Last nights lightning show

[TidaLpHasE]

G'day, did anyone in Melbourne watch the awsome display last night, early this morning?

I had a go at getting some images of it, out of a total of 244 pics taken:doh: i only captured 2, i think my trigger finger needs some work:confused:

These are my first ever pics of lightning and i am wrapped to get them:thumbsup:

[Astroman]

Try setting the camera up on Bulb, set the focus to infinity, play around with apature (start at f5.6) Use a cable release!!!!!! If you don't know where infinity is, set the camera up during the day focus on a very distant object (over 5km away) and look at the focus dial to see how far out infinity is on the lens. After all that PRACTICE MAKES ALMOST PERFECT.

[TidaLpHasE]

I didn't think of using the bulb setting:doh: wouldn't it create too much noise ?

I was using the cable release, but found it faster with my finger???? I am still learning how to use this camera, i have a lot to learn.

I only have cheapish lenses that can't be set to infinity, i would love to have a few more hours to practice and play around with settings, but for sure it will be the last lightning show for months:poke:

Did you take that pic in your avartar Astroman? it looks awsome.:thumbsup:

[davidpretorius]

the toucam worked a real treat the other night taking video and then grabbing individual images thru registax etc

[fringe_dweller]

Trevor were you using a tripod? seem a bit blurry, but good for a first attempt anyway!
kearn

[Astroman]

Yes I took the pic with my s7000. More of my images (not all) are on my other website saweather.net

Using the bulb setting will not induce any more noise onto the picture than taking a 15 second or 30 second photo. The rule of thumb is Set apature to 5.6, if in a well lit area you may need to stop it down more, set lens to infinity, USE A TRIPOD (thanks Kearn forgot that part), have cable release connected. Once setup hold the shutter down, . The beauty of digital is you can see if the settings are good. Hold the shutter open for about 30 seconds to a minute, if lightning occurs during that time, release the shutter. You can go back during times of nothing and save your good images or if you have the ability protect the good frames and delete the rest.

Good luck

Does the 350d have an online manual, I might go through it step by step for you.

[davidpretorius]

nice work andrew!

[iceman]

Great first attempts! We haven't had a storm on the central coast for what feels like a year.

[Astroman]

Be warned the storms are coming! Melbourne have had them for the last two days and they are still moving east!.