philipus Posted July 11, 2014 Share #1 Posted July 11, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) My iPhone app tells me that we might have a level 3 thunderstorm tonight in which case I might venture out to check if I am waterproof and take a few photos. I am seeking guidance on how to photograph lightning using film. In terms of colour film my selection is limited to Velvia 100 (both F and non-F), CT Precisa 100, Kodak Gold 200, Fuji Superia 200. In terms of Leicas, I have available an M6TTL, an M4 and a Leica II (I also have an EOS 1N). I also have a few tripods. Any thoughts on how to meter and any other suggestions most gratefully received. Philip Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 11, 2014 Posted July 11, 2014 Hi philipus, Take a look here Photographing thunderstorms and lightning. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
giordano Posted July 11, 2014 Share #2 Posted July 11, 2014 Tripod, wide angle lens, shutter on B, ISO 100 or 200, aperture perhaps between f/5.6 and f/11. It's rather random: you have to compose for the skyline and/or foreground, and hope that the bolts of lighting come in the right places while the shutter is open. Use the DSLR for experimentation. In a way you're exposing for the skyline and foreground and letting the lightning take care of itself. And please report back on whether the tripod makes a good lightning conductor:eek:. (Seriously, take care.) Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptZoom Posted July 11, 2014 Share #3 Posted July 11, 2014 You can use the old hat trick. Camera mounted on tripod, frame composed, lens focused, base ISO, f/8-11, 30 sec exposure. Cover the lens with your hat, start the exposure, when lightening's about to strike, remove hat, replace hat after lightening, repeat. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted July 11, 2014 Share #4 Posted July 11, 2014 You have received bullshit advice. The very short answer is to expose for 30 seconds or more, and set your aperture to illuminate some of the foreground. . 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptZoom Posted July 12, 2014 Share #5 Posted July 12, 2014 And if the foreground is a cityscape? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted July 12, 2014 Share #6 Posted July 12, 2014 And if the foreground is a cityscape? What's the problem? Lightning always overexposes. You want the foreground diminished a bit, then underexpose. It is not rocket science. That ring on the lens is called an aperture. Look it up if you have to. . Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted July 12, 2014 Share #7 Posted July 12, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) That ring on the lens is called an aperture. Look it up if you have to. You must have an old book…mine calls it an aperture ring. Jeff 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptZoom Posted July 12, 2014 Share #8 Posted July 12, 2014 (edited) What's the problem? Lightning always overexposes. You want the foreground diminished a bit, then underexpose. It is not rocket science. That ring on the lens is called an aperture. Look it up if you have to.. Time to heed some of your own advice. Edited July 12, 2014 by CaptZoom old wording too offensive Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted July 12, 2014 Share #9 Posted July 12, 2014 Russian Roulette rules. Watch for awhile to see if there is any sort of pattern in the frequency of the flashes. Then guess when the next flash is coming and openthe shutter and wait for the flash. It is literally 'open flash' technique. The following shot was done this way. I only waited 3 seconds to get the exposure. Aperture was f4 @ ISO 640 using 50mm Summicron. Hand held, which blurred the environs to some degree, which doesn't bother me. The flash and clouds are what I wanted. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 7 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/230346-photographing-thunderstorms-and-lightning/?do=findComment&comment=2628858'>More sharing options...
pico Posted July 12, 2014 Share #10 Posted July 12, 2014 You must have an old book…mine calls it an aperture ring. Jeff I should have seen that. The book is on parchment and wood-block type press. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
philipus Posted July 13, 2014 Author Share #11 Posted July 13, 2014 Thanks everybody. I realise individual techniques may vary. You've given me plenty to try. Erl, that's a cracking shot very nice. The thunderstorm seems unfortunately to have been delayed but once it decides to come my way I will be ready. Philip 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted July 13, 2014 Share #12 Posted July 13, 2014 (edited) You have received bullshit advice. Ah, calling a spade a spade Edited July 13, 2014 by MarkP Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted July 13, 2014 Share #13 Posted July 13, 2014 Ah, calling a spade a spade No, I'm wrong... calling a spade a F@*#ing shovel. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted July 13, 2014 Share #14 Posted July 13, 2014 Thanks Philip. Thought you might like this one as well. Same occasion. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/230346-photographing-thunderstorms-and-lightning/?do=findComment&comment=2629374'>More sharing options...
CaptZoom Posted July 13, 2014 Share #15 Posted July 13, 2014 Some advice from a storm chaser here on photographing lightening. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted July 13, 2014 Share #16 Posted July 13, 2014 This looks intriguing: The Lightning Trigger by Stepping Stone Products, LLC - Unparalleled Performance!. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted July 13, 2014 Share #17 Posted July 13, 2014 David, that is curious, but how many pics of lightning do you really want/need? Excite yourself. Try and guess it. It works. Next someone will invent the 'Smilometer'. It trips your shutter when the baby smiles!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted July 13, 2014 Share #18 Posted July 13, 2014 Smile mode already exists! No idea if it works. Whenever I see lightning I haven't got my camera. I think at a distance would be best rather than directly in the middle of it. We had a huge early autumn thunderstorm this year that blew in from the south at a great rate of knots and we hurried inside before the heavens opened. Didn't want to get caught outside. Saw one over Santorini which would have been impressive but didn't think it would have been a good idea to shoot outside while holding an umbrella. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted July 13, 2014 Share #19 Posted July 13, 2014 (edited) Smile mode already exists! No idea if it works. It works for the most part but its pattern recognition used a primitive formula which is totally stymied when confronted with a full frontal female nude. It recognizes 'eyes' then complains that the area below the button 'nose' is not smiling. I see a market for a new smiley tattoo. Edited July 13, 2014 by pico 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted July 13, 2014 Share #20 Posted July 13, 2014 The smile has probably transferred to the photographer. You would need a phonecam with the reverse cam to catch that one! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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