Shooting lightning storms - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

Fredds112 · 11-16-2011, 12:28 AM

How would you guys go about doing this?

Camera settings, what lens to use...you know, the works.

Did a search on this but I didnt find anything.

panicos81 · 11-16-2011, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fredds112

How would you guys go about doing this?

Camera settings, what lens to use...you know, the works.

Did a search on this but I didnt find anything.

tripod, lens up to you, shutter release cable, find a good spot, f10-22 depending of the lights around you, shutter set to bulb, hold for a minute then repeat until you get lucky. very dark night and patience would help, oh and snacks

at least thats how i´m planning on doing it..

Chewy734 · 11-16-2011, 08:17 AM

^ what panicos said. Except you may not need to hold it for a minute depending on how bright the sky is.

adobeee · 11-16-2011, 12:03 PM

make friends with zeus

panicos81 seems to be spot on. there's really no way of "predicting" when lightning will come, so best attempt is to do a semi-long exposure and just keep snapping.

M_Six · 11-16-2011, 03:52 PM

Rule #1 - Don't get zapped. Think about where you're standing.

Mr Tonka · 11-16-2011, 04:01 PM

There is a guy here in Tampa that was taking some pics of his car in a garage while it was raining. A near perfect bolt of lighting struck during one of his long exposures.

This is damn close to a once in a life time shot.

His name is Mike. Link to his flicker site - http://www.flickr.com/photos/onefastvr6/

Wolf · 11-16-2011, 05:50 PM

^^^ holy shit!

M_Six · 11-16-2011, 11:21 PM

Just had to play with that image a bit.

FrankenPorsche

Railgun · 11-17-2011, 04:36 AM

As above, but I'll usually go around f/22 and as low an ISO as I can to reduce as much noise as I can. I've only captured one good shot, though I've not tried very often. I'll post a pic up tonight as I don't have it with me.

And again, as other's have said, depending on the ambient light in the sky, your exposure time will vary. In my case, it was nearly pitch black (outside of Las Cruces, NM) and some relatively heavy clouds. The clouds did pick up some light from the towns, but with the small apature, it won't blow out the rest of the image.

As far as the lens...depends on what you want to look at. If there's a ton of lightning, you may be able to use a longer lens. If it seems to be somewhat random, a wider lens may be in order to get a larger area of the sky. It all depends on the kind of shot you're looking for.

Mr Tonka · 11-17-2011, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M_Six

Just had to play with that image a bit.

FrankenPorsche

IT's ALIVE!!!!!

infinitekid2002 · 11-17-2011, 07:59 PM

lol

oneintheory · 11-17-2011, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M_Six

Just had to play with that image a bit.

FrankenPorsche

couple changes of my own...

M_Six · 11-17-2011, 09:36 PM

Just because I'm bored.

BMW E90 · 11-17-2011, 10:24 PM

There's a tool that you can attach to your camera. It detects when lightning hits and automatically captures it for you. I forgot what it's called but you can look it up. I remember it being a bit pricey.

The1 · 11-17-2011, 10:57 PM

electronic remote.... with a timer, and a delay feature.

set it up so it does multiple 60 second shots with a minute between to move data around and let sensor cool

then you don't have to touch the camera once it's set up on the tripod and you can trigger it from the safety of indoors

oneintheory · 11-18-2011, 12:45 AM

they make lightning triggers.

http://www.lightningtrigger.com/Gallery.html

adobeee · 11-18-2011, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MP0WER

There is a guy here in Tampa that was taking some pics of his car in a garage while it was raining. A near perfect bolt of lighting struck during one of his long exposures.

This is damn close to a once in a life time shot.

His name is Mike. Link to his flicker site - http://www.flickr.com/photos/onefastvr6/

epic pic.

..or you can just photoshop it if you aren't patient.

Fredds112 · 11-20-2011, 03:35 PM

thanks for all the info guys. A lot of good stuff.

You guys sure can do some crazy stuff when it comes to post processing.

Railgun · 11-22-2011, 05:08 PM

Other than some quick cleanup, I haven't done much to this, so I need to edit it a bit...but this is the first and only lightning I've ever shot so...

The1 · 11-22-2011, 11:49 PM

if you give it a nice crop, it will show pretty nicely.

Railgun · 11-23-2011, 03:23 AM

That's what I plan to do. I'm so behind on my photos. Sooner or later I'll get around to it.

MARIO K · 11-24-2011, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M_Six

Just because I'm bored.

11-16-2011, 12:28 AM	#1
Fredds112 New Member Drives: 2008 135i, 2006 330CI Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 22 iTrader: (0)	Shooting lightning storms How would you guys go about doing this? Camera settings, what lens to use...you know, the works. Did a search on this but I didnt find anything.
	Tweet

11-16-2011, 08:17 AM	#3
Chewy734 Major General Drives: 2006 BMW 330i ZPP, ZSP Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 6,658 iTrader: (15)	^ what panicos said. Except you may not need to hold it for a minute depending on how bright the sky is. __________________ Currently for sale: N/A

11-16-2011, 03:52 PM	#5
M_Six Free Thinker Drives: 2005 X5 3.0 & 2006 Z4 3.0si Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Charleston, IL Posts: 4,045 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 X5 3.0 [0.00] 2006 Z4 3.0si [0.00]	Rule #1 - Don't get zapped. Think about where you're standing. __________________ Mark - Randomography "The $0.99 menu was put on this Earth for a good damn reason." -Weebl

11-16-2011, 04:01 PM	#6
Mr Tonka Gotta Love It!! Drives: Exceptionally well :) Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 967 iTrader: (0)	There is a guy here in Tampa that was taking some pics of his car in a garage while it was raining. A near perfect bolt of lighting struck during one of his long exposures. This is damn close to a once in a life time shot. His name is Mike. Link to his flicker site - http://www.flickr.com/photos/onefastvr6/ __________________ -Joe *"No Representation Without Taxation"*

11-16-2011, 11:21 PM	#8
M_Six Free Thinker Drives: 2005 X5 3.0 & 2006 Z4 3.0si Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Charleston, IL Posts: 4,045 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 X5 3.0 [0.00] 2006 Z4 3.0si [0.00]	Just had to play with that image a bit. FrankenPorsche __________________ Mark - Randomography "The $0.99 menu was put on this Earth for a good damn reason." -Weebl

11-16-2011, 12:03 PM	#4
adobeee Lieutenant Drives: slow Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 548 iTrader: (0)	make friends with zeus panicos81 seems to be spot on. there's really no way of "predicting" when lightning will come, so best attempt is to do a semi-long exposure and just keep snapping.

11-17-2011, 04:36 AM	#9
Railgun Major Drives: FD, CBR600RR, Frmr E92 335i :( Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: London Posts: 1,318 iTrader: (2)	As above, but I'll usually go around f/22 and as low an ISO as I can to reduce as much noise as I can. I've only captured one good shot, though I've not tried very often. I'll post a pic up tonight as I don't have it with me. And again, as other's have said, depending on the ambient light in the sky, your exposure time will vary. In my case, it was nearly pitch black (outside of Las Cruces, NM) and some relatively heavy clouds. The clouds did pick up some light from the towns, but with the small apature, it won't blow out the rest of the image. As far as the lens...depends on what you want to look at. If there's a ton of lightning, you may be able to use a longer lens. If it seems to be somewhat random, a wider lens may be in order to get a larger area of the sky. It all depends on the kind of shot you're looking for.

11-17-2011, 07:59 PM	#11
infinitekid2002 Creepin while ya sleepin Drives: Like a Bat out of Hell Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: City of Angels Posts: 3,242 iTrader: (4) Garage List 2008 135i [3.71]	lol __________________

11-17-2011, 09:36 PM	#13
M_Six Free Thinker Drives: 2005 X5 3.0 & 2006 Z4 3.0si Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Charleston, IL Posts: 4,045 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 X5 3.0 [0.00] 2006 Z4 3.0si [0.00]	Just because I'm bored. __________________ Mark - Randomography "The $0.99 menu was put on this Earth for a good damn reason." -Weebl

11-17-2011, 10:24 PM	#14
BMW E90 Major General Drives: E90 335i Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Around the Bay Posts: 7,955 iTrader: (8)	There's a tool that you can attach to your camera. It detects when lightning hits and automatically captures it for you. I forgot what it's called but you can look it up. I remember it being a bit pricey.

11-17-2011, 10:57 PM	#15
The1 Major General Drives: white 135 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: KW ontario/vancouver temporarily Posts: 5,130 iTrader: (0)	electronic remote.... with a timer, and a delay feature. set it up so it does multiple 60 second shots with a minute between to move data around and let sensor cool then you don't have to touch the camera once it's set up on the tripod and you can trigger it from the safety of indoors

11-18-2011, 12:45 AM	#16
oneintheory no longer a BMW owner Drives: 2011 Ford Edge Sport Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Suffolk/Chesapeake, VA Posts: 1,469 iTrader: (0)	they make lightning triggers. http://www.lightningtrigger.com/Gallery.html

11-20-2011, 03:35 PM	#18
Fredds112 New Member Drives: 2008 135i, 2006 330CI Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 22 iTrader: (0)	thanks for all the info guys. A lot of good stuff. You guys sure can do some crazy stuff when it comes to post processing.

11-22-2011, 05:08 PM	#19
Railgun Major Drives: FD, CBR600RR, Frmr E92 335i :( Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: London Posts: 1,318 iTrader: (2)	Other than some quick cleanup, I haven't done much to this, so I need to edit it a bit...but this is the first and only lightning I've ever shot so...

11-22-2011, 11:49 PM	#20
The1 Major General Drives: white 135 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: KW ontario/vancouver temporarily Posts: 5,130 iTrader: (0)	if you give it a nice crop, it will show pretty nicely.

11-23-2011, 03:23 AM	#21
Railgun Major Drives: FD, CBR600RR, Frmr E92 335i :( Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: London Posts: 1,318 iTrader: (2)	That's what I plan to do. I'm so behind on my photos. Sooner or later I'll get around to it.

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