know, the works.

Did a search on this but I didnt find anything.

panicos81 · 11-16-2011, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fredds112

How would you guys go about doing this?

Camera settings, what lens to use...you know, the works.

Did a search on this but I didnt find anything.

tripod, lens up to you, shutter release cable, find a good spot, f10-22 depending of the lights around you, shutter set to bulb, hold for a minute then repeat until you get lucky. very dark night and patience would help, oh and snacks

at least thats how i´m planning on doing it..

Chewy734 · 11-16-2011, 07:17 AM

^ what panicos said. Except you may not need to hold it for a minute depending on how bright the sky is.

adobeee · 11-16-2011, 11:03 AM

make friends with zeus

panicos81 seems to be spot on. there's really no way of "predicting" when lightning will come, so best attempt is to do a semi-long exposure and just keep snapping.

M_Six · 11-16-2011, 02:52 PM

Rule #1 - Don't get zapped. Think about where you're standing.

Mr Tonka · 11-16-2011, 03:01 PM

There is a guy here in Tampa that was taking some pics of his car in a garage while it was raining. A near perfect bolt of lighting struck during one of his long exposures.

This is damn close to a once in a life time shot.

His name is Mike. Link to his flicker site - http://www.flickr.com/photos/onefastvr6/

Wolf · 11-16-2011, 04:50 PM

^^^ holy shit!

M_Six · 11-16-2011, 10:21 PM

Just had to play with that image a bit.

FrankenPorsche

Mr Tonka · 11-17-2011, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M_Six

Just had to play with that image a bit.

FrankenPorsche

IT's ALIVE!!!!!

infinitekidM2C · 11-17-2011, 06:59 PM

lol

oneintheory · 11-17-2011, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M_Six

Just had to play with that image a bit.

FrankenPorsche

couple changes of my own...

M_Six · 11-17-2011, 08:36 PM

Just because I'm bored.

BMW F22 · 11-17-2011, 09:24 PM

There's a tool that you can attach to your camera. It detects when lightning hits and automatically captures it for you. I forgot what it's called but you can look it up. I remember it being a bit pricey.

The1 · 11-17-2011, 09:57 PM

electronic remote.... with a timer, and a delay feature.

set it up so it does multiple 60 second shots with a minute between to move data around and let sensor cool

then you don't have to touch the camera once it's set up on the tripod and you can trigger it from the safety of indoors

oneintheory · 11-17-2011, 11:45 PM

they make lightning triggers.

http://www.lightningtrigger.com/Gallery.html

adobeee · 11-18-2011, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MP0WER

There is a guy here in Tampa that was taking some pics of his car in a garage while it was raining. A near perfect bolt of lighting struck during one of his long exposures.

This is damn close to a once in a life time shot.

His name is Mike. Link to his flicker site - http://www.flickr.com/photos/onefastvr6/

epic pic.

..or you can just photoshop it if you aren't patient.

Fredds112 · 11-20-2011, 02:35 PM

thanks for all the info guys. A lot of good stuff.

You guys sure can do some crazy stuff when it comes to post processing.

The1 · 11-22-2011, 10:49 PM

if you give it a nice crop, it will show pretty nicely.

E90Mario · 11-24-2011, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M_Six

Just because I'm bored.

rodi · 11-24-2011, 02:54 PM

nice, Mark.

a couple:

composite:

The1 · 11-24-2011, 05:51 PM

how long was your exposure on the second shot rodi?

rodi · 11-24-2011, 11:58 PM

exif says 1.3 seconds. but those are multiple shots - it was a composite of several images. the first one, i'm pretty sure, was just one shot, but it's been so long to remember, it may be two.

11-15-2011, 11:28 PM	#1
Fredds112 New Member 3 Rep 26 Posts Drives: 2008 135i, 2006 330CI Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	Shooting lightning storms How would you guys go about doing this? Camera settings, what lens to use...you know, the works. Did a search on this but I didnt find anything.
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11-16-2011, 07:17 AM	#3
Chewy734 Major General 468 Rep 6,798 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 330i ZPP, ZSP Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: LA, CA iTrader: (15)	^ what panicos said. Except you may not need to hold it for a minute depending on how bright the sky is. __________________ Currently for sale: [19" Linea Corse LC818 wheel], [19" Fallen FK452 tire]
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11-16-2011, 11:03 AM	#4
adobeee Captain 170 Rep 821 Posts Drives: '23 X6 M50i Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	make friends with zeus panicos81 seems to be spot on. there's really no way of "predicting" when lightning will come, so best attempt is to do a semi-long exposure and just keep snapping.
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11-16-2011, 02:52 PM	#5
M_Six Free Thinker 16964 Rep 7,455 Posts Drives: 2016 MB GLC300 4matic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Foothills of Mt Level iTrader: (0)	Rule #1 - Don't get zapped. Think about where you're standing. __________________ Mark markj.pics "There is no shame in dropping fruit in your glass." -UncleWede
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11-16-2011, 03:01 PM	#6
Mr Tonka is probably out riding. 6058 Rep 2,292 Posts Drives: Something Italian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Sweatypeninsula iTrader: (0)	There is a guy here in Tampa that was taking some pics of his car in a garage while it was raining. A near perfect bolt of lighting struck during one of his long exposures. This is damn close to a once in a life time shot. His name is Mike. Link to his flicker site - http://www.flickr.com/photos/onefastvr6/ __________________ "There is no greater tyranny than that which is perpetrated under the shield of the law and in the name of justice. -Charles de Secondat"
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11-16-2011, 10:21 PM	#8
M_Six Free Thinker 16964 Rep 7,455 Posts Drives: 2016 MB GLC300 4matic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Foothills of Mt Level iTrader: (0)	Just had to play with that image a bit. FrankenPorsche __________________ Mark markj.pics "There is no shame in dropping fruit in your glass." -UncleWede
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11-17-2011, 06:59 PM	#10
infinitekidM2C Major General 4207 Rep 5,728 Posts Drives: 2019 M2 Competition Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2019 M2 COMPETITION [9.50] 2008 135i (my old car) [7.39]	lol
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11-17-2011, 08:36 PM	#12
M_Six Free Thinker 16964 Rep 7,455 Posts Drives: 2016 MB GLC300 4matic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Foothills of Mt Level iTrader: (0)	Just because I'm bored. __________________ Mark markj.pics "There is no shame in dropping fruit in your glass." -UncleWede
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11-17-2011, 09:24 PM	#13
BMW F22 Major General 3566 Rep 9,788 Posts Drives: ///M235i Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (8)	There's a tool that you can attach to your camera. It detects when lightning hits and automatically captures it for you. I forgot what it's called but you can look it up. I remember it being a bit pricey.
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11-17-2011, 09:57 PM	#14
The1 Major General 76 Rep 5,114 Posts Drives: white 135 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: KW ontario/vancouver temporarily iTrader: (0)	electronic remote.... with a timer, and a delay feature. set it up so it does multiple 60 second shots with a minute between to move data around and let sensor cool then you don't have to touch the camera once it's set up on the tripod and you can trigger it from the safety of indoors
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11-17-2011, 11:45 PM	#15
oneintheory no longer a BMW owner 152 Rep 1,463 Posts Drives: 2011 Ford Edge Sport Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Suffolk/Chesapeake, VA iTrader: (0)	they make lightning triggers. http://www.lightningtrigger.com/Gallery.html
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11-20-2011, 02:35 PM	#17
Fredds112 New Member 3 Rep 26 Posts Drives: 2008 135i, 2006 330CI Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	thanks for all the info guys. A lot of good stuff. You guys sure can do some crazy stuff when it comes to post processing.
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11-22-2011, 10:49 PM	#18
The1 Major General 76 Rep 5,114 Posts Drives: white 135 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: KW ontario/vancouver temporarily iTrader: (0)	if you give it a nice crop, it will show pretty nicely.
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11-24-2011, 02:54 PM	#20
rodi . . . 183 Rep 2,391 Posts Drives: your FACE! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Atlanta proper iTrader: (-1)	nice, Mark. a couple: composite: __________________ 2009 135i \| space grey \| sport \| navi \| hifi \| heated dinan stage 2 software \| bmw performance exhaust kw v2 \| hotchkis front sway \| vmr v710
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11-24-2011, 05:51 PM	#21
The1 Major General 76 Rep 5,114 Posts Drives: white 135 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: KW ontario/vancouver temporarily iTrader: (0)	how long was your exposure on the second shot rodi?
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11-24-2011, 11:58 PM	#22
rodi . . . 183 Rep 2,391 Posts Drives: your FACE! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Atlanta proper iTrader: (-1)	exif says 1.3 seconds. but those are multiple shots - it was a composite of several images. the first one, i'm pretty sure, was just one shot, but it's been so long to remember, it may be two. __________________ 2009 135i \| space grey \| sport \| navi \| hifi \| heated dinan stage 2 software \| bmw performance exhaust kw v2 \| hotchkis front sway \| vmr v710
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