Lightning Trigger (First Light?)

[multiweb]

I has a chance to set the NEX-5 under the veranda last night and try the lightning trigger. It works alright but there are a few issues.

I set the camera in RAW mode ISO 800 and did 4s shots. It does seem sensitive enough to trigger although you do need a significant flash for it to pick it up. One issue I've had is that once it takes the shot and saves it (couple of seconds) if there's another flash then the trigger picks it up and sends the signal to the camera but the camera waits to finish what it's doing then shoots which is a bit stupid really :P So you end up buffering triggering commands.

Another small issue is the lag time between the trigger and the camera shutter. I'll have to do some more test see if the camera is not trying to do a focus or smile detection or other before confirming but it seemed to lag a fair bit at time.

Other than that it was fun. I'll have to try with my Pentax *istD. Maybe the response time is faster as it's a direct cable connection.

I have two shots here. No definite lightning, more like a glow (http://www.astropic.net/astro/lightning_test_01.jpg). And this one before (http://www.astropic.net/astro/lightning_test_02.jpg) without lightning. Btw that's my beautiful dark skies in my backyard :)

[BlackWidow]

Hi Mark.. I am just about to start selling my version of a lightning trigger. Just wanted to advise that I have hadgood results with a trigger and have been using one I purchased from HSF on E-Bay... Apart from the fact that they are very poorly made (bit home built) they still work. You MUST have auto focus turned off and dont use Bulb. set the exposure for 0.6 sec and around F:4 or 5.6. You will need to get bad results before good to learn the settings best for your camera.. I don't shoot in RAW as the file take too long to download if the lightning is going off its head.. Go for a medium JPG to start with.. Here in Adelaide we don't get real active storms so I can go to higher res and the flashes are sparse..

You can test your timing and lag with a LED flashlight. Just pulse the flash as the system reads the second flash in the pusle not the first. If you flash once you get nothing. I have an old Canon 300D and its works as well as my 40D..

You may have done all I mentioned, but I hope I have given at least some helpfull info..

Regards
Mardy

[Astroman]

Also reduce your ISO to 100 or lower otherwise if you do get a strike in shot, you will blow it out at ISO800.

[Moon]

This is a good one... LINK (http://youtu.be/Jm3rHONOr9o)
James

[Octane]

^ that's the one that got me interested in lightning triggers. :)

H

[Moon]

you recon? it's scared me off a bit....:scared2:

[multiweb]

:eyepop: Way too close for me.

[JB80]

I have a lightning trigger and have had pretty good results with it when everything goes well. It takes the right mix of storm though and when it works it works well.
http://imageshack.us/g/7/130ra.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/g/839/003fkrj.jpg/

My main issue is location more than anything and sensitivity is not a problem, infact in daylight mine is over sensitive if anything. But RAW can be a problem as it can fire hundreds of times in a good storm and fill the card up too quick plus the processing lag, I tend not to use it with the trigger anymore.

[zardos123]

pentax has a built in thing called catch in focus, its supposed to be used for wild life you set the focus point and when anything comes in to focus ie a bird in the frame it snaps a shot,it works well, i use it in the dark and when lightning illuminates the scene the camera detects focus and shoots, seems to work fairly well
brad

[cathalferris]

The MagicLantern firmware addon for Canon Eos cameras can do the flash trigger as well.

[multiweb]

That's interesting. Would the *istD do it or is it too old? Will do some reading in the manual. We had quite a light show yesterday but I had trouble with the trigger in day time. It kept firing. Manufacturer told me any man made light in the vivinity of 60hz will trigger it continuously.

[zardos123]

Sorry mark only k20 onwards for catch in focus so k20,k-7 and k-5
regards brad

[multiweb]

No worries - thanks.

[Poita]

Can the K-r do it?

[Danack]

For everyone who has a Canon Point and shoot camera, you can use CHDK (http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK) to upgrade your camera to be able to run scripts - one of which is a motion detect script which can be used for getting lightning.

It works pretty well:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/danack/5106712370/in/set-72157625245368266

CHDK also does intervalometer and a few other useful scripts.

[zardos123]

hi peter,it will work with a k-r, get a cable release and an old manual lens or one with a manual switch:thumbsup:
have a look here http://www.pentaxuser.co.uk/forum/topic/catch-in-focus-with-k-r-29309
should help
regards brad

[zardos123]

i have also used this with the moon to get a good focus, mount body on scope,set catch in focus, slowly rack the focus until camera fires and bingo ur focused! works a treat on any reasonably bright object or set to infinity for lightning, when it flashes the camera can "see" the horizon and fires :D
brad