Filming Lightning at DVinfo.net

Lars Koerkemeier · May 1st, 2008, 07:58 PM

not sure if this is the right place to post this but ive always wanted to film lightning and other storms but i cant seem to get it right. does anyone have any tips such as shutterspeed and other settings?
im using the Sony HVR-A1U if its important
thanks
Lars

Chris Coulson · May 2nd, 2008, 05:36 AM

You say it hasn't worked out in the past... how?

What settings did you use in the past and what part of it didn't work?

sounds fun though!

Lars Koerkemeier · May 2nd, 2008, 06:15 AM

well it hasnt worked out because you cant actually see the lightning it will just like flash on the top or bottom of the screen. my guess is that it has something to do with the shutter speed but i have had it at 60 which is the lowest and all the way up to 1000. i want to see the actual bolt when i film it not just a little flash
thanks
Lars

Ervin Farkas · May 2nd, 2008, 07:57 AM

You need a camcorder that has a longer shutter speed, e.g. can keep the shutter open for a longer time. Lightening is much shorter than 1/60th of a second, that's why you can't capture it all.

Lars Koerkemeier · May 2nd, 2008, 02:15 PM

ok thats what i thought but i wasnt totally sure
thanks

Dean Sensui · May 4th, 2008, 02:38 AM

This is where a camera with a pre-record cache really shines.

I shot some lighting with an HVX-200 and just waited for the flash.

The 3-second pre-record cache nailed it every time without wasting recording time.

Now I wish Sony would hurry up and get that feature working in the EX1!

Jim Andrada · May 4th, 2008, 11:07 AM

As I recall, the still camera trick was to aim the camera in the general direction that the lightning was happening and leave the shutter open for a while. Obviously this only works at night!

You can get some great shots with multiple lightning flashes here in Arizona where the lightning over the mountains goes on for hours at a time during the August monsoons.

I think without some kind of open shutter you won't get much as the flash is so brief. I think maybe the pre-record cache addresses this.

Maybe catch a few frames with a still camera and insert them in post?

Peter Rhalter · May 4th, 2008, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lars Koerkemeier

well it hasnt worked out because you cant actually see the lightning it will just like flash on the top or bottom of the screen. my guess is that it has something to do with the shutter speed but i have had it at 60 which is the lowest and all the way up to 1000. i want to see the actual bolt when i film it not just a little flash
thanks
Lars

The Sony HVR-A1U will go down to 1/4 second shutter speed, however Cineframe has to be turned off to use a shutter speed below 1/60.

Best.
Peter
www.parkfilms.com

May 1st, 2008, 07:58 PM	#1
Lars Koerkemeier New Boot Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Leawood KS Posts: 8	Filming Lightning not sure if this is the right place to post this but ive always wanted to film lightning and other storms but i cant seem to get it right. does anyone have any tips such as shutterspeed and other settings? im using the Sony HVR-A1U if its important thanks Lars

May 2nd, 2008, 07:57 AM	#4
Ervin Farkas Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Atlanta/USA Posts: 2,515	You need a camcorder that has a longer shutter speed, e.g. can keep the shutter open for a longer time. Lightening is much shorter than 1/60th of a second, that's why you can't capture it all. __________________ Ervin Farkas www.AtlantaLegalVideo.com

May 4th, 2008, 02:38 AM	#6
Dean Sensui Inner Circle Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 2,054	This is where a camera with a pre-record cache really shines. I shot some lighting with an HVX-200 and just waited for the flash. The 3-second pre-record cache nailed it every time without wasting recording time. Now I wish Sony would hurry up and get that feature working in the EX1! __________________ Dean Sensui Exec Producer, Hawaii Goes Fishing

May 2nd, 2008, 05:36 AM	#2
Chris Coulson Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Kent, UK Posts: 101	You say it hasn't worked out in the past... how? What settings did you use in the past and what part of it didn't work? sounds fun though!

May 2nd, 2008, 06:15 AM	#3
Lars Koerkemeier New Boot Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Leawood KS Posts: 8	well it hasnt worked out because you cant actually see the lightning it will just like flash on the top or bottom of the screen. my guess is that it has something to do with the shutter speed but i have had it at 60 which is the lowest and all the way up to 1000. i want to see the actual bolt when i film it not just a little flash thanks Lars

May 2nd, 2008, 02:15 PM	#5
Lars Koerkemeier New Boot Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Leawood KS Posts: 8	ok thats what i thought but i wasnt totally sure thanks

May 4th, 2008, 11:07 AM	#7
Jim Andrada Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Tucson AZ Posts: 2,211	As I recall, the still camera trick was to aim the camera in the general direction that the lightning was happening and leave the shutter open for a while. Obviously this only works at night! You can get some great shots with multiple lightning flashes here in Arizona where the lightning over the mountains goes on for hours at a time during the August monsoons. I think without some kind of open shutter you won't get much as the flash is so brief. I think maybe the pre-record cache addresses this. Maybe catch a few frames with a still camera and insert them in post?