When you power on the device starts up in Standard Mode which is used for Lightning photography) or in Fireworks Mode depending on which buttons are held down during startup. The Lightning Bug has 2 operational modes which are Standard Mode and Fireworks Mode. On the opposite side at the front is the IR cover, and on one of the long sides is the 1/8″ jack for the camera cable. One one of the short sides at the back of the Lightning Bug is a cover and a battery compartment for the required 9-Volt battery. On the top surface of the Lightning Bug, there is the company name and device name, the sensitivity meter, and the 3 surface-mounted control buttons.Īt the bottom of the Lightning Bug, there is a camera shoe mount that also has a 1/4-20″ threaded mount so that it can be mounted off camera on a light stand or tripod, etc, and a sticker with a summary of the controls and other industry required information. Overall Height (including the shoe mount): 2.10″ Overall Height (not including the shoe mount): 1.13″ Rear Overhang (from the center of camera shoe): 0.74″ MOSFET isolation between the camera and the Lightning Bug™ circuitryĮasily adjust frames per second (from 1 to 10)įront Overhang (from the center of camera shoe): 3.51″ Sensitivity set-point indicator (LED Bargraph) It will also work for fireworks.ġ x Compatible camera cable Design and features When a significant change of infra-red light over a very short period of time is detected, it directs the camera shutter to trip and capture the lightning in action”. The Lightning Bug acts as a lookout for your camera, watching for a change in infrared light. This infrared light comes from the vaporization of air and particles in the air. The Lightning Bug uses a high-speed photodiode sensor optimized to the infrared burst that occurs just before a lightning strike. There are two components of lightning the bright white flash everyone wants to capture and the unseen infrared light that always precedes it.
The Lightning Bug is a device that is designed to connect to your compatible camera and trigger it to take photos when lighting strikes. As per the manufacturer: “The Lightning Bug is based upon the science of lightning. Recently, I have been shooting waterdrop photography, with a device that functions in many modes including being triggered by sound and light to be able to photograph other events. Another type of event I would like to shoot is lightning strikes, and while the device that I have incorporates that ability, I was very intrigued when I came across a device that is designed specifically for lightning strike photography. MK Controls immediately and willingly granted our request to review and test their Lightning Bug. REVIEW – As a photographer, I like to shoot all types of photos. If you buy something through the links on this page, we may earn a commission at no cost to you.