Lightning pics

**mwm** · 04-21-2016, 06:58 PM

Just looking for info on taking lightning photos. I have had small success on taking them with trying to time it and using timed open shutters. Also have looked into lightning triggers but can't find any that fits the K-r or the newer Ks-2 (which I really like.)
So any help would be appreciated

**jatrax** · 04-21-2016, 07:03 PM

compatibilty

**ismaelg** · 04-21-2016, 07:33 PM - **1 Like**

Did you said "lightning"? I love lightnings! I've never claimed to be normal anyways....

You mean something like this?

These were all taken from my back yard in light rain between 9:00PM and 10:00PM during a thunderstorm.
K20D with the 18-55WR and a sturdy tripod.
ISO400, manual mode, f5.6, manual focus set at infinity. A wireless remote is very handy as well.
Since it was nighttime, I used long exposures between 5 and 10 seconds. Sometimes I used longer like 30 seconds but with a black cardboard to cover the lens ready in case of an early burst.
If it were daytime, I'd use a similar approach but compensating with ISO and aperture.
You need to take a few minutes to study the storm. Where is it heading and where is the most likely area of hits.
Sometimes, common sense is the least common of the senses: Don't do anything dangerous (i.e. stupid) that could put you or your gear at risk. Safety is key.
Boys Scouts have a good training called Hazardous Weather.
I've never tried a lightning trigger but most likely those that say "fits Canon and Nikon" will also fit Pentax. Just did a quick search on ebay and found one that says for Canon but in the description it lists Pentax as well.

Hope this helps.

Thanks!
Ismael

Read more at: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/12-post-your-photos/273459-nature-night-t...#ixzz46W8QTpD6

Billk · 04-21-2016, 07:36 PM - **1 Like**

It was going to be one of my summer projects - then we didn't have any storms!

My one play at it involved mostly using bulb mode and never going longer than about 30 secs. If I got a strike not long after starting an exposure, I stopped it. Keen storm photographers might find that way too low tech but it got me some shots.

Attached Images

View Picture EXIF

**Tas** · 04-21-2016, 08:06 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by mwm

but can't find any that fits the K-r or the newer Ks-2 (which I really like.)

For my K5, I purchased this connector: Vello 2.5mm Remote Shutter Release Cable for Cameras RCC-C1-2.5

It plugs in just like a wired remote and it connects with this lightning trigger: AEO Photo Lightning Strike! MultiTrigger Pro 4.0 Lithium MT4PRO

It's not as useful in brighter light conditions like storms during the daytime, however once the light dims it works really well and I have captured lightning as per these images, one of which is a 17 image stack.

**mwm** · 04-22-2016, 02:33 AM

So these are great. Especially the third one.
Thanks for the info

---------- Post added 04-22-16 at 04:35 AM ----------

Originally posted by Billk

It was going to be one of my summer projects - then we didn't have any storms!

My one play at it involved mostly using bulb mode and never going longer than about 30 secs. If I got a strike not long after starting an exposure, I stopped it. Keen storm photographers might find that way too low tech but it got me some shots.

Thanks. Done very well

04-21-2016, 06:58 PM	#1
mwm Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 499	Lightning pics Just looking for info on taking lightning photos. I have had small success on taking them with trying to time it and using timed open shutters. Also have looked into lightning triggers but can't find any that fits the K-r or the newer Ks-2 (which I really like.) So any help would be appreciated

04-21-2016, 08:06 PM - 2 Likes	#5
Tas Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Brisbane, QLD Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,202	Do the KR & KS-2 use the 2.5mm connector? Originally posted by mwm but can't find any that fits the K-r or the newer Ks-2 (which I really like.) For my K5, I purchased this connector: Vello 2.5mm Remote Shutter Release Cable for Cameras RCC-C1-2.5 It plugs in just like a wired remote and it connects with this lightning trigger: AEO Photo Lightning Strike! MultiTrigger Pro 4.0 Lithium MT4PRO It's not as useful in brighter light conditions like storms during the daytime, however once the light dims it works really well and I have captured lightning as per these images, one of which is a 17 image stack. Attached Images

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Nature Lightning	jhacker	Post Your Photos!	5	11-20-2015 10:24 AM
Night Lightning Moon	ranmar850	Post Your Photos!	9	02-11-2015 10:44 PM
Night Lightning	Shodan	Post Your Photos!	2	07-18-2014 11:24 AM
Night African thunderstorm lightning shots	GordonZA	Post Your Photos!	5	12-21-2010 07:12 AM
Lightning Pics as Promised - From tonight	Timbuctoo	Post Your Photos!	16	02-19-2007 08:21 PM

04-21-2016, 07:03 PM	#2
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	compatibilty

04-21-2016, 07:33 PM - 1 Like	#3
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,683	Did you said "lightning"? I love lightnings! I've never claimed to be normal anyways.... You mean something like this? These were all taken from my back yard in light rain between 9:00PM and 10:00PM during a thunderstorm. K20D with the 18-55WR and a sturdy tripod. ISO400, manual mode, f5.6, manual focus set at infinity. A wireless remote is very handy as well. Since it was nighttime, I used long exposures between 5 and 10 seconds. Sometimes I used longer like 30 seconds but with a black cardboard to cover the lens ready in case of an early burst. If it were daytime, I'd use a similar approach but compensating with ISO and aperture. You need to take a few minutes to study the storm. Where is it heading and where is the most likely area of hits. Sometimes, common sense is the least common of the senses: Don't do anything dangerous (i.e. stupid) that could put you or your gear at risk. Safety is key. Boys Scouts have a good training called Hazardous Weather. I've never tried a lightning trigger but most likely those that say "fits Canon and Nikon" will also fit Pentax. Just did a quick search on ebay and found one that says for Canon but in the description it lists Pentax as well. Hope this helps. Thanks! Ismael Read more at: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/12-post-your-photos/273459-nature-night-t...#ixzz46W8QTpD6

04-22-2016, 02:33 AM	#6
mwm Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 499 Original Poster	So these are great. Especially the third one. Thanks for the info ---------- Post added 04-22-16 at 04:35 AM ---------- Originally posted by Billk It was going to be one of my summer projects - then we didn't have any storms! My one play at it involved mostly using bulb mode and never going longer than about 30 secs. If I got a strike not long after starting an exposure, I stopped it. Keen storm photographers might find that way too low tech but it got me some shots. Thanks. Done very well