Have been getting some wicked storms the last few days because of the high temp/humidity... great opportunity for some lightning.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tanm/2565974495/"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3102/2565974495_f0ef539491_b.jpg" alt="I love a stormy night (by Tanner.)" /></a>

I'm jealous. nice shot!

...a nice night to test out my new camera! But I didn't... I got home @ 12:15 and I was exhausted, so I missed out.

Question: How did you time it properly for the lightning? Was it just guess-work?

Someone had to say it... Nice work.

I knew where the lightning was occurring due to the storm's movement, but in terms of capturing it, it was more luck than anything else. I'd leave the shutter open for at most 20 seconds, and close the shutter earlier if one appeared.

There was another good one around 1AM and since I got woken up by the thunder (let's just say the time delay was half a second), but it was heavy rain and the lightning was too close. No way I was gonna stand outside!

What is your technique?
When do you press the shutter (remotely I have the feeling) and how do you set your exposure

Set to ISO 200. Aperture to F5.6 (though F8 could work too depending on what you're focusing on and whether you need to get everything relatively in focus for the large depth of field). Bulb mode and used a remote timer with a 20 second shutter. I was using a 17-40L lens at 40mm. Would have liked to get a strike that was in full frame but the chances of getting something good would be a lot less, so the above image was cropped a bit to get the right framing.

I was near the camera while it was taking shots and if there was a good strike, I would close the shutter, regardless if it was close to 20 seconds or not.

Cross your fingers for a good strike, repeat :)