Shutter Speed For Lightning Video at DVinfo.net

Ezra Kamer · July 10th, 2011, 09:36 AM

I am going to Arizona to shoot the monsoons at the end of the month. I would like to know what a good shutter speed setting would be for lightning video.

Robert Turchick · July 10th, 2011, 09:59 AM

You missed a good storm last night! I was only doing photos off my back porch. Managed to catch about half a dozen before the rain kicked into overdrive!

What type of effect are you going for? I usually don't have the shutter on.

Normally I try to stay away from the storm to get some landscape perspective in the shot so I don't need to choke the light down. Shoot as normal.

If you were trying to get closer shots might experiment with higher shutter speeds.
Are you doing the clinic in Tucson?

BTW...here's an interesting thread about CMOS cameras and lightning video. Essentially it says it's not a good mix due to the rolling shutter effect.
http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/sony-hvr...g-footage.html
Once again, since I'm a good ways off the storms, I haven't had an issue but if you were closer, might want to make sure you have a CCD based camera!

Ezra Kamer · July 10th, 2011, 10:11 AM

Not doing the clinic. I am going the same weekend they are having it though. I normaly have my video camera at 1/60 or 1/90. I want to be able to get a good shot of the lightning bolt. So if I am a good distance away do you think those shutter speeds are ok?

Robert Turchick · July 10th, 2011, 10:16 AM

What camera are you using? Oops! Just realized what the category was! Should be fine with those settings

Ezra Kamer · July 10th, 2011, 10:34 AM

Canon XHA1s. Do you think there is any benifit to go with the clinic? I can just track the storms myself. I did however pick that week because I saw the clinic picked that week.

Robert Turchick · July 10th, 2011, 10:53 AM

I've been doing photos and some video stormchasing for a while now and I think I get good results. Alister is "the man" though when it comes to this stuff and if I had the time I'd do it in a heartbeat! Especially since it's only a 90 minute drive!

Eric Olson · July 10th, 2011, 11:32 AM

I think it is best to have the shutter open all the time in order to capture every bit of the lightning. So I would prefer 1/60 over 1/90.

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/canon-xh...-lighting.html

July 10th, 2011, 09:36 AM	#1
Ezra Kamer New Boot Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Woodland Hills, CA Posts: 8	Shutter Speed For Lightning Video I am going to Arizona to shoot the monsoons at the end of the month. I would like to know what a good shutter speed setting would be for lightning video.

July 10th, 2011, 09:59 AM	#2
Robert Turchick Trustee Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 1,389	Re: Shutter Speed For Lightning Video You missed a good storm last night! I was only doing photos off my back porch. Managed to catch about half a dozen before the rain kicked into overdrive! What type of effect are you going for? I usually don't have the shutter on. Normally I try to stay away from the storm to get some landscape perspective in the shot so I don't need to choke the light down. Shoot as normal. If you were trying to get closer shots might experiment with higher shutter speeds. Are you doing the clinic in Tucson? BTW...here's an interesting thread about CMOS cameras and lightning video. Essentially it says it's not a good mix due to the rolling shutter effect. http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/sony-hvr...g-footage.html Once again, since I'm a good ways off the storms, I haven't had an issue but if you were closer, might want to make sure you have a CCD based camera! __________________ The older I get, the better I was!

July 10th, 2011, 10:11 AM	#3
Ezra Kamer New Boot Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Woodland Hills, CA Posts: 8	Re: Shutter Speed For Lightning Video Not doing the clinic. I am going the same weekend they are having it though. I normaly have my video camera at 1/60 or 1/90. I want to be able to get a good shot of the lightning bolt. So if I am a good distance away do you think those shutter speeds are ok?

July 10th, 2011, 10:16 AM	#4
Robert Turchick Trustee Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 1,389	Re: Shutter Speed For Lightning Video What camera are you using? Oops! Just realized what the category was! Should be fine with those settings __________________ The older I get, the better I was!

July 10th, 2011, 10:34 AM	#5
Ezra Kamer New Boot Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Woodland Hills, CA Posts: 8	Re: Shutter Speed For Lightning Video Canon XHA1s. Do you think there is any benifit to go with the clinic? I can just track the storms myself. I did however pick that week because I saw the clinic picked that week.

July 10th, 2011, 10:53 AM	#6
Robert Turchick Trustee Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 1,389	Re: Shutter Speed For Lightning Video I've been doing photos and some video stormchasing for a while now and I think I get good results. Alister is "the man" though when it comes to this stuff and if I had the time I'd do it in a heartbeat! Especially since it's only a 90 minute drive! __________________ The older I get, the better I was!

July 10th, 2011, 11:32 AM	#7
Eric Olson Major Player Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 553	Re: Shutter Speed For Lightning Video I think it is best to have the shutter open all the time in order to capture every bit of the lightning. So I would prefer 1/60 over 1/90. http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/canon-xh...-lighting.html