Camshaft: The camera is really HD. Like OzThunder mentioned about 50mm lenses would be useful for video capability. Won't be an issue about the speed. I got 30mb/s fast speed highest quality SD card!

lol not sure what you are refering too in my post.. but yes cool non the less

Now go get some pics!

Oh Matthew ..... shoot in raw! It's something that I wished I had done a lot more as a beginner..

I am lucky that my camera shoots both JPG and RAW format at the same time on 2 different SD cards. However, after more than 4000 shots on this new camera I have not yet used a RAW file for anything other than a disc space filler. I do have CS5 but I just find it all a bit of a bother to do it all.

I started taking pics in the Olden Days (film era 1990's) what you shot was what you got, and I guess I am still stuck in that train of thought (I even BKT under & over). I have however kept all my RAW files as I might yet be persuaded towards the 'Dark Side' one day.

I agree it's a pain in the butt regarding file size, but, as a beginner when ur shots probably need the most help, I find raw allows the greater outcome with post processing. Like u said, it all comes down to personal peference

With Bulb setting, try to get a cable remote to suit. Just pressing and holding the shutter open will introduce a bit of camera body movement and ruin a nice shot.

The IR remotes sound cool, especially for group shots, but I found them temperamental and un-reliable. Cable release is great especially for taking (tripod) macro shots with a slow shutter in low light.

Also, RAW has a big advantage in that you can adjust the exposure by +2..-2 stops and gain details that would not be available in a JPG. This especially helps for lightning as you can some features from the foreground that may be too dark or too light.

Have fun..

Darren

If you don’t have a cable release, and you still want to use bulb function you can do the following.
1. Steady the camera on a tripod.
2. Set bulb function, on camera
3. Use a piece of sturdy card or something similar to cover the front lens while you press the shutter release button. I use a piece of 6”x6” old black card that lives in my camera bag.
4. Once the shutter has opened and risk of shake has passed carefully pull the card away from front of lens. Presto sensor is exposed.
5. Reverse sequence when you close shutter, put your trusty piece of dark card across the lens front, press button. You’re done – no camera shake.

Just use 10 second delay, 30 second exposure and mirror lock up. Easiest way to avoid camera shake with out a cable release.

You will not need to use bulb mode for lightning. If anything bulb should be avoided as it can introduce unwanted noise.

You can pick up cheap cable releases for less then $20 delivered out of China on ebay which will do the job just fine.

My lightning photography is pretty poor but I will be going done the bulb mode path for lightning shots in the future. I have used the 10 second delay, 30 second exposure in the past and probably missed a few shots by lightning occurring either during the shutter delay or after the 30 s exposure. That's a pain. It's a good point about noise in bulb mode, though you can look at it the other way. If a lightning strike occurs after 10 s you can stop the exposure and start again. This should reduce noise and also increase your chances of getting another strike. This is assuming there is nothing else in the photo which you would like to correctly expose.

A solid tripod, a fast card and a cable release just make life so much easier. Pitty I have only seen one lousy storm with my new equipment, shame I didn't have this stuff earlier in the season when I saw a few quite lightning active storms.

The 50mm is a faster lens. That wider aperture allows you to keep video shutter speeds higher in low light.

It is also a very clear lens, although that is not so important for video as for images.

You can avoid missing shots by by using continuous shooting. The only problem with that is though if you have it set up to take say 10 photos in a row and you want to reposition half way through the 10.

has anyone here had experience with lightning triggers? (I think its cheating in a way ;),I love the gamble of the storm chase and lightning photography, it makes getting that one shot all that sweeter, but if I want my images to be up there with the big kids I may have to think about getting one.

thoughts? experiences??

Congratts on the 1100D Mathew ! You will have a lot of good times with your Canon and great shots so far. Well done , , & Looking forward to seeing some STORM Captures from you : )

Cheers



Hi Missy, I have Not a lighting trigger either : ) They are a great advantage primarily for daytime Lightning as you cant set very long exposures manually on a camera to aid in capturing strikes during the day time, is just too bright for longer exposures ? I doubt many cameras could open for more than a few short seconds, unless its a very dark storm and a very expensive camera, or ones that have ISO 50 may go a little longer !

Personally I have Not been overly impressed with daytime Lightning trigger captures as you dont quite get the contrast, well, for what I Like; and you only ever expose the bright parts of the bolts and miss a lot of the finer tendrals etc ?
In saying that, they are still advantageous 'cause any daytime Lightning captures are better than nothing : )
One other advantage of Trggers during night Lightning is your camera wont need to continually shoot, hopefully capturing a strike in some ? Running the camera continually causes the chip to become very warm, thus increasing the 'Noise' signal .

I also agree somewhat to you say it kinda like cheating, but I find it more relative as saying why I ride Motorbikes and drive Manual cars, Its Just Much More Exciting & Rewarding : )

Cheers, Hope this helps

Thanks for the tip, that's a good idea.

I too must say that I like the gamble of lightning photography (will lightning strike when I am taking my photo, will the lightning be in the frame? etc). I was not lucky this season so I am all for increasing the odds of success!

This is probably, the best and only real successful attempt I've made at lightning photography. Taken on 5 sec delay, 30 sec exposure, 8 image continous shooting...Xmas Eve...No remote, just rapid fire, 30 sec exposures...







SDS is killing me...would give anything to be back in the moment of that night!!!

Looks nice. Glad I have this camera that does support it!

Here are the following pictures that I have taken at Rockhampton, on the way to Townsville.















Do I need to create a thread of my own? It seems my photography is at quick fire. How you name a thread of my photos?

Just wanted to add my thoughts to your thread Matty,
I have only had a DSLR(450D) since December 2011 so I am about as “green” as they come, keeping that in mind…
Lightning triggers are expensive paper weights most of the time but for daytime they are invaluable IMHO, no point shooting a bucket load of continuous short exposure shots at a storm to try and capture a bolt which is possibly the only other way to nail daytime shots- because the exposure time is so much shorter than at night you will chew through cards and shutter life and most won't be the "lucky" shot that yeilds a bolt(or two), at night they are pretty blah especially for very active systems, just use the longer exposure times and shoot continuously(or atleast that’s what I do). Of course at night sometimes the trigger is useful if the system isn’t very active or in a dying state… or of course if you are feeling lazy and want to have a cigarette instead of babysitting the camera! Short of having a lightning trigger I think Magic Lantern has a feature that will do the job, I would say DO NOT install it though if your camera is under warranty!!!
On RAW, definitely shoot in RAW always!!! I couldn’t stress that enough, even if you yourself may not have the ability or the program to manipulate the image someone somewhere down the line may be able to help you or you may gain the skill to do so or increase your current skill overtime, always make a copy of the original and work with the copy and keep the original stored safely....forever! As proof I will provide these as evidence of why shooting in RAW is a must…
These are clickable thumbs- not full size,
Here’s the original shot in JPEG, completely screwed, over exposed and one for the desktop recycle bin!

Now here’s the fix using the RAW file and CS5…instead of being in the desktop recycle bin it’s now my desktop!


Haha Thomo, $20 for a cable release delivered from China, that would have to be the top of the line one, I got one delivered for $7...sufice to say, rarely does anything but add weight to the camera bag! If you(Matty or anyone else) are to buy one avoid the $7 model, there some around that do other better things like having the ability to also shoot timelapse ect, do the research and find a multiple feature one...that's what I would recomend from experince!

Your photos are pretty good Matty, you are definately on the right track to learning and that is keep taking photos, take the same photo numerous times if you can with different settings and then compare the results.I think using the camera is the best way to learn the camera!

Just my thoughts....

Matt, you are more than welcome to keep posting your photos in this thread. If you would like me to change the name of it, please let me know and I can do it for you.

Congrats on your new camera, by the way! Photography is an addictive hobby. With your last batch of photos, it looks as though the white balance is a little 'cool', as the photos have a blue/cyan tinge to them. As a simple test, take the same photo/subject several different times, and each time only changing the white balance setting and see how different each photo looks.

There is so much to learn when delving into the world of digital SLR's. 7 years and 2 cameras later, I'm still learning (granted I don't get much time!). Take on lots of advice, take lots of photos and experiment and ask as many questions as you can. We are all here to help you. But most of all, have fun and enjoy!!!

Hi Stormgirl. Yes thank you. You can change it.

Bulb setting for 2.5seconds. F5.3. 18mm and 800ISO.