Just An Ordinary Summer..........Thunderstorm

[Speed]

I've been trying to get some lightning shots ever since I got my N80 (two and half years ago!). On Friday, the 11th, we had a thunderstorm brewing, so I go out the N80. All I was getting was lightning lighting up the clouds, so I got out the Coolpix 5700. Really limited only having an eight second exposure, and Noise Reduction REALLY slows things down. I took 70 exposures with the 5700 until the battery died. I got some decent cloud shots, but no lightning. Until...it started raining. Then I set up the N80 and shot through the storm door. I shot 26 exosures - on Sensia 100. They are at ASAP getting developed as I type this.

Meanwhile, on Friday, the 18th, another thunderstorm rolls through. I got out the 5700 again, and shot 98 frames - and again, the battery died. I got lightning bolts on 12 frames. Two were so bright, that you can't see the lightning - it totally blew out as white highlight in the clouds. But I did record 10 bolts. Here are a few for your viewing pleasure. They've been cropped for PR and that's all.

[mjm]

nice!

i dig #2.

[natatbeach]

likie two...lighting frightens me but it's so cool...

[Speed]

nice!

i dig #2.

I'm glad you liked it. Number two was great. I pressed the shutter release, then watched as that one slowly (for lightning) came across the sky towards me. It was great watching it, and it was great knowing that I had that one.

Thanks for the comments.

[Speed]

likie two...lighting frightens me but it's so cool...

What's to be afraid of? I have always been fasinated by lightning. I love the displays of light it makes. I love those overhead bolts that light up everything like noon. Most of all, I love those relatively slow moving bolts that seem to crawl across the sky.

I've been jealous of those that have posted great lightning shots here. I've also been wanting to get some shots ever since I got my N80. Now, with a N80, K1000, and Coolpix 5700, I'm prepared when a storm comes up. The big problem for me is, in NC, it's usually raining when it's lightning. Catching it before the storm is a rarity around here. And the last one was taken through my storm door because it was raining. But I got it. ;-)

Shooting digital is a mixed blessing. The shutter lag is a real drag. I know I had 8 or 10 times that I pressed the shutter, and while waiting for it to open (one to two seconds), lightning flashed in front of me, and the camera missed it! Also, noise reduction really, really slows things down. If I ever get a digital SLR, it will be a Write Enabled camera!
On the other hand, it was gratifying to see the shot on the viewscreen. It's one thing to know you've got the shot, but it's really nice to see that it came out. As I said, I had two shots that had lightning on them, but they were totally blown out.

[Speed]

Woo Hoo Speed:

Don't let the N80, 5700, or the Pentax gather any dust -- you did GREAT! That second shot is my favorite -- looks like it could be a book cover for a mystery story. Good work!!!

Best to You,
Penny

I try not to let any of them gather dust! The 5700 probably gets used the most, since I use it for work photography, as well as on the side. ;-)

The N80 gets a regular workout as well. It is my primary camera for personal use.

The K1000 doesn't get as much use, but it doesn't gather any dust either. I've been taking some hour long shots of Polaris at various apetures, as part of an experiment. Weather determines whether or not I can take those shots though. It also comes out of the bag for other things as well though.

I'm glad you liked the lightning shots. Number two seems to be the runaway favorite. :-)