Taking Lightning Shots

[Bert Park]

Hi Everyone,
Last night we had a big thunderstorm go through our area in Queenscliff, Victoria, (Aust) & I tried to take some shots of the lightning and I know this probably going to sound pretty dumb, but I couldn't get one!
I was using a Canon EOS 1000D with a Canon 24-70mm Lens - set at F11 and I tried a variety of exposures from 3" to 30" and Bulb with a remote shutter release on a tripod, but it didn't fire once.
Can you please advise where I am going wrong.
Thanks Bert Park

[Marie Hass]

You need manual exposure, set at infinity. Low speed continuous, maybe 8-10 sec so as not to over expose. ISO 100 to 200, remote.

Try that. I have some cool shot that I posted on this forum.

Marie

[Manfred M]

If your camera did not fire and you were using a remote shutter release, it seems to me that the shutter release and camera were not communicating. What kind of remote shutter release are you using?

[Bert Park]

Thanks Marie I will give that a try.

Cheers Bert

[Bert Park]

Hi , Do I call you GrumpyDiver or Manfred?

The shutter release is a hahnel, is there a way I can test if they are communicating?

[Bert Park]

Hi Grumpy Diver, After I replied to you I had a closer look at my remote release and noticed that when the cable is inserted into the handle it needs to be turned to lock it in.
It has a slide button to keep it on hold, so when I take a shot say with a 10" shutter speed (as Marie suggested), will it automatically click off or do I release the hold, this is where I am unsure of what is the correct way of taking lightning shots. I thought because you are not sure when & where the lightning will flash you leave the shutter open for a longer period & capture whatever lightning flashes occur in that time at the direction it is set up at.
Told you I was a bit dumb on this .
Cheers Bert

[Stagecoach]

I tried a variety of exposures from 3" to 30" and Bulb with a remote shutter release on a tripod, but it didn't fire once.
Can you please advise where I am going wrong.
Thanks Bert Park

Was your camera set to only fire if it registers 'focus obtained' ?

Edit : Written whilst you were replying to previous question from Manfred.

[Manfred M]

Hi , Do I call you GrumpyDiver or Manfred?

I answer to both "names" so pick one or the other (or both).

The shutter release is a hahnel, is there a way I can test if they are communicating?

They are communicating when you get a shot; try this in a more "normal" shooting situation. Also make sure that the shutter lock on the remote is not set, otherwise you won't get a shot either.

[Bert Park]

I think not locking the cable into the handle may have been the problem in them not connecting properly, I will give your suggestions a try & try to familiarize myself with it.

Thanks for all your help.

Cheers Bert

[Marie Hass]

Bert, I forgot to tell you that you can lock your remote open so it shoots continuously. This way, you don't miss any lightning. Start with an empty card. You will take a lot of shots, but you won't miss any of the good ones, I guarantee you. Some other tips. Sandbags for your tripod. Set up during the day if sweet storms are predicted, then switch to manual focus. So many times, my focus had been just one iota off, ruining the shot.try not to over expose. You won't be able to follow the bolt. It will be one big over-exposed mess. If you search my threads, I have some cool shots from last year. Have fun!!

[Bert Park]

Thanks very much Marie, that is all very helpful advice, much appreciated. I will have a look at your threads.

Cheers Bert

[IzzieK]

Hi , Do I call you GrumpyDiver or Manfred?

Call him "Sir"--or Grampy for being a new grampa. He had reached that age.
I am going to bed. I am not of much use this morning...

[rpcrowe]

We don't have much lightning around my neck of the woods. However, I have always understood that the way to shoot lightning is the same as shooting fireworks.

Camera on bulb with f/stop about f/11 or so. Manual focus at infinity. ISO on lowest possible for your camera. Camera on tripod or some other solid rest. Point camera towards where you expect the lightning to occur and open shutter - then close it after a streak of lightning. This would be good for night shots.

I never thought about shooting lightning during the day.

[Bert Park]

Thanks Richard, I will take note of this & give a try the next time we have some lightning, but I think in the meantime I need to practice with some night shots using this method you have given me.
Appreciate your help.

Cheers Bert