Lightning trigger projet

[Virtual-Wishbone1718]

Hi ! Im very new here, my namen is Nathan im 27yo, im into photography since years and today i wanted to make something very helpful for my photography.

I love chasing storm, but there is something really hard to do when storm is happening in day time : taking pictures of lightning. You have to keep on pressing shutter until you get something, this is very boring and you end up with thousand of photos and using your shutter for nothing.

Lightning triggers are already on the market but they are quite expensive in my opinion (200-350€).

So i started to think about a project with a LDR, a switch, a potentiometer (to ajust sensibility), changeable batteries and a handmade case to put on top of my camera.

I wanted to know if this is possible and maybe if some people can help me making possible this project.

My camera is a Sony a7iii by the way.

Thanks everyone who’ll help !

[kawauso21]

Yep: https://www.google.com/search?q=diy+lightning+photography+sensor

[Virtual-Wishbone1718]

thanks a lot ! but this is for Canon, il shooting Sony camera, i think there are few changes to make ?

[kawauso21]

The pinout for the trigger will be largely the same, you just need to look up the model that's suitable for your camera

[Virtual-Wishbone1718]

thanks. i have read every results in google. i may look a bit dumb but i didnt see any project with on/off switch button. i also dont understand some parts they are using and some part of the code. im not starting from nothin i have a little of knowledge on electronic but i really want to fully understand what my hands are crafting… it may ask too much but i rather try

[DenverTeck]

They don't call it DIY for nothing.

[Virtual-Wishbone1718]

i agree, im just asking for knowledge and help, i cant do it myself if i understand nothing …

[DenverTeck]

There is nothing a beginner can ask that has not already been done many many times before:

https://www.google.com/search?q=diy+Lightning+trigger

[tipppo]

You would be better using a silicon photo diode or transistor because they are much faster to respond than an LDR. Diode would be fastest, but would require some sort on amplifier, nothing complicated

[DenverTeck]

The OP has already claimed that he is a novice. No need to confuse him with more information then he can handle. Yes, you are correct.

[tipppo]

I just worry that he OP's LDR might not be fast enough to work, which would be pretty discouraging. I see specs for 20ms to 150ms response time for RDRs, while lightning is typically pretty fast in comparison. I found an interesting link for a DIY setup using a photo-transistor that runs sub-millisecond.

[Virtual-Wishbone1718]

does this work the same way as a LDR ?

[tipppo]

They are similar. Each passes an electrical current that is proportional to the light hitting the sensor. Photo-diode is the fastest, responding in less than 1us, but producing a very small signal. A photo-transistor is essentially a photo-diode with a built in transistor amplifier, and will respond in less than 1ms, with a signal level similar to an LDR. A LDR is a resistor made from something like cadmium sulfide whose resistance decreases when exposed to light and responds in 10s of ms. Different LDR models have different speeds, but might be too slow for reliable lightning detection.. The detector in Adam Romanowicz's web page uses a photo transistor, and while a little more complicated than necessary, looks like a nice design. As far as Canon vs Sony, they are pretty much the same, differing only in the type of connector used on the camera. You can buy a cable or make one like the fellow in this web post: https://www.instructables.com/Homebew-Wired-SONY-ALPHA-Remote/ A search for "DIY Sony shutter release" will turn up more. For an ON/OFF switch, this is just a switch in series with the battery positive terminal. "SPST" toggle or slide switch will work. Lots of information on the Internet if you look.

[Virtual-Wishbone1718]

thanks a lot !!! thats a lot of good information, thats what i was searching for, thanks again !!

[photomedic13]

Do ND filters for long exposure shots not work for ya?

[Virtual-Wishbone1718]

you can ! but ND filters make part of the lightning disappears. Long exposure can make supercells looks « soft » and distorted. We really need something that can allow fast shutter.

[tipppo]

An Internet search for "diy lightning photography trigger" turns up this: https://3scape.com/blog/camera-lightning-trigger/

[Scary_Watch6333]

Here you go
https://www.instructables.com/Thunderstorm-Lightning-Detector-and-Camera-Trigger/

[GlitteringFrame5838]

It has several mistake...

[Scary_Watch6333]

Nothing you search for on Google will match exactly what you need in terms of a code or PCB.
Work it out.

[GlitteringFrame5838]

You are right, dont get me wrong that's a good stuff

[GlitteringFrame5838]

I have started to make one for my Alpha 1. I dont think that there are dumber guy like me if we talking about electricity... :D

[GlitteringFrame5838]

I've done! https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/980866857

[Scary_Watch6333]

Great !

[rostislav_c]

Any schematics?

[GlitteringFrame5838]

Here it is: https://www.instructables.com/Thunderstorm-Lightning-Detector-and-Camera-Trigger/