Thank you! Sure! I use a Canon Digital Rebel with an 18-135mm zoom lens, mounted on a tripod. The trick to capturing lightning is to use a camera that you can put in Manual mode and setting it to Bulb (on the Canon) setting the lens to manual focus. I use the live mode to get a good focus then turn live mode off and your focus is set and ready to open the shutter. I use a cable release to hold the shutter open until the lightning strikes then close the shutter and repeat for the next shot. Settings: ISO: 100-200 because it’s bright!, f stop: 9-13, focal length: It’s a personal preference, I usually try 50-100mm. It’s a LOT of trial and error… It’s next to impossible to photograph lightning with a cell camera, Ive tried… Video, yes but not a still image. by the time a cell camera takes the shot, it’s already over…
I had a Canon 1N that I gave my son when he went to Iraq. It was a film camera. And yes, I remember setting it on bulb for long shots of stars at night. Holding a bowl over the lens for fireworks for the same thing. Just have never had the good shots of lightning because where we live we rarely get storms here in re desert. And now, like you said, I’m using digital. I’ll have to try…video. Don’t ask don’t tell, right?
6 Comments on this photo
Wow… I think this one tops them all. Great photography.
Thank you! I really enjoy the chase and the challenge of capturing a lightning bolt.
Thank you! Sure! I use a Canon Digital Rebel with an 18-135mm zoom lens, mounted on a tripod. The trick to capturing lightning is to use a camera that you can put in Manual mode and setting it to Bulb (on the Canon) setting the lens to manual focus. I use the live mode to get a good focus then turn live mode off and your focus is set and ready to open the shutter. I use a cable release to hold the shutter open until the lightning strikes then close the shutter and repeat for the next shot. Settings: ISO: 100-200 because it’s bright!, f stop: 9-13, focal length: It’s a personal preference, I usually try 50-100mm. It’s a LOT of trial and error… It’s next to impossible to photograph lightning with a cell camera, Ive tried… Video, yes but not a still image. by the time a cell camera takes the shot, it’s already over…
I had a Canon 1N that I gave my son when he went to Iraq. It was a film camera. And yes, I remember setting it on bulb for long shots of stars at night. Holding a bowl over the lens for fireworks for the same thing. Just have never had the good shots of lightning because where we live we rarely get storms here in re desert. And now, like you said, I’m using digital. I’ll have to try…video. Don’t ask don’t tell, right?
Exactly!
Can I ask, what type camera or phone do you use? Great lightning shots!