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Samwise's Avatar
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17-11-09, 10:38 AM
#1

Storms over Africa

Stumbled across a dusty object full of cobwebs the other day. Closer inspection revealed it was my camera. Took it out to see if I still remembered which button did what. (Horrible how work interferes with hobbies - really unfair!)

Anyhow, November is storm time for us (And some rain if we are lucky - often we just get the sound and light show, the water shoots off to the north and rains on them up there - lucky sods)

Anticipation - Clouds forming overhead



Rain in the North



This is the first time I've tried to catch lightning and had great fun doing it. (If standing in the middle of a huge, flat dusty plain in a howling gale can be fun.)
Does anyone have any tips on focusing though? It was too dark for either manual or auto focus to be effective. I thought that if I set it on infinity the horizon would be in focus but I was wrong, so the images are not nearly as sharp as they should be.



Getting close - time to go!

Kit 1
Canon 7D
Canon EF 70-200 2.8 L IS USM
Canon EF 17-40mm 1:4
Kit 2
Canon 40D
Canon EF 100-400 1:4.5-5.6 L IS
Canon Macro EF 100mm1:2.8 USM


     
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17-11-09, 11:26 AM
#2

Re: Storms over Africa

Great work there!!

Not lost the knack with the dusty thing!! The sky in #1 looks painted and the lightning capture is excellent.
Kit 1
Nikon D700
Nikon MB-D10 Battery Grip
Nikon AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8
Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8
Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8 VR
Nikon micro AF 200mm f/4
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17-11-09, 12:38 PM
#3

Re: Storms over Africa

I think fantastic! It's not something I've even tried (or in fact had the chance to!) so I'm in awe! ;D

Lovely shots!

xx
Kit 1
Nikon D800
Nikkor 50mm f1.4
Nikkor 24-70mm f2.8
Nikkor 105 mm f2.8 macro
Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8
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17-11-09, 01:38 PM
#4

Re: Storms over Africa

I really like the first of the two lightning shots. excellent capture, and for my eyes at least, the focus isn't really an issue.

I think you've done really well there.


     
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17-11-09, 04:51 PM
#5

Re: Storms over Africa

Agree with what everyone's said - fantastic shots!! 1 n 3 are my faves too
Kit 1
Nikon D300
Nikon 55-200mm VR
Kit 2
Nikon D40
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18-11-09, 10:18 AM
#6

Re: Storms over Africa

fantastic shots loved 1 and 3
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Nikon D50
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18-11-09, 05:36 PM
#7

Re: Storms over Africa

Oh very nice, I love the lightning pictures!
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18-11-09, 07:07 PM
#8

Re: Storms over Africa

Love the first two shots and I preefer the fist lightning shot.

I've never photographed lightning so can't really help with your question although I suspect it's a case of 'law of averages' as you can't really predict where it's going to be.
Kit 1
Canon 1D Mark 3
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4 L USM
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM
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1D2 & 40D


     
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19-11-09, 12:55 PM
#9

Re: Storms over Africa

Many thanks for the feedback everyone, much appreciated.
Phil, I think you're right, it will have to be a bit random in the hope of getting it right somewhere along the line.
I'm going to try again when conditions are right and, unless I get toasted, I'll post any results.
Kit 1
Canon 7D
Canon EF 70-200 2.8 L IS USM
Canon EF 17-40mm 1:4
Kit 2
Canon 40D
Canon EF 100-400 1:4.5-5.6 L IS
Canon Macro EF 100mm1:2.8 USM


     
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19-11-09, 03:02 PM
#10

Re: Storms over Africa

Some nice captures there Sam, especially your lightning shots.

I had a look at your exif data and noticed you shot at f4.0, ISO100 and exposed for 30sec for both these shots. If you increase the aperture to f8 and above while bumping up the ISO to 400 or more, you should get around the same exposure but with an increased plane of focus.

Just to add. If you want to do longer exposures than 30sec, i'e use ISO100 and increase your depth of field then you will have to use bulb mode.
Kit 1
Canon 5D MKII
Canon 400mm f5.6 L
Canon 70-200mm f4.0 L
Canon 17-40mm f4.0 L
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