Author Topic: How to take pictures of lightning (Read 480 times)

Meatwad · « **on:** July 29, 2006, 08:56:26 PM »

I always wanted to take pictures of lightning, but my current camera doesnt have anything that would do it. I would perfer something maybe only around a couple hunderd dollars if its possible. Anyone know of anything good?

Debonair · « **Reply #1 on:** July 29, 2006, 08:59:35 PM »

does your camera have a "B" or "bulb" setting?

DiabloTX · « **Reply #2 on:** July 29, 2006, 09:00:55 PM »

"It's not the machine, it's the man."

Maverick · « **Reply #3 on:** July 29, 2006, 09:02:20 PM »

You'll need a camera with a timed exposure, variable F-stop, tripod and maybe a cable / remote trip.

Good luck at this, those can be some really neat pix. You planning on film or digital?

Meatwad · « **Reply #4 on:** July 29, 2006, 09:26:45 PM »

Im going for digital. Currently I have a Samsung Digimax 200 which it is ok, but it may be time for an upgrade someday as it is getting a little old and the button is getting somewhat messed up. I have fiddled with it and I havent been able to get it to do a timed exposure unless there is something that I am unaware of

xrtoronto · « **Reply #5 on:** July 30, 2006, 12:52:45 AM »

I've had this in my collection for years...one of my fav lightning shots:

Maverick · « **Reply #6 on:** July 30, 2006, 12:56:02 AM »

Methinks that tree has bad luck........

DiabloTX · « **Reply #7 on:** July 30, 2006, 01:16:34 AM »

I don't know about you but lightning scares the bejebus outta me. When a lightning storm comes I am GONE!!!!!

Masherbrum · « **Reply #8 on:** July 30, 2006, 01:35:18 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by xrtoronto
I've had this in my collection for years...one of my fav lightning shots:

YOU took that?!!!! That is badas*!!!!!!

Gh0stFT · « **Reply #9 on:** July 30, 2006, 03:58:12 AM »

like Maverick said, you need a camera with a timed exposure,
and i doubt a digital cam will do this in a good quality or at all.
Film is still very good for such FX.

MrRiplEy[H] · « **Reply #10 on:** July 30, 2006, 05:36:29 AM »

Current digital cameras do it with ease Ghost. I managed to get a shot of one on handheld this summer with the Canon EOS300D which is already old tech.

WhiteHawk · « **Reply #11 on:** July 30, 2006, 05:51:48 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Masherbrum
YOU took that?!!!! That is badas*!!!!!!

No, he didnt take that. That is a famous lightning pic because it shows the negative electricitiy (ground) reaching up to the sky in the form of a streamer. Note the telephone pole and the left part of the tree. The streamer that reaches first gets the t-bolt. Thats why you want to curl up in a ball on the open ground if you start to feel static electricitiy during a storm.

Meatwad · « **Reply #12 on:** July 30, 2006, 12:54:53 PM »

I also recall that it follows the path of least resistance. That means a lot of you will have to remove your tin hats during a storm

Gunslinger · « **Reply #13 on:** July 30, 2006, 01:01:18 PM »

I posted a page a while back about a lightning storm we had at edwards. Unfortunatly the page is gone now but there was some cool pics in it taken with a pretty plane digital camera.

xrtoronto · « **Reply #14 on:** July 30, 2006, 01:01:19 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Masherbrum
YOU took that?!!!! That is badas*!!!!!!

nope, didn't take that shot

(been in my collection since about 93/94)