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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Lightning Detector
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11/20/2013 04:59:30 PM · #1
Any suggestions for a lightning strike shutter release device for the Canon 5DII? Reliability, cost, etc.

Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Message edited by author 2013-11-20 18:31:33.
11/20/2013 05:10:24 PM · #2
I have never heard of one, and can't imagine how something could see the light and then trigger the camera in time to capture the light. But there is an easy way to do it. Set up a time lapse trigger ( either shoot tethered or get a timer)
Set your camera on a tripod and set it to manual with a 30 second exposure with a big card in the camera, and set it and walk away. 270 raw images on a 8 gig card over a period of over 2 hours. a 32 gig card will go all night. The only tricky part is deciding which direction to point your camera.
11/20/2013 05:16:02 PM · #3
I can assure you there are plenty around, like this for example:
lightning Detector

Originally posted by BrennanOB:

I have never heard of one, and can't imagine how something could see the light and then trigger the camera in time to capture the light. But there is an easy way to do it. Set up a time lapse trigger ( either shoot tethered or get a timer)
Set your camera on a tripod and set it to manual with a 30 second exposure with a big card in the camera, and set it and walk away. 270 raw images on a 8 gig card over a period of over 2 hours. a 32 gig card will go all night. The only tricky part is deciding which direction to point your camera.


Message edited by author 2013-11-20 18:31:09.
11/20/2013 06:09:45 PM · #4
Originally posted by BrennanOB:

I have never heard of one, and can't imagine how something could see the light and then trigger the camera in time to capture the light.

That's true for the relatively instantaneous CG (cloud-to-ground) lightnings, but even CG strikes can last a few seconds, and there are other types that roll on for a considerable length of time. A lot fo the time, even with the "sudden" CG strikes, they cluster over a definable burst. A lightning trigger is a good thing, it works with less delay than a "human trigger" on a cable release :-) You can, of course, set the length of time to bulb for in advance.
11/20/2013 06:13:52 PM · #5
What I really wanna do is take daylight landscape lightening photography... that is soooo cool!!
11/20/2013 06:15:42 PM · #6
Maybe start by spelling "lightning" correctly? It's beginning to bug me... Lightening is what you do when you add bleach...
11/20/2013 06:28:46 PM · #7
Spelling is not my game... imagery is. I'm a wild-eyed artist, not an English teacher. lol!!! ;)
11/20/2013 06:37:21 PM · #8
Just enter "lightning trigger" at the B&H website for 61 options.
11/20/2013 06:40:56 PM · #9
Though "lightening trigger" will return 0 options ;)
11/20/2013 06:41:14 PM · #10
Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Maybe start by spelling "lightning" correctly? It's beginning to bug me... Lightening is what you do when you add bleach...


lightn up
11/20/2013 06:47:59 PM · #11
Originally posted by Artifacts:

Spelling is not my game... imagery is. I'm a wild-eyed artist, not an English teacher. lol!!! ;)


Dang, Steve, Don't you have an advanced degree in the sciences?? ;-)

Oh, and by the way, good to see you posting!
11/20/2013 10:19:47 PM · #12
Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Maybe start by spelling "lightning" correctly? It's beginning to bug me... Lightening is what you do when you add bleach...

You can relax now ... :-)
11/21/2013 07:26:33 AM · #13
I wouldn't mind seeing some genuine feedback from photographers here that have used a lightning detector as the OP asked about. Have considered the purchase of one also.

I've seen some advertised that are supposed to sense the pre-lightning atmospheric change. ???
11/21/2013 07:37:22 AM · #14
FWIW I saw a NOVA program last night on the "sprites" which result from large lightning discharges — some amazing high-speed video shot from airplanes flying above the cloud layer. Should be available from streaming from the PBS website ...
11/21/2013 07:58:46 AM · #15
You can use Magic Lantern as a lightning detector.
11/21/2013 09:54:32 AM · #16
Originally posted by MarkB:

You can use Magic Lantern as a lightning detector.


At first I scratched my head a little at this, then realized that yes, ML's feature to fire on exposure change can do that. But it will be relatively slow to react. A dedicated trigger will definitely out-perform. Some discussion of it here.
11/21/2013 10:02:36 AM · #17
Originally posted by kirbic:

Originally posted by MarkB:

You can use Magic Lantern as a lightning detector.


At first I scratched my head a little at this, then realized that yes, ML's feature to fire on exposure change can do that. But it will be relatively slow to react. A dedicated trigger will definitely out-perform. Some discussion of it here.

Thanks for that discussion link. Enjoyed it.
11/21/2013 10:29:41 AM · #18
The Trigger Trap does lightning:

//triggertrap.com/lightning-photography-the-easy-way/
11/21/2013 05:47:36 PM · #19
Originally posted by glad2badad:

I've seen some advertised that are supposed to sense the pre-lightning atmospheric change. ???


Can you link one of those? I would be fascinated to know how they do the detection.
11/21/2013 06:10:13 PM · #20
Originally posted by BrennanOB:

Originally posted by glad2badad:

I've seen some advertised that are supposed to sense the pre-lightning atmospheric change. ???


Can you link one of those? I would be fascinated to know how they do the detection.


Here's one. Detection is on the infrared emission from the "leader" that precedes the visible discharge. The build-up of the leader (establishing the ionized path that the return stroke follows)takes place over hundreds of milliseconds, so there is in theory time to react to it.
11/26/2013 06:50:04 PM · #21
Yup... science degree... that, fortunately for me, doesn't have a spelling requirement. lol!!!

Originally posted by kirbic:

Originally posted by Artifacts:

Spelling is not my game... imagery is. I'm a wild-eyed artist, not an English teacher. lol!!! ;)


Dang, Steve, Don't you have an advanced degree in the sciences?? ;-)

Oh, and by the way, good to see you posting!
11/26/2013 07:01:03 PM · #22
Thanks... A VERY intriguing solution... I've never heard of it.

I wonder if there are any issues with it being a firmware change?
Originally posted by MarkB:

You can use Magic Lantern as a lightning detector.
11/26/2013 07:06:24 PM · #23
They didn't say anything about setting the camera with the the mirror up, but that would prevent some of the delay.
Originally posted by kirbic:

Originally posted by MarkB:

You can use Magic Lantern as a lightning detector.


At first I scratched my head a little at this, then realized that yes, ML's feature to fire on exposure change can do that. But it will be relatively slow to react. A dedicated trigger will definitely out-perform. Some discussion of it here.
11/26/2013 07:13:12 PM · #24
Thanks for the suggestions. Does anyone here have actual experience taking daylight lightning? I'm interested in first hand descriptions, how it was done, how successful you were... and any tips you may have.
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