MK Controls Lightning Bug Plus
The Lightning Bug Plus™ is based upon the science of lightning. 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™ uses a high-speed photodiode sensor optimized to the infrared burst that occurs just before a lightning strike. This infrared light comes from the vaporization of air and particles in the air. The Lightning Bug™ acts as a lookout for your camera, watching for a change in infrared light. 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 Plus™ conveniently mounts to your camera hot shoe, although it's not required to do so. NOTE: For some model SONY cameras, a cold shoe adapter (available on our order page) may be required for mounting directly to your camera.
Being photographers first and an engineering company second, we give you the ability to adjust the sensitivity of the Lightning Bug Plus™. The exclusive sensitivity adjustment circuitry allows the photographer to customize the Lightning Bug Plus's™ operation to any shooting situation. This gives the photographer full control over when to take the picture. If you only wanted to capture the brightest and boldest lightning bolts you would decrease the sensitivity. Or if you wanted to capture lightning over the city or mountains from a long distance, you would increase the sensitivity. Only the Lightning Bug Plus™ gives you this level of control.
While others in the field point to the simplicity of their unit's ability to automatically 'adjust' for all conditions, we are of the mindset that the user knows better than our device ever could. At MK Controls we believe that you, the photographer, should be able to make the decision about an image. That is why we include features that put you in control for less money.
We also include premium features not found in simpler lightning detectors on the market. The Lightning Bug Plus™ allows the user to limit the number of possible exposures per second to between 1 and 10. This feature allows you to capture repeated lightning strikes successfully.
When trying to capture weather events, your photography gear can get wet, we've designed the Lightning Bug Plus™ to withstand exposure to rain. The design incorporates weather resistant soft touch buttons.
The Lightning Bug Plus™ Engineered for your imagination.
* When buying this accessory, you must choose the cable compatible with your DSLR camera.
Technical Specifications
Features:
Power-On Self-Test
Event indicator light
Sensitivity set-point indicator (LED Bargraph)
MOSFET isolation between camera and the Lightning Bug Plus™ circuitry
Battery can be replaced without removing unit from camera
26 levels of sensitivity for complete control in all lighting situations
Allows testing of your shutter release via the Lightning Bug Plus™ circuitry
Firmware is field-updateable
Easily adjust frames per second (from 1 to 10)
Water Resistant Soft-touch panel buttons
Simple three-button control of all features
Requires (1) standard or rechargable 9V battery
Dimensional Data:
Front Overhang (from center of camera shoe): 3.51"
Rear Overhang (from center of camera shoe): 0.74"
Overall Height (not including shoe mount): 1.13"
Overall Height (including shoe mount): 2.10"
Overall Length: 4.25"
Overall Width: 2.60"
Weight (not including Battery): 2.96 oz
Weight (including Battery): 4.48 oz
Battery: Standard 9V Cell
Mounting:
Attaches to your camera hot-shoe
Cabling:
Cables are sold separatly here
Certifications:
FCC Part 15, Subpart B Class B
RoHS - MK Controls, Inc. has adopted the RoHS (Reduction of Hazardous Substances) initiative. All Lightning Bug Plus™ models are certified to meet RoHS requirements.
In the Box
Lightning Bug Plus
