Shooting Storms and Lightning - Remote Shutter Release?

[Spindrift]

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Hello, I’m interested in using my M11-P to shoot some distant storms with abundant lightning. I’ll be careful to not get the M gear wet.

Does anyone have any tips for capturing great shots of storms and lightning on the Leica M platform? I recall that there were light activated remote shutter releases for DSLRs that would trip your shutter when it sensed lightning. Is there such a thing for the M Series bodies?  Do you have to with long exposure settings approach and if so, do you have any good starting points?

EDIT: I did run across this device which gets decent reviews. https://lightningtrigger.com  I’m asking them if they have a cable that is compatible with the Leica bodies.

Many thanks.

Spindrift

Edited May 15, 2024 by Spindrift

[Siriusone59]

That lightning trigger device looks promising but I have doubts about it being compatible with Leica.  In the past with film I would usually choose a somewhat slow ISO maybe 100 and use a f-stop of around f-8 or smaller and a shutter of B.  A cable release would allow me to open the shutter and catch a few flashes the release and advance the film.  Of course on digital advancing the film isn't necessary and one could check between exposures if they needed to limit or increase the time that the shutter was open.  
With the Leica you will have to contend with the LENR which will slow you between shots.  But you will learn an approximate exposure time that will work for you.  It's all trial and error where lightening is the subject since we can't control it, but I'm certain you can get some fantastic shots with a little effort.

[kiwidad]

1 hour ago, Siriusone59 said:

That lightning trigger device looks promising but I have doubts about it being compatible with Leica.  In the past with film I would usually choose a somewhat slow ISO maybe 100 and use a f-stop of around f-8 or smaller and a shutter of B.  A cable release would allow me to open the shutter and catch a few flashes the release and advance the film.  Of course on digital advancing the film isn't necessary and one could check between exposures if they needed to limit or increase the time that the shutter was open.  
With the Leica you will have to contend with the LENR which will slow you between shots.  But you will learn an approximate exposure time that will work for you.  It's all trial and error where lightening is the subject since we can't control it, but I'm certain you can get some fantastic shots with a little effort.

you dont have to wait you turn LENR off. shoot raw if needed.

I would expect the shutter delay from the trigger would not be fast enough in reality to capture what you are seeing. I am with you on long exposure and stopped down. A feature not on leica which preserves the frames for the second before the Shutter release is pressed works well for lightning. but that takes then out of it!

 

[helged]

15 hours ago, Spindrift said:

Hello, I’m interested in using my M11-P to shoot some distant storms with abundant lightning. I’ll be careful to not get the M gear wet.

Does anyone have any tips for capturing great shots of storms and lightning on the Leica M platform? I recall that there were light activated remote shutter releases for DSLRs that would trip your shutter when it sensed lightning. Is there such a thing for the M Series bodies?  Do you have to with long exposure settings approach and if so, do you have any good starting points?

EDIT: I did run across this device which gets decent reviews. https://lightningtrigger.com  I’m asking them if they have a cable that is compatible with the Leica bodies.

Many thanks.

Spindrift

Any trigger that is available for the Panasonic Lumix FF bodies will also work with Leica SLx when you add a proper 2.5mm to 3.5mm TRRS adapter on the Leica side:

 

[tappan]

When I shoot lightning, I am aided by a 3 stop neutral density filter during daylight lightning, a tripod, and a cable release..
This is a 2022 photo taken near Boston USA, with an M10-P and a 35mm Summilux FLE.
1 second exposure at F11 at 200 ISO.
Good luck.
Mark
 

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