How to photograph lightning - Pluto Trigger

[@jrasche]

I just have to leave a comment now. I bought Pluto Trigger last year, and tried to get lightning from my house but wasn't satisfied with my results. I saw your video and took my notes, but sadly I never had another storm to try it on. Or I was too afraid. To back up, we had a very bad storm come through about 8 years ago that destroyed some of my property (I was fine), but it caused some ptsd in me so I would be very afraid of storms since. But nonetheless I had this desire to capture lightning. This year, last week, we had a storm come through in the overnight hours. It had been severe in some parts so I was a little scared, but I still wanted the lightning. Since it was overnight I wasn't going to go out so I opted to put the camera in a window in my house in an area that had the least amount of tree clutter and pointed it at the sky. Using your tutorial tips I set up my pluto trigger, and sat up in my bed most the night. Of course I had to keep adjusting, and there really wasn't much lighting for a while. Finally at about 3:30 am a pretty active storm started to roll in towards my bedroom window. At this point I was in and out falling asleep. At 4 am it was quiet so I got up took my camera off the tripod and put it away, but not before gimping through the photos. 1, 2, 3.. nothing.. then the 4th photo.. Lighting.. beautiful tree branched lighting! I wanted to say thank you because your tutorial helped me! The Pluto trigger helped me! And now.. I believe that this experience helped me to overcome my fear, and embrace the beauty and awe of one of natures mysteries. I am now looking forward to storms and to hopefully capture some more of this majestic lightning! www.flickr.com/photos/jmr2003/50126245551/

[@GillFryPhotography]

Oh that is awesome. I am so glad it has helped you in many ways. Nature can be a beast at times but it can also be glorious. All the best. Cheers Gill

[@rrchris100]

@@GillFryPhotography So is the shutter release automatic? I am confused as to weather I push the shutter button on the camera or pluto or phone! I am all hooked up and feel pretty good about the menus... Just not sure if the pluto has a sensor that sets off the shutter release automatically?

[@18eleanor]

Thank so much for this. My trigger came with no instructions. I found them in the app, but I have no idea what the laser thing is that came with the trigger. Of anyone knows id love to know. Thanks again

[@philippeb9981]

Good video, but i don't know if pre focus is enable when he is orange...

[@Lifetogo]

Is it possible to use the Pluto Trigger for automatic continuous high speed shooting? = setting a delay, hitting the button in the app and the camera will shoot 20 images in high speed mode? Maybe also with a 10 seconds pause afterwards and that it will start again? So without holding my finger on the button (only once, to start the session)?

[@stormchasersmarche]

you can use it on the Sony Alpha A6000L ??

[@westernncstormwatching3531]

Overall from experience whats the ruf Estimate of getting the branching on a bolt and not just the bolt?

[@nybor52]

Thank you Gil. We have been having some great lightening storms in NSW. Thanks to your tutorial, I have managed to get some great shots of the lightening with the Pluto trigger.

[@GillFryPhotography]

Awesome 😀

[@flyawayhorses]

So, the object being dropped has to break the laser beam?

[@GillFryPhotography]

Yes :)

[@Jimmy_Cavallo]

💥 Great video. Do you have any tips on how to dial in exposure settings at night over a big city? The night sky settings are different when there is no lightning versus during it. 🤟🏼

[@feminineymeux]

Existe-t-il une version en français. Merci

[@toddfancher7400]

Gill, Thank you very much for this very informative video. You're vlogs are a great reference source and I enjoy the pictures you share.

[@GillFryPhotography]

Thanks Todd. Your comment is much appreciated 😊👍

[@suelawson9117]

Awesome Gill now to have a go. Thank you so much

[@GillFryPhotography]

Just need a storm or two! 😊

[@CarolinaSkyAstronomy]

Wow those are some great shots

[@GillFryPhotography]

Thankyou. We appreciate that 😊

[@Wesleyastonphotography]

Thanks! Just ordered one up to give it a test alongside of my other trigger later this month. Been looking at it for a year too.

[@GillFryPhotography]

It is a great tool :)

[@YourOldUncleNoongah]

Thank you Gill, your videos are much appreciated. Ive been trying to figure out this pluto trigger with my A7r3 had a beauty of a storm in Dubbo NSW, Australia last night, sadly i only managed to get a few lightning pics using a 30 sec exposure each time.

[@joeplays1]

Are the camera settings the same for nighttime as they are for a storm that is coming in say midday where there is more light to work with then at night? Thanks for any info you can provide.

[@GillFryPhotography]

During the day, you cannot have the exposure time very long or you will blow out your exposure. At night you can have a longer exposure time. It is much harder to capture lightning during the day, which is why the Pluto trigger helps to get these shots

[@marcb6747]

Hi Gill, it's seems very easy, thank you for the effort of pedagogy. But i have a question because i tried to use the lightning function and i could not realize a correct shot; I explain: the pluto trigger detects the lightning correctly but the delay between this instant and the moment where the camera shutter opens is too long, i have nothing on the photo. I tried with a flash shot toot and it's the same result. i hope that i am clear. Maybe it comes from the camera, i have a canon EOS 600D. Thank you for your advice.

[@GillFryPhotography]

I tried the same thing when I first got it and wondered why I couldnt capture the flash. The reason is...The flash is quicker than lightning and the lightning usually lasts more than 100ms. A single flash strobe will trigger the lightning trigger, but the camera will not be able to capture the flash. The flash only lasts several milliseconds, but the camera shutter lag is 50 to 100 ms. You can set your flash on MULTI mode, set frequency to 10 and number of strobes to 2. Then the camera will be able to capture the second strobe. Put the pre focus time on 0 - shutter pulse time on 150ms. Set the trigger reset time to several seconds, longer than the camera shutter speed.

[@marcb6747]

@@GillFryPhotography Thank you for answer. I understand for the flash. But the problem remains for the lightning, i cannot capture anyone although the pluto trigger detects the lightning correctly. Is there any setting of the camera i missed ? Well, for the next storm i will try the settings you say in your video (1/15 ms,...) and i'll keep you informed. Regards. Marc.

[@bladechucker]

I had same issue today. Camera triggered on lightning but no lightning in image.

[@bladechucker]

Finally got a daytime storm to shoot today and nothing but frustration. The Pluto triggered the camera ok but no lightning in the images. This happened multiple times, I am kind of convinced that the trigger just not fast enough. Had everything set up ok, Manual Focus, Manual Exposure to infinity, 1/15 exposure, 100 ISO and F28 (kind of bright outside)

[@gillfry1669]

They say you need 1/20 of a second or longer to catch the strike. Also I think there is another setting called prefocus which needs to be off. It can be frustrating. Once you get it all right it then works.

[@fourpawsphotography]

Best review I have seen yet Thanks!

[@GillFryPhotography]

You are welcome. I am glad it is helpful 👍😊

[@jasonhudsonphotography4772]

Thanks for this. Its the first video Ive found. Ive tried using it several times and gave up, choosing to put filters on and go for long exposure as a means of capture. This is better if it works.

[@GillFryPhotography]

You are welcome. It is all a bit of trial and error but once you get the settings right it is great!

[@robertopieri1656]

Complimenti trovo i video e le spiegazioni ben fatte e molto interessanti spero di riuscire a capire anche io il pluto trigger e fare belle foto grazie

[@robertgeorge8166]

Thanks, Gill this is a very helpful vlog great stuff.

[@GillFryPhotography]

Thanks Robert. I am so glad it is helpful 😊

[@lonnieclemens1614]

Thank you for sharing this video.

[@GillFryPhotography]

You are welcome. Hope it helps :)

[@taitere88]

Cheers Gill!! An excellent presentation..

[@GillFryPhotography]

Thanks Tai Tere :)

[@hakzolot]

Looks neat , wish we got more rain storms here in San Diego California LoL

[@AZD2169]

One of the best tutorials. Thank you..

[@GillFryPhotography]

Thankyou :)

[@cybercab]

Great video! (You have some audio issues you might want to address.)

[@marcpayne9117]

does this trigger work on the SonyA7Riii

[@GillFryPhotography]

Hi Marc. I am pretty sure it does. But you can check by clicking on the link in the description above and then click on the shop now button. This will show all the cameras it is compatible with. Cheers Gill

[@marisaliberato5704]

thanks Gill, concise, clear and to the point....

[@GillFryPhotography]

Thanks very much Marisa 😊

[@seanoconnor7819]

I tried it out, and couldn’t find the photos in my camera afterwards. Any help?

[@GillFryPhotography]

That's weird Sean. As in it was taking photos but no photos on the camera? I can't explain that one

[@Artchick1972]

This is great! Thanks!

[@GillFryPhotography]

So glad it is helpful 😊

[@MarekLewandowskishotz]

Thank you!

[@GillFryPhotography]

Thankyou :D

[@CGHH65A]

1/15 of a second or slower during the day seems to blow out the photo. I’ve tried various shutter speeds, and nothing seems to be working. I’m about to trash this trigger, and go back to primitive methods of capturing lightning.

[@GillFryPhotography]

Dont give up yet Bob. It is a frustrating bit of equipment to learn, but once you have it all worked out you will love it. For lightning during the day - it needs to be 1/15th of a second or slower as any less will only catch a small part - if any - of the strike. If the day is too bright, pop on a neutral density filter or even a polariser might help.

[@kermitBERRY7]

Just throw on a Neutral density filter?

[@GillFryPhotography]

@@kermitBERRY7 that will work

[@1963Willo]

Awesome video Gill, awaiting delivery now (and yes this is my prospecting youtube channel!) but it is me!

[@GillFryPhotography]

Thanks.. I am glad it is helpful 😊👍

[@ToddReuterOutdoors]

I’m not sure how to focus to infinity on my Tamron 18-400mm lens.

[@GillFryPhotography]

Have a look at one of my other tutorials on focus for the stars

[@palashchowdhury9969]

Hi Gil It’s a nice & simple illustration. Anyone can be expert of it now. By any chance can you please make a video of fireworks using Pluto Trigger? Many thanks.

[@GillFryPhotography]

Hi Palash. Thankyou. We are heading into fire season so I might not be able to do this one for a while. However, I will definitely keep it in mind. Cheers Gill

[@eineraushagen3868]

Thank you, I just need some Thunderstorm now :D

[@robjenkins3513]

I strike a match in front of the Pluto to calibrate it.

[@mrpegasus33]

thanks Gill, very helpful. Not sure whos image at 0:09 but that lightning looks very fake

[@GillFryPhotography]

Thankyou. Haha... That image is actually one of mine so I know without a doubt it is not fake. But I am glad the video is helpful 🙂

[@ChrisLee-UK]

I have to disagree with the thong comment, I wore one in public last week and it was shocking, but not to me :D hehe okay, so seems this is the device i need, great video thank you Gill :D

[@GillFryPhotography]

Oh my goodness 😂😂. We may be talking about different types of thongs 😂😂 but I am glad the video was useful. When you get it you will need the video I have put up on getting started.👍

[@ChrisLee-UK]

@@GillFryPhotography I think we may be haha, thank you so much Gill. I'll go watch that now. Take care

[@GillFryPhotography]

You gave me a good laugh for the day. Thankyou 😊

[@ChrisLee-UK]

@@GillFryPhotographyBless you, Thats a good thing then :D

[@nybor52]

Thanks Gill. Well presented as always :) Oops!! Sorry Gill. Definitely meant to be a smiley face 😉😉😉😉😃😃😃😃

[@GillFryPhotography]

Thankyou. I hope that is supposed to be a smiley face - not a sad one.....lol

[@woutermarechal3918]

They send me two, both completly unrelaible, does NOT work, Chinese junk

[@Jimmy_Cavallo]

💥 Great video. Do you have any tips on how to dial in exposure settings at night over a big city? The night sky settings are different when there is no lightning versus during it. 🤟🏼